Lyon County, Kansas
Ruins Corn and Drowns Live Stock on the Farms
Topeka, Kas., June 5 -- The high water in Kansas rivers conitnues. The Arkansas river is yet very high, and much damage to property has resulted. It is thought, however, that the stream has reached its highest point, and that a fall may be expected within the next few hours. The Cottonwood and Neosho rivers in Lyon County are far above the high water mark. The water has overflowed the banks to such an extent as to ruin many acres of corn and drown small stock on the farms.
A washout on the Santa Fe near Emporia this afternoon
tied up all the trains on the mian line. On the Argentine-Emporia cut-off no trains at all can be run.
(Omaha World Herald ~ 6 June 1902)
Lyon County,
Kansas, Republican
Special to The Republican
Emporia, Kas., July 20 -- The Lyon County Republican
Convention this afternoon nominated the following ticket: Register of Deeds, Thomas H. Lewis; County Clerk, A.
W. Plumb; County Treasurer, J. H. Wiggam; Sheriff, D. A. Dryer; Coroner, D. Charles Gardiner; Surveyor, Matthew
Brown; Commissioner, First District, W. M. Mapes, Third District, C. A. Johnson.
(The St. Louis Republic ~ 21 July 1895)
Kansas Residents to Build 24 Miles of Hard Surfaced Road.
EMPORIA, KAS., Dec. 31--Twenty-four miles of hard
surfaced road will be built in Lyon County, according to the action of the board of county commissioners, now in
session. The improvement will extend over the new Santa Fe Trail on Sixth Avenue from the east lines of Lyon County
to the west line, which is the most important east and west highway in the county. A petition bearing more than
250 names of land owners adjoining and in close proximity to the road was presented to the commissioners, and the
vote for the hard surfaced road was unanimous.
(Weekly Kansas City Star ~ 1 Jan 1919)
EMPORIA, KAS., Oct. 6--The Lyon county fair opened
the 4-day session here today with a big attendance. The weather is ideal and the race track in good condition.
More than 100 horses are entered.
(Kansas City Times ~ 7 Oct 1908)
A Number of Fourth Class Postmasters Appointed in Kansas
Washington, Oct. 22--The following fourth class postoffice appointments were made yesterday in Kansas:
At Admire, Lyon county, J. Clayton, vice J. Stinson,
removed; at Bushong, Lyon county, Florence Williams, vice A. Leet, removed; at Caney, Montgomery county, J. Stone,
vice Lenoria Glatfelder, removed; at Iona, Jewell county, C. Mullin, vice W. Alcorn, removed; at Long Island, Phillips
county, J. Carnahan, vice E. Watson, removed; at Menlo, Thomas county, C. Dixler, vice A. Connelly, removed.
(Kansas Semi-Weekly Captial ~ 26 Oct 1897)
Lyon County to Plead for a Reduction of Its Assessment.
Topeka, July 23--Lyon county has employed an attorney
to plead before the state board of equalization for a reduction of its assessment. The assessment was returned
by the county assessors to the county clerk and by that officer to the auditor of state, who has spread it upon
the rolls for the purpose of state taxation. The people are willing to pay county taxes on the returns of the county
assessors, but are seeking to obtain 10 per cent reduction of the assessment for state taxes. It is a novel proposal
and Auditor Cole has held it up for the full board to consider. Hodgeman county has a similar scheme. A reduction
for a few counties of course means an increase of taxes for the rest and the plea of two counties will be the signal
for a clamor for a reduction all along the line. It is probably that the board will stay action until all the other
counties are heard from.
(The Kansas City Star ~ 22 July 1901)
New Professional
On the County
Perhaps the most socially disheartening by-product of the "welfare state" kind of government is the loss of individual pride which, in former years, spurred a man to work rather than go on relief.
Comparing the administration of county relief today with that of 1929, W. L . White sees federal handouts encouraging individual acceptance of publics funds by many persons able to work. In a March Reader's Digest article, White says that his home county of Lyon, in Kansas, spent $35,000 of tax money on the care of the poor in 1929. About thirty Lyon County families were being helped by tax money and by gifts of clothing in that year. No one in the county went cold, hungry or without shelter.
In 1951, with a total population virtually unchanged, Lyon County spent $400,000 on relief of 826 persons. The difference is chargeable, White holds, largely to a decline in individual self respect. "In the twenties, the poor tried to avoid taking help. They searched for jobs. They were proud enough to believe it a disgrace to eat groceries bought by county funds if food could be honorably earned." Publishing the names of people "on the county" served to keep off the list those able-bodied persons who might otherwise turn down an offered job.
Today, Washington encourages the poor to scorn neighborly help, such as gifts of clothing or fuel, and to buy new things from the stores, with government money. A Kansas rancher, criticizing his county for spending $60,000 for relief at a time when on one would mow his lawn for less than $2 an hour, received this reply: "Only 25 percent of it comes from our taxes. For every quarter we put up, they send in 75 cents from outside."
Being "on the county" is becoming a recognized profession, White states. People able to work search the regulations to see how they can qualify, and demand relief as a right. Youngsters brought up at county expense, on the Aid to Dependent Children program, apply for relief instead of looking for jobs.
A former Lyon County commissioner syas the fault is now with local supervisor but with the "higher-ups." Division superintendents, basing their decisions on a government manual which prescribes how much each person should have, criticize local case workers for "not doing enough."
Lyon County wants control back in its own hands. "Unhampered by the rules Washington imposes as a price for this 'aid', we could restore the old standards of self respect." White says, "and take care of our own at a fraction of the present cost."
Lyon is but one county among some 3,000 across the
nation. Perhaps it is high time all the others look at relief as Lyon is looking and take steps to regain for themselves
the local control they once had.
(Dallas Morning News ~ 23 Feb 1952)
FULL TEXT OF THE VERDICT IN THE EMPORIA WRECK CASE
With Him the Agent at Lang--The Company Calpable For Not Providing Proper Signals
Special to the Capital.
Emporia, Kan., Sept. 20---The coroner's jury in the Santa Fe wreck case held anothe session today. James Bruce, an engineer, was the only witness examined. He said that the rules strictly forbids oral orders to trainmen, that all stations are supposed to be supplied with a red hand lamp, torpedoes and fuses. The case was then given to the jury which this afternoon returned the following verdict:
"Coroner's inquest, state of Kansas, Lyon county.
"An inquisition held in Emporia, Lyon county, on the 9th, 13th, 16th and 20th days of September, A. D. 1897, before me, Charles Gardner, coroner of said county, on the body of Michael J. McGlade, there lying dead, by the jurors, whose names are hereto subscribed. The said jurors upon their oath do say that the said Michael J. McGlade came to his death by injuries received in a wreck on the A., T. & S. F. three and on-half miles northeast of Emporia, in Lyon county, Kansas, on the evening of September 8, 1897. That said wreck was caused by Dispatcher King of Topeka changing said orders and making said meeting points of trains of numbers one and one one hundred and eighteen, Lang instead of Emporia: that said changing of orders put said trains in a dangerous and hazardous position: that such change of orders is customary, but in violation of the rules of said railway company, and that extra precuation requested by the rules was not taken by Dispatcher King and Agent Larson to protect these trains; that the appliances furnished the agent at Lang are deficient, having no hand lantern, torpedo or fuse, and that the red light displayed on the evening of September 8 was dimmed by smoke; that the negligent acts of said employes of said railway company were not felonious. In testimony whereof the said jurors have set their hand the day and year aforesaid.
"[Signed.] C. H. Douglas, Wm. O'Meara, T. Johnson, S. E. Yoeman, L. N. Carter, E. M. Forde.
"[Attested.] Charles Gardner, Coroner."
(Kansas Semi-Weekly Capital ~ 21 Sept 1897)
Construction to Being in Lyon County at Once.
Road Will No Pass Through El Dorado on Account of Grades--New Omaha Line.
Emporia Kan., April 23---Work on the Kansas City, Mexico & Orient is expected to begin in Lyon county within two weeks. Judge J. T. Eaton, general attorney for the road, arrived here this morning, and is busy arranging for possession of the right of way through the county. This he expects, or hopes, to obtain without resorting to proceedings to condemn property needed. In case of condemning, of course, work would of necessity be delayed.
Judge Eaton stated to a Capital correspondent that
the road would not pass through El Dorado, the grades making the route that way impracticable.
(Kansas Semi-Weekly Capital ~ 26 April 1901)
Funeral of a Lyon County Boy Who Was Killed in Luzon.
Emporia, Kan., Feb. 20--The most imposing military funeral since that of Senator Prestor B. Plumb took place here this afternoon over the remains of Archie A. Aldrich, a Lyon county boy, which arrived from Manila, where he met his death at the hands of a Filipino sharpshooter.
The services were conducted by the Grand Army of the Republic and took place at the First Methodist church. The Woman's Relief Corps, Ladies of the Grand Army, Sons of Veterans and other patriotic bodies attended. The pallbearers were Captain W. C. Stevenson of the Twenty-second Kansas, Lieutenant Teft of the Twentieth Kansas, and Privates Somers, Wilhite, McConkey, Huey, Fischer and Wright of the Twenty-second Kansas, and Ayers of the Washington volunteers. The guard of honor was composed of members of Company I, Kansas National Guards, as was also the firing squad.
Archie A. Aldrich was born in Iowa November 1, 1877. While yet a boy his parents moved to Kansas ad settled at Americus. He learned the printer's trade in the office of the Americus Greeting. His father died five years ago, and since that time he has been the only support of his widowed mother. He went to Colorado and worked at his trade up to the time war was declared and troops were being sent to the Philippines. He joined company E, Colorado volunteers, at Denver, which regiment was among the first to leave San Francisco.
He was wounded March 21, 1899, by a Filipino sharpshooter, and died April 13, in the first reserve hospital.
His mother lives in Emporia.
(Kansas Semi-Weekly Capital ~ 23 Feb 1900)
Well Known Lyon County Farmer Struck and Instantly Killed
Emporia, Kan., Oct. 31--Geo. Atkinson, one of the
early pioneers of Kansas and a wealthy farmer who resided about eight miles northwest of Emporia, was struck by
lightning last evening and instantly killed. He had purchased a young bull at the Kansas City cattle show and had
just brought it home last night. Three of his sons were helping him unload the animal when a flash of lightning
prostrated the father and two of the sons. The young men recovered, but the father was dead. But a few days ago
he celebrated his 50th birthday. He leaves a wife, sons and four daughters.
(The Kansas Semi-Weekly Capital ~ 2 Nov 1900)
Emporia, Kan., Feb. 8--J. B. Case of Abilene was in town on business connected with the creamery. He is very much pleased with the progress made in the butter making industry here thus far and is very sanguine for the future. The creamery now pays out $1,000 per month for milk and by the middle of the summer expects to triple that amount.
Emporia is as yet only a skimming station, but it
will be made a churning point and that, the probabilities are, very soon. Three thousand gallons of milk are received
here daily now and the prospects are that midsummer will see 10,000 a day brought to the creamery. In Mr. Case's
opinion the creamery industry will be one of the greatest in Lyon county in five years. The prospects at present
favor this view.
(Kansas Semi-Weekly Capital ~ 11 Feb 1898)
Emporia, Kan., May 22---A cyclone or tornado passed
across the south end of Lyon county. It struck the earth at the farm of the Hughes brothers. All of the family
except William Hughes and Edward Jenkins took refuge in the cellar and escaped unhurt. Hughes and Jenkins were
carried into the air and were rescued from the ruins 100 feet away. Hughes may die.
(Omaha World Herald ~ 23 May 1896)
Many Persons Injured and Much Stock Killed.
Topeka, Kan., May 5---A special to The Capital from Reading, Kan., says: The central portion of Lyon county and southern section of Osage county were visited by a terrible storm. A waterspout broke, flooding the country and ruining crops.
The devastation of the water was increased by an unparalleled ice storm. Ice formed as it fell, 12 inches in circumference, that killed cattle and ruined crops. In this town every window pane was shattered and the same is reported from Olivet, Osage county.
It is impossible at present to even estimate the
amount of damage done, but reports have been received to the effect that many persons have been injured by the
torrents of ice and water and falling buildings.
(Grand Forks Herald, North Dakota ~ 6 May 1894)
HOPKINS WON'T
PARTICIPATE IN TRIAL OF WHITE
Attorney General Says He Doesn't Believe There Is Any Law for Convicting Kansas Editor
Emporia, Kans., Nov. 13---Attorney General Hopkins of Kansas has written County Attorney Roland Boynton, Lyon County, that the attorney general's office will not participate in the trial of William Allen White, Emporia editor, for putting up in a window of his newspaper office, fifty-fifty posters during the shopmen's strike, it was learned late today.
White was arrested shortly after the poster incident and charged with violation of the state industrial court act. His close friend and comrade in arms, Governor Henry J. Allen of Kansas brought about the arrest, but the case has never come to trial.
The attorney general, who has gone on a wedding trip declares that he did not bring action and will not prosecute it. He is said to have told mutual friends he did not believe there was any law for conviction of White under the facts.
But White demands trial and is depending on his friend. Governor Allen to give him an opportunity to test or case in the courts. When a letter from the attorney general was shown to White, he said:
"I don't blame Hopkins. A man on his wedding
trip can't be bothered by sending people to jail. The attorney general's letter is surprising, but no one who knows
anything of Governor Allen's fighting will quit in this case until it has been tried and appealed to the highest
possible court. Any other course would look like a shameless frame up that would damn us both out of public life."
(Albuquerque Journal ~ 14 Nov 1922)
They Agree on a Division of Prospective Spoils.
Emporia, Kan., Aug. 20---The Lyon county Populist convention met here today at 11 a.m., and put in the entire day before a ticket was selected. The Democratic county convention met at the same hour at the court house. Conference committees were appointed by each. The delays caused by these committees occupied much time. Finally the Democrats agreed to be satisfied if allowed to name the county attorney and the Representative to the Legislature for the 49th district.
The ticket as agreed upon and which was nominated by each convention is as follows: Probate judge John G. Keene; county attorney A. D. Dickson; superintendent of public instruction R. S. Spike; clerk of the district court S. F. Bucher; Representative 49th district John K. Blair; 50th district, John F. O'Conner.
The Republicans are much pleased with the fusion
moninations as it was created much dissatisfaction among both Populists and Democrats.
(The Kansas Semi-Weekly Capital ~ 2 Sept 1898)
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