The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-26
Sixth District NelUs Notes
Items and "reminiscences by An Old Timer With His
Ear to the Grass Roots.

contests in the Sixth district was the
Republican convention held in Stock
ton, in July, 1886. 1t met Tuesday,
and was in session until Saturday
noon. On the 109th ballot, the dele
gates nominated E T. Turner, OF
dates were Louis Hanback,, who was
the candidate for denomination, Webb
McNall. of Smith county; David Her
ron of Jewell county; ]. D. Young, of
| Mitchell county. and B. F. Bracken, of
Phillips county. McNall brought
along with his delegation a young col
ored fellow for his mascot, who was a
good singer and dancer. A dozen
times a day and night he would be
! on top of a barrel in font ofNMcNalrs
headquarters, entertaining the crowd.
He was a big drawing card, but
didn't succeed in nominating him.
| After the nomination was made and
the bills paid, homeward bound was
the word. The Sheridan county dele
CATION had to drive 80 miles. Their
vehicles and horses were covered with
flags and banners in honor of Turner's
| nomination. A feature about this
convention was that each c the can
didates believed he was going to win
the nomination until the 107th ballot
was cast. Your itemizer has attended
every congressional convention in the
Sixth district but one, that at Hays
City.
S. c. Smith and family, of Mankato,
have gone to the Pacific coast where
they expect to make it their home in
the future. Buck Smith, as he was
best known among his friends. was
one of the old wheel horse Democrats
| of the Sixth District. He c. uld have
had any office in the gift of his party
| in the district having been offered
| congressman state offices. postmaster
and others. He turned them down.
He was at the head of the largest
mercantile house in his town. where
| he carried on a successful business
| for 35 years. The friends of Mr. and
! Mrs. Smith gave them farewell leave
taking and banquet
| Rev. Benz Matchett, formerly of
Osborne county, and the first Populist
member of the legislature from that
county. is totally blind at his home in
Kansas City, Kan. He was speaker
| of the house in 1892. He also served
in the Civil war in an Indiana regi-
ment He left Osborne county twenty
years ago.
i. Chas. H. Thompson, chairman of
the board of commissioners of Graham
county, was in Topeka a few days ago
/ on official business. He has been a
resident farmer of that county since
| SdDSIled
farm and stock interests he will re-
main. He handles about zoo head of
stock cattle at all times. Graham
! county has one of the largest acreages
/ of wheat in her history, looking fine,
he said, and if it natures as it now
! looks. and the harvest ten days off.
1 1t will thresh out thirty bushels an
acre. Other crops are coming on in
good shape. Wheat lands in Graham
county are soaring high in price, and
where in pioneer days drouth and hot
winds were driving people away now
they are coming in and paying from
| $40 to $50 an acre.
Hiram" Rosenkraus. of Hoxie. sher-
lift Of Sheridan county was a Topeka
| visitor this week. He was born in the
county, his father going there forty
years ago. before its organization and
| buffaloes as thick as flies in a sugar
barrel. The sheriff is among the
youngest in the state. He reports all
! crops in his county in fine condition,
and corn, while the acreage is below
the average, promises a big yield.
Wheat conditions are the best ever
seen in the county and harvest Just
on. Many put the wheat good for
twenty-five bushels an acre, and some
report other fields will run as high as
thirty-five bushels. Sheriff Rosen-
kraus is glad he lives in Sheridan
county, he says.
Prosperity notes: Mrs. c. W. Evans
of Cove county, is the mother OF
twelve children. living and hearty II
! is claimed this is the largest and
healthiest family in the county.
Mrs. l. c. Bowman. of Smith coun-
ty, can go her several length better
She was married in 1870. She is now
IS years old, and has given birth to