Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1889-01-14
FIGHTING FOR THE SEAT.
A Kansas Controversy for
County Headquarters.
INGALLS, AND cIMARRoN AT WAR.

The Citizens OF the Former Town Capture
the County Records--A Battle Ensnes In
which Two Men Arc Knled-Troops
Restore Temporary Order.
WICHITA, Kan, Jan. 14.-Cimarron and
Ingalls, are In the center of Gray county, in
southwest Kansas, and upon the Arkansas
river. Cimarron is about six miles east Of
US competitor and both are on the main line
O the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe road
lhe former Is a place Of about 500 nhabit-
ants, IS the older town Of the two. and boasts
oi some substantial improvements Ia The way
Of brick buildings
ingalls,, formerly called soule. after its
FOUNDER, Is but few years old ana has be-
tween 500 and 800 people
An election was held about nine months
ago and since then all the county offices, OK
cept those OF clerk and surveyor, have been
at ingalls,, whilc Cimarron has been looked
upon as the temporary county seat, and
there the county records have been guarded
by two men. who were paid for this service
IS per day n. +. Watson, a candidate
upon the ingalls, ticket. was elected but two
OF the commissioners refusing to canvass the
vote, an order compelling them TO do so was
lhree deputies IN the discharge OF their
duties Saturday went from ingalls, 70 pus
Watson In the possession Of the county
clerks Office aud to remove the records 10
Ingalls, About 800 people OF Cimarron.
hearing OF this intended transfer, followed
tho deputies aud demanded the return OF the
records This was refused, when a shot was
iired, by which party Is unknown, as both
deny that they fired. This was soon followed
by other shots. The mob, awe1 by this do.
termiped resistance, fell back, carrying with
them two OF their mcp fatally wounded and
others more or less Injured.
AS soon as the excitement had ceased it
was found that the two mon fatally wounded
had died. They were J. W. English and A.
J. Bliss, both men OF prominence ia Cinar-
ron and the heads of families Their death
seemed 70 infuriate the mob, aud gathering
together again they advanced towara a brick
building, 10 which Watson and the deputies
had gone for safety. Both parties kept up
the firing the besiegers hiding behind houses
and In bitches, tho. besieged returning the
fire from windows and doors Three Of tho
deputies had been wounded at the first vol.
Icy, George W. Bolds having received bali
IN his leg; H. d. Brooks a shot in the arm
and Charles ReischeldefTer slight wound IN
the face. The moh believing the besieqed
would not be able to hold out until the
arrival Of aid, and expecting TO charge the
building at night, bad taken possession Of the
telegraph Office at Cimarron, and refused to
permit coll for militia 10 be made. They
vowed Il their intention to hang Watson and
the deputies, and had ropes which they
waved TO warn the imprisoned men OF their
approaching fate
Fred Singer and James Matson. Ingalls,
men, who had accompanied the deputies 10
Cimarron, were cornered In the court house
and called upon to give up their arms. Fear
ing the vengeanc9 OF the mob they refused
% DO So and built themselves barricado Of
tables and chairs
In response to urgent kilograms Governor
Martin sent 70 Gen. Meyers at Wichita an
order for troops to be ready 10 start for
Cmarron. But the sheriff at Dodge Citv.
having been notified Of the state of affairs
proceeded with posse TO Cimarron. reaching
there shortly after dark A short pnrlev was
beld with the rioters, and they agreed Ia
hand over the imprisoned men and disperse.
The two Ingalls, men who had sought refuge
IN the court house were also taken in charge
by the sheriff.
The mob then declared its intention to 90
to ingalls, and burn the town and kin the
people. All were we'll armed. The farmers
who favored the elected officers came TO the
rescue Of ingalls,, and all night guarded the
town. Sam Brown q Cimarron man. Is
thought to have died from his wounds. and
two Of the deputies are believed 70 be in a
precarious condition.
Gen. Meyers arrived yesterday at Cimar-
ron and reported all quiet, but an outbreak
is hourly feared, as the bitter feeling enren-
dered will, It is thought, result in another
conflict at an early day, and the mritamen
are expecting orders 70 move Parties in
terested In the towns are here offering $40
per day to men who will hght for their re-
spectiye towns