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Arkansas City Traveler
12/28/1920 to 7/27/1921

AMERICAN RAILWAY EXPRESS CO. ROBBERY, WHICH OCCURRED ON THE NIGHT OF TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1920.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1920

MYSTERY IN THE DISAPPEARANCE OF VALUABLES
Money and Jewels Worth Nearly $10,000 Stolen

FROM EXPRESS OFFICE

Bold Robbery Occurred Here at 7:20 Last Night

NO CLUE, IT IS SAID

$7,500 and Jewelry Taken As Though By Magic. Later Cop Says Auto Was Seen.

Great mystery surrounds the stealing of an express strong box, which contained at least $7,500 in currency and three packages of jewelry, all of which was to be shipped out of this city and was in the hands of the American Railway Express company, and which was taken from the depot office of the express company at the Santa Fe last night shortly after 7 o'clock. The alarm of the big theft, which has only been rivaled by the E. L. McDowell daylight jewelry robbery in this city several years ago, soon spread about the city and the surrounding country last night, and the wires on the Santa Fe were hot from that time on during the entire night. In fact, the wires were still being used when daylight came this morning in an effort to at least secure some clue that would lead to the discovery of the whereabouts of the big iron box and its valuable contents. The box was stolen out of the depot express office last night while the men on duty there were working train No. 405, southbound, and those on duty at that time declare that they were not out of the building for more than ten minutes. The supposition is that the thieves, for there must have been at least two of them, and possibly more, loaded the box into a motor car at the west side of the building and drove away before the men who were working the train got back into the office. In fact, this is just what was done. The box is said to weigh about 250 pounds, as nearly as can be ascertained, and was used as a stationary safe in the express office for the taking care of such packages as it contained last night. The night agent at the express office, Henry LeClair, stated to the reporters this morning that the combination on the door of the large safe in the office was out of fix and for that reason this smaller safe, or strong box, as it is more commonly called by the expressmen, had been in use for that purpose for some time. Mr. LeClair stated that the same precautions had been taken last night as is usual at the office there in the protection of the money and other valuable property which was on hand and in the care of the company at that time.

Won't State Positively
M. J. Holmes, the local agent for the express company, when asked over the phone this morning what the strong box contained, stated that he did not know positively and would not make a statement in this regard for publication. But as soon as the theft was reported last night, it was stated that the box contained at least $7,500 in money and several hundred dollars worth of jewelry and was so reported to the police. It was said at the express office this morning that the box contained money and other valuable packages that were to be sent north on No. 18 last night; but this morning, John Heard, proprietor of the Eagle jewelry store, was told by the express employees that a package of jewelry which he had placed in the hands of the express company late yesterday afternoon and consigned to Howard Maxwell at Fairfax, Oklahoma, was in the box. It seems from all the information gathered from the expressmen who were on duty last night that the box contained money and other valuable packages that were to be sent out on both last night's and this morning's trains. John Heard stated that he had two valuable packages in the hands of the express company last night and he was informed that they were both in the box at the time it was stolen. Mr. Heard carries insurance and theft protection with the Pinkerton detective agency and he wired that firm this morning of the loss. One of his packages was valued at $1,500 and the other at $1,000, he told reporters.

The Shank-Dweelaard Jewelry Co. of this city lost a package of diamonds that were consigned to a firm in Kansas City, and valued at $1,500, in the robbery, Mr. Shank told the newspaper men this morning. This package was delivered to the express company yesterday evening, he stated.

Home National Had $75,000
Foss Farrar, one of the assistant cashiers of the Home National Bank, stated this morning that the bank had delivered to the express company last night a package containing $75,000 in currency and consigned to Wichita. This package, the express employees state, was in the strong box. It was to go out on train No. 18 at 8:30 last night, it is said. Just what other valuable articles the box contained had not been made public this morning. The box is said to have contained close to $10,000 worth of money and jewelry, however.

The strong box is said to be about two feet in length, and 16 or 18 inches high, and the same size in width. It is said by the expressmen to weigh about 250 pounds, but none of them really knew the exact weight of the box.

How It Was Done
Night Agent Henry LeClair showed the reporters and the local police just how the theft was accomplished this morning, and he stated that the office was locked at the time. He said the thieves first had to break a padlock on the rear, or west door, of the storeroom, then they went to the main office and opened the door leading to that place, and pried open the steel screened office. He said that someone had to reach a hand inside and turn the night lock on the door, and then they were inside the enclosed office, or cage, where the big safe and the strong box were located. The strong box was on the floor beside the large safe, and the chain that is used to secure the strong box in its place was not fastened or locked. Asked if this was not out of the ordinary, LeClair stated that it was not and that the chain was not locked to the box at all times as it was thought to be perfectly safe inside the steel screened office. He said that the night trains were being worked by the force of men there last night, just the same as on other nights, and that no one ever thought of such a thing taking place while the men were not out of the office more than minutes. He declared that he and the other men on duty at the time were not out of the office more than ten minutes at the most. The train they were working at the time, No. 407 southbound, had arrived on time at 7:20; and if they were not out over ten minutes, the breaking into the office and carrying the box out, loading it into a car, and driving away clear out of sight must all have been accomplished in the ten minutes that had elapsed between 7:20 and 7:30 o'clock that night. The men on the force at the time were naturally greatly surprised when they discovered the box and its contents were gone and they at once gave the alarm. The city officers were called and they were on the job all night in an effort to secure some clue as to what route the robbers would take, or had taken, out of the city. But at daylight this morning there was no more of a clue in sight than there was last night, the officers stated. On account of the heavy travel of express wagons, mail wagons, taxi cabs, and other vehicles in the roadway back of the station, there was no chance whatever for the officers to pick out any certain track that might have been made by the bandits' car, if a car was used.

Many Sleuths In This Morning
The early morning train from the east brought in a number of the express and Santa Fe detectives force from up the line and No. 17, arriving at 8 o'clock, brought several more. The detectives were as thick as bees about the place by 8:30 and all were very anxious to be the first to discover some clue upon which to work out a possible tangible clearing up of the big deal. The local officers had their heads together also, and they too were anxious to take up the first clue and assist in unraveling the greatest theft that has ever been committed in this section of the state.

Great Excitement
The excitement in connection with the robbery last night soon spread and at daylight this morning the news had been sent broadcast over the entire country. Officers in all sections of this state and in Oklahoma, as well, were notified to look out for suspicious characters in this connection; and all the law forces on the job this morning fully expected to learn something that would clear up the mystery and effect the capture of the thieves before the day was ended.

There was much discussion all day by the local and foreign officers as to whether the bold theft was accomplished by local talent or by professionals who might have come in here for this exact purpose, and who might have picked the time and the certain box, having had some sort of knowledge as to when and where the valuables might be located. That someone was watching the laborers there and knew when they went out of the office to work this certain train, there is no doubt, as the robbers could not have accomplished the deed in the time used for that purpose had they not entered the building very quickly after the departure of the expressmen who were on hand.

The detectives for the Santa Fe and the express company met at the Osage hotel this morning shortly after the arrival of the men in this city, and all the forenoon there was a consultation held there with the local Santa Fe officers and the police in attendance. The special officers were deciding on some definite plan to work out the particulars of the robbery; and it was expected that at most any time they would begin active work on running down the men who took the strong box and its contents from the express office. However, the detectives did not make known their plans and they were still in consultation during the early part of the afternoon.

The package of money which was turned over to the express company last evening by the Home National Bank was carried to the depot office by one of the messengers from the bank. The money was first sent to the uptown office of the express company; and that office being closed at the time, the messenger was sent to the station and there he turned the package over to the express messenger, who receipted for it in the regular way. The bank's messenger in this instance went to the depot in an enclosed car, the bank officials stated today.

Policeman Ed Pauley stated at the noon hour today that he had followed the tracks of an auto that was supposed to be at the rear of the station last night all about the city this morning and finally the track was lost sight of. There seems to be no definite idea by the local officers in regard to the kind of vehicle that was used in carrying the box away from the station; and therefore, nothing of a tangible nature has been worked out in this regard.

Chief of Police C. H. Peek and all his men were on the job all day and ready and willing to do anything in their power in the way of unraveling the deep mystery; but up to a late hour this afternoon, they had not found much of a clue of any nature upon which to work.

Say Bandit Car Seen
Late today Chief of Police Peek talked with a man who said he had seen a car backed up at the rear of the express office last night about 7:30 o'clock, and it was supposed that this was the bandit car which carried away the strong box and the valuable contents. The man who saw the car there was said to be Ed. Cooper, a local boilermaker, who happened to be at the station at that time with a friend who was going out on the train. Later it was said that this car might have been the police car which was on the scene very shortly after the discovery of the theft. The car in question was seen, according to the statement of Mr. Cooper, about 7:30; and as the express boys say they were back in the office about that time, leads to the conclusion that it might have been the police car instead of a strange vehicle, it is said by the officers. The story goes that there were two men seen with the strange car at the time mentioned.

Late today Chief Peek and Agent Homes, of the express company, were in conference at the police station in an effort to work out some plan to get on the track of the robbers. The detective forces of the Santa Fe and the express company were still in conference late today at the Osage hotel and they had nothing to give out to the public at the time in connection with the unusual and startling robbery. Up to 4 o'clock this afternoon there had been no arrests made.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1920

NO NEW DEVELOPMENTS TODAY
Detective Force At Work On Several Clues, It Is Said

Night Express Agent Held For Investigation, But No Warrants Have Been Issued As Yet.

The detective force of the American Railway Express Co. and the Santa Fe railroad together with the local police were at work quietly today on the mystery surrounding the theft of the strong box containing $7,500 in money and several hundred dollars worth of jewelry, which was taken from the depot office of the express company Tuesday night; but up to a late hour this afternoon, there had been nothing of a definite nature given out by the men now in charge of the case. One man was arrested last night and booked at the local police station on the charge of investigation, and he was kept under lock and key all night. This man was Henry LeClair, the young Indian who is the night agent at the depot office of the express company. It is said that the officers have had him in charge in the private office all day; but there has been no statement of any kind given to the public as to the supposed guilt or innocence of this man. The night police were given orders not to let anyone talk to LeClair under any conditions last night.

Two other names appeared on the police book this morning as being held for investiga tion, but it was not stated whether or not they were suspects in the big theft deal. The names were Ed Malin and Frank Davis. No one seems to know who these men are or why they were held for investigation. Two strangers were sleeping in the city jail last night, but they had no connection with the case in hand, it is said by the officers.

The officers now on the case are working quietly, but they promise a good story and the clearing of the mystery within a very short time now. Several clues have been followed up already and one of them is the story in regard to three well-known characters who recently escaped from the state reformatory at Hutchinson and are said to have been seen in this vicinity within the past two weeks. Whether or not there is anything to this story remains to be seen, however.

It was reported this morning that some of the jewelry, which was supposed to be in the strong box, had been offered to a local dealer for pawn; but later in the day this story was denied, and it was said by the dealer himself that there was nothing to it.

All kinds of wild stories and rumors are being discussed about the streets, but the officers say they are all wrong. Some people are of the opinion that the strong box will be found in the city, while others think it is many miles from here at the present time. Still others, who are more skeptical in such matters, are of the opinion that the box and the contents will never be found. At any rate, the officers are loath to give out anything of news value of any such information they possess as they prefer to keep their part of the business a secret until they have the men and the goods, it is said. However, the officers are very fair minded in making the statement to newspaper men that the mystery will soon be unraveled and the guilty ones brought to justice.

What Winfield Says
Following report of the robbery was published in the Winfield Courier of Wednesday.

"What local color, as far as Winffield is concerned, in this story comes about by reason of the notice sent to our police to be on the lookout for the robbers. The truck, in which it was supposed the strong box was carried away, might have come in this direction, it was suggested. The police kept a good lookout, but nothing suspicious came through town during the night.

"A later warning, however, indicated that one or more of the robbers might have come to Winfield on train No. 18, which gets here a few minutes after nine o'clock. It was said that a stranger, who appeared to be much agitated and very nervous, had bought a ticket for Tulsa and had left on that train. Ordinarily, the change from No. 18 to the Tulsa train is made at South Winfield station, where the trains connect. Both trains were searched upon the arrival of No. 18 here, but the man was not found.

"An overcoat was left on No. 18, it was said, and no claimant was found for it. This coat is said to answer the description of the one worn by the man who bought the Tulsa ticket. It is argued that a man who would leave his overcoat on a train on a chilly night, such as last night, must have been very much agitated and nervous. The question then is: When did he leave the train? It now surmised that he opened one of the vestibules and dropped off as the train slowed down coming into South Winfield. He could then make it across town and catch the Tulsa train at the Southern Kansas station. As this train was watched at the Southern Kansas, and no agitated man without an overcoat made his appearance, the next guess is that he either rode the 'blind' to the next station, or that he only bought the ticket to Tulsa in order to make a false trail.

"A more detailed account of the robbery was received from Arkansas City this afternoon. The robbery took place at the express office and storeroom in the building at the north end of the platform at the Arkansas City station. The strong box was inside the steel cage in which strong boxes and other valuable packages are kept pending their delivery or forwarding. The account of the expressmen is that they were not away from the office more than ten minutes, working the express on train No. 405, the southbound train in the evening. This was between 7:30 and 8:00 o'clock. When they returned to the office, the evidence that a forcible entrance had been made was plain.

"The back door of the office had been pried open with a crowbar. In a similar manner, the door of the steel cage had been forced. A check of the contents of the cage was made immediately, and the strong box was all that was noted as missing. This was the usual type of express strong box used locally, usually between the office and the train for greater security in carrying money and other small valuables. The box is about a foot wide, ten inches deep, and a foot and a half long, with a lid or door opening on top like that of a chest or trunk. The entire weight, it is said, does not exceed a hundred pounds.

"The box is believed to have contained about $7,000 in cash and some packages of jewelry and other small valuables. These, it is guessed, would amount to from a few hundred dollars to a thousand or more. The theory is that it was lifted into a car or a truck and carried away to be opened at leisure. A car is more likely to have been the vehicle used, as the size and weight of the box would make it possible to carry it easily in an ordinary automobile. No trail was found leading away from the back door, as the area back of the express office is paved.

"No clues have been reported so far. A swarm of railroad detectives arrived on trains this morning and went to work on the case together with local officers. One of the first moves was the careful search for the box in all likely places in the neighborhood of the city. It is assumed that the box was opened and robbed and then left somewhere. It may have been thrown into the river, so as to cover all traces of the crime. In that case, it will scarcely be found except by merest accident.

"The theory that it was possibly an 'inside job' will be carefully looked into by the detectives. It is believed someone familiar with the operation of the expressmen in working the express for the several trains is indicated by the time and method of the robbery. Then, were the money and valuables in the box as supposed, will be one of the questions. Did somebody slip dummy packages into the box, holding out the real stuff, then steal the box as a means of escaping detection? There always are many possibilities in a job of this kind."

 

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1920

MONEY AND JEWELRY HAVE BEEN RECOVERED
Mysterious Phone Call From Wichita, Spills the Job

NO ARRESTS AS YET

Night Manager LeClair Given Clean Bill By Officers

TOLD STRAIGHT STORY

$7,500 and Jewels Found in Old Grand View Building Just West of Santa Fe Station.

An announcement was made today relative to developments in the mysterious robbery at the Santa Fe office of the American Railway Express company, which occurred on Tuesday evening, and in which the sum of $7,500 in money and several packages of jewelry, valued at between three and four thousand dollars, were taken together with the strong box of the office.

The valuables have been recovered and the box has also been found. This information was given to the newspaper men at the Osage hotel shortly before noon today by C. J. Abbott, of St. Louis, Mo., who is the chief special agent for the American Railway Express Co., and who arrived in the city yesterday morning to lend his assistance in the running down of the mysterious affair that has caused the greatest stir in this city that has been in evidence for a number of years. Mr. Abbott is at the head of the detective forces of the express company, and he has about 400 assistants working under him. But he took the time to run down here from Kansas City to take a hand in the work and to relieve some of the men who have been on the job here since the robbery occurred. He said that in his opinion the big job here and the one pulled off in Kansas City a few days ago, in which a strong box and much money were taken off of a wagon, bore the same earmarks and that the two jobs may have some connection. However, he stated to the reporters that he had made no arrests in the case here and that, so far, officers have nothing on anyone that will at this time warrant making a criminal case. All of the employees of the express company, he stated, had been on the carpet and all told a perfectly straight story.

The chief of detectives released all the men on the job here today and he left on the afternoon train.

Phone Call From Wichita
Mr. Abbott explained exactly how the money and the box were located. He stated that at 10:30 o'clock last night, while he was at his hotel and thinking over the details of the case at hand, there came a long distance call for him. The man at the other end of the phone refused to disclose his identity; but told him on the start, after calling him by name however, that he was not mixed up in the deal, but was talking for a friend and that the friend desired to "spill" on the job. He asked the officer if the force would be called off the job and let it stand at that if he would tell where the money and other valuables were lo-

cated. The officer told the man he would not call off the men under any circumstances and that he would rather have the men who did the job than to have the money. The stranger "stalled" several times and finally told the officer where the money was hidden in this city. The strange voice was of good English, the officer says, but the man at the other end of the line talked rough and used considerable slang.

The Money Found
As soon as the conversation was over, Mr. Abbott and some of his men went to the place where the mysterious messenger said the money could be found and it was there, just as described. It was found in the attic at the rear end of the building west of the Santa Fe station, and facing D street on the east, wrapped in a gunny sack. All the money and the jewels were there as described and were restored to the company. They were sent out this morning on their destination, it is said.

Mr. Abbott says that the man on the phone was in Wichita, he learned immediately after the conversation was ended; but further than this, he has no idea how the person came to squeal unless someone on the job got "cold feet" and became suspicious that they were being watched. The officers had been all about this building on several occasions since the robbery, and it is just possible that someone on the job had seen that and had thought the officers were getting dangerously near to the loot. Mr. Abbott, of course, has his ideas on the matter; but being a good officer and desiring to do some more work on the case, he did not give these ideas out for publication. But he does say that the guilty parties will soon be run to earth. The parties who took the box from the office were two young men and they drove a Ford car, Mr. Abbott says without hesitation.

The Box Found
Mr. Abbott, himself, found the iron box in the canal at a location near the South First street bridge, where it had been dumped out of the car and over the bank, late yesterday afternoon while he was walking the tracks about the city in an effort to pick up some sort of a clue. The auto tracks were visible where the car had been driven up along the canal and the box was thrown over the bank from the car, the officer says. The ground showed where the box had turned over and left marks on the bank in three different places, in going down the bank. It was only partly in the water and part of it stuck up in plain view. The box was secured from this place by the officers after dark. The box had been unlocked, the officer said, showing that someone had a key to it. The officers say that some time ago the expressmen lost one of the two keys to the box and that a duplicate key had been made for their use. The lost key had never been found.

LeClair Given Clean Bill
Mr. Abbott stated that he had nothing on any of the expressmen in this city and that all of those who had been on the carpet had been released; and all are at work today, with the exception of Dean Randol, who called for his moeny this morning and quit the job. Mr. Abbott stated that Randol took exception to the detectives questioning him and that Randol lost his temper. This morning Randol asked the local agent, Mr. Holmes, for his time. Mr. Abbott and Mr. Holmes both stated today that there was nothing against Henry LeClair, the night manager at the depot office, nor any of the other employees. Mr. Holmes stated to the Traveler today that LeClair had not been arrested, but that he had been held at the city building from 4 o'clock in the morning until 2 the following afternoon after which he had been taken to the Osage hotel by the officers until released. He was released and given a "clean bill," the agent states, and he was on the job at the depot station again that night.

The police were given a "bum steer" on the case yesterday afternoon; and when this matter was investigated, there proved to be nothing to it. One of the policemen received an unsigned letter through the mail, which had been printed with a pencil, and stated that two men were seen to carry a heavy box into the basement of the old St. Charles building on Tuesday night about 8 o'clock. The officers immediately went to that location and found the doors locked as they have been for some time, it is said. They found no trace of the box or contents there, and the matter was passed off as a joke. An effort is being made, however, to locate the author of the letter.

Greatly Relieved
Cashier Bill Pratt, of the uptown office of the express company, stated this morning that it certainly was a relief to him to know that the chief of detectives had located and recovered the valuables, as the matter had been a great strain on him and all the other men on the job here.

Late this afternoon there had been no arrests made in the case and the local Santa Fe Officers and the police are the only ones left to work on this end of the job.

A great many people in the city, who have expressed their theories on the case, were surprised this morning when the truth in regard to the finding of the money and the box came to light; and none have been found who had worked the case out in the manner in which it has terminated, so far.

 

SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1921

OFFICERS NOT SATISFIED
Says They Will Take Express Robbery Case to Attorney General

Local officers of the law are not satisfied with the results so far obtained in the express robbery case, which was pulled off here last week, and in which there have been no arrests so far, although the money and jewels valued at more than ten thousand dollars, were found and restored to the express company. The rumors that have been floating about the city since the case terminated into the discovery of the money and jewels are a slam on the local officers, they think; and this morning one of the state officers, who resides in this city, stated that the matter was going to be taken up with the county attorney and with the attorney general of the state in an effort to ascertain why the local officers were not permitted to assist in the running down of the robber or robbers, and clear the mystery. The local officers are of the opinion that the case was not handled pro-perly, and this is also the opinion of the public at large, who have been following up the case; and many of the readers of the daily papers have asked why the suppressed facts have not been given. In other words, who is the man, or who are the men, who so far have escaped arrest by the return of the stolen goods to the express company. Again, the Traveler is compelled to state that the only story given out here, for publication in the case, was the one furnished by the chief of detectives of the American Railway Express Co., C. J. Abbott, of St. Louis, Mo., and which appeared in the issue of the second day following the robbery.

FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1921

MRS. JAY THORP OF WINFIELD LOSES HER LIFE
Ford in Which She was Riding Struck by Big Car

IDENTITY NOT KNOWN

Young Woman and Husband in Small Car At Time

CORONER ON THE CASE

Officers from Winfield Have Clue As To Who Reckless Parties Are and Arrests May Follow Soon.

Mrs. Jay Thorp, aged 30 years, who was a resident of Winfield, was killed last night about 8:30 o'clock on the Rock Road north of this city when the Ford car in which she and her husband were riding was struck by a big car, was overturned, and the woman pinned under the Ford. She was breathing when the first of the rescuing party reached her, it is said, but she died within a few minutes and before a physician or the ambulance from this city reached the scene. The Parman-Powell ambulance was on the scene soon after the fatal accident occurred and Dr. M. M. Miller of this city was called. But there was no need of a physician and no need to convey the woman to the hospital; therefore, the body was turned over to an undertaking firm from Winfield some time after the woman was pronounced dead. The accidental killing of the Winfield young woman was a sad affair and in the accident she received a fractured neck, left arm torn nearly off, an ugly cut on one cheek, and the jaw bone broken in three places, it is reported. Mr. and Mrs. Thorp had been married ten years. They had no children. The funeral services will be held this evening at the family home in Winfield and the body of Mrs. Thorp will be taken to her former home at Ashton, Illinois, for burial.

Mr. Thorp Unconscious
Mr. Thorp was rendered unconscious for a time after the accident and he was unable for some time to realize what had happened. At first he stated that he did not know what had happened and that he did not see or hear another car at the time. But the fact remains, according to other persons who were on the ground very soon after the fatal accident, that the Ford had been struck by another car and was turned over in this manner. The accident occurred four miles north of the city and directly in front of the H. R. Branstetter home. The Thorp Ford was traveling south and the big car was traveling north. Parties who were on the scene saw the big car as it went on its way toward the north and the officers have a good description of the car.

Looking for Buick
The Winfield city marshal, other officers from the county seat, the husband of the victim of the fatal accident, and other relatives of Mr. and Mrs. Thorp visited the scene of the wreck this morning and secured the lay of the land. They also came on to this city and the officers are looking for a big gray Buick roadster, which was in the vicinity of the accident. From Winfield this afternoon the Traveler learned that the officers have a splendid clue and that some arrests may follow soon. The big Buick is said to be in this vicinity, and the officers are on the lookout for the parties who were in the car at the time. This car and its occupants may not have any connection with the accident; but the parties may have the chance to prove this, however, the officers assert. This car was seen on both the north and the south sides of the wreck, but it did not venture close to the accident, it is said. Parties from this city who went to the scene saw such a car and it is said that the parties in this car asked who was injured in the wreck.

Mr. Thorp Tells Story
Jay Thorp, his father, and his two brothers were at the scene of the accident about the middle of the forenoon and a Traveler reporter talked with them and with the officers from the county seat.

Jay Thorp says he did not see any car coming from either direction when he was hit. Mrs. Branstetter, who lives just opposite where the accident happened, heard groans from Mr. Thorp and she and her husband tried to lift the car off. She phoned to Mrs. Art Hill, and Mrs. Hill summoned the Powell-Parman ambulance. Mr. and Mrs. Thorp had company for supper last evening and after their company had gone home, they jumped into their Ford to ride around and were coming to Arkansas City. Mr. Thorp says he did not see any lights of a car nor did he hear any car approaching from any direction. His lights were burning. The Thorp car was coming south and was hit on the right side, the running board bent up even with the body of the car.

In Grocery Business
Mr. Thorp had been in the grocery business with his father until the first of January when he retired from the firm of Thorp & Sons, located at 1015 South Main street, in Winfield. Mr. Thorp received a very badly injured head, and his left hand and legs were cut. Mr. Thorp was unconscious for several hours after the accident. Mrs. Art Hill dressed his wounds. He did not know who took care of him.

Will Go the Limit
The father said he would go the limit to find out who hit the car and killed his son's wife. The tracks show that Thorp's car was about in the middle of the road when it was hit. The first words spoken by Thorp after the impact were, "Who in the world hit us?" Mrs. Thorp did not say a word after she was hit.

Local officers are working on the case from this end of the line, and up to a late hour this afternoon there had been no developments of note in regard to the identity of the party or parties who were in the Buick that is being searched for.

SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1921

Investigates Accident
There were no new developments in the case of the auto accident north of the city on Thursday night, at which time Mrs. Jay Thorp was killed, according to a report from Winfield. Coroner Marsh held an investigation in the case and decided that the woman came to her death through an accident. The Winfield officers are still searching for the grey roadster, supposed to be a Buick, which it is claimed struck the Ford. Local officers who worked on the case all day yesterday, still hold the opinion, however, that the Ford was not struck by another car.

MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1921

THE THORP ACCIDENT
Later developments in regard to the death of Mrs. Thorp in the automobile accident north of the city a few nights since lead the officers to believe that no one ran into the Thorp automobile and that the accident was due to the driver of the Thorp car. The officers have been investigating the accident very minutely, and they give the Traveler information that the fenders of the Thorp car on either side are uninjured. However, the running boards are buckled up some. It looks more like the car had turned over, not from any force excepting that of its own.

The Traveler believes that a very strict investigation should be held in regard to this accident, and ascertain, if possible, whether it was the driver of the Thorp machine himself or someone who ran into it. No matter who caused the accident, they should be given the full penalty if there is a law covering such matters.

MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1921

SPEED FIENDS
The utterly reckless manner in which motor cars are being driven through city streets and over rural roads calls for drastic measures of reform. Fatal accidents and serious injuries are actually horrifying. Within a few days there has happened in this city and its immediate vicinity several automobile collisions due to reckless speeding. In one of these speeding acci dents, a splendid young woman met an untimely death.

All speeding of motor cars should be stopped everywhere upon streets and roadways. The capacity of a machine for speed is not a matter of interest to anybody but its owner. Speed fiends are a menace to the safety of everybody, including themselves. They should be "stepped on" with feet heavy enough to "set their brakes!"

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 1921

DEAN RANDOL UNDER ARREST
Action Taken In The Recent Express Robbery Sunday Night

Former Arkansas City Policeman is Charged with Burglary and Larceny Taken to Winfield for Trial.

At last there has been official action taken in the matter of the American Railway Express Co. robbery, which occurred in this city on the night of Tuesday, December 28, 1920, and over which there has been much discussion and comment since that date. It has been a little more than three months since the robbery of a strong box containing over $7,000 in money and $3,000 worth of jewelry, from the Santa Fe depot express office here; and there was an arrest in the case Sunday afternoon. Dean Randol, of Kaw City, Oklahoma, who was an employee of the express company at the time of the robbery, and who prior to that time, was on the Arkansas City police force, was arrested on a state warrant yesterday at his home and he came back into the state of Kansas without a requisition. He was arrested by Don Goldsmith, undersheriff of this county, and was taken to Winfield late last night, passing through this city at midnight in the custody of that officer. At 4 o'clock this afternoon Randol had not made the bond required in the case, which was set at $2,000. He was arraigned in the justice court of Judge O'Hare, of Winfield, from which court the complaint and warrant were issued. County Attorney Ellis Fink stated to a Traveler reporter this afternoon that he signed the complaint and that the case had been before him ever since the robbery occurred and the alleged thief was let go by the officials of the express company. It will be remembered that the chief of detectives of the express company, C. J. Abbott, of St. Louis, Mo., came here to work on the case with the local officers and a large crowd of the special officers of the express company and the Santa Fe; and that on the morning of Friday, December 31, 1920, Abbott called the newspaper men of this city to his room at the Osage hotel and gave them a big "scoop" story on the discovery of the valuables and the return of the same on a supposed mysterious telephone message from a party in Wichita on the night before. No one believed the story at the time, and no one believes it still yet. When asked in regard to the Abbott story and the connection of Abbott with the recent arrest in the case, the county attorney stated that he had nothing to give out in this matter at the present time. Randol's case is set for preliminary hearing on Tuesday, April 12. Randol had no comments to make on the case when arrested. C. S. Beekman of this city will defend him, it is said.

Stories of various kinds and characters have been related from time to time in regard to the case; and the name of Dean Randol has been connected with the case, but his name was never put in print for the reason that he has never, until this time, been placed under arrest and no complaint had been issued up to the present time against him or anyone else.

The county attorney stated today that he had kept close tab on Randol ever since the robbery occurred. It will be remembered that Randol moved his family from this city to Kaw City soon after the story of Detective Abbott had been printed here. Just what sort of evidence the state has on the expected conviction of the former policeman remains to be seen, as the county attorney made no statement in this regard.

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1921

Dean Randol, who was arrested and taken to Winfield Sunday on the charge of burglary and grand larceny in connection with the express strong box robbery in this city three months ago, had not made bond late this afternoon. The bond was fixed at $2,000. Randol is still in the custody of the sheriff at Winfield.

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1921

DEAN RANDOL MAKES BOND
Two Arkansas City Men Sign $1,500 Appearance Bail

Dean Randol, formerly of this city and a former member of the local police force and later in the employ of the American Railway Express Co., as driver, and whose home is now in Kaw City, Okla., was released from the custody of the sheriff of Cowley county last night on a bond of $1,500. The charge against the former Arkansas City man is that of burglary in the night time and grand larceny in connection with the strong box robbery at the Santa Fe depot office of the express company in this city on the night of December 28, 1920. The bond of the defendant was sent to this city last evening from the justice court of Judge O'Hare, of Winfield, and was signed up and approved by Judge G. H. McIntire, of the state court here. The men who signed the bond were Dr. R. L. Baker and W. H. Lightstone, Sr., both of this city. The bond was then sent back to Winfield and the defendant was released. The preliminary hearing is set for April 15 before the Winfield justice of the peace. Immediately following the release of Randol, he left for his home, accompanied by his wife, his brother, and his father, who came here to look after the bond matter.

OIL TANK FACTORY...C. H. LOOP, ETC., REPLACES BOX FACTORY.

 

MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1921

SECURES OIL TANK FACTORY
Pawhuska Capitalists Locate Important Industry Here

Be in Operation in Sixty Days Use Old Box Factory Building Use 20 Workmen at Start.

Through the efforts of the Chamber of Commerce, Arkansas City is securing another industry. It is an oil tank factory and it will be operated in the old box factory building just north of the Santa Fe yards, at the junction of the Missouri Pacific and Santa Fe railways.

The contract was closed today by the city of Arkansas City, the Chamber of Commerce, C. H. Loop and C. S. Burnett and their associates, of Pawhuska, Oklahoma. The contract cites the tank factory is to employ twenty men at the start, is to run one year, and increase its products as rapidly as possible until it reaches a certain volume of business. When these provisions are complied with, the city deeds the factory to the owner of the new

industry.

In case the tank factory fails to run according to provisions of the contract, all the new buildings that the company may have erected with the present building, reverts back to the city.

These gentlemen have been operating at Pawhuska, repairing tanks; but Mr. Loop has a patented tank much sought after by oil companies, and it is the intention of the company to manufacture these tanks at this point, and it will be turning them out in sixty days. The gentlemen forming this company have their own money to invest in the business, and are not asking anyone to purchase stock. All they ask for is the location and site, and the proper arrangements have been made by the city, the commercial club, and the gentlemen composing the tank company for this, and our city will soon have another important industry in operation.

The Traveler gladly welcomes the new industry to the city and hopes it will meet with unlimited encouragement and prosperity.

Arkansas City Traveler, Tuesday, April 12, 1921.

FOUND TEN-GALLON STILL
Fifty Gallons of Mash and Some Corn Whiskey Captured

The best little ten gallon still yet picked up in Cowley county was captured by Sheriff Goldsmith and his force Saturday morning at the home of W. A. Gidney, a mile and and a half west of town. Fifty barrels of corn mash and three or four gallons of white corn whiskey were captured at the same time. Gidney pleaded guilty before Justice O'Hare this forenoon and was sentenced to pay a fine of $200 and to serve sixty days in jail.

Gidney, for a month or more, has been living on the road going west from the junction on Riverside ave. and the Country Club road. His home is the first on the south side of the road west of the interurban tracks. For the past two or three years, he has been managing a farm; but failing health caused him to quit the job, he stated to the sheriff. Having rheumatism, he said, he was unable to work, and took to selling liquor to make a living. At first, as he is said to have told it, he brought the stuff in. Three weeks ago he bought the still, he said, and began to make his own liquor.

Information of Gidney's enterprise leaked to the officers. A degree of certainty developed last night. At eight this morning, Sheriff Goldsmith, Undersheriff Don Goldsmith, and Deputy Charles Goforth went out to Gidney's armed with a search warrant covering the entire section of which Gidney's place was a part. Gidney, it is said, weakened the moment he saw the sheriff and made practically a clean breast of it. A back room in the basement of the house was found to contain a fifty five gallon barrel nearly full of mash, warm and fermenting. A five gallon keg was nearly full of corn whiskey. There was also about a gallon of "first run" whiskey.

Urged by the sheriff, Gidney showed the officers the still. Just back of the house is a two strand wire fence. Hanging on the fence was an old quilt. The quilt hung down on both sides, and would be taken as a quilt hanging out to dry. On the ground under the fence, concealed by the quilt, the still was found.

It is a very good quality, all copper still. Gidney told the sheriff that he bought it from a man in Winfield three weeks ago, paying twenty-five dollars for it. He denied its being what is known as the "Deal still."

Gidney has a wife and three children. The oldest child is a boy fifteen; the youngest is a toddler. Living with the Gidney's are two old men, said to be grandfathers of the Gidney children. Winfield Courier.

Arkansas City Traveler, Wednesday, April 13, 1921.

DESTROYED LIQUOR
Sheriff Goldsmith Has Witnesses to Pouring Out Contraband
All the contraband liquor obtained by him as the results of raids since he took charge of the office was dumped by Sheriff Goldsmith this afternoon in the presence of witnesses. All of this liquor has served its purpose as evidence, and no reason existed for keeping it any longer. Newspaper men, County Attorney Fink, and several others were present to see the last rites over this much of the family of John Barleycorn.

Included in this destruction was about five gallons of white corn whiskey taken in the Saturday raid on the Gidney still west of town; a lot of jars of corn whiskey taken from Thomas and Condit, who were convicted last week of having liquor in possession; and some of the mash saved out of the Gidney still to be used as evidence. There was also about half a pint of corn whiskey which had been used as evidence in the W. P. Linscott case, taken from the stock of liquor Linscott is said to have had when his still was captured.

The Linscott still, a crude affair made of a tin washboiler with a condensing attachment, was also destroyed this morning. The Gidney still is also a washboiler affair, but it is all copper. It is being held for orders from the United States authorities before destroying it. This still is said to have had a capacity of ten gallons a day.Courier.

TOURIST AUTO PARK PLANNED FOR PARIS PARK

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1921

PLANS FOR TOURIST PARK
Portion of Ground in Paris Park Set Aside For This

Final plans are being made on the auto tourist park, which it is thought will attract hundreds of cross country travelers to this city during the summer. The park is situated in the southwest triangle of the Paris park, bounded by the Midland Valley right-of-way, Fifth avenue, and Sixth street.

The city has promised that a cinder drive will be put in for the convenience of the travelers. Four brick ovens are being installed, and electric lights are to be placed in operation within a short while.

Those visitors who care to bathe will be invited to use the bathing beach at the lake, and signs to this effect are to be placed throughout the park.

This park should serve as a drawing card to travelers throughout the country en route from points south to Colorado and the western summer lands. The senior and junior Chambers of commerce have been working since early last spring in an attempt to get the park in operation here.

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1921

DEAN RANDOL BOUND OVER
But Missing Link in Regard to Strongbox Still is Missing.

The preliminary hearing of Dean Randol, formerly of this city, which was held at Winfield today in connection with the strongbox robbery at the Santa Fe station in this city last December, resulted in the justice of the peace binding the defendant over for trial in the district court. Bond was fixed at $1,500, the same as it was; but on account of the new bond not being made this afternoon, the former bond will hold good until Monday. After the state's testimony was submitted at the hearing today, the missing link in regard to the place where the strongbox was found, is still missing. The defendant in the case was taken to his own home by the detectives in the case, and from there back to the Osage hotel; but the evidence failed to disclose where the box was located when the express officers recovered it.

Among the witnesses in the case today were Ben Gregg, the Santa Fe detective, who testified that he was asked by Randol that if he, Randol, would tell where the valuables were located and give them up, if he would not be arrested, or words to that effect. The Santa Fe man said he told Randol that he could have nothing to do with any sort of a move of this nature, and that Randol was then turned back to the express detectives. Randol's brother-in- law, Murphy Pappan, testified that on the night in question, Randol left his family in the picture show and was gone for 20 minutes. E. L. Beuchener, of this city, testified that on the night of the robbery, he saw Randol drive up at the rear of the express office, but that Randol did not get out of the car. John Heard, jeweler, Ralph Burgett, and Chas. Morris of the Home National bank, Henry LeClair of the express office, Fred Kinney, Joe Stout, Kelley and Spencer, all of this city, were also witnesses in the case at Winfield today.

Randol's case will come up at the June term of the district court.

 

MONDAY, APRIL 18, 1921

101 RANCH TO HAVE QUEEN
Beloved Monarch of Europe Wants to See the American Indians

Ponca City, Okla., April 18.When Queen Marie of Roumania, one of the most beloved monarchs in Euope, as well as one of the few remaining, visits the United States at some time during the present year, she will come to Ponca City in order to see the Indians as they are, the cowboy as he really is, and the typical western world in all its glory. That is the one thing that Queen Marie announced she was coming to America to see; and through an invitation from the Ponca City chamber of commerce, she will view all of these in and around Ponca City. The invitation was sent not only to the Roumanian ambassador at Washington, but also through the American charge-d'-affairs at Bucharest, and her majesty is coming. It is announced from the Roumanian embassy at Washington that the exact time of the queen's coming has not been decided.

Preliminary plans for the visit of Roumania's ruler are being discussed. The entertain ment, in order to show the genuine wild west to the visitor, will include the biggest show in every respect that has ever been pulled off at the 101 Ranch here, where there is everything in the way of paraphernalia that is necessary to put on such a performance; and in addition to the Miller brothers of the 101, Pawnee Bill and other well known "wild westerners" are to be invited to participate in the big roundup.

Prior to the invitation being issued by the chamber of commerce, requesting the Roumanian queen to visit this city, the matter was taken up with Col. George L. Miller of the 101, who answered that the ranch will do everything that can be done to show the genuine old west of the cowman's day and the Indian. The real plans for the entertainment will start when the exact date of the queen's visit is made known.

MORE ABOUT STILLS...

SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1921

AN ELUSIVE STILL
But Sheriff of Kay County Finally Landed the Outfit

How an elusive Cowley county still traveled out of Kansas and into Oklahoma, to be captured there, was told today by Sheriff Goldsmith. Sheriff Dan Bain, of Newkirk, was the man who caught the still and its possessor.

Some time ago Sheriff Goldsmith got the word that spirits were flowing up and around Burden. He made a raid but got there too late. He found where the still had been and could plainly smell the mash hastily poured out as the men with the still ditched it to make a getaway. A wagon carrying the still was trailed several miles before the trail was lost.

The sheriff later found where a second stop was made near the river close to Rock. But the bird had flown again and rumor had it that the distillers had decamped into Oklahoma.

Then Sheriff Bain got on the trail and he captured the outfit. A man named Baker was at the still and he is now in jail at Newkirk. He may be turned over to the Federal officials.

The still was a big one and was capable of making fifty gallons of "corn" a day. After Baker got into jail, Sheriff Goldsmith says, he made several appeals for aid to a man in Cowley, but so far has not been able to get any backing.

Which proves that the way of the distiller is hard.Free Press.

OIL TANK FACTORY CONTINUED...

THURSDAY, MAY 5, 1921

NEW INDUSTRY FOR OUR CITY
Loop Steel Manufacturing Company Getting Ready For Business

Arkansas City's industrial situation took on a new appearance this morning.

C. H. Loop and E. S. Batdorf of Tulsa, Oklahoma, arrived here last evening prepared to start work. These two men represent the Loop Steel Manufacturing company, which is to put a plant in this city immediately, the particulars of which was recently published in the Traveler. They arrived here last evening and prepared to stay and to start work immediately.

The plant that these two men will put in is one for the manufacture of steel oil tanks and for all steel plate work. This is one of the most substantial companies of this kind in the southwest. It comes here from Pawhuska and is furnishing its own capital. The fact that these men have chosen Arkansas City as a location for their factory is an asset of the highest type for this city's business rating.

The company here will occupy the building formerly occupied by the old box factory. This building stands at the intersection of the Missouri Pacific and the Santa Fe railroads in the Second ward, and this is a point of vantage, as it assures the company of the best possible shipping facilities in the city. Their export and import out of Arkansas City will be considerable.

The two men have started to work getting their building ready to install the machinery and hope to have the factory doing business in a short time. The entire equipment has been purchased and has already been shipped for the plant. It will probably arrive within the next few days.

Messrs. Loop and Batdorf stated this morning that with the opening of their plant they would employ twenty men. Some of these men will be brought into Arkansas City from other points, and this will materially boost the population of the city. Some local workmen will be employed. It is expected in time this plant will employ fifty people or more.

Messrs. Loop and Batdorf plan to move their families to Arkansas City next week.

MONDAY, MAY 16, 1921

A. C. IS ON THE MAP
Geological Survey Gives This City a Fine Send Off

Arkansas City is there.

"The biggest town of its size in the United States is Arkansas City. When you talk about wide-awake, business go, progressive in all the things that make a town worth while, clean pavement, fine schools and churches, homelike homes, you may put Arkansas City along side of any in the United States."

The above is the opening paragraph in a survey made of the economical geological worth of Arkansas City and its adjoining district, which was carried on here last year by the state geology department and the local Chamber of Commerce. Many things were unearthed in this survey which are of vital interest. The survey was divided into two sections, first the discussion of rock formations. This merely took up the matter of rocks over the area, their age, and various formations.

The second brought out that Arkansas City is situated in an oil district. With its location, the centralized point of the mid-continent field, its transportation facilities into all sections of the field puts Arkansas City in an advantageous location. As to the oil and gas promise of the surrounding district, the report states that there are several small well defined structures, all of which have been prospected. However, there is one south and east of the city within a radius of six miles which could be further developed.

Approximately twenty samples of clay were taken at various depths. The laboratory experiments showed that only eight were of any use for final tests, and with the exception of two, there are some that show conclusive evidence of having a commercial value.

The limestone, sands, and gravel available in this district were tested for their use in road building. Only one grade of sandstone was found available for road building, while two others showed that they could be used for certain types of construction. The sand in the Arkansas river is reported as satisfactory and of almost unlimited supply. Gravel pits near Silverdale are re-ported as excellent as road material.

The state geology department is not capable of making cement tests, and it is not known positively whether or not the cement found here is of commercial value.

The water was found to be excellent and an unlimited supply, while the highly mineralized water found at Geuda Springs was highly commended.

Y.W.C.A. MOVES TO W. R. RANNEY RESIDENCE, 215 SOUTH FIRST STREET

TUESDAY, MAY 17, 1921

Y. W. C. A. TO MOVE
Addition for Cafeteria Will Be Placed on Ranney Building

The Arkansas City Y. W. C. A. is going to move in a short time from the present quarters on the second floor of the old Newman building, known now as the Morris building, to the W. R. Ranney residence, at 215 South First street, which has been sold to the board at a very reasonable figure by Mr. Ranney for the Ranney estate. The lease on the present quarters expires soon and the Ranney residence is to be used for a home and sleeping rooms for the girls who now have rooms in the present location.

As there is no room for the continuation of the cafeteria at the Ranney house, the members of the board at first made plans to operate the eating house in connection with the Y. W. at some location on Summit street. But this is impossible at this time as there is no room available for this purpose, and so the women of the board and men who compose the advisory board, have decided upon another plan to relieve this situation. The cafeteria in the Y. W. has become a very popular eating place and under the management of Miss Ruth Blair, it has been a success financially as well.

Now it is planned to raise the sum of $3,000 for the erection of an addition at the rear of the Ranney property to be used as a dining hall and kitchen and then the cafeteria will be maintained there. Figures from a local contractor have been procured and the addition can be erected for the amount, it is said. Several days ago when the men and women of the board met to discuss the Y. W., a plan was decided upon to raise the $3,000. At least three of the men present at that time offered to donate the sum of $100 each for this project and since that time there have been others volunteered to dig up, also. Now the ladies have decided to go ahead with the movement and to secure the necessary funds at once for the erection of the addition. It is planned to secure the names of 30 men who will give $100 each and thus raise the money with a whirl wind campaign. In fact the campaign has already started and in the very near future the ladies expect to announce that the amount has been subscribed and the erection of the addition will then be begun.

The Y. W. will move to the new location within 30 days, the members of the board announced today. At present the house is being put in shape for the sleeping quarters and the offices of the secretary.

TUESDAY, MAY 17, 1921

THE A. J. HUNT MEMORIAL
Northwest Miller Gives Account of Late Mill Official

With Infinite Tact He Encountered and Disposed of Many Perplexing Problems the Writer Says.

The following story in regard to the proposed memorial for the late A. J. Hunt, of this city, appears in the issue of the Northwest Miller, of March 30, and published in Minneapo lis, Minnesota.

"It is very seldom that the American milling industry has an opportunity to express in permanent and appropriate form its appreciation of the character of those of its members who, having served it faithfully and well, pass into the land beyond, affectionately and gratefully remembered, yet insufficiently recognized and thanked during their earthly existence.

"There is no place within the wide territory covered by this great trade wherein may be inscribed in suitable phrases the tributes of the living to those who, being dead, still live; no parthenon, in which room may be found for the record of the most worthy of the best beloved. A few inadequate words, some transient resolutions of regard and respect, a brief biographical notice in the technical press, and the book of life of such as these is closed, however great and worthy may have been their services.

"In the case of Andrew J. Hunt, one who, by reason of his lovable nature, especially endeared himself to the millers of the United States, and who, because he gave his strength and energies to their cause, thereby shortening his life, leaves a memory worthy of more than passing honor. A way has fortunately been provided whereby permanent recognition, in a suitable and appropriate form, can be given by those disposed to commemorate one who unselfishly devoted himself to their well-being, and died as a result of his exertions in their behalf.

"The particulars of the proposed Hunt memorial are given elsewhere in these pages. Originally it was proposed that the fund for a proper memorial should be secured exclusively from the millers in the district which he represented in the Food Administration work. Against this there was protest from those outside of this comparatively circumscribed area who desired to participate. The form the memorial was to take not having been definitely determined upon, and the amount of the fund to be raised being uncertain, the plan for a wider extension of the opportunity was held in abeyance, pending deliberations.

"Fortunately, the desires of the members of the little church in which Mr. Hunt was always interested, and of which he was an officer, were found to be in accordance with the aim of the committee having the memorial in charge. A new and better building was needed by the parish, and it could be depended upon to furnish about thirty thousand dollars for a structure to cost approximately sixty thousand. The amount of the fund already raised by the millers of the district being some eleven thousand dollars, the committee, after ascertaining that this form of memorial would be highly satisfactory to Mr. Hunt's family, decided unanimously that it could not do better than to join with the parish of Trinity church in the building of the new edifice, in which a bronze tablet will be inscribed and dedicated to the memory of Andrew J. Hunt, and which will stand as his memorial.

"No one who knew this good and true miller intimately will deny that this method of perpetuating his memory would have been pleasing to him. It is the thing that he himself would have liked to do, and to have his friends do it for him in his name is a most gracious and appropriate way of acknowledging their affection and gratitude. The sum required to complete the fund is nine thousand dollars. Beyond question, it will be promptly raised, but it is the desire of the committee in charge that there be no repeated and urgent solicitations to this end. Those who were acquainted with Mr. Hunt will realize that this desire would accord with his feelings on the subject. Therefore, while sufficient opportunity is given to everybody who desires to contribute, the sum must be raised voluntarily and not as a result of reiterated appeals.

"Mr. Hunt died on October 27, 1918. He was chairman of the Southwestern Milling Division of the Food Administration, having been appointed by Mr. Hoover on August 15, 1917. In this capac-ity he served with the utmost fidelity, devotion, and sacrifice of self. His great exertions in behalf of the trade, made at a time when his health was impaired, undoubtedly resulted in his death; but during the period of his arduous and exacting service, no word from him intimated that he should be excused from any part of his labors.

"With intimate tact he encountered and disposed of the manifold perplexing problems which came within his jurisdiction. Cheerfully and uncomplainingly he carried his burden of responsibility. Faithfully and with great ability he discharged his duty. He regarded himself as nothing compared with the cause he served so willingly. No soldier enlisted in the fighting ranks was more heroic than this civilian who exhausted his last remnant of strength and gave his life for his country.

"For this he is honored, but for his simple boyish good nature, his inexhaustible kindness, his solicitude for others, and his sympathy and friendship, he is held in most affectionate remembrance. Those who thus loved the man himself, and those, also, who can appreciate the nature of the sacrifice he made, as well as all who would have the American milling industry properly recognize those who serve it, will endoubtedly be glad to contribute to the completion of this fund. Checks for this purpose may be remitted to Mr. L. E. Moses, chairman, care of the Kansas Milling Company, Kansas City, Missouri, or to the North western Miller, in which all subscriptions will be acknowledged."

 

BILL STROTHER, THE HUMAN SPIDER, CLIMBS UP ON OSAGE HOTEL AND HOME NATIONAL BANK BUILDING.

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 1921

WALL SCALER WORKS HERE
Human Spider to Mount Osage Hotel Tomorrow Night

Bill Strother, After Finishing Wichita Engagement, Comes Here for a Big Day's Showing.

Bill Strother, Master Vernon, and Art Hill arrived in Arkansas City this morning.

To most of the readers the announcement does not carry any great weight; but to some of the readers, it carries with it a glimpse of death defying, terrifying tricks, half way up a building for Bill Strother, the one and only original "Human Spider." Bill has just completed an engagement in Wichita, where he scaled the Bitting Building, a measly structure of ten stories, and he is in Arkansas City prepared to hoof his way up the side of the Osage hotel.

Bill will scale the Osage hotel tomorrow evening, his performance beginning at 7:30. The first number on the program will be a few song selections by Art Hill, one of which will be "Buckwheat Cakes," a war song hit which Hill made popular in army camps. Then Master Vernon, the lad with the golden voice, will probably give the crowd a treat in the way of songs. Following this Strother will start his ascent up the cold, bleak side of the Hotel building, probably starting his ascension at Summit street and Central avenue.

The trio of individuals looked far from the nervy aggregation they are. Safely entrenched in their hotel room, they glibly conversed on any point while young Master Vernon gave a yodeling selection which attracted porters and hotel guests alike. Instead of being the ordinary type of self-boosters, the trio seemed inclined to like to chat on various subjects such as auto racing, etc., other than that of hair-raising slips between the roof and the ground.

Looking at the side of the Osage building, we ventured the statement that he had a nice task in front of him.

"Oh, that's a nice little wall to scale. But what did you think of Milton's winning yesterday's race?" and that was where the wall scaling stopped.

Bill has to his credit an ascent of the Woolworth building, the McAlpin hotel, the Flatiron building, and numerous others throughout the country.

 

BILL STROTHER CLIMB ON OSAGE HOTEL AND HOME NATIONAL BANK CONTINUED...

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1921

HUMAN FLY GIVES EXHIBITION
Bill Strother and Party Left City Last Night For Salina

A deathlike calm settled over the crowd as Bill Strother, human spider of repute, started his ascension of the Osage hotel. Slowly he wended his way upward, while the crowd below gazed in utter astonishment at his steady, careful procedure up the sheer, bleak side of the building. Then

"Oh, he slipped."

This from a woman fan, for Bill had worked in one of his comedy stunts and let his foot slip from a ledge. He turned, smiled at the crowd, and their anxiety lessened for a minute; but only until he had started up again. At the fifth floor Bill hit a snag. He had no finger hold. Amidst yells from the crowd to come down, save himself, etc., Bill hammered away the resisting mortar and proceeded on to the top of the structure where he, perspiring and breathless, danced about on the narrow ledge, ending with a head stand on a corner of the building. Then he made an announcement. He was going to scale the walls of the Home National bank building.

The crowd was peculiarly quiet and meditative as they wended down the street a block. They glanced at the building:

"He'll never do it." "He'll fall." "He can't go over the cornice."

This was heard from every side. With the agility and ease of a man accustomed to such dangerous feats, Bill made it to the third flight, and there he encountered the ledge. The crowd was waiting breathless for his further ascent. Grabbing the cornice stoutly, he swung out over the crowd and kept swinging until with ease he swung once more and "went over the top" completingthat is, the crowd thought it was completedhis venture. Bill stood on his head for a few minutes, then started something else.

With the flag pole leaning back and forth with his weight, he started his perilous ascent up this point, reached the top, took a seat on top of the gilded ball, and with outstretched arms, he gave a perfect imitation of some ancient statues. The lights playing upon him, dressed all in white, Bill defied all laws of gravitation and common sense while he lingered in this position. He easily slid to the ground, and the evening's entertainment was over.

Many a sigh of relief was heard from the audience as he again appeared on the street.

He and his party left last night for Salina, Kansas, where they will work; and from there, they will go to Pueblo and Denver, Colorado.

CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH CORNERSTONE LAID

FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1921

LAY CORNER STONE ON CHURCH
Central Christian Members Give Pleasing Program Last Night

Befitting Ceremonies Carried Out Before Large Crowd of Local Church People, For New Edifice

With befitting ceremonies the corner stone for the new Central Christian church, being erected at First street and Central avenue, was laid last night. About four hundred people were in attendance during the evening's session.

With the laying of the corner stone, a copper box in which the names of all the subscribers to the church, local newspapers bearing articles about the church, and a bible will be placed. The permanent sealing of the corner stone will not be made until Monday and it is planned to get more subscribers toward the church fund before that time. Everyone who donates toward the fund will be included on the list placed under the corner stone.

The church has been under construction for the past two months. It is thought that it will probably be put under roof some time within the near future. However, the actual construc tion of the church, in order that the church proper may be moved, will probably not be completed before next spring, according to church officials this morning.

An elaborate program was carried out during the evening which consisted of speeches and music. The program as carried out during the evening:

Hymn"The Church in the Wildwood."

PrayerRev. D. Everett Smith, of the United Presbyterian church.

Address"The Church and its Mission"Rev. W. H. Moore, M. E. church.

Address"The Church and Labor"Captain McCullah of the Salvation army.

MusicThe Quinn quartette.

Address"The Church and Business"Secretary O. B. Seyster.

MusicThe Quinn quartette.

Address"The Church and the School"Supt. C. H. St. John.

Laying of the corner stone.

Hymn"I Love Thy Kingdom Lord."

BenedictionRev. G. D. Serrill.

FAULCONER, DALE & SWARTS

NOCO PETROLEUM COMPANY

MONDAY, JUNE 6, 1921

ADDITION TO FIRM
Judge C. L. Swarts is Now Associated With Faulconer & Dale

Faulconer, Dale & Swarts is the way the law firm will be known, following the announcement made this morning by Albert Faulconer that Judge C. L. Swarts would hereafter be associated in the new company. Judge Swarts will resign from his present capacity of deputy county attorney.

This consolidation was made necessary by the increased volume of business levied upon the company, which was increased noticeably through the acceptance of Albert Faulconer of a position as general council for the Noco Petroleum company and all subsidiary organizations. Mr. Faulconer will retain his office in Arkansas City.

A rumor has been current about town for the past few days that Mr. Faulconer was planning to move to New York City to reside. This came about through his being retained by the Noco company. This report, however, was false as Mr. Faulconer made the statement today:

"I have been here twenty-one years and expect to live and die here. I may make a trip to a larger city some day, but Arkansas City is to be my home permanently.

"The Noco company is an independent operating concern, owns its own property, and has no bonds out. The company has a refining capacity of 3,000 barrels daily in Arkansas City and the Oklahoma City refinery has its own production of 2,200 barrels daily. The Noco company operates 100 filling stations over the country besides handling various other enterprises.

"The company had planned to erect a building in Arkansas City this season costing between one hundred and one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. The fall in the price of oil and the shutting off of production made this inadvisable this year and it is probable that work on the building will not be started until some time next year."

OIL TESTS ON 101 RANCH

MONDAY, JUNE 6, 1921

SEVERAL TESTS ON 101 RANCH
Other Oil Activities in the Country South of Here Soon

Ponca City, Okla., June 6.Miller Brothers of the 101 ranch are getting four important tests on their holdings at the present time, three drilling and the fourth soon to start. Two of these are on the 101 ranch proper ten miles southwest of this city; a third is on their holdings in the Otoe country, north of Morrison, and the fourth is to be on their Bar L ranch in the Ponca, where the Arkansas river before turning eastward toward Tulsa makes a big horseshoe bend. Here the Millers own 4,000 acres on which they still hold an oil lease.

E. W. Marland is drilling the two wells on the 101 ranch proper, their locations being in section 19-25-2 east, in Kay county, and in section 2-24-1 east, in Noble county. The first is down approximately 1,800 feet and the other around 2,100. While these are to be deep tests, if necessary, under the fifty-fifty agreement with Marland, who is doing the drilling, yet according to George L. Miller they expect to find production at less than 2,700 feet in both tests.

On the extreme northern edge of the ranch, one-half mile north of the test in 19-25-2, Marland got a 100-barrel well in July last year, in the 2,100 foot stand, a well that has held up remarkably well. In addition to the wells now drilling on the 101 ranch, a lease was granted Marland also on a fifty-fifty basis, several months ago on all that portion of the ranch lying within the big curve of the Salt Fork river including about five sections, where two tests are to be drilled to the 3900 foot sand if necessary.

In the south portion of the Ponca Indian country, where is located the Millers' Bar L ranch, Marland is now assembling acreage for a test in the near future. This is south of the Salt Fork and southeast of the old Ponca Indian agency at White Eagle, and will be one of the most important wildcat propositions of the present year. The Miller Brothers' well, north of Morrison in the Otoe country, is being drilled by the Watchorn interests. The location is in section 32-23-3 east, and it is down now to about 2030 feet. This is in a consistent gas producing territory where numerous companies have been seeking oil production also.

The wildcat test in the Bar L district of the Ponca country is just one of several unusually interesting experiments being made by Marland, at the present time, in this and adjoining counties. He is getting ready to drill one or two tests, just west of Ponca City, and with the Prairie has started the most important test in the Kaw Indian country in northeast Kay county, in the southwest 12-27-3 east. He is drilling also at about 2250 feet in the southwest of 17- 26-5 east in the western Osage, about 15 miles east of this city.

 

CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH CORNERSTONE LAID

FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1921

LAY CORNER STONE ON CHURCH
Central Christian Members Give Pleasing Program Last Night

Befitting Ceremonies Carried Out Before Large Crowd of Local Church People, For New Edifice

With befitting ceremonies the corner stone for the new Central Christian church, being erected at First street and Central avenue, was laid last night. About four hundred people were in attendance during the evening's session.

With the laying of the corner stone, a copper box in which the names of all the subscribers to the church, local newspapers bearing articles about the church, and a bible will be placed. The permanent sealing of the corner stone will not be made until Monday and it is planned to get more subscribers toward the church fund before that time. Everyone who donates toward the fund will be included on the list placed under the corner stone.

The church has been under construction for the past two months. It is thought that it will probably be put under roof some time within the near future. However, the actual construc tion of the church, in order that the church proper may be moved, will probably not be completed before next spring, according to church officials this morning.

An elaborate program was carried out during the evening which consisted of speeches and music. The program as carried out during the evening:

Hymn"The Church in the Wildwood."

PrayerRev. D. Everett Smith, of the United Presbyterian church.

Address"The Church and its Mission"Rev. W. H. Moore, M. E. church.

Address"The Church and Labor"Captain McCullah of the Salvation army.

MusicThe Quinn quartette.

Address"The Church and Business"Secretary O. B. Seyster.

MusicThe Quinn quartette.

Address"The Church and the School"Supt. C. H. St. John.

Laying of the corner stone.

Hymn"I Love Thy Kingdom Lord."

BenedictionRev. G. D. Serrill.

MORE ABOUT STILLS...

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 1921

FOUND AN ISLAND STILL
Discovery Made in the Arkansas River East of Ponca

Ponca City, Okla., June 9.The island still is there but yet it's gone. This statement will require no explanation for a number of persons in this community and especially in the vicin- ity of the Arkansas river just east of the city.

Sunday, officers from Ponca City acting on a tip, visited an island in the Arkansas river, just off from the Mike Zieglar farm. A cave, which was believed to have been constructed last winter, was found carefully concealed in the center of the island. It was so constructed that it was level with the ground. There was an opening in the top that was covered with a square lid. The opening was just about large enough to allow a barrel to be lowered through it. When found the lid was on and it had been carefully covered with sand and leaves. Around the opening weeds had grown up so that the only way one would likely learn of the cave would be to walk across the opening and be attracted by the hollow sound.

In fact, it is said that this is what lead to its discovery.

In the cave was a still and four barrels of mash. Two of these were sour, and there were other evidences that an operator had been busy there recently. No other liquor was found.

 

FLOOD OF 1921

SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1921

RIVER RISES AS PUEBLO WATERS FIRST HIT CITY
First of Deluge Strikes Here During Day.

FOUR FEET INCREASE

Expect Big Water Sheet Some Time Tonight.

GATES HOLD SOLIDLY

Great Trees Being Swept Down in Torrents From Western Districts.

Crashing, throwing great limbs through the air in its damp fury, the first of the Colorado flood waters arrived late this afternoon, causing the turbulent stream here to edge four feet closer to the top of the banks. Muddy, dank, and ghastly, the river presented the view of a boiling abyss, as it hastened on about the bends, bent on all further destruction possible.

Constant watch is being levied on all bridges, dams, and locks approaching the city as the unleashed torrent from the west hurls down through this district. Day and night, county and city roadmen are on the job, heeding the least sound of crackling, in order to prevent the death delivering mountain spray from washing away all of the prosperous Arkansas valley. Careful workmen are coaxing the maddened torrent from the path which leads through the city by means of gates, sending it on towards its mouth on the Mississippi.

Seemingly determined on destruction, the river lashes angrily at all banks in an attempt to scale walls into the fertile fields. At no place along the route near the city has water swept over the walls, but in many of the lowlands the creeping demon has started backing into farm lands. As yet no destruction has been dealt; but with another rise, the sweeping deluge will tear into the lowlands tearing down all forms of vegetation in its mad flight.

The first rise, due to the emptying into the Arkansas of the swollen Ninnescah stream, was edging close to a standstill when what was apparently the first of the Colorado terror swept down upon the local territory. It is expected that this first wave will continue to hike the river until late tonight when a practical subsiding will occur. Following that local water critics say the river will be at a standstill when the second wave, due in Wichita tonight, will strike. It is thought that the crest of the great torrent will not arrive here until late Monday night or Tuesday.

Huge timbers, hurled through the water with force enough to smash all resistance, are bowled at the locks north of the Chestnut avenue bridge, only to be propelled under the locks when they are dashed onward down the stream. Many workmen, keeping constant watch at this section, are hooking the great timbers as they are forced down the stream and deftly propel the timbers safely through the locks.

Early this morning reports from Oxford were to the effect that the Ninnescah waters were dying down slightly, but nevertheless noticeably during the entire day constant watch has failed to detect any slackening in the fury and increase of the stream at local points. Warnings from Wichita this morning were to the effect that the rise from Great Bend would hit there sometime tomorrow and that this would in turn sweep south over the angry course towards Arkansas City.

At the dam the water is surging over in great torrents sending up a dark, dirty spray as it collides with the rushing waters below. At no place along the dam is the situation tense as the big protector slides out across the river, forming a perfect check against all of the turbulent waters sweeping into the city. However, workmen patrol both sides of the dam, ready to jump in at the first emergency in case the least crack is noticed in the affair.

Farmers through the lowlands are watching carefully the situation and are ready to move out at a minute's notice in case the death-dealing damp visitor should increase its velocity as it bowls down the course. Stock over the entire lowlands country has been moved to higher points. Farmers in the higher land along the river have also taken precautionary movements with their stock to save any possible damage which might result from the increasing waters.

At Summit street the squatters have moved out. Their once happy home lands are fast being covered with the slimy Colorado filth being hurled down through the district, and much of the debris along the banks is being swept on along the river to be reposed in other places farther south.

Flood fans, walking, driving everything from the one-hoss shay to high-powered motor cars, constantly keep a patrol of the districts. Some calamity spilling visitors, others careful in their attitude, while those persons who allow the river to run outand they have no fears as to what it will dohourly sweep across the many river approaches watching the rising stream.

With every swish against the bridges' supports, the rampaging Arkansas is increasing, its rise is hurried, and the situation grows a little more tense. With the precautionary methods put into action, Arkansas City will sail out under the flood in good shapebut the crest is not here. There will be more lurid waters, punishing, tearing at banks, creating a general disturbance, before the river has finally subsided and eases back to its normal course.

SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1921

PUEBLO IS FOR "PREVENTION."
Congress Will be Asked to "Harness" The Rivers.

Mayor Issues Proclamation And Will Send Delegation to Washington For The Purpose.

Pueblo, Colo., June 11.Flood prevention became Pueblo's cry today following announcement of Mayor James M. Lovern that a committee would go to Washington to ask the federal government's aid in harnessing the Arkansas river and tributaries. A telegram from Secretary Fall of the interior department said that two engineers would be sent at once to make a survey.

The proclamation of Governor Shoup issued yesterday calling upon all organizations in the state to raise funds for relief work had a heartening effect on the populace. The Red Cross and affiliated organizations have the situation well organized, providing food and shelter and medical care for all needy.

The proclamation says the calamity is the greatest that Colorado has ever suffered and it is urgent that responses be quickly made.

The mortality list stood at 45 known dead today.

Dead in Flood District94
Pueblo, Colo., June 11.Ninety-four persons have been officially reported dead in the flood district lying between Pueblo and LaJunta, according to a compilation just made by a correspondent of the Associated press, in company with the Colorado Rangers and national guard.

The correspondents and rangers rode in a motorcycle from Pueblo to Rocky Ford, a distance of 55 miles, yesterday collecting data. The death list by towns follows:

Pueblo, bodies recovered, 45, as previously reported.

Avondale, bodies recovered, 3; missing, 5.

Boone, 7 bodies recovered.

Neupesta, 1 body found; one man and two women also reported drowned.

Manzanola and Fowler, each one body found.

Rocky Ford, bodies recovered, 2; Arthur Darr and 3 of his children.

Olney Springs, 3 bodies of flood victims buried.

Ordway, 2 bodies recovered.

LaJunta previously reported dead 18; body of unidentified woman wearing double ring on third finger on right hand buried here, total 19.

SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1921

WILL DONATE TO PUEBLO
City Authorities and Chamber of Commerce Asking for $1,000

"The conditions in Pueblo justify the people of Arkansas City in giving to the limit"Mayor Hunt.

With this statement in mind, members of the city commission and directors of the Chamber of Commerce at a joint meeting held last night decided upon the quota for Arkansas City in the drive for relief for Colorado sufferers. The amount was placed at $1,000 and early today parties were out soliciting among the business houses in an effort to raise the fund.

Lieutenants Nelson and Morris, of Post Field, who have been doing reconnaisance work along the Arkansas river through the Pueblo district, were in the city last evening en route to Lawton, and talked before the meeting.

In their statements last night, the pilots stated that people not having seen the flooded districts could have no idea of the damage done to Pueblo. Martial law is in strict effect, sightseers are absolutely excluded from the town, and everything even to the relief service is strictly under a martial rule.

The railroad yards are practically swept clean, box cars, tank cars, passenger cars alike are piled in great heaps over the city. Carcasses of cattle, horses, and hogs killed by the flood can be seen strewn over the entire city, and the stench arising from this is said to be terrible.

The business houses are practically ruined, and many merchants will be forced from business through the great flood loss. Sides of the buildings were torn away, and the entire stock was washed away in many instances. According to Lieutenant Morris, Pueblo is in the need of aid and is in need in the greatest manner.

Arkansas City people can be depended upon, according to Mayor Hunt, to give to the utmost towards the sufferers in that district, and there is no doubt expressed as to the possibility of raising $1,000 or better before the close of the day.

SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1921

WICHITA WAKES TO HER DANGER FROM BIG FLOOD
Slight Fall in Water Shown At 9:00 This Morning.

GREAT BEND FRESHET

Will Put River Up So That Low Parts Submerge.

RIVER IS STATIONARY

At Hutchinson, at 6.3 Feet.

Falling From Great Bend Westward.

Rise Below There.

Wichita, Kans., June 11The Arkansas river was slightly lower here at 9 a.m. this morning, but the city was preparing for possible flooding of lowlands tomorrow when it was predicted the great volume of water around Great Bend will reach here.

S. P. Peterson, federal weather observer, renewed his warning this morning that the worst of the flood danger had not passed. "With the unprecedented condition of the river now at Great Bend, the situation continues dangerous," he said. The crest of the flood might send the stream here two or three feet higher, he predicted. Thus far no damage has occurred in Wichita, although it was reported that water had creeped up on low farm lands above and below here.

Merchants near the river were moving their goods out of basements and a few residents prepared for the worse.

Forces were at work around the twelve bridges here keeping driftwood from collecting. Many of the bridges are of weak construction.

The river continued to draw crowds of circus proportions. Every bridge was lined with spectators.

Conditions at Hutchinson
Hutchinson, June 11.Flood conditions in the Arkansas river upstream showed an improvement this morning, though the stream is an inch and a half higher here this morning, the gauge registering 6.3 feet.

From Great Bend west the stream is falling, the fall being a foot at Larned and a foot and a half at Kinsley, and the stream is far toward normal at Dodge City.

The water is about at a standstill at Great Bend and the highest water is between Ellinwood and Hutchinson. It is believed by Ben Lee, city engineer, that the highest water will reach here late today and that it will not be more than three or four inches higher than at present.

The stream is altogether within its banks here save for scattering low spots where no damage has been done. The four railroad bridges are all right and three of the four automobile bridges are in good condition, the main street concrete bridge standing like a rock. One bridge is closed because of water undermining the approach a little bit.

Situation at Great Bend
Great Bend, June 11.The Arkansas river was stationary here today at yesterday's high mark. Back water is increasing the inundation of lowlands. The breaking of the old irrigation dam southwest of this city has flooded thousands of acres of comparative high land there. The river is now more than three miles wide in some places. More than half the city is flooded with one to four feet of water. In the south part of town, the streets are swift rivers. As the waters rose, inhabitants were removed from their homes in boats.

Jack and Jim McMullen were rescued yesterday from an island farm where they were marooned. The boatman landed his passengers at the city hall and then took the city commissioners boat riding on Main street. The water is tearing up the pavement in many places. The crop loss in this vicinity will amount to $500,000.

THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 1921

The Arkansas City Chamber of Commerce is jumping into the limelight as a labor providing organization.....

[John Crawford, of the labor department of the court of industrial relations, this morning notified the local chamber of commerce that he was attempting to keep transient laborers out of Cowley county during the harvest season.]

Especial attention is being paid to the married men out of work now. They are being handled first, and every position offered before the local chamber is being filled as near as possible by married men and home owners in the city.

Registration blanks are being made at the chamber, and the local men who are without work at the present time will be given these blanks in order that the chamber may get a line on who is really needy. The Stanton Construction Company will probably take on the most of these unemployed, and they have given their word to hire only those men, who are workers of course, that the chamber sees fit to recommend.

AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS ROCK ROAD CONTINUED...[PART II]

MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1921

ONE MAN KILLED IN AUTO CRASH; OTHERS HURT
Marion Lockard Dies Shortly after Accident

RACING ON ROCK ROAD

Robert Gilbert and Earl Travis Seriously Injured

CAR COMPLETE WRECK

Accident Occurred Late Yesterday Afternoon; Cars Thronged to Scene Afterwards

Marion J. Lockard, age 25, was almost instantly killed yesterday afternoon when the motor car which he was driving skidded and turned turtle. The accident occurred on the rock road about five miles north of the city.

Robert Gilbert, another member of the party, is in a critical condition today and doctors hold very little hope of his recovery. Earl Travis and R. J. Smith, also in the motor car, sus tained minor injuries. Travis was said to be in a critical condition this afternoon.

According to eye witnesses the Dodge motor car, belonging to Gilbert and driven by Lockard, was going south towards Arkansas City. They were directly behind a Chevrolet. An Essex motor car, driven by Carl Wright, traveling at a high rate of speed, attempted to pass the two cars on the right side of the road. Lockard shot around the Chevrolet, but struck the cartearing off the left fender. He lost control of his car, and after skidding for several yards, it turned three successive loops, throwing all the passengers from the car.

Travis and Lockard were found lying directly behind the Dodge following the accident, and the other two men were in the road side.

"Gertrude," (his wife's name) Lockard moaned when the first rescuers reached him, following which he lapsed into unconsciousness and died shortly afterwards.

Wright by this time had succeeded in stopping his car, and returned to rush the other three members of the party to hospitals here, where their injuries were dressed. Gilbert suffered a badly bruised head, and a deep gash about the hips. He probably suffered internal injuries also. Travis suffered three broken ribs and a gash over his left eye and minor bruises about the body.

According to farmers residing in the vicinity of the accident, the two motor cars were traveling at a speed estimated to be between 45 and 50 miles an hour at the time the accident occurred.

Lockard was employed as foreman of the shop at the Kinslow Motor company. He had been employed there for two years, and according to the shop men he was recognized as a very careful driver. Lockard's head was badly crushed and he also sustained serious injuries about the body.

Dr. H. W. Marsh, county coroner, announced today that he would hold an inquest Tuesday morning at the police court rooms in the city building over the accident. Ellis Fink, county attorney, will also be in attendance at the inquest to look into the matter of excessive speeding on the Rock Road. Constable Gray is authorized to impanel a jury of six men on the case, for tomorrow morning.

No funeral arrangements have been made as yet, but it is probable that it will be held sometime Wednesday.

Lockard is survived by his wife and step-son. His home was at 324 North Second street.

Motor cars thronged to the scene shortly after the accident and as late as 7 o'clock last evening, motor cars of every description bearing inquisitive people parked at the scene of the disaster to view what was left of the car. The motor car in which the men were riding was a complete wreck.

Local physicians late this afternoon stated that both Travis and Gilbert were in a critical condition. Gilbert is suffering from a badly crushed back, while it is thought Travis has inter nal injuries. An injury to his leg is giving him great paid, but as yet doctors have failed to detect the trouble.

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1921

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE AGAINST SUNDAY SPEEDER
Carl Wright Arrested Following Investigation

BOND FIXED AT $500.

Racing on Rock Road With Lockard

NO DRINK EVIDENCE.

Coroner's Jury in Prolonged Session Hearing Testimony of Wit-nesses of Accident.

Carl Wright, driver of the Essex motor car, which it is alleged was speeding with the Dodge motor car which overturned and killed Marion Lockard on the Rock Road Sunday afternoon, was arrested this noon on a state warrant charged with manslaughter. This warrant was sworn to by Judge C. L. Swarts, assistant county attorney. His bond was fixed at $500, and the preliminary hearing will be held Tuesday morning in Justice Martin's court.

The warrant is of double nature, Wright being charged with entering a contract to race on a public highway, and driving a motor car at an excessive rate of speed, endangering life.

This action came following the coroner's inquest this morning, held at the city hall, at which time it was brought out by several of the witnesses that the two cars were traveling at a high rate of speed, and also it was brought out by three wit-nesses that the men were running a matched race. County Attorney Ellis Fink assisted in conducting the inquest.

J. J. Hutchings, a farmer residing within a short distance of the scene of the accident, was the first witness brought on the stand. Hutchings testified that he heard the crash, saw the car piled up, and found the men lying strewn about the ground. Lockard died about seven or eight minutes following the accident.

Will Hendren, employed at the Griffis farm in front of which the accident occurred, was in the field with Hutchings at the time of the accident. When asked at what rate of speed the cars were going, he said: "Wright told me following the accident that he was traveling at a speed of 65 miles an hour."

W. A. Dudgin, driver of the Chevrolet motor car which was struck on the road by the Dodge, gave probably the most concise testimony of the morning. He said he was traveling between a speed of fifteen and eighteen miles an hour when with a roar the two cars came upon him and the Dodge struck his fender, tearing it off and also tearing part of his back curtains. The Dodge turned completely around following the accident.

E. E. Powell, funeral director, testified as to Lockard's injuries, stating that he had a wound over the temple, a cut over the eye, scalp wound about four inches in length which laid open his scalp to the skull bone. It was the injury over the temple which caused Lockard's death, in the opinion of Powell.

Charles Goforth, deputy sheriff, who was on the scene shortly after the accident, was put on the stand.

"Were the men drinking?" was a question put to him by the jurors.

"In my opinion, Smith had been drinking 'Jake.'" was Goforth's comment.

Goforth also stated that Wright told him he had been traveling at a speed of 65 miles an hour, and that he had been attempting to outrun the Dodge.

Hutchings was again called upon the stand and asked about the men drinking. He said that he had searched the cars about thirty minutes following the accident and found no evidence of liquor about the cars and could not detect any liquor on the breath of any of the men.

Hendren was also called upon to testify with regard to the liquor charges, and he said that he detected liquor on one of the occupants. In his opinion, he said that the man had been drinking lemon extract.

R. J. Smith, step son of Lockard and one of the occupants of the Dodge, was brought into the courtroom, bandaged about the head but apparently not seriously injured. In answer to questions presented by Ellis Fink, his testimony in part was:

"My last recollection was that Bob Gilbert was driving the carwe overtook the Essex and there was talk of planning a race following which we raced to a point north of the Martha Washington school. The race was a friendly race. We turned and started back towards Arkansas City and were going about 40 miles an hour all of the way back. My opinion was that we turned to the right, and I was thrown out by the force caused by hitting the Chevrolet car."

The session was adjourned until afternoon, following which Smith was again called to the stand.

In answer to a query as to what they had taken to drink out of, Smith said:

"To my knowledge there was no drinking, nor had there been any during the day."

Following this the session was adjourned to the home of Earl Travis for further testimony. Propped up in bed, plainly enduring a great deal of pain, Travis made a short statement before the jurors in which he stated the affair was a matched race. They had not been drinking any of the time, and they were not racing on the return trip as the Dodge was just jogging along. Someone spoke of a bet, but Travis stated that according to his best knowledge there was no money put up. He said he jumped from the car when it turned over, and that Wright's car was ahead at that time.

The jurors who head the evidence of the coroner's inquest in the case were N. W. Howe, Jacob Seyfer, W. M. Rowan, T. P. Alford, John Gilgis, and Frank Theaker.

The coroner's jury this afternoon brought in the verdict that the accident was caused when the car tipped over. That the car was racing and that there was careless driving. They brought in the verdict that the car was driven by Marion Lockard.

LAWRENCE BEARD, INVENTOR, LIVING NOW IN TULSA

MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1921

BECOME AN INVENTOR
Lawrence Beard, Who Formerly Lived in Arkansas City.

Lawrence Beard of Tulsa, and old Arkansas City boy, is visiting in the city with his mother, Mrs. Pruner. Mr. Beard is a nephew of Geo. L. Beard and like all the Beards is a natural born mechanic.

For some time Mr. Beard has been employed by the Empire Gas & Oil Company of Tulsa and was assisting them in putting in a still in that city for the separation of gasoline from crude oil. When the work was partly finished, an idea came to Mr. Beard and he proceeded to enlarge upon it.

He immediately went to work and invented a still of his own origination, which is said by those who have examined it to be far superior to any still made at this time for the separation of gasoline and crude oil.

Some of his oil friends of Tulsa got back of him in the proposition and assisted him in getting a model of the still made and also in getting it patented. As soon as it was patented, the still was tried out and has been found to be all that is claimed for it.

It is said that after crude oil had been run through the still by the Empire company, Mr. Beard took the same oil and got considerable more gasoline from it. So good is the invention of Mr. Beard, it is said, the Standard Oil company has taken up the matter of buying this still of him and has been negotiating for it for some time.

The report is prevalent that he has been offered over half a million dollars for his patent. The Arkansas City friends of Mr. Beard will be pleased to hear of his success.

ARKANSAS CITY CLINIC

MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1921

The Arkansas City clinic has moved its offices from the Security National bank building to the second floor of the Traders State bank building and will be located there in the future. The new suite of offices is not yet fully equipped, but will be in fine shape for the A. C. Clinic very soon, it is announced.

MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1921

REORGANIZE MERCY HOSPITAL
Officers Elected and Some Improvements to be Made Soon

Several Local Physicians Are Now Interested in the Institution Started in 1905.

Reorganization of the Mery Hospital Association in this city has taken place and new officers have been elected for the local organization. At present there are a number of well known local physicians and surgeons interested in the hospital, which was organized and opened in 1905. The state charter was issued to this well known institution in that year and since that time there have been several improvements made in the hospital, which is now one of the largest and best known in the state.

Recently the following physicians have purchased stock in the Mercy Hospital association: Drs. Zugg, Clayton, Wentworth, Beatson, Miller, Spain, Dunning, Geeslin, and Ayers.

New officers of the association are: Dr. W. T. McKay, president; Dr. C. L. Zugg, vice president; Dr. E. F. Day, secretary; R. C. Dixon, of the Security National bank, treasurer.

It is the plan of the officers of the association to at once make some extensive and needed improvements to the hospital and included in these are hot water heat for all rooms, 30 additional beds, making in all more than 50 beds, steam heat in each of the rooms, and other improvements that will make the place one of the most modern in the entire state of Kansas.

The physicians in charge of the hospital, McKay, Day, and Douglass, now have uptown offices on the second floor of the Traveler building on West Fifth avenue, and these offices are fitted up in elegant fashion, with a new and expensive X-ray machine and other splendid equipment. Mercy hospital is at this time having a splendid business in the matter of caring for the sick and injured and it is also well known all over the state of Kansas and there are patients there from points in Oklahoma at all times, as well.

Mrs. Genevieve Hilger is the matron of the hospital and she has at present a very efficient corps of nurses under her supervision there.

MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1921

ARKANSAS ON STANDSTILL
There May Be Another Rise, as Wichita is Expecting More.

The Arkansas river during the past twenty-four hours has showed no great difference, either in receding or rising. In fact, the river has remained practically stationary since Satur day afternoon, keeping at almost a level rise of six feet.

Wichita this afternoon is expecting another six inch rise, but by the time this gain hits the local river it will have lost a great deal of its force according to local water prophets, and most people here are under the impression that the water has just about reached its crest.

The Great Bend waters which have struck between Nickerson and Hutchinson are cutting a swath a mile wide, but the velocity of the water is dying down according to reports from there today. This water will probably not hit Arkansas City until some time next week.

DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEY C. L. SWARTS/DRUNKJ. M. TUCKER.

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1921

TUCKER PULLS A BAD STUNT
Man Found Guilty of Having Liquor. Threatens Local Attorney.

Tucker Also Slashed Officer With Knife, After Which He Was Finally Subdued and Now Languishes.

J. M. Tucker, well known to the police and a number of other citizens of this city, languishes in the city jail today as the result of a bad stunt which he pulled off last night.

Tucker was not able to be arraigned in the state court this morning on several charges which are now lodged against him on account of the affair of last night when there came near being serious results of this little frolic and actions of the defendant. One of the stunts he pulled last night while under the influence of corn whiskey, the officers assert, was to go to the home of Deputy County Attorney C. L. Swarts and threaten him with a shotgun; and another was to attempt to cut the throat of Policeman Bert Harris after Harris and Constable W. J. Gray had placed him under arrest and were on the way to the city jail with Tucker a prisoner. Officer Harris came near shooting the man and was prevented from doing so by the interference of the other officers in the party, they assert; and they also state that Harris would have been justified in shooting the man as he attempted to do the officer bodily harm. In fact, Tucker got to the throat of the officer and cut a slight gash in his neck before any of the party realized what he was doing. The officers in the party at the time were Constable Gray, Policemen Harris, Chadwell, and Bert Williams. But the force was too much for the infuriated man and he was finally landed in jail, where he was peacefully slumbering this morning about nine o'clock with wounds about his head and face. It was necessary for one of the officers to strike the man over the head with a shotgun for self- protection and in this fracas the handle of the gun belonging to Chief Peek was broken off. After the fray the alleged intoxi-cated man was in need of a physician and Dr. Young dressed his wounds.

The trouble of last night started about eight o'clock when Officer Gray served a state warrant on Tucker, in which C. A. McDaniels had made complaint that Tucker had threatened to do him bodily harm because McDaniels had testified against him in the recent liquor trial, at which time Tucker was found guilty of handling liquor by a jury of six men. After the trial Tucker's attorney, H. S. Hines, filed an appeal bond and therefore Tucker was at liberty again.

Other charges besides the one made by McDaniels will be placed against the alleged bad man and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, all the officers in the case asserted this morning. The man first rode away from Officer Gray after the officer had read the warrant to him. Then Gray and Harris gave chase in Harris' Ford car, but Tucker gave them the slip and in the meantime went to the home of Judge Swarts, where he made dire threats against that official. When the officers finally overtook Tucker again, he was in front of the North Windsor hotel and refused to stop, but acted as though he would ride over them. Officer Harris here shot once with his revolver in the windshield of the Tucker car in an effort to strike the man's hands, it is said, and thus loosen his hold on the steering gear. The bad man finally was stopped when the officers ran his car into the curbing. After placing him under arrest, four of the officers started to the station with the man in the police car, the holdover being only a block away. But before they had driven that far, Tucker got the knife from his coat pocket and made the dash for Officer Harris, which came near proving serious.

Relating his part of the experience with J. M. Tucker, deputy county attorney Swarts today informed a Traveler reporter that on Monday morning Tucker came to his office and asked him for a warrant for the arrest of C. A. McDaniels, who was a witness in the liquor trial last week, stating that McDaniels had assaulted him.

The deputy county attorney didn't exactly like the appearance and condition of Tucker, and informed him that he would investigate the matter for him, to come back the next day and if everything was all right, he would issue a warrant for McDaniels.

Yesterday afternoon McDaniels appeared and asked for a peace warrant for Tucker, which was issued and given to Constable Billy Gray and policeman Bert Harris to serve. They went to Tucker's home on North Summit street and found him sitting on the porch. It was just getting dusk when the officers appeared at the house. Gray told Tucker quietly that they had a warrant to serve. He said, "All right." He asked them if he should go with them, and they informed him in the affirmative.

Tucker then went for his car, which was parked by his place, and cranked it up and hurriedly drove away while officer Gray was walking around to the other side of the car to get in. Instead of coming uptown, Tucker went to the home of the deputy county attorney, who lives at 726 North Fourth street. Mr. and Mrs. Wickliffe live on the corner north of Judge Swarts at 728 North Fourth street.

Tucker parked his car on Birch avenue, around the corner. When he did this Judge Swarts was walking in block seven hundred on his way home. He saw Tucker alight from the car and take a shotgun in his hands as he got out. He was probably one hundred feet away from his home by the time Tucker arrived at the front door of his home. He hurried up and got there just as Miss Swarts was answering the door. He asked Tucker what he was doing there, and Tucker replied, "Judge, I love you, but I am afraid you will compel me to do something I ought not to do." Judge Swarts told him he had better go on away and Tucker replied, "I am getting tired of these prosecutions and if there are any more of them, I am going to blow you to pieces."

By being calm and using peaceful arguments, Judge Swarts got Tucker to leave his home. Judge Swarts then entered his house and phoned to the officer that Tucker was there and had started uptown.

Tucker was not able to be arraigned in court today, as he was in a sort of stupor all day long. It is not thought that the injuries which he received last night are of a serious nature. He will be taken into court on several charges when he is able to go there. The warrant in the case yesterday evening was issued out of Judge McIntire's division of the state court.

CONTINUATION OF TUCKER CASE...

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1921

TUCKER CASE CONTINUED
Will Be Tried on Peace Bond Charge on June 23.

When the case of the state of Kansas versus J. M. Tucker on the charge of threatening C. A. McDaniels was called for hearing in Judge G. H. McIntire's court this afternoon, the attorneys in the case, County Attorney Ellis Fink, Deputy County Attorney C. L. Swarts, and H. S. Hines, attorney for the defendant, went into conference; and a little later on it was announced that the case would be continued until Thursday, June 23. The court fixed the date of the hearing after the attorneys had stated that they had reached an agreement in the matter.

In the meantime the man who made such a fight on the officers on Monday night languishes in the city jail and has not been admittted to bail. There was nothing said in the courtroom this afternoon in regard to bond, but the attorney for the defendant stated that it was a matter of giving a peace bond and that it was not necessary for his client to appear in court.

The officer in charge of the prisoner, Constable W. J. Gray, was given no instructions to bring Tucker into court; and the crowd which had assembled there with the idea of taking a look at the alleged bad man, was disappointed in not seeing him there.

All the witnesses in the case, including McDaniels and the officers who made the arrest of Tucker on Monday evening, were on hand to testify, but they were disappointed in not being given a chance to give their side of the story of the wild chase after the man who had threatened Judge Swarts and the local police.

Following the continuance proceedings in the case, County Attorney Fink and Deputy Swarts again went into secret session and the county attorney stated that they had not yet decided just what action will be taken in the case wherein the man, Tucker, threatened to kill Judge Swarts and attempted to cut the throat of Policeman Bert Harris on the night of the arrest of Tucker.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1921

ARKANSAS ON A STANDSTILL
Water Rose Late Yesterday and Last Night Half Inch an Hour

The river today is at its highest point.

After days of careful watching on the part of local people for the descending torrents from Colorado, the turbulent stream has failed to leap over its bounds, and standing with its eight feet increase, the water still remains within the banks here leashing at the bluffs which restrain it from the city; but the river is safe today.

Reports from the river this afternoon were to the effect that the river since about ten o'clock this morning has been at a standstill. Since 7 o'clock and for about three hours the river seemed to be lowering to a slight extent.

During yesterday and last night the river was on the increase, not overly noticeable, but at a rate of about one-half an inch in every hour. This lasted for about twenty-four hours as during this period of time the river showed a gain of about one foot.

According to reports from along the river, the river has not gone out of bounds at any place. Even the lowlands so far have escaped the rushing waters throughout this section.

Despite the fact that Wichita is expecting more water from the Hutchinson district which may prove menacing in the lower parts of that city, people in Arkansas City are of the impression that the crest of the flood has been reached here.

Optimistic reports were heard from most of those men who have been watching the river carefully of late. However, there will not be any relaxation in the rigid guard being kept at the gates and dam in order that the entire district adjoining the river may be protected.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1921

FOR THE FLOOD SUFFERERS
Arkansas City People are Shelling out to Colorado Folks

Arkansas City is shelling out for Pueblo.

An announcement was made this morning to the effect that $764.50 had been turned in towards the fund and that more returns were being brought in daily. It is practically a certainty that the $1,000 goal will be hit before the next few days.

The Chamber of Commerce urges that everyone who intends to donate toward the fund turn in their donation immediately. Pueblo yesterday sent out another call for funds in order that they may beat back against disaster which struck the city some two weeks ago.

A number of people in the city have signified their intentions of donating towards this fund, but as yet have turned in no money towards the drive. It is urged that anyone desiring to turn in donations should either get in communication with the Chamber of Commerce officials or any one of the four banks in order to assist in the drive.

THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1921

J. M. TUCKER'S RECORD
County Attorney Fink Looking After Case At Arkansas City

The examination of J. M. Tucker, charged with knifing a policeman at Arkansas City and with threatening Judge Swarts, assistant county attorney, is in charge of County Attorney Ellis Fink. Judge Swarts, being a material witness for the state, is therefore not conducting the case himself. He is usually in charge of cases in Arkansas City.

Tucker was formerly of Winfield where, it is said, he was a police character for a number of years. Some years ago in the administration of Sheriff L. W. Hoover, Tucker was sent to the penitentiary on a charge of assault with intent to kill. His intended victim at that time was a night watchman, Lee Sterling.

Sterling went into the North Main restaurant to get his usual midnight lunch one night when Tucker, who was drunk at the time, was in the restaurant. It appeared to Tucker's drink- twisted mind that the policeman was after him. Tucker drew a gun and fired twice at Sterling, both shots missing. Sterling disarmed Tucker and arrested him.

For this offense Tucker was sent up for one to ten years. After the usual lapse of time in such cases, he was paroled. In the meantime, his wife had moved to Missouri. Tucker behaved himself for a time, then followed his wife to Missouri. From there it was reported that he had caused her some annoyance, and she had complained to the police. Tucker left there to avoid arrest and came back to Winfield. The complaint was sent here, and Sheriff Hoover again took Tucker to the penitentiary on the original sentence. He was again paroled and for some time has lived in Arkansas City. A short time ago he was convicted on a charge of having liquor in his possession. Out of this trial and conviction, the trouble of the night before last originated, it is said.Courier.

Arkansas City Traveler, Thursday, June 16, 1921.

OVER EIGHT HUNDRED DOLLARS
Fund For the Relief of Colorado Flood Sufferers is Growing.
Over eight hundred dollars has been subscribed up to date for the benefit fund for the Pueblo flood sufferers, according to an announcement made this afternoon by the secretary of the Chamber of Commerce. Part of these subscriptions have not as yet been paid. The total sum now is $852.50.

Those people who have subscribed toward the fund are urged again to turn in their payments at once as it is necessary that this fund be sent out soon. The Pueblo people are in need of the money now and it is urgent that the money be taken in at once.

Following is a total list of those who have subscribed toward the fund for the Pueblo victims.

$50.00 pledgesKanotex Refining company; Home National bank.

$25.00 pledgesHill Investment company; A. C. Milling company; Faulconer-Dale- Swarts.

$20.00 pledgesNew Era Milling company.

$15.00 pledgesDawson-Bishop Produce Co.; Oldroyd & Sons; Keefe, LeStourgeon Co.

$10.00 pledgesComley Lumber company; Collinson Hardware company; Mrs. A. J. Hunt; Beard Foundry; Houston Lumber company; Dr. R. Claude Young; Kirkpatrick Furniture Co.; Badger Lumber Co.; Henneberry & Company; Boyer Hdw. Co.; W. N. Harris; A. C. Transfer Co.; A. C. Sand Co.; Dr. Chas. Dunning; Daily News.

$ 5.00 pledgesC. N. Hunt; Osage hotel; W. H. Nelson; O. O. Holt; James R. Hull; John Ames; Busy Bee; A. C. Paine and Paper Co.; Mrs. Virginia Hamilton; Dr. Milton Hahn; C. C. Lytal; Hall-Finney; Mrs. Johanna Henneberry; Houston-Hill; Sturtz Inv. Co.; Co- operative grocery; Reed Farrell; A. C. Bottling works; A. C. Business college; A. C. Floral Co.; A. C. Traveler; Huffman & Ward; Lee Biggs; Geo. L. Beard; H. D. Baylis; Hill- Howard; Bunnell Inv. Co.; Saddle Rock cafe; Geo. S. Hartley; Dr. C. H. House; C. A. Bahruth; J. L. Brown; Mrs. Mary Curtis; E. G. Collins.

$ 2.00 pledgesMrs. Mary Clarke; Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Martin; W. E. Hall; Robert Cox; Chas. Herriford; H. W. Hendryx; E. C. Dye; W. T. Hamm; Mrs. Anna Ramsey; Mears Bros.; J. E. Cantrell; E. I. Leach; Russell Bros.; Mrs. J. O. Campbell; John Heffelfinger; Maude B. Harmon; Mrs. W. V. Reynolds; Mrs. Paul Way; Dr. H. J. Edwards; The Ideal grocery; J. W. Boyd.

$1.00 pledgesW. L. Martin; J. F. Maus; W. W. Rinehart; Guy Ecroyd; Duval Pharmacy; E. S. Dorrance; Mrs. Ida Buckley; Geo. M. Rooney; Mrs. J. P. Carlson; Mrs. W. G. Robson; Ms. W. V. Reynolds; Mrs. Paul Hartley; H. W. Earlougher; Miss Olive Ramage; Glenn Harrelson; Chas. Holmsten; W. L. Hopkins; John Probst; Sidle Coffee Co.; H. A. Clark; Mrs. H. H. Hill; H. B. Clapp.

Pledges on the Pueblo relief fund that are unpaid.

$25.00 pledgesSecurity National bank; Kininmonth Produce Co.

$10.00 pledgesA. C. Hide & Junk Co.; P. M. Clarke; J. C. Penney Co.; Drs. Day, McKay and Douglass; Wm. Cunningham.

$ 5.00 pledgesHudson garage; Earl Baxter; E. L. McDowell; Geo. W. Saunders; Shea Furniture Co.; Devlin ready-to-wear; Economy Cash grocery; Anthony Carlton; Chicago store; Baer bakery; Ellis Billings; Palace Grocery; Newman Motor Co.; Davis Bros.; Domestic laundry; Fifth Avenue book store; Fifth Avenue hotel.

$ 3.00 pledgesJ. T. Reeder; E. H. Clayton.

$ 2.50 pledgesJ. R. Hayden.

$ 2.00 pledgesW. H. Hill; O. B. Seyster; R. R. Sawtell; Guy Curfman; Geo. B. Cornish; A. A. McAtee; Pete Hill; Fitch music store; C. N. Coleman.

$ 1.00 pledgesChas. Shoup; Chester Harris; A. McAdams; G. G. Sawtell; Ray Seeley; Chas. Early; P. H. Richmond; Chas. Sills; Elston-McEwen Produce Co.; Dr. McCall; H. A. Schramm; Derry bakery; W. H. Rector.

Pledges, but no amount stated:

Doug Shaw; Service Motor shop; Scott & Son; Roseberry-MacAllister; Mattie Rice; Shrisk-Dweelaard [FIRST NAME ALMOST INDECIPERABLE...NOT SURE SHRISK IS CORRECT]; Frank Seal; Swartz Electric Co.; F. L. Richey.

THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1921

ARKANSAS CITY IN 1872
An Interesting Record of the Old Time City Government

Capt. M. N. Sinnott, city clerk, has dug up a very interesting record of city affairs which dates back many years, at the beginning of the city administration of the now famous Arkansas City, Kansas, and which is being kept for future use in the matter of looking up affairs that may be needed for various purposes.

This book dates back to the beginning of time in this city, which was in the year 1872. The record shows that the city was incorporated as a city of the third class on June 10, 1872; and the papers were signed by W. P. Campbell, judge of the 13th judicial district of Kansas. The first election held for the naming of city officials was on July first of that year. The canvass of the vote showed the following:

1872: Mayor, A. D. Keith, 39 votes.

Police Judge, Amos Walton, 74 votes.

Councilmen, W. T. Benedict, I. S. Mitchell, Henry Endicott, T. H. McLaughlin, and G. H. McIntire.

(The latter is still here and is a justice of the peace.)

C. R. Sipes was appointed first city treasurer.

L. B. Carrier was the first city marshal.

The first meeting of the council was held on July 5, 1872. [Then the record goes on down the years of time and to the year 1908.]

A look through the book shows many changes and there are now but a few of the old timers, who were prominent in city affairs many years ago, here at the present time.

On one of the leaves of the book and dated away back in the 1880s, is the notation, "City marshal requested to notify the Indians not to shoot arrows on the main street of the town." Indians and buffalo were very prominent here at that time.

Another interesting feature of the former city government noted in this book is the fact that the Arkansas river was at one time considered navigable here. And it was navigable too, it is said, the same as it is today, though today the water in the river stands 8 feet above the low water mark.

This notation appears on the record dated August 9, 1875:

"Petition congress to make appropriation to make the Arkansas river navigable. Town company to deed 150 lots to the A. C. Navigation Co. to aid in purchase of boat to cost not less than $2,000 to navigate the Arkansas river."

Another notation that appears in the book:

"May 25, 1877: to appropriate $150 to establish a ferry across the Arkansas river west of the town."

There are many other just as interesting matters in connection with the former city affairs, as those given above, recorded in the old book, and the Traveler will some time in the near future give another chapter of the records in this regard.

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1921

CHAPTER TO CITY RECORDS
Some of the Old Timers Are Still in the Ring Here

On April 9, 1873, the second election of the city was held and on this date, the following were elected:

Mayor, A. D. Keith.

Councilmen: A. N. Dennis, E. D. Eddy, C. R. Mitchell, W. A. Hulit.

Police judge, Timothy McIntire.

[He was the father of G. H. and C. M. McIntire, who are still residents of the city].

City treasurer, C. R. Sipes.

City Marshal, L. W. Currier.

Assistant Marshal, H. C. Mowry.

City Clerk, R. J. Pond.

Street commissioner, David Thompson.

On April 4, 1874, the third annual election was held and H. O. Meigs was elected mayor.

On April 7, 1875, S. P. Channell was elected mayor.

In April, 1876, Mr. Channell was again elected mayor.

"Uncle" Billy Gray was the city marshall in 1876. He is still a resident of the city and is now serving as constable. He has held nearly all the peace offices in the city and county, with the exception of sheriff, and for many years past he has been elected to the office of constable at each succeeding election.

1877: Dr. H. D. Kellogg was elected mayor.

1878: James Benedict, mayor.

1879: James I. Mitchell, mayor.

1880: Dr. A. J. Chapell, mayor.

1881: Dr. H. D. Kellogg, mayor.

1882: F. P. Schiffbauer, mayor.

1883: James L. Huey, mayor.

In the year 1884 the city was made a second class city. In December that year the city was divided into four wards. There were then eight councilmen elected, two from each of the four wards.

C. T. Atkinson, now a resident of the city, was the city attorney in the year 1887.

Dan Bunnell, now deceased, and Frank L. Thompson, still here, were on the police force in 1888.

1891: S. J. Gilbert, mayor.

1893: On April 1, 1893, A. A. Newman, still a resident of this city, was elected mayor. In this year W. J. Gray was the constable, T. B. Oldroyd was on the city council, J. C. Topliff was city treasurer, O. Ingersoll (now a resident of Topeka) was city clerk, and Frank Perryman, the well known "chin scraper," was the chief of the volunteer fire department.

1895: Geo. W. Cunningham was the mayor at that time. He is now a resident of Kansas City, Missouri.

[In the election that year F. P. Schiffbauer, a candidate for mayor, demanded a recount of the votes cast at the election on May 2. The city attorney, C. T. Atkinson, ruled that the city council had no authority to order a recount.]

1895: On May 21, 1895, the fire department was reorganized and the fire chief with four men, was to answer all alarms. Volunteers were to come out at the second call.

Sleepers at the fire station at that time were Jason Williams, Jay Fairclo, Ed Hoyt, and Oscar Bennett.

1895: Judge F. W. Miller, now of this city, was the city assessor.

SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1921

THE ARKANSAS RIVER
Still Rising Slowly At This Point and May Come Higher

The Arkansas river here presents a rather questionable front today.

Slowly, and meekly, the river is gradually rising and today it is above the high mark for the season. During the night and this morning the river had risen between four and five inches without a sign of receding during yesterday. This puts the river at over 8 feet at the present time and it may yet go higher. The crest of the flood waters from the west have not yet reached here is the supposition, and the people who reside in the low lands are fearing the worst. The crowds from the city and surrounding country are watching the water daily and in the evenings especially, after the sun has gone down, there may be seen at all the bridges in this vicinity large numbers of those who are anxious to watch the big stream and look into the muddy water, said to be from the Colorado mountains.

POPULATION OF COWLEY COUNTY - 1921

SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1921

DROPS A THOUSAND
The Population of Cowley County Declined During Past Year

Creswell township, with 1137 inhabitants, is the most populous township in Cowley county according to the complete returns of the county assessors for this year, say the Courier. Walnut, with 964, is second. This shows an increase of 69 in Creswell since the count was made last year and a decrease of 637 in Walnut in the same time.

The astonishing decrease in Walnut is due to a new rule adopted this year which leaves out the State Home, heretofore included in the county. This helps to account for the decrease of 1,113 in population of Cowley county for the year. The total this year is 35,350. Last year the assessors gave the county 36,463.

Winfield shows an increase of 115 for the year, being given 8,931, as compared with 8,816 for the year before. Arkansas City loses forty-two, having 11,513 by this year's count. Last year it was 11,555.

Population of other townships and towns in the county with gain or loss follows.

Pop. Gain Loss

Bolton -------------- 255 24

Beaver -------------- 500 50

Cedar --------------- 255 3

Creswell ------------ 1,137 69

Dexter -------------- 536 44

Fairview ------------ 446 59

Grant --------------- 361 26

Harvey -------------- 349 54

Liberty ------------- 422 27

Maple --------------- 461 13

Ninnescah ----------- 518 28

Omnia --------------- 300 19

Otter --------------- 225 34

Pleasant Valley ----- 802 5

Richland ------------ 422 34

Rock ---------------- 586 60

Salem --------------- 633 20

Sheridan ------------ 305 55

Silver Creek -------- 393 23

Silverdale ---------- 530 19

Spring Creek -------- 368 35

Tisdale ------------- 436 24

Vernon -------------- 701 2

Walnut -------------- 964 637

Windsor ------------- 522

______ ___ _____

13,095 161 1,209

Net loss ------- 1,048

Towns:

Pop. Gain Loss

Atlanta ------------ 359 38

Burden ------------- 472 20

Cambridge ---------- 195 39

Dexter ------------- 437 87

Udall -------------- 306 44

Geuda Springs ------ 42 12

Winfield ----------- 8,931 115

Arkansas City ------ 11,513 42

______ _____

22,255

Total County ----- 35,350 1,099

 

 

[To Bill Bottorff: You are so right...Kay repeated some items in this paper. Just caught segment that was out of place and switched it, cutting out repeat, I hope. Sorry that above is so out of sink tab-wise...set up on old system, where it worked...Have no time to change. MAW]

 

INFORMATION ABOUT A. C. BRIDGES...

MADISON AVENUE BRIDGE

SOUTH SIXTH STREET BRIDGE

CONCRETE BRIDGES: SUMMIT STREET AND CHESTNUT AVENUE.

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1921

ARKANSAS IS FALLING
Two Bridges Closed Here on Account of the High Water

The Arkansas river is falling at this point today and this morning it was standing at five inches below the high water mark of the present season. The water had lowered here about four inches this noon and was still falling very slowly. It is not known at this time whether or not the present rains will bring more water from upstream. So far the high water in the Arkansas has done no serious damage in this immediate vicinity as it has not been out of its banks here this season.

County Commissioner Carl Dees reports that the Madison avenue bridge over this stream has been closed for repairs. This bridge is one of the old time wooden bridges and it has been damaged somewhat by the sand being washed away from some of the piling. It was closed to traffic on Sunday and will remain closed until the river water recedes enough to allow the structure to be repaired by the county men. The South Sixth street bridge, also a wooden structure, was closed at the time the water began to rise and it too will remain closed until such a time as it can be repaired by the county workmen. The concrete bridges on Summit street and Chestnut avenue have not been damaged in any manner by the recent high water, the county authorities reported today.

TOM HENRY, MANAGER OF RANNEY-DAVIS CANDY FACTORY...

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1921

TOM HENRY ON CANDY
Manager of Local Plant Writes for The Inland Merchant

The current issue of the Inland Merchant, published in New York City, contains a nice article by Thos. F. Henry, together with a picture of Mr. Henry. Mr. Henry is the manager of the Ranney-Davis candy factory in this city and he is recognized as one of the best candy men in the entire country, hence his article on candy is published in this magazine. The article is entitled, "Quality Goods at Low PricesThe Secret of Candy Business Today." It is an interesting article and well prepared and shows that Mr. Henry is a writer as well as a candy maker, and that he is recognized as such by the candy trade, and the management of the paper for which he prepared the article.

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1921

ARKANSAS IS FALLING
Two Bridges Closed Here on Account of the High Water

The Arkansas river is falling at this point today and this morning it was standing at five inches below the high water mark of the present season. The water had lowered here about four inches this noon and was still falling very slowly. It is not known at this time whether or not the present rains will bring more water from upstream. So far the high water in the Arkansas has done no serious damage in this immediate vicinity as it has not been out of its banks here this season.

County Commissioner Carl Dees reports that the Madison avenue bridge over this stream has been closed for repairs. This bridge is one of the old time wooden bridges and it has been damaged somewhat by the sand being washed away from some of the piling. It was closed to traffic on Sunday and will remain closed until the river water recedes enough to allow the structure to be repaired by the county men. The South Sixth street bridge, also a wooden structure, was closed at the time the water began to rise and it too will remain closed until such a time as it can be repaired by the county workmen. The concrete bridges on Summit street and Chestnut avenue have not been damaged in any manner by the recent high water, the county authorities reported today.

MORE ABOUT STILLS...

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1921

CAPTURED TWO STILLS
Whiskey Factory of Large Capacity in Cedar

Two well-made copper stills, constituting a whiskey making plant of large capacity, were captured by Sheriff Goldsmith in a raid in the hills of Cedar township this afternoon. Vernon Savage of Arkansas City happened to be nearby when the stills were found, and was arrested as being party to the making of the booze. Five or six gallons of corn whiskey and five barrels of mash were also found by the sheriff.

The moonshine plant was in a three-roomed house tucked away in the wildest part of one of the ranches of that locality. Trees, brush, and rocky bluffs surrounded the place. The sheriff thinks that two other men were about the place when he drove up in his car, accompanied by Deputy Sheriff Goforth, but they got away in the bushes and Savage was the only one captured. Savage claims he did not know about the stills and liquor.

Sheriff Goldsmith obtained a tip on the location of this plant several days ago. Information that things were about ready for the raid came last night. The sheriff left here at seven o'clock this morning, and was back by noon, after a drive of ninety miles. Savage was taken into Justice O'Hare's court this afternoon to have the time for his preliminary hearing set. This was not determined at press time.

The stills captured are of copper of extra heavy thickness. The parts are carefully and skillfully fitted, showing the work of first class mechanics. Each of the stills has a capacity of forty or fifty gallons a day, it is said. It appears that it is comparatively easy to hide away a moonshine still in the remote parts of the country. But marketing the product always brings a publicity which ultimately leads to discovery and raids by the officers.Courier.

LICENSE PLATES SHOWING "ARKANSAS CITY, KANSAS"

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1921

The chamber of commerce has the yellow and black "Arkansas City, Kansas" name plates to attach to autos. Nominal charge of twenty-five cents. These plates are made of sheet steel enameled lettering and are very serviceable. Name of your town on your car is big advertisement for the town, especially if you are driving to other towns on a vacation tour.

HUMOROUS AD IN SAME PAPER...MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1921

The old time picnic planned by the Baracca class of the First Methodist church, at Green's farm on June 30, has been postponed until July 7th. Some special guests have been invited including Horace Greely, Hoosier school master, Mutt and Jeff, Maggie and Jigs.

A good time is being planned and all expect to eat fried chicken and jelly cake until the world looks level.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1921

ARKANSAS UP AGAIN
River Rose Here Last Night 5 Inches Due to Local Rains.

The Arkansas river was on the rise again in this locality last night due to the heavy local rains. During the night the water rose about five inches, thus reaching the high water mark of last week here. Today, however, the water was at a standstill and it is thought there will be no further rise at the present time. Yesterday and last night's rains are said to be the cause of the rise as the precipitation here in the past two days has been more than three inches. Last night's rain amounted to one and one-tenth inches, as shown by the gauge at the New Era Mill. The rain of the day before was 2.75 inches.

It was reported this morning that a part of the Madison avenue bridge over the Arkansas had gone out, but this is incorrect according to County Commissioner Carl Dees, who is watching the situation here very closely. Both the Madison avenue and the Sixth street bridges have been damaged to some extent by the high water, however, and in each one of them one of the beams is leaning. Both are old-time wooden structures and both are closed at present. They will remain closed to traffic until after the flood waters have receded and they can be repaired.

ARTICLE ABOUT ALBERT L. NEWMAN...

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1921

TINGLEY TO BE ASSISTANT
Albert L. Newman to Give More Time to Private Interests

Albert L. Newman, who for so many years has been manager of the Land & Power company and the Kansas Gas and Electric company, commonly called the electric light company in this city, is to have an assistant as manager of the Kansas Gas and Electric company so that he can be relieved to a certain extent to look after his private businessThe Newman Motor Companyand his duties as a member of the board of education.

The gentleman who is to assist Mr. Newman is Charles B. Tingley. His title is "Superintendent, Kansas Gas and Electric Co." Mr. Tingley has been in the employ of that company for the past eighteen years. At one time he was a resident of Arkansas City and was connected with the Arkansas City water works plant. The old timers will remember him, and he will make a good man to assist Mr. Newman in the management of the light plant because of his extensive experience in that line.

A. L. Newman is one of Arkansas City's most progressive and substantial business men. He is a self-made man, his success as a business man being due entirely to his own initiative, industry, energy, and thrift. He has run the electric light plant in this city for so many years, and given such good service, that there are a lot of people who think the service is just a little better when Albert is on the job. Mr. Newman is one of those men who have a very even disposition, and if anything goes wrong and a complaint arises, he is always ready to and does make an entirely satisfactory adjustment.

Mr. Newman has large personal business interests, and for that reason he is giving up a large share of his time which he has in the past devoted to the management of the light plant, and from now on will spend the greater portion of his time in looking after his own interests.

Incidentally, it may be of interest to know that A. L. Newman started his business career as a carrier boy for the Arkansas City Daily Traveler.

CONTINUATION OF TUCKER CASE...

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 1921

THE J. M. TUCKER CASE
Hearing of Alleged Bad Man on In State Court Today

Case of State of Kansas versus J. M. Tucker, alleged mad man who was arrested here several days ago on the charge of threatening the life of S. A. McDaniel, and who also threatened Judge Swarts and the police force of this city, was up for preliminary hearing this morning in Judge McIntire's court. There was an array of witnesses for the state in this case, including Constable W. J. Gray and three of the city officers, Harris, Williams, and Chadwell, who were interested in the arrest of the man last week, when Tucker ran wild for a time and made dire threats against several men of this city. Tucker was brought here from the county jail at Winfield this morning and was in the courtroom when the case was called for trial. H. S. Hines is defending and County Attorney Ellis Fink and Deputy C. H. Swarts are prosecuting the case. Several witnesses were examined in the case during the forenoon session and then the trial was adjourned for the noon hour.

Later in the day there were other witnesses called upon to testify, and the trial lasted most of the day. There was also a large crowd of spectators in attendance at the trial most of the day as Tucker, who formerly worked at the barber trade here, is well known in the city.

Late today the hearing in regard to the peace bond was still on and witnesses were being examined by the county attorney and H. S. Hines. Attorney Hines cross-examined the members of the police force who assisted in the arrest of Tucker on the night of June 13 very vigorously and laid stress on the fact that they arrested the man without a warrant and while none of them were deputized as state officers and had not seen a crime committed in connection with the case. Policeman Harris admitted hitting Tucker on the head with his revolver and all the officers in the case had a chance to tell their side of the story at the trial today.

CONTINUATION OF TUCKER CASE...

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1921

TUCKER TAKEN TO JAIL
Bond in Peace Matter Fixed at $4,000 by Judge McIntire

Case of State versus J. M. Tucker on the charge of threatening to do bodily harm to S. A. McDaniel, on trial in the justice court of G. H. McIntire here yesterday, ended late in the evening and the peace bond in this case was fixed at $4,000, in spite of the fact that attorney H. S. Hines, for the defendant, argued for a bond of not more than $1,000. Tucker was committed to jail and was taken to the county seat this morning by Constable Gray. Bond could not be made in this case.

Following the completion of the hearing yesterday in this case, there was another state warrant served on Tucker, charging him with assault with intent to kill, upon the person of Policeman Bert Harris, using in the alleged assault a pocket knife. Bond in this case was fixed at $500.

County Attorney Ellis Fink of Winfield conducted the case for the state yesterday, and H. S. Hines was there for the defense. The taking of testimony lasted all the day and there were a number of witnesses examined, all used by the state in an endeavor to show that Tucker, while under the influence of liquor, had threatened several parties. Attorney Hines attempted to show by the cross-examination of the witnesses that there was bad blood existing between the police force and Tucker, and that the force had it in for Tucker. The police, however, would not admit the alleged bad feeling.

The hearing on the Harris charge will be held at a later date and in the meantime Tucker is resting in the county jail at Winfield.

Tucker is now under three separate bonds, none of which he is able to give so far. One is in the liquor case tried some time ago for $800; one in the McDaniel case for $4,000; and in the Harris case for $500, total $5,300. His attorney went to Winfield with him this morning, and he intimated that he would attempt to secure the release of Tucker on a writ of habeas corpus in the district court.

WATER AND SEWER CONTRACT BIDS...1921

MONDAY, JUNE 27, 1921

COMMISSIONERS IN SESSION
Number of Bids on Water and Sewer Contracts Opened Today

Arguments in Regard to Bids Entered Into Today and Letting of Contracts Postponed To Wednesday.

Contracts for the water works and the sewer extension will not be let until Wednesday morning at 10:30 o'clock.

Following an all day session, in which some seventy-five contractors and bond men were present, definite action will not be taken until Wednesday, this allowing commissioners further time to investigate the various bids for the work.

The Smith-Graham Construction Company of Augusta, Kansas, with a bid of $41,500 on the water works extension plan, and C. H. Everett, of Hutchinson, with a bid of $111,445 for the sewer extension plan, stand the lowest in today's bidding. The Smith-Graham company is about one thousand dollars lower than its nearest competitor, while Everett sprung a surprise with his bid, dropping twenty thousand dollars under the next lowest bidder.

Several peculiar situations arose at the meeting this morning. Upon the first announce ment of the opening of bids, the Foster-Skaer Company asked to amend their bid in that they understood the bonds were to be five and one half percent instead of six per cent. The right to do this was disputed by James Stanton of the Stanton Construction Company.

"My bid is a clean legitimate bid and there are no strings attached to it," was the Skaer representative statement, but the right to amend his bid was refused.

At another time during the morning Mr. Graham of the Smith-Graham company had failed to sign the clause about using local labor. While he was preparing to sign the clause, a voice from the audience cried out: "Be game man, you've got a job."

The bid of the Stanton Construction Company on the sewer proposition failed to state in the initial clause the lump sum for the job. Charles W. Lusk, city engineer who was reading the bid, mentioned that it should be thrown out. However, the bid was read and it was found in the reading that Stanton had made a bid of $131,000, next lowest among the bidders.

City commissioners following the announcement of adjournment until Wednesday morning, announced that the one day's adjournment was for investigation into the bids offered. They also announced that those men desiring to withdraw their certified checks could do so.

Commissioner John Clay was absent from the meeting this morning. He is on an extended vacation at present.

Bids offered this morning:

Water Works
James Stanton, Leavenworth, Kan.$53,000.

O'Neil Construction Company, Leavenworth, Kans.$46,250. Four hundred dollar deduction for use of metallium joints $45,850.

Foster and Skaer, Wichita, Kans.$63,345.20.

Ammerman and Snyder, Wichita, Kans.$48,000.

Pittsburg-Des Moines Steel Company, Des Moines, Ia., $58,000.

Smith-Graham Construction Company, Augusta, Kans.

$41,500.

T. C. Brooks and son, Jackson, Mich.$43,500. Deduction for Metallium joints $700, making total $42,800.

Ansbro and Brkich, St. Louis, Mo.$65,883.28.

James Construction Company, Guthrie, Okla.$53,968.60.

N. S. Sherman Machine and Iron Works, Oklahoma City, Okla.

$45,777.77.

Burk and Tripp, Hutchinson, Kans.$49,000.

C. H. Everett, Hutchinson, Kans.$43,400.

Hamilton-Broadhurst, Taylor, Tex.$44,985.

Sewer Bids
Alex Livingston, Arkansas City$158,000.

Foster and Skaer, Wichita, Kans.$133,902.85.

C. H. Everett, Hutchinson, Kans.$111,445.

Burt and Tripp, Hutchinson, Kans.$138,000.

James Stanton, Leavenworth, Kans.$131,000.

Ammerman and Snyder, Wichita, Kans.$138,061.10.

COUNTY THAT REMAINS PRAIRIE SOD...1921

MONDAY, JUNE 27, 1921

NOT TOUCHED BY PLOW
More Than Third of Cowley County Remains Prairie Sod

When Cowley county's boundaries were established fifty years ago, 730,000 acres were included, of which not less than 700,000 were in the native prairie grass of the country, says the Courier.

Stream, timber, and a few barren spots may have occupied as many as 30,000 acres. At this time only 291,108 acres are in prairie grass, according to estimates of assessors in returns to the county clerk.

Of this amount 262,576 acres are in fenced pasture; 9,720 pasture and fenced in; and 18,222, hay land. The total, being more than a third of the area of the county, seems high enough. Taking this as being approximately correct, it would appear that some prairie ws overlooked in last year's report. Then the items given in the foregoing were 245,7061,626 and 17,545 respectively.

The reports show that 6,588 tons of prairie hay were cut in the preceding year. In the 1920 report the total was 3,154.

Butter made in the homes of Cowley county the past year came to a total of 207,968 pounds. Milk and cream sold to creameries came to 204,822 pounds and $363,472 respectively.

The value of animals fattened and slaughtered or sold for slaughter was $1,081,977, the report states. For the year before this it was $2,087,509. Poultry and eggs sold in the year ending March 1, 1921, amounted to $333,438; in 1920, to $291,525.

The report shows that 1,196 stands of bees produced 14,789 pounds of honey and 142 pounds of wax in the year past. The year before 976 stands produced 7,243 pounds of honey and 46 pounds of wax.

On March 1 this year the county had 14,004 horses, 3,969 mules, 9,698 milch cows, 42,934 other cattle, 2,547 sheep, and 17,095 hogs. The year before there were 14,761 horses, 3,562 mules, 8,689 milch cows, 29,819 other cattle, 3,311 sheep, and 16,486 hogs.

The wool clipped last year was 10,619 pounds as against 69,315 for the year before.

NOTE: IT APPEARS THAT SHEEP WERE DEFINITELY ON THE DECLINE!

PROPERTY VALUATIONS IN COWLEY COUNTY IN 1921

TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1921

SEVENTY MILLION DOLLARS
Property Valuations in Cowley County Go Above Those Figures

Over seventy million dollars is the mark reached by the property valuations of Cowley county, the completed abstract in the office of the county clerk shows. Over twelve million of this is the valuation of property of corporations upon which the valuation is made by the state tax commission. Arkansas City has a total taxable valuation of over eleven million; and Winfield, of over nine million.

Land, not plotted in lots, outside the cities in Cowley county have an aggregate value of $25,943,000, exclusive of improvements, the abstract shows. Improvements of these lands have a valuation of $3,560,185, bringing the total to $29,554,525 on 713,673 acres. The average value is $36.42 an acre without improvements.

Lots in the plotted lands outside the cities number 2,795, valued at $85,054 without improvements, and having a total of $93,285 in improvements, making an aggregate valuation of $178,339.

Personal property in the county outside the cities aggregate $7,792,620 in valuation. Corporation properties which are assessed by the state tax commission amount to $10,109,114. This included railroads, pipelines, telegraph and telephone lines, street and interurban railways, electric power, and express companies. The total for all taxable property given in the foregoing was $47,634,598.

The cities of the county have 21,288 plotted lots, valued at $4,127,205. Arkansas City has 13,057 of these lots valued at $2,121,385; Winfield has 5,511 lots at $1,865,160. Total valuation of improvements on these lots is $7,618,605, and the aggregate is $11,745,810.

In Arkansas City the improvements on lots are valued at $3,786,615; aggregate $5,907,900. Winfield's improvements are vfalued at $3,398,695; aggregate $5,229,055. It thus appears that the difference in total valuations in Winfield and Arkansas City are not as great as the difference in number of lots in the two towns. Arkansas City has more than twice as many lots as Winfield because almost the entire arrea of Arkansas City is plotted in twenty-five foot lots, while all of Winfield off the business district is plotted in fifty foot lots.

The cities have a total of 387 acres of unplotted lands within their limits with a total value of $148,490, and with improvements of $385,475; aggregate $506,965. The acreage of these lands, by cities, are: Arkansas City, 69; Atlanta, 100; Burden, 91; Cambridge, 26; Dexter, 11; Udall, 50; Winfield, 40.

The valuation of these unplotted lands, and of the improvements are:

Unplotted Lands Improved Lands

Arkansas City $125,350 $ 81,650

Atlanta $ 5,365 $ 14,540

Burden $ 4,360 $ 9,125

Cambridge $ 1,270 $ 2,135

Dexter $ 2,925 $ 7,400

Udall $ 3,065 $ 14,905

Winfield $106,195 $228,720

Personal property in cities total $8,439,380, of which Arkansas City has $4,451,640; Winfield $3,102,980.

Corporation property totals $2,202,678, of which $1,394,816 is in Arkansas City and $646,705 is in Winfield. The total value of all taxable property in the county and cities is shown in the following table.

County outside cities ----------- $47,634,591

Arkansas City ------------------- 11,861,351

Atlanta ------------------------- 285,452

Burden -------------------------- 420,740

Cambridge ----------------------- 211,720

Dexter -------------------------- 367,400

Geuda Springs ------------------- 46,760

Udall --------------------------- 354,682

Winfield ------------------------ 9,383,650

__________

Total for county ----------- $70,566,430

NOTE: TRAVELER MADE A LOT OF ERRORS...CHECK TO BE SURE

ABOUT AMOUNTS GIVEN. MAW

TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1921

WRIGHT PRELIMINARY TODAY
Young Man Charged With Racing When Marion Lockard Was Killed

The case of the state of Kansas versus Carl Wright, on the charge of racing on the Rock Road north of the city two weeks ago last Sunday, at the time Marion Lockard was killed, thus endangering life and limb, was on trial in Judge Martin's court today. The young man who drove the Essex car on that eventful Sunday afternoon is defended by H. S. Hines and Judge C. L. Swarts is prosecuting.

Witnesses examined at the morning session of the hearing were J. J. Hutchins, W. M. Hendren, Gordon Crockett, W. H. Dudgeon, C. W. Goforth, and Robt. Gilbert. All of these men except Gilbert were on the road at the time the accident occurred and were first on the scene of the killing. Robert Gilbert was in the car with Lockard at the time and he was badly injured. The court and the attorneys in the case went to Gilbert's home just before the noon hour to take his testimony as he is still bedfast on account of the injuries he received at the time. He admitted that Lockard wanted to run a race with Wright and that the man, now dead, proposed the race. There was no money up on the race, Gilbert testified. Deputy Sheriff Goforth, who happened to be near the scene of the wreck, stated that Wright told him at the time that they had staged a race going north, before the ride south, and at which time the death of Lockard occurred. Dudgeon [first account stated "W. A. Dudgin"] was the man whose car was struck by Lockard and Gilbert's car just before the car turned over and caused the death of Lockard.

At the conclusion of the hearing late this afternoon the court annnounced that the young man would be held for trial in the district court before a jury. Bond was fixed at $500 and the bond was signed by Wright's father. The court at first announced the bond would be $1,000; but after a request by the attorney for Wright and the matter being agreeable to the prosecuting attorney, the bond was lowered to $500.

INDIAN MARRIAGE CEREMONY CONDUCTED BY JUDGE J. W. WHITE...

TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1921

BLIND JUDGE SAYS CEREMONY
Investigation of Wichita Case Involves Judge J. W. White

Wichita, Kansas, June 28"I would like to know who performed a marriage ceremony for a child like that," said Mrs. J. A. Stokely, county juvenile officer, regarding with amazement the 14 year old wife, Hazel Irene Youngblood, whose domestic troubles have received much attention in the past two weeks.

The girl could tell her little. A man had married her to Clyde Youngblood one day last May at Winfield, and there has been some argument as to how much he should be paid. But who the man was she did not know.

Mrs. Stokely was determined to learn. She felt that the person who had married the couple after seeing what a child the bride wasthe girl does not look more than 12 years oldwas guilty of an offense against society.

The mystery was solved Monday. The marriage certificate was obtained and showed the couple had been married May 18 at Winfield by J. W. White, probate judge. And Judge White, according to the juvenile officer, is blind. That, she says, explains it.

A complaint alleging parental neglect has been filed in juvenile court and is scheduled for hearing next Saturday. It was reported that summons was not served on the mother, Mrs. Richard Hayes, or Youngblood, as they could not be found. Cases against the father involving charges resulting from his attempt to get the girl away from the life she hated were continued Monday in city court.

STORIES ABOUT GOOD ROADS...WALTER SHARP, WINFIELD.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1921

A Story About Good Roads
By Walter Sharp, Winfield, Kansas.
Editor Traveler:On Jan. 11th, 1921, the county commissioners of Lyon county met at Emporia to let contracts for five miles of federal aid road. On one side of the room was lined up a lot of well dressed fellows, that had for sale brick, cement, road machinery, re-enforcing bars, etc. On the other side of the room in equal number were the farmers, who had to pay the taxes that would furnish the money.

One of this number of farmers acted as spokesman for the farmers. He directed his talk to the county board. He started out by saying that "We are not as well dressed, or as well fed as the gentlemen on the opposite side of the room. In fact, we are a tough looking bunch, and we want it distinctly understood that we are as tough as we look," and then he proceeded to tell the board what they wanted and the contracts awarded that day showed that the farmers got what they wanted.

Ten years ago Butler county, Kansas, was seriously considering the building of hard surfaced roads. Some fellow that understood his business organized the farmers in a great protest to the county board, then in session at ElDorado. Two hundred cars were pressed into service among the farmers. They came from everywhere and met at a point just outs de the city limits of ElDorado, and formed a line, or procession, a mile long, each car loaded with people. They paraded all the principal streets of ElDorado, and parked their cars around the courthouse square, and went before the board and told them that there would be nothing doing in the road business in Butler county, and during all these ten yearsuntil very recentlyno one has been able to interest any Butler county board in good roads.

On May 20, 1921, a meeting of the farmers was called at the commercial club rooms in Winfield, Kans. I was present. The attitude of this bunch of farmers wasn't much different from the other farmers in Lyon county and Butler county referred to. It seemed that someone had told someone else that some time ago the commercial clubs of Arkansas City and Winfield had a meeting in which somebody proposed that both cities were going to take advantage of the new five-eighths of a mile law.

There were three members of the Winfield commercial club present. They explained and talked and did their level best to convince these farmers that Winfield and Arkansas City had no desire to pull anything off on the farmers. That the merchants and businessmen of Winfield were friends of the farmers in the past, present, and future, and very much desired that the farmers would so understand it, and if there was anything unfair in the five-eighths mile road law, the businessmen of Winfield would stand right alongside of the farmer, for what was good for one also benefited the other; and as a result of all this talk, everybody came to a better understanding, and with the same object in view I am writing this letter to the public.

I am making the very modest claim that I know more about the road and bridge business than any man in the county, not excepting my county commissioners, county clerk, or our county engineer. The only reason I know more about it than Jim Bradley is because Jim has a thousand other things to think about that are not road and bridges.

I am going to take the opposite view to everything I heard at this good roads meeting. I am going to maintain that the five-eighths mile road law is right and only fair. That Dick Howard has never shown any disposition to be un-American; that Jim McDermott is a credit to our county; that the commercial club members are a credit to Winfield, and that Winfield is a credit to the state of Kansas.

Someone ought to give the reading public some information concerning the spending of the public funds. It may be that I am the fellow that ought to do it.

I am a resident of Walnut township. I do not belong to the Farmers' Union, and am not connected in anyway with the commercial club, and have had much to do with spending the taxpayers' money.

If you have ever been in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and went from the center of the business, the plaza, to the old church (400 years old), you crossed the Santa Fe river on a stone bridge; or if you went to the state capitol building from the plaza, you crossed the Santa Fe river over another stone arch bridge. If you went from the plaza to the Santa Fe depot, you crossed a cement bridge. On each of these bridges is a date stone with this inscription: "Built by Walter Sharp, Winfield, Kan."

And at Raton and other points in New Mexico and Colorado are twelve other stone and concrete bridges with the same kind of date stone and from New Mexico and Colorado on east as far as Topeka, Kans., including a part of Oklahoma, these stone and concrete bridges are scattered, all of them with this same date stone: "Built by Walter Sharp, Winfield, Kan."

I am very much in hopes that I will be able to tell my story without offending anyone; but if I should, and that fellow, or set of fellows, conclude to see to it that I do no more bridge or road work, I will say that the state engineer has attended to that for them, and it is the state engineer I am after, and will be glad to have all the assistance of all the fighting farmers I can get.

I believe I said the five-eights mile road law is right and only fair. For many years I have received the lion's share of the bridge and road money in Cowley county, not because the county board thought more of me than anybody else but because I was the low bidder. I have done enough bridge and road work, and ought to be rich, but I am not; and I do know that all the thousands of dollars spent every year for road improvements not one dollar of money paid me has ever been spent in any city in this county; and yet every taxpayer, whether in the city or county, pays his share of the bridge and road tax. The city man pays his auto tax, and all is spent in the upkeep of the county roads, not one dollar to be spent in the city.

I do not, for my part, see anything wrong in a law that would give the city man a little look in. There may be some ground for complaint because the law takes away the right of petition, or of protest, but even then I can see no reason for passing resolutions condemning our senator, and talking mean about our representative. I was in Topeka and visited the legislature the day the industrial court law became a law. I watched the movements of our men, and I want to say to everybody that I was proud of Cowley county's representatives. They were the "Big It" of the "Big Show." I think we want to send men to the legislature who can cut some figure, and I know what I am talking about, when I say they did.

I never talked to Dick Howard but once in my life, and that was more than a year ago. If he has ever done anything that might be called un-American, I don't know it.

No one present at this meeting knew anything concerning the full working of this law. The legislature had given us a new auto tax law increasing the auto tax very much, a very large percent of this tax would be paid by the city men. The man that owned a very large truck might be expected to pay more than $100 auto tax. This on top of his regular personal tax. That being true, has the farmer any right to howl about it?

The farmers at this meeting seemed to have an idea in their heads they ought to fight somebody. I am ready to agree with them. The farmers of the state of Kansas have a right to get on their ear, and this bunch of scrappers are the fellows I have been looking for. Those present will remember I had something to say about it at this meeting, but I don't want you fellows trying to pick a row with my friends, the commercial club and the businessmen of Winfield.

I can remember back some nine or ten years, when we built the demonstration rock road; ten of us fellows that lived in Walnut township agreed to give ten days each with a team to improve East Twelfth street, from the end of Eleventh past our homes. The commercial club gave us a check for $300; the banks dug up $50 each; other business houses were solicited by Josh Wallace, chairman of the committee, to make the road a mile long, all in Walnut township, and these friends of ours did their share to give me a 365 day road past my house that I have used nearly ten years, and the little old ten days' work with man and team has been paid back many times. Has this road added to the value of my place? I think it has; anyhow, Franks and Dobson brought a buyer to me and before I could say Jack Robinson, had it sold to that fellow at $110 per acre, all cash; and I had an awful time backing out; and if Dobson hadn't been a pretty nice fellow, I would sure have had a commission to pay.

The commercial club dug up $300 some years ago to go out into Vernon township and fix a bad rocky hill just west of the 14th street bridge. I know, for I got the money for doing the work.

I also wish to add a little more testimony to prove the fact that the businessmen of Winfield are not a bad lot. My boy awoke in the middle of a very cold and stormy night. He was having convulsions, and it seemed he wouldn't live long. We called the doctor. He got up out of his warm bed and was soon at our house, where he soon had the boy relieved. He had eaten too many uncooked peanuts.

During my residence here, I have suffered with an overdraft many times. I would receive a notice through the mail that read like this:

"Mr. Walter Sharp:Your account appears to be overdrawn $147.15. We have taken care of this. Please call at your earliest convenience."

I had the fifteen cents, but the other amount I didn't. The next day I would call at the bank, and see Mr. W. C. Robinson, who would be willing to take a note for $300 due in sixty days and my suffering would be immediately relieved, the same as it was with the boy who ate the raw peanuts.

Perhaps these farmers have never had troubles of this kind.

(Continued tomorrrow)
-0-

INDIAN MARRIAGE CEREMONY CONDUCTED BY JUDGE WHITE CONTIN UED.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1921

JUDGE WHITE EXPLAINS
Explanation and Records Show He Was Not At Fault.

Editor TravelerThe enclosed clipping was taken from your paper, which appeared in the issue of June 28, and which was not commented upon by you, and you knowing me as you do, I am surprised that you would help circulate such a flagrant presumption of one of your own citizens without first consulting the records which might be obtained from your county.

The encosed clipping was copied by you from that democratic organ, the Wichita Eagle. We have all read articles from this self-same paper from time to time exposing the rottenness of the peace officers of Wichita, Kansas, but I had not supposed it had reached so far as the juvenile court of their city.

The utterances referred to in the clipping coming from Mrs. J. A. Stokely, probation officer, are utterances that sound to me as if made by a fanatic or one who was hysterical. Lord Cook once said that "he who passes judgment without hearing both sides of the question, even though guessing correctly, does not do justice."

The utterances made by Probation Officer Stokely would convince me fully that she would not be competent to fill the office of probation officer in Cowley county, Kansas.

The record in this office shows that on the 18th day of May, 1921, Mrs. Gertrude Hayes of Arkansas City and her daughter, Irene Hayes, accompanied with their stalwart brave, Clyde Youngblood, appeared in my office and requested a marriage license, and the said mother signed the parent's consent blank and swore upon oath that her daughter was fifteen years of age and would soon be sixteen; and made the statement that Youngblood was a fine man and that her daughter would not have to work anymore and reiterated the statement many times, hence the marriage license was issued and they were married by the court.

My experience has been that a great majority of girls under sixteen years of age who are accompanied by their mother to this court are cases, which upon examination, reveal the fact that the girl would be better off married. These cases are known as "shot gun" cases.

A great many mothers in the vicinity of Arkansas City seem to look upon marriage as a lottery and that an Indian is the capital prize; and if their daughter can only draw the capital prize, they are happy. No doubt money is the incentive.

I make this statement with all due respect to the Indian, but facts are facts, and a divorce suit is very often the result. No doubt Mrs. Hayes entertained the same idea with respect to her daughter.

Very respectfully,

J. W. White, probate Judge

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1921

ANOTHER TUCKER TRIAL
Case Against Him on Charge of Assault on Bert Harris

J. M. Tucker was brought to the city today from the county jail at Winfield for his preliminary hearing in the case wherein he is charged with assault on Policeman Bert Harris on the evening of June 13 in this city. County Attorney Ellis Fink was there from the county seat to prosecute and H. S. Hines is defending. The case was called at 1:30 this afternoon; and the first witness was Ralph Oldroyd, who witnessed a part of the altercation at that time and who picked up the pocket knife which it is alleged Tucker used to cut Harris on the neck. The attorneys agreed that the testimony in the case wherein Tucker was charged with threatening S. A. McDaniel, and tried here last week, should be submitted in this case; and therefore would do away with the recalling of these witnesses, except Harris, who was recalled and who was being examined late this afternoon. Attorney Hines stated that he desired to cross-examine Harris, and he did so, after the witness had been questioned by the county attorney.

Hattie Franey is taking the testimony in this case today.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1921

SAVAGE TRIAL ON
Stills and Corn Whiskey Are Exhibits in Case on Trial

Two stills and five jugs said to contain "cawn likker" are the main exhibits in the trial of Vern Savage, whose hearing before Justice O'Hara was begun yesterday, says the Free Press.

Sheriff Goldsmith was the first witness for the state. He told how he and Deputy Goforth, acting on "information" went to a deserted farm house east of Otto and in a yard found Vern Savage standing beside a Ford car. In the car they found the five jugs, previously referred to. The sheriff testified that "corn" was in the jugs.

Two stills were found in operation in the house; and although Savage said others were there, no one was found. However, another Ford car was found and held.

Savage told him, the sheriff said, that he was "trying to get by and pay his taxes." Savage, the witness testified, said he had "gone broke" in the cattle business but still owed $135 taxes.

The stills, both evidently of home manufacture, were in court. Oil stoves were used to heat the stills and both were pouring "corn" into receivers when found, the sheriff said.

The car, which the sheriff said Savage first said was his and later said belonged to a banker in Cedar Vale, is in custody of the officers.

WILLIAMSPORT WIRE ROPE COMPANY OF CHICAGO STORAGE HOUSE IN A.C.

SATURDAY, JULY 9, 1921

NEW BUSINESS HERE
Wire Rope Company of Chicago Will Have Storage House Here

The Williamsport Wire Rope company of Chicago will make Arkansas City a distributing point for the oil fields of northern Oklahoma. This was the information received out of general offices this morning.

A site has been obtained on the Midland Valley tracks, and a storage house will be erected shortly in which from seven to eight car loads of supplies will be kept constantly to supply the fields of this district. This will increase the shipping from this point to a great extent.

The Williamsport Wire Rope company is a Chicago company, and operates in the oil fields every place in the United States. The nearest branch office of the company is at Tulsa, Okla., and this point is rather out of the way for handling many of the new fields.

Representatives of the company were in Arkansas City last week examining several building sites, and have closed arrangements for the erection of their storage house.

The local plant is being put in especially for the Burbank oil territory, which now looks to be one of the promising fields of this section of the country. Owing to the train connections between Arkansas City and the northern Oklahoma oil territory, this site is more advisable than any other along the line. The fact that this company has decided upon Arkansas City as one of its principal shipping points adds greatly to the city, as many other industries are watching the new venture with the idea in mind of locating branch houses and storage houses in the city.

SADDLE ROCK CAFE

FRIDAY, JULY 11, 1919

CORNELL AT SADDLE ROCK
Harvey House Man Buys Interest in Popular Cafe

Anything from a doughnut to the choicest piece of meat ever contributed to the table by the cow, hog, or any other kind of animal that pays the supreme sacrifice to gratify the hunger of the human race, will be served at the Saddle Rock in a manner to please the most epicurean taste, Ivan Cornell, one of the new proprietors, stated this morning.

Mr. Cornell has purchased a half interest in the Saddle Rock cafe from Frank Axley, and he will manage it in the future. He is a Harvey House manager of eleven years experience. He managed the local Harvey House for several months. He has engaged two noted chefs: Ed Keeble, until recently with the Harvey House here, and Homer LaMont.

The Saddle Rock will cater to all classes of trade, and prompt service will be rendered any hour of the day or night that it is open. Mr. Cornell brings to the Saddle Rock cafe a ripened experience in eating house management, combined with indefatigable energy and charm of personality that will make a legion of friends and customers for the new firm. Mr. Cornell took charge of the cafe this morning, and an excellent dinner was served at noon. Patrons predicted that the Saddle Rock will now reap the success and attain the popularity that it had in the heyday of George Chaney's reign over the Saddle Rock.

Mrs. Cornell will assist her husband in running the cafe. They have a lot of friends in this city who will wish them oceans of success.

TUCKER CASE CONTINUED...

MONDAY, JULY 11, 1921

WANTS BOND REDUCED
H. S. Hines Appearing Before Supreme Court in Tucker Case

H. S. Hines went to Topeka last night to appear before the supreme court in the case of J. M. Tucker. Mr. Hines is going to ask the supreme court to reduce the four thousand dollar peace bond in the McDaniels case. He also has hopes of getting his client out of jail.

The case of J. M. Tucker has been pretty thoroughly aired in the newspapers and the courts in this vicinity. This particular case is where a man by the name of McDaniels, who was a witness in the liquor case against Tucker, claimed that Tucker threatened to do him injury, with the result that Tucker was put under a $4,000 bond to keep peace so far as Mr. McDaniels was concerned.

 

PALACE GROCERY [FROM E. I. LEACH TO R. H. "DUSTY" RHOADS]

SATURDAY, JULY 12, 1919

BUYS THE PALACE GROCERY
R. H. "Dusty" Rhoads Will Take Charge of Store in Few Days

Coming to Arkansas City only a few years ago to act as agent for the Santa Fe, R. H. "Dusty" Rhoads has become so impressed with the future prospects of this city that he has embarked in business here for himself, having purchased the Palace grocery store from E. I. Leach. He will take charge of the store in a week or ten days; and Mr. and Mrs. Leach will go to Kansas City to join their son Fred and perhaps locate there after an earned vacation. Their friends will greatly miss them, but will wish them the full measure of success wherever they go.

Mr. Rhoads was formerly engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business at Hutchinson, Kansas, so he knows all about running a store of this character. It is absolutely not spreading any salve to say that none preceding him as agent of the Santa Fe ever was more popular than he nor won more friends for the Santa Fe. He is particularly well liked by all the business men with whom he has mixed in a business and social way. He has been an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and has served with more than ordinary ability on various committees. He gave considerable of his time to war work, and was a very energetic member of the hotel committee. He is exceedingly popular in the Rotary club as well as in the Masonic lodge.

"Dusty" Rhoads possesses an unusually attractive personality, and as a loyal booster for Arkansas City he will be heartily welcomed by the business men as one of them, and his experience in handling groceries hitched to his perseverance and popularity assures him of success. The people of Arkansas City will find him a man of high integrity with whom it is a pleasure to do business. He has resigned as agent of the Santa Fe and it is not known at this time who will succeed him.

CONTINUATION OF TUCKER CASE...

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 1921

Tucker's Bond Now $2,700
According to a report today from Winfield, the combined bond of J. M. Tucker, the alleged bad man of this city, now is $2,700. Tucker's attorney, H. S. Hines, succeeded in having the bond in one of the cases reduced, but there are two other charges against the man and he is still in the county jail, it was stated today. County Attorney Fink did not know of the hearing in the bond matter in the supreme court at Topeka on Monday and therefore he was not in attendance at the hearing.

MIDCO PETROLEUM COMPANY PLANT IN A.C.

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 1921

A BIG ORDER TO MIDCO PLANT
Arkansas City and Tulsa Company Gets U. S. Contract for Gasoline

Three Million Gallons of the High Gravity Fluid to be Delivered From the Local and Oklahoma Refineries.

Tulsa, July 22.The Midco Petroleum Company has closed a contract with the United States government for the delivery from its refineries at West Tulsa and Arkansas City, Kansas, of three million gallons of 64-66 Be gravity gasoline for the air service department, delivery to start immediately and to be completed within eight months.

The first train-load is now on the tracks at the West Tulsa refinery awaiting for government inspectors to test it prior to shipping. Shipment will be made to various aerial stations throughout the country.

Although the company has partly shut down operations at the West Tulsa refinery since July 16, there is 15,000 to 20,000 barrels of crude oil in storage at the plant which will be run in addition to a quantity of benzine. It will require about thirty days to clean up the stuff on hand there.

The Midco company specializes in the manufacture of aviation gasoline, it having supplied the government with great quantities of it during the war. Both tthe domestic aerial stations and export demand were satisfied. Entire train-loads were shipped from Tulsa for export.

A program of education among jobbers has resulted in a large demand and many jobbers are now handling it. The public has been willing to pay from 10 to 15 cents more per gallon than for the average motor gasolinie for use in big cars. It functions much better and gives more mileage and does not carbonize.

MORE ABOUT STILLS...

TUESDAY, JULY 26, 1921

BOOZE IMPROVES
Bootleggers' Boycott In Oklahoma Does Not Affect Cowley County

The bootleggers' boycott in Oklahoma, announced in a Ponca City dispatch, will not injure the trade of distillers in Cowley county, in the opinion of officials here whose pursuit of the elusive moonshine is making it harder and harder for men with snakebite to get the time honored antidote, says the Courier. Cowley county corn makers may benefit by the increase in price, it is thought, the boycott being against the galvanized iron product, while Cowley is making the copper distilled beverage.

Raids by Sheriff Goldsmith since he has been in office, over six months, have resulted in the capture of many stills. Only one of these was of the G. I. type. It was taken early this year. Stills captured by officers in the preceding year were mostly G. I. The many poisonings resulting from drinking G. I. whiskey have led to the demand for C-D whiskey all together, and that is the reason given for the bootleggers' boycott.

Much difference of opinion is said to exist among those following the moonshine business as to asking congress to put a tariff on Canadian whiskey. With Canadian at thirty- five dollars a quart and moonshine at the same price per gallon, some claim there is no competition; others, however, claim that a good stiff tariff on imported whiskey would make Canadian even higher in price, and would cause a larger demand for domestic product, with a raise in price as the consequence. The tariff is needed, it is claimed, to offset the difference in quality of the two products.

Just how to go about getting congress to levy the tariff is what is puzzling the producers. One suggestion is that congress not be bothered with it, but that the National Association of Corn Liquor Producers and Distributors put up underground custom houses on the underground railroads by which the Canadian product is imported into this country. A very nice bit of revenue could be raised by this means, it is believed.

Meanwhile, Cowley county producers are making the copper-distilled variety, whenever they can get a rest from the pursuit of Cowley officials, which is not often.

MORE ABOUT STILLS...

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 1921

A Search and Seizure
Sheriff Chas. Goldsmith and his deputy, Don Goldsmith, were in the city this morning from Winfield. They had been over east of town to serve a search and seizure warrant in a liquor case; but at the place designated in the warrant, there were no wet goods found and therefore no arrests were made, the sheriff reported upon his return to the city. The sheriff and his deputy returned to Winfield empty handed, except for the warrant which they carried back to the county attorney.

Cowley County Historical Society Museum