August 31, 2025

     Our merchants are receiving large lots of fall and winter goods.  Delaware Street is packed with them.

     The sidewalk on Fifth Street between Main and Walnut is being improved.  It needs it.

     The Unitarian sociable last night at the Coates Opera House was an enjoyable affair and the young ladies and gentlemen chased the glowing hours with flying feet to the music of Volrath's band.  We were there and had a good time.

     Yesterday, the day for the inauguration of the twelfth annual fair of the Jackson County Agricultural and Mechanical Society, opened beautifully and the air was like that of October.  Of course, the first day is always poorly attended as the exhibitors have not yet all arrived and delayed preparations render the ground uninviting to visitors.  The exhibition in the arena did not commence until the afternoon and the different committees occupied the forenoon in arranging articles and passing upon their merits.  We noticed immense beets, mammoth watermelons, large potatoes, amazing corn, extraordinary tomatoes and over on the fruit tables some of the most tempting of fruits and flowers.  The central table is devoted to the exhibition of ladies' work and magnificent loaves of bread and jars of lard fraternized amicably with worsted work and plain and fancy sewing.  Today the remainder of the premiums will be given and the exhibition in the arena will comprise some fine horses.  Hogs and sheep will receive premiums today also.

     Gen Jasper Craig of St. Joseph was in the city last evening and stopped at the Broadway.

     We noticed a number of delegates from the northern portion of the state in the city yesterday morning en route to the Radical state convention which convenes in Jefferson City today.

     The Post Boy of the Star Line made its appearance late last evening from St. Louis and returned. 

August 30, 2025

      A number of delegates to the Republican convention came in on trains last night and proceeded to Jefferson City. 

     The grand union Sunday School celebration at the camp ground near Shawnee occurs today.  The train will leave the Union Depot at 9:50 a. m.  A delightful time is anticipated.

     Col Jo. Dan of Fort Scott has converted McDonald Hall into a first-class theater to be called the "Olympic," and will open the same in a few days with some of the first stars in magnitude of the theatrical profession, supported by an excellent stock company.

     The fair commences at Independence today. Quite a large number are going down from this city and the occasion promises to be one of much interest and pleasure.

     We learned last evening that the Kaw Valleys had beaten the Unions in the game played at Lawrence yesterday in a score of 36 to 24.

     We notice that a very commendable spirit of improvement is being manifested in various portions of the city.  Especially is this the case in regard to sidewalks and if the spell will only continue we may yet traverse from one end of the city to another without being compelled to wade in the mud.

     The Ida Stockdale arrived here yesterday morning from Fort Benton.  She reports a good stage of water above St. Joe, but not so good between that place and this city.

     Rev. H. M. Stevens has opened a circulating library at 706 Main Street which we visited yesterday.  His list of books is inclusive of all the standard works on history, poetry and art, while the pure novelists of established reputation have a conspicuous place on the shelves.  Books for juveniles, in elegant binding, by all the popular authors for youth, are prominently placed in the library and we are sure that all who are not able to buy books will thank Mr. Stevens for placing them within their reach.

August 28, 2025

      The census of our town still worries Leavenworth.

     Why can't we have a house of correction for our boys?  'Tis needed, sure.

     Justice Ranson was busy all day yesterday, with coat off, working on civil cases.

     The Union Depot at the foot of the bridge is about finished.  It will be opened for passengers and traffic in two or three days.

     Watermelons in the market yesterday sold for 5 cents.

     The W. B. Dance, which came up night before last, reported the river very low all the way down.  She discharged a pretty fair cargo and went back yesterday morning.

     The Red Jackets of this city and the Pigeons of Stumptown played played a match yesterday afternoon, with the following score:  Red Jackets 136, Pigeons 36.  Mr. Edward Scarritt did the umpiring in a manner that reflected credit for fairness.

  There is talk of reviving the Wyandotte Literary Society at an early date.

     Yesterday for the first time in the history of our city steam was called into requisition to aid in running another mighty power -- the press.  And the Times has the honor of being the first to introduce it in the printing office.  Some time since the increasing  pressure rendered it necessary that steps should be taken to facilitate the pres work.  Thee apparatus was immediately sent for.  From Quincy, Ill., came the pretty little engine, boiler, smokestack, wheels, leather bands and other things, and under the direction of the gentlemanly agent, Mr. J. Russell, it was speedily put into shape, while now as we write this the hum of machinery and the puffing of steam tells that a new and important era  has been inaugurated in the newspaper world of Kansas Cit.  Mr. G. W. Crocker has charge of the department wherein the steam reigns omnipotent, and under his experienced eye nothing will go amiss.

August 27, 2025

      The lecture of the Rev. Paul Bagley was well attended last night at the Christian Church.

     A pane of glass worth twenty-five dollars in Bainbridge's store on Eleventh and Main was broken last night by some unknown person.

     A delightful day, track in good order, enthusiastic crowd, much money changed hands -- all these were attributes of yesterday's sport at the races.  Professor Johns' band went through the streets and inspired everyone with the infectious music and drummed up quite a collection of humans to witness the most interesting races of the season.  The judges selected were:  William Mulkey, Benjamin Simpson and James Barnard, the latter substituting Colonel McGee at the conclusion of the first race.  This was for a purse of $50 -- $30 to the winning horse and $20 to the next best; mile heats, best two in three for horses that never beat three minutes.  After a great deal of scoring for a start the four horses got a pretty fair start, with Belle Sessions's colt taking the lead from the start.  The colt maintained his lead all around the track.  While the horses were being sponged off, the running race was called and two entries were announced.  P. Dye's brown mare, Jenny Harrison, won the heat by three lengths.  A scrub race between two negroes ended the fun, one of whom got tilted over his horse's head without any injury being done.  The afternoon's sport was hugely enjoyed by everybody and all went home glad that the Horse Association had inaugurated these Friday races.  Keck, the ex-marshal, showed the reporters attentions which were duly appreciated.

     The Board of Education met last night according to adjournment, Messrs. Sheffield, Bainbridge, Craig and Tobener being present and Messrs. Karnes and Doctor Lester absent.  A proposition of Shelby & Howe to sink wells for the Karnes schoolhouse and that in West Kansas, was, on motion, referred to the consideration of Messrs. Sheffield and Bainbridge.  Mr. Bainbridge suggested that a committee be appointed to receive bids for supplying the schoolhouses with four hundred bushels of coal, which was amended by motion that the president receive bids at the schoolhouses.  The motion was carried.

     The annual fair of the Jackson County Agricultural and Mechanical Association commences at their grounds near Independence on next Tuesday, August 30, and continues for four days.

August 26, 2025

      Jesse Arnot of stage line memory, passed through town yesterday.

     Rumors that a band of Flathead Indians were encamped in the Bottoms were false.

     One of the antelopes in Mayor McGee's Park were killed in the storm night before last by the limb of a large tree falling upon him.  The loss is keenly felt by our worthy mayor.

     The school board met last night, but as the business to come up was considered important it was deemed advisable to adjourn until tonight.

     Mr. Charles H. Filley called yesterday.  He is on a pleasure and business trip to Colorado and represents the Excelsior Manufacturing Company of St. Louis.

     Pursuant to a call of the county executive committee, the radicals of Jackson County met at the courthouse in Independence yesterday at 2 o'clock.  Kansas City lobbyists were on hand, country politicians swarmed like bees and office seekers were out in full force.  The convention was called to order by Col. Peter Adams, chairman of the county committee.

     Just before noon the rays of old Sol broke through the overhanging clouds and by the time for the game between the Unions of St. Louis and the Hectors of this city the grounds were in tolerable condition.  At 2:30 o'clock the clubs together started for the park.  At 3 o'clock the game was called, the Hectors won the toss and sent their opponents to the bat.  In the first inning by a series of good plays the Hectors succeeded in giving their opponents a whitewash and the  Unions did the same thing to the Hectors.  The St. Louis boys went to bat in the second, meaning business and by magnificent batting, aided by one or two wild throws on the part of their opponents, succeeded in scoring sixteen while the Hectors only managed to get one.  The final score stood:  Unions 63, Hectors 16.

     Nearly five hundred persons witnessed the game and among the number were many ladies.

August 24, 2025

      Marshal Speers is back in town.

     The census takers braved the heat yesterday.

     A big lot of peaches are to be sold this morning at 9 o'clock on the square by the marshal.

     A man got a free ride from St. Louis to this city yesterday by crawling into a box car on a freight train.  The conductor removed him with a sound thrashing.

     Remember that the Hectors play a match game with the champions of the state -- the Unions -- tomorrow evening at Driving Park.

     A gray horse with a halter on made an excitement on Main Street yesterday by galloping at full speed up and down that thoroughfare.

     A basket picnic will be held in Cook's pasture by the Sunday schools of the First, Second, Third and United Presbyterian churches tomorrow.  The scholars of the several schools will meet at their churches at 9 o'clock a. m.  A conveyance will be provided to carry the baskets to the grove.

     Mr. J. D. Henry, with Sheffield and Stone of the St. Louis Home Journal called on us yesterday.  He is just off of an extensive Southern tour and thinks Kansas City hard to beat in the way of improvements.

     For the first six innings the game between the Hectors and Kansas City was closely contested, both clubs putting their best foot foremost.  In the last three innings the Hectors, by splendid batting and excellent fielding, gained twenty runs, coming out ahead in a score of 36 to 15.

August 23, 2025

    Youthful anglers are trying their luck in the frog ponds in the city.

     Our wholesale trade is rapidly increasing.  Large orders from Kansas are being daily received.

     The match game between the Hectors of this city and the Unions of St. Louis comes off Thursday at the driving park.  The members of the horse association  have all been supplied with tickets and they will please bring them lest some misunderstanding occur.

     The Post Boy arrived yesterday, discharging her freight and returned to St. Louis.

     We learn that Miss Phoebe Cozzins of St. Louis, the women's rights woman, will soon be in our city and will lecture upon that subject.  She will undoubtedly draw a large audience.

     We were pleased to receive a call from Colonel Woodson of Clay County.  Colonel Woodson is one of the most prominent men of Clay and a citizen that any county or community might feel proud to claim.

     Those delicious lunches spread at 10 o'clock each day by Charlie Kendall, the prince lunchist, at his saloon under the Crafton House are the center of attraction for many hungry beings.

     Two young men were driving two fast horses yesterday when the buggy to which the horses were attached came in contact with a wagon.  One of the wheels of the buggy was wrenched off and the occupants thrown out.

     We notice upon our streets in the last few days the "phiz" of some vagrants who left our city a month or so ago.  We hope that their stay will be short and that when they leave these abodes they will never return.  Gentlemen, beware!  You are spotted.

     Remember the picnic at Sugar Tree Grove in Clay County tomorrow.  The proceeds are for the benefit of the Widows' and Orphans' Home.

August 21, 2025

     The beautiful horse Unknown was killed coming home from the races Friday.

     The Achilles of Westport and the Antelopes played yesterday with 68 for the latter and 42 for the Achilles.

      Whatever peccadilloes lawyers may usually have, they were all on the square yesterday.

   Attention is called to Mrs. Warren's select school for young ladies and children, which will open the 5th proximo.

     McMahon, who went to the calaboose for violating the dog law, thrust his arm between the pickets of the pound, grabbed his dog and raised him hand over hand on the inside to the top and by a neat turn of the wrist violated the law and released his pup.

     The Hectors received a dispatch from Mr. C. O. Bishop, secretary of the Union Club of St. Louis, stating that they would be in the city next Thursday to play a match game with the Hectors.  The Unions are champions of the state and the game will be interesting.  We have great faith in our little Hecks and expect them to give the Unions a sharp tussle.

     Yesterday the signal torch was lighted and all over the city were made the first preparations for the political contest.  The campaign has opened -- the first notes have been sounded and all along the line was evinced a determination to respond to the summons in battle array. The 20th of August was the day appointed for the selection of delegates to the Democratic county convention that meets in Independence on the 5th of September.  Two meetings were held in the city, one in McGee's Addition and one in the court house.  In McGee's Addition about three hundred Democratic citizens assembled.  The meeting was called to order by Judge Carpenter.  The first thing in order was the selection of a chairman, to which position Messrs. Carpenter, Milligan and Haire were nominated.  In order to test the matter an old time practice was resuscitated -- each gentleman taking a position in the room and their adherents clustering around them.  The result was in favor of Judge Carpenter.

     At 2 o'clock a large number of Democrats, residents in the Northern District of Kaw Township, met at the courthouse in response to a call made by the county executive committee for the purpose of appointing delegates to the county convention.  Judge Bales, after explaining the object of the meeting, announced that the election of the chairman was in order.  Captain Keeler was elected.

     The state missionary convention of the Christian Church of Missouri will meet at Independence on Tuesday, the 23rd.  A large attendance is expected.

August 20, 2025

Connors & Henry, of the Fifth street restaurant, are receiving daily per express fresh oysters packed on ice.

     The Rev. Mr. Nott, pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church of this city, is dangerously ill.

     The new buildings being erected on Walnut Street near the square improve the appearance of things in that region wonderfully.

     On Thursday the Diamonds played the Red Jackets with the following result:  Diamonds, thirty-nine; Red Jackets, thirteen.

     Monday next the Hectors go to St. Joe to play the Haymakers and on the following Thursday they will play the Unions of St. Louis in this city.

     On the first of October the Act of Congress goes into effect which repeals the United States tax of one-eighth of one percent on the receipts of city passenger railway companies.  Hurry up the street cars!

     Stockholders of the Building Association should not fail to pay up their dues today in order that they may take part in the drawing at the courthouse tonight.  Sixteen hundred dollars will be allotted.

     A tolerable crowd went out to the races yesterday afternoon, owing no doubt to the reports that there were four inches of mud on the track.  The track was a little heavy, but the warm sun put it in first rate order before the races were over.  The judges stand was surrounded by men and boys talking horse and Keck's beer flowed freely.  There was very little betting on the races.  The excitement of the last race was intense as the gray horse, Joe Gales, owned by J. D. Bradford, came from behind to cross the line a length ahead of the brown gelding, Loose Leather, owned by John Forcaide.  The band played and Joe received cheer upon cheer from the enthusiastic gathering.

August 19, 2025

      A velocipede is in town.

     The street cars will be running next month.

     Marshall Speers received a delicately written note yesterday on perfumed pink paper at the top of which was pinned his golden star of office.

     Last night a trial was made of Sander's patent fire extinguisher which acted to a charm and proved conclusively that it is as useful as is represented.  These extinguishers are coming into general use everywhere and are certainly one of the best inventions of the age.  Mr. Saalborn on Main street, north of Eleventh, is the agent here and we advise persons to give him a call.

     The Kate Kearney passed down at noon yesterday, having been engaged part of the morning at the packeries in West Kansas.  The wind proved too strong for her when she endeavored to turn below the bridge and she ran her bow into the Harlem bank.

     On the corner of Grand avenue and Twelfth Street, where a short time since were only the ashes, cinders and despoiled brick, all that remained of the old Ferguson House, today stands magic in growth, beautiful in proportion and magnificent in appearance the New Ferguson House. Altogether the present building is a decided improvement on its predecessor, costing nearly $12,000 and beautifying the portion of the city in which it is situated.  The location is splendid as the rapid growth of that vicinity clearly indicates.  The hotel is now open.

     The school board met last night, all members being present, President Sheffield in the chair.  The board took action on the subject of exonerating Mr. Craig, the treasurer, from blame in selling off the school bonds.  Mr. Sheffield tendered his resignation as a member of the board to date from the second Saturday in September, 1870.  Mr. Craig offered a resolution expressive of the feeling of the board with regard to the resignation of the president, which was carried.

     The match game between the Kansas City Club and the Hectors will not be played owing to the nonacceptance of the former's challenge by the latter.