1880-1883 Newspaper Tidbits

in the Ness City Times, Jun 1880 - Dec 1883

July 15, 1880:
Ness City's First Runaway.
Mr. David HARBISON, of Ohio Tp., drove a young and somewhat fractious pair of mules to town last Monday before a heavy wagon, and stopped to water them from BLANCHARD & RICHIE'S well, leaving his little five-year old boy in the wagon. He fastened the reins to the headboard, and unhitched two of the traces, as a precaution against their starting; but notwithstanding the precaution, the animals became frightened and started down the street at the top of their speed, drawing the wagon partly by the reins and partly by the two traces that were still hitched. When they reached the Post Office, Mr. CALHOUN made an attempt to stop them, but failed, being thrown to the ground and having his ankle run over in the attempt. Here they turned to the right and ran west about one-fourth of a mile, where they slacked up so that Mr. HARBISON overtook them and got into the wagon. Taking another scare, they started again, and wheeling round suddenly, the box was thrown from the wagon and fell bottom side up with Mr. HARBISON and the boy under it. The latter was not hurt, save by a slight scratch on the foot; the former was considerably bruised, being badly scratched in the face, losing one of his front teeth, and receiving painful bruises about the chest and back. At this point the hind wheels became uncoupled, and with the fore part of the wagon the vicious beasts sped homeward. It is fortunate, under the circumstances, that no more serious damage was done.

August 12, 1880:
Position and Natural advantages of Ness County, Kansas:
AREA: Ness county is rectangular in form, being 30 miles North and South by 36 miles East and East, and hence, contains 30 congressional township, 1,080 sections, or 691,200 acres of land, most all of which is tillable, and as handsome as can be found anywhere under the broad canopy of heaven. As regards the extent of her territory, Ness county lacks but little of being equal to the State of Rhode Island.
THE SURFACE consists of gently undulating prairie, the slope being only sufficient to turn off the surplus water, and the hollows forming a system of draining leading to the principal streams, of which there are three - the Big Timber, in the North part of the county; the Walnut, in the center, and the Pawnee in the South, all flowing through the county in a general course from West to East. These streams and their tributaries furnish excellent Watering for stock, which thrive, no where better than in Ness County, and can be grown no where with greater profit: the mildness of the climate being such that usually no foddering whatever is required during winter. The entire surface of the county, where it has not been disturbed by the plow of the settler, is covered with native grasses, of the varieties known as buffalo grass and blue-stem, of which the former is most plentiful, and retains it nutricious [sic] properties the year round - the old crop serving as pasturage till the new crop grows.
THE RAIN FALL, at present cannot be relied upon, more than two years out of three to carry a wheat crop safely through the winter-the dryest time occurring in the fall and winter; but it is gradually increasing as the prairie is brought under cultivation, and the fires kept out. In the year 1878, when there was but a handful of settlers in the county, and but a very little broken land, as high as 25 bushels of wheat was raised to the acre. Though winter crops may continue to be a little uncertain for a few years to come, summer crops may be relied upon with reasonable certainly. The spring of the present year was the dryest known in this county since its settlement, yet corn, dhurra, millet, etc. are looking finely, and the indications favor a bountiful yield; this too, it should be remembered, upon land that is for the most part entirely new, and with slight, and in many instances, no cultivation whatever; much of the land never having been plowed but once, and then, only to the depth of about two inches, and the crop planted the following year without further preparation. What might not such land be made to do under proper management?
HOW LAND IS OBTAINED:
Railroad Land - There is a small amount of Kansas Pacific Rail road land in the county, which may be had at prices varying from $3 to $6 per acre; and on very reasonable terms.
School Land - There is quite a large amount of what is known as School Land - land which has been ceded by the general government to the State of Kansas "for the use of schools." This land may be had by settlement upon it, and payment of the appraised valuation, when it is brought into market by petition of twenty householders of the School District in which it is situated; or, if no one has made settlement upon it when so brought into market, it is sold at public sale to the highest bidder; no bid less than the appraised valuation being received. The law fixes the minimum price of this land at $3 per acre, and at this price it usually sells. The terms are - one-tenth cash, and the balance in twenty years, with annual interest, at the rate of seven per cent.
Government Land - But the great bulk of the land of the county belongs to the Government, except as it has been already taken by settlers under the various laws for disposal of the same. Even much of what has been already taken has reverted back for non-compliance with the statutes, and may no9w be retaken by the first applicant; he being only required to show before the Land Office the fact of the previous settler's non-compliance with the law, which, in clear cases of abandonment, may be done early and with trifling expense. In many cases those abandoned claims possess considerable improvements.

August 12, 1880:
SHOOTING AFFRAY
On Saturday, the 31st ult., a little shooting affray took place in Johnson Twp., that might have proved serious. Jeremiah NEWBY and Johnson LLOYD quarreled about some cattle, during the course of which Jeremiah, drew a revolver and fired three or four shots at Johnson. Luckily, none of the shots took effect. Johnson was no more scared than hurt; on the contrary, by the skillful manipulation of a number of small stones that were close at hand, he chased his assailant into his house. At this point Jeremiah seized his shot gun, evidently intending to try its superiority over the pistol as an instrument of vengeance. He was prevented from doing this by the interposition of his mother and sister-in-law, who seemed to think that hostilities had been carried far enough. Temper is a thing altogether too good to be lost; and the blood is better when kept at a moderate temperature.

August 12, 1880
As Miss Minnie STRANAHAN started from Forrester P.O. two or three days ago, in a one horse vehicle, the animal became frightened and ran at full speed toward a deep draw. As she could not manage the horse and did not particularly care to be precipitated into the draw, she jumped from the vehicle and was dashed violently upon the ground, receiving severe bruises about the head and neck.

September 16, 1880:
A CARD.
Ed. Times, Sir: I take this method of informing yourself and the citizens of Ness county that I shall not be a candidate for the office of sheriff at the coming convention. While I am confident that I could secure the nomination without scarcely any opposition, yet I withdraw at the earnest solicitation of my wife, whose happiness I prize above all things else. The office is one of empty honors and no pay, and in order to properly fill it one should spend all his time. I have neglected my business since June 1st for the office, and I do not now deem it justice to myself nor family to spend so much time away from home. Therefore, hoping the convention will select some man who can properly fill the office, and who will add strength to the ticket, and insure success to the party that has stood by this country for twenty years, I must respectfully withdraw my name and thank my friends for the united support that has been offered me. Yours truly, Gilmore KINNEY

The house of Philip PHEAN was burned down last Thursday afternoon, while the family was away from home. Of course all the household effects and clothing of the family that they were not wearing at the time, were consumed. It is additionally unfortunate that there were $50 in the house at the time.

September 30, 1880:
Our thanks are due Mr. A. L. CARPENTER, of Highpoint, for the largest water-melon we ever saw. It weighed 36 pounds.

October 7, 1880:
Mr. Fred H. RICE, of Bazine, succeeded this year in raising 20 bushels of "Early Rose" potatoes from about one-twelfth of an acre of ground. He used no mulch whatever, and they were never touched with hoe, plow or cultivator, from the time of planting till they were ready to dig. The only care bestowed upon them was four applications of Paris green to save them from the bugs. He has an excellent plan for using Paris green, which all our farmers would do well to remember. He takes a small quantity of the poison, mixes it with 6 or 8 times its bulk of flour and then stirs it in water, forming a thin paste; this is applied to the vines with a brush. The flour causes the poison to cling to the vines for a much longer period than it will when used any other way. Mr. RICE used 20 cents worth of poison during the entire season.

November 18, 1880:
The family of Mr. Geo. W. CUTTER who but a short time ago moved to Waterport, this county, to Halstead, Harvey county, recently met with a very sad bereavement. Zenas and Mary, grown up son and daughter, were taken ill with malarial fever, and died, just in the bloom of youth. Words are inadequate to measure to this family the extent of their great loss.

November 25, 1880:
Mr. Newton CALHOUN, of Van Buren county, Iowa, father of Ross and James T. CALHOUN, of this place, and Mr. Thos. BROWN, brother-in law to James T., who for several days past have been visiting their relatives here, returned to their eastern homes on Tuesday morning. Mr. CALHOUN is one of those venerable gentlemen whose conversation is enriched by experience, and whose countenance betrays the consciousness of a life well spent in the service of his Master. Both enjoyed their visit, and went away leaving many more friends than those they came to see.

December 9, 1880:
Mr. Joe GREEN, who lives with Mr. GARRETT, at Bazine, met with a very serious accident on Monday. While felling a tree, he was by some means caught under it, and suffered a fracture of both legs.

December 30, 1880:
The houses of W. J. CHESTNUT, in Eden Twp., and of Thomas SHAW, in Nevada, have been robbed of windows, doors, etc. It is disgraceful that a man is liable to have his property stolen as soon as his back is turned upon it. We should like to see some effort made to stop this nefarious practice.

January 20, 1881:
The Bazine school has 36 pupils enrolled, and the average attendance is 32. This is a pretty good showing for Bazine; and, as the pupils stand high in their studies, it indicates that the teacher, Miss FORBES, is efficient and well liked.

January 27, 1881:
Mr. J. H. WORTHINGTON, our genial Justice of the Peace, and "crack shot" of Ohio township, in company with Mr. Wm. WILLSON, shot another black-tailed deer, over in the breaks of the Smoky, a short time ago; this is the second deer "Jack" has shot this winter.

May 26, 1881:
CRAFT FAMILY VISIT
The other day we accompanied a former resident and pioneer settler of Ness county back to his old home. And so, driving on through the rain and mud, we came in sight of the homestead; a little square stone house and out buildings upon the open prairie. Although a vacant house is usually desolate looking, this one had a certain homelike appearance as we stepped through its doorway, into a large square room, with smooth walls, plastered with native lime. The rain having ceased a little, we next stepped into the cellar, on whose shelves had stood pans of rich milk and crocks of genuine "gilt-edge" butter. After an inspection of all the familiar places, peopled by memory, we turned our footsteps onward. There is something pathetic and sorrowful in the last leave-taking of what was once "home". I notice the gentle mother go to her cupboard and put clean papers on the shelves, forgetful for the moment, that she was to stay in her old home but a little while. She told me that every Sunday they used to have Sunday School in this same room, and pointed to the corner where her little boy lay on the bed, locked in his last long sleep, and spoke of the kind neighbors who came in to render help and sympathy. We soon started over to Mr. HORTON's, and, as we drove up, Mrs. HORTON and little girl came out to greet us in true Kansas style. She leads the way into her neat little home, and as we pass by the window we see, inside on the wide sills, pots of house plants and vines. In the afternoon, several neighbors dropped in, being aware of the return of Mr. CRAFT. The pleased look of welcome, the genial smile and the hearty shake of hands, assured the old neighbor how much he was esteemed. In the evening the young people of the neighboring family came over, and a most pleasant evening was spent. Our host's bright boy Willie entertained us by singing "Billy O'Rosque." For a boy having had few advantages, his acting was a marvel to us. The next two days we spent in receiving and paying visits, after which, with a feeling of regret, we bade adieu to our kind entertainers, and turned our faces Westward again. On our way we stopped for a final farewell at the grave of little "Guy" the tender mother saying "it is hard to part from the grave of my child." Silently and quiet she walked about the little grave, touching softly the white stone as she gazed for the last time at the little mound that holds so much buried love

June 2, 1881:
Our genial friend Daniel WANDERS, the carpenter, made his appearance in town on Tuesday, after an absence of several weeks. The sound of his hammer, saw and plane, were till recently familiar sounds to us as he plied his trade in his little shop near our office. He informs us that he will work at his trade in the Eastern part of the State during the summer. Dan. is master of his business, and wherever he goes we are satisfied he will make for himself the reputation of a first-class workman.

June 23, 1881:
An Elopement:
Last week Mr. James TUTTLE and a Mrs. CHAPMAN, living about seven miles north of Louisville, eloped. Mr. TUTTLE was a married man and Mrs. CHAPMAN a married woman, each having a family. They were close neighbors and rumors of improper intimacy between the two have been going the rounds of the neighborhood for the last year or more. Mr. TUTTLE leaves his wife and family entirely destitute of this world's goods, he having turned all his earthly possessions into money, which he took with him. Mr. TUTTLE'S wife is a lady of estimable character, highly respected by all who know her; and she has been a hardworking and economical wife, trying with all her power to help her husband make a home for themselves and little ones. He had a family of very interesting children, and there could have been no excuse for his inhuman act except his inate devilishness. He has always been a bad man, and considered by his neighbors as a man equal to almost any act of meanness. Why Mrs. CHAPMAN became enamored of such a dwarfish specimen of incarnate humanity is more than any ordinate intellect can conceive of. Such, however, was the case, and she left an interesting family and an ever kind and indulgent husband, to spend the balance of her days with his fiend in human shape. Mrs. CHAPMAN is said to have taken a hundred dollars of her husband's money, all that he had about him. Mrs. CHAPMAN, went to Wamego and took the train, and Mr. TUTTLE a team and spring wagon and struck out across the country, telling his wife that he was going to deliver a sewing machine which he had sold a few days before, and the supposition is they met at Manhattan. Mrs.CHAPMAN took her youngest child. No effort is being made to follow them, as people generally look upon their room as being much preferable to their company. Mr. TUTTLE'S numerous creditors have been rushing around to see if any thing was left, but find everything as barren as a fig tree at the north pole.

July 21, 1881:
We are in receipt of a letter from Joseph GREENE, whose misfortune in being almost killed by a falling tree at Bazine, last December, will be remembered by the readers of the Times. He writes from Hitesville, Butler Co., Iowa, where he is still confined to his bed, having had his foot amputated on the 7th of May. He expresses his gratitude to the people of Bazine for the kind care and attention which they gave him while he was there suffering from the effects of the accident, and considers himself under special obligations to B. F. GARRETT and family. He is hopeful of recovering soon, and wishes some time to return to Ness county.

July 14, 1881:
NESS CITY SCHOOL REPORT - First Month.
[The first column of figures indicates Attendance, the second, Deportment, and the third, scholarship, marked upon a scale of 100]

Student	Attendance	Deportment	Scoholarship
Imelda PHILLIPPI	80	100	90
Bertram PHILLIPPI	85	75	85
Frank JAMES	98	90	90
Stella JAMES	98	90	85
Charles WOOD	80	60	72
William WOOD	95	80	80
Mary GARDNER	90	92	90
Loulie GARDNER	85	90	80
Mary BARND	100	95	90
Jaqueline BARND	100	90	85
Caddie BARND	100	95	90
Rebecca STEPHENS	50	100	80
James STEPHENS	75	85	70
Alice STEPHENS	75	90	90
Frank STEPHENS	55	90	90
Mamie CALHOUN	98	90	90
Frank CALHOUN	83	90	80
Clyde LITTON	50	90	95

Visitors, none, save a ten-minutes' call from the Co. Superintendent. We cordially invite all interested to give us a call, even though it should be as short as the one recorded.

M. A. ROCKWELL, Teacher.
September 22, 1881:

County Treasurer MCFARLAND was taken suddenly ill at the court house on Tuesday afternoon with heart disease. He came over from his dinner seemingly as well as usual, but soon began to feel unwell, not apprehending, however, that it would be anything serious. But about five o'clock he was taken with cramps, and became entirely helpless. Dr. ABEL, who happened to be in town at the time, went immediately to his relief, had him carried to the hotel and put in bed; his wife was sent for, but in spite of the best treatment, the patient's condition was for a time very critical. About midnight he began to improve, and is now out of danger, though not well enough to be taken home.

October 6, 1881:
Mr. Frederick BELL is up from Rice county, visiting his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. R. J. MCFARLAND. He was summoned rather suddenly on account of Bob's recent severe illness, and was highly pleased on his arrival to find that health was nearly restored.

April 13, 1882:
County Treasurer MCFARLAND was taken suddenly ill while in town last Thursday afternoon. His wife was sent for, and by good nursing he was able to go home on Friday. Now we all rejoice to see him about his business as usual.

May 4, 1882:
R. J. MCFARLAND began on his 32d year last Saturday, which event was the occasion for making him a birthday surprise. At two o'clock in the afternoon, a number of Bob's friends began to make their appearance, taking him and Mrs. MCFARLAND entirely by surprise. They had come prepared and presently a sumptuous feast was spread and partaken of. In the evening several others arrived, and the baskets being brought forth, the table soon born again its weight of good things. There were games, confabulation, and, in short, a general good time. Among the birthday gifts were the following: Checker board and picture, Mrs. Mary LAMB; mustache cup and saucer, Mr. and Mrs. FRAYER; sleeve button, Mrs. MCFARLAND; silk handkerchief, Mr. and Mrs. BARND; gloves, Mr., Mrs. & Miss HULL; watchcase, Miss Stella LAMB; collars, Mrs. O. H. LARWAY; pocketbook, Mr. J. T. CALHOUN; cash; Mr. ELTING.

August 17, 1882:
Birthday Party-Miss Laura BOYER celebrated her 12th birthday by a party at her home in Bazine, on Wednesday of last week. All her girl friends who were present enjoyed a happy day, and are quite sure that Laura bears her twelve summers gracefully. Laura entertained her young friends with some instrumental music, and then, Matie Caufman and Belle Frayer sang "When the Leaves Begin to Fade." After the music tea was served and the "birthday cake" was eaten. It was "just delightful." To say that all the girls wish Laura many happy birthdays, with every time a party and cake like that, hardly expresses it. The presents were an autograph album, by her mother; birthday card, by Nellie FORBES; lace tie, by Matie KELSON; cameo poems, by Tenie FORBES; crochet needle and card receiver, Matie CAUFMAN; brocade satin tie, by Etta FARNSWORTH, and a salt casket, by Belle FRAYER.

November 2, 1882:
Charles SCHREIBER, of Nevada township, while working in Mr. STEPHENS well last Wednesday evening, had the misfortune of receiving a blow on the top of the head from a stone, the size of a man's fist, which fell from the top of the well-a distance of about 30 feet. It knocked him down and left quite a serious looking gash across the head. Dr. VENARD was called in to dress the wound, and the next morning Mr. SCHREIBER was well enough to go home.

November 16, 1882:
Mr. Wm. NUSOM, was badly hurt some time since by being thrown from his wagon in Elsworth county, has now reached home, but in a very bad condition.

November 23, 1882:
Miss Etta FARNSWORTH celebrated the 15th anniversary of her birth-day by a party at her home in Bazine, Friday evening, 17th. The evening was fair, and her young friends from near and from far were there to join in the mirth of the occasion, and to unite in the wish that Miss Etta may see many happy returns of the 17th of November. Mrs. FARNSWORTH had returned from her visit to Wisconsin, and it would be hard to say whether Etta, her father and mother, or the friends present, were happiest. A smaller house than Mr. FARNSWORTH's could scarcely have contained the party. There was singing, playing and feasting, and when the midnight was past the guests took their departure, not soon to forget the day when Etta was 15.

August 23, 1883:
Lightning struck R. J. MCFARLAND's house last Friday afternoon. It tore up things generally while it was there; but it seemed to be in too much of a hurry to stay long with them. It made things lively while it was there. The shock stunned Mrs. MCFARLAND, who was down in the room where the bolt went; but we are happy to state that it did her no serious injury. Bob is having a streak of ill luck lately.

Contributed by Lynn (Sellers) Mack, extracted from the Ness City Times June 24, 1880 - December 27, 1883 newspaper editions.