The End of Howard City, Kansas

[W. Gray]

"PETITION


"To the Hon. W. P. Campbell, Judge of the 13th Judicial District court, sitting in and for Elk County, state of Kansas:

"We, the undersigned petitioners, being more than one-half of the electors of the town of Howard City, a town of more than two hundred and fifty and less than two thousand, inhabitants, in said county and state, respectfully petition your Honor to make and order declaring the following described territory to be incorporated as a city of the third-class, under the name and style of the "CITY OF HOWARD;" Beginning at the northwest corner of lot number one...."

Elk County (Howard) Ledger, September 29, 1877

The petition was approved by the court and incorporation of the City of Howard became effective October 27, 1877, resulting in the election of the first mayor and other city officers.

The incorporation appears to have been fought by some citizens. The Howard Weekly Examiner reported on April 5, 1878, that the incorporation of the City of Howard was upheld by the court, presumably meaning the Kansas Supreme Court.