The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-18
Sixth District Ne1Os Notes
Items and "reminiscences by An Old Timer With His
Ear to the Grass Roots

zation of the county was effected in
December. 1879. nearly a year. after
the murderous Indian raid, which oc-
Cured in September, 1878. Many set
tiers were killed in the Sappa and
Beaver Valleys, in Decatur and Raw
Inns counties. In the cemetery in
Oberlin there Is a monument erected,
the names of the settlers killed in this
raid inscribed on it in oommemora-
ton of the pioneer settlers who had
gone there to make their homes and
cultivate the soil. Oberlin won not
only the temporary but the permanent
county seat. One or two other towns
made some stir for the honor, but
fell down. In June, 1879, the town
had her Herald, published by Hum
phrey and Counter. AS early as 1878.
in September, there were two general
stores, one in a frame building, the
other sod. The hotel was built of
sod, log blacksmith shop. one sod
residence and q frame bull ding in
course of erection. There was a big
exodus of settlers from the county in
1880, the year of the great drouth,
Many of those who staid, because they
didn't have the means to get away.
were furnished state aid. The prairie
schooners" going eastward had painted
on their canvas sides: I'VE will be
back in the spring" They MADE their
word good. The "schooners'' returned,
the occupants bringing with them
enough to tide them through. Today
I Decatur is one of the most prolific
counties in northwest Kansas.
Chas. W. Miller, ST., Is one Of the
boys of Hays City who is proud of the
Republican victory in Ellis county.
Nor did his defeat for the nomination
of State Senator in the Thirty ninth
work early in the campaign to carry
that heretofore rock ribbed Democrat
county for Harding, and state and
county tickets. He was the prime
mover to organize the Golden Belt
Glee club, composed of four young
sons of Russian farmers, named Alex.
Myer, Chas. Wolfe, Fred Werth and
Adam Wolfe. college graduates of the
st. Joseph Catholic college OF Hays.
The. club sang at several political
meetings, which had good effect.
When the votes were counted Ellis
county had overturned a Democrat
majority OF about 1,100 for Wilson
| four years ago, and gave Harding a
majority Of 1,645. Miller spent a day
| in Topeka visiting National Commit
teeman Mulvane and other political
/ leaders, and he promises to bring the
club here for Kansas Day, which will
be a rare musical treat to Topekans
and other visitors present on this &C.
casion.
! A country school in Thomas county
| taught by Mrs. Mary Houston gave a
pie social to the children of her school
only six of them. and one of them
! could not be present On account OF
/ illness. A fine program was rem
dered, and the pies were auctioned off
and brought in an even $50. Now
those pupils want to know if there is
! the size of this Thomas county school
can beat it?
W. S. Booth of St. Francis has re-
signed the office of county clerk OF
| Cheyenne county after serving in tina,
capacity for 16 years, to engage in
| banking. A few years ago he was
freely mentioned to make the race for
State Auditor by his friends all thru
northwest Kansas. He was chosen
| cashier of the First National bank oil
! his town, which has been recently or
| gained.
Mrs. John W. Lake. an entertain
| ing item correspondent for the Waldo
| Advocate, ties of visit to a neigh
Dor farm family where she spent the
/ day. and enjoyed a bou1tifnl dinner
| She went one route, and the roads
! were almost impossible. She re-
| turned home by the Paradise route
That town being a Biblical name and q
4 thriving little trade center, she found
1 the roads almost smooth as glass. and
4 free from mud and ruts, SO good fol
| a name.
As early as january. 1873, according
to the issue of the Beleit Gazette Of
the 12th Of that year. the town had
a call from the champion turkey raisei
of Mitchell county. That paper goe:
1 on and says: There was a man OF
the streets thie week whose gray hair
should have brought with them NOR