The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1859-08-27
Popular Sovereignty, or Supreme Court
Decision in Kansas.

Popular Sovereignty, or Supreme Court
Decision in Kansas.
Pursuant to previous notice a very large
number of the citizens of Rock Creek, in
Breckenridge County, met on the 3oth day
of July. 1880, at the new trading house of
Messrs. Baker and Sewell. Agnes City, and
organized by electing Mr.. A. Oyeraker.
President. and John Jewett. Secretary.
The President stated that the object of
the meeting was TO agree upon some rules
and regulations according to which the set
tiers in that neighborhood, might protect
each other in the possession of their claims.
Judge Baker addressed the meeting at
length in favor of an organization in aecor-
dance with the laws of Congress. He con-
cfuded by moving the appointment of a
committee of three to revise the old Consti-
tuition and Bylaws which had heretofore
governed the adjustment of ''claim" contro-
versies, and which were still in force. The
motion was carried, and A. l. Baker, Fl. T.
Teeples and George Gates were appointed
said committee.
Col. o. II. Browne then addressed the
meeting. He manifested much feeling
The object of the meeting had been fully
stated by the President, and also by Judge
Baker. What more important object could
possibly occupy the attention of men, than
the establishment of rules for the regulation
of their own action Situated as we are
within the "Kaw Reserve the pre-emption
law does not reach US, Notwithstanding the
Reserve should have been located, accord
ing to the Kaw treaty, about sixty miles
west of its present location. We are en-
phatically without law. We have nothing
to lean upon but the honor of man. What
is man without honor? A man without
honor is worse than a fend. Fiends are
confined in region where they can do no
harm. The man who will jump claim,
without excuse or justification, will steal a
horse, orsteal money if he has an opportunity.
had rather associate with the inmates of a
penitentiary, than with claim jumpers. 1
had rather make and occupy claim in the
meanest corner of the internal regions, than
in the neighborhood of such men. If there
are claim jumpers in this meeting, or men
who favor them, openly or secretly, would
greet them with the grin of contempt, the
laugh of hate, and the Kisses of scorn.--
Howl your course, ye claim jumpers-scowl
your Misrepresentation had rather bear the
frown of your most whitening aspect, than
to live in the loathsome and infectious lep-
rosy of you friendship. scorn to shake
hands with men whose honor is the soul of
infamy Rob me of my property if you
will; rob me of my hearts blood if you
have the nerve; but mine honor you cannot
tarnish.
Col. Browne then submitted the following
resolution which was adopted:
RESOLVED, That committee of three be
appointed by thu President of this meeting
to investigate claim controversy between
o. H. Browne and man by the name of
Ingham.
Matthew Freel, George Dumond and VIM.
G. Howard were appointed said committee.
After hearing the evidence and examining
diagram of the contested claim, the COM
mittee made the following report:
''We, tie committee in regard to the
claim in dispute between Mr.. Browne and
Mr.. Ingham, do, according to the best oil
our judgement, decide in favor of Mr.
Browne. MATHEW FREEL,
GEORGE DUMoND,
VIM. G.. Howard,
Committed"
On motion of Mr.. Jewett, the report oil
the committee in the case of Browne against
Ingham, was adopted by unanimous vote
of the meeting.
The report of the committee on Consti-
tuition and Bylaws was then received, read
by sections, and adopted. The principal
amendment being the insertion of the words
'.stoked through the prairie" in the 9Th line
of the 1st Article of the old Bylaws.
On motion of Judge Baker amended by
Mr.. Jewett, it was resolved that Mr.. Over
aker be allowed six months to dispose of his
extra quarter section.
On motion of Mr.. Teeples the President
appoined A. I. Baker and Eli M. Sewell a
committee to copy and prepare for publica
| ton, the new Constitution and Bylaws
with amendments; and to preserve the old
manuscript for future reference.
A. Ovoraker was then elected permanent
President of the Association with power to
call meetings. Mr.. - French was elected
Vice President, and Judge Baker. Clerk.
On motion the Secretary was directed to
procure the publication of the proceedings
of this meeting in such papers as may con-
sent to insert them.
On motion the meeting adjourned to meet
at the call of the President.
A. OVERAKER, President.
JOHN JEwETF, Secretary.
a..
From THE MINEs-WHAr THE MINERS
| Nh I Il