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Full text of "Biographical history of Cloud County, Kansas: biographies of representative citizens. Illustrated with portraits of prominent people, cuts of homes, stock, etc"

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3 3433 08182543 6 



BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY 



OF 



CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS 



BIOGRAPHIES OF REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



ILLUSTRATED 

With Portraits of Prominent People*, Cuts omI. >* 

Stock. Etc. 



MRS. E. F. HOLLIBAUGH 
Biographer and Historian 



W YORK 

ASTOR, LENOX AND 
'■ IONS 

19 6 L 




Mrs. E. F. Hollibaugh. 



INTRODUCTORY. 



The author has endeavored to gather the material for the historical part 
of this work from the most authentic and reliable sources possible, has gl< 
many extracts from admirable newspaper articles, and nearly every old set- 
tler has added his cpiota of historical lore. 

No one yet ever wrote a history, either ancient or modern, that pleased 
everybody; but the substance of the greater part of the following has been 
collected from the people themselves, and in most instances individuals agree 
that "out of the mouths of so many witnesses the truth is established." To 
produce a truthful and trustworthy volume of history, one must possess 
a knowledge of things as the}' actually occurred, and give them from an un- 
biased standpoint which renders them a permanent value. 

The "homestead settler" and "pioneer" imply a great deal more than 
is generally accredited to them, and should be considered distinguished per 
sonages. In the chronology of all historical works, they are accorded a con 
spicuous place. Around them cluster the traditions and early memories oi 
romance, as they penetrated the wilderness and plain, fraught with untold 
hardships and privations to pave the pathway for the masses that foil 
and many of the old veterans who saw the work begun, have passed into 
the great beyond and left the plans to be carried forward by civilization. 

A record is herein given of personal experiences that cannot 1ml inl- 
and prove delightful chapters to the citizens of Cloud county. The biog 
raphies represent all chsses of society, from the hardy pioneers who procured 
their homes by privations and toil, that now offer many luxuries to those 
who cast their fortunes among them in more recent years. The contrast in 
transportation was great, however; the former came through the roai 
bridgeless tract of the frontier; the latter seated in a palace car 
ing on a downy couch, and after a few hours of luxurious travel is landed 
in Cloud county. Those who enjoy these modern blessings would be less 
than human were they not filled with. gratitude to these i who 

paved the way and made the present condition of things possible. 

The pioneers were attracted by the hope of procuring lands and i 
homes in a new country. The hope as to the future that It 
"Springs eternal in the human heart." Those who came \ • 
rule, enterprising, opendieartecl and sympathetic. The) wen nei.i 

bors, and hence good neighborhoods were created. They illustrated the i 
of the brotherhood of man more by example than by quoti 



6 INTRODUCTORY. 

The traveler wending his way across the fair state of Kansas with its 
evidences of civilization upon every hand, its magnificent churches, school- 
houses, and palatial residences evincing wealth and refinement — cannot re- 
alize that less than a half century ago this favored land was the home of the 
reil man and the buffalo, roaming at will over its now fair and fertile prai- 
rie-. Nature seems to have made that singular appreciation of the beautiful 
an instinct of the ?avage, I hese fields were as green then as now. the flowers 
bloomed as brightly and diffused their fragrance everywhere; then all was as 
nature formed it; now all traces of the primitive arc obliterated. Where the 
tall prairie grass grew, one beholds the broad fields of waving golden grain; 
the transformation is complete. 

the pioneers ami old settlers more especially, is this work dedicated 
with the hope that their virtues may he emulated, ami their toils and sacrifici 
duly appreciated by coming generations. Thus is afforded an effectual 
method of keeping green the memory of those to whom honor is due for tl i 
useful and worthy li 

The author has been closely associated with the people of ('loud county 
for many months, and has studied the minutesl detail of everything pertain 
ing to the counts- and its citizens. The time is approaching when I shall hid 
in adieu with a sigh of regret, t" enter upon a new field of labor. M\ 
-urn among them is fraught with many pleasant memories and I shall 
ever remember the kindly courtesies extended me by the residents of 'loud 
count}'. They are a people full 'if noble and generous impulses, and entertain 
with a genuine hospitality proverbial in almost every household. 

I wish to thank J. M . Hagaman, who SO kindly submitted notes from 
which valuable extracts have keen gleaned, particularly relating to the early 
history of Concordia. His tabulated estimate of the rainfall of (loud county 
fi r forty-three years will be read with interest. 

I am also specially indebted to J. B. Rupe, the veteran editor of the Clyde 
Herald, for much desirable data. Mr. Rupe is one of the most reliable, en- 
thusiastic ami best informed men on the early histor) oi Cloud county. His 
"Early Recollections of Clyde and Vicinity" was kindly submitted to be used 
in the compilation of this work ami was of incalculable value. 

To the press, many old settlers and representative people generally, who 
have so generously and magnanimously aided in the construction of this vol- 
ume. 1 tender my sincerest gratitude and trusr the following pages will meet 
the approbation of its patrons and friends to the fullest extent. 

E. F. HOLLIBAUGH. 



QUIVERA. 



In the home of William J. Ion, of Grant township, the author fouiul 
among many other heirlooms a volume of ancient history published in [670 
71. The manuscript was prepared forty years prior to that date by the Re\ 
erend Samuel A. Clark, a Welsh historian This intensely interesting and 
valuable work was handed down to its present owner from a grand uncle, 
John Ion, who was a son of Mr. Ion's paternal great grandfather, h was 
brought to America by Mr. Ion's mother. Mrs. Maria Williams, of Ebbwval* . 
Merionethshire, South Wales. Great Britain. This priceless work was also 
the property of Mr. Ion's great grandmother. Maria Gregg, given her by her 
father, Thomas Gregg. 

The following quotation is a fac-simile of an article contained on its 
pages regarding Quivera that once included the fair state of Kansas within 
its boundaries. In the copy which follows it will he noticed that the letter 
f takes the sound of s in most instances, making the literature difficult to 
read. The Reverend Samuel A. Clark, who compiled the work, evidently 
believed in the fulfillment of the Scripture, which reads: "The first shall 
be last and the, last shall be first," as this historical volume is published in 
two editions, the last one being issued first and are bound together in that 
form. 

"Next to Mexico is Ouivira, which is feated on the molt weftern pan oi 
America, over againft Tartary, from whence probably the Inhabitants firft 
came into this Xew World, that fide of the country being mofi populous, and 
the people living much after the manner of the Tartars, following the Seafons 
of the Year for the Pafturage of their Cartel ; that fide of America being full 
of Herbage, and enjoying a temperate Air. The People defire (dais more 
than Gold: "Their chief Riches are their Kine, which are Meat. Drink, 
Cloth, Houfes, and Utensils to them: For their Hides yield them Houfes; 
their Bones, Bodkins: their Hair, Threcl; their Sinews. Ropes: their Horns, 
Maws, and Bladders, Vessels: their Dung, Fire; their Calves, Skins, 
Budgets to draw and keqi water in: their Blood, Drink: their \ '• 
Meat, etc. 

"In Ouivira there are but two Provinces 'hat are known. < ibola nil 
Nova Albion, fo Named by Sir Francis Drake, when he I the 

World. It abounds with Fruits, pleafant to both the eye and palate: 
people are given to Hofpitality. but witbaU, to Witch craft, and worfhippin 
of Devils." 



BRIEF RECORD 

OF THE 

STATE OF KANSAS 



"O'er Sunny Kansas 
Some Commercial Cadmus 
In days unknown, 
The teeth of gulden dragons 
Must have sown. 
For, when the prairies 
Feel the breath of summer, 
The Trowels ring. 
And from the soil 
The burnished cities spring." 



— Eugene Ware. 



According to historical tradition it was on the plains of Kansas that 
Coronado and his band suffered so many hardships in their search for the 
country of Ouivira and its fabulous cities of gold. Crossing the stale in a 
northeasterly direction he reached the Missouri river near the present site of 
Atchison. Not finding the treasure, they erected a cross hearing the incrip- 
tion, Thus far came Francisco de Coronado— genera] of an expedition, and 
returned home to Mexico." They described the country rich in fruits an 1 
with a soil similar to the finest fertile regions of their own country — Spain. 

In the early part of the eighteenth century Kansas was visited at various 
times and explored by the French, who mingled with the numerous tribes of 
Indians that dwelt along the Arkansas and Kansas rivers. In 1803 the state 
became .a part of the "Louisiana Purchase" and a portion of it afterwai 
came a part of the Indian Territory. The state was organized as a territory 
in 1854. 

The territory embraced with the present area of the state all the !. 
between the parallels of 36 degrees and 40 degrees north latitude to the 
Rocky mountains on the west except that part of Xew Mexico lying 
the 37th parallel, with the exception of a small tract. This 



io HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

above mentioned I Purchase made bj President Jefferson from 

France, April 30, [803 I he terms of this treaty were to deed to the United 
States all the country drained by the Mississippi and its tributaries, of which 
she had any right or title. 

The boundary line on the south and southwest touched the Spanish 
.Mexican possessions, and on the east the Spanish province of West Florida. 
On the west shore of the Mississippi it extended to its source embracing all 
the Missouri valley, and stretched north of the Spanish American possessions 
across the Rocky mountains to the Pacific ocean, and as far north on the 
Pacific coast as the British possessions. For tins vast domain the United 
States paid France the sum of $15,000,000. The province of Louisiana thus 
acquired comprised [,160,577 square mil< 

[ts eastern and western boundaries were not definitely settled between 
this country and Spain until February 22, [819, at which tune a treaty was 
made defining these boundaries wherever contiguous to Spanish territory. 
In consideration for the reliquishment hy the United States 6i her claim to 
Texas, Spain ceiled West Florida (now Uabama and Mississippi) and re 
linquished to the United States all claim to territorj lying north of the 3 isl 
parallel and east of the Mississippi river. 

Tims that portion of Kansas lying west of the 23rd meridian and south 
of the Arkansas river was ceded to Spain. When Mexico achieved its in 
dependence in [824, I pa= ed into the pi n of that republic. In 1836, 

Te: ng her independence, claimed it as a part of her domain, which 

claim was subsequently confirmed by the treaty of the United States and 
Mexico, at the expiration of the war. February jj. [848. It finally became a 
part of the government domain by purchase, it being a part of the territory 
ceded to the United States by Texas in 1X50. that state receiving $10,000,- 
000 as a ci msideration. 

The origin of the word Kansas is Indian, and means smoky river, de- 
rived fnnii the tribe of Indians found in the territory when first visited by 
white men. They were spoken of by the early explorers as Kanzas, Canceas, 
Cansez, Canzas, Canzes, Okansis, Kansies, Causes. Canzon, Kanzon, Konza, 
Konzas, Kasas, Kanzan, Kanzans and by various others, all having a similar 
phonetic sound. From these have come the legal recognition of the present 
word Kansas, which is said to signify in the language of the Kansas tribe, 
smoky, and the south fork of the Kansas river is still known as Smoky Hill 
river. 

The first move for a territorial government made within the limits of 
Kansas was at the trading post of Uniontown in 1852. A mass meeting was 
held at this point by the American citizens of the Indian territory. The pro- 
ceedings are alluded to in a sketch of the early days of Pottawatomie 
countv by Hon. L. D. Palmer as follows : 

''About one-half dozen persons, residents of the state of Missouri, as- 
sembled together in a shed. One of them took from his hat a paper upon 
which had been written a set of resolutions brought all the way from Mis- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

souri, and asked the assembled multitude to vote on them. One individual 
said 'aye;' noes were not called for. Two or three of these were sporting 
gentlemen and the others were merchants who had furnished goods for the 
Indians and always came at such times to collect. These resolutions recited 
that there were hundreds of families in that vicinity in the interior of the ter- 
ritory who were bona fide settlers, the lives and property of whom were in 
constant jeopardy for want of civil protection and memorialized congress t.. 
organize a territorial government. They purported to be the unanimous 
expression of large class of citizens assembled together for the purpose of 
calling the attention of congress to the perils that threatened them." 

Petitions passed at this meeting were presented at the first session of the 
thirty-second congress by Honorable William P. Hall, a Missouri member, 
who. in the following session, presented the first bill in congress providing 
for the organization of the territory in accordance with the papers of his 
Uniontown "constituency." In the autumn of 1852 an election was held 
at Wyandotte and thirty-five votes were polled for Abelard Guthrie a- ter- 
ritorial delegate to congress. As no territorial bill was passed for more 
than two years, the election proved an empty honor. The manuscript copies 
of the returns of this election are among the collections of the Kansas His 
torical Society. 

Jul_\- 28, 1S53, a convention was held at Wyandotte, a territorial govern- 
ment organized and Abelard Guthrie nominated for delegate to cong 
His competitor for the nomination was Reverend Thomas Johnson, a staunch 
pro-slavery man and a friend of Atchison. A bolting convention was held at 
Kickapoo village September 20, 1853, and Johnson was placed in nomination 
as opposition candidate. He was elected over Guthrie, it is claimed, by 
Indian votes. He went to Washington, but owing to the delay in passing the 
territorial bill, was not received as a delegate. 

The act organizing Kansas and Nebraska was passed May 27, and ap- 
proved by the President May 30, 1854. The officers appointed by Presidenl 
Pierce, whose appointments were confirmed by the senate, and who entered 
upon the duties of their office, were Governor Andrew II. Reeder, of Eati n, 
Pennsvlvania, June 29, 1854. He took the oath of office before Peter V. 
Daniel, one of the justices of the supreme court of the United States at Wash- 
ington, July 7. He arrived in Fort Leavenworth on Saturday, October 7. 
and became the executive head of the Kansas government, personally assum- 
ing the functions of that office with a salary of $2,500 per annum. He was 
removed from office July 28, 1855: he received official notice of his removal 
and ceased to act as governor August 15. The secretary. Honorable Daniel 
Woodson, became acting governor during the remaining part of the session 
of the territorial legislature. 

August 10th Honorable Wilson Shannon was commissioned ;■ 
Fie resigned August 21, 1856 and on the same day received official 1, 
his removal and the appointment of Honorable John W. Geary as his 
cessor. Governor Geary resigned March 4, 1857. Secretar) V 



12 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. KANSAS. 

became acting governor from April [6th, when Mr. Geary's political and 
official connection with Kansas affairs terminated, to May 27, when his suc- 
cessor arrived. The successors of both Geary and Woodson were appointed 
March 10,1857, Honorable Robert J. Walker receiving the appointment of 
governor and Honorable Frederick P. Stanton as secretary of the territory, 
to be acting governor until the arrival of Mr. Walker on December 17. 

Governor Walker resigned December 21st; John W. Denver took the 
oath of office and served until October m, iS;S. when he resigned. Samuel 
Medary was appointed November 19th and arrived in the territory and en- 
tered upon the duties of bis office December eoth. He resigned December 
17, i860, and George M. Beebe, then secretary of the territory, became act- 
ing governor and continued in this capacity until the inauguration of the 
state government February 9, [861. 

Daniel Woodson, of Lynchburg. Virginia, was appointed secretary 
June 29th with a salary of $2,000 per annum. Israel 1'. Donaldson, of Illi- 
n< is. was appointed United Mates marshal with a salary (if $300 per annum 
and fees. Madison Brown, of Maryland, was appointed chief justice and he 
not accepting was superceded by Samuel D. Lecompte, of Maryland, who 
was appointed October jrd, and took- the oath of office before Governor 
Reeder, of Leavenworth, December 5th, at a salary of $2,000 per annum. 
Associate Justices Saunders N. Johnson and Lush Elmore, salaries $2,000 
per annum. Attorney, Andrew J. Isaac, salary $250 per annum and fees. 
Surveyor, General John Calhoun, of Illinois, appointed August 26th. Terri- 
torial treasurer, Thomas J. R. Cramer, appointed August 29th. 

The governor after his arrival set promptly to work to organize his 
government. He made a tour of observation taking in the most important 
and remote settlements in the eastern part of the territory extending as far 
west as Fori Riley and Council Grove. I lis reception was enthusiastic 
"Lie proclamation for the first election in Kansas under date November 10, 
[854, was issued November 15th. 

Lour constitutions were framed as the organic law. before Kansas was 
admitted to the union. The Topeka constitution, the first in order, was 
adopted by the convention which framed it November 11, 1855. and by the 
people of the territory at an election held December 15, 1855. November 7, 
1857. the Lecompton constitution was adopted by the convention which 
framed it. It was submitted to a vote of the people by the convention De- 
cember 21, 1857, the form of the vote prescribed being for a constitution with 
slavery and for a constitution without slavery. No opportunity was afforded 
at this election to vote against the constitution and the free state people of tiie 
territory refrained from taking part in it. The territorial legislature having 
been summoned in extra session by acting Governor F. P. Stanton, passed an 
act submitting the Lecompton constitution to a vote of the people at an elec- 
tion to be held January 4. 1858. Result, 138 votes were cast for the consti- 
tution and 10,226 against it. Notwithstanding this ovenvhelming vote 
against the constitution it was sent to Washington by its partisans. President 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 13 

Buchanan transmitted it to the senate urging the admission of the state under 
it, thus inaugurating the great contest which resulted in the division of the 
Democratic party, the election of Abraham Lincoln and the final overthrow 
of the slave power. The house of representatives on July 3, [856, passed a 
bill for the admission of Kansas into the union under the Topeka constitu- 
tion. Had the bill become a law, Kansas would have been saved the five years 
of turmoil and strife which elapsed before she was admitted into the union. 

The Topeka constitution had located the capital temporarily in Topeka ; 
other towns were ambitious of becoming the seat of government. Minnei 
a town existing only on paper and created for this purpose, was successfully 
carried through the legislature. The bill locating the seat of government of 
the territory at Minneola was passed over the governor's veto and two days 
later the bill calling a constitutional convention, fixing Minneola as the place 
where it would assemble, was also passed. 

The "Minneola swindle" as it was called, created a sensation throughout 
the territory and denounced as a scheme to further the finances of members 
of the legislature who were personally interested in the town. The public con- 
demned the act severely and many of the delegates were instructed to vote For 
an immediate adjournment of that body to some other point. This broughi 
about a long and acrimonious debate. The session was prolonged the entire 
night and during the morning hours a motion was passed to adjourn and 
fixed Leavenworth as the next meeting place. 

The convention reassembled in Leavenworth on the evening of .March 
25th. The constitution which became known as the Leavenworth constitu- 
tion was adopted and signed on April 3rd. It was adopted by the people on 
May 18, 1858, and on the same day the following state officers were elected 
under it. viz: Governor, Henry J. Adams, of Leavenworth; lieutenant gov- 
ernor, Cyrus K. Holliday, of Topeka ; secretary of state, E. P. Bancroft, 
of Emporia ; treasurer, j. B. Wheeler, of Doniphan ; auditor, < \& irge S. 
Hellyer, of Grasshopper Falls; attorney general, Charles A. Foster, of Osa- 
watomie; superintendent of public instruction, J. M. Walden, of Quindaro; 
commissioner of school lands, J. W. Robinson, of Manhattan; representativi 
in congress, M. F. Conway, of Lawrence; supreme judges. William A. 
Phelps, of Lawrence, Lorenzo Dow, of Topeka, and William McKay, of 
Wyandotte; reporter of the supreme court, Albert D. Richardson, of Sum- 
ner; clerk of the supreme court. W. F. N. Amy, of Hyatt. 

AREA OF THE STATE OF KANSAS. ALTITUDE, RESOURCES, I '< 

Kansas is larger than Xew York and Indiana combined and has over 
52,000,000 acres of land. The north line of the state is on a parallel 
Philadelphia, Columbus, Ohio, and Springfield, Illinois, while th 
boundary is on a line east and west with Norfolk. West Virginia. 
is 400 miles long, east, and west, ami about 200 miles in width, 
dips to the east and south and nearly all the streams run i 



14 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

Where Kansas I Missouri it reaches an altitude of 750 feet higher than 

tin.- sea, while at the western line it is nearly 4,000 feel above tide water. 

Kansas is purely an agricultural state and people of all professions and 
callings have farms or are engaged in farming and stock raising. Nothing 
depends more "ii the capacity of the brain for success than agricultural pur- 
suits. The banker with soft white hands and a complexion that does nut 
suggest life in a farm, will tell yon of his prospects, hi:- stock interests, etc, 
The merchant discusses his profits ami losses on the farm. The M. l>.'s from 
whom "lie would expect a 1 ttion of medicine instead, tells you he is 

doing thus and so "ii his farm. The attorney with a large clientage and 
prospering in his profession is also interested in agricultural pursuits. The 
1 in his conventional suit of black broadcloth is often more or less 
concerned in farming. The clerk tells of the harvesting of his wheat crop 
or the outlook of his corn fields; thus all classes of people are more or 1> 
directly or indirectly interested in farming, and all have common inter* 
in the inviting fields of Kansas, with its bountiful crops. 

During the years of iS;v4 Kansas was advertised throughout the ea 1 
ern and middle states and a great tide of emigration came pouring 111 and con- 
tinued for many months. They were from all the stales, and of all profi 
'.lit many of them practical farmers and nearly all oi more 01 1' 
his. The pioneer settlers had paved the waj for the later emigrants and 
to them unlimited credit is <\u^ for their courage and valor, during the- pre- 
[ndian troubli shoppers, drouths, and the hardships due t" early 

ements. 

'I'lie years of 1874-5 were the most disastrous Kansas has ever known. 
"Mure especially is this true of the western portion. The people of Kansa 
p.'sses^ the secret of contentment whose value is more t" them than the phi- 
losopher's stone, and the were followed by several abundant harve I 
which largely and rapidly increased the population, although remote from 
markets and produce had to he hauled long distances in wagons to the nearest 

road station. With the bringing of the railroad facilities the state \ 
made one of the most prosperous countries on the continent. 

The preference for good schools and churches and all humane and benefi- 
cent social appliances and public improvements characterized the people of 
Kansas. These western pioneers did not only want to redeem the desert and 
wilderness hut transfigure it into cultivated fields and handsome homes. The 
west doubtless seemed to be much further west than it does in these days of 
railroads, telephones and modern improvements. Less than a half century 
ago it was a question if this vast buffalo range would ever be adapted to agri- 
culture. 

Xo country can chronicle a more marvelous change in the conditions 
of things within a quarter of a century, than the state of Kansas. The hardy 
pioneer well remembers how he used to look over his fields still uncultivated, 
perhaps, lint coyered with a cast iron mortgage and interest growing daily 
in proportion, that would strike terror to the stoutest heart. He next sees 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. , 5 

the drouth and the implacable army of grasshoppers approaching, and within 
a few hours all his prospects are laid waste. They covered the trees, the 
fences, darkened the sky and ruin was sown broadcast on every hand. 

It has been truthfully said, "The hope of America is the homes oi 
America," and when the homestead law was passed by which every Ameri 
can citizen or person declaring their intention to become such, tens of thou- 
sands of homes were established and the individual blessings it brought to this 
fair land can not be estimated. The enterprising, progressive spirit and early 
experiences of the men and women who first settled in Kansas, are widely 
known and to their credit must be attributed die foundation laid for the 
greatness and prosperity her citizens are now enjoying. 

Pride must swell the hearts of those early settlers as they now look upon 
this fair domain which ranks among the finest states of the union. There is 
an element of romance and sentiment in the history of Kansas that stand- 
distinctly a part of its realty, that belongs to no other state. The pioneer 
suffered, but we cannot imagine a true hero who has not. It ennobles, ele- 
vates and draws humanity nearer together in bonds of sympathy that win 
the admiration and reverence of men. It is evident the people are reaping 
in comfort wdiat they have sown in trials and tribulation. 

For years the whole state of Kansas, figuratively speaking, was under 
mortgage and the amount of interest that went into the eastern money bags 
was astounding, but there is wiser financiering at the present time. Those 
who succeeded in lifting the burden were more conservative and adopted the 
wise old system, "Pay as you go." There are comparatively few farmers 
now unfettered and the money that once went to eastern capitalists is kept 
within their own state and has brought to them wealth and financial inde- 
pendence. 

In 1877 Kansas ranked eleventh in the United States in wheat and the 
following year jumped into the first rank, the total yield being 32,315,371 
bushels and the same year ranked fourth in corn. 

BURNING CORN. 

The people of Kansas burned millions of bushels of corn in [872-3 and 
millions more rotted in the fields, it being in so exceeding abundance as to 
only command the low price of from 10 to 20 cents per bushel. The fol 
lowing years as if in retribution for their extravagance two-thirds of all the 
hogs and cattle in Kansas had to be sold because of the scarcity of corn and 
elevators and granaries that were filled the year before were conspicuous for 
their emptiness. 

Burning corn was tested as to the expense incurred in using ii 
and it was found that even when abundant and cheap, it was mon 1 ive 

than coal or wood, thus a practical test showed that corn was never in 
to be used as a fuel. 

During this period when every incoming train was freighted with 



16 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

humanity enroute to suffering- Kansas. John C. Whittier wrote the poem 
entitled : 

Till: KANSAS EMIGRANT. 

"We crossed the prairies as of old 
The Pilgrims crossed the sea, 
To make the West as they the East 
The homestead of the free. 

We go to rear a wall of men 

( )n I noli tin's central line. 
And plant beside the cottonv\ 1 

The rugged northern pine. 

We're flowing from our native hills 

As i iur free rivers fl< iu . 
The blessings of our motherland 

Is on us as we go. 

We go to plant her common schools 
< hi distant prairie swell-, 
tid gi\ e the Sabbaths i if the wild 
The music of her be! 

I rpbearing like the ark of old 

The Bible in our van. 
We go to test the truth of God 

Against the fraud of man. 

Nor pause nor rest save where the streams 

That feed the Kansas, run. 
Save where our pilgrim gonfalon 

Shall float the setting sun. 

We'll tread the prairies as of old 

Our fathers sailed the sea, 
And make the West as they the East 

A homestead of the free." 

Kansas stood head in the production of wheat in 18S4, the yield be- 
ing 3,000,000 bushels more than any state in the union. Kansas was in the 
lead, headed the procession and carried off the banner prize at the World's 
Fair held in Xew Orleans in 1885. A long list of premiums that swelled the 
heart of every Kansan with pride was won by the "Sunflower" state. 

The awarding committee gave Kansas the first premium on white corn 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 17 

and the first on yellow, and the jury recommended that in addition she he 
given a gold medal for the best corn in the world. 

She was also awarded the first premium on red winter wheat. The 
first premium on flour by the graduated process was awarded to Bliss & 
Wood, of Winfield, Kansas. The first on flour by the old process to Pierson 
Brothers, of Lawrence, Kansas. 

Kansas took sixty-five miscellaneous first and second premiums and in 
the face of great odds, as the legislature only appropriated for the display 
$7,000 and yet Kansas led the world, and felt that she was "The salt of the 
earth." She received these premiums against the severest competition in the 
middle and northwest states. 

ALFALFA. 

Alfalfa is fast becoming the chief forage crop of Kansas. Once thor- 
oughly started it firmly stands the drouth better than the tame grass; is ven 
productive, yielding three crops on an average in a season, not counting the 
seed, which, when threshed, is marketed at a good profit. 

Alfalfa is much more nutritious than prairie hay and is equal to a gold 
mine to the hog raiser. The absence of tame grass has been a serious draw- 
hack to this country and alfalfa supplies this long felt want. 

In a speech at Downs, delivered on July 4, 1884, paying tribute to 
the state of Kansas Judge Borton, of Clyde, excited the risibilities of the 
audience by saying: "He had been all over the United States and that 
Kansas was God's country, and it had been said that the world was created 
in six days and three of these were spent on Kansas, the rest of the world 
having been thrown together most any way. In Xew York, for instam 
it is so rough that when they set a goose they have to dig a hole for it> 
tail. Down in Tennessee the ground is so transparent you can see down a 
foot and must be manured three years before it will make brick." 

Kansas is, and has ever been, patriotic and during the war was in tin 
thickest of it all. and at one time had twenty thousand men in the arm; 
out of a voting population of less than twenty-two thousand and gave mo 
lives to the country's cause in proportion to the number of troops engage ! 
than any other state of the Union. 

DROUTH AND HOT WINDS. 

We shall not dwell at length upon the drouth and hot winds of k 
sas, for too much lias already been said and written upon this subjeel 
exaggerating opinions have been formed by people abroad. The we 
in Kansas is somewhat capricious but the citizens generally ha ome 

philosophical and do not predict desolation, death and destructii hey 

did in the earlier settlement of the country. 

When the dry weather begins to make itself felt the Kansan naturally 



18 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS 

begins to grow alarmed at what may happen and the "calamity howlers'' 
and "croakers" arc teeming with predictions of a gloomy nature "If it 
n't rain within one week we won't have any wheat," or "The corn crop 
will be a total failure." etc. But within the forty-two years thai Kan 
has been a state there lias been few entire failures. 

Much is said about the weather b) prophets and weather pn 
but the fact is demonstrated almost every year (the present year nol i 
cepted) that no man can tell what a month will bring forth. The pre 
dons of the weather-wise tall wide of the mark, the learned sage has been 
devoured and the weather-wise parched b\ the hot winds, or drowned in 
il 1-. 

COAL. 

The coal measure- of Kansas arc a part of an immense field which 

nearly all of eastern Kansas, the northwestern hah' of Missouri, south 

tern Nebraska, southern Iowa and a large part of the Indian ten tory, 

ith. The Kansas bed is in the western part of this field, showing the 

thickest and must valuable strata in the following counties: Cherol 

Labette. Crawford, Neosho, Bourbon, Montgomery, Chautauqua, Elk, 

Wilson, Allen. Anderson, W Ison, Coffey, Linn, Franklin, Osage and 

Miami, also the eastern part of Greenwood and Lyon counties. Depi 
exist in paying quantities in mosl of these localities. In several of thi 

mties the mining and shipping of coal constitute "m- ..f the important 
industries and arc a constantly increasing source of wealth. Tin- depo 
range in thickness from twenty to fifty indies. 

\s their various strata show the coal measures were alternately be- 
lli and above the -alt seam, the changes occurring many times during 
their formation and has left its unquestionable record in its organic re- 
mains, which embrace the marine fusils in the lime stone and other 
formations, while the intermediate dep tnd the coal seams, abound 

in vegetable and animal remains of terrestial life. Building material, fuel, 
fertilizers, etc.. are found in abundance. Stone suitable for building pur- 
found in nearly all parts of the state. The varieties include mag 
nesian lime stone, blue and gray lime stone and great quantities of sand 
and flagging stone. Stone from the Kansas quarries is used in some of 
the finest buildings in the country. 

.Material suitable for the manufacture of ordinary brick exists every- 
where. The banks along the water courses furnish sand. The lime stone 
affords an abundant supply of quick lime, thus the requisites of building 
exists in abundance and consequently are remarkably cheap in all parts of 
the state. Beds of bituminous coal valuable for fuel and for manufactur- 
ing- uses are found in the central districts of the state. A tine quality of 
natural gas has been discovered in some parts of the state and is being 
extensively used for light, fuel and manufacturing purposes. New de- 
opments are constantly coming to life and gas and oil are being struck 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 19 

in unexpected quarters. Lead mines are profitably worked in the south- 
eastern part of the state. Zinc is also found in paying quantities. 

Kansas has taken its place among the large producers of salt of the 
best quality known to commerce. Since 1867, salt has been made from 
brine obtained from wells near the mouth of the Solomon river. An ex- 
tended area in the central part of the state is underlaid with rock salt. It 
is found at depths varying from four hundred and fifty to nine hundred 
and twenty-five feet. The thickness of the salt itself is from one hundred 
and twenty-five to two hundred and fifty feet. These beds of salt produced 
last year (1901) one million six hundred and forty-five thousand three hun- 
dred and fifty barrels of salt. 

GEOGRAPHICAL CENTER. 

The state of Kansas embraces within its boundaries the geographical 
center of the United States, excepting the detached territory of Alaska. The 
middle parallel of latitude between the southern cape of Florida and the north- 
ern border of the state of Washington, the dividing meridian of longitude 
midway between the extreme eastern and western limits of the country. pas- 
through the state, cutting it through the center north and south, and one 
degree south of its center east and west. The bisecting degree of latitude 
is thirty-eight degrees north, the parallel of longitude twenty-two degrees 
thirty seconds west from Washington, the intersecting point being the north- 
west point of Reno county. 

The state has the general form of a rectangle with a breadth of a little 
more than two hundred miles from north to south, and in length a little 
over four hundred miles from east to west, containing an erea of eighty-one 
thousand three hundred and eighteen miles or fifty-two million two hundred 
and eighty-eight thousand acres. The general surface of the state is a roll- 
ing prairie gently ascending from the eastern border. Kansas presents ■< 
succession of beautiful prairies, undulating hills and fertile valleys diversi- 
fied scenery and a varied surface of fertile soil. 

The state is well supplied with rivers and creeks; on the eastern border 
the Missouri presents a water front of nearly one hundred and fifty miles. 
The Kansas is formed by the junction of the Republican and Smoky Hill 
rivers and from a point of confluence it flows in an easterly direction about 
150 miles to the Missouri. Valleys on the north are formed by the Saline, 
Solomon, Blue rivers and other streams. The Osage river rises 111 the east- 
ern part of the state and after flowing in a southeasterly course one hun- 
dred and twenty-five miles enters the Missouri. The Arkansas has its source 
in the Rocky mountains of Colorado, and runs through nearly three fourths 
of the length of Kansas east and southeast, and with its tributaries waters 
two-thirds of the western and southern part of the state. Its valleys on 
the north are traversed by the Walnut, Little Arkansas, Pawnee Fork and 
other streams, and on the south by Ninnescah, Chicaskia and others. 
2 



20 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

The Neosho, rising in the central part of the state, runs in a southeaster!) 
direction for about two hundred miles, receiving in its course the Cotton- 
wood and other streams. 11k- Verdigris runs nearly parallel with the 
Neosho, receiving Fall river on the west. In the southwest are the Cimarron 
and Medicine,, which flows for a considerable distance in the state, and a 
the southern tributaries I th< Arkansas. These rivers are noi 
navigable, yet with their tributaries make Kansas one oi the best watered 
states of the west. In ni"St localities even in the extreme western pari of 
the state good water is obtained within a reasonable distance of the sur- 
face. In some parts, particularly the western counties, artesian well-, furnish 
an adequate supply of water. 

Timber is abundant along the streams in the eastern part of the state, 
but less plentiful in the central and western portions. The varieties ol 
timber embraces the oak, elm. Mack walnut, cottonwood, maple, box elder, 
honey-locust, willow, hickory, sycamore, white ash. hackberry and mulberry. 
The osage orange is extensively used for hedges. 

Statistics show thai K in claim a greater amount of sunshine 

1 stern States. The a loudiness is a little more than fort) 

four per cent. In the Southern States il is forty-seven per cent, in the New 
it is fifty-three per cent, while in Great Britain it reaches 
seventy-one per cent. As regards the health of her people, Kansas compart 
favorably with any state in the Union. The rolling surface of the country 
furnishes line natural drainage, ami as a result there are no marshes or 
■ ■ : ■ 1 fever and malaria Especially is this true of the central 
and western portions of the state. 

KANSAS in i m: REB1 LLI0N. 

The admittance of Kai the Union proved a landmark in the 

e, which begun on her soil seven years previously. Slave power 
having challenged the nation to open battle for its life, the infant State 
put in the strugj years and took her place in the foremost rank and 

fought with an indomitable courage and fidelity to win tor the nation the 
battle she had already wi n for herself. 

Within three months from the time Kansas was admitted into tlu- 
luion. she was called on to furnish her quota towards suppressing the re- 
bellion. No state lx,re a mure honorable record than Kansas in this great 
struggle. The military organizations formed during the early "sixties for 
the protection of the settlers during the turbulent Indian troubles, had fallen 
into disuse, or entirely abandoned, and at the breaking out of the Civil war 
the state had no well organized militia: no arms, accoutrements or supplies. 

\\ hen the # President made the first call for seventy-five thousand militia 
on April 15, 1861. Kansas furnished six hundred and fifty men and he- 
legislature at once took measures o amend the military conditions of the 
state. April ^jd an act passed providing "for organization and disciplining 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



2 t 



of militia," and a service very generally organized througli.au tin 
During Governor Robinson's administration, one hundred and eighty c 
panies were formed and organized into two divisions, four brigades and 



eleven reg'iments. 



L'nder the call of President Lincoln for four hundred thousand volun- 
teers the First and Second regiment were recruited, many whole companies 
marching to the place of rendezvous and offered their servics. Each suc- 
ceeding demand received a cordial response from Kansas and this in the 
face of the fact that no extra pecuniary recompense could be offered by the 
young commonwealth for the services of the militia, the state being scarcely 
able to meet the ordinary expenses of the situation. 

The patriotism and loyalty of Kansas was demonstrated by not being 
obliged to resort to the system of bounty offers, extra pay to families of 
soldiers, or any of the expediences commonly employed to encourage re- 
cruiting. Statistics reveal the fact that more losses occurred in Kansas 
regiments in battle and from disease per thousand than in an other state 
in the Union. The unhealthy region in which a large part of their servia - 
were performed, the laborious nature of the service, long marches through 
a wild and unsettled country, outpost and scout duty, and poor hospital ac- 
commodations, all combined to produce this result. It was noticeable that in 
the northern regiments doing duty in these localities, the mortality was also 
very great. 

The entire quota assigned to the state of Kansas was sixteen thousand 
six hundred and fifty-four, and the number raised was twenty thousand and 
ninety-seven, leaving a surplus of three thousand four hundred and forty- 
three to the credit of Kansas. Three Indian regiments were actively en- 
gaged in the United States service during the war of the rebellion which 
were officered and entirely recruited in Kansas. They were chiefly from the 
loyal refugee Seminole and Creek Indians, who had taken refuge from the 
encroachments of hostile Indians under Stand- Waitie in the southern border 
of the state. A few of them were resident Indians, having homes and fam- 
ilies in Kansas. 

The "Price raid" and "Curtis expedition" cost the citizen's of Kansas 
not less than five hundred thousand dollars, besides the labor, loss of life 
and incidental losses that could not be computed. The legislature of [865 
made provision for the payment of the claims by the state, looking to the 
general government for reimbursement. Various commissioners have been 
appointed to settle these claims but their adjustment has been attended with 
much difficulty, and in all probibility many of them will never he -ettled 
to the satisfaction of all concerned. 

The war was followed by Indian trouble-, in Kansas which terminated 
in the loss of many innocent lives; men, women and children were slain. 
Many of the women suffered a fate worse than death. The savages kept 
up their desultory warfare which did not cease in some localities until ten 
years after the Civil war. 



22 HISTQRY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

Professor Louis Agassiz, the renowned scientist, visited Kansas in Au- 
gust, 1868, and the Springfield (Mass.) Republican said in an issue of that 
period: "Professor Agassiz is fairly teeming with enthusiasm over his visit 
to Kansas. All Brazil was nothing to what he has seen of natural beauty 
and scientific revelations." 

MISSIONARY WORK IN KANSAS. 

Prior to 1854 (the territorial era of Kansas), the missionaries labored 
among the various tribes of Indians. The denomination of Baptists estab- 
lished a mission among the Shawnees in 1831, in the present county ol 
Wyandotte. The first printing press was brought by Jotham Meeker in 
1833, for a Baptist mission located near the present city of Ottawa. 

In 1N27. the Catholics, with Father Schoenmakers, started a mission 
among the Osages, near the present site of ('sage mission. The Methodist 
Episcopal church begun its work among the Delawares and Shawnees am 
organized a church among them in 1S32. The Reverend Thomas Johnson 
established a school in 1829, on the south side of the Kansas river. The Pres- 
byterians founded their first mission in Kansas among the Wea Indians 
near the present site of Ottawa, in 1835; they also founded a mission for 
the benefit of the Iowa Indians, near what is now Highland, Doniphan 
county. 

The Society of Friends established a school and held services among the 
Shawnees, in Johnson county, soon after the removal of the tribe to Kan- 
sas. Schools and churche were early founded by the Moravians, and other 
bodies of Christian people. The political strife and border troubles from 
1854-61 were not conducive to the nurture of churches, yet during tins 
period foundations were laid by various denominations in anticipation of 
prospective settlement of the territory. 

The Baptists organized in 1855, and built their first house of worship 
at Atchison. The first Catholic congregation of white people was organized 
in Leavenworth, August 15, 1855, and the first building for the use of a 
# white congregation was erected there in the same year. In Lawrence, ( )c- 
tober. 1854, perhaps the firts white man's church in the territory was or- 
ganized by the Congregationalists. The edifice w/as built in 1857. 

The Methodist Episcopal church began its work in Leavenworth in 
1856, and erected a house of worship in 1858. The first Evangelical Lu- 
theran organization was effected at Leavenworth, October 25, 1855. A 
house of worship was built in the summer preceding the organization, and 
was probably the first building in Kansas erected for church purposes out- 
side of Indian missions and government forts. Probably the first sermon 
to the white settlers in the state was by Reverend W. H. Goode, presiding 
elder of the Methodist Episcopal church. He preached in a log cabin 
at Hickory Point on the Santa Fe road. July 9, 1854, Reverend A. Still. 
Reverend J. M. Chivington and Reverend Mendenhall, a minister of the 
Society of Friends, being present and participating in the services. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 23 

The first church building erected in Lawrence was built in 1856, and 
a small slab church was built in Leavenworth the same year. The first church 
for whites in the state was organized near Tecumseh by Reverend Mr. 
Goode. The first session of the Kansas and Nebraska conference convened 
in a tent in Lawrence, October 23. 1856. The Presbyterians organized their 
first church at Leavenworth, January 1, 1856. The United Presbyterianr. 
made their first organization at Berea. Franklin county, in 1857 .and their 
first church was erected there in 1858. 

The Society of Friends held meetings in Leavenworth county in Feb- 
ruary, 1856, and erected a log house of worship in 1857, which gave plac< 
to a good frame building in September, 1859. The German Methodists 
were organized in i860, in Dickinson count}', and the German Lutherans 
at Leavenworth in 1861. The war that followed closely upon the admission 
of Kansas to the Union engrossed the interest and the energies of the people. 

The effect of war upon general church work is fairly represented 
in the following report made by the Methodist church: Number 
of ministers in i860, eighty-five : in 1861, seventy-four; in 1862. seventy- 
two; in 1863, sixty-eight. Number of churches in i860,, seventeen; in 1861, 
forty-three; in 1862, thirty; in 1863, thirty-three. 

The trials and sacrifices during the territorial and the war eras, em- 
bracing a period of eleven years, were as heavy as any that ever fell on any 
people -since the days of Jamestown and Plymouth, but they were, met by 
all — women as well as men — with the patience and heroism unsurpassed in 
the annals of the world. 

With the immigration that begun to flow into Kansas after the close 
of the war were persons who if not members of the church were decidedly 
favorable to the establishment of them, and churches and Sabbath-schools 
sprung rapidly into existence. The work was not. only prosecuted in the 
towns and villages but through ;the sparsely settled country districts where- 
ever the hardy pioneer built his dugout or sod house, .the congregations 
gathered and services were held. . An important feature in the work has 
been the interest taken by intelligent foreign born citizens ; mi >st noticeable 
among whom are Danes, Germans, Swedes, Norwegians, French and Welsh. 



'Smiling and beautiful heaven's dome 
Bends softly o'er our prairie home. 
But the wide-wide that stretches away 
Before my eyes in the days of Ma}-, 
The rolling prairie's billowy swell, 
Breezy upland and timbered dell. 
Stately mansion and hut forlorn. 
All are hidden by walls of corn." 

—Ellen P. Allerton. 



24 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

KANSAS AN AGRICULTURAL STATE. 

The fame of Kansas as a wheat growing State reaches around the world. 
The wheat crop of 1900, exceeded by twenty-three million bushels the wheat 
of the entire United Kingdom; but it is corn as well as wheat that has made 
the state famous and in her present good financial condition. Kansas be- 
gan the present year (1902) with six hundred and fifteen million five hundred 
and three thousand and fifty-eight dollars in the treasury. 

Kansas is an agricultural state, the home of the farmer and stockman. 
Agriculture is the most certain source of financial independence; that com- 
merce looks to the products of the farm for both defense and supply, no more 
striking illustration can be found than the prosperity of Kansas with her pro- 
ductive soil and genial climate. Kansas has been the home of the poor man 1 
its prosperity is based upon the furrow turned by the plow. However, its 
manufacturing establishments are steadily increasing in both importance and 
number, demonstrating that sound policy requires not only diversified agri 
culture but turning of labor and capital into various avenues and channels. 
It is certain that the wealth and independence of the citizens of the state 
of Kansas will be further promoted by the judicious establishment of manu- 
factures in the future, more than it has done in the past. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The schools of Kansas are part and parcel of her structure. They be- 
gan with the advent of the state, have kept apace with her advancement 
and growth and have been woven and interwoven into her history almost be- 
fore there were pupils to attend them. 

Lawrence was settled in September, 1854, and in less than four months, 
January 2, 1855, a school was commenced by E. J. Fitch, of Massachusetts, 
and March 7th the Ouincy high school was established. Topeka was set- 
tled late in November, 1854, and early the following summer a school was 
opened by Miss Sara Harland and the Topeka Academy was established Jan- 
uary 2, 1S56. 

Though these movements were voluntary, as there were no provision of 
law. they sprang from the same popular conviction which later created the 
public school system. The example of these towns were repeated in one way 
or another in every settlement and village throughout the state. 

Kansas territory having been organized May 30, 1854, its first terri- 
torial legislature passed the school law August 30, 1855, and from that 
date the history of the public school system of Kansas properly began. The 
law of February 12. 1858, provided that the governor should appoint dur- 
ing that session of the legislature assembled by and with the advice of the 
council, a territorial superintendent whose term of office should commence 
March 1. 1S58. This was amended by the law of 1859. which made the 
superintendent elective annually. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 25 

The laws of 1858 provided for the appointment of a county superin- 
tendent by the tribunal transacting county business, and the same law pro- 
vided for an election of a county superintendent, to be elected at the same 
time and place and in the same manner, the county officers were chosen, the 
term to commence on October 1st and continue one year. 

The board of county commissioners by the law of 1855, formed the 
districts in accordance with petitions presented, and they were signed by a 
majority of the voters residing within the limits of any contemplated dis- 
trict. By a law of 1858, this duty was relegated to the county superintend- 
ent. The state has been divided into school districts small enough to make 
& school accessible to all the children. Every district is encouraged to sus- 
tain a school at least three months in the year, and every parent is required 
by a law passed in 1874, to send his children to school at least twelve weeks 
in each year during school age, under penalty for disobeying its injunctions. 
Cities and larger towns have established graded schools with high 
school dqwrtments. At Emporia is the State Normal School (established 
in 1864) for training teachers. It was founded by a grant of nearlv forty 
thousand acres of land which is being sold to establish a fund for its sup- 
port. The Leavenworth Normal School was opened in 1870, and closed 
in 1876. The Concordia Normal School existed from 1874 to 1878. The 
State Agricultural College at Manhattan was located by legislative enact- 
ment January 16, 1863. On July 23, 1863, its board of regents held their 
first meeting and educational work began September 2, 1863. Its four de- 
partments were agriculture, mechanic arts, military science and tactics. 
literature and science. This institution was based on a congressional grant 
of eighty-two thousand acres of land, the sale of which has been admirably 
managed and made to produce a permanent fund of about five hundred thou- 
sand dollars. 

By an act of the legislature the Imiversity of the state of Kansas, 
located at Lawrence was organized March 1, 1866. This university was 
designed to give all citizens the opportunity for professional study and for 
the pursuit of all branches of higher learning. The first session opened Sep- 
tember 12, 1866. The maintenance of the common schools is both state 
and local. By an act of congress the sixteenth and thirty-sixth sections of 
each township were set apart for school purposes aggregating nearlv three 
million acres of land which has been estimated can be made to yield 
a permanent school fund of fifteen million dollars. It is invested in good 
security, the interest is apportioned among the districts and the fund is in- 
creasing rapidly. The chief dependence, however, of the common schools 
is the local tax which districts impose upon themselves, that is many time- 
greater than the amount given by the state. Besides the schools and private 
institutions there are many colleges and universities mainly under denomina- 
tional control. 

"The schools of Kansas are as great an attraction to the immigrant 
and furnish as strong an inducement for him to settle here as the cheapness 



26 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

of our land, the fertility of the soil, and the salubrity of the climate. Our 
people take pleasure in placing- upon their shoulders the burden of building 
gfood school houses and sustaining the best schools. It is the one tax which 
all Kansans pay without objection. - ' — Annual message of Governor Thomas 
A. Osborn, 1873. 

STATISTICS RECENTLY COMPILED. 

Public Schools. — 8,927 districts. 9,406 buildings, 11,614 teachers. 508,- 
854 school children, valuation of school property, $10,537,392; 1,000,000 
acres unsold school land; $7,021,050 in permanent school fund; $52,000 in 
vested annually for public school libraries and apparatus; $4,800,000 ex- 
pended annually for public schools; $5,377,000 received for school purposes; 
[56 school buildings erected last year, at a cost of $291,985. 

Higher Education. — Largest State Normal in the world; largest State 
Agricultural College in the world: a State University with So professors 
and 1,200 students; combined property valuation of above named institu- 
tions, $1,887,666; 24 denominational colleges; 400 teachers; 6,500 students; 
propertv valuation, 82,470,000; 3 private normals, 14 academies, 12 bu 
ness colleges 200 teachers; 5,081 students; property valuation, $490,500; 
10 county high schools; 60 teachers; [,788 students; properly valuation, 
$200,600. 

Summary. — Total value of all school property, $20,386,158; $10,000,- 
000 expended annually for education; $65,357,996 expended for public 
schools during the last fifteen years. 

PROHIBITION. 

May 1, 1 88 1, the selling of liquor became an outlaw in Kansas. The 
Murray liquor law which prohibited its sale except for "medicinal, mechani- 
cal and scientific purposes" was enacted by the Legislature of 1881, and 
went into effect May 1, of the same year. It was enacted to enable the au- 
thorities to enforce the prohibitory amendment to the constitution, which 
had l^een adopted at the general election in 1880. 

The agitation began with the organization of the territory in 1854. 
The first movement placing restriction on the sale of liquors began in 1874, 
when the state temperance convention met and formerly demanded a na- 
tional law on the subject. Many people both in and out of the churches 
became aggressive, held camp meetings, and enlisted actively in working up 
sentiment in opposition to the liquor traffic. 

The temperance advocates became so powerful and were so persistent 
in their efforts, that in 1879, the lawmakers yielded and submitted to the 
people a proposed amendment to the state constitution to be voted upon 
at the following general election. The canvass that followed was non-parti- 
san but extremelv vigorous. A house to bouse canvass of the state w r as 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 27 

made. Every city and town was the scene of rallies and meetings, and speak- 
ers from other states were imported by both sides. 

The total vote on the prohibitory amendment was one hundred and 
seventy-six thousand six hundred and six, and the majority in its favor was 
seven thousand nine hundred and ninety-eight. Resistance to the new law 
was general; liquor dealers and manufacturers in all parts of the country 
contributed liberally to defeat its practical operation. For two years the 
constitutionality was up for discussion in the courts and saloons were run 
almost openly as they had been before the law was enacted; and the bitter 
warfare has never ceased during the twenty-one years. 

Drug stores largely took the place of saloons. It was only necessary 
for a former saloon keeper to buy a worn out stock of drugs and employ a 
prescription clerk, and sell as much liquor as he could before the enactment 
of the law. In the cities and larger towns a half dozen times the number of 
"drug stores" sprung up than was necessary to supply the town in drugs. 
they paid no license and were the source of a large revenue. 

There is a difference of opinion among conservative people as to the 
an" mnt of actual benefit derived from a law, that is not enforced. 

A FRIENDLY COMPLIMENT TO THE HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, AXI) ITS 

ARTIST AUTHOR AND COMPILER, BY J. E. BURKIIART, OF 

M ILTON YALE. KANSAS. 

"This book's a gem, a handy volume, 

The author's sketch of homes at sight. 
Terse in story, spacious column. 

Limned in beauty's cheerful light. 
Reflecting scenes remote in distance 

With each event set in line, 
Calling back into existence 

Forgotten things in lapse of time. 

Here portrayed are many faces, 

Silent lips and moveless eyes. 
Kindred forms of different races. 

Friends and neighbors, former ties. 
Here engraved are memoirs golden, 

Of the day and time of youth. 
Quaintest history, new and olden, 

In simplicity and truth. 

Thoughts of Brown and border strife, 

Raids of bandits, sack and pillage, 
The tomahawk and scalping knife. 

Torch lit flame in town and village 



2 8 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

Recall to mind the seething plain; 

Famished homes were rite; 
The pioneers of fame 

All flash in thought to life. 

On we turn the pictured pages. 

Each enframed in gilt-edge tire, 
Vocal sounds roll hack the ages, 

Awakes to song the poet's lyre. 
Just as of yore the senses feel 

By these presents each may know, 
From youth to age there's no appeal 
\s morning dawns the noon-tide's glow." 

COUNTY ORGANIZATION. 

The politicians will no doubt consider the organization of Cloud county 
■ >if the most interesting parts of this history. The participants were 
beginners in matters el" this kind, some just coming from the army, and all 
from localities where subjects of this kind were given but little or no atten- 
tion. This applies not only to the county hut the state, if, for instance, 
we take Mime of its legislation in regard to the county. 

As an example take the statute enacted in i860, where the legislature 
not only prescribed the boundary of the county, but actually legislated its 
organization, appointing three commissioners, all out of the county, consist- 
ing of F. !•'. Blake, M. S. Essie and Lorenzo Gates, of Clay county, near 
Bachelder, giving these non-residents the power to divide the county into 
election precincts and establish the temporary county seat. 

Section four of the same act says: An election shall be held on the 
fourth Monday oi \pril in which the county and township officers shall 
he elected to hold their respective offices until the next general election. If 
it were said these men were the first county commissioners, in all probability 
none of the old settlers would have known what was meant without this 
explanation, ami yet, such really is the case, for their powers were precisely 
une. 

Who the two first named gentlemen were or where they lived is not 
known, and perhaps neither of the three men knew that such honor was 
I upon them. This same kind of legislation was applied to Re- 
public nmties. The matter has been referred to, to show that 
while small corporations may blunder, larger ones where more talent is ex- 
i ike mistakes, and it is also a part of this history. 
I he statute of Kansas provides that in organizing a new county three 
•s must state 01, affidavit there are nol less than six hundred in- 
m the ' '"' 'went) Ei ers must by memorial petition 
nl three special commissioners therein named, and 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 29 

also one person named for county clerk and the place designated for the 
temporary county seat. These preliminaries were complied with and all that 
was necessary to complete the organization was for the governor to use the 
appointing power. The names of those three lenient freeholders can not he 
given. Many had grave doubts as to there being that many inhabitants. 
Moses Heller, G. W. Wilcox and Dr. Lear were the persons designated i< >r 
county commissioners, N. D. Hagaman for clerk and "Elk Creek" for the 
county seat. 

The next thing to be considered were the candidates for count v officers 
at the general election. For this purpose the first county convention was 
called to be held in the little log school house on Elm creek, September 1 . 
1866. Unlike the politicians of to-day there were no aspirants. Nobody 
wanted office; for filling a county office without a predecessor and con- 
sequently without any one for an instructor, minus a salary, was not very 
desirable. The county was not canvassed. 

On the day appointed for the convention John B. Rupe, F. B. Rupe. 
John and Lew Fowler, David Heller, Thomas and James Williamson from 
Elk Creek attended the convention. Among those from Elk Creek were 
J. M. Hagaman, J. M. and Cal Thorpe, Quincy and Randall Honey, N. D. 
Hagaman, Obadiah Thompson, Matt Wilcox and others from that settle- 
ment. Mr. Taylor and son-in-law represented Sibley. The assembly was 
not large but the house was filled — a fair proportion considering the popu- 
lation. 

The convention was opened by J. M. Hagaman, who nominated Thomas 
Williamson for chairman. Mr. Williamson said he had acted as chairman 
of church meetings but questioned his competency to fill this position; how- 
ever, he went forward and took the chair. Matt Wilcox was elected secre- 
tary. Being young and inexperienced he remarked, "he didn't know how." 
"Sit right down here," said Hagaman. "and I will show you how." He 
complied. 

Other preliminaries being dispensed with the first nomination was for 
a representative. Cal Thorpe nominated John B. Rupe; J. M. Hagaman 
was put in nomination. It was moved by F. B. Rupe that these nominees 
in brief speeches define their position on politics. Mr. Rupe facetiously re- 
marked that this was rather rough, as neither of them were speakers. Mr. 
Hagaman refused to make a speech. In a few well chosen remarks Mr. 
Rupe told how he had beena soldier during the late war. knowing it would 
have the desired effect on the convention. The vote was taken and he re- 
ceived the nomination. 

The representative being disposed of, the next in order was a delegate 
to the state convention which met that year at Topeka 011 the 5th of Sep- 
tember. This honor fell to J. M. Hagaman. Matt Wilcox was nominated 
for county clerk, Quincy Honey for sheriff and Zachariah Swearing 
treasurer. Mr. Hagaman (father of J. M. Hagaman) for probate n.dge, 



30 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



John Fowler, county assessor, Dr. Lear, county superintendent, and Lew 
Fowler, William English and Robert Smith for commissioners. Ed. Neeley 
ran independent for probate judge, and was elected. 

The nominations being completed it occurred to J. B. Rupe that at the 
Republican county conventions in his native county they always appointed 
a Republican central committee and made the motion that such a committee 
be appointed b] the chair, which was done. Luckily for Mr. Rupe no one 
called upon him to explain the duties of such a committee, for in all probabil- 
ity the explanation at that time would have been a failure. J. M. Hagaman 
[< ted chairman, thus this act of the convention gives it the just claim 
oi organizing the Republican party in Cloud county, and all who took a part 
in it are entitled to the honor of being its aiders and abettors. 

\iier the convention had done its work. Mr. Hagaman, thinking empty 
honors were not exactly what he was seeking, stated he was a poor man 
and could not go to Topeka unless at least his expenses were borne, and il 
was nothing more than fair that the people should do this. At first it was 
a damper, as they were all poor, but the argument was convincing. Twenty 
dollars of twenty-five dollars, the amount asked for, was forthcoming after 
considerable effort. 

It was generally understood that Mr. Hagaman would carry with him 
the affidavit and memorial which the governor was to act upon. Had it 
nol been Tor this, little importance would have been attached to the office; 
hence the eft'orl to bear his expenses. The 6th of September dates the county 
tion so far as the governor had anything to do with it, but it could 
not I. considered mil. Organized until all the county officers were elected, 
which was to lake place at the next general election; also the county seat 
to hi ted up •!! liy the p& pie. 

Hon was held in the unpretentious school house at Clyde, 
■wing m the saw mill owned by Captain Sanders, of Lake 
Sibli 

firsl Democratic convention held in Cloud county convened Sep- 
1.3. 1876. 
I- J. Crans, chairman ol the Democratic standing committee, called the 
10 order, whereupon Moses Louthan was elected chairman an.; F. A. 

[ING OF CLOUD COUNTY. 

re be an) who still cling to the idea that the name "Shirley" 

was given to ( loud count) in honor of Governor Shirley, of Massachusetts, 

m oi the pusillanimous appointees of the British crown in colonial 

the following letters ami communications furnished by T. B. Rupe, 

.'-bos,- efforts the county bears its present hoi ime, are pur> 

lis] • 

Kile says: The Kansas papers were d rig the subject of 

'"'Hies, a large majority of . the state having 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 31 

them. Many of them are uncouth and one might imagine they were named 
after some of the characters in Dickens' novels. A number of names have 
been changed from the original ones and many others need changing. 

Cloud county was originally named Shirley. The name sounds well 
but it is a solemn fact that the county was named for a notorious Leaven- 
worth prostitute of war days named Jane Shirley, who was known to all 
"the boys." The legislature had one of its fool spells on of organizing and 
naming counties and in several cases could not be agreed upon. Ward 
Burlingame, who was reporting for a Leavenworth paper, suggested the 
name Shirley to a member sitting near by who "caught on" and moved that 
one of the counties be so named. It was carried and Shirley was the name 
of the county for several years. 

The following is a letter from Dr. Thomas Lindsay to John B. Rupe 
in reply to an inquiry for information on the subject of naming Shirley 
county : 

Garnett, April 19, 1880. 

Honorable John B. Rupe, Sir: Yours of the nth inst. received. I 
can give you some of the information desired but will not attempt to put 
it in proper shape for print. You can rewrite it or rather use it for material 
for making up your history. I was a member of the committee on counties, 
etc., in the session of i860 (territorial legislation). We were organizing 
some new counties, Washington, Republic, some in the southern part of 
the state, also your county. 

In naming the counties (those which had not been previouslv named) 
I suggested the name of Sherman for your county. Sam Wood, of Chase 
county, was as usual poking- his nose into other people's business and offered 
the name of Jane Shirley, of unsavory reputation and fame. In debate either 
before the committee or committee of the whole house, a Mr. Chandler, of 
Davis county, I think said that Shirley was the name of the town (town- 
ship I suppose) where he was born, which formed a pretext for the black- 
guards of the house to leave off "Jane" and simply call it Shirley, but it 
was understood by most to mean Jane Shirley all the same. 

It was with pleasure that I contributed my might to undo the act in a 
subsequent legislature where I suppose I made substantially the above state- 
ment on the bill to change the name. Although I did not get my original 
name (Sherman), but as the people of the county wanted another, 1 was satis- 
fied to g'et the odious name off the statute book and map of Kansas. 

Of course there were others besides Sam Wood concerned in fixing the 
foul name on the county, but at present I do not remember them well enough 
to put their names on paper. As you will probably not use this for some 
time, if there is anything more or explanation needed I will furnish it if 
requested. The committee were Ed. Lynde, of Jefferson, chairman; Jones, 
of Linn, Lindsay, of Anderson, Nelson, of Coffee, and Dutton, of Brown. 
Lynde is now in Kansas City — Lynde, Wright & Co. 

Respectfully, 

Thomas Lindsay. 



32 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

Governor Shirley died about one hundred years before the count) was 
named and a century had passed since he had been governor of Massachusetts. 
History records the fact that he was governor when thai state was the most 
rebellious of all the colonies and was in constant quarrel with England, 
showing that his administration was more in sympathy with the crown than 
with the people, and consequently could not have been popular with them. 

It is doubtful if any of the Massachusetts people know of Shirley favoi 
ably. She has had far more distinguished governors of modern times 
who were elected by the people and consequently more popular and well 
known. Among whom are John Hancock. Edward Everett and Nathaniel 
P. Banks. 

Shirley died in 1771 , but a short time before the Revolution, in M 
cl usetts, but had he lived until the day of this important event, judging from 
mrse as governor, he would have been a Tory. Naming the county for 
Jane Shirley was a disgraceful act, and that J. 1'.. Ruin- as representative 
of his district was instrumental in having the name changed to Cloud was 
111 accordance with the wishes of the people of Cloud county. 

CHANGING THE NAME OF SHIRLEY TO CLOUD. 

The following narrative will doubtless strike many of the present popu- 
1 of Cloud county with astonishment and even the state mighl feel 
humiliated that it ever had a legislature transcending enough to enact so 
disgraceful a bill wherein this county was named Shirley. The position of 
J. !'». Rupe, who enjoyed the distinction of being the direct mover in having 
the name changed, was not an enviable one, as much conjecture was eng 
in as t.. what sort of man was sent from a county so strangely named. 

It was commented upon in a way far from pleasing to a man of Mr. 
Rupe's sensitive and pure nature. Others wondered if a county named in 
such a disgraceful way would be allowed to retain its title and suggested to 
.Mr. Rnpe the propriety of changing it. among whom was Governor Craw- 
ford. 

Being satisfied that so Ion-- as this appellation was retained a stigma 

and burlesque would continue on the county and as this was the most oppor 

nine for a change, Mr. Rupe introduced a bill substituting the name 

■iid. Tliis was done in honor of Colonel \V. F. Cloud, of the Second 

! ~ one of the noblest and bravest of the state's heroes and a mai 

the people need never regret their county being named for. 

When the bill finally came before the committee of the whole Mr. Rupe 

had a great desire it should pass without any comment, but there was too 

much humor included, and m consequence C. II. Thompson, of Dickinson 

tro and stated that "inasmuch as the name of Shirley was an old 

name, he would like the gentleman from that county to state his 

esired change." This he did with a humorous grin, showing 

so far as he was concerned he was well conversant with the facts, per- 

more so than Mr. Rupe. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 33 

However, Mr. Rupe explained as best he knew in defense of the bill. 
Others spoke pro and con, but more for the purpose of creating mirth. Con- 
spicuous among that number was John R. Goodin, who received the sobriquet 
of "polished John." but his polish had no forebearance when he saw a chance 
to spring a joke on some member. He availed himself on this occasion of 
springing one at .Mr. Rupe's expense. .Many will remember Mr. Goodin 
as the Democratic candidate for governor in 1879. 

Far the most telling speech made in favor of this bill and which, perhaps, 
turned the scales in its favor was made by Thomas Lindsay, of Ander- 
son county, who luckily was acquainted with the details of the whole affair 
and furnished the house with a full statement of the manner in which the 
county derived the name of Shirley lie was an entire stranger to Mr. Rupe. 
volunteering his services unsolicited. Mr. Rupe listened to his speech with 
such profound interest that in substance it became indelibly stamped upon his 
memory. ■ 

He commenced by saying that when these three counties west of the 
6th principal meridian were described with their respective boundary lines, 
names were readily found for Republic and Ottawa counties, but for Shirley 
they could not so readily agree. One of the committee proposed the name 
of Sherman, in honor of John Sherman, who that year figured so prominently 
for speaker of the house of representatives, which finally resulted in the elec- 
tion of William Pennington, of New Jersey, but the name of Sherman sug- 
gested to the mischievous brain of one member of that committee the name 
of lane Shirley, the names Sherman and Shirley sounding something alike. 

Jane Shirley was a noted character at this time in the state. The com- 
mittee, strange to say. agreed upon this name in full — Jane Shirley, but the 
chairman, ashamed to report the bill in that shape, struck off the name of 
"Jane" and reported it as "Shirley." The members who suggested this name 
objected to this unauthorized erasure and took the chairman to task for it. 
stating that the committee had agreed on the name Jane Shirley and insisted 
the name "Jane" should retain its place, which remark brought down thfi 
house in a perfect roar of laughter. After that had somewhat subsided it 
was plain something must be done to suspend this hilarity. 

One man taking in the situation arose and said he could not see any- 
thing so bad in the name of Shirley; he knew of one conspicuous man in 
Massachusetts by that name who was a judge or held some honorable pi 
tion in that state. This had the effect of somewhat sobering the legislature 
down and they suffered the name of Shirley to pass, leaving off "Jane," despite 
the protestations of the man who insisted it should retain its place in accord- 
ance with the action of the committee. 

OPPOSITION IN TIIK SENATE. 

This bill also met with much opposition in the senate, for that which 
is generally considered the most dignified part of the legislature frequent!-' 



34 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

lacks culture in some of its members. Sam Wood, who was a notable char- 
acter for levity, belonged to that body and did Ins best through filibustering 
and trickery to defeat this change of name. 

This man who at first busied himself in unearthing the act of [860, when 
he heard of Mr. Rupe's determination, tried to dissuade him from ln> purpose 
by setting up other pretext that caused the act connected with such disgrace or 
rather that there was nothing out of the way about it. but a purer and nobler 
sense of honor prompted General Harvey, who despite the evil machinations 
iif Wood, carried his bill through the senate, which ended the fight by Sam 
Wood to retain his favorite name of Shirley, though mutilated of th< equally 
endearing "Jane." 

It has been contended there is a mistake about this affair and that the 
county was really named for the governor of Massachusetts, but Mr. 
Chandler, who lent his influence in the wrong direction, dues nut mention 
the word governor. Mr. Rupe says that he doubts whether Mr. Chandler 
or any member of that legislature knew there was ever such a governor of 
massachusetts, as it was necessary to go back to the history of colonial days 
nf that commonwealth to find the man bearing that cognomen, and then but 
tii discover that he was in no way distinguished, fur he was a regular appointee 
t«> the crown, and only spoken of as carrying out his master's wishes in oppo- 
sition to the people; so it would seem that this claim was a conceited farce 
manufactured for the purpose of palliating a misdeed. Strange to say this 
act nf Air. Rupe's was unpopular; smite nf the people seemed to like the old 
name best but he i.s charitable enough to believe they did not understand all 
the circumstances in the case. 

COLONEL WILLIAM F. CLOUD. 

.Much beautiful sentiment clusters around the name of Colonel William 
F. ( 'lo.ud. the distinguished colonel of the Second Kansas, whom Cloud county 
was named in honor nf. lie is also the man into whose arms the gallant, 
beloved and much lamented General Lyons fell, at the battle of Wilson's 
Creek. Colonel Cloud visited Concordia in September, 1887, in attendance 
uiMui an ..Id soldiers' reunion. He made a speech, at the close of which be 
- pressed a desire to be present at the centennial of the naming of Cloud 
ci unity, which would be in 1967. He is a brave and true man and was much 
honored at this reunion. During this occasion he was lifted to the shoulders 
oi four or five of his comrades and carried three times around the speaker's 
-land amid three loud cheei 

I "'" ha 11 t effaced the feeling and sympathy of the old veterans of 
the 1 ivil war fur each other. Every one of these old soldiers relate with 

ling <»f pride that he defended this glorious Union and became enthused 
recalls, though time grows remote, how he marched with the gallant 

s iii blue." 

I Cloud is a resident of Kansas City, Kansas, and is said to refer 




Col. William F. Cl-OUI). 




roan 



»! i 



" Y 






HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 37 

with pride to his namesake.. Cloud county, and has always felt an interest 
in this great western field. 

STAGE COACHES. 

Although sometimes arduous and inconvenient, there was a breezy, tonic 
effect to the manner of traveling in Kansas in the days of stage coaches, 
when they plied between Concordia and Waterville, connecting daily with 
the Central Branch of the Uniqn Pacific railway and a daily line to Junction 
City, connecting with the Kansas Pacific railway, giving to the settlers rapid 
transit of mails and passengers to and from the east. Those were halcyon 
times in Kansas and each succeeding day helped to swell the population of 
the thriving young commonwealth. 

F. P. Benjamin operated a stage line with Concord coaches running 
out of Concordia to the northwest. 

FROM CLYDE TO WATKRVTLLE. 

The mail route from Waterville to Clyde was established October r, 
1S70. via Cook's crossing, on Pete's creek, and Clifton. The mail was carried 
semi-weekly. The route was established under a special contract given to 
S. C. Wheeler, of St. Joseph, Missouri. 

In the parlance of this western country, those were the days when there 
was "something doing" before the advent of railroads, modern travel, 
bridges, etc. Instead of the latter the old time ferry was lire night into use. 
and a "whoop" more or less brought the assistance of the proprietor whose 
benign countenance would illumine with smiles at the prospect of the coveted 
fare for his services. 

INDIAN TROUBLES ON THE FRONTIER. 

In the early 'sixties the repeated indications and threats of Indian out- 
breaks retarded the settlement of the country and caused many who had 
already ventured to the "New West" to retrace their steps and forego their 
intentions of building homes on the frontier. 

Each succeeding year the dangers became more imminent, but the 
courageous frontiersman who remained proceeded to plant and till the soil 
of his limited, sod turned acres. 

The country was infested with roving bands of savages: they were often- 
times lurking in the most unexpected places, and, with the stealth so charac- 
teristic of their wily natures, would appear as suddenly as if they had been 
silently and mysteriously precipitated from the clouds. Upon these occasions 
the.'r savage presence — for they were armed "to the teeth" — would strike 
terror to the stoutest heart. 

Among the first uitrages perpetrated in Cloud county (then Shirli 



3 8 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

was in May, 1862 — an inhuman and fiendish attack upon the person of Mrs. 
Ann Wilson, one of the settlers' wives, who had been visiting a fainil) on 
Elm creek, where her husband, George Wilson, was working. Their home 
was on what was later known as the William Cranmer farm. Her husband 
accompanied the unfortunate woman as far as the old Elm creek ford, and 
Bunking there was no further danger, returned to the place where he was 
working, leaving his wife to make the rest of the joume) alone. Mr. \\ ilson 
bad not been gone from her side hut a short time when the woman, who was 
kft alone on the isolated and dangerous frontier, was suddenly confronted 
by six Indians on horseback. She was subjected to most brutal assault by 
five of her assailants, while the sixth stood guard to sound the warning note 
of alarm at the possible approach of a settler. The babe she carried in her 
amis was seized by the brutal monsters and ruthlessly thrown upon the ground 
several yards distant from its terrorized and outraged mother. The condition 
of the poor woman was pitiable in the extreme, as horror-stricken she 
gathered her infant to her bosom and dragged herself to the nearest settle 
ment to relate her wretched and harrowing experiences. 

That this fiendish outrage should go unavenged seems almosl .1 saci 
but when the condition of the settlers is considered — the little handful in 
numbers — their incapacity to cope with tin overwhelming odds of tin 
warriors, their scarcity of horses and what would he of vast importance in 
those strenuous times — ammunition. Had they pursued the hostiles 111 this 
instance, the result might have been a general massacre of the settlement. 
As the growth of the country assumed greater proportions they sought to 
avenge the atrocious crimes, hut not without bloodshed and loss of life. a-. 
the experiences which follow will demonstrate. 

BOW LEWIS CASSEL, J. M. HAGAMAN AND OTHERS GOT EVEN W II II A MAR HID- 
ING BAND OF INDIANS IN OCTOBER, I NO;. 

This account is given in substance as told by J. M. Ilagaman and demon- 
strates how the Indian, if taken at disadvantage, will show the "white 
feather." 

A party of Wichita Indians were camped on Elm creek, just above the 
•settlements. They begged during the daytime and after having received gen- 
erously, stole theii horses under cover of darkness the following night. .Mes- 
sengers wen- sent about the community, and as '"Old Sol" sank to rest twenty- 
four hours later he seemed to smile an approval upon the fourteen men who 
were armed and ready to begin pursuit. The horses were well selected, the 
trail easily discerned under the light of a full moon, and as day began to daw* 
the thieves were overhauled. 

\s they discovered the hobbled horses, a halt was ordered and Lewis 
el and J. \l. Ilagaman were delegated to reconnoiter the camp, which 
performed so cautiously that the position and number of hostiles were 
lied. Returning without having alarmed the camp, the two spies notified 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



39 



their party of the result, a council was held and it was decided not to kill 
unless the Indians showed fight. Air. Hagaman was chosen to lead the 
attack. He divided the men into three squads, with eight in the first line, 
four in the second and two in the third. To give the idea they had other 
men in reserve, it was arranged that the second line was to appear over the 
intervening hill just as the camp was aroused by the first, and the plan 
worked well. The first line was discovered by the chief's wife. At the 
alarm given by her. like a flash of lightning every warrior was on his feet 
and tightening their bows. 

At this exceedingly war-like movement the men appealed to their leader 
"For God's sake, give orders to shoot." But their command was to "keep 
cool." "There is an old Indian in the hollow with his rifle cocked and pointed 
at you." said one of the party, addressing the leader, but still he bade them 
hold their fire. 

In the meantime Mr. Hagaman was parleying with the chief, at the 
same time holding his cocked revolver pointed directly at the heart of the 
red skin, whose naked body was not more that two feet from the muzzle of the 
gun. Perhaps the certain death of their chief withheld the deadly bullet 
from the settlers' captain. 

The chief vehemently denied any knowledge of the stolen horses and 
called God-the-sun, to witness. The leader, with as much decision, told him 
"You lie! You stole our horses last night and now have them." 

"White man sleep." said the old chief. 

"White man no -deep; saw you steal 'era." 

He then turned to his band and said something very much in earnest, 
upon which they flung their weapons to the ground, jumped into the creek, 
swam over and rapidly disappeared in the shadow of the timber. 

All that was left for the elated party of settlers was to gather up the 
spoils of their bloodless victory and return to their homes. There were 
thirteen ponies and horses, one mule, one excellent target rifle, a number of 
blankets, some bows and arrows, powder horn, moccasins and sundry 
other articles, all of which confiscated goods they agreed to surrender upon 
the return of their horses within thirty days. They never came to the terms 
of the treaty and after making whole those who lost their stolen horses, 
the remainder, of the booty was equally divided among the fourteen men 
in the party. 

MASSACRE OF THE CASSEL TARTY. 

In the latter part of May. 1866. a buffalo hunting party consisting of 
Lewis Cassel. William and John Collins (brothers of Mrs. Oscar Taggart, 
of Concordia, and to whom the writer is indebted in substance for much 
of this account), Walter Haynes. John C. Roberts and T. B. Tallman were 
massacred on the Little Cheyenne, a tributary of Buffalo creek, aboul twelve 
miles from where the city of Concordia now stands. As the hunting party 



40 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



did not return home when expected a feeling of uneasiness began to pr< 
among the settlers, who were always on the alert and fearful when .... 
their number were away from the settlement. The first party oi 
came upon some Otoe Indians who were hunting on Bufi ek, about 

twenty miles west of the salt marsh. The settlers were informed bj this 
tribe that the Cheyennes had been lurking around the vicinity and pointed 
out to them the direction of the abandoned camp. They hastened til 
and found upon arriving near the head .if Brown creek some h irness buckles, 
which gave evidence of foul play, and the first tangible trace of the fate 
of their friends. Among other relics of the camp was found the pocketbook 
identified as belonging to Walter Haynes and the filing papers of Lewis 
Cassel. 

From the conditions surrounding the camping ground they di 
there had been a large number of the band and that it would be worse thai 
reckless folly to pursue them further with so small a party, and they ret 
home for reinforcements. 

The story .if their probable murder rapidly circulated throughout that 
region of country and a party of about fifty armed men equipped for the 
expedition started on a thorough and extended search. After finding where 
the hunters had camped, they followed the track of their wagon to Buflfali 
creek. This was difficult to do. owing n. the hardness of the ground and 
the devious windings made by the hunters, and the trail was lost at various 
times. On the third day the anxious rescuers were further assured of the 
fate of their fellow men by coming upon the ..x wagon belonging n> the 
Collins brothers, and near lay the dead oxen that had been slain. They 
were yoked together and their bodies were shot with both bullet trrows. 

This seemed to be the point of attack. Indications revealed an Indian had 
been killed there. The grass had been wallowed flat and blood wa on 
the ground; also the headgear of an Indian King near. from here tin 
hunters seemed to have appropriated the other wagon, which was drawn 
by horses and retreated in a southwesterly direction toward Cheyenne 
Their only remaining chance was to cross that stream ere the Indians could 
cut them off, the distance being nearly twelve miles in a straight line, but 
the cunning savages bad evidently planned the attack beforehand in a 
manner to make escape impossible. 

They changed their course many times as the track of their wagon 
indicated, but would one upon an ambuscade of the redskins, forcing 

lie change, only to meet another and similar murderous onslaught. 
This running light of blood and death must have been continued for about 

iv hve miles. To trace the devious meanderings of the fleeing hunters 
was a long .nil laborious task, a day an 1 a half being spent in this way 
before am success wa- promised their undertaking. Then they found the 
body oi the dog that had accompanied the party, with two arrows in his 
bi 

J'st prior to this event the situation seemed hopeless and they were 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 41 

about to abandon the search as fruitless. They were out of rations and 
well nigh exhausted, but they were stimulated by finding the body of the 
dog and pushed on. The next day in the afternoon they came upon the 
scene of the terrible butchery. The massacre of the unfortunate doomed 
party had occurred near a crossing of Cheyenne creek. The hunters were 
on the narrow ridge that furnished a road to the creek bottom between two 
ravines. 

The inevitable conclusion was that the Indians charged upon them 
from these ravines and their destruction was but the work of a moment. 

1"he bodies of the Collins brothers, Roberts and Tallman, were found 
near the wagon. Lewis Cassel and young Haynes had evidently broken 
through the Indian lines, The body of the former was found in the bed 
of the creek and that of the hitter lying on the bank. All the ghastly 
butchering and mutilation practiced by murderous savage warfare had been 
indicted upon their bodies, the details of which are too horrible to publish — a 
scene too revolting for description. The wagon was shot full of holes. 
The circumstances demanded the immediate burial of the poor victims, the 
bodies having laid there for two weeks. They were laid to rest temporarily 
in the lonely spot where they had fallen after making such a desperate 
attempt for their lives and the late R. P. West, who was one of the most 
efficient members of the searching party, offered a prayer at the grave. The 
bodies were removed the following spring- and interred near Clifton. The 
family of Walter llaynes lived at Clifton. 

The wife of Lewis Cassel] was enroute with her parents to join her 
husband in the new western country and did not know his awful fate until 
her arrival there. One of the most pathetic scenes of the tragedy took place 
in the home of B. P. Morley, where the young wife of J. C. Roberts was 
staying. She seemingly had a premonition that evil hovered over her hus- 
band's life and entreated him to remain at home, but he. like most of the old 
settlers, could not forego a buffalo hunt. 

Idle time for their return had no sooner dawned than the young wife's 
hopes died within her breast and she declared to Mr. Morley she would never 
see her husband again; for she had "dreamed the entire party were massa- 
cred." It was to satisfv her that the first party started out when they did. 
While the tedious search was in progress the suspense was maddening to 
this poor creature, but she was brave, however, and contained herself as 
only a woman can who clings to one last but fast disappearing hope. When 
the rescuing party returned and reported the fate of the unfortunate hunters. 
her grief was heart-rending. She threw her arms around Mrs. Morley, 
who had been her comforter, counselor and friend, and burying her head 
on her bosom, sobbed out her bitter grief for one hour, then raised her 
head and was calm, but her sad heart was broken. She wrote the follow- 
ing lines to a brother in Iowa: "Dear John is gone. Come quickly," and 
signed her name. During her grief she sobbed, "To think he served through 
the war and suffered the torments of a southern prison to come west and 



42 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. KANSAS. 

be butchered by the Indians." Her brother came and took her to their 
Iowa home, where the sorrow-stricken woman became hopelesslj insane. 

The Collins brothers were young men. and the sons of W illiam ( ollins, 
who had recently settled in Cloiid county. Their mother, Mrs. Reed, is still 
living and a resident of Concordia. It is impossible to depict the gloom this 
event cast over the new settlement and many moons came and wenl ere 
they emerged from under its shadow. 

THE WHITE ROCK MASSAC! 

While the White Rock massacre did not occur in Cloud county, it was 

in such close proximity and when the settlers for miles around wen- as one 
neighborhood, that at least a brief account would be conspicuous by its non- 
appearance. 

Early in April, [867 a band of Cheyennes came into the settlement 
and brutally murdered three persons — Nicholas Ward, Mrs. Sutzer and her 
ten-year-old son. While attempting to make his escape, a young man living 
in the Ward family was wounded, but not fatally, and made his way to 
the settlement, where he communicated the dastardly attack. There were 
nine of the savages and under the guise of being friendly Otoes were 
admitted into the Ward home. After having been provided with something 
to cat from the frugal board of the settler, one of their number lifted Mr, 
Ward's rifle from its position on hooks attached to a beam overhead and 
shot the unsuspecting man while he was smoking his pipe. The tu" 
ran for their lives, but the Indians fired, bringing them both down, oik 
fatally. While tin-, was taking place the horror-stricken wife barrii 
the door, awaiting, she knew not what. They broke the door down with 
an ax. pillaged the house of Mich contents as they desired, seized Mr-. Ward 
as their captive, tied their confiscated plunder on the two mules belonging 
to the Wards and with their terror stricken prisoner, whose fate was far 
worse (ban that of her murdered husband, tramping on foot by the side of 
her fiendish captors, they started to join their tribe, traveling over hills, 
through creeks and on for miles until they reached the Solomon river. 

Hie settlers from Cloud and. Clay counties formed two parties 
provided with rations. They followed the trail by feathers that had 
been emptied from a feather bed the Indians had taken, and as a few adhered 
to the tick they would blow off and form a trail as they traveled along. 
On crossing a stream they found the imprint of a woman's fqol in 

oft earth, evidently made by the wretched woman that her friends 
might discover and aid in her rescue. They followed the trail to Limestone 
and were forced to abandon it, as there were but twelve men in this, the 
< loud county party. The savages had several days the start and it was 
useless to go farther. 

Mrs. Ward',, fate was never known and remains as much a mvstery 

v as when the foul deed was perpetrated thirty-six years ago.' But 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



43 



it is safe to conjecture she was subjected to the most revolting treatment 
and abject slavery. She was a delicate woman and in all probability was 
relieved by death ere many months elapsed. 

INDIAN RAID ON THE SOLOMON RIVER, NEAR THE PRESENT TOWN SITE OF 

GLASCO. 

Through the courtesy of Airs. Phoebe Snyder. Mr. John Mann and 
others of the pioneers who were among the unfortunate settlers at the time 
of this event, the author is indebted for a truthful recital of the occurrence- 
Prior to the date of this massacre the settlers of he Solomon valley harJ 
been alarmed at the threatening attitudes of the moving bands of Indians* 
but not until August n. 1868, was there an outbreak in this locality. 

The Indians began their depredations on the claims of John Batchie 
and Henry Hewitt, who lived near the river. They approached their vic- 
tims, saying, "Good Cheyennes," and suggested shooting at buffalo heads, 
soliciting the white men to shoot first. The unsuspecting settlers complied,, 
both emptying their guns at the same time, thus leaving themselves with- 
out defense, and no sooner were thev unarmed, than true to the treacherous 
nature of the savage, they turned and slmt them both down. They also 
wounded young - Hewitt, a son of Henry Hewitt ; shot him through the leg t 
but he escaped by getting into the timber and dragging himself home after 
nightfall. The news of this outrage traveled through the settlement and 
consternation of the wildest sort prevailed. Messengers were started out 
to get more information regarding the reports and finding the facts con- 
firmed, they at once began to gather reinforcements, while the women and 
children were huddled together like frightened deer. The next morning 
nine armed men rode over to Asher creek, and upon arriving there found 
three more settlers had been added to the victims of the bloodthirsty savages 
— Bogardus, Bell and Randall. The settlers were gathering for the pur- 
pose of moving to the stockade, but while they were preparing to flee to a 
place of safety the demons swooped down upon them. Robert Missel (now 
of Concordia) and his little brother. Benjamin Missel, were overtaken while 
making a dash for neighbor's. Both were captured, but Robert Missel 
was more fortunate than his brother ;■ for, though they fired several shots 
after him, they were without effect; but his little brother was cruelly killed. 
John Wear was killed and Mrs. Henry Hewitt seriously wounded. Miss 
Jennie Paxton, a brave young woman, was teaching school in the little log 
hut where Glasco now stands. A message of warning was sent to Miss 
Paxton and her little flock, who hastily repaired to the nearest house, that 
of II. M. Spaulding. As they fled this heroic young woman held her posi- 
tion between the frightened and panic stricken pupils and advancing savages, 
but all reached a place of safety except Lewis, the little eleven-year-old son of 
Captain and Mrs. Phcebe Snyder. 

Lewis, not realizing the imminent need of hasty action, returned to 



44 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



the school house for his coat and being in the rear was overtaken. Young 
as he was e little fellow made a valiant resistance but was left on the 

e for dead. Mrs. Snyder was preparing clothing to take to the stock- 
ade when she was startled by the blood curdling war whoop of the sa\ 

in to the creek, waded the bed of the stream until opposite the Spauld- 
iiii: claim, and. then through the corn held to the house, where the anxious 

er found all the children except her son Lewis had reached in safety. 
The pupils reported they had seen the redskins "whipping him." They had 

them spearing him. Mrs. Snyder was prevented from going at once 
to find her boy. hut believing him to he dead and past human power t.> aid 
John Mann and Han Tea-ley began to institute a search when they met 
Henr - ling and \nderson Bagwell carrying the little sufferer in their 

arms. The child was found, lying upon the ground with seven spear wounds 
between his shoulders and it was thought lie could not possibly survive the 
g I through, as there was no physician nearer than Minneapolis, Kansas, 
and the way fraught with danger from the skulking Indians. His wounds 
were ii"t dressed for nine hours. However, he was not mortally wounded 
and finally recovered, though the incident left him a nervous wreck for more 
than three years. He was .is when they found him and related how- 

he had. practiced strategy on his would-be murderers by closing his eyes and 

ing death. The plucky boy was cons - f Indians passing around 
him and one of them kicking him. remarked in English, "Now the d 



little b is dead." 

Youi was. h<. entarily to lie by them and 

this would undoubtedly have heen his lot had not the cowardly villains 

been in a hurry to Ik -eat. Mr. Randall, one i<i their victims, was 

tte from Manhattan to his home on Asher creek with a load of pro- 

- hen he was overtaken and murdered. The rlour. meal. etc.. that 

a happy heart he was taking to the now desolate home, they ruthlessly 

yed by ripping up the sacks, and appropriating their victim's horses, 

ther diabolical deed-;. Vfter placing their families in 

safe rned to bury the dead of their number. The) 

g winter at Solomon, but the heroic settlers returned 

-laims in the spring time: for a militia, headed by Captain John 

»t ickade. 

a raid which occur: er down the valley on 

ty is given in the sketch., f Robert Smith. 

•other were killed there. 

V WHITE AXP THE CAPTURE OF HIS DAUGHTER, 
WHITE. BY THE INDIANS AUGUST 1 3. 

might 1h? given correctly, the author 

ei .min White, and the mother of 

-.■':'- ugh the vivid and inter- 



HISTORY OF CLOIJD COUNTY, KANS 

ng recitals of this kindly woman, who suffered beyond the power of pen 
to picture or the human mind to comprehend, a detailed account 
obtained. It seemed almost a sacrili Mrs. White to rehearse the 

story that brought to her home such pain, grief and 
would not strive to blot from the memory, the heartaches 

it must awaken, and the write: : ence felt some mis-- - 

- when the invalid woman sorrowfully concluded, "In telling- v 
I live it all over again." However, she gave the desired information che 
fully, for she realized it was a duty she owe ty. Che- 

and Virgil Broun also gave accounts pertaining to this tragic aft 
Benjamin White was one of the fir>t settler- on White's creek. 
come there with his family in May. 1866. The creek was then kn 
"Cranny" creek, hut sometime after the death of Mr. White. L. J. 
of Concordia, suggested at a picnic held in the neighborhood, the 1. 
changed to White'- creek in honor of Benjamin White, and the name 
adopted. 

fin the fatal day of the Indian raid Mrs. White was alone with her 
daughter Sarah, a young woman of about sixteen years, and three smaller 
children. They had finished milking- the cows and returned to the 
when, without the least warning, they were in the midst of a prowling 
of six savages. The Indians divided into two squads on the opposite - 
of the creek and came around the bend of the stream, three from the north 
and three from the south, led by a stalwart redskin who gave 
one of those fierce unearthly shrieks — the Indian yell — that once he 
can never be forgotten, and especially if given when on the warpath. The 
house -' od near the hank of the creek few rods distant 

present residence, and in the next instant they were surrounded. In 
likelihood they had been skulking about the vicinity of the White home 
were aware of the absence of Mr. White consequently were brave, but ' 
further assure themselves that the women were alone, they peered I 
the windows, and as their grim-visaged, war-painted faces were 
again-t the window panes they struck terror to the hearts of the* 
women and children. Not seeing any men. the brave and noble 1 ?i redmen 
entered the house and proceeded to make havoc with its contents, tea:- 
up what they chose to leave, and procee liner to carry the remainder 
as part of their booty. A more critical moment than this, with a help 
woman and her offspring at the mercy of these soulless demons, cannot be 
conceived. Their first thought was to escape while the house was 
plundered and hasten to join Mr. White and his three sons, who were 
making hay on the Republican river, hut the first move they made 
direction was thwarted by two of the Indians seizing the older d 
a comely young- girl just entering upon the dawn of womanhood. The 
frenzied mother resisted a- mucl e, and with a child in hi 

was dragged some distance, hut her interference was 
ful savages lore the girl ;r . her pitiful, ag 



46 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

wafted on the breezes to the half-crazed, suffering mother, growing fainter 
and more faint until they disappeared in the distance, leaving the desolate 
woman haunted by the worst fears — fears that her fate might be even 
w i >rse than death. 

The remaining four brought the other members of the family back 
and resuming- their plundering, took everything' in the way of blankets, 
shawls, etc., and hung them on the fence. By this time the) were laboring 
under marked excitement. Their posse had been lessened by two, and as 
they hurriedly skirmished around to get their ponies, Annie, the eldest of 
the three left with their mother, suggested they go and find Sarah. They 
started, but only succeeded in moving a few pares when, with menacing 
threats, they were ruthlessly pulled Lack to their stations in the little cabin 
that was being rudely divested of its contents — articles that had been hauled 
main- miles to make them comfortable on the frontier. While the murder- 
ous and thieving- brigands were packing the goods on their pome- their 
attention was so diverted that their usually eagle eye did not 
see the mother and her little children make the second exit. They 
reached the timber that skirted the creek and drawing themselves 
through the thick growth of underbrush they hid behind a large cotton- 
wood log. They had no sooner reached this temporary retreat than 
the demons having discovered their captives had flown, started toward the 
creek' in hot pursuit, renting the air with their frightful war whoops, while 
they tore up and down the stream like mad fiends, the brush snapping and 
cracking under the feet of the excited horses as their riders scanned the 
lends of the creek hunting for the fugutives. But probable fear- lor the 
of their copper-colored skins prevented them from making a more 
minute search and saved the scalp- of the hiding refugees. The Indians 
then tinned in the direction of the river and rode over to where Mr. White 
and his sons were working. The summer of 1868 was phenomenally dry 
and hot. even for Kansas. 'The productive creek bottoms, which in [867 
and again in [869 were a great sea of tall blue joint, offorded nothing 
lii for the mowing machine, and settlers from far and near established 

ps along the Republican river and put up hay. The meadows between 

Yuma and Norway were full of hay camps. 

Benjamin White and Virgil Brown were camped on the south side, 

just above where the railroad bridge now spans the river. Mr. White had 

there more than two weeks. He kept a dairy and was providing 

w inter fi age < r Ins cows. 
• ... 

William English, whose claim was on the river north of what is now 

I Broadway, Concordia, and a Mr. Eaves, who lived further down 

Republican, had established a camp on the opposite side of the stream 

White and Mr. Brown on the land now owned by Judson M. 

'I here were many other hay makers at various points along the 

them Myers and Daugherty, of Salt creek, Cornelius Reed, 

lor, with bis sons. Lieutenant Johnson and John Harris^ 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 47 

the latter from Mill creek. Owing to the condition that they were all 
cognizant of the fact that an outbreak was liable to occur al any moment 
it is strange that these men were not armed, nor were there but few fire- 
arms in the settlement at that time. 

The morning of the raid Yirgil Brown had rode over to the camp of 
English and Eaves and was sitting on his horse conversing with these neigh- 
boring hay-makers when they discovered Indians were dashing into the 
meadow from the south side. Mr. White was standing on the top of a hay 
stack which they were topping off, while his three sons, John, Martin and 
Charles, were pitching the hay up to him from a wagon. Two horses stood 
harnessed to the wagon and four or live others were lariated a short dis- 
tance away. The boys jumped down, mounted the horse- (two on one 
animal) .and rode away toward the river. An Indian charged upon John; 
knocking him off his horse with the butt of his lance. The other boys 
jumped, ran to the river and waded across. Meanwhile one of the savages 
was loosening the picketed horses and Mr. White, who was a brave and 
fearless man, bordering on to recklessness, descended from the stack and 
walked toward the Indian, rapidly at first, then slackened his pace, and 
finally stopped, and after a moment's hesitation turned and started for the 
river, Just as he was hidden from view by the intervening timber Mr. 
Brown and Mr. Eaves heard the report of a gun and saw one Indian going 
across the prairie with Mr. White's horses, while the others galloped up 
the river. Mr. White had guns in the camp, but their tent was some dis- 
tance away. Not thinking they were on the warpath, and being in total 
ignorance of the outrage just perpetrated upon bis helpless family, he walked 
toward them unarmed, thinking they would desist, but the moment the 
Indian- noted bis disadvantage they fired and shot him through the body. 
John White, the older of the sons, says the Indians carried no firearms 
heavier than revolvers, but were armed with lances, bows and quivers of 
arrows. While John was knocked off his horse he skulked along i n the 
grass and remained hidden until Mr. Brown and Mr. English arrived. Mr. 
White was not vet dead when they found him and anxiously inquired about 
his boys, but died a moment later. Ys was the custom in such events on 
the frontier, messengers were sent to herald the tragedy throughout the set- 
tlement and all the available men in the locality assembled to discuss the 
Situation and devise plans for their safety. 

Chester Dutton and John Harris had noticed what purported to be 
figures in the distance. Just as Dennis Taylor rode up the figures came 
into view again on the bench south of Oneonta. "I am going to see what 
those objects are," said Mr. Taylor, and putting spurs to his horse the crowd 
followed. The "objects" proved to be the sorrow stricken wife and mother, 
mourning the uncertain fate of her beloved daughter, enroute to the camp 
where she could pour her tale of woe into the ears of the devoted husband 
and father, and together devise some plan to rescue their child from the 
brutal savages. All unconscious of bis deplorable late, she. with her children, 



48 HISTORY OY CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

all barefooted, had trudged those five miles in desperation, alert to every 

I, even the winds that rustled in the burnt grasse- of the prairie seemed 

full of peril, and when they heard the sound vi approaching horsemen they 

! their doom was sealed and hastened on as fast as their sore and 

ild carry them. But Annie had discovered the supposed 

enem\ was r. t Indians, but white men of the settlement. Mrs. White told 

and then inquired for her husband and sons. Not for several 

moments could any of tli - stout, big-hearted frontiersmen reveal to this 

woman. \vh se cup of bitterness was already full to overflowing, the 

if her husband — the words that would convey his tragic and cruel 
death were frozen upon their lips as she looked from one to another for 
her answer. At length iLeutenant Johnson broke the painful, melancholy 
srilence. These were his words: ■"The boys, Mrs. White, are safe, but the 
old man is killed." A wag I team was placed at the disposal of the 

n woman, and she with her trembling little one- were 
taken to a place of safety. 

MILITIA ORGANIZATION. 

Just this event State Adjutant General McAfee made a per- 

sona' t the Kansas frontier, and stopping at Lake S 

5 to organize themselves into a militia company, promis- 
ing to commission the officers they might elect and to arm the company with 
Maynard carbines. A meeting was promptly called, every available man 
ami 1 g. and Basil Coleman Sanders was elected captain. Peter 

lieutenant, and Frank Lawrence, of Lawrenceburg. sec- 
t. Wednesday. August 12, 1867. brought the commissions. The 
carbines that were dispatched at the same time never reached their destina- 

- were afterward sent to replace them. While the 

rsing with Mrs. White. Captain Sanders arrived, and gather- 

rmation he could, said prompt action must be taken. Mrs. White 

thought the Indians were Pawnees and this gave Captain - - ho]>e of 

>cue the captive girl, but if upon the other hand they were 

- Arapal - -they proved 1 a strong camp was resting 

on t' - -ending smaller 1 sses - lient points simultane - 

Vhite R ement was in need of assistance. In either 

an immediate advance to the White Rock, and 

cahe inteers to start then and there: no time to turn back for a bis- 

The men who valiantly responded to his call were William 

Spencer. John Xeve. Joe 

Hull. Before reaching Little Oak creek the company was 

ind Homer Adkins. First Lieutenant Johnson was 

ter the White premises, find the trail oi ges and 

- reek and down the river for mo 

ir with him the next dav with instruct ns to turn back if 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 49 

the trail led toward the Solomon. For to follow it into the camp of the 
Cheyennes meant instant death to Miss White and probably the entire party. 
Captain Sanders and his party rode along the west side of the river with 
neither road or bridges. Night came on; an inky darkness overspread the 
sky and their brave captain lead the way by an occasional flash 1 f lightning, 
the men following in single file. Mr. Dutton brought up the rear, and ljeing 
a poor horseman and unused to the saddle, he came near being left repeatedly. 
The others were all soldierly fellows .and fine marksmen, but perhaps none 
of them were more valiant than he. 

Late that night they reached a stockade that had been formed by some 
hay-makers who had been raided by the Indians the day before and lost one 
of their settlers, a young man by the name of VVinbigler, from Illinois. 

They pressed on until they knew it was useless to pursue an uncertainty 
any longer and as they had not been joined by Lieutenant Johnson as di- 
rected, they turned back. Upon their return they found the following mes- 
sage from Governor Crawford : "Tell the settlers of Lake Siblev to stick 
together — By the eternals. I'll see that they are protected" — But the gov- 
ernor not responding as promptly as they expected, the settlers instituted 
a militia, and places of safety were established in various settlements, at 
Sanders Mill. Clyde, Clifton and. other places along the river. Mrs. White 
and her family were installed in a vacant log house belonging to Dennis 
Taylor and situated near the mill, where she could live in an atmosphere 
of security. 

MISS WHITE TAKEN INTO CAPTIVITY. 

Words cannot adequately describe the sensations of Sarah Catherine 
White as she was carried by her brutal assailants about five miles acr — 
Buffalo creek, where fifteen other Cheyennes were seemingly awaiting this 
marauding fraction of their tribe. Here Miss White was left with a guard, 
one Indian on the brow of the hill and another at the base. The remaining 
portion of the band started out in the direction of the river. Left on this deso- 
late hill, awaiting her own ouknown fate and suffering bodily torture from 
the diabolical assault of her inhuman captors. Miss White speculated in 
her mind as to her mother and the other three children. She reasoned they 
had bean cruelly maltreated and then perhaps annihilated, and thought 
of her father and brothers as saved because of being away, neither did she 
know differently, but mourned the former as dead or suffering a worse fate 
until her release six months later. After her conspirators returned they 
began a journey westward and after several days travel they reached the 
headwaters of the Republican, where they joined the tribe with their 
warriors, squaws and papooses. 

The squaws were marked in their kind attentions to Miss White ami 
exhibited real sympathy; as they gathered around the fair young prisoner 
some of them caressed her and murmured the while "]» "]'"" 



5° 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. KANSAS. 



papoose," the true mother instinct asserting itself even in the savage breast 
as they thought of her having been torn from the arms of loving parents. 

About three weeks from the date of Miss White's capture, Mrs. Mor- 
gan, the four weeks bride of James Morgan of Ottawa county, was carried 
into the same camp. The meeting between these two young prisoners was 
a pathetic incident. Miss White was completely overcome and could not 
utter a word. Mrs. Morgan was the first to speak; approaching Miss White 
she asked: "Sister, how do you like this life?" Miss White could not answer, 
she knew what the new captive had undergone and their deplorable situations 
paralyzed her powers of speech. Yet the two young women were company 
for each other and were allowed to converse together around the campfire. 
And inasmuch as both were doomed to the same conditions it was fortunate 
for both they were in the same camp. Miss White was of rather a sub- 
missive nature for she knew of no other alternative, and was a general 
favorite among both the braves and the squaws. 

Among the stolen property of the tribe was a dress that had been taken 
from the settlement. This they proffered Miss White as a token of their ap- 
preciation, but compelled Mrs. Morgan to wear the native costume. Mrs. 
Morgan was of an aggressive nature and did not readily yield t<> their in- 
dignities, however in some instances they seemed to admire her courage 
and bravery. On one occasion a squaw requested her to help drive ponies. 
Mis. Morgan refused, whereupon the squaw- struck her a heavy blow. In 
an instant Mrs. Morgan was in pursuit of her fleeing assailant, caught her 
and administered a sound thrashing, amidst the yells of approval from the 
warriors of the tribe who seemed delighted over her bravery. The two 
young women were together until their rescue by General Custer and his 
brave followers. 

The captives were given a tent each and were the special property of 
one Indian after they were established in the tribe, but had been exchanged 
two or three times among other chiefs of the Chevennes. 

They had planned an escape one night but had forgotten to appoint 
a meeting place and after going about for sometime without finding each 
other, and knowing the least signal would bring the savages down upon 
them, they each returned to their tents. The following day they de- 
ised more complete plans, and met that night at a certain tree as designated. 
( autii i sly, silently, the two prisoners who had often considered death would 
be preferable to their situations, if they were not to be rescued, stole out 
imp while the usually alert savages were slumbering heavily and 
rid the confines of the Indian grounds, bounded along toward the 
government trail like two frightened deer. They had not gone but a few 
er, when they heard a low, muffled, rumbling sound as of dis- 
tant thunder, that seemed to come from the trail just in advance of them. 
They listened, queried, and in a moment it dawned upon the excited fugi- 
that a herd of buffalo were coming down the trail, and knowing they 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS- 51 

would be trampled to death if they did not change their course, sought refuge 
in a slough of tall grass. 

The herd was hours in passing and their escape was retarded. After 
the buffalo passed they thought best to locate the trail before daylight, that 
they could resume their journey after nightfall the following evening. But 
as they started out again the next evening and were passing down the trail 
a gun was fired, the bullet whizzing over their heads, and in looking around 
discovered an Indian in pursuit. Dismayed at their ill-omened fate, there 
was no alternative but to be marched back to their life of slavery. On the 
return trip they stopped to rest and the savage dropped asleep with his re- 
volver loose by his side. They were tempted to use it in their defense but 
thought he might be feigning sleep and kill them or that the other Indians were 
skulking near by. The slavery and indignities that were imposed upon the 
young women was made doubly more harrowing after this event and they 
were watched constantly. 

.Mr. Morgan was wounded and left for dead at the same time his wife was 
captured, but was nursed back to life and health by friends in Minneapolis, 
Kansas, and now lives on bis farm in Ottawa county. Mrs. Morgan's 
brother accompanied General Custer during the winter campaig-n and was 
present at the rescue of his sister. He did not recognize her, as the costume 
and general appearance had entirely changed her personality. In April, when 
they were rescued, Miss White went into Junction City where some young 
men from Lake Sibley happened to be, am! they chartered a carriage and 
sent the young woman to her once happy home. Miss White is now Mrs. 
Brooks, the mother of an interesting family and continues to live in the same 
vicinity. 

General Custer obtained the women by a bold stroke. He with his staff 
rode into the camp of the Cheyennes and demanded them to care for his 
horses. His men followed and thus surrounded General Custer demanded 
the prisoners, and as he did so threw some ropes over the limb of a tree, ex- 
plaining the result of a refusal. The captives were forthcoming and the 
chiefs were detained as hostage, and later met with a tragic death. 

Word was received by Mr. Dutton from his brother, who had consulted 
an Indian agent, saying: 

"If the Indians were successful in recapturing the young women, which 
they would try to do, their fate would be terrible." 

Miss White taught school in the primitive log house in Elk township, 
after her return from captivity. 

Mrs. Morgan gave birth to an Indian child several months after her 
release. The child lived to be nearly three years of age. The author con- 
versed with the physician who was called professionally to the bedside 01 
this child during the illness that preceded its death. In his remarks he said 
the Indian predominated decidedly, also, that Mrs. Morgan's love lor the 
child was very much like that of ordinary mothers and sincerely mourned 
the death of her offspring. The little fellow bad all the instincts and cbarac- 



52 -HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

teristics of his race, would hide behind doors and corners, creep along the 
grass and bushes, and exhibited many of their traits. 

Mrs. Morgan's case was a peculiarly sad one. Mrs. Brooks seems happy 
with her husband and her several children; but Mrs. Morgan's life became a 
burden, she was dissatisfied, niun.se and unhappy. Three children came to 
bless their home after her return, but she left her husband and children, was 
very unhappy until finally her mind gave way under the great mental pres- 
sure and the poor unfortunate woman finally Inst her reason and was taken 
to the asylum for the insane about two years ago, where she died on June 
ii. [902, at the age of fifty-eight "years. Thus ended the sad storj ol a 
woman whose life was marked by trials and sorrows as is seldom the lol ol 
human beings. 

Mrs. White retained the homestead, reared her family there, and has 
made a comfortable home, now owning over a section of land. She. with 
her two sons, Lewis J. and William Elmer, operate the farm. Mr-. White 
savs when she hears people complaining of hardships and hard times, she 
often thinks their knowledge along these lines is very limited. 

INDIAN RAID ON THE REPUBLICAN VALLEY, JUNE _\ i860. 

From Wilder's annals we quote the following: "November 15. [868, 
General Sheridan makes a report to Genera] Sherman and demands that 
the war department 'have sole and entire charge of the Indians. It is to 
the interest of the nation and humanity to put an end to this inhuman farce. 
The peace commission, the Indian department, the military and the Indians 
make a "balky team." The public treasury is depleted and innocent people 
murdered in the quadrangular management, in which the public treasury 
and the unarmed settlers are the greatest suffers.'' He further says: "De- 
cember 24, [868; the Indians make an entire surrender to General Phil. 
Sheridan." J. 1'.. McAfee, adjutant general, reports: "That as far as can 
he ascertained on the border and on the plains, within the limits of the state 
of Kansas, during the year [868 the killed numbers from eighty to one hun- 
dred persons." Notwithstanding the "Indians made an entire surrender to 
eral Phil. Sherman in [868," another raid occurred on the Republican 
river in Cloud county, on June 2, 1869. 

Through a graphic recital of the event as told by the late Nels Nelson, 
Jr.. the author is enabled to give an authentic account of the attack on that 
when Ezra, the twelve-year-old son of Homer Adkins, who settled 
isl side and about six miles up the Republican river from the pres- 
oncordia, in 1868, was slain by the Indians within a short dis- 
tance of his home. 

elson Jr., and his two brothers, James and Christian, were 

irie in a field on the opposite side of the river. Ezra Adkins 

had come to b ome flour of the Nelson family. The boy was herding 

or tin- west side of 0:,- Republican and said before taking the flour be would 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 53 

ride down the river and round up his cattle driving them homeward across 
the river. In the meantime the Indians, to about thirty in number and that 
many mure across the river watching the settlement from the east side in 
the vicinity of the Adkins and Duttmi homes, came swooping down between 
the boy mi horseback and the men in the field. There were about twenty 
of the yelping, howling savages mounted and about ten or a dozen more 
hanging on to the tails of the ponies. They were all armed with guns 
and weapons oi warfare they had received from the government, seemingly 
to aid the blood-thirsty Cheyennes in their fatal attacks on the settlers. 

As they came across the country shooting and making the hills back 
from the beautiful valley resound their fierce war-whoops, the terror-stricken 
boy dismounted from his horse thinking his chances would be better for 
gaining the tail grass and bushes along the river where he might elude them 
by hiding, but one savage caught his horse while another, who had been 
hanging on the tail of the mounted Indian's pony, pursued their little vic- 
tim, caught and held him fast by the hand, the boy resisting with all his 
strength. Nels Nelson, Jr., who had hidden in a knoll of sand and wit- 
nessed this foul deed, hut was unable to render assistance, said the savage 
on horseback seemingly ordered the boy released and then shot him twice 
in the head. After piercing him with the bullets of their unerring rifles., 
they stooped over his lifeless body and Air. Nelson supposed they were- 
scalping him hut it proved that they were nibbing the little fellow of some 
of his clothing. 

While this part of the band was in course of action the main body of 
the redskins started for the breaking team which consisted of two mules 
and one horse driven by James, a lad of seventeen years. They caught the 
team, cut them loose from the plow and while this was proceeding, an 
Indian with his spear in position turned to pierce the body of his coveted 
victim, when James boldly drew a revolver. This sudden and unexpected 
action disconcerted the murderous savage and throwing himself on the side 
of his pony rode rapidly away, allowing the young man to make his escape 
and live to become a prominent farmer and stock man of Republic county, 
and is the father of Dr. Nelson, of Concordia. 

After securing the breaking team and the murdered boy's horse, the 
Indians came together and held a short council. While this was in course 
ol progress. Nels Nelson. Jr.. repaired to their frontier cabin and prevailed 
Upon his father, the Reverend Nels Nelson, his wife, with their two-year- 
old child, and his two brothers, to run to the river with all possible haste, 
while he took his gam and returned to the sand knoll from which he could 
discover the movements of the Indians. When Mr. Nelson saw his family 
had reached the river he hastily joined them, helping his aged father across 
the stream while his trembling wife waded with her two-year-old child in 
her arms through the water full waist deep. Upon reaching the humble 
house of the Adkins' the anxious mother inquired for her boy. When told 



54 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



of the tragedy, the ill-fated mother was almost frenzied with grief, re- 
fusing to be comforted for many months. 

From the Adkins homestead they could look across the river and wit- 
ness the Indians as they stealthily crawled through the grass, surrounded the 
home and fired upon it; but finding the inmates bad vacated, the mauraders 
entered and stripped the home of its contents, taking what the} could, 
including a line full of clothes that had just been laundered by Mi's. 
Nelson, and destroyed what they did nol want. \ feather bed was cai 
to a nearby hill, where it was ripped open and emptied of its contents, bul 
earned the tick away, while the feathers were left to swirl through the air. 
They appropriated most of the provisions; some bacon left in the cabin gave 
evidence of having been speared, as it was seen from being pierced by 
their poisonous spear points. 

Under cover of darkness, the night following the attack. Nels Xel- 
son, |r.. with a son-in-law of Mr. Adkins. accompanied by a Newfoundland 
doo- went in search of the body of the murdered boy. The canine readil) 
found the remains of his little master, with whom tin- dog was a prime 
favorite, and manifested his discovery by barking. The scene was a ghastly 
one, with the brains oozing from the gunshot wound that had been inflicted 
about seven hours earlier. The grief of the family was terrible to behold 
and a scene never to be forgotten by the little group of settlers gathered 
there, where a few hours before the family had rejoiced in dreams of a 
future happy home. The remains were placed in a crude coffin made from 
boards secured from Captain Sander's mill. 

While these events were taking place. Homer Adkins, father of the 
murdered hoy, was in Junction City in behalf of the settler- of the frontier, 
trying to impress upon the authorities the need of -ending a militia to pro 
tect the settlers. 

The same day and not more than an hour prior to the raid, the home 
guards stationed at Fort Sibley reported they had scoured the country ovet 
and assured the people there were no savages in the community. They 
were hidden in the tall grasses, awaiting an opportune time to make an 
assault. 

In the pockets of the Reverend Xels Nelson's pantaloons was an 
envelope containing $200 in greenbacks, which in their eagerness and excite- 
ment had fallen to the ground and was overlooked. The money thus left 
enabled the Reverend Nelson and his two sons to leave until the depre- 
dations had ceased, but Xels Nelson, Jr.. with his wife and child refused 
to go, so he. with his brave companion, who had neither money nor clothes 
left them, remained to face the dangers of Indian warfare alone, and though 
they spent many sleepless nights and days of fear and uncertainty, the 

in troubles were practically ended, and peace and tranquility again sup- 
planted the dread of the Cheyennes on the war-path. The Nelsons put in a 
$1,300, and received judgment for 1.000, but the claim was never 
l ,ai<1 overnment sent men to hear the testimony three different times, 

but ,ie technicality the ciaim was thrown out. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNT V. KANSAS. 55 

LAWLESSNESS ON THE FRONTIER. 

Aside from the Indian depredations there were comparatively few- 
irregularities during the early days in matters pertaining to lawlessness. 
The Conklin affair has been dwelt upon to some extent. 

On August 25, 1867, Richard Bump and Vincent Davis were assaulted 
on Upton creek, the former was killed, shot down by parties from the 
opposite side of the creek discharging a load of shot into the body of the 
man, whom it was supposed the assailants had taken for other parties who 
were peddling goods through the country Davis was also wounded but 
not fatally, and taking the lines from his dead companion drove to the 
Elk creek settlement. The murderers were pursued, captured and brought 
back to Elk creek, where they were given a preliminary trial before J. N. 
Hagaman, the father of J. M. Hagaman. and were held for murder. But 
they were not permitted to live for further justice, but were taken from 
the custody of the sheriff and ere the night had been spent were dangling 
from the limb of a tree. dead. 

The consensus of opinion was that these two Jewish peddlers, Ed- 
ward Zachareas ami Richard Kennup, had been lying in wait for two other 
parties who also had wares to sell, and mistook Bump and Davis, who were 
god citizens just returning from a buffalo hunt, for the men they had been 
lying in wait for, for two days. .Money was their supposed object. 

MURDER OF JOSEPH NICHOLAS HAGAMAN, THE VENERABLE FATHER OF 

J. M. HAGAMAN. 

On July 11. 1868, J. N. Hagaman was murdered by William llarman. 
After some litigation over a calf they had agreed to settle the matter of 
ownership by turning the cow into the herd on the principal that the calf 
would find its mother. J. N. Hagaman, who was herding the cattle on the 
Thorp place, had received orders to not let any of them go as the deputy 
sheriff. Bowen, had come to take them, and had deputized Harmon to go 
with him to attach the cattle in accordance with the decision of the court. 
An eye witness related to the author that after skirmishing a few moments 
while on their ponies, he saw Harmon ride up to a fence and pick up a club 
that almost seemed made for the occasion. His assailant struck Mr. Haga- 
man over the head with this weapon, killing him almost instantly. After 
a number of trials and the lapse of a number of years the case was dropped. 

Harmon with his wife lived at Manhattan and while he was supposed 
to be incarcerated had his freedom. The result of his crime going unpunished 
was a laxness of the law in those days, when people seemed a law of them- 
selves. 

SHOOTING AFFAIR AT GLASCO. 

The Carmichael murder case occurred at Glasco, Marsh 7, 1872. Car- 



56 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. KANSAS. 

michael was a cattle man who lived at Abilene, but had been wintering stock 
near Glasco. He with his herder, Lewis, became involved in a qua n 
'with David and Hamilton Dalrymple, over snine feed, and nut in Gl: 
to arbitrate the trouble, imbibed too freely and the result was a fight, with 
a deplorable sequel. David Dalrymple was shot through the heart and ex 
pired instantly and Hamilton Dalrymple received a wound in the knee. 

Carmichael received wounds from winch he died a week later. Lewis 
was shot through the neck, hut recovered. A bystander by the nan,. 
VVorden. received a gunshot wound in the shoulder. 

There have been few other crimes committed, but it is not the intention 
of the writer to go into details of those of more recent date. For the space 
is more beneficial as well as pleasing devoted to other subjects. 

FRONTIER 11 VRDSHIPS. 

The beautiful valleys of the Solomon and the Republican, that arc 
now teeming with a wealthy and prosperous people, during the earl 
tlement of the country were the scenes of many distressing situations, par- 
ticularly is this true in the event of accident, sickness and death. And that 
prosterity may know more of their suffering and the heroic courage and 
fortitude with which they endured these privations, the following incidents 
will he related: During the pioneer settlements the people were always on 
tic alert for savages and devising plans of protection, and hence lo< 
claims in close proximity to each other. ■ In the spring .if [866 the Howards, 
front Missouri, and the Higgins, from Nemaha county, Kansas, joined the 
new settlements on the Solomon fixer and to add strength to their forces 
built a dougout on the claim of M. D. Teasley, the other settlers all combin- 
ing to assist in building a good sized home about 12x16 feet (large for 
that period) for the Howard family, the Higgins preferring their tent. 
Mr. Howard, a Canadian by birth, had lost an arm in the lumber mills ,,f 
that country and remained where the excavating was in course of pro- 
ceeding, while the other men and boys were cutting poles and logs to 1 er 
tin- structure. They had taken especial pains to secure a strong log for the 
ridge pole, all unconscious as they labored for their new neighbor, they 
were preparing a death trap for the doomed family. The tree selected had 
ever) ippeat ince of being sound and was from sixteen to eighteen inches 
in diameter The hearts of the new dwellers were swelled with pride and 
ii ippiness as they were preparing their first evening meal in the new quar- 
ters and \\ tT e seated around the spread made on the earth of their new 
abode, innocently exchanging pleasantries. Mr. Howard had just an.se 
eating his supper and was in the act of lighting his pipe — the other 
members of the family, the wife, seven children and one grand child, were 
I around the table— when, without a note of warning, with a crash the 
" -I fell in upon them Mr. Howard's neck was broken and he was badly 
cr.ished otherwise, never speaking a word. Joseph, the third son. win, was 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 57 

about sixteen years of age was mortally wounded, his chest and abdomen 
being crushed by the debris. Airs. Howard was seriously but not fatally 
injured. A babe in her arms was badly stunned and for some time thought 
to be dead, but under the timely administrations of Mrs. Rhoda Teasley, 
the little one recovered from the -buck'. It seemed hours long drawn out 
to their terror-stricken neighbors before they could extricate the victims. 
but was probably the work of a few moments only. 

When Mrs. Howard was released, going to her son she asked: "Are 
you hurt, Joseph?" lie turned his eyes upon her face and replied: "Oh. 
mother, mother, mother." Those were the last words he spoke and died 
in a few minutes. The other inmates were unhurt. 

This event carried the deepest gloom into the midst of this little colony 
The father and son were consigned to the cold earth without a coffin, their 
bodies wrapped in a sheet, placed in a comfort and laid to rest. It would 
be impossible to describe the scene of desolation the borrowing details of 
this catastrophe made doubly so by the conditions surrounding the frontier 
settlers. This was the first burial in the old cemetery which is located about 
a half-mile south of the new one at Glasco. 

The accident occurred from a flaw in the tree caused by a limb that had 
decayed and fallen off, leaving an aperture where water collected and had 
caused decay inside the log, which proved to be nearly a shell, but to all 
outside appearance was sound. A new dugout was built with extraordinary 
precaution and the unfortunate family continued to live in the settlement. 
The Howards brought with them the first sheep introduced into the Solo- 
mon valley. 

ANOTHER BURIAL ON THE FRONTIER. 

In the autumn of 1867 the death of a little child occurred in 
the settlement, one of the first in the Solomon valley. The 
family lived on Chris creek. East of them lived Wilson Mitchell. 
After the body of the little five-year-old girl, the pride of her fond parents, 
was made ready for burial, the kind, sympathizing friends began to devise 
some means of obtaining a coffin. Mr. Mitchell proffered his services and 
said if lumber could be provided he would make one. Mrs. Phoebe Sny- 
der was one of the good neighbors who was endeavoring to soften the grief 
of the mother by laying her offspring to rest as tenderly as the means at 
hand would allow, asked Mr. Mitchell if the boards could not be planed. 
He replied alas, it was impossible for the lack of tools to work with. Mrs. 
Snyder, true to the instinct of a sympathizing mother, utilized her black 
silk apron along with some black silk handkerchiefs she gathered from the 
settlers, and neatly covered the home-made casket on the outside, and the 
inside with white muslin. Xails were driven in the lid, and after the body 
was removed to the wagon that was to convey the remains to-their last rest- 
ing place, that the mother might not hear the doleful sound of the hammer. 
the nails were driven down while the sorrowing parents were yet in di h >rs. 



58 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

This family were not so courageous as the Howards, but left the melan- 
choly scene soon afterward for their former eastern home. 

AN ATTEMPT TO CHANGE THE COUNTY LINE. 

Beginning with the northeast corner of Nemaha county, there is .1 
line to the western boundary of the state making one continuous line for 
nearly all of what is called the northern tier of counties. Republican count) 
being the only exception, the question naturally arises: Why this devi- 
ation ? 

We give in substance Mr. Rupe's version of the matter. When the 
boundary lines of Saline county were established, it being the first one 01 
ganized west of the sixth principal meridian. Col. Phillips was in th< 
islatture and being interested in making Saline the county --eat of tin- new 
county, conformed the northern and southern lines -< 1 as to bring his town 
in the center. This left twelve townships of twelve tiers of townships 1" 
tween Saline county and Nebraska, which had to he divided between three 
other counties, afterward known as Ottawa. Shirley and Republic. The 
latter came in for an equal distribution which gave her only four tiers. 
which is one less than the other northern tier counties with the exception of 
Brown and Donovan. 

The people of Republic county disliked the idea of being denied the 
territory. They demanded which justly belonged to them and consequently 
clamored for the extra tier. This could not he done without doing great 
injustice to Cloud county, (then Shirley,) or destroying a well established 
order of things. Mr. Rupe knew the people of Shirley county were dis- 
satisfied with the relative position of the county lines, especially on Elk 
creek; so after his election he conceived the idea of dividing the county 
exactly in the middle, east and west, throwing the north half into Republic 
and the south half into Ottawa county, making two out of three counties. 

Among the reasons he had for doing this was an imperfect idea of the 
future resources. He advanced the idea that the settlements would he mainly 
confined to the river bottom and creek valleys, the river running through 
hut little over half the length of the county they were deprived of what 
he considered a great deal of the most valuable lands, and consequently 
thought they would always he a weak county. The plan of dividing the 
\ would give about thirty miles more of the river bottom and do much 
in the way of addition to the taxahle property. 

While this would have made two rather large counties, he thought those 
townships situated on the divide would never amount to much, the land 
l '" ;,M nev e r he utilized (and this opinion was shared by R. D. Mobley, of 
Ottawa); in his opinion these lands were a mere waste and the few settlers 
were likely to attain, would he confined to the heads of the creeks and 
consequently these two comities would subsequently have hut the five tiers 
ot townships, after all. and would give to them that which thev stood 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 59 

sorely in need of, more strength by way of taxable property, and their 
county would especially be one of the strongest in the west. 

This one of the circumstances as existing then, will no doubt be amus- 
ing to the people of Colfax, Aurora Nelson, Center. Arion and Summit 
townships, as well as the next tier south of them, as they reflect Mr. Rupe's 
ideas of their future growth. This bill failed for two reasons; first, the 
western delegation was strongly opposed to obliterating one of their coun- 
ties: second, there was a petition from his own and Republic county against 
it, so he did not press it, but allowed it to die a natural death. The people 
of Republic county, however, admitted afterward they did not have a fair 
understanding of its nature. 

FIRST SETTLERS OF CLOUD COUNTY. 

The subject of the founder and first settler of Cloud county has oc- 
casioned much controversy and some discussion hetween these two old land- 
marks, J. B. Rupe and J. M. llagaman. each of whom have contributed a 
series of history and early reminiscences through the columns of the Clyde 
Herald and Concordia Blade. 

Mr. J. B. Rupe has kindly submitted these "early recollections." and 
we will quote from them largely, as his statements are followed up with 
proofs and logic that are indisputable. It is conceded by his friends and 
the old settlers that his notes have been carefully gathered and are reliable 
to the best of his knowledge and that to be obtained. 

1 luring the year 1880, Mr. Rupe had personal interviews with Lew 
Fowler and J. M. Thorp and in accordance with the statements of Mr. 
Fowler, he and his brother and John and Harlow Seymore, came to what 
is now Cloud county, in July 1858. They were joined shortly afterward 
by a man named ('■. W. Brown, who was married and had his family with 
him. The Fowlers at this time were both single men. Shortly afterward 
they built the fatal "Conklin house." erected on their town site, which they 
called Eaton city. Some sod was turned on this ground and a well was 
partly dug, which was rilled by dirt thrown from the track during the build- 
ing of the Kansas Pacific railroad. 

After looking up all the available history, the palm must he yielded to 
the howler brothers, as the first settlers. It leaves no room for doubt that 
to them the honor belongs. They built the first house in the county, turned 
the first sod and made the first attempt at digging a well. David She 
located on Elm creek in April, i860, and left in July of the came year. To 
linn has been given the credit of being the first settler. The Fowler broth- 
ers were here before and remained after Sheets left, and later enlisted in 
the United States service, made valiant soldiers and immediately after the 
war returned, but located different claims and both were nominated for 
office in the autumn of 1866. 

Aside from this, they were Kansans. being in the state in 1854. and 



<3o HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. KANSAS. 

Fought the border ruffians in the interest of the tree state. Mr. Rupe after 
much research affirm, and we believe correctly. "The Fowlers were the firsl 
white settlers in what is now Cloud county, and from the time of their sel 
tlemenl there has always been white settlers and that there never was a time 
when the three families spoken (if by I. M Hagaman, viz: Hagaman, 
Thorp and Fenski, were the only settlers in the county, as be has stated 
at various times." 

Mr. Rupe kindly concludes by saying be doo not wish to pluck from 
Mr. Hagaman a single laurel that belongs to him. but history is history and 
nothing should go into it but facts 

The following testimony of Peter Eslinger and bis wile. Magdeline 
Eslinger, establishes a claim of the Fowler brothers as the first settlers he 
vond a doubt : 

"We settled on Parson's creek in Washington county, July 17. 1859. 
Lew and John Fowler. C. W. Brown and 1 Iarlev Seymore were the first 
white settlers west of Peach creek, and then settled on Elk creek and person 
allv know of their raisins; whit has since been termed the "Conklin" Mouse, 
and that they were the originators of the town site called Eaton city, where 
said house was built." 

In a. letter from N. E. Eslinger is established another well grounded 
claim. He writes : 

"1 came to Parsons creek July 17. 1859, and Peter Adams, who is now 
dead, with myself helped the Fowlers, Brown and Seymour to raise what 



is ]}< >w kni iw 



11 as the Conklin House. N. E. Eslingi Et." 



With the next settlers others followed but when the Fowlers came, not 
a single human habitation was to be found. They erected the first cabin, 
the first furrow of sod was turned by them and the first well was begun. 
They came in Jul}". 1858, and through the summer months dwelt in a tent: 
winter came on and they were compelled to abandon their little canvas 
house and seek shelter in the warmer quarters of a dugout which they built 
on the hanks of F.Ik creek. In the autumn of 1850. they erected their cabin 
and wintered there, making their second winter and still no other settlers. 
\s an evidence of their abiding faith in the country, they laid out and 
regularly platted a town site. Sylvanus burrows and one Starr were the 
surveyors; but misfortune overtook these early settlers and they were corn- 
el i" seek other employment. They left with the intention of returning 
and finally joined a Kansas regiment, Lew Fowder enlisting as a veteran. 
\s evidence of their intention to return. John Fowler and James Will- 
on, a brother in law. came back immediately after the war, in the autumn 
01 [865, and located, but their claims had been taken by other parties. Lew 
detained in the service. Soon as necessary preparations could 
be ettled in (loud county again in the spring of [866. 

Others who followed these bold adventurers early in the spring of r86o, 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 61 

were Parks, Kearney. Thomas Heffington, who subsequently moved to Elk 
creek. Philip A. Kizer, Joseph Finney, John Allen, and John Sheets. Allen 
and Kizer were located near Lake Silbey, John Sheets on Elm creek and 
the others on Elk creek. Heffington died some time during the year 1862 
or '63 and his remains lie buried in the cemetery near Clyde. 

They had been in the country six months and were voters — a voter if 
undoubtedly a settler. Parks sold his claim to Moses Heller and his son David 
for a yoke of steers. This claim is the old Fleller farm, the one on which 
the Pomeroy house was built. Parks was living on this claim at the time, 
consequently he exercised one of the rights that belonged to a settler. This 
transaction took place in April, i860. Parks then moved on to a claim, 
the farm now owned by the Turners. Although his reputation was bad. 
Parks must have had intentions of becoming a regular settler. 

When Parks left this vicinity he went to Manhatten. During the sum- 
mer of [861, while trying to cross the Republican river enroute to Elk 
creek, he was drowned. His body was found just across the river where 
Fred Herman's barn was located, and buried near there, by David Heller 
and one of the Scribner boys. When discovered his body was so nearly 
devoured by birds and wolves as. to be scarcely recognizable. No lumber 
being obtainable, they were obliged to bury the body in an old tool chest. 

Jacob Heller settled on Elk creek. June jo, i860, on the claim after- 
ward taken by his brother, Israel Heller, preceding his father and brothers, 
Israel and David, from June until August of the same year. Jacob was 
accidentally killed while pulling a loaded gun from a wagon. He had just 
returned from Salt creek with "shakes" intended for his new house. His 
is the first death recorded in the county. 

When the Fowlers and Browns settled west of the 6th principal 
meridan, they were the only white settlers in this part of Kansas, marked 
by that line. It was then thought by the people of the eastern part of the 
state, scarcely necessary to give these counties boundary lines, much less 
organization; the country being thought desirable for no other purpose than 
grazing of the buffalo and the hunting grounds of the red man — a part of 
the great American desert. 

ELM CREEK SETTLEMENT. 

While the Elm creek settlement could not date its birth back so far 
at this time it was in a more prosperous condition. The people seemed to 
be favored with better opportunities for improvement, generally were 
men with families, more determined in the purpose of making their final 
homes. The settlers with their families who established their homes on 
Elm creek. July 15. 1S60. were J. M. Hagaman, wife and one child; J. M. 
Thorp, wife and six children; August Fenskie, wife and one child. 

The result was they immediately went to work and within a short 
time made more substantial improvements and were soon hauling their 



62 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. KANSAS. 



surplus farm products to market. Among the settlers of this ocahtj who 
Swed he ensuing year were William and Fred Czapansta._w.th their fanv 
1° s a Mr. Webber and George Wilson. In 1862 Zachanah Sweanngen, 
Richard Coughlen, John David Robertson, Joseph Berry and their fanubes 
ioined the frontier settlement. From among tins number the ranks oi the 
Union army were swelled by the enlistment of Fred Czapanski, Jacob and 
Caleb (sons of I. M. Thorp). David Robertson and Joseph Berry. 

Some of these settlers had farms under a fair state oi cultivation. 
These people are entitled to great credit for building a school house as early 
as [8 6 4 or t86 5 , and a term of school was taught the same year Mis 
Rosella Honey, a daughter of Randal Honey and now the wife oi Mat 
Wilcox was the teacher. To her fell the honor of having taught the ins, 
school in Cloud county, and one among the very first in the Republican 
valley and tins settlement may claim the honor of building the first school 
house'- not of the most approved style, perhaps, being built oi round cotton- 
wood logs about fourteen by sixteen feet in dimensions, dirt rooi and terra 
firma floor, vet it was an acquisition in those days to the frontier Rude 
as u was I'M Thorpe is said to have declared he would not take $500 
for what his children had learned in this humble seal of learning— a compli 
ment to Miss Honey. 

It was in this community the first voting precinct was established which 
then consisted of the whole' county. These enterprises were indicative of 
thrift and determination well worthy of compliment. The dividing line be- 
tween these two settlements was the Republican river, hence we have "North 
side of the river" and "South side of the river." There were advantages 
enjoyed by the north side over the south as they had the military road lead- 
ing- from Fort Riley to Fort Kearney. The government had built bridges 
over the principal streams and creeks which confined the public travel mainly 
ti 1 the north side. 

The mail route, the mills and the postoffices being on the north side, 
countn stores would naturally follow in their wake. To avail themselves 
of these advantages the people of the south side were often put to the incon- 
venience and at times great annoyance of crossing and recrossing the river, 
winch had to be done "by fording. As an illustration, J. M. Thorpe and 
|. M. I lagaman were enroute to mill and with their loaded teams had the 
misfortune to get one of them "stuck" in the mud. With water up to their 
waists and large cakes of ice floating down the river they unloaded their 
sacks of grain and carried them to land on their shoulders. 

They were a hardy people and endeavored to build up their locality, 
making it inviting with those conveniences necessary to permanent growth. 
This made them to a certain extent competitors to the north side of the 
river, which gave rise to jealousy between the two settlements, and the race 
between the two in the acquisition of political power was the cause of con 
siderable crookedness in the affairs of the county during its organization. 

While the people of Elk Creek had the conveniences on their side, those 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 63 

on Elm had the largest population and the most wealth. From the con- 
dition of the county lines the prospective future county seat was hound ti 
he located on their side of the river. These petty jealousies have long 
since died out. hut these matters are referred to as a part of the history of 
the county. 

It will probably he of interest to all the old settlers to know that John 
D. Rohertson, once the pioneer merchant of Sibley, is now president of 
the Interstate Bank of Kansas City, the only banking house in the locality 
of the stockyards. 

SOCIETY ON" THE FRONTIER, AS SEEN BY J. B. RUPE. 

Some time in the latter part of June. 1865, after having been discharged 
from the service of "Uncle Sam." Mr. Rupe vrisited this somewhat historic 
country and expressed surprise at the apparent simplicity of its inhabitants. 
It had the appearance of beginning the world anew. Old and stiff formal- 
ities and fashionable society had not yet crept 111. Strangers and every- 
body seemed welcome with that familiarity that made people feel their lot 
was cast in pleasant places. That state of feeling grew partially out oi 
the fact that "Uncle Sam" had the kindness to make the proposition that by 
merely paving a stipend and living on a quarter section for five years, we 
should receive a title in fee simple for the same and thus become one ol 
the freeholders to these magnificent lands, had much to do with buoying 
new hopes that here one might settle down and grow up with the country. 

The people were intelligent and those who came from the east expect- 
ing to build themselves up in public life on account of their superior intelli- 
gence, found themselves much mistaken and left in the background. When 
Mr. Rupe arrived in Clay Center, his first trip up the Republican valley, he 
heard some talk about celebrating the coming fourth of July. 1 le was 
astonished that a country so thinly populated should observe that day. and 
secondly that a man among them capable of making a speech could be found. 
Considering it an impossibility, he resolved to see the result. 

He learned that Mr. Huntress, of Clay Center, was to be the orator of 
the dav. Mr. Huntress was not an orator and Mr. Rupe wondered to him- 
self why he should undertake to deliver an address. The celebration took 
place near the residence of J. C. Chester, on l'etes creek. A crowd to the 
number of two hundred or more were gathered and after the usual exchange 
of pleasantries common to such occasions, the meeting was called to order, 
and Mr. Huntress proceeded with his address, which was read from a 
carefully prepared manuscript. The production, manner, style, and delivery 
would have done honor- to more pretentious lecturers. The crowd was 
orderly and well behaved, and all listened with marked attention. Mr. 
Huntress demonstrated the fact that talent was to be found even among 
frontiersmen. 

After this address a sumptions feast was prepared. A long table had 



64 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

been previously arranged and all partook of the refreshments that were 
palatable enough to satisfy the most epicurean taste, ^fter the inner man had 
been faithfully served and order again restored, one Mr. Bosnian, was intro- 
duced by Mr. Huntress, who then addressed the people. It was not an elo- 
quent speech, neither was it fluent, but his happy style of illustration made 
it exceedingly interesting. His speech was rembered for years afterward 
and its illustrations and hints commented upon, which tell of its impression. 

Lastly, though far from being the least, the Reverend R. P. Wesl 
delivered an oration. This affair musl have a final, and none could render 
it more effectually; the cap sheaf was laid on by this somewhat eccentric 
man. This anniversary, following closely after the war. his theme was 
more on its causes and results. After paying a glowing tribute to our 
heroes and administering a severe rebuke to those who rebelled against the 
"dear old flag," he showed the tyranny of the )vt'( Davis crew, by reading a 
poem purporting to have been written by one of our starving soldiers in a 
rebel prison to his mother. 

Being all of one political faith, much of these speeches were given to 
hurling anathemas at what was then called "copper heads." A Democrai 
at this time among them would have fared badly, so in this matter they had 
no feelings to save. 

After this very enjoyable fete, enroute back to Clay Center, Mr. Rupe 
spent the night at the home of Mr. Huntress, who expressed himself as 
being much elated over the success felt, congratulating upon the size of the 
crowd and boasted of how well the valley was beginning to hi- settled, incir 
dentally remarking, "neither were they all out." With this he began count- 
ing the families who remained at home, beginning with Republic and Shirley 
counties, then including Clay and a large part of Washington counties. 
The impression received was that it was a large neighborhood, and 
yet he talked of these families just as if they all lived around and 
about him. This was not the first celebration held in the valley, for there 
had been one the year before on Salt creek, in which R. 1'. West held forth 
as the orator of the day. 

THE C0NKLINS. 

The citizens in a newly settled country are often compelled to resort 
to strenuous measures in order to protect themselver from lawlessness. This 
is exemplified in the event that razed to the ground the Conklin house, whose 
inmates were supposed to be, beyond a doubt, horse thieves and necessitated 
being dealt with accordingly. The county was yet unorganized and the 
one to which it was annexed was in poor condition for prosecuting crimi- 
nals, hence the settlers took the law into their own hands. 

( hades and Peter Conklin. with two sisters, during the year 1862. were 
living in their cabin on the old town site of Eaton city, afterward owned 
by Daniel Mcintosh. Thev were known to be regular horse thieves con- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 65 

nected with an organized band operating' in a line, with Fort Kearney as 
the probable terminus. One of their stations was said to be a point on 
Wetheral's creek, and another at the "big" bend" of the river. The horses 
stolen were generally supposed to have been taken from Missouri, rather 

than from the people along the border, but the settlers from Washington. 
Clay and Republic counties were generally aroused. 

That there were exaggerated reports there can be no doubt, one of 
which was that they were guerrillas. The latter was not generally believed, 
but in all probability was put in circulation by a few of the leading spirits 
in order to increase the feeling; the most prominent of whom was a man 
by the name of Rose, who lived on Wild Cat creek, and Fox. the founder 
of Clifton. The latter felt a little interested for suspicions were being 
formed that he was a man not without a blemish. The Conklins had it m 
their power to unveil the villiany of Fox, and such a man under existing 
circumstances would be unrelenting in his persecutions and yet he seemed to 
have much influence. 

The number of citizens that gathered together with the determination 
to make short work of these boys was thirty. Luckily for them, however, 
a rumor of this affair readied them and they escaped, thus averting a crime. 
A majority of the mob were bent cm vengeance and determined that this 
house should be pulled down, and the two sisters with an orphan child 
living with them were left homeless. In justice to the settlers of this county, 
it can lie said they voted against this last shameful act. 

While the house was being torn down, Peter and Charlie Conklin 
were lying concealed a short distance awav and witnessed the whole perform- 
ance. The next thing was the search for the fugitives, but after scouring 
the country about, the exploration proved a failure. Had they been dis- 
covered there might have been several lives forfeited. One of the Conklins 
afterward reported that during this search one of the number" was within a 
few yards of them. Upon being asked what he would have done had he 
been found, replied that he did not know exactly, but in all probability would 
have lived, inasmuch as he had two loaded revolvers. 

In order to escape punishment, they repaired to Leavenworth, where 
they enlisted in the United States service. They were followed to Leaven- 
worth and were demanded of the military authorities, but their persecutors 
were told they would not be surrendered under any charges short of blood, 
so this ended the affray and a safe asylum had been found. The cabin pulled 
down over their heads, they were left with nothing to shelter them from 
the inclemencyof the weather but a sheet stretched over a pole with no one 
to befriend them, no kindly hand to administer comfort, but were compelled 
to endure the frowns of an excited and prejudiced public, and pointed out 
as being the sisters of horse theives. During this time they were drenched 
by a severe rain storm. They were shown no mercy under the pretext that 
the brothers, out of sympathy, would come to their relief, thus making an 
opportunity to prosecute the intentions of the mob. 



66 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. ECANSAS. 

In order to show up the character of one of these "ring leaders.'' the 
substance of a speech delivered by Delilah, one of these unfortunate women, 
is o-iven This was probably the first public speech delivered in the county. 
After the house was torn down this woman, naturally feeling indignant and 
wishing to unburden her mind, and knowing the character of one oi the 
mob, addressed something like the following language to James Fox: "You 
old thief, I will give you a piece of my mind. You are too cowardlj to da 
any stealing for yourself, but want others to do it for you and then divide 
the spoils. Because my brothers would not go into any such arrangement 
with you, and fearing you might be caught in your thieving inclinations, 
you have incited this crowd against them. They are much better than you 
are and the sooner the people find it out the bettei 

This was rather a short address, hut much too pointed for Fox, He 
hung his head, his countenance bearing the impress of conviction. To show 
how prophetic she was. this same Fox after leaving the count) toured the 
state of Missouri in the cowardly profession of a bushwhacker. One ol 
the Kansas militia, with whom Fox had been the means of stirring up 
unfriendly family relations, says the last he saw of him was his body shot 
full of bullet holes. 

These two unfortunate victims the Conklin sister-,, were turned out 
of doors to suffer indefinitely. No one must be allowed to mow them to 
their friends, for the decree of the mob was. "lynch anyone that attempts 
it." The agony of mind and body must have been intense, not knowing 
what future was in store for them, perhaps starvation. This fearful sus- 
pense was continued for about two weeks: finally the sympathy of J. M. 
Hagaman, who denounced the outrage of tearing down the house, ba 
aroused to the extent that he yoked up his cattle and took them to a place 
of safety among their friends. This act of courage on the part of Mr. 
Hagaman should always redound to his credit. 

The Conklin affair was one of the most outrageous that ever took place 
in the county, and that good men had a hand in it has its excuse in the 
statement made in the beginning of this article. This house was the first 
built on the town site of Eaton city; was a good hewed log building covered 
with shakes and considered at the time a very good one, as the most of them 
were covered with dirt. If this first house was standing great importance 
would be attached to it. 

A part of the history connected with this affair partakes of a romantic 
nature. As usual in such incidents, a woman was connected with the case. 
Had it not been for a little love affair these boys would have met a tragical 
death. While the bob was in course of preparation great effort was made 
lo prevent the Conklins from knowing anything about their movements. 
I he whole success depended upon this and various opinions were given as 
to the mystery of their notification. Some accused Uncle Heller of having 
delivered it. Had he done so it would have been a good deed, but had it 
been known it is hard telling what his fUte might have been. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 67 

Pete Conklin was paying his attentions to a young girl in the settle- 
ment, though under a strong protest by her parents. She served him well 
at this important stage of the game, and could claim the indebtedness of 
prolonging two lives. At the time of the disclosure, she. with the two 
Conklin hoys and Emanuel Cline were at L'ncle Heller's, when Mr. Cline 
observed the following. The girl remarked: "Pete, come here, 1 want to 
tell you something." Pete obeyed, after which he remarked in an excited 
manner, "Charlie, come here, I want to tell you something." Soon after- 
wan! one of the hoys with a revolver in hand approached Mr. Cline in an 
excited way, so much so that he began to fear that he was doomed, and 
remarked." the first d — d man that passes that bridge is a dead man." 

So this little episode shows how thej got their information. Mr. Cline, 
fearing that they might put the threat into execution, stationed himself near 
the bridge to warn the mob of danger. When they approached and saw 
him standing by himself, and not knowing his business, for about all thev 
could think of at that time was horse thieves, they arrested him: hut after 
a brief explanation he was released and the project of giving fight at the 
bridge was given up. 

EXIT OF THE SETTLERS IX I S64. 

The year 1864 was one of the most eventful in Cloud county's history. 
The savages were making war on the whites in Minnesota and thousands 
of men and their families of innocent women and children were being 
murdered. There had been depredations committed in the southwestern 
part of Nebraska, and many of the ranchmen fell victims to the murderous 
tomahawk. The carnage was carried on, on this side of Fort Kearney 
the enemy consisting of forces, that had they been so disposed, might have 
wiped the settlements out of existence within sight of Fort Riley, before they 
could have been checked: the settlers being so few and in such defenceless 
condition, it struck terror to the hearts of the people along the border of 
the frontier. Consequently the appearance of Indians in August of [864, 
was followed by great fear and consternation, and a general flight or con- 
centrating of the few settlers scattered along the creeks. These facts staring 
them in the face, it is no wonder they should become alarmed. 

Thev could do nothing better than to congregate at Clay Center. All 
the settlers in the county, with the exception of Moses Heller. Israel Heller. 
Ahram Cole, Andrew Smith, and possibly [. D. Robertson, left for this 
purpose. Conrad Myers, of Republic county, refused to go. R. P. West 
was at this time enroute to Fort Kearney and was not among the number. 
These are perhaps the only parties who remained at home. Before R. P. 
West started for Fort Kearney he induced Miss Mary Morlev (now Mrs. 
John B. Rupe) to stay with Mrs. West during his absence. Late in the 
afternoon they received a message from Captain Schooley to be in readiness 
to start with him and his family to Clay Center. Thev took a different view 



68 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

of the situation, and after consulting together concluded to risk their chances 
at home. About midnight they received another message without op 
They were told if they did not go willingly they would be taken by force, 
consequently they joined the party at Captain Schooley's and the) - ! 
with about all of the Salt creek settlers before daylight for (lay Center. 

<i. W. Glover, at that time living on Petes creek, could not for some 
reason get started with the rest, and remained one nighl longer. The next 
morning- he yoked up his cattle and started, but while on the way. leisurely 
driving along eating melons, they were met !>\ a dozen or fifti who 

had started to look for them, under the false alarm that they were murdered 
and their house burned; a rumor started bj Mr. Crop and family, who had 
passed the day previous, and possibly imagined they saw a smoke and 
as they said smelled burning feathers. Mr. Crop was too much alarmed 
to -top. Inn went hastily on to Manhattan. 

After remaining a while at Clay (enter, the settlers fell hark ti Clifton. 
Fear were entertained for R. I'. West's safety, hut 1m escaped unharmed. 
Returning home he found no one there and a- the next Sabbath was his 
day for preaching at Clifton, he hastily repaired to that point, where he 
found Mrs. West. This was a joyful occasion, pleasing to Mr. West lor 
two reasons, first, the meeting of hi- wife; second, he had the fugitives to 
preach to, which occasion he gladly improved, taking lor his text the appro- 
priate passage found in [saiah i:i<). which reads as follows: "If ye he 
willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the land." 

After discoursing from this text to the very best of his ability, he 
concluded with the following remarks: "And now my friends let in. 
this is our land and if we are obedient we -hall eat the fat of the land, 
but you must quit stealing the Indian-' traps and ponies and quit poisoning 
then- dogs. Do this and my word for it. and 1 am sure I am backed by the 
won! of God, there is not enough thieving, murderous red skin- in the 
western world to run us away from our homesteads. So now my suffering 
fellow frontiersmen let me say my faith is in God and my home is on Salt 
creek, they will find us there."' 

At the conclusion of these earnest and practical remarks. Captain 
Sshooley came out of his tent and begged permission t" say a few words. 
Leave being granted by the preacher, the captain spoke a- follows: "Ladies 
and gentlemen. I want every man and boy that belongs to my company to 
come in tomorrow morning at nine o'clock and get a gun and ammunition, 
tor 1 believe in lighting Indians with lead and not with prayers." Then 
Reverend West said: "That's right, captain, keep your powder dry. but trust 
the Lord." And then the congregation was dismissed. Reverend West 
then proceeded to Clyde, where he ministered to a tew kindred spirits, then 
accompanied by his devoted wife started for their home on Salt creek, singing 
as they went : "There is a spot to me more dear than native dale or 
mountain., etc." They arrived safely home, where through all the trials of 
the settlement of this country thev could be found readv at all time- to feed 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 69 

the hungry, spiritually or materially, clothe the naked or give chase to the 
red man. 

A consultation was held at Clifton and a location decided upon for 
building a fort. They chose a place near G. D. Brooks' claim. This fort or 
block house, was called by way of derision. Fort Skedaddle number three, 
Clay Center being number one and Clifton number two. In the meantime 
a scouting party under command of Captain Schooley, went out as far as 
White Rock, but finding no Indians, the majority of them returned, thus 
making good the celebrated word'- of Mrs. Schooley to the wives of those 
who went: "You needn't be alarmed, the captain won't take them into 
danger." G. D. Brooks, [. M. Hagaman, J. C. Chester and others, wen- 
much farther and satisfied themselves there need be no further immediate 
fears in regard to Indians, so things gradually quieted down and tor a time 
went on peaceably. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE MILITIA. 

Company C, Seventeenth Regiment, Kansas State Militia, was organized 
early in 1864. Of this Colonel J. M. Schooley was captain; J. M. Hagaman,. 
first lieutenant; J. C. Chester, second lieutenant: Daniel Myers, third lieu- 
tenant and G. D. Brooks, ensign. In commenting upon this militia. Mr. 
Rupe says : "As is stated there were thirty privates in this company. He 
thinks they were heavily officered, if Mr. Brooks was considered a com- 
missioned officer, there would be one to every six men. Who ever heard 
of a third lieutenant? And for ensign, would have to go to the unabridged 
dictionary to find it. 'an old extinct commissioned office that required the 
carrying of the flag.' now performed by the color bearer." He further says, 
"so far as numbers were considered, no fault could be found, but the man- 
ner in which this militia was composed made it very inefficient. Mow they 
happened to choose such a man as Schooley for captain can only l>e accounted 
for on the ground that he was a braggart bombast, and fooled the people. 
His remarks after the sermon of R. P. West revealed his character. 1 [e 
should have been elected ensign ami left at home for the want of a flag t" 
carry. The old settlers all seemed to regard him as a coward." 

Had G. D. Brooks been commissioned captain, the result would 
have been different, as all who knew him could well attest his great courage: 
but be w : as given a mere nominal position. Mr. Hagaman and J. C. Chester 
were also men to be relied upon, in times of danger none were braver, and 
the same might be said of Daniel Myers. 

TOWNSHIP ORG \N rzATION. 

October '4, 1866, there were five municipal townships created as fol- 
lows: Elk, Siblev. Shirley, Buffalo and Solomon. On September 6. 187 r, 
petitions were presented and the township of Plainfield, which included that 



7° 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COl \ T TY, K VNSAS. 



part of range 2, south of the Republican river and north of the center ol 
town 7 and the township of I. inc. .In, winch included that part oi range 3 
and 4 south of the Republican, north of the center of the town 7. and easl 
of the center line of range 4, were organized. 

During the interim from [866 to 1N71 the line Ijetween Elk and Sibley 
townships was changed to the line between r; and 3. 

1 1 row NSHJP. 

Elk township is located in the northeast corner of the county and is 
bounded on the south by the Republican river, which furnishes excellent 
water power. In this locality an abundance of red sandstone is found with- 
in a short distance of Clyde. The land consists of a rich and) loam, \vh 
yields immense crops of grain and melons; the latter growing I itic 

proportions. (See Clyde's Carnival. 1 Elk creek intersects this township 
from north to south; its confluence with the Republican being in the vicinil 
of Clvde. This is one of the best watered localities m the county. G01 
water can be found at a depth of from eighteen to fifty feet. Clyde, one ol 
the most flourishing little cities in northwest Kansas, is situated principally 
on the west side of Elk creek and just north of the Republican river, which 
touches near the city limits. The original township of Elk comprised all 
the territory north of the Republican river and west 1 2. The town- 

ship was settled in [859 b] John and Lew.' Fowler, one Brown and Harlow 
Seymour. 

SOLOMON row \ si 111'. 

Solomon comprises 34,560 acres of land and is one of the most ]" 
perous townships in the county. ' 'The Solomon river enters from near the 
center of the west boundary line and winds through the township to the 
southeast corner, furnishing fine water power. One of the best mill sil 
in the county is at Brittsville. on the Solomon river, owned and operated b; 
Long Brothers. (See sketch. I About fifty per cent of the ground is bottom 
land, and about ten per cent is forest timber. This is also a fine stock 
raising country and one of the most prosperous farming districts in the 
state of Kansas. Solomon township originally extended across the entire 
southern part of the county and was thirty miles in length by nine to twelve 
miles in width. The first settlers were John Hillhouse, Robert Smith and 
James Ikndershot. in January, 1865. In April of the same year H. II. 
Spaul cling and M. D. Teasley came, while others followed closely during 
the first and second years following. 

SIP. LEY TOWNSHIP. 

Sibley being hounded on the south and west by the serpentine course 
iblican river, is very irregular in outline. It has an area of thirty- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 71 

five square miles; is ten miles long east and west, with a breadth of from 
little more than one to five miles, lis greatest breadth is across the center 
and nearly opposite the city of Concordia. It is bounded by the Republican 
,county line on the north. About one-fifth of the surface is bottom land. 
one-fifth hills or spurs of the divide and the remaining three-fifths second 
bottom. Lake Sibley, a description of which is given elsewhere, is situated 
in this township. All the territory north of the Republican river to the 
Republic* county line, and west from range 2 to the west line of the county, 
was included in the first creation of the township. 

SH IK1.TY TOWNSHIP. 

Shirley township originally extended from the county's east line, west 
to the center of range 3, and south to the center of town 7. Shirley is 
bounded on the north by the Republican river, on the east by Clay county 
and extends smith of Colfax and west to the lines of Nelson and Lawrence 
townships. Elm creek intersects its southwesl corner and flows in a northery 
direction through the entire length of the township, and empties into the 
Republican a shorl distance north of the little town of Ames. Beaver and 
Dry creeks run through the eastern part of the township. The inhabitants 
ate composed almost entirely of French people, most of whom are from 
Canada and Kankakee, Illinois. St. Joseph, the Catholic town, founded b\ 
Father Mollier, is situated one mile east and one mile south of the center 
of the n >w nship. 

BUFFALO TOWNSHIP. 

\s an original township. Buffalo comprises all the land west of Shirley 
township and north of the line between towns 6 and 7. It was reorganized 
July 2, 1872, and some of its former territory left unorganized. But during 
the same session Summit township was created and included the part left 
out by Buffalo. Dr. D. B. Moore was appointed its first trustee. Buffalo 
township is partially bounded on the north by the Republican river and is 
very irregular in outline. Buffalo creek enters the township from the west 
and flows almost due east across the township into the Republican river. 
The southern part is drained by White's creek; a tributary of Buffalo, and 
Wolf creek, of the Republican river. This is one of the most extensive 
wheat growing townships in the county, ami the farmers are almost univers- 
ally prosperous. 

MEREDITH TOWNSHIP. 

On lanuary 2. 1872. this part of Solomon situated east of the line 
between ranges 3 and 4. was organized into a new township and given the 
name of Meredith. George W. Carver was appointed the first trustee. It 



72 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

is located in the center of the southern tier of townships, and the land is 
watered by First Pipe creek, which run- the enure length of the township 
from north to south. A mure beautiful country or more prosperous people 
than the inhabitants in this locality doe- not exist in this part of the state, 
[ulin Murphy was the first white child bom in the township. 

GRANT TOWNSHIP. 

When the new hoard of county commissioners assumed their duties 
nn lanuarv 8, [872, the first petition for new townships that came up before 
them was town 5, range 5. which was organized and named Grant, for 
General Grant, then President of the United States. J. F. McCracken was 
the first trustee. G. W. Johnson and Reginald Reed were the first to lake 
up claims in this township. Three valleys center near the middle of Grant 
township, which lie in the northeast corner of the county. Buffalo creek. 
Salt Marsh and the Big Cheyenne, and consequently has hut a small per 
cent of upland. The great salt marsh of four thousand acre-, lie- partly 
in the northern portion of the township. There are many Danes in this 
vicinity, all of them prosperous and well-to-do citizens. This township ha-, 
the largest per cent of wheat of any in the county. 

coil-' \\ row v-'iir. 

The second petition, and following that of Grant, was town 7. range 1. 
which became Colfax township, named in honor of the vice-prc dent of the 
United States, then in office. \\". E. Campbell was the first trustee. George 
Ginter was the first settler. Colfax is situated in the southern part of the 
county and is bounded on the west by Aurora .and on the south by Starr. 
Both Grant and Colfax townships were organized April 11. 187J. The 
surface of the country in Colfax township, is the finest in the county; a 
beautiful undulating prairie. Mulberry, the principle stream, runs diagonally 
through the township. It is a small creek, but affords water very nearly 
all the year, and along its banks are numerous springs. 

ARION TOWNSHIP. 

The following autumn after Grant and Colfax were organized. Anon 
township was inaugurated. Its poetical name is significant of "Evening 
Star." Aurora township was admitted at the same time and was given 

nsicaJ name of Aurora, which means "Morning Star." Arion is the 
township west of the center of the county. It is nine miles square. The 
greater part of the kind is rolling prairie. The small valleys are along the 
creeks and extending hack and away from them, is considerable tableland. 
Wolf and Coal creeks intersect Arion on the east, the west branch of Wolf 

on the west, and all furnish considerable timber. William Gilmore was 
Hi- first trusl 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 73 

NELSON TOWNSHIP. 

On October 25, 1872, the Nelson township organization was effected 
by the people of town 6, range 2, who presented a petition. This left only 
that portion of town 5, range 2, south of the Republican river in Plainfield 
township, and as that did not constitute the legal apportionment required 
it was attached to Elk, and the township "Plainfield" was extinguished. 
The surface of Nelson is drained by Elk creek. 

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP. 

< )n October J?,. 1872, the citizens of town 5 and range 2, petitioned 
for separation from Elk township and was organized as a township called 
"Lawrence." in honor of L. D. Lawrence, its earliest settler, who came there 
in [864. R. F. Clarke was the first trustee. It is one of the northern tier 
of townships and is bounded on the east by Elk, on the south by Nelson, 
and on the west by Sibley. The surface is composed of about three-fourths 
river and creek bottom land. There is but a small per cent of upland and 
all the ground is tillable. The Republican river runs through the town- 
ship and is fed from the south by Plum and Oak creeks and on the north 
by Salt. Upton and Little Upton creeks, and all find their confluence with 
the Republican river in Lawrence township. The largest of these streams. 
Salt creek, is fed by numerous springs ami furnishes living water the entire 
year. It is spanned by a one hundred foot bridge. The coal fields adjacent 
to Minersville, lie in the northwestern portion of Lawrence township, and 
just oyer the line of Sibley. The inhabitants in this vicinity are composed 
of a large portion of Danes and Swedes, who are thrifty, enterprising citiz 
zens and have made for themselves good homes. 

LYON TOWNSHIP. 

This township, originally a part of Solomon, was detached April 7. 
1872. and organized under the name of Fowler, in honor of its earliest set- 
tler; but a month later, was changed to Lyon, in honor of General Nathaniel 
Lyon. J II. Neal was the first trustee. It includes town 8 and the south 
half of town 7. in range 4. It is nine miles in length north and south, by 
six miles in width, and contains fifty-four square miles. It is bounded on 
the north by Arion, on the east by Center and Meredith. Ottawa county 
on the south and Solomon township on the west. The larger part of tin 
township lies in the fruitful Solomon valley and the remainder on the divide 
between the Solomon and Republican river valleys. This is one of the 
leading live stock growing townships in the county. Chris creek drains 
the western part, Mortimer the central, and Yockey the eastern portion; all 
tributaries of the Solomon, which intersect the southwest corner of the 
township. Magnesia limestone in inexhaustible quantities is found in this 
locality, and is used extensivelv for building purposes. 



74 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. KANSAS. 

CENTER TOWNSHIP. 

The name is suggestive of its location and the geographical center oi 
the county is very near that of the township. It was organized May 23 
1873. Zacariah Swearinger was its first settler. The long divide between 
the Solomon and Republican of this highland is a plateau ranging from one 
to three miles in width, and numerous line farms are found there. South 
of this upland the country is quite hill) ami broken, a- is also the western 
portion; however a rich limestone loam prevails throughout and yields 
a bountiful crop of grain. The whole surface of these highlands is under 
laid with magnesia limestone. Bituminous coal has also been discovered, 
but nut extensively mined. Both branches of Oak creek take then' ri 
in this township; there is also what is termed the "Middle Branch." 

LINCOLN Tow NSI1 [P. 

Lincoln township, wherein the city of Concordia is situated, was organ- 
ized January 3, 1873, and contains twenty-four square miles of land. It 
comprises the north half of town six and south half of range three w< 
and all that part of town five lying south of the Republican river. About 
one-half of its surface is rich bottom land, ddie eastern part is drained by 
Oak creek and the western by Lost creek, both traversing the township north 
t<> the Republican river. The Republican river forms the boundary line on 
the north, between Lyon and Sibley townships. It is bounded on the e: 
by Lyon and Nelson, on the south by Center, and on the west by Buffalo. 

STARR TOWNSHIP. 

Starr township includes town eight, range one. and 1- the extreme south- 
eastern township of the county. Its creation was effected October 6, 1873. 
James T. Brook was elected trustee. The township is drained by Chapman 
creek and its tributaries which How' in a southwesterly direction. Chapman 
creek is fed by many springs, affords water the year around, and is also 
skirled by timber. 

0AKX \ X I > TOWNSHIP. 

' >akland was organized July 10, 1874, and completed the present list 
nships in Cloud county. It occupies town eight, range two west. By 
the division, J. I.. B. Stanton, who had been elected trustee of Meredith, was 
taken into the new township and became its first trustee. The first families 
to settle in this township were J. E. Burkhart, Isaac Smith and A. J. Mc- 
Allister. It is located in the southern tier of townships and is second in 
number from tin' east line of the county. The surface is drained by the east 
branch and middle branch, tributaries of Pipe creek. The people of Oak- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 75 

land township are well-to-do and rank with the most prosperous of the 
county. As the undulating prairie sweeps away from some of the high 
elevations in Oakland township, a fine view of the Solomon valley is given, 
presenting one of the finest landscapes of the entire country. 

An extended history of Aurora township appears in another part of this 
history. 

Prior to 1866, the towns of Clyde, Concordia, Jamestown. Glasco and 
Miltonville were unknow and where they now stand, the lithe-limbed deer 
and antelope gamboled, herds of buffalo tramped and the red man reveled 
in wild freedom, while the prairie grass rolled and tossed in the breezes like 
a vast green sea. 

The early settlers of Cloud county evinced confidence in its future and 
backed their belief with evident sincerity, looking forward with an eve of 
hope and faith to building homes for themselves in the new western country. 
The vast sums of money that have been expended to build schools, the erec- 
tion of their beautiful court house, the expenditure for pavements and beauti- 
fying the cities, all evidence the fact that her citizens possess high moral 
stamina. The many charming residences with their beautiful green lawns 
and shade trees exhibit a pride that is highly gratifying, and even the lowli- 
est homes are not without these luxuries. 

l866 A NEW ERA IX KANSAS. 

The year i860, following the close of the Rebellion left many soldiers 
foot loose, many of whom were discharged in this state and naturally sought 
the broad prairies of Kansas. Among this number are a few of the old 
settlers at the present time, and some others who date their coming during 
this year. In 1866 the county was organized and the original town com- 
pany of Clyde formed, making this an interesting period in the history of 
Cloud county. 

The country at this time was in a crude state. Where Clyde riow stands. 
"Uncle Heller" and his son David lived in a crude log house. They had built 
a new one which was required as a store-room fur the few goods of Chauncey 
Covvell and Charles Davis, which had just been brought into the country. 
The next house was erected on the west side of the creek — a cabin built of 
round logs with a dirt roof occupied by Joseph Berry. The next building 
was similar in architecture and occupied by Tom Hay. The next house was 
built by J. B. Rupe and occupied by Andrew W. Smith. Still further v 
on what is known as the William Crammer farm, lived Ed Xeely. '1 he 
Cline residence stood on the Kennedy farm, later owned by Reverend 
forth. Israel Heller lived in a cabin adjoining bis father's on the east, 'lb 
was the extent of what might lie termed the Elk Creek settlement. 

All the land under cultivation at that time in this community was ten 
acres on the Heller farm, about the same amount on the Donald Mclnl 
claim, which was probably broken by the Conklins, and five acre- on 



76 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. KANSAS. 

■claim of Ed Neely. This may seem a poor. exhibit for a settlement which 
had been in existence six years, but there were continual drawbacks to its 
advancement, constant exposure to the outbreaks of the savages and the 
great drouth of [860. Notwithstanding the small population line, of their 
number enlisted in the army: Joseph Berry, Emanuel Cline and David I hi 
ler, and nothing was done by way of improvement on their claims, ('line, 
while in the army, had his cabin torn down and burned for camp fire b) 
a portion of the Eleventh Kansas, who were passing through this section. 

These drawbacks had a discouraging effect on new coiners, who. finding 
innumerable obstacles to surmount, would become disheartened ami leave, 
consequently let no one he hasty in condemning the sturdy old pioneers who 
bravelv withstood the trials and hardships of frontier life for this seemingly 
poor showing, hut rather wonder why they did not all return to the laud 
•of their nativity, where a substantial existence could be obtained without 
the dangers incident to the frontier. 

The early settlers were neighbors even when thirty, forty or fifty miles 
apart. For several years in this small neighborhood there was but one 
mowing machine, and that did duty for all. John Core was the 
lucky owner, and usually had to go about thirty miles from home to some 
of his nearest neighbors to mow. Among these were the Clovers and Nyes, 
on Petes creek; Corys, Van Nattas, Myers and Wests, on Salt creek; Haga- 
maiis, Thorpes and Randal Honey, on Elm creek; Hellers, Neelys, Morleys, 
B. V. Honey, Coopers, Seaburys and (Testers, on Elk creek. Even some 
could he mentioned who lived at Sibley and White Rock that helped to con- 
stitute the settlement. These are what might he called the primitive settlers 
of the Republican valley. Of these John Cory has been the most successful 
so far as this world's goods is concerned. 

SCHOOLS IN l866. 

During the year 1866, the Elk creek settlers began agitating the im- 
portant subject of establishing schools. It was no uncommon thing at that 
time to hear the old bachelors denounced as a perfect nuisance, for next 
to the Indians they seemed the most despised, and when he came and took 
up a claim, they rightfully considered his action as so much against the 
proven of schools, and an injury to the growth and prosperity of the coun- 
try: hut emigration was coming in and some action in regard to schools 
must he had. Early in the spring of that year a meeting was called at 4 'Cncle" 
er's for the purpose of divising means for building a school house. 
"Uncle" Heller was chairman and Joseph Berry secretary. 

rig that Elk Creek would become an important point eventually. 

decided to build a "good one." the size to be sixteen by twenty-two 

ewed logs, dirt roof and Cottonwood floor. 'Each settler 

four dollars apiece, which was to be paid in work and the meeting 

To the people of Cloud county to-day it might seem a house 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 77 

of such dimensions and material could soon be built; but much hard strug- 
gling and parleying ensued before this house was completed. There were 
more vexations connected with it than the present magnificent building that 
graces the city of Clyde" to-day. 

The building was commenced with the expectation of having it ready 
for school in the early summer months, but the 14th of July had arrived 
before they were ready for the "raising." The question was, how this latter 
event could be brought about. A plan was happily hit upon by F. B. Rupe 
The settlers all turned out, and connected with the raising, a picnic 
at "Uncle" Heller's; an enjoyable affair, attended with a feast, consisting of 
all the luxuries the country afforded, but the house still lacked much of 
being completed. It was necessary to have a roof, floor and paint. These 
seemingly insurmountable difficulties were eventually overcome, but not until 
some time in the winter. 

A Doctor Rogers was employed to teach the first school, whose services 
as an instructor amounted to nothing. Sometimes he would lie in the room 
during school hours, again he would not. He would tell his pupils to re- 
main and study while he went over to the store and read the newspaper, 
talked politics, or discussed the ordinary topics of the day. The result can 
be imagined; romp and play the order of exercise. Nevertheless, to this 
man must be given the credit of being their first school teacher, though by 
main he was thought to be unequally balanced. The school was taught 
by subscription. 

This building served not only as a school house, but as a public meet- 
ing house for all other occasions, even court business for the county, the 
commissioners meeting in it to transact their business. Dirt would often 
come rattling down through the roof in piles upon the writing desk, yet it 
was the best in the county, and continued to be until their frame school 
house was built. It was in this cabin that Clyde's gifted and witty Judge 
Borton made his first law speech to the "unsophisticated natives." before a 
board of county commissioners, where a man had been arraigned on a charge 
of having made his listment of taxable property to the assessor too small. 
The judge defended and cleared him. 

On April jo, 1866, the log house formerly owned by Herman & Davis 
as a store building was raised. Frank Rupe says the first drunkenness in 
Clyde occurred on this occasion. This house was erected by Cowel & Davis. 
the first merchants of the settlement. There are several persons now living 
in Clyde who assisted in the raising of this house, viz: W. H. Page, J. B. 
Rupe". F. B. Rupe and U. J. Smith, all of whom doubtless remember the 
good old-fashioned dinner that greeted them at "Uncle" Heller's. 

Although erected before the formation of the town company, this build- 
ing might be considered the beginning of Clyde and the first house built in 
the county crowned by a shingle roof, and first to be decorated on the inside 

by what was then considered a splendid lot of g Is by Cowel & Davp, 

and within its walls W. S. Herman and Hugh Kirkpatrick commenced their 



78 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

career as clerks. This building was also distinguished as hem- the birth- 
place of the Republican Valley Empire, published by II. Buckingham. I 1 it* 
first number was issued on Tuesday, -May 31, [870. Great interesl was 
manifested by the citizens of Clyde when the first number of this paper was 
being printed. The emigrants who were coming in by hundreds, as they 
passed the office with their household effects on a prairie schooner mani- 
fested great surprise al seeing a press in full Mast so far in the wilderness. 
This historical building was burned to the ground on September 22, [882. 

An article contributed by Mrs. Mice L. Bates to a volume on the schools 
of Kansas is as follow s : 

In the month of May, 1866, a part)- of five might have been seen wend 
ing their way from the "Elm Creek settlement," where Clyde is now situated, 
to the present town of Washington, Kansas, then only one log hut. I he 
member of the party in whom we are interested was Mis- Rosella Honey, 
who was seeking Mr. Horfine, superintendent of Washington county, and 
also of Shirley county (now Cloud), for the purpose of taking a teachers 
examination. 

There were no roads, only the paths ,,f the buffalo or the dun trail made 
by an occasional wagon. At last darkness overtook them and they lost their 
way. There was not a glimmer of a friendly light to beckon them on their 
way, yet on they went. At last the barking of a dog told them they were 
not alone in that region. A rude cabin was found, the inmates aroused and 
information received that they were several miles out of their way; also 
that the superintendent had gone to Junction City to mill. 

The journey had been made in vain and must be repeated, [magine the 
disappointment of the party, especially Miss Honey, who was anxious, as 
teachers usually are, to take examinations. The second attempt was 
successful. The examination consisted of a few oral questions in arithmetic. 
grammar and geography. More than this, she read a paragraph in the news- 
paper and wrote her name. Compare this with two days' continuous writ- 
ing- after four weeks' hard work in the institute, and most teachers will con- 
clude it was something to have lived in the "good old times." 

The next month Miss Honey began the first school in what is now 

' ! I county. It was known as the Elm Creek school, taught in a log 

house, the typical early school house of the county. There were neither 
doors nor windows; only "logs left out." The floor was kindly provided 
by nature, the seal- were logs split in halves with pegs, which served a- legs 
driven in the convex side. Desks and blackboards there were none. Among 
the distinguished visitors during the term was a tribe of Otoe Indians. 

I lure v ' ' enrollment of eighteen pupils and for teaching these 
"young ideas how to -hoot," Miss Honey received eight dollars iter month. 
lie term w is three months in length and the last day was celebrated by 
the marriage of the teacher to W. M. Wilcox. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 79 



FIRST SCHOOL IN CONCORDIA. 

To Milo Stevens, who has been a resident of Clyde for many years, 
belongs the distinction of having taught the first school in the embryo city 
of Concordia. He received a salary of twenty dollars per month. 

CLAIM JUMPING. 

Claim jumping was indulged in to some extent in the early settlement. 
An unprincipled fellow would often select a claim and either contest the 
right himself, or call to it the attention of an eastern emigrant, who could 
rely upon the claim jumper swearing to all that was necessary, proceed to 
consult a lawyer, and get out papers for the contest. 

This character of individual became so common that in several localities 
he was visited by a committee provided with "hemp" and other paraphernalia 
necessary in the event that he did not make an exit. He usually complied 
with the law laid down upon this occasion. 

THE DUGOUT. 

The dwelling of the homestead settler on the frontier known as "dug- 
outs," were temporary structures, the memory .if which is fast fading into 
oblivion. Hastily constructed by the pioneers for the immediate shelter and 
comfort they afforded their families until time and circumstances would 
permit of more substantial residences being erected. 

These temporary homes are almost entirely a thing of the past, few 
remaining as a reminder of those primitive days. Occasionally one is left 
standing for the sake of "Auld Lang Syne." as it were, and few are still 
inhabited: hut these latter were built in more modern architecture, with 
windows, floors and are comfortable habitations. In driving over the coun- 
try the author has found the tumbled down remains of several of these in- 
teresting boroughs, for many of them were little less than a hole in the 
ground. Now and again a rock wall or front is still standing (against some 
hillside) that did duty as a settler's domicile and could these walls talk they 
would tell many a tale of life on the frontier, commingling of loneliness, 
sorrow, pain, hardships and suffering, often times made lighter, perhaps, 
by happy visions of a future home. A description of these relics are no! 
given for the past or present, but that the coming and future generations 
may know the design and style of residence that prevailed among the home- 
stead pioneer. The site was generally selected on a hillside or base oi a 
ridge. Walls were usually made by digging out the earth, and were walk-. I 
with rock when obtainable, or a layer of logs or poles. The excavation 
was ordinarily about twelve by fifteen feet, with a large fork set in the 
ground at each angle, and poles were laid across with a ridge pole in the 
center sufficiently strong to hold the heavy weight of earth and sod— the 
o ivering of the roof. 



8o HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



mony ^ s 



On the top of these rude structures there was often growing in har- 
together a mass of prairie grass, weeds and sunflowers. The Eronl 
of the dugout is usually built of stone, or logs, with space for a door, pei 
haps -one window, rarely two, sometimes none. In some instances a hole 
would he left for the purpose of admitting air and light. The floor was 
almost invariably of terra firnia leveled smooth and cleanly swept. 

Many of these crude huts sheltered families who had seen better days 
—even some who had been reared in the lap of luxury and have since figured 
most conspicuously and prominently in the history of t loud county. Must bl 
these pioneers were an intellectual, industrious people who came west to 
secure homes and to better their condition. They had all seen better days. 
There were no drones among them; for that class of people would not dare 
face the hardships a new country must impose. The settlers' wives were 
brave and true women and many of the dugouts were models oi cleafflines 
and neatness and comfortable to the extent of their provisions for making 
them si > 

A Sunday school teacher in Glasco asked one of his brightest pupils 
"What kind of a house did Adam and Eve live in?" ddie young hopeful 
studied a moment, and thinking of the Kansas primitive mode of dwelling, 
replied, "In a dugout, I guess." 

A PIONEER WKDIHN'i;. 

The following pioneer wedding- ceremony performed by the late l\i i I 
end R. P. West, as given by Colonel E. J. Jenkins in The Northern Tier, 
is well worth reproducing: 

"I was invited by a settler to visit one of those 'dugouts' and witness 
the marriage of his daughter. 'Be sure and come,' said the hospitable farmer 
and his w ife, as they departed from town, with a goodly portion of pro- 
visions to he transformed into a wedding dinner. It was a mild October 
day. and committing the care of the office to the register and clerks. I shook 
the dust of Concordia from my feet, and rode into the country to attend 
the wedding at the 'dugout' of my friend. 

"His primitive mansion was situated at the base of a ridge, surrounded 
will; a beautiful grove of his own planting. As I rode up the lane, on one 
side if the corn-field, the frosted blades rustled in the winds, and the weed- 
round was checkered with gold-colored sweet pumpkins. On the oppo- 
site side was a corral, in which several well-fed milch cows stood lazily, or 
rely walked toward the watering trough at the sound of the creaking 
ot the well wheel, denoting that it was the time for moistening their capacious 
dis with nature's beverage. As I approached the dwelling my friend 
g lus commands to the playful children while caring for teams 
1 arrived, while his wife and a couple of neighlxjr ladies were dexter- 
■ the feathers from the body of a large turkey and other fowls, 
the prospective bride, blushing, and happy, was receiving her lady 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 81 

friends. Beneath the branches of the grove was a sward of blue gi 
sown and cultivated by the settler. After caring for the teams, he showed 
me his farm, his fields and his improvements, closing his conversation by 
avowing his determination to build a more substantial residence in the near 
future: 

"The hilarity of the guests upon arrival, evidenced that they were thor- 
ough partakers of the genuine enjoyment of witnessing a wedding on the 
frontier. The whole scene was one of happiness and pleasure. 

"A number of the neighbors and friends of the parties had arrived, con- 
spicuous among whom was the officiating clergyman, the Reverend Romulus 
Pintus Westlake, with the conventional plug hat shading his manly brow, 
his bland countenance wreathed in happy smiles. 

"I will not attempt to assume the role and claim the privilege of the 
professional 'Jenkins,' who frequents places of fashionable resort to describe 
stunning toilets and print personal gossip; but let this suffice for a descrip 
tion of the toilets of the homestead wedding party, that the neat calico dresses 
and sun-shade hats of the ladies, and the cheap but durable raiment of the 
gentlemen, were in harmony with the times, and .with the plain, domestic 
spirit that prevailed in the homestead region. The hour having arrived 
for the ceremony, the 'dugout' being found inadequate to accommodate the 
assembly, an adjournment to the grove was carried unanimously. The 
Reverend Romulus appeared to be in his natural element, supremely happy- 
prefacing the ceremony with a How of eloquence, and an elaborate allusion 
to the happy union about to be consummated beneath the canopy of heaven, 
according to the institutions and laws of God and man. After he had pro- 
nounced the parties man and wife, he proceeded, in an impressive manner, 
to give them some gratuitous advice as to their marital obligations, thn i\\ 
ing in some camp meeting phrases concerning their duty to lead Christian 
lives, such as, 'Train up your children while young, in the way they should 
go, and when they become old they will not depart from it,' and kindred 
benevolent injunctions. Good advice, I thought, but rather premature. 

"During the delivery of this exhortation. Romulus became so impressed 
with his subject, that with the surrounding scene and his anxiety for the 
happiness of the entire assembly, he appeared to he entranced, as though sud- 
denly inspired by the thought that he was in the midst of a wedding revival, 
similar in excitement to a camp-meeting outpouring. His musical and 
earnest voice rang out clear on the autumn breeze to the most remote portion 
of the assembly, and these were some of his expression-: 

" 'Are there not more of the young people in this crowd- who desire to 
be made as happy as this couple, by uniting in the holy bonds of wed 
If so, now is the accepted time. Let them come forth to the altar of conjugal 
bliss and embrace the present opportunity to be made happy. 

"That appeal seemed to produce an electrical effect, as a couple of 
swains stepped forth from their seats, each leading by the hand a blusl ing 



82 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. KANSAS. 

damsel, with whom they had previously commenced a preliminary court- 
ship. 

" \t this juncture in the proceedings, Rsquire O —.a venerable home- 
stead settler, arose and objected, when a troversy occurred between him 

and Romulus, the 'squire saying: 

•'•J have been jestice of the peace two terms, and the statut of Kansas 
does not "low any one to marry without Eus1 gittin' a license, and as I am a 
jestice of the peace, and by virtoo of my office as a peace officer, it is my 
bounden duty to object to these young people being married without lust 
gittin' a license.' 

•'Romulus replied: ''Squire, I can marry them, and the) can afterwards 
procure the license, for human events are uncertain, and when a woman is 
once in the notion of marrying, if she is disappointed, she may not again 
consent to marry the man to whom she is first engaged, and should that he 
the misfortune of either of these young men. they may drift away on the sea 
of despair and commit the unpardonable sin of suicide. Remember, 'squire, 
that you and J were once young." 

"The 'squire replied, earnestly: '1 say the p'int o' the business is, the 
license shall he issued before the marriage can he permitted, and it is my 
bounden duty as a jestice of the peace to see that the law is not violated. 

" ' 'Squire. 1 can marry them and the license can he issued and dated 
hack. I have known marriage licenses to he dated hack under less favorable 
Circumstances than those surrounding these young people." 

"The 'squire still persisted in his objections, and the matter was finally 
submitted t<> me. I promptly decided, that the justice was right, when 
Romulus yielded, and advised the young men to 'hold the fort' until they 
could procure the license, and he would then marry them free of charge, 

"In due time the tallies were spread in the grove, and dinner announced. 
Such a dinner! It seemed that culinary skill had been taxed to the utmosl 
to prepare the bountiful repast spread before the assembly — roast turkey. 
pyramids of cake, columns of pumpkin pies, suberb coffee, goblets of sweet 
milk, neatly indented rolls of choice butter, etc., etc. But why describe it? 
To appreciate such a dinner, one must be seated at the table and assist in 
dispatching it. I could verify my description of it by the affidavit of the 
Reverend Romulus, whose fondness for good dinners was signally displayed 
on that occasion. I became alarmed lest lie might injure his health, as large 
portions of the turkey rapidly succumbed to his voracious appetite. My 
astonishment increased, however, when he attacked a column of pumpkin 
pies, and created sad havoc among the jelly dishes and other desert. 

"Dinner over, the fiddler took a position on a bench under the shade of 

and the young people quickly formed for the customary dance. 

tin- middle-aged men and women joined in the quadrille, and 

i renewed their youth as they tripped lightly to the inspiring 

mr 

The Reverend Romulus became silent and thoughtful, and uttering 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 83 

some partially incoherent remarks aboul tlie waywardness of mankind, called 
for his horse. I insisted on his remaining until the quadrille was ended, when 
we could say farewell to our host and the bride and bridegroom, and as an 
extra inducement, intimated that at the close of the ceremony he had omitted 
to salute the happy couple. 1 also urged that alter taking leave of our friends- 
I would accompany him. as our route homeward was in the same direction 
fi 1 several miles. 

"Meantime the dance progressed. The whole scene was one of enjoy- 
ment. The music, home by the breeze to every part of the grove, and inter- 
rupted only by the clarion voice of the promoter, created a marked sensa- 
tion of pleasure. A group of elderly ladies gossiped as they watched the 
agile movements of the young men, and graceful, modest promenading of 
the voting ladies. A stalwart settler, leaning against a tree, declared t< 1 a 
neighbor that, 'no new got-up cotillion could compare with the "old Vir- 
ginia reel." when he and the old woman were young.' 

"The healthful, blushing faces of the ladies, and sun-tanned features of 
the gentlemen, when dancing, were radiant, indices of genuine pleasure and 
happiness. 

"Romulus assumed an air of sadness, and addressing me. said, 'The 
human heart is as prone to evil as the sparks to fly upward.' As we rode 
down the lane his wit and humor revived, and when we separated beyond a 
grove, his musical voice rang out clear on the evening air as he sang, 'When 
I can read my title clear,' etc. 

"I could hut reflect that, though eccentric, he possessed a noble heart, 
and the cause of Christianity was in trustworthy keeping within the bound- 
aries of his circuit on the frontier." . 

CHURCH ORGANIZATION OF THE FRONTIER. 

Church work in the new settlement was somewhat sterile, a want that 
wa« sadly felt. Mr. Rupe savs in his '"'Early Recollections." "We find even 
Hagaman, wdio considers himself the leading infidel in the country, judg- 
ing from what he says in his own paper, deploring the fact that Mrs. Mentz 
in her burial had neither singing nor prayer." Even after religious services 
had been instigated its progress was slow, It was over three years before 
public worship was held and very near seven years before a church was 
established in the county, dating from the first settlement. It is doubtful 
if a. parallel case can be found. 

The late Reverend R. P. West enjoyed not only the distinction of estab- 
lishing the first place of worship in the county, hut delivered the first sermon, 
organized the first church and Sabbath school, and on down to a later date 
he preached the first sermon in Concordia. His work at one time embraced 
all of Cloud, Republic, Clay and a large part of Washington county, all 
which are living witnesses of his earlv labors. 

Toward the close of 1863, R. 1'. West settled in the Republican valley 



8 4 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



and immediately began Ins ministerial efforts, holding religious meel 
wherever the most convenient. Clifton, Washington county, was among 
the first meeting places, that being a sort of mid-way station between the set- 
tlements on Petes and Elm creek,. He organized a church there, but though 
so well centralized he found it necessan to solicit the members oi various 
denominations to unite with the Methodist Episcopal church in order to 
effect an organization, under the promise that as soon as other churches 
were established they could claim the privilege of withdraw ng and mute 
with the church of their choice. 

Reverend West hem- a Methodist, and probably a majority ol the set- 
tlers were of that persuasion, they were united under that head. Aboiil the 
same tune, he began holding services at the home of "Uncle" Heller, which 
was in reach of most of the people. So il will be -ecu [863 was the year 
religious services were observed in the county but no church organized until 
in the spring time oi [866. 

During 1864, a young lady from Ohio, attended one of these meetings 
and was somewhat anxious to have the frontier minister pointed out to 
her. There was a well dressed man present who bore a rather sanctimon 
ous look, and she asked a friend if that were not he. but rec< 1 I an answer 
in the negative. Presently a man entered clothed in a pair of overalls, an old 
black coat with a rip in one of the hack side -earn.-, and anything bul a 
dignified appearance. The young lady was surprised to receive a hunch 
from her friend, which intimated "that is the preacher." 

A Sabbath school was not organized until some time in [864, at ( lif- 
ton, and the following year in the Elk (reek settlement. The Baptist church 
was organized on January 10. 1867, under the ministration of the Reverend 
II. S. Cloud. The Reverend Cloud is deserving of more than passing men- 
tion. He lived on Fancy creek, Riley comity. Although not a pretentious 
preacher, he was a man of education possessed of a rich and cultivated 
mind. He was devoted and self-sacrificing in his work. Arduous m his 
labors .hi the frontier and well deserving, though he was scarcely remuner- 
ated for his toil, lie afterward moved to Iowa. 

The Presbyterians had no organization until some time 111 May. 1870. 
The action taken at that time was of irregular order and it is doubtful 
whether that body dates its organization to this period, in which event the 
church in Concordia obtains precedence. This attempted organization was 
the work of the Reverend Mr. Chapin. then a resident of Irving. 

The following is clipped from Colonel E. I. Jenkins' admirable little 
volume. The Northern Tier. The author was a warm personal friend of 
Reverend West and characterizes him in a humorous, but fitting way, as 
ili>' Reverend Romulus Pintus Westlake, 

"It was announced that he would preach in the land office building on 
a certain Sunday. He appeared at the appointed time and the settlers for 
miles around came to hear him. Upon inquiry it was ascertained that there 
was not a Bible in the village, and the preacher had failed to bring one, 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 85 

runt likewise had forgotten his text, but intimated his ability to find it if 
he had a Bible. After reflecting a moment, he remembered detached por- 
tions of the passages, but had forgotten the exact language, or the order 
in which they appeared in Holy Writ. After the usual preliminary cere- 
monies, he proceeded as follows: 

THE SERMON. 

i 

' 'My friends and fellow-travelers in this wild frontier region — the 
land of our adoption — my Christian deity impels me to appear before you 
and present to you that brightest jewel among the gifts bestowed upon 
mankind (the gospel), as taught by those who have gone before me — "the 
latchets of whose shoes I am unworthy to unloose." The regard I have 
for the truth compels me to admit that I have forgotten the chapter and 
verse, as well as the exact language of my text; but as near as I remember, 
it is about as follows: "Disturb not the old landmarks, though von be 
hewers of wood and drawers of water;" from which I deduce and supply 
the following as the foundation of my remarks on this occasion: "Hew 
to the line, let the chips fall where they may." The text truly demonstrates 
that those who uttered it had an eye to business, temporal as well as 
spiritual. Whether Solomon was right in forbidding the removal of the 
old landmarks, or Joshua in imposing the duty of hewers of wood, and 
drawers of water upon the conquered Canaanites. is a question too pro- 
found for a common preacher on the frontier, and 1 accept all Bible teach- 
ing as true, as I find it. without adding to or subtracting from it one jot 
or tittle. ' 

" 'But being without a Bible, I am compelled to use a figure of speech 
on which to base my sermon; hence my subject, "Hew to the line, let the 
chips fall where they may, but disturb not the old landmarks in doing so." 
Judging all the homestead settlers by myself, they are all more or less 
"hewers of wood ami drawers of water," in a physical and moral poinl oi 
view, differing from the hewers and drawers of old time in this: that the 
homestead settlers are free and independent in a free country, while the 
old-time hewers and drawers were bondmen, or slaves. That part of the 
text that commands, "Disturb not the old landmarks," might be applied 
to the monuments and cornerstones erected by the surveyors when tin- 
country was surveyed, but 1 apply it to the moral ami religious landmarks 
established by the church in its early days. 

' 'A departure from the old landmarks thus established, leads to new 
and doubtful theories and doctrines, and little by little the first principles 
and original doctrines are lost sight of, and infidelity, spiritualism and 
kindred dogmas usurp the place of the grand apostolic doctrine-- in the 
mind, and the original truths are discarded by those who seek the seductive 
paths of science and embrace the "liberal" tenets of infidelity. Therefore 
disturb not the old .doctrinal landmarks of faith, lest you meander too far 

6 



86 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

from the true line — the original witness — tree- or monumental corner- of 
the true survey. 

"•The hewers of wood and drawers of water produce more happiness 
in the world than the nobles and aristocrats who hash in the sunshine of 
ss, and subsist on the products of the honest toil of the laborers. The 
blood of a king whose commands rack a nation from center to circumfer- 
ene< . and whose sword awes a continent into submission, is no better than 
that of the serf whom the king holds in bondage or in servile allegiance 
He who was rocked in a sugar-trough for a cradle, and reared in the moss- 
grown log cabin, may lie a better, happier and wiser man than the aristo 
crat, whose infant cries were smothered with gorgeou ery in a mag- 

nificent cradle, and reared amid the frescoed hall- oi a pa 

"•The honest laborer and Christian who "hew- to the line," makes 
society better and happier, and causes the light of civilization to 
penetrate the wilderness, thus dispelling the gloom of ignorance and bar- 
barism, and causes Christianity to spread its genial rays wide over the 
world, may truly be classed as one of Nature's noblen 

"'Many there are who, unhonored, have left in every footprint, from 
the cradle to the grave, brilliant examples of honesty and integrity; whose 
energy and enterprise have caused the rose to blossom upon the desert 
waste, beautified the forest wilds, and gathered the splendors of the vallej 
into the storehouse of usefulness. They hewed to the line, and won their 
reward in the sweat of honest toil. It has been written, "Whatsoever thou 
lindest to do, do it with thy might;" and 1 add, when thou doest it, "Hew 
n the line." 

' 'Pope said, "An honest man is the noblest work of God." What kind 
i i!» would the old poet have designated a "dead-beat," or a dishonest 
- il ivhose daily life is a routine of rascality, blasphemy and wicked 
Christianity, when professed and practiced sincerely, not only makes men 
and happier, but also causes them to exhibit honest,- and integrity 
of purpose in their intercourse with their fellow-men. thereby aiding to 
diffuse happiness throughout society. "Remove the beam from thine own 
eye before thou -earchest for the mote in thy brother's eye." is as applica- 
of the sixth principal meridian as it was nearly two thousand wears 
■ ihores of the -Mediterranean. 
•There are many men, however, who bottle up their religion on week- 
ami make a regular so, la fountain of it on Sunday/ 
"Here some of the audience at the rear end of the building began to 
which soon spread among the entire congregation. I expected to 
■her reprove them, but instead thereof, he smiled one of his 
>miles, and looking at the audience for a moment, exclaimed 
i emphatic manner, 'Laugh and grow fat, but hew to the line!' This 
Much for the audience, and they enjoyed a hearty laugh, in which 
icher joined. As soon as order was restored, 'he proceeded as 
: 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 87 

'■'There are other men who whittle their religion, like a boy whittling 
a stick, down to the tine point of nothing.' 

"More merriment among the audience, in which Romulus joined, after 
which he again proceeded as follows: 

" "Charity begins at home, and with many people remains at home. It 
has been written, "Love your enemies;" and 1 do try to love mine, even the 
Indians, according to divine command, if they will stav awav from this 
country so far that "Distance lends enchantment to the view." 

' 'A philosopher may leant wisdom from a fool, and a Wall street 
broker may learn integrity from a homestead settler. The difference 
hetween a sea captain and a stage driver is not so great as most people imag- 
ine, as both are clothed with grave responsibility. The Ten Command- 
ments are a wise collection of rules, and if strictly obeyed, the people would 
be better and happier — peace and good order would reign. But some 
strictly observe one of the commandments, and perhaps violate the others. A 
deacon may swap horses with a layman and get the best of the bargain, or 
a man of the world practice chicanery with an easy-going Christian, with- 
out any check of conscience. Others assume the voluntary responsibility 
of attending to the affairs of an entire community, by dictating their duty 
in detail, making telegraphic announcement of the shortcomings of their 
neighbors throughout the neighborhood. All persons have their friends, 
some more, some less, but everyone is the recipient of more or less censure 
from the gossip-heralds of the community. But those who "hew to the 
line," regardless of the fault-finding of others, sooner or later will brighten 
the pathway of Christianity. 

"Human nature is the same in all ages of the world; cultivate it in the 
right direction, and it develops the beautiful and ornamental design of the 
Creator; debase it, and it becomes the opposite. 

"While the pagan is worshipping his Idol, the civilized Christian read- 
ing his Bible, the Indian is daubing his face with warpaint, counting his 
scalps, or reconnoitering a frontier settlement, to rob and murder — all done 
by the light of the same sun that illuminates the universe. Statesmen wran- 
gle about the affairs of government, kings go to war for supremacy and 
power, while the homestead settler breaks prairie, plants his crops, and 
reads his Bible in his rude dugout, and is the happiest man. 

"Though his dugout is rude in architecture, it shelters him and his 
family: and the wind may whistle through, it, the wolves howl around it, but 
his little family gather closer about him as he reads his Bible and offers his 
devotions. He is in his castle, across the threshold of which no potentate 
dare venture without permission, and no sectarian scepter deters him from 
his Christian home in the East. There are many dugouts ami such homes 
up and down this valley, and scattered over the frontier, before the doors of 
which my pony has often been hitched while I preached within. 

"The line should be straight, not zig-zag. Every bee-hunter knows 
full well that when the bee leaves its field of labor and starts for its home — 



88 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



the hive, the course it pursues is in a straight line. Though it may have 
wandered into new flora] fields hitherto unexplored, or threatened bjnthe 
near approach of a storm-cloud, its instincl leaches il that its chosen straighl 
line is the shortest mute to its home, and no deviation lengthens its journey. 
A true man may learn wisdom from the flight of the hone) bee. 

"The zig-zag Tine is often followed in the journey of lit"'.', and in the 

scramble for the almighty dollar, and. like a cottonw 1 board fence, is 

alternately warped and straightened by the storms of misfortune, or the 
sunshine of pleasure and happiness. 

"The straigfhter the line of conduct, the less the pressure on the con 
science; and when the end is reached, the memory stretches backward to the 
paths of the past, lingering a moment at the guideposts thai pointed the 
mute of travel through the moral world. 

"Many men during their evil days tear down the partition wall betwei n 
their conscience and their daily practice, and fail or neglecl to repair or 
rebuild it after they make profession of a change in their moral conduct, 01 
dead-head their way into the church. The evil ts false guide-posts 

all along the pathway of life, primed and painted with the allurements oi 
vice, that sooner or later cause the traveler or hewer to deviate from the 
straight line, and he wanders into the wilderness of wickedness and despair. 

"There are no proxies in religion, and as every tub stands upon its own 
bottom, so verily, 'he that tooteth not his own horn, the same shall nol be 
tooted.' If you are on the down grade, put on the brakes. 

"Chalk your line with the best intentions and resolutions you have, 
then hew to it without disturbing the 'old landmarks.' all along the journey 
of life, through evil as well as v 1 repute, on week days as well as Sun- 
days, amid prosperity and adversity, with charity and Christian duty 
inscribed on your banner, and you will have a morality that will neither rip, 
ravel n< >r rust. 

"I do not preach for money, ami L never ask for any contributions for 
my preaching; but if some kind friend, will invite me home with him to a 
good dinner, and furnish some provender for my pony, he will receive his 
reward." 

He usually sang all his hymns in the same tune — < >ld Hundred — and 
he closed his services by singing the words of the Doxology in that venera- 
ble tune, with his musical voice and original variations, while a few of his 
congregation sang the words in the proper air. and if the discord was 
detected by anyone present, due allowance was made for the privilege of 
having a sermon and time-honored hymn-singing on the frontier. 

BUFFALO HUNTING ON THE PLAINS. 



It would be unpardonable to omit giving some of the buffalo hunting 

epi odes as recited by various sportsmen of the plains, whose fires of anima- 

run high as they recall the pursuit engaged in with such fondness. "A 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 89 

life on the ocean wave" stirs the heart of the sailor; an existence on the 
plains delights the heart of the huntsman, to whom danger but adds zeal 
and spice. Even fear gives coloring to the canvas on which the story is 
painted. To be a hero of the plains 1- a joy forever, and the ability to nar- 
rate from actual experience of adventure attendant to fights with buffalo 
and "red- skins"' is a joy to the narrator as well as listener. 

The traditions will be handed down from generation to generation and, 
although many moons will have waned since the events transpired, the same 
concern and inspiration will be awakened. 

The last two buffalo slain in Cloud county were killed by Lewis Kig- 
gins, of Grant township. The first of the two mentioned was shot in the 
spring of 1871 on the farm now owned by Samuel Clark. The other was 
captured in the summer of the same year on the farm of Patrick Murray. 
The event was made memorable by the assailants of the animal appearing 
in the chase with pitchforks, hoes, knives and other formidable weapons. 
There were three buffalo that had wandered away from the main herd— 
they pursued them, hut the other two escaped. The party was comprised 
of William H. Ansdell, Lewis Carter, the late George Champlin and Lewis 
[Ciggins. The latter was mounted on a horse, carried a gun and was 
entitled to the honor of slaying the last •'hero of the plain" in Cloud county. 
The buffalo was run to earth and slam within a few rods of Mr. Murray'- 
cabin on Cheyenne creek. 

PLEASURES OF THE CHASE AS TOLD BY E. C. DAVIDSON. 

E. C. Davidson, one of the old-timers and well-to-do farmers (see 
sketch) of the Glasco country. T. L. Hostettler, who lived many years on 
the Solomon, and two settlers named Anderson and Bible. — all hardy men, 
inured to camp life and hardships, jovial fellows and "crack shots." — fitted 
themselves out with camping supplies and started westward, where hun- 
dreds of buffalo roamed the prairies. The proposed route took them across 
Asher creek and thence to Mulberry, where they encountered an unlooked- 
for difficulty, which was disastrous to their supply of food. The crossing 
had been rendered impassable by washouts, and as they attempted to dine 
through the creek the wagon, hunters, oats and provisions were overturned 
into the channel of the muddy stream. But undaunted by this — to them— 
trivial circumstance the indomitable sportsmen, true to the intrepidity of 
pioneers, assorted their provender— which they were not surfeited with— 
from that of their faithful horses, and full of assurance pursued their jour- 
ney t<> the hunting grounds where juicy buffalo steaks would substantiate 
their depleted eatables. While the entire party were excellent marksmen 
and hunters of smaller game. Mr. Bible stood alone in buffalo-shooting 
experience, and. accordingly, manifested considerable pride and self-esteem, 
as with a lordly air he remarked of his prowess, saying he would show them 
"how it was done." 



90 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. KANSAS. 



Shortly after this display of egotism a monarch of the plain was sighted. 
Written in capital letters all over the countenances of the crew was the 
desire. "1 want to kill hmi." but Mr. Bible put a quietus on the longings oi 
his comrades bv exclaiming in an imperative tone of v. nee. "No! I will give 
him the deadener and you fellows watch me." The mind oi each excited 
hunter reverted to the diminished quantity of their mess-box and reluctantly 
assented to allow their superior and recognized leader to fire Hie first shot. 
While the missile sent out by the skillful marksman was not a fatal shot, the 
huge beast— that seemed in proportions a towering mountain to the "ten 
derfeet" of the crowd— ran a few rods and fell to the earth wounded. I hen 
followed a scene that would bailie the most fertile brain or brush of an artist 
to reproduce. The remaining- trio, quivering with suppressed action, 
instantly seized upon the situation and literally tilled the body of the animal 
with ammunition, regardless of vital spots. It would not be unreasonable 
to suppose each man with an inward delighl said to himself, "We 1 died a 
buffalo." 

Around the camp lire that night an interesting picture can be imagined. 
After feasting on choice cuts of tenderloin and an hour or more spenl in 
puffing wreaths of smoke from their pipes or spinning the traditional hum 
ing varus, they wrapped themselves in their blankets and the scenes of the 
day were soon obliterated by the suspension of the powers that control body 
and mind. Upon the following morning they .nose at dawn, invigorated 
and ready for special action. Nor did they journey far ere the) found tin' 
prairies dotted with vast herds of magnificent beasts, affording ample prac- 
tice for the amateur buffalo hunters, who very soon became adepts in the 
vocation and champion marksmen, securing in a brief time all the) could 
carry home from the field. While they were dressing their gaim ol 

hungry coyotes gathered thickly around and about them — dozens of the 
half-starved creatures everywhere. On this trip the party passed a recently 
deserted Indian camp which apparently had been vacated but a few hours as 
the fires were still smoldering. Mingled with the fear, apprehension, and 
cheerless sensation that the dangerously close proximity of the savages pro- 
duced was doubtless a sort of jubilant feeling that their scalps were exactly 
on the spot where they belonged instead of dangling at the belt of some 
murderous Indian warrior. 

Bl I I Al.O HUNTERS FROM GRANT TOWNSHIP. 

In the summer of 1870 a buffalo hunting party comprised of William 
H. \u sdell, jack Robinnet, James Kiggins, Mr. Friend, Gus. Thomas and 
I ewis Carter, ace impanied by an old hunter of the plains from Jewell City, 
who acted as guide, and. in accordance with a proposal to make the 
Solomon Valley, where the main herd grazed, their destination. 
the company turned in that direction; but before they arrived in that region 
tbev were fortunate enough to kill a wild cow ami calf, which supplied them 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 91 

with meat until they could reach camp and make preparations for the hunt. 
Everything - being in readiness for the occasion the hunters started out in 
various directions. Mr. Friend and Mr. Carter pursued a course up the 
river and had not gone far when they discovered a buffalo grazing on a hill- 
side, about two miles distant. The hunters who were novices in the matter 
of such gigantic game were overjoyed at their good fortune in immediately 
sighting a victim, and such a shining- mark he appeared while leisurely feed- 
ing on the grass and growing herbage on the declivity of the hill. So fear- 
ful were the unschooled sportsmen that their appearance would frighten the 
animals, when a mile and a half away., they crawled upon their hands and 
knees until they had sneaked up within gun-shot range, and when they 
arrived at length with aching knees and skinned shins, produced by draw- 
ing their bodies along the ground, the excited pair were seized by what was 
known in pioneer parlance "buffalo fever," but what would be termed in 
modern times nervous excitement. 'When they attempted to level a bead on 
the buffalo that continued to leisurely feed on the hillside, the rifles swayed 
in their trembling hands like reeds in a stiff Kansas breeze. 

After repeated efforts to steady their shattered nerves, they hit upon a plan 
for devising a rest by rearing a sort of wall made from the innumerable "buffali 1 
chips" that covered the prairie, placed their guns on the improvised support 
and when the signal was given, both weapons were fired simultaneously, but it 
was an extra volley from Mr. Carter's gun that brought the buffalo toppling 
forward; that irrevocably fixed his fate. Anxious moments followed, for 
they recalled the experiences of sensational story tellers who always dwelt 
with emphasis upon the dangers encountered with the wounded buffalo. 
hence they whetted and sharpened their knives and implements of war for 
a skirmish with the injured monarch, and cautiously creeping up to their 
victim found it barely alive, and also discovered it had been in that condi- 
tion for many, many days. The hide was almost devoid of hair, the animal 
was blind as a bat, and Mr. Carter declares the bullet which passed through 
its body did not extract enough blood to wet the end of his little finger. 
The disappointed huntsmen left their blind, hairless and toothless trophy on 
the field, after having put the old residenter out of his misery, and continued 
on their way up the river, where they were rewarded by better success and 
with less drain upon their nervous systems. After spending several days 
most delightfully and securing all the meat they could use, returned to then- 
homes, where they told how- by "their prowess they had conquered all." 

HUNTING NARRATIVE FROM ^VM .EY TOWNSHIP. 

In honor of Welt Smith and John Clark, young men who were 
ing friends in Siblev township, and to render their western trip devoid of 
deficiences. a buffalo-hunting tour was planned in December. 1870. 

Steve Chapman. Charles Taggart. Ed. Kenyon, Wesley Kenyon, Jud- 
son M. Dutton and Henrv L. Dutton, delighted to thus entertain their 



92 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

friends and guests, entered into the spirit of the proposition with the great- 
est complaisance, and perhaps jollier fellows never spenl three weeks on the 
plains in the festive hunt than the eight individuals who comprised this 
companv. The conditions of the atmosphere it the disturbances of the ele- 
ments did not agitate them very seriously, although a storm was raging ere 
they were out forty-eight hours. The second night they camped on Oak 
creek", west of where the present city of Downs is located, and when they 
arose next morning and pulled aside the door of their little canvas house 
they found the earth draped in a mantle of white; the lent weighted with 
the fall of snow, which, as it melted, flowed in from all sides; hut no expres- 
sions of regret were heard even though their cam]) was in a deplorable con 
dition and their supply of salt diss.olved. Breakfasl dispatched, they pur- 
sued their way along the Solomon river until they came to the buffalo 
ground^, where from the vast herds that roamed the lulls in every direction 
they filled the four wagons with the rear quarters of the magnificent ani- 
mals; and of all the splendid beasts the_\ slaved, not a hide was sa\cd. 

During this expedition these hunters encountered a terrific blizzard 
and almost perished in the cold and storm. They were quartered in a twelve 
foot tent, with the frozen buffalo meat piled high around on tin- outside. 
While sheltered there a strange and serious incident occurred. Welt Smith 
whose clear conscience must have deepened his slumbers, pillowed his 
on the bosom of the damp and cold mother earth, where he slept soundly, 
undisturbed by reminiscences of the hunt; hut when morning dawned and 
he .attempted to arise from his peaceful hunk, something was seemingly 
clutching him by the hair — suggestive of the scalping knife— and held him 
tight and fast, in response to his cries of distress his comrades rushed to 
his rescue and found .Mr. Smith pinioned to the earth by the long locks 

i he had been cultivating until they mailed those.- of "Buffalo Bill." 
They had congealed with the earth and were frozen fast to the ground. 
There were hut two alternatives. They must he chopped oul or the hunter 
must continue in that position until the gentle springtime released him. He 
chose the former and parted with his flowing tresses. 

While the snow was on, the sportsmen found wild turkeys in innum- 
erable numbers, from three to four hundred in one drove. The snow- 
retarded their progress and the hunters could have captured them all. hut 
only killed what they could use for food. The other "tenderfoot." John 
( lark, from Michigan, furnished his quota of amusement for the party. 
His feet were clad in moccasins manufactured from a buffalo skin. These 
coverings, which bore some resemblance to shoes, were dried and turned up 
runners. Mr. (dark ran up a steep hank to fire a fatal shot in a 
buffalo he had wounded. Just as his gun was discharged he stumped the 
protruding toe of his shoe and fell headlong down the embankment, hut 
as he scrambled to his feet and witnessed the object of his pursuit in the 
throes of death, the sportsman's wounds were quickly healed. 

On the return trip the hunters offered a quarter of meat to Mrs. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 93 

McCracken, of Mitchell county, in return for supper and breakfast, as their 
breadstuffs were running Low. Their landlady smiled significantly and 
thoughl - e had struck a "bonanza," but ere the hungry campers had fin- 
ished their tirst meal, any bargain she had anticipated in the agreement was 

disillusionized. 

H. L. Dutton, to whom the author is indebted for the substance of this 
narrative, savs : hi the spring of T869, from a point between the Solomon 
and Saline rivers, he has witnessed from one of the hills of that territory, 
where a view is gained for twenty-five miles or more toward either point 
of the compass, thousands and thousands more, of these great shagg) 
coated beasts. When in Chicago in 1884 Air. Dutton visited Lincoln Park, 
which then . contained two buffalo. As he looked upon them these 
inferior specimens appealed to him as a fragment, a remnant, as it were, 
of the noble beast — the "monarch of the plain" — that once in droves of 
countless numbers ranged over the Kansas prairies. "Through wood, 
through waste, o'er hill, o'er dale, his roam," and infused a miraculous 
inspiration in the heart of every huntsman. 

ROMANCE OF THE PLAIN AS TOLD BY URIAH SMITH (SEE SKETCH), THE 
CHAMPION BUFFALO SHOOTER OF CLOUD COUNTY. 

The championship of buffalo shooters A Cloud county undoubtedly 
belongs to Uriah Smith, of Clyde, who followed that vocation for about 
five vears and has killed hundreds of the mammoth kings of the prairies, 
since the first memorable expedition, along with O. G. Morley. in May, 
1866. They were inexperienced hunters for game of such magnitude, hut 
were distinguished marksmen and any object they made a target usually 
came in contact with the well-directed missile from their shooting-irons. 

Everything in readiness for the event of their lives, the amateur bison 
hunters traveled in a northerly direction until they reached the forks of 
Buffalo creek, a favorite camping place tAr sportsmen, freighters and emi- 
grants. Mr. Smith and Mr. Morley remained on these grounds until they 
had killed, and dried a load of buffalo meat. 

Ere preceding further the process of curing the meat might prove ol 
interest to many readers. The pioneer camper was always provided with 
a large iron camp-kettle. In one of these useful utensils the hunter heated 
a strong brine composed of salt and water: the former oftentimes proa 
as they passed the salt marsh en route to their destination. The meal was 
dipped into the scalding solution, then suspended from a sort of scaffold 
built about four feet from the ground. Underneath, a fire smoldered con- 
tinuously y and within a few days the fine cuts from the hind quarters oi the 
animals were smoked, dried and converted into "jerked" meat, as it was 
termed, which was deliciously palatable. 

A humorous circumstance occurred while on a hunting tour in 1867 
with a party consisting of Mr. Smith, Mr. Morley and James Xeeley.* 



& 



s 



94 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

They were joined where Concordia now stands by Thomas and William 
Riley, Henry Simons and Thomas Wilcox. 

The immense herd was traveling in a northerl) direction al a rapid 
gait and had gained about four miles ere the hunters could overtake them. 
At this point the great drove halted in one of the bends of the creek to 
graze. Mr. Smith and Mr. Morley followed around through the dry bed 

it the branch to find a favorable position from where the) could 
the best advantage. Just as the situation was attained and the hunter- had 
gained a place of ambush from where thev could select the choices! marks 
fi r their prey unobserved by the herd, an old and decrepit animal i inn 
wandering near and stopped to graze directly in the path between the anxi- 
i us sportsmen and the coveted, buffalo. He was but two or three rods dis- 
tant and thev endeavored to gel him out of the way but he would merely 
turn his sightless eyes in that direction and quietly feed on. Mr. Smith 

threw gravel obtained from the bed of the creek, but like the hero who -1 1 

on the deck of the burning ship, "he would not go," and the outwitted hunt 
ers were compelled to make a new stand, from which they killed two buffalo 
and wounded another. They then shifted their position to a rise of ground, 
and were crawling on their hands and knees toward the herd. \s Mr. Mor- 
ley, who was in the lead, looked backward he exclaimed, "Look behind you, 
Smith." Mr. Smith turned and discovered the venerable and almost help 
less old bison walking straight toward him. Desiring to not frighten the 
main body by rising to his feet Mr. Smith remained in a sitting posture and 
lustily waved his hat, but the aged monarch continued, quite unconcerned. 
Mr. Morley. who was amused by the ludicrous situation, laughed aloud, 
which the animal evidently heard, although he could not see, for he halted, 
pricked up his ears and ambled off in an easterly and parallel direction. 
Being filled with compassion for the poor old veteran of the plains, Mr. 
Smith ended his miserable existence by a bullet from his unerring ride. It is 
needless to affirm, choice steaks were not taken from his carcass, or the hide 
preserved that was as devoid of the once thick, shaggy coat of hair as the 
body of an elephant. They then pursued the main herd and killed two more. 
Mr. Smith's father, Andrew W. Smith, who was also fond of the hunt, 
took pleasure in relating the following humorous but critical situation of 
Abe Cole, an old Wisconsin friend who, like all that came to the frontier, 
aspired to kill a buffalo. Mr. Cole had never seen one of the huge beasts 
and it might he concluded from his manner and expressions that he did not 
the buffalo as a formidable wild animal with monstrously thick body, 
great strong legs, tapering horns, and shoulders covered with long rough 

v 1, hui a docile creation more like the domestic ox or horse, for when they 

wen- planning for the hunt Mr. Cole stoutly declared bis intention to ride 

the first one he wounded. The recent arrival on the frontier was warned 

that such an undertaking would prove a very dangerous proceeding, and 

advised to forego the inclination, but like his predecessor, the jolly 

'I lid King Cole." a "merry old soul was he." and contended he could run in 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 95 

a circle so fleetly the wild cattle could not follow him. When the hunter- 
reached the salt marsh in Grant township, bison were seen dotted over the 
wild waste which was devoid of water, and its white, glistening surface shim- 
mering like diamonds in the sunlight, was smooth as a floor except for here 
and there an abrupt bank, one of which served as a concealed station for the 
hunters, who impatiently waited for hours ere the herd wandered within 
gun-shot range. A large bull was selected by Mr. Cole as his victim and 
the next moment a bullet went crashing into his bulky frame. The wounded 
and infuriated animal lunged forward with the evident intention of goring 
liis would-be slayer, but with a stream of blood gushing from his body the 
hero of the plain sank to the earth apparently dead. The proudest moment 
cf Abe Cole's life had dawned, and with a heart so swollen with pride it 
was nigh unto bursting, he drew near his fallen victim. But alas! for 
human hopes, death had not claimed the dethroned monarch, and as his 
enemy approached to gloat over his victory, with a mighty, herculean effort, 
the wounded and maddened animal arose to his feet. Then began the "cir- 
cle route." not over the "Colorado Toll Road" of national fame, but on 
the salt-whitened plane of the marsh. The enraged bull, smarting from 
his wound, followed closely upon the fleet footsteps of the novice, but not in 
the proposed circle. With an ominous snort, followed bv thundering bel- 
lows of rage, shaggy head lowered and tail erect, the animal dashed across 
the level in hot pursuit. His gigantic frame as it neared the riving fugitive 
seemed to the terror stricken hunter a towering mountain in his immensity, 
and during this episode the would-be hero discarded all thoughts of turn- 
ing equestrian, nor cared he naught for glory. His retreat implied his 
acceptation of the old maxim, "A live coward is worth more than a dead 
hero." With the swiftness of a locomotive the sportsman sped over the 
ground only "touching the high places" in his eager flight for safety, when 
a bullet from his comrade's rifle sealed the doom of his lofty majestv and 
terminated the exciting scene. When anxious and interested friend- 
inquired how he enjoyed his first buffalo hunt Mr. Cole responded: "I 
have had enough of it." 

BUFFALO HUNTING EXPEDITION AS RELATED BY GEORGE W. TEASLEY, OF THE 

SOLOMON. 

I he new arrivals to the frontier were always eager to witness the vast 
herds of bison that ranged over the prairies by the hundreds of thousands 
and if he were in the least degree a sport-man he could not rest until fresh 
laurels were added to his prowess by terminating the career of one or more 
of these majestic beasts. 

In the latter part of July, [866, a hunt was inaugurated by George W. 
Teasley, D. W. Teasley. A. D. Teasley, A. C. Bagwell. II. II. Spaulding, 
John Howard, John Higgins and Captain John A. Potts. There were about 
a half dozen wagons to be loaded with buffalo meat, anil a week was the 



9 6 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

time set apart for the consummation of their plans. The buffalo had been 
driven west, and the main herd were wandering about the forks of the Solo- 
mon river. The first night the hunters camped on Limestone creek and aftei 
supper, those who had not removed the cartridges from their guns during 
the day proceeded to discharge the loads, clean their weapons, re-charge and 
render them in a state of prime working order, that an unfailing lire might 
be depended upon in case of an emergency or while in quest lor game. 
While putting his rifle in condition \. D. Teaslej miraculouslj escaped 
serious injury; the breech-pin Mew out, splitting about six inches of the gun- 
barrel wide open, hut aside from the terrorized shock lie received and a 
slight powder burn, Mr. Teasley was unharmed. The party had not pro 
ceeded far on their way next morning ere they could sec a stragglei 
and again, and occassionally a small herd of buffalo. When one oi their 
number becomes antiquated and infirm he drops out from the mad rush of 
the throng and trails along on the outer edge, oftentimes drifts entirely 
awav, seemingly prefering a life of seclusion in his old age and forsakes 
I lie herd altogether. 

The huntsmen did not tarry to capture the remnants that quietlj 
grazed along, but hastened on. crossed the north fork' of the Solomon river 
about where Downs is now situated and on the south fork where they 
camped for the night. It was late in the afternoon when they pitched their 
tent, the buffalo were traveling in a southwesterly direction ami by the time 
tht sun was sinking in the west there were myriads of the mighty mon- 
sters in sight. All through the long hours of the night the continued roar 
of their tramping hoofs was heard by the sportsmen who eagerly but 
tremblingly awaited the dawn of day. Had the party of settlers known the 
herds of bison were being driven westward from the settlements by the 
Indians they would have breathed less freely. However, they did not come 
in contact with the savages and their scalps were retained. 

Breakfast over the next morning, the marksmen for the day's hunt 
were appointed, while some of their number were to guard the camp, and 
others designated to follow the huntsmen and pick up the game. It was 
necessary to dress the animals within a comparatively few hours or they 
were otherwise rendered unfit for use. 

The selection fell on George W. and D. W. Teasley, who were mere 
boys and had never been near a live buffalo. It was suggested an experi- 
enced hunter accompany them, hut their self-esteem would not admit of an 
attendant upon such a valorous occasion and promptly rejected the propo 
sition. The favored knights proudly trimmed their weapons exactly to their 
conception of excellence, swung the shot-pouches over their shoulders, 
buckled on their belts, which contained cartridges, six-shooters and butcher 
knives. Though they assumed a hold front Mr. Teasley says there was a 
combination of fear and anxiety be cannot explain. None of the party 
suspected their real emotion, however, neither did the young hunters intend 
to show the white feather. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 97 

The buffalo were on the hills all around their camp in even' direction, 
and as the young men sauntered forth the continuous deep gutteral roar 
of the bellowing beasts that was wafted to their ears grew ominous with 
redoubled force, but with determination the heroes marched on. It was 
necessary to take advantage by approaching them from the windward side, 
as buffalo will stampede much mure readily from scent, than sight. 

They selected a herd about two miles to the south, where the ravines 
would afford an opportunity of approaching quite near. The hunters 
cautiously and eagerly wended their way across the bottom land to the hills 
beyond the south fork of the Solomon, where three or four hundred mag- 
nificent specimens of animal life were grazing southward. When within 
a half mile of the herd the sportsmen tediously crawled along the ground 
and with this precaution taken attracted the attention of an animal now 
and again, that would gaze suspiciously a moment, and as the hunters 
hugged the earth more closely, the king of the plain would conclude it was 
a false alarm and resume his feeding. 

The boys finally reached a ravine, where they were much relieved by 
walking erect, under the protection of the high banks. 

The buffalo were now on either side of them, and when they supposed 
they were about opposite the drove, the excited hunters left the narrow 
hollow, crawled to the top of the ridge and carefully raised their heads to 
take a survey of the situation, when they beheld with horror the herd not 
more that fifty yards away. As they noted the formidable and gigantic 
proportions of that vast assembly of shaggy beasts their hearts began to 
throb and their breaths came and went like the exhaust of a steam engine, 
then hesitated, pondered over the matter and wondered if it were advisable 
to make an assault against such tremendous odd-, but after several moments 
spent in misgivings they decided to "attack their lines."' As a means of 
precaution the precocious youths divested themselves of everything that was 
in the least cumbersome, then each were to select his victim and when the 
signal, Readv! Aim; Fire! was given the deadly missiles were to be sent 
out simultaneously. Prior to giving the command the trembling youths 
made an estimate of the distance to the nearest timber, which was about 
two miles, and felt confident that no buffalo ever made could catch them 
ere the fleet footed knights could gain a friendly tree. 

As the critical moment drew nigh they were seized with the chill that 
precedes a fever, but there was no time to lose, as the buffalo were con- 
stantly feeding away from their station. With supreme effort> they leveled 
their rifles, the word was given and both suns responded a- they touched 
the triggers. George Teaslev was like the little hoy who blew out the lighl 
and tried to tumble into bed before the darkness would follow. Mr. Teasley 
was on his feet apparently before the bullet left the muzzle of his gun, 
and if the missile took effect, the victim did not exhibit any sign of being 
injured. To the surprise and inward delight of the hunters, the momenl 
thev fired, the whole herd, with the exception of one that hid fallen under 



98 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. KANSAS. 

D. YV. Teasley's aim, scampered away at full speed over the hills. ["his 
gave the excited frontiersmen courage — an article they were sadly in need 
of just at that time, for the hills were covered with buffalo, all grazing 
slowly southward. . They reloaded their guns as quickly as possible, and 
carrving their previoush discarded shoes in their hands, the young knights 
carefully drew- near the wounded buffalo. When the animal (which was 
almost dead) would move, they would hesitate, then move a little m 
while their hair was standing on end. and the shivers racing up and down 
the marrow in their hones. Their rifles were cocked, ready to sliO' 
run. they scarcely knew which, hut as the huge beast had seemingly cea ed 
motion, they concluded it had succumbed to fate and ventured ni 
Sure enough he had been dead several moments. It was about four 
old and a fine specimen of its race. 

This episode gave the huntsmen courage and valor, and they were 
more eager than ever to pursue the herds that ranged upon every hill and 
selected for their second attack a drove about two miles to the eastwai 
that were grazing along a small creek. This point was accessible with less 
arduous maneuvering, for they could follow the devious windings of the 
little stream under the cover of bushes that skirted its banks. 

The creek forked and the west branch led close to the buffalo. There 
was no timber on that prong, but an occasional plum thicket which served 
their purpose well, and allowed them to gel within very close range. 

While timorously making their way along, George Teasley, through a 
clump of bushes to the left spied a ione buffalo leisurely lying on the ground 
not more than forty yards distant. Mr. Teasley said to his companion, 
"Hold on, Dan; I'll shoot that buffalo if it stampedes the whole herd." 
lie fired, and the vociferous report that followed resounded from hillside 
to hillside, with seemingly enough clamor to arouse and stampede all the 
buffalo on the plains, and almost regretted his hasty resolve to shoot. But 
no tenons detriment was incurred; the herd made a few jumps, wildly 
about them, but as they could neither see nor hear anything further, 
tin quiet grazing was resumed. With great circumspection the hunters 
then moved on until they came to a big plum thicket, which was about 
opposite the herd, and crawled up the high band with even greater caution 
for they knew the buffalo were but a few rods distant. As they looked 
back from this point they could see the wounded animal struggling 
in the last throes of death, never having risen from the earth after he was 
Each fresh victory incited new courage. They now slipped their 
, e ridge and sighted along the barrel, ready to touch the 
lien a buffalo covered the bead. To gaze at those enormous mon- 
sters in such nearness as to see their eye-winkers and almost feel the warmth 
oi their bodies was enough to unnerve experienced huntsmen, but in the 
■ i iting sport the young heroes quickly became inured to the dangers. At 

usual signal each gun was discharged and two of the monarchs fell 
i to their well directed bullets. A weird and strange scene followed. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



99 



The herd jumped and ran a few paces, then returned, gathered around 
the fallen beasts and fought and gored each other in a vicious manner. 
They attacked the dead animals and with their short but tapering horns. 
tore their hides asunder. The hunters watched this fierce battle 
for a few moments and then withdrew to the base of the bank. 
reloaded their guns, and again stationed themselves at the top of the 
ridge, where the affray was still raging. Occasionally one of the 
huge and powerful animals would make a vigorous charge on the dead 
bodies of their fellows, and the hidden sportsmen could hear the sound 
of their horns violently ripping through their hides. 

As they watched this grewsome but strangely fascinating spectacle 
"the plot thickened." One of their number circled around the crew of 
fifteen or twenty, and finally swung off in the exact direction of the two 
youths, who bad caused all the commotion. The inquisitive animal had 
caught a glimpse of the hunters' liea<K sticking up above the hank, and 
naturally enough was seized with a desire to investigate the objects. Each 
second his majesty stood there, riveted to the spot not more than ten paces 
away, looking them square in the face, seemed minutes long drawn out 
to the boy-; in hiding, whose courage was again in the balance. Thev were 
seized with a desire to run for their lives, but stood their ground, although 
the hair was again standing straight up on their heads, the proverbial cold 
chills playing up and down their spines, and longed to draw their heads 
out of sight, but dare not move. They were fearful of his lordship pounc- 
ing down upon them and goring or grinding them into the earth, when 
in reality he would have stampeded the herd and the hunters would have 
had two less slain buffalo in the material for these reminiscence-. 

After satisfying himself the objects were of no importance, the buffalo 
joined his fellows and a moment later the report of two ride shots rang 
out upon the quiet atmosphere of the western prairie, and two mure heroes 
of the plain were felled dead. 

The sun never set on two more exuberant lads than these young Teas- 
leys, as they returned to report the successes of the day and met some of then- 
comrades, who, having heard the shooting, were following up with the 
wagon to haul the game, if any there should chance to be. v When the 
trophies had been gathered in, congratulations were unstinted and all con- 
ceded there was good reason for their feeling of manifested pride. 

The pleasures and excitement of that day was followed by others 
until they were surfeited with game, wagons well loaded and with well 
established reputations as buffalo hunters. 

TREE CULT'JRE. 

For years the subject of tree culture was somewhat of a problem 
\\ hen the white man began to dispute with the Indian, the buffalo and the 
coyote for the possession of the fertile prairies of Kansas, the planting of 



r.U< 



ioo HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

the o '1 marked the first step towards civilization of the upland prai- 

ries. Various and interesting papers were read in the early i of 

of Kansas and it was generally conceded by the western pioneei pi 
that the culture of trees should be encouraged, and that much of their vyel- 
ended upon the preservation of their woods and and the 

planting of them was encouraged until almost every farm or had 

its rows of cottonwoods along the highway. 

As "Big oaks from little acorns grow," so only a twig - the he- 
ginning of what later became a giant in form. The cottonwo e hears 
a little bulb which bursts, and borne by the Kansas breeze, set ts little 
wad of airy cotton in every direction, hither, thither and yon. filling the 
atmosphere with its d feathery cotton that resemble- gi 
snow. 

The cottonwood loses its foliage with the first breath of frosty air. 
its leaves quickly fall to the ground, every limb is divested of its fo 
and the winds sigh through its leafless branches, a requiem eparted 

ry. 
The Cottonwood's rapid growth was us redeeming featur ething 

would withstand the force of the continued "Kansas zephyrs" and 
e, but other qualities it has few or iv i E upon a s© >nsidera- 

tion trees of a more commendable quality were planted an irished, 

- supplanting the old cottonwoods — their first love — in the heart- of 
e. The monarch of the plain was dethroned; few an i the 

prairie, with their great brandies inviting the weary traveler t - awhile 

among their e its fatef ry short, its rapid, 

and few of them remain. 

Whet st every farm had its long evenue i they 

been supplanted by the walnut, ailanthus, catalpa or elms. Th< 

:ulture were general!) discussed until it was 'rated 

robbed the fields by burrowing their great network of roi er the 

1 and drinking the moisture that was needed for the grain. 

ntly man) of the trees were cut down by the farmers. The roots 

extended as far or farther int. mid as the trees were high and where 

the field was hounded by cottonwoods, the corn on the other side, ti 

not shaded by them, was much smaller than further on, and during a drouth 

■i shriveled more quickly; so many of those pretty and luxuriant trees 

were cut down or left to die. 

A beautiful grove is an adornment and adds a charm to the home that 
nothing else can bring, and transforms the monotony of the treeless prairie 
into a landscape that is fascinating to the eye. and at the sam< serves 

i windbreak from the chilling blasts of winter. 

native tree of Kansas and thrives more than an; 
" ,her - showii - and rapid growth. We clip the following arti- 

From the Clyde Herald of July. 1902: 



- s 



5 
- 

part of it grew since the 

part :' - about a smith's 

ing Clyde. Thirty-- Mr. Smith 5 not 

than two inches in 

stump fifteen feel . - jut- 

log 

unber. There were four Ir- 
A total f two thous - hu« 

5 life) t tool 

skill and Ial r to get 1 
feet away. There was 
- 
rial." 

e maple, a and 

-e eral - t ash thr in Kansas - 

makes a §ne - 5 clusters larg spranl ... 

which, are beaut - 

a "prime 5 avenues 

It has beer. monstrated thai : success 

Mrs -d's subui 

The box-el 

still sec- 1 row of con occas 

tue. are pleasantly rememberet". se they gave 

Its sj g - - • j suns 

hardships and will be kindly ins 
last tree gives to thos 

THE FEATHERl - - 3 OF 

Thei - - 
the I g meal » of 1 songsters 

the blithe singers, perhaps none ar-.- - 5 notes 

lark after an April shower - - - some grass sways 

lly to and fro on some s . 
dawn: of 'lay lie ... . ■ . 

- singer. They build their - - - „ 

ble the southern mocking - ge. but are more of a yel- 

lowish brown i:: 

The little wren is a da 
lings. He comes with tlx 



102 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

exceedingly musical and sweet. The linnet is not unlike the wren in color 
but more slender in body. His notes are among the sweetest and most 
tuneful of the bird family. He comes when the orchards and flowering 
shrubs don their sweet scented, flowery robes to greet the spring time. 
The snow bird's reign is supreme over the bird kingdom. He comes in 
winter with the first snow fall and remains until the warm winds of spring 
approach, then journeys northward again. 

All concede the scolding', swaggering bluejay, with his gay. bright 
plumage, is a handsome bird, but his notes are harsh and unpleasant. lie 
comes with the bright spring-time and docs not seek hi- sunny southland 
among the roses with the first cold blast of winter, hut remain- to feasl 
on the garnered grain. One of the most beautiful of all the birds to be 
found in Kansas is the red bird. The bright, crimson lined male proudly 
wears a coronet or crest like the jay. his coat -hailing from the brightest 
to the deepest red. His notes are a happy whistle, clear and sweet. He is 
most often seen in winter. The red bird is often captured and becomes 
thoroughly domesticated, hut it seems a cruel fate to rob these wild care- 
free songsters of their freedom, and who would not prefer to hear them 
lightly singing high up among the branches of the leafless tree-, making 
gloomy winter days cheery with song from their little hearts so blithsome 
and gay, fortelling the bright, happy days of spring-time, unfettered and 
free. 

The English sparrow, now so numerous, is an importation to this coun- 
try, and a dozen years ago were unknown to this section. They are not unlike 
the barn swallow in habits, making their homes in barns, eaves of build- 
ings, sheds or any available place. Their nests are made of sticks and mud. 
The sparrows have made themselves much disliked by their breeding pro- 
pensities and long before dawn or peep of day, keep up an incessant chatter 
that is intensely annoying to the sleeping tenant. They come in countless num- 
bers with the earliest advent of spring, remaining until late in the autumn. 
However, they are of a migratory nature and the whole army will some- 
times vanish in a single day and return in like manner. Another handsome 
and interesting bird is the oriole, sometimes called the "fire bird,*' owing to 
it- vivid orange-red and yellow coloring. When driving through the coun- 
try one sees scores of "last year's birds' nests," in the trees that skirt the 
hanks of the creeks. Their cone-shaped nests built of straw, sticks, wood, 
hair, etc., are suspended by two seemingly fragile threads, woven by the 
wo,,f and war]) of the ingenious little oriole. 

Robin red breast flits among the trees of the blossoming orchards. His 
chirrup is heard with the first arrival of spring. There are a large number 
of birds belonging to the woodpecker family, some of them beautiful in 
coloring. The specie known as sap sucker, often injures and sometimes 
kills apple and other trees by girdling them. During the summer months 
the sweet, warhlings of the purple martin and blue birds are heard singing 
t ,!eir ngs hi the yellow sunlight. The swallows come with the earlv 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 103 

spring-time and build their nests in chimneys and barns. As the shadows 
of the summer days lengthen and the evening wanes the whip-poor-will's 
melancholy, but sweet call, is heard. 

One occasionally hears the piping notes of the quail. A dozen years 
ago the melodious whistle of "Bub White" could be heard at morn and 
evening, but this favorite bird is fast becoming extinct and it is only now 
and again that a covey is seen in the hedges or in the brush wood along 
side the creeks. His notes are deliriously sweet. 

"He tells of summer come again 
Of blossoms and the growing grain." 

Of all the feathered family the diminitive king bird is the greatest 
saver of grain, game and poultry by his war-like attacks against the sharp- 
shinned hawk and other plunderers of the farm. There are several varie- 
ties of the dainty little humming bird. Among other birds not so commonly 
known are the rose-breasted grossbeak. shrike, tanager and cuckoo. Dur- 
ing the spring and summer there are myriads of blackbirds. Thev are 
among the most useful insect destroyers. 

The ominous hoot of the owl is heard along the rivers and groves. 
The loss of an occasional chicken that rinds its way into their talons is 
more than repaid by the numerous mice and vermin destroyed by this wise 
looking bird. The crow that frequents this country in large numbers is 
also a great scavanger. The hawk is a despised bird, but who can watch 
him circling away into space, his plumage so beautifully colored and marked, 
glinting and shining in the sunlight, without admiring his graceful poise. 
Among the best known species are the sparrow hawk. Cooper's hawk, sharp- 
shinned hawk and fish hawk. 

Of the game birds, the wild turkey, now extinct, was once monarch. 
The rivers and creeks abounded with them and supplied many an early 
settler with a delicious turkey dinner. Wild geese, during their migratory 
period, are plentiful; also the various species of wild ducks: the mallard, 
canvas back, pin-tailed and the little blue and green winged teals are all 
found in the ponds, the salt marsh, the streams and at Lake Sibley. The 
prairie chicken, once so abundant on the plain, is now seldom seen in this 
locality. Nothing in the game annals of Kansas afforded more genuine 
pleasure than the innumerable flocks of these birds, that swarmed over the 
boundless prairies, devoid of hedges, fences or other obstacles to the animated 
hunter as he rode or drove across the country. The snipe or curlew are 
a small, but delicious bird, of fine flavor. The plover is a similar, but smaller 
bird. 

THE SUNFLOWER. 

The sunflower, the emblem of Kansas, although the writer does not 
know that it was formally adopted as such, is pre-eminent among the wild 
flowers of the boundless prairies of the state. It is fitting that it should be 
acknowledged as their emblematic blossom, for they grow rampant every- 



104 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



where. During the drouth and hot winds, when the great walls of corn 
are shriveled and blasted by the tierce sirocco, it continues to thrive, its 
big yellow flowers nodding and swaying to the breezes. It is most prolific 
on broken ground, and while its growth is spontaneous, the oldest settlers 
report that when the country was new and the land uncultivated, the Lin 
flower was principally confined to the soft and loamy soil along the stn 
hut as the sod was turned they raised their coronets of gold as if to 
with graceful courtesy a welcome to the homestead settler. The) grov 
rapidly, and if a tract of ground is left idle for a season, the sunflower 
will reign supreme, growing to a height of from three to a dozen or more 
feet, covered with -olden blossoms that turn their bright faces to the sun, 
continuing to follow its course until nightfall finds the greater part of them 
looking westward. They bloom early and continue all through the summer 
Nature-loving individuals, whose asthetic faculties find enchantment 
in every plant in the universe, also find a charm in these wild floral beauties 
of Kansas. 

OTHER WILD NATIVE FLOW] 

When the pioneers reached this "Eldorado of the West" the unlimited 
sea of prairies were a garden of blossoming .plants, replete and gorgeous 
with exquisite coloring, but with each succeeding year the sod of the sec- 
tions continued to turn, the herds were confined to small areas of pastures, 
where the greater part of the bright hued flowers were trampled to death 
in the hoof-trodden soil. The graceful coreopsis that once grew in profusion, 
transforming' the green fields into "cloth of Cold," is now confined to a feu 
of the more remote hedges and corners of fields. 

The "niggerhead," a blossom which closely resembles the sunflower, 
though more diminutive, is a friendly rival of that plant and thrives in the 
same localities. 

The most beautiful, perhaps, of all the wild flowers of Kansas i- the 
sensitive rose. Its fragrance is deliciously sweet, a quality which in all 
probability won for it the name of rose. Certain it is not from any 
resemblance to the "queen of flowers." for there is no similarity between 
them. From the base of two steins which are covered with leaves that 
-row in pairs, and shrink when they come in contact with the human hand, 
instantly close, to remain in that condition for the rest of the day, spring 
■Mi a .'luster of the little blossoming halls, about an inch in diameter, the 
deepest pink or cerise in color, each little film tipped with the merest touch 
Id. The blossom is extremely fragile and dainty, yet if handled with 
care, will retain their beauty and exquisite perfume for several days. The 
author has found comparatively few of these graceful plants which grow- 
on a spreading hush of from one to two feet in height, and once scattered 
their fragrance everywhere. 

The lily family is principally represented in the specie known as field 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 105 

lily, and closely resembles the garden "tiger lily." The creamy water lily 
is found in a few localities in the region of Lake Sibley. The wild morn- 
ing-glory has vari-colored waxen blossoms and grows in profusion along 
the brush- skirted creeks. 

The pretty little blue and white daisies are the first to appear in the 
springtime; they raise their modest heads with the first chirrup of the robin. 
There are innumerable beds of violets along the banks of the rivers and 
creeks, commonly known as "Johnny-jump-ups." Where is the school boy 
that has not matched his favorite imaginary game chicken against an adver- 
sary in the pit, and ruthlessly decapitated his opponent to the demoralizing of 
"Johnny-jump-up?" 

Then there are buttercups that peep out from along the hedges and tall 
grasses. Of the dandelions there are two varieties; the ordinary every-day 
dandelion that grows closely to the ground. The fringed blossom that 
grows taller, is partially double and more of a lemon color in hue. The white 
and yellow primrose are still found in a few localities. The big white and 
yellow thorn poppy is a handsome flower, but "distance lends enchantment" 
to its charms, for it possesses an unpleasant odor and its stalk discharges a 
sticky fluid. Each plant should be labeled "Don't come nigh me." The 
white and purple larkspur, now confined to a few fields, once grew com- 
monly; also the pretty and fragrant verbena and petunia. A charmingly dainty 
and beautifully colored flower, bordering on deepest red of the cerise shade, 
is commonly known as the "Chinese rose," and blossoms bountifully in 
almost every nook and corner of Clyde during the months of May and June. 
From the tip of a slender plant, which does not reach more than twelve 
inches in height, the little bell-shaped flower shoots out. The blossom is not 
unlike that of the rose moss, but slightly larger and the petals not so widely 
spread. The flower stalks of the wild parsnip, with their snowy umbels of 
exceedingly dainty beauty that is seldom appreciated, grows abundantly. 
The same is true of the yarrow and the sage flower that grow on the hills. 
"Snow in the mountain" that is cultivated with care in the east, grows 
along the roadside in Kansas. The hills are brightened by the white ami 
purple asters, which come late in the summer after most of the other plants 
have come and gone. Golden-rod. one of the favorites of the family of wild 
flowers, grows profusely. In and around the hills a prickly pear or specie 
of cactus is found, and an occasional yucca, with its sword-like leaves and 
cream-colored bell-shaped flowers. This plant is a feature of the Rocky 
mountains. To the Indian it is known as "soap-weed." The root is of a 
saponaceous character and used by the more civilized tribes for cleansing 
purposes. The wild rose, long distinguished for its beauty and fragrance, 
is a native of Kansas. There are two varieties, one a small, low bush, 
the other a clinging or vining shrub. — the flower, however, is similar excqjt 
the blossom of the latter is smaller in character. There are perhaps many 
more species of wild flowers than is mentioned here, and in all probability 
many varieties have become totally extinct. 



io6 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



GOOD ROADS. 

Another and important characteristic of Kansas is her good roads. 
During the winter months the) seldom assume that frozen and. exceedingly 
rough condition that marks those of the eastern states in the same ■ 
the rear. Again, in the springtime there is no "breaking up" a- compared to 
the experiences with highways that are practically impassable. The • 
of time or the period of bad roads in northern Kansas -eld. mi exce 
days, and are never in a condition to retard traffic. 

SNAKES. 

With tlte approach of warm weather these reptiles began to show 
themselves in the early days of Cloud county. They were found in 
yards, in the dugout or cabin and on the prairies in gangs and droves. Sel 
tiers declared war upon them and would collect together for the purpo 
exterminating places of habitation. 

The subject is not a pleasant one t<> write of and it is enough to make 
one's blood run cold to listen to some of the thrilling blood curdling snake 
killing experiences. What a bonanza it would have been for the < 
some snake charmer. Although snake literature is not a pleasing subjeel 
this volume would be incomplete without a chapter on these formidable rep- 
tiles that were gliding through the prairie grass, coiling in the middle of a 
path, crawling through the woods and bushes, basking in the sunlight among 
the rocks, myriads of them everywhere. 

The late "Grandma" Christian, of Elk township, related an occurrence 
of 1S84. which has few equals in the annals of snake stories. Mr. Christian 
had sent two boys to the lower part of the farm to clear the dock from the 
fence, when they came upon a monster of the species called "blow sua! 1 
which the boys assaulted "with intent to kill." when the male snake put in 
an appearance and fought for the protection of bis mate. 

The boys were victors, however, and as they beheaded the female, 
imagine their horror and surprise., when from a concealed pocket < .11 the body 
of the mother, thirty-three infant serpents wriggled out. These brave youths 
exterminated the whole family, making a grand total of thirty-five, which 
they gathered up and carried home as tangible evidence of a snake battle 
that has few parallels. 

It was not an uncommon event to see one of these unwholesome crea- 
tines gliding over the floor of the dugout, cabin or primitive school house. 
Behind the newspapers that covered the walls the settlers' wives would often 

\er that a pair of them had established a home, whereupon the unwel- 
come intruders would he hastily dispatched. 

SXAKE DEN STORY. 

Kansas, not to he outdone in anything, comes forward with a snake 
)' ;,rn a '' ' ! ll .' an "old timer." The den was located ah. ait nine miles south- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. io 7 

west of Concordia on the Wagner ranch. It was first discovered by a man 
named Johnson, in the year 1875. In the spring of that year the discoverer 
had an idea that there must be a den after having seen various kinds of 
the reptiles sunning themselves. 

Arming himself with weapons of defense he began his tour of inspec- 
tion and was horrified to see thousands of the venomous, loathesome, writh- 
ing, noisesome creatures. "Discretion is the better part of valor."' With 
this motto our hero ( ?) "advanced backward," and waited to rallv a force 
of men before making an attack. Wonderful stories were floated about and 
hundreds of curious sight-seers flocked to the den armed with all kinds of 
implements of war, pitchforks, axes, hoes, guns and clubs, and began the 
battle of extermination. 

When interviewing an old settler, he told his version in the following 
manner: "In company with three other men I went out to see snakes, and 
did see them, first they were looped through the wheels, flying in every 
direction, at which sight the horses took fright, rearing ami plunging, finally 
running at great speed, throwing reptiles in all directions, and, coupled with 
the motion and speed of their hoofs, snakes were thrown skyward, eight or 
ten feet high." When asked after this most wonderful recital, "Did you 
have anything in the surrev made of glass, covered with wicker?" he replied: 
"( ». no. it was not necessary to see double; there were plenty without double 
vision." 

Snakes, in unison with Indians, buffalo and prairie dogs, are fast grow- 
ing to be things of the past. Kansas has had her full share and meed of all 
these pests. 

GRASSHOPPER VISITATION. 

We find, according to historical reports, there was a visitation of grass- 
hoppers in Kansas and Missouri in 1820. Another raid is reported by 
Father John Schoenmakers. of Osage Mission. He says "the}- came down 
like snow." They hatched in the spring of 1855 and destroyed all the crops 
and all the grass on the prairies in that vicinity. The grasshoppers visited 
Osage Mission again in 1856, but most of the crop had been garnered. They 
hatched in the spring of 1S57. but "a sudden freshet swept them all away." 
In the same year they appeared in Lawrence and Leavenworth counties. 

February 26, 1867. the Gopher Bill was changed by the senate into a 
grasshopper bill, giving a bounty for all scalps of grasshoppers furnished 
with the ears. 

Colorado had "hoppers" in 1864-5, but they did not come to Kansas. 
In 1866 the grasshoppers first struck Cloud county. They put in an appear- 
ance on August 30. the day the county was declared organized. The sun 
was clouded by them and myriads of them covered the trees and ground, 
spreading consternation among the settlers, for they felt assured it was an 
evil omen, coming on that particular day. The corn was too far advanced 



IOC 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. KANSAS. 



to be seriously injured, but every blade that was al all green soon vanished 
under their rapacious appetites. There were none in [867 west of JundJ. 
City They laid and hatched only in the northeastern counties and in Mis- 
souri where thev did some damage, but did not create a panic or much 
harm in Kansas though they existed in great numbers, flying through 

In the year [868 another -real shower of grasshoppers earn, to the 
-round in Leavenworth, but did no barm, it hem- a year of greal prosper 
ity Kansas was not the only country inflicted with these greal pests, bul 
the New England states had a visitation in 1S74 and the) did considerable 
injury to the hay crop, the fruit tree,, and corn tassels, devouring the latter 
as fast as they appeared. 

THE GREAT VISITATION OF 1*75- 

Wilder, in his "Annals of Kansas." says: "June 6, 1875, all of West 
and North Topeka were carpeted with grasshoppers; noses north and all 
walking; some full grown and winged; others shedding their slight silver 
sheaths; a line like an army; they leave no grass behind them; .1 strange 
sight; thev do an immense work and are silent; Carlyle's type of a hem; and 
thev eat up the town as heroes devastated empires." 

In several counties they fought them with plows, coal oil and the spade. 
ddie following was clipped from an early issue of the Marysville News: 
"Grasshoppers go to roost just like chickens; they eat like people at a line 
dinner; they get up on their bind legs and howl over disappointment just 
like a defeated politician; when they think they are about to gel scooped they 
take a change of venue wherein there is similarity between them and Pom 
eroy. They believe in co-operation, like grangers. They strike for 'fal 
takes.' like the printers. They are weary, like Henry Ward P.eecher." 

All sorts of means were suggested and advised as an exterminator of 
the pests. Some concluded the evil might have its compensation. One, 11. 
W. Mien, of Boulder, Colorado, by experimenting, is said to have found 
that a pint of grasshoppers would yield about two ounces of lubricating oil, 
and it was thought probable that a crop of "hoppers," which had been con- 
sidered an unmixed evil, might pay the farmer better than a crop of corn, 
but the ravisbers left behind them a scene of desolation. 

The people stood with folded arms and saw their luxuriant fields of 
com stripped of every blade, helpless and hopeless. The Governor of Min- 
nesota suggested they be crushed by rollers; caught in bags and traps; 
plowing under deeply of the eggs; co-operative action for the preservation 
of the prairie grass by burning in the spring: driving them into trenches 
where they would be destroyed, and scores of other means were proposed 
and advised. Another, but said to be an effective way of killing millions of 
young "hoppers," was a device described as follows: Take a piece of sheet- 
iron ten feet long and two or three feet wide, turn up one side about one 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 109 

foot for a back, saturate a piece of cloth with coal oil and place it on the 
sheet-iron, which is drawn over the ground. The "hoppers" will jump on 
to it as it is drawn along, they touch the coal oil and it kills them almost 
instantly. 

The theory that they were out of their natural element and could not 
permanently thrive has been confirmed by their flight and failing to return 
annually but at irregular intervals. It was also conceded a grasshopper 
would stand freezing and thawing. 

In the autumn of 1879 they passed over in millions, clouding the sun, 
moving in a southeasterly direction, propelled by a .steady breeze. The air 
was filled with them but they did not "bide a wee." much to the gratification 
of the people of Kansas. 

BENEFIT TO THE STATE. 

Many people consider the grasshopper invasion a benefit to the state as 
it drove away the indolent class of farmers. Among the progressive ones 
who left many returned, loudly proclaiming "With all its grasshoppers 
Kansas is the very best country between the Alleghany and Rocky 
Mountains." Hard times and calamities are almost as much the result of 
"croaking" as actual necessity. As when there is not a superabundance of 
crops and husiness is stagnated, the people begin to preach doleful sermons 
and insist upon looking on the dark side of affairs. Hundreds .who would 
not feel the hard times nor have any occasion to take up the cry. clutch the 
dollar in their pockets more tightly and thus increase the panic. 

It was not many months ere many of the fugitives returned to their 
lands, feeling that Kansas held a future full of bright prospects, and was 
destined to occupy a place among the first ranks of her sister states, and it 
was surprising how rapidly the countrv improved and with what velocity 
they made comfortable homes in the fertile valleys. 

On the grasshopper subject much has been said and written that is 
superficial, hut perhaps the actual devastation of these pests could not be 
described. They would eat the blades from the corn stock, and through 
the shuck, into the ear, not leaving anything but the cob. The green peaches 
were eaten to the pit: beets and turnips were eat down into the ground, and 
not a vestige of vegetation left. 

PRAIRIE FIRES. 

These fires often threatened the farmers with destruction and were a 
formidable foe to the homestead settler. Their advent into a community 
would bring out all of the available workers in the neighborhood, includ- 
ing the settlers' wives and children, equipped with water, old clothing, 
gunny-sacks, brooms, mops, etc., to fight the fire. 

When the wind was blowing a steady gale — and the fire generally cre- 
ated one — the fleetest horse could not outrun the flames as they were lifted by 



no HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

the vising wind and earned along al a furious rate. The fire would often 
cross the rivers by bunches of burning grass being borne across b) the wind 
from the opposite side. 

Saturday, February 5. 1876, a terrific prairie fire swept over the county, 
taking almost everything in its path. A high wind prevailed, The lire orig- 
inated mi Mortimer creek about midway, and swept everything in the west- 
ern part of the county, covering an area of about two hundred square miles 
and destroying several thousand dollars worth of property. Manx lost their 
lion;'.-, hundreds of bushels of gram and tons of hay were consumed, and 
none of them could afford the loss. 

On March 13, 1879, a lire swept over Lincoln township and a part of 
Republic county, which was one of the most destructive and most terrify- 
ing that ever visited Cloud count}'. The lire began northwest of Sible) and 
was driven by a southest wind which Kept rising and increasing the olume 
of lire until every available man, woman and child were out combating the 
fiery element. The fire reached the line of Republic county and after spread- 
ing about two miles the wind whirled to the northwest and brought the lire- 
back with redoubled fury into Cloud county. It is hardly possible to pic- 
ture the situation of a community threatened by a disastrous prairie lire. 
The wind in this instance was blowing with such for,,- as to make it almost 
impossible for pedestrians to be on the streets of ( oncordia between three 
and six o'clock in the afternoon. The air was filled with sand, dusifc, gravel, 
loose boards, etc., that went pell mell through the streets; and much worse 
was the fire. The scene was heartrending. .Men, women and children, 
armed with rags and water, dared face the terrible foe and fought valiantly 
trying to save the property they had labored so hard to accumulate, but not- 
withstanding their brave efforts, before the sun went down the same even- 
ing nor less than forty thousand dollars worth of property was reduced to 
ashes in the two townships. 

Charles Burgren lost everything on his place, including a -pan of 
horses, span of mules, hogs, cows, wagon, etc. Mr. Burgren saw the fire 
coming and started to the assistance of a neighbor, but had to turn back on 
account of the flames coming upon him; but. unfortunately, did not retreat 
soon enough and was badly burned. 

On the farm of Mr. Bowersox the worst tragedy of the whole calamity 
took place. Mrs. Bowersox. a young woman who had only been married 
about a year, ran to the stable to let the horses out, the men being away at 
the time. She had rescued one when she herself fell a victim to the dames 
and was burned to death inside the stable, along with four horses. When 
the body was discovered it was a scene horrible to contemplate. 

The area swept over by this fire was about thirty square miles and at 

a rapid gait. Lore guards were useless; burning masses of corn husks, 

. hay, etc. were sent flying through the air and setting fire hundreds 

leet in advance of the main line and there was no remedv for it. It was 

id the control of human efforts. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. in 



PRECIPITATION OF RAIN FALL FOR FORTY-THREE YEARS. 

The following record of the rain fall and melted snows is of much 
more than ordinary importance to the people of Cloud county, as prepared 
by J. M. Hagaman, who located at Elm Creek. Cloud county, early in July 
of i860, the year of the "great drouth," the "famine year" as it was and is 
still called the world over. The seared prairies, the dried up springs and 
creeks, parched condition of the earth with cracks into which one could 
reach the length of an arm, without touching bottom, were sights not at all 
encouraging to the immigrant, and it is not at all surprising that doubt 
arose in his mind as to whether farming could be successfully carried on in 
such a country. 

Still there were some redeeming features ; for instance along the creeks 
the trees were robed in foliage of healthy green, clusters of grapes in won- 
derful profuseness hung on vines that reached to the top ot the trees. Black 
walnuts, large and in great abundance, were seen on every walnut tree. In 
sheltered places where the fierce sirocco could not reach them, were (lowers 
and grasses and on the low bottom lands of the river was plenty of grass 
for hay. The soil seemed of unstinted richness, which suggested to Mr. 
Hagaman and other old settlers, the possibility of raising fairly good crops 
with a limited amount of rain. 

Thev would try it a few years any way, Mr. Hagaman reasoning" in his 
mind that if he could get two fair crops out of three years' planting, he 
would he satisfied. But for the first few years, with what anxiety he 
watched every cloud that floated above him, and with what anxiety he meas- 
ured the water that fell from them. It was this condition of the country 
that led him to keep a measurement of the rain and melted snow, ami which 
we herein give to the readers of this volume. It is certainly of great value 
and if carefully studied it will enable one to form a pretty fair opinion of the 
future seasons. 

In the first seventeen years the aggregate only can he given, as the 
original daily records were destroyed in a fire, and the following are taken 
from Hagvaman's History of Cloud County, and may be relied upon as cor- 
rect. The first year. i860, was taken from a record kept at Manhattan. 

YEAR. INCHES. YEAR. 1NJHES. 

1SI50 \3H 1869 30 

1861 30 1870 28 

1862 35 lsn 32 

1863 34 1872 26 

1864 :::; is::; 30 

1865 32 1874 22 

1866 ::i 1875 24 

1867 ::5 1876 29 

1868 is 

Total precipitation for seventeen years, 475 inches; yearly average, 28 
inches. This exceeds the next seventeen years by 107 inches, which was 368 



I 12 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



mches. being a yearly average of 21 6. Much of this difference came from 
the winter snows, which were greater in the first seventeen years than they 
were in the latter seventeen years. 

The seven years succeeding the great drouth of 1859-60 were the best 
seven consecutive crop years since then. This clearly disproves the popular 
notion that settlement and cultivation increase the rain fall. The great 
drouth of 1859-60 was broken the last week in July in the latter year by a 
two-inch water fall, and after this, until September 12. copious showers fell, 
reviving the grass and bringing up corn, pumpkins, buckwheat, etc.. that 
had lain in the ground from one to two months. 

It was really to the settlers from the north almost summer weather up 
till January 14. when the county was visited by a snow two feet deep. Oi 
these years 1860-68-70-74 were had drouths, very little produce being raised 
in the county.- Neither were total failures, however, as there were farms 
that produced from one-fourth to three-fourths of a crop of corn. In 1870 
the early planted corn was a total failure, hut the late plant made a lair crop. 
There were potatoes, turnips and other vegetables produced from timely 
rains that set in about July 20. 

In 1874 there was a visitation of grasshoppers that would have taken 
everything had there not been a drouth. The subsequent record is made up 
in three-month periods, excepting the three first winter months, commenc- 
ing with March, 1877, after that with December. The reason I'm- this is 
the custom of people saying, "Much moisture in the winter months insure 
good crops the next year." This failing, a wet spring means the same 
thin,!.'. With the ground saturated at planting time, a fair crop has followed 
every year except 1891. 

The failures, or nearly total failures, have been in 1868-70-74-80-88- 
90-1900-01, hut good crops have not always been harvested in years of the 
usual and annual rain fall as, witness these figures: 

YEARS OF FAIR TO GOOD CROPS. YEARS OF FAILURES AND PARTIAL FAILURES. 

Is;; 21.52 1870 28. 

1881 18.32 1 880 '■>. 22 

Issi 16.94 issr 21.89 

1 895 14.21 1888 22.01 

1 393 21.24 1890 25 !8 

l!ii- period when there was the greatest precipitation, whether it be 
before the growing season or after it, had much to do with these failures 

me instances, hut the chief cause was the prevailing southwest winds, 
which have been properly named sirocco. Notwithstanding, the record is 
110I a had one fur the forty years of cultivation of the soil in Cloud county. 
The average of the cereals, wheat, corn, rye and oats being as good as in any 
other count) of the state or as any state of the United States. The extraord- 
inary richness of the soil making up for the lack of moisture. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



"3 



RAIN AND MELTED SNOW. 



Bv periods of three months, commencing March I, 1877. 



March to June 3.51 

June to September 12.44 

September to December 5.58 

Total for last nine months 21.53 

I877-78. 

December to March 2.57 

March to June 5.06 

June to September 1940 

Septem'ber to December 2.90 

Total for the year 29.93 

1878-79- 

December to March 8.4 

March to June 4-33 

June to September 10.89 

September to December 7.55 

Total 23.61 

1879-80. 

I ><. ember to March 8.7 

March to June 3-49 

June to September 10.28 

September to December 4.58 

Total 19-22 

1880-81. 

1 lecember to March 3-74 

March to June 5. 44 

June to September 7.09 

September to December 2.0=; 

Total 18.32 

1881-82. 

December to March 1.18 

March to June 8.34 

June to September 9.60 

September to December 2.2,2 

Total 21.44 

I 
1S82-83. 

December to March 1.17 

March to June 4.34 

June to September 1 1. 09 

( N'o rain in August) 

September to December 5. IS 

Total 21.75 

1883-84. 

I (ecember to March 1.54 

March to June (June .60) 6.66 

June to September 5.83 

September to December 2.91 

Total 16.94 

1884-85. 

December to March 3.93 

March to June 7.61 

( March .12, April 5.36) 

June to September 9.47 

September to December 5.08 

Total 26.09 



1885-86. 

December to March 3.52 

March to June IO.51 

June tn September 8.36 

September to December 6.29 

Total 28.68 

[886 87 

December to March 1.86 

March to June 8.33 

1 March .06) 

June to September 8.56 

September to December 2.84 

(October no rain or snow) 

Total 21.89 



1887-S8. 

December to March 61 

( December only a trace) 

March to June 7.83 

( May 5.45 > 

June to September 11.12 

(June 4.80. July -1.51) 

September to December 2.43 

Total 22.01 

1888-89. 

December to March 1.62 

March to June 9-22 

(Max 4.86) 

June to September M 34 

(June 2.01. July 8.66. Aug. 3.67) 

September to December 4 '4 

Total 29.32 

1 88 i-qo. 

December to March 1.47 

( \ii rain or snow in December) 

March to June 4 47 

["line to September h.^2 

1 July .12, August 3.13) 

September to December 3.31 

(Di-astrous drouth this year.) 
Total 15-77 

1800-91. 

December to March 

1 Mo rain or snow in December 1 

March to June 10.34 

June tn September 

'1 June 5.64, July 3.27. Aug. .57) 
September to December 7.32 

I'ulal 29.18 

I 
1891-92. 

I )ecember to March 

March to June 12.27 

(May 8.34) 

June to September 5-77 

(June 92) 

Sentember to December r.31 

Total 22.96 



114 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



1892-93. 

December to March 1-5° 

(Jan. .06, Feb. .29) 

March to June 3 A3 

(March. .62, April .66) 

June t' 1 September 12.00 

'( Jure 6.85) 

September to December 3- 2 3 

Total 21.44 

1893-94. 

December to March 1-35 

March to Tune 6.64 

(March .28. April 2.86, May 3.50) 

Tune to September 12.63 

"(June 11.36, July .87, Aug. .40) 

September to December 3-35 

Total 23-99 

I894-95- 

December to March 2 4 s 

( February 1.68) 

March to June r -43 

Tunc to September 8.58 

"(June 364. July 1.02, Aug. 3.92) 
September to December 2.21 

Tmal 1470 

i 
1895-96. 

December to March 70 

(No moisture in DeJcember) 

March to June 7<'7 

(March .38. April 1.92, May 5.37) 

June to September 11.02 

(June 1.50, July 6.86, Aug. 2.86) 
September to December 6.83 

Total 



[897-98. 

I lei embi 1 to March 3.1 

March to June 5 3^ 

June to September 7' 1 * 

September to December ■ 6.33 

Total 22-53 



1898-99. 

I >r. ember to March 2. 

March to lune 8.49 

I May 5.65) 

Tune to September 12.30 

(June 6.7S, J'«b 3.65) 

September to December 6.83 

Total 29.62 



1809-1900. 

I 1, cemiber to March 2.62 

March to June 7-96 

June to September 7 ''4 

September to December 7.06 

Total 25-28 



1900-01. 

December to March T.99 

March to June 7 S- 

June to September 446 

September to December 4 44 



1902-03. 

December to March 1-97 

■f June to September 1708 

IMarch to June IO.46 

September t.. December 6.66 

December to March 2.70 



1896-97. 

December to March 138 

(No moisture in Dec.) 

March to June 4-33 

June ti 1 September 15.56 

(June 7.39, July 6.02) 

September to December 7.82 

( Sep! 92, Oct. 6.89, Nov. .71) 
Total 29.09 



*From Nov. I, 1900, to April 21, 1902, 
the rotal waterfall was 2.06, which was the 
least for that length of time in the history 
of the county. 



tFor May the fall was 9.46 inches. 
JFor June the water Jail was 9.21 inches, 
the corn crop in 1900, notwith- 



of 

years 



of less 



in 
timely 



seasons. 



The 



There was almost a total failure 
standing a good crop has been raised 
reason is found in the prevalence of the intensely hot south and southwest 
winds, the latter being a genuine sirocco. 



SURFACE. 



The surface of the county presents a beautifully diversified view of 
bottom and uplands, the latter stretching away for many miles and affording 
many standpoints from which a fine panoramic view can be obtained of the 
i'nie cultivated farms, the river courses, the winding of the creeks with their 
banks of foliage, all contribute to the vista of rural beauty. Cloud county 
has m ept Lake Sibley: there are no swamps or sloughs like in the 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 115 

south and Middle Eastern states, and consequently escapes noxious exhala- 
tions so -conducive to malaria and its attendant ills. 

SOIL. 

The soil of Cloud county, generally speaking, is of a fine rich loam, 
varving in color, darker or lighter in the different localities, and all infused 
in a greater or less degree with sand. The extent of the soil is deqi. aver- 
aging upon the highlands three feet or more, and on the bottom lands near 
the rivers and creeks it reaches a depth of from ten to a dozen feet of alluvial 
deposit, ranking with the most superior land of the known world, and the 
best adapted to corn. Many contend the uplands are the best for wheat 
growing. The highlands are fertile, being enriched with a vegetable mold. 
In favorable years only an approximate limit could be fixed on the produc- 
tive possibilities of either. Potters' clay has been found in several localities, 
particularly in the vicinity of Clyde. 

HORTICULTURE. 

Notwithstanding the fruit industry has sometimes met with repeated fail- 
ures, this branch of enterprise is successfully carried on by many people of 
Cloud county, and in various instances with excellent returns, as referred to 
in many personal sketches. There are many apple orchards which yield 
abundantly and possess as fine a flavor as could be found anywhere: peaches 
and plums also do well. 

LAKE SIBLEY. 

Lake Siblev is the only similar body of water in Cloud county. It 
runs nearly parallel with the Republican river. It is somewhat wider than 
the river, is about three miles distant from it, is semi-circular in form, and 
is approximately three miles in length. Its banks are covered with a fine 
growth of trees, which lend a special charm to its serene beauty. At one 
time it was supposed the town of Sibley, which was located about a quarter 
of a mile north of this pretty sheet of water, would become a city >>i some 
magnitude, — a more beautiful site for a town could not lie found. The 
water of the lake is cool, the result of being fed by many springs, and is well 
stocked with fish, mostly of the carp specie. The water varies in depth from 
three to twelve feet. The land surrounding the lake is high and not marshy, 
as might be inferred, and the soil is of great richness. 

STRANGE SUICIDE IN LAKE SIBLEY. 

In March, 1890. the community in the vicinity of Lake Sibley were 
startled by a rumor of the drowning of two women. Upon investigation it 



n6 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

was confirmed and the names of the unfortunate victims were \.dell and 
Hannah Poore. Coroner Dr. Pig-man and County Attorney S. 1 ». Huston 
were notified and at once drove to the north shore of the lake, where the 
bodies were found in about three feet of water and aboul ten feet apart. \ 
jury was summoned and an investigation had. which rendered a verdict oi 
"suicide by drowning." Many theories were given as to the cause leading 
to such a desperate act, but the only one rendering any degree of probability 
is that they were tired of living. They were aged respectively thirty-two 
and thirty-five years, and both unmarried. They boarded with a family in 
the neighborhood and had a brother who, with a family, lived near by, and 
with whom they were on friendly terms. The affair was a very peculiar 
one. They were in good circumstances financially, having cash in hand, 
real estate in Concordia and Beloit, and a good farm in Cloud count}-. It 
was also reported that they had eastern property. 

Four years prior to their suicides, they had taught in the high school oi 
Concordia and ranked as first-grade teachers. Miss Adell Poore, the elder 
of the two. taught in the Clyde school in [889. It 1- a remarkable case and 
singular, that the two sisters should arrive at such a tragic fate without an 
apparent cause. They were easily tracked and by the footprints, it was 
plainly- discerned that the younger of the two women had faltered or showed 
a disposition to hesitate; the elder going to her doom first, as she was fur- 
ther from the shore and perhaps the first t" drown. "Rough on Rats" was 
found to have been in their possession, ostensibly for the purpose of end- 
ing their lives if drowning became too formidable. They walked deliberately 
into the lake, laid down and were suffocated. The evidence showed that 
melancholy and gloom had settled upon them, rendering life not worth the 
struggle. They were honest women, who bore unblemished reputations and 
were absolutely without the association of the opposite sex. ["he lather, 
mother and three sisters had succumbed to a lingering consumption, and 
knowing for them a similar fate was destined, they resolutely determined to 
entail a long illness by committing this terrible deed. 

SIBLEY BUTTE. 

About three miles north of Lake Sibley is a high point of ground 
known in the early settlement of the county as "Siblev Butte." From this 
prominence a birds-eye view for twenty miles or more can lie obtained — one 
ol the finest views in the country. The meanderings of the Republican river, 
Buffalo, Wolf and Oak creeks are plainly outlined by the markings of tim- 
ber thai fringe these streams. 

TWIN MOUNDS. 

From the summits of the twin mounds, two cone-shaped elevations sit- 
near the source of Elm creek, a fine view is gained for many miles 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 117 

around, also a magnificent view of the Republican river valley, stretching- 
far away upon either side, a vast undulating plain of rich, cultivated fields. 

WATER COURSES OF CLOUD COUNTY, INDUSTRIES, TOWNS, ETC. 

The Republican and Solomon are two beautiful water courses and almost 
even- acre of land in Cloud county can be utilized. Much of the soil has an 
underlying strata of lime and sandstone, the former predominating, and is 
supposed to impart a strong fertilizing quality to the soil. The bottom soil 
is alluvial in character and the upland a vegetable mold, both very rich in 
quality and capable of producing almost everything known to the vegetable 
kingdom. 

The Republican river runs in a southeasterly direction through the 
northern part of the county. Its tributaries are Elk, Upton, Salt. Hay and 
Camp creeks from the north, and Mulberry, Beaver, Elm, Plum, Oak, Lost, 
Wolf and Buffalo creeks from the south. The Solomon river runs through 
the southwest slope of the divide; its tributaries are Fisher, Criss. Mortimer, 
Yockey and Pipe creeks ; of the latter there are three streams bearing that 
name, viz : Big Pipe, Middle Branch and East Branch ; the two latter are 
tributaries of Pipe creek. 

The surface is undulating, with numerous draws and depressions, 
which carry off the surplus moisture, and as a result, there are no pools of 
water left standing to stagnate and breed malaria. The general altitude of 
Cloud county is one thousand five hundred feet above the sea level and the 
air is dry and rare; hence a healthful and salubrious climate. 

There is a total of 460,800 acres in the county and the staple products 
are wheat, corn, kaffir corn and oats. Sorghum and broom corn grow 
splendidly in this locality, the soil being specially adapted to their produc- 
tion. There is rarely a total failure, but sometimes fall short of an average 
crop in exceeding dry seasons. The soil does not wear out, for nature has 
furnished an inexhaustible fertilizer. 

The stock industry is carried on extensively and successfully. The 
herd law has been in force since 1877. To A. J. Shelhammer belongs much 
of the honor of having Cloud created a herd law county. He was one of the 
original herd law men. 

In the southeast part of the county is an abundance of building stone. 
There are quarries of red sandstone well adapted for building purposes. It 
is easily worked when fresh from the quarry and hardens when exposed to 
the atmosphere. In some parts of the county a beautiful white magne 
limestone is found overlaying a sandstone in inexhaustible quantities, and 
when dressed bears a strong resemblance to marble. Coal has been found 
in some localities in paying quantities. There are beds of potters' clay near 
Clyde and in Shirley township. At one time there were potteries in each 
of the localities named and the manufacturers turned out excellent work, 

8 



nS HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

but owing- to the scarcity of wood for fuel they could not compete with the 
eastern factories and discontinued the industry. 

Cloud county is justly proud of her educational facilities and there is 
no excuse for illiteracy, as all the territory in the county has been organized 
into districts. 

Concordia, the county scat, is one of the most progressive and solid 
towns in the northwest. It is particularly fortunate in numbering so many 
among its citizens and business men who are SO enthusiastically interested 
and who always have the welfare of their metropolitan city at heart. 

Clyde is the second town of importance in the county and is an up-to- 
date thriving little city, beautifully situated on the east bank of the Repub- 
lican river. 

Glasco, in the southwestern part of the county and on the Solomon 
river, and Jamestown, in the northwestern part of the county in the bear. 
tiful Buffalo creek valley, are the next in importance, and Milton vale in the 
southwest corner. 

Much of the prosperity in the early settlement of Cloud county was due 
to the fact that it lay west of the sixth principal meridian, over which the 
land speculator could not go, but the whole domain, except what was given 
to schools and the railroads, was supposed to be sacredly preserved for the 
actual settler who rapidly occupied every available quarter section. 

Cloud county, as shown by the state board of agriculture for the year 
1884, had a crop of 131,576 acres of corn, giving it 2,469 acres more of corn 
than any other county of the *tate. In 1896 the banks of Cloud county had 
on deposit $200,000, of which the least per cent, belonged to the farmer. In 
1900 they exceeded $640,000, of which over 60 per cent, belonged to the 
tillers of the soil. 

The brilliant success in our cities and great mining fields and the vari- 
ous speculative deals attract attention. When we hear of some lucky fellow 
rolling up a fortune in a few years, many are seized with a desire to cease 
plodding, toiling on the farm, when he might with less labor make thou- 
sands ;is a speculator, politician, business man in the city, or in the fabulous 
mining districts. 

Hut no surer road to financial gain and success can be found than 
through the avenues of farming and stock raising in Kansas. We say for- 
tunes, for we have the assurances from numbers of farmers that the profits 
on the sale of grain from one hundred and sixty acres of fertile land, in 
either the Solomon or Republican valleys, raised in one year, has paid for 
the land. Where is there a country that an investment can yield better 
returns than this?' Cloud county is purely agricultural and almost every 
farmer has a comfortable bank account. 

While perhaps the first and second bottoms are to be preferred, there 
is much desirable land on the uplands, and. where quite rough and the tops 
of the numerous mounds are almost a solid mass of rocks, on the hillside is 
found a rich and alluvial soil. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 119 



SCEXIC LANDSCAPE. 

When driving through the Solomon and Republican valleys the thought 
often presents itself, how delighted the first comers must have been with 
the view of the landscape as presented from one of the many prominences 
overlooking these beautiful valleys with their ever changing lights and shad- 
ows. What a feast for the eye of an artist : what an inspiration must have 
filled their souls, and one cannot wonder at the Indian for so reluctantly 
yielding this vast hunting ground. The landscape is diversified by culti- 
vated fields, intersected by little creeks, whose banks are skirted by trees, 
bottom lands, plateaus and hills. 

The author has witnessed these valleys in their happiest moods — 
Springtime, autumn and Indian summer, all of which are beautiful beyond 
description. 

In the springtime when the air was laden with the perfume of leaf 
and blossom and a chorus of birds discoursed their sweet warblings, the 
orchards lost in a wealth of bloom, and the brown hills and pastures don- 
ning their robes of green. 

In the autumn when the first frost lightly touches the foliage, nature 
vies with and outrivals the alluring springtime, the mellow opal sky 
melting into gold and crimson in the west, the windows of the farmhouse 
aglow with the flame of the sunset, which serves as a calcium light to the 
great panorama of undulating hills, sweeping far away in a long stretch 
toward the Solomon or the Republican rivers. Nature never smiled on a 
fairer scene or where one could lose themselves in sweeter reverie. 

And again, in the Indian summer, when the wide landscape is over- 
spread with a soft mellow haze, just after the breath of the hot summer 
days have died away, and the autumn is advancing, summer having gath- 
ered her last blossoms, and the leaves of the quivering cottonwoods being 
swiftly hurled to the earth, there is a subtle witchcraft in the smoky atmos- 
phere and every sound is one of harmony. The departed summer looks 
backward with a sigh of lingering regret, as if to delay the early frosts of 
winter. 

AUTUMN SUNSET. 

From these promontories the writer has enjoyed some of the most 
gorgeous sunsets. As the sun sinks low in the west a flood of color over- 
spreads the earth and sky. shading from softest pinks and grays to the most 
intense crimson and gold. As the twilight deepens they change to softer 
gray. The purple hills are outlined at the horizon, making a background 
of charming effect. 

If one could transfer to canvas all these lovely impressions, all this 
profusion of light and color that delights the eye and gives inspiration to 
the soul, the result would be masmificent. Restful contentment comes with 



120 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



the dying clay when the evening- shadows fall, in the country remote from 
the busy mart when labors and cares are thrust aside for the time being 
and the twilight deepens, the whole atmosphere thrills with melody, 

Sometimes it comes to us in the midst of care and the irksome routine 
of business. It turns the dull prose of life into poetry and showers of 
sunshine are flung over the weary hours. 

ADVANTAGES AND ATTRACTIONS. 

How gratifying it must be to the old settlers who have lived to witness 
the boundless prairies transformed into cultivated fields, the rude cabin 
and dugout supplanted by handsome residences and a school system second 
to none in the United States. Time has wrought many changes in a social 
way, old friends and comrades have been separated, nol a few have gone 
to "that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler return-.' 
-.me wandered hack to their former eastern homes, others with that ever 
restless spirit that marks a certain character of people have pushed further 
west, or perhaps into the Indian territory, while many still remain in the 
home of their adoption and these almost universally express themselves as 
being loath to leave the land wherein they suffered the trials and hardships 
of the early settlement, the memory of which more deeply endears the homes 
secured under discouraging circumstances. 

Every country has its distinct attractions and advantages. Young men 
of vigorous minds and taste for adventure come west and find environments 
that fascinate in the whirl of busy western life; it gives a tonic effect which 
quickens the blood and gives vitality to hopes and ambitions. The oppor 
trinities are great and they become enthused over the future prospects of 
this great and splendid country. 

Here he stands out a well defined character, while in the east the con- 
ditions are monopolized and all the avenues closed to the young man just 
emerging from the eastern academy and he comes west that he may witness his 
own work bear the fruits of his efforts. 

Almost every nationality is represented in the building up of a new 
country. Not only the emigrant from almost every state of the Union, 
but man)' from foreign lands found homes in Kansas. The sturdy Scotch 
yoemen s, .u^lit homesteads where they could enjoy the results of their broad 
acres free, unfettered and unburdened of rent. To the frugal and indus- 
trious German, much credit is due for the developing of the country and 
man)' oi them have attractive homes and are as happy and contented as in 
their own fatherland. Many emigrants came from Sweden and Norway, 
'fhe great famine in Sweden caused thousands to emigrate to this country 
in the latter pari of the 'sixties and the early 'seventies. They have made 
"d, industrious and enterprising citizens. 

In the town of Clyde and the townships of Elk and Aurora, there are 
any French people, both Canadian and Parisian. A large number came 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 121 

from the French settlement at Kankakee, 111., and settled in and about Clyde. 
St. Joseph and Aurora. Many of them have attractive homes. England 
has also numerous representatives here engaged in various enterprises. 
There are also a considerable number of Danes and Welch, most of them 
rewarded with comfortable homes. Many brave sons of Erin bade their own 
country adieu and joined the western throng to become citizens of the "New 
Empire," the land o'er the far distant sea. 

Previous to the year 1870, there were few settlers of the' sixth princi- 
pal meridian, and this country was considered part of the Great American 
Desert, inhabited by the murderous and hostile red man, who fled west with 
the appearance of civilization. 

"He broke his bowstring, 
Snapped his arrows, 

Threw them upon the burial place of his fathers 
And departed forever." 

These vast prairies were awaiting the husbandman's plow to make 
them famous to the north, south and east, even to the Old World. At the 
present time no one can help but admire the condition of the farmers 
throughout the country. Every quarter section is more or less improved, 
nearly all have comfortable homes and many of them luxurious in their 
appointments and attractive in their appearance. The author visited many 
of the homes in the country and find they compare favorably with those of 
the eastern states. 

Instead of the room usually about ten by twelve in dimensions, dug 
down in the side of the hill, covered with dirt, and which often presented a 
pitiable sight after a rain or a freshet, with its little smoky stove in one 
corner, the drenched bed clothes in another, and its inmates tramping in the 
mud of the dirt floor, we now find comfortable homes, and these same 
people wonder how they ever existed under those circumstances. An occa- 
sional ruin of a dugout is left standing as a monument to pioneer days, and 
in a few instances they are occupied ; but there is an improvement over those 
of the early settlement, being more modern, showing proofs of progress 
even in the building of dugouts. 

A TRIBUTE TO THE WOMEN OF KANSAS. 

The women of Kansas have suffered equally with, if not more than 
the men, and were quite as heroic; but in relating the valor of her "liege 
lord" she is forgotten in story and song-. Woman's strength lies in her 
heart, and her patient endurance is proverbial. Amidst privation and over 
work they kept before their eyes a vision of success, a happy home for the 
future, which gave an impetus to their courage and hopes that stimulated 
their light heartedness. 



122 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

Though the women lived in log cabins or the more primitive dugouts, 
with their hopeful contentment they made it shine with a luster thai is 
often lacking in the palaces of kings and queens: They talked up then- 
country and gave encouragement to every useful enterprise that came withm 
their midst. Their lives were not devoid of romance or excitement alto- 
gether. Most of the early settlers were a mirth-loving people; they were 
full of the milk of human kindness and sympathy for their fellow pioneers. 
They were full of hope, of ambitions that were not frustrated. Sentiment 
entwined itself around these beautiful valleys and they became attached to 
their homes in the "New Empire." 

SOCIETY IN THE EARLY 'SEVENTIES. 

The citizens were on an equality in point of dress and finance. Their 
wardrobes did not often consist of more than two garments, either in win- 
ter or summer, the residence of a few- years exhausting the clothes they 
lirought with them. They often times resorted t<> all kinds of economy. 
The men wore ragged shirts and trousers, the material of which was ren- 
dered problematical by vari-colored patches. One of the old-timers related 
how his overalls were entirely worn out at the knees and had been patched 
repeatedly. So to even things up. as it were, his sister cut off the legs, 
turned them around, sewing them on with the reverse side to the front, 
thus enabling him to attend Sunday school in the regular order until times 
permitted of the purchase of a new pair. Nevertheless, we dare conjecture 
that even in this predicament the man from Missouri did nol forget his 
chivalrous Chesterfieldian bearing and his appreciation for etiquette. 

The women wore their calico dresses and sun bonnets to church, and 
the new comer who had not been introduced into the society of the fron- 
tier, were often a subject of ridicule for appearing in their superior apparel. 
Often times you would see a head crowned by what had been a hat. Many 
men went barefooted or thrust their sockless pedal extremities into great 
cowhide shoes. A prominent citizen of Concordia related his first glimpse 
of a dance in the far west, the substance of which is as follows: 

"The time and occasion was the glorious Fourth. There was the usual 
Fourth of July addresses, orations, lemonade stands, etc., but the chief 
attraction to this spectator was the mazy dance given on a platform in the 
open air. The fair maidens in muslin and calico gowns were not the but- 
terflies of society as it is to-day. but buxom lasses of the Kansas prairies, 
who blushed and smiled as some love-sick swain with calloused bare feet, 
perhaps, or coverings of leather with holes cut in them to accommodate 
some peculiar pedal excresences, balanced and bowed or whirled her in the 
alluring quadrille, while the 'fiddler' sawed '.Arkansas Traveler.' or 'Devil's 

I •''•nil,' and the prompter shouted, 'Heavens to Betsy, and six hands 

I I .ind,' etc., etc. 

"It \\a< ;i wide open, free-for-all galop, where the most ill-assorted 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 123 

pairs pirouetted over the platform. There was the lath-legged youth in the 
glory of his paper collar, with his graceful partner of liberal avoirdupois 
bumping about like June bugs in a dark room. Then there was the tall 
man who had selected for his partner a maiden whose dimpled chin struck 
him about the waist line, and the timid youth was observed holding his 
partner as if he feared she might not have a clean bill of Jiealth, while 
another held on like a sheriff with a writ of attachment. 

"The women danced well, but what chance would a graceful woman 
have in the grasp of some specimen of ungainly masculinity whose grasp 
would throttle the exhaust of a locomotive. This does not apply indiscrim- 
inately to the society at that time, but there is an element similar to this 
in all new countries and some not so new. Although their dancing was 
not exactly the poetry of motion, they had gathered together from all parts 
of the country, and it was a halcyon day of genuine pleasure lung to be 
remembered. Perhaps they saw themselves as others seen them, for there 
has been a complete modification in the code of ball room ethics." 

KANSAS WIND, AS SHE IS BLOWN. 

The Kansas winds have been harnessed by hundreds and thousands of 
windmills. For the benefit of readers who may be unfamiliar with the 
various definitions of Kansas wind, as she is blown, the Columbus Advo- 
cate makes the following classification: 

"Zephvr — Wind not to exceed twenty miles an hour. 

"Breeze — Wind not faster than fifty miles an hour. 

"Draught — Wind after it has developed speed sufficient to exert 
suction. 

"A Little Blow — Wind not faster than ninety miles an hour. 

"Real Blusterv — When it becomes necessary to hang rocks on school 
houses to keep them from going along with the atmosphere and for the 
merchants to lariat their signs. 

"Tornado — Any wind doing sufficient damage to give farmers a grip 
on the insurance company. 

"Cyclone — A tornado with a cork screw tail and a brusque way of 
doing things, especially barns and churches." 

There are many windy and disagreeable days that seem almost unbear- 
able, but when the merry month of May comes and the blustering winds 
are over, the birds holding concerts of matchless melody in the trees and 
hedges, and the sun smiles serenely, one forgets that the winds ever blew 
so furiously and almost reproach themselves for having mentioned it com- 
plainingly. 

KANSAS CYCLONES. 

The following item, clipped from Peck's Sun, is apropos of the sub- 
ject and the idea prevalent among eastern people regarding Kansas 
cyclones : 



124 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



"The little town of Clyde. Kansas, is mighty full of vinegar for a pi 
of its size The principal amusement the boys have there is to scare the daj 
lio-hts out of visitors from the states by telling big stories aboul cyclones. 

"There are two young fellows in business there named Will Max and 
Charley Armstrong. They have a store where they buy butter, and eggs, 
and things, and pack them for the eastern market. Lasl June. I ncle Ann 
strong father of Charley, and a young fellow named ( harley Farmers, 
were out there visiting. The hosts entertained the guests to the most hair- 
standing stories about cyclones, until they were so nervous they couldn t 

sleep at night. 

"One night the guests had retired, and the zephyr was pretty loud. 
Will and Charley got into the room adjoining that occupied b) the guests, 
and began to talk about funnel-shaped clouds, trees torn up by the roots, 
horses flying through the air. .and wagons being taken up bodily and carried 
away, talking so the guests could hear them. Then they prayed for strength 
to pull them through the fearful ordeal, and. pretending that a cyclone was 
upon them, they started down stairs, head over appetite, to gel ml" the 
refrigerator in the cellar, for safety, yelling to the guests to fly for then- 
lives. 

f "Uncle Armstrong is getting pretty well along in year-, but he got 
down to the cellar about ten stairs ahead of young Farmer, and asked to 
be allowed to get into the refrigerator first. It seemed a little cruel to the 
boys to let the guests get in there with nothing on but their undershirts, 
but they were going to have some fun, so they put them in among the 
cakes of ice. and Uncle Armstrong sat down on the zinc floor and allowed 
that if his life was spared till morning he would never set foot in Kansas 
again. Young Farmer sat on a firkin of butter, and leaned against the zinc 
lined side of the refrigerator and tried to pray, but he had forgotten the 
combination, and couldn't make a first payment. 

"Will and Charley went up stairs ostensibly t< > lock the safe, but really 
to go on with the program. The first thing they did was to fire off a shot- 
gun, and roll a keg of shingle-nails down the cellar stairs, and yell to the 
guests in the refrigerator to look out for God*s sake, as the house was 
struck by lightning. 

"Young Farmer got down off the firkin, and got on his knees, and 
tried to repeat some Sunday school lesson, but all he could thing of was, 
'Evil communications corrupt two in the bush.' The old gentleman, who 
was -truck in the small of the back by a piece of ice that fell off some 
butter, thought he was struck by lightning; so he began to sing, 'A charge 
to keep I have.' 

"The boys up stairs got a bag of buckshot, and opened it, and every 
little while would throw a handful onto the outside cellar door, right above 
the heads of the freezing occupants of the refrigerator, at the same tinv 
pounding a piece of sheet iron to make thunder. They kept this up for an 
hour, and then got a barrel, and filled it with broken glass and pieces of 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 125 

crockery, and they would roll it across the floor above, while one would 
take an ax and pound on some bar iron that was leaning against the wall, 
making a most hideous noise. 

"Charley Farmer said he supposed he was as well prepared to die as 
he ever would be, but he said he would give ten dollars if he had his pants 
down there. 

"L'ncle Armstrong asked him what difference it made whether he had 
his pants on or not, and Charley said he didn't want to lie ushered into 
the New Jerusalem with all his sins on his head, before the angels, and 
nothing on but a knit undershirt. 

"They were discussing this question when Will May crawled down 
stairs with a tin wash-boiler, and just as Charley rolled the barrel of broken 
window glass down the cellar stairs, Will mashed the boiler against the 
refrigerator, and both gave vent to a dying groan, closed their eyes and 
then all was still. 

"The prisoners thought it was all over, and they didn't stir for about 
ten minutes. Thev thought the house had blown away, and left them alive, 
and thev were inclined to be thankful even for that, when Charley and Will 
came down and opened the refrigerator, and told them the storm was over, 
but it was the almightiest cyclone that ever passed over Kansas." 

• DISASTROUS CYCLONE IX CLOUD AND CLAY COUNTIES. 

A funnel-shaped terror in the form of a cyclone visited Cloud and 
Clay counties on May 2, 1895. dealing death and destruction. There were 
six fatalities and the more or less serious injury to about thirty people, 
scores of farm buildings were razed to the ground, live stock killed, 
orchards and groves despoiled. 

The storm was entirely unhearajded ; there had been a slight atmos- 
pheric disturbance all day, but late in the afternoon, rain fell and all mis- 
givings of the elements had been restored. Just before dark, through the 
scud of low, flying clouds could be seen a great unbroken mass, heavy with 
moisture. The air was humid, and upon the horizon lay a light fog. The 
wind shifted, went and came in fitful gusts, and rain fell at irregular inter- 
vals. About 9:15 a rumbling noise was heard about three miles south- 
east of Miltonvale and the next moment a flash of lightning revealed its 
.origin. A great funnel-shaped cloud was outlined against the sky, its taper 
end dipped the earth. The next flash revealed another, but similar shaped 
cloud moving at a rapid transit toward the first, both obliquely inclined 
toward the earth, like ships driven abreast of a furious gale. In a moment 
the two monster appearing forms were merged together, and then followed 
destruction in their wake. Through the influence of a counter current the 
cylcone suddenly veered and started northward toward St. Joseph, and from 
tliis point in a general northeasterly course through the northwest corner 
of Clay county. It leaped the Republican river between Clifton and Mor- 



126 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



ganville and terminated within a few rods of the Washington county line 
on the farm of A. Balston, having traveled a total of twenty miles; its 
greatest width did not exceed three-quarters of a mile. 

The home of Eli Baltagor was obliterated as it were, himself and wife 
killed and their six children all more or less severely wounded. hi Clay 
county, east of the river, four lives were lost, seventeen persons badly 
injured and many homes destroyed and scattered with the winds. 

WAGON BRIDGE OVER THE REPUBLICAN RIVER AT CONCORDIA, 

February 29, 1876, the people of Sibley and Lincoln townships voted 
on the bonds to build a bridge across the Republican river at Concordia. 
The amount required was ten thousand dollars, seven thousand five hundred 



! 




t 


It 






■ 









Vickers Bridge on Wolf Creek. 

'Seven miles southwest of Concordia, where three men were accidentally killed 
about nine years ago.j 



dollars tor Lincoln and two thousand five hundred dollars for Sibley. The 
carried by a large majority. The vote stood sixty-three for, and 
twenty-one against. 

The bridge was completed in the autumn of the same year and on 
September 27, 1876, a grand bridge celebration took place at Concor- 
dia, ["he program consisted of the grand triumpbial procession from the 
two sides of the river which met on the bridge, where the ceremony of 
driving the finishing golden spike took place and other dedicatory cere- 
monies followed by a fitting oration by the Honorable E. J. Jenkins, and 

ratulatory addresses on behalf of the united townships of Sibley and 
Lincoln. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 127 

RAILROADS. 

The first railroad bonds in Clond bounty were voted in 1872 to the 
Central Branch Railroad Company (two hundred thousand dollars). It 
was lucky for the county that the company failed to come to time, and 
the bonds were forfeited. In 1877 they got the railroad for seventy thou- 
sand dollars of eight per cent thirty year bonds. The people of the Repub- 
lican valley needed a railroad that they might secure adequate transporta- 
tion facilities to the great markets and commercial centers of the country, 
and for a vast number of years untiring efforts were made to secure one. 
Delegates were sent to confer with the people of Atchison and Junction 
City with regard to the extension of the Central Branch of the Junctii m 
City and Fort Kearney Railroad into their fair and fertile country. It 
was becoming more and more evident each day that before many months, 
there must be a railroad in the Republican valley, and propositions were 
being received. 

August 7, 1876, a railroad convention was held at Clyde, in which 
the Concordia people joined, and all worked in harmony. Many speeches 
were made, the following well known men participating : Honorable S. D. 
Houston, Judge Borton, Judge L. Westover, the two latter of Clyde; L. 
J. Crans, J. M. Hagaman, YV. E. Reid, Judge Strain and Honorable E. J. 
Jenkins, all of Concordia ; the latter was chosen chairman of the Clyde 
railroad committee. He briefly stated the object of the meeting and sug- 
gested that they take into consideration the railroad situation, and confer 
as to the best mode of obtaining what they all wanted — a railroad. He 
then moved that Theodore Laing be chosen chairman, which was carried 
unanimously. H. Buckingham and W. E. Reid were chosen secretaries, 
and the following gentlemen were appointed a committee on resolutions : 
James Strain, E. J. Jenkins, M. McKinnon, J. M. Hagaman, W. S. Crump, 
A. W. Campbell and F. K. Teter. On motion, Messrs. Heins and Cooper, 
of Washington county, were added to the committee. The meeting was 
a success, and much good resulted from it. Judge Borton, in his happy 
manner, moved that, "Every man be a committee of one to talk railroad — 
blow railroad until the cars come whizzing up the Republican," which was 
adopted with loud applause. We find that in November the '"Republican 
Valley Railroad Company" was incorporated with a capital stock of nine hun- 
dred thousand dollars, divided into nine thousand shares. Its place of busi- 
ness was Corcordia, the number of directors thirteen, viz : E. J. Jenkins, 
R. F. Allen, Frederick La Rocque., F. W. Sturges, M. McKinnon, W. E. 
Reid, H. Buckingham, William Conner, all of Concordia; W. S. Crump 
and J. M. Jones, of Clyde; Cvrille Lafond, of Shirley; R. Berry, of Clifton, 
and D. T. Smonse, of Peach Creek. The road was to run from a point 
(in the Waterville & Western Railroad, at or near the town of Greenleaf, 
V.'ashington county, through the counties of Washington, Clay and 
Cloud, to Concordia. Estimated length of railroad, fifty miles. Another year 



128 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

passed and still they had not succeeded, and it was becoming more evident 
that the extension of a railroad to Concordia was a dire necessity, when 
the farmers could no longer haul^heir thousands of bushels of gram. Forty 
or fifty miles to market, entailing many hardships as well as loss of time 
in hauling. 

On July 5, 1877, a special election was held for the purpi >^e of voting 
upon the question of a subscription by Cloud county for six hundred and 
forty shares of one thousand dollars each of capital Mock of Junction City 
and Fort Kearney Railway Company, and in payment thereof, inning to 
the railroad company sixty-four of the county bonds of the denomination 
of one thousand dollars each, or a- many as would amount to four thousand 
dollars per mile of road constructed in the county, and made payable to 
the bearer at the fiscal agency of the state of Kansas in New York City, 
thirty years after date, bearing interest at the rate of eight per cent per 
annum, payable annually. An election was called for the same day for the 
purpose of voting upon the question of subscription by Cloud county for 
seven hundred shares of one thousand dollars each of the capital stock with 
the Republican Valley Railroad Company, and in payment therefor, issuing 
to said railroad company seventy of the county bonds of the denomination 
of one thousand dollars, or to the amount of four thousand dollars per mile 
for each mile of railroad constructed. 

When the election was over and the fight ended it was found that the 
Republican Valley Railroad bonds had been voted, and the Junction City 
and Fort Kearney bonds defeated. 

President Pomeroy, of the Central Branch road, visited the Republi- 
can valley in the interest of his road, and was delighted with the result of 
the election in Cloud county, and with the substantial growth and develop- 
ment of the Republican valley region. He pronounced it the richest and 
most beautiful country he had ever seen, "A perfect agricultural paradise." 

The contract for building the road was awarded to Wiley & Wilder, 
and was to be completed from Greenleaf to Concordia by December 5, 1877. 

The people of Cloud county were jubilant over the prospect of seeing 
their fondest hopes realized — the locomotive steaming out of their fertile 
country laden with the products of their young commonwealth, and to 
herald to the world the coming to pass of the prophecy, "The desert shall 
bloom as a rose." 

A special, the first train over the Central Branch, arrived in Concordia 
Monday. January 28, 1878, at about 4:30 p. m. On board were the offi- 
cials of the road and many of Atchison's prominent business men. At Clyde 
they mack' an hour's stop and were joined by Judge Borton, and many 
others. They were received at the depot in Concordia by Mayor Rea- 
soner ami a large number of citizens from all parts of the country, with the 
Concordia Cornet Band, and banners floating in profusion. Their enthu- 
siasm was unbounded. After the usual ceremony of firing guns, "hurrah- 
ing" and handshaking all around, the excursionists were preceded by the 



130 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

band and escorted to the hotel, where supper was served, after which the 
crowd convened at La Rocques's Hall at seven o'clock. The hall was filled 
tn overflowing to listen to speeches, congratulating the Central Railroad 
Company for their assistance, energy and enterprise in pushing the road 
through to Concordia. 

A speech of welcome was made by Mayor Reasoner, followed by Colo 
nel E. J. Jenkins, who tendered one and all the freedom of their thriving 
metropolis. Speeches were made by Major Downs, the superintendent "i 
the road, to whose untiring energy in pushing the road to a consummation 
the people felt under deep obligation. Judge Bortom, Clyde's gifted and 
inimitable funny speaker, and without whom an occasion of this kind would 
not have been appropriately celebrated, made one of his characteristic 
talks. Captain John Seaton eulogized the metropolis of northwestern 
Kansas, and its enterprising people. F. \V. Sturges, in his eloquent way. 
paid a fitting tribute to the completion of the most important enterprise in 
the history of Concordia and Cloud county. Major Marvin, chief engineer 
of the Central Branch Railroad, addressed the people, congratulating them 
upon this important event. It was a gala day for Cloud county. Every- 
body was jubilant, bubbling over with enthusiasm and good feeling. Flags 
and bunting streamed from every building, giving an air of patriotism to 
the occasion, and adding to the unmistakable evidence everywhere that this 
was the proudest and happiest day Concordia ever witnessed. 

The Central Branch extension is one of the best constructed roads in 
the state. The bridge work is of the most durable character, especially is 
this true of the bridge which spans the Republican river at Clyde, which 
is a splendid specimen of architecture, massive timber and perfect construc- 
tion, and has l>een pronounced one of the best in the state. The Central 
Branch was extended to Cawker City (then the county seat of Mitchell 
county), fifty-one miles distant from Concordia, May 13, 1879. 

November 17, 1878, Jay Gould became the leading owner of the Mis 
souri Pacific & Central Branch. He controlled about half the miles of rail- 
way in the state. 

On the evening of Saturday, March 8, 1879, there was an enthusiastic 
meeting held by the people of Concordia, who assembled at La Rocques' 
Hall to discuss the extension of the Junction City and Fort Kearney Branch 
01" the Kansas Pacific Railroad to their city. Mr. Smeed, chief engineer 
of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, who was sent to look over the proposed 
route, and to confer with the people he came in contact with, was present. 
Mr. Smeed was to report, what in his judgment, could be done with the 
promise from the management that they would act according to his report. 

lutions were then submitted wherein the people of Cloud count 
pledged themselves to do all in their power, in effort, energy and in voting 
all the bonds possible to secure the result, and requested the several town- 
ships t<» join in their efforts to secure the needed road, etc. A vote on the 
adoption of the resolutions were then taken and a more unanimous vote 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 131 

was never polled. Every man in the house who was a citizen of Lincoln 
township voted in the affirmative. The Clyde people did not favor the 
project. 

On the 10th day of June, 1879, a special election was held in Con- 
cordia for the purpose of voting upon the question of a subscription of stock 
and issue of fifty-six thousand dollars bonds to the Junction City & Fort Kear- 
ney Railroad Company by the township of Lincoln. The bonds were carried 
by a majority of two hundred and eighty-eight in Lincoln, and fifty-five in 
Lawrence. 

The result was gratifying to the people of Concordia, as it meant more 
enterprise would find its way to their, city. Not a single Concordian voted 
against the bonds. 

January v, 1881, trains on this railroad stopped running into Concor 
dia. The turn table was taken up and removed to Clyde, the depot locked 
and the agent went to Kansas City, and no more business was transacted. 
The doors and windows were nailed up and the tall, rank weeds grew in 
profusion about the place. What was once the busy depot was given over 
to grim desolation. The Kansas Pacific Railroad was said to have "gob- 
bled up" fifty-six thousand dollars worth of bonds, and given Concordia, 
Lawrenceburg and Clyde the "slip." The next move was to devise a wa; 
to keep from paying the bonds voted. \Y. E. Reid journeyed to St. LouF 
where, in an interview with Jay Gould and S. H. H. Clark, general manager 
of the Union Pacific Railroad, in reference to the bonds voted to the Fort 
Kearney road by Lincoln, Lawrence and Elk townships, they assured him 
they would give the matter due consideration, and that the road should be 
operated to Concordia, or the bonds, or their equivalent be returned to the 
tax payers of the townships named. 

In July, 1 881, the report was circulated that the railroad was coming to 
Concordia by the way of Belleville without bonds or aid. As per agree 
ment, the Burlington & Missouri River Railway people kept out of Kansaf 
as long as Jay Gould kept out of Nebraska, but the Missouri Pacific was 
to be extended to Omaha, and the proposition to intersect as many of Jay 
Gould's lines as they could and make war against monopoly as a conse- 
quence. 

In the the autumn of 1879, railroad fair was reduced from four to 
three cents. 

Cloud county now has communication from all points of the compass. 
A branch up the Republican Valley to Scandia and northward, connecting 
with the Burlington and Missouri Railway; also a line extending from 
Jamestown to Jewell City. Mankato and Burr Oak. The Kansas Pacific 
built a branch through the Solomon valley and established stations at Glasco 
and Simpson. The Kansas Central completed its line into Starr township, 
with the terminus at Miltonvale. The Burlington and Missouri Pacific ex- 
tended their lines from Odell via Hanover. Washington, Cuba and Wayne, 
to Concordia. 



132 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



Concordia is now one of the most flourishing railroad centers in north- 
west Kansas. The Burlington and Missouri, Santa Fe, Union Pacific and 
the Missouri Pacific give it connection with the east, west, north and 
south. 

ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS. 

To Honorable John B. Rupe, of Clyde, belongs the distinction of h.r. 
ing organized the first school district in Cloud county, which was inaug- 
urated °on July l^, 1868. It will be remembered Mr. Rupe was the first 
acting county superintendent of schools, as Doctor Lear, who was 
appointed, did not qualify. Mr. Rupe in this instance, acted fairly, as char- 
acterizes all his dealings, and gave the Elm Creek settlement, where the 
first school was taught, the first number, which it still retains. District 
No. 1 is in the vicinity of Ames and have just completed a \er\ excellent 
new building. 

Upon the same principle Mr. Rupe gave the Elk (reck settlement the 
next numeral in line and it has likewise retained the original No. _'. When 
Xo. 2 was organized the territory included was all of what is now Elk 

township. 

The next in order, Nj>. 3, is directly south of the city of Clyde, and 
includes the eastern part of Shirley township. The territory now occupied 
by the Concordia schools is District No. 4, but when it was created by Mr. 
Rupe he was generous enough to include all that part of Cloud count 
lying in Buffalo and Sibley townships — about one-third of the entire county. 

District No. 5 was Glasco and the Solomon Valley settlement. Dis- 
trict Xo. 6 is the territory south of the Solomon river, in Solomon town- 
ship known as the Dalrymple settlement. District No. 7 included the Lake 
Sibley settlement, but was afterward divided. Xo. 7 holding the territory 
east and the Siblej number became 16. Xo. 7, owing to some differences 
that arose, was divided, one part thrown into the Sibley district and the 
remaining portion to the district on the east. The Oak Creek community 
immediately east of Concordia became Xo. 8. The Meredith neighbor- 
hool, located on Pipe creek, was instituted as Xo. 9. Xo. 10 was the Law- 
renceburg district on Salt creek, and Xo. 1 1 on Wolf creek. 

The districts named are known as the pioneer schools, and after the} 
were organized others were formed in adjacent territory as the settlement 
advanced along the borders. 

A three months' term of school was required of each district before 
they could draw the state fund. Mr. Doran, who was the third acting 
superintendent of the county, reports that be gave certificates to boys and 
girls of very youthful age who constantly raised their grades, several of 
thi ming very proficient. The bachelor's situation was not a very 

enviable one in those days, and to extort their share of quota from some 
a penalty was established. "They could not call on the scho. >] 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 133 

ma'm." In many of the districts many of the married ladies were em- 
ployed and taught in their own homes. There are at the present time 
one hundred and six organized school districts in Cloud county, and the 
following joint districts: No. 1, Cloud and Mitchell counties; No. 2. Cloud 
and Mitchell counties; No. I, Cloud'and Republic counties; No. 93. Cloud 
and Republic counties; No. 1, Cloud. Washington and Republic counties; 
No. 2, Cloud, Washington and Republic counties; No. 1, Cloud, Clay and 
Washington counties; No. 29, Cloud and Ottawa counties; No. 93. Cloud 
and Ottawa counties. 

The tax is levied by the people themselves, and cannot exceed 20 mills. 
Some of them are low and are only able to conduct a six months' school, 
and this with probably inexperienced teachers. These districts, In wever, 
are in the minority and are the exception, not the rule. 

The highest tax levied is in the following districts: No. 3, 20 mills; 
No. 24. 20 mills; No. 72, 20 mills; No. 81. 20 mills; No. 86, 20 mills; No. 
20, 20 mills; No. 34. 20 mills; No. 76, 20 mills; No. 85, 20 mills. 

GRADED SCHOOLS. 

No. 2, Clyde, 17 mills; No. 5. Glasco, 18 mills; No. 97, Miltonvale, 
20 mills; No. 4, Concordia, 15 mills; No. ^2, Jamestown, 1 53.^ mills; No. 
104. Aurora, 20 mills 

The only schools in the county that did not reduce the teachers' wages 
during the "panicky" years were Glasco and Hollis. 

The following are the lowest levies of school districts: District No. 
8. 5 mills; district No. T4. mills; district No. 65, 6 mills; district No. II, 
6 mills; district No. 47, 6 mills. 

There is a Webster's Unabridged Dictionary in every district in the 
county except six. and a public library in all but thirteen. These com- 
mendable auxiliaries are placed there by teachers generally who have given 
special entertainments for this purpose, often clearing from forty to fifty 
dollars in an evening. The general character of the library books are his- 
ti :rical works and nature studies. Twenty-seven or more school houses 
have organs that have been supplied in a similar way. 

• Twenty-nine per cent of the citizens of Cloud county are enrolled in 
the public schools. 

The present and unprecedented prosperity in Kansas is very marked in 
the school work of the state. Many new buildings are being erected, old 
school houses enlarged or remodeled, sanitary conditions improved and 
many of them take pride in furnishings and beautiful surroundings. Among 
this number is the Eureka school district No. 68. The house was erected 
in September, iqot. The author visited the school in the autumn of that 
year and found Miss Rachel Rogers installed as teacher, with an enroll- 
ment of but nine scholars, with an average attendance of the same number, 
and this is a total of the children of school age in the district. Hut it is 

9 



134 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. KANSAS. 



of the cheerful atmosphere prevailing in this modem country building that 
the writer thinks worthy of note. I here a e bul two rows of seats, ample 
room for the pupils and visitors, too. The building Fronts the wesl and has 
four large windows on the east and two on the south, which lend a bright 
and sunny glow to the room. It is heated by a furnace or stove, encased 
with brick, where the student ran ah eel the warmth from the hot- 

air registers, although winter's b blow without. Sketches and 

pictures adorn the bright walls, flowers and potted plants, mostlj the gifts 
of pupils, give color to the interi r. This is. perhaps, one of the most com 
plete country school buildings in the county. "Prairie Gem" 01 di trie! 
\'o 34, is also among the best, as the illustration shows. No. ~~ is entitled 
: lie honor of turning- out the greatest number of teachers. Another 
leader in this direction is district No. 7. 

There are man) exceptional records made throughout the county and 
mention is made of some of them in the histor) of the variou: graded 
schoi ils. 

District No. 3] did not have a tardy mark the entire year- i<|o_\ The 
"Eureka school." also mentioned above, got through two months and three 
weeks vvith neither absence nor tardy. 



CLOUD COUNTY GRADUATES IN THE 7th AND 8th GRADE WORK. 

These graduates are from the district schools aod some of the towns. The list ot qui 
submitted to these pupils was prepared by the State Hoard, and manust ripts graded bj the 1 ounty 
Board appointed 1>\ the County Superintendent, who acted as chairman. Su Orthography, 

Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Grammar. HiM.,r\ Physiology and by, Minimum grade in 

anv stud' CO pi r ceni Average requin ["he earlii thi 1 la ol 

1889 but the grades were not given. 



S 



ss e 1839 



1. Lillie Lavttm, 95th dist., Concordia. 
2 Chet L. Burton, 32d dist., Jamestown. 

3, F. E. Gt tmestown. 

4, Delia Fulmer 32d dist., Jamestcwn. 

5, Aggie Fitzgerald. 32d dist., Jame 

'i Allie Fitzgerald, 32d dist.. JamestowD. 

7, J. H. Garlow, .">1 st dist.. Macyville. 

8, John Phelps, '.'Tth dist.. Mil ton vale. 

9, A. E. Ott. .")th dist.. Glasco. 

in. John D. Palmer. 5th dist.. Glasco. 

11 Lizzie Rozzell, 80th dist., Hollis. 

12 Pearl Decker, 80th dist., Hollis, 

13 Guy Lewis, '.Mith dist.. Clyde. 

1 I Mary Moode. !N>th dist., Clyde. 

15, Wm. Johnston, 17th dist., Concordia. 

1C, Stella Bristle, 17th dist.. Concordia. 

Flora Wilcox, 17th dist., Concordia. 

Imogene Decker, .Sth dist., Conordia. 

Walter Davis, 8th dist.. Concordia. 

S. T. Townsdin, Sth dist., Concordia. 

Eva Moore, Sth dist., Concordia. 

22, John H. Davis, Sth dist., Concordia. 

23, Jessie Honey, 21st dist.. Ames. 

24, Mary Barlow. 21st dist., Ames. 

25, Etta Roadruck, 21st dist. Ames. 

2(5, Charles Coleman, Sth dist. Concordia. 
27. Samuel Seaton, 45th dist., Delphos. 



17. 
H 

19, 
JO 
21 



I ! dl 

29, Lizzie Freelove, 2d dist., Clyde. 
3d, Ellen Streator, 2d dist., CI 

31, Leonie Boudro, 2d dist., Clyde. 

32, Lillian Smith, 2d dist., Clyde, 

09 1890, 

No I Ada l tigg "nil dist, Glasco. 
2 Sada Burnett, 5th dist., Glasco. 
:: Maud Spaulding, 5th dist., Glasco. 
1 Myrtle Beach, 5th dist., Glasco. 

Jessie Pratt, 5th dist., Glasco. 

Ollie Neal, 5th dist. ..Glasco. 

Luella Snyder, 5th dist., Glasco. 

Jennie Hannan, 5th dist., Glasco. 

Mattie Haynes, 5th dist., Glasco. 

Lizzie Murray, 32d dist., Jamestown. 

Delia Fulmer, 33d dist.. Jamestown. 

12, Jno. R. Eastland, .'!3d dist., James- 
town. 

13, Ida Iverson, Joint 1 C. & R. dist., 
Concordia. 

14, Mary Iverson, Joint 1 C. & R. dist., 
Concordia. 

Orlin S. Kenyon, Joint 1 C. & R. dist., 
Concordia. 

George C. Flitch, 99th dist., Con- 
cordia. 



a. 
B, 

i , 
s 

9, 
10, 

11, 



15, 



16 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



'35 



No. 17, 
18, 
19, 

20, 



Cain, 48th dist.. Sulphur 



Ida E. Flitch, 00th dist., Concordia. 
Florene Pearce, 75th dist., Concordia. 
Willis A. Cain, 48th dist., Sulphur 

Springs. 
Edwin A. 
Springs. 
21, Lou Davis, 2d dist.. Clyde. 
22 Gertie Brown, 2d dist., Clvde. 

23, Alma Lamb, 2d dist., Clvde. 

24, \V. S. Pence, 2d dist., Clyde. 

25, Blanche Randolph, 2 dist., Clyde. 

26, Lulu Barlow, 21st dist., Ames. 

27, Cora Brown, 21st dist., Ames. 

28, Clara Tufts, (ilth dist., Jamestown. 

29, Libliie ("roisant, 52d dist., Scottsville. 

30, Amanda Citric, 52d disf., Scottsville. 

31, Carrie Fitzgerald, 52ddist., Scottsville 

32, Emma Angelo, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 
33 Vernie Cronkite, 07th dist. , Miltonvale. 

34, Belle Spooner, 07th dist., Miltonvale. 

35, Cora Squires, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 

36, 11. M. Elliott, 7th dist., Miltonvale. 
31 C lara Eye, 7th dist,, Miltonvale. 

38, C. E. Emick, 7th dist., Miltonvale. 

39, Alva Wilkins, 7th dist., Miltonvale. 
41). Emmet Rose, 0th dist., Meredith. 
41, F. O. Bourke, 35th, dist., St. Joseph. 

Those making the three highest averages 
vere as follows: 

Cora Squires, 05 per cent. 
Clara Tufts. 04 percent. 
Willis A. Cain, 04 per cent. 
Florence Pearce, 01 per cent. 
Ida Iverson, 01 per cent. 



Class of 1891. 

No. 1. Belle Warburton, 2d dist., Clyde. 
2, Gertrude Brown, 2d dist., Clyde. 
-, Svlvia Yoder, 2d dist., Clyde." 

4, Seymour Haynes, 5th dist., Glasco. 

5, Hazen G. Ward, 5th dist., Glasco. 
li, Luella Elliott. 7th dist., Miltonvale. 

7. J. W. Elliott, 7th dist.. Miltonvale. 

8, Chris Eye, 7th dist., Miltonvale. 
0. Alvina Townsdin, 8th dist., Concordia. 

10, John H. Davies, 8th dist., Concordia. 

11, Hope Anderson, Kith dist., Concordia. 

12, Arthur Avery, Kith dist., Concordia. 
1.'!. Fred Sanders, Kith dist., Concordia. 
1 1, Carrie Ward, 22d dist., Glasco. 
15, Mary E. Henry, 22d dist., Glasco. 
Ki, Edward Leonard, 30th dist., Rice. 

17, Cora Haines, 31st dist., Glasco. 

18, Agnes Rickey, 33d dist., Jamestown. 
10, B. L. Bean, 40th dist., Ames. 

20, Grant Brassfield, 42d dist., Glasco. 

21, Evelyn Gregg. 46th dist., Glasco. 

22, Maggie Butler, 47th dist., Glasco. 

23, Timothy Butler 47th dist., Glasco. 

24, I'henie Bergeson, Tilst dist,, Macyville. 
2.">, Harry Huscher, 57th dist., Huscher. 

26, James Williamson, 58th dist., Glasco. 

27, Markle A. French, 65th dist., James- 
town. 

28, Julia Pearce, 75th dist., Concordia. 

29, R. D. Cooper, 75th dist., Concordia 

30, Melvin Bushong, 77th dist., Meredith. 



No. 



31, 
32, 
33, 

34, 
35, 
36 

37, 
88, 

30, 
40, 



Carrie Hoefer, 78th dist., Miltonvale 
Myrtle Tiff, 92d dist., Miltonvale. 
Hattie Middlestate, 02d dist., Milton- 
vale. 
Nora Lepley, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 
Alva Wilkins, 97th dist.. Miltonvale. 
John Shoemaker, 07th dist., Miltonvale 
Albert Shoemaker.07th dist.,Miltonvale 
Phil Goodreau, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 
Arthur Jennings, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 
Wilbur Jennings, 07th dist., Miltonvale 



Those making the three highest averages 
were as follows 

Arthur Jennings, 80 per cent. 
Cora Haines, 87 per cent. 
Melvin Bushong, 85 per cent. 
Arthur Avery, 85 per cent. 

Class of 1892. 

No. 1, Ellen Dillon. 47th dist., Glasco. 

2, Wm. B. Newton, 46th dist., Glasco. 

3, John Casselman, Kith dist., Delphos. 
I. Allen Everly, 46th dist., Delphos. 
■">. Allen Abbott, 5th dist., Glasco. 
0, Clara Randle, 31st dist., Glasco. 

7, Walter Butler, 42d dist., Glasco. 

8, Albert McConnell. 77th dist.. Heber. 
0, Vina lennings. 07th dist.. Miltonvale. 

in, W. A. Hibbs. 77th dist., Heber. 

11, Mabel House. 1 C. & R. dist., Con- 
cordia. 

12, Cassa Smith, 
cordia. 

13, Don J. Burton, 32d dist., 

14, Grace Cutshaw, 2.">th dist. 
1">, Elmer Nutting, 20th dist.. 
10 Wm. McHenry, 40t4i dist. 
17, W. E. Bean, 40th dist., Ames. 

15, Emma Lachenmaiser, 53d dist., Ames. 
10. lessie Truesdell, 2d dist., Clvde. 

20. Byron Hyatt, 2d dist., Clvde. 

21. Lizzie Broadfoot, 2d dist., Clyde. 

Those making the three highest averages 
were as follows: 

Grace Cutshaw, 85 per cent. 
Albert McConnell, 84 per cent. 
Clara Randle, 82 per cent. 

Class of 1893, 

The average required this year was changed 
from 70 per cent, to 75 per cent. 



1 C. & R. dist.. Con- 



Jamestown. 
Jamestown. 
Ames. 
, Rice. 



8, 


10, 
11, 
12. 
13, 



Geo. Bardrick, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 
Lollie Flynn, 07th dist., Miltonvale. 
Fannie Barber. 97th dist.. Miltonvale. 
C. R. Bardrick, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 
S. G. Lacy, 07th dist,, Miltonvale. 
Edith Scott, 07th dist., Miltonvale. 
Cornelia Eye, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 
Robert F. Wilson, 89th dist., Aurora. 
Jennie Payeur, 2d dist., Clyde. 
Ola Hedges, 34th dist., Jamestown. 
Nellie Woodward, 5th dist,, Glasco. 
Mary Stackhouse, 5th dist., Glasco. 
Kate Carroll, 5th dist., Glasco. 



1 36 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



No M L C. Bishop, 68th dist., Glasco. 
"' I.")' Walter Butler, 42d dist., Glasco. 
■ Hi' Blanche Ware, 22d dist,, Glascs. 
" 17 Allie Woodward, 5th dist., Glasco. 
• is' Antoinette Gobiet, 30th dist., Rice. 
" 111' Chas. Evans, 17th dist., Concordia. 
" 20', Dora Stilson, J. 1 C. & R. dist.. ( on- 

cordia. 
" 21 Melinda Bedor, 10th dist., Hollis 
" 22', Nellie Kenyou, ]. 1. C. & R- dist., 

Concordia. 
" 23, Aletha Smith, J. 1 C. & R. dist., Con- 
cordia. 
24, Effie Pierce, 76th dist., Rice. 

Those making the three highest averages 
•were as follows: 

Jennie Payeur, 90 per cent. 
Fannie Barber, 88 per cent, 
Nellie Kenyon, 8.'! per cent. 
Lollie Flynn, 83 per cent. 

Class of 1894. 

No. 1, Lawrence Marlatt. 5th dist., Glasco. 
" 2 Ed Pratt, oth dist., Glasco. 
" 3, Walter Butler. 5th dist., Glasco. 

t, Oliver Pratt, 5th dist., Glasco. 
" 5, Fred Horn, 5th dist., Glasco. 
(1, Kate Carroll, 5th dist,, Glasco. 
l', Lucile Smail, 5th dist., Glasco. 
8^ Myrtle Pershall, 5th dist., Glasco. 
" 9,' Mary Stackhouse. 5th dist., Glasco. 
" 10', Birdie Hillhouse. 5th dist., Glasco. 
" ll| Nellie Woodward, 5th dist., Glasco. 
" 12, Jennie Carroll, 5th dist., Glasco. 
" 13,' Allie Teasley, 5th dist.. Glasco. 
" 14, Myrtella Woodward. 5th dist., Glasco. 
" 15' Mabel DeLine, 2d dist., Clyde. 
'• 16, Fred Dutton, J. 1 C. & R., dist., Con- 
cordia. 
" 17, Jennie Kenyon, J. 1 C. & R. dist., 
Concordia. 
18, W. Fiske Lawry, 10th dist,, Hollis. 
" ]'.l, Lorean Davidson, 58th dist., Glasco. 
" 20, M. D, Doyle, 58th dist., Glasco. 
'• 2l', Harry Rice, 45th dist., Delphos. 
" 22, A. J. Coombs, 77th dist., Heber. 
■>:\, Belle Elliott, 77th dist., Heber. 
24, Delia Magaw, 21st dist., Rice. 
" 25, Essie Tipton, 32d dist,, Jamestown. 

Those making the three highest averages 
were as follows. 

Lawrence Marlatt, 90 3-8 per cent. 
Jennie Kenyon, 90 2-8 per cent. 
Kate Carroll, 89 per cent. 

Class of 1895. 

No. 1, Eugene Emerson Ball, 12th dist., Con- 
cordia. 
2, Raymond G. Lawry, 12th dist., Con- 
cordia. 
:!, Clarence Edwin Boudro, 2d dist., 

Ivde. 
I, Mary Olive Everley, 46th dist., Graves 
5, Alice E. (;regg, 5th dist., Glasco. 



No . 6, |esse Edgar Shay, 07th dist.. Milton- 
vale. 

" 7, George Homer Bardrick, 07th dist., 
Miltonvale. 

" S. Benjamin Barber, 07th dist.. Milton 
vale. 
9, Merton Augustus Fish, .1th dist.. 
1 nm ordia. 

" 10. William Albert Harnett. 32d dist.. 
|ames town. 

•• 11, Carrie Elizabeth Hoefer 78th dist. 
Miltonvale. 

• • i.) L Uren a Belle Ka hi 1 ''-til dist. 

i.i LVI 

" 1:; 1 Haude Raymond Bardrit l 07th dist. 

Miltonvale. 
" 1 I Lillian Burnett. 5th dist., Glasi 
■■ is Letat atherine Day, 5th dist.. Gla 
" in, Melvin Mi ( oy, 07th di t Lamai 

Ottawa ( 
" 1; \, la Honey, 21sl dii 1 Vm< a 
■' is, silverGm Lai y,07thdi! t.,Miltoni il 
" 19] Frederick Martin Horn, 5th dist.. 

Glasco. 
" 20, Hattie Francis Bullock, 5th dist., 
Glasco. 
il Eva Hollan, 32d dist., Jamestown. 
22 1 ii.irle Hibbs, 77th dii 1. Hebi 1 
;:;. Matilda Rosalie Walton, *lth .di I 
Am 
•• 24 [oseph Harnett, 32d dist., Jamestown. 
•' 25, KichardLyle Brock, 5th disl t.lasco. 
" ti< ; (,ilbert Frederick Nelson, 32d dist., 

Jamestown. 
•■ ■>; \u„ rt Vicl > I bell, 5th dist., Gla 1 
■;^ Lewis William Elliott, 62d dist., Con- 
cordia. 
" 29, Rosa Alice Schwartz, 16th dist., t'on- 
cordia. 
:;u, [ohn Oliver Pratt, 5th dist.. Glasi 1. 
" :;i. Marguerite Matilda Hillhouse, 5th 

dist., Glasco. 
" 32, Mabel Esther Priscilla McBride, 32d 

dist., Jamestown. 
" 33, Cynthia Huges, 16th dist., Concordia. 

34, Ora Righter, 9th dist., Meredith, 
" 35, Mary Artemisia Olmstead, 5th dist. 

Glasco. 
" 3(1, Minnie Cooper, 75th dist, Concordia 
" 37, Olive Edna Gardner, 19th dist.. 
Jamestown. 
:;s, Walter Parcell, 5th dist., Glasco. 

Those making the three highest averages 
were as follows: 

Eugene Emerson Ball, 88 5-8 per cent. 
Raymond G. Lawry, 88 1-2 per cent. 
Clarence Edwin Boudro, 87 3-8 per cent. 

Class of 1896. 

No. 1, Daisy Edna Park, 77th dist., Meredith. 
2, Frances Helena Butler, 47th dist.. 
Glasco. 
" 3, Cara Elizabeth Wells, 97th dist.. 
Miltonvale. 
4, Orpha Yolandez Woodward, 5th dist., 
Glasco. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



'37 



No. 5, 
" 6 

7, 



10, 

11, 

12, 

13, 

14, 

15, 
16, 

17, 
18, 

1!', 
20, 

21. 
22 

23, 
24, 
25, 

20, 
27, 

28, 
20, 
30, 
31, 

32, 
33, 

34, 

35, 

36, 

37, 

38, 

39, 

40. 
41, 
42, 
43, 
44, 
45, 
4(i, 

47, 
18, 
40, 



Mil- 



Mer- 



Mil- 



Con- 

Mil- 

dist, 



Elizabeth Bessie Pitner, 47th dist., 
Glasco. 

John Benjamin Shay, 97th dist., 
Miltonvale. 

Edward Spalding, 4th dist,, Concordia. 

Edith Dutton, 1 C. & R. dist., Con- 
cordia. 

Stena Jensen, 93d dist., Jamestown. 

Bertha Blen Hitchcox, 32d dist., 
Jamestown. 

Fannie Caroline Neill, 97th dist. 
tonvale. 

Charles Ely Kline, 77th dist., 
edith. 

May Prince, 5th dist,, Glasco. 

Mildred Pearl Emick, 7th dist. 
tonvale. 

Hiram ArthurCoate, 77th dist., Heber. 

John Arthur Miller, 80th dist., Long 
Island. 

Mary Button. 1 C. & R. dist., 
cordia. 

Alma Bertha Course, 97th dist. 
tonvale. 

Dora Elnora Bumgardner, 77th 
Meredith. 

William Wilkinson Buckley, 71st dist., 
Miltonvale. 

Minnie Morford, 80th dist., Hollis. 

Alfred Coleman Neel, 1 C. & R. dist., 
Concordia. 

Mary Miller, Kith dist., Concordia. 

Eliza Flynn, 90th dist., Meredith. 

Cora Aletha Anderson, 47th dist., 
Glasco. 

Olive McCall, 10th dist., Concordia. 

Benjamin Peter Smith, 97th dist., 
Miltonvale. 

Alice Ward, 87th dist., Concordia. 

Birde Miller, 80th dist., Hollis. 

Violet Mabel Ward, 5th dist., Glasco. 

Frieda Clara Dorothea Krummel, 30th 
dist., Rice. 

Nora Parker, 5th dist., Glasco. 

Mary Lucinda Williamson, 58th dist., 
Glasco. 

Loyal Ario Davison, 73d dist., Scotts- 
ville. 

William Oliver Henderson, 77th dist., 
Heber. 

Cordelia May Rogers, 5th dist., Glasco. 

Martin Cary Burton, 32d dist., James- 
town. 

Carrie Eleanor Plumlee, 95th dist., 
Concordia. 

Walter Frank Pilcher, 5th dist., 
Glasco. 

Carrie Nelson, 93d dist., Concordia. 

Burr Newbury, 55th dist., Miltonvale. 

Ira Bushong, 77th dist., Heber. 

Josie McMillan, 93d dist., Jamestown. 

Maude Pearl Phillips, 80th dist. , Hollis. 

Maude Stewart, 80th dist., Hollis. 

William Earl Emick, 7th dist., Milton- 
vale. 

Lum Cleveland, 58th dist., Glasco. 

Andrew Horn, 36th dist., Miltonvale. 

John Coulter Fowler, 24th dist., Mil- 
tonvale. 



No. 50, 
51, 



53, 

54, 

55, 

5(1, 
57, 
58, 
59, 
60, 

6*, 
62, 

63, 

04, 

65, 

06, 
67, 
68, 
69, 

70, 
71, 

72, 
73, 
74, 
75. 
76, 



Etta Brajnwell, 4th dist., Rice. 

Carrie Baldwin, 4th dist., Jamestow-n. 

Richard Bourne, 63d dist., Delphos. 

Olive Demaris Gould, 32d dist., James- 
town. 

Myrtle Bedor, 10th dist., Hollis. 

Hester Gladys Williams, 5th dist., 
Glasco. 

Isaac Dalrymple, 6th dist., Simpson. 

Lulu Avery, 16th dist.. Concordia. 

Mark Wesley Hare, 47th dist. , Glasco. 

Jessie Blanche Martin, 5th dist., Glasco. 

Leonora Ann Bogue, 32ddist., James- 
town. 

Guilford Wall, 05th dist., Jamestown. 

James Quinton Louthan, 31st dist., 
Glasco. 

Augustus Fenton Potts, 5th dist., 
Glasco. 

Joseph Davidson. 58th dist., Glasco. 

Minnie Estella Smith, 103d dist., 
Heber. 

Louise Poole, 32d dist.. Jamestown. 

ViolaCaptola, Carroll. 5th dist.. Glasco. 

Claude Yount, 77th dist., Meredith. 

Minnie Viola Plumlee, 95th dist., Con- 
cordia. 

Emma McKinster. 5th dist., Glasco. 

Zella Jane Swift, 91st dist., Milton- 
vale. 

Pearl Garrison, 80th dist., Hollis. 

Truman Bates, 46th dist, Glasco. 

Helen Nutting, 13th dist., Ames. 

Lena Layton, 25th dist. Jamestown. 

Ira Claude Ellison, 5th dist., Glasco. 



Those making the three highest averages 
were as follows: 

Daisy Edna Park, 92 1-2 per cent. 
Frances Helena Butler. 01 1-2 percent. 
Cara Elizabeth Wells, 00 1-2 per cent. 

Class of 1807. 

Constitution was added to the list of studies 
this year and the average raised to MO per 
cent, with the provision that candidates 
should be credited in future examinations for 
all grades of 80 per cent or over, 

No. 1, Lulu Jordan, 47th dist., Glasco. 

2, Roy Hauck, 07th dist., Miltonvale. 

3, Jacob Hyson Moore, 97th dist., Mil- 
tonvale. 

4, Isabella Butler, 47th dist., Glasco. 

5, William Richard Bevan, 87th dist., 
Concordia. 

6, Cornelia Campbell, 40th dist., Ames. 

7, Floyd Eugene Woodworth, 77th dist., 
Miltonvale. 

8, Annie Senett Carr, 10th dist., Con- 
cordia. 

9, Harry Christ Hanson, 19th dist., Con- 
cordia. 

10, Grace Hauck, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 

11, Koscie Perry, 07th dist.. Miltonvale. 

12, Jane Louise Bevan, X7th dist., Con- 
cordia. 



•38 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



No. 13, William Benson Morgan, 40th dist., 
Ames. 

14, Gertrude Wall, 65th dist., Jamestown. 

15, Loretto Murray, 32d dist.. Jamestown. 
10. Lenna Perry, D7th dist., Miltonvale. 

17, Lulu Price, 80th dist., Hollis. 

18, Nora Bennett, With dist., Macyville. 

10, Rachael Ellen Rogers, 4th dist., Con- 
cordia. 

20, Florence Covey, 24th dist., Miltonvale. 

21, Etta Mann, 32d dist., Jamestown. 

22, Estella Fry, 20th dist., Miltonvale. 

23, Vera Spahr, 32d dist., lamestown. 

24, Mary Myrtle Montgomery, 32d dist., 
Jamestown. 

25, Anna Robinson, 33d dist,, Jamestown. 

26, Carl Francis Cutshaw, 25th dist., 

Jamestown. 

Those making the three highest averages 
were as follows: 

Lulu Jordan, 87 8-9 per ceut. 
Roy Hauck, 87 5-9 per ceut. 
Jacob Hyson Moore, 87 per cent. 

Class of 1898. 

No. 1, Ludwig Erwin Katterfeld, 45th dist., 
Delphos. 

2, Winfred Henry Ansdell, 32d dist., 

Jamestown. 

3, Dillie Gertrude Park, 77th dist., Mer- 

edith. 

4, Flora Bray, 32d dist., Jamestown. 

5, Mary Etta McClellan, 68th dist., 

Glasco. 
0, Lizzie Ferguson, 48th dist., Milton- 
vale. 

7, Emma McCall. 32d dist., Jamestown. 

8, Delia Brooks. 32d dist., Jamestown. 

9, Mary Josephine Mahon, 27th dist., 

Hollis. 
' 10, Eva Eliza Fletcher, 43d dist., Glasco. 

11, Arthur Lewis Gates, 73d dist., Scotts- 

ville. 

12, Wiliam Arthur Ion, 32d dist., James- 

town. 

13, Alice Ainsworth, 5th dist., Glasco. 

14, Lillie Coombs, 23d dist,, Heber. 

15, James Mahon, 27th dist. 

16, Alice Coombs, 23d dist. 

17, Florence Fulmer, 33d 

town. 

18, Guy Thaddeus Morris, 

Glasco. 

19, Frederick Augustus Thompson, 50th 

dist., Aurora. 
2n, Lela Mose Austin, 24th dist., Milton- 
vale. 

21, Ina Ellen Fry, 2(ith dist., Miltonvale. 

22, Charles Jenson, 93d dist., Concordia. 

1 I Ellen Virginia Hare, 45th dist., Del- 

Those making the three highest averages 
were as follows 

wig Erwin Katterfield, 89 8-9 percent. 
Henrj Vnsdell, 89 4-9 percent. 

rude Park, S,", 6-9 per cent. 



Hollis. 
Heber. 
dist., James- 

45th dist., 



Class of 1899. 

Two days' time are now given to the ex- 
amination in place of one. First day's work 
includes orthography, reading, writing, geog- 
raphy and physiology; second day's work, 
arithmetic, grammar, government and history, 



No. 1, 

2 

" 3, 

" 4, 



8, 


lo, 
11, 

12 

13 

14, 
I.", 
10 
17, 
ix, 
111 
20, 
21 
22 
23 
24, 

25 
20 



28, 
29, 
30, 
31, 
32 
33 
34, 
35 
30 
37, 
38 



Delbert Rasmussen, 29th di^t., Vmes, 

John Doyen, 8th dist., Rice. 

Dencie French, 65th dist, Jamestown. 

James Garlow, 21st dist., Rice. 

lToyd John, 46th dist., Glasco. 

Agnes Burbank, 92d dist., Miltonvale 

Alice Christenson, 05th dist., Jami 
town. 

Grace Lepley, 23d dist., Heber. 

Mamie Brown, 24th dist., Miltonvale. 

Mabel Swift, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 

Clara Newland, 91st dist., Miltonvale, 

Clara Campbell 87th dist., Com ordi i 

Lizzie Fry, 20th dist., Miltonvale. 

Arden Haiders, m 5th dist., Glasco. 

Kate Bevan, 87th dist., Concordia. 

Mary Anderson, 93d dist., Jamestown. 

Ella Koster. 97th dist.. Miltonvale. 

George Stoner, 76th dist., Rice. 

Margaret Bevan, 87th dist. , Concordia. 

Carrie Smith, 97th dist,, Miltonvale 

FZthel Holton, 97th (list., Miltonvale. 

Hugh Jordan, 9th dist., Meredith. 

Stella Jordan, 9th dist., Meredith 

Benjamin Halderman, 03d dist.. Mer- 
edith. 

Oscar Pfeiffer. 29th dist., Ames. 

Fred Bumgardner, 77th dist.. Mer- 
edith. 

Myrtle Axley, 5th dist., Glasco. 

Fay French, 05th dist., Jamestown. 

Belva Jordan, 9th dist., Meredith. 

Lottie Bramwell, 21st dist., Rii e. 

Golden Everley, 40th dist., Glasco. 

Archie Rice, 45th dist., Delphos. 

Frank Pilcher, 45th dist., Delphos. 

George Minard, 04th dist., Halfway. 

Josie Austin, 24th dist., Miltonvale. 

Mary Robinson, 33d dist,, Jamestown. 

Ralph Avery, 10th dist., Concordia. 

Letitia Marshall, 1st dist., Ames. 



Those making the three highest averages 
were as follows. 

Delbert Rasmussen, 92 2-9 per cent. 
John Doyen, 92 per cent. 
Dencie French, 90 7-9 per cent. 



Class of 1900. 



No. 



1, Electa Rasmussen, 29th dist., Ames. 

2, Margaret Shrader, 87th dist., Con- 

cordia. 

3, John Lewis, 9th dist., Meredith. 

4, Mabel Jones, 9th dist., Meredith. 

5, Emery Thomas, 50th dist., Aurora. 

6, Gertrude Jones. 99th dist., Concordia. 

7, Bert Barber, 97th dist., Miltonvale, 

8, Ad Rogers, 08th dist., Glasco. 

9, Florence McCall, 19th dist., Concordia. 
10, Howard Everley, 46th dist.] Glasco. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



•39 



No. 11, 
12, 
13, 
14, 

15, 
16, 
17, 
18, 
19, 
20, 
21, 
22, 
23, 
24, 
25. 
26, 
27, 
28, 
29, 
30, 
31, 
::■-'. 
33, 

34, 

35, 
36, 
37, 

38, 
39, 
40, 
41. 
42, 
43, 
44, 
45, 
46, 
47, 

48, 
49, 

50, 
51, 
52, 
53, 



Fay Day, 95th dist. , Concordia. 

Bessie Peet, 63d dist., Delphos. 

Mena Benoit, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 

Ida Rasmussen, 29th dist.. Ames. 

Hollo Rogers, 68th dist., Glasco. 

Roy Barnum, 63d dist., Delphos. 

James Freeborn, 40th dist., Ames. 

Emma Hanson, 19th dist., Concordia. 

Anna Buckley, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 

Rolland Jones, 9th dist., Meredith. 

Pansy Gray, 42d dist., Glasco. 

Cora Cummings, 29th dist.. Ames. 

Grace Wade, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 

James Forshee, 75th dist., Concordia. 

Lessie Dutton, 7th dist., Miltonvale. 

Clara Bogue, 33d dist., Jamestown. 

Louie Buckland, 63d dist., Meredith. 

Edgar Rice, 45th dist., Delphos. 

George Hussey, 5th dist,, Glasco. 

Frank Hanson, 19th dist., Concordia. 

Guy Harrington. 79th dist., Concordia. 

John Brooks, 83d dist.. Graves. 

Homer McCqwen, 99th dist., Con- 
cordia. 

Gordon Bourne. 63d dist., Delphos. 

Charles Winters. 83d dist., Graves. 

Roy Townsdin, 8th dist., Concordia. 

Blanche Christenson. 65th dist., James- 
town. 

George Czapanskiy. 1st dist. , Ames. 

Clarence Chritton, 38th dist., Graves. 

Francis Anderson, 4th dist., Concordia. 

Maude Hussey, 5th dist., Glasco. 

Lewis Munger, 10th dist., Hollis. 

Maude Cunningham, 43d dist., Glasco. 

Nellie Cooper, 75th dist., Concordia. 

Frank Sorgatz, 75th dist., Concordia. 

Robert Jones, 99th dist., Concordia. 

Fred Dutton, 1 C. & R. dist., Con- 
cordia. 

Arthur Gould, 32d dist., Concordia. 

Genevieve Murray, 32d dist., James- 
town. 

Ollie McKellar, 32d dist., Jamestown. 

Ada Dwyer, 32d dist., Jamestown. 

Florence Nelson. 32d dist. , Jamestown. 

Clarence Hartwell, 32d dist., James- 
town. 



Those making the three highest averages 
were as follows: 

Electa Rasmussen, 92 1-9 per cent. 
Margaret Shrader, 9! 7-9 per cent. 
John Lewis, 90 4-9 per cent. 

Class of 1901. 

By reason of some schools closing earlier 
than others, two dates were given this year. 

No. 1, Clara Butler, 47th dist., Glasco. 

2, Daisy Duff, 75th dist., Concordia. 

3, Eva Jordan, 22d dist., Glasco. 

4, Charles Park, 77th dist., Heber. 

5, Lena Ledig, 56th dist., Aurora. 

6, Edward Finley, 10th dist., Hollis. 

7, Raymond Yount, 77th dist., Meredith. 

8, Frank Ijames, 37th dist., Aurora. 

9, Ona Stone, 5th dist., Glasco. 



No. 10, 
11, 
12, 
13, 
14, 
15, 
16, 
17, 
18, 
19, 
20, 
21, 
22 
23,' 
24, 

25, 
26. 
27. 
28, 
29, 
30, 
31, 
32, 

33, 
34, 
35, 
36, 
37, 



Olive P. Sims. 16th dist., Concordia. 

Sarah Boyer. 50th dist.. Concordia. 

Welborn Pitner, 47th dist.. Glasco. 

Vernon Thurston, 63d dist., Delphos. 

Ella Everley, 45th dist., Delphos. 

Charles Shelton, 10th dist., Aurora. 

Helen Wade, 59th dist., Ames. 

Dora Shell, 100th dist., Glasco. 

Neal Sage, 47th dist., Delphos. 

Clara King, 46th dist., Glasco. 

Roy Phelps, 62d dist., Miltonvale. 

James A. Latham, 63d dist., Delphos. 

Harry Ijames, 37th disl., Aurora. 

Charles Funk, 32ddist.. Jamestown. 

Julia Dutton, J. 1 C. & R. dist.. Con- 
cordia. 

Cecil Barnum, 63d dist., Delphos. 

Raymond Acton, 79th dist.. Concordia. 

Willie Pilcher, 46th dist., Glasco. 

Claude Moore, 45th dist., Delphos. 

Mabel Hedges, 32d dist., Jamestown. 

Maud Bell, 46th dist., Glasco. 

Ida Smith, 40th dist., Ames. 

Anna Amspacker, 81st dist.. James- 
town. 

Florence Smith, 7th dist.. Miltonvale. 

Lizzie Swartz, Kith dist., Concordia. 

Grace Saline, 94th dist., Concordia. 

Fred Kasl. J. 1 dist., Concordia. 

Donald Wade, 59th dist.. Ames. 



Those making the three highest averages 
were as follows: 

Clara Butler, 92 2-9 per cent. 
Daisy Duff, 92 2-9 per cent. 
Eva Jordan, 89 1-3 per cent. 
Charles Park, 88 1-2 percent. 



N 



1, 



8, 
9, 
10, 
11, 
12, 
13, 



Amelia Folkers, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 

Minnie Baldwain, 34th dist., James- 
town. 

Eva Gould, 34th dist., Jamestown. 

Mary Lyne, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 

Ethel McKee, 32d dist. , Jamestown. 

Winnie Carpenter, 32d dist., James- 
town. 

Mabel demons, 32d dist., Jamestown. 

May McBride, 32d dist., Jamestown. 

Louella Peaney, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 

Ivor Ion, 32d dist.. Jamestown. 

Addie Ramsey, 32d dist., Jamestown. 

Mamie Linton, 32d dist., Jamestown. 

Dello Minor, 32d dist., Jamestown. 

14, Joseph Anderson, 97th dist.. Milton- 

vale. 

15, Elmer Myers, 80th dist., Hollis. 

16, Lizzie Bogue, 32d dist., Jamestown. 

17, Carrie Strain, 32d dist., Jamestown. 

18, Mabel Garlow, 21st dist., Rice. 

19, Richard Ansdell, 32ddist. , Jamestown. 

20, Olive Nixon. 33d dist., Jamestown. 

21, Charles Adams, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 

22, M. Elsie Hall. 97th dist., Miltonvale. 

23, Ivy Chartier, 29th dist., Ames. 
21, Lillie Eye, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 

'-'5, Grace Hedges, 32d dist., Jamestown. 

26, Homer Robinson, 33d dist., James- 

town. 

27, Harry Neill, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 



140 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. KANSAS. 



No. 1 



No. 28, John McKelvey, 38th dist., Miltonvale. 
Those making the three highest averages 
were as follows : 

Amelia Folkers, 01 6-8 per cent. 

Minnie Baldwin, 92 2-9 per cent. 

Eva Gould, 90 4-8 per cent. 

Class of 1902. 

Lucy Dutton, 1 C. & R. dist.. Con- 
cordia. 

2, Frank Neel, 1 C. & R. dist., Con- 
cordia. 

3, Morris Rogers, 3d dist., Clyde. 

4, Ferd Prince, . r )th dist.. Glasco. 

5, Anna Henning, 5th dist., Glasco. 

6, Frank Olson, ">th dist., Glasco. 

7, Lois Baker, 5th dist., Glasco. 

8, Cedric Converse, 5th dist., Glasco. 

9, John Emick, 7th dist., Miltonvale. 

10, Marion Dutton, 7th dist., Miltonvale. 

11, John Hayden, 8th dist., Concordia. 

12, George Savage, 9th dist., Meredith. 

13, Willie Goernandt, 13th dist., Ames. 
1 i Frank Shaffer, 10th dist., Concordia. 

15, Anne McLean, 16th dist., Concordia. 

16, Joseph Cool, 10th dist.. Concordia. 

17, Ruby Clark, 16th dist., Concordia, 
is, Hattie Hughes, 10th dist., Concordia. 

19, Delia Brownell, 19th dist.. Concordia. 

20, Grace Fry, 29th dist., Miltonvale, 

21, Daniel Mahon, 27th dist., Clyde. 

22, Irene Brennan, 27th dist., Jamestown. 
23 Maggie McBride,32d dist., Jamestown. 

24. Elsie Mann, 32d dist., Jamestown. 

25, Carrie Montgomery, 32d dist., James- 
town. 

20, Frances Owen, 32d dist., Jamestown. 

27, Florence Gould. 32d dist., Jamestown. 

28, Leota Williams, 32d dist.. Jamestown. 

29, Blanche Cutshaw, 32d dist., James- 
town. 

30, Captolia Fell, 32d dist., Jamestown. 

31, Gloria McBrlde, 32d dist., Jamestown. 

32, Frances Williams, 32d dist., James- 
town. 



No. 33, 

1 34, 

" 35, 

36, 

::; 
" 38, 
" 39, 

" 40, 

1 41, 
" 42, 
" 43, 

" 44, 
" 45, 

" 40, 

i; 

1 |S, 

" 49, 

'■ 50. 

" 51, 

" 53, 

■• .->::. 

1 51. 

1 55, 

" 50, 

" 57, 

• ' 58, 

" 59, 

" CH, 

" 01, 

" 02, 

•' 63, 

" 04, 

" 65 
'• 00 



Seamon Skoglund, 83d disl I imi 

town. 
Harriet Kocher, 38th dist., Graves, 
Viola Want, 10th dist., Ames. 
Annie Olson. I'M dist.. GlasCO 
Anton Sparwasser, 42ddist., ('.la., o 
Frank Harper. 43d dist.. Gl ■ 
Francis Hurley, 17 th dist., Glasco. 
Rose Butler, lith dist., Glasco. 
Agnes Dillon, 47th dist., Gl.i < 
Madgi Boyer, 50th dist., Concoi 
Clarence Watson, 55th dist., Milton- 
vale. 
Bessie Franks, 58th disl < Ha « 
Nellie Goft. 58th dist.. Glasco. 

Margaret Cunningham 88th di il 

Glasco. 
Bessie Bishop. 68th dist., Glasco. 
Marie Stein, 77tn dist., Meredith. 
Laura Jones, 80th dist, llollis. 
Percy Petitt, 80th dist.. Mollis. 
Etuth Petitt, 80th dist.. Mollis, 
(vrus Anderson, 80th dist., Mollis. 
Rosa Speer, 80th (list.. Mollis. 
Frances Dewell, slst dist., Concordia. 
Lulu Campbell, S7th diet., Concordia. 
Verna Brooks, 91st dist., Miltonvale. 
Birdie Smith. 97th dist., Miltonvale. 
Genevieve Moses. 97th dist., Milton 

vale. 
, Katie Barber, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 
Winnie Young, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 
Mabel Evans, 97th dist.. Miltonvale. 
Lloyd Hunt, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 
George Shay, 97th dist Miltonvale. 
Maude Gilchrist, 97th dist., Milton- 
vale. 
Abbie Merrill, 103d dist., Meredith. 
John Springsted, 104th dist., Aurora. 



Those making the three highest averages 
were as follows 

Frank Neel, 92 2-9 per cent. 
Anne McLean, 90 2-9 per cent. 
John Hayden, 89 2-3 per cent. 
Willie Goernandt, 89 2-3 per cenl. 



PHENOMENA AND 1DIOSVN CRACIES. 

Phenomena and idiosyncracies of Kansas, as furnished by the various 
old settlers, is of mure than passing interest. 

In [869, the eastern part of Cloud county changed from buffalo grass 

to blue joint and sage grass. These new grasses marched forward each 

sncc© rig year, the buffalo grass disappearing as they advanced, but it 

erved if the blue joint pastures were over-stocked the land would 

go back to buffalo grass again and presumably would stay there for all 

if sufficiently pastured and tramped. 

In 1870 Doctor Laughlin's (Clyde) farm was covered with buffalo 
grass, A'ith n, 1 other kind of vegetation to be found. A black-glove could 
have Wen seen from the western line on any part of his land. The follow- 
ing year. 1871, a thousand sheep could have been hidden from view on the 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 141 

same ground by the heavy growth of blue joint. Buffalo grass will stand 
more drouth than any of the grasses and its very existence seems to depend 
upon abuse, over-taxation and tramping. When the millions of buffalo 
were driven back it sickened and died, other grasses taking its place. It 
seems to flourish under oppression, to wither and perish under civilization. 
Most of the old settlers of Cloud county have observed another strange 
freak in tine pastures which succeeded the buffalo grass. If the prairie were 
burned over in February or March, it would l)e covered with sage grass, 
if burned in May it would be covered with blue joint, no difference which 
grass covered the prairie the previous year. If ground covered with sage 
grass were burned over in May it would be covered with blue joint, but if 
burned in March it would be covered with the same kind of grass burned- 
sage grass. This phenomena is most remarkable when we consider that 
the two grasses are entirely different species. 

In 1870, there was a well dug on Doctor Laughlin's farm fifty-four 
feet deep. This year his land was covered with buffalo grass and scarcely 
any other kind of plant growth could be found. The following year thirty 
four distinct varieties were found upon the excavated dirt from the well. 
This vegetation was minature, four to six inches in length, mostly vines 
covered with small blossoms from one-sixteenth to one-fourth of an inch 
in diameter, white and blue being the only colors represented. Earth 
exhumed from a great depth will grow the same differentiated varieties 
now as then. 

It was also observed in the early settlement of the country that lands 
of the same fertility and inspiring would vary in production from six to 
twelve bushels per acre, depending upon the time and depth of breaking. 
Deep breaking would fall short in production from twelve to fifteen bushels, 
and no one seems to know why a few days difference in plowing will make 
quite a difference in the yield per acre. 

Mr. Payer states that his boy stopped plowing on account of an 
approaching storm and resumed plowing the next day. The difference in 
the vield could be seen to the- very furrow where he stopped before the 
storm. Almost every farmer has noticed that a very few days difference 
in planting his crop will make a great difference in the yield. 

Doctor Laughlin experimented with, dynamite in the interest of horti- 
culture in 1887. It was thought when the ground was frozen to its greatest 
depth would be the best time for the experiment, hence the last of Febru- 
ary was chosen. Holes were bored from two to eight feet deep and from 
two to eight ounces of dynamite was used in each, one ounce to the foot 
being the rule. It was discovered that a hole three feet deep (just under 
the frozen ground) with three ounces of dynamite immediately after explo- 
sion would take in over one hundred gallons of water, the ground being 
broken up from five to eight feet in every direction. For many miles around 
the farmers came to see the experiment, and from among them was chosen 
a committee, which reported favorably, stating in their report there was no 



■ 42 HISTORY OF (LOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

doubt Imi thai dynamiting of the ground would be of immense value in 
tree planting, and ii applied when frozen to the depth of two feet it would 
be of still greater value in agriculture, the cosl being about fourteen dollars 
pei acre, using one charge to a rod square. Bui for orchard planting the 
ground should be frozen to its greatesl deptli ;m<l the cost per tree of dyna 
milium would be from two and one half to four cents, 

PETRIFIED n RTL1 

During the earl) settlemenl of the country "Greenback" Williams, oi 
Buffalo township, operated a tone quarr) in Jewell count) and burned lime 
i"i the settlers. Imbedded among the stone were numerous petrified turtles 
ol various sizes, often times aggregating a wagon load in enough material 
to bum a kiln iif lime. They seemed to have gathered in tliat particular 
locality in schools, for there were hundreds of them. The) had beer 
deposited there in anothei era, for the ground is high and remote I i any 

I I ralll 

BONES IN \ STU \ l \ ol Km K, 

When digging a well on tin- original homestead of a niece "i William 

II Page, the fan w known as the Richardson place, they found at a 

depth of aboul nine feel In-low the surface in a strata of soft sandstone the 
short rib bones ol what was supposed n be those of an animal imbedded 
in the lock 

PETRIFIED l Is 1 1. 
In llie lallei part of July, 1.S7J, W. Day, who lived ten miles north- 

ivi 1 oi Concordia, and some lured assistants were digging a cistern, when 
they came 111 contact with a large rock, which, being a hindrance to the 

1 jeding oi their work, the) attempted to remove it. Failing to loosen 

or make any impression upon the stone they examined it more closely, when 
they discovered the quality of rock was of a different character from what 
the) had previously found, and proceeded to break it in pieces m order to 
remove it moo easily. \ moment latei one of the workmen gave venl to 

an exclamation of surprise, which brought the others to his side, whereupon 

■ i clearl) outlined the petrified fins of a fish on the side of the rock. After 

displacing the lone they fitted tin- pieces together and found the matter to 
i thai measured eighl feel in length and six feel around the 

bi 1 1 

ill E SIROCCO, ok no 1 w [NDS, 

\ remarkable phenomena is connected with the hot winds of Kansas. 
ometimes designated « trical storms, which no scientist has ever Keen able 

plain, In a field ol com that is practically of the same level, and the 

1 ,!l uniform in growth, alternate n,ws of ten or fifteen will he blasted, 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 143 

burned beyond recovery, while the intervening tract will be unharmed. 
Nicholas French and his son Markel were plowing one windy day when an 
irregular tract was mown to the earth by one of the so-called electrical 
winds, while other parts of the field were not affected whatever. 

WALNUT LOG FOUND AT A DEPTH OF TWF.XTY-EIGHT FEET. 

A company was formed in the 'seventies for the purpose of investigat- 
ing the salt veins in the marsh. When down at a depth of about twenty- 
eight feet they struck a walnut log in a good state of preservation. The 
circumstance is more peculiar because of the fact there was not a walnut 
tree within a radius of several miles from this point. When down about 
sixty-seven feet they encountered a strong flowing vein which was too salty 
for drinking, but would not yield a large enough per cent for manufactur- 
ing purposes. The water continues to flow. The well is on the farm of 
C. N. Baldwin, who dug a well about thirty rods from the one mentioned 
and found an excellent quality of fresh water at a depth of ten feet. 
In the early days of Kansas the settlers' wives cured their cucumbers for 
table use in the brine from the salt marsh. 

DROUTH OF 187O. 

During the summer of 1870, when not a ton of hay could be cut in a 
whole township on the uplands, although not accompanied with hot winds, 
the cattle, what few there were, comparatively speaking, were never fatter. 
The dry grass was full of nutriment and the stock preferred it to the new 
grasses just coming up out of the earth or that which was three to five inches 
high in the sloughs. 

RAGWEED. 

The perennial ragweed is a native of Kansas and grows rampantly 
everywhere but the annual plant was not known in this locality until about 
ten years ago. It was in all probability brought into the country with other 
seeds or cereals. The dandelion and other plants were introduced in a similar 
manner. 

CLOUD COUNTY PtONEER ASSOCIATION. 

This association was organized in 1895. In the beginning the intention 
was to include the old timers of the townships of Aurora, Colfax, Oakland 
and Nelson. They held several reunions, which were very enjoyable 
and served to keep fresh in the memory and keep alive the ties of friendship 
formed when the country was new and sparsely settled, and when all were 
neighbors within a radius of many miles. 

The board of officials were W. M. Durkee, of Aurora; W. C. Campbell. 
Colfax township; H. R. Honey, Concordia, and Mrs. Evelyn Bradford. The 



144 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

last meeting- was held in Oakland township on Pipe creek, in 1900, at Cable's 
grove, one and one-half miles smith of Aurora. The grove was decorated 
with patriotic symbols, mottoes and antique furniture. The address of we! 
come was delivered by that old veteran and pioneer. J. E. Burkhart. Will- 
iam Durkee was elected president for the ensuing year, and J. E. Burkhart, 
secretary. 

In 1885 J. M. Hagaman took initiatory measures in moving for an old 
settlers' reunion and suggested they celebrate July 3rd of that year as a 
beginning of a permanent organization. None of these organizations were 
of permanent duration. 

It was for several years a custom prevalent over the state to prepare 
a local history of the county to he read on July 4, and published in various 
newspapers, and upon an occasion of this kind, July 4. 1876, Eugene Ware 
(the well known Kansas poet) read the following poem: 

"He who lived in Kansas, though he roam. 
Can find no other spot and call it home. 
As Ingalls says, the Kansas man may stray. 
May live, perchance depart or go away. 
In short, may roam, but be it anywhere, 
He must return if he can raise the fare. 

On July Fourth we always float the flag, 

And push the old bald eagle from the crag; 

Fly him the length and breadth of this fair land. 

From the Penobscot to the Rio Grand. 

Then without rest we quickly start him on 

A trip from Florida to Oregon. 

Then bring him back and boost him to the sky. 

And let him stay there till the next July. 

O, grand old bird ! o'er many a wearv mile 
They've made you sail in oratoric style, 
While fledgling speakers in refulgant prose 
Capped many a gorgeous climax as you arose. 
To-day our choicest colors are unfurled; 
Soar up, proud bird, and circle round the world, 
And we predict that nowhere will you find 
A place like Kansas, that you left behind." 

THE YOUNG MENS REPUBLICAN CLUB OF CLOUD COUNTY. 

Clo -ity has a miniature "Kansas Day Club," with headquarters 

in Concordia. It is along the same lines as the state organization. It is a 
young men's Republican club. Sidney H. Knapp has reason to be proud 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



i45 



of the fact that he is the instigator and organizer of this club. F. W. Sturges, 
son of Judge Sturges, of Concordia, is president, and Sidney H. Knapp, 
of Clyde, secretary and treasurer. 

They arrange that the principal speakers at their banquets shall be 
natives of the county. There is a similar club in Dickinson county ; this and 
the one in Cloud county are the only organizations of this kind at present, 
but it is presumed others will follow. 

They gave a banquet March 26, 1902, to about four hundred people. 
which was one of the most elaborate functions ever given in Concordia, and 
in fact few functions excel it in the state. Fred Sturges. Jr.. was toast- 
master and to his untiring efforts and good management credit is due for 
the success of the banquet. The speeches made were as follows: "A Few 



Remarks 



Governor Stanley; "The Young Man in Politics." Charles A. 
Case ; "Our Sister County," C. A. Kimball ; 
"Concerning Cloud County." Albert T. 
Reid; The Concordia Male Quartet; "The 
Backbone of the Nation," O. E. Hardesty; 
"Why Should a Young Man Be in Politics," 
Doctor J. L. Kirby; "Political Manhood," 
J. B. Wood: "Kansas." Senator Burton, the 
latter coming all the way from Washington, 
District of Columbia, to attend this occasion. 

One of the notable features of this ban- 
quet was the absence of wine. The menu 
card was headed with the following quota- 
tion : "Some food we have and some water 
fresh." 

The object of the organization is to 
promote Republicanism and to call together 
in a social way the young Republicans of 
Cloud county. 

THE PIKE MONUMENT. 

The Pike monument commemorates the 
place and event where Colonel Zebulon 
Pike, while on his return from Mexico, 
raised the American flag, the first stars and 
stripes that ever floated over Kansas soil. 

The cornerstone was placed with cere- 
monial rites by the Grand Lodge, Free and 
Accepted Masons, under the auspices of Bellville Lodge No. 120. July 
4. 1901. The unveiling of the monument occurred the following 29th 
of September, just ninety-five years from the day Colonel Pike displayed the 
fair standard of American liberty on Pawnee rock, the site of the Pawnee 
Indian village in Republic county. 




The Tike Monument. 



146 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION. 

Cloud county once had a prosperous County Fair Association. The 
society was organized in 1883. A considerable sum of money was expended 
in fitting up the grounds thai the agricultural and mechanical products might 
he shown to good advantage, h was a commendable institution ami flour 
ished several years. Competent and reliable men were in charge and the 
people from all over the surrounding country took an appreciable interest. 
The grounds, which were situated near Concordia, afforded one ol the best 
race tracks in northwest Kansas. The advantages of the state .1^ a produc- 
tive and stock raising country were sent abroad and did much to convince 
eastern people, who entertained grave doubts about even the civilization of 
the state, that Kansas had no superior in the west. 




Washington Street in Concordia During the Flood. 



THE FLOOD OF .H'XC, IQ02. 



During' the latter part of the month of June, 1902, scores of fields adja- 
cent to the rivers and creeks were submerged under water caused by the 
heavy and continued rainfalls, seriously damaging the corn and many of the 
wheal fields. As the injured grain ripened the fields were in such a muddy 
condition it was impossible in many instances to garner the grain. Both the 

iblican and Solomon rivers were higher than they had been known for 
the illustrations given will testify, and in July, 1902, the Republican 
was reported to have been higher than ever before in the history of the coun- 
try, reaching a width of four miles in some localities. The tracks of the 
er branch of the Missouri Pacific Railway, near Yuma, about four 
miles « l ioncordia, were under water for several miles and hundreds o( 

yards of track was washed out. 




View from South Sidz 07 West Bridge Over the Solcmon River. 




View from South Side of East Bridge Over the Solomon River. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



149 



Many farmers living in the lowlands were compelled to ilee to the 
uplands for safety; many of them losing stock. Some of the harvesting had 
been finished; some of the grain was unripe, owing to a late season, drouth, 
etc., and a machine did not enter the field. The young and growing corn that 
had given such rare promise of a plentiful harvest was greatly injured, some 








"5 








- — 




4 


J2f 


^Bl i^ti l 




■ ^^^' 


^K^'^^i" fi&] 





On the Santa Fe Railway, near Oneonta. 



Republican River near Clyde. 



places totally. The watermelon growers in the vicinity of Clyde were heav} 
losers of their crop of melons, which gave indications of an unprecedented 
yield a few weeks before. The farmer who lives on the upland in a year like 
this can witness his broad acres of wheat or his great fields of corn, the stocks 
of which are burdened with long ears of well-filled corn, and feel it is good 
to live on the upland prairie. 



The cut on page 148 is a 



view o 



f the "Bridge" road (taken July 9), 



looking - south from the Missouri Pacific railway crossing, between Shorer's 
and Fessenden's farms, during the recent high water — the highest the Repub- 
lican river has been during the past twenty-rive years — at, which time and 
place the river was nearly two miles wide. It also illustrates how one of 
Clyde's principal business men overcame the obstacle presented in the 
obstruction of communication. Mr. C. F. Armstrong makes the proud 
claim that he has never, for any reason, closed down any of his skimming 
stations, and never proposes to as long as his patrons will furnish him any milk. 
During this time the Como (Mulberry) station was receiving from twelve 
thousand to fifteen thousand pounds of milk daily. The cream from this 
milk, together with that from Huscher and Concordia, was brought to the 
south side of Fessenden's farm, from whence it was successfully transported 
across the river in a boat, necessitating many trips and much arduous and 
dangerous labor. Each load had to be pulled by hand over the Missouri 
Pacific railway, but as the tops of the rails were only a few inches above the 
general surface of the river, this was not the most difficult part of the work. 
10 



HISTORY 



OF THE 



CITY OF CONCORDIA. 



The city of Concordia is situated in the immediate valley of the Repub- 
lican river, at the liase of a range of hills to the south upon which have been 
erected many handsome dwelling's, whose occupants enjoy one of the most 
beautiful panoramic views on the continent. On the north side is the river, 
which is bordered by fine cottonwood trees, and its broad valley stretches 
far to the east and west of the city. 

Perhaps no one man is so much entitled to the credit of founding Con- 
cordia as |. M. Hagaman. lie conceived the idea and selected the town site 
where he has resided and lives at the present time, and whose face i^ as famil- 
iar to Cloud county people as the head of the Goddess of Liberty on the Amer- 
ican dollar. 

The plan of locating the county seat on the Republican river was CO ex- 
istent with Mr. fiagaman's advent into the county in i860, and he never let 
an opportunity escape to push the project. To aid this enterprise he opened 
a road at his own personal expense to Junction City and secured the survey 
over this line in 1864 of a state road from that city. The sixty-fourth mile- 
post 1 a red sand rock) lies buried on his old homestead by the river bridge. 
Mr. Hagaman explains the seemingly short distance by saying: "In order 
to make it appear they were not so very far distant from the outside world, 
he had the surveyor, A. C. Pierce, of Junction City, stretch the gunter's 
chain," that is, threw in ten links now and again and sometimes oftener. 
This was done to secure a good road to Junction City and avoid the dangers 
and hardships in going to market. He reasoned that without the county seat 
and an important town, never would be heard the locomotives shrill whistle 
on the south side of the Republican river. 

Is it any wonder that his neighbors smiled at his talk, when the buffalo 
bulls were making the hills, valleys and plains melodious with their bellow- 
ing, .and the wolves making night hideous with their bloodthirsty bowlings, 
in the very dooryards of the settlers. 

Mr. i lagaman built the first house on the town site with his own hands. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 151 

He built for G. W. Andrews the second, projected the court house and 
donated more funds toward it than all the other parties with the exception of 
G. W. Andrews. Mr. Hagaman located land on which a part of the town 
stands and induced Mr. Andrews to locate one hundred and sixty acres 
adjoining his on the south, the prospective town being the inducement held 
out to Andrews. This was in August, 1868. In 1866 he had secured the per- 
manent location of the county seat two miles east of the present site. 

THE COUNTY SEAT SKIRMISH. 

In the summer of 1866, the population being sufficient, Mr. Hagaman 
prepared a petition to the governor, the Honorable S. J. Crawford, praving 
him to issue a proclamation declaring the county organized. He presented 
the petition personally; the prayer was granted, election of officers and the 
present location of the county seat ordered. 

He had named in the petition Clyde as the temporary county seat; his 
object being to mislead the people of that village, who not only desired to get 
the temporary seat but the permanent one as well. Naming Clyde disarmed 
the opposition to the organization of the county. He was somewhat per- 
plexed over a suitable name and after casting about for a time decided on 
naming it "Townsdin's Point." Mr. W. S. Townsdin had taken a claim just 
west of Oak Creek and not far east of the center of the county, 
where he intended the seat should be finally located; not caring- as 
Mr. Hagaman archly remarked, "if afterward the point were found to be in 
the moon." his sole purpose being to keep Clyde from getting the vote. 

Election day came, and Cowel, the Clyde merchant, went to Sibley to 
tell the dozen or so of voters how to cast their ballots on the county seat. Mr. 
JIaganian went, and some one in the crowd was heard to remark ''and Satan 
came also." He looked over the poll-book, so-called, and found it very defec- 
tive, a jug of whiskey sitting on the floor near the judges' table, and the 
judges and clerks fully "three sheets in the wind." Mr. Hagaman went home 
fully satisfied that precinct would not be counted — and it was not. 

The commissioners appointed by the governor to complete the organiza- 
tion of the county were George Wilcox, Dr. Henry Lear and Moses Heller, 
with X. D. Hagaman for clerk and "Elk Creek" for the county seat. It 
may seem strange to have a creek selected for the county seat, but there was 
no land deeded at that time and "Elk Creek" was then generally known to be 
around "Lncle Heller's" place. 

These commissioners were recommended in the petition and all lived on 
the north side of the river except the clerk. The commissioners could not be 
got together to canvass the vote. Finally the clerk wrote the secretary of 
state to know what to do .about it. He replied to make and remit to him an 
affidavit of the facts and he would authorize N. D. Hagaman to canvass them. 
They were advised of this and still would not meet. The order of the secre- 
tary came: the clerk set the day to canvass, of which the opposition was noli- 



1 52 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

tied, but none appeared. The clerk funnel that "Townsdin's Point" has a 
majority of the legal votes and he declared il the permanent count} seal oi 
"Shirley comity." 

Had Clyde been given the county seat. Concordia would never have 
existed. As a matter of course nothing was ever done at "Townsdin's Point," 
nor was there ever intended to be. The object was to keep the count) seal 
from Clyde, and prevent the growth and prestige the permanent location 
of the county seat would give. 

Nothing more was done about the location of the county seal until 
[869. In the summer of that year a sprightly town sprung up at Sibley 
and was named for the lake that bears that name. A. A. Camahan had 
a quarter section upon which a portion of the town was located and <>l 
course wanted the county seat there C. M. Albhison was the soul of this 
enterprise and A. A. Carnahan the brains. 

COUNTY SEAT \GITATION. 

The subject of re-locating the county seal began to he agitated that 
summer. The south side voters caused to he circulated the reporl that 
thev were opposed to the election which doubled the desire of the north 
side people for it. construing the unwillingness of the south side people to 
mean fear of the result. While not sanguine >>\ success they knew il was 
now or never, as the south side had a plurality of five votes with a Steady 
gain on the north side. 

Albinson was planning to colonize some voters, hut upon hearing that 
the hoard would throw his precinct out if it was found a single illegal vote 
were cast, he abandoned the scheme. No fairer or more honest elections 
were ever held than the two that finally settled the county seat at Concordia. 
On the first ballot Clyde was third in the race, which left Sibley and I on- 
cordia alone in the ring. The fight waged hot and tierce; report came thai 
Sibley was distributing town lots among voters. Mr. Hagaman .advised 
George Andrews to put one or two hundred lots in his pocket and go with 
them to Shirley and Clyde, which he did. Consequently the vote was very 
satisfactory in both places. 

Every vote south of the Republican river was for Concordia and the 
eighteen votes from Clyde gave her a big majority. There was sufficient 
reason for the Clyde property owners not voting for Sibley. Concordia 
would do them less barm. 

As Concordia grew, Sibley paled in the dim distance, her stores were 
deserted and her hotel, built at a cost of four thousand dollars, was aban- 
doned and went to ruin. The failure of Sibley brought ruin to J. T. Sw en- 
son, of Junction City, the financial backer of the adventure. C. M. Albin- 

md several others lost many of their ducats when the Sibley bubble 
bursted. Mr. Carnahan erected the fourth building in Concordia, but after- 
cast his lot with Sibley, the illusive future metropolis being partly 
on his land; hut prodigal like, he returned to Concordia. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 153 

The election on November 6, 1866, was an important one, inasmuch 
as the county seat question was involved in this contest; it was the north 
and the south side of the river, the north side concentrating' on Elk creek, 
the south side, a location situated on Oak creek. 

J. M. Hagaman, not satisfied with the action of the convention, 
claimed the right of applying to the people for their suffrage to the office 
of representative, so ran independent. The Elk precinct polled eighteen 
votes. Election over, the next thing was to canvass this vote by the first 
board of commissioners. 

Here hinges the most delicate part of this narrative, but to those who 
are inclined to censure, please bear in mind this election involved a county 
seat contest, which has been the cause — whether it came up in this state 
or any other state — of more crookedness and official corruption than many 
other causes combined. The officers were new and inexperienced, had no 
precedence before them to look to, nor had they that usful appendant, county 
attorney, to counsel, and as for legal documents, there were perhaps none 
in the county, with the exception of one copy of the compiled laws, in pos- 
session of 'Squire J. M. Thorp. 

The following statement was made by a person who was present at 
this attempted canvass and in substnnce is as follows: The board saw by 
the certified returns that William English was elected county commissioner 
and immediately had him sworn in. George Wilcox was then told his term 
of office expired, and there was nothing more for him to do, so he went 
home, which left Heller and English on the board. Robert J. Smith, the 
man from the Solomon valley, never qualified. 

An idea prevailed among the settlers of that day that where there was 
a tie on the board the clerk had a right to give the casting vote. This was 
an advantage to the friends of Oak creek, for the clerk was an Oak creek 
man ; so, on inspecting the returns from Sibley, they were thrown out because 
they were signed by the judge with a pencil, instead of written with ink. 
By doing this the majority of the vote cast was declared in favor of Oak 
Creek. 

After doing this, it seemed they adjourned. Mr. Heller, who opposed 
such action, refused to meet to finish the canvass. To show that there was 
a serious muddle, and the manner in which it was finally settled, we will 
submit the following extract of a report from the secretary of state: "Soon 
after the election I was informed by the county clerk of Shirley that the 
commissioners of said county had refused to canvass the vote of said county 
as provided by law. I immediately wrote to the clerk to canvass the vote 
and also to make an affidavit, setting forth all the facts, and forward the 
same to this office, which was done." 

To persons of to-day who are acquainted with such work it will puzzle 
them to know why this adjournment, when the whole could have l^een com- 
pleted almost in the next instant. Mr. Rtipe says that the only way he can 
account for it is that they must have thought they had to canvass the ballots 



i 5 4 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

as well as the certified returns, but even then it would have taken but a 
short time, as the vote was very light. The whole number of votes with 
the Sibley precinct thrown out (which is sai.l to be ten), according to the 
report of the secretary of state is forty-eight. Rather a small vote tor a 
county, but about four too many, as there were eighteen in Elk, twenty- 
two in Shirley, four in Buffalo and ten at Sibley; total, fifty-four. Sub- 
tract from this the ten Shirley votes and there are forty-four. There were 
no votes from the Solomon. There were a few settlers there but no votes 
cast. The settlement in that precinct began in 1865, and a sale estimate of 
the voters would be ten. 

Had this been polled there would have been sixty-eight. Allowing five 
to each voter, there would have been two hundred and forty at the time the 
affidavit was made, stating there were six hundred inhabitants. It may 
be denied that the throwing out of the Sibley vote had the effecl <<i throw- 
ing the county seat on Oak Creek, but this wis too generally known to 
admit of much argument. Had there been a fair expression of the- people 
in favor of that locality there can be no doubt' its friends would have held 
it there, but the people were so indignant at the procedure the commis- 
sioners never met at this place to transact county business, but continued to 
meet on Elk creek or Clyde, until they removed to Concordia in 1X70. 

Again had there been a fair expression there never would haw been 
another election on this vexed question, for the county seat would have 
remained on Oak creek. 

APPROVING OF TOWN SITE AND NAMING OK THE COUNTY SEAT. 

Having decided where the city was to be, the next step was to get some 
public demonstration in favor of it. The convention met in August. 1X69, 
at Captain Sanders' saw mill, standing on the left bank of the river, half 
a mile below the town site. The delegates from the south side being a 
majority, rode over the site and approved of it. To H. C. Snyder wa^ voted 
the honor of naming the to-be great city, and this he did by saying, "In 
view of the harmony and unanimity prevailing, I name the future city 'Con- 
cordia,' " and the name was thereupon unaninously approved. 

The idea of building a city here was regarded' as a huge joke by some 
of the delegates, but did not in the least degree shake the faith of its founder. 
In 1870 E. Linney moved his store, which had been located near the saw 
mill, about half way between where the bridge now spans the river and 
Sixth and Washington streets. He was then appointed postmaster of Con- 
cordia, and afterward removed into the building erected by A. A. Carnaban. 

The January meeting of the commissioners was held in the building 
erected and presented to the county, the business was transacted and when 
the board adjourned it looked as -though the county seat trouble was at 
an end. when in fact they Were still in the midst of it. In placing the build- 
ing they had not been particular about locating it on the exact spot, speci- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 155 

fied by the ballot, but near by on the tract plotted, named it Concordia and 
filed it in the register of deeds' office just before the first election in 1869. 

The Clyde people became aware of this and at once assumed that the 
county officers could not be compelled to come to the county seat, as there 
was no place for them to do business at Concordia. Some people believed 
there was something in the contention, and some who thought otherwise 
deemed it best to silence the objection by moving the house onto the tract 
specified. It was protested but to no avail ; the building was moved. 

The moving of the building so maddened Air. Hagaman that he 
abandoned the town for a time, went to Clyde and selected some lots pre- 
paratory to erecting a business house upon them. The town company pro- 
fessed to be glad he was coming, but when a few days later he went to 
begin work and requested them to stake out his lots, he was told there 
was a prior claim to the ground in question and he would have to go further 
out. After much travel a location was found that he could not be induced 
to take, and with language more "forcible than elegant," he returned to 
his "first love," determined to redouble his efforts to make Concordia a 
town. The Clyde people were superstitious of his move and thought prob- 
ably he boded them ill. 

After moving the county house the commissioners met and voted to 
transact the county business in Clyde, and back to that town they went. 
A more crestfallen lot of men than those who spent two weeks moving that 
building never met. This looked like a death stroke to their little town. 
a death knell to their hopes of building a city, and in all probability would 
have been but for the timely removal of the United States land office from 
Junction City to Concordia. 

The commissioners were as follows : First district, W. H. Page, living 
near Clyde; second district, Chester Dutton, living in Sibley: third, John 
Murphy, in Meredith. Page pulled for Clyde, Dutton for Sibley and 
Murphy for Concordia. 

It was very quiet the spring and summer of 1870, with very little to 
break the monotony of pioneer life. The coyote still made the air resonant 
with their yelpings, and the ground squirrel sported and grazed on the i< iwn 
site unmolested. 

Sibley had a chance of securing the United States land office which 
revived her dying hopes. G. W. Martin, registrar of the land office at 
Junction City, held out to the Sibley managers the hope of getting the office, 
but the United States land office and their officers were perquisites of Sen- 
ator Pomeroy and what he demanded was given. In June of this year Sen- 
ator Pomeroy. in company with the Honorable S. D. Houston, visited Cloud 
county, going as far west as Cawker City, or to the site, as there was less 
of a city there than at Conocrdia. On climbing the hill beyond Cawker City 
he was captivated by the magnificent panorama before him. and decided to 
put the other land office there. Senator Pomeroy never went back on a true 
friend, and never broke a promise. He gave out a newspaper interview- 



156 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

descriptive of the country and it stirred both hemispheres, and was immedi- 
ately followed by a rush of emigration. 

CONCORDIA TOWN COMPANY. 

The incorporators of the Concordia Town Company were as follows: 
James M. Hagaman. (i. W. Andrews. William McK. Burns, Amos Cutter 
and S. D. Houston. This charter was filed in the office of the secretary of 
state of Kansas, December 26. 1870. It was September, 1X70. that word 
was received to the effect that the United States land office had been located 
at Concordia, and orders to prepare a building where the officers might 
hold forth. 

Long- before the land office was opened fur business long lines of home- 
steaders were daily formed in front of the office. The applications were 
made, filed and recorded when the books came in January. 

J. M. Hagaman drew the plans for the building of the United States 
land office. The pine lumber, windows and dour-, were hauled from Junc- 
tion City. The pine lumber cost one hundred dollars per one thousand feet. 
The cottonwood lumber, which formed the greater part of the building, was 
purchased in Concordia. The building was one and one-half stories high, 
eighteen by twenty feet, and paid for by Andrews and Hagaman. This was 
a costly building at that time and largely because of high wages paid poor 
\vi Tk men. 

To keep the land office from being moved, the same parties built another 
house for the officers at a cost of two thousand dollars. All that was nec- 
essary in those days to make the town company "put up" was to get the 
word afloat that the land office was going to be moved because "the town 
company wouldn't do this or wouldn't do that." 

When the "political triumvirate" of the land office, the court house 
and the saloons were established in the early 'seventies, all that was neces- 
sary to secure the election of the combined candidates was for the managers 
to say "if you don't vote for our candidate we will move the land office." 
and every man voted loyally for them. This continued more or less until 
1 S79. when the ring was smashed. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE STREETS IN CONCORDIA. 

In the first platting of the town the streets were made the width they 
are at present. Sixth, the main business street, is one hundred and ten 
feet wide, Fifth, one hundred and thirteen feet wide. Fourth, one hun- 
dred and thirty feet wide, Broadway, one hundred and twenty feet wide. 
Washington, ninety-nine feet wide; all the other streets are eightv feet wide. 
The alleys are twenty feet wide. The lots were originally forty- four by one 
hundred and thirty-two feet, but at the suggestion of S. D. Houston they 
were divided in the middle, making them twenty-two by one hundred and 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 157 

thirty-two feet, where it was expected the business houses would be erected. 
His reason was that with a forty-four foot lot one-half of it only would be 
built upon and the vacant land would hurt the business and the town. 

This being plausible, the company's plat was made to conform with his 
view of the matter. Fourth street was desired for railroads and is occupied 
by the Central Branch Railway. It was also intended to run a railroad 
through Broadway street, to be known as the North and South Central Kan- 
sas Railroad. Houston and Hagaman each subscribed one hundred thou- 
sand dollars to the capital stock of this company and an editor of a Salina 
paper took another one hundred thousand dollars worth of stock. Mr. Hag- 
aman says "the nub of the joke lies in the fact that all three could not have 
raised five thousand dollars if their necks had depended upon it," but that 
is the way railroads were built in that day. The stock of the Central Branch 
was nothing but "wind" at first and made valuable by land grants and gov- 
ernment bonds. 

NAMING THE STREETS. 

Air. Hagaman named the streets of Concordia, not one having been 
suggested. The following is the origin of some of them: Willow, so named 
because it extended into a bunch of willows at its northern terminus; Repub- 
lican river, for the river that bears that name; Cedar street, the next street 
east, because it sounded well, and he also argued there should be a State and 
Kansas avenue. Washington was named in honor of the Father of Our 
Country; Broadway because it sounded big and metropolitan like; Lincoln 
was named for the martyred president ; Olive street was named for a sister of 
Mrs. Hagaman; Spruce street was so named because that tree had been a 
great favorite of his boyhood days. Seized with a sentimental inspiration. 
Archer was suggested from Cupid with Ids little bow and arrow. Greeley 
street was named for Horace Greelev, the "patron saint" of its author. 

The base line for numbering the streets is the river. First street being 
the street next to the Republican, and thence south, the last one being Nine- 
teenth. 

DARK DAYS FOR CONCORDIA. 

In 187 1 Sidney Clark was defeated in the renomination to congress. 
Friends of his in the eastern part of the state, who had arranged to erect a 
first-class hotel, abandoned the enterprise. The story floated "The land 
office would be moved and Concordia would die." It was impossible to 
approximate the loss to the town from that misfortune, but it is safe to say 
it was very great. 

If some of the citizens knew the office would not be moved they could 
not convince the people of it; the evil effect was the same. Confidence often 
builds bigger and better cities than natural advantages and genius, and the 
jealous enemies of the town made the most of these conditions; but the 
town lived and eventuallv boomed, nevertheless. 



1 5 8 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY-, KANSAS. 

Congress met in December and Amos Cutler, of Buffalo, New York, 
was confirmed as registrar and Honorable E. J. Jenkins as receiver ol the 
land office, winch opened for business June t6, 1N71. In April. 1S74. Hon- 
orable B. H. McEckron was appointed registrar. No more honorable men 

were ever in the employ of the government than these gentlemen nor more 
accommodating officers. 

SOME OF CONCORDIA'S FIRST CITIZENS. 

As before mentioned, E. Linney was the first postmaster and opened 

the first store. S. D. Silvers opened the second in December, erecting a 
building on the corner of Sixth and Broadway streets, where Sweet's hard- 
ware store now stands. McKinnon and Guilbert (the latter still a resident 
of Concordia) located in November with hardware and lumber. Early m 
the same month the citizens were astonished to see a house moving towards 
the town from the west. Mrs. Truesdell was moving her residence to town 
to be used as a hotel. In the Empire of December _>4- 1870, apppears the 
following local: "Mr. Truesdell moved his house to this place, from 0,1c 
and a half miles west of town. Eleven yoke of oxen and four men brought 
the building here in about two hours. It was rolled in to the time of A an- 
kee Doodle' played on the melodeon by Mrs. Truesdell's little daughter ten 
years old. The family remained in the building while it was being moved. 
Not being able to get lumber as fast as needed to build tip the town, people 
are hauling in their houses." The same winter Cnll & Zimmerman erected a 
hotel where the Barons House now stands. E. J. Jenkins took his claim in 
1877 and begun building a residence. William McK. Burns was the first 
to erect a building for a law office and C. \V. McDonald was second. 

James Strain located forty acres on the north side of the town in 
November, having previously purchased the right of G. W. Andrews. < >h- 
ver Currier commenced the building of a stone dwelling house on Seventh 
street, where the Baptist church now stands. Henry Buckingham came over 
from Clyde and selected a building site on the northeast corner of Sixth and 
Broadway streets, erected a building, and moved his printing office from 
Clyde, where he edited and published the first newspaper, both in Clyde and 
Concordia— The Republican Valley Empire. 

In November, 1870, Mr. Lanoue landed in Concordia with his saw 
mill, a very welcome acquisition, as the mill of Captain B. C. Sanders could 
not supply the demand for lumber. Mr. Hagaman donated from his land 
enough for the mill site and furnished forty thousand feet of logs to saw 
"on the shares" and turned his ferry over to him. The town company also 
gave him a block of land. 

THE PRIMITIVE COURT HOUSE. 

Charles O. Huntress surveved the land into lots, assisted by William 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 159 

McK. Burns and G. W. Andrews. There were over three thousand lots. 
Stephen Brownell did the platting. The survey and plat of the year before 
was followed as far as it went, which was forty acres in what is now the 
heart of the city. 

That year the court house was erected ; a temporary affair at a cost of 
something like two hundred and seventy-five dollars, the labor and material, 
being donated by the citizens of Concordia and vicinity. It was hardly so 
imposing a structure as the one of the present writing, but was doubtless 
more of a burden for the people of the frontier to construct than the one 
they now justly feel so proud of was for the people of the county to build. 

The winter of 1870-1 was a delightful one, and fortunate it was for 
the new town and the army of emigrants that rushed into the country. 
Very little snow fell, storms were moderate and far between. The ground 
bare most of the time, building went right on and when March arrived there 
were hundreds of people where only five months before there were scarcely 
dozens. Nearly two scores of buildings were erected and under way where 
a short time before was only an unbroken prairie. 

The chill the town received from the political disaster that overtook one 
of its best friends, Sidney Clark, severe and damaging as it was, did not 
"kill the town" as had been predicted and as many of its friends feared it 
would. Before March the town company had assurance from competent 
authority there would be no change in the locatiou of the land office, and 
when this fact became known, settlement ami building took on a new start. 

TOWN COMPANY ELECTION OF OFFICERS. 

December 8, 1870. the incorporators of the Concordia Town Associa- 
tion elected the following officers- President, J. M. Hagaman; vice-presi- 
dent, Amos Cutler; secretary. William McK. Burns; treasurer, G. W. 
Andrews; directors, J. M. Hagaman. G. W. Andrews, William McK. 
Burns. S. D. Houston, Sr.. and Amos Cutler. 

The election of officers occurring eighteen days before the application 
of the charter was filed with the secretary of state is only one of the evi- 
dences of the rapid ways business was done in those times. The policy of 
the company was to give away alternate business lots to all who would build 
on them, and also the lots designed for residences, in order to help the town. 
Hundreds of lots under this system were given away. 

OTHER EARLY SETTLERS. 

Among other early settlers following were: William Conner, 
employed as clerk by Mr. Silver; J. S. Hoy, Monroe Wagoner, John Kisler, 
C. B. Clark, S. G. Jenkins. Thomas Lamay', C. Konock. James Rowe. B. 

Bordon. W. S. Wilson, Sutherland, James How, - Pease, 

W. Hollenburg, James Hill, Lairbling, H. Bramwell. A. W. Lit- 
tle and Charles Willard. 



!6o HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



FIRST SCHOOL BUILDING. 

Prompted by that American spirit of enterprise, the people in January, 
1871, began agitating the building of a school house. It was decided to 
build one of stone and large enough for the children then in the town and 
those who would probably settle within the following year. Jt was decided 
to raise four thousand dollars by issuing school district bonds, and the vote 
was nearly unanimous. 

The building was located where the high school building now stands. 
It is a matter worthy of record, the obstacles and problems met with in that 
early day in erecting large buildings. That the building was faulty is true, 
but the fault was not in plan or work so much as in the material, hirst, they 
had to use rock whose strength and working qualities not a man here or else- 
where understood and which compelled them to work at a disadvantage. 

We must "patronize home industries," so all the Cottonwood that could 
be worked in lumber was used; the frame work and roof were made of this 
material. They knew its strength and weight, but they did not know that 
if a board of it were laid in the barnyard at night it would war]) and walk 
out into the street before morning. The building of this large and substan- 
tial edifice gave an air of solidity and permanence to their little town and 
when people seeking for a location came, they would remark, "Well, that 
looks as if you meant to stay" (referring to the school building). Another 
would say, "Education of the youth seems to be a first consideration with 
the people here and as I have a family of children I will locate with you." 

In connection with this it may be said the spirit that prompted the peo- 
ple at that time to build so expensive a house has l>een ever foremost with 
them, and they have spent more money in an educational way than any other 
city of equal population in the state of Kansas. 

MORE COUNTY SEAT TROUBLE. 



\\ hen the spring of 1871 was ushered in. the commissioners still 
refused to recognize Concordia as the county seat, and the town company 
pressed its mandamus suit begun the autumn before. We deem this of suffi- 
cient historical importance to justify the publication of a copy of the writ. 

"Before the Honorable William H. Canfield, judge of the Eighth judicial 
district of Kansas. 

"The State of Kansas. Cloud County, ss : 

"James llagaman and William McK. Burns, plaintiffs, vs. W. M. Page, 
John Murphy and Chester Dutton. county commissioners of Cloud 
county; Ebenezer Fox, county clerk; David Heller, county treasurer, 
and B. H. McEckron, county superintendent of common schools of 
-aid county, defendants. — Notice: 
"The above named defendants will take notice that on the 24th day of 

Oct. .her, [870, the plaintiffs will apply to the Honorable William H. Can- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 161 

field, judge of the Eighth judicial district, at Clay Center, in the county of 
Clay and state of Kansas, for an alternative writ of mandamus, command- 
ing the said defendants to remove their offices, books and papers belonging 
thereto, to Concordia, the county seat of said Cloud county, or show cause 
by a day to be named in the writ why they have not done so. 

"Dated October 13, 1870. McClure & Humphrey, 

"Attorneys for Plaintiffs." 

This proceeding was not pressed at the time, the petitioners deeming it 
best to hold off until the land office was open for business, in the meantime 
hoping the recalcitrants would come to their senses by coming to the county 
seat. Registrar of deeds, J. S. Bowen, sent word by horseback that he 
would "be there just as quickly as he could find a place to shelter his fam- 
ily." and probate judge, D. J. Fowler, sent word that he was "coming a 
running." 

Bowen bought the court house for thirty cents on the dollar, where he 
moved his family, and Mr. Linney, having purchased the Carnahan building 
( which stood on the corner now occupied by the Chicago Lumber Company 
office) and moved his family and goods there, Mr. Bowen took possession. 
Judge Fowler, having found a place "whereon to lay his head." opened his 
marriage shop and went to work issuing licenses. 

The others failing to put in an appearance, the suit was revived, but 
before the writ was served all signalized their willingness to come if they 
were let off without paying costs, which was granted them. 

This ended the great source of trouble which began more than a year 
before and which had done thousands of dollars' damage to the town and a 
great financial loss to the town company. The company paid the costs in 
this case, amounting, with attorney's fees, to the sum of one hundred and 
fifty dollars. 

BUSINESS BLOCKS ERECTED. 

Gibbs & Snowden began the erection of their building for a drug store. 
It occupied the southeast corner of Sixth and Washington streets and was 
the first drug store in Concordia. About the same time Marshall & Andrews 
built their livery stable which stood in block one hundred and forty-nine Oil 
Sixth street. Henry Buckingham began an addition to his "whale back 
printing office in March. R. P. Davis and Byron E. Sheffield erected build- 
ings the same spring. 

M. McKinnon built an addition to his store and also commenced work 
on a dwelling. All during the spring building was brisk in the little city. 
Everywhere the thump of the hammer and the music of the saw and plane 
were heard. Many business blocks were completed and under way. It was 
a marvel to all. and looked as if they might have a great city at once. 

The most important enterprise started and completed this year was the 



1 62 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

building of a flouring mill by Mr, Lanoue. He erected a large stone build- 
ing on the site of his saw mill, put in the machinery and made the first flour 
ever made in Concordia. The mill was operated by steam. 

Second only in importance to the coming of the railroad was the con- 
struction of the dam across the Republican river; the most remarkable, inas- 
much as it was undertaken by one man. and he of little means. Had a rich 
corporation been at the head of the undertaking it would have employed 
engineers of great reputation to plan and make estimates and thousands of 
dollars would have been the probable cost. 

Mr. Lanoue worked long and earnestly to establish a water power, and 
there was no limit to his courage or he would have renounced his efforts. 
The river where the dam is built was four hundred feet wide, and in high 
water times was thirteen feet dee]) (which occurred in 1869), running eight 
miles an hour. The sand and gravel down to bedrock was twenty four feet 
and one stratum of it was quicksand, an uncertain foundation on which to 
build. 

To be safe the dam must rest on a rock bottom and there is where Mr. 
Lanoue put it in the end — after four attempts. Work began on the dam in 
the summer of 1872, and when completed was pleasing to look upon, but 
like the "apples of Sodom," fair without but false within. Lincoln township 
voted Mr. Lanoue twelve hundred dollars on condition that he make a road- 
way for wagons over his dam. March it, 1875, Mr. Lanoue completed the 
work of elevating and aproning the dam. which greatly strengthened it, 
increased the power, and completed one of the best free roadways anywhere 
over the Republican river. 

With a twelve-inch head of water the great wheel was started for busi- 
ness, and the machinery was kept humming through the night, grinding 
fifty bushels more wheat than the steam power had ever done in the same 
time. The public congratulated Mr. Lanoue upon the consummation of his 
long cherished hope. The dam cost Air. Lanoue in the neighborhood of 
ten thousand dollars. 

Mr. Lanoue possessed unbounded faith, which is the success of every- 
thing. The strength of the feeble, the salvation of the miserable, "The 
greatness of individuals or nations may \ye measured precisely by the great- 
ness of their faith." Three times within four years his efforts were severely 
damaged by floods and ice, but each time he immediately repaired damages 
with the same undaunted courage that marked all his undertakings, and the 
roar of his mammoth wheel could be heard night and day. 

The repeated breaks in the dam finally crippled Mr. Lanoue financially 
until he was forced to take in partners. In the spring of 1878 George R. 
Letourneau, A. Berard and A. Gauselin, of Kankakee. Illinois, bought an 
interest in the mill. The bargain was closed at night, the papers signed up, 
the money paid and the gentlemen from Kankakee slept soundly in the 
happy thought that they had purchased a fortune, but they woke in the 
morning to find their dreams an illusion. During the night the water had 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



163 



bursted through its confines in an entirely new place on the right bank of 
the river, and through this gap the entire volume of water was running, 
•which would require much labor and expense to rebuild ; but Air. Lanoue 
was cool anil treated the loss as a small matter, saying, "It is only a trifling 
break." However, it took a month of hard work by a small army of men 
and twenty-five hundred dollars in money to rebuild it. 

Unlocked for trouble and expense after this forced Mr. Lanoue to sell. 
In 1884 this property passed into the hands of a stock company of which 
H. M, Spalding was president and afterward sole proprietor. After 
operating it for a number of years he had reason to be dissatisfied with the 
treatment received from the merchants of Concordia, and sold at a sacrifice 
of thousands of dollars to Lingle & Cline. On account of his health Mr. 
Lingle was compelled to retire from business, and Mr. Cline became and 
is at present sole owner of one of the best properties in the state of Kansas. 
The dam is jointly owned by Mr. Cline and the Concordia Electric Light 
Company in which Mr. Spalding is president and a large stockholder. The 
interest of the owners is one-third to the Concordia Electric Light Company 
and two-thirds to Mr. Cline, the former using the power from the time the 
lamps are lighted in the afternoon until twelve M. 




THE EVENTS OF 1 8/2. 



The year 1872 was prolific in events for Concordia. The voting of 
bonds for the railroad; the organization of the city as third-class; the retire- 
ment of the Buckinghams from the Empire and its purchase by H. E. Smith; 
the commencement of the Presbyterian church; building of the malt house 
and the brewer)-; the great conflagration that laid waste the best portion of 
the city; the confiscating of the greater portion of the town company's lands. 

The brewery stood just above the mill where some of the ruins may yet 
be seen. The builders were D. W. Williams and Orin Bennett (brothers- 
in-law) and for several years they did a thriving business. On the eve of 
December 24, the night before Christmas, 1872, occurred the big fire. It 



1 64 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

originated in the Collins & Dennis building, then owned by W. O. Wagoner. 

Eight buildings were burned and one torn down and thrown into the middle 
of the street, which checked the fire and saved the other nine buildings. The 
most important building destroyed was the Glidden House, a good hotel for 
that earlv day. The fire cast a gloom over the struggling little city, and many 
predicted that years would pass ere it would be rebuilt a- good as before. 

This was Concordia's first disaster and entailed a loss of aboul thirty 
thousand dollars. The city was in it- infancy and this was a \er\ serious 
set back to the new western town, hut not many months elapsed ere new and 
better buildings were erected and larger stocks of goods were brought in. 
T. I... F. \Y. and Heber Sturges had nut their money in a hall which was 
totally destroyed, with no insurance. The destruction of this property was 
a severe blow to the town as well a- to the owners of the property. 

In February, 1873, Y. J. Shelhammer, \. II. Eaves and J. M. llaga- 
man began to excavate preparatory to the erection of a stone building in 
block one hundred ami thirty-five, south side of Sixth street. This was in the 
burnt district and revived the flagging hope- of the people. It showed these 
men still had confidence in the future of their town and other citizens look 
courage from the public-spirited act. The buildings were two stories and 
ready for occupancy in about eisjht months. The only stone buildings at this 
time were those of C. Case and Oliver Currier. 

J. E. Burress began a stone building on the southeast corner of Broad- 
way and Sixth streets the following summer. At this time the trouble over 
the town site was being contested and greatly retarded the growth of the 
town. The inhabitants desired to have thrown open to actual settlers the 
most of the land contained within the town of Concordia, and after quite a 
struggle before the United States land office succeeded in securing to all 
these citizens, and those who might afterward become such, the unpatented 
lands within Concordia. 

STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. 

Governor Osborne was installed in the office of governor in January, 
1874, and the citizens prevailed upon him to appoint a normal school at 
Concordia and it went into operation March 5 of that year, with B. I-'. Rob- 
inson as principal and J. S. Shearer, assistant. Concordia, being a central 
point, was selected as a site for the location of the State Normal School, and 
but for the theory of some of the legislators, that to curtail educational insti- 
tutions was economy combined with the jealousy of other towns in eastern 
Kansas, this school would have been successfully maintained. 

The citizens of Concordia were much interested in the institution, but 
were destined to have it taken from them by the legislature of 1876 and a 
System of normal institutes established instead, abolishing the several State 
Normal Schools. Senator X. B. Brown made an effort to re-establish the 
normal school and prepared a bill to that effect, which he pushed vigorously 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 165 

but could not bring the measure to a successful end. The school was sup- 
plied by the state with the implied promise that it should be sustained. Sen- 
ator Brown championed this cause manfully. 

The citizens of Concordia invested twenty thousand dollars in this insti- 
tution. Representative C. K. Wells secured the first and only appropriation 
for the State Normal School at Concordia. The normal from the first was 
a success, showing need of the school and Concordia's fitness for the loca- 
tion. It was proposed to re-establish the school and eighteen sections of 
state lands were asked for that purpose. In 1877 a bill was before both 
houses asking for an appropriation of six thousand dollars for the re-estab- 
lishment of the institution, which was defeated by a strong effort of the 
opposition. In 1874 the school building erected in Concordia in 1871 was 
enlarged and given to the state for the holding forth of the State Normal. 
After the school was abolished, the building was transferred back to the 
city schools. This institution went down, not because it was not useful and 
greatly needed, but because Emporia stepped to the front and "gobbled 
it up.'" 

A CITY OF THE THIRD CLASS. 

The city of Concordia was organized as a city of the third class in 
August, 1 87 1, and R. E. Allen was chosen mayor. He was succeeded in 
1873 by E. Guilbert, who held the office one year. He was followed by Mil- 
ton Reasoner, who held the office four terms. The mayors since then have 
been elected in the following order: J. M. Hagaman, E. E. Swearenger, 
G. W. Marshall, Thomas Wrong, W. F. Groesbeck and C. Twitchel. 

In April, 1887 Concordia was organized into a city of the second class, 
with J. Green mayor, and the term extended to two years. The next mayors 
were as follows: D. L. Brown. W. W. Caldwell, G. W. Marshall, Walter 
Darlington, John Stewart, E. W. Messall and S. C. Wheeler, the present 
mayor. The history of Concordia has been somewhat similar to most town 
settlements in Kansas. Clashing interests had the effect only of calling 
attention to their town and the building- up of the thriving and prosper- 
ous city. 

Much trouble arose over the acquisition of enough citizens to enable 
them to count two hundred inhabitants to organize as a city of the third 
class. They had some politicians then who perhaps did not hesitate to count 
amongst the two hundred several who might have come to town to trade off 
a few pounds of butter or a few dozen ei^gs, 1 >r perhaps to get a drink, for 
they had then "a senate" and some other establishments where liquor was 
dispensed. 

The population increased quite rapidly and their business extended 

from the neighborhood of Waterville westward to Smith county. They 

became the center of trade and have maintained their pre-eminence, and as 

their citizens were generally public spirited and liberal, they have now a well 

built city provided with churches, schools, a magnificent court house, hand- 
11 



166 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

some homes, mills, etc., and greater conveniences than many of the older 
towns in the east. They are the center of many systems of railroads, con- 
necting them with all points of the compass, and arc destined to be ail 
important point of trade on lines connecting them with the Pacific, Galves- 
ton and the Atlantic ocean. 

Their lands through the changes brought aboul by the climate and the 
industry of the people have risen in value from the mere government price 
of one dollar and twenty-five cents to fifty dollars and upwards an acre in 
close proximity to towns and railway stations. It lias been observed dur- 
ing the last thirty years that almost every man who settled upon an original 
claim was impressed with the belief that he had dropped upon the loveliest 
spot of the universe, and as they have increased in years, imbibed the desire 
to obtain other lands alongside that their children might remain in the 
same favored locality. 

The dugouts have long ago given place to substantial stone or frame 
residences which would do credit to the suburban neighborhoods of the far 
east. 

EVENTS OF 1874. 

The spring of [874 did not promise much and upon good crops hinged 
a large portion of the prosperity of the town. On April 14. [874, a frighl 
ful blizzard swooped down upon the country: eight inches of snow fell and 
the mercury dropped to seventeen degrees below zero. Several persons 
froze to death within a radius of ten miles around the town of Concordia. 
Considerable stock perished in this terrible storm. 

There was a double affliction visited upon the people this year — drouth 
and grasshoppers — either being sufficient bo destroy the corn, none being 
raised that year anywhere in the path of the grasshoppers. But the people 
who considered it less to the discredit of the county, charged the loss to 
grasshoppers, while those who looked upon them as a greater curse than 
drouth, charged it to that source. 

The grasshoppers appeared July 24, [874; the corn was past redemp- 
tion before the pests put in an appearance. The drouth was the most severe 
ever experienced in this section. Early corn that tasseled in June dried 
completely up and the tassels were blown in the wind like chaff. The fol- 
lowing winter was a hard one for the people and because of lack of food and 
clothing, aid had to be extended to thousands of citizens. 

The years 1875-6-7-8-9 were good average crop years and every - 
body firmly believed there never would be another drouth in this county; 
however, the next year one came. 

HISTORICAL MENTION OF CONCORDIA NEWSPAPERS. 

As before stated Henry Buckingham established the first newspaper in 
Concordia, the "Republican Valley Empire." This was the first newspaper 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



167 



in either the Solomon or Republican valley above Junction City, which is 
of more than passing interest. That it lost its identity by l>eing absorbed bv 
the Blade in June, 1902, is to be regretted for its historical value. Follow- 
ing is an article written by Mr. Buckingham, which will be read with inter- 
est by the old settlers : 

THE FOUNDING OF THE EMPIRE. 

A Brief Account of the Establishment of the First Paper in the Republican 
and Solomon J 'alleys. Written by H. Buckingham and Pub- 
lished in the Empire, June 14, 1894. 

Editor Empire: Some time ago. on one of the birthdays of the 
Empire, you stated that you would like to have from me a history of the 
founding of the paper. I promised to furnish it, but put it off from time to 




The Birthplace of the Empire. 

time till now. On its last birthday I was quite taken back to learn really 
how old the Empire was. I could hardly realize that so long a time had sped 
away since the little sheet was first issued. And the present number is 
volume twenty-five ! How time flies ! 

When associate editor of the Leavenworth Times in 1859-60, I heard 
much about the Republican and Solomon valleys from the surveyors who 
had surveyed the country, and others. They spoke of the great beauty of 
those valleys — the fertility of the soil, the fine streams full of fish, the tim- 
ber abounding with turkey and deer, the prairies alive with chickens and 
the buffalo not far awav during the summer. 



1 68 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

At that time the Indians were generally considered peaceable, bul it 
was felt that it was too far away from the settlements to be absoluely safe 
from their depredations, as they might male a raid al any time. It was 
known that a few bold, hardy pioneers had settled along the lower portions 
of the streams, bul it was considered that a man "took his life in his hand" 
when he attempted settlement very far up. At that time a friend who was 
contemplating bringing a flock of sheep from Ohio came to the office and 
wanted to know of me where he could herd them with safety. I replied that 
it was not deemed safe to go much farther wesl than Nemaha county! That 
was the feeling of uncertainty at that time. Rumors of raids were quite 
frequent, and settlers were compelled to he on the lookout. 

The war came and but little attention was paid to the country, So far as 
I recollect; but after it was over, settlers— -many of them having soldiered in 
that country — began to settle farther up the river. The Indians were 
reported to be unfriendly, if settlers went far above where Clifton now is, 
and decidedly hostile to those who went to and beyond the Great Spirit 
Springs, now in Mitchell county. We heard quite frequently of Indian 
raids and it was not deemed safe to settle far up as late as [868 possibly a 
short time later. 

But the settlers continued to encroach on the Indian country and the 
enterprising merchants of Leavenworth, the largest and most enterprising 
town in the west, sent men to gather in the trade of that region. It may sur- 
prise many of your readers when they are told that the trade of Leaven- 
worth once reached from the Missouri river to and beyond Salt Lake and 
Montana, to Old Mexico, and nearly to the eastern boundaries of California 
and ( Iregon. J low trade has changed since the days of ox and mul< teams! 
A regular Santa Fe mule team would he a curiosity to thousands of people 
who now live along the old Santa Fe and California trails. 

In the spring of 1869 my friend R. F. Ilermon, now of Clyde, and a 
well known citizen, who was connected with a large wholesale house in 
Leavenworth, said to me one day, "] have just returned from the Repub 
lican valley — pretty well up — and they have started a small store near the 
mouth of Elk creek, and it is a most beautiful country. Settler's are com- 
ing in, and J have decided to make my home there and bought an interest 
111 a store. Jt will make a good business point.*' I asked him how a news- 
paper would pay. He replied that he could see no reason why one would not 
do well in a short time. So in the fall I concluded to take a look for my- 
self, and hoarded the cars for Manhattan and from there went with the 
mail, which was carried in a hack as far as Lawrencehurg. I think all of 
the goods for the Republican country and most of the Solomon, were 
shipped via team from Manhattan. The hack carried the mail via Whiting, 
Wakefield and Clay Center. The other towns between Manhattan and 
Clyde were Riley Center, Bala, Rosedale, Morganville and Clifton. There 
was but little settlement in any of the towns named. I think Whiting was 
the largest and Clay Center next. None of them had over one hundred 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 169 

people, and some were merely staked off. Clyde had a population of about 
two hundred in 1870, and Concordia was not quite so large. 

It was late when we arrived at Clyde. The ride was a cold, disagree- 
able one, but tbe scenery along the route amply repaid the trip. One of 
the finest views I ever saw in Kansas was from the hill near the farm house 
of Mr. Haynes, where Clifton now stands. There were but few houses 
in sight, and for miles up and down the valley it appeared like an "unbroken 
wilderness." The traveler who glides over the line of railroad that now 
traverses the valley, can form no idea of the real beauty of that portion of 
the valley, now thickly settled and in a high state of cultivation. 

I was so well pleased with the country and its prospects and the people 
of Clyde and surrounding community, that I determined to put in a press 
in the spring, it then being too late in the fall and besides no room could be 
secured. 

Returning to Leavenworth I remained tbere until after the holidays. 
and then concluded to take a trip over the Central Branch via Atchison to 
Waterville, the terminus of the road, and go by team to the Republican. 
It was said at Clyde that no teams had come direct from Waterville to the 
Republican, that no road had 1>een made and the streams were not bridged, 
etc. Arriving at Waterville I found tbe only way to get over to the Repub- 
lican was to take a team which had come down from Republic county to the 
mill and go to Salt creek, and from there to Clyde. I made arrangements 
to go that way and was to meet a team a few miles west of Waterville at 
tbe junction of the mill road. On arriving at the junction I found the 
team had passed. 

On my way back I met Mr. McNab, Sr., one of tbe pioneers of that 
section — and a grand old man — returning home from Waterville. He 
kindly invited me to bis claim some sixteen miles from that place. Seeing 
that I was in for a trip of sixty miles by "Ford & Walker's line." 1 con- 
cluded to accept the invitation. A storm came up just before dark and we 
had a very cold ride and walk to his hospitable home, traveling over ten 
miles after night bad set in. The next day the storm grew worse, and tbe 
weather was extremely cold The wind blew so hard we could stay out of 
doors but a short time. T remained at Mr. McNab's three days, when the 
storm abated and I concluded to start for tbe Republican in a buggy. We 
had not proceeded far when we ran into a snow hank and I decided to en 
tinue the journey on foot. I reached Clyde the next evening after a bard 
tramp. A portion of the way I got a ride. 

I found the citizens of Clyde and surrounding country anxious to have 
the press located there, and they rendered every assistance in their power. 
After remaining there some time Messrs. E. Kennedy. E. Cline and Charles 
Davis took their teams and we went to Manhattan for the press and material. 
In a few days it was on the ground. Tbe building it was put in was a 
log one. about twenty feet square, and was tbe first building in Clyde. Ii 
was put up by the Messrs. Heller and had been used as a dwelling, post- 



170 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

office, hotel, store anil court house. It was torn down a few years after- 
wards but a picture of it is in possession of some of the citizens of Clyde. 

The first number of the paper was issued Ma\ 31, 1870. It had six 
columns to the page and no patent inside or outside. It was called the 
Republican Valley Empire, but after it had fallen into other hands the name 
was changed to Concordia Empire. During the summer the office was 
removed to a more commodious building, bill not being sufficiently warm, 
it was impossible to continue its publication there. The plant was soon 
afterwards removed to Concordia, which had been chosen as the county 
seat, and it has been printed there ever since, the first number being issued 
Deceml>er 24, 1S70. The first edition printed was about five hundred copies. 
but it soon increased to near one thousand. The emigrants as they passed 
through town, bought a large number of papers to send back to their friends, 
and many had them sent to their new homes in the western counties 

It was my intention to write some reminiscences of early tunes in Cloud 
count\- and northwest Kansas generally, but my files are not at hand, and 
the names of so man}' who took part in settling up the country escape me, 
that 1 cannot make the history complete, but defer it to another tune. The 
present sketch is not what I would make it. or what it ought to be, for the 
same rea- 

YVhile there was nothing in the enterprise in a pecuniar}- point of 
it is no small satisfaction to the writer to know that the first paper estab- 
lished in that region was a credit to all concerned, and recognized as such 

ighout the state. And further, that it did something to make known 
and build up one of the finest countries that turns its fare to the sun. 

Yi mi's. 
Kingfisher, Oklahoma Territory, June 1 _\ [894. H. Buckingham. 

THE EXPOSITOR. 

The Expositor made its appearance August 15, 1875, edited by J. S. 
Paradis In politics it was independent, principally devoted to news, local 
and personal, "independent in everything, neutral in nothing." its columns 
wvyv open to both sides of every question of public interest, its motto 
"Equal rights and justice to all." For six years the Expositor was one of 
the leading journals of Cloud county. Its editor, J. S. Paradis, was identi- 
fied with the history of Cloud county, and participated in the building uj 
oi all its best interests and shared its prosperitv. 

September 1. 1881. the Expositor passed into the hands of W. E. Reid 
and was merged with another paper called the Times— which was started 
by W. E. Reid — into the Republican Empire. 

Mr. Reid was a man of ability, energy and grit, and under his man- 
agement the paper prospered. It was subsequently controlled for a short 
time by Charles VV. McDonald, and afterward sold to F. W. Sawhill, the 
present postoffice incumbent. Subsequently the paper was published by W. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 171 

W. Dunning as a Democratic paper. It changed its politics when purchased 
by Edward Marshall. 

The journal known as the Day Light was later combined with the 
Empire and conducted by Sawhill & Marshall. The combination was after- 
ward severed and for many years the Empire was one of the leading papers 
of Concordia, controlled by Sawhill & Kimball. 

THE CONCORDIA BLADE. 

J. M. Hagaman, one of the most energetic and conscientious men, and 
who deserves more credit than he is given, was the founder of the Con- 
cordia Blade in 1879. When politicians or others attacked him, they found 
him supplied with ammunition, little guns, big guns, in fact a whole battery 
to urge a relentless warfare. He worked in the interests of the Democratic 
party. 

The election of county treasurer was the most exciting, bitter and 
memorable in the history of Cloud county, and was a surprise to both com- 
batants, resulting in a landslide for H. M. Spalding, his opponent being 
buried by a veritable avalanche of votes. The Republicans had had every- 
thing their own way up to this time. The few Democrats hardly dared 
to hold a meeting because of the bitter prejudice against them. 

Because of the unpopularity of Democrats, the bringing of one out for 
this office against a candidate for the Republican boss was looked upon as 
a huge joke by many of that party, but before the canvass had gone far 
they realized they were facing a very serious situation. 

W. G. Reid, the present register of deeds, was a candidate for treasurer 
named by the Republican party. His brother, \Y. E. Reid, had held the 
office for four consecutive years, the limit of the law. Walter G. Reid had 
been his deputy and now it was proposed they reverse places. 

The Blade, although a Republican paper, bolted the nomination of Mr. 
Reid, led the fight anil he was defeated by a majority of six hundred and 
eighty-five, by the Democrats. The Empire also bolted and worked for H. 
M. Spalding, as did James Strain. F. W. Sturges and many other lead- 
ing Republicans. 

The Blade was the first paper run by steam power in Concordia. The 
paper still exists and is ably managed by George Burroughs and George 
A. Clark, secretarv of state. A daily Blade is also run in connection with 
the weekly paper. 

THE KANSAN. 

The Kansan was originally the Kritic and founded by Thomas Owens, 
Jr.. now of Topeka. Ferd Prince, of Glasco, hecame associated with this 
enterprise and the name was changed to Alliant. The paper was subse- 
quently purchased by Homer Davies in November, 1896. and the name of 



i 7 2 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

Kansan was adopted, having purchased that right from the Jamestown 
paper, now the Kansas Optimist. This paper under Mr. Davies' manage- 
ment has become one of the foremost papers of the county. 

In [895 T- Austin Marshall moved his local paper from Miltonvale 
and published it in Concordia under the name of the Press. After several 
changes the Press was enlarged to a six column quarto and is edited by 
Phil Moore, of Roswell, New Mexico. Under his management the paper 
has become one of the most vigorous and brightest in the country. 

THE TIMES. 

In March. 1884, the Times, published by Charles J. English and 
"Pen" Sheafor, was started. They conducted this paper for one year and 
sold to Glen F. Chase, who, after a lapse of twelve months, sold to F. A. 
and F. M. Filson. The Times was discontinued in [891. 

THE D.MI.Y BLADE. 

In March, 1887, the Daily Plade was started by J. M. and |. E. Ilaga- 
man. It was Republican in politics, was a financial failure and suspended 
November 1, 1888. The Daily Plade was ,1 seven column folio and ever) 
number contained six columns of the latest foreign news, twelve columns 
of miscellaneous matter and from four to six of local matter. 

RESUME OF THE CLOUD COUNTY NEWSPAPERS. 

Republican Valley Empire. Clyde and Concordia, 1870-72; Concordia 
Empire, Concordia, 1N76-83; The Republican Empire, Concordia, 1883-87; 
Concordia Empire, Concordia, [887-1902; Concordia Blade and Empire, 
Concordia, 1902, continues; The Concordia Republican. Concordia, 
[882-83; The Concordia Expositor, Concordia, 1875-81 ; The Cloud County 
Blade, Concordia, [879-82; Kansas Blade. [882-98; Concordia Daily 
Plade (suspended from February 5, 1885. until March, [887), 1884-88; 
Daily Plade, Concordia, 1902, continues; Cloud County Critic (Kansas 
Critic in 1888), Concordia, 1882-88; The Concordia times, Concordia, 
1884-91; Concordia Democrat and Daylight, Concordia, [886; The Con- 
cordia Weekly Daylight, Concordia, '[886-98; The Alliant, Concordia, 
[890-95; The District School (monthly). Concordia, 1893-95; Th e Kan- 
san, Concordia, [895, continues; The Concordia Press, Concordia, 1893, 
continues; The Clyde Herald. Clyde (not issued from December to Febru- 
ary, [88] ). 1878, continues; Clyde Democrat, Clyde, [880-82; Cline's Press, 
Clyde, 1NN4; The Clyde Mail, Clyde. 1884-87; The Clyde Argus, Clyde, 
[888-96; The Farmers Voice, Clyde, 1891, continues; The Clyde Republi- 
can, Clyde, continues; The Kansas Sunflower, Clyde. [894-95; Glasco 
Tribune, Clyde, i88[-82; The Glasco Sun, Clyde, [883, continues; The New 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 173 

Era, Clyde, 1890-93; Cloud County Kansan, Jamestown, 1881-95; The 
Quill, Jamestown, 1888-90; The Kansas Optimist, Jamestown, 1895, con- 
tinues; The Miltonvale News, Miltonvale, 1882-91; Miltonvale Chieftain, 
Miltonvale, 1887-88; Miltonvale Press, Miltonvale, 1892-93; Miltonvale 
Tribune, Miltonvale, 1894; The Miltonvale Press, Miltonvale, 1896-98; 
Miltonvale Record, Miltonvale, 1901, continues; Ames Advance, Ames, 
1885-86; The Ames Bureau, Ames, 1887; Come and See (a monthly con- 
ference reporter), Ames, 1895-98; Aurora News, Aurora, 1892-93. 
There were several other papers, though of short duration, viz: 
The Glasco Banner, edited by V. C. Post from February 25, to July 10, 
1880; Miltonvale Star, established by Robb & Phelps, and published from 
April 14, to August 26, 1886; The Reformer was published in Concordia 
from September 15 to November 2, 1886; The Weekly Courier was pub- 
lished at Ames from March 21, to June 29, 1888; The Miltonvale Review, 
from July 25 to November 14, 1889; The Advance was published in Mil- 
tonvale from January 15 to April 6. 1892; The Reporter was issued there 
from February 25 to March 17, 1892; The Miltonvale Echo from July 26, 
1892. to January 6, 1893; The Clyde Star was published in Clyde from 
March 14, to April 25, 1884; The Daily Reporter was published in Con- 
cordia from August 8, to September 3, 1887; The Western Rustler, a 
monthlv paper, was issued in Clyde during the months of January and Feb- 
ruary, 1889; The Miltonvale Leader, August 31, 1893, to January 4, 1894; 
The District School (monthly) was edited in Aurora from December, 1893, 
to March, 1894; The Daily Daylight was published in Concordia from May 
9 to August 21, 1895; The Cash Merchant (semi-monthly) was published 
in Glasco, May 1 to October 15, 1897; Gospel Leaves was edited in James- 
town by James H. Lathrop from October, 1880, to March. 1881. 

GROWTH OF CONCORDIA. 

January 16, 1877, the Central Branch Railroad reached Concordia. As 
strong evidence of the great need of the railroad, the following facts are 
given : One thousand one hundred car loads of freight were hauled from 
this town alone, the first thirty days after the road reached the city. There 
was also long trains of merchandise brought in. 

March 5, 1878, Concordia was brought into closer connection with the 
outside world by the operating of the telegraph line which was attached to 
the batteries on that day. Concordia is the natural center of a large trib- 
utary of rich farming lands, and like the old saying "all roads lead to 
Rome," this city being a railroad center, all roads lead to Concordia. 

The land office and the water power afforded by the Republican river 
was the nucleus that drew the town site and comity seat to Concordia. The 
bringing of the land office in 1870, gave the town an impetus and she began 
to take on a vigorous growth, since which time it has been rapid and sub- 
stantia! until now it can boast of being one of the most beautiful and pros 
perous cities in northwest Kansas with a population of five thousand people. 



174 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



CONCORDIA. HER FINANCIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INIHSTRIAL 



l\ II RESTS. 



Estimating the distance in an air line, Concordia is said to be situated 
one hundred and eleven miles in a northwesterly direction from Topeka, the 
capital of the state. It is charmingly located on the south side oi the 
Republican river, and is the seat of Cloud county. These important features, 
along with her railroad facilities, natural resources and developments, render 
this metropolis a conspicuous figure in the northwestern portion oi the state. 




Street Scene in Concordia. 

Concordia is the center of a large and rich area of agricultural country 
and the products that thrive in this fertile region find an excellent market 
there, which add in turn to the commercial supremacy, for Concordia 
is the radiating point, the trade center of a large population of country. 
The business blocks excel in character those usually found in cities of this 
size, most of them being substantial structures of brick or stone, two and 
three stories in height and particularly uniform in proportions. Many of 
the stores are handsomely appointed, as the various illustrations of inter- 
iors show, and present a metropolitan appearance, giving evidence of the 
extended business they transact. 

There are two excellent hostelries. the long popular "Barons House," 
which is now owned and managed by C. H. Martin, an experienced caterer, 
having been engaged in the hotel business for many years. Since Mr. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



•75 



Martin opened the house in June, 1902, lie has remodeled and made many 
improvements, which render comfortable and excellent accommodations to the 
traveling- public. There are several smaller hotels where lower rates are 
given, but comfortable quarters insured. "The Caldwell" is under course 
of completion and will be one of the most elegantly equipped hotels in the 
west. 

Many of the industries of this city are given space and appear under 
their own headlines. 




The Barons Hovse. 

There are many legal lights in Concordia, and although a peaceful city, 
situated in the midst of a law abiding population, they all thrive. . 

The medical profession is numerously represented and by some of the 
most able physicians in northwestern Kansas. 

Concordia has an unsurpassed high water pressure of the stand-pipe sys- 
tem. The water is absolutely pure, being forced into the great pipe, which 
is located on one of the hills on the southwest side of the city, from wells 
of living water. This perfect water system is also a great safeguard against 
conflagrations. In connection with this must be noted the well equipped 
fire department. 

From the hook and ladder company, instituted February 18, 1876, with 
fourteen members, and D. W. Williams, captain, and shortly afterward 
organized with thirty members and adopted uniforms, the present efficient 
fire department has grown. 

Concordia's new sewer system, completed in 1902, at a cost of twelve 
thousand eight hundred and ninety-one dollars and thirty-three cents, is a 
credit to the town and from its excellent sanitary conditions, and its fine 
water supply, the people of this city enjoy the greatest measure of health. 



176 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



The editorial staff of three papers, while at some variance politically 
and otherwise, are a unit as respects the advancement of Concordia's 
material interests. A well organized commercial club, made up of the 
most wide-awake and enterprising citizens, contributes much to the prosper- 
ity and advancement of the city. 

A few blocks removed from the business houses are handsome resi- 
dences and artistic cottages, whose beauty are greatly enhanced by a luxuri- 
ant growth of magnificent shade trees. These are found in all parts of the 
city, making it exceedingly pleasant in summer. The public buildings are 
stately edifices of modern architecture. The streets are not paved, a much 
needed factor which is being agitated by the city father-, bul the walks are 
admirably kept and in extent foot up a total of many miles. Few cities of 
the size of Concordia can boast of an electric light system giving more satis- 
factory service. 

Concordia being a radiating center, many commercial travelers have 
joined its residents in citizenship, something like seventy-five of them resid- 
ing there. Many have families and own their comfortable homes. No 

more enterprising citizens can 

be found, or who more gen 

en msly subscribe to ent< 1 

prises promoted for the gen 

era! welfare, or for the 

growth of their adopted 

town. 

They are a jolly lot ; 
extended travel and bump 
ing up against the world, as 
it were gives them an in- 
sighl into human nature, 
broadens their views and 
renders them exceedingly 
companionable fellows, who 
draw to themselves a crowd 
in the corridors of the hotel 
or wherever they may have convened to distribute their stores of well chosen 
"yarns." They are almost invariably genial, full of humor and wit, their 
narratives ever appropriate and entertaining, never minus bright points. 
Several of them have holdings in various business interests in Concordia, 
some oi whom have renounced the road entirely and become permanent 
dwellers in the city. 

Scores of these "commercial tourists" leave Concordia every Monday 
morning to visit the trade they have established, covering a territory of 
many miles north, south, east and west, and on the return trip again "Sun- 
day" in Concordia, the center of gravitation. 




Court House. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



i/7 



All the secret, social and benevolent orders are represented in Con- 
cordia. St. John's Lodge No. 113, A. F. S: A. M., was organized in 1872. 
There is a Blue Lodge and Chapter of Masons. The Concordia Com- 
mandery is in the lead in conferring the Order of the Temple. In the two 
last reports of the grand reporter they were placed at the head of the list 
and won laurels over all in the state. An encampment of Odd Fellows was 
instituted in 1873, and is known as Concordia Lodge No. 92. The United 
Commercial Travelers have a strong organization here. Many of the 
societies have elegant quarters. Especially is this true of the Benevolent 
Order of Elks. They maintain handsomely equipped, commodious and well 
ventilated rooms, where for the time being the man of affairs can enjoy an 
evening of recreation and business cares are forgotten. 

THE RIVER BEFORE CHANCING ITS COURSE. 

During the high water of July. 190J, the Republican river changed its 
channel. Leaving the city, it turned its course about one mile further to the 
northward, joining the old course about one and a half miles to the north- 
east. Its waywardness was the practical ruin of several fine farms; also 




The River Before Changing its Course. 

leaving the Concordia electric light plant and the Concordia mills without 
the water power by which they were largely operated. This was a serious 
damage to the city, while it is a heavy expense to the county as well, neces- 
sitating the building of a new bridge. Various projects are being con- 



i 7 8 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 




sidered, among them the cutting of a new channel through the neck of land 

where the river makes the farthest point south. 

The city of Concordia is located on rolling ground and has line natural 

drainage. The town extends from the river well into the lulls north and 

eastward. "/.ion Hill. 

which lies directly west oi 

ilu city, derives its origin 

from the numerous divines 

who at one time resided in 

that part of the city. "Nobs 

Hill" lies wesl and south of 

the Washington school build 

ing and was appropriately 

given its suggestive name be 

cause of the aristocracy of 

that locality. "Jail Hill" lies 

to the southeasl i if the city. 

I [ere is located the county 

i. ii' ; hence the name. The 

building is a substantial 
"Champion" Day in Concordia. , , . 

structure, located on the 

summit of the hill, and to the prisoner who is so unfortunate as to need 
be incarcerated there is no escape, until given his freedom at the hands oi 
the official who holds 
the keys that will 
move from their fast- 
enings the ponder, his 
doors. 

Concordia is not 
a boom town, but en- 
joys a steady and 
substantial growth. 
There are no empty 
buildings, residences 
or otherwise, and the 
citizens are all alive 
to the best interests 
of their beautiful 
city. The moral and 
social atmosphere 
compares favorably 
with any town of its 
size. While the religious side is looked to, social pleasures are also encour- 
aged, and many functions are held, which are elaborate in detail and dis- 
tinguished for their modern appointments. 




The Washington School. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



179 



In noting the various enterprises which follow, the author has no spe- 
cial interest, further than to give credit where it is merited, and they are 
published solely in the interests of the subscribers to the History of Cloud 
County. 

THE CONCORDIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 




The Lincoln School. 



One of America's many, 
many institutions is her mag- 
nificent public school system 
and nowhere on the continent 
is this exemplified to a great- 
er degree than in the fair 
state of Kansas. It is one of 
the principal elements of her 
greatness, and nowhere, per- 
haps, in the state are the edu- 
cational facilities of the pub- 
lic schools of Concordia sur- 
passed. From the modest 
little school house erected 
soon after the birth of Con- 
cordia, in 1870. modern 
structures valued at seventy-five thousand dollars have been erected. 

The Washington school was built in 1883; the first of the four build- 
ings that comprise the city's present schools. It is a fine brick building 
with eight rooms, a library and recitation rooms. The Lincoln is a four- 
room brick, erected in 1886. 
The same year the Garfield 
school, a two-roomed build- 
ing, .was located in the north 
part of the city. The High 
school, which is situated on 
the corner of Washington 
and Seventh streets, was 
erected in 1900. This is a 
handsome building of sub- 
stantial architecture, and is 
the pride of Concordia. It 
is constructed with an audi- 
torium that has a seating 
capacity of two hundred and 
seventy-five, four large reci- 
tation rooms, principal's 
room and superintendent's office, 
laboratory have been introduced. 




The Garfield School. 



A well equipped gymnasium and a fine 



i8o 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



The school library consists of one thousand six hundred volumes, rich 
in historical and biographical works, besides a splendid reference library. 
Opportunity is afforded the student to exercise his mind to the utmost .lin- 
ing the four rears high school course, and those whose scholastic career 
ends there, are fitted for mental growth and development in aftei life. A 
total of seventeen teachers are employed, three of that number in the High 
school Miss Ida R. Wilcox, one of the besl known educators in the eternity, 
and a daughter of Rosetta Honey Wilcox, who taught the first school in the 
county, is principal and lias filled that position for seven years, her work in 
the meantime being of a high character. 




The Hi'.]] Si hool. 



A. B. Carney has been associated with the Concordia schools for ten 
successive years. The discipline with which he conducted the first two years 
of his work is demonstrated by his promotion to a position of greater respon- 
sibility, which he has ably discharged and won recognized honor in the eight 
years his services have been retained as superintendent. Of the eight hundred 
and seventy pupils enrolled, one hundred of them are High school students. 
The average daily attendance is upwards of seven hundred. The citizens 
of Concordia have shown an appreciation of the progress made in the public 
schools and have reason to feel especially proud. For years the school board 
has Ijeen selected from the most progressive citizens of the city, who have 
lightened the burden very materially by vieing with their predecessors in 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. i8t 

thoroughly equipping the buildings with necessary apparatus and employ- 
ing the most efficient instructors at good salaries. The average in grades 
is forty-five dollars per month. The High school principal receives seven- 
ty-five dollars per month, and the superintendent twelve hundred dollars 
per year. Each succeeding year the Concordia public schools have pro- 
gressed and the development has been rapid, and the year that has just 
closed has been no exception to the preceding ones. 

THE GREAT WESTERN BUSINESS AND NORMAL COLLEGE. 

In September, 1889, L. H. Hausam organized a business training in- 
stitution in the city of Concordia, Kansas, known as the Great Western 
Business College. Mr. Hausam, the founder and president of the college, 
was a man of experience in educational work, having been connected with 
commercial and normal school interests for a period of fifteen years, when 
entering upon the field at Concordia. He has the reputation of being one of 
the best known and experienced penmen in the entire country, and is the 
founder of the Kansas State Penman Association, the only one of its kind 
in the United States, and is the author of The Xew Educator of Penman- 
ship, the highest endorsed work of its kind ever published. Several of 
his pupils became very proficient in this art, being the only students who 
passed the examination provided by the Kansas State Penmanship Asso- 
ciation. 

E. N. Hall, a well qualified college bred man. having earned the degree 
of master of accounts from the Gem City Business College of Ouincy, 
Illinois, was principal of the commercial department. 

W. J. Williams, a graduate from the Omaha Commercial College, was 
principal of the typewriting department. He was capable and enthusiastic, 
and produced some good results. Mr. O. F. Bearnes, principal of the short- 
hand department, was not only an experienced and competent instructor, 
but a cultured man of much value to the students in various ways. Each 
of the departments was well equipped, and every practical means used to 
make the Great Western Business College a successful institution, and while 
the enrollment never reached its present proportion, good results were 
obtained, and the college became favorably known. 

In June, 1902, Professor W. T. Larimore, one of the most enthusiastic 
and zealous educational workers in the west, assumed ownership, and 
became president of the Great Western Business & Normal College. Under 
his management the school has made wonderfully rapid strides, and is 
destined to become one of the foremost colleges in the state. Its reputa- 
tion for thoroughness is being widely established and the college quarters 
are crowded to their utmost capacity with bright young men and women 
from various parts of the country, who, as soon as they are competent, 
are placed in positions that command a lucrative salary, proportionate with 
the ability of the aspirant. This college offers advantages to the student 
who is desirous of qualifying for a position of trust and responsibility, or 

12 



182 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

to the young man or woman who expert to manage their own affairs, as 
a tin m aigh business training is valuable to all classes of people. 

Professor Larimore is not only one of the mosl energetic and tireless 
workers, hut one of the most competent instructors in the state, being master 
of three different systems in shorthand, presenting them all in a clear, 
attractive and comprehensive manner 

Each student entering for the shorthand or business course receives 
instructions in the following subjects: I 'lain penmanship, pronunciation, 
business forms, lecturing, business practice, commercial law. spelling, lettei 
writing', bookkeeping, debating, office training, arithmetic, civil government, 
constitution and grammar. These classes are all conducted under the most 
modern and approved methods, and tlu- courses of studs complete. 

The typewriting department has all the latesl improvements and each 
desk is furnished with a machine, the key "I which i- given t<i the student, 
that he may use the typewriter whenever he desires. The elegant desks con- 
taining the machines are regular eight drawer, roller tup office desks. The 
equipment id" the Great Western Business college is one of the finesl in the 
entire country. Solid oak individual desks, solid oak spring ami screw offid 
chairs, for students in the commercial department, s<,Hd oak typewriter desks 
in typewriting department. The chairs of all the departments are of oak, 
with solid oak table chairs for the lecture room. There are carpets on the 
aisles and halls throughoul the building. Many feet of line blackboard is 
provided; also a beautiful hank counter that students may he given the prac- 
tical experience so essential before entering up ffice duty. The two office 

rooms are admirably fitted with library chairs and tables, Davenporl couch, 
roller-top office desks and the floor is covered with Brussels carpet. The 
building is steam heated, lighted by electricity, and, although crowded with 
students, is well ventilated, clean and healthful. 

The normal department, intended for those who wish to teach school, 
or pursue a thorough course in the English branches, is s, , arranged that 
the best possible results are attained within the period of attendance. The 
elocution department is of a high character, and the advantages offered in 
this school are unsurpassed in the state The instructor in the telegraphy 

rtment. Professor J. P. Tyler, has had years of practical experience. 

The Great Western Business and Normal College has made every effort 
b ure the best talent in the music department, and are prepared to offer 
tl'.e best advantages to the students interested in music. They make a 
-]'• ialt) of piano, string and, band instruments of all kinds, and of voice 
culture. A college orchestra and a college band are among the leading and 
pie i sing features of the school. 

BIpGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF W. T. LARIMORE, THE PRESIDENT OF THE GREAT 
WESTERN Bl SINESS AND NORMAL COLLEGE. 

\ farm near Jacksonville; Illinois, is the birthplace of W. T. Larimore, 
and here he first saw the light of day in August, 1863. Two years subse- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



i83 



quently. his parents removed to Fairfield. Iowa, where lie assisted in the 
duties of the farm, and when time and circumstances permitted, attended 
school. At the age of thirteen years he returned to his native state and when 
seventeen years of age graduated from the Jacksonville high school, and 
later entered upon a three-years' course in Parsons College, Fairfield, Iowa, 
where he made the most of his opportunities, and at the age of twenty 
entered the Illinois Norma! College, at Dixon, Illinois, where he completed 
the normal, business and shorthand courses. Here was where he received 
his first inspiration to excel as a teacher, and when he entered this field it was 
with a determination of leading in his profession and he has not failed in 
this worthy ambition. 

President Larimore has won 
laurels as an instructor, and is now 
on his seventeenth year of unparal- 
leled success. In 1885 he became as- 
sociated with the Western Normal 
College of Shenandoah. Iowa, where, 
through his great zeal and energy. 
one of the most successful shorthand 
schools in the west was built up. O 
December 2, 1S91. this popular insti- 
tution was totally destroyed by fire. 
Although everything was disorder 
and confusion. Professor Larimore 
gathered his students together, or- 
ganized classes and continued the col- 
lege work in a building secured for 
that purpose during the ensuing three 
months. In the meantime he con- 
tracted with Professor F. F. Roose, 

business manager of the Lincoln Normal University. Lincoln. Nebraska, 
to take charge of the Lincoln College of Shorthand. On March 
1. 1892, Professor Larimore moved his school to Lincoln. The University 
building was completed on September 6, when he moved his students into 
the elegant new quarters, where he met with the best of success. In May, 
1893. the university was sold to Savior & Givens. Professor (mens hav- 
ing been a shorthand teacher, negotiations soon began for the purchase of 
that department. The deal was consummated and the college turned over to 
the above named firm on the 1 st of June. 

But Professor Larimore was not one to remain idle for a great length 
of time; his record was too bright a one to admit of rest, as the hundreds oi 
pupils who have graduated under his tutorage and are holding important 
positions throughout the country was a record that did not admit oi his 
being retired more than a brief period. He accepted a position as principal 
of the shorthand department of the Sioux City Commercial College. -1 




Professor W. T. Larimore. 



1 8 4 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

Sioux City, Iowa, but resigned at the expiration of the first year. His 
health having become impaired, he journeyed south to recuperate Ins lost 
vitality and while there filled the position as principal in the shorthand 
department of the Massey Business College, located in Jacksonville, Florida. 
During this time the Lincoln Normal University had become financially 
embarrassed and at the earnest request of the manager Professor 1. arum ire 
took charge of the shorthand department and succeeded in converting it into 
one of the best departments of the university. It was unfortunate for all 
when the building was totally destroyed by fire in November, [898. 
Immediately after this event Professor Larimore was secured for the short- 
hand and typewriting departments of the Grand Island Business College, 
where he labored with zeal and enthusiasm, attaining brilliant success, and 
making an extraordinary record as an instructor. After closing a period of 
three and one-half years of work in that widely-known college he accepted 
the presidency of the Great Western Business and Norma] College of < on 
cordia. With the gratifying success that has crowned his efforts are noticeable 
instances of the many obstacles he has found in his way. chief of which is a 
building commodious enough to accommodate the growing needs of this 
progressive enterprise. 

In conclusion it is but a fitting tribute to say of Professor Larimore, the 
patience and kind interest he manifests in the present and future welfare of 
his students draws them very closely around him 111 bonds of sympathy ami 
appreciation. He is ever read}- to contribute to their advancement and busi- 
ness interests. Under his judicious administration the college has Keen 
wonderfully advanced, and Concordia feels a just pride in this growing insti- 
tution so well calculated to promote the welfare of the rising generation; it 
does and should receive the fostering aid of the surrounding country. Pro- 
fessor Larimore has demonstrated since coming to Concordia what an 
energetic, live man can accomplish. By extensive advertising and his unlim- 
ited capacity for "rustling" he has attracted students from all over the state 
and even beyond the confines of Kansas 

THE CONCORDIA ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY. 

Several years prior to the organization of the Concordia Electric Light 
Company an effort was made to light the city and a plant was established 
with an arc system for lighting the streets, which was fairly successful, but 
owing to crude workmanship and cheap labor it proved a failure; the plant 
was closed down and kerosene again resorted to, but the prosperous city of 
Concordia was not accustomed to being outdone in the race for improve- 
ments and it made a new and permanent start on a firm basis, with ample 
means and men of ability to forge the project to the front, who spared no 
expense in the outlay for competent labor, macbinerv and fixtures. 

The Concordia electric light and power plant stands pre-eminentlv to 
e trout of Concordia's enterprises and compares favorably with the lighting 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 185 

systems of many larger cities in this and older states. The plant was estab- 
lished by the firm of H. M. Spalding & Company in 1886, and incorporated 
two years later. The business was inaugurated by placing one thirty-light 
Western electric low-tension dynamo, which was speedily followed by two 
more dynamoes of the same capacity and style. 

The machinery was first run by water power alone, but in 1888 a Cor- 
liss engine was added. In 1898 a large general electric incandescent 
dynamo, or generator, was installed, with the alternating system. It has 
been a source of much satisfaction to the company to say it has never solic- 
ited a customer since they placed this last machine. They have wired and 
in operation over thirty-five hundred lights, all of which have been installed 
by the unsolicited request of their patrons. The lighting of the streets, busi- 
ness blocks, residences and public buildings are a source of pride to the res- 
idents of the city and the public at large. 

E. A. Wentworth, one of the best electricians in the country and a man 
of long and varied experience throughout the state, wired the city of Con- 
cordia, where he spent four years, and much credit is due to his skill and 
artistic taste. H. M. Spalding, the prime mover in this enterprise, is pres- 
ident of the company, and T. J. McCue, one of Concordia's prominent busi- 
ness men, is treasurer. 

WEATHER BUREAU. 

The weather bureau office, which was established in Concordia May 
1. 1885, is and has been since it was first located, on the second floor of the 
B. S. Williams building. No. 204 West Sixth street. 

The office was opened by P. H. Cahill, who remained in charge until 
June, 1886, when he was succeeded by E. A. Ravenscroft. of St. Louis; 
Mr. Ravenscroft was relieved by L. M. Tarr in January. 1887. and Mr. 
Tarr by J. W. Byram in September, 1890. Mr. Byram. who is a gentle- 
manly and obliging official, is still on duty as official in charge. 

Warnings of storms, frosts and cold waves for the northern half of 
Kansas are sent out from this office. A daily bulletin, showing the weather 
conditions over the section of country between the Mississippi river and the 
Rocky mountains, is issued each morning, and mailed to one hundred and 
sixty-five persons and places. Records of all weather conditions are kept 
and from them is found the annual rainfall of Cloud county to be seven and 
ninety-eight one hundredths inches and the mean temperature fifty-three 
degrees. 

THE CONCORDIA TELEPHONE COMPANY. 

One of the most complete organizations in all its details in Cloud 
county is the Concordia Telephone Company. From a very diminutive 
affair it has assumed extended proportions until a complete system has been 
consummated, far reaching in its service. The company was instituted in 
the autumn of 1897, with eighty-three subscribers on the list. The Honor- 



1 86 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

able G. W. Marshall was its first president; F. J. Atwood, treasurer, and 
F. \Y. Daugherty, secretary. A few months thereafter Mr. Marshall and 
Mr. Atwood sold their interests in the enterprise and J. W. < hue was elei ted 
president. Mr. Cline disposing of his portion, E. II. Fullerton was chosen 
to succeed him as president. 

In July, 1901, G. G. Hill and William l.utt purchased Mr. Fullerton's 
interest in the stock, at which time the following officers were chosen: F. 
W. Dangherty, president: William l.utt, vice-president, and G. G. llill. sec 
retary and treasurer. These last named officers are the exclusive owners 
and remain the officials of the company. 

Mr Daughert) has been with the organization from its beginning and 
has witnessed the growth of the enterprise from its eighty-three original 
subscribers to over five hundred patrons, including seventy five of the lead 
ing farmers of Cloud and Republic counties. Through its own and sur- 
rounding connections every town of any importance in the state of Kansas 
and many in Nebraska are reached. They are also connected with Kansas 
City and all eastern points through the Union Telephone and Telegraph 
Company, in which Messrs. Daugherty, l.utt and llill are largely nun. ted 

William l.utt, vice-president of the company, is a veteran ex-traveling 
man. whose territory called him to Concordia regularly for many years. 
Mr. Lutt's energy and enterprising nature mala- him well qualified for tin- 
relative place he occupies, lie is permanently established in Concordia and 
possesses qualities that render him a useful citizen. George G. llill, sec- 
retary and treasurer of the company, has been reared in Kansas, having 
come to the state in his boyhood days. In [874, while en route to Jewell 
City to join his brother, the late Robert W. Hill, be passed through Clyde 
and Concordia and remembers them as villages composed of a few 'Shacks." 
This was before the advent of railroads and Mr. llill walked from Clyde to 
Jew'ell City and, as if to add spice and something novel to his experience, he 
unwillingly parted from the trail and wandered promiscuously over the wild 
region of the salt marsh for several hours ere the bewildered lad found bis 
way. He. like Mr. Lutt, is an old-time commercial traveler, having fol- 
lowed that life for fifteen years, beginning with D. M. Steele & Company, of 
St. Joseph, Missouri. Mr. Hill is a native of Carrollton, Illinois. He is of 
southern origin, his father and mother having been natives of Kentucky and 
Virginia, respectively. 

Collectively speaking the officers and owners of the Concordia Tele- 
phone Company combine the features essential to success, and as a combina- 
tion have attained a place among the solid financial institutions of the 
country. 

HISTORY OF THE CLOUD COUNTY BANK. 

I he Cloud County Rank, of Concordia, opened for business December 
17. 1N7S, with an organized capital of 850,000. The directors were F. R. 
Smith, of Brandon, Vermont; H. C. Harrison, of the same place: R. J. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 187 

Harper, of Manhattan, Kansas; E. Linney and W. C. McDonald, of Con- 
cordia. F. B. Smith was the principal founder and organizer. They occu- 
pied a small frame building on the same lot where the present structure 
stands until 1887, when they erected a substantial, two-story bank building. 

The bank's first president was H. C. Harrison; R. J. Harper, vice- 
president; C. W. McDonald, cashier, and Fred T. Atwood, assistant cashier. 

September 15, 1880, C. W. McDonald resigned his position as cashier 
and was succeeded by F. J. Atwood, and J. F. Rogers was elected assistant 
cashier. October 15, 1883, F. J. Atwood resigned the position of cashier 
and V. H. Branch was elected to till the vacancy. January 5, 1881. F. B. 
Smith was elected president, and I r . !.. Warren, vice-president. October 25, 
1883, Dr. W. H. Wright was elected vice-president to fill a vacancy caused 
by the death of E. L. Warren. October 15. 1883, W. T. Branch was elected 
assistant cashier, and October 13. [8S4, was succeeded by Walter E. Moore. 
January 5, 1886, William M. Peck was elected assistant cashier, and August 
1 of the same year assumed the duties of cashier in place of V. H. Branch, 
resigned, and D. B. Harrison was elected assistant cashier. October 1, 
1891, E. B. Warren was elected assistant cashier to fill the vacancy caused 
by the resignation of D. B. Harrison. Mr. Warren resigned October 8. 
i8q_i. and H. W. Barber, the present incumbent, was elected. 

There were no further changes of office until the death of the bank's 
lamented president, F. B. Smith, which occurred at his home in Brandon, 
Vermont, January 13, 1900. 

April 4, 1900, Dr. W. H. Wright was elected president, and George H. 
Young, vice-president, both of Brandon, Vermont, and sons-in-law of the 
late F. B. Smith. 

October 10, 1882. the bank increased its capital stock to $100,000. 
Since the election of William M. Peck to the office of cashier, in [886, he has 
had practically the entire charge of the bank. Under his personal super- 
vision they have constantly increased their volume of business. It has been 
said the stability' and character of a community and its industries may be 
best judged by the standing of its [tanks. If this be true the people of Con- 
cordia have everv cause for congratulation, fur there is no bank in north- 
west Kansas that is held in more universal confidence by its patrons than the 
Cloud County Bank, of Concordia. 

For twenty-four years it has been recognized as one of the financial 
powers of Cloud county. There has never been a time during that period 
when its policy has not been in accord with the upbuilding of the country 
and the fostering of its industries and enterprises. 

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK, OF CONCORDIA. 

The history of the First National Bank demonstrates what an enter- 
prise that has at its head men of business sagacity and enterprise can attain. 
Under these wise and conservative managers this hank is transacting an 



1 88 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

extensive and safe business and lias gained a place among the must solid 
financial institutions of the state. 

It was established October 26, 1883, under the national banking sys 
tern, with a capital stock of $50,000. The officials were: 11. M. Spalding, 
president; George W. Marshall, vice-president: F. J. Atwood, cashier; \\ . 
W. Bowman, assistant cashier. The directors were: II. M. Spalding. 
George W. Marshall. J. C. ('.afford. James 1. Wyer, I >. I.. Brown, John 
Tate. Theodore Laing, C. A. Betournay and William Conner. 

These officers were elected to till the fraction of the year, but wen- 
re-elected for the ensuing year, with the exception of [•'. E. Cobb to succeed 

D. L. Brown. The corporation purchased the commodious quarters of the 
N. B. Brown banking house, but not the business of that linn. Mr. Spald- 
ing resigned the presidency of the bank May 7. [884, and by virtue of office 
was succeeded by George \Y. Marshall. On September 10, [884, Glenn E 
Lathrop w<as elected bookkeeper and general assistant. December 10 of the 
same year resolutions were passe.! reducing the number of directors from 
nine to seven. 

January 14. 1885. George W. Marshall was re elected president, suc- 
ceeding himself; Charles E. Sweet was elected vice-president, and F. J. 
Atwood was made director. August 24, [885, Glenn E. Lathrop resigned 
and C. R. Piper, of Ludlow. Vermont, assumed the duties of bookkeeper. 
Mr. Piper withdrew in June, [886, and was succeeded by Don II. Atwood, 
now of the Elk State Bank, of Clyde. Thomas Wrong was made director 
by the death of John Tate. In September, [886, a meeting was called to 
consider the feasibility of increasing the capital stoek to $100,000; there 
was not a dissenting vote, hence the proposition carried and was put into 
effect. 

On March 3, 1887, Glenn E. Lathrop, who had formerly been book 
keeper, was tendered and accepted the position of cashier, succeeding F. J. 
Atwood. who became second vice-president and manager, each assuming 
the duties of their respective offices beginning with June, 1K87. January 
li, 1888. F. J. Atwood was elected president of this prosperous enterprise 
and during the sixteen years that have elapsed he has been the presiding 
genius and in reality the chief manager since its organization. At this meet- 
ing the office of second vice-president was abolished. D. II. Atwood 
resigned his position as bookkeeper in July, 1888, to assume the duties of 
cashier in the bank he promoted in Aurora. 

After Mr. Atwood's resignation Mrs. Jessie H. Atwood filled that 
position very efficiently. May 6, 1889. W. W. Bowman succeeded Glenn 

E. Lathrop, resigned, and has served in the position of cashier continuously 
ever since. At the same time James I. Wyer, Jr., was elected assistant cash- 
ier. In August, 1895, James I. Wyer withdrew for the purpose of entering 
upon a librarian course in the State University of Minnesota. He subse- 
quently completed his studies in Albany. New York, and received the 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 189 

appointment of librarian in the State University of Nebraska. Mrs. Wyer 
is a sister of Mrs. Atwood. 

In March, 1896, the number of directors were reduced from seven to 
five, the minimum number. January 5, 1898, the Citizens National Bank 
went into liquidation- and George H. Palmer, who had been the cashier of 
that firm, was elected assistant cashier of die First National Bank. Mr. Pal- 
mer was deceased about one year later. II. C. Wones became teller in July, 
1898. and on February 6 of the following- year he was elected assistant 
cashier, still acting- in that capacity and is a valued and efficient employe. 
On or about the same time Carl \Y. Allendoerfer became bookkeeper and 
general assistant. In September, 1901, Mr. Allendoerfer resigned and 
accepted a trustworthy position with the American National Bank, of Kan- 
sas City, Missouri, where he still holds forth. Walter B. Hedlund, the pres- 
ent competent bookkeeper assumed the responsibilities of that position in 
Tune. 1902. In May, 1902, W. E. Carnahan, the talented son of the late 
A. A. Carnahan, was elected teller. Since May, 1889, there has been no 
changes in the offices of president, vice-president and cashier from the time 
of their promotion to the present date (November, 1902.) 

The bank building was enlarged in 1900 and is one of the handsomest 
and must substantial structures in the city of Concordia, and a lasting mon- 
ument to the prosperity and popularity of this institution. The building is 
of stone, two stories in height, extends back to the alley and represents some 
of the best architecture and masonry in this part of the state. Before 2 
stone had been placed the prospective extension was leased by the govern- 
ment for postofnce quarters. The building is well furnished and admirably 
equipped for postal facilities. The second floor is arranged in office suites. 

The deposits of the First National Bank runs from $225,000 to $300,- 
000; more than half this amount is from the farmer and stockman and this 
average has been maintained from the beginning. The total dividends paid 
to the stockholders have been $168,000. The total surplus is $7^,000. The 
building contains improved fire-proof and burglar-proof vaults, which afford 
perfect security to the contents. 

This firm has never been in a more sound or safer condition since enter- 
ing upon their prosperous career than they are today. Every bill is worth 
one hundred cents on the dollar. They have never experienced the anxiety 
of a "run" or the resemblance of one: even during the panic when many 
banks were failing all around them. The deposits were decreased owing to 
the stringency of the money markets, but were at all times abundantly able 
to pay any demands made upon them. 

THE CONCORDIA LIBRARY. 

The Concordia Library is another institution that Concordia is justly 
proud of. To Mrs. Caroline J. Dudley, Mrs. Josephine Truesdell Marshall, 
Mrs. Augusta Harrison Wilfong and the late Mrs. Ruth Pulsifer (mother 



igo HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

of Park B. Pulsifer) the citj owes the founding of this enterprise; they were 
not only the promoters of this worthy project but the prune movers in push- 
ing it to success. 

The first library quarters were in' a room in the Young Men's Chris- 
tian Association building, tendered gratuitously by thai organization. The 
first financial fund was earned in a very unique manner, by Mrs. Dudley and 
Mrs. Wilfong as "Scissor Grinders." These ladies phed their vocation in a 
way that would have done credit to the "professionals" in our greal cities. 
Trade was brisk and not only scissors were ground, but carving knives, jack 
knives, etc., until they had netted a considerable fund. They carried a grind- 
stone — their stock in trade; and while Mr-. Dudley turned the crank. Mrs 
Wilfong held the instrument to be sharpened. 

This was during the Columbian Club movement, and after giving the 
required -urn of one dollar each to that society the surplus was utilized in 
purchasing paint and a padlock for the library room and a felt for the table 
-the first money expended in the cause. The library was opened on 
November t8, 1892, with the following officers installed. Mrs. Josephine 
T. Marshall, president; Mr-. Caroline J. Dudley, librarian; Mrs. Vugusta 
Harrison Wilfong, ways and means committee; Mrs. Emma D. Cold), sec 
retary, 

After the plans were instituted, other ladies were active in their assist 
ance and very materially aided in the building up of the library to its presenl 
standard. The original members, aside from those already mentioned, 
were: Mesdames A. P. Foster, Mattie M. Spaldmg. \. I'.. Brown, G. A. 
Beauchamp, Grace Ellis, Jenette Achilles, VV. I.. Day. VV. 1.. McCarty, A. F. 
Colson, Dr. Anna Grigsby, Maggie M. Allendorfer, C. A. Betournay and 
Miss Hattie L, Smith. The above mentioned members have all been active 
workers in the interests of the library. Other later members and also zeal- 
ous workers are: Mesdames Rose Darlington. Jennette Miller. R. V. Hill, 
C. L. Browning, Estelle Neilson, Katherine McCue, Mabel Eastman, Kath- 
erine Craig and Miss Celia Stetson. Mrs. Marshall. Mrs. Wilfong and 
Mis. Dudley each served as president of the association two years. Mrs. 
Darlington was elected in 1902. 

Mrs. Dudley served as librarian four years and when she was honored 
by the presidency was succeeded by Mrs. Wilfong. who acted in that capac- 
ity six years. Mrs. Allendorfer was then elected librarian, Mrs. Wilfong 
having resigned, and entered upon the duties of that office November 4, 
[902. Mrs. Emma D. Cobb, the first treasurer, was succeeded one year later 
D3 Mrs. Spalding, who has served the association faithfully and still con- 
tinues in that office. 

The following members have in turn acted as secretarv for a period of 
one year each: .Miss Anna Schaffer, Mrs. M. P. Foster. Miss Hattie Smith 
and Mrs, Grace Ellis. Mrs. Katherine Craig served four years and Mrs. 
Maggie Allendorfer two years. The present secretary, Mrs. Rose Hill, 
assumed the duties of that office November 4. 10,02. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 191 

The first library room was carpeted by Mrs. Cobb and a settee contrib- 
uted by the late Mrs. Homer Kennett. Through a subscription circulated, 
fifty-six books were obtained as a starter and other volumes have been 
donated from time to time, and in a few instances money has been given. 
Park B. Pulsifer has contributed annually a ( hristmas present of ten dollars 
in memory of his late mother's appreciative interest in the library. George 
Alexander also gives ten dollars as a memorial to Mrs. Pulsifer. Mrs. Rose 
Darlington donated five dollars and Colonel X. B. Brown tenders one dollar 
at each annual reception. 

In 1894 the present rooms occupied by the Concordia Library were 
handsomely fitted up and on June 5 of the same year the association held its 
first meeting in their new rooms. Through the magnanimity of Colonel 
X. B. Brown these rooms have been given rent free. This generosity and 
public spirit upon the part of Colonel Brown is commendable and deserving 
of recognition. Mrs. Brown has also wielded her influence in a manner that 
calls forth praise and commendation. 

The inscription, "The Concordia Library," is affixed to all books and 
documents pertaining to the association. 

A charter was granted and the following rule instituted: All per>i ms 
paying their dues of one dollar annually and signing the constitution shall be 
entitled to the privileges of the association. 

The promoters and active members of the library have labored hard for 
its success. To speak of them individually would require far too much 
space, hut to the promoters who have worked with much zeal in the worthy 
cause that has given infinite delight to an extensive coterie of readers and 
regular patrons must especially be mentioned the names of Mrs. Dudley, 
Mrs. Marshall. Mrs. Wilfong and Mrs. Ruth Pulsifer. Mrs. Marshall con- 
tributed much by throwing open to the association her pleasant home as a 
meeting place for the various entertainments held as beneficiaries to the 
library. The editors of the city papers have been generous in printing lists 
of books contained on the shelves of the library and in advertising' the enter- 
tainments given each season, and the public expressed an interest by giving 
their patronage to the bazaars held from time to time. 

The association has in its treasury a fund of six hundred and twenty- 
five dollars and they expect to erect a suitable building in the near future. 
Many of the library's active workers have removed from Concordia, hut the 
aid they lent towards an ideal mission is chronicled in the fruits of their 
efforts. 

There are now nineteen hundred volumes in the collection of hunks and 
the lover of literature needs no greater incentive than contact with attractive- 
works of history or fiction such as surround him on all sides of this well 
equipped library, as it contains the best books and current literature. 

The founding of the Concordia Library has been a power fur good and 
will be a lasting monument for all time to come. The association was organ- 
ized with the idea of awakening the city to the strenuous needs of a public 



192 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

library, and as soon as the citizens of Concordia can be brought to realize 
its value it will be instituted a public library. 

CHURCHES OF CONCORDIA. 

I 

Referring to the churches of Concordia collectively it must be said, 
seldom in a city of its inhabitants is the religious and moral atmosphere 
more apparent. Nearly every denomination and sect are represented and 
their places of worship are dignified and graceful edifices. The ministers 
who labor in the interests of divine teaching are men of learning and char- 
acter eminently worthy to occupy any pulpit. They are eloquent in expound- 
ing the teaching of the gospel, zealous and exemplary in their lives. 

Concordia is the residence of the Catholic bishop of the see ol I on- 
cordia. Thev have under course of completion a magnificent cathedral, also 
a convent which is one of the largest and must elaborate within the state of 
Kansas. There is a commendable feature worthy of notice regarding the 
people of Concordia; although all sects are represented within its bounda- 
ries, thev have no religious disputes, but recognize each other as ( hristians. 

If the Catholics need assistance they call upon the general public for 
aid, and the other denominations do likewise. To a very great extent this 
condition has been brought about by the conservatism of those who have 
administered to the congregations, but more particularly to the great ability 
and broad humanitarianism of Rev. Joseph Perrier, the vicar general. 
Another reverend gentleman who has done much for the upbuilding of 
Cloud count}-, in a broad sense, is Father Mollier, of St. Joseph, whose 
sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Generally speaking, the various 
congregations throughout the city are composed of the reputable of all 
classes and more moral or better citizens do not exist in any community. 

THE SWEDISH BAPTIST CHURCH OF CONCORDIA. 

In the years of 1869-70 there emigrated to this part of Kansas from 
Sweden a colony of Swedish people, mostly from the Isle of Gottland, who 
settled 011 the Republican river in the vicinity of Concordia, took homesteads 
which they improved and by their industry and thrift have built comfortable 
homes and many of them have acquired wealth. This settlement was called 
Gottland, in honor of their native country. Here thev built a school house 
and established a church organization, holding services in the school build- 
ing, where they continue to hold services occasionallv and prayer meetings 
regularly. Some of these pioneers were Baptists when they came, but most 
of them were poor and did no missionary work until the Rev. August John- 
son, oi Chicago, came of his own accord and began the work among them 
in 1877. That year he organized a church of nine members and was electee' 
mi iderator or pastor. 

Reverend Johnson has given most of his time in doing general mis- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 193 

sionary work: has been ami is now connected more or less with Swedish 
Baptist churches throughout the state. For many years he made his home 
in Concordia, but now resides with his daughter, Mrs. Martin, of Peabody, 
Kansas. He is an influential man, a horn leader and widely known. 

In 1878 the congregation of the Swedish Baptist church erected a house 
of worship in Concordia, which was purchased in 1900 by the denomination 
of Christians. In 1900 they built a church, a stone edifice which, 111 point 
of architecture, is one of the most substantial buildings of its kind 111 the 
city. The grounds include a parsonage and nine twenty-two foot lots. The 
church is fifty by twenty-two feet. The capacity of the audience room is 
about two hundred people. Under the building is a basement for the accom- 
modation of societies, suppers, etc. The baptistry is just back of the pulpit 
and is accessible by the upward sliding of a large arch-shaped door. This 
property cost eight thousand dollars, all of which has been paid for. a dis- 
tinction which they very much enjoy. 

The following pastors have been in charge : Reverend August John- 
son, Reverend J. P. Dolquist, Reverend X. F. Person, Reverend A. B. 
Anderson, R.everend A. J. Benson, Reverend John Peterson, Reverend John 
Johnson, Reverend John Bjork. Reverend C. A. Roberg, Reverend I. A. 
Huggerth. The latter is the present pastor and has occupied the pulpit for 
the last three years. The total membership of all the years is one hundred 
and seventy-three. Many have removed from the city and state and some 
have passed into the unknown. The present congregation consists of fifty- 
two members, principally living in the country districts adjacent to Con- 
cordia. A partial record of the total amount of money raised for church 
and missionary work show an expenditure of twenty-two hundred dollars. 

The members of this congregation are a unit and dwell in peaceful 
harmony. 

THE FIRST TRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CONCORDIA. 

On the first Sabbath of December, 1S70, Reverend M. P. Jone>. then 
a member of the Pennsylvania Central presbytery, preached in the land office 
at Concordia. Mr. Jones was laboring at that time in Clyde, but the 
brighter prospects opening before Concordia led him. like many others, to 
select this as his place of residence. 

Soon after preaching his first sermon he moved to Concordia, where 
he continued his labors until December. 1874. 

Public religious services were held at various places for a time with no 
very great certainty of long continuance. The laud office. May & Burns' 
office, the "new" hotel and Wetherell's shoe shop were all occupied for a 
time. % 

On the 4th of June, 1871. the Presbyterian church was organized in 
the old court house, with eighteen members; but one of these remain. .Mr-. 
Anna Bethel. Albert Strain, a son of fudge Strain, their first ruling elder. 



194 



HISTORY OF CLOUD CObNTY, KANSAS. 



was a mere boy when uniting with the church, anil is now a missionary of 
Ecuador, South America. All of the others have either removed to other 
places or passed into the great unknown. 

Si ion after the organization the congregation hired a hall which Stood 
where the First National Hank now viands. From this locality the) moved 
to Stnrges' hall, which was then located a little further cast. In December, 
1X7.?, both of these buildings were burned ami the congregation moved to 
Carnahan's hall on Sixth and Broadway. 

The present church building on Seventh 
street, wet of Washington, was erected in 
[874-5, being only church edifice which the 
congregation has used. Reverend Benjamin 
F. [Iaviland supplied the church from June, 
[876, to June. [878, a period of two years. 
Reverend Samuel F. Farmer was the next 
t minister ami continued his labors from the 
autumn 1 1' [878 until April, [881. During 
both of Lhese pastorates a considerable num- 
ber was added to the church. 

lanuarv ;i, [882, Reverend II. Bush- 
i nell, Jr., was installed as pastor of the church 
by a committer of Solomon presbyter) 
Judge Strain served in the capacity of ruling 
elder from its organization until Ins death, 
Januan > = [880. Messrs. James Wood- 
ward. II. \' . Smith ami J. F. Rogers, all of 
whom have removed to other places, also tilled, tl e for longer or shorter 

periods of time. 

The session, as now constituted, consists of the pastor. Reverend Bush- 
nell. with the following- elders, viz: Thomas A. Sawhill, John A. Tyner, 
W. Walter Bowman, Dr. William F. Sawhill. John H. Morrison. James 
Clithero, Oscar Park and George A. McEckron. The church building is a 
handsome stone edifice, well located in a part of the city devoted mainly to 
residences, and is not only an ornament to the city hut admirahh adapted to 
the purpose for which it was built. 

11k- church has a seating capacity of two hundred and fifty and a 
membership of one hundred and seventy-three. In 1883 the debt of four 
thousand dollars was paid by a hard struggle. The tower was completed, a 
bell placed at a cost of four hundred and ten dollars, and various Other 
S ami improvements were made at a cost of eleven hundred and sixty- 
six dollars in [893. The church is practically out of debt. During 1890 the 
: was changed and electric lights put in at a cost of five hundred and 
ten dollars. A subscription of four hundred dollars was taken up and every 
dollar was paid at the close of the year, not a subscriber failing nor one- 
scaled the price. 




Tut First Presbyterian I 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 195 

The church has contributed annually about four hundred dollars for 
benevolences, not for themselves, but for work elsewhere. They have a Sab- 
bath school of one hundred and fifty members and regular attendants. VV. 
Walter Bowman is the efficient superintendent. A young people's society 
of Christian Endeavor meets every Sunday night, with about forty mem- 
bers; F. J. Atwood is president. Societies all meet in the basement. The 
pastor'-, study is also located there. 

THE UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH IN CHRIST. 

There has been no complete record kept of this church, but after careful 
research, the following has been obtained' 

For several years prior to 1886 the denomination known as the "United 
Brethren" had a number of classes in the western part of the count)-, which 
constituted the Cloud county circuit, and within the Northwest Kansas con- 
ference. Reverend O. Beistle served the country charge several years and 
during the latter part of his services there was an opportunity to begin a 
church work in Concordia, whereupon he organized a class of fourteen 
members on May 9, 1886. T. E. Thachery was elected first leader and J. H. 
B< igue. steward. 

The annua! conference convened at Harlem. Smith count}-, Kansas. 
October 14 to 18, 1886. During this meeting the Concordia and Sibley 
classes were constituted Concordia circuit, and Reverend Jospeh Bays, then 
a young and single man from Indiana, was appointed minister in charge and 
served two years, during which time he was married to Miss Nora Smith. 

Services were first held in the Swedish Baptist church, but a few- 
months later and at the beginning of Reverend Bays' pastorate, the Grand 
Army of the Republic hall was secured for worship, and the work prospered. 
Preparations were made for the erection of a church, a location was secured 
in block ninety-four, lot six, and a small frame house was erected during the 
fall and winter of 1887-8, which furnished a comfortable meeting place for 
the small society which now numbered about sixty members. 

The location of the church proved to be an inconvenient one. remote 
from the center of population and after much consultation and planning it 
was decided to secure a new location nearer the business part of town and 
rebuild. A location was secured on the southwest corner of Eighth street 
and Lincoln avenue, consisting of lot number one and the east one-half of 
lot two of block one hundred and fourteen, of the hirst National Bank of 
Concordia for a consideration of three hundred dollars, and a larger and 
much better building was erected on the new site, and so nearly completed 
as to admit of conference being held there in October. [892. The house 
was dedicated to the worship of God by Bishop W. Castle, 1 >. D., in L 
ruary, [893. The buildings, lots and furniture are valued at about twenty- 
six hundred dollar-. 

Reverend Joseph Bays served two years, was reappointed to this work 



196 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

for the third year, but was cut down by the "grim reaper" in [901, and after 
his death the work was put in charge of Dr. Williams, who received a tem- 
porary appointment. Reverend Bays was a man greatly beloved by his con- 
gregation and did much for the upbuilding oi his church. 

The United Brethren have a Sunday school in flourishing condition, 
under the superintendency of J. T. Rogers, who has tilled this position for a 
term of ten consecutive years, with the exception of one year. The attend- 
ance is large, numbering about two hundred. The church is a comfortable, 
well finished building with a seating capacity of three hundred, and is prac- 
tically free of debt. In 1899 they built a parsonage <>n tin- lots adjacent t<> 
the church ground — a six-room cottage 

The present steward is C. T. Wilson, who has served several years. 
C. U. McKee is presiding elder, and Harry Key, class leader. Bishops, X. 
Castle, Q. S. Mills. E. B. Kephardl and 1. W. Unit; ministers. Reverends 
O. Beistle, Joseph Bays, W. W. Carper. W. 1. .Murphy, T. J. Richie. M . 
Jennings and C. U. McKee. Reverend Joseph Bays was again appointed, 
making this has first and last work.' 

The Woman's Missionary Society and Children's Band of Willing 
Workers are in a healthy and vigorous condition and are doing excellent 
work. 

ORIGIN OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF CONCORDIA. 

February 26, 1877. J. F. Rairden, a pioneer Baptist missionary of the 
Republican Valley association, called a meeting, which was held in Cirna- 
han's hall, and perfected an organization of twenty-four members. The 
following year an effort was made to form a partnership with the Swedish 
Baptist church, but failed: the latter, however, succeeded in building a 
church and the congregation of the First Baptist church worshipped there 
until 1S87. 

In the early part of 1880 ground was broken mi the location of the 
present house of worship, a kiln of brick was lxjugbt for three hundred dol- 
lars, stone for the basement was donated, and so great was the amount of 
labor and material given that a church worth five thousand dollars was built 
for three thousand seventy-nine dollars and twenty cents. Of this sum five 
hundred dollars was donated by the American Baptist Home Mission 
society, the remainder was subscribed at dedication in October, 1881. How- 
ever, of those who had subscribed on the day of dedication, some, through 
failure of crops and general stringency in financial matters, were unable to 
pay; others removed without paying, until August 1, 1882, the church stood 
face to face with a debt of twelve hundred dollars. 

Under the leadership of Elder Nash four hundred dollars of this was 
paid The friends of the enterprise now felt that they had reached the 
extent of their ability and hope gave place to doubt and dispair. Elder 
Nash's resignation followed and matters were left in this unsettled Condi- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 197 

tion until September, 18S3, when Elder Wood took charge of the work. 
December 3, 1883, the remaining indebtedness was paid and the mortgage 
released. 

The Baptist denomination have a handsome edifice, one of the best in 
the city, It is built of brick, with a basement. The auditorium is hand- 
somely furnished and finished. The windows are of beautiful stained glass. 
Above the entrance are cut out of magnesia limestone the following inscrip- 
tion : First Baptist church, 1880. 

Elder Wood was followed by Reverend B. P. Russell. The pastorates 
of Elders Wood and Russell were characterized by no great ingathering, 
but in seed sowing; they prepared for the period of harvest by which the 
pastorate of Elder Simmons was distinguished. The following pastors 
have been in charge: Reverends J. F. Rairden. C. H. Nash, M. Wood, B. 
P. Russell; W. A. Simmons, W. J. McCollom, C. B. P. Fox, J. R. Rairden. 
B. B. Brink, C. S.Taylor, Charles McMann. A. Frank Houser of Carthage, 
Illinois, was assigned and took charge October 1, 1901. 

This circuit comprises the Republican Valley Baptist Association and 
embraces the following towns : Belleville, Clay Center. Clifton, Clyde, 
Concordia, Highland, Junction City. Kackley, Morganville, Republic City, 
Riverdale, Uniondale and Vinton. 

While there has been no great demonstration in the church work of 
this denomination, there has been a steady and healthy growth. During the 
boom in the early 'nineties they had a membership of over two hundred, 
but many removed, some deceased, and a church was organized in the coun- 
try by J. R. Rairden, which took many members from the Concordia church, 
leaving the present membership one hundred and three. 

A Sabbath school has been in existence for twenty-four years, with 
an average attendance of about eighty-two. Judge C. P. Smith is the pres- 
ent superintendent. Prior to him, the late E. L. Ackley served four year-. 
Mr. McMann served this charge three years, during which time there was 
no great demonstration, but good seed had been sown. As a successful min- 
ister and Bible instructor, he had few superiors in this part of the country. 
His sermons were instructive and edifying. He was a good counselor ami 
safe leader. 

The church was also fortunate in securing a man of so much experi- 
ence, rare ability, so deep a thinker and powerful speaker as Reverend 
Frank Houser. 

The following auxiliaries are in good condition: The Ladies' Aid 
Society, the Woman's Home Mission and Foreign Society and a Junior 
Baptist Young People's Union. 1 

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF COXCORDIA. 

A society was organized through the efforts of Reverend R. A. Schull, 
and a small number of co-workers in 1900, with a membership of sixteen. 

13 



198 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 




First Christian Chi 



In the autumn of the same year Reverend J. H. Fuller was assigned the 
charge as pastor, the congregation worshiping in a vacant hall until in 
November of that year, when they purchased the Swedish Baptisl church 
on the corner of Washington and State streets, a neal frame building with 
a seating capacity of about two hundred. They remodeled and refitted this 
house, making it a comfortable and desirable place of worship. 

At the expiratii in of eight months Rever 
end Fuller resigned the pastorate and Revei 
end I. ! .. Thompson was called to lill the 
vacancy and is the presenl residing pastor, 
dividing bis time between the ( > mo trdia and 
( !( lurtland churches. Reverend Thompson is 
a voting man in years and in ministerial 
. but an earnest worker and logical 
er. 

At the beginning of the Christian church 
organization a Sabbath school was estab 
lished w.ith K. V. King as superintendent, 
and although small in numbers much int< r< I 
is manifested. This little church has bad a 
struggle. The) began an existence with 
teen members and within a few months one dozen of their most active labor- 
ers transferred their residences to other quarters. 

Much credit is due Professor Barings, of the Commercial College, and 
Bertha Marlatt, county superintendent, for their zealous laboi in 
helping to keep alive, as it were, the organization. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF CONCORDIA. 

Ilie author is able to trace the records 
of the Methodist Episcopal church oi ■ 
ci irdia back t< i r8j4. At that date the Rever- 
end James Lawrence was presiding elder and 
F. B. Gray, pastor. The charge was a cir- 
cuit composed of Concordia, Pleasant Hill, 
Enterprise and Wolf Creek. The pastor re- 
ceived for his first quarter sixteen dollars. 

The congregation now pay their minis- 
ter three hundred dollars per quarter, includ- 
ing a comfortable parsonage. The trustees 
of the church are J. H. Cline, M. D. Scott, 
C. E Sweet. Charles D. Avery and Willis 
Fish. Fully one-half of the membership was 
acquired during Reverend Amherst's pastor- 
net increase of one hundred members. 
I he church is an imposing frame struc- 
ture, one of the first edifices for worship 

erected in ' onocordia. It is situated on the -c- at 

it id .siiAuucu on me p- IRST Methodist Episcopal Church. 







1 I 



I m I 1 1 



IBB 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 199 

■corner of Seventh and Broadway. The seating capacity is about five hun- 
dred. Concordia is the head of the Methodist Episcopal district and resi- 
dence of the presiding elder. 

Following Reverend Gray as pastor are Reverends L. A. Tallman. T. 
C. Dana. G. W. Wood. A. N. See, A. B. Turtle, J. A. Bull, F. D. Baker, 
B. F. Stauber, H. M. Mayo, M. M. Stoltz, E. W. Allen. E. M. Evans, H. C. 
Amherst and Reverend Cannon.. Presiding elders: James Lawrence, W. 
J. Mitchell. J. H. Lockwood, C. L. Shackelford, E. P. Michener, F. D. 
Baker. F. J. Taggart. 

THE FIRST FREE METHODIST CHURCH OF CONCORDIA. 

The congregation of the First Free Methodist church of Concordia was 
established in 1895 by Reverend J. Adams, with a membership of six. A 
modest temple of worship was erected in 1899 and dedicated in February 
<>t 1900. The dedicatory sermon was delivered by Reverend W. G. Hamner. 
The church is a frame building, one story in height, located on the corner 
of Fifth and Kansas avenue. 

The growth of the organization has not been great, the present mem- 
bership being but fifteen. Though small in numbers they are a faithful and 
devoted little band. Since 1895 the following ministers have been in charge: 
Reverends F. Chapman, J. E. Crawford. C. W. Long', J. H. Bacheldier and 
A. Helsel. The latter was compelled to retire on account of ill health and 
Mrs. Hill, of Cawker City, conducts services every alternate Sunday. They 
have a Sunday school with an average attendance of twenty pupils. Mrs. 
Swartz is superintendent and Miss Gertie Thomas, assistant. 

CHURCH OF CHRIST. 

The congregation of the Church of Christ at Concordia was first organ- 
ized in 1875 with E. R. Jones as elder and F. M. Empson as deacon. The 
members at this time were meeting eight miles southeast of the city, where 
they continued to assemble for about fourteen years, when they moved to 
Concordia, assembling in various places, sometimes in private residences, 
until the early part of 1900, when their faith, zeal and energy prompted 
them to erect a neat, comfortable and pleasant place of worship on East 
Eighth street, where the}' might, as it were, "sit under their own vine and 
fig tree." 

The congregation at the present time is composed of thirty members 
with E. R. Jones and A. R. Moore serving in the capacity of elders, John 
Townsdin and William Jones deacons. The congregation meets each Lord's 
day to study the scriptures and observe the communion. The gospel is 
frequently preached that the world may have an opportunity to hear and 
obey it. 

A series of meetings are held once or twice each year by an evangelist, 



200 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

wherein numerous gospel sermons are preached, both for the benefit of tin- 
church, to strengthen it. and the world, to bring it to Christ. 

The Church of Christ is of divine origin. Christ gave himself for it 
(Acts 20-28), hence it began from his death A. 1 >. 33. He is the head of 
the corner (Math. 21-42, Acts 4:11-12), as well as the first 
borne from the dead (Col. 1-18). The church is one body, composed of 
various members (1 Cor. 12-27), with the New Testament for its creed 
without prolix or suffix. Each congregation divinely sent in order 1- inde 
pendent of any other congregation of like faith, and practice, but all such 
assembles compose the one bod} 1 Eph. 4-4), subject to one head 1 Col. 1-18) 
and no other. Each congregation 1- entitled to bishops and deacons, whi 
qualifications arc fixed by and is a part of the db tne will I [Tim. 3 I. Every 
congregation aide and willing, sends the evangelist to spread the Word, estab 
lish other congregations or confirm the disciples as the ease ma) be. The 
members assemble the first day of each week (Acts 20-7, Heb. [0-25.) to 
commemorate the Lord's suffering and contribute to his cause I 1 < 'or. [6 2). 

The elders or bishops direct the spiritual part of the meeting, wink- the 
deacons attend the temporal requirements. 

HISTORY OF CONCORDIA PARISH OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

The Reverend Louis Mollier, whose personal history with a portrait 
of this venerable pioneer priest appears on these pages, and one of the first 
missionaries in northwest Kansas, visited the few Catholic families that had 
settled in the vicinity of Concordia and celebrated mass in LaRocque's hall 
as early as 1876. The ensuing year the foundation for a church was laid, 
but not completed until two years later — 1879. Reverend Joseph Perrier, 
who was then located at Emporia, was extended and accepted an invitation 
to bless the unfinished church that the pioneer Catholics might have a place 
to worship. The building was erected by the little hand of followers and 
the business men of the new town who contributed liberally towards its- 
erection and completion. In the month of July, 1880, the first resident 
pastor was appointed. 

Rev Joseph Perrier was assigned the place, and not having a priest's 
residence, he boarded in private families and assumed part of the north- 
western mission work along with Father Mollier, except in the German 
settlements, who were provided with German speaking pastors. In 1882 
the foundation for the parochial school was begun and finished ere the year 
closed at a cost of about four thousand dollars. The debt of something 
like one thousand dollars that overhung the church was paid off in 1883, and 
in the same year Father Perrier purchased from his personal fund a tract 
of ground located just east of the church, upon which to build a school. 
At a church meeting held in 1884, it was resolved to build a convent and 
academy, providing the Sisters of St. Joseph would pay half the expenses. 
The convent was begun directly afterward on the ground secured by their 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 201 

pastor and afterward deeded to the Sisters of St. Joseph by Father Perrier. 
Tire first cost of this building was six thousand dollars. Sister Stanislaus 
was the first Mother Superior. The academy was subsequently improved 
at a cost of several thousand dollars, a wing having been built on the east 
and a large addition to the north. 

In 1884 the church was plastered, a gallery was built and furnished 
with new pews. In 1886 the diocese of Leavenworth was considered too 
large for one bishop and it was decided by the ecclesiastical authorities to 
divide the state into three dioceses with the Episcopal See at Leavenworth, 
Wichita and Concordia. To help further these interests and at the sug- 
gestion of Bishop Fink, Father Perrier called for a meeting of the citizens 
to convene in LaRocque's hall for the purpose of ascertaining how much 
could be accomplished in the way of raising funds to be applied on city prop- 
erty for future emergencies. The citizens of Concordia, irrespective of 
faith or creed, responded generously and five thousand dollars was sub- 
scribed. 

Early in September, 1887, the Right Reverend R. Scannell, a divine 
and profound scholar, was elected the first bishop of Concordia. June 6, 
1888, on the occasion of his silver jubilee, Father Perrier was created vicar 
general over the diocese of Concordia. During that year he visited Europe 
and received from there financial aid to be applied to the diocese, and upon 
his return the bishop's home was added to, remodeled, refurnished and con- 
verted into a palatial residence, fitted with modern conveniences, electric 
lights, bath rooms, telephones, etc.. superior in its appointments to many 
richer dioceses. 

Bishop Scannell was appointed to the more important see at Omaha, 
and in 1891 Bishop Hennessy, of Wichita, was appointed administrator, 
and during his reign the diocese was on the verge of collapse and many 
petitions were sent to Rome by the citizens of Concordia, praying that a 
new bishop be appointed. Notwithstanding the advice of the pastor to take 
on courage and hope for better times, one hundred and seventy-four Cath- 
olic families removed from the Concordia parish during the hard years 
occasioned by repeated crop failures and more than eight thousand Catholic 
people left this diocese, which comprises thirty-one counties. Father Per- 
rier advised them to forbear, and as a precedent alluded to the seven years 
of famine in Egypt, followed by the same number of years of plenty. Of 
those who left many have expressed regret; those who remained are a con- 
tented and satisfied people. 

In 1898 the priests, consulters of the diocese and the bishops of the 
province of St. Louis convened by the request of Holy Father Leo XIII, 
for the selection of a new bishop for Concordia, and accordingly, on the 
21st of September, Father J. V. Cunningham, the vicar general of the 
Leavenworth diocese, was consecrated bishop of Concordia. Bishop Cun- 
ningham is a true Kansan, taking into his personality the true enterprising 
spirit that distinguishes the people of the state. He is a man of unassuming 



202 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

manner, but a promoter of many important enterprises since his residence in 
Concordia. Several fine churches and new school buildings are under course 
of construction. As early as [860 he was a student in St. Benedict's College, 
Atchison, Kansas. From there he entered upon a theological course in Mil- 
waukee, was ordained a priest in [865 and sent to Fort Scott, Kansas, where 
he experienced many privations and arduous labor. Railroad facilities were 
meager and necessitated the mode of travel largely of horse-back riding. 

In 1868 Bishop Cunningham was sent to Lawrence, where Father Per- 
rier had preceded him two years, h was in this city that Father Cunning 
ham demonstrated his great administrative powers, executive ability and 
building capacity, erecting edifices that are monuments to his zeal and 
energy. From Lawrence he was stationed at Topeka, where he built a com- 
modious and handsome church that is in use at the present day. lie alsi 
labored hard for the education of the youth and is an earnest advocate "i 
superior learning. From Topeka he wis called to the city of Leavenworth, 
was made vicar general soon afterward, and subsequently bishop of Con 
cordia, accqjting the latter after positively refusing other important 
dioceses in larger cities. 

In the year of 1901 plans and specifications were perfected for building 
a cathedral. Work begun in the spring 'if [90] and from a modest house 
of worship a magnificent cathedral has developed. It would seem nearly all 
of the citizens of Concordia were desirous of being identified with the effort 
on the part of the church to erect a cathedral that would he a monumenl 
of pride and credit to the see, also to the city of Concordia, and an honor 
to the members of the parish. Catholics and Protestants alike manifested 
their good will and generosity in this well merited enterprise. 

THE CATHEDRAL. 

The new cathedral is a massive stone structure of Gothic architecture. 
The length around the wall is five hundred and seventy-four feet, the front- 
age is fifty-five feet, the rear, including transept, is eighty-one feet, the vesti- 
bule is ten by fifty feet, the double gallery at the back of the building has- 
a forty-foot projection and the transept gallery is sixteen by thirty feet; 
the front tower is one hundred and twenty-five feet in height, with aperture 
for clock and chimes that will doubtless be placed ere many months elapse. 
Through this tower spiral steps ascend after the fashion of a snail's house. 
From this part of the building the Sisters' gallery, situated to the left of 
the sanctuary is reached. There are three smaller towers on the front and 
two at the rear. The roofing is of slate. The cathedral shingles were fur- 
nished by a Philadelphia firm. There is a total of thirty-seven windows in 
the building, most of which are memorial and of exquisite design. 

The rosette window in the front of the cathedral and at the back of 
the choral gallery is a magnificent execution of art, a memorial by St. 
Joseph's Nazareth Academy. In the center is a life-size figure of the beauti- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



203 



ful St. Cecelia, playing the pipe organ. The delicate features of this sainted 
character are exquisitely outlined and the coloring is superb. Above this 
central figure to the right and to the left are the initials C. F.. representing 




Front View of the Cathedral. 
the donors, the Catholic Foresters of Concordia. This window was secured 
at a cost of about five hundred dollars. Between the initials and above 
the center is a cross, the emblem of the altar with the words, Faith, Hope 
and Charity inscribed on each branch, and upon the face of the cross is 



204 



HISTORY OF CLOUD CObNTY, KANSAS. 



wrought the figure of an elk, which is part of the emblem of the society. 
On the right of the center is a harp of David, and on the left, a cross. Below 
and on the right side is the bishop's crozier and on the corresponding left 
side, a mitre. The principal memorial on the west transept is a portl 
of the holy family, Jesus. Alary and Joseph. The figures are full size 
exquisitely produced. As one changes position the figures, lines in the til- 
ing and the whole scene shifts accordingly, appearing the same from any 
given point. 




Side View of the Cathedral. 



1 lle wldow "" the opposite side from the one just described is a beauti- 
fy wrought design of John the Baptist, baptizing in the limpid waters of 
nver Jordon. This imposing memorial was presented by the congre- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



205 



gation in honor of Bishop Cunningham. Another and one of the most 
suggestive is the window presented by Michael Priest, the little four-year- 
old son of Doctor and Mrs. Priest, of Concordia, illustrating the arch- 
angel casting out the dragon. The second represents St. Patrick explaining 
the Holy Trinity to the people of Ireland, who were congregated before 
Thara's Hall. The patron saint holds a shamrock in his hand plucked from 
among the profusion that were growing all around his pathway, and is 
demonstrating thereby the unity represented by its three leaves as symbolical 
of the Father. Son and Holy Ghost. This artistic memorial was given by 
the Irish members of the congregation. Upon the opposite side is an attrac- 
tive window, not only for its artistic beauty, but for the beautiful sentiment 
that is attached, having been given by the pastor, Father Perrier, in memory 
of his mother, Patronilla. The design represents St. Peter with the key 
to the kingdom of heaven, a smybof of the scripture which says, "Whatso- 
ever thou shall bind upon earth shall be bound also in heaven; whatsoever 
thou shall lose upon earth shall be lost also in heaven." 

Next to this interesting window is depicted in beautiful soft coloring 
St. Francis DeSales. given by A. Odette, a memorial to his deceased wife. 
There are many other windows presented by the Children of Mary, altar 
societies and members of the congregation, each of which are deserving of 
mention if space permitted. Speaking of them collectively, no one can 
realize the magnificence and superb beauty of these triumphs of art without 
making an individual study of each and if they had been imported from 
Europe instead of being created by Warner, of Kansas City and painted by 
a German-American artist, they would have cost a fabulous sum and been 
pronounced marvelous. The day is dawning when it must be conceded 
America can furnish talent and genius not excelled by the European 
countries. 

Arranged on. either side of the walls of the audience room are four- 
teen bas-reliefs, representing the passions of our Lord as mentioned in each 
of the last chapters of the gospel. These are the gifts of Father Perrier. 

THE SANCTUARY. 



The altar, manufactured by the Ferring 
Company, of Chicago, and presented by Father 
.Maine and the bishop, is a composition of natural 
butternut wood and gold with agate columns. Its 
exquisite beauty cannot be described. Much oi 
the decoration is in gold leaf and that part alone 
was procured by an outlay of something like three 
hundred dollars. The burnished gold was ap- 
plied by the manufacturers. Within the enclos- 
ure of the sanctuary is the bishop's throne, and 
seldom is one so rich and elegant in its equipment witnessed in this coun- 
try. The main and side altars, gorgeous with gold and precious stones, 




View of the Altar. 



2o6 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

bishop's throne, bas-relief and the ceiling are all carried out in the same 
Gothic style of architecture, making one grand harmonious whole a perfect 

unity. 

The beautiful statuary on the right is the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The 
emblem of this figure is Jesus burning with love for the salvation of man 
kind. The coloring in this figure is particularly soft, the drapery falling 
in long, graceful folds. It is exquisitely designed and exceedingl) beauti- 
ful. On the left is St. Ann. the mother of Mary, teaching her beloved child 
to read the scriptures inscribed on the piece of parchment which she holds 
in her hands. The altars containing them are of the same Gothic design, 
Above the tabernacle of the sanctuary is the statue of Norte Dame Bonse- 
cburs, (if our Lady of Perpetual Health. To the right rests the statue of 
St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, and on the left, St. Anthony, holding 
the child Jesus tenderly in his arms. On each side there are two angels in 
adoration before the altar, as God described the churches should he made 
In a recess at the base of the altar the Lord's Supper is depicted in statuary. 
The handsome carpet which harmonizes with the other furnishings of the 
sanctuary was given by the Ladies of the Sacred Heart Altar and St. Ann 
societies. 

The sacristy or dressing room, and where the sacraments and sacred 
vessels are kept, lies just back of the sanctuary. The dimensions of this 
room are thirty-seven feet. The seating capacity of the cathedral is ordinar- 
ily eight hundred, hut if the occasion demands, twelve hundred could be 
seated. The cathedral has cost as it stands about thirty-two thousand dol- 
lars. As so< -u as the walls are in condition they will 1>e frescoed at an addi- 
tional cost of from two to three thousand dollars. When this enterprise 
was first taken under consideration the consummation seemed an impossi- 
bility, hut through the energy of the pastor, Father Perrier, and the bishops, 
it has been accomplished. 

BISHOP JOHN F CUNNINGH \M. 

Long years of training and practical experience admirably qualify 
Bishop Cunningham for the responsihilities of his holy office. 

For thirty-eight years he has given his entire time and attention to 
Christian labors for the spiritual welfare of his people. 

Bishop Cunningham was born in the Parish of Irremore. County Kerry, 
Ireland, in July. 1842. His parents were John and Catherine (Fitzgerald) 
Cunningham. He received a prqwratory course in the classical school of 
Listowel. Ireland, and graduated from St. Benedict's College, Atchison 
Kansas, in i860. He then finished a theological course in St. Francis' Sem- 
inary, Milwaukee, "Wisconsin (D. D. ), and was ordained priest in the 
Leavenworth cathedral, Leavenworth, Kansas. August 8, 1865. He was the 
first Catholic resident pastor of Fort Scott, Kansas, he was there from 1865 
until 1868, when he was transferred to St. Tohn's church, Lawrence, June, 




Bishop John F. Cunningham. 



THF. REN i 
>U8L1C LIB* 






HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



209' 



1868. where he built a new church and added very materially to their pos- 
sessions, visited various parts of the east from 1873-6, collecting for Kan- 
sas sufferers and the Leavenworth cathedral debt. Bishop Cunning-ham was 
pastor of Assumption church, Topeka, Kansas, during 1876-82, and built 
the present handsome edifice there of that name, and also secured for that 
city valuable property for church purposes. January 1, 1881. he was made 
vicar general of the Leavenworth diocese and from 1882 to 1887 was rector 
of the Leavenworth cathedral, from which place he was consecrated bishop 
September 21, 1898. 

Bishop Cunningham has witnessed a revolution in church work since 
his advent into the state. He has not only witnessed them develop but has 
been directly instrumental in the movement that has resulted in the spring- 
ing up like magic of many costly and magnificent edifices. 




Very Reverend Joseph Perrier, Vicar General of the Diocese of Concordia. 



The Reverend Joseph Perrier is a native of Savoy, France, born in 
1839. His parents were John and Petronilla Perrier, of Savoy. J lis 
paternal grandfather was a sutler or army furnisher under Napoleon. 

Father Perrier's childhood was spent at Savoy, one of the loveliest spots 
in the universe, where many of the crown heads of Europe have castles. 



210 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

lie was a student from the age of six to twenty-four years, a graduate of 
the ('"liege of St. Pierre 1 Albigny al eighteen wars of age, then entered 
the University of Chambery, where he took up the science of philosophy 
and rit twenty-three became a professor of languages. 

< >ne year later lie became a priest and was sent to Gresy sur Aix, a 
famous resort established by Julius i jeser, and celebrated for three thousand 
rs. Napoleon had a castle there, also Queen Victoria. When twenty- 
en years of age Father Perrii to Lawrence. Kansas, as a mission- 
ary and as a recruit to the call of Bishop Miege. lie came to Topeka as a 

ler of classics in the Catholic seminary in 1871. 

lie was soon afterward, senl to ] where In- organized about 

forty missions in a circuit of four hundred miles long and one hundred wide. 
The territory that he covered by his individual labors is now occupied by 
about twenty-five priests. \\ v was with General Sheridan when he routed 
the Indians from the frontier, and administered to the sick and wounded 
soldiers, lie also administered to the railroad forces from 1868 to [875. 
IK endured many hardships; there were no railroads, scarcely any wagon 
road some parts of the district The streams were not bridged and on 

horseback he swam the swollen rivers and creeks. 

In 1880 he came to Concordia, then a town of about eight hundred peo- 
ple, and where a church had been established by the Reverend Father Mol- 
lier, one of the first missionaries in northwest Kansas. Reverend Father 
Perrier was the first resident pastor of 1 oncordia and has labored incessantly 

untiringly for the good of his church ever since. He is held in rever- 
ence and distinction as a citizen and churchman by all classes of society. 

N \Z \KKTI! AC \HKMV. 

A boarding school for the practical education of young ladies, with a 
kindergarten and preparatory department for girls, was established in the 
year 1884, under the supervision of the Sisters of St. Joseph. The school 
thrived under their care until it ha^become one of the most successful in the 
state. The scope of work included in their curriculum is of a high standard, 
and every teacher loyally strives with that earnest devotion so characteristic 
of the sisters to develop every young student into the noblest and most intel- 
lectual womanhood. They are trained to think for themselves, and women 
go out from this institution of learning who not only grace the highest 
society with their accomplishments, but dignify and honor it by their many 
personal charms and virtues, and also fit them, should conditions and cir- 
cumstances demand it, to gain an independent livelihood. 

In 1901 the foundation of the Nazareth Academy was laid and the 
present writing (January, 1903) finds the elegant new building almost ready 
for occupancy. The structure, which is of brick and stone, is situated on 
the hill at the south end of Washington street, and is one of the most impos- 
ing in the northwest part of the state. The building site is one of the finest 
in the countrv, and the convent can be seen for miles around. The archi- 




Nazareth Academy. 



TEE NEW Y01 



A*T«» 



L«N»X 



J&SSLSsgL* 




Hospital of the Sisters of St. Joseph. 



THF N 
PUBLIC • *-T 



TlLtl* FOUND»Ti*NI 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 215 

tecture. like the cathedral, is Gothic, and like that stately edifice, the same 
style is applied throughout the convent. The present prosperous school has 
outgrown its site and facilities, necessitating more commodious quarters, 
and the new academy is the outgrowth of this need. 

The building was designed by William P. h'eth, a Lawrence architect. 
The foundation is one hundred and thirty feet with a depth of one hundred 
and nineteen feet. It is four stories in height, with a basement. The tower 
in the center of the building ascends to a height of one hundred and twenty- 
five feet. The exterior of the basement is of stone, and the interior is hand- 
somely finished in yellow pine. In this part of the structure is the students' 
dining room, the secretary's office, cloak room, wine room, toilet rooms, 
kitchen quarters, storage room, boiler and coal room. Here, also, is a room 
with a stage to be used in histrionic art entertainments pertaining to the 
academy. Ornamental steps of stone precede the entrance to the main build- 
ing and through a beautiful vestibule into the main hall. On one side and 
opposite the entrance the main stairway begins and extends to the top of the 
academy. There is another stairway in the rear, which begins in the base- 
ment reaching the top floor and. is enclosed on its four sides by brick walls, 
as a safeguard against fire. 

The parlor and reception rooms are on the first floor, and also the 
library, which will be stocked with the best books and literature obtainable. 
There are three music rooms on this floor, where the best instructors will be 
employed in all branches of the art. The chapel, which is situated at the end 
of the main hall, is two stories high, with vaulted ceilings; a balcony gives 
entrance through the second story of the main building. Upon the second 
floor will be found the bath and toilet rooms equipped with the latest 
improved plumbing. On this floor is also the novitiate rooms, locker rooms, 
sisters' apartments, three music rooms and an art studio. 

Between the dispensary and two infirmaries, which are included in this 
floor, there will be a private bath for patients only. The third floor is 
divided into two dormitories for girls, a sisters' dormitory, private sleeping- 
department, locker rooms, lavatory and bath rooms. The fourth story will 
be devoted to locker, trunk and storage rooms. That very necessary 
adjunct, the kitchen, is all that the most fastidious chef could desire. In 
time the grounds, now rough and broken by the debris of building material, 
will be made beautiful with spacious lawns, decorated with bright-hued 
flowers, fit emblems of the sacred lives of the Sisters of Nazareth Academy. 

After the removal of the school to their new quarters the convent build- 
ing now used by the Sisters of St. Joseph will be converted into a hospital — • 
a much needed factor in the city of Concordia, and one that will prove a 
lasting benefit. The Sisters are not only appreciated for the consecration of 
their devoted lives to ideal christian work, but are beloved by all denomina- 
tions and classes of people for their untiring and faithful ministrations to 
the sick and to the needy. In the capacity of teachers their standard is of the 
highest, spiritually and in an educational way they are unexcelled. 



2\6 HISTORY 01 D COUNTY, KANSAS. 



Mi ISPITAL nl i ii I SIST] i . JOSEPH. 

In the entire historj of the county no enterprise has been more timely 
than the founding of this institution by the Sisters of St. Joseph. The build- 
to be used for hi spital services is the "''1 N'azareth Vcademy, which is 
si in' tin. cathedral an tly vacated by the removal of the 

ol to their magnificent and commodious new quarters, on the hill at the 
Washington street. The building, a brick structure, surrounded by 
trees and a well-kept lawn, is being remodeled, thoroughlj equipped with 
• -t appliances, a fine operating room, capacity for one hundred beds 
titti'il with every advantageous facility known to modern methods in 
icine and surgery. While Dr. W. I-'.. Priest will he surgeon of the h 
I, n will he a general establishment open i" all the physicians of the 

IV. 



HONORABLE JAMES MANNY HAGAMAN. 

The name of J. M. Hagaman occurs frequently upon these pages and 
he i- known t<> every household of Cloud county, yet many may nol 1 no 1 ol 
eer prior to taking up his abode mi the frontier of Kansas mi July 
when he. with his family ami a iiipany of friends, settled on 

Elm creek. From that date down to the pn has been an active p 

moter of the best interests of Cloud county, and m< ill oi Ins own 

mcordia. 
Mr. Hagaman is a native of Wayne county, New York, hum mi the' 
bleak - I ; intario in July, 1830. lie is a son of Joseph Xich- 

and Elizabeth (O'Neil) Hagaman. Ill- father was a farmer and - 
by occupation and a soldier in the war of [812. Me was murdered in 
[868 in Cloud county, where he had emigrated in [866. The Hagaman 
ancestors were from Holland and pioneer settlers ,,f Montgomery county, 
Xew York. .Mr. Hagaman's father was a daring and courageous soldier; 
- lieutenant of his company and taken prisoner with General Scott at the 
battle of Queenston, 1 la. It was a great-uncle of Mr. Hagaman who 
built the Hagaman mills, manufacturers of cloth, in Montgomery county, 
Xew York, llis maternal - were from Holland and Ireland. His 

Irish ancestor-, for taking sides with the colonies in the Revolutionary war, 
were exiled from Ireland by the Dritish Crown. 

Mr. Hagaman is the only surviving member of a family of seven chil- 
dren. He received a limited education at Hagaman's Mills and at the age of 
sixteen years had acquired what was taught at that time in the puhlic schools. 
iugh he did not take a collegiate course, many miles of travel would not 
produce a man of so wide a practical knowledge and experience of things 
generally. He considers that, while his life has not been a brilliant success, 
it by no means has been a failure; full success in some, and in all others par- 




Honorable J. M. Hagaman. 



THE NEW YOUK 
PUBLIC LIBRART 

MTI», LIN«X 
- tlLHW F«UH0«T|>N1 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 219 

tial success has resulted from his many undertakings and adventures. He 
has been self-supporting since nine years old. 

Mr. Hagaman was married in 1855 to Mary Louisa Webster, who was 
born in the state of New York. Her parents were natives of Massachusetts 
and emigrated from New York to Wisconsin in 1850. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hagaman emigrated to Kansas with their one child in i860. They came 
overland with two yoke of cattle. His financial possessions were one hun- 
dred and twenty-five dollars in gold, eight head of cattle and farm imple- 
ments ; four years later he gave his personal tax in as eighteen hundred dol- 
lars, hie invested his surplus funds in calves and dealt in stock quite exten- 
sively. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hagaman are the parents of seven children, six of whom 
are living: Alice O. wife of X. P. Buesenhark. now a resident of Kansas 
City, but formerly a merchant of Concordia. Mary Almina, who has been 
an invalid the greater part of her life. Adelina H., deceased wife of L. M. 
Richardson, an employe of the Chicago Lumber Company and a merchant 
of Richburg, Mississippi. James F., now of Kansas City, formerly asso- 
ciated with his father in newspaper work Nicholas Alvin, a locomotive 
engineer in the employ of the E. & M. Railroad. Phenie, wife of James 
Lupton, express agent on the B. & M. Railroad, with residence at Lincoln, 
Nebraska. Fannie O., the first child born in Concordia. 

Mr. Hagaman has represented his county in the legislature, founded 
the thriving and populous city of Concordia and has been its mayor two 
terms. For thirty-two years he has been an attorney at law and was the first 
to be admitted to practice in the district court of his count}'. Besides those 
mentioned he has held many other civil offices, and also a military commis- 
sion, and now, although past seventy-two years of age, his step is quick and 
his appearance is more like that of a man in the prime of life than one of his 
advanced years. 

HORACE BUSHNELL, D. D. 

The Reverend Mr. Bushnell, pastor of the First Presbyterian church 
•of Concordia, is a native of Cincinnati. Ohio, born in 1836. His father was 
the Reverend Horace Bushnell. Sr., a native of Connecticut, born in 1802, 
who was also a Presbyterian minister for eighteen years and then became a 
Congregationalist. He located in Cincinnati about 1830 and pursued his 
theological studies in Lane Seminary after having had a training in the 
Manual Labor School of Whitestown, New York. After coming to Cin- 
cinnati Reverend Bushnell. Sr., taught school while studying at the sem- 
inary, and was licensed to preach about the same time this institution was 
organized as a theological school. _\t the expiration of two years' stud) he 
began his ministerial career and remained in the city of Cincinnati for fifty 
years or until his death in 1S83. He organized the little society known as 
"Storrs Congregational church." and ministered to this congregation in 



220 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

connection with city missionary work for many years, and was well known 
throughout the city. 

The Bushnell ancestors came to Boston about [636, and subsequently 
led in Connecticut Francis Bushnell was one of the colonists who 
inded the town of Guilford, now quite a city; then follows an issue 
through five generations to Jason Bushnell, who was the grandfather of 
Reverend Horace Bushnell, Jr., and like many of the family lived to an 
extreme old age, se ■ the Bushnells almost reaching the centurj marl 

IK- was a man noted for his industi rity and was a soldier of the 

Revolution. Mr. Bushnell's mother rolin< (Hastings) Bushnell, who 

of English origin; her ancestry came to Ai boul [636 and, like 

the Bushnells, settled in Connecticut. John Howard Payne, the authoi 
"Home, Sweet Home." was a rein hnell. She was born in 

and died in [886. 

Mr. Bushnell v ited in part at Oberlin College, but in [859 grad 

uated at Farmer's College, now absorbed in the Cincinnati University. His 
theological studi< pursued in Lane Seminary, where he graduated in 

1862, and engaged in his pastoral \\ ■ was ordained in [863 at Madi- 

son, Indiana. Reverend Bushnell enlisted in the United Stal ice in 

[862 and was one of the one hundred thousand "squirrel hunters" sent out 
by Ohio to repel the invasion of General Bragg, but about nine days after- 
ward they were relieved and he was permitted to return to his field of labor. 
He received his discharge about ten years ago. During the war he labored 
at different times in the Christian commission. This was a volunteer move- 
ment, without pay, for the bodies and souls of the soldiers. Those who 
engaged in it had their needful expenses paid, but no more. They supple- 
mented the work of chaplains and nurses, and hesitated at nothing thai could 
help or sustain the man who carried the grim. 

Reverend Bushnell's first pastorate was in the village of Allensville, 
Indiana. Two years later he went to St. Louis Crossing, Indiana, and 
thence to Southport, Indiana, where he had charge of the congregation for 
ten years. He came to Minneapolis. Kansas, in the spring of 1877, where 
he labored for five years, and in January, 1882, came to Concordia, where 
he has since had charge of the First Presbyterian church. He was married 
in 1866 to Mrs. Yerissa Bonham. the widow of Aaron E. Botiham, of Eliza- 
bethtown, Ohio. By her former marriage there were three children, John 
L.. a resident of Columbus, Indiana; Everett O., of Columbus, Indiana, and 
Kitty AI.. widow of Judge W. L. Harvey, of Chandler, Oklahoma. 

Mrs. Bushnell is the daughter of Hiram and Sarah (Fisher) Olmstead, 
natives of Massachusetts. The Olmsteads came to West Meredith, New 
York, where Mrs. Bushnell was born, and later moved to Indiana. Her 
father was a teacher and under him she received her principal education. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Bushnell four children have been born, three of whom lived to 
maturity. Carrie H., wife of Dr. F. A. Butterfield, of Lawrence, Michigan, 
a physician of considerable prominence. She was a teacher for a number of 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 221 

years and held positions at Salina, Jewell City, Topeka and Concordia. 
They have two children, Claire and Horace. Alice F., deceased wife of F. C. 
Perkins, of Dnrango, Colorado, an attorney and registrar of land office. 
He was formerly a well-known educator in Beloit and Concordia, but 
removed to Colorado with the hope of benefiting Mrs. Perkins' health. She 
was a young woman of many natural personal charms, well known and 
beloved in the city of Concordia. She died in Durango, Colorado, in February 
1898, leaving three children, viz: Harold Bushnell, Lewis Mayne and 
Dorothy Alice. Herbert H.. a resident of Aspen, Colorado, is the manager 
of the Times, a morning daily paper. He finished a classical course from 
Wabash College, Indiana, read law for a time, but later turned his attention 
to newspaper work. 

Mr. Bushnell is a man of orthodox views and not only enjoys the 
esteem and confidence of his congregation, but of the entire community 
wherein he labors. 

LEWIS CRAXS. 1 

L. J. Crans, one of the best-known attorneys and an early settler of 
Cloud county, is a native of Philadelphia. The date of his birth was Jan- 
uary 26, 1826. He is a son of Peter and Harriet (Lewis) Crans. His 
father conducted a boot and shoe business in the early days of Philadelphia. 
He was a native of Orange county, New York, and was a soldier in the war 
of 1812. His family were numerous in New York; his ancestry were of 
German and Dutch origin and belonged to the early settlers of that section 
of the country. The paternal homestead went into the hands of the dis- 
tinguished William A. Seward, who was a relative by marriage. The ma- 
ternal ancestors were of English and Irish origin. His grandparents died 
when our subject was a mere child. 

Mr. Crans is the eighth of a family of nine children and with the excep- 
tion of one, all lived to ripe old age. He has one unmarried sister living, 
who is ten years his senior; her residence is in Philadelphia. Mr. Crans' 
last brother, Peter, died about two years ago at the advanced age of eighty- 
six years. With the exception of a brief time in Kansas this brother spent 
the greater part of his 'life in the city of Philadelphia. 

Mr. Crans received his education in the public schools of the Quaker 
City and graduated as a member of the second class from the Central high 
school and subsequently had conferred upon him by that institution the 
degree of master of arts. After his graduation he took up the study of law 
in the office of his brother, Peter Crans, but before his admission to the bar 
he removed to the town of Kirbysville, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in 
lumbering and mercantile business. Mr. Crans was admitted to the bar at 
Clearfield in the early 'fifties. He was unanimously elected district attorney 
of Clearfield county, and devoted his entire attention to the practice of law in 
that city. 

14 



222 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

In the year t86i he removed with his family to Philadelphia, where he 
ntinued the practice of law. He has striven for success in his profession 
and een well rewarded for the • to gain the top round of the 

ladder of fame. While engaged in getting forces into the field for Goveri 
Curtin, n< «t as a soldier but as a private citizen, Mr. Crans, through an acci- 
dent, lost the use of a limb, which entirely unfitted him for service and pre- 
vented him from entering the army, and through this circumstance, he re- 
moved to Philadelphia. 

lie later located in Jersey Cit\ and in 1S71 emigrated to Concordia, 
Kansas, after stopping a short time at Junction ( ity, awaiting the opening of 
the land office at Concordia. From that date he has Keen actively engaged 
in the practice of law in Cloud and the northern counties of Kansas. His 
practice has Keen extensive and extended. 

Mr. Crans ivas married on the 2isl of July, [847, to Margaret A. 
Peterson, a daughter of John and Naomi Peterson. Mrs. Crans' father 
of Swedish ancestry who \ ly settlers on the Delaware river. Her 

maternal ancestors were among the English families who came over with 
William Penn. Mrs, Crans was born in Philadelphia. 

.Mr. and Mrs. I family of six children were all horn in Clear- 

field. Pennsylvania. Five of their children are still living. Charles, 
deceased, unmarried. The others are all married and have families living in 
different parts of Kansa •< n, Merwin. 1- a resident of ' oncordia. A 

daughter. Margaret A. Richardson, with her two daughters, live in the home 
of her father. Mrs. Crans, the loving, faithful wife and devoted, unsel- 
fish mother, after many years of patient suffering, was called to her eternal 
home. 'I'he touchingly beautiful devotion of her bereaved husband was 
universally remarked. He moved his office to the residence that he might 
be constantly by her side. Had she been spared her family a few months 
longer they would have celebrated the proverbial golden wedding, a magic 
name, a consummation hoped for by congenial companionship. Her death 
occurred May 17. [896. The family of Mr. trans are members of the Prot- 
estant Episcopal church and while he is not a regular attendant of any 
church Mr. Crans has a reverence for everything good and holy. 

In November, opt. the semi-centennial of Clearfield, Pennsylvania, 
was celebrated and Mr. Crans was the only living man at that time who par- 
ticipated in the organization of that body. Concordia was in its infancy 
when Mr. Crans settled there in the early part of 1 ,Xj j . J. F. Hannam, who 
was then a farmer west of Concordia, moved Mr. Crans, his family and 
their effects to Granny creek (now White*s creek;, where he and several 
of his children had entered land, whereon they anticipated devoting their 
attention to agriculture only. 

Concordia consisted of but a few houses, and a number of active and 
energetic men engaged in the erection of other buildings with a determina- 
tion to establish a thriving business point. The whole country at that time 
was covered with a soft carpet of short buffalo grass and only a very few 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 223 

trees to break the view — a long stretch of level land, but to the eye of a 
farmer great possibilities were discernible. The greater part of the country 
was uninhabited and the soil produced very little for the support of the set- 
tlers. This drawback caused the necessity of Mr. Crans moving into Con- 
cordia in order to eke out an existence and where shortly afterward an acci- 
dent opened up to him the means of support through his profession. He 
found himself a failure as a farmer and his family were not inclined to 
remain without him upon the lands they had selected. 

A difficulty having sprung up between the citizens of the town and the 
•county, which claimed the title to the land, Mr. Crans, at the recpiest of F. 
\Y. Sturges, Milton Reasoner. A. A. Carnahan and others, proposed what 
was then commonly called "jumping" the town site. In 1873 Mr. Crans 
consented to act as attorney for the inhabitants in a contest against the 
Town Company to enable them to throw open to actual settlers the most 
of the land contained within the town of Concordia. He became associated 
with Judge Sturges and Judge Carnahan. The Town Company abandoned 
its claim to what was yet government land, but through an arrangement 
between the local land office and the Town Company homesteaded and pre- 
empted claims for such lands as were entered. The gentlemen named with 
Mr. Crans then entered contests and after a hard struggle before the United 
States land office succeeded in securing to all the citizens and those who 
might afterward become such, the unpatented lands within Concordia. 

Mr. Crans removed his family into the city, where he has continued to 
reside and always, not only as a lawyer, but a law-abiding citizen, with the 
welfare of his townsmen ever uppermost in his hopes, well knowing pros- 
perous men make a thriving town. 

JOHN D. WILSON. 

The late J. D. Wilson, who died at his home in Concordia, October 10, 
1885, was among the most successful anil prominent politicians of Cloud 
county, and socially very popular with the people. As a man his kindness 
and generous heart knew no bounds, hence his friends were legion. 

He was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1839. He was four times 
elected to the office of sheriff of Cloud county. He was a brave soldier in 
the Civil war and an earnest worker of the Grand Army of the Republic- 
organization. He was an honored member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows. By his death was removed one of the best officers and one of 
the most prominent men of Cloud county. 

HONORABLE S. C. WHEELER. 

S. C. Wheeler, who ably represented the counties of Republic and 
Cloud in the senate during the Alliance movement, is one of the best-known 
politicians as well as one of the most prosperous and energetic men of Cloud 



--4 



HISTORY "I CLOUD COUNTY, K \\S VS. 



mtv. Mr. Wheeler was born in Greenfield township, Huron county, 
Ohio, in [846, and lived in the home oi his parents until he responded to the 
call for more troops and enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Ninety- 
first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in February, 1865. He was discharged the 
iwing June for disability, while in a hospital at Perryville, Maryland. 
After regaining his health he emigrated to Lowa, where he purchased 
a small farm and engaged in agriculture for three years. Vfter three years 




Wheeler. 



Mrs. Ueloka Ashley Wheeler. 



of western life Mr. Wheeler removed to Berrien county. Michigan, where 
he became a tiller of the soil, remaining three years. He then located in the 
town of Pentwater, Michigan, which is situated in the timber region of that 
state, and worked in a lumber camp. Three years later he was appointed 
superintendent of the Berrien county farm for the poor. 

Accepting the position he returned to his former home and superin- 
tended that institution four years. But his vigorous nature longed for 
broader fields and the boundless prairies of Kansas, where his ambitions 
could soar unrestrained and where he could build a home for himself and 
family. He came to Kansas during the era of emigration in 1879, and on 
the 7th day of March landed in Buffalo township, where he bought one hun- 
dred and sixty acres of what is now his present farm. He has since added 
another quarter, making a half section of land second to none in the county 
in point of fertility and productiveness. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



225 






Politically Mr. Wheeler is a Populist. He joined the Alliance move- 
ment in 1889 and was elected state senator for Cloud and Republic counties 
at a special election held for the purpose of filling the vacancy caused by the 
death of E. E. Swearengin. He was the only Populist senator at that ses- 
sion. In 1897 Governor Leedy appointed Mr. Wheeler member of the state 
board of charities for Kansas, which position he filled with satisfaction to 
the state and commendable credit to himself for two years and two months, 
or until his term expired and the office succeeded to by a Republican. At 
the last city election, held in April, 1903, Mr. Wheeler was chosen mayor of 
Concordia. 

On March 23, 
1867, he was united 
in matrimony with 
Miss Delora Ashley, 
of Adamsville, Mich- 
igan. Mrs. Wheeler 
is a sister of John H. 
Ashley, whose bio- 
graphical sketch ap- 
pears in this volume. 
Although M r. 
Wheeler has gained 
prominence as a pub- 
lic character he is 
what might be con- 
sidered a home man 
and has always spent 
his leisure hours en- 
joying the domestic 

felicity of his family, which consists of two sons and a daughter. 
Their children are all married. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler have retired from the 
farm and occupy a beautiful cottage home in Concordia, where they expect 
to spend the remainder of their days at ease. They also have a large circle 
of friends who enjoy their genuine hospitality. Mr. Wheeler is a man of 
public spirit, always doing his part toward promoting any enterprise which 
is calculated to benefit mankind. 




The Pretty Cottage Home of Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler. 



HONORABLE BOYD H. McECKRON. 



In casting about for a man or a personality worthy to extol, we do not 
find any whose praises are more in evidence than those of his friends and 
fellow citizens of the late B. H. McEckron. It is often when the recipient 
"has crossed the divide" that we realize that his name is a household word. 
but Mr. McEckron's pathway was smoothed by many appreciative utterances, 
while his name will go down to posterity as one of those early settlers who 



226 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

contributed largely to every good cause, was ever on the side of right and 
justice, and taking an intelligent interest in his town, his county and his 
te. He ■ valuable member of the legislature. \ more staunch 

Republican, a truer man. a more worthy citizen could n « >t be found. 

Mr. McEckron was born June 17. 1834, in Hebron, Waslungton county, 
New York. IN son of V S. McEckron, who was horn in t8oo He 

was 1 riginally a woolen g 1- manufacturer and later a tanner. In [876, 

having retired from active business life, he visited Kansas. His death 
urred in r88o. Mr. McEckron's paternal grandfather, Jacob McEckron, 
was a soldier in the American struggle for freedom. I lis mother, Anna 
1 Donoldson) McEckron, was born in 1800 ami died Jul) 2, [861, ami was 
buried mi the Fourth of July. She was a quiet, unostentatious an 

lis woman. Both parents were devoted members of the Presbyterian 
church. 

1'.. II. McEckron was educated in Delaware \cadcmy. Delhi, New York, 
receiving a thorough education in the higher English branches, in French 

the sciences Before entering the academy he had nearly learned 
carpenter and j . which he pursued for several years during the 

summer, hut followed the profi I teaching school during the winter. 

I rom (866 t" '68 he was engaged a- bookkeeper and foreman for 1 >. A. 
dyear, a lumber dealer at Portage City, Wisconsin. In February, [868, 
lie paid a visit to his native home in Xew York, shortly afterward removing 
t<> Kansas and homesteaded land in the Republican valley, near Ames, in 
id county, where he lived until 1874. 

Then he removed to Concordia after receiving the appointment as reg- 
1 the United States land office, which position he tilled to the entire 
-faction of the public for over nine years. .Mr. McEckron took part in 
the war of the Rebellion, enlisting September _\ 1861 , in Company E, Sec- 
ond Wisconsin Cavalry, and served until November 28, [862, when he was 
discharged for disability, l>eing unable to walk. His army life was passed 
mostly in Missouri and Arkansas in the campaign against the guerrillas and 
bushwhackers. 

In 1868 he was elected superintendent of public instruction in Cloud 
county. Before the expiration of his term he was elected representative to 
the legislature from Cloud county in 1N70. and unanimously re-elected in 
1871 and again in 1873. In the latter term he was chosen speaker of the 
house of representatives. He was always a Republican, his political career 
beginning with the birth of the party. His first vote was cast for John C. 
Fremont for president. 

He was married April 16, 1864. to Miss Adaline M. Parmenter, of 
Randolph. Wisconsin, who was a native of Niagara county. Xew York. Mrs. 
McEckron was born April 22, 1842, and died in February, 1897. Mr. Mc- 
Eckron died one year later. July. 1898. Three children, who survive them, 
were bi >rn to this union : George M., Maud and Alex S. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 227 

In 1881 Mr. McEckron bought an interest in the Palace drug store. In 
1883 he assumed entire control, buying his partner's interest, and continued 
in the business until his death. 

HONORABLE JAMES STRAIN. 

The late Honorable James Strain was one of the most able attorneys 
Concordia has ever known. He was a man of rare ability, one of the first 
members and the first ruling elder (which office he held nine years) of the 
Presbyterian church. 

The news of his death cast a gloom over the community where he had 
lived ten years and assisted in every public enterprise. He was a man of rare 
ability and brilliant attainments. He died January 25, 1880. 

THOMAS WRONG. 

Thomas Wrong was once one of the leading politicians of Cloud county 
and one of the most able attorneys and parliamentary debaters in the city 
of Concordia. He was a pleasing stump speaker and held an audience well. 
He was a man of agreeable, pleasing address and suave manner. 

There is much in his history to praise that is commendable and little to' 
condemn. Mr. Wrong for years had a particularly clean political record and 
the same could be said of his business and sucial affairs. Drink was the cause 
of his downfall. He lived in Concordia until the summer of 190I, when he 
went to Oklahoma. 

HONORABLE E. J. JENKINS. 

Colonel E. J. Jenkins was one of the foremost men in Concordia. He 
was an earnest, untiring worker for the advancement of Cloud county. He was 
a native of Ohio, but came to Donovan county, Kansas, in an early day, 
where he practiced law and represented that county in the Kansas legislature 
with distinction, both as a senator and member of the lower house. 

He was prominent in political and social circles and all public enter- 
prises. He did much for Concordia and personally was immensely popular. 
He was one of the pioneers of Kansas and was the faithful receiver of the 
Republican valley land office from its creation in 1870 until a short time 
before its removal. He was acknowledged to be a man eminently fitted for 
the position, hence his continued service with the government. 

HAMILTON MACK SPALDING. 

Cloud count}' is much indebted to H. M. Spalding for the interest he 
manifests in every worthy project, and there is no one man more distinctly 
associated with the progress and advancement of Concordia than he. H. M. 



228 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

Spalding was born at Lockport, Niagara county, New York, December 14, 
1852, and has a lineage that might well be a source of pride and ambition. 
His ancestors were represented in a prominent waj during the colonial set- 
tlement of the United Stale-. He 1- a son of X. Mack and Sarah 1 Ellicott) 
Spalding. X. M. Spalding was an old and well-known business man of 
western New York. II. M. Spalding is a direct descendant of Edward 

ho came from I md with the distinguished Sir Geo 
Yeardley in the year [619, and was a member of the Virginia colon}'. 
Edward Spalding afterward emigrated to Massachusetts. Tins branch of 
the Spalding family has been noted for the number of successful busim 
men in it. 

Through his mother Mr. Spalding traces his lineage hark to the Elli- 
cotts, another family prominenth identified with the earl) historj of I 
country. Andrew Ellicott was the first surveyor general of the United State-. 
It was he who surveyed and laid out the city of Washington, District Colum- 

and was the first instructor of mathematics in the United Mates \\ 
Point Military Academy. Ills brother, Joseph E., surveyed and laid out 
the city of Buffalo, New York. Ellicott square of that city was named for 
him. Mr. Spalding prides himself on being an American citizen and . 
in the fact that both his paternal and maternal ancestors took an active part 
in the Revolutionary war. 

Mr. Spalding came to Concordia, Kansas, in [872 and engaged as clerk 
in the store of II. \. Lockwood, which occupied his time for fifteen months. 
In the summer of 1874 he purchased an interest in this stock of general mer 

chandise and the firm assumed the name of Lockw I \ Spalding. Upon the 

death of Mr. Lockwood two months later, Mr. Spalding purchased his late 
partner's interest in the business and continued until the spring of [878, 
when he sold to \V. ( i. Patrick and engaged in farming and Stock raising. 
In 1878 he formed a partnership with John Tate, under the firm name of 
Spalding & Tate, for the purpose of shipping live stock and grain, raising- 
cattle and dealing- in real estate. May 22, 1880, they brought into Cloud 
county six head of blooded cattle — one hull and five cows. This firm was 
the rlrst to ship in and keep up a herd of registered short horn cattle. Mr. 
Spalding kept a large herd of fine cattle for twenty years and took much 
interest in blooded stock. 

In 1879 ne was elected county treasurer and was the first Democrat 
elected to a county office in Cloud county, assuming the duties of this office 
from October. 1880. to October, 1882. In 1883 Mr. Spalding helped to 
organize the First National Bank of Concordia and was its first president. 
In 1884 he bought an interest in and took charge of the Concordia flouring 
mills, and later became sole proprietor, operating them for eight years. He 
also put in the electric light plant in Concordia, which he controlled for 
years, keeping it up to date by constantly adding modern improvements. 
He is now president of the Concordia Electric Light Company and its prin- 
cipal stockholder. 




-fcasas, 








■riin *H 



^^■BBB»g 




Concordia Roller Mills. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 229 

He was again elected county treasurer in the autumn of 1895 an( l ' n l &97 
received evidence of recognition of his having served the people with gen- 
-eral satisfaction and with credit to himself by being re-elected. He is the 
onlv man elected to and holding this office three terms in Cloud county. 
Mr. Spalding has long since established himself as a man capable of assum- 
ing various lines of important industries. His natural ability along with 
•enterprising spirit and capacity for work have gained him a record as a 
prominent business man and semi-public character. 

He was married to Martha E. Sherman, of Wrights Corners, Niagara 
•county. New York, March 29, 1S75. They are the parents of two promis- 
ing sons. Edward H. and Merrill E. The former is taking a complete 
•course in mechanical engineering at the Rose Polytechnic Institute, Terre 
Haute, Indiana, and the latter, Merrill E., is a cadet of the United States Mil- 
itary Academy at West Point. Mr. Spalding and family occupy a pleasant 
home on West Sixth street, where they have lived for the past twenty- 
five years. 

HONORABLE CHARLES N. and WILLIAM M. PECK. 

Concordia is especially fortunate in the character and standing of her 
business and professional men. and among those who have won marked dis- 
tinction within the space of a comparatively few years are the twin brothers. 
Charles N. and William M. Peck. They are both men of prominence in the 
"business ami social world. Their personality is very similar, with the same 
fine physique and military bearing and the identity of one might easily be 
taken for the other. 

Thev were born in the town of Hampton, Washington county. New 
York, between Whitehall and Fairhaven, Vermont, May 25, 1863. Their 
father. Tosiah Peck, like most of his ancestors, was a farmer, and resided on 
the old homestead, which has been in the possession of the Pecks for two 
centuries or more, until his death. May 10. 1902. The Pecks originally 
•came from England: three brothers came to America. Two of them settled 
in Connecticut and one in New York, and all of the Pecks in this country 
seemingly sprung from one of these three branches. Harriet Peck, mother of 
Charles and William, was a Miller, her father being the eldest son of 
"Prophet" Miller, who acquired national fame by prophesying to the world 
-the coming of Christ in 1843. She is the only granddaughter of the "Prophet" 
now living. 

The twin brothers were reared on the farm, where they worked, help- 
ing to till the soil in summer and attending- school during the winter months. 
In 188 [ they gratified their ambition to attend military school at Granville, 
New York. Charles N. assumed the position of drummer boy and William M. 
of bugler, and their services were recompensed by the consideration of one- 
balf of the tuition. Later Charles N. resigned his position to enter the ranks 
•of Company A as captain. Thev both graduated in 1883 and returned home 



230 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. KANSAS. 



with the intention of helping on the farm, as their father was becoming 
advanced in years and needed their assistance; bul after three years of mili- 
tary training they were not content with the dail) routine of farm life, and 
mi this time took, as it were, diverging paths. 
' harles X. chose the law for his p u and after writing various 

attorneys, obtained desk room in (lie office of King & RhodeSj of liny, New 
York, (of which firm LaMotte VV. Rhodes was district attorney) in Octo 

ber, 1883, where the foundation was laid 
for the reputation he has built as an at- 
torney, for he has established a record in the 
legal annals of Cloud county, and I 

tag \ fter reading law 1 me year 
umed the duties of chief elerk in their 
office for the small salary of $3 per week. 
Later it was increased to $5, out of which 
he saved enough i<> visit his brother, who 
had 1 ne to < oncordia in [884. 

Charles X. Peek was admitted to the 
te 1 if New York at Albany in 
[886. After coming west he worked in the 
Cloud County Bank for two months and 
then became a member of the law firm of 
Sturges & Kennett. The following year F. 
Sturges was elected judge of this dis- 
trict, and the firm became Kennett & Peck, 
which combination still exists. They are 
attorneys for the Atchison & Topeka Railroad, the Rock Island Railroad and 
the western syndicate of hanks owned by eastern capitalists, and have an ex- 
tended general practice oi law. 

In 1892 Charles N. Peck was married to Frances A. Paradis, the only 
child of Frank Dana Paradis. a contractor and builder formerly of Mem- 
phis, Tennessee, where he was well known. Mr. Paradis was of Parisian 
French stock. Mrs. Peck was born in Chicago, but removed with her par- 
ents when a child to Memphis, where she grew up and attended school, until 
the death of her mother, when her father's health failed and they returned to 
Chicago, where she finished her education, graduating at St. Xavier's Con- 
vent, taking a special course in music. She has had the advantages of a thor- 
ough musical training and has more than ordinary talent. Mr. Paradis died 
in 1896. Mrs. Paradis was of English origin. Three children have been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Peck, two sons and a daughter, viz: Charles North- 
rop, Frances Harriet and William Miller. 

Since the above sketch was written, Charles N. Peck has been elected 
to represent his county in the legislature. He carried his ticket by a large 
majority and will fill the representative chair with credit to himself and to 
the many friends from both political parties that cheered lustily over his 




orable Charles N. 1'eck. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 231^ 

victory — a well merited honor. He is also member of the city council of Con- 
cordia. 

William Miller Peck chose the occupation of architect and served as an 
apprentice in Albany for a short time. As there was no pay for services ren- 
dered he became discouraged and decided to try his fortunes elsewhere. He 
taught school for a brief time and assisted in keeping a set of books for six 
months. He also spent much time writing to the various banks, whose 
names and addresses came under his observation. One of these letters found 
its way to Brandon, Vermont, and fell into the hands of T. B. Smith, the 
late president of the Cloud County Bank, who, fortunately for Mr. Peck, 
wanted a bookkeeper, and he was given the place at five dollars per week, 
and in the summer of 1884 came to Concordia. 

Soon after he was made assistant cashier, and in 1896 was elected cash- 
ier, which place he has since occupied. During his connection with the bank 
he has assumed many responsibilities and performed to the utmost satis- 
faction of the corporation the duties appertaining to the position he holds. He 
is an expert accountant, well informed in banking systems and has estab- 
lished a reputation for himself as a competent business man. The entire man- 
agement of the bank is left to the exercise of his judgment rather than to 
officials of superior rank. 

W. M. Peck was married in December, 1887, to Mary Martin, of Chi- 
cago, Illinois, a daughter of Lawrence T. Martin, a commission merchant of 
. that city. She is an accomplished woman, talented in art — a student of St. 
Xavier's Academy. Their family consists of three daughters: Margaret, 
Ruth and Helen, all musically inclined. Margaret plays the cornet and Ruth 
the violin. Mr. Peck is also a cornetist of considerable ability. 

The Peck brothers have attractive, modern homes on West Ninth street, 
surrounded by beautiful shade trees and wide lawns. They have been Re- 
publicans from the cradle but are not radical politicians. 

WILLIAM ENGLISH. 

William English, one of the early settlers who experienced pioneer life 
among the frontiersmen north of Concordia and known to the people who 
were in the county at that time, died in Frisco, Utah, in October, 1885. He 
had removed there about ten years prior. 

VIRGIL A. BROWN. 

V. A. Brown, a retired farmer with residence in Concordia, is one of the 
pioneers of Kansas. He first settled in Waubaunsee county, where he farmed 
rented land and the following year, 1867, removed to Cloud county and set- 
tled on Wolf creek, in Buffalo township, three and one-half miles southeast of 
Concordia, when he and Phillip Kiser were the only settlers on that creek, and 
when the buffalo appeared in numbers like a living, surging mass of animal life. 



232 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

In 1868 they were the most numerous, often covering a surface of four or 
five square miles, huddled closely together. 

Mr. Brown witnessed the killing of Mr. White l>y the Indians August 
13. 1868. and he was a member of the militia formed to protect the settlers 
from the Indian uprisings Tins company of militia were disbanded but 
never discharged. Mr. Brown has seen the country develop from its prim- 
itive days down to the present. He homesteaded one hundred and sixty 
acre-, pre-empted one hundred and sixty, and bought a soldier's right to 
forty acres ■ In iS-s he traded two hundred acres of this land fur two 

valley farms, consisting of ^ne hundred ind icrej each, two and one 

half miles west of Ames. The same year In one hundred and sixty 

acres on the Republican and later another tract of one hundred and thirti 
acres. He now owns a total of seven hundred and fifty-three acres of land. 
Mr. Brown ha- dealt largely in -tod,; raising, feeding and shipping. In 
1891 he retired from active farm life and established a residence in Con- 
cordia and was one of the original organizers of that city. During the 
grasshopper and drouth years Mr. Brown ouraged, hut never 

lost faith in the ultimate greatness of Kan- 
Mr. Brown is Columbus, Ohio, horn in 1844. llis parents 
I when lie was a youth and he was reared in 'he home of an aunt, his 
father's sister. He was an only child. In Vugust, 1 Not . he enlisted in the 
Sixth Indiana. The state had five regiments in the Mexican war and when 
utilizing companies for the Civil war they began numbering at six. This 
•ment was commanded by Colonel Crittenden, who was promoted to 
general. They operated in Kentucky. Mahama. Mississippi and on the Cum- 
They were oi tin 1 ourth < orps. The history of the regiment gives 
nineteen hard battles and numerous skirmishes. They were in all the hat- 
ties of the Atlantic slope. Chickamauga, Kenesaw Mountain, Missionary Ridge, 
etc. Mr. Brown received five slight wounds. He was in active service the 
entire three years and one month he served in the army. His immediate 
company served with distinction. Over two hundred of the one thousand 
men in his regiment were killed. 

Mr. Brown received a limited common school education, having enlisted 
in the United States service when only sixteen years of age. After the war 
he returned to the home of his uncle and in March, 1866, was married to 
Catherine Mc'iaw. of Pennsylvania, and the same year emigrated to Kan- 
sas. 'Mrs. Brown was deceased in April. 1901. To this union were born 
eight children, four of whom died in infancy. 

Those living are: Florence Allen, wife of L. G. Pearson, a Cloud 
county farmer: Elva, wife of \Y. L. Acton, an extensive stockman of Decatur 
county. Kansas : Cora Eunice, wife of C. G. Ross, head clerk in Bolinger's 
clothing store of Concordia: James W.. a resident of Kansas City, foreman of 
Chamberlain's Weather Strip Company. Mr. Brown's daughters are all tal- 
ented in music and are educated and refined women. Mrs. Pearson was a 
teacher of Cloud county for several vears. She received her education in 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 233; 

the Concordia schools and in the Agricultural College at Manhattan. The 
son, James, graduated from the Concordia high school and from the Gem 
City Business College of Quincy, Illinois. 

Mr. Brown and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Brown is another one of those 
reliable self-made men and owns some of the best property in Cloud county. 
His farm is under a -high state of improvement, commodious farm house 
with driveways of cottonwoods and many evergreens, making it one of the 
most beautiful country places in the county. 

HONORABLE C. W. McDONALD. 

In the early days of Concordia C. W. McDonald was a conspicuous 
figure. Until 1901 he had been a resident of Cloud couunty for many years, 
being among the first settlers and interested in various business enterprises. 

He represented Cloud county in the legislature in 1885. was editor of 
the Concordia Empire for several years, practiced law, and was president of 
the National Bank of Concordia. He was fortunate enough to draw a prize 
at the opening of the Strip in Oklahoma, where he has since located. 

HONORABLE A. J. SHELHAMER. 

A. J. Shelhamer was one of the pioneers of Cloud county and was a 
good citizen, being one of the most enterprising men in the community. He 
came with small capital but soon established one of the best farms in the 
vicinity of Concordia, lying about two miles west of that city. 

He did much toward the passing of the herd law and was president of 
the Agricultural Society, a flourishing body in the early 'seventies. 

Mr. Shelhamer organized the first band in the county, buying the in- 
struments while on a visit to his old Michigan home. 

SAMUEL H. BARONS. 

The subject of this sketch is the late Samuel H. Barons, who was a 
native of Devonshire, England, born in 1829. Mr. Barons was one of nine 
children, seven. boys and two girls, viz: William, Mary, George, Henry. 
John, Thomas, Samuel. Jennie and James, all of whom were born in England 
except the youngest, James. When "Uncle Sam" (as he was universally 
known) was five years of age, his parents came with their family of children 
to America, and after living a short time at Rochester, New York, located in 
the town of Trondequoit, five miles distant and bought a large tract of 
land, which was covered with forests of pine. This they cleared and put 
under a high state of cultivation, and which within a brief time became 
very valuable, and is now a suburb of Rochester. "Uncle Sam" became 
owner of a large portion of this homestead, which he sold for one 



234 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



hundred and fifty dollars per aero. A brother, John Barons, still retains 
a part of the land, which is now very valuable. "Uncle Sam" attended the 
common schools, and when twent) years of age he realized the need of a 
higher education, and entered a commercial college in the citj oi New York, 




Samuel H. Barons. 



remaining four years. During the early part of his life and that of his 
brothers, they worked on the farm, making it a very successful and profit- 
able industry. 

In 1S59 ne was married to Miss Frank E James, of Greece, Monroe 
county, New York, nine miles distant from the city of Rochester. Her father 
owned and operated a nursery there, and there she was reared and grew to 
womanhood. Mrs. Barons is a cultured, refined woman, a graduate of Avon 
Seminary, and taught school successfully for eighteen seasons. She is one 
■ of six children, four daughters and two sons, two of whom are living : 
Calista, widow of George Bristol, who makes her home with Mrs. Barons, 
and Miss Lucy, who came west with Mr. and Mrs. Barons, and has ever 
since been a member of the family. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Barons lived on the farm twelve 
years, when "Uncle Sam" became associated with E. M. Upton at Char- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



235 



lofte, New York, in the forwarding commission business and was appointed 
agent for the New York Central Railroad at that point, where he continued 
for a period of ten years. He was mayor of the city and prominently identi- 
fied in business and social circles. The firm owned their own docks, ele- 
vators, warehouse and cold storage, and did an extensive business. They 
furnished ties to the New York Central Railroad shipped from Canada, 
dealt heavily in fruit and grain and were a financial success. 

In 1876 they sold to the New York Central Railroad for ninety-five 




Mrs. Frank E. James Barons. 



thousand dollars. His health had become impaired and he decided to visit 
the west, whose wonderful possibilities at that time were being heralded 
broadcast over the land. He took a trip to Denver, Colorado, in June, when 
this country was redolent with fields of wheat and corn and great herds of 
cattle and hogs. Enroute home he stopped to visit Kansas and was delighted 
with the beautiful prairies and the great opportunity for stock raising. He 
returned to his home in New York with the ''western fever." full of enthu- 
siasm over the alluring prospects of the great future of Kansas, and the 
many avenues of business waiting to he developed. His faith was unbounded 



236 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

and led to his investing thousands of dollars in this vicinity. Mrs. Barons- 
opposed taking up a residence in the west, so "Uncle Sam" returned alone, 
gathered a crew of men together and drove overland into Texas, where he 
bought eight hundred head of three-year-old Texas steers, drove them 
through to Manhattan. Kansas, where he fixed up winter quarters for theni 
and returned to New York, spending the winter months with his family, 
returning to Kansas again in the spring time. "Uncle Sam" was then in 
prime of his vigorous manhood, and ere many years elapsed was a typi- 
cal westerner. Those who had only known him in his recent years of ill 
health, together with the changes wrought by "Father Time." the bent 
figure of the once stalwart, broad shouldered man, full of cherished ambi- 
tions — the lack-lustre of his -me magnetic keen eye. dark a- night — can- 
not conceive of a character so active in business life, driving herds of cattle 
and hogs over the prairies and figuring as one of the largest stock dealers in 
this part of the -tale. On account of the prevailing high taxes, he kept 
moving his cattle westward until he reached * lyde, where lie bougltl one 
hundred and sixty acres of land adjacent t" that town, including the hotel 
property, which he remodeled, repaired and named "The Pomeroy," in 
honor of an old friend by that name in Rochester, New York (and not for 
Senator Pomeroy, as many suppose). The land he laid out in lot-, streets 
and avenues, and employed a family to manage the Intel, which was a lead- 
ing hostelry in this part of the country at that tune. Shortly afterward 
he sold the hotel to J. Huntington, who failed to meet the obligations and 
the property fell hack into "Uncle Sam's" hands. He then sent for his 
wife and brother James to take charge of the hotel that it might not inter- 
fere with his stock and grain interests, lie had in the meantime erected an 
elevator, and was largely interested in the grain business. 

In February, 1888, he came to Concordia and bought the hotel property 
of Randall & Crill for a consideration of fifteen thousand dollars, and as 
soon as the frost was out of the ground the following spring, he began 
to build and improve, which he continued to do for five consecutive 
summers, until he had invested from seventy-five thousand t<* eighty 
thousand dollars, raised the mansard roof and added another story, building 
an addition with thirty rooms and another for servants' quarters with 
spacious kitchen and pantry underneath, and a basement under the build- 
ing which includes splendid sample rooms, a handsomely equipped barber- 
shop with hand-carved wood work, a laundry which did a paying business 
for several years and upward of a dozen other rooms. A gas plant was 
added that cost three thousand five hundred dollars, the house piped 
throughout, a handsome balcony with iron columns and railing that cost 
two thousand five hundred dollars, hot and cold water on each floor, electric 
bells, and, later, incandescent lights. In connection is a livery r stable with 
frontage on Fifth street and rear extending to Fourth street. The build- 
ing is a large stone structure with mansard roof erected at a cost of ten thou- 
sand dollars. In the hotel are eighty guest chambers aside from the hand- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 237 

some parlors, large dining room, office, etc. The house is well furnished 
and substantially built with beautiful hard wood finishings. "Uncle Sam" 
retained the Clyde hotel and ran both for about five years. "Uncle Sam" 
had two brothers who survive him, both his seniors: John and Thomas. 
The former is a very wealthy and prominent man of Rochester, New York. 
The latter is proprietor of a large "racket" store in the same city. James 
Barons died after a brief illness in 1893. He had been with "Uncle Sam" 
since he came to assist in the hotel at Clyde, and filled the position of stew- 
ard. He was a hotel man of natural ability and had many friends among 
its patrons and the traveling public. Since "Uncle Jimmie" (as he was 
known) died, Mrs. Barons has practically managed the hotel, for from his 
death dated the beginning of "Uncle Sam's" decline. The strong ties 
between the two brothers, coupled with the effects of the boom brought 
about complications which undermined his physical strength. He was a large 
taxpayer and suffered more than people without property. 

"Uncle Sam" left a wife whose patient, unselfish devotion, as she 
administered so faithfully to his least expression or desire, was beautiful 
in the extreme, and a son to whom he was deeply attached. Samuel H. 
Barons was born on the farm near Rochester, September 2, 1868, and came 
with his parents to Clyde when ten years of age. When fifteen years old he 
entered the College of Notre Dame. Indiana, remaining two years and later 
finished a course in the Lawrence Lmiversity. In 1889 "Uncle Sam" deeded 
to him a half section of land in Rooks county, Kansas, and he has added 
other lands until he now owns six hundred and forty acres, with four hun- 
dred acres under cultivation, two hundred and forty acres of pasture land, 
and raises cattle, horses, hogs and mules. His ranch is twelve miles from 
Plainfield and five miles distant from Natoma, the nearest shipping point. 
This is a well watered ranch with good buildings, cattle sheds, windmill, 
etc. In 1890 S. H. Barons was married to Miss Lizzie Dumas, who died 
in April, J901, after an illness of two years. 

"Uncle Sam" was a broad minded, well informed man, just, generous, 
temperate in all his habits and affable in manner. His motto through life 
was. "If you cannot speak well of a man. say nothing." He was a friend of 
every little child and never passed them without a kind word or smile, and 
of every unfortunate person, bestowing charity wherever needed. He was 
widely and favorably known to all the commercial travelers, many of whom 
had patronized him for years. He died June 21, 1901. His remains were 
taken to Rochester, New York, his old home, and all that is mortal of "Uncle 
Sam" rests in Mount Hope by the side of li'is father, mother and brother 
James. Mount Hope, with its walks and driveways, bordered with flowers, 
which skilled hands have made a triumph of art. with its silent tombs and 
stately monuments, is one of the loveliest spots in existence — a veritable "city 
of the dead." 

In June. T902, Mrs. Barons sold the "Barons Hotel" to C. II. Martin 
and under his supervision it will remain the same- popular headquar- 

15 



238 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

ters for the traveling public. The hotel is widely known for its superior 
comforts and accommodations and is the central resorl of man) commer- 
cial men and the permanent resicl if their families. 

After the sale of the hotel property Mrs. Barons removed to Lyons, 
where she is conducting a smaller hotel verj successfully. 

Jl >SE I'll D. SEXSMITH. 

Tlie subject of this sketch, J. 1). Sexsmith, is one of Cloud county's 
'sixtv-niners who took up a homestead and began farm life mi an unculti- 
vated Kansas prairie with a yoke of wild. Texas steers. Me was an unmar- 
ried man at that time and only improved his claim enough to hold it and 
engaged in teaching school on the frontier, lie was the pioneer teacher in 
the "Rice" district and in this -eat of learning, constructed of sod and hoards. 
Mr. Sexsmith imparted knowledge to about one dozen rising young Kan 
san- and received a salary of twenty-five dollars per month. 

Mis father. Matthew Sexsmith, a farmer of Delaware county. New 
York, the place of our subject's nativity, was also an early settler in Kansas. 
He i government land in Cloud count) .Mid lived there until Ins death 

in 1886. llis mother before her marriage was Mary Douglas. She died in 
1852, when Mr. Sexsmith was hut si\ years old. and left six other children. 
Mr Sexsmith acquired his rudimental education in the common schools of 
New York, followed by an academic course in Andes Collegiate fnstitute 
of Andes, New York, graduating from this institution, took a regent's 
examination and was granted a diploma. lie was practically reared on a 
farm and followed that occupation until [864, when he enlisted at the 
\. nthful age t<\ eighteen years in Compan) 1. < >ne Hundred and Forty-fourth 
New Y< irk Volunteers. 

This regiment changed the position of their troops from Virginia to 
the Department of the South and operated under the command of General 
Gillmore. During Sherman'- march to the sea hi- regiment occupied the 
attention at the other end of the route. The One Hundred and Fort) fourth 
was the first Union regiment in the city of Charleston, hut Mr. Sexsmith 
was prevented from being there, owing to a wound he received in a charge 
on James Island and was disabled, for two months. He joined the forces 
at Hilton Head, South Carolina, where they remained until discharged. 
When they were mustered out at Elmira, New York. Mr. Sexsmith returned 
to his home and resumed his farming pursuits until coming to Kansas in 
1869. 

By 1876 be bad improved his homestead to the extent of concluding 
he could afford a wife, and believing it was not best for man to live alone, 
he was united with Miss Emma Lamb in the bonds of matrimony. Her 
father, T. C. Lamb, came from Missouri, where she was born, and settled 
in Shirley township. He was also an engineer and saw mill man. After 
having- out bis land under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Sexsmith sold it 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 239 

in 1882 and moved into Clyde, where he was engaged in various pursuits, 
chief among which was an interest in the manufacture of pottery. In 1884 
he was elected clerk of the court of Cloud county. At the expiration of 
his term in this office he embarked in the real estate and insurance business. 
In 1899 he was elected city clerk of Concordia and was re-elected each suc- 
ceeding year until 1901, when he retired and engaged again in the real 
estate and insurance business. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Sexsmith four children have been born, viz : Daniel 
J., court stenographer at Enid, Oklahoma; Matthew T., associate editor of 
the Concordia Press; Charlotte Gertrude, a successful Cloud county teacher, 
and Leonard D., a student of the Concordia High school. 

Mr. Sexsmith is a Republican politically and takes an active part in all 
legislative affairs. He cast his first vote for President Grant in 1868. Mr. 
Sexsmith takes an active interest in everything pertaining to the Grand 
Army of the Republic. He is a member and past post commander of W. T. 
Sherman Post, of Concordia. 

MRS. ALICE L. BATES. 

Mrs. Bates is now retired from school work, but she has been one of 
the most prominent educators of the county and enjoys the distinction of 
being the first of her sex to hold the office of county superintendent of pub- 
lic schools in Cloud county. That her reign was a successful one is evi- 
denced in the fact that the office has never reverted to a male official. 

.Mrs. Bates was born in central New York, but when a child came with 
her parents to Monticello, Iowa, where she received a common school edu- 
cation, followed by a literary course in the Lennox Collegiate Institute. In 
1872 she graduated from the Iowa State University, preceded by a teacher's 
course in Monticello under Jerome Allen, who was afterward connected 
with a training school in New York City and became quite noted. 

After graduating Mrs. Bates became principal of the Sand Spring 
school for one year, then entered the Monticello high school. In 1S77 she 
came to Cloud county and entered the primary department of the Concor- 
dia public schools. At that time there were three teachers. She continued 
in the employ of the Concordia school until their number increased to six- 
teen. She taught in both the primary and the high school. In 1890, 
Mrs. Bates was elected superintendent of public schools by the Populist 
party, and in 1892 was re-elected. She did not make a campaign, nor ask 
for a single vote. 

In 1896 she was selected to fill a vacancy on the Concordia school 
board, was re-elected and served two years. The first year she served as 
vice-president of the board and the second year as president. In the early 
part of her school work in Concordia she taught in institutes and during 
that time was one of the board of examiners. It was through Mrs. Bates' 
efforts that the library of the superintendent's office had its origin. The 



2 4 o HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

first books— fifty in number— were won at the Stale Association for the 
largest attendance of any county in the stale. To her credit is due the start- 
ing of many libraries throughout the country districts! She vv:is engaged 
in school work for thirty-six years. 

Mrs. Bates is a 'laughter of the Honorable Joseph and Nancy Cool, 
both natives of New York, and both teachers. Mrs. Bates was married to 
Perry Bates in 1N74. He was a native of New York, but was educated at 
Hillsdale College, Michigan, was a professor of schools, teaching in towa, 
and later in Kansas. He died the same year of their marriage, in < Jskaloosa, 
Kansas. Mrs. Bates' residence is on West Ninth street, near the court- 
house. She is a member of the Universalist church. 

WILLIAM S. TOWNSDIN. 

The subject <>i this sketch is W. S. Townsdin, a retired fanner and one 
of the esteemed early settlers that came to Cloud county in 1867, and Has seen 
the country develop and "blossom like the rose." I !e and his wife experienced 
many trials and anxious days hut did not suffer as many of their neighbor*. 
Mr. Townsdin does not regret having east his lot in Kansas, hut 111 the early 
settlement of the country he felt the chances were against them, hut in later 
years when surrounded by their family of children who were prosperous, 
they agreed "all was well." and that Kansas was one of the fairest spots on 
earth. Thev were on the frontier for over two years without the addition 
of a single new settler. They at one time lived in the most commodious 
dwelling in the country and kept open house. Many travelers in quest of 
homes in the new west have enjoyed their hospitality. 

Mr. Townsdin is a native of Huntingdonshire, England, horn in 1827. 
His parents were Samuei and Elizal>eth (Dean) Townsdin. both of Eng- 
lish birth, where his father was a carpenter and worked for the same 
employer all his life. Mr. Townsdin is one of eight children, three of whom 
are living, two sisters, both residing in England. Mr. Townsdin received a 
limited education in the village of Huntingdon and at the age of fourteen 
years began a career for himself. He located in Wales, where he worked 
at various things for about ten years. 

In 1852 he was married to Margaret Jones, a native of Monmouth- 
shire. Wales. She was a daughter of John and Mary (Davis) Jones and 
one of fourteen children. At her mother's death, a half «entury ago. twelve 
children, all of whom were married, followed her to the grave. Mrs. 
Townsdin is now the only surviving member of the family. Mr. Towns- 
din touched on American soil with his family in 1853, and settled in Pom- 
eroy county, Ohio, where he labored on public works for a period of seven 
years. In i860 lie removed to Edwards county, Illinois, where he farmed 
until 1867. A year later he came to Kansas. 

He emigrated with three teams to Cloud county, pre-empted a quarter 
section and homesteaded one hundred acres of land one mile from the pres- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 241 

ent city of Concordia, which at that time was not even thought of. The 
Townsdins were among the few settlers of Lincoln township, and are the only 
remaining landmark of those pioneer days. Buffalo, elk, antelope and wild 
turkey abounded and furnished their supply of meat. They experienced 
many Indian scares and several persons were killed, but while tliev were in 
constant terror and suspense thev were never disturbed. When there were 
neither roads nor bridges Mr. Townsdin hauled corn from Manhattan, for 
which he had paid one dollar and twenty-five cents per bushel. 

He gradually drifted into the stock business, bought a calf here and 
there, finally collecting quite a herd. He added to his land until he owns 
several farms, of which he has retained four hundred acres and owns sev- 
eral good residence properties in Concordia, where he removed when he 
retired from the farm in 1883. The following year he. with his wife, spent 
two years visiting England and Wales, and lias visited his native land once 
since that date. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Townsdin eight children have been born, seven of 
whom are living: John, a farmer, who resides two and one-half miles east 
of Concordia; James, a retired farmer of Randall, Jewell county, Kansas; 
Samuel, a farmer eight miles east of Concordia; Charles, a commission 
merchant of Kansas City (he owns three farms in Cloud county) : George, 
a merchant of Randall, Kansas; Mary J, wife of John Shrader, a farmer 
three miles southeast of Concordia ; Vincent, a stock and grain buyer of 
Randall, Kansas. The Townsdin family are all prosperous and well-to-do, 
owning fine farms and desirable personal property. 

THEODORE LA INC. 

The subject of this sketch is Theodore Laing', an attorney of Concor- 
dia. Mr. Laing is a living example of what application and determination 
will do toward mastering the waves of adversity. He is entirely self-made. 

In the early days of Cloud county he had a hard struggle, having just 
entered upon the practice of his profession. He now stands pre-eminently 
in the front ranks of the able attorneys of the county. Mr. Laing studied 
la^- under various conditions — in the corn field, at school and in different 
offices under various attorneys. Mr. Laing is a native of Virginia, born in 
1846. His parents were John and Elizabeth, Laing. 

Mr. Laing came to Cloud county in 1872, and, settling in Clyde, opened 
a law office, where he remained four years, and came to Concordia. Politi- 
cally he is a Republican and has served three terms as attorney of Cloud 
county. Mr. Laing - has been publicly identified with the interests of Con- 
cordia and Cloud county ever since his advent in the state. He is interested 
in farming and owns considerable real estate, among which is the building 
known as the "Iron Block" on Sixth street, and lives in one of the hand- 
some residences on West Fifth street. 



242 



HISTORY OF CLOUD CObNTY, KANSAS. 



BOSTON* CORBLTT. 



a*. .JSkctcKc; 




Hv THK A 



There are not many antiquated or distinct landmarks in Cloud county, 
Kan>;is. for it is comparative!) modern; but the deserted dugout, once the 
primitive abode of that peculiar personage, whose name lias been heralded 
from continent to continent as the slayer of John Wilkes Booth, who assas- 
sinated President Lincoln on the night of "ipril 14. [865, begins to savor 
somewhat of the uncanny and the approximate nearness of phantoms. 

~i For fifteen \ cars the little 

■ stone lmt lias nol been inhabited 
save by gi iphers and bats, The 
writer, like many curious and 
speculative individuals, visited 
this interestingly historical 
place, and found the rafters fall- 
ing into decay, the door and 
windows removed, but the yel- 
low sandstone walls. vvhi< h rep 
resent good masi >nry, msider- 
ing the conditions, still stand intact, as a monument to the eccentric man 
who builded it. The poplar tree on the ! the cottonwoods on the 

right were doubtless planted by Ins hands, and stand as sentinels over the 
most historic and romantic spot of this section of country. 

Most readers of this volume are familiar with the strange career of 
this singular man. but history is not given for the present only, but rather 
to be perpetuated down the 
long series of eventful times. 
The following data eminated 
from various sources and is 
the most authentic obtain- 
able. The recent rumors 
afloat that he is soon to re- 
turn, prove his identity and 
collect the one thousand three 
hundred dollars back pension 
due him has renewed public 
interest in Boston Corbett. 
His Christian name is John. 
He is of English birth and 
soon after emigrating to 
America attended a religious revival in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, 
and to commemorate the event of his conversion during this awakening of the 
Divine Spirit he assumed the name of "Boston." He has always been 
eccentric, but the trend of his idiosvneracies has been toward religious 




Corbett's Dugout. 
(An original sketch by the Author.' 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 243 

fanaticism Corbett belonged to the Sixteenth New York Cavalry, and was 
a sergeant. 

He -was one of the select men summoned to pursue and capture John 
Wilkes Booth, the bloodthirsty and soulless assassin of the nation's idol, 
Abraham Lincoln, in April, 1S65. 

A comrade. Private Dalzell. in whose home Corbett visited after the 
killing of Booth, says in substance; After tracking the fugitive through 
woods and fields for clays, he was discovered in a barn. Stolidly refusing 
the command to surrender, a torch was lighted, touched to the barn and the 
next moment violent flames were bursting forth from his place of refuge. 
The excited sergeant saw through the cracks between the boards, the emo- 
tional, brilliant, but superficial, tragic actor standing on a pile of hay, lean- 
ing on his crutch, pale with loss of blood from the wound he had received, 
pallid with excess of hatred and revenge, for John Wilkes Booth never 
knew fear. 

Corbett watched him like a hawk, as Booth st 1 with back toward 

him. leaning on his staff for support — carbine in hand, the personification 
of the assassin — and in the critical moment when he had determined to 
die he was uniformly self-possessed and did not for a moment forget his 
part in the great tragedy he was acting. As the .fire mounted up and around 
him his face in the lurid light of the blazing barn grew ghastly pale. Each 
demand for his surrender was answered with the same sullen silence of 
contempt, scorn and defiance. 

The burning building was surrounded on all sides by soldiers with 
pistols in hand, stationed within a few feet of each other. Inclosed beyond 
the possibility of escape the doomed tragedian was probably seized with a 
desire to send some of his pursuers into eternity, and suddenly raised his 
carbine to shoot. Corbett saw the move, and with the rapidity of lightning 
leveled his pistol and fired. Before the unerring aim of the little sergeant's 
gun. the presidenticide fell prostrate on the hay — where he had stood as if 
rooted to the spot — with a fatal wound in exactly the same place where the 
deadly missile from his gun had entered the body of President Lincoln. 

His body was instantly dragged from the burning barn and stretched 
upon the ground; a moment later and the once impassioned tragedian was 
dead. 

Corbett asserted to Private Dalzell that the actor never spoke after he 
received the fatal shot, and that all the nonsense about his dying words 
was the mere "clap trap" of sensational writers As soon as Booth's fatality 
wa^ disclosed the disconsolate officers inquired what rash fellow had dared 
disobey orders and slay their coveted victim, for it had been their purpose 
to capture him alive and have a grand state trial enacted after the manner 
of the great historical English regicide tribunals during the times of James 
II. But Boston Corbett bad thwarted their plans and ambitions and all 
eves were turned toward him, for the soldiers who were stationed on his 



244 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

side of the building pointed to the sergeant as the guilty miscreant who 

fired the fatal bullet, and he was straightway placed under arrest. 

From that fateful moment Corbett lias never known a peaceful hour, 
and was a doomed man. After that eventful day one disaster followed 
another. The pistol with which he killed Booth was stolen from him the 
same night. 

He was treated with scorn and disdain by his officers, and neglected 
bv the government While enroute to Washington he was stopped by masked 
men, and with a pistol placed against his breast, compelled to dismount and 
surrender his hard earned money the day lie received it : not only every dollar 
he possessed was taken from him. hut he was stripped of his clothing. 

The officials at Washington were beside themselves with rage for hav- 
ing been deprived of the pomp and circumstance of leading the assassin 
in captivity and parading him through a public trial, of which they would 
have been central figures. Stinging with disappointment, they felt like fur- 
ther persecuting the man who had divested them of all this glory, hut better 
counsel prevailed and he was released with a permit to retire from the service. 
Branded and disgraced, he was always spoken of with contempt by officers 
of the army. 

The unfortunate fellow drifted from pillar to post. After saying his 
prayers at night — for he is a devout christian — Corbett retires with a 
loaded revolver under his head and moans piteously during the long hours 
of the night, lie is not a lunatic, as has been accredited him. hut a strange, 
unhappy and eccentric man who doubtless suffers untold terrors, ami lias 
visions of "Nemesis pursuing- him" wherever he goes; the troubled spirits 
of revenge will not let him rest, His constant fear remains the same and 
he is steadfastly on the alert for assassins. For many years after the 
death of Booth, threatening letters followed him everywhere. 
Private Dalzell writes he saw one of these letters, which was headed 
"Hell," adding: "You will he here soon," and signed "Booth." While 
at the Dalzell residence Corbett was the recipient of several of these uncanny 
messages and was never in a town ever so obscure that they did not reach 
him, each missive containing all sorts of threats. Corbett complained bit- 
terly and justly of the neglect with which the government treated him. Mr. 
Dalzell says : "Let no one suppose it was remorse that rendered him unhappy, 
for Corbett was proud that he had killed Booth; nor let no one suppose it 
was regret, for he stoutly maintained that the Lord commissioned him to enact 
the deed and directed the contents of his weapon." He was asked by General 
Howard, "How in the world did you happen to send the bullet to the same 
spot, exactly to the tilting of a hair, where the fatal bullet found the life of 
Lincoln?" "The Lord directed it," was Corbett's only reply, and he believed 
it, even if Ingersoll did not. 

In the latter part of the 'seventies Boston Corbett located in Cloud 
county, and finding eighty acres of land seven miles south and three miles 
east of Concordia that had seemingly been overlooked bv the homestead set- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



245 



tier or not deemed desirable, lying among- the hills as it does, the wretched 
man sought a respite from his ungracious pursuers by establishing a her- 
mit-like quarter, where he could live the life of a recluse. Corbett was a 
poor man, a hatter by trade, and unmarried. He built a dugout on his newly 
acquired possessions, where he lived several years. The floor and roof were 
of dirt after the fashion of the Kansas dugout: in dimensions it is about 
twelve by fifteen feet. In one corner of the room, from an excavation under 
the rock wall, a spring of fine water bubbled up and flowed through an aper- 
ture to the outside. The 
furniture of this queer domi- 
cile, long since removed, was 
very meagre : it consisted of a 
home-made bedstead, a chair 
or two. an old musket and a 
Bible, the yellow leaves of 
the latter being well worn 
with time and frequent turn- 
ing. 

Corbett was small of 
stature, had a swarthy skin. 
a scant beard and wore his 
long, dark hair floating over 
his shoulders. He dressed 
in a singular manner and 
lived in perfect solitude. He 
sometimes visited his neigh- 
bors, who thought him men- 
tally disordered, but he sel- 
dom or never entertained 
them in return. He was 
manifestly devoted to a little 
black pony which he called 
"Billy." and all the affection 
in his queer nature was be- 
stowed upon "Billy." who 
was his constant companion. 
He associated himself with 
the Methodist Episcopal 
church, was one of the shouting brethren and very enthusiastic in revival 
work; would preach with a revolver in his pocket or a brace dangling from 
his belt. 

In the earlv 'eighties, at the earnest solicitation of the ladies of the 
Presbyterian church of Concordia, who were endeavoring to give the public 
some special feature as an attraction for a large patronage, Boston Corbett 
was induced to promise a lecture, outlining events of the capture and slaying 




Boston Corbett in 1805. 



246 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

di President Lincoln's assassin, and his experiences in Andersonville prison, 
where he had -pent ten months, and when emerging .1 physical wreck, he was 
ordered to the hospital, bul against the orders of the surgeon he rejoined his 
company. 

When the night for the entertainment arrived Corbett was greeted with 
an immense and enthusiastic audience. It was an established custom with 
the dispenser ol the gospel to discourse from the scriptures, and some senti- 
ment in the song that was rendered by the choir as an introductory, started 
him to sermonizing and he preached indefinitely without touching upon the 
interesting subject that practically drew the whole popujace out to hear the 
story from the lips of tin- historic character 

Finally he tinded by the pastor that lie was to 1 tlk oi Booth and 

Andersonville, whereupon 1 orbetl most humbly apologized for his diversion 
and in a Few terse sentences related the details of his capture and told how he 
was landed in the southern prison. Soon after entering, the sergeant met an 
old comrade who reported a session of p 1 being held in another part 

of the building, and Corbett hastened to that quarter. Then he gave the 
prayer meeting an oral treatment, expatiated on the subject for a half hour 
or mi. re. and when again reminded that he had digressed, apologized graci 
ously and said, in substance : 

"We surrounded the bam in which we found Booth had taken refuge. 
We demanded that he surrender and he refused; we then sel fire to the barn. 
By the light he saw one of our men and raised his gun to shoot him. I was 
peeping through the cracks, saw him raise his arm, and to keep him from 
killing oi 1 ir men. I fired and killed him. The bullet went into his head 

in nearly the same course that his bullet had entered Lincoln's he id." 

No more communicative an account than this would he give 1 pression 
to of an incident that has called forth many articles during the last thirty- 
ht years, and of which no one was more cognizant than this distinctively 
peculiar individual. 

The many incidents of Boston 1 orbett's career would fill a fair-sized 
volume. One blustering day in the autumn a prairie fire was raging near 
his claim and finally crept over on to his premises. Some neighboring men 
came to assist him in protecting his property, but to their dismay and aston- 
ishment his lordship confronted them with gun in hand and admonished his 
would-be assistants to vacate, with threat- of shooting if they did not pro- 
ceed to acquiesce. Immediately the would-be protectors had Corbett arrested 
and brought to Concordia for trial. During the procedure, a man whom 
he had a fancied grievance against, entered the court room and as his imag- 
inary foe walked down the aisle Corbett jumped to his feet, brandished a 
revolver and exclaimed, "There's another man come here to criminate me. 
Thank God I have no use for such a court as this ; I am going home. I 
have a God that will take care of me." As lie swung his formidable fortv- 
five and walked hastily down the aisle, the judge, county officials, attorneys, 
even the legal light he had employed to defend him, sought refuge behind 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 247 

every available piece of furniture which offered protection. Unmolested, 
Corbett left the court room, sought his little black pony and rode away. 

After taking' the matter under consideration the officers repaired to 
Corbett's dugout for the purpose of again bringing him in. Another sur- 
prise greeted them, however, for their host put in an appearance with a 
Winchester in either hand, and a countenance that boded ill, declaring in 
an uncivil way he would shoot the first man who dare attempt to lay hands 
on him, adding he would die rather than lie taken. They rqMied they would 
return with a posse of forty men. whereupon he bade them come, fearlessly 
saving: "I have faced four hundred men and forty couldn't take me." 

Corbett was left to enjoy the quiet solitude of his dugout, which was a 
stronghold, ostensibly built with the view of defending himself, as he pos- 
sessed a small armory that would have stood off a fairly strong siege. He 
was an unerring marksman and one of his favorite pastimes was to pros- 
trate himself at full length on the grass and shoot birds as they flew through 
the air. 

Corbett was given a position in the capitol. Sympathizing friends 
thinking something should he done for Boston Corbett, some position within 
the gift of the people tendered him, he was appointed sergeant-at-arms in 
the capitol at Topeka in 1887. While acting as doorkeeper in the east gal- 
lerv of the house of representatives he created a novel sensation. The far- 
famed Corbett was a sort of curiosity to the general public. While passing 
to and fro along the corridor of the building one day his eagle eye and sus- 
pecting brain observed several clerks and janitors engaged in conversation. 
and fancying himself the subject of their merriment and probable derision, 
confronted Benjamin Williams, an assistant doorkeeper, with the accusa- 
tion. Hot words ensued; Corbett gave vent to his constitutional irritation 
of temper. Losing entire control of himself he produced a dangerous look- 
ing knife and almost simultaneously made a pass at Williams. The fright- 
ened janitor did not tarry to longer discuss the situation, but rushed out of 
the hall into the outer corridor, followed by the frenzied sergeant-at-arms, 
while his associates in the offense flew with long and rapid strides in various 
directions. Overhearing the commotion, Sergeant-at-Arms Norton hastily 
repaired to the scene of action and endeavored to calm the enraged do >r- 
keeper, but, as be approached, the new arrival upon the scene was startled 
by the distorted visage of Boston Corbett. who was livid with rage; his 
eves gleaming like a Bengal tiger's, and as he flashed his revolver, warned 
Norton in it to approach, under penalty of a bullet being sent crashing 
through his body. The sergeant-at-arms left Corbett holding the fort, for 
he realized it meant certain death to advance. 

With gun in band Corbett triumphantly passed to his post of duty in 
the gallery and as no one dared or attempted to approach him. the door- 
keeper's attitude implied. "I am monarch of all I survey." 

During the morning hours he passed with a soldierly tread up and 
down the triforium in full view of the convened house with his revolver 



248 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 




In the Gallery. 



swinging to the belt that encircled his waist, his eager, restless eyes alert to 
every sound or movement, like a sentinel watching over enchanted ground 
or doing duty where the fate of a whole army was dependent upon his 
vigilance. 

By a recent action of the house 
the sergeant at .inns had been given 
authority to discharge any officer 
under his jurisdiction, hence the 
executive losl no time in declaring a 
vacancy in this instance; however, 
no one seemed anxious for the posi- 
tion made vacant, or dared to in- 
terfere. When (.nlicii's anger had 
somewhat abafed a newspaper re- 
porter scaled himself by the side of 
the sergeant, who occupied a place 
in the ladies' gallery, looking down 
ii|>'"ii assembled representatives, as if 
he might be seized with the idea at any moment thai God had commissioned 
him to kill oft" the entire bod) of legislators. 

Although his wrath had diminished he was still nervous and could not 
he engaged in conversation, and. regarding his visitor with suspicion, a 
moment later he left the newsgatherer seated alone. 

The police were sum- 
moned and after considerable 
conniving and maneuvering 
to avoid a shooting affray, 
the officers succeeded in tak- 
ing captive the sensational 
sergeant. He was seized by 
three otfieers. who threw him 
to the floor and disarmed 
him. The only words he 
spi >ke were: "Yi iu're a pretty 
gang." 

That Corbett was insane 
and a dangerous man to be 
at large was the general ver- 
dict. On February if), 1887. 
the office of Probate Judge 
Quinton, of Topeka. was 
thronged with anxious people 
to hear the testimony in the 
case of this peculiar man on trial for insanity. Corbett seeminglv enter- 
tained an animosity for the newspaper reporters, and ere the hearing was 
to proceed ordered them all put out of the room. 




The Legislators. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 249 

After a lung- series of evidence the man was adjudged insane and placed 
in the asylum. Another sensation was created on May 26, 1890, by the wily 
sergeant making his escape from the asylum for the insane. He was exer- 
cising with others on the grounds when he espied a horse, which he quickly 
seized, mounted and sped rapidly away. He left the horse after reaching" a 
safe distance, with orders to return the animal to its rightful owner, and pur- 
sued his way on foot. It was supposed he had gone to his homestead in 
Cloud county, hut for more than a dozen years he seemed to have passed out 
of existence; only vague and indefinite news of the escaped inmate could be 
obtained, consequently he was marked on the asylum records "dead." and this 
verdict was accepted unquestionably by the public. 

But in August. 1901, thirteen years later, Corbett was resurrected and 
at that date had been for four years a valued employe of \Y. W. Gavitt & 
Companv, a proprietary medicine concern of Topeka, Kansas. He was in 
their employ for some time ere they associated him with the man who shot 
Booth, as he went under the name of John Corbett, but when later he 
resumed the name of "Boston." his identity was revealed. He is a success- 
ful salesman. Many towns in Texas bar the patent medicine man, but this 
strange individual does not heed the ordinances and has sold his wares in 
practicallv every town in the state. He also travels through Oklahoma and 
owns property in Enid. Both his employers and guardian, George A. 
Huron, of Topeka. have in recent times endeavored to persuade Corbett to 
return and draw the thirteen hundred dollars back pension due him from 
the government, not a cent of which he will ever he able to draw until the 
fact of his being alive is established by his own affidavit. It has been assured 
him his sanity will he verified and his release from the asylum legally 
secured, but Corbett is wily and superstitious and until a recent date abso- 
lutely refused to set foot on Kansas soil: but it is reported he has at last con- 
sented to return and claim the money that is legitimately his. 

The winter Boston Corbett spent in Topeka he was a conspicuous char- 
acter in Salvation Army circles, took an active part in their street exhibi- 
tions and was one of the most animated soldiers and loudest shouters in the 
barracks of their brigade. 

ISAAC ALBERT RIGBY. 

I. A. Rigby, attorney ami counsellor at law, is a Kansan. born and bred 
on Kansas soil, and has grown to manhood in the city of Concordia. He 
was born in Doniphan county in 1863. His father is J. A. Rigby, a retired 
contractor and brick manufacturer, with residence in Concordia. J. A. 
Rigby came with the pioneers of Kansas from Pennsylvania, his native state. 
in 1857, and was personally acquainted with Jim Lane during the territorial 
era of Kansas. He settled in Brown and Doniphan counties. The Rigby 
ancestors are of English origin. 

I. A. Rigby is one of five children : Matilda J., wife of Cyrus Tvvitchel, a 



2 5 o HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

er with residence in Spokane, Washington; Mary E., wife of 
C. !'. Branine, of Newton, Kansas. Mr. Branine is an attorney of consid- 
erable note and state senator from Harvej and McPherson counties, elected 
in [900; has also held the office of county attorney. Mr. Branine is a young 
man but thirty-live years old. Nannie A., wife of Ezra C. Branine, an 
attorne) and partner of his brother, C. E. Branine, under the linn name of 
Branine & Branine, of Newton. George VV. (see sketch). 

Mr. Rigby completed a course in the Concordia high school before he 
was thirteen years did. After completing a business course in the Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania, College hi on a career of teaching at the age of sev- 

enteen; taught in the Concordia graded schools. Me then entered the law 
artmenl of the Kansas University and graduated in [885. Mr. Rigby 
lias held various positions of trust; was assistant cashier in the First 
National Bank of Concordia (better known as Brown's bank), lie was a 

member of the scl I board in [890. In the same year he ran for county 

attorney, but that being the year of the Populist landslide, lie was defeated. 
In [898 he was the Republican nominee for county attorney, hut the Dem- 
ocrats and Populists fused and he wa- beaten by a small majority. 

Me has been for several years and is at present I [902) a member of the 
city council and a member of the State Bar Association of the state of Kan- 
has been honored with the appointment of delegate to congressional 
and stale conventions almost every year. Was a delegate in the Convention 
that nominated Judge Morrell for governor, and Judge Sturges for his seat 
011 the l>ench. 

Mr. Rigby first read law in the office of the able attorneys, Solon 0. 
Thatcher and J. W. Green, for a term of two years, and subsequently grad- 
uated with high honors from the law department of the Kansas Slate Uni- 
versity. Septemher [3, [891, he was admitted to the supreme court, and 
presented by Attorney General Garland. Air. Rigby has followed the prac- 
tice of law exclusively, not combining it with real estate, loans, etc. Me was 
president of the McKinley and Roosevelt club of six hundred voting niein- 
hci's and practically had charge of the campaign that year. 

WILLIAM McKINDREE BURNS. 

Mr. Burns is one of the original Town Company of the city of Con- 
cordia and is one of her most highly esteemed citizens. He has not achieved 
the success financially that some of his fellow citizens have, hut lie is 
one of those old pioneers who helped pave the way for the glory of those 
who came later. But Mr. Burns possesses a good name which adversities 
nor even poverty can dissipate. 

He is a native of Piatt county. Missouri, horn August 13, 1840. His 
father was the Reverend Isaac Burns, of Virginia birth and Scotch origin. 
Reverend Burns was a pioneer of Missouri, settling at St. Joseph when that 
city was a village. He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 251 

(North), and during" the latter part of the 'fifties Missouri became an unde- 
sirable field for a non-sympathizing dispenser of the .gospel. In the autumn 
of 1856 he was transferred to the Iowa conference and subsequently to 
Nebraska, where he had charge of the Tecu.mseh work, followed by various 
charges incident to the itinerant circuit rider. He was stationed at Falls 
City, DeSoto and later was made presiding elder with residence in Omaha, 
where he died in 1871. Mr. Bums' mother was Fhcebe Persinger, of Dutch 
persuasion. She died one year later than her husband. The Persingers 
were early settlers in Virginia, where some of them were slaveholders. 

Mr. Burns received a good education in the high schools of Nebraska 
and attended Scotts Academy, of Piatt county. Missouri, for one year. He 
began earning a livelihood by teaching school and gave up this vocation to 
serve his country and enlisted in Company E, Twenty-fifth Regiment, Mis- 
souri Volunteers, under Colonel Seabody, serving three years and nine days. 
His company was in the battles of Shiloh, Pittsburg Landing, the siege of 
Atlanta and with Sherman at Savannah. The Twenty-fifth Regiment was 
merged into another company and took the name of the First Missouri Engi- 
neer Corps. 

After the war Mr. Burns returned, to DeSoto, Nebraska, visiting his 
father, who was stationed there. Soon afterward he went to Mills county, 
where he engaged in the saw milling business with fairly good success. Two 
years later he became interested with his father in mercantile pursuits at 
Aurora, on the Weeping river. One year later they removed their goods to 
Penn, Nebraska; the next spring Mr. Burns retired from the firm and emi- 
grated to Kansas, where he took advantage of his homestead right, and also 
pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land where the town of Rice now 
stands. The other tract of land he disposed of to the county and is now 
included in the county farm for the poor. 

Mr. Burns filed on land where part of Concordia is now situated, which 
he platted as an addition. The original Town Company was more interested 
in building a town than increasing their bank accounts. Lots that sold for 
one hundred dollars would now firing from three to four thousand. They 
had never built a town before. Were they ever to build another they would 
in all probability profit from past experiences. Mr. Burns has been engaged 
in several enterprises. In 1871 he associated himself with W T. S. May in 
the real estate business. In the early 'eighties he established a drug store 
in Scandia, remaining two years, returning to Concordia, selling the stock 
one year later. 

Mr. Burns was married to Almira, daughter of Jacob Brisbine, in 1872. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Burns four children have been born: Arthur, an employe 
of the Natal Railroad Company in South Africa. He is a telegrapher; 
received his education and entered upon his profession in Concordia. Clara 
B., wife of James McCoy, a railway mail clerk, with residence in Kansas 
City. Robert William, with Rigby & Wilson, furniture dealers, of Con- 



2 52 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

cordia, where he lias been a trusted and valued employe. Charles Frederick 
is a telegrapher, with residence in Kansas City. Mr. Burns votes the Repub 
lican ticket. 

LAWRENCE PATRICK [.ARSON. 

The subject of this sketch is L. P. Larson, commonly known to his 
friends as "Pat" Larson. Mr. Larson is a contractor and builder and t" his 
workmanship is accredited some of the best residences and business blocks 
in the cit) ncordia. During his sojourn of sixteen years in that 

metropolis the following buildings are a few ol those that evidence his sup< 
rior architecture: The < aldwell building, one of the most imposing in the 
city; First National Bank, a finely constructed building; the postoffice, which 
is a plain but massive structure; the brick and terra cotta building, the lower 
floor "i which is occupied 1>\ Layton & Neilson, druggists, and the i olson 
cit) ; First National Bank, a finely constructed building; the postoffice, which 
buildings i >f the i 

Mr. Larson began to stem the current of life with no "stock in trade," 
but a pair of willing hands and is another of the many illustrations herein 
contained of how persistent endeavor will conquer all things sooner <>r 
later. Mr. Larson is a native of Germany, born in Frankfort on the Mam in 
[86o His parents were Christian and Annie (Christie) Larson. His father 
e up his sailer lite t" enter the German war in [848, and was killed in 
battle at'ter serving three years and four months. I lis mother died in Den- 
mark June -'4. [885, where the family had settled after peace was declared. 
Hie maternal ancestors were from Ireland and were a race of people who 
lived to an extreme old age. Mi- grandmother passed the century mark 
and attained the age of one hundred and eight years; her brother reached 
the advanced age of one hundred and eleven years. Mr. Larson was the 
only child of his father'- first marriage Inn by a second union oik- son was 
horn. 

Mr. Larson was thrown on his own resources at the youthful age of 
seven years, and through the aid of friends was aide to obtain a common 
school education and later by their further kindness and by the stern effort- 
of himself he was enabled to secure a scholarship in the high school; by 
rapid advancement and their extended assistance lie paid his way through 
the State university of Denmark for one year. His extremely diligent 
application was observed by one of the professors who made it possible for 
him to take a four years course in classics. As Mr. Larson could not see 
his way to remain in the university for that length of time he took the four 
years course in two and one-half years, and often worked twenty-three out 
of twenty-four hours. 

His object was to prepare himself tor an officer under the Danish 
government. In the meanttime he worked at the carpenter's bench the pro- 
ceeds of which assisted him in his school work. He graduated in 1878, at 
the age of eighteen years. After all the hardships entailed upon him as a 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 253 

young and penniless student working his way through the university, 
spending many sleepless nights ^conning and toiling over his books, when he 
came to enlist he was doomed to the disappointment of being pronounced 
physically unfitted for the service. 

Smarting under this defeat of the expectation of his hopes he determined 
to bid his native land adieu and make for himself a home in America, and 
accordingly sailed for New York, landing in that city July 18, 1881. \ tew 
days later he went to Omaha. Nebraska, where he found employmenl 
bookkeeper for the first half year and then obtained work with M. T. 
Murphy, architect; two months later he assumed the management of his 
mill retaining that position three years. 

In [884, he came to Concordia and during the summer finished tin- 
interior of Colonel X. B. Brown's handsome residence. In the autumn of 
that same year he secured the contract for building the tine dwelling o'f -Mr. 
Steffen Christiansen, on of the pioneers of Cloud county, living two miles 
north of Jamestown, and while engaged in this work met Sena Peterson, 
whom he married December 8, [886, locating in Concordia and entering 
the employment of Southworth & Smith, carpenters and builders, continu- 
ing as their foreman until the organization of the Citizens National Dank, 
when he was employed by them as superintendent of the Caldwell building; 
and after the masonry was completed he finished the interior. From this 
period be established himself as an architect, contractor and builder, fol- 
lowing that occupation until iNo_>. 

During the latter year he emigrated to Colorado Springs, Colorado, 
and accepted a position with the Cillis, Wells & Leddy planing mills. Dur- 
ing his nine months' residence in Colorado Springs be erected some of the 
finest buildings in that city, among them the famous Antlers hotel, the 
Huntley livery stables, the residences of Doctor Solbs and Doctor Drack, 
the two latter costing over two hundred thousand dollars each. He also 
built the Casino theater. The following spring he returned to Concordia, 
re-opened his shop and resumed contracting, which he has since followed. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Larson have been born four exceptionally bright 
and beautiful children, viz : Rhoda S. A.. Peter Montague. Mosette Ruth ami 
Harry Eugene Z. Mrs. Larson is a native of Denmark, born near the town 
of Nestved, province of Sjalland. She came with her parents to America 
and settled on a farm near Jamestown, where they both died. Mr. Larson 
is a staunch Republican and has been a delegate for several years to con- 
ventions, but has never aspired nor sought for office. The family are mem- 
bers of the Baptist church. Mr. Larson is a deacon and one of the most 
active members and pillars of that congregation. They occupy a pleasant 
home at 518 West Sixth street. 

CAPTAIN BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ROSE. 

B. F. Rose, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Ohio, born on the 
town site of the present city of Dayton in 1841. His parents were Thomas 
and Sarah (Irwin) Rose. His father was a native of Kentucky and his 

16 



254 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



r of Maryland. His paternal grandfather was an Englishman and 
emigrated to America when eighteen years of age. I lis paternal grand- 
er was "f Irish birth. His maternal grandfather was of Scutch origin 
and his maternal grandmother a German woman. Mr. Rose is one <>i seven 
children, three of whom are living, two sisUTs. mho a residenl of Illinois and 
tin- other of [owa. 

Mi - . Iv se received a meager education in the common schools of < >hio 
and when sixteen years of age removed with his parents to La Grand, Mar- 
shall county, Iowa. ( >n the 1 7th 
daj of September, [861, he wa 
mustered into the United States set 
ice at 1 >a\ cup' 'it. [1 '\\ a. I le enlisted 
in G 'inpanv I '>. Eleventh l< >wa Regi 
ment, under Captain Charles Foster 
and 1 !i 1I1 mel \bram I [are. < aptain 
Rosi w as a \ aliant and couTagei >us 
si 'Mier. as his successn e pri imi >ti< »ns 
demonstrate, From a private he be 
11 a o 'i i" iral, Eri im a corp iral to 
orderlj sergeanl and later was com 
missioned captain over two lieuten- 
ants. I le participated in the battles 
of Shiloh, first and second battles oi 
Corinth, [uka, siege of Vicksburg, 
Resaca,, Nickerjack t reek and \t 
lanta on July 22, [864, where he was 
taken prisoner and detained two 
months and seven days. During this 
time he ivas 1 well fed 1 ?) that his weight decreased from two hundred 
and forty-six to one hundred and fifty-one pounds. 

He was released under a special exchange arranged for by General 
Sherman, and rejoined his company; as he walked through their camp 
grounds there was not a man in the company who recognized him. He was 
afterward acting major and on the march to the sea was in command of the 
regiment at different times. Was in command from Atlanta to Savannah, 
where he embarked on board a vessel, and going to Newport, South Caro- 
lina, he took up a march against the rebel fortifications at Pocotaligo, South 
Carolina, and while there was given leave of absence on account of illness 
and returned to his home. When resuming his place in the army he jour- 
neyed by way oi New York and Newbern. North Carolina, arriving at his 
command, which was stationed at Goldsboro, North Carolina, on March 2j, 
1865. from which place he was mustered out of the service, under general 
order from the war department. From there he visited Washington, Dis- 
trict Columbia, and was in that city when President Lincoln was assassi- 
nated. 




Captain Benjamin F. Rose. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. .255 

Returning subsequently to his home in Iowa, he was married August 
17. 1865, to Esther Coate, a daughter of Samuel T. and Harriet (Anthony 1 
Coate, both natives of Ohio, and both ministers of the Christian church. 
Mrs. Rose is a sister of Elwood Coate, county treasurer of Cloud count} - . 
She is an amiable woman and president of the Woman's Christian Temper- 
ance Union of Concordia. To Mr. and Mrs. Rose three children have been 
born, but one of whom is living. Their first born, Clarence Elwood, was 
deceased at the age of eighteen months. Estella, a young woman of much 
promise, was deceased at the age of twenty years. The youngest son, Clin- 
ton Emmett, is one of the prominent educators in this part of the state. 
Although he is a young man but twenty- seven years of age, he has for four 
years occupied important positions in the Beloit high school. After having 
been employed as assistant principal two years he was deservedly promoted 
to the principalship, where he still continues and is recognized as an instruc- 
tor of superior ability. He received the foundation of his education in Con- 
cordia. After graduating from the high school he entered the State Uni- 
versity of Kansas and finished a course in that institution. He is acknowl- 
edged one of the best and most thorough mathematicians in the state. C. E. 
Rose was married to Minnie Agnetta Lawrence, who was a teacher in the 
Concordia city schools two years. She is a native of Pennsylvania. Maud 
Rader, a granddaughter of John and Jemima Wilkins, old settlers of Oak- 
land township, found a home with Mr. and Mrs. Rose when eleven years of 
age. remaining with them until her marriage to J. W. Scott. They are 
now residents of Blue Hill, Nebraska, where Mr. Scott secured a clerk- 
ship,. 

.While in Iowa Mr. Rose engaged in various pursuits; was in the 
mercantile business at Quarry, Marshall county. Iowa, served as post- 
master in the same town and also as justice of the peace, township clerk, 
express agent, and bought grain. After selling out his business interests in 
Iowa Mr. Rose emigrated to Kansas in 1882 and purchased one hundred 
and sixty acres of land in Meredith township. Cloud county, where he resided 
several years, and later sold and purchased a quarter section adjoining, which 
he still owns. 

In 1890 he was elected to the office of clerk of the court of Cloud 
county, removed to Concordia and held that office with satisfaction to the 
public four years. Since that time he has been successfully engaged in mar- 
ble and granite works. In politics Mr. Rose is a Populist. Fraternally he 
has been a Mason since 1865: he has received the degree of Master Mason, 
Royal Arch Mason and Knight Templar. He is a member of the Order of 
Woodmen and the Grand Army of the Republic and has held the office of 
post commander. Mr. and Mrs. Rose are estimable people and among Con- 
cordia's most esteemed citi/ens. They own a comfortable and pleasant cot- 
tage, located on East Seventh street, where they expect to enjoy life the 
remainder of their davs. 



256 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

W. C. \\ HIPP. 

\V. C. Whipp is one of the older residents of Cloud county, having, 
with his parents, located in the central part of the county in 1K71. In 1879 
he was appointed deputj registrar of deeds, and with his brother, C, \Y. 
Whipp, who was then registrar of deeds, founded the abstracl business ol 
Whipp & Company, which has ever since been conducted in that name. In 
1885 he was elected registrar of deeds and served in that capacity till Jan- 
uary, 1890. During this tunc, in connection with 1). M. Stackhouse, who 
was then county treasurer, and who purchased an interest in the business, 

they compiled a complete set of abstracl 1 ks of the county. In the early 

part of [880 E. C. Whitcher purchased the interest of I >. M. Stackhouse 
and has continued a member of the firm. Mr. Whipp also retained his farm- 
ing and stock interests and nov\ owns about five hundred acres of land. 

Mr. Whipp is a name of Illinois, where he lived until [867. After 
three years 111 [owa he came with his parents to 1 loud county in 1871. At 
that time there were only about a half dozen houses in Concordia. I lis 
father. Martin T. Whipp. a mechanic in lii- younger days, but later 111 life 
a farmer, was of German origin, born in Kentucky and reared in Illinois, in 
the same vicinity with Abraham Lincoln; his parents were born in Germany 
and reared in Maryland. .Mr. Whipp' s rnodier was a native of West Vir- 
ginia, where Iter ancestors had resided for many generations; they were orig 
inally of English origin. His parents died on the homestead in Cloud 
county, the father in [884 and the mother two years later. 

Mr. Whipp and Miss Jessie I Banker, a daughter of Ezra I!. Banker, 
were married June 21, [883, at the Banker homestead in Cloud county, 
Kansas. They have three suns, respectively- Edward Bryan, aged eighteen; 
Harry W.. aged sixteen, and Russel Banker, aged nine years. 

.Mr. Whipp is Republican in principle and has been more or less active 
in local politics: he served about eight years on the city council, lie has 
been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows about twenty-five 
rears, one of the encampment a number of years, a member of the .Modern 
Woodmen of America, Knights and Ladies of Security, and of the 
Ancient Order of Pyramids. He is one of the board of directors of the last 
named order. Mr. and .Mrs. Whipp are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church of Concordia. 

D. H. JUDY. 

D. H. Judy is proprietor of the popular and leading millinery store of 
Concordia, and we may safely say one of the best appointed stores of Cloud 
county. This prosperous business was established in 1889 a °d since that 
time has been conducted continuously, with credit to himself and to the ben- 
efit and delight of the public at large. He carries a stock of twenty-five hun- 
dred dollars and has made for himself and family a beautiful home; its mod- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 257 

em conveniences are in great contrast to many of the earlier homes of 
Kansas, which were built of sod or small dugouts scarcely large enough 
to hold the few worldly goods brought by the owners from their old eastern 
homes. 

Mr. Judy is a native of Xenia, Green county, Ohio, born in 1838. His 
parents. Absalom and Martha (Ford) Judy, were natives of Virginia and 
were farmers. Both the paternal and maternal grandparents were slave- 
holders, but disposed of them and moved into Green county. Ohio, in an 
early clay. Subsequently Mr. Judy's parents emigrated to Indiana, where 
thev died, his father in the year 1887 and his mother in 1896. Mr. Judy is 
one of ten children, five of whom are living, one brother near Ft. Scott. 
Kansas, and another at Abilene. 

The subject of this sketch began his early studies in the country schools 
of Ohio and Indiana and later attended the graded schools of Fairview. 
While a mere boy he clerked in a store and when eighteen years of age left 
his home to make a career alone in the world. He returned to Ohio, where 
he worked on a farm in summer and attended the high school at Fairview 
during the winter season, and in this way acquired a good common school 
education. 

In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Thirty-sixth Indiana 
Regiment, under Captain S. G. Carney and Colonel Gross, commanding. 
Their service took them through Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Ala- 
bama and Georgia. His regiment showed great valor and bravery in some 
of the important battles, among them Shiloh, Perryville, Stone River and 
Lookout Mountain. His term of service expired soon after the taking of 
Atlanta, covering a period of three years. After having been honorably 
mustered out of the army he went to Indiana and worked on a farm during 
the summer of 1865. His brothers, with the exception of two, were all 
soldiers of the Civil war. 

While yet a pioneer state, Mr. Judy emigrated to Iowa ; remaining but 
one winter, he removed to Missouri, where he taught school, his first and last 
experience in that vocation. In the autumn of 1866 he returned to Iowa and 
in 1867 he engaged in the drug business in Johnson City, St. Clair county 
Missouri. Two years later he sold his drug store and after a brief sojourn 
in Ringo county, Iowa, left there to explore the new country of the "great 
and only Kansas." 

This occurred in 1870 and he settled at Clyde, where he occupied a posi- 
tion as clerk in the drug store of J. S. Burns, and later clerked in the dry 
goods store established by S. D. Silver until March, 1871, when Mr. Silver 
moved his stock to Concordia, then the beginning of this thriving city. S. 
D. Silver failed shortly afterward and the stock was bought in by R. E. 
Allen, of Leavenworth, and Mr. Judy remained with him in the capacity of 
head clerk for seven and a half years and during this period gained a large 
experience. 

He then decided to' open a business of his own, and in 1879 formed a 



258 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

partnership with P. Levereaux, in a general merchandise store, under the 
firm name of Levereaux & Judy. They transacted an extensive and pros- 
perous business for five years, or until Mr. Judy's health failed, and he sold 
his interest in favor of 11. X. Hansen After a rest from business cares of 
two years he took up a new field of work and opened a real estate, loan and 
insurance business, winch he conducted successfully until the spring of 1889, 
when he sold and the following spring took a trip to the Pacific coast, and on 
hi- return opened his present business enterprise as before stated, a millinery 
Mi ne of vast resources. 

Mr. Judy was married in October, [871, to Lucy Short, of Washing 
tmi county, who was deceased in May. 1891. They were the parents of three 
children, two suns ami one daughter: llattie is a resident of Boston, Mass,, 
chusetts, in the employ of a publishing companj of that city. Charles A., 
the oldest son, is a graduate of the Commercial College of Salina. lie drew 
a claim at the opening of the strip in Oklahoma and is now a resident of 

that country and occupies a position in a large dry » Is establishment of 

El Reno. Lora, the youngest son. is a studenl of the Great Western Busi 
ness College of Concordia. 

Mr. Judy was married to his "present wife in December, 1893; Lizzie 
Page, a daughter of Owen Delaplaine, and the widow of George Page. 
Mrs. Judy has readily and with rare intelligence adapted herself to tin 
millinery business and its requirements. 

Mr. Judy in his politics is a staunch and true Republican, lie was pres- 
ident of the school board for more than seven years and during his reign all 
of the school buildings, with the exception of one. were erected. lie was 
police judge of Concordia for a term of two years, has been city assessor for 
a period of fifteen years and is at this writing (1903) a member of the 
school hoard. lie is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
and the oldest initiatory member and carries a veteran badge from this lodge 
He is also the oldest member from the Kebckah Lodge and the only existing 
charter member residing in Concordia. He joined the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows in the year 1872. is the only one left of the original organiz- 
ers, and has seen the lodge grow to its present portions — one hundred and 
twenty-five members. Mr. Judy belongs to the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen, also the Sons and Daughters of Justice and the Grand Army of 
the Republic post. He joined the latter society in Clinton, southwestern 
Missouri, in the year 1869. 

Mr. Tudy is an enterprising, public-spirited man in any cause of inter- 
est to the welfare and progress of the city. He never forgets where to put 
his hand when called upon to defray his share for improvements, likewise he 
always has a fund for the needy, does not proclaim his good deeds "from the 
house tops." but many live to bless his warm, generous and helpful words 
of comfort and also the more substantial aid in times of distress and want. 
He has walked over the site where Concordia now stands when it was a 
bleak and barren prairie and was forced to go to Lake Sibley for lodging. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 259 

When on his first visit to Concordia J. M. Hagaman was running a ferry. 
The evening shades were gathering and his fears of being benighted occa- 
sioned repeated calls from Mr. Judy, which grew louder and more loud as 
he shouted and hallowed, until at last, not receiving a response, he gave up 
in blank despair and sought the protection of a friendly cottonwood, where 
he lay all night. The next morning about nine o'clock he again called Mr. 
Hagaman to come and ferry him across, whereupon he stuck his head 1 >ut 
of the window of his cabin, and coolly remarked, "You're in a h — 1 of a 
hurry, there." 

This same trip Mr. Judy saw two women fighting something with 
clubs, he knew not what, but went to their rescue, where he found them in a 
prairie dog den that was writhing with countless "rattlers" that had come 
to take up their abode with these animals, as is their habit. They killed 
thirty of them and left many on the field. The two frightened women to 
whom Mr. Judy lent his valuable aid were Mrs. Collins (then Mrs. Re:id ) 
and her daughter. 

During Mr. Judy's trip from Iowa to Kansas he met with rather an 
amusing experience. He was overtaken by an Englishman and they trav- 
eled together to Marysville and on to St. Joseph, thence to Atchison, Topeka 
and Manhattan, and after leaving the last named town they met an old fellov 
who told them of the Republican valley, and in company with two other 
Englishmen they came to Clyde, and the following day repaired to a point 
two and one-half miles north of Concordia, where they each located a claim 
and built a dugout on the land to be filed on by Mr. Judy. The two 
Englishmen went to Sibley, leaving Mr. Judy to hold the claims from the 
numerous "jumpers" of government land. He sat up on the outside of the 
dugout until twelve o'clock, imagining all sorts of horrors. He could not 
endure the awful silence and when midnight arrived he grasped his gun and 
started for Sibley to join his companions. Fearful that the Indians were on 
his trail he did not venture to even look backward, lest his scalp should soon 
be dangling from the belt of some brave. After getting lost and wandering 
aimlessly about, at three o'clock in the morning, footsore and weary, he 
finally reached their place of rendezvous, a Sibley dugout. 

ALBERT BURTON CARNEY. 

The subject of this sketch is Albert Burton Carney, the efficient super- 
intendent of the Concordia city schools. Mr. Carney is a product of the 
Sunflower state, horn at Manhattan. Kansas, in 1869. He is a son of 
Joseph and Mary (Wagner) Carney. 

Joseph Carney is a native of Steuben county. Xew York, born about 
sixty miles from the city of Buffalo. He is a farmer by occupation and 
settled in Manhattan, Kansas, in 1859. which was then a mere village on 
the frontier. Mrs. Carney was also born in Xew York in the beautiful and 
historic Mohawk valley. She came to Illinois, and after teachine scln >< .1 



26o 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. KANSAS. 



for a short period, came to Kansas in [863 vfa Leavenworth and thence to 

Manhattan b) stage. The journe) through Missouri was a perilous one to 

make during the turbulent times of the Civil war. when every man under 

y and every boj over fourteen years of age were pressed into active 

sen ■• 

Mrs. Carney organized the first graded school in Manhattan, then a 
village of four or five hundred inhabitants. Site first taught a miscellaneous 

school and was given one assistant. After 
tin' expiration of two years site was married 
to [oseph Carney, which ended her school 
work except in their immediate family, where 
much credit is due her for laying the Founda 
tion upon which most of them have builded 
successful educational careers. Mrs. Carney 
comes from Dutch colonial stock and from 
the same lineage as the inventor of the Wag- 
ner Palace * ar. 

Joseph Carney spent the early part of 
his life in New York on a farm, but after 
^^ \t emigrating to Manhattan, engaged in the 

^gfA H milling business until 1N70. when with se\ 

, eial . ilher faniilu- h<- \n| I., \l m hc-ll 

county, where he has since lived and built 
a beautiful country home. He has been a 
resident of Kansas forty-two years, and has 
seen the country grow to its present state ol 
civilization. 
this union eleven children have been born, seven buys and four 
girls, all of whom lived to maturity. The eldest child, Lewis, was a grad- 
uate of the Beloit High school and entered upon a career of teaching, but 
died at the age of thirty years. Sett Wintield. until a year age. was inter- 
ested with his brother Lewis, of Downs, in the mercantile business and 
where he was also postmaster. He is now- mining in the Cripple Creek dis- 
trict of Colorado. G. D. Carney has been engaged in educational work all 
his life. He is a graduate of the Beloit High school, was two years at the 
State Normal school and lacked ten weeks of graduating. He is now super- 
intendent of instruction of public schools in Mitchell county. This is his 
fourth year; was first appointed, then elected and re-elected. E. M. Car- 
ney, a resident of Emporia, Kansas, occupies a chair in the State Normal 
school. He is a graduate in two courses from that institution, was a student 
of the Kansas Normal twelve months, and one year in Harvard. 
Helen A., a graduate and salutatorian of her class in the Beloit High 
school, is now teaching in the schools of Billings, Montana, and is. also a 
musician of some local note. Winifred, a resident of Cawker City, where 
she is engaged in the millinery business, is also a graduate of the Beloit 




Albert B. Carney. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 261 

High school, and for several years a successful teacher. D. L. Carney 
entered upon the career of school teacher, but is now a student in the Kan- 
sas City Dental College. Nandora, associated with her sister Winifred at 
Cawlcer City, is the business woman of the family. Ella is a student of the 
Beloit High school. She has considerable musical talent. Walter, aged 
thirteen years, received a common school diploma and has finished one year 
in the Beloit High school. 

A. B. Carney, with his elder brothers, was reared on a farm and began 
their career by herding cattle, over what is now the town site of Beloit, 
and the ordinary work on the farm, attending school in winter. When fif- 
teen years of age he worked for his board and attended school in Beloit. 
About this time his ambitions began to soar beyond the corn fields which 
surrounded the home of his boyhood. 

At the age of eighteen years he began teaching in a country school 
near Beloit, and one year later became principal of the Asherville graded 
schools, where he held forth two years, the proceeds of which enabled him 
to take a two years' course in the State Normal, where he graduated in 
1892. He then became principal of the Jamestown schools for one year, 
in 1893 accepted the position of principal of the Concordia High school 
and two years later was made superintendent of the city schools and is now 
1 in his eighth year. 

Mr. Carney's natural ability, coupled with his industry and ambition 
have caused him to be promoted to the head of the school system in Con- 
cordia. He is an indefatigable worker for the cause of education, a man 
of keen intellect and executive ability. It was chiefly through his efforts 
that the High school was secured in 1900, and also the public library of 
public schools and many other improvements which are his especial and par- 
donable pride. He instructs one-half day in the High school and lectures 
the other half. His specialty is history, both ancient and modern. 

Mr. Carney is a very successful institute worker and in connection 
with this and regular school work has labored twenty-five consecutive 
months. He has given much time to lecturing before educational societies, 
has worked in twenty or more institutes, either as instructor or conductor, 
averaging two institutes a season. In 1901 he was appointed by the gov- 
ernor as a member of the board of Kansas state text books, and has been twice 
honored with the appointment of chairman of the state board of education. 

Mr. Carney was married in 1899 to Miss Myrtle Latta. of Clay Center, 
Kansas. Mrs. Carney is a native of Ohio. She came to Kansas with her 
parents when a child and located in Clay Center, where she grew to woman- 
hood. She is a graduate of the Clay Center High school. Mrs. Carney 
is a talented musician and possesses a well cultivated mezzo soprano voice. 
She has studied in Topeka and Kansas City. She was a memljer of the 
Clay Center High School Ladies' Quartette, known as the "Cecilian Quar- 
tette." They toured various parts of the state, singing for educational 
associations and concerts. Prior to her marriage Mrs. Carney was employed 
as special teacher of music in the Concordia schools. 



262 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. KANSAS. 

Politically A. B. Carney is a Democrat, lie is a member of the Ancient. 
Free and Accepted Masons, Knights of Pythias and Dramatic Order Knights 
<>f EChorassan. Mrs. Carney is a member of the Eastern Star and is presi- 
dent of the "Anatheum Club" of Concordia. Mr. and Mrs. Carney have 
a very comfortable and cozy home on Eighth, between Washington and 
State streets. 

F. J. \T\\< lOD. 

F. J. \t\\ood began his career in the First National Hank of Brandon, 
Vermont, of which Governor N. F. Sprague was president. Mr. Atwood 
came to Concordia and assumed the position of cashier m the Cloud County 
Bank until he promoted the organization of the First National Bank in 
1883. lie 1- one of the very beat financiers and hankers known throughout 
the country, is proficient in all the carious branches of the greal banking 
system of both continents and where profound calculations are required he is 
able to cope with and surmount all difficulties. Socially and personal!;. 
he is a man of superior ability, possessing the confidence of Ins friends and 
colleagues, lie is a man of marked literary talent and likewise a close stu- 
dent, but his retiring nature has retarded the prominence he is entitled to in 
the literary world. 

Mr. Atwood's first wife before her marriage was Miss Jessie Hawkins, 
of Vermont. She was a woman cultured in the gifts of nature, music and 
literature and endowed with an intellect which enabled her to keep pace with 
her talented husband. This young wife and her infant child were separated 
by death but a few hours. Ills present wife was Miss Kate Tyner, who is 
a woman of refined instincts and possessed of many personal charms. Musk 
is her special accomplishment. She has a well trained, high soprano voice. 

Mr and Mrs. AtW 1 arc members of high Standing in the Presbyterian 

church. Mr. Atwood is the faithful president and active worker of the 
Christian Endeavor Society. He is one of the most philanthropic men od 
Concordia, contributing liberally to the support of all public enterprises of 
a worthy nature designed for the promotion or benefit of his fellow men. 
The Atwoods reside in a beautifully appointed home, situated on the corner 
of Eleventh and Republican streets. 

WALTER W. BOWMAN. 

Walter W. Bowman, as cashier of the First National Bank of Concor- 
dia, is closely connected with its interests and much of its success is clue 
to his business understanding of the duties and responsibilities attending" 
his important position. Gentry county. Missouri, is the place of Mr. Bow- 
man's nativity, but he came to Kansas when only one year of age. therefore 
he is practically a Kansan. and no one refers with greater pride to the rise 
and note the state has achieved at home ami abroad. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 263 

The rudiments of his education were received in the Concordia schools 
and one year in the Concordia State Normal, but he is a self-made man and 
pursued knowledge that was most practical and that which would bring the 
best returns. He began his career early in life. When but eleven years 
old he was employed as clerk in the postofhce of Concordia. Having signed 
a registered letter, his signature attracted the attention of Mr. Linney. Con- 
cordia's first postmaster, who asked for an interview with the young boy's 
mother, consequently arrangements were promptly made and he was given 
a clerkship, attending school intermittently, taking every advantage that 
offered to educate himself. About seven years subsequently he was appointed 
to a clerkship in the United States land office, then located in Concordia, 
where he gained much useful knowledge. From this occupation he entered the 
First National Bank and has been prominently identified with this institution 
from its start. 

Mr. Bowman was married in August. 1883, to Clara K. Polhemus, who 
removed to Kansas with her parents in 1880. Mrs. Bowman is a woman of 
intellectual attainments and an accomplished musician. Three promising 
and interesting sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bowman, viz: Alfred 
X.. Walter, Jr., and Horace Bushnell. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. 
Bowman his mother was united in matrimony to Mr. Polhemus, the father 
of Mrs. Bowman. They are residents of Concordia and own a pleasant 
home opposite their children on Seventh street. 

Mr. Bowman is a man honored alike in the counsels of the community 
at large and in the circle of his personal acquaintances and friends, the direct 
result of his straightforward principles and purpose of will. He has made 
use of the excellent talents with which nature endowed him and no citizen 
of Concordia possesses a more honorable record. He is a man of untiring 
energy in his devotion to business, the smallest detail receiving the attention 
it deserves, which in a great measure is the keynote to his popularity and 
success. 

From the life of Mr. Bowman the following lesson can be learned : Any 
boy who is studious and determined to be successful can attain his object 
though handicapped by poverty, lack of educational opportunity and even 
delicate health. The Bowmans occupy a desirable cottage home on the cor- 
ner of Washington and Seventh streets, where they expect to build a modern 
and more commodious house in the near future. A wide lawn is one of the 
pleasing features of this property. Fraternally Mr. Bowman is a member 1 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his family are pri >m- 
inent members and active workers of the Presbyterian church. 

HONORABLE ARCHIBALD ARGYLE CARNAHAN. 

The late A. A. Carnahan, a retired attorney, statesman, politician and 
an old landmark of Cloud county, was born in Loudonville. Ashland coun- 
ty. Ohio. December 2. 1837. He was a sun of William Karnahan (the 



264 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. KANSAS. 

original mode of spelling the name), an anti-slavery man. one of the little 
band who organized the Liberty Party in Ohio in 184J. and a station agent 
on the underground railway. He was a sine; Covenanter for many years 
and an elder in the church. His paternal ancestors were of Scotch [risli 
origin. His mother was a Miss Mary Speer, of Holland extraction. She 
was an intelligent woman and a devout member of the Covenanters' church. 
William Karanlian died in 1845, an '' '" s w ' le married James Robinson, a 
very Worthy member of the same church. 

A. A. Carnahan was one of six children, only one of whom is living: 
William R., with residence in Findlay, Ohio. A. A. Carnahan was educated 
in Northwood, Logan comity, Ohio, at the Miami University. Upon finish- 
ing a course there he began the stud) of law in the town ni Bucyrus, Ohio, 
and after pursuing his studies for two years he emigrated to Olathc. John- 
51 n county, Kansas, in the year [860, and in June of the same year he was 
admitted to the bar bj Judge John I'ettit at his court in Wyandotte, to prac- 
tice law in the various courts in Kansas. 

For a brief time he practiced law in Olathe. At the breaking out of the 
Civil war lie enlisted in Company ('. Kansas Volunteer Infantry, and served 
until his regiment was mustered out 1,\ general order. He then re-enlisted 
in the l-'irst Kansas Cavalry, afterward known as the Seventh Kan- 
sas, original "Jayhawkers," and served until February, [863, when on 
account of wounds received a1 Line Springs. Jackson county, Missouri, In 
tic Quantrill band, which confined him at the hospital at Kansas City, he 
was honorably discharged. 

In [865 he was employed in the construction of the Kansas Pacific 
Railroad between Lawrence and Abilene. In 1807 he located at Lake Sib- 
ley. Cloud county. In 1808. lie was elected to the saiate and served two 
sessions. The seventh judicial district was then composed of Marshall, 
Riley. Washington, Republic. Cloud and all the district of unorganized 
counties to the westward. He was one of the senators who voted for and 
secured the ratification of the fifteenth amendment to the constitution of 
the United States, guaranteeing universal suffrage. 

His services in the senate occurred during the time when a vast portion 
of western Kansas was devastated by grasshoppers and drouth, and when 
his own district was invaded by- Indians. He was one of the most active 
and efficient workers for the relief of sufferers, and it was largely through 
his ability and influence that the passage of bills for relief by state contribu- 
tion to the famine stricken people, of seed wheat, corn and appropriations 
for sustenance of the militia in defense of the frontier was due. Also in 
securing the passage of a concurrent resolution memoralizing congress to 
establish the Republican land district. He was a volunteer and soldier in 
defense of the people during the Indian troubles. Was judge of the twelfth 
judicial district of Kansas by appointment in 1884. and was one of the early 
probate judges of Cloud county. 

In 1886. under Cleveland's administration, he was appointed receiver 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 265 

and disburser of public monies. He took an active part in the organization 
of the People's party. In 1898 he connected himself with the Socialist 
Labor party and was chairman of the first Socialist convention held in Kan- 
sas at Fort Scott, and the party candidate for chief justice of the supreme 
court of Kansas. In jgoo he attended the Socialist convention in Topeka, 
and was party candidate for associate justice of the supreme court, and was 
one of the state committee at that time trying to organize the Socialist party 
in Kanasas. 

A. A. Carnahan was married in Topeka April 22, 1872, to Ollie I". 
Sheldon, a daughter of Doctor Sheldon, of Stowe, Vermont. Mrs. Carna- 
han was visiting her two sisters in Topeka, and had in the meantime estab- 
lished herself as a mnsic teacher. She is an educated, refined lady and 
especially distinguished in musical circles. Two sons have been born to this 
union: William Edwin, born in Concordia, Kansas, in 1874, is a trusted 
employe in the capacity of cashier in a bank at Randall ; Harry T., born in 
Concordia in 1^79, has for several years held a clerkship in the Bon Marche, 
one of the leading dry-goods houses in Concordia. These boys were both 
educated in the high school of Concordia. William has a cultivated bari- 
tone voice of considerable range. 

Mr. Carnahan was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted 
Masons, and was buried by the rites of this order. He was past master of 
St John's Lodge No. 113, and past high priest of Concordia Chapter, No. 
5. He was a member. of Hiram Council, Royal Select Masters No. 10, and 
was most illustrious past master of the state of Kansas, a member of 
Concordia Commandery No. 42, and of Isis Temple,, Ancient Arabic Order 
of Nobles of Mystic Shrine. He was a member of of the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen and of the Modern Woodmen. In 1857 he became a 
member of the original Alpha Chapter of the Phi Mi Chi fraternity. 

In the early settlement of Cloud county Judge Carnahan was a valued 
citizen. He was a man of genial and sunny nature and was probably as 
well known throughout the state as anv man in the country. 



'&* 



ARCHIE C. LITTLE. 

Archie C. Little, a stockman of Concordia, is well known and highly 
respected, upright in all his business transactions, believing perfect honesty 
the only basis upon which to found a business and prosper. "Truth is 
mighty and will prevail," is his motto and governed by that principle his 
word is as sound as his note and his note is as good as the bank. Mr. 
Little buys, sells and ships horses and mules exclusively. He began in the 
stock business when quite young, reaping good returns from his judicious 
investments. During the Boer war in Africa he handled large shipments of 
horses and mules, purchasing in various parts of Kansas and Oklahoma, hold- 
ing and feeding the stock until car loads could be sent as one shipment on 
the Kansas City markets, from which point they were sold to England. 



266 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

Mr. Little has been a resident of ('loud county about four years. The 
firsl two years he was engaged in the livery business, having purchased the 
C. I). Byrum st< >ck of livery and a half interest in the building, C. E. Sweet 
owning the other half. Mr. Little sold his livery husnn-ss t<> the Former, still 
retaining his half interest in the building. While operating the livery barn 
In was very successful, but was compelled to absent himself too much while 
purchasing for the market to personally attend to the inside work-, which was 
the sole cause of his selling out. \fter this sale he went to Lawton, Okla- 
homa, making- the then new city hi^ headquarters. The coming season he 
expects tn purchase a number of high bred trotters. The spring ami early 
winter is the buying season for trotters and draft horses in the autumn and 
late winter. 

Mr. Little is a native of Marshal] county, Illinois, where he was horn 
in the year [869, hut when a mere lad came with his parents to Republic 
county, where they settled on a farm and In- grew to manhood. I he origin of 
tic name Little is Scotch-Irish. Both parents were born in the north ol tre 
land. His father emigrated to America when a boy with his parents and 
stitled. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood and fol 
lowed the occupation of machinist. Mr. Little's mother also came t.. Phila- 
delphia during her infancy and after growing tip womanhood met ami man ■ 
Archie B. Little. The young couple emigrated to Illinois and settled on a 
farm, later coming to tin- far famed "Sunflower" state "to make a new start 
in life's run." Mr. Little makes his home with his youngest daughter, owing 
to the death of his wife in [885. \rclne C. Little is the second youngest of 
tin six children, four girls and two hoys, viz- Li i> . Hannah, Nancy, Katie 
and John, all of whom are married. Mr. Little in conversation laughingly 
remarked. "1 am unmarried and unhappy," hut he lives in hopes of adding 
a partner to his home and business before the "winter of discontent" over- 
takes him. He was educated in the country schools, making the most of his 
opportunities. 

Every man seems 1,1 possess one fad, and happy is he that can enjoy the 
real comfort in that one. Mr. Little owns to his weakness, the admiration 
and love of a thoroughbred span of trotters. An automobile, with its 
electric up-to-date pace, may suit the tastes of man v. hut to Mr. Little, with 
the lack of a pair of high steppers, the charm is gone, and he has heen heard 
to say "No matter how large a city may he, let the 'auto' and a neat car- 
riage drawn by a spirited span of horses well handled pass down the same 
street side by side, the attention of the majority of people, men or women, 
will he attracted to the noblest of all animals, the horse; the more mettle 
the more it is admired." Lie treats his horses with tact and trusts them as 
he would people, according to their merit, disposition and understanding. 
In politics Mr. Little is a Republican, hut is so much engrossed with business 
in his line that he devotes only time to vote for the men on his chosen 
ticket. He is a man of honor and integrity, always in favor of progression 



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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



269 



and willing to further any improvements toward the making of a live town. 
Mr. Little has purchased the Byrum lease and opened up a new and 
fresh stock of livery. 

E. D. DUNNING. 



The jewelry store of E. D. Dunning-, established in 1899, is especially 
worth}' of mention in the 
Concordia department of this 
volume. His stock of jewelry 
is very complete, both with 
reference to quality and 
quantity, and has heen se- 
lected with a view- of catering 
to the fashionable trade. In 
matters pertaining to jewels 
and precious stones, Mr. 
Dunning is a recognized au- 
thority and his judgement is 
trustworthy. 

Mr. Dunning has grown 
:■• manhood in the city of 

Concordia, having lived there since he was five years of age. His father. 
E. T. Dunning, was one of the earl}* merchants, and although retired from 
business cares, makes Concordia his home. 




Interior of E. D. Dunning' s Jewelry Store. 



HARRISON, NELSON & COMPANY 



The Harrison, Nelson Grocery Company is one of the leading business 
houses and one of the most up-to-date enterprises in the city of Concordia 
and one that would do credit, both in magnitude and character, to a much 
larger city. Their store contains everything that is good to eat, and their 
manner of exhibiting goods appeals to the appetite of the customer. The 
firm is composed of J. M. Harrison, William Harrison la son) and Walter 
Nelson, all of whom are exceptionally well qualified to cater to the needs of 
the inner man, by furnishing all the delicacies of the seasons — staple ami 
fancy. The senior member, J. M. Harrison, has been a resident of Cloud 
county since 1880. when he bought unimproved land four miles south oi 
Concordia, paving eight hundred dollars for it. He sold this land, which 
he had improved, six years later and opened a general merchandise store in 
the little town of Rice, and was also postmaster there. Mr. Harrison was 
very successful, having made two farms from the proceeds of his business. 
He sold the Rice store, came into Concordia and in the year 1000 engaged 
in their present business, which was formerlv the McCrary stock of gro- 
ceries. They removed the store to their present stand in the Iron block. 



s 



270 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

Their investment of seven hundred dollars each was wiselj expended; their 
annual sales now reaching forty thousand dollars, often taking in from four 
to five hundred dollars in one day. The members of the firm have each 
drawn out two thousand dollars. The room they occupy is twenty-six and 
une half feet in the clear by one hundred feet and is filled to the ceiling with 
everything imaginable that is good to eat, and the most epicurean Appetite 
could be satisfied here. The) emploj four men steadily, with a larger forc< 
on busy days. 

|. M. Harrison is a native of the Hoosier state, born in [849. * on- 
cerning Mr. Harrison's war record there is a bit of interesting history which 
gives expression to the patriotism he evinced in early life. He was ambi 
tious and sought for admission into the service of Uncle Sam twice ere he 
was aeeeepted. owing to his extreme youth, but there were other things to 
he considered in the estimation of Colonel Straight, one of the men who dug 
..ut of Libby prison, for he remarked with considerable emphasis, "I 
would rather have one little man than two drafted big nun." and Mr. Harri- 
son was taken into the ranks of Company C, Fifty-first Indiana Volunteei 
[nfantry, October _'4. 1864, at the age of fifteen years, and 1- tin- youngesl 
veteran living 111 Cloud county. Mr. Harrison's parents were William 
Henry and Mary A. 1 Manual Harrison. The paternal ancestry are of the 
same lineage as the late ex Presidem Harrison. Our subject's parents still 
live where they settled — when then en bul .1 few cabins where the beau- 
tiful city of Indianapolis now stands — in Nbblesville, Indiana. Mr. Harri- 
son is the eldest of five sons, four of win, are living, himself being the only 
member of his family who emigrated westward. Mrs. Harrison, l«fore her 
marriage, was Mis- Isabel Cochran. To their union ten children have been 
born, only four of whom are living. Their eldest daughter, Olive, the 
deceased wife of Arthur Carter, died, leaving a little sou. now fifteen years 
of age; he is with his father in Neosho county, Kansas, The second daugh- 
ter, Lutitia, is the deceased wife of Owen Davis, the station agent at Rice: 
she left a little daughter, Estella, who is about eight years ,,f age. Ilattie 
is the wife of Elmer Shank- and resides in Marshall. Oklahoma. William 
Harrison is a member of the firm, bookkeeper and accountant. The son 
did not need to start at the foot of the ladder as his father before him had to 
do, but has grown up with the mercantile career, and being well adapted for 
the business, all the chances for success are on his side. However, be took 
his position in the firm without a dollar, but prospered with them. He was 
happily married to Flossie, one of the estimable daughters of A. B. Pennock, 
in January, 1903. and owns his home, a handsomely furnished cottage. 
Gertrude is a member of the Harrison & Messall millinery parlors, one of 
Concordia's recognized headquarters for fashionable and attractive millin- 
er}'. The youngest child is Mabel, aged fifteen years. She is developing 
special musical talent and performs well upon the piano. The family are 
members and attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Mr. Harrison is a Republican politically. He takes an interest in mat- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 271 

lers pertaining to the general welfare of the community and especially in 
educational affairs. 

Walter Nelson, the junior member of the firm, enjoys the distinction 
of having been born and bred in Cloud county and having been reared in 
the city of Concordia. His father, Andrew Nelson, was associated with 
Mr. Benson, under the firm name of Benson & Nelson, and established a 
blacksmith shop in Concordia soon after the founding of the town. His par- 
ents, Andrew and Mary .( Roswell) Nelson, are still residents of Concordia, 
comfortably enjoying the returns of well-spent lives, having earned a com- 
petency. Our subject was born December \2, 1878. He received a high 
school education, graduating in 1897. He began his career as a clerk in the 
Concordia grocery and later in the grocery department of H. N. Hanson's 
general merchandising store. Young Harrison was employed in the former 
at the same time; they were close friends and realized their fitness for busi- 
ness association, and from this suggestion their present quarters developed 
and has proved advantageous to all concerned. Mr. Nelson is a young man 
of fine ability and a pleasing address that wins friends for him from people 
in every station of life, and these traits, coupled with the trinity of energy. 
industry and spirit, will make life a success. Mr. Nelson's parents are 
of Swedish birth. His mother's family located in the settlement known as 
"Gottland." 

Our subject is one of three children, all sons: Albert is a mail clerk on 
the Burlington & Missouri Railway, running between Kansas City and 
Omaha. The youngest, George Nelson, is aged eight. Politically Mr. Nel- 
son is a Republican. He is a member of the Woodmen and Maccabee 
Orders. 

A. R. MARCOTTE. 

The success of Dr. Marcotte, a young practitioner of Clyde, evidences 
the tendency of the young man to lead in all the avocations of life. This 
is less conspicuous among the professions because less common, perhaps, 
but the pre-eminence of the young man is general in a positive degree, even 
in the province of medicine. Less than a half century ago none but the 
snowy heads of the old veterans of this calling would have been trusted to 
the administering of physics. 

Although only practicing in his profession since June. 1902, Dr. Mar- 
cotte gives promise of becoming one of the leading M. D.s, and already 
commands the respect of the medical fraternity. He is a son of Dr. F. L. 
Marcotte, a leading physician of Concordia for many years. It was with 
his father that young Dr. Marcotte began the study of medicine. 

He was horn in Concordia in 1879. He was reared and received his 
early education in the high school of his native city. He finished a three- 
years' classical course in St. Yiateur's College of Bourbonnais, Illinois, and 
and a four-years' classical course in St. Mary's College. After having read 

17 



27- HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

medicine at different intervals in his father's office, Dr. Marcotte entered 
upon a course in the Kansas Medical College of Topeka, in [898, and grad 
uated in 1902. The following June he became associated in the practice of 
medicine with Dr. \Y. I!. Beach, of Clyde. 

Though his career has been brief he has won the confidence and good 
will of his patrons and is building up a substantial and lucrative practice. 

Since the above sketch was prepared our subject's father. Dr. Frederick 
ms Marcotte, has been deceased, and Dr. A. R. Marcotte has removed to 
cordia, where lie will-succeed to his late father's practice. 

Dr. F. I.. Marcotte was for mam years a leading physician of Con- 
cordia and known to the people of Cloud county since iN7<). lie received 
the degree of bachelor of arts from St. Viateur's College, which is located at 
T.nurlxmnais, Illinois, where Dr. Marcotte was horn October 3, [857. 
Later he studied medicine and graduated in 1878 from the Northwestern 
Universit) Medical School of I hicago, Illinois. After one year in Mateno, 
Illinois, where he began the practice of medicine. Dr. Marcotte removed to 
tcordia. Excepl four years spent in California he has practiced medicine 
there continuously since 1879, and was one of the most successful physi- 
cians of that city. His untimely death, which occurred in Leavenworth, 
March 17. 1003. was universall) mourned. 

DWIGHT M. SMITH. 

The subject of this sketch. Dwighl M. Smith, an attorney of Concordia, 
is a native of Victory, Ohio, horn in [872. Since locating in Concordia ten 
years ago, Mr. Smith has been progressing steadily. He held various posi« 
tions prior to reading; law. Was general manager of the Lombard Invest- 
ment Company and in 1892-3 was court reporter. He entered upon the 
study of law in the office of Pulsifer <\- Alexander. His choice of .association 
was a wise one and lasting" in its influence. 

In 1900 he opened a law office and has been successful in his profession. 
The same year he received the nomination for county attorney by the Repub- 
lican party and was defeated by Georg-e M. Culver by a small majority. Mr. 
Smith is president of the Commercial cluh of Concordia. His father, J. T. 
Smith, was formerly engaged in general merchandising, but is now in the 
real estate business in Norton, Kansas. Mr. Smith was married in 1900 to 
Miss Georgia Noll, of Marion. Kansas. She was a popular teacher in the 
primary department of the Concordia schools. 

EDMUND A. BELISLE. 

There are countless young men who start in business with a fair sized 
bank account to their credit, but totally inexperienced and a few years later 
ofttimes finds them bankrupt. 

Then upon the other hand is the ambitious fellow who has a generous 
store of pluck, energy and brains : he begins at the foundation and is sur- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 273 

prised ere many years have elapsed to find himself with the essential ex- 
perience which he often combines with the proceeds of his savings and is 
far hetter equipped to succeed in the world of business than the former. 
To the latter class belongs E. A. Belisle, the subject of this sketch, who 
came to Concordia in April, 1878, and entered the employ of McKinnon 
& Company as a hardware clerk. He remained with them eight and one- 
half years, or until 18S6. when he associated himself with Cyrus Twitched, 
under the firm name of Twitched & Eelisle. Two years later W. F. Groes- 
beck succeeded to the interest of Mr. Twitched and the growing business 
was known under the name of Groesbeck & Belisle. The firm prospered and 
Mr. Belisle became proficient with all the details of their stock in trade and 
earlv in the 'nineties consummated a deal whereby he became sole proprie- 
tor. He has steadily increased his stock until his capital now invested is 
about eleven thousand dollars. Mr. Belisle has dealt extensively in farm 
implements and machinery ; he is closing out the stock in this line, but will 
continue his well selected department of harness and vehicles. He makes 
plumbing and tinning a specialty and has practically placed all the pipes and 
other apparatus pertaining to the water works in every building in Con- 
cordia. Under his supervision the city's water works, which is second to 
mine in the country, were placed in 1902. He also piped the Caldwell bank 
building and the Barons house for steam heat, both of which are a perfect 
success. Mr. Belisle's trade reaches beyond the limits of Cloud county; in 
the cornice line he has had patronage from Beloit, Smith Center and other 
places. He employs the services of four men. Mr. Belisle's interests extend 
further than Concordia, being a member of the hardware firm known as 
Belisle, Holcomb & Turner, of Ft. Cobb, Oklahoma. F. L. Holcomb, the 
second named in the combination, was formerly in the employ of Mr. Belisle, 
as bookkeeper, for a half dozen years or more, and David Turner is a well- 
known ex-citizen of Clyde, a son of the late David Turner. Sr. (see sketch). 
Mr. Belisle is a Yermonter. born in Montpelier in October, 1852. He 
removed with his parents, in 1S55. to Kankakee, Illinois, and lived in that 
city until emigrating to Kansas in 1878. His father, Onesine Belisle. died 
in Concordia about four years ago. The family settled near Aurora and 
lived there until the father's death. Mr. Belisle's mother is still living and 
makes her home with her children. Of his father's family of eight children 
( three deceased ) . all are citizens of Cloud county, except one sister, who 
remains in Kankakee. Mrs. W. H. Fullerton. of Concordia, is a sister. His 
brothers are all prosperous farmers. Mr. Belisle was married in 1880 to 
Adeline Lavalle, a sister of Amedie Lavalle, a prominent hardware man of 
Clyde. Their family consists of eight children: Roy and Eddie A.. Jr.. 
are two manly boys, who give promise of becoming influential men. The 
former clerks in his father's store, the latter is a student on his second year 
in the Great Western Business College of Concordia. Their second child is 
a daughter. Blanche. Ruby is a junior of the high school. The younger 
children are George, Daisy, Edith and Lucile. 



274 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

Mr. Belisle is a staunch Republican and has never wavered from the 
principles of his party. He has contributed liberally to the growth and pros 
perity of Concordia, both l>\ industry and public spirit. He was a member 
of the council for one year under the reign oi Mayor Messall and also for 
the same length of time during Mayor Stewart's term of office. He was an 
active member of the board of education for two years. Socially he is iden- 
tified with the National Association of Master Plumbers and also with t lie 
Siate Association, lie has been through all the chairs of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Order of 
Elks, lie i- a member of the Woodmen, and of the EChights and Ladies of 
Security. 

\\ VSHINGTON GEORGE C \UT\I A 

The subject of this -ketch. \\ . (I. (artne\, came to Concordia when 
the city was in its infancy. When it was a town of tent- and shanties, Mr. 
Cartney pinned his faith unflinchingl) to the future metropolis and a- a 
result of tin- qualit) of stick-to-it-iveness he is in a prosperous condition 
financially and one of the leading business men of Concordia. 

Me was a single man and had not yet attained his majority when he 
took Horace Greeley's advice, "Go west, young man. and grow up with the 
country." When he landed in the new town in March, 1N71, it could easily 
he imagined Mr. Cartney was a very similar type at that period as is found 
in his son Walter of today. 

Mr. Cartney had learned the carpenter trade before coming west, hut 
accepted a position in the pioneer meat market of P>ean & King and by 50 
doing laid the foundation of a successful career. Mr. Cartney killed the 5© 
ond beef that supplied the trade of Concordia with meat. This historical 
event took place on the Sheafor claim, which is situated on Plum creek, and 
is now- known as the Beauchamp farm, hut owned by 11. A. Swift. Mr. 
King killed the first beef. In the latter part of the 'eighties Mr. Cartney and 
I. C. Paradis formed a partnership, which continued to exist for about 
twelve years. One year after they had mutually dissolved interests Mr. 
Cartney purchased the market and still continues to conduct the same. To 
his enterprise and fitness for the business the people are indebted for excel- 
lent services, as his refrigerators are always filled with the choicest of meats, 
that only an experienced caterer could furnish. 

Mr. Cartney is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1852, but when a 
small boy removed with his parents to Ohio, where he grew to manhood, or 
until emigrating to Kansas. The origin of the Cartney name is Scotch. 
Our subject's grandfather was the emigrant to this country; he settled near 
Philadelphia and married into a Pennsylvania Dutch family. 

Pierce Cartney, the father of W. G. Cartney, was a member of Com- 
pany E, Nineteenth Ohio Infantry, and gave his life for his country, not in 
battle, but from a fate that entailed untold suffering; he died in the Dan- 
ville prison as a result of privation. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 275 

Mr. Cartney was married in 1874 to Miss Abbie E. Mallory. who came 
to Kansas from New York, her native state. Their family consists of two 
children, 'Walter and Etta. Their son is now with his father in tbe mar- 
ket, but was previously engaged as traveling salesman for the S. S. Beef 
Company, of Kansas City. He was with this firm one and one-half years. 
The daughter is accomplished in music and elocution. 

In fraternal relations Mr. Cartney has been a member of the Odd Fel- 
lows for a score of years, and is identified with the Woodmen of America. 
Pyramids, Sons and Daughters of Justice and of U. C. T. 

Mr. Cartney is a genial man, reliable, honorable and public spirited; he 
is one of Concordia's most honored citizens and has a host of personal 
friends. 

HONORABLE F. W. STURGES. 

The author believes it is voicing the sentiment of the people to say not 
a man in Cloud county commands the confidence and regard of the people 
in a greater measure, nor is there one who, when selected by their ballots, 
has done more to merit the preferment tendered than Judge Sturges. 

He is a plain, straightforward, honest man of unquestioned integrity, 
a forceful and eloquent speaker and stands pre-eminent among the attorneys 
of Cloud county. In politics he is a broadminded Republican. As judge of 
the Twelfth judicial district, elected in 1888, he served an eventful career of 
twelve years and was universally admitted to he one of the most impartial 
and unprejudiced judges Cloud county has ever had. 

He was a partner with Judge Strain, one of Concordia's most prom- 
inent and esteemed citizens, in the practice of law until the death of that able 
jurist in January, 1880. The combination was a strong one and two more 
philanthropic, generous, honorable and capable men were never associated 
together in the city of Concordia. Judge Sturges is a native of Connecti- 
cut. He early drifted westward and in 1871 located in Concordia, where he 
has since been prominent in every worthy enterprise. In 1883 he was chosen 
to the legislature of Kansas and served one term. 

JAMES CLITHERO. 

One of the pioneers of 1867 is James Clithero, now an esteemed citizen 
of Concordia. He settled in Elk township and homesteaded land adjoining 
the site of the present town of Ames. He remained through the Indian 
uprisings and was among the settlers concentrated at the claim of A. A. 
Bradford, where they joined their forces to protect each other, and while 
inmates of the little fort slept within, some one of the settlers was detailed 
to stand guard on the outside. "Jerry" was a colored man. whom Mr. Brad- 
ford had with him all through the war, and who followed his master on to 
the frontier. "Jerry" was a character true to his race and Mr. Clithero 
relates an incident of the darkey's valor. 



276 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

He was selected from among the number t'i stand guard one night, and 

as he marched u]> and down the line with vigilant eye, ready to give the sig- 
nal of alarm by firing his gun, the settlers, their wives and children pcace- 
fnllv slumbered on. "Jerry" had performed his duty faithfully, hut when 
morning dawned it was discovered the gun with which he had paraded all 
during- the long hours of the night was unloaded, not a trace of ammunition 
in the formidable weapon that hail served "Jerry." who was unconscious oi 
the situation, just as well, inasmuch as the Indians did not appear. 

Mr. Clithero is a native of Lancashire, England, horn in [841. When 
a small hoy he came with his parents to America and settled in Wisconsin, 
where his father had secured land ten years earlier and when that country 
was thirtly settled. His parents both died in Wisconsin, 

In [866 Mr. Clithero was married to Miss Nannie McEckron, a sister 
of the Honorable B. II. McEckron Their family consists of three sons, 
all of whom are married and prosperous men. Mr. and Mrs. Clithero lost 
two daughters, aged thirteen and nineteen. Mr. Clithero is practically 
retired front business, hut has been engaged in general merchandising in 
Concordia until recently, (hie of the s, ms is a member of the firm of Boyd 
& Clithero, grocers, of Concordia. G. G. Clithero is m the railway postal 
ice and runs between Colorado Springs and Kansas i ity. \. 11. . the 
youngest son, is a farmer near Rice. Cloud county. 

Mr. Clithero is an old veteran of the Civil war and enjoys the distinc- 
tion of having served almost four years, or all through tin- war. He 
enlisted in Company C, Fifty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Septem- 
ber 21, [86l, for three years; and when the term expired, re-enlisted for one 
year, lie received a gunshot wound on Sunday, the first day's battle at 
Shiloh, which disabled him for six months ere he could shoulder arms again. 
His company was under Colonel S. 1 >. Baldwin and Captain W. S. Swan, 
both of Chicago. 

He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and actively inter- 
ested in the association. Mr. Clithero was identified with Clyde for many 
years, as his homestead was near that city, and was prominent in the organ- 
ization of the Presbyterian church there, which, after several years of strug- 
gle, is a monument of pride to its originators, and contains the only pipe 
organ in the county. Mr. Clithero and Mr. McEckron hauled logs to he 
sawed for the construction of the church. Mr. Clithero has been a citizen 
of Concordia thirteen years, where he and his family enjoy a comfortable 
home. 

THE GERMAN & LEWIS FURNISHING GOODS 
COMPANY. 

The managers of this recently established up-to-date place of business! 
are Roswold German and W. F. Lewis. A finer combination than the above 
named gentlemen would be difficult to substitute. Both obliging, attentive 



THE Nt 
'0BL1C 









HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 279 

to business and thoroughly competent, they are assured of success. They 
have each had practical experience in the lines they carry and will undoubt- 
edly remain leaders in men's furnishings. The elegance of the appoint- 
ments and the newness of everything gives the impression that the contents of 
the beautiful show cases of old English and plate glass have just come from 
the hands of the artist who designed and executed them. The whole intern >r 
of this "temple of fashion" is elegantly finished in white enamel and gold 
immaculate in its neatness and replete with everything that is required for 
the well-dressed man — for shoddy, inferior or shelf-worn goods are not 
allowed a place on the shelves of their store, and are justly entitled to the 
reputation they are rapidly gaining as being authority on the latest fads and 
fashions of men's hats, shirts and neckwear. Their modern wall show cases 
and latest designed window fixtures are superior to anything ever shown in 
Concordia. Their place of business is made very attractive at night by n >w s 
of incandescent lights that extend the whole length of their walls. This 
headquarters for men who appreciate reliable, correct attire was opened to 
patronage February 1. 1903. 

Their general stock is supplemented by a suitatorium that is open for 
operation both day and night. ( "rerman & Lewis do a thriving business in 
this line. To the traveling public this is an admirable feature, for they can 
send their clothes to be renovated and have them delivered with their call 
in the morning, or in suitatorium parlance, "Clothes pressed while you 
sleep." This firm are special agents for the Havves celebrated three-dollar 
hats. They are also furnishing the suits for the ball players of the Great 
Western Business College, who play under the name of German & Lewis, 
as designated by wearing the name of the firm on their shirt fronts. The 
suits are of the same color and texture as the league uniform. 

Roswold German, the senior manager of the business, was a commer- 
cial traveler for several years and carried the same line he is now intere-tcl 
in. He is also a tailor by trade and worked in Kansas City for a consider- 
able length of time, hence he understands what constitutes a well-dressed 
man. Mr. German has had a wide experience for a man of his age, for he 
is scarcely thirty in appearance; he has traveled over many European coun- 
tries, including France. Italy. Russia and others. Mr. German and his wife- 
are both old residents of Kansas City, where they grew up together from 
playmates. They are the parents of a bright little boy, who appears in the 
illustration on the opposite page is demonstrating the correct thing in hats 
and shirts. 

Y\ ill F. Lewis, the junior member, was a tourist in the commercial 
world, his special line being hats, and he. too. was a tailor and was engaged 
in that occupation several years, hence a fine judge of material. 

Mrs. Lewis was Miss Marceline Martin, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs, 
C. H. Martin, of the Barons House. Their interesting little son. though 
scarcely eight months of age. attired in a pair of overalls, occupies an 



280 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

important place in the engraving- on the opposite page, seemingly saying, 
"Tall trees from little acorns grow." 

Stranger things have occurred than that these two "young Americas" 
should succeed their fathers, or at least become partners in the enterprise. 

OSCAR R. TAGGART. 

Among the honored pioneers and citizens of Cloud county is Oscar K. 
Taggart, who came overland to Kansas in [867, and in company with the 
late Judge Carnahan and William II. Anderson, "bached" near Lake Sibley, 
where Air. Taggart boughl a settler's relinquishment and homestead land in 
Siblej township. 

His farm being near the embryo town of Sibley, Mr. Taggart worked 
hard to secure for it the county seat, but after failing, he transferred his 
interests to Concordia, expecting to make his home there instead. 

Mr. Taggart was a member of the state militia, organized for the pro- 
tection of settlers, and participated in several skirmishes with the Indians. 
He was one of the guards on duty when the Adkins boy was killed. They 
had scoured the surrounding country ami were just returning to camp when 
the tiring was heard. After the Indian uprisings were quelled Mr. Taggart 
settled down on his farm. For two "i" three years the expenses were greater 
than the profits, as the markets were s> > far distant transportation to and fro 
consumed the income. 

He still retains the old homestead, which is one of the many line farms 
in Sibley township, with good buildings, orchards, etc He owns a forty- 
acre tract in section 30, one-half mile northwest of Concordia, on the Repub 
lican river. This is wooded land and Mr. Taggart expects to clear the 
ground, and believing that it is well adapted to horticulture, will transform 
it into a fruit farm. In 1898 Mr. Taggart bought five acres of ground in 
the Hagaman addition, erected a comfortable cottage on the corner of Cedar 
street and Greeley avenue in 1901 and expects to make Concordia his per- 
manent home. Mr. Taggart has traveled over various parts of the United 
States; journeyed overland through Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and 
California, spending eighteen months in his sightseeing expedition, and, 
while he was pleased with the scenes and possibilities of those states, he was 
quite content to continue in Kansas, saying, "this is good enough for me." 

Mr. Taggart is a native of Naples, New York, born in April, 1849. 
He is a son of James and Mary J. (Harris) Taggart, both of New England 
origin. His father followed various pursuits, such as hotel keeping, saw 
milling and fanning. Prior to their residence in Cloud county, the Taggarts 
lived in Michigan ten years. The father came to Kansas one year later than 
his son and lived in the vicinity of Concordia until his death in 1896. The 
mother lived in the home of her son until her death in 1900. 

Our subject received his earlv education in the common schools of 
Michigan, followed by a three-years' literary course in Colon Seminary. St. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 281 

Joseph county, Michigan. At the age of nineteen lie began farming and 
later engaged in the grain business. 

Mr. Taggart was married January 1, 1870, to Emma Collins, a daugh- 
ter of William Collins, who settled in Cloud county in 1866. and a sister of 
William and John Collins, who were massacred, along with the Cassel 
party, as related in the account of Indian raids. Mrs. Taggart*s father was 
of English birth. Her mother's paternal grandfather was born in Ireland; 
her maternal ancestors were English. She was a native of Maine, and while 
visiting England met and married William Collins in the city of London. 
They emigrated to America and settled in Illinois, where they resided until 
coming to Kansas in 1866. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Taggart three children have been born, but one of 
whom is living, Mattie, the wife of Henry Neal, a farmer near Hunter, 
Oklahoma: they are the parents of three children, Mabel, Oscar and Fay. 
Willie, their only son, was deceased at the age of one year. Carrie, their 
youngest child, was deceased at the age of thirteen. 

Politically Mr. Taggart is a Democrat and socially is a member of the 
Knights of Pythias, Dramatic Order Knights of Khorasan and the Benevo- 
lent^Order of Elks. 

E. C. WHITCHER. 

E. C. Whitcher, of the firm of Whipp & Whitcher, abstracters, deal- 
ers in real estate, and insurance, is a native of Warren, Grafton county, New 
Hampshire, born in i860. His father was Levi C. Whitcher, a New 
Englander, who was engaged in different occupations — lumberman, hard- 
ware dealer, and at the time of his death was farming. His mother was 
Sarah A. (Weeks) Whitcher, also of New England birth and ancestry. 

Mr. Whitcher was educated in the common schools of New Hampshire 
and when fifteen years of age, began his career as a clerk in a mercantile 
establishment. In 1883 he went to California, later returned and located in 
Omaha. Nebraska, where he railroaded for two years, and was also located 
at Council Bluffs. Iowa, where he filled the position of passenger officer in 
the Union depot. 

In 1886 he came to Washington county, Kansas, where he clerked for 
two years and then came to Concordia. Here he established himself in the 
mercantile business, largely groceries, which he conducted for about five 
years, then sold the same and became associated with Mr. Whipp in their 
present business. His venture in the mercantile line was during the panic 
years, when all alike suffered losses. 

The present combination is a very successful one. Mr. Whitcher 
bought the interest of D. M. Stackhouse. This firm had formulated a set 
of abstract books, the only complete set in the county, and were making a 
specialty of that line, having since added real estate and insurance. 

Mr. Whitcher enjoys the distinction of being the only Democrat at the 



282 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

present time i rQ.02) holding city office, in 1001 being appointed citj clerk. 
He has been twice nominated for registrar of deeds but never made a canvass, 
from the fad thai he was on the wrong side to be elected. Mr. Whitcher 
was married in [888 to Lizzie Francouer, formerly of Illinois. She was 
practically reared in Cloud county, as she came here with her parents when 
an infant. Her father is Jospeh Francouer, a tanner of Lincoln township, 
near Concordia. They are of French extraction and names of Canada. 
Mr. and Mrs. Whitcher are the parents of three daughters, Lillian, Flor- 
ence and Edith, aged, respectively, twelve, nine and four years. 

Mr. Whitcher owns a farm in Aurora township and retains liis interest 
in his father's estate in New Hampshire; has a comfortable but modes! home 
<>n Broadway and Thirteenth streets, lie is a member of the Independent 
Order of ( )<U\ Fellows, Modern Woodmen and (nun of Honor. 

HONORABLE RICHARD PARRIOTT WEST. 

Reverend R. I". West, the subject of this sketch, is one of the most 
prominent of the pioneer settlers and figures verj conspicuously through 
the pages of this volume. He was tint in reality "tie of Cloud county's set- 
tlers, hut was jointly connected with this ami Republic county, where he 
resided. 

Vermilion county, Indiana, is the place of his nativity. He was bom 
August to. [829. lit- tather. Jacob J. West, was horn in Greene county, 
Pennsylvania. He was a carpenter by trade, hut later turned his attention to 
agricultural pursuits. A chapter in Mr. West'- grandfather's life bordered 
on the romantic. At the age of nine years he was kidnapped in Liverpool 
England, taken on hoard a vessel, broughl to Philadelphia and disposed of to 
a Quaker for the consideration of twelve dollars, lie lived with this family 
for a number of years and received uniform and kindly treatment. He used 
a gun em the British in the famous battle of Lexington, when but twelve 
years of age. 

After several times enlisting he finally entered for five years and served 
during the war. At the battle of Cowpens he received a severe saber wound 
on the head that disabled him the remainder of his life. When on a scout- 
ing expedition he suddenly came upon a squad of red coats and instantly rec- 
ognized one as his brother. He revealed to him his relationship, hut the 
brother refused to believe him until shown a mark well known to the brother, 
which no longer left a doubt in his mind as to his identity. They embraced 
each other, but the next moment the "Johnnie Bull" began upbraiding him 
for being a rebel. Jacob West died deaf and blind from the effect of the 
saber wound. He was a self-made man, and, although he had received but 
a common school education, by assiduous reading he became a compendium 
of history and famous for his extensive knowledge of current events. He 
settled in Illinois in 1837. He died in 1864. His wife died on the same day. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



283 



They laid aside the joys and burdens of life and together entered the mys- 
terious beyond. 

When troops were called upon to protect the stars and stripes and the 
honor of the nation. Reverend West was among' the first to respond and 
joined the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. June II, 
1861. Although not in any engagements he was constantly at the post of 




Mr. and Mrs. Richard P. West. 



duty and dangers until he fell ill and was forced to enter the hospital. Fail- 
ing to fully recover his health he was honorably discharged March 27, 1862. 
Reverend West was married October 22, 1848, in Piatt County, Illi- 
nois, to Miss Margaret Murphy, who is a most estimable woman and mem- 
ber of a highly esteemed family. Not having been blessed with children of 



284 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

their own Mr. and Mrs. West adopted little May Glovin, a bright child of 
eight summers, whom they reared and educated. At the age of twenty-one 
years she was married to William H. Vicker, a very worthy man. One 
child. Earl, was horn to them, hut scarcely three years of married life had 
elapsed ere the "grim reaper." death, had taken her home, preceded by her 
infant child two m< mths. 

Reverend West has always been active in politics, belieying that all 
great reforms must he brought about through the intelligent use of the bal- 
lot. He is a staunch Republican, although he lias not at all time- approved 
(if the action of his party's conventions, and believing that an honest Demo- 
crat is better than a dishonest Republican, he occasionally put that belief into 
practice. 

In 1869-70 and also in 1876 he was elected to the house of representa- 
tives of the state of Kansas, and at each session he distinguished himself in 
aiding the progression of important work. Among the main- good hills he 
was jointly responsible for was one to refund his county's (Republic) 
indebtedness, whose finances were in such condition that its credit had sunk 
to twenty-live cents on the dollar. The passage of his hill immediately 
brought it iip to par, where it has since remained. 

As an "objector" Mr. West was a terror to all who had "jobs" before 
the legislature, each and all of which he opposed With the vigor and ability 
lie possessed. He is the man who unearthed an attempted eight thousand 
dollar bond steal of the late Colonel Samuel Wood, who was killed in Ste- 
phens county several yearse ago. During the discussion of the case Wood 
became so infuriated at the remarks of Representative West that he lost 
control of bis vicious temper and violently burled an ink bottle at Mr. West, 
who. fortunately, dodged the missile. 

In the early "eighties Reverend West's friends put him in the field as 
an Independent Republican candidate for the state senaje, the district being 
composed of Repuhlic and Cloud counties, hut he was defeated by the regu- 
lar Republican nominee, through the dishonest tactics of his opponent's 
friends and workers. He has l>een active in politics ever since and probably 
always will he until he is gathered to his "Father's home." 

In 1882 Reverend West moved to the then territory of Washington 
and engaged in farming, hut his old love for Repuhlic county, where he 
had spent nearly twenty years bravely overcoming the hardships of frontier 
life, and finally rewarded with peace, pleasure and plenty, caused him to 
return. He bought a home in Osborne o ittnty, and from there moved to 
Concordia, locating in the eastern part of the city on Fifth street, where 
himself and wife declare they will live the remainder of their lives in this 
pleasant home. 

Reverend and Mrs. West were pioneers of Republic county and settled 
on a homestead near where Bellville now stands, in 1863, when great herds 
of buffalo tramped over his farm, both springtime and autumn, and when 
the coyote and the Indian were too frequent visitors to make life safe and 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 285 

enjoyable. Here this worthy couple kept "open house," where the weary 
and hungry traveler always found a welcome to rest and partake of their 
bounteous meals without charge. 

Reverend West was licensed to preach by the quarterly conference of 
Tuscola-Paris district of the Illinois conference and was ordained in Man- 
hattan, Kansas, in 1866. Immediately after coming to Kansas he began 
his life work of preaching the "everlasting gospel" in his own inimitable 
style and he was "the right man in the right place." He was always present 
to bury the dead, to chase the marauding bands of Indians, or to hold pro- 
tracted meetings in every settlement, from Manhattan, Riley county, to 
Jewell count}- on the west, and was eminently successful in bringing souls 
to Christ and organizing congregations, nearly always at his own expense. 

Reverend West withdrew from the conference on account of his wife's 
failing health, who, from the beginning of his ministerial labors had borne 
much of the burden of supporting the itinerant circuit rider's home. Beside 
dispensing free salvation, Reverend West probably contributed more of his 
worldly stores than many of his parishioners accumulated in the same length 
of time. Mrs. West was an important quantity, and while commending this 
fearless clergyman and politician the credit due his devoted companion must 
not be overlooked. She at all times shared in those days of grief and 
romance and while speaking of these attributes, Reverend West facetiously 
remarked. "To Margaret Ann be all the honor." This venerable and worthy 
couple have always enjoyed the confidence and esteem of their fellow citi- 
zens and when the parting adieus are said and life's journey ended, their 
many good deeds will live on in the hearts of their neighbors and friends. 
— [Reverend R. P. West, the pioneer circuit rider of more than a quarter 
of a century ago departed this life at his home in Concordia on the nth 
of December, 1902. He traveled over the prairies on horseback before the 
days of roads and bridges, administering- spiritual advice and comfort to 
the settlers of Cloud, Republic, Washington and Clay counties. Since his 
advent in the state in 1863, he was a prominent figure in church and politi- 
cal affairs as references in various parts of this work signify. His aged 
wife survives him. — Editor. 

ROBERT MISELL. 

Robert Misell, one of the successful business men of Concordia, is 
engaged in real estate and insurance and is one of the most reliable agents 
in the city. He is thoroughly posted on the property of Concordia and 
surrounding localities, which is essential to success in his line. 

His father, Thomas Misell, is of English birth, born in 1819. He 
enlisted in Company B, Fourth West Virginia Volunteers, and served his 
adopted country for a period of three years. Thomas Misell came to the 
Solomon valley in March, 1868, and took up land near Glasco, on the Sol- 
omon river. He now resides at the home of his son, the subject of this 



286 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

sketch. Robert Misell's mother was of Irish nativity. She died in [863. 
Robert Misell was born in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, in 1N5S. 
ami was but ten years of age when he came to Kansas. After several 
removals his parents settled in the Solomon valley in [868, during the 
ettled times. His brother was killed in the Indian raid of that year, 
an account of which is given elsewhere in this volume. 

Mr. .Misell was reared on their western homestead and lived there until 
1880. For three years he followed various pursuits and in 1883, located 
in Concordia and engaged in the loan, real estate and insurance husincss 
IK- was married in [890, to Emma Seavey, a daughter of Dr. John Seavey, 
a veterinary sursreon of Concordia. I" Mr. and .Mrs. Misell one child was 
born, a little son, Robert I... aged five years. Mr. Misell has been prom- 
inently identified with the political affairs of Cloud count) and affiliates with 
the Republican party." lie is ranked among the most progressive men of 
l rccordia and is a public spirited citizen. Socially he is a member of the 
Knights of Pythias and is exalted ruler of the Benevolenl Order of Elks. 

GE< IRGI M < ULVER. 

1 .< irge M. Culver, who is now serving his third term as county attor- 
ney of Cloud county, was born near Albany, New York. July 6, 1866. He- 
is the third of seven s.uis. ilis parents wen- George W. and Margaret II. 
1 Eiolton) Culver. His father was a natne of the state of New York. He 
was a carpenter by trade, hut emigrated to Republic county, Kansas, where 
he farmed until his demise in [890. 

Mr. Culver's mother was born near Cork, Ireland. She died in 1890, 
being an interval of only three months between his parents' death. 

.Mr. Culver received his early education in the country schools. His 
father's finances were limited and he could not give his son the educational 
advantages his ambitions craved, hut his object was not relinquished until 
it became a reality, which has brought its well merited reward. 

About six months after Mr. Culver had begun the high school course 
his parents moved temporarily to Colorado, and he entered the Greeley Uni- 
versity, remaining three years, taking special work. This was in 1883, hut 
in the meantime he taught school, beginning at the age of sixteen. He 
taught as a means of earning money to defray his expenses at the university. 
Beginning with 1888 he took a two years' literary course in the State Uni- 
versity at Lawrence, Kansas. From this period he filled the position of 
principal in several of the best schools of northwestern Kansas. He was 
principal of the Beloit schools for five years ; he had charge of the Bellville 
Republic county, schools, and also of Cuba, in the same county. During 
this time he turned his attention to the study of law and read with various 
attorneys until admitted to the bar. Mr. Culver's career is a good demon- 
stration of what a young man who has force of character can accomplish. 

Mr. Culver moved from Beloit to Concordia in June, 1896, and opened 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 287 

a law office. He endeavored to form a partnership with several well estab- 
lished lawyers who enjoyed a lucrative practice, but our subject was young- 
in years and young in profession, and according to their shrewd ideas, not 
a desirable partner. 

To many sensitive, retiring natures their seeming lack of appreciation 
would have been a chilling blast, but to Mr. Culver it served as a stimulus. 
His clientage from the beginning was gratifying for a young man and 
stranger. It steadily increased and he gained the confidence and good will 
of the people until it found expression in his nomination for the office o£ 
count}- attorney of Cloud county. He was elected on the fusion ticket in 
1878. was re-elected in 1900 and again in 1902. 

Mr. Culver was married in 1891 to Miss Mary J. Hair, .a daughter of 
Dr. J. Hair, a retired physician now residing in Kansas City, Missouri. 

The Hairs are Ohio people, but after various removals located in 
Republic county. Kansas, where Dr. Hair lived several years. 

Mrs. Culver was born in Iowa. She is a graduate of the State Uni- 
versity and has been a successful teacher. She was principal of the Repub- 
lic city schools and was a resident of that town at the time of her marriage 
with Mr. Culver. 

Mr. anil Mrs. Culver are the parents of three bright, intelligent chil- 
dren, viz : Marguerite, Harold H. and George. 

HONORABLE EDWARD J. MESSALL. 

E. J. Messall has made a good record for himself as a public official. 
During the turbulent joint movements the mayor of a city does not have 
altogether smooth sailing. He is expected by many to do the whole thing, 
condemned by some if he does, and by another element if he doesn't. Mr. 
Messall is courteous, accommodating, intelligent, far seeing and strictly 
conscientious in the discharge of his official duties, and has not been a dis- 
appointment to the people of Concordia, who elected him. 

Mr. Messall is a native of Prussia, Germany, born in 1857. He is a 
son of Gotlieb and Karoline (Siegelhagel) Messall, of Prussia. His father 
died in 1855. on the farm in his native country, where he had spent his 
lifetime. His mother came to America in 1871, and settled in Marysville, 
Marshall county, Kansas, where she died in 189.2. Mr. Messall is one of 
seven children, four sons and three daughters, all of whom are residents 
of this state, except one brother who lives in Wisconsin. Air. Messall's 
brothers were in the Franco-Prussian war. 

In 1 87 1 Mr. Messall and his youngest sister accompanied their mother 
to Kansas. He received his education in the high school of Prussia and the 
district schools of Marshall county, Kansas. He was employed on a farm 
until seventeen years of age and then entered a flouring mill. In the latter 
part of his service there he operated the elevator that was in connection 
with the mill, bought grain, etc. 



•288 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

In (883 he established the Concordia Bottling Works, manufacturing 
all kinds ol sofl drinks, which has been an excellent source of revenue to 
him. He ha- a brisk trade in this line during the summer months, having 

a large wholesale trade. lie ships g Is to all part,- of the state. He is 

also a wholesale dealer of cigars. In [888-9 '"-' was associated with Parker 
& Company in a cigar factory under the firm name of Messall, Parker >\ 
Co. He afterward assumed full control of tin- concern and did an exten- 
sive business. 

.Mr. Messall was married in 1879 to Lena Stettnisch, a young German 
woman who came with her parent- t<> America in [866 and settled 
in Marshall county. Kansas. She is a daughter of Laid Stettnisch, a farmer. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Messall four children have been born. Their only son, 
Louis, died at the age of fourteen years. Their three daughters, Bertha, 
Mollie and Bessie, are intelligent and talented young ladies. The eldest 
daughter, Bertha, after a course in the ( oncordia high school entered the 
Agricultural College of Manhattan, and in 1900 entered upon a business 
course in the Great Western Business College of Concordia. 

Until recent years Mr. Messall affiliated with the Democrats, but trans 
ferred his convictions to the Republican party. He has been identified with 
the city's affairs almost continuously since his residence m Concordia, as 
a member of the -elm, ,1 board and one 1 if the cit) councilmen. In April, 1901 . 
he was elected to In- present office after a hard fight, by a majoritj of one 
hundred ami ninety-four, the la er given a candidate for that office 

in Concordia. Mr. Messall owns a hand-cine residence propertj with a 
spacious lawn of five lots, on the corner of Washington and Seventh streets. 
His factory is in the rear of this property. The family are regular attend- 
ants and members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Messall is one of tin- 
trustees of the church. 

HONOR \.BLE JOHN STEWART. 

John Stewart, the wholesale produce man of northwestern Kansas, owes 
his substantial position in life to his untiring energy and perseverance. The 
progress connected with his business operations and their magnificent results 
evidences what a man with courage and enlightened views can accomplish. 
Mr. Stewart's experiences have been varied. He has not attained his pres- 
ent financial standing without great labor, excellent financiering ami an 
indomitable will that would not recognize the word defeat. The word "fail" 
does not occur in his vocabulary of thought. 

He is a son of the "Auld Sod," born in the little village of Malin. 
County Donegal, November 8, 1861. His parents were James and Mar- 
garet (Kalhoun) Stewart, both natives of Ireland. His father early in 
life learned the carpenter trade, but later engaged in mercantile pursuits. 
Mr. Stewart's mother died in 1885. After her death his father emigrated 
to America, where his children had preceded him. He visited Colorado. 




Commission House of John Stewart, 
One of Concordia's Most Extensive Industries. 



THE N EW n 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 291 

remaining' two years, spent one year with his son in Concordia, and went 
to Philadelphia, where he died at the home of one of his daughters in 1901. 
Mr. Stewart is one of six children, five of whom are living, a brother in 
Idaho and three sisters in Philadelphia. 

Air. Stewart was educated in the National schools of his native country 
and finished in the academic institution at Londonderry, when fifteen years 
of age. His choice of a profession was engineering. His parents had 
aspirations for him to become a clergyman, but Mr. Stewart became neither. 
He left his native country to make a home for himself in the land o'er the 
far distant seas, He sailed for America May 18, 1882, one year before 
he had attained his majority. His attention was attracted toward the far 
famed silver mines of Leadville, Colorado. 

Upon arriving in that city he found work in an iron mine, where he 
remained four years. In the spring of 1886, he came to Ellsworth. Kan- 
sas, in the employ of a Leadville poultry firm, returning in the autumn of 
the same year to Leadville, where he resumed work again in the mine. The 
following March he went to the Pacific coast, intending to visit Alaska. He 
traveled over various parts of California and visited Vancouver's Island, 
where his mother's only sister resides, but retraced his steps to Colorado, 
where he engaged in the poultry and produce business under the firm name 
of Stewart & Company. The enterprise was not a financial success. They 
suspended business in December and for the third time Mr. Stewart entered 
upon mining — a last resort, it would seem. 

The following March he was again sent to Kansas to buy butter, eggs 
and poultry. He came to Concordia in 1888, and was at once attracted 
toward the town as an opening for a produce business. Mr. Stewart estab- 
lished himself in a cellar, under where the New York grocery now is, on 
a very limited capital ; but his business increased and he soon located in 
larger quarters, ami subsequently finding these too small he found more 
commodious ones, and later his enterprise assumed such proportions that 
he leased ground from the Union Pacific Railroad Company and erected a 
three-story brick building, where this concern transacts a magnitude of busi- 
ness that is surprising in a city the size of Concordia. 

Air. Stewart ships goods all over the United States, perhaps the bulk 
of which goes to the Pacific coast. During the winter ami early spring- 
months he ships into British Columbia and east to Boston. New York City, 
Albany, Troy, and many other eastern cities. He transacts over fixe hun- 
dred thousand dollars annually and employs in the produce house upwards 
of thirty men, makes his own tubs, boxes, etc. He employs about ten agents 
as buyers in various localities. 

Within three years from the time of starting operations he built up a 
trade that footed two hundred and fifty thousand dollars annually. Thus 
as the world grows older and more progressive we see on every side proof 
of the assertion that the "self-made" man is the most prosperous and highly 
esteemed, and from this class many of the best citizens and leading men 

18 



292 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

of our country have been taken. Mr. Stewart is in sympathy with the 
Republican party, but too much occupied to give a great deal of attention 
to political matters. However he was a valued member of the city council 
in 1893-4, and in 1898 was elected mayor of the citj of Concordia serving 
twu years. 

In [896, Mr. Stewart was married to Lillian, a daughter of the late 
• elius \relier. a well known citizen of Concordia. He was elected sheriff 

of Cloud county and served several years. The Archers came from Ohio 
to Kansas in [872 and located on a farm five miles west of Concordia, 
where Mrs. Stewart was born the first year of their arrival. Mrs. Stewart's 
mother died in 1882, and her father in 1892 \iter In- death she lived 
with a brother in Kansas City until her marriage with Mr. Stewart. Mrs. 
Stewart is an educated woman of refined tastes. Sin received her education 
in the Concordia graded schools and in the academy of the Sisters of St. 
Joseph. 

The commodious and substantial home of the Stewart- is brightened 
by the presence of two children, a son and daughter: John Archer, aged 
three, and baby Margaret. Mrs. Stewart 1- a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. 

•Till': PICNII 

Iii October, 1895, George W. Marshall and Harry Barton established 

"The Picnic," which at that time consisted of a stuck of general merchan- 

They discontinued a diversified stock and in [90] removed a portion 

..I" their goods to their Delphos store, in which they became interested in 

19, and tilled their present quarters with a line of gents' furnishings. 

They are stocked with the charactei of go ds well suited to the trade from 

the most fashionable die-- suit to the goods of stronger texture for the 

ring classes. 

George W. Mar-hall, the senior member of the firm, has been identified 
with many business enterprises in Cloud county since his advent into the 
state in 1875. He first became associated with Mr. Hinman in a general 
re. He was the first president of the Concordia first National Lank, has 
been mayor of the city and has been connected directly or indirectly with 
almost every interest promoted in the city of Concordia. His home is one of 
tbe most modem residences in the city and the scene of many elegant social 
functions. Mrs. Marshall, before her marriage, was Josephine Truesdell, 
whose parents were among the early settlers of the county and established 
the first hotel, as mentioned in the early history of the new town. Her 
mother still lives in Concordia. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall are the parents of 
two sons, George and Joe. 

Harry Barton, the junior member of the firm, was for years a com- 
mercial traveler for the well-known wholesale grocery house of Julius Kuhn, 
of Atchison. Kansas. Mr. Barton had the reputation of being one of the 






HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



293 



most successful salesmen on the road and supplied almost every firm within 
the limits of his territory with goods. Mr. Barton married a Concordia 
young woman and soon afterward left the road and formed a partnership 
with Mr. Marshall. They are one of the solid firms of the city and their 
far-reaching enterprise is linked with the growth and progress of their town. 

BERTHA A. MARLATT. 




In reviewing the history of Cloud county, no name stands out more 
pre-eminently or more conspicuously among the educational workers than 
the name of Bertha A. Marlatt, the retiring county superintendent, who 
has been associated with the schools of Cloud county since her advent into 
the community in August, 18S8. 

-^ When Miss Marlatt left her Ohio home, 

S ^ |P-\ f ' le l*' ace ot ' ner nativity, and drifted west- 

P^J^ ^ ward, she had mapped out for herself the 

Bk \ career of a teacher, and accordingly hegan 

. $&' ^^B \ her first school work in Cloud county. After 

H I \ teaching successfully in several of the coun- 

"^ I \ tr . v districts. Miss Marlatt taught a total of 

fi nir years in the Glasco schools. She has 
twice been tendered a position in the Concor- 
dia schools, but was offered a higher salary 
elsewhere, and declined for that reason. 

Miss Marlatt received her early educa- 
tion in the district schools of Ohio, and after 
going through the High school of New Lis- 
bon, took a two years' course in the Normal 
school of Canfield, Ohio. In 1898 she was 
elected to the office of county superintendent 
of Cloud county on the Republican ticket, 
was re-elected in 1900 and appointed to fill the vacancy from June until May, 
1901, occasioned by changing the beginning of the term of office. 

Miss Marlatt has made an exceptional record in application, never having 
lost an hour from indisposition, but at all times and under all circumstances 
has been found at her post of duty. She has never missed but one summer 
institute since coming to Cloud county, nor a Teachers' Association within 
the past eight years. She has been a member of the examining- board for 
about six years, and also president of the Cloud County Teachers' Associa- 
tion. In 1901 she was elected secretary of the thirty-ninth annual Kansas 
State Teachers' Association that convened in Topeka, and also had. that 
honor conferred upon her the present year. 1902. On Thanksgiving- day, 
November 27, 1902, fifteen counties were represented in a teachers' association 
held at Clay Center, Kansas. Through the energy of Miss Marlatt, the banner 
offered for the largest number of representatives from any one county was 




Miss Bertha A. Marlatt. 



294 HISTORY O] CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

carried away 1>\ the fiftj six teachers in attendance from Cloud county. 
Tin secured the association for the coming year; the first time in the 

hist its organization that the banner ;m<l the association have been 

en i" the same counl 
The tir-t two years of Miss Marlatt's term in office she visited aln 
chool tw rl) :i quarter of a daj with each. I e last 

tu. given a full one-half day, with but a few exceptions, and 

ted a number of them twice. During the first springtime of he 

.'i she spent from six to nine hours daily on the road. The roads 
in an unusually bad condition, and not knowing how !■• reach the ■ 
conveniently, made her duti< lingly arduous. From January >>. 1899 

until January g, 1903, she traveled with horse and buggy a total of ten 
thousand miles, which, at an av< five miles, including good and bad 

roads, makes two thousand hour- spent in the buggy. 

Miss Marian instituted the d itions now held in 

pari- of the county, and they have been quite successful. 

hool houses have been erected during her career in ofl 
and in three of them furnaces have been placed, namely: Districts 
75, 76 and 68. Die highest per cent of attendance that has ever been 
attained by the • loud count) w.i- in 1901, very few falling 

ninety, and m> -t of them ranging from ninety to one hundred. 

-- Marian is self-educated, p vn way through school, and 

time and place when opportunities were not so great as those offered 

young men and women of Cloud county at the present time. Hei 1 
has not much patience with the student who says he can't go through 
school dependent at least partly upon his own resources. She lived in a 
berry country where many hands wen employment. The berries 

were picked and shipped to various cities. Mis- Marlatt says she n< 
looks upon a "berry patch" without recalling her childhood days, for in 
tliis humble pursuit she earned the mean- of educating herself. About 
this tune she conceived the idea of going west, where the avenu< hool 

work seemed more access ITo carry out this plan required money. 

ting her courage together, she approached a good old Quaker neighbor 
who was pruning his raspberry bushes, and asked for the loan of forty dol- 
lar-, saying she "wanted to go to Kansas to teach scho The old 
tleman looked dubiously upon her as he replied: "Thee going out thi 
Thee will get scalped.*' But he granted the loan, and a few days later Miss 
Marlatt found herself in Concordia with but little more than a dollar 
the borrowed fund left in her purse. She was among strangers, and far 
from home in the "wild and wooly west;" but facing the inevitable, she 
dared not to do otherwise than succeed, and went to work with that res 
lution uppermost in her mind. 

The world pays deference to the man or woman who succeeds 111 life 

ely through their own resources and attains position. This has been 
accomplished by Miss Marlatt. and is a fine example to the student strug- 



HISTORY OK CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 295 

gling for an education. As an official Miss Marlatt is admirably qualified 
liv natural ability, and this, coupled with her broad fund of acquired knowl- 
edge, has done much in the way of promoting progressive projects. She 
is a woman of much strength of character, possessing a kind and genial 
disposition. The teachers find her sympathetic and generous, ever ready 
to extend to them helpful suggestions and encouragement when needed. 
The fact that she, herself, began at the bottom of the ladder and climbed 
persistently, but not without discouragements, has in all probability rendered 
her more generous to the rising young teacher that comes under her juris- 
diction. 

.Miss Marlatt's father. William Marlatt, was a Pennsylvanian by birth, 
subsequently settling in Ohio, where he died in 1878. Her mother is of 
southern birth, having been born in the city of Xew Orleans, but came north 
during the war and located in Ohio. She still lives at the old home near 
ilumbiana. 

Miss Marlatt's sister Ella, who for several wars was a resident of 
Cloud county, is married and living in Ogden, Utah. Miss Mary Marlatt. 
who hag been associated with the schools of Cloud county for five ye 
and is also a very successful teacher, is a sister. She is at present engaged 
in district No. 8. Lawrence Marlatt. who for live years was in the employ 
of the Glasco State Bank, is a brother. He is engaged in the insurance 
business and resides in Glasco. Miss Marlatt is an active member of the 
Christian church, and the Concordia congre.gatii n owes much of its success 
to her zeal. 

W. E. SHRADER. 

The subject of this sketch, W. E. Shrader, came to Kansas with the 
tide of emigration that rolled into the state during the early 'seventies. He 
bought the relinquishment of a claim on Oak creek, where he lived from 
1873 until the latter part of the 'eighties, when he sold the homestead and 
bought a farm on Wolf creek. Air. Shrader has been successful, owning 
five hundred and sixty acres of finely improved land, is retired from the busy 
farm life and, with his wife, is enjoying the proceeds of their accumulated 
interests in a pleasant home, a brick cottage located on East Seventh street. 
Their three sons and three daughters are all married and have homes of 
their own. His sons are all practical farmers and stockmen, and as they add 
other lands and their herds increase, their property holdings wall be numer- 
ous as those of their sire. Mr. Shrader made every dollar of his present fine 
estate in Kansas and, although he has met with many reverses and was in 
straitened circumstances during the grasshopper raid, he prefers the Sun- 
flower state. Mr. Shrader was born and reared in Washington county. 
Ohio, near Marietta, the oldest town in the Ruckeye state, but asserts he could 
not gain a livelihood there after having lived on the prairies of Kansas. 
However, there were times during his early carter in the state when, had it 



296 



II1ST< »m < )1' CD iUD I I >UN l"Y. K \.\S\s 



been ]x>>sil>Ie t<> gather up his family anil depart for fairer ricl<l>. he would 
have joyfully done so : but like most Kansans Ik- was bound down and could 
net leave, for winch condition he is now duly thankful. He 1- most happy 
that he continued in Kansas t" raise cattle ami hogs, having made the bulk 
<>f his property in stock raising. 

Our subject was nu rture d in the principles of Democracy and siill 
clings to that faith. Socially he is a member of the Concordia encampment 
of (><M Fellows. The Shraders are attendants of the Uunited Brethren 
church, of which Mrs. Shrader 1^ a member, 

G I WILSON'. 

There are several first-class grocery houses in Concordia, and in refer- 
ring to the best of them the well-arranged store of < i. ('. Wilson would be 
included as one in the foremost rank, lh- methods of doing business entitle 




The Up-to-date Grocery Establishment of G. C. Wilson. 

him to a place among the most progressive, as his industry, perseverance and 
superior qualities have placed him in line with men of good citizenship. 
Mr. Wilson succeeded C. A. Betournay in the grocery business in the spring 
of 1900. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 297 

Mr. Wilson has been a resident in the state since 1884. He accepted a 
clerkship at Kirwin, Kansas, and six years later he entered the grocery 
department of H. C. Annan, of Beloit, as manager, and the length of time 
he was retained by Mr. Annan — seven years — is emphatic evidence of his 
reliability. But our subject was not satisfied to continue as an employe and 
established a business of his own. He purchased the J. J. Abercrombie 
stock, which he sold back to its former owner six months later and" became 
proprietor of the Hugh Gants grocery. One and one-half years later he dis- 
posed of this stock, removed to Kensington, Kansas, and engaged in gen- 
eral merchandising. After locating at the last named place Mr. Wilson's 
health became impaired and, selling his interests in that town, he returned to 
Kirwin in 1889. Although it is said "every move is equal to two tires." 
Mr. Wilson, owing to various circumstances, made several changes, but it 
remained for him to find a greater field, such as Concordia afforded, and 
where, from the very start, he proceeded to establish a reputation for enter- 
prise and fair dealing. He carries a full line of staple and fancy groceries 
and conducts a first-class bakery in connection which receives a large 
patronage. In this busy store five men are employed. A brother, Theodore 
L., a practical baker, is in charge of the bakery and has filled that position 
for one and one-half years. James Edward, another brother, is learning the 
trade with him. 

Mr. Wilson's father, Peter Wilson, was of Scotch birth. He emigrated 
to the state of New York when quite young and lived there until his death 
in 1893. Mr. Wilson's mother was of German birth. She died in 1873. 
There were seven sons and two daughters in his father's family, all of whom 
lived to maturity. A sister died in 1894 and a brother in the spring of the 
present year (1903). 

Mr. Wilson's family consists of his wife, one daughter and two sons: 
Bernice, Lynn ami Karl Marx. They occupy one of the pleasant and desir- 
able cottage homes on West Sixth street. Politically Mr. Wilson affiliates 
with the Republican party and socially he is a Woodman, a Maccabee and 
a member of the Sons and Daughters of Justice. 

Mr. Wilson is entirely self-made, he has worked hard, attended strictly 
to business affairs, is kind, courteous and obliging, upright in all his dealings 
— qualities that are always winners, and our subject is no exception to 
the rule. 

W. F. SAWHILL. M. D. 

One of Concordia's most progressive physicians, Dr. W. F. Sawhill, 
hails from Philadelphia and opened an office for the practice of medicine 
in March, 1883. By his skillful methods and successful treatments Dr. 
Sawhill commands the patronage of many of the most prominent peoople of 
the city. He is not only one of the most competent practitioners but one of 
Concordia's most useful citizens as well, and prominent in public affairs. 



298 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS 

llr is identified with the school board, a bod) he is qualified to render effi 
cieiu service Dr. Sawhill is a man of family and maintains ;t pleasant 
h' -me. 

ALFRED B. PENNO< 

A. B. Pennock, proprietor of the Concordia elevator, is one of Con 
cordia's mosl esteemed citizens ami business men. He was born in Barry 
nty, Michigan, in [849. H< E O ias and Marj Ann (Rafler) 

nock. Ozias Pennock was a native of Vermont, bul emigrated to Mich 
igan in the early settlement of that state. He was seeminglj fond of pioneer 
life for he emigrated to Allen county, Kansas, in 1859, and removed to 
Doniphan county in 1863. He subsequently returned to Michigan, where 
he died in 1898, followed by the wife and mother one year later. Mr. Pen 
nock's mother was a native of Ireland and came to America with her. 1 
bout five ye 

Mr. Pennock received a limited education in the common schools of 
Michigan. He came t" Kansas when the country v and when there 

were ii" schools, in [857. He the plains when but fifteen years of 

driving ke of cattle for the freighting company of Stebbins & 

who were well known in those days. He went through to Central 

('it tdo, returning in [865 to Doniphan county, and later, with his 

lather's family, to Michigan, where he worked on a farm until 1 Xj< >, and 

:i came to Kansas and hied on a homestead m Aurora township, (loud 

inty, which lie improved and lived on for live years. Retaining his home- 

I he came to Concordia and began working tra le, that of -1. 

mason and plasterer, which he had learned during his last residence in 
Michigan. Four year- later he entered the employ of William Blair, the 
man who established the elevator Mr. Pennock now operates, lie bought 
gram for him four years. Mr. Blair wa e led by Glucose «\ < ompany. 

Mr. Pennock remained in their employ for one year and then established a 
for himself in the town of Aurora. At the expiration of 
two '.ears he, with his father-in-law, who owned a half section of land 
together, returned to the farm for one year, and in 1891 moved to Con- 
cordia. In 1892 he was appointed under sheriff and jailor, under Sheriff 
Archer. Two years later he bought the elevator and has >mce been success- 
fully engaged in the grain business. On Mr. Pennock's advent in Kansas 
he had practically nothing, hut now owns two farms in Aurora township. 
one he purchased and the other is his old homestead. They are both finely 
improved. He has a handsome residence property on the corner of Broad- 
way and Eleventh streets, in the city of Concordia. 

He was married in 1873 to Kesiah Prince, a daughter of E. L. Prince, 
a farmer of Aurora township, and an old settler who came to Cloud county 
in the early 'seventies. Mr. Prince left the homestead in [876 and established a 
grain business in Jamestown, owning an interest in an elevator there. They 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



299 



now reside in Concordia. To Mr. and Mrs. Pennock four children have 
heen born: Ada, Florence, Alfred and Hazel, all educated in the Concordia 
schools. Mr. Pennock is a Republican in politics and was deputy sheriff, 
under John Wilson, the second sheriff of Cloud county, for four years. He 
has also served as constable of his township. He is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias Lodge, Knights and Ladies of Security and Triple Tie. By his 
industry and integrity Mr. Pennock has accumulated a comfortable fortune. 
He possesses a kindly and benevolent disposition. Although an unpreten- 
tious, quiet man. he has a host of friends who appreciate his good qualities. 

W. H. L. PEPPERELL. 



Few men in Cloud county have risen from obscurity and gained the 
prominence accorded \Y. H. L. Pepperell. The interesting story of his life 

strikingly illustrates what a man can ac- 
complish when he possesses ambition and the 
energy and the steadfastness of purpose to 
execute them. From poverty, a "little boot- 
black," as he is pleased to call himself, our 
subject has risen to prosperity, occupies a 
high standing as a citizen and is admired for 
the broad learning and scholarly attainments 
he has acquired — from where and when it 
would be difficult to determine exactly — for 
he began his career ere his schcx >1 days had 
fairly dawned. Put with the same determin- 
ation that he has hewed down every obstacle 
in his path, he gained knowledge and ac- 
quired much of his book learning while in 
the employ of Mrs. Truesdell ; furthermore 
it was of a practical kind, the quality that 
is a boon to the boy who turns pathfinder. 
Mr. Pepperell was born in Plymouth, 
w. h. l. Pepperell. England, in 1862. In 1870 he came to 

America with his parents, who settled in 
Junction City. Kansas. As a mere child he evinced the same sort 
of emotion and ambition that beats in the breasts of more mature and 
restless humanity. His extreme youth nor the influence of his 
parents, who were in limited circumstances, did not prevent him from 
taking the "world by the horns." He learned through a traveling 
salesman, that a position awaited him at the "Truesdell House" in 
Concordia. The conditions were, a "rustler." and. in addition, could earn 
fees blacking boots, doing errands, etc. As a result of having fasted all 
day. Mr. Pepperell arrived in the new town of Concordia with twenty-five 
cents in his pocket. He left home with enough to pay his car fare from June- 




300 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

tion ('if ■ -de. and started to finish In- journey on foot, but a kindly 
fanner gave him ;i ri<le in his wagon. Mr. Pepperell says should he live 
a centur) he could never forget the appearance of Mrs. Truesdell, in her 
-ilkon gown, as -in- summoned him into her presence He had expected to 
Ik.- ushered into a hearing with a grim-visaged landlord instead of this gra- 
cious woman, who appeared t<> him like a queen. She was a handsome 
woman and her grace appealed to the little stranger, a- she mapped out a 
routine of duties for him to perform. Late in the afternoon Mrs. [Yuesdell 
discovered a look of weariness "ii the boy's face and thinking he may not 
have dined, true to her kindl) nature, ordered a hunch prepared For him. 
Mr. Pepperell asserts that was the most sumptuous meal he ever partook 
of in his life, not excepting the scores of banquets he has since attended 
He found a home with Mrs. Truesdell, a home in all that the word implies, 
and for a halt dozen years l"-t hi- identity and was known as "Billy" Trues- 
dell. In the meantime "iir subject had established a reputation for shrewd- 
ness, coupled with honor and integrity, the first requisites to success; and 
when the hotel burned down he was offered a clerkship, Inn refused a posi 
tn in with a -alary to enter the law ■ Laing & Wrong, thai he might 

satisfy his longing for knowledge, an exceptional sacrifice for a penniless 
boy, l>nt a wise one, for here he acquired In- business education, and at 
expiration of one year had gained enough knowledge to form an association 
with X. E. Carpenter, an attorney and justice of the peace, in the real estate 
business. From this period he began to rise and in [882, before having 
reached hi- majority, he was elected chairman of the Democratic county con- 
vention, and turned down an appointment, under Governor Glick, because 
lie had aspirations to become postmaster in < oncordia. In (884 he was 
elected a delegate to the national convention and also a member of the hem 
ocratic central committee, with which body he is still identified and has 
been secretary of for twelve years. This bod) comprises five counties. He 
became a candidate for postmaster in (885 and, succeeding a hard fight, 
which continued through eleven months, Mr. Pepperell was placed in official 
position, under 1 'resident Cleveland's first administration, and served with 
marked satisfaction for three years. Being among the following who believe 
"to the victor belongs the spoils," Mr. Pepperell resigned, under President 
McKinley's reign, six months prior to the expiration of his term, lie wa~ 
again chosen a delegate to the National convention that convened in 1892 
and nominated ex-President Cleveland the second time. No better evidence 
of the efficient service he gave the people could lie given than his second 
appointment to the position of postmaster in 1893. with virtually no opposi- 
tion, and held the office another four years. His popularity among political 
circles is shown by repeated gifts of the people and those in office. July 1. 
1898. he was appointed a director of the penitentiary by Governor Leedy and 
filled that office one and a half years. Mr. Pepperell also has an enviahle fra- 
ternal record. He has been through all the chairs of the Ancient Order of 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 301 

United Workmen, and has been a delegate to the grand lodge for sixteen 
consecutive years, without missing a session. 

In December, 1886. Mr. Pepperell was married to Miss Josephine Par- 
adis, a popular Concordia young woman. Mrs. Pepperell is receiver for the 
auxiliary department of the Ancient Order of United Workmen for the state 
of Kansas. They are the parents of one son, William Earl, aged fourteen, 
who has a fine school record. Since he began his school career his report 
cards have ranked first in every instance but two; in these they ranked sec- 
ond. Mr. Pqiperell's parents are both deceased, his father dying in 1897 
and his mother in 1884. They died in Grand Junction, where they settled 
upon coming to America. He has two older brothers, Thomas L. and 
Andrew, and one sister, Mrs. Sarah Jane Mannering. Mr. Pqjperell has 
continued in the real estate business through his political career and has 
been excq)tioualIy successful ; large sums of money are placed through his 
agency and he is entrusted to the management of extended interests. He 
represents several of the leading insurance companies, and whoever gives 
Mr. Pepperell their patronage is sure of courteous and careful consideration 
— the key to his success and popularity. No citizen has done more for the 
upbuilding of Concordia than he. No project is promoted that he is not a 
conspicuous figure and he has conducted the politics very acceptably to the 
Democracy of Cloud county. 

RAINES & NELSON. 

The firm of Raines & Nelson is composed of Dr. T. E. Raines and Dr. 
George E. Nelson, of the homeopathic school of medicine. Dr. Raines, the 
senior member of the combination, began his professional work in Concordia 
in the early 'eighties. His practice has steadily increased since that time 
until his services are constantly in demand. Dr. Raines is a skilled physician 
and surgeon and when his attention is not engaged in attending his patients 
he is delving deeper into the researches of science, thus keeping abreast of 
the times. Raines & Nelson constitute the health officials of Cloud county. 
The Raines residence is one of the most comfortable homes in the city; 
while modest without it is elegant in its interior appointments. He and his 
family are accorded a conspicuous place in the social ranks of Concordia's 
citizens. 

Dr. George E. Nelson is a native of Republic county. Kansas. He is a 
son of James Nelson, a prominent farmer and stockman well known thr< nigh 
his specialty as a breeder of pure Poland China hogs, having made one of 
the best records in this line as far west as Republic county. He is a grand- 
son of the late Reverend Nels Nelson, Sr., of whom an extended account is 
given in the data of the Jamestown vicinity. James Nelson settled in Grant 
township, Cloud county, in 1869, but a year or more later traded his home- 
stead for a team and pre-empted eighty acres of land in Republic county, 
two mrles north of the Cloud county line. Dr. Nelson's mother was Mary 



302 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

Hansen before her marriage, and is a sister to John O. Hansen, the popular 
Jamestown postmaster. Dr. Nelson is the second of four children: Minnie 
is the widow of C. M. Houghton, who died in 1902, leaving his wife, two 
suns and two daughters. Charles R., the third child, is a student of the Kan- 
sas City Homeopathic Medical College, where Dr. Nelson matriculated, and 
will complete his course in 1903. Dr. Nelson lias been given superior educa- 
tional advantages. After leaving the common school he entered the Man- 
hattan Agricultural College, where he pursued a scientific course during the 

•ions of 1894-5, 1895 6 and [896-7. To further his knowledge of Latin 
he entered the Emporia State Normal School. Medicine was Dr. Nelson's 
cho>cn profession; from boyhood he had dreamed of becoming a physician. 
In 1898 he entered the Kansas City Homeopathic Medical College and grad- 
uated from that institution in March. [90] ; came to Concordia directly aft- 
erward and became associated with Dr. Raines, with whom he had practiced 
the year prior, on a student's license. Thus it will be seen Dr, Nelson has 
ni 1 had the obstacles to contend with that confronl mam voting men lie 

ns to be one time's favored ones, reaping the harvest sown by Ins 

father and distinguished grandfather. To many self-made 
young men his life would seem "a ha] j." 

Drs. Raines & Nelson have hands. .me office quarters on tin- second floor 
< if the ( aldvvell Bank building. 

EDWARD .1. ALEXANDER. 

The present county clerk of Cloud county. Edward J. Alexander, who 
was elected to fulfill the requirements of that office by the Republican party 

in November, 1902, has been a resilient of Concordia since the autumn of 
1885, when he accepted a clerkship in the llinman dry goods store and con- 
tinued in that capacity until, as a candidate, he started on In- electioneering 
tour. Mr. Alexander is a native of Kankakee, Illinois, l M .rn in i860, of 
French I in parentage. His family consists of a wife and tin- daughter 

of a brother, whose wife is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander adopted the 
little girl, who is now thirteen years of age. The family are members of the 
Catholic church. Mr. Alexander is identified in a prominent way with the 
Catholic Order of Foresters. He has represented the order as a delegate 
to different conventions for several years. Mr. Alexander is an accommo- 
dating official and worthy of the office bestowed upon him by the people of 
Cloud county. 

ARTHUR E. REXARD. 

A. E. Renard, of the firm of Choquette & Renard, furniture dealers. 
and also a member of Renard Brothers' Xew York Grocery, is a native of 
France, born near Paris in 1867. He is a son of John B. and Zella (Xeveux) 
Renard. also natives of France. Mr. Renard's father was a telegraph dis- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 303 

patcher; he emigrated to Saline county, Kansas, in 1871, where the family 
resided until 1895, when they came to Concordia, since which time he has 
lived a retired life. John B. Renard served seven years in the army of 
France as a musician, which took him over various parts of Africa, South 
America and the West India Islands. He visited his native country in 
1889 and again, accompanied by his wife, in 1898. The venerable father 
of the Renard brothers, when a soldier with the French army, was stationed 
from 1 85 1 -4 at St. Pierre, the seaport recently destroyed by the eruption of 
Mount Pelee. He, together with other soldiers of his company, climbed to 
the summit and reported finding the ground hot like an oven. Many of the 
company could not reach the top and fell back overcome with the intense 
heat. With this experience Mr. Renard naturally feels much interest in the 
volcanic eruption of Mount Pelee. 

A. E. Renard's paternal grandparents came to America in 185 1 and 
were thirty-two days crossing the water. They settled in Indianapolis. Indi- 
ana, and in 1878 came to Kansas, where they both died in 1885, at the age 
of eighty-four years. Mr. Renard, the subject of this sketch, was educated 
at the Salina Normal School, where he took a commercial course and grad- 
uated in 1891. In his early life he worked on his father's farm (which he 
still retains), but after finishing school clerked two years in a grocery store 
and then accepted the position of cashier in the Ellsworth County Bank, 
where he remained three years. In 1895 he came to Concordia, forming a 
partnership with his two brothers, Aurore and Jule V., and established the 
popular grocery known as the New York Grocery. They carry one of the 
largest stocks in the city and control, in connection with this business, the 
entire ice trade in the city, doing a business of six thousand dollars annu- 
ally in the ice trade, and from twenty-five thousand to thirty thousand dol- 
lars in the groceiy, and employ nine men. 

In 1898 the Renard brothers formed a partnership with N. J. Choquette 
in the furniture business, with a capital stock of about four thousand dol- 
lars. They have, in connection, an undertaking department and make a 
specialty of this line. Mr. Renard is a licensed embalmer of the state of 
Kansas, a student of the Champion Embalming College of Kansas City. 
Although a comparatively new firm, they do an annual business of from 
twenty thousand to thirty thousand dollars and are steadily increasing. 

A. E. Renard is one of four sons: Aurore, Jule A*, and Emile, the 
latter living on a farm in Saline county, Kansas. The Renard brothers own 
eight hundred acres of fine bottom land in the heart of the wheat belt in 
Saline county and raise on an average eight thousand bushels annually. 

Mr. Renard was married in 1895 to Virginia Serrault, who was born 
and reared on a farm in Saline county, Kansas. To this union three children 
have been born, viz: Lewis, the eldest child, and a pair of twins, a buy and 
girl, Marcellus and Marcella, aged two years. Mr. Renard is something -1 
an inventive genius; he has patented an extensible iron bedstead, which can 
be changed from three-quarter to full size, and is destined to become a pop- 



3°4 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



ular piece of furniture adapted to small rooms, etc. He lias patented it in 
the United States and has applied for same in Canada and Belgium. He lias 
refused twenty thousand dollars for the right in the United States. He is 
also patenting a buckle and a revolver. Mr. Burger is interested in the lat- 
ter. The gun will shoot sixteen shots and has no cylinder. A magazine is 
supplied instead and acts by motion of the trigger throwing the cartridge 
into the magazine. 

Mr. Renard is a member of various lodges and insurance companies, 
among them the Woodmen of the World. Catholic Foresters, Home Forum, 
Modern Tontines, has been past commander of the Maccabees and has been 
through most of the chairs oi the orders of which he is a member. Polit- 
ically he is a Populist, though not radical in politics. Himself and family 
are members of the Catholic church, of which lie is a trustee. Mr. Renard 
is considered one of the reliable business men of Concordia, being industri- 
ous, enterprising and public spirited. In the summer of [902 the Renard 
Brothers purchased the interest of X. J. Choquette and continue business at 
tin- same place. 

IK >NI )K \ I'd.l. \". B. BR< >WN. 

The magnificent residence overlooking the Republican valley from its 
location on the summil of a bill to the westward of Concordia, is the home 






Col. Brown's Residence. 

of Colonel X. B. Brown, one of Cloud county's distinguished citizens. On a 
fine summer day the landscape, as seen from this imposing site, is one of rare 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



305 



and picturesque beauty. Looking- down upon the city to the east are hand- 
some homes, public buildings, churches, with their spires gleaming in the 
sunlight, almost hidden within a forest of trees and shrubbery. To the 
west and north the productive and fertile valley of the Republican river 
stretches far beyond, and outlined against the sky is a terraced line of purple 
hills, marvelous panorama of natural beauty and one of the most enchanting 
views of the entire valley. 

ALBERT R. MOORE. 



The subject of this brief sketch is Albert R. Moore, who has, for the 
past five years, filled the important office of county clerk of Cloud county. 

He was born March 30, i860, in the state 
of Iowa, his parents moving to Ohio while 
he was yet a babe. Four years later they 
emigrated to Missouri, where they remained 
until October, 1883. when they located in 
Cloud county, Kansas. His father was a 
farmer, a native of Iowa, a sojourner in 
Ohio and Missouri, but settled on a farm in 
Arii m township. Cloud county, Kansas, in 
November, 1883. where he died ten years 
later. His mother's maiden name was Ken- 
nedy ; she was born and reared in the state 
<if Ohio, where she died when Mr. Moore 
was but three years of age. From this mar- 
riage three children were born, Laura B., 
Albert R. and Alonzo G. 

Previous to his election as county clerk, 
Mr. Moore's entire life was spent upon the 
farm, where neither time nor opportunity af- 
forded the necessary schooling so needful to the youthful mind. During the 
political whirlwind that swept Kansas in the early 'nineties and caused such 
transformation of public sentiment, he studied closely the various problems of 
general interest and was thoroughly conversant with, the most intricate ques- 
tions of national importance and magnitude. Politically .Mr. Moore has always 
been a Republican, and was nominated by that party and elected in [897, when 
his three colleagues were defeated and the opposition party was at its zenith. 
During his term of office his cheerful, pleasant and obliging manner won for 
him many new friends, and he was re-elected in 1899 by a much larger 
majority, while his three political colleagues were again defeated. In the 
spring of 1900 he was elected a member of the city council, but resigned in a 
short time that he might devote himself more fully to other important 
matters. 

In December, 1897, Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Millie, the 




Albert R. Moore. 



306 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

youngest (laughter of Alfred and Elizabeth Dot-mi. wlm emigrated from 
West Virginia in 1870 and settled on a homestead in Arion township. Cloud 
countv, Kansas. To Mr. and Mrs. Moore three children have been born, 
viz: Norman. Ross and Lawrence. 

Mr. Moore is also an earnest advocate of Christianity and preaches Eor 
the Church of Christ at Concordia, as well as other points, lie 1- one of 
the few who assisted in the erection of a house of worship in the city of 
Concordia, which is neither sectional, factional or denominational. This 
house was built by worshippers alone, for the purpose of worship alone. 
In business Mr. Moore is clever, progressive and enterprising. He has 
acquired more than the average degree of knowledge and is a man of rec- 
ognized ability and authority on various questions of vital interest and 
importance. In religion he sees no creed but the Bible, no faith but the 
Christ. In his official capacity he is competent; courteous, kind and obliging, 
and those who know him best are his warmest friend-. 

ERNEST V. KING. 

Success in photography more than in almost any other business or pro 
fession depends upon the natural endowments and the Illness of the indi- 
vidual who has chosen that held for his labors. To become even a mediocre 
in the art. the operator must exercise his faculties incessantly, for. while 
frequenting picture shops, t | ie author has discerned thai even the most pro- 
ficient are tar from being invariably sure of results. Whatever the skill of 
the photographer max- be, however well adapted for his chosen calling, he 
does not gain prominence without extended and intense application to work. 
The subject of this sketch. E. Y. King, many of whose photographs furnish 
illustrations for this volume, has made rapid gains toward the goal of his 
ambitions, since establishing his studio in Concordia in August. [897. Mr. 
King "loves art for art's sake," and seemingly does not recognize a limita- 
tion. He is an indefatigable worker and can be found in bis stud;., from 
early morn until the lengthening shadows drive him from the work be- 
seems to have an irresistible passion for, and which makes it possible for him 
to acquire skill. Mr. King is young in years, having been born in 1^74. but 
there is no time in the life of an artist (for a photographer must be an 
artist to succeed) when he is not a student. Lincoln. Nebraska, is the place 
of his nativity. He was reared in his native state and began his present 
vocation as an apprentice with William Griffin, of Hebron, Nebraska. Mr. 
King conducted a gallery for one year prior to his advent in Concordia. 
He has a commodious and up-to-date studio on the second floor of the Dun- 
ning block, and has built up a lucrative patronage. He employs W. E. 
Gates, a practical photographer. Mr. Gates is formerly of Ohio, the state 
of his birth, but with bis parents emigrated to Nebraska, where he and Mr. 
King were friends in their boyhood days. 

Mr. King was married in the spring of 1897 anc ^ n ' s family is repre- 



VBUC i 






HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 309 

sented by a wife and two sons, Lyman and Karl. The illustration on the 
opposite page shows the growth of Lyman, their first born, and also demon- 
strates the progress Mr. King has made in art in the intervening space of 
time. Mr. King is a Republican politically, is a member of the city council 
and the member-elect of the school board from the Third ward. Mr. and 
Mrs. King are charter members and active workers of the Christian church, 
Mr. King- beine one of the church officials. 



■s 



NAPOLEON JOSEPH CHOQUETTE. 

N. J. Choquette is one of the substantial business men of Concordia. 
He is a native of Canada and was born in 1863. He is of French extrac- 
tion on his father's side, but his maternal ancestors were of Scotch origin. 
He is a son of Napoleon and Theresa (McDuff) Choquette, both natives 
of Canada. 

N. J. Choquette is a graduate of St. Cesaire Commercial College of the 
class of 1883. He started in life as a clerk in his own town. St. Damase, in 
a general merchandise store. In 1889 die came to the United States, locat- 
ing at Fall River, Massachusetts, where he filled the position of bookkeeper 
for two years. In 1891 he came west and stopped at Concordia. He was 
penniless and in debt ere he obtained employment. With a five weeks' board 
bill confronting him he secured a clerkship in the grocery store of C. A. 
Betourney, which position he held for nine years. At the expiration of this 
period he became associated with Mr. Renard in the furniture business and 
by their thrift, enterprise and close attention to business they built up an 
extensive and lucrative trade. In 1902 Mr. Choquette sold his interest in 
the furniture house of Choquette & Renard and after a few months had 
elapsed he opened a place of business on Main street, between Washington 
and Broadway. His stock is new and fresh and Mr. Choquette will doubt- 
less command his share of the patronage. 

Mr. Choquette was married in 1890 to Mrs. Minnie Ragsdale, who 
died in 1894, leaving a child by a former marriage, who now resides with 
her grandparents in Iowa. In 1897 he was married to Ella Smith, a pop- 
ular young woman, who had been employed in the primary grades of the 
Concordia schools for several years. She is a native of Iowa and received 
her educational training at Monticello. They are the parents of a bright 
and interesting little daughter four years of age. The Choquettes have a 
very desirable home near the end of Sixth street. Mr. Choquette is a Repub- 
lican voter, a member of the Order of Maccabees, Knights of Pythias and 
the Modern Tonties. 

PARK B. PULSIFER. 

The legal profession is represented in the city of Concordia by some 
exceptionally bright talent and among those who have won marked dis- 
tinction as a leading member of the bar within the space of a comparatively 

19 



no 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



few years is Park IS. Pulsifer. For five years prior to casting his future with 
that of Concordia Mr. Pulsifer was associated in the office of the well-known 
attorneys, Taylor & Pollard, of St. Louis, one of the leading linns of that 
citv. Mr. Pollard, an ex-congressman from the Tenth Missouri district, is 
an uncle of Mr. Pulsifer. Mr. Pulsifer lias come to the trout rapidly since 
he came to Cloud county in 1SS5 and proven himself especially adapted to 
the profession. He is a popular and logical speaker, has been engaged in 
manv important case- and is regarded as one of the most shrewd attorneys 
in northwest Kansas. 

VIVIAN I'.. ZIMMERMAN, M. 1). 



Among the young physicians of the county few have gained mine 
prominence in the same length of time than Dr. Vivian E. Zimmerman, the 
subject of tins sketch. Not far distant from the city of Denver, among the 
foothills of Weld county, Colorado, he first opened his eyes to the light of day. 
in the year 1877. lie is a son of A. J. Zimmerman, of Grant township 
(see sketch), and with his parents came to Kansas in 1X78. lie received his 

rudimentary education in the district 
schools and by pursuing his studies 
at hoine, for, as a hoy. he was a stu- 
dent, and early in life had dreams 
and aspirations tending toward a 
professional career. When a lad 
about six years of age he sustained a 
serious loss in the death of his moth- 
er, a woman of gentle and noble char- 
acter. After her demise he was 
taken into the home of his paternal 
grandparents. His boyhood days 
were not all sunshine, hut he worked 
his way through the common branch- 
es, and his determination to gain a 
profession rendered the undertaking 
possible. Not at the instigation of 
family or friends did he choose the 
career of an M. D., but from youth 
adopted medicine as his choice and 
never wavered from his purpose. 
Prior to studying medicine, however, 
he entered upon a course of pharmacy 
at home, more as a means of gaining 
the desired end. than from a taste for that calling. At the age of 
seventeen vears he secured a position as drug clerk and continued 
in that capacity betw-een three and four years. In the meantime 




Dr. Vivian E. Zimmerman. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 311 

lie read medicine with Dr. C. I. Tidd, of Geneva, Iowa, and later with 
Dr. G. L. Goss. of Sheffield, Iowa, gaining- a credit of one year in the med- 
ical college of St. Joseph, Missouri. After two years in that institution, his 
first experience in professional work was ' at Longford, Kansas, in the 
autumn of 1900, under a preceptor. Desiring more complete medical knowl- 
edge he subsequently entered the Nashville Medical College, graduated from 
there in the spring of 1901 and returned to Longford. In December of the 
same year he located in Concordia, where he has since been established. 
January 16, 1902, he received the appointment of county physician and held 
that office one year in connection with his private practice, which is steadily 
increasing. Cramping restrictions incident to financial situations were expe- 
rienced in Dr. Zimmerman's struggle to gain a profession and he has 
encountered many obstacles along his career, requiring much energy and 
•courage to tide over these years of anxiety. However, success came as it 
invariably must to the energetic and faithful. It may safely be predicted 
that the future years hold for Dr. Zimmerman professional honors. He is 
a close student, devoted to his profession, and, like hundreds of western 
young men, is self-educated and self-made, a demonstration which carries 
with it a recommend. 

HONORABLE WILLIAM T. SHORT. 

William T. Short, one of the prominent residents of Concordia, ex-rep- 
resentative and well-known building contractor, was the first white child 
born in the township where his parents resided in Stark county, Indiana. 
His birth occurred May 20, 1847. He is a son of Job and Nancy Short, 
who were both born in Sussex county, Delaware, in the years 1812 and 
1810, respectively. They were married in 1830 and eight years later emi- 
grated to Cass county, Indiana, and thence to Stark county, where they 
remained thirteen years and then removed to Plymouth, in the same state. 
When they left their native Delaware there were not many railroads in exist- 
ence, especially to the westward, and the greater part of their journey was 
accomplished on flatboats that plied the Ohio river. Their neighbors in the 
new home consisted largely of wild Indians, but with the industry and per- 
severance that characterize the pioneer of every country, they cleared a 
farm in the wilderness and gained a home. Their family consisted of nine 
children, six sons and three daughters, four of whom are living. Mr. 
Short's parents were also pioneers of Kansas. They settled in Washington 
county, five miles east of Clyde in 1867 and subsequently removed to Con- 
cordia, where they lived until their deaths. The paternal ancestry of Mr. 
Short were Danish, his forefathers having emigrated to Delaware in the 
sixteenth century. They are a long lived race, all having lived to a ripe old 
old age. 

Mr. Short received a good common school education at Plymouth, Indi- 
ana, and pursued an academic course, but ere he had finished he enlisted his 



312 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

services to sustain the stars and stripes. He was a member of Company E, 
One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Indiana Regiment. After being- discharged 
he re-entered school, but in 1866 lie began learning the trade that has brought 
him good financial returns. That he might more fully complete the require- 
ments he went to Chicago in 1871. where he resided until 1873, when he 
came to Concordia, his present home and where probably he has creeled 
more buildings than any other two men who have been engaged in con- 
tracting. 

Mr. Short has always been an uncompromising Republican, voted while 
in the army for Abraham Lincoln in 1864 and has clung to the "old bark" 
through evil as well as good repute. He was elected to represent Cloud 
County in the legislature in the autumn of 1898 and re-elected in 1900. In 
the various orders with which he is associated he has advanced to the highest 
office in the lodge, lie is identified with the Knights of Honor, Knights of 
Pythias. Modern Woodmen of America. Knights of the Maccabees and 
Grand Army of the Republic. He has served three terms as member of the 
city council and two terms on the board of education in Concordia. In sum- 
ming up his characteristics, social and official career, Mr. Short jocosely 
remarked. "I am a full-blooded Methodist, hut have not been working at 
the business much of late." 

Mr. Short was married October 7, 1877, to Miss Belle V. Hale, of 
Jewell county, Kansas. Mrs. Short left Nova Scotia, the place of her nativ- 
ity, when twelve years of age and became a citizen of Kansas. To then- 
union have been born two promising sons, Rial A., born September 1, [878, 
and Floyd L.. born June 16, 1881, and a little daughter, Garnett E., born 
January 27, 1892. 

THE DEPARTMENT STORE OF SCOTT & LIXTZ. 

The history of Concordia would be incomplete if particular attention- 
were not called to the far-seeing sagacity and business acumen of the two 
young men. M. D. Scott and F. W Lintz, wdio have overleaped obstacles 
that would have seemed to many more experienced merchants insurmounta- 
ble. They are successors to Kennett, Matson & Scott, who laid the founda- 
tion for what has become one of the most complete and up-to-date enter- 
prises in Cloud county. They draw a large patronage from the surrounding 
towns even beyond the limits of their own county. The firm was organized 
in 1896. Homer Kennett, who had been a prominent lawyer for some fifteen 
years in Concordia, Mr. Matson. wdio had been associated with him in the 
profession for about five years, and M. D. Scott, the junior member of the 
combination, who was employed as clerk in the Bon Marche, discovered 
there was an opening for a first-class dry goods and general merchandising 
establishment in the city of Concordia, and accordingly opened a store in 
the building formerly occupied by John Harkness. They first carried an 
exclusive dry goods stock and occupied one room only. One year later they 



r 



w 

H 

X 

H 

M 







-stssiaisaATw 



HISTORY OB' CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 315 

added shoes. The house prospered and gradually grew in proportions until 
in March, 1899, they were compelled to purchase the E. T. Dunning stock 
of groceries, thus enabling them to enlarge their capacity. This firm also 
conducted a general 'merchandise store at Cuba, Republic county, Kansas. 
In October, 1902, M. D. Scott and F. W. Lintz formed an association and 
bought the entire interests of Kennett & Matson. From this date began a 
revolution of affairs. While the old firm was built on a solid financial 
foundation, the day and age demand modern establishments, and the new 
combination, not lacking in taste for the beautiful and artistic, as well as 
business ability, closed out their stock of groceries at retail within sixty days, 
threw out the partition, remodeled the entire interior and filled the one 
extensive room with a complete stock of dry goods, shoes, gents' furnish- 
ings, carpets and matting. Their stock invoices in the vicinity of thirty 
thousand dollars and is turned about three times annually. Their patron- 
age is constantly increasing and requires the services of twelve people reg- 
ularly and an additional force during special sales. 

The capital stock in the beginning of this organization was small, but 
not limited, however, for the senior member of the firm had ample funds, 
while Mr. Scott furnished the experience which ultimately proved a win- 
ner, and to all concerned a good financial investment. The following biog- 
raphies of the present firm will be of interest to their patrons as well as 
their legion of friends, for they are both exceedingly popular socially as 
well as in the business world : 

M. D. Scott is proud to herald the fact that he is a native Kansan, 
having been born in Americus, Lyon count}-, in December. 1870. His 
father, W. C. Scott, homesetaded in Lyon township, Cloud county, just 
over the line from Ottawa, in 1871. In 1885 his parents removed to Con- 
cordia, where Mr. Scott was educated and began the clerkship that was but 
a stepping stone to an important mercantile career. His father's family 
are now residents of Oklahoma. Mr. Scott is one of three children, a 
brother in Aurora, Kansas, and Mrs. L. E. Abbott, of Concordia, is a 
sister. Our subject's mother died when he was a small lad and by a sec- 
ond marriage there was one child. The fifth day of the fifth month in the 
year 1895, Mr. Scott was married to Miss Louise Crumrine, who for three 
years had been a popular teacher in the Concordia city schools. One child 
has been born to gladden their home — a little daughter, Frances, aged one 
and one-half years. 

F. W. Lintz, the junior member of the firm, although several years 
on the sunny side of middle life, has had years of experience. He began 
battling for supremacy at the age of ten years. After following various 
minor vocations of uphill sailing he signed as clerk for the Burnham-Hanna- 
Munger Dry Goods Company, of Kansas City. Mr. Lintz began at the 
foundation — that of a stock boy — piling overalls; but his genius was ver- 
satile and two years later found him on the road as a special salesman. 
His activities in this line were a success, and subsequently he was placed 



316 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

in charge of the northeast Kansas territory with a general line of dry goods. 
Mr. I.imz. starting out in life before finishing a regular college course, 
exemplifies the recent statements made by Louis Stem, the great self-made 
\ew York merchant: "The youth who Marts on the lowest rung of the 

der in a ess house has ever) chance of reaching the top if he 

shows energy and will power." In whatever line Mr. Lint/ turned his atten 
tion lie succeeded, and although identified with a firm of fine business men 
he decided to locate permanently. After a year at Beatty and Kansas City, 
Kansas, Concordia, giving much promise, was the town of his eh. .ice: hence 
the association as heretofore mentioned. Mr. Lint/ was born in the itate 

Michigan in [876. He came to Kansas City in [895. lie with In- sister 
Nellie, now with her brother in ( '• <■ ited Denver with an idea of 

locating there prior to his services with the Bumham Hanna-Munger Dry 
1 ods Company. His father. William I!. Lint/, located at Beatty, Kansas, 
hut later removed t<> Kansas City ami subsequently returned t • > their "Id 
Michigan home. There are three s, ,ns and four daughters m the Lint/ 
family: A brother, Henry Lint/, succeeded t" our subject's position as tra 
ing salesman and is also possessed of a combinal on of traits that lead h> 
success. \ sister, Mi^ Xan Lint/. n tin- employ of the 

Manufacturing Company, of Kansas City, Missouri. \ younger 
brother ami a pair of twin I ten years, remain in the home of 

their parents. 

I. W. 1 "1 M -TLA . M. D. 

When a youth fifteen years of age, Do. ! fifey visited an uncle who 
was living near Delphos, Ottawa county, Kansa Hi ambitions asserted 
themselves early in life, and although his advantages had not been very 
auspicious he was resolute and worked his way through the High school, 
beginning with 1883. He taught school alternately for h ■ as a means 

to gain an end: in the meantime took a one year's course in the Campbell 
University of Holton, Kansas. He then came to I oncordia, entered the 
office of Doctor J. H. McCasey and began reading medicine. The office of 
Doctor McCasey is where our subject is now and where he has continued 
since he went in as a student. Doc) fey is another of the hundreds of 

self-made western men. His surplus of cash when he finished his college 
course was eighteen dollars and seventy-five cents. He graduated from the 
Kansas City Medical College in 1893. He became associated with Doctor 
McCasey. but two months later the latter was appointed superintendent for the 
insane asylum at Topeka, and Doctor Coffey continued alone. He is a gen- 
eral practitioner and devotes considerable time to diseases of the eye and 
fitting of glasses, hawing taken a special course in optics while in college. 

Doctor Coffey was born in Greenbnrg. Decatur county, Indiana, in 1866. 
Lie is the only member of the family absent from the home circle. His 
father, Granville Coffey, is a wealthy farmer and stockman; also owns a tile 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



3'7 



factory and a brickyard and is noted as a man of affairs. His residence is sit- 
uated twenty miles from the center of population of the United States, accord- 
ing to the census of 1900. Doctor Coffey is one of four children, two si >ns and 
two daughters. Doctor Coffey has been successful as a practitioner and is 
an esteemed citizen! He was married in 189.; to Miss Zoa Wheeler, the only 
daughter of Mayor and Mrs. S. C. Wheeler. They are the parents of one 
little daughter, Louise, aged seven. Politically he is a Populist, has served 
as coroner two terms and is secretary of the Cloud County Medical Society. 

GEORGE W. BURROUGHS. 



Both in the field of journalism and as a citizen George W. Burroughs, 
the subject of this sketch, has represented the interests of Cloud county. He 
has championed with his pen all measures promoted for the advancement 
of education, morality and religion, without regard to political issues, public 
opinion, or denominational societies. 

Mr. Burroughs came to Concordia in 1900 to take possession of the 
Blade, which he found low in the scale of prosperity. In the spring of 1902 
he formed an association with George A. Clark", ex-secretary of the state 

■ of Kansas, and purchased the Empire, which 
they consolidated with the Blade, under the 
title of the Blade and Empire. On an unhope- 
ful foundation, success due to untiring efforts 
and journalistic qualities made it possible to 
conduct a daily paper in connection with the 
weekly, which is steadily gaining in popular- 
ity, not only because its local columns are 
replete with items of interest, but as an ad- 
vertising medium for the business people of 
Concordia and vicinity. The large subscrip- 
tion lists afford substantial evidence that 
both the Daily Blade and the Blade and Em- 
pire are largely distributed among the read- 
ing public. The equipment of the mechanical 
department of this office is one of the most 
complete in northwest Kansas and is an item 
worthy of remark. The new press on which 
these papers are now printed, is the latest im- 
proved Babcock Reliance, a machine largely 
used in the better class of printing offices. 
It is built to cover a special field — newspaper, 
book and job work. The press can be run at a speed of two thousand an 
hour, as noiselessly as a bicycle, and so smoothly that a full length lead 
pencil set on end on the frame is not jarred off. It occupies a floor space of 
five by eight feet and weighs three and a half tons. 




George W. Burroughs. 



318 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

The Eclipse is a machine that abolishes the old method of hand fold- 
ing; folds, pastes, trims and delivers either four, eight, ten or twelve pages 
with a speed and accuracy that is wonderful. The presses of their job depart- 
ment are also complete to a degree seldom found in the smaller cities. Tins 
conveniently arranged office is located on Sixth street, between Washington 
and State streets. 

Mr. Burroughs, the editor-in-chief and manager of this enterprise, 
is a native of the "Hoosier" slate, horn in Lafayette in 1858. lie was 
reared and educated in that city and began his newspaper career on 
the Lafayette Times shortly after leaving school. From 1881 until 1888 
he was city editor of the I ouisville Courier-Journal and later was identified 
with the Louisville Commercial as editorial writer. After having been con 
nected with various papers in the south, Mr. Burroughs established the Cen- 
tral City Republican at Central City, Kentucky, the only Republican paper 
in the thirteen counties that comprises the third congressional district, lie 
came to Kansas late in the 'eighties and located in Dickinson county, where 
he became the first publisher of the Hope Herald, and subsequently, the 
Abilene Daily and the Weekly Chronicle. .Mr. Burroughs was married 
in 188] to Miss Clara Covert, of Lafayette, Indiana. Two children have 
been horn to them: Covert G., who jv ;, druggist by occupation, and a little 
daughter, Dorris, aged eleven. Mr. Burroughs has pursued his chosen field 
with a rare singleness of purpose and takes a pardonable pride in the suc- 
cess he has attained, ami more especially in Concordia, where he practically 
resurrected one paper, and through the combination of tin- two sheets has 
developed a paper thoroughly" alive. 

CHARLES EDWIN SWEET. 

C. E. Sweet, one of the old residents and hest known business men of 
Concordia, is a native of Homellsville, Xew York, horn in 1848. His father, 
E. D, Sweet, came from Xew York, his native state, to Kansas in 1872, 
and located in Greenleaf, Washington county, Kansas, where he lived until 
his death in 1895. His mother died in 1872. Both his paternal and 
maternal antecedents were of Xew York. 

Mr. Sweet"s early education was limited to a few months' schooling. 
When a youth of seven years he drove a team on the canal, where his father 
owned two hoats and from this occupation he went on to a farm. When he 
came to Kansas in 1872, he carried the mail from Waterville to Washing- 
ton, and later bought the stage line that operated between those two points, 
which he drove for several years. He then employed the services of a driver 
but retained the line until the railroad was built through in 1878. when 
he came to Concordia and formed a partnership with Mr. Burtis, under 
the name of Burtis & Sweet, and established a general stock of hardware 
and implements. Two years later Mr. Burtis sold his interests to J. A. 
Wyer and the firm became Sweet & Wyer, and continued under this man- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 321 

agement for a period of ten years, and were succeeded by Robinson & 
McCrary. Mr. Sweet was then on the retired list for about nine years, but 
retained his residence in Concordia. In connection with Mr. Bloom he 
opened a hardware store in his present quarters on the corner of Sixth and 
Broadway in 1884, under the firm name of Sweet & Bloom. Mr. Sweet 
bought Mr. Bloom's interests in 1888, assuming control and has conducted 
the business continuously and very successfully ever since. 

When the firm of Wyer & Sweet retired from the hardware business 
they organized a bank at Red Lake Falls, Minnesota, and also purchased a 
flour and grist mill as a sort of speculation, and retained their principal 
interests there for about five years. He was also interested for a number 
of years in a foundry, the firm of Sweet & Crider. These enterprises were 
not a financial success, owing to the approaching hard times and inability 
of men in their employ. Mr. Sweet erected the building occupied by his 
present business in 1880. It is a large, two-story brick structure, one hun- 
dred and thirty-two by forty-four feet. He carries an extensive stock of 
shelf and heavy hardware, implements, harness department, paints and oils, 
tin shop and plumbing. He is 'interested largely in real estate and owns 
several business blocks and residences in the city of Concordia. Mr. Sweet 
is a self-made man but has not gained his wealth without his share of early 
struggles. 

Mr. Sweet was married in 1S73 to Emma Height, who was deceased 
in 1S80. In 1893 he was married to Clarissa Coleman, of Bridgeport, Con- 
necticut. Mr. Sweet is a believer in Republican principles and always votes 
that ticket. They are members and active workers of the Methodist Episco- 
pal church. — -[Shortly after the above article was prepared, the Sweet Hard- 
ware Company went under the control of Foote & Ossmann, Mr. Sweet 
withdrawing from the firm.] 

THE SWEET HARDWARE COMPANY. 

Among Concordia's numerous firms with young men at the helm, per- 
haps none have engaged in business under more favorable auspices than the 
proprietors of the Sweet Hardware Company. E. D. Foote and Karl Oss- 
mann, successors to Sweet & Browning. 

This house was widely known under the name of Sweet Hardware 
company, and the new members thought it advisable to retain the familiar 
title. Since Foote & Ossmann assumed control in November. 1902, they 
have been closing out the extensive line of farm implements heretofore car- 
ried in stock, but have doubled their facilities for handling vhicles and are 
opening up the most modern up-to-date class of goods in this line ever 
shown to the trade of Concordia and Cloud county. They earn- shelf and 
heavy hardware and make a specialty of plumbing. Edward Rose, the 
mechanic they employ in this department, is an expert plumber and was 
with Mr. Sweet four years. The extended line of harness that occupies 



322 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

nearly half of their large storeroom is all of their own manufacturej under 
the supervision of that very competent workman, Emile L'Ecuyer. They 
have a large patronage in tins line, as the quality of work and material used 

superior. Mr. Foote lias been a valued employe of the firm for six years, 
hence is familiar with the requirements of the business and favorabl) known 
to the patrons, lie is a Kansan, born and reared in Washington county, 
and lucation in Washington, the metropolis of his native 

county where his father, the pn • clerk of the court, has lived for more 
than a quarter of a century. Mr. Foote's mother is a sister oi C. I Sweet. 
Mr. Foote had an experience of six in. .nth- as a traveling salesman for the 
United States Supply Company of Kansas City, Missouri. 

Mr. Ossmann is a German product, born in the Kingdom of Wurten 

burg in 1870. lie came with his parents to America when fifteen years of 

age, and with them settled in Leavenworth, Kansas. Mr. Ossmann did nol 

a permanent fixture, however, and vacillated considerably. Reared 

in the wagon and vehicle business, he was employed by a St. Louis firm 

r year-. lie traveled two and a half years in Massachusetts, 
selling his line t.. the trade in northwest Kansas and southern Xehraska. 
Mr. Ossmann was married in the summer of ioo_>, which had a tendency 
t>. make him renounce the n ember he became associated with 

Mr. I ti bei m entioned. The) are men of the highesl integrity and 

the same tin,. n their transactions, and 

united with the determined spirit inherent in these young men 
invariably lead to success. 

LESLIE !■:. \m;< HI. 

The subject of this biography is Leslie E. Abbott, proprietor of the 
Concordia Steam Laundry, and successor to Abbott Brothers, having pur- 
chased the interest of R. J. Abbott in 1901. This aiterprise is one of Con- 
cordia's most successful industries, both from a financial view and from the 
character of its work. In February, in. 1 Robert J. and Leslie E. Abbott 
purchased the machinery of the Barons House laundry and removed it to 
a building on West Sixth stree. In 1898 they erected a commodious ston( 
building on Fifth street, near Washington, forty-four by seventy feet in 
dimensions, with a basement in the rear. They had grown oul of their 
quarters on Fifth street, and when they established their new plant the facil- 
ities were increased about one-half. But a short time had elapsed, however, 
when their growing trade called for another increase of capacity and an 
addition was built, new and modern machinery added and among other 
improvements a cistern of five hundred barrels' capacity — a very important 
feature, because this enables them to exclude the use of chemicals or acids. 
The plant is thoroughly equipped for the highest grade of laundry work. 
Their service is uniform in excellence and approaches, perfection as nearly 
as can be done by experts operating the latest improved machinery. A 



o 

o 



C/) 

H 




324 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

large portion of their trade comes from the outside. They receive ship- 
ments of laundry bundles regularly from many of the surrounding towns, 
and also draw trade from the country districts. The annual cash receipts 
of th^ progressive business exceeds ten thousand dollars. They employ 
about one dozen people. 

Mr. Abbott is a native of Hamilton county Kentucky, but when a 
youth his parents emigrated to Ottawa county. Kansas, and settled on a 
farm near Delphos, where they lived until coming to Concordia in 1889, 
eight years later. Mr. Abbott began his career as a printer and after work- 
ing in various offices at Bennington, Minneapolis and Concordia, he 
engaged in the laundry business, being prompted because of the growing 
need of that enterprise in the city. Trior to venturing into business for 
himself he had been manager "\ the Barons House laundry for about three 
years, which was the means ,,f rendering him competent to assume the 
responsibility of a plant of his own, as he had gained five years of experi- 
ence, having worked in the laundry two years before assuming the manage- 
ment. 

Mr. Abbott was married in [892 to Mis^ May Scott, a daughter - 1 
\Y. 1 '. Scott, and a sister of M. 1> Scott, of the enterprising firm of Scotl 
& Lintz. They are the parents of one child, a little son, horn in November, 
1893. Politically Mr. Abbott has followed in the footsteps of his father 
and is a Democrat. lie is a member of the Concordia encampment of Odd 
Fellows. Mr. Abbott 1 e of the most pleasant cottage homes in the 

city, situated on Washington street near Eighth. Mr. Abbott has invested 
much of the proceeds of the business in the improvement and equipment of 
the plant and with the precedence he has gained it is doubtful if another 
laundry could establish a trade in the city. 

W. R. PRIEST, M. D. 

The skill of Dr. Priest, as a physician and surgeon, is acknowledged by all 
who know him and has placed him in the front rank of not only the medical 
fraternity of Cloud county but of the state. Me owes his success in some 
degree, perhaps, to the fact that his life has been spent in the two greatest 
commonwealths of the country. Ohio and Kansas. Ohio is the place of his 
nativity and the latter his adopted state since 1886. Dr. Priest began the 
study of medicine in the Ohio Medical College, which is located in the city 
of Cincinnati, and graduated from there the same year and just prior to com- 
ing to Kansas in 1886. He is a post-graduate from the Chicago Post-Grad- 
uate Medical College in 1895. It may be a revelation to many of Dr. Priest's 
friends to learn that, as a youth, he had aspirations and strong tendencies 
toward a ministerial career, being inclined in that direction for several years, 
or until he had reached his majority. 

Had the visionary idea clung to him Dr. Priest would, in all probability, 
have discharged his duties as conscientiously and labored as indefatigably to 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 325 

have promoted the welfare of the souls of his parishioners as has been dom- 
inant in his character toward saving- the lives of the patients entrusted to his 
care. At the age of twenty-two our subject began reading medicine and in 
the meantime taught several terms of school very successfully. In the city of 
Concordia Dr. Priest laid the foundation of a practice that has increased 
steadily until it extends far over this section of the country. The success he 
has attained as a skillful and expert surgeon has elicited favorable comment 
from all classes of people, and his time and strength are taxed to the utmost 
in attending to his professional duties. For several years Dr. Priest has sup- 
plied the only hospital service in Concordia, which will be discontinued inas- 
much as he will be identified as the attending physician and surgeon at the 
hospital now being instituted by the Sisters of St. Joseph. Dr. Priest takes 
a profound interest in all the plans for the usefulness of this long needed 
enterprise. Besides his general practice Dr. Priest is the physician for the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen of the State of Kansas, examining 
surgeon of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and has filled the same position 
for the Santa Fe Railway for about a dozen years. He is vice-president of 
the National Railway Surgeons and ex-president of the Kansas Medical 
Society. Dr. Priest has recently added fresh laurels to his career by being 
elected general medical examiner of the Fraternal Aid Society during the ses- 
sion of their national convention, which convened in Topeka in May, 1903. 
and this honor was not won without rivalry, for there were six candidates 
in the field. 

Dr. Priest was married in tSSj to Miss Mary Fitzgerald. To their 
union a son has been born, an extremely precocious and interesting little fel- 
low, J. Michael Priest, aged five. Socially Dr. Priest is identified with almost 
every lodge and order except the Woman's Relief Corps. Coupled with our 
subject's acknowledged ability as a professional man are other qualities that 
render him popular among his friends. He is genial, frank and honorable, 
with a generous sprinkling of humor that has been transmitted from his Irish 
ancestry, for the grandparents of Dr. Priest, both paternal and maternal, 
were emigrants from the Emerald isle. 

Dr. Priest has three brothers, one of them a prosperous merchant, 
another an attorney and the third a successful member of the medical fra- 
ternity, of Emerson, Iowa. 

To Dr. Priest's good qualities will be added last but not least a tribute 
to the professional aid he has rendered the young and aspiring physicians, 
several of Cloud county's rising practitioners owing much of their start in 
life to his sincere friendship and advisement. 

LOXG-McCUE LUMBER COMPANY. 

Although the Long-McCue Lumber Company have only been estab- 
lished in Concordia since 1900 they have gained a solid footing and are 
recognized as one of the progressive firms of the city. They purchased 



326 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



ground, erected their own buildings and arc a permanent concern. T. |. 
McCue and R. A. Long are the parties who compose the firm. They also 
"have a yard at Smith Center, a branch of their Concordia yard, and handle 




ng-McCue Lumber i Varus. 

their trade from the latter city. T. J. McCue has the management of the busi- 
- and is a valued citizen of Concordia. R. A. Long is known all over the 
state and has yards in many localities, the Long Lumber < ompany being a 
familiar term, not only in every part of Kansas, but Oklahoma as well. 

SAMUEL CARPENTER PIGMAN, .M. D. 



As a representative of the medical fraternity and as a progressive 
citizen Dr. Samuel C. Pigman is entitled to a prominent place in the annals 
of Concordia. He was born in Wheeling-. West Virginia. He studied med- 
icine in the Jefferson Medical College and graduated from that distin- 
guished institution in 1879. Dr. Pigman began the practice of his profes- 
sion in the east, but three years subsequently emigrated west and settled 
four miles south of Jamestown. In 1888 he removed to Concordia, where 
his success as a general practitioner is apparent. 

Dr. Pigman descends from an old and eminent Maryland family, sev- 
eral of his ancestors being patriots and brave defenders of the colonial 
honor. On the maternal side he is transcended from a race of medical men. 
there having been eight or nine in the profession during the same period. 
He is from a long line of legal lights on the paternal side. His paternal 
grandfather was a noted attorney and numbered such men as Calhoun and 
Webster among his colleagues. He was a member of the Maryland upper 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 329 

house for a dozen years. He married Cloe Hansen, a sister of John Han- 
sen, president of the Continental congress. 

Dr. Pigman treasures a package of letters written by his distinguished 
grandparent. They are scholarly productions, replete with the thought of 
the age, and from their transmission it is definitely determined he was a 
Whig and disfavored bond-service or the subjection of one person to the 
will of another, for he writes : "I prefer western Maryland, for there are 
no slaves there." Our subject's father, Nathaniel Pigman, was born in 
western Maryland, but early in life removed to Wheeling, West Virginia, 
and opened the office of the Adams Express Company in that city in 1854, 
and remained the company's agent until his death in 1865. 

Dr. Pigman was married in 1885 to Miss Mary Moore, a daughter of 
Dr. D. E. Moore, who was a resident of Cloud county for several years 
and during its early settlement. He is now a citizen of Osage county. 
Kansas. Mrs. Pigman was born in the Sac and Fox agency, while her 
father was stationed there as government physician. Three children have 
been born to Doctor and Mrs. Pigman, a daughter and two sons, Eleanor, 
Craig and Nathaniel. 

Politically Dr. Pigman is a pronounced advocate of solid Republican 
principles. He was appointed coroner by Governor John A. Martin to 
fill a vacancy, and was later elected to that office one term. Being inter- 
ested in educational progress, Dr. Pigman was a worthy member of the 
board of education in Concordia for a period of four years. He was 
appointed secretary of the board of examiners for pensions by President 
McKinley. during his first administration, and continues in that capacity. 
He is a member of the American Medical Association, of the State Medical 
Association and of the Cloud County Association. He has been prominent 
in "Masonry for seventeen years, belonging to the Chapter, Commandery, 
Knight Templar, Royal Arch and has passed through all the chairs of the 
order with the exception of past commander. Dr. Pigman is not only 
prominent in his profession, but he has advanced the interests of his fellow 
citizens and the progress of the city. During the active years of his life 
he has been a thoughtful student and has acquired a broad fund of knowl- 
edge, and this, coupled with his humorous, jocose manner and witticisms, 
make him a companionable and popular fellow. 

JOSEPH H. CLINE. 

There is such a vast amount of competition in every line of business that 
the commercial world is pretty well occupied with "bread-winners," each 
clamoring for success and a preponderance of the almighty dollar, but the old 
maxim which reads "There is always room at the top," applies to such com- 
petent men as J. H. Cline, who is widely known as a reliable and substantial 
business man. owner and proprietor of the Concordia roller mills, one of the 
best paying enterprises in Cloud county. 

Mr. Cline was horn in Lycoming county. Pennsylvania, in 1864. He 



33Q 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



inherited his thrift and industry from the good old German stuck. I lis par- 
ents were Daniel Kephart and Mary Caroline (Sciple) Cline. They were 
of German origin, but natives of Pennsylvania, of the class known as Penn- 
sylvania Dutch. His father, after farming a few years, learned the milling 
business and emigrated to Cameron, Missouri, in 1868, where he engaged in 
that business until his death in [882. Mr. Cline's mother died in [867. 
They were the parents of ten children, all of whom are living and scattered 
over various parts of the United States. 

.Mr. Cline was educated in the graded schools of Cameron, Missouri. 
He was practically reared in a mill, but in [875 entered upon a regular 
apprenticeship with his father: applied Himself faithfully and remained with 
the company two years after his father's death in [882, and was interested 
■ of the heirs of the estate. A brother, George \V. Cline, bought the 
interest of the other heirs and still owns and operates the Cameron mills. 
In [884 Mr. Cline went to Nebraska and engineered a mill in [ndianola until 
1888. During this period he took up a homestead, built a "shanty" and held 
aim four years, lie sold at the end of that time and this was in reality 
the starting point of his actual business career. From [ndianola he went to 
Jamison. Missouri, where, in connection with a brother-in-law, E. Y. Lingle, 

they leased a mill which the) oper 
ated until [891, and then, coming to 
Concordia, purchased the Concordia 
roller mills of II. M. Spalding. They 
were associated together until April, 
1898, when Mr. Lingle retired and 
Mr. Cline became sole proprietor. 
The capacity of the mill at that time 
one hundred and twenty-five 
barrels. In the autumn of J 898 it 
was enlarged to two hundred barrels, 
its present capacity. Until 1891 the 
nearest mill was thirty miles distant 
from Concordia and they did an ex- 
tensive home trade. At the present 
time their business is more extended to distant territory. They ship 
into Missouri and all over the eastern part of Kansas. The Concordia roller 
mills were formerly run by steam, which they still retain, in cases of emer- 
gency. The machinery in the mill consists of all modern appliances. 

Mr. Cline was married in 1890 to Etha M. Barthelow, of Missouri. 
Her father was of French extraction, was a carpenter by occupation and 
died when she was an infant. Her mother died in 1880, when Mrs. Cline was 
but ten years old. Mr. and Mrs. Cline are the parents of three manly little 
sons: Owen Clark, Norman Joseph and John William. Mr. Cline is a 
Republican in politics and for two years has been a member of the city coun- 




YVater Going Over the Dam in 1902, Prior 
TO the New Channel. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



331 



cil. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cline are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. In June, 1902, Mr. Cline was elected vice-president of the Kansas 
State Millers' Association. 

ELYVOOD COATE. 



Elwood Coate, the county treasurer of Cloud county, is one of those 
men who command the esteem and confidence of the public in general. In 
light of the above statement the people are to be congratulated in the pi »sses- 
sion of such a trustworthy and conservative man, who administers the duties 
of his office with strict integrity. 

Mr. Coate is a native of the Buckeye state, born in Miami county in 
1843. His father, Samuel Coate, was a farmer, a merchant and for about a 
half century a minister of the Christian church, and had pastoral charge of 
the congregation at Meredith, this county. 
He was a pioneer of Iowa, emigrating there 
from Ohio in 1853 at a time when their 
nearest mill was eighty miles, the distance 
from Marshalltown to Cedar Rapids, and 
when the country abounded with deer and 
elk. and the best land could be bought for 
Si. 25 per acre. He died in Cloud county in 
1896. 

Mr. Coate's mother was also a minister 
of the Christian church. She died in low a 
in 1882. Mr. Coate traces his ■•maternal an- 
cestry to the Furnases, who intermarried 
with the Coate family. John Furnas, of 
Cumberlandshire, England, lived in a town 
called Standing Stone. The father of John 
Furnas was a large owner of real estate, 
and because of his wealth he was known as 
Lord or Peer. They were members of the 
Society of Friends. John Furnas had four sons : 
and Jonathan, the latter two being twins. 

In 1762 John married Mary Wilkinson, in the Friends meeting house. 
The building has since been removed to the town of Wigton and still stands. 
In October of the same year they embarked for Charleston Harbor. South 
Carolina, reaching that point February 18, 1763. Two days after casting 
anchor, and while they were still on ship, their son Joseph, Mr. Coate's 
material grandfather, was born. Thomas and Jonathan also sailed to the 
same harbor. The name was originally spelled Furness. From these brothers 
a long line of ancestry have sprung — several generations. 

Mr. Coate was principally educated in the common schools of Iowa, in 
the pioneer days of that state, and this, coupled with the duties of the farm, 




Elwood Coate. 



William, John, Thomas 



20 



332 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

curtailed his educational advantages. At the youthful age of twenty he 
enlisted in Company I. Second [owa Cavalry, for three years, serving until 
hostilities ceased, a period of eighteen months. During tins tune he was in 
the thickest of the fight, participating in eleven hard fought battles and numer- 
ous skirmishes. A.1 Nashville their brigade was under fire continuously for 
several weeks. His brigade was under the command of General Coon, and 
their division commander was General Ed. Hatch. Aider the war Mr. 
Coate returned to [owa and established himself in the harness business, hut 
owing to ill health discontinued that line and learned the carpenter trade, 
which he followed for eighteen years. In 1885 he came to Kansas and set- 
tled in Oakland township, where four years prior he had secured a quarter 
section of land. He now owns a half section, which is under a high state 
of cultivation, with modern improvements. He is also a horticulturist ami 
has an orchard of over three hundred peach trees, a large apple orchard, 
apricots and small fruits. 

Mr. Coate was l>orn and reared in the faith and principles of the 
Republican party and says he remains the same politically, hut does not 
affiliate with them because they have left him. ami he now votes with the 
Populist party, which elected him to office in 1899. The office for eighl 
irs had been held by the Populists. Mr. Coate was nominated by friends, 
ami at their earnest solicitation allowed his name to go before the coin en 
tion, hut afterward did his part in the campaign. Prior to being elected to 
his present office Mr. Coate had served in minor offices for many years. 

Ik- was married in [866 to Susan Elleman, a daughter of Joseph and 
Anna Elleman, of Ohio. Mrs. Coate died two years subsequently, leaving 
an infant son. Oron M. He is a resident of Iowa and a member of the 
Economy Manufacturing and .Supply Company, of Des Moines. Mr. 
Cdate was married to Sarah Diefenbaugh in [869. She is a daughter ol 
David and Christina Diefenbaugh, of Lewisburg, Preble county. Ohio. To 
this second marriage three children have been horn, two of whom are liv- 
ing-, both sons. Herman E., wdio now lives on and operates the farm, 
filled the position as deputy treasurer in 1893. He was previously employed 
as a clerk in the county clerk's office. For two years he w-as bookkeeper in 
the insane asylum of Topeka, but when Governor Morrill was inaugurated to 
office the Populists were ousted, and, being of that political faith, he had to 

H. E. Coate's family consists of a wife and two daughters, Mabel and 
Viva. The other son is Samuel Rush, who is his father's deputy. He was 
reared on the farm and received his early education in the school of that 
district. In June. 1895, he entered the Kansas Christian College, of Lin- 
coln county. Kansas, and took a two-years' course. He owns a farm in 
Nebraska, where he had lived several years before assuming his position in 
the treasurer's office. His wife was Rose Mills, who came with her parents 
to Kansas from Iowa, when she was a child, and located in Lincoln county. 
Her father was John Mills and now resides in California. Bessie Wilkins, 
the motherless child of Andrew Wilkins, of Nebraska, found a home with 




<L 




Concordia Ice amj Cold Storage Plant, 
One of the City's Latest and Most Extensive Enterprises. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



335 



the family of Ehvood Coate. Ehvood Coate was one of a family of ten 
children, nine of whom are living, and all have families in various parts of 
the country. Mrs. Rose, president of the Woman's Christian Temperance 
Union, of Concordia, is a sister, and J. W. Coate, who lives in the southern 
part of Cloud county, is a brother. He has a brother and sister in Stutt- 
gart. Arkansas, two sisters and a brother in Iowa and one in Oklahoma. 
Mr. Coate was not wholly satisfied with Kansas until the year of the 
World's Fair, when he, with his wife and son, visited Iowa and found the 
attractions there were less than those of Kansas. He has been successful 
from a financial standpoint and does not regret having made a home in the 
Sunflower state. The Coate family have a pleasant home on West Ninth 
and Washington streets, in Concordia, but expect to return to the farm 
when Mr. Coate's office days are over and resume stock raising. The fam- 
ily are all members and active workers in the Christian church. 

GAUDREAU BROTHERS. 

The illustrated interior gives an idea of the well appointed meat market 
of the enterprising Gaudreau Brothers, successors to J. C. Paradis. The firm 
is comprised of Henry and F. F. Gaudreau, who were born in Kankakee, 

Illinois, but who were practi- 
cally reared in Cloud county. 
Their father, the late Nelson 
daudreau, died a few years 
fi 'IK iwing his removal to Buf- 
falo township in 1887. The 
elder member of the firm is a 
man of family. The junior 
member, F. F. Gaudreau, 
was in the employ of J. C. 
Paradis for about five years, 
therefore when they assumed 
control of the business in 
September, 1902, were well 
experienced in catering to the 
trade. Their line of fresh 
and salt meats supply many 
of Concordia's best homes. 
They are young men of sterling worth and have established a first-class busi- 
ness, with prospects of excellent success. 

CONCORDIA ICE AND COLD STORAGE COMPANY. 




Interior View of Gaudreau Brothers Market. 



The citizens of Concordia can now boast of cooling their beverages, 
freezing their own ice cream and the score of other uses for which ice is 
appropriated, by an article pure and unadulterated, manufactured in their 



336 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

own city. This extensive factory, recently instituted in Concordia, prom- 
ises to lead the vanguard in the production of ice and furnish the trade of 
many adjoining cities and villages. Their capacity is fifteen tons daily. 
This enterprise, with its storage capacity of fifty cars, tilled a lout; fell want 
when they began operations about the middle of October, 1902. 

The firm and its officials are composed of John Stewart, president'; 
George (i. Hill, secretary; A. Hirsch, vice-president, and Charles V 
Betournay. treasurer and manager. This well known linn seems to have 
labored with the idea that their reputation was their capital and con < 
quently used nothing hut the best of material in the building of their plant, 
a massive stone structure— the native product —and expended thirty-five 
thousand dollars in its construction. The machinery, which is of the most 
modern. and approved patterns, is all in duplicate form, this pri >n is 

used to 1 tj of having the work retarded in case of break- 

downs and to hold the compartments at a certain temperature, as theii con- 
tracts specify. The engines used are fifty-horse power. The product of 
tins factory is absolutely pure and as colorless as the most brilliant crystal. 
The water is first distilled, then skimmed to remove any foreign matter that 
might he floating on the surfac< reboiled to drive every par- 

ticle of air out, that it may freeze solid; thirdly it is filtered through a 
quartz filter and again through a charcoal purifier and lastly through a 
sponge tiller. The company also have their own dynamo. Their location 
in the vicinity of the depots is a convenient feature, with reference to transit. 
To this enterprise the city of Concordia is indebted to an extent impossible 
to estimate. 

ALVIN LEE WILMOTH. 

It is a quarter of a century since Alvin Lee Wilmoth, the subject of this 
sketch, became a resident of Kansas. Since 1890 he has been a leading citi- 
zen of Concordia, one who has been closely identified with the professional 
and business interests of the city. The Wilmoths settled in Marshall county, 
where his father continued to reside until about a year ago, when he removed 
to Wabaunsee county. Nearly forty years ago Mr. Wilmoth's parents emi- 
grated from Ohio, their native state, to Jasper county, Iowa, where our sub- 
ject was born in 1857. Their residence in Iowa was brief, however, and they 
returned to their former Ohio home and later to Kansas, the "Eldorado" of 
the west. The literary education of Mr. Wilmoth was received in the com- 
mon schools and in the State Normal School of Warrensburg, Missouri. 
Following this institution he entered the State University at Lawrence, and 
after finishing a course in the law department located in Concordia, where he 
formed an association with the late E. L. Ackley, who was a classmate in the 
university. The combination was a prosperous one, building up an extended 
clientage in a comparatively brief time. In 1897 Mr. W. W. Caldwell joined 
them and the firm became Caldwell, Ackley & Wilmoth, continuing as such 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 337 

until the untimely death of Mr. Ackley in August, 1901, when it became 
Caldwell & Wilmoth. Mr. Wilmoth is a firm believer in Republican princi- 
ples and was elected by his party to the office of county attorney in 1894 and 
again in 1896. He carried Cloud county at a time when the country was 
ruled by Populists and was the only Republican elected on the ticket, with 
the exception of Mrs. Brierley, of Glasco. who was elected superintendent of 
schools. That he was an attorney of ability and integrity and considered so 
by the people is evidenced by the overwhelmingly large vote he received. 
He ran ahead of the McKinley electoral ticket in Cloud county in 1896 by 
over one hundred votes. 

Succeeding Mr. Ackley, Mr. Wilmoth served two terms as regent of the 
State University. For ten years he has been attorney for the Missouri Pacific 
Railroad. In educational matters he is especially interested and has been a 
faithful member of the school board for six years. 

Mr. Wilmoth was married in 1892 to Miss Emma T. Dunn, a daughter 
of Dr. D. M. Dunn, now a resident of Minneapolis, Kansas. Dr. Dunn is a 
pioneer in the state and has been active in many enterprises aside from a pro- 
fessional career. He was located at Colby during the "boom" days of that 
town and established the well-known and unique sheet, The Thomas County 
Cat, which was celebrated for its originality. Mrs. Wilmoth is a graduate of 
the State University and while a student there met her future husband. After 
her graduation she became a teacher in the university and taught both before 
and after her marriage to Mr. Wilmoth. To their union two bright little 
sons have been born, William Alvin and John David, aged six and two years, 
respectively. Air. and Mrs. Wilmoth are consistent members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church. Fraternally Mr. Wilmoth is a member of the 
Knights of Pythias Lodge, is a past chancellor and a member of the grand 
lodge. He is also identified with the Order of Elks. 

Having been self-sustaining since a youth and having earned his own 
way through the university, Mr. Wilmoth adopted early in life the habits of 
industry and perseverance, which brought their returns in after years, and his 
influence for good is felt in the advancement of measures for the progression 
of all worthy promotions. The comforts of a pleasant brick cottaage, at the 
foot of West Sixth street, is not the least of Mr. Wilmoth's requitals. 

ASA FORTNEY. 

Asa Fortney, the present clerk of the court of Cloud county, comes 
from good old Virginia stock of French origin. The name was formerly 
spelled Fordney, but after becoming American citizens the name was 
changed by dropping the "d" and anglicized by substituting the "t." The 
name Fortney is found in nearly every state of the Union, a considerable 
number being in the ministry, some are physicians, others are members of 
the legal profession, many have been educators in both public school work 
and in the higher institutions of learning, some have been superintendents 



338 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



of public instruction and others statesmen. Mr. Fortney's grandfather, Dan- 
iel Fortney. was a native of France and married into the Pickenpaugh fam- 
ily, of whom those of Morgantown, Virginia, are a branch. She was a Ger- 
man woman and taught their children to speak their native tongue. They 
emigrated to America in the seventeenth century and settled in Maryland, 
near Harpers Ferry, where they bought land and farmed several years. Rumors 
reached them of a country in the Ear wesl I \ irginia), where the buffalo or 

bison and the lithe-limbed deer wandered 
at will. Animated with a desire to visit 
tins remote region thej sold their posses- 
sions in Maryland and settled in Virginia 
in 1795. They bought land in rre-~t.ni 
county, Virginia (now- included in 
Monongalia county, West. Virginia), 
where they lived until their death. Their 
were Daniel, Henry, Jacob and John. 
The sons of Daniel were John, David, 
William P. and Barton. The sons of 
Henry were Hunter, David M.. Vquilla 
and Jacob. The sons of John were 
Hi-' ■ 1 l.iur. Ji ihn 1 [., Caleb and 

Thomas. The sons of Hunter were 
Elisha, George, Aquilla, John and Asa — 
the subject of this sketch. 

Mr. Fortney received his rudimen- 
tary education in the common schools 
of Virginia, followed by a two-years' 
course in the Mount Union College. lie spenl his earlier life in edu- 
cational work and was a very successful teacher. He had just attained 
his majority when he came to Kansas in 1877. He came on 
a sort of prospecting tour, allured by the desire of obtaining land, 
and purchased one hundred and sixty acres, which he rented. Not heing 
pleased with the newness of Kansas, as a place of residence, he located tem- 
porarily in Illinois and taught school for one year. The following year he 
bought another quarter section of Kansas land. For a year he vacillated 
between the Sunflower state, Illinois and Virginia. But that indefinable 
something that draws people back again who ever tarries within her bor- 
ders, brought Mr. Fortney to Kansas soil again in 1879. Having given his 
attention to ministerial work in the meantime, he supplied the Methodist 
Episcopal churches of Seappo and Fairview, and the next year Greenleaf cir- 
cuit. He ministered one year at Woodbine, Dickinson county, and since then 
he has been engaged in farming and stock raising. He owns three quarter 
sections of land in Sibley and Lawrence townships. Mr. Fortney's father 
was a Whig and one of the organizers of the Republican party and he has 
inherited his father's principles. He Avas nominated by the Republican party 




Ass Fortney. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



339 



at their convention in 1902 and was elected with an easy victory — was high 
man on every batllot. 

Mrs. Fortney, before her marriage, was Adie McKinney and was reared 
in the same Virginia community with her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Fortney 
are the parents of two children, a daughter and a son. Elizabeth Ellen is a 
young lady of eighteen years, who has not yet finished school. William John 
is a school boy of sixteen years. Fraternally Air. Fortney is a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Concordia Encampment. That Mr. 
Fortney will prove a capable, efficient and courteous official is conceded by all 
who know him. As a citizen he is held in high esteem and in his home life 
maintains all the traditions of true southern hospitality. 

TAYLOR & AHLBERG. 

The firm of Taylor & Ahlberg carry one of the best-selected stocks of 
footwear in northwest Kansas. The accompanying illustration shows the 
well-appointed interior of their exclusive shoe store, which would be consid- 
ered a first-clqss enterprise in a much larger city than Concordia. 

The senior member of the firm is J. B. Taylor, who came to Concordia 




Interior View of Taylor & Ahlberg's Exclusive Shoe Store. 

in the interests of the J. Green Lumber Company, and was with that concern 
four years, followed by three years in the grocery business with Peter 
Betournay. Severing his connection with these firms he bought grain for 
various dealers and for himself, and is still interested in that line. Mr. 
Tavlor is a native of Stan fun 1, Lincoln county, Kentucky, where he received 



340 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

a common school education, alternating his studies with farm work, lie 
- married in 1884 to Mary J. (Vaughn) Perkins, a daughter of Charles 
Vaughn, of Iowa, "where she was born. Politically Mr. Taylor is a Demo 
crat and socially he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. 

Since establishing their present business in I oncordia in [896, Taylor 
& Ahlberg have demonstrated their ability to cater to the needs of the pub- 
lic in their line and have built up a large patronage, Their store 1- on Sixth 
street, near the Bon Marche. 

Alfred Ahlberg, the junior member of the linn. is a son "I" Charles 
Ahlberg and the youngest of a family of eight children. Ills father died 
when Mr. Ahlberg was a small boy, and his mother wa^ deceased in [885. 
Mr. Ahlberg was horn in Northport, Sweden, in [859. When thirteen 
; age he apprenticed himself to learn tin- shoemaker's trade, which 
he acquired very thoroughly, serving twelve years, half of that time with- 
out receiving any remuneration for his labors. In [885 he emigrated t" 
America and after a residence of six months in clay ( enter, Kansas, 
.removed to Concordia, where he worked at his trade very successfully until 
[896, when he formed his present association with Mi - . Taylor. There is 

letter workman to In- found than Mr. Ahlb d his knowledge of, 

wear asserts itself in their large and superior clas^ of goods. 

Mr. Ahlberg was educated in the common schools of Sweden. Me is a 

quiet, unassuming business man. who has acquired a good start in 

life by his industry, integrity and personal efforts. 

HONORABLE WILLIAM WILSON CALDWELL. 

Prominent in the business circles of Concordia stands the name of W. 
W. Caldwell, where for years he has been one of the most enterprising and 
public-spirited citizens. To him the city is indebted for several of its most 
pretentious structures, among them the Caldwell Bank building, Layton & 
Neilson block and the "Caldwell Hotel." The latter, just completed, is said 
to be one of the most elegantly equipped and appointed hotels in north- 
west Kansas. The emigrant of the Caldwell family w^as John Caldwell, 
who was born and reared in County Antrim, Ireland. Tired of the povem 
and oppression which English rule produced in his native land, he sought 
the freedom of America and took passage for the LJnited States in 1809. 
But persecution followed him into the New World, for in 181 1 he was 
taken from an American vessel by a British man-of-war and forced into 
severe service, as was the custom of those times. He deserted at Montreal one 
year later and enlisted in the United States army and served until the close 
of hostilities. He subsequently married Miss Mary McClure and estab- 
lished a home in Ross county, Ohio, where James, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born. His mother before her marriage was Miss Elizabeth Shep- 
ard, of Athens. Ohio. She also came of English stock. James Caldwell 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



34i 



moved to Iowa in the early settlement of that state, where W. W. Cald- 
well was born in Jefferson county, November 2, 1840. He grew to man- 
hood on his father's farm, combining the duties thereon with attendance at 
school in Agency City,, finishing his education by attending for one year 
the Denmark (Iowa) Academy. 

He served in the civil war with H. B. Johnson's Independent Missouri 




Honorable \V. W. Caldwell. 



Battery. After the war clouds had passed over he began the study of law 
with R. H. Gilmore, of Keokuk, Iowa. In March, 1866, he removed to 
Savannah, Missouri, where he pursued his studies under the instruction of 
the late James W. Strong, of St. Joseph, Missouri. Mr. Caldwell was 
admitted to the bar in 1870 by Judge Isaac C. Parker, of St. Joseph. While 
in Savannah he served as deputy clerk of the circuit court and was elected 
mayor of that city. He came to Concordia in 1885, and for several years 
was associated with Hale H. Cook and E. S. Ellis under the firm name of 
Caldwell, Ellis & Cook. They had a large clientage in the courts through- 
out northern Kansas. In 1897 Mr. Caldwell organized the firm of Cald- 
well. Wilmoth & Acklev. and conducted an extensive commercial and cor- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 343 

poration practice. Since Mr. Ackley's death, in 1901, the firm has been 
Caldwell & Wilmoth. Mr. Caldwell organized the Citizens' National 
Bank of Concordia in 18S7, and was president of that institution until it- 
consolidation with the First National Bank of Concordia in 1898. 
He is an ardent Republican in politics and has been a member of the Repub- 
lican state central committee, and chairman of the Republican state central com- 
mittee of Cloud county. In 1892 he was on the Republican national ticket 
for presidential elector and was a delegate to the national Republican con- 
vention which convened at Philadelphia, January 19, 1900. Mr. Caldwell 
has been twice mayor of Concordia and was the candidate in the last city 
election. He was defeated by S. C. Wheeler by one vote, after the hardest 
fought battle in the history of Concordia-: Mr. Caldwell is a leader in 
politics, is authority on financial issues and one of the first to expose the 
fallacy of the free coinage of silver. He was an advocate of the main- 
tenance of the "existing gold standard" long before it was written in the 
St. Louis platform in 1896. Mr. Caldwell was married in 1869 to Camilla 
A. Kellogg, of Keokuk, Iowa. Four children have been born to them : 
E ,W., of New York City. J. F., of Hastings, Nebraska. Mrs. J. P. Barrett, 
of Concordia, and Miss Edith, who lives at home. Eugene W. Caldwell, 
their eldest son, has attained success and prominence in the professional 
world. Although but thirty-two years of age he has spent a vear on the 
continent, is lecturer at Bellevue hospital. New York City, and the author 
of a scientific work for the use of the medical fraternity, entitled. "The 
Practical Application of Roentgen Rays in Therapeutics." He is also 
director of the Edward N. Gibbs Memorial N-Ray Laboratory, and the 
Bellevue Hospital Medical College. 

NOE & MOORE. 

The cut on page 344 represents the enterprising livery firm of Xoe & 
Moore, formerly known as the "Barons House" barn. (See sketch of S. H. 
Baron.) 

Andrew Noe, the senior member of the firm became associated with 
C. D. Byrum in the liven- business in 1899. In March, two years later, 
J. R. Ballard purchased the interest of Mr. Byrum and the firm became 
Noe & Ballard. They were successful and witnessed a steady growth until 
they received their share of the patronage. In the spring of 1903 Carl 
Moore bought Ballard's share of the stock and as Noe & Moore, the busi- 
ness will continue to progress, for both are favorably and well known. Mr. 
Noe, the senior member of the firm, has recently purchased the barn — which 
is a fine stone structure — of Mrs. F. E. Barons. 

Mr. Noe is a native of Ogle county, Illinois, born in 1869, but has 
been reared in Cloud county, having settled on a farm with In- parents, 
twelve miles south of Concordia, when he was but nine year- old. His 
father, Samuel Noe, still lives on the farm. His mother died in [899. Mr. 



344 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



Noe was married in 1S83 to Etta, a daughter of Otis Kenworthy, a farmer 
of Smith county. They are the parents of two bright and beautiful chil- 
dren, Lila and Winona. Mr. Noe transcends from a race of divines, both 
his paternal and maternal grandfathers having been ministers. 

( .ul Moore, the other 
member of the firm, is the 
sheriff of Cloud county, 
serving his second term. 
Mr. Moore is one of the best 
known men in the com- 
munity. He was under 
sheriff during the two terms 
Morrisette was in office. Al- 
though horn in Whiteside 
county, Illinois, in 1869, Mr. 
■ ire may be considered a 
Kansas product, for he came 
to Cloud county with his 
1 1.1 rents when hut two years 
old. I le is a son of C. F. 
and M. L. (Curran) Moore, 
both natives of Ohio, hut settled in Illinois soon after the Civil war. His 
father bought land nmr miles smith of Concordia, but in the latter part of 
1880 sold his property there and purchased a farm two miles east of Con- 
cordia, where he lived until recently, when he removed to that city. 

Mr. Moore hecame a voter about the time the Populist party was 
organized and has heen an ardent supporter of its principles. He was elected 
to office by a majority of one hundred and fifty-four and led the ticket by 
eighty-eight votes. In the last election he was one of the two fusion candi- 
dates on the ticket elected. He had previously served two terms as constable of 
Concordia and was city marshal for about six months. 

The combination of Noe & Moore assures their success, for both are 
popular and enterprising men. Their stock of roadsters and vehicles is 
up-to-date and will undoubtedly promote favor and continue to draw large 
patronage. 




Livery Barn 01 V 



TAMES VOSS PRICE. 



The subject of this sketch. James Voss Price, is the venerable father 
of Sylvester Baily Price, one of Cloud county's able commissioners. Mr. 
Price descends from an ancient and patriotic English family, a branch of 
which settled on the Little Peedee river in the state of North Carolina, prior 
to the period of the Revolutionary war. He is a grandson of the patriotic 
John Price who served all through the Revolution under General Marion. 
His father. John Lowry Price, demonstrated his valor by shouldering a 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 345 

musket and rendering duty as a soldier all through the war of 1812, and 
was slightly wounded. He was born on the Little Peedee river but emi- 
grated to Barnes county, Kentucky, in the early settlement of that state and 
where James Yoss Price was born in 1812. In December, 1852, he, with 
his family drove through the country to southern Illinois and arrived at 
their destination, what is now known as "Little Egypt," on Christmas day. 

Our subject's maternal grandfather Yoss, from whom Mr. Price 
received his Christian name, was also a soldier of the Revolution. The Voss 
and Price families settled in North Carolina and in the same community 
almost simultaneously. Like his distinguished ancestry, Mr. Price was a 
patriot. When Company H, Eighty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, was 
instituted he responded to the call for more troops by enlisting in their ranks 
August J2, 1862., He entered as second lieutenant and was promoted to 
first lieutenant, but after receiving his commission was compelled to resign 
on account of a crippled foot and ankle that would not admit of participat- 
ing in the march. The patriotism of the Price antecedents has been handed 
on down the line. The two sons of Mr. Price were both soldiers of the 
Civil war and members of the same company with their father. 

Mr. Price began his career by working on a farm near Bowling Green. 
Kentucky, where for three years he received five dollars per month. He 
was next installed as overseer of the McCutcheon plantation, a large south- 
ern estate in Logan county, Kentucky, for the remuneration of one hun- 
dred dollars per year, which was considered fair wages in those days of 
cheap labor. His services proved so satisfactory his employer offered to in- 
crease his salary to one hundred and fifty dollars per year if he would con- 
tinue in charge, but Mr. Price bought forty acres of land, married Febru- 
ary 10, 1835, and established a home. His wife was Lucinda Hall, whose 
people were among the earliest settlers in Sussex county, Virginia, and were 
slaveholders, she receiving two slaves upon her marriage with Mr. Price 
as a dowry from her father. To their union three children were born, all 
of whom are deceased. The wife and mother died in August, 1840. His 
second wife was Frances Jane Weathers, also of Virginia birth, and from 
one of the pioneer families of Dinwiddie county. Many of her father's peo- 
ple were in the confederacy, but the maternal side furnished several Union 
soldiers. Mrs. Price was a near relative of General Albert Sidney Johnson, 
who was killed in the first day's battle at Shiloh. By this union four chil- 
dren Mere born, two sons and two daughters. The eldest, Frances Ellen, 
is the wife of Doctor Dabney, of Denver. S. B. Price, whose biography 
follows that of his father, is the second child and first son. E. R. Price 
is one of the representative farmers in the vicinity of Hollis. The young- 
est child, Man- Melissa, is the wife of Fred Kunkle, and resides in Concor- 
dia. Mrs. Dabney is the original Fannie Price, for whom Mr. Carnahan 
named "Fanny" postoffice. 

Mr. Price was a practical farmer all his life until he retired from 
labor to enjoy the ease and comfort due a well spent career of usefulness. 



346 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



He emigrated with his father's family to -Illinois and bought a squatter's 
rig-lit in "Little Egypt," for which he paid one dollar and twenty-five cents 
per acre and where he resided until coming to Kansas in 1886. Tims it 
will he seen .Mr. Price was a pioneer of two states and almost three, for 
Kentucky was yet in its infancy, lie first settled in -Pottawatomie county, 
but in 1868 pushed further westward and located a homestead near where 
the town of Hollis mm stands, where he continued to reside until he sold 
the farm in 1884. 

Since the death of his wife in 1886, Mr. Price has lived wtih his chil- 
dren. He is now with his son, S. B. Price, in Concordia, and where likely 
he will spend the rest of his days. Before the organization of the Repub- 
lican party Mr. Trice was a Whig, lie has been prominent in politics and 
was personally associated with such men as John A. Logan and grows 
animated as he interestingly converses of the days when Stephen A. Doug- 
las aspired to the presidency. Those times of anxiety and factional strife 
seem as vivid in the mind of tins aged veteran, over whose snowy head a 




Concordia Residence of Commissioner S. B. Price. 



century has almost dawned, as if that memorable period were but yester- 
day. The fires of enthusiasm kindle within his breast and illumine his 
countenance as he intelligently narrates the proceedings of the Republican 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



347 



state convention held in Decatur in i860, when Richard Yates was nomi- 
nated for governor of the state of Illinois and Abraham Lincoln endorsed 
for president. Mr. Price was honored by the appointment of delegate to 
this distinguished body along with Griffin Garlin and John Russell. 

Mr. Price is perhaps the oldest Mason in the county, and one of the 
few in the state who have been identified with the order since 1847. He 
was initiated into the mysteries of Free Masonry in Bowling Green, Ken- 
tucky. He has not lost his love and consideration for the order, but declin- 
ing years do not admit of his attending the lodge meetings. 

SYLVESTER BAILY PRICE. 



S. B. Price is another pioneer of Cloud county that has prospered and 
attained a prominent place in the citizenship of the community. He is a 
son of James Yoss Price, of the preceding sketch and was born in the state 
of Kentucky in 1845. removed to southern 
Illinois in 1852, and as stated in his father's 
sketch, enlisted in Company H, Eighty-first 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry. August 12. 
1862,. and served in his country's cause until 
October, 1864. when he was discharged for 
disability. His brother, E. R. Price, served 
until the close of hostilities. They were in 
the army of the Tennessee. General John A. 
Logan being their corps commander and 
General McPherson division commander. 
He participated in the siege of Vicksburg, 
Franklin and the Red river expedition. 
They were subsequently transferred to the 
Sixteenth Corps and served in the extreme 
south. Their last duties in the army were 
performed at Mobile. Their company was 
mustered out of service at Montgomery, 
Alabama, and discharged in Chicago. Mr. 

Price came with his father's family to Kansas in [866, and home- 
steaded land near the present site of Hollis two years later, where he 
married Miss Isabell S. Powell, formerly of Pike county, Illinois, reared 
a family of five children and became independent in his possessions of the 
world's goods. Fannie, their eldest daughter, is the wife of A. B. Cole, a 
successful farmer living near Hollis. Flora Lillian is the wife of Reed 
Scott, a contractor of Concordia. Florence Gertrude is the wife of Loren 
Ashcraft. a railroad man with residence at Wymore. Nebraska. James A., 
their only son. is employed as clerk in the grocery of Price & Moore. He 
received a business education and training in the Great Western Business 
College of Concordia. He is a hard student and to his natural ability 




Sylvester Baily Price. 



348 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

extended travel lias added experience which can be obtained from no 
other course. Blanche, the youngest daughter and child, is aged fifteen 
years. She is a pupil in the eighth grade of the Washington school. She 
exhibits a decided talent in music, being- especially gifted in thai accomplish- 
ment. Mr. Price retains his old homestead near llollis, along with two other 
quarter sections. His land is finely improved, with commodious resi- 
dence and one of the most modern and complete barns in the country. This 
valuable estate illustrates much more forcibly than words could do the tire- 
less industry and excellent management of its owner. In .March, 1901, 
Mr. Price retired from farm life, bought the Haskell residence property 
on Ninth and Cedar streets and removed his family there. Shortly after 
this event Mr. Price became associated with A. K. Moore, under the firm 
name of Price & Moore, and purchased the Key stock of groceries. The 
principals in this combination are both well and favorably known, and have 
already built up a, prosperous business. 

During the early settlement of the county the 1 'rue family endured all 
the incidents due to frontier lilt 1 months were in constant dread of 

the savages who committed depredatioris in near b) settlements, but the 
people of this I fortunately escaped. The Wards that were massa- 

cred on White Rock came from southern Illinois, and from the same vicin- 
ity as the Prices, whose intentions were to join them on the White Rock, 
but hearing of the Indian uprising along that creek, they stopped in Law- 
rence township. Mr. Price was on horseback, carrying a plow share to a 
neighbor one day when he sighted three Indians mounted on their ponies, 
who were riding rapidly in his direction. The dismayed settler put the 
spurs to his horse and hurriedly gained entrance to the house of a neigh- 
bor by the name of Hodge. A moment later the savages came pell mell 
and suddenly halted at the door. Mr. Hodge had told our subject when 
the command was given to fire he was to instantly respond. With an eagle 
eye and quivering with excitement, Mr. Price mistook a movement for a 
signal to fire and brought his gun into position, whereupon .Mr. Hodge, 
with a sudden motion knocked the gun aside. The act was a bit of strategy 
on the part of the frontiersman, who was familiar with Indian character- 
istics. They saw* the gun, thought there was more in reserve and beat a 
hasty retreat, as he anticipated they would. 

During the uprising in 1868, William Christy, a brother-in-law (now 
of Concordia), loaded their wagons with household effects and started for 
a place of safety, he and his family going to the Lawrence homestead, 
where they found Mrs. Lawrence at home alone. His brother, Henry 
Christy, drove the oxen that were drawing the load of goods and when he 
reached the vicinity of Upper creek he discovered an object which he felt 
assured was an Indian, and, believing in the old adage, "He who runs away, 
will live to fight another day," turned the oxen loose, left the wagon and, 
with the swiftness of a hunted deer, flew on foot to Lawrenceburg. Upon 
reaching the Lawrence home he hurried the inmates of the little dwelling 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 349 

into a skiff. Mrs. Lawrence, while making her exit, detained the frightened 
party by sticking fast in the mud. Mr. Christy pulled her out in due time, 
just as the supposed Indian rode up with the gun Henry had left on the 
prairie in his flight, and was picked up by this neighboring settler, who was 
watching for the appearance or movements of the Indians from this high 
point of land. 

Mr. Price passed through the Otoe village in j866 and ate dinner with 
the agent. The camp was deserted, the Indians being off on a hunting expe- 
dition. They visited the burial ground and found three cottonwood coffins 
on the top of oak trees. He and his comrades were boys, and. having a 
curiosity to know if the warriors' guns were buried with them, pried 
one end of the coffin off, but found nothing had accompanied the body to the 
happy hunting grounds. On this same trip Mr. Price and his two companions 
gave an Indian some tobacco for the use of his pony to ride to Marysville, 
twelve miles distant. The suspecting savage walked directly in front of 
them all the way, saying. "White man mean; can't trust him." When they 
arrived home they found the doors barred, in consequence of what proved to 
be an unfounded report that the savages were coming through on the war- 
path, and their reinforcement was gladly welcomed. But when thev came, 
the family figured the}- had been hunted down and run in, as the mischievous 
boys led them to believe, and after listening to their hairbreadth escape, 
Ed. Powell, a brother-in-law, turned to his wife and hopelessly remarked, 
"Well, Margaret, hear that; no use staying here any longer. Let's go 
back." This circumstance he was often reminded of later. 

Politically Mr. Price is a Republican and is one of the count}- commis- 
sioners. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and takes an 
interest in the organization of old veterans. Mrs. Price is a member of the 
Christian church and a very estimable woman. 

J. D. FELL. 

The subject of this sketch, J. D. Fell, came to Concordia about nine- 
teen years ago in the interests of the Howell Brothers' Lumber G >mpany. 
In 1 88 1 he removed to Colorado to assume charge of their yard there. 
They failed in July of that year and Mr. Fell returned and accepted the 
position that he has filled with recognized ability for about a dozen years — 
the management of the Chicago Lumber Company's Yards at Concordia. 

Mr. Fell is a Canadian by birth. When four years old he removed 
with his parents to Ogle county, Illinois, where he received a high school 
education, alternating his pursuit of knowledge with work on the farm, for 
his father, Erastus Fell, was a tiller of the soil. 

At the age of nineteen our subject began his career by working in a 

lumber yard. He was with a firm in Greenleaf, Kansas, prior to coming 

to Concordia. He has practically grown up in the lumber business and 

is a valued employe. In social and fraternal orders Mr. Fell is particu- 
21 



35o 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



larlv prominent, having made an enviable record, much to the delight and 
approval of his brother co-workers. In less than a year after he was initiated 
into the mysteries of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, he was elected presid- 
ing officer and served as miter and inner guard of the grand lodge for two 
years. There was no opposition to his further advancement, but Mr. hell's 
duties would not permit of his serving in the rapacity of presiding 'officer, 
consequently he retired in favor of a brother knight, lie served one term 
as master workman of the Ancient Order of United Workman, three years 
as master of St John's Lodge No. [13, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, 
two years as commander of the Commandery No. 42. and during both of 
these vears the commandery ranked first 111 the stale. This honor was 

awarded them by Inspector E. W. Welling- 
ton, their present official, who ranks among 
the must proficient in the country. Mr. Fell 
now Ik 'Ids the office of grand captain of the 
guard in the lodge of the Grand Command- 
ery. His promotion has been rapid, as he 
has only been a member of the order aboul 
three years, lie is alsi > serving at the present 
time as king of Concordia Chapter No. 45, 
and royal vizier of the Knights of Khorassan 
of Concordia. Mr. Fell is also a member of 
the Order of Elks, Zabud Council No. 4, 
Topeka. Kansas. Eastern Star, Woodmen, 
Degree of Honor and Royal Neighbors. 
Politically Mr. Fell is a Republican. He was 
elected a member of the Concordia hoard of 
education on the independent ticket and 
served one year. 

Mr. Fell was married in 1883 to Miss Laura Mahaffey, of Washing- 
ton county. Kansas, but formerly of Ohio. Their family comprises three 
children: Nina, their only daughter, who finished a course in the Great 
Western Business College, is a stenographer and bookkeeper and is 
employed in her father's office. Claud and Ralph are school hoys aged fif- 
teen and ten years respectively. Mr. Fell maintains a modern residence 
at 521 West Seventh street. 

The character of citizenship that marks the career of Mr. Fell is of the 
highest type. He is a polished, kindly gentleman, public-spirited, generous 
and progressive, the sort of man that would make friends anywhere. 




J. D. Fell. 



THE DUDLEY LUMBER COMPANY. 



The yards of the Dudley Lumber Company were established in Con- 
cordia by a Mr. Greene, who was succeeded by H. C. Dudley, and subse- 
quently incorporated under its present title. Owing to failing health Air. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



35i 



Dudley returned to his eastern home in the state of Maine and was succeeded 
by C. W. Browning, who in turn yielded the place to its present manager, 
S. C. Ainsworth, in July, 1902. The company represent a paid-up capi- 




Yards of the Dudley Lumber Company. 

tal of fifteen thousand dollars and carry a complete line of building lumber, 
cement and coal. Mr. Ainsworth was reared among the lakes of Wiscon- 
sin, where he was an expert yatchsman. He has followed the lumber busi- 
ness from the tree on down the line until he can manufacture any article in 
woodwork. Mr. Ainsworth settled in eastern Kansas in 1871, but later 
removed to Missouri. His return to Kansas verifies the statement that all 
who leave, "no matter where they roam," will return. 

MICHAEL SCHWARTZ. 



A record of any one of the pioneers of Cloud county can not but afford 
interest to the present generation and furnish material for thought and 
reflection. They are not only the heirs, but also the debtors to these hardy 
men and women who left their eastern homes and associates, the friends of 
their happy youthful clays, to traverse the plains to the frontier, where with 
brave hearts and frugal habits they materially assisted in the development of 
a truly great state. To this class belongs Michael Schwartz, whose name 
will be perpetuated as one of the earliest settlers of Sibley township. He 
located his homestead in the autumn of 1865 and has been a resident of the 
township a greater length of time than any of its present citizens. Mr. 
Schwartz is a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, born in 1834. His parents 
were John and Margaret (Wolfe) Schwartz. Having been deprived by 
death of a mother's counsels and care, our subject early in life acquired a 
tendency to wander and when eighteen years of age emigrated to America 
and settled in Chicago when the "Windy City" was of much less importance 
than her millions on top of millions represent today. He did various and 



352 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

sundry things for a livelihood until i860, when, having accumulated a small 
hank account, he removed to the Male of fbwa and secured eighty acres of 
land in Buchanan county, but when the call for volunteers was issued the 
young German, who had adopted America as his home, rented his land. 
responded to the first appeal and enlisted in Companj A, Fifty-eighth Illi- 
nois Volunteer Infantry, and remained in the service until the last bugle call. 
Within two week- from the time of his enlistment his company was sta- 
tioned m the front rank, lie was fortunate enough to participate in the 
hard fought battles of Ft. Donelson, Pittsburg Landing or Shiloh, Corinth 
and manj other engagements and skirmishes, where hundreds of brave nun 
fell, a prey to the enemy's bullets, am! escape without a wound. During his 
soldier life Mr. Schwartz was married, lie returned home on a furlough 
and reclaimed the "girl he left behind him"— Miss Kbsina Free, a young 
woman of his native land from the kingdom of Wurleinburg. hut whom he 
first met in \nienea. Mrs. Schwartz came with her parents to the United 
- ites, when ten years of age, and settled in Buchanan county. Iowa in 
1853. In [865 our subject fitted Up a team, a wagon drawn hy two yoke 
of oxen, and with his wife -tailed 111 quest of a new country, which thej 
found m all the term implies. When they arrived in the vicinity of Leaven- 
worth they met members of the militia, who told them of the new settlement 
at Fort Sibley and directed them thither. They found the fortress on sec- 
tion _> 1. just one half mile east of their present home, and occupied hy the 
families of Byron Cross and Dennis Taylor. The soldiers had departed and 
Mr. and Mrs. Schwartz also moved into a cabin, all of which were fortified 
with logs. Mr-. Schwartz was fated to spend all the earlier part of her life 
on the outskirts of civilization and became almost immune to the usual 
Indian scares and braved the dangers alone for day- at a time and when 
there were five different tribes of savages in the vicinity of their homestead. 
It was truly on the frontier in 1S65, the hills being covered with herds o\ 
buffalo and antelope and the wild turkeys came in droves around the door 
of their sod-covered cabin. 

Mr. Schwartz started from [owa with eleven hundred dollars, hut a- flour 
was ten dollars per hundred, corn meal rive dollars and with other articles 
of provision in proportion their little fortune disappeared like mist before the 
sun. After the Indian uprising in 1867-8 Mr. Schwartz, like most of the set- 
tlers, left, temporarily, for safer quarters, and not having raised a crop they 
were in reduced circumstances until 1869, when he had corn to sell. With 
the year 1871 they began to prosper, and after that period, notwithstanding 
the grasshopper visitation, they assumed measures for building a comfort- 
able and permanent home. In 1871 he bought the forty acres where his pres- 
ent residence now stands and erected a habitable dwelling, which he has 
remodeled, added to and continues to reside in. Mr. Schwartz's home is 
near the new river channel, two miles north of Concordia, in Sibley town- 
ship, seetii in 20. He now owns two hundred and three acres in this locality 
and a quarter section in Aurora township, all under a fine state of improve- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



353 



ments. He has been successful as a stockman and has made the bulk of 
his estate in raising hogs; he has also prospered in producing cattle and 
horses. 

Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schwartz, all of whom 
but one are living. They lost their third daughter, Lucy, at the age of nine- 
teen vears. Caroline is the wife of Charles Beahm, a successful farmer of 
Sibley township. They are the parents of four children, Roy, Edith. Ivy 
and Ray. Susan is the wife of William Pickering, of Martin. Missouri. 
Thev are the parents of one child, Willie, aged* five. Delia is the wife of 
William Finley, a Sibley farmer. The other daughters are unmarried and 
live at home. They are Eliza. Rosa and Lizzie, prepossessing young women. 
Mr. Schwartz's daughters being in the majority, they have very substan- 
tially assisted in the duties pertaining to farm life and are accorded much 
credit for their share of the prosperity. Their son. Albert, is the second 
child, a young man of twenty-two years. 

Mr. Schwartz is a Republican and takes an interest in' political issues. 
The entire family are indutsrious. enterprising people, who have contributed 
their quota toward the development of local resources. 

CHICAGO LUMBER COMPANY. 

The extensive yards of the Chicago Lumber Company were established in 
Concordia as early as 1872. The principal owners of this vast corporation are 
S. H. Fullerton, of St. Louis, and Robert Fullerton, of Des Moines. Iowa. 
Their brother and traveling auditor, E. H. Fullerton, is interested and is 
one of the directors of the enterprise. W. H. Fullerton, another brother 
who was associated with 
them for years, and was their 
western manager, has recent- 
ly withdrawn. The company 
represents a capital of two 
and a half million dollars — 
one of the most extensive 
lumber corporations in the 
entire United States — and do 
the largest business. They 
operate about fifty retail 
yards, practically speaking, 
all in Kansas. Their general 
offices are in St. Louis, with 
branch offices in Chicago, 
Louisville, Minneapolis, Ta- 
coma and Des Moines. The 
company was inaugurated in 

1866. M. T. Greene, who was drowned in Lake Michigan about four years 
ago, was the principal stockholder at the time of its organization. 




Varus of the Chicago Lumber Company. 



354 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

The Fullertons held but small interests up i" the time of locating yards 
in Kansas. The) carry everything in building material and have coal yards in 
connection. Most of their yellow pine lumber comes from the south and also 
their cypress. Their spruce and cedar thai fifteen years ago was shipped in 
from the Michigan and Wisconsin pineries is now furnished From the west. 
J. D. Fell, their present manager, took charge of the Concordia yard October 
i. 1891. That tins is one of the best retail plain- in the state is in no small 
degree owing to the progressive -pun of Mr. Fell. Their investment in Con- 
cordia represents about thirty thousand dollars. There are four men 
employed. The wards comprise nine blocks, the buildings and sheds are 
modern in character and kept freshly painted, which gives them an air of 
pn isperity. 

HONORABLE GOMER TALIESIN DAVIl S 

1 or more than a score of years Gomer T. Davies has been at the head 




HONURABLE GOMER T. DAVIES. 

of a western newspaper, and notwithstanding the political animosities that 
have arisen from time to time, he has stood firm and steadfast by the con- 




First Home of the Kansan— Its Present (Jl-arters. 




The Editor's Corner. 



356 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

victions lie deem- best for the people and the country. Mr. Davies has been 
intensely devoted to his chosen field, and the result of his close application 
is obvious in the well-edited columns of the Kansan and the patronage it 
receives from the citizen- of Cloud county. 

In an article contributed to the official report of the seventeenth annual 
convention of the National Editorial Association, which convened at Hot 
Arkansas, April 15 -iN. [902, George W. Martin, secretary of the 
Kansas Historical Society, among other fetching tilings, with reference to 
V|, says "The country newspaper publisher is a man unto him- 

self. There is no other like him. His wrestle for the provender which sup- 
ports life, his contests with the world and the devil in behalf of all that is 
-nates a variety of talents, a vigilance and an industry, wholly 
unnecessary with .Mr. Morgan or other mergers, who simply float along with 
millions and billions accumulated near the mouth of the great river of com- 
merce and industry. It is the man at the head of the sire 1111. with nothing 
but what nature has given him. who performs miracles with this old world 
of ours, and who gives to the current its direction for usefulness that causes 
the wheels of production to go round 

••The country newspaper publisher is the most important of all the fac- 
the beginning of things. It is lie who gets near the home, who is 
known and read in every household of his bailiwick. Every line in a coun- 
try newspaper is read by the grown folks and the children alike in each 
Lisehold where it enters, and not merely skimmed over, or only headlines 
read, as is the case with the city papers. Hence there i> no overestimating 
the sway of the rural newspaper." 

At this convention Mr. Davies was honored by one hundred and sev- 
enrv-seven of the two. hundred and seventy-seven votes cast that elected him 
second vice-president of the association, and, referring to this considera- 
tion. Mr. Martin further says: "It is a matter of interest to all. and of good 
judgment upon the part of the National Editorial Association, that, at its 
late meeting, it came to central Kansas for one of its vice-presidents. The 
joc'iation is to he congratulated that in its selection of Comer T. Davies, 
of the Concordia Kansan, it has an all-around hunch of Kansas nerve and 
inspiration, of editorial and business ability, and of general usefulness to the 
fraternity and to the public." And the state at the meeting of their last 
Editorial Association recommended Mr. Davies for the office of first vice- 
president, to be determined when they meet in Omaha, in July of the pres- 
ent year (1903). He was president of the Kansas North Central Editorial 
Association in 1896, and for 1901 was president of the Kansas State Edi- 
torial Association. 

He is prominent in various social orders, has passed through all the 
chairs of the Odd Fellows lodge and is one of four candidates for grand 
master of the order. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men, Knights of Pythias. Woodmen of America and the Order of Elks. 
Mr. Davies is a significant member of the Concordia Commercial Club and 




The Foreman's Corner. 




In the Blsiness Office. 



358 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. KANSAS. 

one of the directors of the Kansas Historical Society, in which he and evi 
loyal citizen of the state takes pardonable pink-. 

.Mr. Davies' success has been phenomenal. He started in the news- 
paper business with but two dollars in his pocket, hut he appealed his rase t'> 
the enterprising people of Kansas, to win or lose his small capital — ami won. 
1 li- standing, socially and financially, indicates the verdict. He owns his office, 
a two-story brick building, ninetj Feet deep, equipped with the most modern 
machinery; a farm within a mile of Concordia, and a comfortable home in 
the city. 

Tlie birth of Mr. Davies occurred al Pont-y-pridd, Glamorganshire, 




A Model 1 rin-tery. 

South Wales. January 25, [855. Mr. .Martin --ays: "One would not think 
this of him at all. for he is just as rational as though hum in Podunk town- 
ship, Pennsylvania: Posey county, Indiana, or on the White Rock in Kansas. 
He emigrated ti> America in 18' 13. After a residence of a few years in 
Pennsylvania he removed to Livingston county, Missouri; hut. imbued with 
the same spirit as many foreign-horn people adopting America for their 
home, he left the scenes of older civilization and moved further westward, 
into Iowa, where he lived from 1869 until [882, when he wiselv turned his 
attention towards northwest Kansas and j n 1883 purchased the Republic 
County News, his first newspaper venture. While editor-in-chief of this 
paper Mr. Davies was twice elected by the Republican party to represent his 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



359 



district, which comprised the north half of Republic county, in the state leg- 
islature, sessions of 1887 and 1889. November 18, 1896, Mr. Davies bought 
the Kansan and removed to Concordia. He was married in 1879 ancl ms 
family consists of a wife and seven children. 

The journalistic career of Mr. Davies is characterized by his sense of 
discrimination between right and wrong, and his acuteness along these lines 
is evinced by the abiding good will of the people, who demonstrate their 
approval by a renewal of their subscription annually. There are few homes 
the Kansan does not reach. 

GEORGE E. HIBNER. 

One of the old settlers of Cloud county is George E. Hibner. who 
located three miles west of Concordia in 1867, and was the second sheriff of 
Cl"iid county, Ouincy Honey having preceded him two terms. Mr. Hib- 
ner served with honor to himself and when his term expired he stepped down 
and out with the good will and best wishes of the people. He has been 
engaged in farming since that time (January. 1872.) has prospered abund- 
antlv and is ranked with the best citizens of Sibley township. 

NADEAU S SHOE STORE. 

The above firm, of which the accompanying cut is the interior, is com- 
posed of the brothers. Joseph D. and H. G. Nadeau, who began business 
in Concordia in August. 1902. or rather succeeded George Mohr, who estab- 




Interior of Nadeau' s Shoe Store. 



lished the store in the early days of Concordia and remained continuously 
until 1902. Their stock is clean and well selected and they are receiving 



3<5o 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



what they merit — their share of the trade — for they are energetic and relia- 
ble men. 

The Nadeaus came to ( loud county in 1885, and located in Lincoln 
township on a farm, where the} lived until [900. They are originally from 
Canada. Hie senior member of the firm, Joseph 1)., is a man of family — 
a wife and four children. The Nadeaus are prominent fixtures and rank 
with the best and most progressive firms in Concordia 

RICHARD COUGHLEN. 



he impressive arch observed over the gateway a- one advances near 
the long avenue, lined by tree-, announces the approach of "Prairie Lea." 
the modem country home of Richard Coughlen. Of the prosperity inher- 
ited by the settlers of the earl) 'sixties none are entitled to a m >re substantia] 
claim than Mr. Coughlen. lie came t" the vast area of prairie when in its 
true pioneer state— when on the frontier in 
the real meaning of the term, lie remained 
all through the strenuous times of its sister- 
li 1 and endured years of anxiety ere con- 
ditions assumed good working order. He 
came to the State in Maw ]Xf>_>. and pre- 
empt! 1 hundred and sixt) acres of land 
on Elm creek, built a cabin and lived there 
seven vears. The settlement was comprised 
of hut four families. Hagaman, Thorp. 
Fenskie and Czapanskiy. In 1870 Mr. 
Coughlen rented his land on Elm creek, 
homesteaded on section 26, and later sold the 
former. Our subject's dreams of broad 
acres, far reaching in agricultural splendor, 
herds of cattle and horses, droves of hogs 
(that when sold upon the market add very 
materially to his ducats), vast fields of corn, 
huge bins of wheat and a comfortable, happy 

home are realized. The Coughlen residence is situated in a bend on the bank of 
Oak creek and is surrounded on three sides, north, east and west, by the timber 
1 if this stream — a charming location. This was one of the first good dwellings 
in the community, built in 1874. The lumber in part was hauled from 
Waterville, the terminus of the railroad, and a portion was obtained by 
drawing logs to Concordia and having them sawed at Mr Lanoue's mill. 
While engaged in this stage of the work Mr. Coughlen found his labors 
arduous and met with many reverses : among them he was upset in the river 




Richard Coughlen. 



while hauling logs, but a ducking was the 
external membranous 



covering of his own 



least of this misfortune. The 
body was impervious to the 



waves of the Republican river, but they were demoralizing to the buckskin 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 361 

pantaloons lie wore, which shrunk into so small a compass as to necessitate 
their being cut from his body. But "it is an ill wind that blows nobody 
good." Mr. Coughlen changed the relative position and value of his con- 
tracted garments by braiding them into an ox whip. 

Mr. Coughlen is a native of county Kings, Ireland, born in 1838. When 
a small lad he emigrated to America with his parents and settled in Madison 
county, New York, where his father and mother died. Having been left an 
orphan he subsequently began to roam and resided temporarily in various 
parts of the United States. He is the second youngest of a family of seven 
children. Three sisters survive and live in Iowa. Chicago and Streator, 
Illinois, respectivelv. Mr. Coughlen came from LaSalle county, Illinois, to 
Nemaha county. Kansas, in 1859. He and a nephew had started for the 
famous gold fields of Pike's Peak, but as they encountered the returning 
crowds, traveling in various modes, walking, wheeling barrows, carts, etc.. 
the fields elysian seemed less alluring, and discouraged many people en mute 
to the Eldorado. When our subject and his comrade arrived at Ft. Kearney 
they decided to turn their faces toward the new prairies of Kansas, which, 
if less illusive, seemed a safer proposition, and they retraced their journey 
over the Little Blue to Xemaha county. From this point the actual career 
of Mr. Coughlen found its beginning. With three yoke of oxen he freighted 
over the plains from the Missouri river to the gold diggings known as 
"Buck Skin Toe." across South Park, near Hartzell. Colorado, and contin- 
ued in this intrepid traffic all through and after the war. After coming to 
Cloud county he made one overland trip; he moved his family to Nehama 
county to protect them from the Indians and hauled freight from Missouri 
to Colorado. During this period Mr. Coughlen experienced some hair- 
breadth escapes. In 1865 two men were massacred within one hundred 
yards of Mr. Coughlen's camp. They were night-herders; the savages shot 
and wounded the men and then scalped them while still alive. The second 
boss of the crew had two arrows fired into his body, but recovered. The 
two victims survived long enough to give the details of the assault. After 
firing all the cartridges in the chambers of their revolvers the Indians came 
so close the wounded men threw their guns at them. The band was pursued 
by soldiers and many of them were killed 

Their camp, with its government quota of sixty armed men was 
aroused one starlit night on the Platte river by an attempted attack. 
The mules on the grounds gave evidence of hearing or scenting danger, 
as the Indians were seemingly after the stock with the intention 
of running it off. The entire party was ordered to lie close to the 
earth, a moment later the outlines of the redskins were sighted against 
the horizon, the signal was given and when the volley of deadly 
shot and bullets was turned into the advancing band of savages, from 
shotguns loaded with buck-shot and long-range rifles in the hands of 
unerring marksmen, they beat a hasty retreat from what was evidently one 
of the most complete surprises they had ever been treated to in their thiev- 



362 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

ing expeditions. The freighters could not discern their movements through 
the -moke-laden atmosphere, but hastily reloaded to prepare lor the second 
fusilade if necessary. Many a dead warrior would have been left on 
the field if he had not been -trapped to his pony, as is their custom, that 
their slain may he carried away. Mr. Coughlen was a member of the Kansas 
militia and wielded his Springfield musket and Smith's carbine for several 
years on the frontier, lie retains the Remington six-shooter that lie car- 
ried during those days; it is a formidable looking weapon, and he has killed 
buffalo with it. Mr. Coughlen was one of the fourteen men who were 
organized to rescue Mi— White from captivity among the Indians. 

Mr. Coughlen was married to .Mary Robertson in 1861. Of their four 
children, all lived to maturity. William Lincoln was deceased at the age of 
seventeen years, lenetie is the deceased wife of John Empire; two children 
survive her. Flo and Clarence. The two living children are a daughter and 
a son. Lizzie is the widow of William Townsdin, an Oak creek farmer; 
she is the parent of one child, a son, William Ira. 

Mr. Coughlen at one time owned two sections of land hut he deeded to 
Mr-, [ownsdin one hundred and sixty acre- m Osborne county, a quarter 
section in Washington county, another near Aurora and one hundred and 
sixt) acre- in the Solomon valley. The son i- David R. Coughlen, who was 
a prosperous < loud county farmer and stockman, until compelled to leave 
the farm and seek returning health in the Southern clime of California. 

In 1884 Mr. Coughlen was married to Miss Eliza Moore, a daughter 
of William Moore, who emigrated from Vermont to Wisconsin, where Mrs. 
Coughlen was horn. She was visiting a relative in Kansas, where she met 
and married Mr. Coughlen. She is a refined woman who possesses the 
admirable trait of making home attractive. 

Politically Mr. Coughlen is an out-and-out dyed-in-the-wool Repub- 
lican. He has been identified with the Odd Fellows for a quarter of a 
century. 

EDGAR MARTIN KENYON. 

To the large per cent, of emigrants who came to Kansas without cap- 
ital and have forged their way to prosperity and prominence, belongs the sub- 
ject of this sketch, Edgar Martin Kenyon. From the original wilderness of 
prairie his homestead and possessions have increased until he owns five hun- 
dred and sixty acres of finely cultivated land, herds of cattle and hogs, a res- 
idence of modern architecture that would do credit to a city, and barns 
fashioned after the commodious structures of the east. 

Mr. Kenyon continues to live on the homestead that has undergone all 
these changes since he located his claim in 1870. He came to the new west 
alone, and after building 'a very unpretentious house and purchasing a sack 
of flour, for which he paid seven dollars per hundred pounds, the settler, 
remote from his eastern home and family, was left on the sparsely inhabited 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 363 

prairie with but four dollars in his pocket— his cash capital; but he was not 
discouraged, felt no reluctance, for he was young, sanguine and ambitious, 
and believing the future held golden harvests, he spent the summer prepar- 
ing for the arrival of his wife and son. Orlin (their only child at that time), 
with a light and happy heart. He secured employment hauling freight at 
$1.25 per hundred, for Sibley's pioneer merchant, J. D. Robertson. Mr. 
Kenyon had nothing to lose, but prospered from the beginning, notwith- 
standing reverses brought about from grasshoppers and hot winds. When 
bountiful harvests began smiling on their little western home, a substantial 
and imposing residence sprung into existence and the primitive dwelling 
vanished, in addition to the spade, the scythe and the plow, with which he 
carried on farming, his estate is abundantly supplied with every implement 
known to agriculture for planting and garnering the grain with economy 
and profit. 

Mr. Kenyon is a native of Canada. He is a son of Amos and Caroline 
Cordelia (Blanchard) Kenyon. Ames Kenyon, of Vermont birth and 
English origin, emigrated to Iowa in 1855. settled in Delaware county, where 
he died May 5. [891. Mr. Kenyon' s mother was of New York birth; she 
died in Iowa, July 22. 1889. Mr. Kenyon is one of nine children, seven of 
whom are living, all in Iowa, excepting our subject and a sister in Denver. 
In 1868 Mr. Kenyon was married to Miss Cordelia Smith, who was bom in 
the state of New York. Her father. Samuel Hastings Smith, removed to 
Concordia in 1872 and died there in 1900, at the age of eighty-five years. 
Her mother, who survives him, is also four score and five and lives with 
her daughter in Concordia. Mrs. Kenyon is a refined gentlewoman. The 
atmosphere of refinement is one of the fundamental elements often over- 
looked in the country home, but this is not lacking in the Kenyon residence 
where everything bespeaks cultivated taste. Mrs. Kenyon taught the second 
term of school in Joint District No. 1, Cloud and Republic counties. She 
taught one term over the line in Republic county, which was the first school 
held in Norway township. Mr. and Mrs. Kenyon's family consists of four 
children, two sons and two daughters. The two sons, Orlin and Arthur, are 
prosperous farmers, and are both married. The daughters are educated 
young women, well qualified for the important positions they occupy. 
Helen, who is teaching on her second school year at Valley Falls, gradu- 
ated from the Emporia State Normal in iqch, receiving a life diploma. 
June is a graduate from the Wesleyan Business College of Salina and is 
employed as stenographer and bookkeeper at the Soldiers' Orphans' Home 
in Atchison. 

Politically Mr. Kenyon votes with the Republican party. He has served 
as treasurer of his district for almost a quarter of a century. The teachers 
in this school have all been fortunate enough to find a home with the Ken- 
ynns. Socially Mr. Kenyon has been an Odd Fellow for thirteen, years and 
is identified with the Order of Elks in Concordia. 



3<34 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



< i ulster dutton. 



Almost concealed b) the overhanging boughs of the surrounding park, 
picturesquely situated on a semi-circular curve of the Republican river, in 
the midst of a bovver of foliage, where all nature seems hushed to a solemn 
stillness, except the sighings of the Kansas zephyrs or the music of the birds, 
that supply an orchestra each hour of the summer days, is the primitive 
dwelling, which the author will affectionately christen "The Cabin," of that 
iguished citizen and pioneer, Chester Dutton. 

["here is a> i pal itial residen i 
but the i ild fashii >ned hewed 
house awakens a tram of emotions 
beyond the power of some stately 
edifice to impart. Mr. I )utfc n 
chi ise this \> icatii in because the high, 
perpendicular banks, cut by the enr 
rent of the river, formed an insur- 
mountable barrier to a sudden at- 
tack of the murderous Indian bands 
that roamed along the frontier. 
The interior of the quaintly rustic 
home is wholly in harmony with its 
environments and eloquent in its 
simplicity. Potted plants adorn the 
broad window sills, and the profu- 
sion of books, periodicals and papers 
reveal the assertion that its inmates 

are conversant with g 1 literature. 

Tradition reveals the original 
Dutton was a Norman. A country- 
man from that kingdom once said, 
the name Dutton was not Norwe- 
gian, but this is accounted for by 
the descriptive title having been given after cognomens were acquired. 
In 1630 John Dutton wandered from the inclosure of the fold and 
became a Puritan. The greater part of the family are descended from him. 
Another branch came from John Dutton, of England, who settled in Ches- 
ter county. Pennsylvania, and purchased six hundred acres of land from 
William Penn. The subject of this sketch originates from the Puritan divis- 
ion, seven generations remote in America. An individual, who was gather- 
ing names of Duttons, had found over two thousand, but among the Chris- 
tian names of the representatives he had secured there were no Chesters. 

Joseph Dutton, of the second generation of Duttons. settled on the 
Connecticut river, in the state of Connecticut, where our subject's father, 
grandfather and great-grandfather, with their wives and children, all lived, 




Chester Dutton. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



365 



and were buried from tlii -s same homestead. The two former were horn 
there. Four generations resided there at one time. The estate is still in the 
hands of relatives, but not a Duttori. Mr. Dutton's great-great-grandfather, 
whose name was Thomas (as the two following were), when a very aged 
man came to live with his son on the farm. The venerable father longed to 
visit a sun in Vermont, hut in those days of horseback travel over mountain- 
ous roads, the journey proved too arduous for his failing strength and he 




The Rustic Cottage of Mr. and Mrs. Chester Dutton. 



did not live to return. Thomas is a family name; the Quaker of that title 
lived a century and two years. As the Duttons emigrated westward the two 
families became associated together. The Dutton ancestors were valiant 
patriots and served in the Revolution. Mr. Dutton's three great-grandfa- 
thers commanded companies — Thomas Dutton. John Woodworth and Ste- 
phen Mathews. The mothers of Air. and Mrs. Dutton were cousins, hence 
John Woodworth, their grandfather, was the great-grandparent of each. 
The former led a company in the defense of New York city; his son, our 
subject's grandfather, shouldered a musket and went to war at the age of 
sixteen years, and was also in the resisting forces of the present great 
metropolis. The father of our subject was Daniel Punderson Dutton, a 
New England farmer, and a brother of the Honorable Henry Dutton. who 
was governor of Connecticut and judge of the supreme bench. Ex-Gov- 
ernor Dutton's son was killed while leading a charge on a battery in the hat- 
tie of Cedar Mountain in 1862. 

Mr. Dutton's mother was Nancy Mathews. Thomas Mathews, her 
great-grandfather, was born in 1700. The inscription on the headstone that 
marks his grave in the ancient cemetery of Watertown, Connecticut, reads: 
"He was a magistrate for over fifty years," which would take his service 

partly under the crown. He died in 1798. 
22 



3 66 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

Chester Dutton was born March 24, [814. He is the eldest child and 
only surviving member of eleven children. They all lived to maturity and 
all but two reared families. William Dutton, the fifth child, was a West 
Point graduate, but resigned and followed farming until 1861, when he 
valiantly led a regiment, commanding a brigade of five thousand New York 
raw recruits. The brigadier general was ill and the entire command was 
thrown on Colonel Dutton, the senior officer. The vigorous action involved 
consumed his strength and he died of fever broughl on b) overexertion, lie 
died in New York city, where he had been brought by his wile, on a boat 
that was sent up the Chickahominy river. One of Colonel Dutton's closest 
friends at West Point was "Stonewall" Jacks, ,11, who was one degree below 
him in scholarship. But when war was declared, the two gallant soldiers, 
who hail been comrades and classmates, took up arms against each other, 
and the ranks of the Xew England officer were cut to pieces by Genera] Jack- 
's regiment. Chester Dutton is the oldest of four surviving members 
who graduated from Yale I ollege in [838. His fellow collegiates are Rev 
erend William Thomas Doubleday, a brother of General Doubleday, of 
Binghamton. Xew York, Theodore Sedgwick Gold, who was secretary of 
the Connecticut board of agriculture from the time of its organization 
until u>oj. and the fourth member Henry Parsons Hedges, of Bridgehamp- 
ton, Long Island, who is an attorney, a judge, dispenser of the gospel and 
a farmer. These venerable collegians have all passed the milestone of four 
score years and all except Mr. Dutton attended the bi-centennial of Yale, 

The principal ambition of .Mr. Dutton's early life was to acquire a 
knowledge of the law. With this ardent desire interwoven and uppermost in 
his heart, and at the earnest solicitation of an uncle, who thought his kins- 
man particularly adapted to the profession, our subject entered Yale, But 
iust as he had laid the foundation for the development of his career, the 
conditions were hopelessly changed, the result of a physical ailment that 
caused an incurable affection of the throat, rendered him unable to make use 
of the fine oratorical powers he possessed — one of the first requisites of the 
advocate in the practice of law. That .Mr. Dutton was compelled to resign 
his chosen pursuit was a painful disappointment is apparent by the shadow- 
that overspreads his kindly face when referring to his blighted hopes. Mr. 
Dutton was reared on a farm. He taught school both before and after his 
graduation from college. He was principal of the classical department of a 
proprietary school in Alexandria. District of Columbia. 

Mr. Dutton was married in 1842 to Miss Mary Ann Mellen, who was 
born and reared at Wolcott, Wayne county, Xew York, wdtere she was mar- 
ried and resided until coming to Kansas — the only removal they have made 
during their wedded life. Mrs. Dutton comes from Puritan stock. Richard 
Mellen was the emigrant: he came over about ten years after the Mayflower, 
and settled in Vermont, where Mrs. Dutton's father was born. Her mother 
was of Connecticut birth. To Mr. and Mrs. Dutton ten children have been 
born, six of whom are living. Their eldest son is unmarried, and after an 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 367 

absence of twenty years in the far western country he returned to the old 
home and is living with his parents. Chester and Judson Mellen are twins, 
born July 4. 1852. The latter married Mary Elizabeth, the only daughter of 
James Taggart. Their farm is his old home— the original Van Natta 
homestead. They are the parents of four children, May, Effie, James Lee 
and an infant daughter. There are thirteen years between the ages of the 
third and fourth child. John, with his family, lives on an adjoining farm 
and has the management of the homestead. Henry Lambert Dutton lives 
just over the line in Republic county. His wife, before her marriage, was 
Lucy Dickerhoff, of Maryland. Their family consists of three sons and 
three daughters, among them a pair of twins, which is remarkable for having 
been born on July 4. 18S2. on the anniversary of the birth of the twins in 
his father's family, just thirty years prior. Minnie, their eldest daughter, is 
the wife of William E. Brewer, and they are the parents of a little daughter, 
Mary Henrietta, aged four. Lucy is the wife of Frank Crosson, a descend- 
ant of one of the old Dutch families that settled near Philadelphia two hun- 
dred years ago. Mrs. Crosson has been given a musical education and is an 
accomplished young woman. Charles William, the youngest son of Mr. and 
Mrs. Dutton, is the present treasurer of Dewey county, Oklahoma, and also 
served two years as county clerk of Cloud county. They have been unfor- 
tunate in the death of their daughters. Mary Arnot, whose husband was a 
son of James Taggart, married and removed' to near Knoxville. Tennessee, 
where she was deceased in 1896. Mrs. Taggart taught the first school in 
the Dutton district. Death had previously claimed another daughter. Julia, 
the wife of Stiles Platte. She died in Sibley township in 1887. Thomas, 
a son, died, at the age of six years. In 1900 George Dutton was deceased, 
leaving a wife and four children. The Dutton family is among the most 
highly esteemed households in the county. The name carries with it a guar- 
antee of sterling qualities. The sons are all men of honor, industry and pub- 
lic spirit, always arrayed on the side of right and justice. 

During the troublesome Indian uprisings Mr. Dutton's keen intuition 
rendered him a valuable citizen. When they came to Kansas in 1867 their 
home became a camping ground for the emigrant and the location had previous! v 
been headquarters for the Indian. The families were supplied with various 
kinds and calibers of guns and were prepared to fire two hundred rounds. Had 
the savages not been aware of their defense they would have been wiped out of 
existence. Mr. Dutton improvised a dugout to tide them over until they 
could prepare the logs for a home, but the Indian troubles came upon the 
settlers and retarded operations, hence they lived there until 1870. when they 
erected their present quarters. One would suppose the grove of trees, which 
almost conceals their home, was a natural forest, but Mr. and Mrs. Dutton 
planted them and under their personal supervision the tiny sprouts have 
grown to towering heights. Personally Mr. Dutton is a man of acute per- 
ceptive faculties and strong convictions; his opinions command respect from 
h\< friends and acquaintances and are sought in matters of public and pri- 



368 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

vate import. He take- s keen interest in all the topics of the past and pres- 
ent and is a brilliant conversationalist I ! 1^ countenance glows with kind- 
ness, amiability and benevolence, lie continues to lie a close student. 1 1> 
rather diminutive in stature, and as sprightly in Ins movements as a youth. 
lie is a vigorous, polished, comely gentleman of the old school; his long 
heard and well crowned head of hair are snowj white, and he enjoys life at 
the venerable age of eighty-nine years. Ills personality impresses one with 
the thought that he might have swung into the present from another era. 
Mrs. Dutton is a gentle, refined woman, whose eighty-six summers 
have set lightly "ii her brow, although she is practically blind. The) are an 
interesting couple, and happy is the guest who whiles away a tew hours 
beneath their hospil if. Although they have passed the milestone "t 

four score years almi si four score and ten they are 1 1< >t aged, for "Id age 
is associated with decrepitness. The relentless hand of time has nut borne 
them down with a weary load of years, for the) are as active as the average 
person at sixty. They will evidently continue in their cottage of the early 
days until "gathered to their Fathers," in the little cabin so charmingly situ- 
l, where the river, as n wanders on, seems murmuring of its peaceful 
quietude and good will toward men. 

BYRON M. VVIARD. 

All the various hues of business considered, there is none dearer to the 
feminine heart than an elegant, well-selected stock of jewelry, all the latest 
tails and designs like those found in the elegant show eases of Byron M. 
Wiard's store, or the valuable and delicately chased patterns of silverware 
exhibited on the commodious plate glass encased wall shelves. It is one of 
Mr. Wiard's characteristics b recommend only such goods as merit an invest- 
ment, and this admirable trait has gained for him the confidence of his cus- 
tomers and its natural following — a wide patronage. In the watch repairing 
department he has secured the services of "Billie" Nyman, whose reputation 
as a jeweler is well estahlished in Concordia. 

Mr. W'iard originally hails from central Illinois, where he was horn in 
1856. His parents were Rolland and Mary (Wright) Wiard, both of Xew 
York birth. Norman W'iard. manufacturer of the W'iard gun. is a relative. 
The Wiards settled at Elgin, Illinois, in an early day. Mr. Wiard's father, 
died in 1875. and his mother was deceased in 1881. Mr. W'iard is a twin, 
and one of a family of seven children. His twin brother, Myron, is a jew- 
eler of San Diego. California. At the age of seventeen years Mr. W'iard 
began his career and after three years in a cigar store with a brother in W'au- 
kegan, he decided the jewelry business would be more to his tastes, and con- 
sequently joined another brother in Breckenridge. Colorado, in 1880. Four 
years subsequently he came to Kansas, when the state was booming and its 
many virtues being heralded abroad, and after looking over several probable 
points he favored Concordia. Of the jewelers who were here at that time 




Hanijsome Interior of Wiakd's Jewelry Store. 



THE HEW YOhf 
'UBUC LIBRA n 

Til »»N FOUNDATION* ] 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



3"i 



he is the only one remaining - . Mr. Wiard has prospered. He erected the 
building he now occupies, in 1887, a two-story brick, twenty-two by one hun- 
dred feet in dimensions, but he expects to occupy the spacious rooms where 
the Kelly stock of goods is being- closed out, on Main street, first door east 
of Layton & Neilson's drug store. 

Mr. Wiard was married to Miss 
Ida Wones, a Concordia young 
woman, who was educated in the 
convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph. 
After having- spent two years of 
study in optics Mrs. Wiard entered 
the McCormick Optical School of 
Chicago in 1901, and, graduating 
from that institution in ophthalmol- 
ogy, she returned to Concordia and 
established a complete line of optics, 
in connection with the jewelry store, 
and has had the entire management 
of that department ever since. Dr. 
Wiard has given a very able series 
of "Eve Talks" through the columns 
of the Kansan, describing various 
defects of that organ, followed by 
Dr. Ida Wiard. the mode of treatment required to 

rectify the deficiency. In former 
years a woman was seldom known prominently in the professional 
world, but among instances where the)- have succeeded Dr. Wiard is 
distinctively one of that number, pursuing optics with the greatest 
efficiency. She is a woman of charming personality, as well as skill and 
ability, and assuming the responsibilities of a profession have not detracted 
from her refined womanhood. Dr. Wiard is a member of the American Asso- 
ciation of Graduates in Ophthalmology. Mr. and Mrs. Wiard are the par- 
ents of one child, a bright and winsome little daughter, aged nine. 




ROBERT McLEAN. 



When the homestead law was enacted and rumors of the wonderful 
resources of this great western country were carried north, south and east- 
ward. Robert McLean determined to emigrate to Kansas, and since 1868 
this original and interesting character has been making history in Cloud 
county. He got his first glimpse of frontier life in Meredith township, where 
he joined his brother, the late Thomas McLean, and later homesteaded a 
quarter section of land, one mile northwest of the hamlet of Meredith. 
Instead of leaving the country during the Indian uprising, as most 
of the settlers did, Mr. McLean sought safer quarters with his brother, 



372 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

the late Alex McLean, who had located just over the line in Ottawa county. 
He was undoubtedly a welcome visitor, for while his brother plowed corn 
our subject, with a gun in hand ready lor action, stood as sentinel keep- 
ing a close vigilance on the developments of savage warfare. 

Mr. McLean is of Scotch Irish origin, horn in the Dominion of Canada 
in 1848. In 1872 he returned to his former home and was married to Miss 
Mary Smith, who was also a name of Canada, horn in [852. After having 
equipped himself with a helpmate, the) repaired to their new western home 
and in 1874 boughl the Morgan Grant stock of general merchandise and 
prospered as everybody did in those days, who had wares to sell. In 1884 
he returned to Canada and secured a farm, hut two years later came to Kansas, 
and bought the same store in Meredith; hut again became restless and 
thought there must he a country more to his liking, consequently sold his 
store and sent his family to Canada, while he prospected for fairer fields, 
and. although he spent four years in various parts of tlm country, including 
California, so great was his "hankering 1 ' to again he a merchant on the 
broad prairies of the Sunflower state, that a few months later he, for the 
third time resumed business in the old place. About twelve months later. 
however, he sold and left the village oi Meredith for the fourth and last 
.time, lie bought the store of James Clithero, of Concordia, and a year 
later sold his interest to lames Hubert Hodge, boughl the Murphy home- 
stead in Meredith township and engaged in the stock business very success 
fully. Retaining the farm, he bought the Jake Fetters store located at Hollis, 
and one year subsequently conducted a general merchandise business in 
Cuba, Republic county. In 1901 he bought one hundred and sixty acres of 
land in Sibley township, his present home. A great deal of real estate has 
passed through Mr. McLean's hands, having boughl and sold almost a 
score of farms. He is now interested in stock and says he is raising "yellow 
corn and black hogs." He has at present thirty-four brood sows, and buys 
and sells constantly. In January, 1897. "The Sample Case," a paper 
devoted to the interests of the United Commercial Travelers, appears the fol- 
lowing comprehensive "take off" on Mr. McLean, which was evidently 
written by "A Brother" who saw him as others see him. 

A WESTERN GENIUS. 

Away out west in Kansas, two hundred miles or more — 
Some twenty miles from no place, stood a little country store. 
Anil the man who ran the shanty (a Canadian by birth) 
Just worked the store and people for all that they were worth. 

A regular museum, where was kept for sale or trade, 
A general stock of every earthly lining that e'er was made; 
Dry goods, bacon, jewelry, molasses, pins and soap, 
Suiky plows and parasols, tobacco, silk and rope.' 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 373 

Feathers, flour and saner krant, and calico, and nails. 
Buggies, beans and baling twine, and needles, knives and pails. 
He dealt in bogs and cattle, and the various kinds of grain. 
And he made every edge to cut. did this same Bob McLean. 

Now Robert was a genius of the most emphatic kind. 
Just as plain and blunt in manner as any man you'd find: 
Was brave and broad and honest, and had within his breast 
As big and warm and soft a heart as could be found out West. 

He wore a pair of pantaloons made out of cottonade. 
A pair of cowhide boots outside, a hickory shirt, home-made, 
And one well greased suspender held his pantaloons in place. 
\n old wool hat, turned up behind, projected o'er his face. 



i 



But Bub got tired of keeping store, he hankered for a farm — 
A "quarter" of rich prairie dirt would fit him like a charm. 
And so he struck a granger who was asking for a trade. 
And havseed took the yardstick, while Bob shouldered the spade. 

If any of Bob's hosts of friends should stray out into Cloud county, 
they will find him husking pumpkins, and as proud of raising hogs and cab- 
bages and cockle-burs and corn, as any man that's farmed it every day since 
he was born. A. Brother. 

Though a genial, kind-hearted man, Mr. McLean is a little high strung, 
and viewed from a duelist standpoint, he is rather fierce, as the incident 
related here implies : The seeds of rebellion had been planted by a preacher 
of the Free Methodist faith, who bad farmed our subject's land and who, it 
is claimed, was hauling to market more than his share of the corn. Mr. 
McLean remonstrated with the divine, but his continued efforts were unavail- 
ing; he remained obdurate, and hot and hotter words ensued until Mr. 
McLean supplemented his persuasions by letting loose the flood gates of his 
wrath and transfixing the expounder of the gospel with a slap beside the 
head with a shovel. But there was an unpleasant sequel to his pugilistic 
tendencies, for his opponent was in a vindictive frame of mind ami did not 
hesitate to institute legal proceedings against his assailant, and on account of 
the prominence of the individuals, considerable notoriety was given the 
affair. Mr. McLean was arraigned for assault and battery, found guilty and 
fined one hundred dollars and costs, which amounted to more than seven 
hundred dollars — rather an expensive slap. 

.Mr. McLean talks interestingly of the early days in Kansas. He was 
a true pioneer and enjoyed the wild freedom of the plains. While on a buf- 
falo hunt his party found the skeleton of a man. and the bones of his ox 
team, with the wagon which had drawn the luckless frontiersman to his 



374 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

death on the lonely prairie, at the hands of some murderous Indian band. 
They carried away with them the skull and an arrow that held together two 
joints of the backb »ne. 

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Mel. can consists of seven children. 
Mark, the eldest son is one of the proprietors of "The Oxford," a popular 
restaurant in El Reno, Oklahoma, lie is prosperous and an adept in the 
business, having been connected with prominent places in Denver and San 
Diego. Mary, the eldest daughter, is the wife of V. Richards, a fanner of 
Sibley township. Frank, the second son, is of an agricultural turn of mind 
ami tlie prime mover in farm and stock interests. James, a young man of 
seventeen years, exhibits special talent for music. Anna, aged fifteen, grad- 
uated fr.uu District No. 16, in 1902, with the highest grades and won three 
scholarships, namely: Baker, Ottawa ami Great Bend Universities. 
Thomas, their youngest sou. was named for his uncle. Thomas McLean, the 
founder of Meredith and well known to all old settlers of that locality, where 
his widow, who survives him, still lives, d lieu- youngest child, who beat 
the good old Quaker name of Prudence, is aged ten. 

Mr. McLean is a Republican of pronounced type, lie is not identified 
with any denomination, hut contributes to the Catholic church, of which 
his wife and children are members. Hidden in a bower of trees on a knoll 
near the center of the farm, a few rods distant from pretty Lake Sibley, 
stands the pleasant home of the McLeans, where stranger or friend will 
always find their "latch-string hanging out." for their hospitality is as 
proverbial as Mr. McLean's individuality. 

CHARLES DANIEL AVERY. 

Charles I). Avery, the subject of this sketch, is one of the old residents 
and honored citizens of Sibley township, who emigrated to Kansas in [872. 
The first year of his residence in the state he lived on a rented farm six miles 
south of Blue Rapids. The following winter 1 1N73) he came to Cloud 
county and paid John Taggart, a brother of Oscar Taggart, of Concordia, 
eight hundred dollars for his homestead right and moved his family on the 
farm, where he continue! to reside, and where he has acquired a commodi- 
ous home, after long years of privations and reverses incident to grass- 
hoppers, prairie fire and drouth. The former did not damage him as seri- 
ously as the prairie fire that came in March of that year and burned the corn 
in his cribs, along with some hogs. In scorching the latter, forty or fifty 
little motherless pigs were more or less ruined: a new harvester, for which 
he had just paid one hundred and twenty-live dollars, his new wagon, fan- 
ning mill, wheat and oats in the granary; all were consumed and the house 
only saved by the most strenuous efforts. This was a serious loss to a 
man just starting in a new country and several hundred dollars in debt, 
but upon this foundation Mr. Avery has gained a competency and a desira- 
ble home. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 37 5 

Mr. Avery is a native of Niagara enmity. New York, born in 1839. 
He is a son of Daniel anil Almeda ( Lewis) Avery. His father lived in Ver- 
mont, the place of his nativity, and that of many generations of Avery- 
until after his marriage, when he removed to the state of New York, where 
he resided until his death in 1880. He was a blacksmith and farmer by 
occupation. Mr. Avery's mother died in i860. Our subject is the second 
youngest child in a family of thirteen children, only one of whom besides 
himself is living. Mr. Avery was reared in the family of a paternal aunt 
and drifted away from the hearthstone of his parents. 

When the contest between the north and south was inaugurated. Mr. 
Avery joined the Twelfth New York Independent Battery Light Artillery, 
with its quota of one hundred and twelve men under Captain \Y. H. Ellis. 
He enlisted November jo, 1861, for three years, and when his time expired 
re-enlisted and demonstrated his patriotism by serving until the close of 
hostilities. His company were in the front rank at the battle of the Wilder- 
ness and Shelton Farm. They had four guns taken by the enemy at Jerusa- 
lem Plank Road. They participated in the engagement at Ream's Station. 
one of the hardest fought small battles in the history of the Civil war. 
While they were stationed at Fort Haskell in front of Petersburg a shell 
was sent in their midst. They saw it advancing and as they dodged behind 
various places of protection the iron sphere exploded, sending its missiles 
in every direction, but fortunately no one was hurt. 

Mr. Avery was slightly wounded from the explosion of a shell. The 
soldiers were quartered in a bomb-proof retreat where they slept. It was 
a sort of dugout. The earth was excavated to a depth of five feet and 
covered with dirt, well packed down. Each apartment consisted of four 
bunks, with three men to each berth. Mr. Avery had been doing guard 
duty and had repaired to this place of safety for a few hours' rest and sleep. 
He had just retired in one of the bunks, when with a terrific noise a shell 
of about sixty pounds weight came crashing through. As it exploded he 
was struck on the wrist, which cracked the bone and disabled him for duty 
for about five weeks, but instead of going to the hospital he remained in 
the batterv. Mr. Avery, with two cousins, were comrades, all going into 
the service and returning together. Their company was under the charge 
of three different captains. The first was discharged for disgraceful con- 
duct; the second was George F. Mcknight, and he was succeeded by Charles 
A Clark. The two latter were from Buffalo. Xew York. Soon after the 
war Mr. Avery settled in Jackson county. Michigan, where he was married 
t" Miss Mary E. Wilcox in 1867. To their union seven son- and three 
daughters were born, viz: Charles Avery, their eldest child, is a well 
known photographer of Concordia. Several illustrations in this volume 
show the excellent character of his work. Arthur, whose personal sketch 
follows this of bis father. Lewis is a farmer of Sibley township. Myrtle 
is the wife of John Taylor, of Sprague. Nebraska. Guy is a jeweler of 
Hanover. Kansas. Cecil, who was recentlv married and lives on the home- 



376 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

stead. Lulu is the wife of William Clark, a prominent and well-to-do young 
fanner of Sibley township. Ralph, a young man of twenty, who is teaching 
his first term of school in district No. 05. He graduated from the Great 
Western Business College in njcu. Roy, the youngest son, is aged six- 
teen and Juanita, a little daughter, aged eleven. .Mrs. Avery, who was a 
very estimable woman, was deceased in .May, !S<)4- The \\ervs arc highly 
respectable people, as well as prosperous. They are members of the Method- 
ist Episcopal church of district No, 95. 

Mr. Avery is a Republican politically and has held various township 
offices. He is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

WILLIAM I. \Y ION. 

William Layton, an enterprising farmer of Buffalo township came to Kan- 
sas as early as [863, when the state was designated as "bleeding, suffering Kan 
sas," and settled in Nemaha county, near the Brown county line, lie Freighted 
in 1865 from Nemaha county to Fori < ollins, over the unsettled plains when 
the mail was carried from Atchison to Denver, Colorado, in stage coaches. 
Marysville, Kansas, was about the size of Jamestown, and Beatrice, Nebraska, 
could not boast of much more than a dozen houses. 

Possessed of the restless spirit that pervaded most men at that time, 
Mr. Layton sold the land he bought in Brown county, and in 1873, ul com- 
pany with his brother, pushed westward into Cloud county, where he bought 
the relinquishment of Charles II. Salters. They were visited by a heavy 
rain soon after moving into their new quarters — a combination dugout and 
log hut with dirt covered roof, which was practically dissolved and washed 
away under a three days' pouring down of the elements. They spent six- 
weeks in that abode, and as if to make it more uninhabitable the place was 
infested with myriads of fleas. The house was then enlarged by adding a few 
logs, covered by a shingled roof, and pronounced one of the best dwellings 
in the country; not without a little sarcasm, perhaps, for the settlers began 
to feel a little envious of the new comer who located in their midst and did 
a little too much "fixin' up." 

Although Mr. Layton has experienced numerous discouragements, 
withstood two grasshopper raids — for the one that visited Nemaha county 
in 1866 exceeded the ravages of this insect in Cloud county in 1874 — he is 
loyal to the state, came to stay and does not regret it. Taking his own 
experiences as a basis, he asserts anyone coming to Kansas with a stock of 
perseverance and well directed energy, can make a success, and also con- 
tends when all the advantages are considered there is no better country 1 >n 
earth. 

Mr. Layton"s farm consists of three hundred and twenty acres. For 
several years he carried on diversified farming, but of recent years he has 
given his attention to wheat raising and the growing of alfalfa. One season 
he had a tract of two hundred acres that yielded twenty-eight bushels of 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 377 

wheat per acre. He has a fielcl of fifty-five acres of alfalfa and considers 
this one of the best crops grown in this part of the country, from a financial 
standpoint. 

Mr. Layton has an interesting war record. On January I, 1862, he 
enlisted in Company H, Thirty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and 
served until the following September, when he was discharged for 
disability, occasioned by a gunshot wound received in the evening of the first 
day's fight at Shiloh. His right arm was broken, but with his left he picked 
up his gun, resolving he would not leave it for the rebels. He also received 
a gunshot wound in the thigh and still carries the ball. Dming the few 
months he served in the army he was taken at a rapid gait and experienced 
hard fighting. After the battle, our subject was numbered with the slain, 
but instead of being dead, he, with others, were thrown into a cotton gin, 
which was converted into a temporary hospital, its puncheon floor strewn 
with wounded soldiers. Had he been left there for any length of time, Mr. 
Layton would have succumbed, for his wounds were of a dangerous char- 
acter. But a boat came cruising down the Ohio river for the purpose of 
rescuing the boys of the "Buckeye" state who were in the improvised hos- 
pitals. Realizing that a little strategy meant salvation for him, Mr. Layton 
feigned he was from that commonwealth and was tenderly carried on board. 
Upon arriving at Cairo, he acknowledged the deception, revealed his iden- 
tity and beat his way home on a train. But his ardor had not cooled, and 
_as he stood watching the soldiers marching to the front great tears would 
well up in his eyes because he could not join their ranks again. The Thirty- 
second was a depleted regiment. Every commissioned officer went down 
in the first battle of Shiloh; also every non-commissioned officer with the 
exception of two. The regiment was almost exterminated, but Mr. Lay- 
ton's brother, Preston, came through without a scratch. Mr. Layton was 
a Mifferer from his wounds for a period of fifteen years. 

Just after the close of the war our subject was married to Mary Good- 
pasture, whose father, John Goodpasture, was one of Nemaha county's pio- 
neers, having settled there as early as 1859. He had sold his farm in Illinois 
during the war, but the parties to whom he sold were unable to meet the 
pavments and the property reverted to him. Later on he returned to Illi- 
nois, where he died in 1891. The Goodpastures descended from an old 
Holland family. Mrs. Goodpasture's maiden name was Emily Long, and 
she was of southern lineage. Mrs. Layton was a small child when her 
mother died, and she was reared by a step-mother, who is still living. Mrs. 
Layton is one of six children, four of whom are living: Mrs. Jobe, of 
Prescott, Arizona; Mrs. Sarah McCarthy, who resides on a farm near Jack- 
sonville, Illinois, and Samuel Goodpasture, of Concord, Morgan county, 
Illinois. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Layton five children have been born. Their eldest 
child and only daughter married Robert Jones. She was a woman of gen- 
tle, attractive character, and her death in January, 1902. was mourned not 



3/8 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. KANSAS. 



only by her husband and family, but by a large circle of friends and acquaint- 
George, their eldest son, is a successful business man and a mem 
ber of the linn of Layton 81 Neilson, druggists, Concordia. Their second 
son, William Waldo, died at the age of six years. John M. and Roj 1'... 
the two younger sons, are practical farmers. 

In [884 Mr. Layton erected a handsome two-storj residence of nine 
m [892 .1 line basement ham. \nxious to have their home sur- 
rounded by a grove of trees. Mr. and Mrs. Layton planted si\ hundred box- 
elders, and many of these are living. Later they planted elms, ash and 
cedars with good results. While they were planting the switches that later 
developed into trees, their little family of children. now grown to manhood, 
watched the proceedings through the windows. 

Mr. Layton is a man esteemed for his sterling worth of uprightness, 
Ills career has been one of industry and p nee, and Ins methodical 

system of farming has brought its returns in tin- developmenl of a beautiful 
country place, where, surrounded by his excellent family, he enjoys the fruits 
of his labors. Socially, he has been a member of the Independent Order of 
1 1 Id Fellows about twenty years, and also belongs to the Grand Arm) ol the 
Republic. Politically, he is a staunch Democrat. 

WALTER S< OTT 1 ■< (STER. 



Among the young men of Concordia who are fitting themselves to suc- 
ceed in business enterprises on their own responsibility, as numerous others 

have done, is Walter Scott hosier, a trusted 
employe in the drug store of W. F. Neitzel, 
a position he has occupied for three years. 
Mr. Foster has not always been engaged in 
this capacity, but learned the harness trade 
in Scotland, his native country, and was in 
the employ of Thomas Lam ay. of < bncordia, 
fi ir two years. 

Mr. Foster is one of nine children born 
to George and Hannah (New) Foster. The 
late John .Yew. one of Clyde's old residents. 
was an uncle of our subject, having been his 
mother's brother. Mr. Foster's father was 
formerly a druggist and chemist and owned 
a drug store in the city of Hull. He was 
also in the civil service for about fifteen years 
as revenue collector, but on account of ill 
health is retired from a business career. Mr. 
Foster has two brothers in Kansas and one 
in Missouri, but the other members of the family are in England. 

Mr. Foster was born in Scotland but is of English parentage. When 




Walter Scott Foster. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 3; 9 

a youth his parents removed to Yorkshire, England, where they still reside. 
Socially Mr. Foster is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. 
He is a member of the Episcopal church of England. Mr. Foster is an 
ambitious young man, for whom it is not improbable the future holds marked 
success, for he is honorable, trustworthy and capable — qualities never over- 
looked in the business world. 

ARTHUR AUGUSTIN AVERY. 

The subject of this sketch is one of the prosperous sons of Charles 
D. Avery, of the preceding sketch, and one of the most well-to-do farmers 
and stockmen of Sibley township. 

Mr. Avery was born in Jackson county, Michigan, near the town of 
Parma, in 1870, and was but two and a half years old when the family 
emigrated to Kansas; hence he is practically a product of the state. He 
was educated in the old Sibley school house. Xo. 16, on the original Sib- 
lev townsite, and taught school for three years, two years in Lawrenceburg 
and one vear near Aurora. With the exception of this school work lie has 
always been a farmer. 

Mr. Avery was married in [895 to Miss Mary Anna Iverson, a very 
deserving and amiable young woman whose parents were old settlers in 
Sibley township. She is a daughter of the late Louis and Christine ( Han- 
son) Iverson. who homesteaded section eleven, the farm where Mr. and 
Mrs. Avery now live. The Iversons were of Danish birth. Her father was 
burn in Scbleswig-Holstein, March 28, 1S27. He was a seafaring man for 
some vears. making voyages from San Francisco around to Cape Horn. 
He subsequently located temporarily in California and engaged in the allur- 
ing occupation of gold mining, owned valuable properties and acquired a 
fortune, but lost the greater part of it in unwise speculation. After his 
wealth became shattered be gathered the fragments of his successes together, 
and acting' upon Shakespeare's lines, 

'.'There is a tide in the affairs of men. 
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune," 

he came to America, sanguine that good results would yet follow bis under- 
takings. He made two trips across the United States and had selected a 
site near Omaha, Nebraska, for a home, but fell in company with some 
of his countrymen in Junction City, who were coming to Cloud county. 
Kansas. He joined them, established a home, returned to Denmark and 
married. Mr. Iverson prospered in Kansas and founded a permanent home 
where he died, surrounded by the comforts of life. July 19, 1899. Mrs. 
Iverson was born in Denmark June 12. 1846. She was deceased March 
1868, leaving two daughters. Two sons were born to their union, both 
of whom were deceased in early y< luth. 

Ida Christine has gained prominence as an educational worker and a 



? 8o HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

teacher of music. 5he is now pursuing a classical course in Stanford I ni- 
versity. The rudiments of her education were acquired in joint district No. 
i. Cloud and Republic counties, and she taught two terms of school before 
going to California eight years ago. She was one of a party of tourists 
who visited the Paris Exposition, including a trip to Austria, Ireland. Eng- 
land Scotland. Germany, Italy and many other places of interest. Her 
present ami ami ambition is to complete a University course as a means oi 
obtaining higher and more responsible positions. 

Mrs. \\i-rv was educated in the home school and is possessed of con 
siderable talent in both music and art. She is a woman of many admirable 
qualities, and the interior of their home suggests the refined taste of its 
matron. \fter the mother's death. Mrs. Avery was her father's hou i 
keeper, I i Mr. and Mrs. Avery two children have been horn Lloyd Law- 
rence and Helen Christine. Aside from the homestead Mr. Awn owns 
four hundred and forty-four acres of fertile bottom land along the Repub- 
lican river that is in a highly cultivated state. lie keeps a herd of about 
one hundred and twenty fivi head of native cattle and has a pasture of 
eight) acres along the river He raises on an i erage over one hundred 
id of hogs and has made his rnonej in stock. Like most of the farmers 
along the Republican he raises corn and ships it in the form of cattle and 
Mr. Avery has enlarged the residence, built commodious sheds and 
otherwise improved the homestead. From one of his adjoining farms Mr. 

Avery sawed thirty thousand feel of cottonw 1 lumber from a grove and 

avenue ^i trees that have sprung up into giants within a little more than a 
quarter of a century. 

Politically Mr. Avery is a Republican. lie has been treasurer of the 
school board for rive years. Mr. and Mi's. Avery are among the representa- 
tive pe< pie of the community, are members of the district No. 95 Methodist 
Episcopal church and associated with all worthy measures for the improve 
ment of the locality in which they live. 

WILLIAM B.AKER WILLIAMS. 

William Baker Williams, better known to Kansans as "Greenback Will- 
iams." is one of the characters of Cloud county. When he came into the 
community in 1878 the currency question was at its zenith and he was an 
ardent "Greenbacker." There were four individuals in the vicinity of his 
home who bore the name of Williams. They were about the same age and 
were christened with similar initials. All these "Williams" received their mail 
through the Concordia postoffice, and to designate him from the others of 
like cogni men. and in accordance with his enthusiastic interest in the finan- 
cial question, he was given the sobriquet tint made him famous. He is 
known far and wide, his name often appearing in the eastern papers, giving 
descriptions of him and his surroundings. A. new York paper recently 
pictured him as an eccentricity living cm an island in the Solomon river. Since 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 381 

the currency question is a dead issue he votes the Socialist ticket. He has 
always been on the side of reform and his persistent views have been widely 
commented on. Though on the unpopular side politically, Mr. Williams 
is highly esteemed by his neighbors and is a good citizen. 

He was born in Muhlenburg county, Kentucky, February 13, 1834. 
He received a limited education in his native state, but in his boyhood days 
the public school system was not what the bright boys and girls of to-day 
are favored with. To learn to read, write and spell, and perhaps "cipher" 
a little, was considered an accomplishment for a country bred boy. His 
parents were William and Lydia (Studebaker) Williams, of the same lineage 
as the noted wagon manufacturer. Our subject's paternal grandfather, 
also William Williams, was an American born and a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary war. He was one of a family of twelve sons and one daughter. 
They all arrived at maturity, but during the Revolution became separated 
and lost to one another (although he was the only patriot of the family) 
and many of them were never reunited. "Blue Jeans" Williams, of Indiana, 
a noted politician and attorney, is of the same ancestry. He was a bright 
man in his day. but eccentric. He insisted on wearing blue jeans long after 
that particular weave was out of date. This and other peculiarities won 
him the title that was never dispelled. 

Air. Williams' father was a South Carolina planter and a slaveholder. 
He disposed of his slaves in 1847. but some of the family held them until 
the rebellion. The sentiments of his people were divided and represented 
both sides. His paternal ancestors were of Welsh origin, but as most Amer- 
ican born people whose forefathers settled in this country, he is a mixture 
df several nationalities — Welsh, English, Scotch and German, the latter 
predominating, perhaps. When nineteen years of age Mr. Williams located 
in Woodford county, Illinois, where he worked on a farm until the winter 
of 1855, when he was married to Miss Esther Arrowsmith on the 24th day 
of December. She was a young English woman who came with her par- 
ents to America when she was twenty years of age and settled in Illinois. 
After the war Mr. Williams removed to Buchanan county, Missouri, 
where he resided until 1870. In July of that month he located in Jewell 
county. Kansas, and homesteaded land. After a happy wedded life of 
thirty-six years Mrs. Williams died August 23, 1891. -To their union thir- 
teen children were born ; seven lived to maturity, two sons and five daugh- 
ters, all of whom are married and have families. The two sons and one 
daughter are in Cloud county, two daughters in Nebraska and one in Iowa. 
A young German woman who was orphaned when a child, lives in the fam- 
ily of Mr. Williams, who was administrator of her father's estate. There 
were two sisters. Amelie and Martha. They were bathing in the river when 
the latter gnt in the water beyond her depth and was drowned. She was 
aged ten years. 

Mr. Williams was married May 10. [892, to Mrs. Maggie Harrison, 
of Jewell county, who is a most estimable woman. In [877 Mr. Williams 



3S2 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

sold his farm in Jewel! county and bought the original homestead of \\ '. C. 
Iliams, who contested the right to the claim, taken bark in the 'sixties. 
Mi has placed all the improvements on the farm, which consists of one hun- 
dred and twenty acre- in Buffalo township, five miles west and three and 
half miles north of Concordia. A commodious residence, substantia] 
barns, orchards, a well kept blue grass lawn and fine shade trees; an ideal 
home, where Mr. and Mrs. Williams, who are praiseworthy citizens and 
neighbors, can spend their declining years, surrounded by mam comforts. 

EDWARD MARSH \U.. 

The subject of tins sketch is Edward Mar-hall, now of Barnard, l.in- 

n county, Kansas, but for years one of the best known and mosl highl) 

respected citizen- of Cloud enmity, both socially and politically. Mr. Mai 

til is a ii "Merrie England," the land that has sent main- of her 

id daughters across the blue waters of the Atlantic to a i I 

in making this great commonwealth one of the foremost among the nations 

nf the world. 

Mr. Marshall was born in [843, and when a youth of twelve summers 
emigrated with his father's family to Nova Scotia, and two years later to 
Wisconsin, where he received a common school education, and when hni eigh- 
teen f age responded to the call of his adopted country for men and 
enlisted in Company 11. First Wisconsin Infantry, serving three years under 
the distinguished General Thomas, in Sherman's army. After he was dis- 
rged lie returned to Nashville, Tennessee, just as Hood made an attack 
on that city, and Mr. Marshall was commissioned captain of a company in 
the quartermaster's forces, lie rejnained one year at Nashville, hut finding 
himself at a disadvantage and unpopular because of his northern proclivi- 
he returned to his former Wisconsin home and bought an interest in a 
stage line. Four years subsequently he removed to Dodge Center, Dodge 
county, Minnesota, where he. with other interested parties, established a 
grain, livery and implement business. During most of this time he served 
as city marshal. In [872 he emigrated to Kansas and located in the unset- 
tled territory now included in Oakland township, which Mr. Marshall helped 
to organize in the summer of 1:874. It included thirty-six sections of land, 
or sj\ square miles. Here Mr. Marshall took adavntage of his homestead 
right and filed on one hundred and sixty acres of '"Uncle Sam's" broad 
domain. He did not need to sing with the poet any more. "No foot of land 
do I possess, a pilgrim in the wilderness." Everything had a thrifty appear- 
ance and Mr. Marshall wanted quality rather than quantity, and so did not 
use his soldier's right and pre-empt a quarter section. This year was fol- 
lowed by drouth and grasshoppers and he witnessed the Arcadia transformed 
into a fruitless desert and underwent the hardships and discouragements 
of the average settler. Entering upon a political career, he left the farm in 
1885. but retained his land until 189S. In 1895 Mr. Marshall was elected 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 38$ 

to the office of sheriff of Cloud county on the Republican ticket. The tem- 
perance question was before the people at this election and Mr. Marshall 
promised if elected he would close every saloon in Cloud county. This prom- 
ise was carried out within four months after he took his office, the saloon 
interest being completely routed. He was re-elected two years later and the 
joints and saloons under his jurisdiction suffered severely. In 1898, when 
he sold his farm, Mr. Marshall engaged in mercantile pursuits in Concor- 
dia. One year later he removed his stock of goods to Barnard, where, asso- 
ciated with his son J. C. they are doing a prosperous business. His stock 
consists of a full line of merchandise and in connection they handle the Deer- 
ing goods and do a large trade in the implement line. They do business 
under the firm name of Marshall & Son. 

Mr. Marshall was married in Ravenna. Ohio, in 1868. to Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Hart. To this union three sons and two daughters were born. The 
eldest son, J. E., is traveling salesman for a Topeka paper company: J. A. 
is editor and publisher of the Jamestown Optimist; J. C. is associated in 
business with his father; Ada is employed as saleslady in the general mer- 
chandise store of Scott & Lintz, of Concordia, and Lida is house- 
keeper for her father, the mother having died in 1888. Mrs. Marshall was 
a member of the late President Carfield's church at Ravenna. She was a 
cultured woman and to her counsels her children doubtless owe much of 
whatever honor or success they may attain. Mr. Marshall is a member of 
the Christian church, while his children attend the Baptist church. 

MRS. HILDA ELFSTROM. 

The subject of this sketch is Mrs. Flilda Elfstrom. of Arion township, 
whose experiences in life are marked by accident and coincidence, but she 
has gathered up the scattered threads of destiny and woven them into a 
beautiful combination. The woof of the busy shuttle in the loom of life is 
not always smooth and fine, or rose-colored in its hue. "Mistakes she made 
not few. yet wove perchance as best she knew." 

Mrs. Elfstrom is the widow of Gustaf Elfstrom, who came to Kansas 
in 1869, an 'l settled on a homestead, their present farm in Arion township. 
Mr. Elfstrom was born in the central part of Sweden in 1840. His original 
name was Alonson. His father died when he was a youth and his mother 
married a man by the name of Elfstrom. According to an established rule 
of that country a student whose name ended in "son" could not be admitted, 
consequently when Gustaf Alonson entered the Lund University, where he 
graduated at the age of nineteen years, he adopted his step-father\s name. 
He has two half-brothers, one of whom is very wealthy, being proprietor 
of a drug store in Stockholm, valued at eighty thousand dollars. The other 
brother lives on the old estate in Sweden. 

Mr. Elfstrom began his career as first mate on an American vessel and 
t< 'i' several years following was a seafaring man. He was in Xew Orleans when 

23 



384 HISTORY OF CLOUD .COUNTY, KANSAS. 

the south seceded and was filled with a desire to enter the army, but Captain 
Waite fell ill and Mr. Elfstrom.'at Captain Waite's earnest solicitation and 
offer of a lucrative salary, became commander of the latter'- vessel, remain- 
ing in that capacity for three years, sailing from Calcutta to New Orleans. 
His life at sea was an eventful one and during the ten years thus passed he 
experienced two thrilling ship wrecks. While on the high seas enroute from 
Calcutta to Australia they came in contact with a pirate vessel and at once- 
raised the American stars and stripes, while almost simultaneously the rob 
bers hoisted the black lias;', and both <hips prepared to make ready for war- 
fare; but the plunderers' force was inferior and thej withdrew. Mr. Elf- 
strom's \essci earned cargoes t.. Melbourne, Australia, and while in the city 
he and some friends went out with a guide who conducted them into the 
midst of a hand of brigands .Mr. Elfstrom was a linguist and spoke Italian 
and French and several other languages fluently, and in this way discovered 
the plot, revealed the scheme t" his comrades, overpowered the freebooters 
and made their escape. 

Mr. Elfstrom finally grew tired of adventures at sea. He had read in 
the papers and various other literature that was scattered broadcast over the 
land, of the fertile fields of America, and more especially of the new state of 
Kansas, and of the productiveness of her vasl acres that could he secured 
for a mere pittance — a laud of promise where things grew without cultiva- 
tion. With these alluring prospects he gave up his life on the "briny deep" 
and sought a home in the far. far west. About the same time Mrs. Elf- 
Strom's father decided to build a home for himself and family in the far- 
famed western country, and the two men met in Junction City, the destina- 
tion of many home seekers at that time. 

In company with a guide, the tourists who were destined to later 
become mutually interested, journeyed together looking over the country in 
quest of homesteads, and upon arriving in Arion township they found their 
goal, the end of their final purpose. Mr. Elfstrom secured the homestead 
where his family now live and his wife's father. Carl John Reymers, tiled 
on land lour miles further north. Mrs. Elfstrom did not come with her 
father's family to their new home, but remained at Fort Riley in the family 
of Colonel Hamilton, that she might learn to speak the English language. 
Her father died the following autumn. Septemher 15, 1869. A letter sent 
to Mrs. Elfstrom. apprising her of her father's death did not reach her for 
two weeks, but Colonel Hamilton sent her home under an escort of six sol- 
diers and a sergeant. Soon afterward Colonel Hamilton was ordered by 
President Grant to change his quarters to Jefferson Barracks. St. Louis. 
and Mrs. Elfstrom accompanied them, and through this association she 
gained an English education. Mrs. Elfstrom's place of nativity is Stock- 
holm, Sweden, where she was educated in a private school and under a gov- 
erness in her father's home. The Reymers were of German origin. Her 
great-grandfather settled in Sweden, where he died, leaving a large estate 
which l>ecame involved in litigation and was lost to her father, who was an 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 385 

intelligent and well educated man. He was an extensive fanner in Sweden 
and operated a brickyard and a tannery. She has two brothers who reside 
at Grant's Pass, Oregon, and are prosperous men — Napoleon, a fruit grower 
and shipper, and Victor, a gardener. 

Mr. and Mrs. Elfstrom were married in Clyde, Kansas, in 1870, editor 
J. B. Rupe performing the ceremony. Their early married life was spent 
in a log house, but they had some finance and were comfortable, happy 
and sanguine of the future bringing them merited returns. Owing to the 
grasshoppers, the drouth and the high price of provisions, they saw their 
means vanish like snow under the rays of a warm sun, and like all the settlers 
of that period, they were reduced to very economical living, but by constant 
and assiduous labor, coupled with frugal domestic management, they had 
acquired a comfortable home, when, in 1880, the husband and father, in the 
prime of his full manhood was cut clown by the "grim reaper." 

Mr. Elfstrom was a powerful man and his love for sport frequently 
induced him to compete with his comrades and friends in a test of strength. 
On the fatal occasion which caused his death, several members of a thresh- 
ing crew who were at a neighbors, engaged in pulling "hand-holds" and 
Mr. Elfstrom was matched against Julius A. Belo, another man of great 
strength. The strain of this test produced the rupturing of a blood vessel 
and he died as a result. Mr. Elfstrom was a man of more than ordinary 
intelligence, a rare conversationalist, spoke several different tongues, and hav- 
ing had early educational advantages, was a fine scholar, and through the 
knowledge gained by extensive travel in various parts of the world he pos- 
sessed a broad fund of general knowledge. 

Mrs. Elfstrom kept her little brood together, and although she met with 
many reverses, has been rewarded with prosperity. In 1883 tnev erected 
a large stone residence, one of the best in the vicinity, which was destroyed 
by fire the following" year. With the assistance of neighbors anil kind 
friends they built a small frame building. There were discouragements, but 
her boys were growing strong each day and the school of industry in which 
they were reared made it possible for them to manage the farm work early 
in life and as they grew to manhood, better days dawned until now they 
occupy one of the most beautiful country homes in the community. 
The sons are practical farmers and stockmen and are adding other lands to 
the homestead. Evar, the eldest son, bought eighty acres adjoining in 1897, 
and in 1901 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres near Maceyville. 
Harold, the second son, owns a quarter section in the same locality. The 
brothers also rent land and are extensive wheat growers, having- on an 
average two hundred and sixty acres. They have made their money raising 
wheat, cattle and hogs. Besides the two sons mentioned, there is a third, 
Emile, who, like his brothers, is an industrious young farmer. The daugh- 
ters, four in number, are prepossessing and refined young women. Annie 
is married to James Johnson, and they are the parents of three children. 
Ralph, Hilda and an infant. Olga is the wife of Frank Moore, by whom 



386 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

she has had two little daughters, Allie and Myrtle. Florence is the wife of 
Arthur Spicer; she was a student of the Concordia High school one year. 
Alice, the youngest daughter, is unmarried and lives at home. The children 
have been educated principally in district No. 17. Thomas Malone was the 
first teacher of this district and taught the term preparatorj to drawing the 
state fund and was paid in pork, flour, sorghum and sundry other articles. 
All three of the sons in law are farmers of Arion township. The Elfstrom 
boys are all Republicans "t' staunch tendencies and are sober, honest and 
trustworthy young men who will make life a success. 

Mrs. Elfstrom is not a woman given t- extravaganl expenditure, hut 
Iter home is one of comfort ami suggests 1 peaceful, happy abode. Per- 
sonalty she is gifted with a bright intellect and is .1 woman of education and 

mplishment. 

JOHN II. \SII1.I-.Y. 

The subject of this sketch. John II. Ashley, came to Kansas in 1879, 
and bought one hundred and sixty acres of State Normal school land in 
Buffalo township for a consideration of eight hundred dollars. Mr. \ >h 
lev possessed but little capital other than courage and industry, those 
important factors essential to success in Kansas and from these accessories 
he has built one of the best country homes in the county. Mr. Ashley came 
from the state of Michigan, when- he had followed the occupation of farm- 
ing. He chartered a car through to Concordia, shipping a team of horses. 
about a year's supply of provisions and being in a timbered country, he had 
lumber on hand which was also brought through in the car. This they 
used in building their first residence, a house sixteen by twenty-four feet 
in dimensions, one and one-half stories high with hoards up and down and 
a barn of the same architecture. A brother-in-law, the Honorable S. C. 
Wheeler, had preceded them and through his glowing description of the 
state and its possibilities Mr. Ashley was prompted to follow and has not 
regretted the venture. He has heen prosperous from the beginning, although 
lie has met with some reverses, prominent among which was the burning 
of his barn in [880 by prairie fire, including a year's supply of corn for 
feeding purposes. 

Mr. Ashley's paternal grandparents were Leonard and Sally ( McDougal 1 
Ashley, of Canada. His parents were James and Polly L. ( Magee ) Ashley. 
His father, the Reverend James Ashley, a Free-Will Baptist minister, was 
born in Toronto. Canada. November 18. 1815. In the year 1820 the fam- 
ily emigrated to Huron county. Ohio, where, amidst advantages and disad- 
vantages, the boy who had not yet attained his majority developed into man- 
hood. His father was a farmer and unable to give his son superior edu- 
cational advantages, apprenticed him to a blacksmith that he might weld 
a livelihood out of that avocation. At the age of fifteen years he was con- 
verted to the Baptist faith and in 1841 began a successful ministerial career. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 387 

He was an earnest advocate of Christian principles and his sympathy, affa- 
bility and colloquial gifts attracted all classes of people. New fields were 
opened, churches instituted and the Seneca quarterly meeting organized, 
where most of his pastoral and evang-elical work was done and much good 
accomplished. 

In 1855 he removed to Cass county, Michigan, where the remainder of 
his useful life was spent, laboring there for more than twenty-five years. 
During this period he preached twelve years in Sumnerville and in the 
meantime traveled a distance of eighteen thousand miles. In 1869 he was 
elected to the legislature, but would not consent to a second term because of 
the crookedness and corruptness of political affairs. He died March 23, 

1882. Polly L. Magee was of Scotch ancestry and by her marriage with 
the Reverend James Ashley she became the mother of twelve children. 

Our subject was born in Huron county, Ohio, in 1842 and was mar- 
ried in 1864 to Harriet Stephens, a daughter of David R. Stephens and the 
granddaughter of Lyman Stephens, who settled in Cass county. Michi- 
gan, in 1835, having emigrated from Oneida county, New York, via the 
Erie canal to Buffalo and thence to Detroit by boat, where they procured an 
ox-team, traveled overland and settled in Cass county. Mrs. Ashley's 
father was at that time thirteen years of age and drove a "breaking team" 
for the compensation of twenty-five cents per day. The state at this time 
was new and their place of abode was a cabin roofed with bark peeled from 
the trees with which it was densely surrounded. Their wordly possessions 
consisted of a yoke of oxen, a wagon and twelve dollars in cash, but they 
went bravely to work and with strong arms and willing hands transformed 
the wooded land into tillable and cultivated ground. During the first win- 
ter five hundred Indians camped near their house but were of a peaceable 
ami friendly tribe. Airs. Ashley's father was a successful farmer and, with 
the exception of one, the oldest settler of Mason township, Cass county, 
Michigan. He ran a threshing machine for more than twenty-four years 
and purchased the first grain elevator in that locality. In 1867 he brought 
the second portable steam engine into the county. He died in 1896, one 
year following his golden wedding, leaving a wife who still survives and 
lives on the old homestead in Michigan, where all her married life has been 
spent. Before her marriage she was Ellen E. Roberts. The two son-.. 
George L. and John L., both reside at the old homestead. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Ashley four children have been born, viz: Arietta 
May. the eldest daughter, is the wife of Lee Judd. a carpenter with resi- 
dence in Oakland, California. Frank \Y., the eldest son, was married to 
Atha Gilbert, a daughter of J. H. Gilbert, who settled in Cloud county in 

1883. and nine years later moved to Oklahoma, where he still resides near 
Hitchcock. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert were both teachers, the former having 
taught between twenty-five and thirty years and is well known in the 
schools of Cloud county. Frank W. Ashley owns eighty acres of land near 
his father's place. The second son. Will S.. is unmarried and assists his 



388 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

father on the farm. Mary LeEtta, a promising young girl of fourteen 
years, is at home. 

Mr. Ashley served the last ten and one-half months of the Civil war in 
Company C, Second Michigan Cavalry, under Captain II. L. Hempstead 
and Colonel Johnson. During this time he saw active service and was in 
the battles of Franklin and Nashville lie was promoted corporal about a 
week after enlisting. His company won laurels during their brief exist- 
ence as the recruits of Company ('. which was organized in 1861. During 
his war experience Mr, Ashley had two horses shot from under him. 

From the original little box house erected at the time of locating in 
Cloud county a commodious residence of nine rooms has grown, sur- 
rounded and enhanced by a luxuriant grove composed mostly of box-elders. 
Under the cooling shadows of these trees the old veterans and members of 
the Grand Army of the Republic of Concordia assemble annually to 
rehearse experiences and extend the hand of fellowship to old comrades. 
Mr, Ashley follows diversified farming and also gives considerable atten- 
tion to fruit growing, and his prosperity is the result of his well-directed 
energies. He is a public-spirited man. a staunch Republican in his political 
views and takes an interest in everything pertaining to the promotion of all 
worthy causes. .Mrs. Ashley is a woman of refinement and has been a true 
helpmate to her husband, assisting very materially in acquiring their pres- 
ent competency. The Ashley home is one of perfect harmony. FranK W. 
and his wife, since their marriage of ten years ag 0j have lived at his father's 
home as members of one family, hence, instead of losing their son they 
gained a daughter. 

THOMAS B. HOLTZMAN. 

T. B. Holtzman. the subject of this sketch, came to Kansas in 1873, 
without capital but with an abundance of that goodly heritage, pluck and 
enterprise. He began life on a farm in a very humble way, having lived in 
a dugout for three months. He then built a one-room house known as a 
"box house," paid seven dollars per thousand for the shingles and hauled 
them fifty miles. Mr. Holtzman was single at that time — when girls were 
at a premium. His father filed on land adjoining and a few years later they 
built a comfortable stone house on his homestead. 

Mr. Holtzman is a native of West Virginia, born on a farm in Preston 
county in 1849. His parents were John and Hannah ( Trowbridge) Holtz- 
man. His fathers birthplace was Maryland, but early in life he removed 
with his parents to West Virginia. John Holtzman with his family emi- 
grated to Missouri in 1871. and two years later to Kansas. He died in 
1892, at the age of sixty-two years. The Holtzmans, as the name implies, 
were of German origin. The Trowbridge ancestors were an old English 
family and settled in Virginia in an early day. His mother died in 1885. 
Mr. Holtzman is the only living child of a family of three children, the 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 389. 

other two having died in infancy. Mr. Holtzman and his father bought 
twenty five head of cattle and a yoke of oxen. This purchase consumed all 
their capital, but their stock increased year by year until now he owns 
two hundred head which is one of the finest bred Shorthorn herds in the 
state. He has raised many hogs, marketing several car loads per year, often 
netting him twenty-five hundred dollars annually. In 1893 n ' s hogs 
brought eight cents per pound. He gives considerable attention to fruit 
.raising. Mr. Holtzman's farm is a sort of market, as he buys much of the 
surplus feed that is raised in his neightorhood. He also raises horses and 
mules and has some fine stock in that line. Mr. Holtzman is an extensive 
land owner. In 1882 he bought forty acres adjacent to his original claim 
from the proceeds of a load of hogs. In 1894 he purchased two hundred 
and forty acres lying one and three-quarters miles south and one-half mile 
west of his homestead, and in 1893 inherited his father's land. In 1901 he 
bought three hundred and thirty acres of land in Lawrence township, a 
fine property with one hundred and twenty-five acres under cultivation, 
watered by never-failing springs and intersected by Salt creek. Mrs. Holtz- 
man homesteaded land which she still retains. It is situated opposite the 
home place. They own a total of eleven hundred acres of valuable land. 
This estate has by the magic hands of industry become one of the most 
admirably conducted farms in Cloud county and yields a handsome income. 
The buildings of this fine country place all indicate there is a thorough and 
practical farmer at the helm. In 1882 Mr. Holtzman erected a handsome 
modern dwelling of nine rooms, surrounded by a well-kept lawn and located 
on one of those high points that afford a commanding view of the surround- 
ing country' for many miles. A year later he erected a commodious barn. 

Mr. Holtzman was married in 1877 to Maggie, a daughter of San- 
ford and Alary (Patterson) Halbert. Her father was an old Virginian, 
born in 1808, and came to Kansas with his family in 1871, and filed on land 
near the Holtzman homestead, where he died in 1893, at the age of eighty- 
seven years. Her mother was born in Pennsylvania in 1812. and died at 
the age of thirty-six years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Holtzman are the parents of two children, the eldest is a 
son, Homer, who is interested with his father on the farm and gives prom- 
ise of becoming like his sire, a success in life. He has been educated in the 
home district and one year in the Salina Wesleyan College. The daughter, 
Mae. a bright and promising young girl, is a student in the Great Western 
Business College of Concordia, taking a commercial course. She also pos- 
sesses a good deal of musical talent. Mr. Holtzman is in sympathy with 
the Republican party and works for its principles. 

CHARLES KRISTOFFERSON. 

The subject of this sketch. Charles Kristofferson. more commonly 
known as "Ericson."' which is his Swedish cognomen, according to the 
custom of that country, deserves a conspicuous place among the old settlers 



390 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

who have risen from poverty to opulence. From a poor, penniless youth, a 
foreigner comparatively friendless and alone in the world, he lias become 
the owner of one of the finest estates in Cloud county, and a good sized bank 
account. 

Mr. Kristofferson is a native of Sweden, born in 1S47. His father 
had secured employment for him on the railroad section in advance of Ins 
emigrating to this country and his employer forwarded money for his pass- 
age over, the amount to lie reserved from his wages. Upon coming to 
America, in 1869, he firsl settled in Iowa and the following year came to 
Cloud count\- and homesteaded his present farm in Meredith township. In 
Sweden he occupied a position with a Swedish nobleman hut was required 
to dress in livery. His wages were low and he saved nothing of his earn 
ings. His father is Eric Kristofferson, a farmer, and preceded his son one 
year to America and two years later came to Cloud county and took up a 
homestead adjoining his son's. The old dugout he occupied is still Standing 
and in a good state of preservation, lie is now retired and is living in Con- 
cordia, at the age of seventy-eighl years. I lis grandfather and great 
grandfather were farmers in Sweden. Mis mother was Johanna Jenson and 
died when the subject of this sketch was thirteen years of age. leaving three 
children, one of whom beside himself is living, a brother, Eric Ericson, a 
stone mason of Concordia, lie also homesteaded a place in .Meredith town- 
ship, the farm now owned by Peter Johnson. Their father has buried four 
wives. By the third wife there is one daughter, Minnie Kristofferson, aged 
fourteen years. Mr. Kristofferson worked as a day laborer on the Union 
Pacific Railroad then in course of construction through Nebraska, and wit- 
nessed the first train that passed over that road to San Francisco. In 1872 
he worked on the Kansas Pacific and saw the first train that ran from Kan- 
sas City to Cheyenne. He had only money enough to pay for his homestead 
right; no team, no stock nor implements with which to work his claim; but 
his hopes were buoyed up by the thought that some day he would be able to 
see the uncultivated fields yielding crops of golden grain. This vision of 
the future filled him with hope and with a light heart he worked by the day 
until he had earned a yoke of oxen. Before he had secured a team he had 
occasion to go to Solomon City for a supply of provisions and to procure a 
breaking plow to use when able to hire his neighbor's oxen. In the mean- 
time he had improvised a cart from the hindmost wheels of a wagon. With 
this vehicle he started from home, after eating an eleven o'clock meal, walk- 
ing and pulling the cart all the way to Solomon City, arriving there by 
nightfall. He secured his plow, a sack of flour and a few other of the nec- 
essaries of life and the next afternoon started homeward over the roadless 
prairies, hauling- the cart. He had hoped to find some settler who would 
be traveling in his direction that he might attach the vehicle, but none com- 
ing that way he left on Mondav afternoon, going as far as Minneapolis, 
where he stayed over night. He had provided himself with a lunch for his 
noonday meal the next day and started on his journey before dawn. The 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. yji 

day was hot and dusty and lie was footsore, thirsty and weary. Fancy his 
chagrin and disappointment when preparing to rest and enjoy his lunch to 
discover that it had been stolen by some culprit the night before in Minneapo- 
lis: but he was more fortunate than the day previous and got a ride part of 
the way. 

Mr. Kristofferson was married in 1875, and lived in a dugout for six 
rears where their first three children were born. He now owns five hun- 
dred and forty acres of wheat, corn and pasture land, and raises and feeds 
from eight}" tn one hundred head of cattle. He is grading his herd of short- 
horns into Hereford breeds. He also raises a great many hogs. In 1880 he 
built a handsome two-story residence of se\en rooms. He has good barns, his 
buildings are all freshly painted and has ample sheds and shelter for all his 
stock. The west branch of Pipe creek runs through his farm and furnishes 
wood and water. This farm is one of the most finely cultivated estates on 
Pipe creek. 

.Mrs. Kristofiferson was Agre Lena Peterson. She came to Chicago from 
Sweden when twenty-nine years of age and one year later to Kansas, where 
they were married They aie the parents of five children, four of whom are 
living. Hannah Mary, wife of Alto Bergstein, a farmer of Ottawa county, 
near Delphos. Adolph, the eldest son. is a student of the Commercial Col- 
lege in Concordia. He graduated in the common branches in 1898. Hulda 
Josephine, wife of Frank Hounte, a farmer living near Delphos. Edward, 
the youngest son is aged nineteen. 

Mr. Kristofferson is a citizen who votes for whoever he thinks is the 
best man, but rather leans to the republican side. The family are members 
of the Lutheran church, but in the absence of a congregation in their neigh- 
borhood, they are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church at Bethel 
and New Hope. Their family of children have had good educational ad- 
vantages and the daughters are both accomplished in music. The Kristof- 
ferson residence is surrounded by a beautiful lawn, and having water for irri- 
gating purposes, is set with flowers and shrubs of many varieties. 

NATHAN DOAK. 

Nathan Doak, the subject of this sketch belongs to that class of men 
that every community needs more of. Though not exercising an outward 
show, greatly benefits others within the range of his influence, and those who 
know Mr. Doak best speak most enthusiastically of his good qualities. He 
visited Kansas while in the employ of the government, removing the Sac and 
Fox Indians to the Creek Reservation in the eastern part of Indian Terri- 
tory. 

Attracted by the possibilities of the great future for the state of Kansas 
he came to Cloud county, the following year, i86g, and homesteaded land in 
Ariou township; he hewed logs, manufactured shingles, and built the best 
house above ground in the community. Mr. Doak was born in West Yir- 



39^ HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

ginia, fifty-two miles from Parkersburg, on the Ohio river, in [840, He 
lived in the place of his birth until he entered his country's service in August, 
[861. Ili- enlisted for three years in Company C. Seventh West Virginia 
Infantry, lie was in the hospital from a flesh wound received in the battle 
of Chancellorsville, and was off duty from May until the following Sep' 
tember, and consequently was among the supernumeraries who were mus- 
tered out when his regiment was consolidated. They were under Colonel 
Joseph Snyder, and were constant!) engaged in active service, operating 
principally in East Virginia. They took part in the battle of Gettysburg, 
Antietam. where his company lost heavily. Fredericksburg and many 
skirmishes. Mr. Doak enlisted in this company as a private and was pro- 
moted to Orderlj Sergeant, fn September, [864, he re-enlisted in Com* 
pany C, Sixth West Virginia Infantry, under Captain Josiah Bee. He was 
elected Sergeant and later promoted to Second Lieutenant, receiving his 
commissi,.:, just at the close "i the war. 

Mr. Doak's paternal grand parents came from Ireland to Pennsylvania, 
where his father. Hiram Doak. was born, and after his marriage with F.liza- 
beth foseph, also of Pennsylvania, they settled in the part of the state since 
named West Virginia, where our subject was horn. He was one oi eleven 
children, seven of whom are living. Ills brother Almarine. was killed in 
the battle of Martinsburg, Virginia. George \\ '.. whose sketch follows, is 
a brother. There are two brothers and a sister in Osborne county, a sister 
in Nebraska, and Mrs Charles Dotson, of Concordia. 

In 1873. Mr. Doak manic! a young woman who was reared in the 
vicinity of his \ irginia home. She is a daughter of Zachariah Dotson, who 
died in 1X63. The Dot son's were an old Virginia family. Her mother 
before her marriage was Eliza Eddleblute, a native of Pennyslvania. Mrs. 
Dotson was a very remarkahle character, she came with her family of chil- 
dren and took up a homestead in Arion township in 1871. She was horn in 
March, 1800, and died July 26, 1899. Her life was a long and eventful 
one and had she lived until next March, would have been a centenerian. 
She was horn one hundred and seventeen days after the death of George 
Washington, and while Governor Adams was President of the young Repub- 
lic, which then numbered but sixteen states. Since then the nation lias been 
involved in eight wars, twentv-three presidents have been installed, and of 
that number, twenty have passed into the unknown realms. 

During her thirty-seven years of widowhood, she had lived with an 
adopted daughter that she had taken in her heart and home when an infant 
but five months old. Between this child and her foster mother, a remark- 
ahle attachment developed. This daughter. Ellen Moran. is now living 
with. Mrs. Truesdell. of Concordia. Mrs. Dotson was the mother of eleven 
children, the grand-mother of forty-seven children, and' seventy-six great 
grand children. Three of her sons fought for their country and remained 
with the flag until the last. Three of her daughters married military men, 
soldiers of the Civil war. She sheared the sheep, spun the yarn, wove the 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 393 

cloth and made it into garments for her children, thus within a few hours 
converting' the raw material into clothing. She was a woman of far more 
than ordinary intellect and in her old age conversed intelligently of the prog- 
ress made and genius developed within the years of her eventful life, retain- 
ing all her faculties to a wonderful degree. 

To Air. and Airs. Doak five children have heen born. Their eldest 
child was the late Minor Doak, deceased September 8, 1902, at his home 
in Arion township. He was but twenty-eight years of age, a young man in 
the prime of life, honored and esteemed in the community, and his death 
was the occasion of universal sorrow. A wife and two children survive 
him. Maud, the oldest daughter, is the wife of Urey Pitts, of Woodward, 
county. Oklahoma; Eliza, Eva and Walter. Mr. Doak is a republican politi- 
cally and works faithfully for the principles of this party. He is a member 
of the G. A. R., Concordia Post. Mrs. Doak is a member of the Christian 
church. Range Line congregation. Mr. Doak and his excellent family are 
interested in all educational and worthy enterprises, contributing liberally 
to the support of every cause pertaining to the good of their community. 
Mr. Doak's farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres of fine land, and he 
occupies a pleasant cottage home with his estimable wife, daughters and 
son. Mrs. Doak is a noble, motherly woman, retaining the true southern 
hospitality that more than a quarter of a century of western life has not 
obliterated, that gives one the assurance of a hearty welcome. 

GEORGE W. DOAK. 

The subject of this sketch, G. W. Doak. one of the enterprising and 
honorable citizens of Arion township, town seven, is an old pioneer of 
Kansas. He first settied in Osage county, and with his brother assisted in 
moving the Indians to the Creek reservation. In June, the following year 
began a residence in Cloud countv, filing on the homestead where he now 
lives, before he had gained his majority. 

Mr. Doak is a native of Virginia, born in 1849, ar >d possesses the true 
southern hospitality. (For ancestry see sketch of Nathan Doak.) Mr. 
Doak is altogether a self-made man. He had but $2.50 left after filing on 
his claims. The first few years he lived in a dugout and subsisted principally 
on game. He has feasted on many juicy buffalo steaks. He owns at the present 
writing, two hundred acres of finely improved land. Ash Creek and a small 
branch of Wolf creek run through his farm. Air. Doak gained his present 
good financial circumstances by raising, feeding and shipping cattle and 
hogs, but the last few seasons has turned his attention largely to wheat grow- 
ing. He has one of the best residences in the township, a commodious, 
well built eight room house. 

Air. Doak was married in 1876, to Alice E., a daughter of Alfred and 
Elizabeth (Garner) Dotson. The Dotson's were old settlers. They came to 
Cloud county in the early part of the year, 1870, and settled on the west 



394 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

branch of Wolf creek. They recently sold their land, retired from farm 
life and are living in ( oncordia. Mrs. Doak is one of a family of six girls 
and four boys. Two sisters are in the western part of the state, a brother 
and pister in Clay county, and the rest of the family reside in Cloud county. 
The Dotsons are of old Virginia stock. Mrs. Doak's grandparents from 
both -ides of the house emigrated to Kansas, and both died in Cloud 
count). Her father was a soldier in the Civil war. .1 member of the Fourteenth 
Virginia. 

i'o Mr. and Mrs. Doak three children have been horn. \i/: Watt \\, 
married Ora Bevin, a daughter of Lafe Bevin. one of the old residents of 
Arion township. Wait V. is a farmer and own- land adjoining his father on 
the west. He .Graduated from the (oncordia high school m [898. Daisy 
J., is a student of the I 'oncordia high -chool. Nellie, is the wife of S. M. 
Steele. Mr. Steele bought a portion of his father'- original homestead and 
is a farmer. Mr. Doak's political views tend toward populism. lie has 
served as trustee of his township for several years, lie is a member of the 
Select Knights of (oncordia. 

When Mr. Doak came to ('loud county and tiled on his government 
land u was rather a desolate outlook — a wild unbroken prairie as far as the 
eye could reach, hut he set energeticall) to work and conquered the hard- 
ships which strew the pathway of the early settler- in any country, and has 
made for himself and his family an enviable home, where surrounded by 
peace and plenty he can enjoy the fruits of hi- labors. lie is one of the 
most esteemed and useful citizens of the locality in which lie lives.. 

JULIUS ALEXANDER BELO. 

J. A. Belo. a representative farmer and stockman of Arion township, 
has achieved the competency he possesses by his own efforts and labor, and 
there is scarcelv a day that he does not devote himself to toil; yet he i- 
never so much engrossed or too busily engaged to meet friends or strangers 
with a courteous and hospitable bearing. He is a farmer of lifelong experi- 
ence ami began his career as foreman of Robert Stewart's extended farm in 
Buchanan county. Iowa, in 1876. 

In the spring of 1870 he emigrated to Kansas and settled temporarily 
in Mitcheli count}', near Cawker City. In July of the same year he rented 
a farm in Cloud county, and the following autumn homesteaded forty acres 
of land adjoining his present home place. A year later he bought seventy 
acres one mile south, known as the Everett homestead. In 1887 he sold 
these two tracts and bought the farm of two hundred and eighty acres where 
he now lives, and which he put under a good state of improvement. In 
1881 he proceeded to build a comfortable six-room residence and a small. 
but well-built, barn. He has considerable fruit, including apples, peaches, 
pears and grapes. His 'chief farm products are wheat, corn and oats. He 
keeps a herd of from fifty to eighty head of native cattle, among which are 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 395 

some graded Polled-Angus, and feeds from fifty to one hundred and fifty 
fine-bred jersey Red and Poland China hogs. In the summer of 1884 Mr. 
Belo farmed two hundred acres of land that was planted in corn; fifty acres 
of this ground grew cum that yielded eighty bushels per acre; on the two 
hundred acres he had a total yield of eleven thousand bushels. The shellers 
bid one cent per bushel, and at that figure their liill tooted $110. The corn 
marketed from eighteen to twenty-three cents per bushel. In 1901 he had 
a field of wheat containing sixty acres that threshed twenty-eight bushels 
to the acre. 

Mr. Belo was born on a farm near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in December, 
1856. He is a son of John and Henrietta (Trebom) Belo. John Belo was 
born in Germany in 1837, emigrated to America in 1855. and settled in 
Wisconsin. In 1861 he emigrated with his family to Iowa and bought tim- 
bered government land in Buchanan county for one dollar and a quarter 
per acre, which lie cleared and improved and where he still lives. Mr. Belo 
is one of ten children, five of whom are living: Our subject; Edward, a 
stone mason of Jessup, Iowa; Lena, wife of John Metchmier, a grain dealer 
of Jessup. Iowa; John; and Telia. 

J. A. Belo was married in February, [881, to Susanna (Burns) Sheri- 
dan, the widow of Thomas Sheridan. She was born in Ireland, came to 
America with her parents when a child and settled in the state of New 
York. Mrs. Belo died April 13, 1884, three years after her second marriage, 
leaving one child (and three by her first husband), John Edward, who is 
interested with his father on the farm and is a young man of good edu- 
cation in both English and German. In [889 Mr. Belo was married to 
Mary Ann Driscoll, a native of Vermillion county. Illinois, and a daughter 
of Cornelius Driscoll. who became a farmer of Arion township. Cloud 
countv, in 1878. Her parents were both of Irish birth. Her mother's 
brothers. General Humphries and Major Humphries, were distinguished offi- 
cers of the English army. Mrs. Belo's father was found dead from natural 
causes March 3, 1896, in the field where lie was herding horses. Her mother 
died in May, 1900. Mrs. Belo is one of seven living children, all but two 
of whom live in Cloud county. Mr. Belo is a Populist, but formerly voted 
the Democratic ticket. He has served several successive years on the town- 
ship board. Himself and family are members of the Concordia Catholic 
congregation. 



ORGANIZATION 

OF THE 

CLYDE TOWN COMPANY 



While Clyde did not receive a great spontaneous growth so common to 
some new towns, its present proportions surprise the expectations of the 
little company of men that gathered in the old log si in of Herman & 

Davis to consult over the propriety of starting a town. A locality so in- 
viting surrounded by a rich and magnificent country convinced these citi- 
zen- that a town of nvre or less importance was bound to spring up in some 
near locality. The only wonder is that the project was not begun sooner. 
Among the chief obstacles to overcome was the fact that the people in the 
vicinity were not of a speculative mind, most of them having come with the 
avowed purpose of homesteading claims by which they could acquire farms 
and they were generally poor; so much so that they could not even enter- 
tain the idea of buying land for a town site. Something must occur to con- 
vince them that such an action was almost imperative. To F. B. Rupe. the 
honor must be given for leading this enterprise. Early in September, 1866, 
Henrv Simmons and William Peters came to Elk creek with a small stock 
of goods and desired to establish a business and intimated if there were a 
town-site they would build at least two houses. This seemed a gigantic 
thing — two houses, in addition to Cowell & Davis' store — and the fine new- 
school house, would give it quite an appearance, and it spurred them to ac- 
tion : but thev were doomed to disappointment, so far as the two houses 
were concerned, for Cowell & Davis bought the interests of these two men. 
However, the sensation had the desired effect. F. B. Rupe consulted C. 
J. Cowell and concluded to call a town meeting the next day. which was 
on the 6th of September. The meeting at first seemed a demoralized affair, 
with no genera! understanding. Some would talk encouragingly about the 
prospective town, others the reverse, and for a while it seemed the meeting 
was destined to be a failure. The Fowler boys returned to their home, dis- 
ced, before the meeting was called to order, declaring "there would be no 
meeting, and no town." After much cogitation, F. B. Rupe, Edward Xeely, 
A. W. Smith. B. Y. Honey. William Page and J. B. Rupe associated them- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 397 

selves together in the storeroom of Cowell & Davis and prepared for action. 
On motion of A. W. Smith, Edward Neely was chosen chairman. The main 
dl ijcct was a bargain with W. H. Page for the land. F. B. Rupe asked 
what he would take for it, whereupon Mr. Page replied. "If I sell it for 
a town site I will have to have a pretty price for it — $300 is my price." 
He had no sooner said this than F. B. Rupe remarked, "We will take you 
up." The tract of ground consisted of forty acres, and the company were 
rather surprised that Mr. Page considered this a big price. The hardest 
pari, being disposed of, a few regulations were agreed upon. One was that 
this $300 should be divided into ten shares, making $30 to the share. The 
first original shareholders were A. W. Smith, Edward Neely, F. B. Rupe, 
J. B. Rupe. Lew Fowler, John Fowler. Dave Heller, C. J. Cowell, Charles 
Davis and B. V. Honey. Others were added to the town company, some 
thinking it best, to lessen the amount for eacli share, by making more stock- 
holders. The ground was government land owned by W. H. Page as a 
homestead, and before much could be done it bad to be proved up on, and the 
government paid. Luckily F. P. Rupe had a forty-acre land warrant 
which, he handed over to Mr. Page and which satisfied the government for 
1 'lie-half the eighty to lie proved up on to secure the south half. F. B. Rupe 
says he is out the amount of that land warrant. Of course the members of 
the company did not think they were such swindlers; but if it is true Mr. 
Rupe lias reason to congratulate himself for contributing so much to so 
grand a result. This meeting had the effect of breaking the ice. There 
was no trouble in selling shares, as everybody seemed to have faith in the 
enterprise. Another meeting was held on December 11. The land was 
deeded and steps taken toward an organization. The first permanent of- 
ficers were Ouincy Honey, president; B. Y. Honey, vice-president, John B. 
Rupe. secretary, and Charles Davis, treasurer. That an organization for a 
town site company had to be effected through a statute of the state, with 
a regular charter did not occur to these people. It was something beyond 
their comprehension and if it had been known, perhaps no one living in the 
county could have indited or written one. Not being a corporated body, 
and not understanding its powers, they were at a loss how to receive the 
deed from \Y. H. Page. To help them out of this dilemma a committee of 
three, consisting of F. B. Rupe, Charles Davis and W. H. Page, was ap- 
pointed to make arrangements whereby the land could be secured to the 
town site company. The meeting then adjourned until Tuesday evening, De- 
cember 1 8th. At this meeting it was agreed that three persons, consisting 
of J. B. Rupe, Lew Fowler and Charles Davis, should receive this deed. 
In this manner the first town-site company of Cloud county was organized. 
The whole transaction from beginning to end was illegal, but so long as the 
company, and seemingly everybody else were unconscious of the unlaw- 
fulness, people bought and sold stock without making any further inquiry. 
The town was given the name of Hamilton. One writer says it received 
the name of Shirley, but J. B. Rupe. who is responsible for the items of this 



393 



HISTORY OF (.'LOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



data, asserts tins is a mistake. The name was changed to Clyde some time 
in the spring of [867. \t tins meeting a motion was carried by which it was 
thought the name was invalidated and necessitated balloting again, when 
Hamilton was disfavored am! ii'>t proposed again. I!. V. Honey proposed 
t he name of Civile. Charles Davis favored the name of Elkhart, but a ma- 
jority declared in favor of < lyde. By man) it was supposed Mr. Honey 
proposed the name of Clyde at the instigation of David ["urner, or thai 
he inusl have had the town in the state of Ohio by thai name in view. Mr. 
Hone) revealed the fad later that neither was the ease, lie happened to set 
thai name in a newspaper, was pleased with the appellation and suggested 

it for their new town. When the name was proposed, Mr. Tnnui re 
marked, "That is the name of a river in Scotland," which perhaps was the 
first that any of the company knew, excepting Mr. Turner himself, that this 
was the name of a Scottish stream. In all probability, from those circum- 
stances must have originated the idea, that the town was named alter that 
river. Fohn Fowler was the only man that even favored the name of Sliir- 
ley, but did net pr.ipuse it it being known at tins time thai an opprobrium 
had been attached to this name. 

1 \kl.V i LYDE HISTORY. 



In looking np the history of Clyde we find like all new towns it is not 
without its failures. Its business men did not all succeed, nor did they all 
by any means fail. Those who have achieved success have not done so with- 
out energy, enterprise and strict application to business. I In- store of Cowell 

& Davis was the oldest establishment in northwest Kansas, west of (lay (.'en- 
ter. They became associated together under the firm name of < bwell X- Davis 

in January. [866. \t this time the entire town-site could have been boughl 

f( ir a mere - mg, and the 
building of their establish- 
ment was not very extensive 

in dimensions; their entire 
stock rinding ample room in 
a structure [4 by iX feet. In 
May of the same year, .Mr. 
Lowell's interest was pur- 
chased by R. F. Herman, 
who added a little more capi- 
tal and the concern l^ecame 
so important in the autumn 
of 1867. they erected a build- 
ing 24 by 50 feet. With such 
rapidity did their husiness increase that the following year they were 
compelled to enlarge these quarters and a building 24 by 50 feet was 
added, giving them a store room of 48 by 100 feet. In 1872 Mr. Davis 




Clyde in 1871. 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 399 

purchased Mr. Merman's interest and carried on the business for many years 
with an immense increase of trade. 

In August, 1871, F. K. Teeter who died in 1901. opened a stock of gen- 
era! merchandise and commanded his share of public patronage which rapidly 
increased with the population. In 1871. W. Burkall opened an extensive 
grocery store. In January, of the same year. A. G. Dersey opened a gro- 
cery and feed establishment. Mr. Dersey is one of the few pioneer mer- 
chants who still hold forth in Clyde. His business now consists of a stock 
of general merchandise. 

T. T. Chinnock was the next merchant to locate. He opened a store in 
Clyde in 1872. He started on a somewhat limited capital, but developed a 
into a well selected stock of boots, shoes and groceries. In 1872, Bartlett 
& Crump opened a hardware store, the latter still doing business in Clyde, 
the former on the retired list. In July. 1872, J. H. Huff's furniture store 
opened and did a successful business, also carrying a line of undertakers 
goods. 

In June, 1873, E. Gardner, who is still a resident of Clyde, but re- 
tired from business, established a general merchandise concern, and P. 
McDonald operated a drug store. M. Heller & Co., in October, 1873. erected 
a handsome building and launched out in general merchandising. In the 
latter part of 1873, H. A. Dobbs opened a general store with a tailoring 
department, and about this time James Mcintosh opened a stock of drugs 
and groceries. 

A picture gallery by Garraway & Taylor was established and several 
other interests of more or less importance, among them the Clyde Hotel, 
by J. H. Huff, and the Michigan Hotel, by S. E. Stilson, both of which 
were prosperous. H. Fisher, harness maker, L. M. Rockwell and J. Fred- 
erick, blacksmiths, the latter is still a resident of Clyde. 

GENERAL GROWTH OF CLYDE. 

A more desirable city than Clyde could not be found, situated as it is 
on the banks of the Republican river, in a perfect bower of beautiful shade 
trees, and in the midst of one of the most magnificant farming countries in 
the world, it offers superior advantages. Unlike most western towns. Clyde 
never actually "boomed," but has experienced a steady and healthful growth. 
Prior to the building of the Central Branch Railroad through Clyde, in 1877, 
the growth of the town had been slow, but within a few years from that per- 
iod the population increased from a few hundred to eighteen hundred 
people. 

In 1885, there was more money expended in building than any previous 
year in the history of Clyde, and added much to the general appearance of 
the city. In this year, James Turner bought a small wooden structure which 
he displaced and erected a large, handsome brick building, filling it with fur- 
niture. Phillip Longton and A. G. Dersey put up a fine brick building. 

24 



4 oo HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

These men exhibited a truly commendable public spirit for the upper story 
was converted into a capacious hall, 44 by So feet, which has served Clyde 
well as an opera house, being fitted with all modern improvements and many 
goo'i troupes have been attracted there in consequence. 

Mr. X. Manna erected cm the ea>t of this, another substantial brick 
structure which hilled up the last vacancy in that block < i. \Y. Knapp 
proved his strong and abiding faith in the future of Clyde by adding a 
large brick addition to his livery stable. The same year, Dr. Ransopher 
led a splendid brick building for a drug store; [885 was the prosperous 
year and saw many improvements in Clyde. 

Clyde's cm \\ \ 1 erworks. 

< lyde's standpipe system furnishes an abundance of pure water and an 
adequate supply for protection against fire. It was established in the winter 
of (886, through the issuing of $2,600 bonds, voted by the city of Clyde 
There are about four miles of pipe, ranging from ten inch down to two 
inch pipe, and thirty-five hydrants. The Standpipe is one hundred and nine- 
afh from the surface at the base, or one hundred and sixty-five 
■ above the level of Washington street. The pipe when full, carries 

sevent) one pounds water pressure, has a capacity of one hundred and seventy 

thousand gallons, and is twelve feet in diameter. 

The waterworks are equipped with two Dean pumps and two boilers, 
one compound duplex boiler, with a capacity for fourteen million gallons 
per day: one duplex fire pump, capable of producing five hundred thousand 
gallons per day; one Springfield heater and one duplex boiler feed pump. 
The water is furnished from an open well thirty-live feet deep and twelve 
feet in diameter. In connection with it is a six inch pipe put down through 
the center of the well, to the second stratum of water, which is at a depth of one 
hundred and twenty-eight feet, giving a very strong, inexhaustable flow, one 
which never varies. The appliances of the power house are modern through- 
out, and the other perquisite, a skilled engineer, is supplied in the person of 
J. L. Doster. The power house is an imposing one-story brick structure, 
40 by 60 feet in dimensions, beautifully located just over the Elk Creek 
bridge at the foot of Washington street. It is surrounded by a fine lawn 
and forest trees. 

CLYDE POST OFFICE. 

The present mail facilities of Clyde, as contrasted by those of the days 
of "Uncle Heller." Clyde's first postmaster, illustrate the progress of the little 
city of Clyde. Since "Uncle Heller's" reign there have been in turn the 
following postmasters : W. F. Beatty, E. T. Peck, Arthur Corn forth, E. 
R. Debray, G. W. Knapp. J. T. McFarland and the present postmaster, Sid- 
ney H. Knapp. None of the above number were more proficient and oblig- 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 401 

ing. or more systematic in the handling of the mails, than the present in- 
cumbent. These qualifications doubtless secured his re-appointment in 
1902. 

Postoffice Inspector Rush D. Simmons, during his recent examination, 
pronounced the Clyde postoffice one of the best managed in the state. How- 
ever, Mr. Knapp must not claim all the honor, for no inconsiderable amount 
is due Mrs. Knapp, his capable wife, who has charge of the detail work, 
and his gentlemanly and accommodating clerk. Ross Queen. The cash re- 
ceipts for sale of stamps, box rent, etc. for the year 1901, amounted to 
$3,820.24, which gives the postmaster a salary of $1,500 for the next year — 
the salary of his predecessor for the last year, 1897, being only $1,100. This 
growth in postal revenue evidences the fact that the commercial interests of 
the city have increased. 

Of the eight rural free-delivery routes in Cloud county, S. H. Knapp 
secured three, which, were established jn 1901. They are as follows: Route 
No 1. running north to Brantford and return, covering a distance of 2j 
miles. R. E. Stimpson. carrier. This route collected 536 pieces of mail matter 
and delivered 5,262 pieces, a total of 5.798 during the month of January. 
Route No. 2, crossing the river and going south to St. Joseph and Como. is 
27^ miles in length, Carrier. Anson Woodruff. This route collected during 
the month of January, 663 pieces and delivered 4.068, a total of 4.731. 
Route No. 3, running west to Lawrenceburg and return, covers a distance of 
28 miles, C. M. Parker is carrier. He collected during the month of January. 
529 pieces, delivered 5,319, a total of 5,848, making a total of 16.377 pieces 
handled in the one month on the three routes. All of the above carriers are 
veterans of the Civil war and old residents of Elk township. Route No. 1 
is strung with rural telephone lines and the farmers wonder how they ever 
got along without the rural route and telephone systems. According to their 
own statements they would pay double the existing price rather than go 
without either. In addition to the general work of the Clyde postoffice. 
the St. Joseph mail has been cared for since the abandonment of that office 
by Postmaster Boudreau. 

BUILDING OF WAGON BRIDGE OVER THE REPUBLICAN RIVER AT CLYDE. 

For several years the citizens of Elk and Shirley townships agitated 
the question of building a wagon bridge over the Republican river west of 
Clyde. From time to time the great advantages of this enterprise to Clyde 
and the outlying districts had been pointed out to the people and the ferry 
boat institutions discouraged. The citizens were ready to acknowledge and 
sanction the benefit to be derived from a bridge being built, but demurred 
the tax it would impose upon them. The citizens of Elk and Shirley town- 
ships were requested to meet at the office of Judge McCrea. in the city of 
Clyde to discuss plans for securing the bridge. December 30. 1873, an 
eleciion was held in Clyde to determine whether a bridge should be built 



4 02 HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 

across the Republican with the following results: For the bridge and bonds, 
twenty-nine: against the bridge and bonds, eighty-four; majority against, 
thirty-nine. 

The election for bridge bonds was again held in Clyde, October [3, [877, 
the result being fort) five majority in favor. The people of Clyde rejoiced 
in the accomplishment of this victory. They considered it necessary and 
important to the growth of their little city that the Republican river should 
be bridged and as time rolled on the opposition rejoiced in the consummation 
of what had seemed to them an extravagant proposition. An effort was 
made to get Shirley's assistance in the building of the bridge, but they could 
not be induced to see it in that light, so it was done without their help. The 
new wagon bridge over the Republican river at Clyde was completed in June, 
Mini, at a cost of $7,300. The old piers being used; the iron from the old 
bridge was sold and netted the count} $500, making the net cost of the pres- 
ent bridge $0,800. 

BRIDG1 o\ i:k ELK CREEK. 

March 6, 1875. the legal voters of Elk township were called to the 
poll- to vote bonds for the building of a bridge across F.Ik creek at the 
foot ot Washington street, in Clyde. The bonds carried by a handsome ma- 
jority of seventy- four to forty against. 

CLYDE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

\n account of the first school house built in Clyde is given in the history 
of the Flk creek settlement. In the little cabin of that period and the pres- 
ent imposing structure, where so many bright boys and girls are daily gain- 
ing knowledge, there is a huge contrast. The original building of today 
was erected in 1879 and contained six rooms, which was more than the 
needed capacity at that time, but the management counted upon the future 
growth and prosperity of their town, a provision deemed unwise by many. 
School opened in the new building in February, 1880, with the following 
corps of teachers: F. F. Burke, principal, with Clara Hay (Mrs. Miller 
of Clifton.) Carrie Borton (Mrs. Cannon of Civile) and Mary K. Turner 
(deceased) of Clyde, as assistants. The term was five months; the en- 
rollment two hundred and twenty. In 1885 the number had increased to 
four hundred and seventy, the city having doubled its population, as the 
wise sages predicted, within five years. An addition of two rooms was 
built in 1884. making a total of eight large rooms, with spacious halls. The 
building as it now stands cost twenty thousand dollars. The ground upon 
which the structure stands was purchased from Mrs. Edward Gardner, for 
the nominal sum of one hundred dollars. The material used was red brick 
and the architecture is modern. The building graces the center of wide 
grounds, shaded by a fine growth of forest trees. The school comprises 



HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 



403 




four divisions : the primary, intermediate, grammar and high school. There 
has been a graduating class with the attendant exercises every year since 
1890. with the exception of one — 1899, the high school course being changed 
at that time from three years to four. The course of study is based upon the 
uniform arrangement prepared and outlined for the schools of the state. 
The building is modern in all its appointments and contains a well selected 
library. 

The board of education selected by the Clyde citizens have been par- 
ticularly efficient. For