Olathe News from Olathe, Kansas • Page 1

State Historical Society OLATHE CONSOLIDATED WITH MB OLHTHB HBWS'HBBALD JUNE 19. 1902. VOLUME LI OLATHE, JOHNSON COUNTY, KANSAS, THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 1908. NUMBER 5 A NEW ROAD LAW. THE INTERURBAN QUESTION.

DR. GOOD'S DEPOSIT BILL PLENTY OF NATURAL GAS his life, for many years at 916 East Eighteenth street, this city. 'In the early '80s he was in the cattle business and has been associated in business with some of the best old time stock continued Wilkinson. 'For a long while he was collector on the ferry boat, Annie Cade, under Captain Weller. Haines is single and lives with his widowed sister, Mrs.

Lizzie Day, in "Haines has a nephew here, Glen Fields, an electrician at the Orpheum theatre, who lives at 1118 East Eighth street. Relatives in Olathe were notified of the accident." Mr. Haines is in Kansas City at this writing and his condition is serious. inance was referred to the ordinance committee. The object is to make a thorough investigation and see if the new company is prepared to deliver the goods.

One thing is quite sure, that the city is going to be a little slow in granting franchises. It has developed that promises are freely made when franchises are asked but no sooner than they are granted, often the favored parties begin to evade its provisions and trouble arises. There will be some investigations made by members of the council and others by the next session. Mr. B.

C. Morrison asked for an extension of his electric light franchise to twenty-five years after the expiration of the present one which will be in about three years from now. Mr. Morrison proposes to remodel his plant, making it better in way and bringing its capacity up to the requirements, of such a city as Olathe. He proposes to furnish light for the full time, which is very much needed and put the city in first class condition as to light.

The ordinance was referred to the ordinance It is generally understood that if the franchise is extended the company can float bonds and make the desired improvements. It is likely that the franchise will be granted as Olathe wants better lighting facilities. In case the company secures the franchise desired, it will THE BLACK BOB LAND CASE. The settlers won in the well known Black Bob case, in the federal court last week. The following from the Star will be of interest to many Johnson county people: "Did Mrs.

Lydia A. Clark sign the deeds to the "Black Bob" land of Johnson and Miami counties, Kansas? "On this question hinged the title to 22,000 acres of land, nearly half of Johnson county, and a small part of Miami county. The land is known as the Black Bob land. The question was submitted to a jury in the fed- 0VM photograph of the Baker University Glee club, which will give a concert at the Olathe M. E.

church, Tuesday night, January 28, at 8 o'clock. Admission 20 and 30cents. There seems to be a great deal of misrepresentation in certain Kansas City papers relating to Johnson county road matters. County Attorney Thome has been misquoted and put in a wrong position a number of times. He freely admits, as all do, that we have a miserable road law, but to say that he approves of this or that scheme to construct rock roads and put him in positions which he does not assume, is unfair.

To clear the matter up Senator Hodges has introduced a bill which is not limited to Johnson county but applies to the entire state. He, too, has been misrepresented in that matter and protests have been sent in against the measure which does not seem to be fully understood. In brief this proposed new measure provides that road districts may be established for the purpose of constructing rock or other desired permanent roads to be from one half to one and one half miles in width and as long as the people may derire. When a majority of the people in this district have agreed to the con- struction of a road it must be submitted to the counfy commissioners for their approval or rejection as they, may elect. It provides that the county pays for the bridges and culverts and that the townships pay one-fourth the entire expense and the remainder to be assessed against the property in the districts, just as it is in the case of.

improvements of streets in cities. This Is certainly a good measure, as we understand it, as it leaves it entirely in the hands of the people to begin it and again protects the minority by requiring an investigation by the county commissioners, who may examine into the whole subject of the proposed road and take such action as the financial conditions of the county and townships in the district may seem to them to allow. This is practically the same measure which was introduced by Senator Hodges two years ago and passed the senate but was defeated. He states that he has consulted a number of well informed citizens relative to the subject and that the measure has the endorsement of those who should be able to pass judgment relating to the matter. At any rate it is proposed to mako it general this time.

Heretofore, it has applied alone to Johnson county and the present law seems to satisfy no one. We are not In receipt of a copy of the measure, but learn from other sources as well as its author that it is a good measure and nothing like that which some of the reporters of the city papers have declared it to be. KELLEHER-DONOVAN. (Crowded Out Last Week.) A pretty home wedding took place at the beautiful residence of Mrs. Mary Donovan living south of Gardner, January 1, when her daughter, Dora, was united in marriage to Mr.

Everett Delmore Kelleher of Olathe. At 2 o'clock p. the bride and groom, together with the bridesmaid and groomsman, descended the stairs and entered the parlor to the beautiful strains of the wedding march played by her sister, Maude, to an arch of evergreen and white roses, where they were met by Rev. B. F.

Dice and the ceremony was performed. The bridesmaid was Miss Etta E. Donovan, a sister of the bride, and the groomsman was Mr. G. Tom Jameson of Spring Hill.

After the ceremony was performed they were escorted to the dining room where luncheon was served In three courses. The bride was gowned In white silk muslin, trimmed in valencinnes lace and insertion and carried bride's roses. The bridesmaid was gowned in a silver grey. The rooms were beautifully decorated; the parlor and sitting room in holly, ferns and white roses; the dining room in evergreen and pink roses. The ceremony was performed by Rev.

B. F. Dice, the Methodist minister of Gardner. Mr. Kelleher is a highly respected farmer living south of Olathe and Mrs.

Kelleher was a charming young lady, of Gardner. They received many useful and valuable presents. They will be at home four miles north of Gardner after January 15. We wish to extend to them our many congratulations and wish them a long and happy life with success. A Guest.

There is entirely too much carelessness in handling the mail on trains. The frequency of dropping it out of the car is becoming too common. Only last week C. R. Green found a pouch of letter mall on tho Frisco track where it had fallen from the car.

Had it not been found by an honest man, it might have been cut open and valuable mall stolen. An Investigation would not be1 amiss. The pouch in question was returned to the postofflce here and sent on its way. It was mail for Coffeyrille. The many friends of C.

C. Sholes are delighted to see him again at his post at the Grange store after a severe spell of illnesa. Every intelligent person, who has given the matter any thought, knows this publication has urged from the very first that the contending parties the city authorities and the railway people, get together. We have thought that it was better to yield a little than to go to law. There is no use in befuddling the public mind with past history.

The vital question is what are we to do now? We have the road here. Many have thought that it should have gone down Santa Fe street, better for all parties, the road as well, but why discuss that or any other auxiliary questions? As a distinguished citizen of the United States once said, "It Is a condition, not a theory which confronts us." The road is in operation and it has failed to keep its agreement and pay the city $12,000, the amount of the franchise privilege. There is scarcely any doubt but that it is unable now to do so. What then, is the next best thing to do? Is it not good business sense to secure that $12,000, which is needed to widen Park street and. put it into condition that will the better accommodate the people? Our position in the pending difficulty is simply this: 1.

Get the $12,000 paid now if it can be done, that is the most to be desired. 2. If that can't be done, then get it secured, so that we may not lose the money entirely. The people on that street deserve the expenditure of that $8,000 in widening their street and it should not be lost to them. 3.

Compromise with the company if it cannot pay the $12,000 now, by getting a good safe surety bond, payable on only one condition and that is, the time given, one year, say, the money shall be paid by the surety company, without any frills, without having to resort to law. 4. Dismiss all the pending litigation. Those of our citizens who believe in that sort of a platform for the taxpayers, will do well to co-operate with us in bringing that about. We have no interest on earth other than that of a taxpayer and a citizen and have at all times espoused the cause of the city.

There is such a thing as men honestly differing and that grows out of different temperment and different mental characteristics. The settlement of this expensive legislation and above all the securing of the payment of the $12,000 past due the city, is more important than the political fortunes of any aspiring man. Our position is explicit and positive and stands for what it says. We think every good citizen should use his influence to bring these conditions about. There is danger of our losing the money unless some wise course is pursued.

OLATHE MAX SERIOUSLY HURT. A very peculiar accident occured In Kansas City Saturday afternoon, which may result fatally to John F. Haines of 552 East Santa Fe street. The Kansas City Journal of Sunday contains the following account of the accident: As John F. Haines of Olathe, Kansas, left the cigar store of M.

Kivovitch at 1001 Grand avenue yesterday afternoon, he slipped and fell. He seized a penny weighing machine which stood near the door. The scales were wired to the building but Haines is a heavy man and tore the machine loose from its moorings. It fell on him, crushing his face against the stone sidewalk, The frontal bone over his right eye was fractured, his cheek bone on the right side was broken and his nasal bone was shattered. "In an unconscious condition he was removed to the emergency hospital In the police ambulance and attended by Dr.

Ford B. Rogers. He was given temporary dressing there and later removed to University his-pital by directions of rf lends. Up to a late hour last night he had not regained consciousness and his condition, was regarded as very critical. "From a paper in his pocket it was learned that Haines lived at 552 East Santa Fe street in Olathe, Kansas.

He also had communications from W. F. Wilkinson, an attorney In the New York Life building. Wilkinson ordered Haines removed to the University hospital. "Wilkinson said that Haines probably was 60 years old, that he was born la Independence, and lived in this vicinity the greater part of ill Above is a TWO GAS COMPANIES SCRAP FOR OLATHE.

Union Gas and Traction Company Seek Franchise Olathe Company Objects New Electric Franchise Wanted. The city council had a lively session Monday evening. All present, except Hancock. Bond of city engineer with Frank Hodges as surety, was approved. The bond of Keyser Christie with Etna Surety and Indemnity was approved.

An ordinance relating to watchmen at certain Santa Fe and Frisco crossings was passed and appears elsewhere. A resolution was adopted providing for changing a street light from Pine near Park to the intersections of Loula and Kansas Avenue. An ordinance appropriating $1,072.76 for current expenses" was passed. It appears elsewhere in this paper. An ordinance was introduced which provides for granting a franchise to the Union Gas and Traction Company to supply Olathe with gas at twenty-five cents per 1,000 feet for two years when the company is authorized to charge thirty cents thereafter.

After the ordinance was informally read, Mr. Lake, vice president of the company, made a statement relative to the matter in more detail, stating that his company is ready to give us gas within nine months, as the franchise provides. Messrs. Gor-such, Mahaffie, Dent, Grim and Townley all took a turn at questioning Mr. Lake.

Mr. Gorsuch asked him pointedly- if he had a contract with the Natural Gas Company to furnish his company with gas for Olathe. He said he had a verbal one, but on "cross examination" he stated that he did not know whether it was a verbal or a written contract. Mr. Lake explained that his company was a distributing company and that they had contracts with the Natural Gas Company for several towns in Kansas, including Gardner, Edgerton, Atchison, Topeka and a number of smaller towns and that they had always obtained the gas.

He was asked if it was not a fact that they were short of gas in Kansas City, Topeka and Kansas City, Kansas. To this he stated that it was true but explained the difficulty and assured the council that Olathe would get the gas. After a prolonged questioning indicating that the council was not going to be too fast in granting franchises and proposes to be sure of their ground, Mr. Guthrie of the local company was asked if he had anything to say. He made an extensive statement and assured the council that his company was able to provide the gas as soon as the new company could, that to grant the franchise to the new company would simply put a club in their hands to force them to sell their property at a great loss and moreover it would be hanging over them for nine months deterring them from putting the plant in shape for providing the city with gas.

He said that his company could get gas from the big pipe line or the Natural Gas Company as soon as the new company could and stating that the new company did not have a contract with the Natural Gas people to supply Olathe with. gas. He challenged Mr. Lake to put up $500 cash with him and to wire the manager of the Natural Gas Company, and if he stated that Mr. Lake's company had a contract that Guthrie's $500 would be given to the churches of Olathe and that if they did not have a contract Mr.

Lake's money should be paid to the churches. The offer was not accepted but Mr. Lake contended that his company could get the gas from the Natural Gas people. There was considerable contention between the representatives of the companies and the mayor had to call them to order and told them that no personalities should be indulged in. On motion of Mr.

Gorsuch the ord- GOOD SOLUTION OP THE DEPOSIT PROBLEM. Olathe Banker Proposes Measure Guaranteeing Depositor Prof- itable for Banks Creates Market for Bonds. Dr. G. T.

Goode, vice president of the Patrons Co-operative bank, has prepared an excellent bill, which, if it could be formulated into a law, it seems would fill the requirements of those who want a depositor's guarantee measure. In brief the Doctor proposes that the banks pay into the state treasury in cash and bonds a sum equal to one per cent of their average deposits. Of this amount twenty per cent is to be cash and eighty per cent may be in United States bonds, state of Kansas bonds, or bonds of any county, city, township or school district in Kansas. It is proposed that these bonds undergo a rigid examination by the state bank commissioner, the state treasurer and secretary of state and the bonds shall be received at not less than their par value. The doctor explains that this would raise a sum of $300,000 in cash in addition to the eighty per cent of bonds deposited.

It would give the bank its interest on its bonds and thus would be out nothing but the interest on the twenty per cent of the cash deposited. He makes the point that it Commissioner Royce's plan is adopted, providing that the money deposited shall be in some institution and loaned again to the banks, that should the banks fail, the money would not be on hands to be used, but in his plan the 20 per cent of one per cent would be in the state treasury, always ready for use. The doctor thinks that ten per cent of one per cent would be ample, yet his bill provides for double that amount. The proposed measure also provides that in case a bank fails that the assets of the bank be sold at the highest price obtainable and the amount thus received be devoted to the payment of the deposits of the failing bank. The doctor proposes that the bonds be examined as frequently as is necessary, so that the securities may be kept up to the requirement and that when a bond becomes due it shall be collected by the state treasurer and the amount placed in the guarantee fund.

The measure is a good one and while the doctor, personally, does not take to the idea for reasons that are urged against the deposit guarantee legislation, still if we must have such a measure, he would suggest one the character of the bill which he proposes. The draft of the measure has been sent to Senator Hodges and Representative Haskin for their information. Should the measure, which is proposed, become a law, some of its features might be embodied in the bill which may finally pass. It is certainly meritorious and if printed and distributed among the members it would doubtless carry weight in the consideration of this important legislation. Senator Hodges says that the Doctor's bill is the best of any suggested in that it secures the depositor and at the least burden to the banks.

Representative Haskin writes that he has presented the measure to the committee on Banks and Banking. THE MINISTER TURNS IT DOWN. Some time ago Rev. J. A.

Greer of the U. P. church was tendered a pastorate at Garden City at an increase of about fifty per cent in salary. He has landed interests there, and the raise was an inducement, but instead of heeding the "call," he promptly referred the matter to his session and asked what he should do. They at once told him that they did not want him to leave his work here which was in such good condition and he turned the Garden City offer down, salary and all and told his people that he preferred to remain with them at less salary than to leave them if they felt disposed to not want him to accept the new offer.

This Is commendable in the pastor and reflects the cordial feeling which exists between him and his people. The U. P. church is one of the strongest in the city and is composed of some of our most prominent citizens. o- Chairman Bigelow is waiting for the legislature to act on the primary law before calling a meeting of the committee to arrange for a county primary relating to delegates to the national convention, and to canai dates for state officers.

Mr. Mul-vane of the national committee for Kansas, writes Mr. Bigelow that It will be necessary to hold a convention to choose delegates to the na tional convention, but when the letter was written Kansas had no primary law and the legislature may change all that as state having such a law are governed toy it. DeWitt's Little Early Risers are the best pills known. Sold by Sam J.

Kelly. i I', i. I Ik, ft 3 3 v. eral court "sitting in the West Side yesterday and the jury decided that the woman signed. This leaves 200 of the present holders of land in peaceful possession of farms and town lots in this district.

The value of the land is estimated at about 2 million dollars. "The Black Bob land includes the south half of Johnson county and a small part of the north half of Miami county. It is valued at $100 an acre. In Johnson county it includes the townships of Oxford, Aubry and a part of Olathe township. On the land are the towns of Stanley, Mast7 in, Morse, Bonita, Ocheltree, Stilwell and Spring Hill.

The land was owned in the early days by the Black Bob tribe of the Shawnee Indians. They sold it to Milton E. Clark of Olathe. It was sold by him a quarter of a century ago to about 200 persons. Mr.

Clerk died several years ago. "Mrs. Lydia A. Clark, his widow, brought suit in the federal court to recover possession of the land, alleging that she did not sign the deeds. She said that the signature on the deeds was a forgery.

After hearing the testimony of experts on handwriting the jury decided the signature was genuine." OLATHE EVANGELISTS. We observe from the Kansas City, Kansas, newspapers that Rev. Bowman of the Methodist church is meeting with gratifying success in his special services at the London Heights Methodist church. Olathe has more evangelists among her ministers than any other town in the state. We believe that the pastor of each church in this town has been called to do evangel-istical work.

They succeed too. It it not every good pastor who makes a success as an evangelist, but our preachers are certainly "all around men" when it comes to filling many places in their profession. KANSAS DAY CELEBRATION. The Grand Army and the Womans Relief Corps will celebrate Kansas Day, January 29th at 2:30 p. m.

The public is Invited. Following is the program: Music Paper Puts am Recitation. Major Bruner Music. "Kansas Day as a Judge Burris Music. Recitation.

Mrs. Emma Lyman Kansas" Wm. Beauchamp Music. Recitation. Flora Hunt Music.

OLATHE GAS RECORD. The following Is from the Spring Hill New Era, which keeps up on the "record:" 'Olathe used about eight million feet of gas last month and Spring Hill used over two million. The gas bills were decidedly in favor of Spring Hill. Its gas bill at fifteen cents a thousand was about $300. Olatheans paid about $2,000 at twenty-five cents a thousand." be able to furnish electricity for motors which will be utilized for manufacturing purposes.

Council adjourned till next regular meeting. A PLEASANT PARTY. On Tuesday, January 14, a large company of friends met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Graham three miles south east of Olathe to spend a day with them before their departure for their new home near Quinter, Kansas.

The company was composed of the Sunday school class of the R. P. church of which Mr. and Mrs. Graham are members and a few other friends and neighbors.

All brought well filled baskets and a bountiful dinner was served. After dinner, John Hemphill, in behalf of the Sunday school class, of which he is teacher, presented Mr. and Mrs. Graham with a handsome rocking chair. Several of those present made short addresses, all expressing regret at losing Alfred and his estimable wife from the community and wishing them success in their new location.

Mr. Graham, in a few well chosen words, expressed their appreciation of the kindness shown them. They with their two little daughters, Marie and Ella, expect to move to their new home about February 1st. Those present were: A. J.

Miller and daughter, Miss Helen; Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Miller, Mrs.

Stewart Wright and Sam Wright, Mr. and Mrs. Catlin, Mr. and Mrs. Dickerson and baby; Mr.

and Mrs. Jas. McGee and daughter. Miss Belle; Mr. and Mrs.

John Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Wright and baby, Harold; Mr. and Mrs.

S. E. Graham, Mr. and Mrs. Jas.

Graham and children, Elmer Graham, Mr. and Mrs. John Hemphill and baby, Mary; Mr. and Mrs. Robt.

Hemphill and children, Donald and Dorothy; Mr. and Mrs. Ford Hutcheson, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Red-path and baby, Clyde; Mr.

and Mrs. S. M. Huey and daughter, Miss Lizzie; Mr. and Mrs.

Robt. Huey and baby, Catherine; Mr. and Mrs. Alex Moore and children, Harriet, Wilson and Beth; Miss Martha Henderson, and Miss Elizabeth Graham. One Present.

NEXT NUMBER ON THE LECTURE COURSE. Do not forget to hear Marshall Choate Crouch in the lecture course at the Baptist church Friday evening, January 24. He lectures on the "Simple Life" and it is highly spoken of as one of the best things on the platform to-day. This is what the Cincinnati Tribune says of the effort: "Slacken the maddening pace at which Americans are moving and go back to the sim- le life," was the keynote of an in-erestlng lecture, before the Unity Club yesterday afternoon at the Grand opera house, by Marshall Choate Crouch, one of the leading exponents of "The Simple Life" in this country. The large audience was held at attention by his plea for a journey back to the "old lost days when people were unaffected by worldly things.".