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Newspaper
The Abilene Reflector
Location
Abilene, Kansas, United States of America
Date
Sep 01, 1887
Page
5
Announcements show several candidates for county offices including sheriff and register of deeds with party designations and convention subjection. Other notes mention heating stoves, a sick relative, weather talk, a charity call for a home for a 12 year old, and minor civic updates.
Section Boss King received a letter from Capt. Buckner stating four miles of track per day on the Ellinor branch and that work would reach that point around September 8. Buckner also said he would bring the entire force on September 4 to lay track and branch lines out of the city.
A garbled tale shows a child asking how much to ride a street car. The governor’s son says a nickel is the fare, provoking indignation as the mule team struggles uphill toward Olive with a courtly leader nearby.
The piece depicts a political candidate facing heavy fundraising pressure as voters gravitate to a soda pop, sarsaparilla and malt dispenser scene. Supporters’ drinks and cigars feature in a volatile image of campaign finance and voter influence, ending with the candidate’s cautious retreat.
In Abilene and on the Union Pacific line, engineer Smith, one of the railroad’s most trusted veterans, has steered trains for over twenty years. He remembers farms along the route, guided millions of passengers safely, and could retire to a comfortable life in Wamego. Also noted are pension examiner Dr. O H Oakwood, educator S Strifler heading Manchester schools, and horticultural curiosity at M Gleissner’s drug store with Bartlett pears shown to flourish in Dickinson county.
Charley Weigard, son of M E Weigand, yesterday cut his left knee while cutting grass at home with a grass sickle. He tied a string around the leg, fetched his father who was nearby, and Mr Weigard sewed the wound with a linen thread and needle as Charley helped during the sewing.
Jim Davis and Charley Scoggins depart at noon to join the Heywood Mastodon Minstrel Uncle Tom's Cabin Party forming for an exhibition at Bonebrake's Opera House. Walt McDonald leads as comedian with slick vaudeville bits. Quarlen Scoggins drums. Jira and other lines hint at changes in cast.
John Wallace, a patient at Leavenworth Soldiers Hospital, died in Abilene at midnight after a brief illness. A veteran of five years service, he leaves nine wives and five children and will be buried with G. A. R. honors at Abilene Cemetery. Funeral at 412 West Fifth Street tomorrow. Abilene Post No. 68 will attend.
In Cheever township a farmer who sold cattle and hogs after predicting no corn casts doubt on his foresight while neighbors weigh his end of world claim. The piece notes Henry Harnish as Sheriff candidate and Henry W. Kandt as county commissioner hopeful. It mentions Badger Lumber Co. manager L A Reed visiting Abilene and John Harbottle from Longmont, with Libby prison chum Charles Hutchinson running for Dickinson county clerk.
Mr Pattison and his mother rode the cyclone to Abilene Friday noon. Rev Caseley returned from camp meeting at Tescott. Miss Eastman, aged seventy six, buried Friday. funeral led by Rev Cooper. Kansas State Fair plans expand with $25,000 in new buildings and grounds improvements. Salina taunts Abilene with scornful verse as a drunk is fined ten dollars and costs. Henry Pennington injures his nose on the Santa Fe track after a horse stumble.
A special Santa Fe train arrived in Abilene led by General Manager J. F. Goddard and General Superintendent Geo. L. Sands. They praised Abilene’s facilities and planned future business with the railroad. Also present was Mr. J B Smalley of Girard Illinois, visiting his son F. J. Smalley. Smalley, a Democrat who voted for Andrew Jackson, will soon travel to Los Animus, Colorado to visit a brother, then return to Illinois.
A harsh commentary on habitually unpaid newspaper subscribers. The author urges readers to pay before stopping service and mocks those who refuse or move away without paying. The tone is sharp and admonitory, reflecting a late period press viewpoint.
From a western exchange comes news that Mrs Genevieve A Cowles will seek the Democratic nomination for Register of Deeds in Dickinson County Kansas. An Abilene business leader with deputy office experience, she gains cautious support as an energetic candidate. The Carlisle paper urges Cumberland County residents to back her and ensure prompt returns.
The McPherson Republic rebukes Salina over inflated population claims and misrepresentations sent East. Visitors depart in disgust, with critics arguing honesty about current population would reveal a town far smaller than hoped.
Obituary items recount the death of Fane Wilson in Abilene with family details and service plans. memorials honor Comrade John Wallace and describe soldiers’ resolutions. Local news mentions weather, travel plans, neighborhood changes, and the law office upgrade by Stambaugh Tard & Dewey in Salina, with community remarks on illness and daily life.
Fragments from a local page report O P Fenton of Cheever visiting the city. Buckeye resident Mr Garver left by Santa Fe to visit relatives in Pawnee County. Steve Rohrer of Newbern, a leading farmer, conducted business in town. A M German of Willowdale departed for Davenport and Iowa for about two weeks. Mrs Judge Ayers, visiting the telephone exchange manager, returned to Junction City and praised the city. Saturday item notes H I Justeson of Dillon in the city.
Mr A J Markley and Postmaster Hassler from Enterprise are in the city. J W Jenet of Herington heads to the springs by Santa Fe. Multiple Solomon County residents arrive on the noon train, with others returning from trips to Colorado Michigan New York and Pennsylvania. George Scherer and George Ildsworth visit Abilene and nearby friends as lines of travelers circulate through Junction City.
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