The Topeka state journal., 1921-02-26
BY HARRY ROOT.


In the first convention held by the
Populists in the Sixth district to nomi-
nate a candidate for congress, one of
the strong men for the prize was Rev.
c. U. Mckee, of Mitchell county. The
meeting was held in Hill City behind
barred doors, and no one could get
inside the hall without the pass word.
Every county was represented. Nc
Kee belonged to the United Brethren
church, and at the time was presid-
ing elder. His followers claim he had
enough delegates to nominate, not
withstanding he was opposed by others
because he was a church worker and
member. 1t was about supper time,
and knowing that he would be nomi-
mated on the next ballot, motion to
adjourn was carried. This was fatal
to Mckee, and on the first ballot
after supper. Baker, of Lincoln county,
received the nomination. 1t was
openly charged that some of the dele
gates had been tampered with Rev.
Mckee was one of the early pioneers
township. He owns one Of the best
improved farms, and farmed and
raised stock He is a resident of the
county yet and now lives in Beloit.
One of the early timers to Mitchell
county was Anson. S. Cooke, who
homesteaded in Center township, eight
miles from Beloit, in 1872. He lived
there until 1910 when he move& to
Topeka, and bought residence Prop
erty at 1912 Lincoln street 1t is in
Iferesting to hear Mr.. and Mrs. Cooke
talk of their early experiences in that
country They went there before the
railroad, built sod house which was
furnished with furniture made by Mr..
Cooke. The house had only one room.
but there was hospitality and love
under its roof. Buffalo and antelope
were plentiful, and often came close
to the house. Many Indians passed
close to the house, but were friendly.
In the spring of 1875 he married Cath
crime Mcmillan. daughter of Rev B.
f. Mcmillan, former member OF the
legislature from Mitchell county. The
government land was mostly taken up
about 1874. The roads were lined
with the white prairie Schooners in
1872, and at night the prairie looked
like a camp of soldiers around the
camp fires making coffee and pre-
pairing meals. Cooke says he got hold
of a government chart and set out to
find a quarter section not home
steaded, and he ran across the south
east quarter of section rs, of Center
township where he stuck up his pa
pers with firm determination TO re-
main. In the organization or the Pop-
ulist party he was one OF the most ac-
tive followers When that party went
into politics he and D. J. Greenwald.
now dead, were sent as delegates from
! Mitchell county to the Cincinnati con-
ventfon, in 1890. He served in the
state senate from the Jewell Mitchell
county district for eight years con-
tinuously. and later served four years
more He was a member OF the senate
during the legislative war.
Cheyenne. the farthest northwest
county in the state, was represented
at the annual Democratic love feast
and banquet by Ed Uplinge of ST.
Francis. ex-member of the legislature
from that county. who served three
terms. He visited the two legislative
bodies and shook hands with many old
members he knew. He says his town
is improving, many new buildings hav-
ting been built the past year, and
| others yunder way for this year. He
is one OF the pioneers in Cheyenne
county and has seen ST. Francis grow
| to be one of the largest trade centers
in northwest Kansas. He Is also one
of the successful business men OF the
town He says there are a good many
Democrats left in the county, who will
give a good account of the party in the
next state election Speaking of his
party followers he mentions the old
stalwarts like J. H Egan. Josiah
Crosby. Farmer Shields and others.
all good citizens. successful in business
and have held political offices of trust
with credit to themselves and their
county and state.
! In the olden times, before saloons
were crowded out of the running in
the Sixth district. breweries were run
ming in Beioit, Cawker City and Kir-
win, until the people voted the state
dry. Times have. since changed, the