Amanuensis Monday - Indian Papoose Grave Found on Bluff Creek

The Wellington Monitor
11 July 1890

The grave of an Indian papoose was discovered on an island in Bluff Creek near Caldwell by Sam Woodson and Dr. Noble last week.

It was protected by a basket-shaped cover, neatly woven of twigs and roots, and so carefully hidden away among the underbrush as to have escaped observation heretofore.

Old settlers think it was made as far back as 1876 during the Indian troubles at that time.

Kansas Humanities Council Awards Grant to the Sumner County Historical and Genealogical Society

Sumner County Historical & Genealogical Society receives
grant from the Kansas Humanities Council

TOPEKA – The Kansas Humanities Council (KHC) recently awarded Sumner County Historical & Genealogical Society of Wellington a $3,500 grant for the “Prairie Letters: Written in Rural Kansas in the Late Nineteenth Century” project.

Jane Moore, SCHGS president said that in 2012 the Sumner County Historical and Genealogical Society received a notebook containing the “Prairie Letters,” letters that had been written primarily in the 1870’s by Emily Sell, one of Kansas’ earliest setters. Sell homesteaded in the Rome, Kansas area with her husband.  Moore said that even though Kansas was opened to settlement in 1854 and became a state in 1861, there were only 22 white people living in Sumner County by 1870 (The Sumner County Story, Paul and Gwendoline Sanders, 1966, p. 9).  Sumner County was not fully organized until Nov. 7, 1871.

“When I saw that the first letters were dated 1870, and learned that there were only about 22 white people living in Sumner County in 1870, I couldn't imagine what life must have been like for those early settlers,” said Elaine Clark, Prairie Letters Project Director and grant author.

There have been histories written about other areas of Sumner County during this time period, but very few collections of letters have been discovered which give a first-person perspective,” Clark said,  “that makes this collection of letters a priceless, irreplaceable piece of Kansas history.”

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“Transcription and preservation of these letters will give future historians, researchers, genealogists, and those interested in early settlement of the Midwest a first-person account of the hardships and difficulties of early homesteaders,” said Moore.

“Historical details about settlement in the Rome, Kansas, area are sketchy, but the town was officially organized in 1884,” Moore said, adding that  SCHGS members involved in transcribing Emily’s letters to friends and family are eager to learn about early-day settlement of Sumner County through the eyes and viewpoint of the homesteader and his wife.

Clark said she and her husband, Larry Clark, traveled to Jordan Cemetery recently to view and photograph Emily’s grave stone.

“I stood there and wondered what her life was like,” Clark said, adding that “these letters reveal much about the early days of Sumner County and the hardships and sorrows that families endured.  We tend to take food, warmth, air conditioning, doctors and medical care for granted, but these letters share the facts of everyday life for Kansas’ early settlers, babies that died because no doctors were available, weeks that go by before getting letters from family and friends, and children who can’t get an education because they live too far from school or they are needed to work on the farm.”

“These situations would seem foreign to today’s young people,” Clark said.

Clark said that some of the letters are almost unreadable because of fading, so it is imperative for the SCHGS to transcribe these letters as soon as possible. 

“This Heritage Grant from the Kansas Humanities Council will assist in preserving this treasure,” Clark said, “I can hardly wait to do the transcribing.”

Clark added that as the project progresses and they learn more about the contents of the letters, they will share information on the website at www.ksschgs.com, blog at www.ks-schgs.blogspot.com, SCHGS Facebook page and in area publications. 

“KHC Heritage grants encourage the preservation of local cultural resources,” said Julie Mulvihill, executive director of the Kansas Humanities Council. “This transcription project will preserve these one-of-a-kind primary source documents for generations to come. What a treat to find out what stories these letters will tell.”

The Kansas Humanities Council is a nonprofit organization that supports community-

based cultural programs, serves as a financial resource through an active

grant-making program, and encourages Kansans to engage in the civic and cultural

life of their communities. For more information, visit www.kansashumanities.org.

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Amanuensis Monday - Flashbacks from the April 24th, 2013 Caldwell (Kansas) Messenger

Reprinted with permission from the Caldwell Messenger

April 19, 1883
Most astonishing claim yet of electricity - It has been proven possible to convey by its vibrations of light so that it is practicable not only to speak with a distant friend, but also to see him.

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April 20, 1893
The proposed lottery plan for opening the Cherokee Strip to settlement was meeting with opposition.

The public well on South Main was being cleaned out.

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April 23, 1903
County Attorney Wison cashed in a collection of mining stock certificates for $32,000.  They were acquired for a song while he was a Denver newspaper reporter from 1895 - 1897.

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April 21, 1923
Dad's Cafe - Sunday
Soup, chicken with noodles, pork loin roast with brown gravy and horse radish, mashed potatoes, spinach garnished with lemon and eggs, apricot pie, Parkerhouse rolls 35 cents.

Airplane Exhibition and Passenger Carrying - northeast of Caldwell, all day Sunday.  $5 per passenger.

April 18, 1933
Oklahoma is taking drastic steps to aid schools.  In July, a tax of 2 cents on every dollar of retail sales will be assessed against all purchases in Oklahoma stores.  Also a tax of 3 cents a package on cigarettes should bring in $1,5000,000 annually - also to go to school aid.

Intramural punkin ball to start tomorrow.

Wheat again hits record high when it reaches 49 cents a bushel.  This is more than double the price offered in Caldwell less than four months ago.

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April 19, 1933
Wheat prices up 2 cents more!

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April 24, 1933
New Masonic Hall is now complete.  Believed to be one of the best in Sumner County.  Kitchen has hot and cold running water.

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April 19, 1943
Job/wage freeze ordered for entire nation.  Will be backed by penalties as great as a thousand dollar fine and a year in prison.

Ration book No. 3 will be issued late in July.  Will be used primarily for shoes, sugar and coffee.

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April 22, 1943
Bill Aakers, who joined the Navy last July, is now in North Africa.

A farmer who sells butter, lard, or any rationed food to a retailer must now collect ration points for the sale.

Less canned food to be available.  Compared with '42 there will be 11% less meat, 37% less canned shell fish, 21% less butter, 11% less cheese, 15% less canned milk, 51% less canned fruit, 27% less canned vegetables, 29% less coffee, and 60% less tea.

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April 20, 1953
Presbyterian Church to celebrate 80th Anniversary.

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April 19, 1973
Drury to be film site of Carradine movie. **

**  The filming of the David Carradine movie in Drury was literally the talk of the county for a short time, and many folks found themselves driving through Drury or nearby South Haven to try to catch a glimpse of David Carradine and wife Barbara.  SCHGS Vice President Sherry Kline and husband Norman and two of their cousins went to South Haven one evening on the off chance they might see Carradine.  They stopped at the little restaurant that was open then, and they did see Carradine and some of the other cast members.

Amanuensis Monday - Caldwell Messenger Flashbacks!

"The Caldwell Messenger" Flashbacks Wednesday, 27 February 2013
Page 2, Col. 2

Here are a few tidbits - reprinted with permission from the 27 February 2013, Caldwell Messenger, Caldwell, Kansas.

February 22, 1883

The Oklahoma Boomers who went into the promised land from here began drifting back.  They found it no easy task to dodge the U.S. troops.

J. M. Thomas had money to lend to Sumner and Harper County farms at 10 per cent, plus commission.

R. Rue had a large lot of fresh burned brick for sale at lowest cash prices.

February 23, 1893

William Wykes, south of Caldwell, was appointed by Governor as a member of the board of Public Works at a salary of $1,000 a year and traveling expenses.

The station of Cicero, on the Santa Fe, south of Wellington, was discontinued.

Troop C. of the U. S. Army went south through Caldwell en route to El Reno. (Oklahoma Territory)

February 26, 1903

The Rock Island abolished the office of “foreman” and installed a “superintendent of shops.”

February 27, 1913
Mr. and Mrs. Abel Grimm and their two little girls were badly bruised in a runaway near Renfrow.

February 21, 1923
Flu epidemic is abating here.  The school has averaged four teachers a day out.

Meeting called for next Monday to form a cooperative association between Parents and Teachers.  It will be called PTA.

Sidebottom Brothers of Wellington have bought the restaurant business of Libby and Son on South Main.

February 23, 1923
Three arrested on bootlegging charges. One was bound over because the judge said he was persistently violating the liquor law.  Bond was $500.

February 26, 1923
Arrest six in raid on livery stable. City cops run in on “Crap” game Sunday afternoon after an anonymous complaint.

Amanuensis Monday - George Linn Obituaries

Obituary: George Linn
April 29, 1926 Argonia Argosy - P. 8, Col. 4
Information collected from:
"Obituaries: Argonia, Kansas and Vicinity"
Volume IV; p. 606

George Linn, son of Jacob and Mary Linn, was born February 12, 1839 at Navarre, Ohio and died at the home of his daughter in Harper, Kansas, April 19, 1926, aged 87 years, 2 months and 7 days,  He was united in marriage to Helen Evangeline West, May 12, 1861.  

To this union were born five children, of which three survive, Mary Jane Keplinger, of Navarre, Ohio, Mrs. Helen Cyphers and Geore W. Linn, both of Harper.  Emma Ida Linn and Dora Blanche Clinton preceded him in death. 

He is survived by three children, seven grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren, his wife having preceded him in death May 15, 1924.


Obituary: George Linn
May 6, 1926 Argonia Argosy - P. 1, Col. 4
Information collected from:
"Obituaries: Argonia, Kansas and Vicinity"
Volume IV; p. 606

George Linn, an old settler of Argonia vicinity, was born in Stark County, Ohio, February 12, 1839, and passed away at Harper, Kans, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Paul Cyphers on April 19, 1926, aged 87 years, 2 months and 7 days.  He was the last of a family of fourteen to be taken in death.  

He was united in marriage to Helen Evangeline West, also of Ohio, on May 12, 1861.  To this union were born five children, three of whom are yet living.  They are Mary Jane Klepinger of Navarre, Ohio, Mrs. Paul Cyphers and George W. Linn, both of Harper.  Emma Ida Linn and Dora Blanche Clinton preceded both the father and mother in death. Besides his three children, he is survived by seven grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.


He and his family lived in Ohio until 1885, when they moved to Kansas and settled on a farm near Argonia.

"Uncle George" as he was commonly called, was a good neighbor and was loved by all who knew him.  He was a member of the Argonia Lodge, I.O.O.F. and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.  Funeral services were held from the home in Argonia, Thursday, April 22, 1926, conducted by Rev. Alexander, Presbyterian minister of Wichita.  The I.O.O.F. lodge had charge at the cemetery.

Life's race well run,

Life's work well done,

Life's crown well won;

Now comes rest.

Amanensis Monday - George Linn (Argonia, Kansas) Death Notice

George Linn Death Notice

The Argonia Argosy – Thursday, April 22, 1926, Page 1, Col. 3

George Linn, an old settler, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Helen Cyphers, at Harper, Monday morning, April 19, 1926, at the advanced age of 87 years, 2 months and 7 days. 

Mr. Linn has been in failing health for some time, and several months ago was taken to the home of his daughter at Harper where he gradually grew weaker until the end.

 He has been a resident of the Argonia community for a good many years, living on a farm 1 mile north and one half east of town. His wife died in May, 1924.

He is survived by two daughters and a son.  Funeral services will be held from the home in Argonia, Thursday afternoon at 3 o’clock.  Burial will be in Argonia Cemetery (Lot #243).  The Odd Fellows Lodge will have charge of the service at the cemetery.  The Argonia Undertaking Company have charge of the arrangements. 

Amanuensis Monday - Flashbacks from the Caldwell (Kansas) Messenger

Here are a few tidbits - reprinted with permission from the September 19, 2012, Caldwell Messenger, Caldwell, Kansas.

September 6, 1882

G. W. Miller had five or six teams hauling wire and posts from Caldwell to his pasture south of Deer Creek.

Sixty of the old soldiers at Caldwell were planning on attending the state fair in Topeka.  A special fare of $4.80 was offered.

The east roundup at Pond Creek was a decided success. The strays being brought in at a cost of 5 cents on the dollar of their values. Cattle were recovered that had been out for over two years.

September 13, 1922

Capture two stills in Arkansas City.  Two fully equipped stills, capable, they say, of turning out enough "corn" to supply all thirsty dwellers in this part of the state.

Si Sprague was down the first part of the week wiring his mother's house for electric lights.

September 15, 1922

Sunday - fried chicken 35 cents - Iles Cafe. 

September 18, 1922

Pity the bootlegger. Prohibitory violators will get stuck with $1,000 extra taxes.

Amanuensis Monday - Flashbacks - Caldwell (Kansas) Messenger - September 5, 2012

Here are a few tidbits - reprinted with permission from the Caldwell, Messenger, Caldwell, Kansas.

August 31, 1882

A whole gang of pretty school marms passed through Caldwell en route for the agencies for positions.

August 31, 1892

Chas. H. Fay & Co. advertised that there was no sand in their sugar and no impurities in their tea.

John Blair had a shoulder broken when a riding horse fell with him on a slippery road.

H. A. Ross and Co. took a large advertisement telling people that they were too busy to write an ad but not too busy to sell merchandise.

The campaign was waxing hot - The Populist Party at that time being in their hey day.

September 4, 1892

Elton Scribner died of typhoid fever.

There were 16 road shows scheduled to appear at the Caldwell Opera House during the fall months.

September 5, 1912

Much space was being used to "lambast" Teddy Roosevelt and the Bull Moose party.

September 4, 1922

All Drury cottages are full for this week end.  There are many tents being put up for those wanting to stay from Saturday until Monday. 

The SCHGS Calendar is Done! Get 12 Months of History with the Historic Look at Sumner County!

Twelve Months of History from the 

Sumner County Historical & Genealogical Society

When Sumner County Historical & Genealogical Society President Jane Moore saw a calendar at a genealogy meeting, one filled with fascinating historic old photos and interesting historic tidbits, she knew she wanted to do that for Sumner County.

I had seen another one from another county,” Moore said, “I just thought it was a cool idea.”
So for the past several months, Moore, Elaine Clark, and Photoshop expert, Jerry Sayre gathered and tweaked photos, researched newspapers, double-checked facts, and put together the SCHGS Calendar “A Look at Historic Sumner County.”

Getting it back from the printers, Wheatland Services, this week had everyone excited.

“The calendar itself has historic information on every page and with every photo,” Moore said, adding that facts and photos representing Oxford, Belle Plaine, Wellington, Caldwell, Geuda Springs, South Haven, Hunnewell, Perth, Mayfield, Argonia, Milan, Millerton, Corbin, and Conway Springs cover each month of the calendar, and include such interesting tidbits as location of the first lynching in the county, where the first post office in the county was located, and when the Baptist Church was organized in Wellington.

Moore said that the calendars can be purchased at the SCHGS Research Center (north door Memorial Auditorium, 208 N. Washington, Wellington) on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or from the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, and sell for $10.00 per calendar, with discounts for orders of five or more.  Mail orders are welcome.  Address orders to SCHGS, Box 402, Wellington, KS 67152, and add $5 shipping and handling for one calendar.  Contact the society for shipping rates on orders of multiple calendars at schgs@sutv.com, or contact President Jane Moore directly at bjmoore@kanokla.net.

Moore said that the proceeds will be used to support SCHGS’ family history preservation activities and equipment needs at the SCHGS Research Center.

“If you are interested in Sumner County History,” Moore said, “you will really enjoy them and they will make a nice gift for folks who no longer live here, too.”