davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-06-10
THE MASS MEETING.

The democratic mass meeting at Ottawa
on Thursday was well attended, democrats
being present from at least halt the towns in
the county. The meeting transacted its bus.
mess harmonously, and then adjourned. 1t
is true, there was at one stage of the proceed
ings complaint put up that the "independ
en,s" were being overlooked in the selection
Of committees, but the action of the commit
tees satisfied that element, we presume, that
there was no disposition to Sigh, them or do
them injustice. If the liberals or soft money
democrats find themselves outside of the lines
and fighting on their own hook before the
great battle with the common enemy is over,
il will be their own fault and not on account
Of any intolerance or unklndness on the part
of the straight democracy.
AS the question has been asked US, we can
only state that we have not the slightest idea
how the delegates appointed stand on the
Presidential question. Care was taken TO Sc.
lect good men and TO give all shades, if there
are such, Il fair showing, and beyond this the
meeting was willing TO trust the matter in
their hands.
The county committee appointed was crit
icised, but as the committee will probably
have no other duty 10 perform than TO call 4
county convention q few weeks hence 10 nom
mate candidates for the fall campaign, said
convention having full power TO appoint q
new commI,tee any mistake in the selection
of the present committee is one of easy rem
edy.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-06-10

The five circuit Judges in Chicago, to
whom the mayoralty squabble between Hoyne
and Colvin was submitted for decision, on
Monday decided In favor of Colvln. The
election of Hoyne they held to have been
illegal, but as Colvin's term expired a year
ago, the Judges hold that tbs city council
can, at any time order special election to
fill the vacancy; and that course Will proba
bly, be adopted TO get rid of the demnition
mudde
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-06-10

The Millington Enterprise comes out fiat.
footed for Colonel Plumb for Congress and
hois,s his name TO its editorial head. And
in doing So the Enterprise says both bluntly
and rocklessly;
This is year of political reform. All old
political huclSsters must be thrown overheard
TO make loom Tor candidates acceptable TO
the people.
How dare the Enterprise talk of throwing
all other candidates overheard as "old polIti.
cal hucksiers" when the list Of "oiher candi.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-06-10

his recent mastery speech upon the tariff,
Mr. Morrison dIsposes ofthe balance oftrade''
nonsense with an anecdote connected with
the business of Mr.. Hooper, Boston mer.
chant and member of the house of represen
tatives. That gentleman had shipped 5000
worth of goods TO China. They were sold al
their port of destination for $4,000, and that
amount was invested in goods which sold In
Boston for 100000. The merchant had
made $1,000 in the operation, and yet the
transaction viewed from the balance Of trade
standpoint, showed sadly against Us, the ex.
ports being only 5000 against $1,000 Of i'm
ports.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-06-10

Probably the most extraordinary railroad
feat ever accomplished was the late trip from
New York to San Franciso. The train lei'
New York at 10 A. N, June ist, asd arrived
at San Francisco at 9.47 June 4th, accom-
plishing the distance in So hours and Il
minutes, or averaging nearly 40 miles an houi
for the entire distance. Many stages wer'
run as high as 80 miles an hour ana lor
few short stretches the speed is said to nave
reached mile a minute.
The affair was gotten up as sheer aasel
tis,ng dodge, in the interest of the play
Around the World" and "Henry " " "
brought out at Jarret 6 Palmer's theatre IN
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-06-10

The Kankakee Gasette has three subscrib-
ers who have taken that paper uninterrupt.
edly since /, first started, twenty-three years
ago-GilBidH star.
The FREE TRADER has at least twenty sub.
scribers who have taken the paper since it
vas started, thirty-six years ago.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-06-10
New York ard by Lawrence Barrett in San

New York ard by Lawrence Barrett in San
Francisco.
Among the notables on board the train
were Manager II. c, Jarret; Lawrence Bar.
ret, the tragedian; c. Il. Bishop, the come.
dian; Frederick Thorn, Gen. Horace Porter,
Vice President Pullman Car Co., ex-Judge
b. F. Russell, of New York; Geo. F. vii.
liams, city editor Neao York Herald: Milton
Prior OF the London Illustrated Nens, and
many others
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-06-10

OREGON held her state election on Monday,
and the returns thus far received show that
the democrats have carried the state. There
being no state officers to elect, the fight was
on the Legislature, which the democrats have
carried, thus securing the gain of I. 5. Sen
ator in place OF Kelley, republican,
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-06-10

Hon. Pinkney H Walker, chief justice of
the Supreme Court of Illinois, whose term of
office expired on the 1st inst, was reelected
on Monday in the Quincy judicial district
without opposition.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-06-10

Dispatches from Washington state that
Bristow's resignation has been in the hands
OF the President since Friday of last week
also that the Conkling influence strongly op
poses its acceptance, fearing that the retire
ment of the Secretary from the cabinet would
greatly strengthen him before the convention
at Cincinnati
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-06-10

Another notorious thief has found an asy.
lun in the Republican party. Clapp, the
public printer at Washington, who confessed
TO theft of $4,000, and who was turned
ger by the house to the grand jury and Grim
inal court for trial, has been reinstated by the
senate as an officer of that beuy, which places
him beyond the reach of the criminal courts
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-06-10

Mendoza is to have button factory. The
buttons are TO be made of material known
as vegetable ivory, the substance of which
those beautiful toys are made which one is
pesiered 10 buy on nearly every railroad
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-06-10

Eight of these sixteen doubtful" are the
Florida delegation, but report now says they
are Tor Blaine.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-06-10

The Republican National Convention meets
a, Cincinnati next Wednesday. All the dele
gates have been elected, and the New York
Iribllne clnsslfies them as follows;
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-06-10

All subscriptions TO be paid in advance.
Remittances may be made through money
order or registered letter.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-06-10

The Tribune is for Bristow, and pertinently
asks, which OF the states on the democratic
list can the republicans hope to carry for
Conkllng, Morton or Blaine; or with which
of the three as a candidate is there the remot-
est chance OF carrying the doubtful" states !?
But how is the case improved with Bristow ?
Can he beat Tilden In New York? And then
can such states as Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ne.
braska, Illinois and New Hampshire be
counted on as certain for candidate from
10 fight by the side of the "damnigger:"
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-06-10

dates" includes such patriots as Frank Cor
win, Gen. Hays, J. c. Corbus and William
Cullen?
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-06-10

IRAN. IL seems buttons Of this material are
largely used IN ladies' dresses, and the de-
mand for them exceeds the supply.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-06-10
DIR CLUBBING.

We are prepared to club the FREE TRADER
with the following publications, furnishing
both at the prices named, postage prepaid
The offer is open to old subscribers or new
AT any post officei in the country:
Fnrr TRADER and Chicago Weekly Times. e. Is
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06
GREELEY TOWNSHIP.


THEN AND Now-Pcrhaps few
items concerning the first settlement
of Greeley township, compared with
what it is now, will not be unintcrest-
ing to at least a part of the readers OF
| the EAGLE.
Five years ago, that is the spring of
II, |, in company with four others,
crossed the Big Arkansas river at the
Park CITY crossing. AT that time
there were but three or four settlers
in what is now known rs Greeley
township: in fact but one or two
houses were built west of the river un-
til we got nearer Wichita. The buff
falo roamed at will over tho prairie.
One OF our number thought he was al
most out of the world. He laid down
under the wagon and refused 10 90
farther. sa, ilig he would never bring
his wife across that river. lie thought
the river never could be bridged, and
if he got over and the river raised he
would have TO stay there. AS soon
as he could get back to the railroad
he took the first tram east. There are
only two of US that came at that time
that are still residents of Greeley
township, but third is resident of
the county, near Wichita. The spring
and summer of III there was quite
rush in here on the homestead lands,
and by the next fall it was about all
taken up. There were some who took
claims but never returned to them,
but they were put under contest as
soon as forfeited.
should like for some of those that
came when did but went back, to see
Greeley township now. | think they
would see a great difference from what
1t was then | myself can hardly real
izc that it is the same place where we
drove our stakes and began to improve
our homestcads.
We have three good substantial
school houses in the township. Also
two post offices, and, Notwithstanding
we have been hurt with the drouth,
hail struck and grasshoppered, i'm
provcments are still going on. A
great many have hedges put out, some
large cnoughto turn stock. Nearly
every one has peach orchard, and
some few have apple trees in thriv-
ing condition. Wheat is looking
splendidly and we have a prospect OF
a large yield. We also have a church |
organized and have had regular preach
ing the past year and still have preach |
ing occasionally. Three Sabbath |
schools were in running order last |
summer. Two discontinued through |
the winter but will again organize as
soon as spring opens. We have one
NJ. d., one land agent, bat neither
minister nor lawyer; as for the latter
we don't need one, but would recon-
mend Greeley township as a good To-
cation for minister to settle perma-
nently. We have any numer of bach
elors, young, old and middle aged.
The society is good, generally.
There is plenty Of good railroad land
but it is being bought up this spring.
In conclusion, think we have as
fine township of land as there is in
The county and there is still room for
settlers, aud would advise any one
to locate in this county to
wait until they take a look at Greeley
township. And last. but not least, a
great many take the EAGLE.
One OF THEM.
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06

Wichlta il one of tho most prosperous
and energetic towns in Kansas. II was form
erly the headquarters of the Texas cattle
trade but the growth of the country has fore
ed that industry t. another locality. In its
place, however, Il grain trade has sprung M
from the rapid settlement OF the farming lands
in Sedgwick county. so that the loss of the eat
tie trade is not fclt. In the language of tha
natives: .sWictita an't no slouch OF a town"
large portion OF Kansas. including q par: OF
that which now produces the largest crops, is
situated In what was once known rs the Great
American Desert, and so designated on thu
maps. Indeed. the geographical text books AT
present in use in our public schools call this
region elevated barren plains The settlers
vino are enJeavoring Ia make Kansas the state
of the Union are mostly men of character, en-
ergy and determination. The progress. that
has been made is sufficient earnest OF The
success which is bound 10 attend their efforts
in building up the country. 10 attempt to tell
of the wonderful resources Of Kansas in y brief
newspaper article would he useless. Books
have been written on the subject and there IS
yet much TO be said. Let il suffice to say that
Kansas has the greatest possible agricultural
attractions, is rich country for grazing. is
plentifully wooded and watered, and also
boasts coal fields and soda springs, II you arc
going west. go to Kansas. There is plenty Of
room. OF the 3G.000,000 acres of tlabe land,
less than 100000 acres are under cultivation.
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06
VALLEY CENTER.

EDITOR EAGLE: According to agree
ment will try and spare time enough
to sling little ink. which, if the col.
umns of your valuable paper are not
too much crowded, you may publish.
And as there has heretofore been hut
little said from this part of our county
in regard to the country, | will en-
deavor to give not very minute &C
count of the country and people.
Valley Center is located Oh or near
the center of the valley of the Little
Arkansas river, and from that it takes
its name. 1t is eleven miles north of
your own city of Wichita, is an incor-
porated city, but not of much note as
yet only for shipping point for grain
and country produce. We have but
one store here yet, but that one is do
ing a heavy traffic in the way of gcner-
al supplies for the farmers and buying
aud shipping corn. | forgot to state
we have one blacksmith shop, run by
first-class workman. The facility
for shipping from this point is not at
present the most inviting, for contrary
to agreement, the railroad company
still keeps our citizens on the wait for
depot, tor have it from good au-
thority that they, as a corporation,
agreed TO furnish depot here as soon
as our store was successfully cstab-
lished at this point, or again as soon
as there was any shipping worthy OF
note. There has been, as near as | can
get al estimate, about $4,000 bushels
of corn already shipped from this
point by our own citizens, Beard,
Carrothers Bros, and Mr.. Westlake,o of
Wichita. There will probably be as
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06
GRANT TOWNSHIP.

The first permanent settlement in
tins township was made in the early
part of the year 1868, by Alexander
Jester, who located upon the banks of
the Little Arkansas river, and for
nearly four years his only ncighbors
in this vast solitude, with the excep-
ton of the Dunlaps, who came several
years earlier, and one or two others.
were the coyote, the redskin, the
buffalo, and such other wild animals
as inhabit these fertile plains and
valleys. The nearest railroad was over
one hundred miles distant, and as this
was the only point ,of supply for this
entire region, We may easily imagine
that Mr.. TESTERS style of living was
very primitive indeed.
The year 1871, by the progress of
emigration, brought suddenly into the
township a population of about three
hundred honest, enterprising settlers,
whose snug cabins and waving fields
of Indian corn soon presented cheer
full contrast TO the hitherto uhbroken
monotony of these great prairies, aud
in the fall OF that year the township,
through the timely efforts of one of
its most active and wide-awake citi-
zens, Mr.. Ii. x. Warren, was organ-
lied, with the title of Grant" to flank
the adjacent one of 'Lincoln," and
also to honor the Nations Chief Mag
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06

De Soto seeking the fountain of eternal
youth. DID not so far enough. Tho bcneficeni
Creator seldom cXhausts Ills best gifts upon
one happy land, perhaps. 70. The reason that
He designed That the Paradise Of Adam and
Eve, should remain q standard OF compare
son; but surely Ills Astounding benevolencc
WAS layished on glorious Kansas. Her rich
emerald plans are beautiful. aad thev roll like
the waves of the sea, and like the seas trans
fixed. There nothing wanted here but forests
and cultivation to make Kansas the nearest
equivalent to an earthly paradise. The undu-
lating plains are beautIful-frst the valley then
the terrace. and lastly the swelling summit,
which forms soft-rounded primeter. from
which the dilatng eye, in fine frenzy rolling.
carries you OF uncOnsciOusiy INTO the soft blue
ether that floats the fancy into regions of
boundess bliss. You are eternally the center
of a concave circle, whose limits are the ex-
tent OF your vision, softly marked by the Blend
ing of the round emerald pillows of the plains,
with the almost glittering azure OF the skies.
You would like to have your wife and children
or your sweetheart with you, or those friends
whose hearts bound with admiration for the
Maker, as yours does, to make the scene per-
fect--but no diamonds glitter like those with
little color in 1t.
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06

1T THE CROSSING OF CHlsHOLM ClsEEh, 4
The township is not burdened with
any financial Indebtedness. "No
bonds" being our motto.
There are six school houses in the
township, with an average attendance
of from twenty-five TO thirty pupils
each. There are several church or
CARNATIONS and Sunday schools are
made a leading feature.
The present population numbers
between five and six hundred, engaged
chiefly in grain, fruit and stock raising.
Valley Center is the principal town,
being situated OH the Atchison, Tope-
ka & Santa Fe railroad, which passes
through the township. This town
has grown to be of considerable i'm
portance to the surrounding country,
and is al. especial benefit to the citi-
zens of the township, in furnishing a
convenient and good market for sur
plus produce. Sedgwick City, another
good market, is just at the edge of the
township. Wichita and Newton are
respectively eight and ten miles dis
tant.
Many more items of interest might
be given, including mention of the
names of some of the prominent citi-
zens of the township whose wealth
and energies are SO rapidly developing
the resources of the country, but pre-
Stunning that your space will not admit
of a more detailed account, | will let
this brief summary suffice, leaving the
next Centennial historian Of the town.
ship 10 take up the thread of the mar
rative where 1t is here laid down.
CITIZEN.
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06

Ell, making 81, 6S0.S0. The products of
sixty-three acres Of land. "Poor suf-
fering Kansas" He says the entire
expense ofthe above wheat crop, count
ing his own work, harvesting and
threshing is five hundred and twenty
eight dollars. He says he raised last
year forty-seven acres of corn, which
he is confident, from the best measure
ment that he could make, will average
sixty-thrce bushels per acre. A part
of this crop was raised on rented land.
Mr.. Editor. might go on up the
valley of Spring creek, describing the
farms of Major Brown, Barns. McBee,
Stafford Brothers, Col. Sharpnach,
John Brunton, and away up to friend
Webb's, and along the Dog creek val
ley and tell of Rushing, Williams, Hem
derson, Quinnell, Fortner and others,
but | will reserve them for another
letter. FARMER DooLITTLE.
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06

Delano. At the time of its organiza-
ton it included all of town twenty
seven south, from the Arkansas river
to the west line of the county, but in
1873, the township being settled up SO
rapidly, it was found necessary to di-
vide it, which was done by forming
Attica and Garden Plains township Of
the western part, range one, west, re-
naming in Delano. AS it now stands
it embraces very nearly one Con-
grcssional township.
No township in the county or State
can boast Of finer tract Of land than
Delano. Bounded on the east by the
Arkansas river and watered by Cow.
skin creek in the western part. While
Sedgwick county leads the State by
having fifty per cent. of what is termed
bottom land, Delano township leads
the county by being entirely composed
of bottom land.
The first settlement in the township
was made in 1869, by Isaac G. Walker,
who settled opposite Wichita OH the
bank of the Arkansas river, on the
place now owned and occupied by H.
w. Lawrence. who, by the way, has
one of the best improved farms in the
county, being all under fence and
hedge with good buildings, etc.
Among the first settlers who now own
and occupy farms in the township
may be mentioned A. and E. Dodge,
r. E. Lawrence, John Mccormick, S.
w. Richmond, John Farmer, James
Mennefee, q. E. kirkpatrick, Perry
and John wilkins, John Hughes, j. B.
Brinley. S. w. Bailey, A. d. Johnson
and =. Mcdonald. These all own and
The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-04-06

istrate, who, in the late unpleasant.
ness" had been the military leader OF
many Of the settlers. From that time
to the present the prosperity of the
township has been uniformly pro.
gressive.
The township lies III the northern
part of the county and comprises an
area of about fifty square miles, one
half of which is first-bottom land and
the balance very superior upland prai-
rie. The soil is deep and fertile. Liv-
ing streams of water, such as the Lit
tie Arkansas river, Jester Greek, east
aud west branches of Chisholm, and
other smaller streams furnish an album
dant supply of water either for stock
or milling purposes. There is little
timber but not sufficient to make any
particular mention, but coal will, with
out doubt, be developed here before
long, the surface vein having been
struck in several places at a depth of
twenty-five feet. The surface of the
country is gently undulating and the
condition of the roads, for travelling
conveniences, could hardly be excelled.
Good wells of excellent water are OBJ
tanned at depth Of from twenty-five
to forty feet. No "alkali' water has
been struck that the writer knows of.