Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-07-11
WOMEN At TINE HElM.
A listle Tewn In Kansas where the Fair Sex
Rules Supreme.

TOPEKA, Kan, July lO.-Thcre is one
town in Kansas that having had woman
for mayor, was willing to make 4 second
trial, or at least was willing to accept rs
final the wishes of the women OF the mu-
nicipality. Mrs. Barnes was elected, with
out much opposition, mayor OF Geuda
Springs, in Cowley county. As its name
indicates. Geuda Springs is q laundry town
to which the afflicted and the dirty of the
adjoining towns resort when they desire to
try the virtues of bath.
Without the springs and their supposed
mineral qualities there never would have
been town in that particular locality.
There is one hotel, and the skeletons of two
others which are fitted up every summer as
soon as the bathing season begins. 1t is
due to the energy Of women that this il
done, for whenever men have tried to make
any improvements or progress they have
failed.
Geuda Springs is essentially a wOman's
town, kept alive by the business qualifica-
tions that lead the fair ones to fit up board
ing honses and then fill them up with the
inhabitants of other places who have no
bathing facilities at home. There is a lake
made by constructing dam across the lit
|
This is semi annually washed out, and
the dam remains ruin until the women
compel their husbands or other men Deepen
dent upon them to turn out with pick and
shovel to repair it. The fact is that there
is no work here for mel except in subordi-
nate positions, and those who remain there
become as much like old women as it is
possible for men to become.
The two streets in the village are as
much like country lanes as streets can be
made. The sidewalks up to last year were
mere paths in the middle of the streets in
dry weather, while in wet weather commu-
nication was practically suspended. The
women rebelled at such shiftlessness and
resolved to take things into their own
hands especially as thay paid nearly all the
taxes. A women was elected mayor, and
Immediately over the protests Of the sterner
sex. improvements were begun and side
walks-real board sidewalks-were laid.
The first ones to benefit by this improve
ment were the men who had protested.
They very soon recognized their utility, for
there had never been such comfortable
loafing places. On any sunny day or cool
summer evening, groups Of men, little
groups il is true, might be seen congre-
gated in spots on these new board walks,
settling in earnest discussion national ques-
tons, especially finance; for Geuda Springs
10 one of the reform towns so far as the
men are concerned.
As there was q woman council it was not
long before the rights of the real governing
class were infringed upon, for "city ordi-
nance" soon took from them the right TO
obstruct the walks between certain hours.
those hours being when the women desired
to shop or visit. When they demonstrated
they we're informed that they could submit.
20 to work, or go to Oklahoma. They
chose the first. for either of the latter in
volved dreaded occupation, that Of self
support.
There was little disposition among the
men this spring to return to the old order OF
things, but they were soon squelched in
their own homes or at their boarding
houses, go that when the contest was made
at the city election the women were allowed
to have their own way without interference.
Mrs. Barnes, the new mayor, is one Of the
most energetic women of the town, and IL
any body can scYape the moss from fossils
she is the person. If she fails the town
.ill return to its old status ~ country
CROSSROADS, in spite of the springs AMI the
wash house thai has been erected beside
lake Juanits.