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Police officers of the 1890’s were appointed by a Board of Police Commissioners and their commission renewed yearly. This board had complete control of the police department and each of the three members could appoint officers, not to exceed one officer per 1,500 citizens. On December 8, 1890, the Wichita Police Commissioner closed 52 liquor joints in one day. In 1892, Wichita’s fourth jail began to house prisoners at 204 South Main Street and the department was at full strength with fifteen men. In April, 1893, Rufus Cone assumed the duties of City Marshal; and under his administration the department increased in size, totaling twenty officers.
[Frank] Burt is credited with hiring Sam Jones, the first black police officer on the Wichita Police Department. Sam Jones came to Wichita in 1874, was the first black to attend school here, played in Wichita’s first Negro band, and in 1894 was elected constable, becoming the first of his race voted to county office. He worked as a lather, printer, fireman, soldier and in the Spanish American War reached the rank of Major. He later became the Deputy State Fire Marshal. Historic Wichita, Inc. named him history consultant in 1952 and he was still busy two days before his death at the age of 93 in 1960.
Prohibition Wichita, it was estimated, was spending over $1,000,000 a year for drinks. The commission had the level of tramps in the city to the lowest point in five years and was making progress on the saloons. “We cannot alter by law the appetite men have acquired for drinking intoxicating liquors, but we can prevent the rising generation from acquiring the habit, by destroying the saloon and joint and thus prevent the temptation from being thrown in their way.”
“In 1898, William “Buffalo Bill” Mathewson killed the last buffalo around Wichita, a 2,200 lb. bull confined at the Union Stock Yards. Mathewson rejected the telescopic sighted modern needle rifle offered him for the job in favor of his old Spencer carbine. It misfired the first time, and with the second shot the buffalo did not react. However, Bill said he was dead and walked away and suddenly the bull fell (dead). Mathewson had not shot a buffalo at Wichita in twenty-four years.” (The needle rifle was a then modern device which had a needle, similar to a firing pin, attached to the bolt of the weapon which was used to ignite a primer. This design was a precursor of the modern bolt action rifle).
“The final year of the decade set weather records. On February 12, 1899, the thermometer registered twenty degrees below zero. And that night one of the city’s fine homes, the Tom Mahon home at 1715 Fairview, went up in smoke--a complete loss and a blaze which was fought by all companies of the fire department. On August 10, 1899 the thermometer hit a high of 132 degrees in the sun and 104 in the shade. It was claimed to be a record high at that time. In December of 1899 Ben Eaton purchased the Carey Hotel and changed the name to Eaton. A. S. Parks accepted delivery of the first automobile in Wichita.
Quoting Marshall Murdock, “There must come a time in the life of every growing place, when values, based on anticipation, will deflate . . . . The lurch to ruin is violent and maddening.” It was with heavy heart, strong convictions, and hope for renewed prosperity and growth that Wichita moved forward into the new century.
Also included in the History Book:
Easton Hotel
Buffalo Bill
Prohibition in Wichita
Racial Tensions
Economic Conditions
Bicycle Policeman
Sam Jones |