1876 History of Osage County

By Hon. James Rogers

This history was published in The Osage County Chronicle on July 14, 1876.

In the year 1803, the Territory of Louisiana was ceded, by treaty with the Government of France, to the United States. What is now the State of Kansas formed a portion of that purchase. At that time there was not a white settler within the present limits of the State. After this session, a large number of Indian tribes moved from states and territories lying further east, and settled on reservations in this territory. The larger portion of them were allotted to homes in what is now Kansas. Among these tribes were the Sac and Fox, of the Mississippi, who were removed from the Des Moines river, Iowa, about the year 1844, and settled on what is known as the Sac and Fox Reservation in Kansas. This reservation was thirty miles in length, running east and west, by twenty miles north and south. Its southern boundary, being one and one-half miles south of the present line of Osage county, extended two miles on the east, into Franklin county and four miles on the west, into Lyon county. The first Indian Agency of this tribe was established on the Marais des Cygnes, about eight miles from Quenemo, and afterwards removed to the present site of the town, these two sites being afterwards designated as the Old and New Agencies.
The Territory of Kansas was first opened up for settlement of the 30th day of May, 1854. At the above date, the only whites within the present limits of the county were residing at the new agency, now Quenemo, and two white men who had married Shawnee squaws, and who resided on the Santa Fe trail at 110 creek crossing. At the agency, a trading-post was then kept by Baker & Street, of Westport, Mo., under the charge of a man named Case, who with his family, resided there. The other whites then residing there were Gen. Whistler, an old regular army officer and Indian trader, and the father of our late representative, William Whistler, and John Goodell, an excellent citizen. Both of these men had long previously married into the tribe, the latter marrying Quenemo, after who that place has since been named. These Indians, at that time, numbered about fifteen hundred, and were then living, with the exception of the chiefs and headmen, in wigwams, at several different points or villages on the reservation. They were a quiet, peaceable, virtuous and honest class of people. The adultery of a squaw with a white man was punishable with death. This tribe, in 1867, through their chiefs and headmen, having relinquished all claims to the reservation, soon after reluctantly removed to the Indian Territory.

In 1860, these Indians, by a treaty, ceded to the government, for their own use and benefit, all that part of the reservation lying west of range line 16.

In 1858, the government had caused to be erected, at the expense of the Indians, a large number of houses of wood and stone, along the Marais des Cygnes and its tributaries. Mills were erected near the Old Agency, and more than a million feet of lumber were sawed out. R.S. Steven obtained the contract of erecting these buildings, and received in payment, what was called Indian scrip. These buildings were one story in height, with two rooms, and a wide, covered porch extending the length of one side. They were rough, cheap affairs, erected in unhealthy places, close beside the creeks. The Indians reluctantly paid for them, and more reluctantly occupied them. They soon ripped up the floors, and knocked out the windows, painted the walls with hieroglyphics, and with charcoal drew pictures of the wild animals of the west, and what would seem equally terrible to them, steamboats and locomotives, which they had seen in the east. They finally declared that it made them sick to ocupy them, abandoned them altogether, and took to their wigwams. These Indians subsisted partly by the annuities granted them by the government, and partly by hunting and fishing. Once a year, nearly the entire tribe packed all their worldly effects upon their ponies, including their families, and set out in Indian file, following some old, well-beaten trail, to the plains of the West. Here the men shot down large number of buffalo, while the women stripped off their skins and tanned them, and smoked or jerked the flesh. When the year's supply had been procured, they returned back to the reservation to spend the remainder of the year in hunting small game and fishing, or lolling listlessly, day after day, about the agency.

The lands to be disposed of, by the above mentioned treaty, were opened for sale under sealed bids. A good many bids were offered by persons then residents of the territory, but they were either overbid by parties at Washington, or lands were awarded them of an inferior quality, for which they had never made any bid. Hugh McCullough, then Secretary of the Treasury, John P. Usher, Secretary of the Interior, and William P. Dole, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, got the cream of the lands. Perry Fuller and R.S. Stevens, who were holders of a large amount of Indian scrip, and John McManus, of Reading, Pa., who had purchased a portion of the scrip of Stevens, Fuller, and others, got the residue and larger portion of the lands.

By the treaty of 1867, as ratified, by the President, in October, 1868, after giving away to the chiefs, and headmen, and a few sharpers who had been instrumental in influencing the chiefs in their favor, the best portion of the diminished reservation, the balance was thrown open to preemtion, at $1.50 per acre, to actual settlers.

In the year 1827, the government surveyed and located a mail-route from Independence, Mo., to Santa Fe, New Mexico. This route was established along the line of the old Santa Fe Trail--a route previously picked out and occupied by freighters between the above named points.

In 1854, a mail stage passed once a month over this road. The route traversed the northern part of Osage County--Santa Fe avenue, in Burlingame, now being located directly upon it. There was also the Ft. Leavenworth military road running across the northwestern portion of the county, and connecting with the Santa Fe Trail, at Wilmington, in Wabaunsee county. There was also a road running from near where Baldwin City now is, on the old Santa Fe Trail, to the Sac and Fox agency. The amount of transportation over the Santa Fe Trail, at that time was enormous. It is said to have been the finest natural thoroughfare in the world.

Three streams run entirely across the county. The Marais des Cygnes, meaning the marsh of the swans; Salt Creek runs through the centre, the upper portion of which was formerly called Onion; the 110 Creek, with its branch, the Cragoon, traverses the northern portion. Salt Creek derives its name from a salt "sipe" near its mouth; the Dragoon from a soldier who died on its western bank. Switzler, a branch of Dragoon, after a man of that name who was run over and killed by a wagon descending the eastern side of the ford on the Santa Fe road; the 110 Creek from its being that many miles from Independence., Mo., the Tauqua, in the southeast part of the county, after one of the headmen of the Sac and Fox Indians. Appanoose, in the eastern part of the county, derives its name in the same manner. The Waukarusa, in the extreme north western corner, is named after a wild plant of that name that once grew upon its banks, being partly covered with a fine hairy fibre. Mute Creek, south of Osage City, is named after a deaf mute who occupied a claim on the branch.

Hardly had the Kansas and Nebraska Bill become law, before a society was formed, in New York City, called the "Emigrant Aid Society and Kansas league." An office was opened on Broadway, and Timothy Dwight was elected President, and George Walter, Secretary. The Company proposed to lay off a town, to be called Council City, and sent out a committee to select an eligible and central site, and commenced to sell shares at $100 each, promising to expend all the money so derived in making lasting public improvements. This Committee, consisting of Loton Smith, George M. Barns, and J.W. Kerr, prospected the whole territory, and after a careful survey, pitched upon a site just east of Switzler Creek and adjoining the present city of Burlingame. A few pro-slavery men, together with an old Quaker, named Henry Harvey, and his sons, had preceded them, and selected claims on Cragoon and Switzler Creek.

The only person living in the vicinity of where Burlingame now is, May 30, 1854, was a Shawnee Indian who resided in a small log cabin, near the spring at the north end of the city. The first white settler in the county was John Frele, who purchased the Indian's cabin, moved in with his family, made an addition to his cabin, and soon after had one to his family--a son. This was the first white child born within the limits of Osage county. Soon after Frele came J.B. Titus, James and John Aiken, Alphonso Prentis, and a few others, and took claims on Switzler Creek. John Skidmore, William Aiken, John Ward, Hollam Rice, Sam. Davany, Henry Harvey and his sons, George and Samuel, settled on Dragoon. All of these had come in before the first of August.

On the second of August, came F.P. and Mobillon McGee, and bought out the two whites who had married the Shawnee squaws, then living on 110 Creek. With them came C.N. Linkenauger and Moran McGee, and located claims near the mouth of Switzler. All of these parties were pro-slavery, except Harvey and his sons.

About this time, several parties started for the territory from the western counties of Pennsylvania. They came principally from the counties of Bedford, Indiana and Mercer. Among those were Joseph McDonald, better known as "Uncle Mac," Absalom Hoover, George Bratton, and James Bothel, all of whom still reside in Burlingame, also J.R. Stewart, Thomas Black, and Samuel Allison, since deceased. Marcus J. Rose, Wm. Howard and Wm. Cable have moved away. These parties fell in with parties from New York and other Eastern States at Kansas City waiting the return of the Council City Site Commmittee. On their return, the whole party, numbering about one hundred, set out for Council City. On the ninth of November, they encountered a heavy snow storm, and on the fourteenth, they arrived at their prospective metropolis of the West. They soon after changed the location of their town to the divide lying between Dragoon and Switzler. Nearly all of them located claims at or as near the proposed town site as possible. Finding a dreary winter before them, and no place for shelter, and nothing to do with, or to do, many of them returned to points east of the territory. Some of the more courageous remained and dug caves in the banks of the creeks, or put up cabins. The winter was very mild, and there was little sickness or suffering. In the following spring, nearly all who had been here the previous autumn and December returned.

On the 30th of March, 1855, an election for members of the Council and House of Representatives was held. An election precinct had been appointed at Council City, and was held in an unfinished cabin of I.B. Titus, about fifty yards south of the bridge leading across Switzler Creek, east from Burlingame. On the night previous to the election, a body of Missourians, armed with Kentucky rifles and Bourbon whisky, camped, in the timber, just north of the Titus' cabin. They made the night hideous with the noise of the firearms and their imprecations against the "blue-billied abolitionists." The following morning, they took a window out of the Titus' cabin, drove away the regularly appointed judges of the election, elected their own judges, and voted and drank whisky, and repeated both operations during the day, and at night closed the polls, moved back to 110 Creek, and drank "hell and damnation to the S--s of B-----s" (the Abolitionists), counted up the entire records of their viva voce vote for Mobillon McGee, then a resident of Westport, Mo., for representative to the legislature. The next morning they started for their homes in Missouri. Gov. Reader, being at Muncie, and hearing the true state of affairs, set aside the election and ordered a new one, when Hollam Rice, a professed free state man, but at heart pro-slavery, was elected unanimously, receiving twenty-eight votes - every man in the precinct voting. Reader gave Rice his certificate of election, but the Legislature gave McGee his seat. This spring the Councilhouse was erected, a large blockhouse on the west side of the present site of Burlingame. Council City was surveyed and staked into lots, embracing all the territory between the Dragoon and Switzler for three miles above the junction.

Philip C. Schuyler came out this spring and purchased a claim comprising what is now a large portion of the city of Burlingame. S.R. Caniff came out with Schuyler, and bought out Frele, and squatted upon what is now Caniff's addition. Abel Polley and William Tillinghast took claims on Dragoon. Samuel Allison opened the first store, in a cabin, just north of the spring across the ravine. Henry Smith, John Smith, Ithiel Streit, settled on Soldier Creek. Wm. Lord, A.N. Havens, Ami Smith, on Plumb Creek.
A.N. Hulburd, Abram Leonard and E.O. Perin took claims on Dragoon southwest of Burlingame, and erected cabins at what is now called Superior. John Drew settled northwest of Burlingame; David Hoover, northeast. Charles Lucien, Edmund and William Fish took claims about two miles east. J.G. and Henry Morrell and Victor McDonald bought out claims on Switzler Creek. A.R. Bothel came in and took a claim on Soldier. J.M. Winchell came this spring and succeeded Loton Smith as agent of the Council City Company. The Fourth of July was first celebrated in the woods on what is now the County Poor Farm. About seventy-five persons were present. Judge P.C. Schuyler, Loton Smith, and J.M. Winchell made speeches on the occasion. A post-office, called Council City was established with H.M. Winchell as postmaster. Jas. Bothel was deputy postmaster, and the office was kept in Allison's store. Several deaths had up to this time taken place, and a burying-ground had been selected one mile west of the post-office. It turning out to be on a school section, it was afterwards abandoned, and a new site selected.

Delegates to a Free-State Territorial Legislature were selected this year. Henry Todd and William Toothman were elected as delegates, from this place, to the House, and Lucien Fish to the Senate. At the beginning of 1856, this legislature elected P.C. Schuyler as Secretary of the State, to be installed as such, provided Congress should recognize the above body as the lawful legislature of Kansas.

In 1855, John Lowry came to Council City and preached three months. He was sent out by the American Missionary Society, and was the first settled preacher. Public worship was held at the cabins, everybody turning out, the only mode of conveyance being by ox-teams.

The first political fraud perpetrated by Free-state men was committed this year, for at the Free-state caucus more ballots were cast than there were voters present.

June 29th, 1855, the first white female child was born in the county, namely, Miss Emma Bratton, who is now living in the city of Burlingame. Previous to this, and on the 30th of March, 1855, the morning of the day of the first territorial legislation, Albert Cornelius Streit was born, and on the 18th of the following month, John, son of Absalom Hoover, was born. These were the second and third white male children born within the limits of the county.

At the time of the first settlement of the county, the land had not been surveyed. Every squatter marked off for himself two hundred and forty acres, without regard to latitude or longitude. A squatters' society was formed, and each man pledged himself, in writing, to protect the other in securing his claim as he had laid it out. When the survey was made, each one found his claim cut up in all manner of shapes. His cabin was found on one quarter, his breaking on another, and timber on another. It was then discovered that no one could pre-empt more than one hundred and sixty acres, and besides, he had to make oath that he had not previously agreed to convey and portion of it, and that he desired to pre-empt it expressly for his own use. The result was that "each man's hand was against every other man's hand," and law-suits and quarrels were the general order of the day.

The first military company was organized this year, called the "Old Free State Guards," with Henry Todd, captain; Wm. Toothman, 1st lieutanant; G.J. Drew, 2nd lieutenant; and L.B. Joy, orderly sergeant. This was near the close of the year, and the next day they were in Lawrence. Winchell, Schuyler, General Lane, Pomeroy, and old John Brown cheered their arrival lustily. They were each armed with a six-shooting rifle, which afterwards proved to be worthless, and soon after Loton Smith shipped them to Missouri, and representing himself to be a friend of the pro-slavery cause, sold them for a high price, and bought good guns, with the money, for the settlers.

In the spring of 1856, the Council City enterprise was abandoned, Winchell and others laying off a town site, which they called Fremont, two miles south of Burlingame. In the early part of the year, a small sawmill was brought in and erected on Dragoon, near the mouth of Switzler. Its sawing capacity was about two hundred feet per day, and the boards sawed by it were of a thickness varying from a-half to one and a-half inches. It proved a laughing stock, and the mill was soon moved away. In May, Schuyler and Canniff brought in a large steam-mill, and erected it near the centre of the proposed town of Burlingame. A boarding-house was about this time kept at the old Council House, and at times, seventeen men, its full capacity, slept in one room.

H.D. Preston, C.D. Bush, John Ferrill, Price Perrill, John Mings, Silas H. and Joseph Marple, August Pope, A.A. Hederstrom, Norman Curtis, L.R. Adams, Wm. B. Grace, Pomeroy, M. Rambo, John Rambo, Robert Rambo, and several others arrived this year. A Congregational Church and society were organized with Rev. Henry Morrell as preacher. P.C. Schuyler and Absalom Hoover were elected deacons, and the American Missionary Society paid the preacher. Religious services were held most of the time at the Councilhouse, one family vacating temporarily for the benefit of the meeting. About the 1st of June a new military company was organized. A band of men forming part of Buford's Company, from Ga., were sent here to fight Free-state men, and they encamped, during the whole summer, on 110 Creek. Joseph McDonald was robbed of a wagon-load of provisions, just this side of Westport, by the Pro-Slavery party. He was non-resistant and crippled, which probably saved his life. He went immediately to Leavenworth for another load, and only escaped being robbed again, by some of the same party, by professing to be a Buchanan man. One Horace L. Jones, who resided at Council City, had adroitly succeeded in getting $300.00 of the New York Tribune fund into his hands, a fund raised for the benefit of the destitute of Kansas by the New York Tribune. He refused to give it up, or expend it for the sick. He sent a man, with his own team and this money, to Leavenworth to procure a load of flour and groceries with which to start a store, when the border ruffians captured load, team and all, and sent the man down the Missouri River. This Jones is known throughout the State as "Buffalo" Jones, probably from the striking resemblance between him and one of the old bulls of the plains. He has not been seen around Osage County for about twenty years, though at one time he was considered one of the leading men in the settlement.

From June until December it was impossible to get any provision from the river unless the teams were protected by an armed escort. Nearly every man in the settlement went to Topeka to celebrate the Forth of July, and to prevent the border ruffians from making an attack on the Free-state legislature about to convene there on that day. They were relieved of that duty by Col. Sumner, who dispersed this patriotic body at the point of the bayonet. Nearly every one was sick this season, and the doctors were all quacks. Loton Smith, and many others died from want of care and medical attendance. The people were compelled to live on pumpkins, squashes, melons and green corn or starve; and as soon as corn hardened sufficiently to be grated, holes were punched in the bottom of the pans, and meal was grated from corn on the cob. Mr. Absalom Hoover made a mill of lime-stone, which was constantly run, by hand, after the corn became ripe and hard. A plan was laid by Buford's men to burn and rob the town, and but for the timely warning of F.P. M'Gee, a pro-slavery man, there is little doubt that they would have accomplished their purpose.

In 1857, the Free-state cause became more hopeful, and emigration was very encouraging. Among the arrivals this spring were H.C. Finch, G.W. Paddock, Henry C. Sheldon, D.B. McDougal, Levi Empie, T.W. Mitchell, Thos. Playford, John and J.E. Bush, Nelson McCormick, Samuel Heizer and Edwin and Edmund Mercer. Burlingame was surveyed off and named in honor of Hon. Anson Burlingame, afterwards United States minister to China. An attempt was made to start a town east of Switzler creek, to be call Arvilla. Two houses and a store were erected, but the town company having failed to procure water, the enterprise was abandoned.

The name of the post-office changed from Council City to Burlingame. Rev. Alonzo Shirtleff and Professor Daniels, then State Geologist of Wisconsin, joined with Winchell in laying out a new town of the old Fremont site, which they called Carbondale. A steam saw and grist-mill was erected, and a free Presbyterian Church was organized, with Rev. James Brownlee as pastor, and preaching was held one-fourth of his time at a log-cabin near the present Kansas coal company's mines.

In June, a school-house was built at Burlingame, by subscription, which is now occupied by J. Mayberry, as a stable; and a young man, by the name of Clark, taught school during the winter. Rev. William Ingersoll preached a portion of the time, relieving Mr. Morrell. He resided on a claim five miles west of Burlingame. The first Baptist Church was organized on the 6th of August, with eleven members, the leading members being John Drew and Sarah Drew, his wife, G.J. Drew, Thos. Playford and wife, and Lelen Tisdale, now Mrs. Peter Kirby. Revs. R.C. Bryant and J.B. Taylor preached occasionally for the society. The year a M.E. Church was organized. Revs. G.W. Paddock and Holliday supplied the pulpit. During the spring of this year, 1857, Mr. Empie erected a new stone building, on Santa Fe avenue, which now forms a portion of Empie's block, and the autumn opened a general store. A.R. and James Bothell erected a small building on Santa Fe avenue, and opened a store. Henry Smith erected the building now occupied as the P.O. Several frame buildings were erected and others commenced. J.B. Titus built a toll-bridge over Switzler creek, where the present railroad bridge now stands, charging twenty-five cents toll for each Santa Fe wagon passing. A corn grist-mill was attached to Schuyler and Canniff's sawmill; and Schuyler's farm, which had the year before grown a crop of wheat, was surveyed as a town-site. This fall Lucian Fish was elected to the legislature. The Free-state men, generally, had repudiated the action of the legislature of 1855. No attention whatever was paid to the laws, either for the purpose of the punishment of criminals, or the collection of debts. During the summer a tax gatherer appeared, in the shape of a deputy United States marshal. He was seeking to collect a poll-tax of one dollar imposed upon each voter by a Pro-slavery legislature. A few small pieces of ordnance were pointed at him, with a hint that there could be no "taxation without representation," and he suddenly disappeared, and has not returned since. A portion of the Free-state men at Lawrence put a Free-state ticket in the field, to be elected under the Lecomption constitution. On this ticket, P.C. Schuyler was nomiated for secretary of state, and, with all the other State officers, was elected. In the autumn of this year, the Free-state party having become stronger, and the Pro-slavery party weaker, some cowardly fellows, who had suffered indignities at the hands of the border ruffians, commenced retaliation by committing unpardonable acts of violence indiscriminately upon their adversaries. An outfit of this kind from Topeka and vicinity robbed F.P. McGee, Chas. Skidmore and John Ward of nearly all their personal property. All these acts of ruffianism were immediately condemnend by the Free-state men of this vicinity, who followed up the marauders, and procured a return of a portion of the property.

The first Kansas legislature, in estalishing the boundaries of the counties, made the southern line of Shawnee county one mile south of Burligame. Lying south of Shawnee was Weller county, extending three miles below the present south line of Osage county, and one and one-half miles below the reservation, while there was a strip two and one-half miles, in Weller county, north of the reservation. Nine miles on the south of Shawnee county was laid off into two townships, called Burliname and Ridgeway. Burlingame has since given two miles off the east to Ridgeway, and Ridgeway two miles off the south to Junction and Valley Brook.

Hitherto we have only spoken of those settlers who located around Burlingame at an early day. J.Q. Cowee, B.V. Beckus, Caleb Beckus, M.C. Drinkwater, John R. Staff, T. Clelland, T.J. Bass, Jas. Brownlee, and J.B. Saudin all earnest Free-state men and good citizens, settled on the Waukarusa, in this county. J.Q. Cowee, B.V. Beckus and J.B. Saudin are still residents of the county; all the others are dead or have moved away. M.C. Drinkwater, the father of Josie Drinkwater, a lady since a teacher in the Burlingame public school, and of Mrs. J.Q. Cowee, also a teacher, formerly at Burlingame. John R. Staff was the father of Mrs. Ellis Lewis. T.A. Clelland a son of Rev. Clelland, of Topeka, and for several years our county clerk, is now merchandizing in California. M.C. Drinkwater and T.J. Bass are both dead. Rev. J. Brownlee has removed to Kentucky. Further east, near the north line of the county, settled Jonathan West, killed, during the war, by the Indians on the upper Platt; J.G. Clark, the Waveland nurseryman; Col. John Russell, now residing in Florida; J.W. Young, J.H. Nelson, A.H. Wymans, since probate judge of Shawnee county; Ed. Wymans, his son; Robert Neal, who, with several sons, now resides on Lower One Hundred and Ten: T.T. Fultz, Theodore Lesner, a prominent mechanic and architect, now residing in Lawrence; James Thompson, John Albach, now residing in Valley Brook, James and Wm. Brown, the latter living near Carbondale at quite an early day. Ridgeway and vicinity was settled by a first-rate class of farmers, a town was laid off and a post-office established, named Georgetown, some two miles southeast of Ridgeway. A store was opened, subsequently, at Ridgeway, by Bronson & Stone, two noted showmen, and the post-office subsequently removed to Ridgeway, where it has remained ever since. Prominent among the first settlers, was William Atchison, at one time a county commissioner--an independent and sterling old Scotchman; H.H. Heberling, an excellent neighbor, and a man of genuine independence; George Roberts, a Quaker; Robert and Morris Clark, two of the thriftiest and most reliable farmers in the county; Philip T. Huff, the first J.P. in Ridgeway township, and a man of unbounded hospitality; Joseph Law, elected justice of the peace so long, that "the memory of man runneth not to the contrary." Rev. J.W. Fox, who had preached several years at Burlingame, and has constantly been supplying the pulpit ever since his settlement there--a man of the finest order of talent, but of so austere and arbitrary manners, that he has failed to make himself beloved, or even respected, except by a small portion of his parishioners; Charles H. Welsh -- was elected to the legislature in 1861; John R. Green, who has, for several years filled the office of county commissioner -- an upright and honorable gentlemen; George R. Bronson, for several years county commissioner, and an excellent officer, too, better known as the great pork-raiser of Osage county, and known throughout the United States as one of the very best showman; G.B. Jackson, the peculiar and eccentric pedestrian, whom everybody likes and everybody laughs at; Aaron and John Kinney, two native-born Democrats and industrious and thrifty farmers; I. Masters, one the the best and one of the most stubborn men in existence; S.N. Elliott, who has also been one of our county commissioners, and an A No. 1 man; Albert Wiley, one of the most clear-headed and upright men in the county; O.H. Brown, a lawyer by profession -- member of the legislature in 1857 and 1865; Edwin Smith, for several years a grocery-keeper at Lawrence, and the prince of good fellows. Among those who settled One Hundred and Ten, whose names have not been mentioned are, Wm. D. Harris, formerly post-master at Richardson, on the old Santa Fe trail, and for several years kept a store at that place, and formerly a shrewd Indian trader, and as genuine as he is shrewd; George J. Johnson, a man who minds his own business as well as any man known, and an honest man; L.M. Wyatt, the present Democratic candidate for commissioner; D.B.Burdick, breeder of thorough-bred cattle, and one of the best farmers in the State. In the southern part of Ridgeway township, among the early settlers, were -- T.M. Gilmore, than whom no better man lives; John H. Hook, a hospitable drunkard, now a resident of Lyndon, and a pleasant old gentleman, Robert Watts, one of the best and neatest farmers in the county, to whose hospitality there are no bounds; Jas. and John Coleman, independent and thrifty farmers; Peter, Frank, and James Duffy, industrious, thrifty and wide-awake sons of Erin.

Between Burlingame and One Hundred and Ten Creek, on the east, are Michel Supple, one of the most honest, honorable and enterprising farmers in the county; E.S. Borland, one of the first sheriffs of the county. And on One Hundred and Ten Creek are, Henry and Charles Rubo, James T. Shepard and John Rehrig, who has been one of our county commissioners.

On a small branch east of One Hundred and Ten creek, Peter Paulson and his sons; John and Peter Peterson, who are known as among the best wheat and stock-raisers in the county.

In January, in 1858, an election was held, to asertain the sentiments of the people as to the Lecomption constitution. Only three votes were cast in its favor in what is now Osage county.

In February, 1858,(??) the Burlingame town company was incorporated, and about the same time Fremont, which name had been changed to Carbondale, was incorporated under the name of the Superior town company. A party of gentlemen from Wyandotte joined hands with Winchell, and a strong effort was made to build up Superior. A road was opened up through it from Centropolis to Allen, Dragoon creek bridged, stores opened, shops built, and thirty dwellings erected. The Superior hotel, which was afterward used as a hotel, court-house, school-house and church, was erected. Of all these buildings, only one of them if left -- the hotel, being now occupied as a barn and granary.

For a long time, all the settlers about Burlingame, including those on Dragoon in Wabaunsee county, and the strip on the north side of Weller county, came and voted with us at Burlingame. The settlers on this strip interfering too much with Burlingame politics, were prohibited from voting with us. They were very indignant at this refusal, and could hardly be made to believe their locus in quo. Upon being convinced that they were residents of another county, they set themselves to work, and by an act of the legislature became organized as a county and a township, the township being co-extensive with Weller county. There were then about thirty voters in the county all told, nearly every one of whom had been an ambitious aspirant for office. By this fortuitous state of affairs, the golden opportunity had come by which their ambitions might be gratified, for there were county and township officers for every election.

In Febrary, 1858, all the bogus laws being repealed; in the March following justices of the peace were elected for the term of two years, John Drew and William Lord were elected in Burlingame township.

On the fourth of July, 1858, a calamity happened which cast a gloom over the whole community. While crossing Dragoon Creek, south of Superior and near the celebration grounds, the team conveying John Drew's family plunged down the stream, the wagon-bed floated away, and Naomi Drew, an amiable and beautiful young lady, about sixteen years of age, was drowned, in spite of the efforts of the multitude, among whom were some expert swimmers.

This year another town was laid out, between Burlingame and Wilmington, called Havana. At first it promised to overshadow all the rest of the small cities. The city company was composed chiefly of Germans from Chicago and St. Louis. A large stone hotel was erected at this city, also a large stone distillery and a brewery were commenced on a grand scale. Some half-dozen small buildings were completed. About fifty German and French families settled in and around this place. The machinery for a mill was brought on, an extensive store was opened, and Teutonic industry made the country around blossom like the rose. Soon, however, the leading merchant failed, the members of the company quarreled with each other, and most of the settlers discovered that they were unaccustomed to the ways of rural life. Alas, there is not one of them left to chronicle its rise and downfall. The distillery is now Davis' gristmill, the hotel Dewitt's barn, and echo answers, Where? as to the rest of it, as it does to the famous city of Superior.

Among the leading settlers of Havana were F.W. Erdbrink and T.W. Hulseculter, both now residents of Leavenworth; August Meyer and W.F. Aderhold, who afterwards moved to Alma; Moran Beach, long since deceased; and August Wehril, a resident of Burlingame, and the only one now living in the county.

On the 11th day of March, 1859, the name of Weller county was changed to Osage. In the early part of this year, a society was formed, under the name of the Burlingame Agricultural and Horticultural Society. Judge Schuyler was chosen president for one year, and C.R. Pollard, secretary. Meetings were held, during the winter, once a week, and topics previously propounded were discussed. This society was organized more than two years before any other of like kind was organized in the territory. This society was afterwards merged into the Osage Co. Agricultural and Horticultural Society, and in 1877 it turned over its funds and was swallowed up in the Burlingame Union Agricultural Society.

June 7th, Hiram D. Preston was elected from Burlingame, and J.M. Winchell from Superior, as delegates to the Wyandotte constitutional convention. Mr. Winchell was chosen its president, and presided over the convention with so much ability and dignity, that he won the respect of that entire body. He was subsequently much talked of as a candidate for the United States senate. The first legislature under the constitution was elected this year, although we were far from being a State. O.H. Sheldon was chosen a member of the House from the district, comprising Lyon, Coffee and Weller counties, and H.H. Heberling, of Ridgeway, and A.R. Caniff, of Burlingmae, from that district comprising Shawnee and Jefferson counties.

This year a fearful tornado swept over the country, demolishing several unfinished buildings in Burlingame, and leaving but little more than a name of Superior. The windows of Judge Schuyler's stone house being open at the north at the time, the wind rushed in with such force that the entire west end of the building was pressed out. Happily none of the family were injured. The rain poured down in torrents; the water went through most of the houses like they were sieves. It was a ludricrous spectacle, the following morning, to see a whole village pulling all their household goods out in the sun to dry. A carpenter just here from Michigan, seeing his half-finished house lying flat on the ground, remarked that he had now learned how to build a house in Kansas.

This year, a religious revival was held, at night, in the woods, and twenty-six persons professed to have experienced religion.

This spring J.M. Chambers and S.P. Hart settled here. The former has held the office of clerk of the court, and the latter that of justice of the peace and coroner.

The land sales of this district took place in August of this year. The settlers were without money, and could only borrow by paying interest at the rate of five per cent per month, and securing the same by mortgage on their homesteads. Many a settler resided on his farm long enough to see it eaten up and sold to satisfy this ruinous rate of interest, which had to be compounded at the end of every year. Many who had made but little improvement, foreseeing the consequences after having resided a year on their land, sold out for a mere song, and left the territory in disgust.

Corn this year was only worth twelve cents per bushel, and no one desiring to purchase at that price with cash.

On February 23rd, 1860, an act was passed, detaching a portion of Shawnee county, and adding the same to Osage county. Since then, the north line of the county has never been changed, although several efforts have been made to re-annex a portion to Shawnee. About the same time, about three miles was cut off the south end of this county.

On the 27th of the same month, an act was passed, enpowering P.C. Schuyler, J.M. Winchell and O.H. Sheldon to locate the county seat of Osage County, subject to the approval of the people, their approval to be determined by special election. The committee located our seat of justice at a point midway between Burlingame and Superior, which they named Prescott. An election was held in April at which the people did not approve of the location, and on that day began all our woes of attempting to locate county-seats. This was the year of the great drouth, and as Osage County was not an exception to the rest of the state, I will pass it by. Suffice it to say, that when harvest should have come, the summer was passed, and the harvest was wanting, and Osage county was emphatically a community of beggars.

S.C. Pomeroy, at the head of our Kansas Relief organization, was a candidate for election to the United States senate. O.H. Sheldon was his friend. Mr. Canniff was opposed to him. Superior township committee got abundance of relief. The Burlingame committee could get nothing until after Mr. Pomeroy's election. It is but justice to say that the people of Superior generously divided with Burlingame.

This year, the Old School Prebyterian church was organized, with J.M. Chambers and Wm. Jamison as elders. A small church was erected, which has since been sold and converted into the dwelling-house of Harvey McCaslin, F.P. Monford was the first settled preacher, succeeded by Rev. J.M. Price, who has since been succeeded by Messrs, Crozier, Maxwell, Rankin, and the present pastor, V.M. King.

January 11, 1861, commenced the heaviest fall of snow since the settlement of Kansas. It measured more than twenty inches in depth, on a level, and drifted so badly that travel was nearly suspended for upwards of two weeks. It remained on the ground for twenty-four days, when it disppeared as suddenly as it came. This snowfall was the first thing in the shape of water worth mentioned for a year, and still the streams were not as low as in 1864. For all this deep snow and the previous year's drouth, the stock came out, looking very well, in the spring.

January 29th, Kansas was admitted as a State into the Union, and the first State legislature convened March 26th. At the last session of the territorial legislature, held at Lawrence, in January and February, a charter was granted to the city of Burlingame, and its limits were confied, to the northeast, one quarter of Section 15, and the northwest quarter of Section 14 in township 15 and range fourteen. Under this charter a city organization was perfected, and a mayor elected, who pre-empted the town-site, and a city government was maintained until the city was incorporated with enlarged boundaries, in 1870, under the general incorporation act.

April 1st, Rev. J.M. Fox, an old settler at Ridgeway, moved here and gathered up the fragments of the Free Presbyterian church, of this place and Superior, and a portion of the discordant elements of the old Congregational society, and organized a new Congregational church, and continued to preach here until 1868. In 1875, this church and the Old School Presbyterian church were consoliated under the name of the Presbyterian church, and the Congregational church building deeded to this society.

On the 14th of May, 1861, the following volunteers enlisted in the 2d Kansas infantry: -- Robert H. Baird, Samuel Houston, James R. Stewart, Orlando P. Rooks, Reuben F. Playford, Wm. C. Chatfield, Norman Curtis, J.R. Drew, Wm. Y. Drew, Thos. W. Rogers, H.A. Dutton, Silas M. Hills, Jno. Hendry, Howard Schuyler, Chas. W. Ryus, Red. Schuyler, N.T.B. Schuyler, Julius D. Wright, Jno. Rambo, A.W. Boyce, A.W. Bailey, Robert A. Bratton, Chas. H. Gooder, F.G. Hunter, Abraham Leonard, Fernando Olds, S.T. Shunk. This regiment enlisted for three years, with the understanding that it should be discharged at the end of three months. After enjoying the luxury of the battle of Wilson's Creek, and a camapaign across Missouri and back again, was discharged Oct. 31st of the same year.

This year the people of Burlingame built a large round fort in the centre of the town, and a dozen or more armed men lodged there during the summer season until the war closed. This was done to prevent sacking of the town by the notorious guerila Bill Anderson. He had sworn destruction to the place, on account of an attempt to arrest him for stealing a saddle from a Union soldier. The family of Anderson had previously settled at Bluff Creek, in Lyon county, and Bill and his brother John had joined Quantrill's guerrillas and afterwards became two of the most daring and desperate captains.

This year and the year following James Rogers was elected to the legislature, beating his competitor, Judge Schuyler, the first time six votes, and the next but one. They were warm, personal friends, and both Democrats, although they had both been in sympathy with abolition sentiments, and were ardent Free-state men. They ran on their personal popularity, for there were no political issues between them. During the year 1863 the war was the all-absorbing topic. S.R. Caniff had previously been appointed captain of an Indian company, as a reward for his services for voting for Gen. Lane for United States Senator, and drew a captain's pay, but he never found an Indian to command; so he took to scouting, which business he followed to the close of the war. E.P. Sheldon, a promising young physician, and son-in-law of Judge Schuyler, was appointed a surgeon in a Kansas regiment, and soon after died. Dr. S.A. Fairchild was also appointed a surgeon in a Kansas regiment from Burlingame, and was afterwards billed by guerillas while attending to their own sick. No improvements were made in the county during this year, as 20,000 men had been drawn from the State to serve the Union forces. The Congregational Church, now Prebyterian Church, was erected in 1864.

During the winter of this year a call of the militia, by order of Major-General Curtis and Governor Carney, was made, to defend the State from a threatened raid by Gen. Price of the Rebel army. Every man capable of military duty was called out. The campaign lasted three weeks, and ended with the retreat of Price. In the autumn of 1865, the court-house was so far completed that the soldier-boys were given a reception and ball in it on their return from the war. This was a happy day for everybody, and especially for those mothers whose sons had all returned safely. A few of the brave fellows were not there, at least they were not present to mortal view. Dr. S.A. Fairchild, E.P. Sheldon, and S.F. Shunk, Capts. Silas H. Marple and D.D. Rooks, Thomas W. Rogers, Merritt W. Young, William West, Isaac F. Theirs, Joseph E. Cole, John and William Eckenkamp, Madison T. Hughes, Joseph H. Marple, John C. Rooks, Augustin D. Rosencrantz, Geo. W. McDonald, Henry Boyle, John Collins, HOrace Dutton, Loring Dutton and Edwin Dutton. The three last-named were sons of Mr. A.T. Dutton. He had previously lost one son at sea, and another in the regular army. A good many others left Osage county to join other regiments outside of the State. Among them were A.A. Hederstrom, Esq., and A.U. Perrill.

The first visitation of the Rocky Mountain locust known to Osage county was September 15, 1866. This army extended from the Missouri to the Arkansas rivers, and swept every green thing before it. Their eggs were deposited in countless millions. The old Santa Fe trail, as hard as it was, made a complete pepper-box for the deposit of their eggs. Probably not one in a million ever came to maturity, and such as did left before the first of June followng. They did no serious damage. The first county fair was held this year. Joseph Stubbs was president, and worked up a very creditable exhibition. The great attraction of the day was a sham-fight on the hills northwest of the town, after the Indian fashion, by a party of boys, dressed in Indian costume, who had fought the red devils the year before on the upper Platte. This year the Methodist Church was erected, and a three-story stone flouring-mill completed in front of the old one. This summer Abel Polley, an old settler, and for several years a Justice of Peace, was murdered at this house by a fellow named Bates, who he was guarding for his son, John Polley, the Sheriff of the County. Bates was afterward hung in the court-house on the 20th of February, and was the first and last lawful execution in the county. February 17th, 1868, the first Masonic Lodge organized at Burlingame, with Max Buek as Master; Charter members; Max Buek, C.M. Smith, C.H. Sheldon, R.H. Baird, John Wilbur, C.C. Crumb, A.P. Rambo and Jas. Rogers. In 1865, bonds had been voted to aid in the construction of the A.T.S.F.R.R. In 1869, the bonds expired before the road could be completed to Burlingame. The winter had been very disagreeable, and the company had failed to complete the road as they had expected. Burlingame and employees of the road voted for the extension; Ridgeway township, which had got the road to Carbondale, opposed it; and the contest was a very bitter one. The spring of this year the town of Carbondale was laid off. John F. Dodds, L.R. Adams and C.P. Dodds began the first buildings. The latter was appointed the first post master. In the autumn of this year the railroad rached Burlingame.

In the spring of 1870 the Santa Fe railroad was completed through Osage county. This year, John M. Wetherell, a gentleman from the city of "brotherly love," purchased about 8,000 acres of land lying between Dragoon and Salt creeks, of Seyfert, McManus & Co., of which he conveyed the greater portion to S.J. Peter, the ten general manager of the A.T.& S.F.R.R., and now president of the Carbon Coal and Mining Company. On this tract Osage City was laid out, also Wetherell's, Dodds' & Boyd's, Dodds' & Martin's, and Dodds' additions to Osage City. On the 7th of March, 1870, the town of Lyndon was commenced to be surveyed, and by October of the same year one hundred and twenty buildings, including two hotels and twenty stores, had been erected; it then had a population of about 500; and at an election for the location of the county seat, held on the 18th of the same month, more than 300 votes were cast. Hon. L.D. Bailey, previously an associate justice of the Supreme Court, was the prime mover of the enterprise, and may properly be called the father of the town. At this election Lyndon was elected by 250 majority. Burlingame contested the election, and Lyndon, being defeated in the District Court, appealed to the Supreme Court, which court ordered a new trial, which was never had, as Burlingame in the mean time had got a new election ordered, and with the help of Osage City the county seat was voted back to Burlingame. The location of Lyndon was an unfortunate one. The men who located the town were possessed of sufficient means, and had sufficient energy in any favorable location to have laid the foundation for a large city. Among the principal men who first located there are John S. Edie, ex-sheriff, and now county treasurer; E.A. Barrett, the present post-master; E.D. Atwell, ex-postmaster and druggist; S.C. Gilliland, an enterprising business young man; C.S. Sprague, H.W. and Bennin Jenniss, Cr. Calhoun, T.L. Varner, H.J. Bailey and E. Alcott.

In 1869, the Sac and Fox diminished reservation was thrown open to settlement by pre-emption, and every portion of this territory was immediately occupied by squatters. Competition raised the price of the lands much above that of improved farms in the surrounding country, and city lots in Lyndon were sold at fabulous prices, but finally a relapse came; city lots were nearly all sold for taxes and lands fell much below their real value.

In 1869, a company of Welsh, headed by J. Mather Jones, of Utica, N.Y., laid out the town of Arvonia, south of the Marais des Cygnes, who was soon after joined by J.A. Whittaker, of Chicago, John Rees, Lewis Humphrey, John Nai Jones, Evan Evans, David Lloyd Davis and other enterprising parties. A neat and thriving little town was started. The railroad failed to pass through it, and it still remains a small town instead of a large city, as it deserves to be. J. Mather Jones is dead, and Mr. Whittaker has returned to Chicago. Rev. M. Burrows was the first settled pastor, since which time they have enjoyed the preaching of Rev. Mr. Thomas. A fine school-house has been erected and a few stores. They have drawn around them a good society.

In 1871, while Lyndon had the appearance of being quite a city, Osage City looked like the beginning of a small town. As Bailey was the father of Lyndon, and Schuyler of Burlingame, so John F. Dodds may be said to be the father of Osage City. He selected the site and surveyed it, induced Peter and Wetherell to lay out the town, invested all he had and could borrow, and induced all his friends that he could to invest all they had and all they could borrow in the building up of the city. The Carbon Coal and Mining Company leased largely of the coal land underneath the city and its vicinity; other companies were organized, and commenced to sink shafts and operate for coal. Another railroad seemed to be in prospect opening outward towards the east, many private individuals commenced shipping coal, stores were erected and filled with goods, numerous kinds of mechanical enterprises were started up, and everything seemed to foretell a fortune to the founders to the town, when lo! The panic of 1873 fell upon Osage City, as it did upon many other thriving places, and the founder of the new city awoke one morning to realize that his golden visions had completely vanished, that he was utterly ruined and bankrupt. He immediately dropped everything, struck out for the mining regions of Colorado, and has never looked towards Kansas since. John L. Dodds was one of the most energetic, observing and far-seeing men that ever settled in Kansas. He had faults which were few and small, and virtues which were large and many. He was a man exactly calculated to help other people to make money, but to save little himself. Osage City owes him a monument, such as I fear they will never erect to his memory. Among the early settlers at Osage City were -- A.R. Bothell, C.M. Ryus, S.C. Herriott, James A. Drake, F.M. Davis, Sam'l Slussar, Robert L. Morris, Samuel Marshall, A.S. Sprague, Miller Bros., Mathews & Hatfield, and Charles S. Martin.

During the war, detachments of several tribes of Indians from the Indian territory located near Quenemo. This brought a good deal of business to this point, and a driving trade was kept up there. Among those then engaged in the mercantile business were Perry Fuller, Alexander and John C. Rankin, and William Whistler. After the war closed, the trading was confined principally with the Sac and Fox Indians. In 1870, the town of Quenemo was laid out, and considerable of an effort made to build the town, and procure the bulding of a railroad up the Marais des Cygnes. Warner Craig, Dr. Alfred Wiley, John C. Rankin, William Whistler and several others put forth their best endeavors in this direction. The territory being thrown open to settlement, everything looked fair for their building, as there ought to be of a large commercial town at this point. The company failed to secure the building of the road; a good many of the settlers, immediately surrounding the place, thought more of stealing timber off other people's land than of improving their own. Whistler died, one of the Rankins moved away, Craig failed, and business gradually declined, until 1878, when a fire swept away all the principal houses of the place, leaving behind little more than a recollection of what had been.

The town of Olivet was started in 1869 by a company of Swedenborgians, among who were A.J. Bartels, Dr. W.C. Sweezey, Dr. J. Parker Ball, and T.B. and William Haslam. A mill was erected, also a church, school house, a good store, hotel and several dwelling houses; but the town soon seemed to be doomed to destruction. The mill was burned; the Haslams failed in business; a prairie fire swept over the town, and burned up a large number of the dwellings. The city was unable to pay its bonds which had been issued for city iprovements. The inhabitants abandoned the place. The city was sold for taxes, and the purchasers of the tax certificates, when they came to pay the taxes for the succeeding years, found a bigger elephant on their hands than they bargained for, and in all but a name the city of Olivet has long since been snuffed out.

The city of Melvern was settled in 1870. Among the first settlers were Wm. and Charles Cochran, L.F. Warner, T.O. Boggs, Asher Smith and Thomas Baxter. Melvern, like Quenemo, is surrounded by an excellent farming country, and the citizens are enterprising and industrious. There seems to be lacking but one thing to make it a first class inland town, namely, a railroad. It seems to me to be successfully demonstrated that no town can flouish unless the surrounding country is prosperous; and no farming community can prosper where produce is cheap and no means of transporting it to market is provided, except the slow process of hauling with horse-teams. What Melvern, Quenemo, Olivet, Lyndon and Arvonia seem to need most of all is a railroad.

The youngest town born in the county is Scranton. It was laid out in the year 1873 by O.H. Sheldon and Alexander Thomas. Coal mining was started there on a small scale by Sheldon and Thomas, who were succeeded by the Burlingame and Scranton Coal Company. A school-house was erected; a store soon after opened by Finch Bros. A good deal of coal shipping was done by private parties. The showing made by these parties attracted the attention of the Carbon Coal and Mining Company, and they afterward procured leases of coal-land, so far as they were able, and now they are doing a large share of the coal business. In 1875, Joseph Drake opened up a coal shaft on the property of H.P. Throop, and soon after his brothers, experienced coal miners, came out from Pennsylvania and joined in business with him.

Among the first settlers around Burlingame are a few who deserve at least a passing notice. The most prominent man in 1855, and one who continued so up to his death in 1873, was Philip C. Schuyler, or as he was commonly called, "Judge Schuyler." He was a descendant of pure Dutch aristocratic stock, of the blood of the Ten Broecks, the Van Rensalears and Schuylers of revolutionary fame. He was a large, fine dignified looking gentleman of great politeness and urbanity. He was a kind, courteous and sympathetic, but he was proud of his ancestry, and was thought to be proud of himself. The truth was he had been bred and educated a gentleman, and prior to his coming here had lived in good style, and he never could relish a meal at a table without a cloth, where rusty iron supplied the place of polished silver, where men sat beside him with dirty hands and dirt under their nails, and where the knife went first to the mouth and then to the butter dish. This refinement of taste rendered him unsuccessful as a politician, for it was regarded by many as an insult to their condition, and was the last thing to be overlooked or forgiven. In everything looking to the welfare of the town or community, he was looked up to as a leader. He was often elected Mayor, but the county people, though they liked to grind at his mill would not vote for him for the legislature. He was a polished speaker, and vigorous writer, and exerted a great influence among the politicians of the state. He was for many years elected mayor, and entertained distinguished visitors from abroad. He encouraged the cause of education and religion, and gave largely to both. He hated the institution of slavery both from nature and education, and threw his whole soul into the anti-slavery cause, and when a complete history of the men who struggled for the freedom of Kansas shall be written, none will be found to stand higher or more worthy of honor than Philip C. Schuyler.

Next to Schuyler, in influence, was J.M. Winchell. Previous to his coming here he had been a school teacher. He was a man slender in stature, but with an ample forehead and a handsome face. He was possessed by nature, of fine literary abilities, and these he had cultivated in no small degree. He was not a fluent speaker, but he was consise and argumentative. He was shrewd, adroit, ingenious and gentlemanly, but he was vain, conceited and ambitious. His influence as a lobbyist was superior to any man in the state. He was elected almost unamimously as president of the Wyandotte Constitutional Convention. Among the younger men he was a leader. His head was always full of schemes and his schemes were visionary, almost to foolishness, but the boldness with which he advocated them, led them largely to take stock in them. He had an antipathy to General Lane, and never was weary of his abuse of him with tongue or pen. After the war broke out he became the New York Times correspondent at Washington, became reconciled to General Lane, and is believed to have written Lane's great speech in the Senate. He speculated in gold, and became rich, and after the war closed, began speculating in mining stocks in Wall street, lost all he had, retired to the country, in Westchester county, N.Y., where he recently died, having just written a finished poem for the Atlantic Monthly.

Among the younger men was Samuel R. Canniff. He was of medium stature, with large brain, a good education, and a great reader and thinker, but he was diffident, quiet and taciturn. He was modest, gentlemanly and generous. Having been bred to in-door life in a great city, he was little prepared to meet the rough ways of out-door western life. Offices without number were thrust upon him in which he proved himself more than his friends had expected. In 1857, the financial crash nearly ruined him, after which he showed a fondness for strong drink. He received a commission during the war, and recovered his property, but the habits formed in adversity still clung to him in prosperity, and dragged him to an untimely grave in 1871, beloved and lamented by all who knew him.

No man is better known than Joseph McDonald, now upwards of seventy years of age. Ecconomy, industry, honesty and independence are leading traits in his character. He is an "infidel" in religious beliefs, but his acts of charity entitle him to the full appellation of a Christian. He denounced slavery as he denounced and left the church for defending it. The loss of a limb, probably, more than once in the border troubles saved him his neck. He was always found aiding the side that was weak and oppressed.

Among the first settlers was Loton Smith. He was clever, shrewd, energetic and prominent among the free-state men. He was for a time the leading man in the settlement, but he died in the spring of 1856.

J.W. Kerr took a leading part in political affairs. He was a physician and druggist, a bright, wide-awake, intellectual man. He was elected to the Territorial Council from Coffey county, 1859, and was regarded as among the most influential members of that body. Three years residence in the Valley of the Dragoon ruined his health and that of his wife, and they died not long after leaving it.

Thomas Russell was another of those bold, outspoken anti-slavery men. He was ardent, sanguine and determined, Had he lived in the days of Cromwell, he would have been not only a round-head but a soldier in his army. He constitutionally hated Winchell, and the hatred was mutual. He advocated correct principles as he believed, and despised any man whom he thought did not. Another man, not unlike Mr. Russell, though less stubborn and more excitable was Abraham Leonard.

John Drew deserves a place in the list of notables. He is kind, courteous, affable, and an English gentleman of the old school. He still lives, and though near eighty, has a kind word and smile for everyone. Another octogenarian, is Abial T. Dutton, a pure-minded, honorable, upright and well-informed old gentleman.

A.M. Hulburd, held nearly every office known in the county during the first five years after its organization. He is still living, but away from Kansas. He was a social fellow, but financially he never could get ahead.

M. Rambo was a fair specimen of the Puritan stock. Though advanced in years he is not bowed. He also as is politics, religion and temperance, has taken a leading part. He may justly be denominated the "Apostle of temperance" in this county. He is about the only man with sufficient courage to complain of whisky selling.

John Mings, a John Bull in every sense of the word. If thrift is an evidence of manly virtues, he must be possessed of them. He and his wife have been active and leading members in the community ever since 1856.

Hon. O.H. Sheldon, recently deceased. A better fellow never lived. In friendsip, generous to a fault. In business, honest to a farthing, in politics, shrewed and far-sighted. He bore a default with a smile and a success with a becoming modesty. He was a friend to every good enterprise, and always more than did his share. He had faults, but they were more than balanced by his virtues. His loss was deeply lamented, and long will he be sadly missed. He was the most active of all the early settlers. He had thrice been County Treasurer of the county, and at his decease was a member of the State Senate, still rising in eminence and just past the meridian of life.

Of those who have been well-known from an early day, but having first settled in Wabaunsee county, is H.D. Shepard. He is our present Mayor, and has in politics always borne a conspicuous part. From nothing, he has risen to be the wealthiest and the largest business man in the county. He seems to have been born for a swap, and any kind of a swap, from a whistle up to a small village. Keen, shrewd, untiring, full of yankee shift and quaker ingenuity, modest and diffident, but pugnacious, irascible, close to parsimoniousness but generous to a fault. His history has yet to be written. He first settled at Wilmington, in 1857, but removed to Burlingame, 1869.

I cannot close these few sketches without referring to a few of the most prominent of the fairer sex, among who were Mrs. John Drew, Mrs. William Lord, Mrs. Abraham Leonard, Mrs. E.P. Hills, Mrs. I.J. Russell, Mrs. Thomas Black, Mrs. Geo. Bratton, Mrs. Geo. W. Hoover, Mrs. James Rogrs, Mrs. J.G. Morrell, Miss Ellen Tisdale.

Mrs. Drew had been reared to city life, her first home being "London, and her last Council City," as she used to say. She was a lady of a large stock of common sense, and withal polished and refined. She took a leading part in all good works affecting the public, while she never neglected her domestic duties. She might with pride point to there children, and like the Spartan mother say,"these are the jewels," for she sent four of her sons to serve through the entire war, the elder three of whom returned with honorably earned commissions.

Mrs. Lord left all the comforts of civilized life, to find herself with a large family in a new and sickly county, and in very straitened circunstances. But she bore up bravely, helping not only to support her own, but to spend many a wary night of toil and watching by the bed-side of others. She had been handsome in her youth, and a few traces of that beauty, time, nor toil, nor care, was ever able to efface.

Mrs. E.L. Hills, was another of those kind old ladies who every body loved, and more especially the children. She died lamented by all who knew her.

Mrs. James Rogers was esteemed and loved by a large circle of friends. She often said her ambition was "Sometimes to be missed," and no one in the community was ever more so than she at her death. All those sketched above are deceased.

Mrs. Leonard was familiarly known as the "good Samaritan,," a name to which she was justly entitled. About 1864, she was thrown from her horse at night while on an errand of mercy, her spine was injured, and she has remained a helpfless, bed-ridden invalid ever since. At that time her husband, her brother and her only child and son, were strong, healthy, active men with no one but her and themselves to support. Now they are all gone, leaving her a small property, with her son's wife and two small children to support. Truly "the ways of God are inscrutable." She bears these afflictions with perfect resignation.

Mrs. Russell, Mrs. Morrell and Mrs. Black were each left with large families, and with little to support them, but they with more resolution and energy than most men have, kept them together, and reared them to be men and women.

Mrs. Geo. W. Hoover and Mrs. Schuyler, were for years the leaders at all the picnics, festivals and sociables, and right well did they perform their parts. On the death of Judge Schuyler, Mrs. S. Removed to buffalo, New York, and Mrs. H., has quietly dropped out of the ways by which she made so many happy.

Miss Tisdale came here a teacher, with a friendly family. She taught school, bought out the claim of a home-sick fellow, adopted a child to become the head of a family, pre-empted her claim, and went back to Michigan; married a lawyer and brought him to Kansas, made a number one farmer of him; reared a large family, and now looks to be only in the prime of her life.

The first newspaper published in the county was issued Sept. 26th, 1863, M.M. Murdock, editor and proprietor. It was a little seven by nine sheet, one side of which was occupied by the tax list. Its first effort was to abuse the writer of this sketch, but for which, I am quite sure he never would have beaten so worthy a man for the legislature, as Judge Schuyler. I publish below Murdock's spicy letter to the CHRONICLE which is as perfect as a picture, and worth a place in the History.

AN INTERESTING LETTER
Having a desire to publish the exact number of this paper upon its first page, we wrote Hon. M.M. Murdock, its founder, to ascertain the fact. His reply is so interesting that we reproduce it entire, and herewith return our thanks for the valuable information it contains: May 9th, 1878

DEAR RASTALL: Your question touching whole number of CHRONICLES issued stumps me. It was established in 1863, September 26th, being the date of the first issue. At the end of the first year the paper was suspended for several months -- five, I think -- owing to financial discouragements, the principal one being the "vacation" of several town-sites by the legislature, from which townsites a goodly revenue had been realized by the Topeka papers in the way of pay for delinquent tax lists. The county at the time had but 205 voters, the Indian Reserve and Trust Lands runnning up to within three miles of town. But plucking up courage we enlarged and essayed another trip, which was followed by another short suspension in the course of the next two years, the duration of which I have forgotten. A portion of my files were lost at the time I transferred the office to Mr. Chalfant, but I have now bound vols. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 -- not entirely full but containing 323 issues, commencing with Sept. 26th, 1863, and ending with Dec. 21st, 1871. According to my records and reckoning, there has been issued of the CHRONICLE to date 656 numbers.
P.S. -- The CHRONICLE was a small affair when started (and so was Burlingame), five columns to the page. Those long-ago times and chief actors, how vividly we remember all. The boys were all "off to the wars," and the inhabitants consisted of a portion of the county officers, three merchants, two lawyers, a doctor, a squire, and a preacher and their families. C.C. Crumb, County Treasurer, lived on his farm; A.N. Hulburd, Register of Deeds and Clerk of Court, had a Cabinet; Tom Cleland, County Clerk, hauled saw-logs; Hiram Presont, County Surveyour, lived on his farm on the hill east of town; W.H. Theirs, Probate Judge, "ginned around," and helped Peter Kirby and Judge Rooks run the agricultural society -- the former as much a constitutional fault-finder then as now, the latter stumping into town afoot, carrying a cane as big as a jack staff, and as long; Ben Wyatt, Sheriff, wore no blue ribbon but rode a good mare and paid his printer's fees -- when he got ready; Wm. Lord, Chairman Board County Commissioners, and Uncle Billy Atchison and F.W. Hullsecotter his associates. Dr. Harper, Mrs. Mary Rogers' father, was the only phyysician, Rev. J.M. Pryse, A.M., D.D., the only preacher, Abram Poley, the only justice. Before the latter the only two lawyers used to practice, the Hon. James Rogers, and J.R. Stewart.

The boys used to say that the Squire never ventured upon a decision until after he had consulted his friend Rogers. He thought Rogers "a bigger man than old Grant." He used to pitch the tunes at the Presbyterian Church, with a great exactness, after which, Elder Chambers would rise to pray. Poor old man, he was murdered, but the man who committed the deed swung into etermity from the scuttle hole in the court-house. R.M. Ruggles was District Judge, and the principal attorneys from outside points were: W.T. Douthitt and John Martin, of Topeka, Wilson Shannon of Lawrence, and Oke Sharp of Council Grove.

During a court a dance at the Bratton House was always in order. The business men of the town were: L. Empie, Notary Public, postmaster and dealer in dry goods and groceries; J.M. Chambers, dealer in drugs and medicines, groceries and dry goods. Chambers occupied the building where the post-office now is, and did a good business. McDonald and Bothell, general store. All things now changed, except "Uncle Mac." Ed. Timms was the only builder, and George Hoover, Jr., the only blacksmith. Abe. and Dave Hoover lived over the creek, Judge Playford on the hill; Wyatt, bless his old soul, if he is a Democrat, over on 110; Uncle Johnny Drew under the hill. Court and public meetings were held in "Mercer Hall" -- don't know where that is, do you? School in Mayberry's barn, afterwards residence of the editor, which was out of town. O.H. Sheldon was an honest farmer, and Judge Rambo held the plow. Topeka mail came three times a week, via Auburn, carried by A. Leonard. Nobody ever went to Topeka, but by daily stage to Lawrence. The stage was a one-seated jerky. The distinguished characters in the county, were O.H. Browne, G.B. Jackson, F. Goebel and Keokuk, the Sac chief. John Mings was Justice of the Peace in Superior, and Phil. T. Hupps and H.H. Heverling in Ridgeway. Judge Phillip C. Schuyler, the proprietor of the town, a grand old man, by-the-way, who was never appreciated. We can see him yet of an evening, sauntering down the avenue or presiding at a public meeting -- fine, easy, graceful.

The first election after the CHRONICLE was established, Schuyler and Rogers were the candidates for the legislature, the former the Republican nominee, the latter Independent Democrat. One hundred and ninety-seven votes were cast, Rogers having ninety-nine and Schuyler ninety-eight. The first marriage recorded by the CHRONICLE was Lieut. W.Y.Drew and Martha Helen Pomeroy, by the Rev. Jerard W. Fox.

But this won't do, for already, my P.S. is five times as long as my letter. If I kept on writing, as incidents and names kept recurring, I would fill a whole page of the CHRONICLE, which, like the good people of B., has grown "muchly" since those far off times. With the close of the war came not only the return of the soldiers, but many new faces, which for years have been familiar on your streets, and we must stop for fear of getting to talking about them also. The Indians left first, the Santa Fe trail was abandoned next, then came the railroad, when the founder of the CHRONICLE, unable to stand so much prosperity, picked up his wife and babies and bid good-bye to a generous people, who had supported and honored him far beyond his deserts.

Hoping that the CHRONICLE may live many years to enrich its present proprietor, and that it may ever be found upon the side of justice and truth, I am respectfully yours,

M.M. MURDOCK.
OSAGE CO. CHRONICLE, May 16th, 1878.

After Murdock, the CHRONICLE fell into the hands of W.F. Chalfant, who was succeeded by the present proprietor in 1877, having improved in appearance and substance, up to the present time, being now the best paper in the county. The next paper published was the LYNDON SIGNAL started in 1871, and published by J.J. Johnson. It was published by him for about a year, when it was moved away. Soon after, the Osage County OBSERVER was started by C.K. Bently and Peter Kirby, and continued to be published by them until about 1873, when it passed into the hands of G.W. Hoover, and soon after moved to Valley Falls, Sept. 19th, 1875. The Lyndon TIMES was started by R.O. Miller & Brother, and has never since changed hands. It was then started as an Independent Republican paper, but latterly has espoused with great zeal the principles of the greenback cause. It may be said to be at present the organ of that party, and to have no affiliation whatever with republicanism. It is a fair and spicy little sheet. The third paper was the Osage City SHAFT started at Osage City in 1871, W.H. Morgan, editor and publisher. Mr. Morgan published this paper about three years, when it fell into the hands of J.P. Campbell, who published and edited the same under the name of the FREE PRESS unti March, 1875, when it fell back into the hands of its original proprietor, who has had the entire charge of it ever since. It has always been a spicy and wide-awake paper, though never tinctured with the spice of the CHRONICLE under the administration of Marsh Murdock.
M.M. Murdock, the founder of the CHRONICLE, came to this county with his pretty, smart and social wife in 1863. They both seemed like mere children. Style seemed to be the ruling passion of both of them. Marsh was soon elected County Clerk. He had more than he could do to run the CHRONICLE, but he did it and let his office run itself, still he held the office as long as he wanted to. In 1864, as Lieut. Col., he commanded the Osage county battalion, during the Price raid, and for several years was a Provost-Marshall. In 1868 the writer refusing a re-nomination to the Senate, procured through John Perrill, the leading delegate there residing with him, the nomination of Murdock, who knew nothing of the matter until after the convention was over. The news completely upset him, and if he had fallen heir to a kingdom he could not have been more delighted. He got a re-nomination and re-election, removed to Wichita, started the Eagle, was elected from that district to the Senate, and appointed Postmaster, which office may he hold forever. A more wide-awake, whole-souled, genial social fellow does not exist. His paper was full of high-falutin, but the people wanted it, and when he was gone they missed him.

In April, 1878, died B.N. Wyatt, then a Justice of the Peace at Osage City. He moved on to One Hundred and Ten Creek in 1857, thence to Burlingame, thence to Havana, thence to Superior and thence to Osage City. I don't believe he ever paid a cent of house rent in the state. In politics he was born and died one of the "unterrified." He was the shrewdest politician that ever struck the county. Although a Democrat and a southern sympathizer, he secured the nomation of Sheriff during the war at a Republican convention. Though quite intemperate during his first term he secured the support of nearly all the temperance men to elect him a second time. He ran a third term independent, but was defeated. He immediately reformed his habits; going around among the saloons daily he could not be induced to take another drop, giving as a reason that he was out of office, and that his family now needed all he could earn. Many curious anecdotes are told of him as a Justice of the Peace. I don't think he cared one snap what the law was, he decided what he thought was right, law or no law. How he secured 65 votes for the Railroad bonds at Havana Precinct when there were not more than a dozen voters, and how he was almost unanimously re-elected Justice of the Peace at Osage City when it was hardly known that he was a candidate, are mysteries that probably will never be solved. He was a bright Odd Fellow, and no one loved the order better.

Thomas Playford, the father of Rueben, Jesse, Charles and Harvey, the latter of whom was killed in a mine and the three former of whom are well known in this county, moved to Kansas from Geneva, N.Y., in 1857. His sons then were mere boys. He and his wife kept boarders in the house now known as the Rench Home, and a jolly lot of them they had, thence he moved on to his farm, from thence to his present drug store. He has been Justice, Probate Judge, and has filled other important offices. He has always been moderate, temperate, industrious, cautious and happy, a good citizen, an upright man, and a credit to society. Long may he live to enjoy his home and his store, about which he has always displayed such good taste.

Henry Harvey, after whom Harveyville was named, had been for many years an agent of the Shawnees, and had written and published their history. He was much loved by the Indians, who gave him a hearty welcome whenever he came among them. He and his sons espoused the free state cause, and procured and distributed large donations of goods to the settlers without respect to party. They settled in Wabaunsee county, but the history of Osage county would not be complete without them.

J. R. Stewart came here a mere boy, but he was as active and brave in the border troubles as the oldest. He took through the enemy's lines a petition to Governor Reader, recounting the manner of the first election and praying for the same to be set aside. He studied medicine here for two years, commenced the practice of and then abandoned it, then read law, was admitted to the bar, elected the first County Attorney of this county, enlisted in the first company sent out to the war, returned on the disbursing of the regiment;, after Five months absence, was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he held for many terms. He served in the Legislature of 1868, returned to Pennsylvania the spring following in search of health, but only to expire as he was being removed from the railroad station to his old home. He was a young man of much promise, a rare scholar, and independent thinker, a clear and logical reasoner, and a bold and fearless advocate of whatever cause he espoused. He was greatly esteemed and his decease lamented by all who knew him. He left to mourn his loss an accomplished and graceful companion, now the wife of W. H. Mills.

Abel Polley came here in the year 1854, from Penneylvania. He was a man well advanced in years. He was a prominent man up to the time of his decease in 1866. For years he was one of our leading Justices, a class leader in the M. E. Church, and was invariably the leader of the church choir at whatever church he chanced to be, and although he was rather eccentric he was a useful citizen.

John Denison is another old citizen not to be forgotten. He settled by mistake on the reservation. After the U. S. Survey, learning his mistake, he moved to town, built a house, was Schuyler and Canniffs first engineer,which occupation he followed up to about 1866, when he removed to Eureka, Kansas, where he and his two sons, William and Isaac, have erected and are now running a large water-mill. He was a quiet, peaceful citizen, and an honest, industrious Englishman.

Edwin Timms is the name of one well remembered by many of the old settlers. He was a stone mason by trade, and nearly all is the work of his hands. He was the jolliest Englishman that I ever knew. He settled first on 142 creek, but; moved here in 1857. Wherever he went there was fun. At any political meeting an interjection from Timms brought down the house. It was torture for him to keep quiet even at church. On one occasion after Pomeroy's election to the U.S. Senate, he and Col. Lines, of Wabaunsee, spoke here at a meeting. Gen. Pomeroy was descanting with great pathos about his efforts on behalf of bleeding Kansas. The silence was intense, and many an eye was filled with tears, when Timms shouted as loud as he could scream, "Beans." The effect was electric, the audience was convulsed with laughter, the speaker was non-plussed, and from that time on but little attention was paid to his oratory.

J. M. Chambers came here in 1858. He followed the trade of carpenter, until 1860, when he opened a small store and followed the mercantile business for several years, and did a large business. He was clerk of the district court two terms, and proved a very competent officer. He has filled the office of Justice of the Peace several times, but not always with the utmost partiality as some believe. He was the founder of the Old School Presbyterian church, and has been one of its pillars ever since.

John Perrill, well known to Odd Fellows, came in 1856. He was for many terms County Commissioner. His sons, George, Price, and N.A. came soon afterwards. Price made the survey of Burlingame. He was shot either by some trappers or Indians while on a buffalo hunt, his pockets were rifled, his saddle and pony stolen, and he was left on the prairie where his dead body was found the next day. N. A. was twice in the legislature. He made a competency, but by injudicious indorsement he lost nearly all and left for the state of Ohio.

Levi Empie came here from Fox Lake, Wis., in 1857. He erected a store, brought on a stock of goods, and has nearly ever since carried on merchandising,and has been successful, as any man must be who adheres to the strict rules of business. He is probably the most wealthy man in the county. His two oldest sons, De Witt, and Henry, now deceased, were smart business men, especially the former. He commenced clerking at Leavenworth at fifty dollars a month. At the close of the war he was an equal partner in one of the largest wholesale houses of that city. That spirit which prompted him to successful industry caused him to neglect his physical well being until too late. He died of consumption in the mountains.

L. R. Adams still lives in the county, at Arvonia. He has devoted much of his time to the church and the cause of education since he came to the county. He was for two or three years clerk of the court.

The family of John Drew can wait to have their complete history written. George J. was once our Supervisor and Clerk of the District Court, which he resigned for the office of private in the army. He has always interested himself in Sabbath schools. Wm. Y. Drew has been three time county clerk, and was reputed a good one.

April 27th, 1859, the first Board of Supervisors met; this meeting was held at Superior. There were present V. R. Morrill, M. Rambo, and A. T. Dutton; E. M. Perrin, Clerk, and John Rambo, Deputy Clerk. This Board seemed to be very careful of the people's money, for the bridge across Dragoon, a mile west of Superior, having fallen into the stream, the Board advertised for sealed bids to remove it, and on opening them they found but one, and that for $75.00, which they considered too high, and afterwards let for $50.00. The first tax levied in Osage county was May 5, 1859, it was for the sum of $45 00--quite different from the sum of $103,563.60 levied in 1877. $41,223.48 of which was for school purposes, but on Nov. 19th, following, the Board thinking that the resolution of May 5th was too large for the wants of the county, rescinded that action and voted the sum of $160.00. M. Rambo voted in the negative and asked to have his vote recorded,and assigned as a reason therefor that he thought $375.00 would be sufficient.

Nov. 14th, 1859, the aggregate value of real property in the county was $45,900.00, of personal property it was $13,935.00. In 1870 the aggregate value was as follows: real, $1,265,935.00, personal, $346,812.00, and in 1878, real, $1,995,951.00, and personal, $734,317.00.

It would appear that the costs in criminal cases were not much less in an early day than at present, for on the 30th of Sept, 1859, the Supervisors allowed M. Rambo as Justice of the Peace fees, $19.65 in one case.

The Masonic Lodge of Carbondale, No.70, was organized Dec. 21,1874. Ed. Thomas. W. M.; Jesse Brockway, 5. W.; H. W. Jenness, J. W.; Charter Members, P. V. Griggs, A. Gleason, W. H. Ellis, E. R. Bartlett, C. C. Moore, R. W. Jones, J. K. Shiplev, Alex. Thomas, J. V. Reed, Gee. W. Milner, E. J. Baker, Jonas Stafford, J. R. Cowen, John Loyd, Gee. Dole, Samuel Parry and John Ready. The Ridgeway Lodge was organized in 1874. Charter Members, C. J. McDivitt, Gee. W. Watson, C. H. Easton, J. 5. Riley, H. K. Riley, Gee. R. Emery, J. B. Emmey, J. 5. Barbour and Joseph Law.

The first Grange organized in the county was at Michigan Valley, in the year 1873, with J. G. Ellis as Master. Charter Members, Wm. Barnett, Jo. Barnett, Oliver Barnett, Thomas Bently, 501.Bently, Bart. Bently, Emery Sank, W. Fife, Dave Robinson and J. W. Swank.

The following are the names of the persons who have held county offices:

County Attorneys:--James R. Stewart, W. C. Fisher, W. H. Theirs, appointed. James A. Phillips, Ellis Lewis, appointed. C. R. Rogers, appointed. Wm. Thomson, J. G. Irwin, S. D.Wright, incumbent;, and F. S. Singletary, elect.

Probate Judges: Marmaduke Rambo, John L. Brooks, appointed. W. H. Theirs, A. J. Bartele, 5. A. Fairchilds, Thomas Playford, H.A. Billings, T. L. Marshall, John H. Gue, Thomas Means, Augustus Vorhees, O. Z. Olney, William Thomson, H. A. Billings, incumbent;, and John Banning, elect.

County Commissioners: V. R. Merritt, M. Rambo, A. T. Dutton, J. I. Rooks, John odge, Gee. Hall, Lucien Fish, M. Rambo 2"d term, John R. Green, E. L. Hills, appointed. Wm. Lord, John Perrill, Wm. Atchison, John Rehrig, F. W. Hult; zcutter, J. McDonald, John F. Dodds, Gee. R. Bronson, C. J. McDivitt, L. N. Elliot, A. Wiiey, John Banning and Gee. S. Brock, A. Baxter nnA Amos Cook incumbents.

County Clerks: E. M. Perrine, John Rambo, N. G. Densmore, T. S. Cleland, Gee. Barnes, Frank Jennings, appointed. Norman Curtis, M. M. Murdock, Wm. G. Drew, and Ed Spaulding incumbent.

Treasurer: A. T. Dutton, C. C. Crumb, O. H. Sheldon, D. B.McDougal, T. L. Marshall and John S. Edii incumbent.

Register of Deeds: A. N. Hulburd, Jesse Lewis, W. C. Chatfield, E. Mills and S. B. Eucleston incumbent;.

Surveyer: J. P. Perrill, H. D. Preston, W. H. Theirs, Jesse Evans, C. G. Fox, A. H. Todd, J. F. Goon, incumbent. John F. Dodds.

Coroner: A. Leonard, Gee. Roberts, S. P. Hart;, G. B. Jackson, J. L. Furber. Dr. Tyler, incumbent;.

Superintendent of Public lnstruction: J. R. Cazier, James Brownlee, J. R. Stewart, J. M. Chambers, John Barrows, appointed. Peter Kirby, Martin Seiter, J. M. Pryce, J. W. Morris, L. J. Sawyer, E. C. Newton, W. W. Morris, incumbent, and J. S. Whitman, elect.

Sheriff: P. 5. Ferguson, E. S. Borland, D. D. Rooks, A. W. Bell, Harrison Dubois, B. N. Wyatt, Wm. A. Cozine, R. A. Bratton, A. Hoover, J. 5. Edie, and N. Frankhouser, incumbent;.

Clerk of the Distrist Court A. N. Hulburd, Gee. J. Drew, L. R. Adams, E. L. Root;, J. M. Chambers, Thomas Donnell, incumbent;, and W. A. Cotterman, elect.

Judges of the District Court: R. M. Ruggles, John H. Watson, and E. B. Peyton, incumbent;.

The End.

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