The Parsons Weekly Sun from Parsons, Kansas • Page 1

i11iri1(1lHi1 4nl Toftf TWO DOLLARS A YEAR. PARSONS, KANSAS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1880. VOLUME X. NUMBER 23. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

CITY NEWS AND GOSSIP. THANKSGIVING. fruits, potatoes Irish and sweet l)eets, cabbage, onions, beans, rice, wheat, apples, celery, and other products of garden and field, while a large, beautiful chrysanthemum lifted its deep, green foliage, crowned with scarlet flowers. On the steps of the pulpit, and immediately in front, were several vases of choicest flora. The whole service was deeply impressivo and marked by an earnestness not common to such days.

AT THE METnODIST CIUT.C1I. At this church, services in the morning had to be omitted because of the illness of the pastor, Rev. McClintock. The dinner and supper, however, were spread according to announcment, and the church was crowded both noon and evening with people in search of the "good things" the ladies had prepared for this occasion. The tables were tastily arranged and filled with everything in the way of eatables that one could well imagine, and all who visited the church were more than satisfied at the treatment received at the hands of the The Gas Works.

An informal meeting of the members of the City Council and several of our prominent business men, to discuss the establishment of gas works in our city, was held in City Hall Monday night. H. D. Mirick, on behalf of the Gas Company, made a few remarks, giving the members of the council an outline of what the company proposed to do and also what they would ask of the city. He stated that so soon as the city would put in twenty-five posts for street lamps and enter into a contract to pay the company $23 per post per year for a period of five years, that the company would secure the necessary machinery, erect the works and commence the manufacture of gas.

To show that this proposition on the part of the gas company was not an tin-unusual one or an exorbitant one, Mr. Mirick mentioned the fact that Fort Scott was paying $25 a year per post and using fifty-two posts Carthage $30, and using twenty-five posts; Joplin 40, using thirty posts, and Emporia 40 a year per post, and that it was usually customary A Case of Forgery. Last Thursday morning Marshal Mason went to Cherokee and arrested one J. R. Collins on a warrant charging him with obtaining money under false pretenses, and returned with the prisoner to Parsons that night.

The next morrning Collins was taken before Justice Davis, and the hearing of the case was continued to the 0th of December Collins, in default of S.00 bail, being confined in the city prison. The warrant for the arrest of the prisoner was sworn out before Justice McFeeley by S. M. Rurkett, who rents a farm near town from Collins' father, who resides in Kentucky. Rurkett has been paying the rent monthly, but some weeks ago young Collins presented a letter to him, purporting to have been written by Collins, senior, requesting that he pay a year's rent two hundred dollarsto Collins, junior, and Rurkett, having no other thought but that the letter was genuine, did so.

Subsequetly Rurkett had occasion to write to the voung man's father, and mentioned this little transaction, which brought a prompt reply that no such letter had been written by him, and if he (Rurkett had such a letter, it was a forgery. Hence young Collins' arrest. Marshal Mason escorted the prisoner to Oswego Saturday for safe keeping. He has since his arrest, we learn, confessed that be forged the letter. The "narrow gauge" suits in the district court have all been continued to next term.

Simon Mahoney, pump-repairer on the K. was presented Monday by his wife with a daughter. James Karney, who some two weeks ago had the misfortune to get his fingers mashed while coupling cars, resumed work Saturday. Frank Ch -i field, freight conductor on the Cherokee division of the K. it has taken a lav-off for thirty davs and intends doing Texas.

M. A. Stafford, who, the past three montlis, has been in the employ of the Chicago, Rock Island it Pacific road in Iowa, returned to Parsons Saturday. Sam Karney, who for the past four years has held the position of yard master for the K. it T.

at this point, has been promoted to a conductorship and tooks his first train out Tuesday. The ollii-e of the Ad.uns Express. Company in Ihi- city is draped in mourning, because of the death of Alfred Gather, general manager of the Express company, who died in New York city. Thanksgiving day. The Fort S'ott Monitor, of Tuesday, says: "Lute Welch, of Parsons, trainmaster on the K.

came up to Fort Scott last evening. Mr. Welch is known as one of the best and most accommodating railroad men in this section." Saturday morning, at alout 7 o'clock, the forward trucks of the engine drawing the construction train, on the western extension of the narrow guage road, jumped the track, near Cary's place just at the edge of town, delaying the train about an hour, but doing no other damage. The accident was caused by the breaking of the draw-bar." Col. Tom.

Scott and party, who have been making an inspection of their western branches, passed through Parsons Saturday evening at 7 o'clock, on a special train over the it stopping here but ten minutes. The train was in charge of Conductor Vosburg and Engineer Russell. The run from Muskogee to this city was made in hours and minutes, Could was not with the party. A committee appointed by the citizens of IndejK'ndeiicir; our city last Saturday and conference with Col. R.

S. Stevens and II. D. Mirick concerning the building of a road southwest from Parsons via Independence. While we have not been able to gather any of the particulars, we are informed the matter was favorably received by Col.

Stevens and that within a short time we may look for some definite steps being taken toward the building of a road southwest from our city. R. F. Higgins resigned his position as baggage-master on the Neosho division of the K. it T.

last week, and took his departure from our city Monday for Shrevesport, Louisiana, where he expects to engage in business. He was accompanied on his trip, as far as Oswego, byC F. P.owerfind, W. (i. Adkins C.

E. Craig, James F. Fanning and M. F. Kohler.

Frank, as he was familiarly addressed, was opular among the boys and a favorite among the girls, and has hosts of friends here who wish him the greatest success imaginable in hi new field of labor. A special train, composed of one baggage car, the K. T. pay car, and the private cars of Talmagc ami Mitchell, passed south over the K. it T.

yesterday with the following gentlemen: A. A. Talmage, general manager; A.Mitchell, late general manager A. W. Dickinson, assistant superintendent W.

P. Robinson, late traffic manager; R. 31. Peck, master of bridges and buildings; J. A.

Hill, general freight agent T. J. Portis. general attorney T. C.

Sears, late general attorney Chas. French, late general fuel agent, C. 31. Sheaf, late superintendent of transportation; Division Superintendent Pierson late Chief Engineer Kimberly 31. A.

3Iartin, late master of bridges and buildings, and Chas. Hayes, private secretary to Manager Talmage. Lyman Hall was conductor of the train and Charlie Gordon engineer. The train left Parsons at 2 o'clock, and will reach Dallas, Texas, this afternoon. A 170011(1 In the Leg Yesterday morning, about half-past 1 o'clock, Dr.

W. J. Britt was called to visit a patient six miles northeast of town. The road being one the doctor had been in the habit of traveling, and his horse being quite familiar with it, there was no danger to be feared. But it seems there had been a change made in a barbed wire fence, and at John JlcClellan's place the horse struck it with his flank, tearing the rider's overcoat, and catching his left leg, the result being to the limb a severe gash by one of the barbs, and a cross gash by another, both cutting nearly to the bone.

The doctor is suffering considerably from pain, but, with collodian plasters stretched about the wounds, able to be about and attend to Now then for the holidays. The epizooty is about played out. Butter and eggs command good prices. Last Sunday was the first Sunday in Advent. Don't scatter ashes in places exposed to the wind.

The great demand for dwelling houses tftill continues. The annual war between gunner and farmers is raging. Confectioners are getting in their Christmas decorations. The Board of Education meets Monday evening, December Mrs. W.

II. Fletcher returned, Monday, to her home in Sedalia. The weather is good enough, only-there is a trifle too much of it. The average youth has become piite interested in the price of skates. Keep a sharp lookout fur midnight mechanics.

They are on the prowl. Miss Lilly Rlair, of Humboldt, is in the city, the guest of the family of J. W. Kay. Colds a mild type of epizooty -have attacked quite a number of our citizens.

The Parsons Quadrille Club will give another dame at 1 lews' Hall, this evening. Almanacs for 1-Ssl are on deck with their usual supply of stale fun for all human ailments. Mrs. Jennie Marks, of Council drove, is in the city, the guest of her sister, Mrs. Wm.

Debbitt. W. L. Simons, C. II.

Kimball, A. II. Ay res and W. P. Talbott attended court at Oswego Monday.

II. T. Lentist, superintendent of the Usage Coal and Mining Company, went to St. Louis Monday. Our town is very quiet of nights.

Even the dog and cat orchestras have been missing for several nights. W. II. Lindsey, who has been spending several months at Eureka Springs, returned to Parsons Tuesday night. The new fashionable dance called the "racquet" greatly resembles the can-can.

Thoughtful people vote it "no good." Children are becoming very obedient. They expect to be favorably mentioned to Santa Clan? a 'pgvfc tyfi ngek Kissing is something like seven-up. If he begs, and she thinks she can make a point in the game, she will give him one. The importation of holiday goods to Parsons is brisk. Our merchants evidently expect a lively trade during the holidays.

Ped-time is a terrible bug-bear this cold weather. It takes an effort to start otf through the cold hall to bed, but it requires a greater effort to start out of bed in the morning. Messrs. Warbington it Son have purchased the stock and "milk-route" of Joseph Murphy, and will fro into the dairy business on a large scale. They take possession immediately.

Rasbach, while engaged in lifting some heavy pieces of timber Saturday, unfortunately sprained his back and, in consequence, was unable to attend to business Monday. E. II. Reniseh, W. J.

P.ritt, J. R. Lemist and A. K. Scheble spent Thanksgiving day in hunting, about six miles west of the citv.

The result of the dav's sport was S3 rabbits and 37 quails. Mr. Williamson, of Montgomery county, has located here with the intention of purchasing a farm in this vicinity and starting a creamery for the manufacture of butter and cheese. Kasbach it Lambert have in course of erection an ice house on the banks of Labette creek, just north of the city, and intend to store away between two and three hundred tons of ice. Our lady friends are already talking about keeping open house on New Year day, and the indications are that the custom of receiving calls will be more generally observed in Parsons the coming New Year than ever before.

A pound social will be given at the Reading Room on Friday evening, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the room. A cordial invitation is extended to all citizens to come out and aid in making this a pleasant and successful affair. The prospect is that there will be a large ice crop this winter, but with the prohibition amendment in force there may not be the usual demand for ice next summer. However, a good supply of ice should be harvested for mechanical and medicinal purposes. A meeting of the committee appointed by the Roard of Trade to look up a system of water works for the city was held Saturday night, and it was decided to memorialize the council to employ a competent engineer to look the ground oyer and see what system is the best and most available for our wants, and to make an estimate as to what the probable cost would be of such works.

How the Day Was Observed by Parsons Peonle. Excellent Sermons to Large Audiences, Splendid Dinners, and a General Suspension ot Uusiness. Last Thursday was a national holiday, and was generally observed in Parsons. Rusiness was generally suspended, a Sunday atmosphere enveloping everything. Services were held in the churches, and the average number of turkeys were sacrificed to good cheer and keen appetites.

Relow we paragraph the church services and other events of the day. AT THE PRESllYTETtlAX (IHKl'II. "Thanksgiving" in the Presbyterian church was l.trirelv attended, nut nlv bv those usually attendant upon thi- place of worship, but also by many from the other denominations of the city. The services were opened by a Thanksgiving chant, by the choir, after' which Dr. Keyes read selections from the 105th Psalm, following with prayer.

After a song of piaise, the pastor announced for his subject the 10th verse of the VII Ith chapter of Deuteronomy "Thou Shalt Rless the Lord thy God for the Good Land Which He Hath Given Thee." The introduction opened by remarking on the necessity of religious elements to good government. Conscience was the conceiving power in all wholesome governments, and without religion good society was an impossibility. Where the moral sense was not the strong element in a people's life, force must be; but force is enslavement, and enslavement is deg-regation to the individual and the nation. The founders of this nation were religious men. men of a great faith and a great conscience, and they founded the nation on God and in the human conscience.

The speaker then referred, by a rapid glance, to the more prominent phases of the religious conscience, as entering into the past history of the American nation, and especially the recognition of God in its holiday festivals, and its days of humiliation and prayer, and its days of thanksgiving and praise. And for this service, the offering of praise, our nation is awaking itsallaluia anthems all over this "Good land which the Lord our God hath given us." The grounds for thanksgiving are numerous as brain-throbs and heartbeats, and none are so destitute as to have no cause for thankfulness. An old heathen could say "1 feel so thankful that I am not a beast, but a man, and I am so thankful that I was born in Greece and not in some other country." With how much greater reason should we thank God for our manhood and for our Amerieanhood, our citizenship in the grandest land God's sun ever kissed with its light. it's a goodly land, this land of ours. It's a land of happy homes and free homesteads.

The speaker dwelt at some length on the homestead laws of the country as compared with other lands where possession of a home is to the workingman an impossibility. He also argued that a land monopoly, such as exists in England and elsewhere, could never root in the American soil, and that this country ninst always be the land of "Homes," as no other coun- try can ever be. Rut more, this "good land" of ours is a land of live ideas, of progressive thought, of mental enlargement, of general intelligence. The American people are the most intelligent people in the world. "The Schoolmaster is abroad" here as nowhere else.

The untrammeled press is pouring out its floods of licht bv dav and night. We are a nation of newspapers, and the newspaper people are the brainy and live people of the world. Here, too, was shown the necessity of this quicken- ins of the ceneral mind to the safety of a Republican government. And it is also a land where lalor is a crowned king, and the honest worker is the true aristocrat of society. Our presidents have been rail-splitters and printers and workers on the shady side of poverty, in more than one instance.

Rut once more, it is a land of abundance. Our rivers and lakes and seas, our hills and rallies are filled to running over with resources for comfort, prosperity and wealth. We have just garnered a grand harvest from field and on-hard and garden. We have enough and to spare, and to-day we place on the bier of the old harvest year a shock of ripened corn and other rich fruits of the soil, and call upon all that is within us to "Rless the name of the Lord, and forget not all his tenefits." Such is a brief outline of the sermon which was listened to with deep interest, for fully one hour. Adding to the interest of the occasion was a most fitting ornamentation of the church, To the left of the pulpit was a light shock of corn whose golden ears were so far uncovered as to display their rich beauty, while at the base of the shock were various ladies of the MethodNt pcrsuai'M.

AT THE Thanksgiving services were held at the Episcopal church at 11 a. the church being well tilled. The rector, Rev. R. C.

Talbott, preached a suitable and most excellent sermon from the good Gift, and every perfect Gift cometh down from the Father of Light, in Whom is no Variableness nor Shadow of Turning." The music, which is always good at this church, was unusually appropriate and good on this occasion the selectiions being excellent and the choir seemingly in perfect "trim." at the other At the othei churches no special services were held in the morning. In the evening, prayer meeting was held at the Ruptist church. elsewhere. In the afternoon was a parade by the Parsons Cornet Rand and the Ltjrht Guards. The Hook and Ladder Company had been invited to take part in the parade, but owing to the non-arrival of uniforms the company did not participate.

Notwithstanding this, the band and the guards made a very creditable display. In the evening a grand ball was given at Hews' Hall and was all that could have been wished fur by the lovers of that character of amusements. The attendance was umtsuaily large, and the muue course, good Stem ptf never furnishes any other kind. A Heading Circle. Last Friday evening there met at the residence of Prof.

MePherson, superintendent of our city schools, the teachers and pupils of the high school for the purpose of organizing a reading circle for the benefit of the teachers of the public schools and the scholars of the high school. The organization is to be known as the Parsons High School Reading Circle, and its object is for the purpose of becoming better acquainted with tiie writings of the great English authors, to perfect ourselves in reading and to better enables us to cultivate the social part of our natures." The officers consist of a moderator, vice-moderator, a treasurer and a secretary, and meetings are to be held on Friday evening of each week. The organization was perfected at the meeting that night, and Prof. MePherson chosen moderator; Miss Nettie M. Parker, vice-moderator; Miss Ella MePherson, treasurer and Miss Rosalie Perry, secre tary.

The following were enrolled as members: Miss Rosalie Perry, MissKatie Horton, Miss Nettie M. Parker, Miss Stella Kaufman, Miss Carrie Y. Jaynes, Miss Ella MePherson, Miss Ella Crichton, Miss Hattie Yanscoter, S. A. Rendall, Frank Morton, Arthur Peck and Prof.

O. M. MePherson. After per fecting the organization, the members read scene 1st, act 1st, of Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice. At the next meeting, scenes two and three, of act one, will be read, completing act first.

In addition, Miss Perry will give an outline of the entire play, and Miss Stella Kaufman is to give a history of the Argonautic expedition, while Miss Hattie Yanscoter is to give a history of the Golden Fleece." Those present report having whiled away a very pleasant evening, and feel that the "circle" will prove a source of great enjoyment as well as benefit to both teachers and pupils. Its proving a success as an organization can not be questioned, the officers and members being of themselves a guarantee of that result. A Party of Hunters. Last Friday afternoon a party of hunters, consisting of Clark, the Wizard Oil man, J. Shepler, a cattle dealer from Paris, Len.

Smith, R. T. Holloway, W. P. Talbott, M.

McRussy and Lew Williams, went out to Williams' nursery, south of town, and enjoyed some fine sport hunting "jack-rabbits." The party succeeded in capturing five rabbits, of which Shep-ler's dog got threes and Clark's two. To Mr. Shepler The Six indebted for the finest rabbit in the lot. A silver dollar bearing date of 1S33 is worth fortr-five dollars. to nuiKe contracts ior niieen or twenty years, while Parsons was asked to bind itself to use gas for but five years.

The matter was favorably received by those present and will be brought up in the shape of an ordinance at the next regular meeting of the council. The company will furnish gas to private consumers at So per feet, with the usual discount to large consumers, and a canvass of the city will soon be made to learn how many of our citizens will be likely to use gas in the event of the establishment of the works. A I'ork Packing Establishment. C. A.

Rasbach and S. J. Innbert have formed a co-partnership with Mr. Pum-phrey, for the purpose of carrying on a pork packing business, the style the firm to be Rasbach, limbert Co. Last Saturday they received some three hundred hogs, and commenced slaughtering on Monday.

At present the of their establishment is fifty bogs per da-, and it is the intention of the firm to increase the capacity between now and spring to double what it is at present. The slaughtering house is situated on Mr. Osgood's farm, and is supplied with the latest and most improved machinery. It is safe to say that at no distant day Parsons will be aide to boast of one of the largest pork packing establishments in southern Kansas. Cupid's Victims.

Married, by Elder J. Ruble, at his residence, on the Nth day of November, J. J. Kingsbury to Miss Alice Mumford; both of Labette county. Married, at the residence of the bride's parents in Montana township, by D.

A. Jones, J. Douglas Scott, of Cherokee county, and Miss Martha Allen, of Labette. In Hackberry township, on November 21st, J. L.

Jones, justice of the peace, joined in marriage Walter S. Sharp to Miss Mattie Sharp; both of Labette county. Married, on, Thursday, November by Probate Judge Case, at the Probate court room in Oswego, Israel Gibbons and Mrs. Sallie Jennings; both of Labette county. A Tarty.

Saturday night a masked party was gi ven at the residence of E. P. Emery. The young ladies only were masked, and much amusement was created by the vain attempts of the young gentlemen to make out whom each particular lady might be. After the young ladies tin masked, dancing was indulged in, games played, refreshments served and the evening heartily enjoyed by all in attend ance.

Among those present one of The Sux's news gatherers recognized Miss Nettie Karr, Miss Annie Pumphrey, Miss Laura Slyman, Mrs. Maurice Davis, Miss Allie Patrick, M. F. Kohler.C. F.

Rower-find, F. II. Higgins, O. W.Coote, Maurice Davis, C. E.

Craig, M. Chidester and C. M. Fletcher. Another Secret Order.

A council of the American Legion of Honor was organized in this city last Saturday night. The order is a secret one, and its principal object is insurance. The following were chosen officers for the present term: II. M. Fish, past commander; II.

C. Sourbeer, commander Mrs. Yandresar, vice-commander; Mrs. M. M.

Hill, orator; W. F. Grierson, secretary C. Chapman, collector; IL M. Meeker, treasurer; C.

W. McDonald, guide; II. II. Graham, warden; Reynolds, sentry. An Ungrateful Tramp.

A tramp yesterday morning carried off from the residence of J. M. Gregory a meerschaum pipe valued at ten dollars. The ungrateful cuss had called fur some thing to cat, and, while Mrs. Gregory was getting a lunch for him, the scamp pocketed the pipe.

Soon after the departure of the tramp the loss was discovered and Marshal Mason given a description of the thief, but at a late hour last night nothing had been seen or heard of him. A Social Gatheriu. Last Friday eveniug a number of young lady and gentlemen acquaintances and friends gathered at the residence of our townsman, Robert Crichton, in honor of his daughter, Miss Sue Crichton, who is a teacher in the State Normal School, at Emporia, and who came home to spend Thanksgiving day. To receive a call from so manv friends last evening was quite a surprise to Miss Crichton, it all having been arranged unbeknown to her, yet she was equal to the occasion, and succeeded in making the evening pass as pleasantly for her visitors as it was for herseK. Refreshments were served, games played, choice music and a general good time was the order of the evening.

Among those present our city item snatcher discovered Mrs. F. R. Morton, Misses Ressie and Lina Morton, Miss Una Canfield, Misses Nellie and Lou Revans, Miss Eva Rrunson, Miss Nannie Yanscoter, James and Don Yen- able, W. Welch, A.

H. Kreider, Robert Elliott, Frank Russell, Rcnj. Revans and A A l.sgood. Miss Crichton returned to her school duties on Saturday. A School Exhibition.

A meeting of the members of the Parsons School Literary Society was held at the west side school building Tuesday evening to prepare a programme for an exhibition to be given at Hews' Hall. A programme consisting of music, tableaux, declamations, was 'mapped-out," and the evening of the 17th of December decided upon for the holding of the exhibition. hving to the fact that Prof. Chidcstcr's time will be taken up in getting things in order for the Teacher's Association which meets here during the holidays, he was obliged to decline taking any part in the management of the exhibition, and Prof. MePherson was unanimously selected as manager of the entertainment.

The price of admission was left to the discretion of the mana ger. A arrow Escape. Parsons had a narrow escape from another disastrous lire yesterday. About dusk, last evening, the porter at the Lock-wood House went into the lamp-room to light up for the evening when the room, which is saturated with oil, caught fire from a match which he had lighted, and which ignited the inflammatory vapor and oil-saturated surroundings. The result was a burst of flame, and, for the moment, a blaze of fire but prompt action on the part of the landlord and his help saved the building, its contents, and possibly the adjacent buildings.

The damage done was slight, however, and some cause for congratulation may be had through the fact that the prompt assistance rendered by those present saved Parsons from another disastrous conflagration. A Surprise Tarty. A surprise party was held at the residence of G. C. Hitchcock Tuesdav night in honor of Miss Nettie M.

Parker. Among those present were Misses Nellie and Iillie Revans, Miss Gussie Ray, Misses Ella and Mamie KaufFman, II. II. Alfred, Renj. Revans, Arthur Meeker, N.

MeCreery, A. II. Tyler, A. A. Osgood, A.

II. Kreider and George Crichton. Refreshments were served, an candy-pulling indulged in and a most delightful evening was enjoyed. A Masonic Banquet. A special convocation of Parsons Chapter No.

39, R. A. was held last Thursday evening for the purpose of initiating our worthy townsman, W. C. Holmes, into the Royal Arch degree.

After the ceremonies, the brethren repaired to the Delmonico where a splendid banquet was spread and enjoyed in honor of the event. 'v.