The Liberal Leader Seward County Thursday May 17, 1888 A clever piece of strategy was performed here on last Saturday by S.W. DUNN in the arrest of one J.T. HODGES for bigamy. This bigamist was seeking security along with nupital bliss in the Neutral Strip with a new wife, at the same time being the possessor of a wife and family in Kansas. The fact that Hodges knew Dunn and wa son the look-out for him adds a good deal to the cleverness of the manner in which he was taken. Dunn asked him to get into his buggy and accompany him on a search for a certain corner of a section of land he was interested in. Hodges accepted; and was being entertained by counting the spokes in the rapidly revolving buggy wheels. They drew nearer the line--cut of the whip--a dash and they were over it and into Kansas when the officer took his surprised victim into his grasp and presented him with a pair of bracelers. Hodges was taken back to Pratt Center; along with the woman, wife number two, and he now languishes in jail at that place awaiting trial.

First off LKNW, you are welcome. You really should thank Maggie Stewart, as it was she who asked me to look at some microfilmed newspapers for Seward County. Maggie does a lot of good work. Second, have added those surnames you've mentioned to this list I carry around for Seward county. Third, the newspaper, The Liberal Leader, I am posting from only goes to January 7, 1890. In looking at newspapers on microfilm by the Kansas State Historical Society, as you probably already know, Arkalon did have a newsapaper, apparently from April 1888 to December 1892. KSHS holds two rolls of film for this one. This means your obituary for Mr. T. G. Laird will appear in another newspaper. It also means though, that there could be a lot of Laird material in those Arkalon newspapers. Lastly, I am wondering about your Laird's and where they came from and who they are in relation to my Lairds. I thought at first, and it still may be the case, that they are some of those Laird's from Tabor, Ia., who ended up in Edwards County, Kansas, speaking here of Henry Laird who has the local library in Belpre named after him just off Laird street. Some of those Lairds also ended up in Nebraska. We could be distant cousins. Most of my Lairds came from Erie, Pa., to Ill., to Ia., to Mo., to Ks.(Jefferson County for one). Curious to be sure about the connection. Hope any and all of the material helps. Have a good one!! Jim ----- Original Message ----- From: <lknw@aol.com> To: <KSSEWARD@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 1:24 AM Subject: [KSSEWARD] Arkalon & Liberal Ancestors > My thanks go out to Jim Laird for transcribing so many articles from > "The Liberal Lyre" for us. Many members of my ancestral family have > already been mentioned - grandfather Will F. LAIRD; great-grandmother > E.F. BROWN; great-aunt Minnie BROWN TINSLEY; and distant cousins Loles > BRACKETT and Jennie VANNESS. > > I am curious to know if there was an obituary published in the > newspaper for Will LAIRD's father - Thomas G. LAIRD. He died on > February 21, 1893 in Arkalon and was buried in Liberal. Also, perhaps > there was mention of the marriage of my great-aunt Edith Pearl BROWN to > William Henry FEATHER on July 2, 1893 in Liberal. Other family names of > interest in Seward County are WILLIAMS, SPENCER and HOLLINGSWORTH. > > Jim, your recent posting of the article "Girls and The Newspapers" was > very entertaining. I look forward to reading your future postings. LKNW > ________________________________________________________________________ > Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - > http://mail.aol.com > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > KSSEWARD-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

My thanks go out to Jim Laird for transcribing so many articles from "The Liberal Lyre" for us. Many members of my ancestral family have already been mentioned - grandfather Will F. LAIRD; great-grandmother E.F. BROWN; great-aunt Minnie BROWN TINSLEY; and distant cousins Loles BRACKETT and Jennie VANNESS. I am curious to know if there was an obituary published in the newspaper for Will LAIRD's father - Thomas G. LAIRD. He died on February 21, 1893 in Arkalon and was buried in Liberal. Also, perhaps there was mention of the marriage of my great-aunt Edith Pearl BROWN to William Henry FEATHER on July 2, 1893 in Liberal. Other family names of interest in Seward County are WILLIAMS, SPENCER and HOLLINGSWORTH. Jim, your recent posting of the article "Girls and The Newspapers" was very entertaining. I look forward to reading your future postings. LKNW ________________________________________________________________________ Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com

The Liberal Leader Seward County Thurday May 17, 1888 First Marriage In Liberal. The first marriage in Liberal took place this afternoon, Thursday, May 17, 1888, at Mrs. C. CARTMEL's Fifth Avenue hotel on the corner of Fifth and Lincoln Avenue. The high contracting parties were Mr. James M. WYER, a prosperous young farmer of this neighborhood, and Miss Melissa B. LEONARD, an estimable young lady and daughter of Mrs. Cartmel by her first marriage. A large number of the old settlers of this neighborhood, also Mr. and Mrs. FOSTER, of Meade; Mrs. WEEKS, of Pratt and many citizens of Liberal were present when Rev. J. B. BRADLEY, pastor of the M.E. church, tied the nupital knot. The bridal couple were attended by Mr. W. H. BLOOD and Miss Mary SMITH. The wedding presents were appropriate and numerous. After the ceremony was concluded the company partook of an elegant repast; and then the young couple drove to the farm of Mr. Wyer, three miles east of town, where we hope they may always have a home blessed with contentment, properity and happiness.

The Liberal Leader Seward County Thursday May 17, 1888 Wedding Bells. They Tingle Near Liberal. Mr. C.J. HURD and Miss Eva R. POWELL were joined in the holy bonds of matrimony on last Saturday evening May 12, 1888. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. West., of West Plains, at Miss Powell's homestead, two miles east of Liberal and was witnessed only by the relatives and near friends of the bride and groom. A large number of valuable presents reminded the young couple of thier many friends. Mr. Hurd is the popular post-master of Liberal and a rising young man. Mrs. Hurd is the sister of Justice Powell of this township and was Mr. Hurd's assistant in the post-office. She will now be his assistant through life. We wish the young people all possible joy and happiness, and hope that the bright sky of their matrimonial horizon may never be dimmed by the smallest cloud.

That is all the material for the Liberal Lyre. Same roll L-2225, Kansas State Historical Society, we will go to the Liberal Leader. Earlier years than that of the Lyre on this roll of microfilm. I bring this up because Sheriff Dunn is going to be mentioned here, alive and well arresting the bad folks. As you know from recent articles he was murdered in 1892. Have a good one! Jim

The Liberal Lyre Seward County Friday February 24, 1893 Died:--On last Saturday afternoon at 6 o'clock, Neola Pearl DOOLEY, daughter of W.Il. and Hattie COMBS, of this place, departed this life. The cause of her death being scarlet fever. The little girl had been sick just 18 days and was not thought to be dangerous, until a short time before her death. Her age was 6 years, 2 months and 6 days. Funeral services wer held at the house at noon Sunday.

The Liberal Lyre Seward County Friday February 24, 1893 T.G. LAIRD, a well known farmer residing in Cimmarron, died last Monday of chronic brights disease, at the age of 65 years. Mr. Laird ha sbeen ailing for several yeras, but was not taken worse, until about a month ago, since which time he has been quite seriously ill. He leaves a wife, one son and three daughters, besides many loving friends to mourn his loss.

The Liberal Lyre Seward County Friday February 24, 1893 Miss Nerva Redman and little nephew Edgar ELLIS, arrived from Weatherby, Mo., Tuesday, and will spent the winter with her uncle an daunt, Mr. and Mrs. T.J. McDERMOTT. Miss Redman was accompanied by sister, Miss Julia, who stopped at Turon for a short time and will be here soon.

The Liberal Lyre Seward County Friday January 27, 1893 Liberal City Officers. Mayor--L.J. WHITE. Councilmen--A. RUSSELL, E.O. DeVOSS, H. ELLISON, G.S. SMITH, C.Y. MARTIN. City Clerk--H.H. SUTHERLAND; Police Judge--W.T. GIBSON; City Marshal--Arthur MILLS; City Treasurer--W.H. COLLLIER.

The Liberal Lyre Seward County Friday January 27, 1893 County Officers. District Judge--Wm. Eastmon HUTCHINSON; Representative--H.V. NICHOLS; County Clerk--C.U. MAYO; Treasurer--P.F. VESSELS; Probate Judge--W.E. McCLURE; Register of Deeds--L.H. MARTIN; Sheriff--E.S. GUYMON; Coroner--T.J. McDERMOTT; Surveyor--C.H. RHODES; County Attorney--J.K. BEAUCHAMP; Supt. Public Instruction--Mrs. E.F. BROWN; Clerk District Court--L.A. ETZOLD. Commissioners--C.S. ANDERSON, Joe FEUST, T.A. SCATES.

The Liberal Lyre Seward County Friday November 25, 1892 Girls And The Newspapers. If girls only knew it, there is nothing which makes them more admirable in the sight of the world in general and their gentlemen friends in particular than a thorough knowledge of the current news of the day. The girl who is "well informed" is always a more pleasant comversationalist and a more congenial companion in every way than the society young lady who, in her ignorance and in sipidity, can talk of nothing deeper than the condition of the weather and the latest French novel. There is a complete education in the newspapers of today. In this assertion we do not mean to include every thing in the newspapers, for in every common daily or weekly of this age there a certain vicious element which should be omitted, but taking that part of the pater which is instructive, the articles relating to moral, political and material condition of the nations, the progress and influence of science, etc., there is really a valuable field of information. A young lady need not be conceited or pedantic to show her knowledge of these matter for without any ostentastious display of learning she will in every expression of thought, and her general opinions on all subjects of every kind show her natural intelligence and wisdom. A young lady need not think she is going "out of her sphere" when she discusses the great topics of the day with other ladies, or even gentlemen, provided she understands her subject and does not display conceited ignorance instead of unassuming intelligence.

The Liberal Lyre Seward County Friday November 4, 1892 On Saturday, October 29, 1892, at 5 o'clock, p.m. Mr. Edward GORSELINE and Miss Vangie VESSELS, both of this county, were united in marriage, Rev. Father Begley, of Pratt, officiating. The bride is a daughter of Judge P.F. Vessels and is well known as a most excellent young lady and one eminently fitted to rule the heart and home of the man she has chosen as a life companion. The groom needs no introduction. Having spent six years in this county he is knwon by all, an dthe best wishes of the entire community to out to him and his estimable wife for their future welfare and wedded happiness.

The Liberal Lyre Seward County Friday November 4, 1892 Lost, one night last week, a boy's saddle. Was lost from a burro running loose around town. Finder will please return to Walter Wilson, alias "Tug" Wilson, Liberal, Kansas.

The Liberal Lyre Seward County Friday August 5, 1892 We have just received a card annoucing the death of Miss Emma SHADE, a young lady well known to many here. Miss Shade died at Hennessy, Oklahoma, July 30, 1892, of typhoid fever, after being sick but a short time. The remains were taken to her home at La Trapp, Pa., where the funeral services were held at the Reformed Church, of which she was a member. The deceased leaves a father, mother and two brothers besides many loving friends to mourn her loss. She was a sister, of J.U. Shade, who is well known is this part of the country, and has often been here, where she has many friends, who all extend their sympathy to the bereaved family.

The Liberal Lyre Seward County Friday July 8, 1892 A Horrible Accident. On last Friday evening while Minnie HENLINE and Bessie MAHAFFY were filling the reservoir of a gasoline stove, a drop fell through the lid of a cook stove in which there must have remained a spark from the morning fire. In an instant the gasoline was on fire and Bessie dropped the can and escaped without any injury. Minnie HENLINE was not so fortunate. It is supposed that some of the gasoline was spilled on her clothes and she was at once in a sheet of flame. Mrs. Mahaffyh appeared just as Minnie ran out of the house, when she secured a blanket, hoping to extinguish the fire. In the meantime Minnie had tried to put the fire out by jumping into a tub of water, but failed. Mrs. Mahaffy then covered her with the blanket but the fire was so fierce that it burned through the blanket and only by tearing off the burning clothes was the girl saved from being literally burned up. On examination it was not supposed that she had sustained injuries that would prove fatal, but althought every effort was made to alleviate her sufferings, she died at 7:30 o'clock on Saturday morning at the residence of Jas. LOWDER, where she was carried at the time of the accident. She was buried at Springfield on Sunday afternoon. The family have the sincere sympathy of the entire county, as was shown by the large attendance at the funeral. The services were conducted by Rev. C.H. Rhodes. Miss Minnie was a lovable girl of 14 years and is sadly missed in the home from which she was so suddenly taken. Mr. Mahaffy lost his house and all its contents, not being able to save even a change of clothing. He estimates his loss at least $600.00. At the time of the fire the men were in the harvest field, a mile and a half from the house.

The Liberal Lyre Friday June 10, 1892 Will LAIRD, Pat HAMILTON,Will SCATES, and Ben FOX of Arkalon, having put out large crops of broom corn, etc., for themselves, are now here breaking prairie for Dr. NICHOLS.

The Liberal Lyre Seward County Friday June 3, 1892 Wedding Bells. Herington has a new way of observing Memorial Day. On last Monday, Mr. Al. HOLMES, formerly conductor on the local between Platte and Liberal, led to Hymens' altar Miss Grace BARR, one of Herington's most estimable young ladies. The wedding was a very quiet one and immediately after the ceremony they started for a trip through Colo. They will visit Colorado Springs, Manitou, Denver, and all the notable places in the state. They will be accompanied on their tour by Mr. and Mrs. P.C. REED, relatives of the bride. We extend congratulations and hope Mr. and Mrs. Holmes will decide to make Liberal their future home. Let the good work continue.

The Liberal Lyre Seward County Friday May 20, 1892 Died.--At his home in Cimarron township, Levi T. BATES, May 6th, 1892. The deceased was unmarried and lived alone near the XI Ranch. He was at the Byers post office in the forenoon aparently in good spirits. In the afternoon one of the ranchmen chanced to call at his house and found him lyiing on the bed dead. No evidence of foul play was visible. A half finished letter was found lying on the table addressed to a brother stating that he was ill and requesting that he come and take charge of his business affairs, also the disposition to be made of the same. The coroner's verdice was that he died a natural death, probably heart trouble. The body was brought to Meade Saturday evening and awaited the arrival of a brother from the east on Monday's train and then laid to rest in Graceland cemetery.--Meade Republican. The deceased was a brother of B.L. BATES, of Liberal, and was well known by some of our merchants.

The Liberal Lyre Seward County Friday May 20, 1892 Co. Supt. Miss Mary MILLS, went out hunting on Wednesday evening, and returned with four jack rabbits and little "screech" owl. The first antelope that shows itself within a half mile of Miss MILLS will be dead game.