The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1879-02-27
SEDGWICK VS.. HARVEY.
Shall Harvey Comfy be Compelled
. Meet Her Contract!
AShort History Of the Matter and
it's Present Status.
he Committee Of Both Housss Have 1sds Re-
ports in Favor Of Ssdgwisk.

The Walnut Valley Times, whose cdi-
tor is the Senator from Harvey county.
and the Newton Necs, take it upon
themselves to severely criticise the ac-
ton of Commissioner Steele, and Com
missioners York and Steenrod, Treasur
er Tucker, Clerk Dorsey and other gentle
m n, including the editor of the EAGLE,
for their presence at Topeka. In answer
to them, and for the information of all We
submit a few observations that will, no
doubt, make the editors alluded to
squirm, but which, nevertheless, contain
facts susceptible of proof by the records:
Previous to the Legislative session OF
lS7l-'72 the county of Sedgwick contain
ed forty-two townships Of territory.
The county, as then constituted, voted
$500, 600 in bonds in aid of the construc-
ton Of the Wichita and Southwestern
railr Dad from Newton to Wichita. TIE
proposition was carried by large ma
jority vote, being supported by Mr..
Congdon, the present Representative of
Harvey, Mr.. Hurd, Dr.Floyd. and many
Others Of Sedgwick City, and by all the
leading men of Newton. For truth,
as the records will show, Sedgwick City
and her interests, and Newton and her
interests, were practically unanimous
for the bonds. At that time the main
line of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa
Fe was being rapidly constructed across
the northern tiers of townships. from
east to west. distance of nearly twen-
ty-four miles. In territory Seigwick
was the largest settled county in the
State. save one, with prospects Of flu
ture cqualled by no other. Wichita
then, as she is to-day, was the metropo-
lis of the Southwest, a position and dis
tinction that she naturally attained and
and held because of her location and the
conformation of the country surround
ing her. The town of Newton was started
on the main line Of the road. on the
high prairie. within two and half
miles of the north line of the county.
Scdgwick City and Park City were the
only other towns in the northern
half of Scdgwick county. both of which
had natural advantages much superior
to the railroad station called Newton,
but neither of which possessed any COM
mercial status, or personal property, or
permanent improvements worthy the
name.
In the winter of lS7l-72 a scheme was
entered into by the town proprietors
and land spectators of the counties of
Reno, Mcpherson, Rice. Marion. and
the northern tiers of townships in Scdg-
wick. to erect or create new county
whereby the lines of the counties
named should better conform to the III
terests of their various embryo county
seats and commercial ccnters. To that
end the taxpayers and parties in inter-
est supported one Captain Dave Payne
for the Legislature against Mr.. Sluss, of
this city. the regular nominee. To the
moro surely fix Paync's interest and
to command his hearty support for the
scheme, he was given piece of land at
Newton, upon which house was erect
ed by his disintercsted(D admirers. Sluss
was elected. but under a constitutional
bubble which Sluss would not contest.
PAYNE was admitted TO seat in the
Legislature.
The work plotted out was prosecuted
with vgor and untiring energy. for up
on its success hung the destinics of
Newton. Hutchinson and other incipieni
burghs. Representative Hutchinson. sec
ondcd by Representative Payne. backed
by lobby consisting of Mr.. Bentley. y
County Commissioner of Sedgwick re-
siding in Newton. Captain Spivey Judge
Muse. Captain Sebastian and many 9th
crs, from the present county Of Harvey,
being the principal leaders in the scheme.
Governor Slower. who at that time rep
resented the whole of this section in the
State Senate. refascd to take sides, not |
withstanding the numerous petitions,
remonstrnnces and letters daily urged
upon his attention, The writer OF this,
then Senator from the central portion