Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1897-03-06


brighter; the air is purer; every.
body is happier in Baxter Springs
than for years.
On the 1st of May, 1869, $l50,0O0 in
bonds were issued to the Missouri
River, Fort Scott and Gulf Rail.
road Company. now known as the
Memphis, to secure the building OF
the road into Baxter Springs. This
burden has been heavy one 10
Baxter. Although no interest was
ever paid on the bonds the knowl.
edge of their existence was like a
black cloud and impending disas'
ter. OF course, the bonds were no,
legal, for many reasons, but how to
get rid of them was question tina,
bothered our people and caused
tnenl 10 lose slccp.
About three years ago the city
was sued for the Amount of the
bonds aud accrued interest, which
at this time would amount 10 more
than half a million dollars. The
case was set for trial in the United
States district court at Fort Scot,
and the railroad company put its
whole force of attorneys TO work.
The city was defended By Perry &
Grain of Fort Scott and Mayor ". S.
Norton of this city. The case was
continued from time 10 time, only
once, however, al the request OF the
city. But the railroad company, il
seems, was determined 10 wear us
out, and on one pre:ext or another,
for the past two yeats, has not been
ready for trial. But the matter
came to focus on Monday OF this
week. The case was docketed for
trial OH that day aud the city, by its
attorneys, was on hand with it's
witnesses, ready for trial. As usu-
al, the railroad company wanted "a
continuance. but Judge Williams
being fair.mindcd man refused to
grant it, and the uext thing for the
attorneys of the railroad company
to do was TO make overtures to the
city's attorneys for a compromise,
aud compromise was effected that
will let the city out very easily.
OF course, the city might have
won the case had it gone to trial,
but if it had the railroad company
would have appealed to the su-
preme court. At least three years
would have elapsed before the case
could have been reached there, and
If there had been a dragging pro-
cess through that court il would
probably have been six or eight
years before the result could have
been determined. In that event the
costs to the city would have
to more than the com.
promise, aud all that time the city
would have stood chance to lose.
By compromising the case the city
saves all this time, which may be
aud gets out very light.
Following is a copy of the CON-
promise contract:
Subject TO ratification by their
representative principals, and rep.
present for the New
Trust Company, on the
Dne part, aud the city of Baxter
Springs. Kansas, on the other part,
agree upon the following compro-
promise of the controversy between
said parties in regard to the bonds
involved in a suit now pending in
he United States circuit court for
lie district of Kansas at Fort Scott: |
The city is to pay for the surren-
Ter of said bonds and coupons at
.ached thereto ten thousand dollars
$4,000 in negotiable refunding
ponds payable TO bearer. which
hall be authorized and executed ia
conformity with the laws of Kan
'as, and delivered 10 Wallace Pratt.
If Kansas City, Missouri, or his or
Ter; the bonds shall be of the de-
of FIVE hundred doliars
n one Thousand dollars, ut the
;ity's option, and shall bear Eve per
.eut interest, payable semi-aunual-
y at such dates as .the city may de-
ire to FIX, which dates shall be
pecified Ia the bonds; and the city
hall have the privilege of making /
me or more bonds due each year
Ifter their date. bid none shall be
Iue later than tweniy years from !