The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-08-25
LAwToN POSTAL SERVICE.
Man That Organized II Tells Of the
Attendant Difficulties.

N-NNA0Gt4t NGfliGS.
Postohice INSPECTOR r. w. C.. Hosford
Of this city. returned yesterday from
Oklahoma, where he had been since july.
looking after postoGice Interests. lie nrst
went 10 IL Reno during the rush ana
was afterwards designated by the assist
ant postmaster general 10 take charge
OF the Lawton postonice untH The now
postmaster. J. r. White. had completed
his bond. IL was extremely arluous as
wei as delicate work. and Mr.. Hosford
shows the effect OF H. Previous To opep-
ing Of the postonice az Ia aton Ynau fo5
thai point was delivered at Fort sin
Many Of the Lawton people sent over
there Tor their mail and ran ND against
"a conspiracy entered nto b5 four postal
clerks. specially and temporarily ap-
pointed. who sought % extort money
from the patrons Of the Office b. Withhold
ing their mail until paid for the pTivi-
lege of delivering it. Il seems that J.
Wade Hine. young lawyer from Indian
apolis. Indiana. was the originator and
organizer OF the conspiracy according to
the Investigations Of Alr Hosford and
his colleagues We're ". +. Melton OF
Kingfsher and Or s A. Rice and John
Vandivoort of the Indian territory. They
were all arrested. Hiue going to the fed
eraI an at Guthrie and the others being
released on bond Air. Hosford says he
has plenty Of evidence against them and
that they Will go 20 the pcnitentiary.
The Lawton postonice was opened IN
tent with twelve clerks. two Of whom
have since been relieved. Dir. Hosford
hired the men. ali Of them being en-
ployed temporarily. They had 90 deliver
mail 20 20oo0 people under these unfav-
orable circumstances. The mail came only
once a day which made the work heavier.
The Lawton postonice started ln as a
fourth class postofice which allows the
postmaster only $50 a quarter Ga salary.
This is a non-paying Job. but it IL ex-
pected that it will soon be third class
Office paying a salary of probably $500
or $500 per year. il is nov doing the
business OF a second class Office. handling
from 20 10 50 registered packages every
day and doing a money order business +
aggregating $1,000.
ar, Hosford thinks that Lawton viii
settle down after awhile 90 be city
about the size Of Wellington. Kansas
little bigger than Ninghsner perhaps. but
not. in his opinion, - big as Enid. IL
has an over abundance Of lawyers and
doctors It has four daily papers and
applications are being made for more. /
Preachers are there by the score and +
church organizations are already being /
formed. Last sunday night he attended +
services at place whore q real old time .
preacher spoke. a man who. could weep
and produce tears He SAYS the OLD man
made a wonderful impression on bis con-
gregation.
Mr Hosford thinks Jim woods win be- I
driven half crazy by the number ~ con- +
tests on his hands lie says that a little .
oil IS found IN every wen dug AID mat
this gives an excuse for hundreds 81 peo- 3
PIE 70 put mineral nungs GA his land.
lie says IL his land was covered with 4
dollar bills that it viii cost him every
cent to light the contests already filed +
on his claim.
The Rock Island road. according 70 Mr. 1
Hosford. Is now completed 20 Fort SIN .
and be expects 20 see trains running 70 (
Iawton by Sept. J.