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Reverend ISAAC McCOY
FIRST CLERGYMAN AT FORT LEAVENWORTH
FROM AN OIL PAINTING MADE IN 1831 AT THE AGE OF 47 YEARS
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SURING his tour of duty at Fort Leavenworth,
between 1905 and 1908, Chaplain John T. Axton,
18th Infantry, requested the undersigned to furnish
him some data concerning the post chapel's history.
The result of an examination of the post records,
together with personal recollections covering a period
of thirty-five years, produced a more bountiful har-
vest than anticipated. This was presented in a hur-
riedly compiled pamphlet under the title of * 'Public
Worship at Fort Leavenworth". While it met with a
most kindly reception, it proved so unsatisfactory to
the undersigned, that he determined upon this revi-
sion. Data, not heretofore available, has been used
for this revision.
It also includes a history of kindred church or-
ganizations of the post, of the past and present school
system, and of its cemeteries.
If this compilation meets with the reception ac-
corded other publications relating to Fort Leaven-
worth, by the undersigned, he will feel amply re-
warded for the time and labor expended.
HENRY SHINDLER
FORT LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS,
MAY 10, 1912
vii
CONTENTS
PAGES
Altar Society (Roman Catholic) 119-121
Altar Guild (Protestant) 111-118
Army Young Men's Christian Association .. 135-139
Attendance at Divine Service Suggested in
Army Regulations 33-34
Authorizing Chaplains for Army, Legislation 21-32
Building of First Catholic Chapel at Post _ . . 91-93
Catholic Congregation . . . _ _ . 85
Cemeteries at Post 165-169
Chaplain Stone's Journal (1859-1868) 49-66
Distinguished Dead in Cemetery 171-176
Divine Worship, History of 3-18
Divine Service at U. S. MiHtary Prison 77-83
Erection of Present Catholic Chapel 99-107
List of Catholic Clergymen who have served
local mission as resident pastors _ 87-90
List of Army Chaplains who have served at
Fort Leavenworth 37-45
Post Chapels, Erection of 69-73
School Facilities, (Pubhc and Private, Past
and Present) 143-153
School, Parochial 155-161
Vital Statistics, Post's 125-131
ix
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Rev. Isaac McCoy Frontispiece
Pawnee Indian Mission in 1827 8
Rev. Hiram Stone . 39
Rev. George Robinson . . _ . 39
Rev. J. T. Axton 39
Rev. John Woart..-- .--. 39
First Post Chapel 70
Present Post Chapel 70
Rev. J. B. McCleery.. 77
Rev. C. C. Pierce ._ 77
Rev. Thomas H. Barry 77
Rev. P. H. Silver. ._ 77
St. Ignatius Chapel 85
Rt. Rev. J. B. Miege 90
Rev. Ambrose Butler _. 90
Rev. James O'Reilly 90
Rev. Thomas Downey _ . . 90
Rev. John Hurley 90
First Catholic Church 92
Rt. Rev. L. M. Fink 99
Gen. M. R. Morgan ... 99
Rev. Thomas H. Kinsella.. 99
Rev. M. J. Dougherty 99
Altar Present Post Chapel .-.. 112
Interior St. Ignatius Chapel .. _.- 119
Homeof Army Y. M. C. A 135
Portrait of Miss Helen M. Gould 135
Lobby Scene in Y. M. C. A. Building 136
Gymnasium in Y. M. C. A. Building 136
Bible Class, Army Y. M. C. A 138
Library of Army Y. M. C. A 138
xi
3(ntr0&«rtt0n
"JJN PRESENTING this little volume it is proper
^ to state to those who may not be familiar with
the history of the post that the current of events
which have fashioned the United States into the
shape in which it exists today have swept through
the lands of the Fort Leavenworth MiHtary Reserva-
tion for nearly a century of its life.
The post of Fort Leavenworth came into exist-
ence in 1827 as a result of efforts on the part of
Missouri's foremost constructive statesman— United
States Senator Thomas H. Benton. The people of
Mexico had only a few years previously declared their
independence of Spanish rule and decided upon an
open door pohcy— the establishment of commerce
between their country and the United States. Sena-
tor Benton early foresaw the possibilities of this
commerce for the people living on the western border
of his state and, in fact, for the entire Nation.
Early in its existence hostile Indians threatened this
trade, attacking caravans engaged in its carriage
across the wide expanse of prairie. The Senator de-
manded protection for this trade, taking the position
that the commerce of the prairie was entitled to
protection equally to that of the seas for which
navies were maintained. Congress gave its assent
in appropriating funds for the survey of a trade
route and military protection. It is this route which
later became known as the Santa Fe trail. To meet
the military requirements for its protection it was
decided to establish a post at some point on the Mis-
Xlll
xiv INTRODUCTION
souri river convenient to the initial point of the
"trail". Colonel Henry Leavenworth, Third U. S.
Infantry, stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri,
was assigned to the duty of selecting a suitable site.
Under orders of March 7, 1827, he proceeded up the
Missouri river and chose the spot now bearing his
name.
The post's relation to this newly created com-
merce; to the political conditions following the or-
ganization of the Territory of Kansas; its selection
as the capital of the new Territory and its position
during the Civil War, as well as in the settlement of
the vast empire over which military authority con-
trolled, emanating from here, and now the seat of
learning in the higher branches of the Art of War,
has given it a commanding position as a military
station second to none in the country.
In 1829 the first military escort left Fort Leav-
enworth to accompany a caravan of traders from In-
dependence, Missouri, to the Mexican frontier.
In 1835 the First Dragoons under Colonel Henry
Dodge left Fort Leavenworth to explore the country
between the Missouri river and the Rocky Mountains
and to secure the friendship of the Pawnee Indians.
The command marched northward to the mouth of
the Platte river; thence westward to the base of the
Rocky Mountains, and thence south to the Arkansas
river, taking the Santa Fe trail homeward.
Close by the post ran the Oregon trail which,
like its co-partner to the southwest, had an import-
ant effect on the development of the territory em-
braced between the Missouri river and Pacific coast.
The trail had a direct and powerful influence in
winning the Oregon country for the United States
the settlement of which was reached with Great
Britain in 1846.
INTRODUCTION xv
It was here, in 1846, the "Army of the West''
for operation against Mexico was organized under
General S. W. Kearney and to which the now famous
First Missouri Mounted Volunteers, commanded by
Colonel Alexander W. Doniphan belonged. When
the army reached Santa Fe General Kearny marched,
to CaHfornia, while the Missourians proceeded to the
active theatre of war. For the United States it
achieved victories not only of great importance upon
the final results of the war but without a parallel in
ancient or modern military history.
The exodus of Mormons to Utah in 1847, gave
Fort Leavenworth a prominence and importance its
founder, who was dead at this time, never imagined
would come to it.
The gold excitement of 1849 in California car-
ried thousands through its gates on their long and
wearisome march. This was followed later by the
throngs who moved on 'Tike's Peak or Bust".
In 1851 General E. V. Sumner left this post at
the head of an important expedition to punish the
Cheyennes and other hostile tribes, which had been
committing serious depredations.
In 1854 the Territory of Kansas was organized.
Fort Leavenworth v/as made its temporary capital,
and with it came the titanic struggle between the
elements which stood for slave and that which stood
for freedom.
In 1857 an expedition was organized for the pur-
pose of proceeding to Utah to punish the Mormons
who declined to obey the laws of the country. It
was commanded by Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston.
In January, 1858, eight companies of the Sixth
Infantry, were assembled here for its grand m.arch
to the Pacific coast. The regiment left in March
and arrived on the shores of the Pacific, within
xvi INTRODUCTION
twenty miles of San Francisco, in November of the
same year.
During the civil war the reservation was made
the concentration point for numberless regiments of
western volunteers who were here mustered-in and
out of the service.
After the war it was made the headquarters of
the country's largest geographical-military depart-
ment embracing all the territory between the Mis-
souri river and the Rio Grande. Authority over this
territory was exercised by some of the Nation's
most distinguished soldiers, products of the Civil
War.
Following the Civil War it was the central sup-
ply depot for troops operating on the plains against
hostile Indians.
In 1881 the Infantry and Cavalry School was es-
tablished. What it has done and is still doing to
further knowledge in the art of war is familiar to all
and needs no recounting here.
Fort Leavenworth is the Army's Mecca. Many
Army men and women claim it as their birth place
and to these it is bound by ties time only can tear
asunder. To many it has furnished a place of rest
from which they cannot be disturbed until "first
call" shall be sounded by one whose trumpet will be
heard around the world.
Fve wandered wide, and wandered far
But never have I met,
In all this lovely western land
A spot more lovely yet.
-BRYANT
XVlll
intt0ton (^m
3F0rt &ati^ntu0rtl}
CHAPTER I
MISSIONARIES MAKE FORT LEAVENWORTH TEMPORARY
HEADQUARTERS
'JgETWEEN the period following the establishment of
89 Fort Leavenworth (1827) and the year 1838,
Congress failed to make provisions for the employ-
ment of chaplains in the army. Troops serving at
frontier stations, many miles from civilization, were
thus placed at a great disadvantage compared to their
comrades in garrison within civilization. The burial
service was often read by officers at the station, usu-
ally professors of religion, of which the army had
many such then, just as it contains them today. This
failure on the part of the Government to supply the
spiritual wants of its officers and soldiers in the Army
brought a protest not only from among the commis-
sioned personnel of the service, but from the Chris-
tian people of the country, a demand which Congress,
however, permitted to go unheeded for nearly seven-
teen years. The answer came in 1838, upon a reor-
ganization of the army which included provisions for
the employment of chaplains.
The question has often been asked as to the time
when the troops forming the Fort Leavenworth
garrison first had the opportunity to attend divine
service, presided over by an ordained minister, with-
in the period when chaplains for the army were not
authorized.
The advanced position of Fort Leavenworth on
the frontier made it at once a gathering place for
missionaries. On their way to the Indian Missions,
they halted here to make final preparations for their
work among the Indian tribes, and to the post they
3
frequently returned to seek desirable relief and to
mingle with their own race, whose hospitable doors
were always open for their entertainment.
It is possible that American missionaries visited
this section earlier than 1827, but this is not disclosed
by any records the writer has had at his disposal,
though there is ample evidence that French mission-
aries visited this section a century before the Louis-
iana territory became a part of the United States.
In 1828 Congress passed the act creating an
Indian territory, out of which was carved, in 1854,
the territories of Kansas and Nebraska.
In 1828 the Reverend Isaac McCoy, * a distin-
guished clergyman of the Baptist church, and a well
known Missionary among the Indians in his time, in
eastern states, came west with representatives of
various tribes to view the lands the government
wished them to accept in exchange for their lands east
of the Mississippi river.
As Fort Leavenworth was the only settlement
west of the Missouri river, and located upon a part
of the lands offered the Indians, the post undoubt-
edly acted as host during their stay in these parts,
and it may be set down for a certainty that its in-
habitants heard the Word preached by Mr. McCoy.
Mr. McCoy returned to Fort Leavenworth in
September, 1830, where he met in council one hun-
dred Pawnee Indians who had come in agreeably to
a message sent them a few weeks previous.
♦Reverend Isaac McCoy made the first survey of the Fort
Leavenworth reservation. It was done with the consent of
the commanding officer, Captain Palmer, and comprised sev-
eral thousand additional acres of land to the west of the pres-
ent western boundary. John C. McCoy, a son of the clergy-
man-surveyor, was associated with his father in these surveys.
He settled near the mouth of the Kansas river and became
one of the founders of Kansas City, Mo.
3ft0 (^i}ttr tl^tB attb Bti^aoiB
Referring to his expedition westward in his
"History of Baptist Indian Missions" Mr. McCoy
says:—
''Our present company was large, and formed
under circumstances that compelled me to yield to the
general wish in regard to traveling on the Sabbath.
Usually, the traveler, even in the wilderness, may so
husband his time, that little, if anything, is lost by
observing the Sabbath. But a company of forty
men, anxious to get out of the wilderness, few of
whom have any large regard for the Sabbath, can-
not be persuaded to observe the economy of time, or
to rest for conscience sake. The company, however,
had the politeness, on Sabbath mornings, to invite
me to perform religious services before they set out.
I usually made a short religious address and prayer,
to which every decent attention was given."
As the stay of Mr. McCoy at Fort Leavenworth
was one of considerable duration it is more than pro-
bable that the troops at the post enjoyed his religious
services at that early period of its history.
The Indians having accepted the new lands in
exchange for their eastern homes, the President ap-
pointed Mr. McCoy to lead them into the wilderness
and to fix the lines for their reservation.
Father DeSmet, the distinguished missionary,
visited this post in 1831. Under date of October 30,
in a communication to the Indian Superintendent,
Gen. Wm. Clark*, he tells of his return from the In-
dians which were in a most deplorable condition.
This evidence of the presence at Fort Leavenworth
of Father DeSmet is further proof that its residents
enjoyed religious worship as early as 1831, even if
*0f the Clark and Lewis expedition to the Upper Missouri
river, 1803-04.
6 Jffnrt SlratJ^nmortJj
evidence was not at hand that such services may
have been conducted here at an earlier date.
In 1833 Rev. Jerome C. Berryman, * a Methodist
minister was appointed by the General Conference as
missionary to the Kickapoo Indians. As the reserva-
tion of these Indians joined the mihtary reservation on
the north and the mission located within five miles of
the post, Mr. Berryman made good use of this new
field by frequently holding services for the officers
and soldiers of Fort Leavenworth.
In an interesting account of his introduction to
the work among the Kickapoos, he says:
'* . . . .It did not take me long to have some
log-cabin buildings erected for my family, and a
schoolhouse of the same sort in which to open a school;
and by midwinter I had about ninety children in at-
tendance. Here for eight consecutive years, with
my faithful wife and other helpers, I labored in
teaching the young and old; often preaching to the
soldiers at the fort and also frequently visiting and
helping at the other mission stations among the Shaw-
nees, Delawares, Peorias and Pottawatomies."
He also informs us that, accompanied by the Rev.
Thomas Johnson, in charge of the mission at Shawnee,
to the south, he arrived at Fort Leavenworth within
a brief period after his appointment to consult with
the government officials and the Indians about the
location of the contemplated mission among the Kick-
apoos.
*Jerome Cousin Berryman was born in Ohio county, Ky.,
in 1810. He came to Missouri in 1828. In 1841, following
eight years service at the Kickapoo mission he was appointed
superintendent of the Indian manual labor school, where he
remained for six years, having a part of this time charge of
the Indian Mission conference. He was the last surviving
member of the general conference of 1844. His death occur-
red May 8, 1906, at Caledonia, Mo., in the ninety -seventh
year of his age. He was for seventy-seven years a minister
of the Gospel.
3ft0 (!II|urrl|pfi nwh l^rljnfllH
In the spring of 1834 the Presbyterian church of
Ithaca, N. Y., raised a fund to support a mission
among the Indians, and the Reverends Samuel Allis,
John Dunbar and Samuel Parker were appointed to
this new field of Christian endeavor.
This party of missionaries left their home on
May 5th the same year, and, arriving at St. Louis,
ascertained that the party of traders, whom it was
designed they should accompany from that place
to the Pawnees and beyond the mountains, had
started six weeks before they arrived. After a con-
ference with the Indian Agent, it was decided that
Mr. Parker should return by way of Mackinaw, see
a Mr. Steward, who was agent for the Hudson Bay
Company, and get reenforcement the coming
spring in season to cross the mountains.
After conferring with the Pawnee Agent the par-
ty found it could not effect anything until the follow-
ing fall, v/hen it could meet with the Pawnees and
make known their business. However, the par-
ty left St. Louis in June and proceeded to Fort
Leavenworth and summered here, at Liberty*, Clay
*Ho:iorabl8 D. C.Allen of Liberty, the biographer of Colo-
nel A. W. Doniphan, of Mexican Ware fame, in a letter to the
author writes: "My father, Colonel Shnbal Allen, who died in
1841, established 'Liberty Landing,' in 1825. Steamboats be-
gan to run regularly on the Missouri river in 1826. My fath-
er's residence down there, 'Liberty Landing,' was a great
place of resort for army officers from Fort Leavenworth. I
often heard my mother speak of them. For instance, Gene-
ral Leavenworth, (tho' remember no particular facts); Gene-
ral Gaines, wlio was my mother's kinsman; Colonel Croghan,
also mj^ mother's kinsman; Major Steen, Captain Philip St.
George Cooke, Major Pilcher, General Bennett Riley, etc., etc.
My sister, Elizabeth, married Lieutenant Allen B. Dyer, later
the chief of Ordnance of the army, in 1840. (The parents of
Colonel A. B. Dyer, of the Fourth Field artillery. Author.)
Lieutenant McCrate was one of his gromsman. (Thomas Mc-
Crate, graduate class 1836. An officer of Dragoons stationed
8 3mX C^atJf itmnrtli
County, Missouri, and among the missions of the
Kickapoos, Shawnees and Delaware Indians.
Both Messers Allis and Dunbar have left their
impressions of their western journey, the former in
a paper to the Nebraska Historical Society, and Mr.
Dunbar, in a paper published in the Kansas Histori-
cal Society under the title * 'The Presbyterian Mis-
sion among the Pawnee Indians**.
In his account, alluding to his arrival and stay
at the post Mr. Allis says:
* 'We proceeded to Fort Leavenworth and summered
there, at Liberty, Clay Co., Missouri, and among the
missions of the Kickapoos, Shawnees, and Delaware
Indians. . . . We spent some time at Fort Leaven-
worth. I had a letter of introduction to Major
Thompson, from a nephew of Mrs. Thompson of Itha-
ca. We were kindly received by Major Thompson
at Fort Leavenworth. Author. ) If \ou will examine Connol-
ley's reprint of Doniphan's expedition in my sketch of Colo-
nel Doniphan you will see that there was an old army intimate
connection between Liberty and Fort Leavenworth. OflScers'
sons were often sent here. As late as the fifties Major Beall
sent his sons here. As late as 1853 officers' famiUes boarded
here in the summer, I remember a Captain Hastings and
his family. (Captain Hastings was an officer of the First
Dragoons. He commanded the company of which the late
Honorable Percival Lowe of Leavenworth was first ser-
geant. Mrs. Morton, the wife of Colonel C. G. Morton, In-
spector general, U. S. Army, was Captain Hastings' youngest
daughter. She resided at Fort Leavenworth between 1902
and 1905. Author. )
Mr. Allen in his sketch of Colonel Doniphan to which he
has referred to above, states that "the officers of the Fort
and their wives and daughters were almost as much a part
of the social life of the town, as freely united in public amuse-
ments, balls, parties and the like, as its inhabitants them-
selves. From the union of local intellect with the brilliance
of the army the society of Liberty became exceptionally
charming and elegant."
3fta (!II?itrrI|ra aub Srlioola
and other officers of the fort, also Major Morgan,
sutler. Major Thompson commanded a regiment of
infantry, and was afterwards killed in the Seminole
war. He was superseded by Colonel Dodge who com-
manded a regiment of dragoons.
**The Kickapoos in those days resided near Fort
Leavenworth. The prophet's band had a sort of Cath-
olic form of worship. They would meet on the Sab-
bath for worship, and the prophet would preach in
their language. When they broke up, they would
form in a line and commence marching in single file
three or four times around, saying or singing prayers
which consisted of characters cut on a paddle, at the
same time shaking hands with the audience as they
passed by. The characters represented words. As
they left they would repeat those prayers till they
got to their Father's house or heaven. Their house
was marked at the top of the paddle. I had it on pa-
per but lost it. They had three or four correctors,
who carried whittled hickory sticks about the length
of a raw hide. The tribe would meet on Friday and
confess their faults, and receive three or four cuts
by their correctors, according to the magnitude of
their crime."
George Catlin, the celebrated painter of Indians
and western scenes, in his ''North American Indians"
tells of a visit made to the Kickapoos in the year pre-
ceeding Mr. Allis' presence among them, (1833).
His impressions of their religious worship furnish
a highly interesting story. In view of the fact that
these Indians were the post's neighbors to the north,
a reproduction of what Mr. Catlin has left us is
deemed appropriate within these pages and is here
presented:—
"About a year ago I made a visit to the Kicka-
poos, at present but a small tribe, numbering six or
10 IFnrt IC^ati^ttmnrtlj
eight hundred, a remnant of a once numerous and
warlike tribe. They are residing within the state of
IlHnois, near the south end of Lake Michigan, and
living in a poor and miserable condition, although
they have one of the finest countries in the world.
They have been reduced in numbers by whiskey and
small-pox, and the game being destroyed in their
country, and having little industry to work, they
are exceedingly poor and dependent. In fact, there
is very little inducement for them to build houses
and cultivate their farms, for they own such a large
and fine tract of country, that they know, from
experience, that they will soon be obliged to sell out
their country for a trifle, and move to the West.
This system of moving has already commenced with
them, and a considerable party have located on a
tract of lands offered to them on the west bank of
the Missouri river, a little north of Fort Leaven-
worth.
* 'The Kickapoos have long lived in alHance with
the Sacs and Foxes, and speak a language so similar
that they seem almost to be of one family. The
present chief of this tribe, whose name is Kee-an-
nek-uk* (the foremost man), usually called the Shaw-
nee Prophet, t is a very shrewd and talented man.
* Isaac McCoy, in his Annual Register of Indian Affairs,
No. 2, pp. 31-32, referring to this prophet, whom he calls
"Ke-lu-kuk" says: "He is a professed preacher, of an order
which he himself originated some years ago. His adherents
are about 400 in number, some of whom are small boys and
girls. He professes to receive all that he teaches immediately
from the Great Spirit by a supernatural agency. He teaches
abstinence from the use of ardent spirits, the observation of
the Sabbath, and some other good morals. He appears to
have little knowledge of the doctrine of Christianity, only as
his dogmas happen to agree with them. Congregational wor-
ship is performed four days in the week, and lasts from one
to three hours,"
t Mr. Catlin alludes to this chief as the "Shawnee
Prophet". This is undoubtedly an error and should be
the "Kickapoo Prophet".
3tH (2Il|urrl|C0 m\h ^rlynulB 11
When he sat for his portrait, he took his attitude as
seen in the picture, which was that of prayer. And
I soon learned that he was a very devoted Christian,
regularly holding meetings in his tribe, on the Sab-
bath, preaching to them and exhorting them to a
belief in the Christian religion, and to an abandon-
ment of the fatal habit of whiskey drinking, which
he strenuously represented as the bane that was to
destroy them all, if they did not entirely cease to
use it. I went on the Sabbath, to hear this eloquent
man preach, when he had his people assembled in
the woods, and although I could not understand his
language, I was surprised and pleased with the nat-
ural ease and emphasis, and gesticulation, which
carried their own evidence of the eloquence of his
sermon.
"I was singularly struck with the noble efforts of
this champion of the mere remnant of a poisoned
race, so strenuously laboring to rescue the remainder
of his people from the deadly bane that has been
brought amongst them by enlightened Christians.
How far the efforts of this zealous man have suc-
ceeded in christianizing, I cannot tell, but it is quite
certain that his exemplary and constant endeavors
have completely abolished the practice of drinking
whiskey in his tribe; which alone is a very praise-
worthy achievement, and the first and indispensable
step toward all other improvements. I was some time
amongst these people, and was exceedingly pleased,
and surprised also, to witness their sobriety, and
their peaceable conduct; not having seen an instance
of drunkenness, or seen or heard of any use of spir-
itous liquors whilst I was amongst the tribe.
"Ahtonwetuk, the cock turkey, is another Kick-
apoo of some distinction, and a disciple of the Proph-
et; in the attitude of prayer also; which he is reading
off from characters cut upon a stick that he holds in
12 IFort iC^awmwnrtli
his hands. It was told to me in the tribe by the
traders (though I am afraid to vouch for the whole
truth of it), that while a Methodist preacher was
soliciting for permission to preach in his village, the
Prophet refused him the privilege, but secretly took
him aside and supported him until he learned from
him his creed, and his system of teaching it to
others; when he discharged him and commenced
preaching amongst his people himself; pretending to
have had an interview with som.e superhuman mis-
sion, or inspired personage; ingeniously resolving,
that if any honor or emoluments, or influence to be
gained by the promulgation of it, he might have it
as another person; and with this view he commenced
preaching and instituted a prayer, which he ingen-
iously carved on a maple-stick of an inch and a half
in breadth, in characters somewhat resembling Chi-
nese letters. These sticks, with the prayers on
them, he has introduced into every family of the
tribe, and into the hands of every individual; and as
he has necessarily the manufacturing of them all, he
sells them at his own price; and has thus added lucre
to fame, and in two essential and effective ways,
augmented his influence in his tribe. Every man,
woman and child in the tribe, so far as I saw them,
were in the habit of saying their prayers from this
stick when going to bed at night, and also when
rising in the morning; which was invariably done by
placing the fore-finger of the right hand under the
upper character, until they repeat a sentence or
two, which it suggests to them; and then slipping it
under the next, and the next, and so on, to the bot-
tom of the stick, which altogether required about
ten minutes, as it was sung over in a sort of a chant,
to the end,
"Many people have called this an ingenious piece
of hypocrisy on the part of the Prophet, and whether
3ltB QII|urrl|r0 nnh ^rljnnlH 13
it be so or not, I cannot decide; yet one thing lean
vouch to be true, that whether his motives or life be
as pure as he pretends or not, his example has done
much towards correcting the habits of his people,
and has effectually turned their attention from the
destructive habits of dissipation and vice, to temper-
ance and industry, in the pursuits of agriculture and
the arts. The world may still be unwilling to allow
him much credit for this, but I am ready to award
him a great deal, who can by his influence thus far
arrest the miseries of dissipation and the horrid de-
formities of vice, in the descending prospects of a
nation who have long had, and still have, the white-
skin teachers of vices and dissipation amongst them.*'
Rev. Mr. Dunbar gives his recollections in the
following:
* 'Liberty is the most western village in the state
of Missouri on the north side of the stream. Here
we stopped a few days, and then proceeded to Can-
tonmentLeavenworth, thirty-four miles above Liberty,
and on the opposite side of the Missouri. We had
intended to go directly up to the place of our desti-
nation, when we came to this place, but we found no
opportunity to get thither. It is rare that whites
pass either up from or down to the cantonment from
the last of May till the first of September. We were
compelled to remain in the vicinity of Leavenworth
till the latter part of September. The way seemed
to be hedged up before us. This was to us a time of
deep anxiety and anxious suspense. We were fully
aware that our patrons were expecting to go for-
ward in our work but we seemed to be doing compar-
atively nothing. We did indeed visit some of the
tribes in the vicinity of the cantonment, and en-
deavored to study Indian character, but this at the
time seemed to be accomplishing very little. Once
during the time of our delay I made arrangements
to accompany a wretched half-starved party of
Otoes, who had come down to the cantonment to beg
provisions, when they should return to their village.
At this village I would be within thirty miles of the
place I wished to visit. When I went to their camp
in the early part of the day on wliich they had ad-
vised me they would set out on their return, they in-
formed me that they had determined to pay their
friends, the Kansas, a visit, and it would be several
weeks before they would reach their place of resi-
dence on the Platte. The true reason, however, of
their not wishing my company was that they were
desirous to take home with them a quantity of whis-
key, and they were fearful that they might get in-
to trouble about it should I be in their company.
The next day I saw some of them coming up from
the settlements on the border of the state having
with them six or eight horses laden with the water
of death to the Indian. Some white man with a
deviFs heart had for a little paltry gain furnished
these creatures, already sufficiently wretched with
that which is speedily working their destruction.
* 'We had not been at this place many days before
Mr. Allis^s health became impaired, and for several
weeks the prospect of his ever benefitting the In-
dians directly by his personal efforts was darkened.
At length his health began to mend, and before we
were able to reach our destined field was fully re-
stored.
"September 22, I started from the cantonment,
and on the 2nd day of October reached Bellevue, at
that time the seat of government agency of the Paw-
nees, Otoes and Omahaws. This place is in the Otoe
country, and about 200 miles above Leavenworth on
the same side of the river. It is ten miles above the
3ftB dliitrrhPH anb ^rl|onlB 15
mouth of the Platte and twenty below the site of the
old fort called Council Bluffs."
Mr. Dunbar is also silent upon the subject of
preaching at Fort Leavenworth, but it is not likely
that he overlooked such an opportunity.
In 1835 the Rev. Samuel Parker followed Messers
Allis and Dunbar arriving at Liberty in April.
At Liberty Mr. Parker remained three weeks
waiting for the caravan to get in readiness. While at
Liberty he had the opportunity to collect much in-
formation from those who had been to and beyond
the Rocky Mountains, in regard to the country, mode
of traveling, and concerning the various Indian
tribes on the way. Here he first met Captain Ford
and Lieutenant Steen, dragoon officers from Fort
Leavenworth. **They are men of religion," says
Mr. Parker, "and appear to be well acquainted with
the Indian country."
The incidents of this journey have been preser-
ved in * 'Parker's Exploring Tour Beyond the Rocky
Mountains" and from this book, published in 1844,
the following is reproduced:
"Saturday, May 9th, rode twenty-six miles from
Liberty to Cantonment Leavenworth, which is situ-
ated on the west side of the Missouri river, nearly
twenty miles outside of the United States. The way
is through a fertile section of country, part of the
distance is an open prairie, other parts are hand-
somely wooded, and all are well adapted to cultiva-
tion. I had an introduction to several of the officers,
made my home at Lieut. S's, an agreeable and reli-
gious family.*
* Mrs. steen, wife of Major Steen died in 1840 at Fort
Leavenworth at the age of 62 years and lies at rest in the Post
cemetery.
16 jFort IHgtipgtttoortt?
"I preached three times on the Sabbath, and
most of the people of the garrison assembled, and
gave good attention. There is a very considerable
number of professors of religion attached to this sta-
tion, but they have no chaplain to teach and lead
them in their devotions, which is a deficiency in our
military establishment. Colonel Dodge* and some of
the other officers appear disposed to maintain good
order, and I think they exerted a salutary influence.
I had an opportunity, before I returned to Liberty,
to take a view of the adjacent country. The build-
ings of the fort are situated within an inclosure
around a large, beautiful square, which is covered
with grass, and adorned with shade trees. The
whole is on an elevation of a few hundred feet, and
has an interesting prospect of the majestic river
flowing silently below. The fertile country around
presents a wide and fine prospect, and when settled
by an industrious population, will equal the most
favored parts of the earth."
The Rev. Mr. Parker gives us this bit of inter-
esting description of Liberty and its people as he
found them at that time:
* 'Liberty, and the surrounding country, is in-
habited by people of considerable enterprise, and
when it shall be brought under Christian influence,
there will be few places more inviting. There is but
one Presbyterian ministert in the county, a man of
talents and very respectable attainments, who is
exerting a good influence. The Baptists in this sec-
tion of country are unlike those of the east. They
are opposed to the benevolent operations of the day.
Elder H. , the pastor of the church in this place, in-
vited Rev. Mr. Merrill, a Baptist missionary, located
*Colonel Henry Dodge, 1st Dragoons, Commanding.
tRev. Mr. Yantis.—
among the Otoe Indians of the Platte and myself, to
preach for him the first Sabbath after our arrival.
His people objected, apprehensive that Mr. Merrill
would say something about the cause of temperance,
or missionary efforts, and Elder H. had to withdraw
his invitation. They profess to act from Christian
principles in refusing to give their minister any-
thing for support, lest they should make him a hire-
ling. ''
Should Mr. Parker care to return to Liberty he
can be assured of a royal reception and all the time
he may require to discuss temperance.
Before 1830 Father Charles Van Quickenborne,*
a Catholic missionary of great fame, visited the ter-
ritory west of the Missouri river, along the Osage
and Neosho rivers, but did not come this far north
♦Reverend Father Charles Van Quickenborne, S. J., was
born in Peteghem, Belgium, January 21, 1787; died at the mis-
sion of St. Francis, in the Portage des Sioux, Missouri, Aug-
ust 17, 1867. He arrived in the United States in 1817, and in
1819 was appointed superior of the Jesuit novitiate at White
Marsh, Maryland. After some years he was ordered to trans-
fer his mission to Missouri. He accordingly set out with
twelve companions, and after traveling 1,600 miles, arrived
at Florissant and began the novitiate of St. Stanislaus. To
form this establishment he had no other materials than the
timber he carried from the woods and the rocks that he raised
from the bed of the river. He was his own architect, me-
chanic and laborer, and, aided by his novices, finally con-
structed the buildings. In 1828 he set about building a univer-
sity at St. Louis, and also erected at St. Charles a church, a
convent of the Sacred Heart, and a parochial residence. His
great desire from the first had been to evangelize the Indians.
He, therefore, made several excursions among the Osages
and lowas, and made numerous conversions. He erected a
house and chapel among the Kickapoos, and this tribe became
the center of his missionary labors in 1836. He had visited
neighboring tribes and formed plans for their conversion,
when he was called to Missouri.
18 3Fort ICpatJp«wortl|
until 1835. He located among the Kickapoo Indians
in their village four miles north of Fort Leaven worth.
This village is still in existence but inhabited by
whites only.
In a letter dated Village of Kickapoo, October
4, 1836, Father Quickenborne, writing to the As-
sociation for the Propagation of the Faith of St.
Louis, Missouri, informs us that that there was quite
a little consternation among the troops at Fort Leav-
enworth. It was to the effect that the Northern
Sioux had gone on the war path, had vanquished the
Sacs and lowas, and not only that, but they had al-
ready attacked and cut to pieces the troops sent out
from Fort Leavenworth to arrest their fury. The
whole story, he wrote, was a fake. The troops re-
turned soon after to camp without having found the
Sioux at all.
While nothing can be found in any of his letters
referring to services conducted at Fort Leavenworth,
there is no reason to doubt that Father Quickenborne
did his full duty towards those in the garrison who
were members of his church.
iunston ®uto
^xBtntQ of HegtHlattan Autljorizing
OltjaplainB fnr tl|^ Armg
19
CHAPTER II.
HISTORY OF LEGISLATION BY CONGRESS AUTHORIZING
CHAPLAINS FOR THE ARMY
TjTOR many years following the organization of the
^^ Army of the United States, the office of chap-
lain was one of precarious existence. Its continu-
ance, or discontinuance, appeared to depend largely
upon the frame of mind in which our lawmakers
found themselves when at work reorganizing the
army. Since the Civil War, however, the office has
been given deserved recognition. It has been raised
to a much higher state of efficiency by reason of
greater discrimination in the selection of its person-
nel, followed with legislation providing for an in-
crease in emoluments and advancement in rank.
In the organization of the Regular Army of the
United States an attempt was made to follow to
some extent the English custom; and during the
Revolutionary War chaplains were attached to the
various commands. The following are among
Washington's General Orders, and indicate the es-
teem in which the chaplaincy was held:
July 9, 1776. - ''The Honourable Continental Con-
gress having been pleased to allow a chaplain to each
regiment, with the pay of thirty-three dollars and
one-third per month, the Colonels or Commanding-offi-
cers of each regiment are directed to procure Chap-
lains accordingly; -persons of good character and
exemplary lives, and to see that all inferior officers
and soldiers pay them a suitable respect. The bles-
sings and protection of Heaven are at all times
necessary, but especially so in times of public dis-
tress and danger. The General hopes and trusts,
that every officer and man will endeavor so to live
21
22 3xit\ fC^aurmuflrtli
and act as becomes a Christian soldier; defending
the dearest rights and liberties of his country.''
October 7, 1777. - ' The situation of the Army fre-
quently not admitting of the regular performance of
Divine service on Sundays, the Chaplains of the
Army are forthwith to meet together and agree on
some method of performing it at other times, which
method they will make known to the Commander-
in-Chief.''
The organization of the Army dates from Sep-
tember 29, 1789, but it was not until the act of March
3, 1791, that the ofRce of chaplain received recogni-
tion. The strength of the army was fixed at 2,232
officers and men while that of chaplain at one, and
his appointment left to the President, should he
"deem the same necessary to pubhc interest."
In 1796 Congress again reorganized the Army,
but failed to provide for the office, reviving it under
the act of 1798 to the same number, though it in-
increased the army to 14,000 officers and men.
In 1799 the number of chaplains was increased to
four, and again discontinued under the act of May 14,
1800. A period of four years now elapsed before
Congress again re-established the office. Under the
act of April 12, 1808 the number of chaplains was
fixed at eight, and by a subsequent act March 3, 1813,
was further increased to sixteen. Two years passed
when Congress again legislated on the office. Un-
der the act of 1815 came a reduction of the army
and the number of chaplains was placed at four.
This number continued until 1821 when, under a re-
organization act for the seventh time since 1789, the
office was entirely abolished.
Although Congress eliminated all chaplains from
the army, it was not to be expected that the chris-
tian people of the country would permit this state of
3lta ail|urrl|r0 m\h grlioola 23
affairs to exist without a protest; although the
country's protectors of its immense lines of frontier
were serving outside of the lines of civilization
with no opportunity to attend divine worship, it was
not to be expected that the christian men and women
of the army, would submit silently to the refusal of
Congress^^; to furnish the channels through which to
secure spiritual consolation; something not even de-
nied the Indians and for whose protection the army
was used.
It was, however, sometime, before demands
were made upon Congress to provide chaplains for
the army.
In 1831 the Secretary of War, Hon. Lewis Cass,
in his annual report to the President, referring to
the failure of Congress to provide for the spiritual
welfare of the soldier said:
* 'The American soldier is well paid, fed, and
clothed; and, in the event of sickness or disability,
ample provision is made for his support. But his
moral culture is wholly neglected. There is no ar-
rangement in our service for his mental or religious
improvement. And there is perhaps no similar ser-
vice in which such a measure is more necessary.
Many of the positions occupied by our troops are up-
on the verge of civilization, or beyond it. There
they are retained for years, and under circumstances
which, if not counteracted, almost necessarily lead
to great demoralization. None of the ordinary means
of instruction are within their reach, and neither
their habits nor principles can be improved or fort-
fied by those institutions, which are elsewhere gen-
erally estabhshed, and so useful. Independently of
any obhgation which may be supposed to exist on the
part of the Government to provide for the moral as
well as the physical wants of a class of men who, in
2Jlf 3atX iCraurnwnrtlj
devoting themselves to the service of the country,
become unable to provide for their own wants, it is
certain that, as a question of expediency, this meas-
ure is recommended by powerful considerations.
Where moral and religious principles are practically
acknowledged, their sanctions will add vitally to the
obHgation voluntarily assumed by the soldier, and
his duties will be performed with more fidelity and
alacrity. As he becomes a better man he will be-
come a better soldier. Discipline and subordination
will be promoted, punishment diminished, and all
the details of the service will feel the spirit of im-
provement. I am satisfied, that the appointment of
chaplains, and their employment at such of our mili-
tary posts as, from their position and the strength
of the garrisons, may seem to call for such a meas-
ure, would be productive of great advantages to the
service; and to the soldiers individually the measure
would be equally beneficial. Reproof and exhorta-
tions in hfe, and the consolations of religion in
death, would be freely ofi'ered them. The experi-
ment, I think, is worthy of trial; and the expense
can scarcely be placed in fair competition with an ob-
ject which promises such useful results for the pres-
ent improvement and future happiness of the sol-
diers."
In a communication addressed to Hon. Benjamin
Swift, a United States senator from Vermont, Lieu-
tenant J. S. Gallagher, 2d U. S. Infantry, on **the
want of moral and religious instruction in the army,"
under date of February 17, 1836, makes these com-
ments:
"Provision is made by law for the religious and
moral wants of the navy, at an expense of ten or
twelve thousand dollars annually.
itB (El?«rri)^^a attb ^rl^inla 25
"A chaplain is supported by the government at
West Point.
** Chaplains are provided for both houses of
Congress. So that the principle of sustaining relig-
ious teachers by government is established.
''Of the thousands of public servants in the civil
departments scarcely any are so situated as to be
shut out from religious privileges. The army in this
respect stands alone.
''The estimate put on the means of religion is
shown by the fact that almost every community sus-
tains a religious teacher. What would be thought of
a proposition to depose every minister of the gospel
and close every church in the land? And yet in such
an event the community would be in precisely the
situation of the greater part of the army.
"Nowhere more than in the army are the fruits
of rehgion needed; fidelity, temperance, and cheerful
obedience are the sinews of its efficiency. At a mil-
itary post in the north, where a faithful minister was
employed, scarcely a man was confined for a military
offence for upwards of a year. One hundred in-
stances of confinement, among the same number of
men within the same period, have I known at other
posts. If fifty temperate and faithful men would be
as efficient as sixty, one-third of whom were more or
less intemperate, and the temperance and fidelity of
the former resulted from Christian principle diffused
by the labors of a faithful chaplain, then would the
employment of such chaplains at our several military
posts be equivalent to increasing the army by more
than a thousand men. I state these proportions
merely to illustrate the importance of religious in-
fluence on the efficiency of the army, and the true
economy of securing it, without intending to affirm
that one-third or one-quarter of the enlisted men are
intemperate, the proportion of the intemperate may
be, and I hope is, much less than one in four.
Jffnrt ICpauFtimnrtii
"Such is the position of a number of our frontier
posts that the mihtary come in direct contact with
the Indians; how desirable that their influence should
be one of unmixed good.
*'The deprivation of religious institutions is felt
by a large class who have spent their best days in
the service. Many of the older officers and soldiers
have families; and who does not appreciate the ad-
vantages of public religious instruction on the Sab-
bath in the education of children?
** Great is the value of religious instruction to
those who are by their profession frequently exposed
to death. More than five hundred men have died at
one post in Arkansas in about twelve years not far
from two hundred fell victims to the cholera in the
campaign against the Sac and Fox Indians; between
one and two hundred have fallen in battle with the
Seminole Indians within a few months. How can
the government expose so many men to death with-
out affording them the ordinary means of preparing
for its consequences? Little as we may improve by
these means while in health and safety, in the hour
of dissolution the truths we had heard might become
the foundation of hope, and shed their light upon the
valley of death.''
Under date of Fort Towson, January 12, 1836,
Lieutenant Colonel J. H. Vose, 3d Infantry, com-
manding the post, communicated his views on the
subject of the need of chaplains in the army, in the
following to Hon. John Davis, a United States sena-
tor from Massachusetts:
**The appointment of chaplains in the United
States army has been frequently recommended by
the different Presidents and Secretaries of War; but
I believe Congress has never acted upon the subject,
and I presume it has been more from want of time
than other cause.
3ftB (EI|«rrl|rB mxh 0rI|oiilB 27
"I now take the liberty to request that you will
use your influence for the passage of a law authoriz-
ing the appointment of chaplains for the army, pro-
vided the subject should be brought forward and
you should be of the opinion that such appointments
are expedient. I have been in the army for nearly
twenty-four years, and I am now convinced, from
past experience, that nothing will add so much to the
respectability and eflficiency of the army as the appoint-
ment of chaplains and the regular public worship of
God at our military posts on the Sabbath.
"It is found that where the Sabbath is properly
observed, and public worship held, that there are few
desertions, less intoxication, and a more healthy and
efficient command. Saturday is the inspection day;
and as mihtary duties are prohibited on the Sabbath
and labor usually suspended on that day, the men
unless they attend public worship, will pass their
time in idleness and dissipation.
**Let there be chaplains appointed for every
military post, and let officers, as well as men, be re-
quired to attend public worship on the Sabbath, and
we shall see, very soon, an astonishing change in the
moral character of our army; provided, however,
that the chaplains are the right kind of men. They
should not be men who seek the office merely for its
emoluments; they should be men of talents, of social
habits, and, above all, of undoubted piety. Such men
would do good, and such men can be found, who
would cheerfully enter the service for a compensa-
tion of $800 or $1,000 per year. The whole cost to
the government would not be more than fifty to sixty
thousand dollars per annum.
**As we have an overflowing treasury, and money
that our legislators will find difficulty to dispose of,
it is to be hoped that in their wisdom they will con-
3Fnrt ICraii^nmnrtJi
sider the moral condition of the poor soldier, and
pass a law which may be instrumental in making
them better men, and preparing them for another
and better world.
''Much more might be said upon this subject,
but I will not take up your time, which, I am sensible,
is fully occupied by your public duties.
"I indulge the behef that you will excuse the
freedom I have taken in writing to you, and that you
will give the measure I have proposed, if it should be
brought up during the present session, your cordial
support.*'
Again in 1836 Hon. B. F. Butler, Secretary of
of War, ad interim, in his annual report, calls the
attention of the President to the necessity of making
some provisions for securing to the army the service
of chaplains. He calls attention to the fact * 'that the
act of April 12, 1808, required one chaplain, with the
pay and emoluments of a major of infantry, to be
appointed to each brigade. This provision was con-
tinued in force until superseded by the act of March
3, 1815, fixing the military peace establishment, and
there is now no authority for employing such an
officer in the army at the public expense, except at
the Military Academy.
"The Constitution of the United States has wise-
ly provided that Congress 'shall make no law res-
pecting an estabhshment of religion, or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof;' but this cannot lessen the
obligation of Congress to furnish the officers and
men employed in the military service such opportu-
nities of religious worship and of moral culture as
may be compatible with appropriate duties of the
army. And when it is considered tliat even the
common soldier resumes, sooner or later, the char-
acter of a citizen, how important does it become that
3lt0 (fll|urdirfi anil ^cI^ooIb 29
he should be shielded from the pernicious influences
to which a military life is usually exposed. The en-
lightening and tranquilizing effect of a regular at-
tendance on pubhc worship, and the aid which a
judicious and devoted chaplain may give in the pro-
motion of discipline and subordination, ought not to
be overlooked in the organization of an army.
"Since 1815 the services of chaplains at the fixed
posts have frequently been secured by voluntary
contributions, collected and applied, as I understand
by the council of administration. As the officers
composing that council will be enabled to consult the
wishes of the garrison, and are in other respects
better qualified to make judicious selections for ser-
vices of this nature than the authorities at the seat
of government, I recommend the passage of a law
authorizing them to select and employ chaplains
from time to time, and giving to the persons so em-
ployed the pay and emoluments of such grade as
Congress may think proper to prescribe. To each
regiment when employed in the field, a like arrange-
ment might be extended. '^
In the 2d session of the 25th Congress, 1837-8,
an army reorganization bill was enacted. It con-
tained a section reviving the office of chaplain, leav-
ing their selection to the post council of administra-
tion, subject to the approval of the Secretary of
War, and in the transmission of such names * 'the
recommendation of the highest ecclesiastical author-
ity of the communion to which the applicant be-
longs" was required. His monthly pay was not to
exceed forty dollars, and four rations per day,
quarters and fuel.
Upon the passage of the bill. Senator Benton of
Missouri, from the committee on military affairs, in-
troduced a supplementary bill, which explained, limi-
30 3F0rt IC^au^nmnrtlj
ted and modified certain sections of the enacted bill.
With reference to the chaplains, provisions of this
supplementary bill provided ''that the posts at which
chaplains shall be allowed, shall be limited to the
number of twenty, and their selection shall be ap-
proved by the Secretary of War, and shall be con-
fined to places most destitute of instruction.^^
Under the provisions of this act whiskey was
eliminated from the soldier's ration, and a more liberal
allowance of coffee and sugar made.
Senator Benton, in discussing the provisions re-
lating to chaplains, said that chaplains are to perform
double duty of inculcating the gospel, and give in-
structions to the children of the post.
After an experience of six years with chaplains
in the army General Winfield Scott, in his annual re-
port for 1844, has this to say of their work:
*'To the introduction of chaplains at isolated
points, to the intelligence, morals and vigilance of
officers, primarily due to the military academy, and
to the spread of temperance associations and habits,
is directly to be attributed that happy melioration in
the basis of the army. And it may be boasted, as it
might have been at any time in a series of years,
not a duel has occurred between commissioned
officers.''
Upon the declaration of war with Mexico, Con-
gress authorized a chaplain for each regiment raised
for the war. It conferred upon the President the
power to order chaplains to the theater of action. It
is not known whether any such chaplains declined to
go to the firing line, but the fact that the President
was directed to declare any such office vacant where
its occupant declined to do so, leaves ground for in-
ference that such might have been the case or was
expected.
3itH (IIl|itrrI|rB m\h ^t^aals 31
March 2, 1849, Congress increased the number
to thirty, and under an act approved February 21,
1857, their monthly pay was not to exceed sixty dol-
lars, subject to the approval of the post council.
During the war of the rebellion a chaplain was
authorized for each regiment of volunteers, with the
pay and allowances of a captain of cavalry (Act ap-
proved July 22, 1861). By an act approved August
3, 1861, none but ministers of some Christian denom-
ination were eligible for appointment. Under an
act approved May 30, 1862, the President was author-
ized to appoint a chaplain for each general hospital,
and later, under an act approved July 17, 1862, his
pay and allowances were fixed and the qualifications
for the office established. Rank, without command,
was conferred by the act of April 9, 1862, in which
enactment his duties were still further defined. By
section 31 of the act of July 28, 1866, the existing
force of chaplains was recognized and continued, and
one chaplain authorized for each regiment of colored
troops established, ** whose duty shall include the
instruction of the enlisted men in the common Eng-
lish branches of education." By Section 7 of the
act approved March 2, 1867, the rank of captain of
infantry, without command, was conferred, and
chaplains were placed on the same footing in respect
to pay, allowances, and emoluments as other officers
of the army. Under Section 12 of the act of February
2, 1901, the distinction between post and regimental
chaplains was abolished and chaplains w^ere required
to be assigned to regiments of the line or to stations
occupied by the troops of the corps of artillery.
The last legislation affecting the corps is con-
tained in the act approved April 21, 1904. Under its
provisions all persons appointed shall have the grade,
pay and allowances of a first lieutenant mounted,
3Fnrt ICf an^nwortli
and that of captain mounted after seven years ser-
vice; it also authorizes the President to confer the
grade, pay and allowances of major upon those hav-
ing ten years service as captains who have been
commended as worthy of special distinction for ex-
eptional efficiency.
CHAPTER^III
DILIGENT ATTENDANCE AT DIVINE SERVICE SUG-
GESTED TO OFFICERS AND MEN
SHE necessity for attending divine service on
the part of officers and enlisted men had evi-
dently forced itself upon the military authorities as
shown for the first time by the following paragraphs
of the army regulations of 1847:
273. By the 2nd article of War, it is earnestly
recommended to all officers and soldiers diligently
to attend divine service; and Congress has also pro-
vided for the means of its performance, by granting
chaplains to the army; and in order that their ex-
ertions may be attended with beneficial consequen-
ces, it is necessary that the officers in command,
where chaplains are allowed, should cause the men
to be assembled on each Sunday for religious service;
and it is recommended to all chaplains that the ser-
vice of that day be closed with a short practical ser-
mon, suited to the habits and understandings of
soldiers.
274. Officers in command of posts, or stations,
to which chaplains are not appointed, are recom-
mended to provide for the religious duty of the Sab-
bath, by attending, with their officers and men, on
divine worship, whenever a neighboring church, or
religious congregation, may offer a proper oppor-
tunity.
275. The men are to attend divine service with
their side arms, and they are to be marched with the
utmost regularity to and from the church or place
where divine service is performed.
276. The wives and families of soldiers are also
to be encouraged to attend divine service.
33
These requirements continued in force until the
regulations of 1861 made their appearance. Since
that time there has been no direction in any official
publication relating to * 'diligent attendance at divine
service" beyond the article of war above referred to
and which is now numbered 52.
itmaton ^l^nt
Jffnrt Sl^awntu0rtlj
35
CHAPTER IV
ROLL OF CHAPLAINS IN THE ORDER OF ASSIGNMENT,
WHO HAVE SERVED AT THE POST
/jTOMPLYING with the act of 1838, the War De_
^^ partment announced in General Orders No. 29,
of the same year, eleven posts as coming within the
class deemed by Congress to be * 'destitute of in-
struction," including Fort Leavenworth. Under
this authority the council of administration
selected Rev^. Henry Gregory. He served here from
December 17, 1838, until September 30, 1839, so that
to him belongs the distinction of being the first
army chaplain to serve at this post.
Below is the roster of chaplains who have served
at Fort Leavenworth:
1838-1839 -Rev. Henry Gregory
1842-1859-Rev. Leander Ker
1859-1868— Rev. Hiram Stone
1872-1873-Rev. William Vaux
1874-1882-Rev. John Woart
1882 Rev. David White
1882-1889 -Rev. T. W. Barry
1889-1891 -Rev. Henry Swift
1891-1892-Rev. C. C. Pierce
1892-1893-Rev. W. K. Tulley
1893-1894 -Rev. C. C. Pierce
1894-1902-Rev. George Robinson
1902-1905-Chaplain J. A. Randolph, 6th Inf.
1905-1908-Chaplain John T. Axton, 18th Inf.
1908-1911-Chaplain Henry Swift, 13th Inf.
1912 Chaplain James L. Griff es, 7th Inf.
Between the date of Chaplain Gregory's resig-
nation and September 23, 1842, the post was with-
37
^int iCpaupnuiortJj
out a chaplain. There is nothing in the records of
the War Department to throw any light upon the
matter. It is quite probable that the post council
either failed to designate anyone for the place, or
met with difficulty in securing a clergyman fitted for
the position.
Rev. Leander Ker, an Episcopalian clergyman,
was finally selected by the council and began his
ministrations in September, 1842. He continued in
this service until March 3, 1859, an unusual length of
time to remain at the same station, indicating a sat-
isfactory performance of duties under varied con-
ditions of military service and the many changes in
the personnel of the post council, a military require-
ment often made necessary. Unfortunately, neither
of these two clergymen left behind them any records,
or journals from which to extract interesting fea-
tures of their service.
In 1859 the chaplaincy at Fort Leavenworth be-
came vacant upon the resignation of Chaplain Ker.
The officers of the post expressed their readiness to
secure this position for Rev. Hiram Stone of
Leavenworth.
Mr Stone, feeling it a duty to continue his labors
in the Parish which he had established at Leaven-
worth in 1856 and worked for nearly three years,
dechned the offer. Later this declination was re-
considered and his friends at Fort Leavenworth
advised, that if they saw proper to renew their offer
of several months previous to elect him as their
chaplain, he would accept the position.
This led to an invitation to preach at the post the
following day, Sunday, September 25th. On Monday,
Sept. 26th a meeting of the Post Council of Admin-
istration was called by ColonelJustin Dimmick,* post
* Colonel 1st Artillery; graduate class of 1819; brevetted
in 1865 a brigadier-general for gallant and faithful service to
his country; died October 13, 1871.
Chaplain GEO. ROBINSON
U. S. A., Retired
Chaplain HIRAM STONE t
Chaplain JOHN WOART t
Chaplain J. T. AXTON
18th Infantry
3(tB (EI|urdtra anb ^rl|iialfi S9
commander, the council consisted of Captains Ar-
nold Elzey*, James Tottent and Wm. F. Barry. § By an
unanimous vote of the council Mr. Stone was elected
post chaplain of Fort Leavenworth, notice of the
election being duly forwarded to the Secretary of
War for his approval.
Monday, October 24th. Mr. Stone tendered to the
Vestry of St. Paul's Church his resignation and ad-
vised it that his election to the chaplaincy of Fort
Leavenworth was approved.
At a meeting of the Vestry of St. Paul's Parish
of Leavenworth City, on the 28th day of October
1859, the following preamble and resolutions were
unanimously adopted:
''Whereas, our beloved pastor, the Rev. Hiram
Stone has expressed to the congregation and mem-
bers of this church, his determination to leave them
for the purpose of continuing his holy labors in an-
other portion of God's vineyard, be it Resolved, that
we have heard the announcement of his departure
with feelings of the most profound sadness and re-
gret. That we have ever found in him a man void
of offence, a christian of exemplary piety, and a min-
ister so zealous and efficient that we cannot hope to
have his place supplied. His works are a monument
of his goodness and pastoral abihty, while the
poignant regret of the flock to whose spiritual wants
he has ministered during the last three years and the
fervent prayers that follow him in his separation
* Captain 1st Artillery; graduate class of 1839; resigned
1861; major-general C. S. A; died February 21, 1871.
X Captain 2d Artillery; graduate class of 1841; brevetted
brigadier-general for gallant and meritorius service during
the war; died October 2, 1871.
§ Colonel 2d Artillery; graduate class of 1838; brevetted
major-general for gallant and meritorius service during the
war; died July 18, 1879.
from them, abundantly testify to the fact that he
has followed in the footsteps of the Apostles of old,
and proved himself a bright example for those who
mourn his loss.
* 'Resolved, that we tender to him our most sin-
cere and heartfelt gratitude for his pious efforts
among us, and point to his unparalleled success in
building up and adding to this congregation as an
illustration of the wisdom with which the Domestic
Committee select the laborers in the great work of
spreading the gospel and calling sinners to repet-
ance.
"Resolved, that we congratulate the post to
which he has removed as the scene of his future
labors, upon the acquisition of a pastor unexception-
able in all the social relations of life, unexcelled in
zeal and devoted piety, and possessing every quality
of an able and useful rector.
''Resolved, that in bidding adieu to our revered
and beloved shepherd, we extend to him and his
family, for all time to come, a place in our hearts
and a hearty welcome to our homes.
{Signed) Alex. T. Maison,
Secretary. * '
With the appearance of Mr. Stone in the Fort
Leavenworth field, a pulpit he had frequently filled
while in charge of St. Paul's, the posts' church his-
tory began and was duly and daily recorded by Mr.
Stone, not in compliance with any military require-
ment, but a duty he believed was due the church
and himself. This, proved, indeed, a fortunate view
for those who followed him, and because the record
then begun has been well maintained and in numer-
ous instances proved of great value and will be re-
ferred to further on.
An incident led to the discovery of Chaplain
Stone's journal and deserves relating in order to
3ltB ail|urrl|r0 aub ^rtinola Ul
make this history what its author desires it to be, a
"look into the past," through glasses, the accuracy
of which could not be questioned.
Chaplain Stone's death occurred at Litchfield,
Conn., April 3, 1911, and this led to the find of the
journal from which it is proposed to present copious
extracts. The correspondence which follows will ex-
plain how the author came into its possession, which,
otherwise, might have been laid away among the
family heirlooms only to find its way, in due time,
to the junkshop.
Litchfield, Conn., April 13, 1911.
Mr. Henry Shindler,
Dear Sir:— The Postmaster has put me in possession
of your communication, and the copy of The Leavenworth
Times containing article relative to my late husband, the Rev.
Hiram Stone, which I have perused with great interest quick-
ened by the late review I made with him of his private jour-
nal covering all the official acts of his life from the time of
his entering the ministry, until within a few months of his
death. I shall be glad to confer with you in any way relating
to Mr. Stone.
Very sincerely yours,
MRS. HIRAM STONE.
The author's answer follows:
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, April 17, 1911.
Mrs. Hiram Stone,
Litchfield, Conn.
My Dear Mrs. Stone:— lam in receipt of your kind
favor of the 13th instant and beg to thank you sincerely for so
prompt a response. I had no idea that my request to your
postmaster would find such a fruitful field for the material de-
sired for my history of Fort Leavenworth.
It was by mere accident I picked up a copy of the New
York Evening Post and observed, in its obituary column, the
name of Hiram Stone. The notice drew my attention and
on reading it discovered it was the same chaplain who minis-
tered here so many years ago and for so long a time, i
promptly wrote a story about his death for The Leaven-
worth Times, because of local interest, and then decided
to send a copy to your postmaster with the request that it be
U2 Jffort IGrauFuuiortlj
handed, if possible, to some near relative where it may lead
to the discovery of papers covering his ministerial work at
this post.
Some years ago I published a pamphlet on "Public Wor-
ship at Fort Leavenworth" and am pleased to hand you a
copy. I labored under peculiar conditions in its preparation,
as you will observe, but since then I have found much other
material and with what I hope to obtain from you will revise
same to date. I had no thought of finding the widow of the
chaplain, and in possession of his journal. We have already
had evidence of the thoroughness of his work here from the
minutes he furnished a few years ago and to which I made
reference in my newspaper story.
Now, Mrs. Stone, do you propose to publish the journal
in book form? If not, why not present these papers to the
Kansas State Historical Society where they will finally appear
in one of its bi-annual publications? The fact that Chaplain
Stone was among the early Episcopal missionaries in this sec-
tion would make his journal very valuable out here. Recent
publications of the society have contained the recollections
of many early missionaries and the addition of the journal of
Chaplain Stone would add to the value of this class of histor-
ical matter.
In the mean time, of course, I would like to secure the
use of the journal for a short time to permit me to make ex-
tracts. Whatever you may decide on its final disposition I
beg that you permit its use for the purpose stated. Chaplain
Stone's work here is so interwoven with Fort Leavenworth
history that any paper covering his work would be of great-
est interest to readers in the army and in Kansas.
Trusting to hear from you
I beg to remain sincerely,
' ' ' HENRY SHINDLER
Mrs. Stone kindly consented to the use of the
journal for the purpose stated by the author.
Chaplain Stone remained on duty at Fort Leav-
enworth until 1868. Not again until 1872 was the
post supplied with a chaplain. In July of
of that year Chaplain William Vaux was assigned to
duty here, reporting on August 2. His ministry,
however, was cut short a year later, August 27, 1873,
When he was sent to another station.
3tH C[It|urrI|PH nixh ^rlioola 43
The post pulpit remained vacant for a year,
Leavenworth ministers being employed to occupy it
until a regular assignment wsls made. Late in the
fall of 1874, Post Chaplain John Woart reported for
duty and ministered to the people here until Feb-
ruary 13, 1882, v^hen orders from the War Depart-
ment carried him to the Department of California.
He remained on duty there but a short time retiring
from active service the same year. His death oc-
curred in November, 1893.
The Post Chapel record contains the following
entry on the day Chaplain Woart bid adieu to this
field:
"He that has God his guardian made,
Shall under the Almighty shade
Secure and undisturbed abide;
This to my soul of him Pll say
He is my fortune and my stay
My God in whom I will confide."
Chaplain David White succeeded Chaplain Woart.
He remained on duty at the post until the date of his
retirement June 30, 1882. He died at Lawrence,
Kansas, October 2, 1902.
Chaplain Thomas W. Barry reported for duty
in August, 1882. He had been for a number of years
the officiating clergymen of St. PauPs at Leaven-
worth and through the personal efforts of the late
General Pope* received the appointment of post chap-
lain and an assignment to this station. Chaplain
Barry officiated at the post for several years and
then transferred to Fort Riley. While stationed at
*Major General John Pope commanded the Department
of the Missouri, with heaquarters at Fort Leavenworth from
May 3, 1870, to November 1, 1883. He retired from active ser-
vice March 15, 1886, and died in St. Louis, Mo., September 23
1892.
IfJf Jffnrt ICf atJ^miiortly
Fort Monroe, Va. , he was stricken with appoplexy
and died February 24, 1904.
Post Chaplain Henry Swift succeeded Chap-
lain Barry's place and continued here until 1891.
In 1891 Post Chaplain C. C. Pierce, was assigned
to duty at the U. S. Military Prison. Being the only
chaplain available to officiate at the post chapel he
filled its pulpit for several months following Chaplain
Swift's departure and subsequent to the resignation
of Chaplain Tully, until a chaplain was regularly as-
signed. A notable event during Chaplain Pierce's
ministry at the post chapel was his conversion from
the Baptist faith to that of the Protestant Episcopal
denomination. He was ordained a deacon in the post
chapel by Bishop Thomas and later by the same
church dignitary consecrated a priest in St. Paul's
Episcopal Church at Leavenworth.
Chaplain W. K. Tulley followed Chaplain Swift
and while serving at the post resigned from the army
November 17, 1893.
Chaplain George Robinson succeeded Chaplain
Pierce. Chaplain Robinson left here early in 1901
for duty in the Philippines. From the time of his de-
parture until the arrival of Chaplain J. A. Randolph,
Sixth Infantry, in July 1902, the post was not served
officially by a chaplain.
Chaplain Randolph remained until February, 1905,
and was, the following month, succeeded by Chaplain
John T. Axton, Eighteenth Infantry.
Chaplain Axton remained until 1908, long sub-
sequent to the departure of his regiment for the
Philippines, a retention made necessary because of
the absence, on special duty in the Philippines,
of Chaplain Henry Swift, Thirteenth regiment
of Infantry, which came to this station in the fall of
1907. A few months following Chaplain Axton's de-
3lt0 (Bi)nrd)tB a«h Bcl^aoiB ^5
parture Chaplain Swift arrived and took up the
work. This regiment again departed for the Phihp-
pines in the month of October, 1911, and with it Chap-
lain Swift.
On January 14, 1912, Chaplain James L. Griffes,
7th Infantry, reported for duty and is now so serv-
ing.
iimatnn 3aut
Qllfaplatn ^tom^B Sonvnul of ^^ruto
at iFort foawntunrtlj
47
CHAPTER V
INTERESTING HISTORY FURNISHED BY CHAPLAIN
stone's JOURNAL
7j|)EVEREND Hiram Stone was born in the village
^^ of Bantan Falls, county of Litchfield, Con-
necticut July 24, 1824. At the end of his course of stu-
dies in a Hartford Seminary, he was admitted on
October 2, 1843, to the Holy Orders of Deacons and
on November 19, 1854, to the Holy Order of Priests,
being at this time the minister of St. John's Church
at Essex.
On April 30, 1856, he was appointed missionary
to the Territory of Kansas, resigning his ministerial
charge on that date and landed at Fort Leavenworth
from the steamboat Australia on November 24 of the
same year.
On entering upon the duties of a missionary
at Leavenworth City, Chaplain Stone found only
three church families and the same number of com-
municants. At the date of his resignation, there
were upon the parish register 43 communicants and
about an equal number of families; eleven persons
had been confirmed, 34 baptisms had been solemnized
and there was a Sunday school of about 30 children.
From Chaplain Stone's journal, covering the en-
tire field of his work in Kansas, everything pertain-
ing to the Fort Leavenworth ministry has been ex-
tracted and reproduced below. No change in lan-
guage has been made, only such notes added as will
tend toward a recognition of the names mentioned
in the journal:
"The organization of the parish was effected
in the midst of those dreadful border troubles of
Kansas, and its infant years were witness
49
50 3nxt ICran^ttmortlj
to a fearful state of society incident to both border
life and civil discords hitherto unknown in American
history.
"The fields of my army and missionary work be-
ing so intimately connected, nearly the same ground
is to be gone over in the case of both. The two places
were situated but three miles apart, my residence at
Leavenworth City being about three years and at
Fort Leavenworth, eight years and a half. During
this period of eleven and a half years, the church in-
terests of the town and fort were closely interlaced,
so that the reminiscences of each were largely asso-
ciated with my experience. It is thus that in writ-
ing my army memoirs of Kansas, that I must be-
gin and close about with those already written of the
Church. And a seeming repetition must appear at
times as necessary to the separate history of each.
"On leaving Wisconsin for Kansas, as before sta-
ted in my church memoirs, I took letters of introduc-
tion from Bishop Kemper to officers at Fort Leaven-
worth. I went by railroad to Jefferson City, Missou-
ri, and there took passage on the Steamer Australia
for Fort Leavenworth. The whole country was in
agitation over political affairs, and Kansas was the
area on which all eyes of North and South were con-
centrated. Crowds from both sections were flocking
to the Territory, and the boat on which I had taken
passage was loaded with passengers of opposite poli-
tical sentiments, some of whom were quite demon-
strative in giving expression to these.
"The air seemed full of threatening aspect, and
things looked not very inviting to Missionary opera-
tions. My first introduction to Kansas was of this
nature, as follows: As our Steamer progressed up
stream, a settlement upon the right bank of the river
came in sight. Passengers gathered on the deck
3Jta QII)urrl|PH aub Bti^aola 51
curious or else anxious to know what town we were
approaching. I had observed a man bustling about
the deck, apparently a person of some culture but evi-
dently under the influence of strong drink. He
rushed up to my side when I said, 'What place are
we approaching'? He very brusquely answered,
'Kansas City'. Then he continued, 'You are a cler-
gyman are you not? I answered 'Yes'. 'Of what
Church', he asked, 'The Episcopal Church' I re-
plied. Then changing his point of interrogation he
asked, 'Where are you from'? From Connecticut, I
answered. To which he gave the bluff rejoinder,
'We dont like you.' I replied in substance, I am
going to Kansas as a Missionary, and if I mind my
own business and do not interfere with others, I sup-
pose that I may be let alone. His reply was, 'you may
be, and you may not. ' Here the queer colloquial bare-
faced introduction to my field of labor ceased. But the
end was not yet. A short time afterward when set-
tled in Leavenworth City, I met this same man who
took board and lodging in the same house with me.
He was uniformly courteous, never once alluding to
our former meeting. He was a frequent visitor to
my room. But on one evening he came to me in
great haste, asking the loan of a dollar and a half
till the next morning. But not having the exact change
I handed him a five dollar bill. The sequel was, I
never received a cent of it back again. The person
proved to be a Doctor from Virginia by the name of
Wibly and a Roman Catholic withal. The event oc-
curing under the circumstances it did, it has been
preserved as an incident of my Kansas experiences.
"Landing at Fort Leavenworth November 24th, I
went into the garrison. The first person I met and to
whom I introduced myself, was Lieut. J. E. B. Stuart,
afterwards known as the famous cavalry General in
5 2 IFnrt IC^aurnmortli
the Confederate service. I was hospitably enter-
tained by Dr. John M. Coyler, a surgeon in the United
States Army.
*'We pass on to October, 1859, when I moved up to
Fort Leavenworth as Chaplain and took quarters as-
signed me in the post. A Sunday morning service
was established in Chapel, and post school opened to
be taught by me three hours in the forenoon. The
Vestry had extended to me an invitation to supply
St. Paul's Church with an afternoon service during
its vacancy, which I did as already described.
"Saturday, December 24th. Received a beauti-
ful China Tea Set as a Christmas gift from Mrs. Maj.
David Hunter* of Fort Leavenworth.
"Tuesday, December 27th. received by mail from
G. W. Morris, M. D. of Leavenworth City, $10 as a
Christmas gift. The affairs of the nation were hast-
ening to a bloody crisis in which the State of North
Carolina took the lead by seceeding from the Union
by a vote of its Convention December 20th, at 1:15
o'clock P. M.
' 1861. Friday, January 4th. A National Fast ob-
served to-day by Proclamation of James Buchanan,
President of the United States, because of the Seces-
sion now threatening our Republic with dismember-
ment. Service in Chapel, and Sermon from Psalm
LVII-1.
''Sunday morning, January 6th. Service and
Communion; in consequence of the imminent danger
now threatening the country and the peril endanger-
ing the seat of Government, the entire military force
at this post is to leave immediately, for Baltimore,
Maryland, by order of General Winfield Scott, Com-
mander-in-chief of the United States Army.
* Major and Paymaster; graduate class of 1822; Major
General U. S. Volunters. Died February 2, 1886.
31ta (Eliurchf B aitb irlimilH 53
''Sunday July 21st. Service, but no sermon be
cause of rainy day. To-day occurred the first and
sanguinary battle of the Civil War at Manassas, Vir-
ginia, resulting in the repulse of the Federal troops
and opening an awful rupture between the two great
sections of our country, the North and the South.
''Thursday afternoon, September 25th. National
V^st by proclamation of President Abraham Lincoln,
service in Chapel, sermon from I. Peter V. 6.
"Sunday morning, April 13th. Service in Chapel,
but no sermon, I being called to offer prayer at the
head of the troops on parade at noon, in compliance
with a general order by the Secretary of War Hon. E.
M. Stanton in consequence of the brilliant Federal
victories of Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday of the pre-
vious week, resulting in the capture of Island No. 10
on the Mississippi River, and the total rout of the
Confederate army at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee.
"Tuesday, April 24th, 5 o'clock P. M. Attended
the funeral of Mr. Hiram Rich, for many years a sut-
ler at this post. Mr. Rich died very suddenly of
apoplexy, in the 62nd year of his age.
"Sunday morning, August 31st. Fainted and fell
while reading prayers, the remaining service of the
day being suspended because of my illness. This
sudden indisposition proved to be the premonition of
an attack of fever and ague which I have escaped
until this time, but the premonitory feelings
I have experienced in my system for some months
past. To which I may add that this is the only
instance in my whole Hfe by which I lost consciousness
through fainting or other causes. The chapel is
undergoing a thorough refitting, being provided with
new seats, chancel-rail, reading-desks, pulpit, carpet
and other things requisite to give it quite a churchly
appearance.
5^ Jffnrt ICrau^nuinrtlf
'1862 -Sunday, November 23d. The Rev. Joseph
C. Talbot, Missionary Bishop of the Northwest,
preached and administered confirmation at this post
as elsewhere already mentioned.
"1863 — Sunday morning, April 19th. Visitation
by Bishop H. W. Lee of Iowa, who preached and
confirmed Cornelius A. Logan, M. D.,* and his wife,
Mrs. Zoe Logan, who out of personal regard and in
consideration of our former relations, came up from
Leavenworth City to receive confirmation.
"Thursday morning, April 30th. Services in cha-
pel, and sermon from Hosea IX-7, the occasion being
a national fast by proclamation of President Lincoln.
"Tuesday morning, November 26th. Preached
from Phil. IV-6, being a national thanksgiving ap-
pointed by President Lincoln.
"1864— Sunday morning, September 11th. Visita-
tion by Bishop Lee of Iowa, who preached in the Cha-
pel from Phil. III-13, afternoon service in the gar-
rison square, the occasion being a national thanks-
giving by proclamation of President Lincoln for vic-
tories at Atlanta, Ga., and in the harbor of Mobile,
Ala., discourse by Bishop.
"Wednesday morning, September 14th. Conven-
tion of the diocese assembled at Atchison, the ser-
mon being preached byme from Math. XXVIII-19-20.
Dr. F. A. Vail elected Bishop of Kansas in the after-
noon, this being the last visit of Bishop Lee to
Kansas.
"Thursday morning, December 15th. Attended
the consecration of Dr. Vail at Muscatine and took
part in the exercises as a delegate of the diocese.
"1865— Sunday morning, January 8th. Rendered
* Doctor Logan was appointed minister to Chile in 1874
by President Grant. This appointment was made at the re-
quest of his cousin, Senator John A. Logan of Ilhnois.
3ltB ail)urrl|C0 uxxh ^rlumb 55
the service. Bishop Vail, now on his first visitation
to Kansas, making an address.
"Monday morning, February 27th. I am informed
by the post commander that an order was received
from the Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, dis-
charging me from my position as post chaplain. This
proves to have been effected by the influence of cer-
tain politicians in Kansas who wish to secure posi-
tions for personal friends, two Methodist ministers
of a decided stripe having been promised the chap-
laincy at this post. I am among the last of those
holding offices under the government in Kansas who
have been removed on similar grounds. This politi-
cal movement has called out my friends at the post
who advise me to remain until the matter can be
fairly represented at Washington, meanwhile I am
invited by the commander of the post to supply the
garrison with religious services the same as before.
'Wednesday, April 5th. Received official an-
nouncement that I am reinstated in the chaplaincy at
this post by the Secretary of War, who, upon being
informed concerning the true state of the case, re-
voked his order of February 20th.
' The circumstances herewith connected are some-
what remarkable: The matter of my removal had
been in the hands of certain political schemers for
several months, who having made their requests at
Washington, were impatiently awaiting my discharge
in order to cancel their obligations by bestowing my
position upon another party. In the meantime the
whole covert maneuver became disclosed to the great
mortification of those implicated.
''So glaring and embarrassed was the position of
one chief actor* that to save himself from insuppo_rt-
^Maior H H. Heath was an officer of the Volunteer
army, which he entered as captain of the 1st loja Cavalry
in 1861 He was promoted a major m the 7th Cavalry Kegi
56 Jffnrt ICj^aurnumrJJj
able dishonor, he joined my friends in their efforts
to secure my reinstatement, and even went so far as
to write a personal communication to the Secretary
of War withdrawing his application for my removal
and asking that I might be reinstated. Others less
conspicuous in the matter than he, sought to excuse
themselves as best they could, each trying' to lay
the blame on the other, exchanging mutual recrimi-
nations, and in several instances engendering per-
sonal hostilities which will probably never be recon-
ciled. As nearly all the different actors have since
professed to have no personal unfriendliness to-
wards me, but on the other hand have shov/n a de-
sire to secure my friendship, I here forbear to place
hard names on record, content simply to note the
facts and circumstances connected with my discharge
and subsequent reinstatement.
' 'See Appendix for full statement of this matter.
To these original notes it may be added, that one of
the chief conspirators who 'made no concession,
ended his career soon afterwards by sending a pis-
tol bullet through his brain. Some thought him in-
sane while others considered this last act the sanest
of his Hfe.'^
ment of the same state, May 15, 1863, promoted a colonel
May 25, 1865, brevetted lieuteuant-colonel, colonel, and bri-
gadier general and major general of volunteers Maich 13, 1865
for gallant and meritorious service during the war and par-
ticularly for gallant and meritorious service on the frontier
while operating against hostile Indians. Honorably dis-
charged July 1, 1866; died November 14, 1874.
* Among the prominent leaders of the early days in Kan-
sas was James H. Lane, U. S. Senator and general of militia.
He scarcely had landed upon the soil of Kansas when he made
his influence felt among the free-staters and at once became
a recognized leader. Certain actions in the Senate lost him
the confidence of many partisans. This so affected him that he
came back to Kansas, and, on the first day of July, 1866, took
his life on the Fort Leavenworth reservation.
3lt0 OII)itrrl|rn aiib ^rtyunla 57
''Good Friday, April 14th. Morning service, and
an ex-tempore discourse from Matt. XXVII-46. On the
evening of this day President Lincoln was assassi-
nated in the theatre at Washington City, receiving a
pistol shot in his head at the hands of John Wilkes
Booth which terminated fatally in a few hours.
Simultaneous with this assassination was an attack
by a would-be assassin upon Hon. Wm. H. Seward,
Secretary of State, who received several stabs in his
person, but which fortunately did not prove fatal.
The conspiracy which resulted in the above casual-
ties seems to have had its origin with a few desper-
ate characters who were exasperated at the failure of
the rebel cause, which was hopelessly lost on the 9th
instant when General Robert E. Lee surrendered the
Confederate forces to General U. S. Grant of the
United States army.
''Easter Sunday, April 16th. Preached II Cor.
V-I and administered the Communion; evening by
Lane was born in Indiana, participated in the Mexican
war, was later elected lieutenant-governor of his state and
came to Kansas in 1854. He was elected to the Senate upon
Kansas becoming a state and re-elected in 1865. Following
his re-election he aided with President Johnson regarding
certain measures which brought him in opposition to many
of his partisan constituents and to the end of his political
career.
Lane returned to Kansas in June, 1866, and finding condi-
tions as related, started to return to Washington, but his ill-
ness became so serious that at St. Louis his physician advised
his return to Kansas, as he was threatened with softening of the
brain. He reached the farm of his brother-in-law, Captain
McCall, on June 29th. On the first day of the following month
while riding with Captain McCali and another gentlemen, and
while nearing the reservation farm house on the south, now
the site of the U. S. federal penitentiary, he alighted at one
of the gates, and exclaiming, "Good-bye, gentleman," dis-
charged a revolver in his mouth. He lingered until July 11
when he passed into the great beyond.
58 Jffort IC^atirnuinrtli
extempore from I Cor. XV-16-18, the chapel draped
in mourning by reason of the assassination of Presi-
dent Lincoln.
"Thursday morning, June 1st. Preached in chap-
el from Zach. XII-10, the occasion being a national
fast appointed by President Andrew Johnson by
reason of the death of the late President Lincoln.
''Sunday morning, July 23d. Preached from
CXIX-180; during the afternoon Bishop Vail ad-
dressed the inmates of the hospital; in the evening
in the chapel, a sermon by the Bishop from Mark
VI-6.''
CHAPTER VI
CONCLUDING PERIOD OF CHAPLAIN STONE'S SERVICE
AT FORT LEAVENWORTH
/jTHAPLAIN Stone remained at Fort Leavenworth
v!> until June, 1868. His ministry was in every way
successful as the records testify.
On April 14, 1868, Chaplain Stone asked the au-
thorities to be relieved from further duty at the post.
His reason for a transfer to Fort Sully, Dakota, is set
forth in the following to the adjutant of the Post:^
'This post is of easy access to the city, contain-
ing nearly twenty different congregations, and all
who desire can have the benefit of religious services.
On the other hand Fort Sully is an important post
and wholly destitute of religious privileges, and the
garrison greatly desire a chaplain. Feeling that my
services are much more needed there than here, I re-
spectfully request the above mentioned change."
The post commander forwarded the application
to the war department with his approval. In ^ due
season an order arrived transferring the chaplain to
Fort Sully.
''Sunday morning. May 24th. Preached from Heb.
IV-9, this being my farewell discourse. I am now in
readiness to repair to Fort Sully, having made every
preparation for departure, and only wait the arrival
of a steamer upward bound that goes as far as my
point of destination.
"Before taking leave of Kansas there are various
reminiscences which I desire to note as intimately
connected with my army experiences. There are
also other things relating to church and civil affairs
which may come properly under review. My field
of labor in Kansas was sadly affected by three
59
60 Ji^nrt ICpawrttmurtlf
unusual conditions, namely, fierce border troubles
arising from slavery, the Civil War which
antagonized people otherwise at peace with each
other, and the partisan movement causing division
among brethren in the church. These combined,
rendered my position and surroundings pecuHarly
anomalous as not one of the three conditions often
falls to the lot of a missionary in any new field. The
interests of the Church, of Religion, and the Civil
Government, were involved in these to a lesser or
larger extent; and hence the difficulties of my labors
thus far, were over and above what the average pio-
neer encounters. Kansas was a field of peculiar
trials and hardships to her early missionaries, and
under this complication of affairs was especially so
to me. It was my lot to engage in mission work, in
army duties and also in both of these together. Dur-
ing the war, as also before and afterwards, I ex-
tended my labors to individuals, families, and places
outlying my station elsewhere. While at Leaven-
worth I supphed the Fort with various services, and
when at the Fort I supplied the city at times like-
wise. During all my residence between the two
places, Kansas was in a disturbed and agitated state,
many lawless marauders and desperate characters
having concentrated within her borders.
'*In the discharge of my labors I passed places
where a man or woman had been waylaid, and per-
haps murdered but a f^w hours before or afterwards.
Repeatedly I have ridden out on horseback in the
night to meet an engagement or answer a call, hold-
ing the reins in one hand and a drawn pistol in the
other, peering into the darkness, not knowing what
was before me. To people of the old States in their
safe homes and at their peaceful firesides this may
seem somewhat unclerical and strange. But by such
3(t0 CIII|urrI)PH mxh ^rl^nnlfi 61
those terrible border times of Kansas can be but lit-
tle realized or appreciated. In the discharge of my
gospel mission and calling, I always thought that
self-defense was the duty of everybody, and that I,
the same as any other man, had a right to protect
myself against a fierce wolf or a human ruffian.
Though peacefully disposed, I deemed it proper in
times of peril to go armed against assault. In this I
had the example of the Good Shephard as my guide.
On sending out his disciples, he bid them to go armed
with a sword, and such as had not this weapon he
instructed to sell his coat and buy one. By this I
understand our Saviour to mean that his disciples
should use the sword in self-defense if need he. In
my own case I was fortunate in not having to use a
weapon against man or beast, neither have I to re-
proach myself for shrinking from the discharge of
duty because of possible harm and threatened
dangers.
' 'Both of these prowled in that region at that
time.
* 'My residence in Kansas both as a missionary and
as chaplain in the army brought me into acquaint-
ance with many prominent officers, both Federal and
Confederate. On the Union side were Generals
Sherman, Sheridan, Hancock, Harney, Sumner,
Sedgwick, Sykes, Curtis, Terry, Hoffman, Hunter,
Blunt, Wessels, Stanley, Sturgis, Reno, Wood, Davies*
Meigs, Barry, Easton, Ewing, Grierson, Custer,
Card, Dimmick, Sully, Dodge, Steele, and others.
On the Secession side were Generals Magruder, Pem-
berton, J. E. B. Stuart, Lee, Elsey, and Jones.
*Brigadier-General U. S. Volunteers. This oflBcer was
in command of the artillery for the Northern District of Kan-
sas. He had charge of the construction of the Fort Leaven-
worth defenses in 1864 when Sterhng Price threatened the
post with his confederate hosts.
62 UTort ICrau^nmarth
* 'Nearly all of the above named notables attended
my chapel service, or on other military occasions.
Besides those generals, there was a much larger
number of officers of inferior rank among my ac-
quaintances, who were deservedly distinguished and
whom I remember with pleasure, but whose names
are here omitted as too numerous to mention. Here
concludes my Kansas Memoirs.
''From the first Parish organization, I have been
witness to the entire progress of the Church which
has been carried forward on Kansas soil. I am now
to bid adieu to the field wherein I have spent eleven
years and a half of the very prime and strength of
my ministerial life, and shall again cast my lot in a
region altogether new, both as to civilization and
Christian labor.
"Wednesday evening, June 3, 1868, at 8 o'clock,
went on board of the Steamer Agnes, Captain Thomas
Scott, commander, taking my family, horse and car-
riage, and all my worldly goods. It is a noteworthy
coincidence that on arriving at Kansas, November
24, 1856, I first touched soil at the landing at Fort
Leavenworth, and that in leaving, I stepped aboard a
boat from precisely the identical spot. In bidding
farewell to Kansas, I leave a place full of reminis-
cences, many of which are sad and many pleasing.
For about three years I labored here as a pioneer
missionary, and for upwards of eight years and a
half as Chaplain in the United States Army. During
this time, a State has been organized out of a ter-
ritorial district, and the Church has effected a Dio-
cesan organization from a Missionary jurisdiction
having a Bishop at its head with some twelve clergy
canonically resident. I leave all behind, and go to a
military post more than 1,000 miles above on the
upper Missouri. Farewell Kansas. Whether I shall
3fta (Uliitrrhrfi m\h ^rtinolB 63
ever visit you again, is known only to Him who
knows the future as the present."
"As throwing light upon the political condition
of Kansas when I was there, the circumstances of
my removal will furnish a fair illustration. Under
the influence of James H. Lane who became United
States Senator, a reign of terror prevailed. Govern-
mental and civil offices and positions were used to
further his designs and favor his adherents. Various
civilians in government employ were discharged
and others promoted, while military offices were con-
ferred at the formation of volunteer regiments, to
suit his personal aims and purposes. This applied
particularly to Chaplains w^ho were appointed by the
governor of the State. Lane was influential in this,
and being himself professedly a Methodist, he sought
to bestow his favors upon ministers of his denomina-
tion. The chaplaincy at Fort Leavenworth was a
coveted position and he desired to reward with this
some of his favorites. There were some volunteer
officers who dabbled in politics and who sought his
influence iii getting promotion. One of these went
to Washington and there engaged some leading poli-
ticians in his favor, among whom was Senator James
Harlan (of Iowa). These were baited with my position
at which bait they readily bit; but as it proved there
was a hook beneath, with double point and
barb which hooked two ways. The following
appHcations, of which I procured a copy, show
the covert game which was being played by an Army
officer and a member of Congi^ess. Both documents
bore the same date, 'Washington, D. C, September
23, 1864, and were addressed to the Secretary of
War. These will speak for themselves: — 'Dear Sir:
I have the honor to state, that, in accordance with
our understanding of yesterday, relative to the post
3ffort !C]paurttW0rtl|
chaplaincy at Fort Leavenworth, I have consulted
Mrith the Honorable Mr. Harlan, v^ho has recommend-
ed the Rev. E. H. Winans, of Iowa, and I respect-
fully recommend that he be appointed post chaplain
of said post, in place of Rev. Mr. Stone, now there.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
Major H. H. Heath.'
* 'Then follows the other application :
'Dear Sir:
The gentleman mentioned by Major Heath in the
accompanying letter is a regular collegiate graduate,
stands high in the confidence of the Church, has had
experience some years since as a teacher — is mar-
ried to an excellent lady the niece of Ex-Governor
Wright, of Indiana, and of Chief Justice Wright, of
Iowa. A better appointment could not be made.
Your obedient servant.
(Signed) James Harlan. '
''The above applications were referred back to
Fort Leavenworth and were acted upon by the post
council of which proceeding the following is a true
copy: 'Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, January 30,
1865. The council then proceeded to examine a re-
commendation of Major H. H. Heath for a change
in the post chaplaincy which application recommend-
ed the Rev. E. H. Winans, of Iowa, to fill the place
of Rev. Mr. Stone. The council in consequence of
Major Heath having withdrawn his recommendation,
agree and earnestly recommend the present Chaplain
Mr. Stone be continued as post chaplain.'
' 'The action of the post council was sent to the
Secretary of War, and it was supposed that the mat-
ter would end here. But under the influence of the
other party the Secretary of War so far yielded as
to issue a preemptory order for my discharge which
3lta (ElturdiFfl m\h ^rl^oola 65
order was'communicated to me on the morninp: of
February 27, 1865. My friends still advised me to
remain until they had made another effort on my
behalf. Major McElroy* at Fort Leavenworth ad-
dressed a letter to the wife of Postmaster General
Dennison, setting- forth the facts of the case and
asking her influence in my favor. The following
letter received in reply will explain the result:—
'Washington, March 24, 1865. I imagine you, Major
McElroy, very much surprised on receiving a letter
from me, instead of my mother.
'Your pleading in behalf of Mr. Stone, was re-
ceived by her a few days ago, and the pleasant duty
of answering it was left to me, as she left for Colum-
bus Monday before she could hear of the decision of
War Department in regard to Mr. Stone. Much
credit is due Major Davis, as they say in the news-
papers, for his promptness in bringing the case be-
fore the authorities and his success in putting it
through. Mother gave him your letter and he called
tonight to tell me that the order dismissing Mr. Stone
was revoked, and the order would be sent tomorrow
to that effect. It was considered a very unjust case
of course, and as soon as investigation was made
things were righted for which I am very glad,— my
interest being excited by your appeal.
''The following is a copy of the original order
which gave final settlement of the case:—
*Judge Advocate U. S. Volunteers. A cadet at West Point
from 1866 to 1858; appointed to the volunteer service from
Ohio, of which state he was a native. At the time of this con-
troversy on duty at the Headquarters District of Kansas. His
acquaintance with the wife of the Postmaster-General, an
Ohio family, gave him an opportunity to serve a friend and
to prevent a political outrage.
66 3F0rt ICf anpttmnrtli
'WAR DEPARTMENT
ADJUTANT general's OFFICE,
Washington, March 27, 1865.
Commanding Officer,
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
The instructions from this office, dated February
20, 1865, directing the discharge of the Rev. Mr.
Stone, employed as post chaplain at Fort Leaven-
worth, Kansas, are revoked.
By Order of the Secretary of War:
(Signed) S. F. CHALFIN,
Assistant Adjutant General.*
"This settled at once and finally the whole mat-
ter relating to my dismissal and reinstatement while
chaplain in the United States Army. In this I feel
that injured innocence was vindicated and that jus-
tice ultimately prevailed.
* 'Salvo jure' '—'' Without detriment to the right * '
StmBtnn Ifxw
67
CHAPTER VII
ERECTION OF POST CHAPELS NOT AUTHORIZED UNTIL
JULY 28, 1866.
ALTHOUGH the government provided the post
with a chaplain for a greater part of the period
since 1838, it failed to authorize any expenditure for
the erection of buildings in which to hold divine ser-
vice until 1886, when such authorization found space
in an act reorganizing the army.
Fortunately, the post authorities were enabled to
meet the want of such facilities by setting aside, from
time to time, such rooms as could be spared.
For a number of years, long prior to 1850, a one
story frame building on what is now Scott Avenue,
was used for chapel and school purposes. The build-
ing occupied a site immediately south of the present
post-office building, then used for a parsonage. Mr.
Beddow, who came to the post in 1848 states that
this was the building so used, while others who came
here much later, question this claim. It is believed,
however, that as the parsonage was erected immed-
iately south of this building, it is more than probable
that Mr. Beddow's claim is correct* Somewhere
in the fifties the building was vacated and the chapel
transferred to a large room in a one-story brick build-
ing, where now stands Pope Hallt. For two months in
* The building was later turned into oflficers' quarters and
remained standing until about 1877. The author recalls the
fact that Lieutenant J. W. Pope, Fifth Infantry, occupied a
part of it.
t Pope Hall was named in honor of Colonel James W.
Pope, Assistant Quartermaster General, U. S. Army, who, as
commandant of the U. S, Military Prison, planned the build-
ing and superintended its construction with prison labor.
69
70 Jnrt iCratirttmiirtii
1854, the room was vacated and used for the first
capitol of the territory*, and on its vacation reoccu-
pied. During this intermission two rooms in the
south end of a dragoon barrack, later known as Mc-
Pherson Hall, were used for chapel purposes. The
occupation of the room in the one-story building con-
tinued until 1878, when the present chapel, the con-
struction of which began in that year, was occupied.
In 1878 the authorities decided to provide the re-
sidents with a chapel worthy of the post. The pres-
ent chapel was the result. The site was formerly oc-
cupied by the post trader's store, conducted by the
late Hiram Rich, from 1841 until 1862. The chapel
was constructed by authority of General Pope, ex-
officio commandant of the U. S. Military Prison, with
the labor of its inmates. Colonel Blunt, t ''governor*'
of the Prison, supervised its construction. The cor-
ner stone was laid Easter Sunday, May 5, 1878, by
Bishop Vail, of the Protestant Episcopal diocese of
Kansas. The ceremony of dedication took place No-
vember 28, 1878. The placing of tablets upon the
walls of the chapel to the memory of deceased offi-
cers and enlisted men originated with the late Colo-
nel W. J. Volkmar, Assistant Adjutant General of the
This he accomplished at a cost to the government of less than
$5000. The building was completed in the fall of 1894 and
dedicated to amusement purposes by the Twentieth U. S.
Infantry.
* The act of 1854 organizing the territory of Kansas desig-
nated Fort Leavenworth as its temporary capitol. This des-
ignation met with such strenuous opposition on behalf of the
War Department that Congress later made an appropriation
of $50,000.00 for the erection of an executive building (capitol)
at such point as the territorial legistature may have selected
as a permanent capitol.
tColonel Asa P. Blunt, an officer of the Quartermaster's
Department, was "governor" and commandant of the prison
from 1876 to January 1, 1888. He died October, 4 1889.
FIRST POST CHAPEL AND SCHOOL WITH PARSONAGE, ON SCOTT AVENUE
LOOKING SOUTH. PARSONAGE ON UPPER LEFT SIDE BEHIND ARCH
|K^
M
fffliiN
"ps
- *-^-- ,. -^^^iaK3in
PRESENT POST CHAPEL
3ftB Qlljurrlpfi anh ^rl|oola H
army, then serving on the staff of General Pope.
The plan was readily approved, and among the first to
respond were the officers and men of the Seventh
Cavalry. These caused three tablets to be placed in
memory of their dead comrades over and on each side
of the entrance, within the chapel walls. Later,
others followed. To one long identified with the ar-
my the reading of these tablets recalls memories and
events which prove that the scythe in the hands of
Father Time is never at refreshment.
The large tablet to the memory of General Pope*
was placed there by the admirers and friends of the
distinguished officer. To one who did much for the
cause of religious worship at the post and to whom
the garrison is indebted for its beautiful chapel this
tribute was well deserved.
The present organ of the chapel, known as the
"Sherman-Sheridan Memorial Organ'' was secured
through subscriptions raised among officers of the ar-
my, but more particularly through the congregation.
To refresh the author's memory on the subject he
wrote General Carle A. Woodruff, with whom the
idea of securing such an organ originated. From his
response the following is quoted:
"I first spoke to Colonel Townsend, who was in
command. I then wrote to Mrs. Sheridan and Miss
Sherman and obtained their approval. I now wish I
had their letters. I had a circular printed at the mil-
itary prison. Captain Pope offering to have it done.
Sent a circular to every officer who had ever been at
Fort Leavenworth, so far as I could ascertain, and
asked a contribution of only one dollar each. I re-
member that three officers responded by sending me
ten dollars each. Several sent five d ollars and quite
*Funds for this purpose were solicited by Captain James
W. Pope, commandant of the U. S. Military Prison.
72 3r\xX IC^aurnuinrtli
a number two dollars each, and the large majority
the one dollar that I asked for but promised to send
another dollar if required. Two officers disapproved
of the idea/'
The organ was manufactured by the Carl Barck-
hoff Church Organ Company, of Salem, Ohio. It is
eight feet wide, five feet deep, and from fourteen to
sixteen feet high. The case is made of native hard
wood. A similar organ was later built for the chapel
of the military prison.
The rites of baptism and marriage ceremonies
have taken place by the score within the sacred pre-
cincts of this chapel. A call of the roll of those uni-
ted there in marriage would prove too long, but
would be found to contain names of some who have
attained professional distinction in the service of
their country.
The church-going population of the post has out-
grown the limitations of its chapel accomodations.
The need for greater capacity has long since been
recognized by the local mihtary authorities, followed
up by an effort a few years ago resulting in the ap-
proval by the war department of an expenditure of
$15,000 for enlargement, but beyond this nothing has
been done in the way of remodelment. Chaplain
Axton, Eighteenth Infantry, initiated this movement
for a larger chapel. At the time the approval of the
war department was obtained, he was relieved from
duty at the post resulting in an abandonment of the
proposition.
The building now used for a post office was the
post's parsonage. The late Percival G. Lowe,*
*Percival G. Lowe served in Troop B, First Dragoons
from 1849 until 1854. Upon his discharge from the army he
was employed by the Quartermaster's Department in positions
of trust. Later he settled in Leavenworth county where he
rose to a place of honor at the hands of the people. He ser-
3t0 (ill|urrl)fa mxh #rl|O0lfli 73
author of "Five Years a Dragoon*' states that upon
his arrival at the post in 1849 this building was so
used by Chaplain Leander Ker. Chaplain Stone, who
succeeded Ker, occupied the building until 1868
when he left the post for Fort Sully.
It is not known just when the building ceased to
be a parsonage, but it is believed to have occurred
very early in the seventies, if not in the later sixties,
to permit improvements along modern lines for oc-
cupancy by Major Wm. McKee Dunn, jr., Second
Artillery, an aide to General Pope. The Dunn's hved
there until 1883. Their home was the social hub of
the garrison. Mrs. Dunn was the daughter of Sen-
ator Morrill of Maine and very popular in social cir-
cles. The Blaines, Shermans, and m.any other dis-
tinguished families were frequent visitors there.
It was in this house General J. J. Coppinger first met
Miss Alice, a daughter of the late Senator J. G.
Blaine, who later became his wife.
ved as sheriff of the county and state senator. His book
"Five Years a Dragoon," depicts the life of a soldier on the
plains in the early 50's. The narrative is written in an inter-
esting vein and its reception by military men at homa and
abroad has been of a most complimentary character, "furnish-
ing copy of a most desirable kind."
iimston Bix
Army QUjapIama at tlj^ MnxUh ^tnUB
iKiUtarg Prtann
75
Chaplain C. C. PIERCE Chaplain H. PERCY SILVER
Chaplain J. B. McCLEERY +
Chaplain T. W. BARRY t
CHAPTER VIII
SOMETHING OF THE WORK DONE BY CHAPLAINS AT
THE U. S. MILITARY PRISON
1*P0N the establishment of the United States Mili-
l^V tary Prison in 1875, army chaplains were as-
signed to the institution but it was some time before
the department provided the necessary chapel
and school-room accomodations.
Under the rules establishing the prison chap-
lains were, and are yet, required to submit to the
authorities an annual report of their work. While it
is not practicable to reproduce all of these reports,
nor would they prove interesting, much of them
being statistical in their make-up, it is well to re-
produce a few extracts covering the first few years
of this work. These will give a fair idea of the
character of the work required of chaplains serving
at the prison. It is the same to-day as yesterday.
Chaplain A. S. Mitchell was assigned to duty at
the prison in 1876 and in his first annual report for the
period served, makes these comments:
"The want of proper facilities for carrying on
my work, viz, a suitable chapel, school-room, and
school books, has rendered it impracticable to accom-
plish, either in the matter of religious or secular in-
struction, what, under more favorable conditions
might reasonably have been anticipated. Yet I feel
that my labor has not been in vain, even though the
fruits be not apparent as could be desired. A work
like this is preeminently a work of faith, and its re-
sults are not to be measured by any material stand-
ard. The seed of truth may lie long buried before
any visible fruits are apparent.
78 IFort Uraurnttiortlj
' 'So far as practicable, I aim to make myself
acquainted with the prisoners, and by personal inter-
course with them seek to gain their confidence.
With very rare exceptions I have found them to be
as easily approached and as ready to yield to the
power of kindness and sympathy as any other class
of men. By thus acquainting myself with them in-
dividually, I often obtain an opportunity of speaking
a word in season, which may even be more effective
for good than any more pubhc ministration/'
Again in his second annual report— 1878— Chap-
lain Mitchell mourns the absence of the facilities so
desirable for his work, saying their want has proved
a great hindrance to the successful prosecution of
his labors. "With the proper facilities for carrying
on the work," he continues, *'I might reasonably
hope for a largely increased attendance upon the
services and obtain much better results/'
In 1881, soon following his inauguration, Presi-
dent Garfield appointed Rev. J. B. McCleery of
Kansas, a chaplain in the army, assigning him to
duty at the Military Prison to relieve Chaplain Mitch-
ell, who was transferred to a station in Arizona. At
the time of his appointment, Chaplain McCleery was
serving in the capacity of chaplain at the Kansas
State Penitentiary, and thus had experience in the
work required at the military prison which fact the
department did not fail to recognize when deciding
upon his assignment.
At the time of his appointment the prison au-
thorities had provided the institution with chapel
and school-room facilities, such as were wanting
under Chaplain Mitchell's administration of the reli-
gious affairs of the prison, and the cause for the
latter's just complaints was no longer present.
That Chaplain McCleery possessed a thorough
3lta Qlt|urrljr0 anb ^rlioola 7P
knowledge of the work in hand and knew how to
deal with it, is amply illustrated in the following ex-
tract from his first official report submitted a few
months following his assignment to the prison. He
makes these observations:
'* . . . In the absence of any precedent, it
is a question of what should be said and what left
unsaid. Statistics unclothed are but mocking skele-
tons, and to put them into proper and attractive
attire is the one difficult task to him who seeks their
utility. As the future worker bases much of his ef-
forts upon knowledge of the past, it is but just that
such information as will lead to more perfect adap-
tation of means to ends be left upon record; hence
the value of statistics. There are some things,
however, that laugh the maker of figures to scorn,
and one of these is the spiritual condition of men.
He who 'searcheth the heart and trieth the reins'
only can tell absolutely, whether a Hfe is hypocriti-
cal or genuine.
*' . . . Reformation, then, becomes a prime
factor in this prison work problem. To give the re-
sults in figures, during the seven years' life of the
prison, of the chaplains' department looking toward
the problem mentioned, is a human impossibility. It
can only be hypothicated, and much of that might
be wide of subsequent evidence. The chief difficulty
in dealing with this class of men is to reach them.
First, because so many of them have no foundation
on which to build a moral character; and, secondly,
because they studiously avoid coming in contact with
those persons and ideas that lead in that direction.
A character once molded and chrystalized is very
difficult to reconstruct, and the character of boys in
this country, for law or against it, in principle is
fixed years before their majority. For instance, as
80 Sfort ICratipttttiartly
near as we can estimate, 30 per cent, is the weekly
average of attendance on divine service here during
the fiscal year just closed. Add to that 15 per cent
of Roman Catholics, who attend their own service,
which is held monthly, and you have a total of 45
per cent. Now, what per cent of all go away deter-
mined to reform is beyond our ken. Those who at-
tend are good listeners, and if it does not savor too
much of the ego, am constrained to say that I be-
lieve many are benefitted, and will henceforth be
found among the better citizenship of the country.
''Strong drink with its kindred evils is the lead-
ing potentiality in populating this institution. Two
years (less the commutation) of enforced prohibition
does a good work for many of these men. The ap-
petite is in some measure put under control, and
their conscience awakened to what they have been,
and what they may be. Just how far compulsory
treatment for mental, moral and physical aberra-
tions should be carried on is one of the questions in
debate. Those who have intelligently studied it,
both in theory and practice, are the strongest advo-
cates of humane, but rigorous, measures. The gin-
gerly methods, while no more humane, are destruc-
tive of discipline, without which such institutions be-
come fertile fields for intrigue and vice.''
The desire of many of the post's residents to at-
tend divine service at the prison chapel during Chap-
lain McCleery's ministration, whose oratorical gifts
and forceful sermons had given him a state-wide re-
putation before his entry into the army, caused the
prison authorities to enlarge the chapel accomoda-
tions so as to permit their attendance. A large gal-
lery was constructed so as to separate the outside
congregation from the prisoners and to facilitate di-
rect entrance from outside the walls. This arrange-
3lt0 (SIfttrrlirB nnh Bsi^aolB 81
ment worked splendidly. While the service was of
the simplest character, the chaplain's sermons were
the attraction and the garrison flocked to hear him.
It was often remarked during his ministration at the
prison that while the service at the post chapel was
only lightly attended, the capacity of the prison
chapel, large as it was, was taxed to its limits; con-
clusive evidence that divine service conducted along
lines to meet the "masses", irrespective of rank,
station or wealth, will attract large congregations.
It proved, too, that army men will fill any place of
worship within a military station if the service is
made attractive, not that it should be imposing,
but the sermons of a kind to be easily understood
and form a discussion of current topics illustra-
tive of some religious problem. Chaplain McCleery
knew how to meet this requirement.
The chaplain filled this post for more than ten
years. The author, who enjoyed his intimate ac-
quaintance, knows of numerous instances where for-
mer inmates of the prison were much benefitted be-
cause of their contact with him; men who have gone
out of prison with a better appreciation of their fel-
lowmen; who engaged in business and mechanical
pursuits and lived to enjoy the respect of their neigh-
bors.
Chaplain McCleery was transferred from here to
Fort Logan, Colorado, a new post, which had been
completed only a short time previous. There he re-
mained until his retirement from the army. His
death occurred suddenly at Fort Sheridan, Illinois,
March 6, 1903.
Chaplain McCleery was an American in every
sense of the word. Neither rank nor riches had any
influence upon him and his work. He was a man of
the people and his early struggles to reach a top
3Fort Crattrttmnrth
rung of the ministerial ladder was, indeed, a task to
try his soul. But he continued ever hoping that the
future would bring its reward. Who, that had the
pleasure to know him, can say, it didn't? His popu-
larity among all classes in the army furnished the
proof. Had he remained in the ministry in civil life,
his elevation to a high place in the "Christian'' de-
nomination was certain. He possessed executive abil-
ity and ambition. In the army he was limited by
law to the post he held, and while it gave no encour-
agement for the future, the government obtained
his best efforts and what more can any one do to
meet the promise made by his obligation so to serve?
Post Chaplain C. C. Pierce, U. S. Army, then
stationed at Fort Supply, Indian Territory, succeed-
ed to the post made vacant by Chaplain McCleery's
transfer in 1891 and remained on that duty until the
prison's abandonment July, 1895. He was then
transferred to Fort Apache, Arizona. Reference to
Chaplain Pierce has already been made in a pre-
vious chapter.
Upon the abandonment of the military prison and
the establishment of a United States Penitenitary
under the control of the Department of Justice, the
general public was excluded from divine service
in the prison chapel. Rev. B. Cade of North Caro-
lina, was the first chaplain under its new control.
He was succeeded by Rev. J. F. Leavitt, of Leaven-
worth, who is its chaplain at this writing.
Early in 1906 the prison was abandoned as a civil
institution, transferred back to the War Department
and the United States Military Prison reestablished.
An assignment of chaplains then followed and the
following have so served:
Chaplain Percy H, Silver, Thirteenth Cavalry,
to February 28, 1909.
3(tB (E^nvtUtBunh Bsl^aais 83
Chaplain Francis B. Doherty, Seventeenth Infan-
try.
Chaplain John A. Ferry, Tenth Infantry.
Chaplain Silver has since resigned from the ar-
my and now holds an important post under the direc-
tion of the Board of American Missions of the Pro-
testant Episcopal church. He was a popular minis-
ter. Frequently he held services at the post chap-
el in the absence of a regular chaplain and did much
to improve conditions of the church. He secured the
organization of an Altar Guild, (reference to which
will be made in a subsequent chapter), which has
done much to build up the affairs of the local chapel.
The necessities of the service required that
Chaplain Silver be relieved, and join his regiment,
under orders for service in the Phillippines. He was
relieved by Chaplain Francis B. Doherty, Seven-
teenth Infantry, who remained here until August 9,
1910, and he in turn was relieved by Chaplain John
A. Ferry, Tenth Infantry, the present incumbent.
The two last named clergymen are of the Roman
Catholic faith and the first army chaplains of that
faith assigned to service at Fort Leavenworth.
PRESENT CATHOLIC CHURCH
Stmston Btnm
®I}^ ISnman QlatJjnlir Ql0ngr^gatt0n
85
CHAPTER IX
CLERGYMEN WHO MINISTERED TO THE FAITHFUL
AT FORT LEAVENWORTH
A HISTORY of divine service at Fort Leavenworth
would not be complete without an account of
the Catholic congregation.
As already told this field was occupied by Catho-
lic missionaries almost from the date of the post's
estabhshment. Most of the church's post history,
however, was made during the past forty years.
For many years succeeding the missionary labors
of Father Quickenborne, Fort Leavenworth was fre-
quently visited by Jesuit fathers, but not until 1869
was one of their number regularly assigned to attend
to the spiritual wants of its officers, soldiers and
civilian employees.
Through the courtesy of President Rogers of St.
Louis University, founded by Father Quickenborne,
the author is enabled to present a list of the Jesuit
missionaries who visited here in an early day. It is
as follows:
Charles Van Quickenborne, 35, 36.
Christian Hoecken, 35, 36, 37, 39, 41, 42, 44, 45,
46, 47, 48, 49.
Adrian Hoecken, 42.
Felix Verreydt, 37, 41, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48.
Anthony Eyesvogel, 39, 40, 44.
Herman Aelen, 39, 40, 41, 42.
Nicholas Point at Westport, 40.
Francis Xavier DeCoen, 45.
John F. Diels, ("not yet ordained priest) 45, 46.
Charles Truvens, 47.
Maurice GaUiand, 48, 49.
John Baptist Duerink, 49.
87
88 Fnrt Sjpau^tmwrtlj
The last named priest was a cousin of Father
DeSmet. He was drowned in the Missouri river on
one of his excursions. There was a general impres-
sion at the time that his death was due to foul work
of thieves. His body was never recovered.
President James McCabe, S.J.,* of St. Mary's
College, St. Mary's, Kansas, responding to inquiries
concerning the labors of missionaries in this field,
furnishes the following:
**He, Father Quickenborne, was succeeded on the
mission among the Kickapoos by Father Felix L.
Verreydt, S.J., and Christian Hoecken, S.J. In
January, 1838, Fr. Hoecken, on receiving an invita-
tion from the chief of a band of Christian Pottawa-
tomies, lately established on the Osage river, in Linn
county, Kansas, went to them; and from this visit
and from friendly intercourse may be traced the
causes which at an early date brought into existence
St. Mary's College, The mission among the Kicka-
poos was abandoned, and the fathers estabhshed
their base among the Pottawatomies, first at Sugar
Creek, in Linn county, and afterwards at St. Mary's,
to which point the Pottawatomies were transferred
by the government in 1846-48. Fr. Verreydt was
indefatigable in visiting all stations in eastern Kan-
sas and western Missouri where white settlers were
to be found.
"Right Rev. John B. Miege,t S.J., was conse-
♦Society of Jesus. The priests who belong to this Society
are known as "Jesuits."
t John Baptists Miege was born in Chevron, Savoy, Sep-
tember 18, 1815. He was consecrated Bishop of Meseena May
24, 1815, and raised to the dignity of Vicar Apostolic over the
country inhabited by the Indians lying between the Rockies
and the western boundary of civilization. He arrived at St.
Mary's Mission soon after his elevation and resided there un-
3llB (El|urrlir0 m\h ^rljanlfl 89
crated March 25, 1851, and established himself at
St. Mary's Mission. He remained at St. Mary's till
1855, when he removed to Leavenworth. The fol-
lowing Jesuit fathers were stationed at Leavenworth
with Biphop Miege:
1858-1859— Rev. James M. Converse, S. J.
1862-1865 -Rev. Francis Xavier DeCoen, S. J.
1865-1866— Revs. Aloysius Laigneil, S. J., and
Paul M. Ponziglioni, S. J.
1866-1867— Revs. Aloysius Laigneil, S. J., and
John L Coglin, S. J.
1868-1870 -Revs. Aloysius Laigneil, S. J., and
Peter J. de Meester, S. J.
1870-1871 -Revs. Aloosius Laigneil, S. J., and
Michael J. Corbett, S. J.
1871-1872 -Revs. Ignatius Panken, S. J., and
Michael J. Corbett, S. J.
1872-1873-Rev. Ignatius Panken, S. J.
1873-1874-Rev. John Schultz, S. J.
"Rev. Father Schultz was the last of the Jesuit
Fathers who resided at Leavenworth. In 1874
Bishop Miege resigned and was suceeded to the
bishopric of Leavenworth by Rt. Rev. Louis M.
Fink,* D. D., 0. S. B.§
til 1855, when he estabhshed himself at Leavenworth. In the
years following under his episcopate the church began to
prosper, and priests of the Jesuit Order came from all direc-
tions to his aid. To his energy and intermittent hard labor is
due the erection of the stately cathedral at Leavenworth. He
resigned his episcopate in 1874 and for a time made his home
at the University of St. Louis. Later he was transferred to
Woodstock, Md., and after founding a college in Detroit,
Mich., in 1877, returned to the Maryland convent and there
passed away July 20, 1884.
* Bishop Louis Maria Fink, of Leavenworth, was born in
Triftersburg, Bavaria, in 1834. He came to the United States
in 1852, and finishing his theological studies in 1857, was then
ordained a priest. At Covington, Ky., he established a con-
vent of the St. Benedictine Nuns and built a church. He then
went to Chicago as pastor of St. Joseph's church, and his
90 Jffort ICrauFtmiDrtly
' '1 have obtained the names given above from
the official records of the Missouri Province, as well
as the dates of the residence of the several fathers
at Leavenworth/'
For a number of years Bishop Miege gave per-
sonal attention to Fort Leavenworth, frequently say-
ing mass. So important a point did he regard the
post that in 1869 he named Father Laigneil as the
first pastor of the Mission.
The following is a list of the clergymen who
succeeded him and the period which they served at
Fort Leavenworth:
1871-1873-Rev. Ignatius Pankin, S. J.
1873-1874-Rev. John Schultz, S. J.
1674-1876-Rev. Ambrose Butler, S. J.
1876-1879 -Rev. James O'Reilly.
1879 —Rev. Gregory Kelly.
1879-1883 -Rev. Thomas Downey.
1883-1884 -Rev. John Hurley.
1884-1892-Rev. T. H. Kinsella.
1892-1895— Rev. Alexander Jennings.
1895-1905— Rev. T. J. McCaul.
1905-1906-Rev. William Ospital, O.S.B.
1906 to date Rev. J. M. Dougherty, O.S.B.
missionary labors were so successful that the church could
not contain the numbers who came to hear him; whereupon
he built a new and costly church, with schools attached to it.
He was next appointed prior of the Benedictine Monastery at
Atchison, Kansas, and also vicar-general of the vicar-aposto-
late of Kansas. In 1871 he became coadjutor bishop and was
transferred to the newly erected see at Leavenworth in 1877.
Under his care the number of his co-religionists in the dio-
cese grew from 35,000 to 80,000. He died March 18, 1904.
Upon the demise of Bishop Fink, Bishop Lillie became his
successor. Since then Bishop Lillie has been appointed Co-
adjutor Bishop to Archbishop Hogan of Kansas City, Mo.
Right Rev. Bishop John D. Ward, for a number of years pas-
tor of the Leavenworth Cathedral succeeded Bishop Lillie in
1910.
§ Order of St. Benedictine.
Reverend AMBROSE BUTLER t Reverend JAMES O'REILLY t
Right Reverend JOHN B. MIEGE t
Reverend JOHN HURLEY f Reverend THOMAS DOWNEY
CHAPTER X
WHAT LED TO CONSTRUCTION OF FIRST CHURCH AND
DIFFICULTIES UNDER WHICH ACCOMPLISHED
3T was not until 1870 that steps were taken to se-
cure a building in the post, dedicated exclusively
to Catholic service. For some years prior thereto a
one-story frame building which had been occupied
by a troop of the Seventh Cavalry, was used for the
purpose. Commenting upon the use of this building,
General Michael R. Morgan, at the time Chief Com-
missary of Subsistence of the Department of the
Missouri, stationed at the post, in an official com-
munication to higher authorities seeking relief from
then existing conditions with reference to the lack of
appropriate accomodations for Catholic service, said:
"This temporary chapel was also used by the
regimental band at the post for practice. It was
found that the band spilled their beer over the altar
and that they entered the recess back of the altar
used as a sacristy and disturbed what they found
there. It was thought that this could easiest be
mended by the Catholics putting up their own church
edifice.'*
The building of a Catholic chapel originated with
army officers. Their influence was brought to bear
on the bishop to have him make application for per-
mission to erect such a building.
The suggestion was heartily endorsed by Father
Panken, who prevailed upon Bishop Miege to apply
to the Secretary of War for a building site. The
bishop realized something should be done and ac-
cordingly addressed the following communication to
that official:
91
92 IFort ?Crat!^nui0rtI|
Leavenworth, Kansas
To His Excellency, December 10, 1870,
The Secretary of War,
Washington, D. C,
Sir:
I beg leave to expose to your excellency that
there is a considerable number of Roman Catholics
at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to whom I consider it
my duty to give the facilities which all Christian de-
nominations give to their members.
Thus far it has not been possible to obtain a place
or chapel exclusively dedicated to Cathohc worship,
which is a great inconvenience, not only to the cler-
gyman who appoints days to officiate at the fort, but
also to the members of the church. To obviate all
difficulties, I take the liberty to ask that a piece of
ground at or near the fort be set apart, and that the
buildings erected thereon be for the exclusive use of
Roman Catholic worship.
Hoping that my petition will be favorably con-
sidered, I remain, of your excellency, the humble,
obedient servant,
(Signed) JOHN B. MIEGE,
Bishop of Kansas.
General Pope endorsed the proposition and the
war department gave its consent. A board of offi-
cers was appointed to select a site. This done, work
was energetically begun collecting funds by General
Morgan and Ordnance Sergeant Cornelius Kelly.*
In a few months this officer and Sergeant Kelly
turned into the building fund over $3,000 which to-
gether with other contributions and much aid from
♦Cornelius Kelly was Ordnance Sergeant at the post from
1868 to 1886, at which time he was retired, completing thirty-
four years active service. He is now living in Leavenworth.
His service, before appointment as ordnance sergeant in 1861
was in the artillery.
3(t0 ([II|urrI|ra anb §>rIniola 93
the quartermaster's department, enabled the church
authorities to start the work of construction. The
corner stone was laid in the fall of 1871. After much
delay and a hard struggle the building was placed
under roof.
Father Schultz succeeded Father Pankin, who, in
in a short time, was followed by Father Butler.* He
is said to have displayed remarkable administra-
tive ability, collecting, within four months, the sum
of $1,300. The church was plastered and the floor
laid during his administration.
Rev. James O'Reilly, subsequently bishop-elect
of Wichita, succeeded Father Butler. He remained
pastor about fiwe years in which time the church was
virtually relieved of all indebtedness. He collected
from the soldiers on successive pay days the large
sum of $1,000. This good father remarked before
his death that the task was the hardest one of his
life, and that there was no authority on earth that
could induce him to undertake the like again.
Owing to a very considerable reduction in the
number of civilian employees at the post the bishop
became concerned as to hov/ to meet the heavy ob-
ligations incurred, because of a like decrease in the
size of the congregation. It was here the self-
sacrifice and fine executive ability of Father O'Reilly
in the administration of church temporalities,
first plainly showed themselves. Notwithstanding
the paucity to which the congregation was reduced,
he not only paid oif the remaining church indebted-
ness within the period of his Fort Leavenworth pas-
torate, but added many improvements, such as an
*The Rev. Father Ambrose Butler was educated in Dublin;
was a distinguished scholar and author and a fluent speaker.
His last years were spent in St. Louis, where he established
St. Cronin's Parish. He also founded a colony in Kansas
now called Blaine.
H 3F0rt inpatipnuiortli
altar, at a cost of nearly $500, communion rail, con-
sessionals, and pews. Later Father O'Reilly became
pastor of the church at Topeka, followed by his ap-
pointment as bishop of the newly created diocese of
Wichita, but before being able to take charge of his
episcopate he was called to answer the summons
from on High.
It was under such difficulties the church was fin-
ally completed. Upon dedication it was named ' *St.
Ignatius Chapel" in honor of Ignatius de Loyola, the
Soldier-Saint, who founded the ''Society of Jesus''*
The citizens of Leavenworth, irrespective of reli-
gious faith, were liberal contributors. When com-
pleted, more than ten thousand dollars had been ex-
pended on the church.
The next in succession was Rev. Gregory Kelly,
a fine speaker and a young man of affable manners.
Father Kelly forwarded the work and did many
things to complete the task began in 1871.
Rev. Father Thomas Downey, one of the many
popular clergymen known in this section, and now
chaplain of St Mary's Academy, south of the city,
came next in succession— 1879-83. Like those pre-
ceeding him, he worked willingly and unceasingly
to make the parish worthy of the name and post.
He gave special attention to the inmates of the
U. S. Military Prison, ministering to those of his
faith.
Father John Hurley, a son of Leavenworth, fol-
lowed Father Downey. This young man left the
parish in a flourishing condition financially.
Rev. Father Kinsella succeeded Father Hurley
* In the fall of 1894 the 20th Infantry arrived here from
Montana. With it came a number of "garrisons" of the Army
and Navy Union, which obtained permission to hold their
meetings in this building. The name of Union Hall was
given it.
3(tH (fll|urrtjra aiib S>rl?onl0 95
to the Fort Leavenworth charge and became its
first resident priest. Up to this time the pastors
having in charge the Fort mission made their home
in the rectory of the Leavenw^orth cathedral, but
Bishop Fink concluded that the time had arrived
when the pastor at Fort Leavenworth should be re-
quired to ''shift*' for himself.
If Father Kinsella could be induced to write of
his struggles at Fort Leavenworth during the seven
and one-half years of his pastorate it would prove a
chapter intensely interesting to those not familiar
with the hardships and privations endured by this
faithful priest. The author happened to know
Father Kinsella intimately during all the years of
his residence at the post, a friendship which contin-
ues to this day, and it gives sincere pleasure to make
of record here that better things have come to him, a
just reward for unceasing effort to fulfill every
obligation to serve his Master.
Father Kinsella was ordained in the cathedral at
Leavenworth by Bishop Fink, July 17, 1884, and on
August 12, the same year, assigned to the Fort
Leavenworth mission, the bishop remarking at the
time, "This is a mission I would not give to every-
body." Whether this view was meant in a Pickwick-
ian sense, or, that it came from him as a result of
conviction, does not matter at this late day, but
Father Kinsella, considering the struggles of those
years to "keep his head above water", must have
often, in moments of meditation, perhaps hours and
days, asked himself, "If this was the bishop's best,
what may be his worst?" At any rate, the good
priest obeyed, as becomes a true Christian soldier.
The Fort Leavenworth mission included Kickapoo
township, Delaware township including the town
of Lansing, the State Penitentiary, the U. S. Mili-
96 Fart ICf an^nmnrtlj
tary Prison, the County Poor House and Saint John's
Hospital, with an occasional opportunity to a little
extra work in and around the cathedral. Father
Kinsella held services in three churches and four
chapels during the month; in all seven places had to
be attended, and in each place a different class of
people had to be addressed and their spiritual wants
provided for. There was then no salary attached to
any of these appointments. The people attending
the Fort church, however, were exceeding kind to
their pastor. Kickapoo contributed about $150 or
$200 a year, and Delaware about $100. The balance,
about $300, was given by the Fort congregation.
These amounts came at irregular intervals, often
falling short of the usual sums but, on the whole,
Father Kinsella' s condition was an improvement on
that of his predecessors. It gives one some idea of
the peculiar conditions then existing, and of the
unrequited and laborious work done by Catholic
priests in these parts in early days. Relief came
to Father Kinsella at last in a division of territory
by taking from him all the missions and institutions
south of the city, leaving for him the post, military
Prison and Kickapoo. He took up quarters at Fort
Leavenworth where, unknown, unsheltered and un-
provided for by the government, he eked out an exis-
tence replete with many amusing incidents.
The then post trader. Major W. H. Keeling,*
through the intervention of faithful Sergeant Kelly,
*Major W. H. Keeling, a former officer of the Thirteenth
U. S. Infantry, Post Trader. Upon completion of a new post
hospital in 1882, the old was turned into a hotel for the use of
student officers of the Infantry and Cavalry School, and man-
aged by Major Keeling. This building stood then where is
now the Army Service Schools Mess in rear of Schofleld and
Otis halls. The hotel was run for about three years, after
which the building was named "Hancock Hall" and assigned
as quarters for bachelor officers.
3t0 (][II|urrl|f0 anb ^cl^aaU 97
provided him with board at $15 per month and
permitted him to occupy a room in the hotel when
not otherwise in use. This latter privilege was of
brief duration owing to a large influx of officers,
both on account of the annual department, division
and army rifle contests, and the bi-annual arrival
of student oflficers to the Infantry and Cavalry
School. This made him almost shelterless if not
entirely homeless. For the first winter he found
a barber's chair and placed it in the little vestry
back of the chapel thus enjoying an improvised
folding bed through which he made the discovery
that a night spent in a barber's chair is twenty-four
hours long in summer and forty-eight in winter. The
next year Captain Henry Seaton, 4th U. S. In-
fantry, found him one evening in a closet under a
stair-way of the hotel-annex, sitting on a cot holding
a book in one hand and a lamp in the other. The
officer, who was of a very distinguished Catholic fam-
ily, protested in a tone of surprise and demanded that
he vacate at once and come to his quarters where
everything would be as it should for a priest. This
act of kindness Father Kinsella treasures in memory
as the most blessed deed that ever came to him, as
it saved him from the dangers of a second winter
as unprovided as the former one. In the mean-
time changes took place in the personnel of the post
and the third winter found the old conditions revived,
no shelter, but only the httle vestry which had cracks
in the walls and shaky windows. The youn^ priest
felt there was danger in attempting to live through
another winter in such a place and after much
deliberation concluded to call upon the bishop to ex-
plain matters and to seek a return to the cathedral
rectory. The bishop did not grant his request, but,
on the contrary, ordered him to build on another
98 3Fort iCgattgnmortly
room to the vestry and thus make himself comfort-
able at the post. Colonel Ruger, the post command-
er, objected to such a proposed addition without
authority.
Rbv. M..J. DOUGHERTY Rev. THOMAS H. KINSELLA
Right Reverend LOUIS MARIA FINK f
Brigadier-General M. R. MORGAN f
CHAPTER XI
FIRST CHURCH BUILDING SOLD AND NEW SITE SE-
CURED FOR LARGER EDIFICE
IfljHEN in 1870 the Secretary of War permitted
W* the use of a site for a Cathohc church, it was sup-
posed that the ground selected would not interfere
with the location of public buildings in the future.
This view appears not to have been prophetic. De-
nying Father Kinsella permission to construct an
additional room to the church rectory opened up cor-
respondence which resulted in the purchase of the
church property and a grant to select a more suitable
site for a new church. The correspondence follows:
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas,
September 15, 1885,
Rev. T. H. Kinsella,
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Reverend Sir: -Replying to your letter of the 7th
ultimo, addressed to the Honorable Secretary of War
asking authority to build a rectory at this post, I
have the honor to inform you that the request has
been disapproved by the Secretary of War-* 'the
ground occupied by the church and the frame school
house being required for military purposes."
I have been directed to ascertain upon what
terms the church building may be purchased, also
the school building may be bought or its removal
effected. Will you please inform me as soon as may
conveniently be, as to the questions stated.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) Thos. H. Ruger,
Colonel, 18th Infantry,
Commanding Post
100 Fnrt ICratJFtttnortly
This letter was placed in the hands of Bishop
Fink under whose instructions Father Kinsella sent
Colonel Ruger the following reply:
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
September 29, 1885.
Thos. H. Ruger,
Colonel 18th Infantry,
Commanding Post
Dear Sir:— Having called upon the Right Rev.
Bishop in regard to the request of the Hon. Secretary
of War, expressed in your note of the 15th inst. , I
found his Lordship willing to do what ever is good
for the Fort, as well as for the convenience of its
present authorities.
The Secretary of War may communicate with
him therefore, in regard to the church as also the
purchase or removal of the school house at Fort
Leavenworth. If I remember rightly, the Bishop
mentioned two ways in which the question can be
settled agreeably to all parties. The first was, that
the government take the matter in hand and erect
other buildings in every respect like the present
ones, the location being acceptable to us. The sec-
ond, that the government portion off a plat of
ground, 200 -feet square, in a location suited to the
wants of the people, on which the bishop could
build church, school and parsonage with the money
received for the present building.
He seems to consider the question of value of
small importance in comparison with the fact that a
Catholic church is necessary for the spiritual welfare
of his people connected with the post, prison and ar-
senal—each so extensive, and the whole a city in it-
self. It seems very proper, therefore, that this mat-
ter should be viewed in a broad light, not only be-
3fta GII|«rrI|p0 mxh #rI|0nlH 101
cause it is Fort Leavenworth that is in question, but
more especially, because what has been done thus
far, by the Catholic people of the Fort, has been done
with the sanction of the government, and the Right
Rev. Bishop does not, I think, feel himself free to
barter away what belongs to the community at large,
bound as he is, by most sacred engagements, to
transmit this, its gift to posterity.
I am, dear Colonel, yours respectfully,
(Signed) T. H. Kinsella,
Rector.
Headquarters of the Army
ADJUTANT general's OFFICE
Washington, December 26, 1886.
To The Commanding General,
Commanding Department of the Missouri,
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
(Through Headquarters Division of the Missouri. )
Sir:— Referring to an endorsement of the 23d of
October last, forwarding correspondence in regard
to the occupation of the military reservation of Fort
Leavenworth, Kansas, by a Roman Catholic Church,
I am directed by the lieutenant general commanding
the army to inform you that the Secretary of War
authorized the purchase of the Catholic building in
question at a cost not to exceed eleven thousand
($11,000) dollars and the selection of a new site by
the church authorities.
The selection of this site shall be subject to the
approval of the war department, and with the un-
derstanding that the government shall not, under
any circumstances, be required or expected to pur-
chase any structures that may be erected thereon.
The lieutenant general desires to request the
102 IFort Sraupttwortij
church authorities to make application for the new
site, under the conditions herein recited.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) R. C. Drum,
Adjutant-General.
The terms offered in the above were accepted
by the Roman CathoHc church authorities and appli-
cation was at once made for a new site and the pri-
vilege to construct thereon a church building.
A lease was granted by the Secretary of War
in the following terms:
''The Right Reverend Louis M. Fink, as Roman
Catholic bishop of the diocese of Leavenworth and
successors, bishops of said diocese, are hereby
granted a license, revocable at v/ill by the Secretary
of War, to erect and construct or cause to be con-
structed, for the use of the Roman Catholic church
at Fort Leavenv/orth, Kansas, on a tract or lot of
land two hundred feet square, being part of the
United States military reservation at Fort Leaven-
worth, Kansas, and situated in, and being the south-
east corner of the vacant lot which lies just to the
south of the post hospital in said reservation,
and being bounded on the east by McClellan avenue,
and on the south by Pope Avenue, a church edifice,
45 by 95 feet in dimensions for the purpose of divine
worship, according to the rites of said church, and a
school house 25 by 50 feet in dimensions, and no
other building or buildings whatsoever (the former
license granted by the Secretary of War, January
24, 1878, to the said Louis M. Fink, being hereby re-
voked) upon the following provisions and conditions:
' 1. That the United States shall not under any
circumstances be required or expected to buy any
structure or building erected upon said tract of land
under the authority of this license.
3Jta CIIl|urrl|fB anb Bci^atxlB 103
"2. That any sum which may have to be ex-
pended after revocation of this license, in putting
any premises or property, hereby authorized or
used, in a good condition for use by the United
States as it is at this date shall be repaid by said
license or licensee/'
The lease v^as not finally approved by both par-
ties until June 27, 1889.
The cornerstone of the nev^ church v^as laid
August 18, 1889, by Bishop Fink. There were many
present, including a large number of priests from
throughout the diocese. The dedication took place
December 22d of the same year and was an event of
unusual church interest in the post.
The new edifice is of Gothic design and comports
favorably with the buildings surrounding it. The
rectory is a part of the main building. It is composed
of a suite of eight rooms, furnished with all modern
conveniences. A large hall is fitted up in the base-
ment for social church functions.
Fine stained glass windows donated by friends
to the memory of the following have been placed
in the church:
Right Reverend John B. Miege, S.J., by Rev-
erend Ambrose Butler. *
* The placing of this memorial window in the new chapel
by Father Butler to his superior and almost life long friend is
accounted for by the following from a "History of the Sisters of
Charity of Leavenworth" giving an account of the departure
of Bishop Miege, upon resigning his charge of the diocese.
The bishop did not wish to meet any of his priests or the sis-
ters of charity who had labored with him soloj^ally. He only
informed the clergy of his purpose the day before he set for
his departure and this is what the author of the history says:
"His surprise must have been great, when he arrived at the
depot to take the train, to see Father Butler, then stationed
at Hoge (Leavenworth county), come rushing up with hat in
lOU 3iiti Ueau^ttmnrtly
Mrs. Ellen Ewing Sherman*, "Her children have
risen up and called her blessed/'
"General Phil. Sheridan, Requiescat inpace.''
"Lieutenant-Colonel Brothertont,'' by Major M.
R. Morgan, U. S. A.
hand vigorously fanning himself, for he had no sooner re-
ceived the bishop's letter than, without a moment's delay, he
threw himself into a train that came along just at the desired
time. The poor bishop was much overcome. He had de-
voutly wished to avoid saying 'farewell' to his priests, to
whom he was attached by many and strong ties of friendship,
regard, gratitude, and ardent brotherly love. Father Butler
afterwards congratulated himself that he was so fortunate as
to obtain this last interview with his bishop, who had receiv-
ed him into his diocese as a youi!g priest, and who had been
to him a father and a friend."
Father Butler was invited to be present at the dedication of
the church, which he had served so faithfully at Fort Leaven-
worth. He was forced to decline and in his letter of regret
furnished the following reminiscenses concerning his former
charge :
^'Many years have passed over since I first visited the post,
sometimes with Father McNeil, in 1867 and 1868, sometimes
with Father Panken and others, but the happiest days and
evenings were passed in the little frame chapel when I had
charge, and when General Miles and General Williams show-
ed their polite conduct to me. Custer's Cavalry, wild fellows
that they were, had always a welcome beaming on their faces
for me, and poor Captain Keogh and Captain Nolan showed
the strength of their faith. But better and braver in the cause
of the holy church was good Sergeant Kelly for whom I shall
always cherish a deep and faithful regard. Nor can I close
without referring with genuine admiration to the beautiful
and exemplary character developed by General Morgan dur-
ing his last years at Fort Leavenworth. I hope you will meet
with a spiritual success in all your efforts which your great
zeal deserves. There are many hearts brave in God's cause,
beating under the blue of Uncle Sam's uniform."
*The wife of the late General William Tecumseh Sherman,
U. S. Army.
tLieutenant-Colonel David H. Brotherton. This officer was
stationed at Fort Leavenworth for a number of years, while a
31 10 (EIiurrJ^^B mxh ^rljofllfli 105
"Genevieve." a votive offering by Lieutenant
and Mrs. W. H. Johnston*, U. S. A.
** Colonel George Gibson, Requiescat in pace."
"Right Rev. James O'Reilly," by the people of
Kickapoo.
"Right Rev. Charles J. White," by General
Thomas M. Vincentt, U. S. A.
"In honor of General Alexander McDowell
McCook."t
Captain in the Fifth Infantry. Major Michael R. Morgan, of
the Subsistence Department of the Army, was stationed at
the post at the same time serving on General Pope's staff.
There was a close intimacy between these two officers, and
the window was placed in the new chapel, after its dedication,
in memory to a devoted friend and brother officer. Colonel
Brotherton died September 17, 1889.
*Now Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Johnston, U. S. Army.
tGeneral Vincent was for many years an officer of the Ad-
jutant General's Department.
X An incident worthy of note followed the ceremony of
dedication. It was the presentation of a handsome sword to
General A. McD. McCook, who, as commanding officer of the
post, rendered material aid in the negotiations for the pur-
chase of the old church building and the procurement of au-
thority for a new site.
His Eminence, Cardinal Gibbons, authorized the use of
his name in connection with that of Right Rev. Bishop Fink
in the presentation of the sword.
General McCook, early in his career as an officer, had
shown by his conduct his support of the Catholic clergy in the
Far West, as well as toward every institution of charity. It
is told that when a young lieutenant he stood by the then
Right Rev. Bishop Lamy, of New Mexico, in an hour of immi-
nent peril. While stationed at Santa Fe he discovered a plot
having for its end the assassination of the new bishop. He at
once ordered his men to stand guard near the episcopal resi-
dence while he himself remained with the bishop till far in
the night, and thus for several evenings awed the mob until
the plot was finally abandoned.
When stationed near Salt Lake City he found the Sisters
of the Holy Cross greatly hampered by the Mormons, being
106 Matt iC^aurnmnrtli
The financial history of the Fort Leavenworth
mission shows that from 1870 to 1890, there had been
received from all sources, including the sum of $11,-
000 paid by the government for the old church,
$35,172.72.
The original contract for the new church called
for $10,707.00. Extras and the additional cost of
the priest's house and school building brought the
total to $15,233.85.
The income to May 1, 1890, with which to meet
the cost of the new church including the $11,000 re-
ceived from the Government was $13,090.07 leaving
upon the church a debt of $2,143.78.
By December 31, 1891, Father Kinsella, through
efforts at collecting and lecturing at other points
succeeded in further reducing the debt and upon his
transfer to Horton parish in January, 1892, assumed
all of the remaining indebtedness excepting $500.
In 1895 he was appointed Chaplain of the Soldiers'
Home at Leavenworth which enabled him to meet
this obligation. Aside from the $1300 of which the
obligation consisted it did not include $300 paid for
the organ of St. Ignatius chapel.
These are some of the personal sacrifices made
by Father Kinsella which were known only to the
bishop and a few of his intimate friends.
Quite recently Father Kinsella resigned his post
as chaplain of the Soldier's Home at Danville, 111.,
to which he had in the mean time been transferred
and returned to the Leavenworth diocese placing his
services at the disposal of its bishop, Right Rev. John
D. Ward. An assignment as pastor of Sacred Heart
church in Leavenworth followed.
unable to obtain the city water for their new hospital. The
General, hearing of it, ordered his men to run the pipes from
the Fort Douglass reservoir down to the city and into the hos-
pital, thus conferring a very great favor on these Sisters.
31tH (El|urrl|rB nnh ^tl}ooiB 107
Rev. Father Jennings, the youngest son of a
Leavenworth citizen, came here from Horton
to relieve Father Kinsella remaining until April 18,
1895, being in turn relieved by Rev. Father McCaul.
Father McCaul administered the affairs of the
mission for more than ten years remaining in this
field to November 12, 1905. The congregation suf-
fered greatly in numbers on account of the Spanish-
American war. Despite this reduction Father
McCaul managed to relieve the church of its remain-
ing indebtedness of five hundred dollars. He con-
tinued in the performance of his ministerial duties
at post and federal prison. He was the first of the
clergymen to receive an annual salary of $300 from
the federal prison where his good oflfices were much
appreciated. This financial assistance came as a
silver lining to the dark and lowering clouds, threat-
ening to envelop a religious charge which had been
given life and reared under most trying and many
adverse conditions.
Rev. Father William Ospital, O.S.B., followed
Father McCaul, remaining until August 27, 1906,
when the present incumbent Rev. Father J. M.
Dougherty, O.S.B., assumed charge.
The congregation was never more prosperous
than at this time. It has increased largely in member-
ship. Father Dougherty has done much to improve
the church building both within and without through
the devoted and loyal assistance rendered by the Al-
tar Society of which mention will follow.
The little parish of Fort Leavenworth had the
distinguished honor of a visit from Cardinal Satolli
in 1896. Colonel Hawkins, 20th Infantry, desired to
tender the Pope's personal representative a review^ of
the troops, but owing to the brief time at his dispo-
sal the cardinal was forced to decline the honor with
sincere regret.
BtutBton iEtgiit
iFnrt foawniunrtlj Altar BumtxtB
109
CHAPTER XII
ALTAR SOCIETIES AT POST HAVE DONE MUCH FOR BOTH
CHAPELS— ALTAR GUILD
ARMY chaplains, serving at military stations, have
ever experienced more or less difficulty in
securing the means with which to obtain the neces-
sary paraphernalia for an appropriate observation
of church ceremonies, a condition which applies, with
even greater force, to the Catholic chaplain, who is
supported entirely by the liberality of his congrega-
tion.
To meet this want two altar societies, organ-
ized in recent years, have done much to furnish both
churches with the necessary paraphernalia and ac-
cording to the records have fully justified their
existence.
One of these societies is known as the ''Altar
Guild'* and represents the worshipers in the post
chapel (Protestant) ; the other bears the name of * *St.
Ignatius Chapel Altar Society' ' and represents the
worshipers of the Catholic chapel.
That much has already been accomplished by the
Altar Guild, its annual reports indicate and follow in
full, that the Guild may tell the story of its accom-
pHshments in its own way.
The first report is that of Mrs. S. B. Arnold:
Fort Leavenv^orth, Kansas,
June 5, 1909,
To the Post Chaplain
and members of the Garrison:
As President of the Altar Guild I wish to submit
the following report of the Guild for the past year,
111
112 3fort IC^au^nwcrtlj
prefaced by a few remarks in regard to the events
which led to its organization which seem necessary
in order to explain its work.
In the absence of a regular Post Chaplain— in
February, 1908— the Chapel came under the volun-
tary charge of Chaplain H. Percy Silver, the Episco-
pal Chaplain on duty at the Military Prison. Through
his efforts, the Chapel was put in thorough order;
the Chapel itself, carpet and all tablets and brasses
thoroughly cleaned; the Font removed to its proper
position at the entrance of the Chapel, where a
proper setting was made for it; an Altar arranged;
numerous gifts and memorials were donated to
beautify the Chapel, and the interest of a number of
the women aroused in that part of church work which
is distinctly their province.
The Chapel being entirely without hangings and
linens, this, the first Guild work, was undertaken by
Mrs. Charles D. Rhodes, who, with some assistance
from a few of the women of the Post, made a com-
plete set of white and green hangings, with book
markers for each and some linens, and for several
months she, and the Misses Hall, did all the neces-
sary work about the Altar.
As the property of the Chapel increased, it
seemed advisable to have some regular organization
to see that this property was properly cared for, and
to continue the work already started.
To this end a meeting was called of those women
most interested, at which Chaplain Silver presided,
and the details of such on organization was arranged.
At a subsequent meeting, on June 29, 1908, the Guild
was organized under the name of the Altar Guild of
the Post Chapel, and certain regulations adopted, the
object of the Guild, as stated therein, being: — "to
care for the Altar and all things pertaining thereto;
to provide flowers for the Altar, and to hold as cus-
31ta ailjttrrliPB m\h ^tl}ooiB IIS
todians all gifts and memorials, and to be responsible
for their proper use and care.''
It is intended that the Guild shall be seli-perpet-
uating— doing the work of the chapel at all times
according to the wishes of the chaplain in charge.
Members may be of any denomination.
The original Guild consisted of nine members:
Mrs Charles D. Rhodes Mrs. Marie L. Snyder
Mrs George E. Stockle Mrs. E. R. Gibson
Miss Happersett Mrs. LeRoy Eltmge
Mrs. L. R. Arnold Mrs. J. C. Raymond
Mrs. 0. L. Spaulding
of whom Mrs. Arnold was elected president and Mrs.
Eltinge, secretary and treasurer. ^ ,^ ^ ., ,
During the summer the work of the Guild was
limited, owing to the absence of most of the mem-
bers but those remaining attended to all services,
and the 1st of September the regular work was begun
Chaplain Silver formally turning over to the care ot
the Guild the following gifts and memorials:
PRESENTED BY
Brass Cross ... 3d Squadron, 13th Cavalry
Brass Book Rest . . 3d Squadron, 13th Cava ry
Altar Prayer Book . 3d Squadron, 13th Cavalry
Brass Vases . . . 13th Infantry
Brass Altar Rail . . Staff Class -Class of 1908
Brass Prayer Desk . Faculty and Line Class o± iyu«
Brass Lecturn . . Mrs. Charles McK. Saltzman
Credence Table. . . Mrs. L. R. Arnold
Font Cover . . • Fort Leavenworth Branch ot
Woman's AuxiHary, Easter,
1908.
Bible Sunday School, Easter, 1908
Altar Hangings, Prayer Books and Hymnals.
To which have since been added:
Prayer Book . . . Sunday School
Candlesticks . . . Sunday School, Easter, 1909
Font Ewer .... Fort Leavenworth Branch ot
Woman's Auxiliary, Easter,
1909
11 Jf 3^0rt IGran^nmnrtlj
In October, Chaplain Henry Swift took charge
of the chapel, since which time all work has been
done by his authority and with his approval, while
the Guild also continued to assist Chaplain Silver as
much as possible with his work at the prison as long
as he remained in the post.
Regular monthly meetings have been held, at
which the Secretary and Treasurer's reports have
been read, subjects of interest to church people have
been discussed and all arrangements for work have
been made.
During the past year this work has consisted of
the care of the altar, sacred vessels, linens aiid me-
morials, the furnishing of flowers and candles for the
altar, the attendance of some member at all services,
the entire care and cleaning of the chancel, a gen-
eral supervision of the cleaning of the chapel and
the refurnishing of the vestry room.
For convenience in the vestry room the Guild
furnished: A washstand, for which Mrs. Pond do-
nated a toilet set; a table; proper utensils for clean-
ing the sacred vessels: all cleaning implements and
materials, and designed a book case with closets at
each end for vestments and cleaning materials, and
a chest with compartments for all linens, hangings
and moveable brasses when not in use. These latter
the quartermaster kindly had made.
At the suggestion of the Guild, which met with
most cordial response, most of the flowers for the
altar have been given as memorials by members of
the post, they choosing their own dates. When not
so donated the Guild has furnished them, so that the
altar has never been without them on Sundays and
feast days.
Until March, the services at the prison and post
chapels were at such hours that the flowers could be
3lt0 (lII|urrl|rH aiih ^ti^aoia 115
used at both places. Since then this has been im-
possible and flowers have been sent to the Prison
chapel only on those Sundays when Chaplain Swift
has had a celebration of the Holy Communion there.
All flowers used on the altar are sent to the sick,
usually to the Prison hospital.
The following needlework has been completed
for the Post Chapel:
Purple hangings and book-markers
Red hangings and book-markers
Complete set of linens, consisting of —
Fair linen cloth Credence cover
Linen veil Three purificators
Burse Pall
Corporale Two vestry credence
clothes Chalice veil
All made by hand and embroidered.
For Chaplain Swift:
One surplice and one stole
For Chaplain Silver:
One cassock, one stole, one set of altar Hn-
en like the above without the credence
clothes, and two sets of book markers.
The mending and care of all vestments.
The Guild wishes to take this opportunity of ack-
nowledging with thanks, the bag for carrying the
linens, made and donated by Miss Mary Stockle, and
the special Easter donations which enabled them to
get the materials for the red hangings and a few nec-
essary articles for the vestry room.
Vacancies have been created by the resignations
of Mrs. Rhodes and Mrs. Raymond, owing to their
departure from the post, and of Mrs. Snyder and
Miss Happersett. These have been filled by Mrs. R.
J. Burt, Miss Mary Fuller, Mrs. F. L. Munson, and
Mrs. Charles Gerhardt, while there are at present
116 3ntX IC^aup«mnrtI|
two associate members, Mrs. G. P. Pond and Mrs. A.
W. Bjornstad, there being allowed three associate
members, from which vacancies in the regular Guild
are filled.
Enclosed please find Treasurer's Report of re-
ceipts and expenditures.
Lucille R. Arnold,
President,
Owing to changes in station of officers and with
these, the departure of their families, the Guild has
likewise had many changes in its membership, but
arriving families have made possible the filling of such
vacancies. The work has been followed up with an
interest that speaks highly of the army woman, and
gives evidence that she is everywhere ready to assist
where good can be accomplished.
The Guild's second annual report presents an
account of what it accomplished during the year
covered by the report. It is as follows:
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas,
June 1, 1911.
To The Post Chaplain
and Members of the Garrison:
As President of the Altar Guild I wish to submit
the following report of the Guild for the past year:
At the last meeting of the Guild last year the
election of officers was held. Mrs. Munson was elec-
ted President and Mrs. Eltinge Secretary and Treas-
urer. The memberhip during the year has been as
follows:
active members
Mrs. LeRoy Eltinge Mrs. Oliver Edwards
Mrs. H. D. Wise Mrs. P. A. Wolf
Mrs. F. W. VanDuyne Mrs. W. M. Cruikshank
Miss Elliott Miss Mary Fuller
Mrs. F. L. Munson
JItB (ili)nvti)ts mxh ^dioula 117
NON- ACTIVE MEMBERS
Mrs. L. R. Arnold Mrs. E. R. Gibson
Mrs. E. N. Jones Mrs. A. W. Bjornstad
Mrs. 0. L. Spaulding Mrs. J. C. Raymond
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Mrs. J. F. Clapham Mrs. C. R. Day
Mrs. A. G. Lott
During the year the regular work of the Guild,
consisting of the entire care of the chancel and me-
morials, the furnishing of candles and flowers for the
Altar, general supervision of the cleaning of the
Chapel and attendance of some members at each ser-
vice, has been attended to.
The Guild has provided flowers for the Altar at
all times when they have not been presented as me-
morials, and wishes to thank General Funston f or the
many he sent from his garden during the summer.
The Guild also wishes to acknowledge the $15.00
given from the church fund for the Christmas deco-
rations.
The needle work during the year has been a set
of linens which the Guild sent to a mission in Kansas
City, Kansas. It consisted of
Fair Hnen cloth Linen veil
Pall Chalice veil
Burse Corporale
Purificator
The Guild provided a suitable floor covering of
cork linoleum for the vestibule of the chapel.
The following gifts have been presented to the
Post Chapel during the year:
Alms-box, presented by Class of '11, Army Staff
College.
Silver Chalice and Paten, presented by members
of the Altar Guild of the Post Chapel.
The wine and wafers used during the year were
118 Ji^urt iCratipttUJortly
given by Mrs. L. R. Arnold.
Regular monthly meetings have been held at
which the Secretary and Treasurer's reports have
been read and the work of the Guild planned.
Enclosed please find Treasurer's report of re-
ceipts and expenditures.
Athleen L. Munson,
Secretary.
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
May 29, 1911.
To THE President and Ladies
of the Altar Guild of the Post Chapel:
I have the honor to report that during the past
fiscal year the following sums of money have been
received and expended by me:
Dues, fines and funds for chalice . . $ 76.51
Memorial Flowers 37.00
For Altar, bread and wine 5.00
Total $118.51
The folio wings sums have been expended:
For Chalice and Paten $ 36.56
Linen Communion Set... 5.90
Flowers 36.60
Altar Bread 2.05
Service 13.00
Sundries . . . . 7. 15
Linoleum for Vestibule 9.00
Total $110.26
Balance on hand .. .. $8.25
Respectfully submitted,
Effie Trotter Eltinge,
Secretary and Treasurer.
CHAPTER XIII
CATHOLIC ALTAR SOCIETY DOES EFFECTIVE WORK
FOR ST. IGNATIUS CHAPEL
/|THE "St. Ignatius Chapel Altar Society" is anoth-
^ er of the post's church organizations which has
rendered most efficient aid in securing many im-
provements to its House of Worship. The grounds
have been beautified, the building vastly improved
without and within, and the altar provided with can-
delabras and many other articles necessary for a com-
plete expression of Roman Catholic worship.
Among the ladies prominent in the past few
years in the work of the Altar Society may be men-
tioned Mrs. Geo. LeR. Irwin, Mrs. D. L. Howell,
Mrs. Walter H. Gordon, Mrs. James Ronayne, Mrs.
James H. Frier, Mrs. J. R. Stone, Mrs. Arthur John-
son, Mrs. J. W. McAndrew, Mrs. Hugh Drum, Mrs.
M. J. Lenihan and Mrs. Fred W. Fuger.
During these years the post commandants, Gen-
eral J. Franklin Bell, Colonels Chas. B. Hall and
Thomas- T. Davis, 18th Infantry, and Colonel H.R.H.
Loughborough, 13th Infantry; also Major Michael J.
Lenihan, 7th Infantry, have proved themselves very
friendly to the Catholic chapel and to all of its work.
The War Department, too, has shown its encourage-
ment by granting the required allowance of fuel and
light. All this helped to lighten the burden of those
charged with the executive features belonging to
the chapel.
In the spring of 1906 the building was piped for
water conveniences, under the administration of
119
120 IFort IGraiHMtmnrtli
Rev. William Ospital. Mrs. LeR. Irwin and Major
James E. Normoyle were instrumental in this im-
provement.
In 1907 a new roof was put on the building for
which the congregation wa^ under obligation to Mrs.
W. H. Gordon, Mrs. D. L. Howell and Colonel Geo.
S. Young, and the ladies of the Altar Society.
In 1908 electric lights ware installed in all parts
of the building, at a considerable cost to the congre-
gation.
In 1910 a heating plant was installed to heat
both the church and the rectory.
Early in 1911 the chapel interior was frescoed
at a cost of several hundred dollars. The work was
done by a young Danish artist, Mr. Theodore Brash
of Kansas City.
In the summer of 1911 the exterior of the chapel
was given a good coat of paint and the residence por-
tion of the chapel remodeled and refurnished.
In all of these improvements the Altar Society
has done its full share. At this time the congrega-
tion has increased to such an extent that Bishop
Ward is anxious to relieve Rev. Father Dougherty
from the Kickapoo mission in order that he may more
fully devote his time to the work at Fort Leaven-
worth.
While organization is, in a great measure, res-
ponsible for the effective assistance rendered the
post's two churches by the altar societies, it is not to
be inferred that during the period preceding their
existence, no help came from the army of Christian
women who resided at the post in the many years of
its hfe.
Indeed, their assistance, while lacking that unity
of effort so effective in organization, was neverthe-
3ft0 (lII)urdtrB anil ^rl|onlH 121
less of greatest value and did much to sustain and
encourage the ministers of both chapels.
The author recalls on the Protestant side a num-
ber of names which were a tower of strength in all
church work and its allied branches. Among these
were Mrs. General Pope, Mrs. Clara L. Nichols, for
years the postmistress of the station; Mrs. J. P.
Wright, the wife of Surgeon Wright, for many years
on duty at the U. S. Military Prison; Mrs. Babcock,
the wife of the late General J. B. Babcock, U.S.A.;
Mrs. Hawkins, the widow of the late General H. S.
Hawkins, U.S.A.; Mrs. Perin, the wife of Surgeon
Perin, medical director on General Pope's staff; Mrs.
Dunn, wife of Major Wm. McK. Dunn, 2d Artillery,
and many others.
Back in the seventies was the wife of Lieuten-
ant-Colonel I. R. Dodge, 23d Infantry. She was a
devoted member of the Roman Catholic church. Pos-
sessed of great wealth, her purse was ever ready to
advance the interests of the local chapel. The late
Mrs. Sherman, wife of General Sherman, a frequent
visitor at the post, interested herself in the growth
of the little church and encouraged many others to
do likewise. Mrs. Dallas, wife of a major in the
23d Infantry, Mrs. Dodge, wife of Lieutenant F. L.
Dodge, 23d Infantry, did much to aid the church
work.
In addition to these were the wives and daugh-
ters of the hundreds of civilian employes and of the
enlisted men serving at the post. These certainly
did their full share in assisting the struggling con-
gregation and it is largely due to their work that the
church is in so flourishing a condition to-day.
Itutatmi Ntnp
Uttal g-tatiattrH of tl|f ^nat ^tnrp 1859
123
CHAPTER^XIV
RECORD OF BAPTISMS, MARRIAGES AND BURIALS
SINCE 1859 QUITE COMPLETE
MP to 1875 nothing liad been done by army author-
ities requiring the keeping of an official record
at mihtary stations of the baptisms, marriages, deaths
and funereal ceremonies, at which army chaplains
may have officiated. The absence of such official re-
cord was brought to the attention of General Pope,
in command of the department of tlie Missouri.
Recognizing its importance to the parties concerned,
ortheirdescendants, hedirected (General Orders Num-
ber 1, January 11, 1875) that all chaplains in his com-
mand ''prepare a book and enter therein an accurate
record of all marriages, baptismal and funeral ser-
vices which they have performed, both for civilians
and persons in the military service, at the posts at
which they are now stationed, or in the vicinity
thereof, with such particulars relative to each as may
be of importance. This book must be considered as
a part of the records of the post, and will be subject
to inspection by inspecting officers."
General Pope's order had no effect beyond the
limits of his command, but it drew the attention of
the War Department authorities who beheved that a
similar regulation should affect all military stations
within the United States. Accordingly General Pope's
order was adopted and repubhshed to the army, as
an original order from the War Department, without
the dotting of an i or the crossing of a t. This order
appeared on January 25, 1875, and is Number 3 of
that year.
125
126 l^art IC^awfitmartli
With a view to securing these statistics to em-
brace the earhest possible time within the existence
of the post, Chaplain Woart placed himself in com-
munication with such of his predecessors as he was
able to locate. He found Chaplain Stone had kept a
record of his official acts. Every official cere-
mony or church service from tlie time he came to the
post in 1859, until his departure in May, 1868, was
made of record and this journal he kindly placed at
the disposal of the post authorities.
At this point it is well to reproduce the official
statement of Chaplain Woart covering his correspon-
dence with Chaplain Stone, and which was made a
part of the record containing the valuable statistics,
accompanied by a certificate from the adjutant of
the post, Lieutenant George W. Baird, Fifth Infan-
try, that the copy made agrees with the record fur-
nished by Chaplain Stone.
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
July 2J^, 1875,
The foregoing notices of official acts were sent
to me, at my request, for use in this record book, by the
Rev. Hiram Stone, Post Chaplain in the U. S. Army.
These acts were performed by Mr. Stone during the
time that he was stationed at this post, from Octo-
ber 6, 1859, to May 29, 1868.
In a letter accompanying the foregoing notices
Mr. Stone writes:
* 'During the war especially, it was almost impos-
sible and quite impracticable to obtain the names
and other particulars of deceased persons, owing
to the multitude of troops that were constantly com-
ing to and going from the post. At this date it is
impossible to conceive the state of things then exist-
ing. People would come to me to baptize and bury
when a command was just on the move; and in the
3ltH (fll|urrhra anJi grlinolfl 127
case of burials, it oftimes occurred that I was called
to go directly to the grave where it is almost impos-
sible to learn the age and sometimes the name of
of the deceased. This will account for the lack of
names and dates which frequently occur."
The Reverend William Vaux, who was stationed
at this post for a short time after Mr. Stone left,
was an accurate man, but as his minutes of duties
performed were lost, no record of them can be made
here.
Assisted by the post adjutant at this post, I
have very carefully examined the copy of official
acts by Mr. Stone, now entered in this book, with the
copy of them made by Mr. Stone from his private
official record book, and sent to me as I have above
stated; and the adjutant hereby unites with me in
certifying to the entire agreement Vv'ith the copy
here referred to made by Mr. Stone of the copy in-
serted in this book.
John Woart,
Post Chaplain, U. S. Army.
G. W. Baird,
1st Lieut. & Adft, 5th Inf.,
Post Adjutant.
The value of these records was recently proved
through the request of a soldier's widow that she
be furnished with a certificate of her marriage said to
have occurred at the post in 1861 and at which Rev.
Hiram Stone officiated. She gave the date of the
ceremony and it was found so recorded.
With Chaplain Stone's data a good start was
made in the opening of this record. The require-
ment to maintain such a record has been faithfully
adhered to and is now the most valuable asset
among the archives of the post.
128 3 art Idrnvrnxmoxtli
The first marriage recorded is that of Lieutenant
0. D. Green to Miss Kate Rich.* This event ocurred
at the post October 6, 1859. The bride was the
daughter of the then Post Trader, Hiram Rich.
Lieutenant Green became later an officer in the adju-
tant general's department and was familiarly known
as General Oliver D. Green.
Of the laying of the cornerstone and dedication
of the post's present chapel Chaplain Woart made the
following entry:
"At 6 o'clock, P.M., on the fifth day of May,
Sunday, the second after Easter, in the year of our
Lord, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight,
the chaplain at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, laid the
cornerstone of a new post chapel on Arsenal avenue, t
at this post, in the presence of the commander of
the department of the Missouri, John Pope, Brigadier
General in the U. S. Army, and Brevet Major Gen-
eral, and his family; and the officers of the General's
staff, and their famihes; and most of the officers of
the Twenty-Third Infantry and their families; and
many ealisted men, and others residing at the post,
and the officers and others connected with the United
States Military Prison, with their chaplain Rev. A.
D. Mitchell; and a few distinguished officers from
abroad. There were Hkewise present, Rt. Rev. F.
H. Vail, D.D., L.L.D., of Topeka, Kansas; the Rev.
T. W. Barry, of the church of St. Paul, Leavenworth,
Kansas, and a large number of citizens from that
city."
The chaplain's report to the Adjutant General of
the U. S. Army, for November, A.D., eighteen hun-
dred and seventy-eight, concluded as follows:
* Both deceased.
t Now Scott Avenue.
3ft0 OIl|urrl|FB nnh ^rlinola 129
"It is with great pleasure that I mention that
on Thursday, the twenty-eighth day of the present
month I performed rehgious services at the opening
of the new post chapel recently completed at the
military post. It is well built, very handsome and
admirably adapted to the purposes for which it was
erected. God's Holy Name be praised."
An account of the first baptism and marriage in
the new post chapel deserves to be made of record
here and is given below:
"At the Post Chapel, on Arsenal Avenue, at Fort
Leavenworth, Kansas, on Wednesday, January twent-
ty-second, A.D., eighteen hundred and seventy-nine,
I baptized Ida, born September sixteenth, A.D.,
eighteen hundred and seventy-eight, daughter of
George H. C. Ashman, chief musician of the band of
the Twenty-third Infantry, and his wife Emma L.
W. Ashman. The parents of the child answered the
questions in the service.''
"At the post chapel, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas,
on Tuesday in Whitsun week, June third, A.D.,
eighteen hundred and seventy-nine, in the presence
of a large number of persons, I united in holy matri-
mony, according to the forms and ceremonies of the
Protestant Episcopal Church in these United States,
and agreeable to the laws of the State of Kansas,
Sidney Hayden, jr., Attorney and Counselor-at-law
at Holton, Jackson County, in the State of Kansas,
son of Sidney Hayden, sr., of Sayre, Bradford Coun-
ty, in the State of Pennsylvania, and Mary Walker,
daughter of the late Joseph Walker*, M.D., of Platte
County, in the State of Missouri, formerly a surgeon
in the U. S. Army, and his wife, Mrs. F. J. Walker.
♦ Assistant Surgeon August 21, 1838; resigned April 2,
1849. Born in Bermuda, Illinois.
130 3txtt ICpatt^nmortl)
The woman was given to be married to the man by
a first cousin of Mrs. F. J. Walker, above named,
Colonel John H. Winston, of Platte County, above
named. ' ^
These notices of funerals are taken from the
record:
''July 29, 1877 -At the house of the family of the
deceased, and at the military cemetery, at Fort
Leavenworth, Kansas, on Sunday evening, July twen-
ty-ninth, A.D., eighteen hundred and seventy-seven,
I performed funeral services at the interment of
Robert Thomas Jackson. He was born in Third St. ,
James Square, Pall Mall, London, England, on the
tenth day of March, A.D., eighteen hundred and ten.
At the age of nineteen he came to the United States
and at St. Louis, Missouri, in eighteen hundred and
twenty-nine, was made chief musician in the band
of the Sixth regiment of the United States Infantry.
He served in that regiment twenty-seven years.
When he was discharged he went to the city of St.
Paul, Minnesota, to reside. In eighteen hundred and
fifty-eight he enlisted in the First U. S. Cavalry,
afterwards known as the Fourth, serving in that
regiment three years and seven months. In eight-
een hundred and sixty-three he was appointed Wa-
gon and Forage Master at Fort Leavenworth, Kan-
sas, the duties of which position he discharged faith-
fully till the time of his death. He was baptized and
confirmed in early life, in the church of England.
He was a highly respected member of the Masonic
fraternity, having attained the thirty-first degree.'*
William Jackson, employed by the quartermas-
ter department at the United States Military Prison,
is the youngest son of the deceased veteran.
"August 3, 1877— On Friday evening, August
3lt0 OIl|nrrl|pfi nnh ^rlioala 131
third, A.D., eighteen hundred and seventy-seven, at
the post chapel, and at the military cemetery, at
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, I performed funeral ser-
vices at the interment of the following-named offi-
cers of the Seventh U. S. Cavalry, who were killed
in an engagement with hostile Indians of the Sioux
tribe, at the Little Big Horn River, in the Territory
of Montana, on the twenty-fifth day of June, A.D.,
eighteen hundred and seventy-six:
Captain George W. Yates,
Captain Thomas W. Custer,
First Lieutenant Aigeron E. Smith,
First Lieutenant Donald Mcintosh,
First Lieutenant James Calhoun.
"A very large number of people were present at
the ceremonies/^
"June 8, 1881— On Wednesday afternoon, June
eighth, A.D., eighteen hundred and eighty-one, I at-
tended the funeral at the post chapel and at the mili-
tary cemetery at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, of
Hartford T. Clarke, born at Providence, Rhode Is-
land, July third, A.D., eighteen hundred and twen-
ty-seven, son of the late Senator John Hopkins
Clarke, a member of the Senate of the United States
from the state of Rhode Island. The deceased, Hart-
ford T. Clarke, was, at the time of his death, a hos-
pital steward in the U. S. Army, stationed at the
U. S. Military Prison at the fort above named."
Mr. John H. Clarke, employed at Fort Leaven-
worth as assistant engineer in the mechanical de-
partment of the post quartermaster, is a son of the
late H. T. Clarke and a great-great-grandson of the
John Hopkins of Rhode Island whose signature is at-
tached to the Declaration of Independence.
itutston ®f n
ArmQ f 0ung Mma OIIjnBttan KBBOtintwn
133
CHAPTER XV
AN ARMY YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
BUILDING ERECTED IN 1907
AN agitation in favor of the erection of a build-
ing- at Fort Leavenworth suitable for the pur-
poses of the Army Young Men's Christian Associa-
tion was undertaken by Chaplain John S. Randolph,
6th U. S. Infantry, during his tour of duty at the
post, 1902 to 1905. Before being able to make a
success of his work, his regiment was ordered to
the Philippines. His successor. Chaplain John T.
Axton, 18th Infantry, upon assuming his duties at
the post in the early part of February, 1905, realiz-
ingthe necessity for a building of the kind referred to,
set to work along his own lines, and by the latter
part of March was assured by the International Com-
mittee of the Y. M. C. A., that Miss Helen Miller
Gould agreed to erect a building and furnish the
same at a cost not to exceed $50,000.00. Chaplain
Axton 's efforts had the official endorsement of
General J. Frankhn Bell, commandant of the service
schools and of Colonel Charles B. Hall, 18th Infan-
try, commanding the post.
Upon the assurance that the money would be
furnished, authority to erect the building on the re-
servation was obtained. October 23, 1907, the edifice,
a most beautiful structure without, and handsomely
furnished within, was dedicated with ceremonies due
the donor and befitting the purpose for which erect-
ed, Miss Helen Gould attending the dedication. Addres-
ses were delivered by Governor E. W. Hoch of Kansas,
Brigadier-General Charles B. Hall, Rev. Chas. M.
136
136
Jl^ort ?Ipauf timnrtij
Sheldon, author of "In His Steps," and William B.
Millar, International Secretary of the Army and Na-
vy Department of the Y. M. C. A. Additional cere-
monies were conducted in the evening exclusively
for the enHsted men. Miss Gould was the guest of
honor, and received from the thousand and more men
present a welcome she will always remember.
The plans for the building were drawn by Mr.
T. C. Link, of St. Louis, approved by Miss Gould,
the International Committee and the military author-
ities, and the contract awarded to Mr. James A. Mc-
Gonigle, of Leavenworth.
Upon the south wall of the lobby a brass tablet
was placed bearing the following inscription:
This Building was Erected for the
Army and Navy Department of the
International Committee By
HELEN MILLER GOULD
In Loving Memory of Her Father
JAY GOULD
October 23, 1907
Since the banners of the Young Men's Christian
Association have always been dedicated to virtue and
not to creed, and its methods of work have been
along sane and practical lines, Miss Gould's gift has
been a very great contribution to the moral and re-
ligious welfare and contentment of the enlisted men
of the Fort Leavenworth garrison.
In the little over four years that the building has
been open a great work has been carried on for the
men of the post, in the varied lines of Association
activities. Bible classes and religious services have
A LOBBY SCENE IN THE ARMY Y. M. C. A. BUILDING
• \:Mm. •••*.
i^»^: •
^ A'- !
\
:^^^^M
GYMNASIUM, ARMY Y. M. C. A.
dtB Olljurriira anb ^rl|oola 137
been held and a very large number of men have been
touched by them. A strong educational work has
also been done. Practical and helpful courses have
been given, under competent instructors, at very
low cost to the men, and many have availed them-
selves of this opportunity for profitably putting in
some of their leisure hours. Athletics, too, have
come in for their part. Baseball, football, basket-
ball and bowling occupying the foreground. Socials
and entertainments of various kinds have been given
from time to time, all of which greatly appre-
ciated by the men.
In fact almost any man's taste or fancy may be
met in the magnificent building with its spacious and
comfortable lobby, reading and correspondence
room, well selected library, educational class and
study rooms, finely equipped gymnasium, baths,
bowling alleys, bilHard and pool tables, and many
other features to be found in the building,
From the annual report of the Secretary of the
Fort Leavenworth branch of the association the fol-
lowing interesting figures are gleaned and give one
a fair idea of the work that is being accomplished:
Men at post, 2,000: total membership, 300; on
committees, 60; average daily attendance, 180.
Letters written, 17,772,
Visits to sick, 120,
Entertainments, 42; attendance, 3,912,
Games played — Bowling, 660; pool, 2,962; other
games, 7,727,
Gospel meetings— Number, 81; total attend-
ance, 3,355,
Bible classes— Number, 4; enrollment, 300; total
attendance, 8,660,
Church parties — Number, 23; total attend-
ance, 330,
1S8 Jffnrt H^atirumnrtli
Attendance classes, meetings and church par-
ties for year, 12,345; professed conversions, 139;
joined church, 26.
Attendance two gymnasium classes, 860,
Exercises outside classes, 1,168,
On athletic teams, 59,
Visitors at gymnasium games, 1,646,
Visitors to outside games, 400,
Number of educational classes, 18,
Number of different students, 180,
Lectures and practical talks, 8,
Total attendance at same, 225,
Volumes loaned and traveling libraries, 1,320,
Times used, 4,674,
Testaments distributed, 150.
To Chaplain Axton belongs the credit for the
success achieved in this work. He zealously assisted
in planning and then watching the work of construc-
tion, and remained at the post long enough to reahze
to the fullest extent a long cherished hope and a
meeting of every expectation when the great work
was undertaken.
The present secretary of the local branch is Mr.
H. W. Chaffee, who has had a great deal of exper-
ience in this class of work in navy branches.
Following is the law under which the Secre-
tary of War granted a license for the erection of the
building:
An act for the authorization of the erection of
buildings by the International Committee of Young
Men's Christian Association on military reservations
of the United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives of the United States of America in Con-
gress assembled, That authority is hereby given to
the Secretary of War, in his discretion, to grant per-
BIBLE CLASS OF THE ARMY Y. M. C A.
LIBRARY BEFORE CALL TO EDUCATIONAL CLASSES
OF THE ARMY Y. M. C. A.
3lt0 (ElntrdifB mxh ^cl^oois 139
mission by revocable license to the International
Committee of Young Men's Christian Association of
North America to erect and maintain, on the mili-
tary reservations within the United States or its is-
land possessions, such buildings, as their v^ork for
the promotion of the social, physical welfare of the
garrison may require, under such regulations as the
Secretary of War may impose.
Approved May 3, 1902.
iimHian Ekwit
®lf^ Pnat'a i^rtjnnl iFarilitirs
141
CHAPTER XVI
THE POST'S SCHOOL FACILITIES -PUBLIC SCHOOL
MAINTAINED BY STATE OF KANSAS
IJ'NTIL within the last decade Fort Leavenworth's
^ educational facilities for the children of the
post were limited to the class of schools provided by
the government and the maintenance of private schools
at the expense of those whose children attended them.
The distance between many posts and nearby com-
munities made it inconvenient for small children to at-
tend their public schools; except where rapid transit
permitted.
Under the law of 1838 authorizing the appoint-
ment of chaplains*, it was also provided that they
serve as school teachers at posts where tuition was
necessary. These schools v/ere, however, in most
instances mere makeshifts, schools in name only,
and did not at all answer the educational require-
ments of the youth even in those early days when
the three R's were supposed to be sufficient to meet
the ordinary demands for an education. Later the
detail of enlisted men as "school masters" was au-
thorized. This was an improvement on the primeval
method the government practiced. Where compe-
tent soldiers were found such details were usually
made to assist the chaplains, or rather perform the
work under their direction.
* Under the provisions of this law the post council of
Fort Leavenworth appointed the Rev. Henry Gregory its
chaplain. Upon taking up this labor in a new field, the chap-
lain established a school as provided for by law. This gives
Fort Leavenworth the distinction of having had in its midst
the first school for white children upon Kansas soil.
143
iJfJi, Jffflrt iC^atirnmortlj
In recent years, however, frontier posts have
become a thing of the past; v^hile rapid transit facili-
ties have made it possible at most military stations
for army children to attend the public schools of the
nearby communities which, in nearly all instances,
furnish free tuition. With the improved condi-
tions the methods so long in use in the army have
been thrown in the discard except where it is not
practicable to send the smaller children to a dis-
tant public school and where a kindergarten edu-
cation as will meet requirements.
Fort Leavenworth is today the most favored of
all military stations in the United States in the way
of school facilities for her youth. Not only does the
post enjoy the free use of the city's public schools,
but additional facilities are furnished in a pubHc
school within the post, supplied at the expense of
the State of Kansas.
Before detailing the causes that led up to, and
the methods pursued which finally secured such splen-
did school privileges for the post, it is believed to
be quite appropriate to reproduce at this point an ex-
tract from a paper on ''Education in Kansas" by E.
T. Fairchild, State Superintendent of Public Instruc-
tion. It will indicate why the state responded so
promptly to requests for assistance along educational
lines at this post and at the same time lay the found-
ation for what is to follow:
''Kansas is the second state in the Union in point
of literacy. The advance made by the public schools
since its organization as a state is fully abreast of
the splendid progress made in all other directions. A
brief comparison of the statistics then and now will
clearly establish this fact.
* 'Fifty years ago the value of all public school
property was $10,000; today it is $20,800,000.00. Dur-
ing this same time the school population has grown
from less than 5,000 to 516,000. The amount paid
out for school purposes in 1863 was $54,000, while in
1910 it was $9,000,000.00.
* 'Fifty years ago the average length of the
school term in weeks was 12.8, while now it is 30.
That is to say 27.2 weeks have been added. The
number of teachers employed has increased from 200
to 13,467. For salaries of teachers the amount has
grown from $14,000 to $5,700,000.00. The salaries
of teachers has increased from an average of $18 to
$61 a month.
"But these are in large part but evidences of the
material growth of our schools. And this materal
betterment is most gratifying. It is a long cry from
the little sod school house of 1861 to the splendid
school buildings of today. The high school build-
ings, unheard of in the early days of our state, are
marvels of beauty and excellence. Ranging in cost
from $10,000 to $200,000, they stand as splendid ex-
amples of twentieth century care and consideration
for the well being of our youth. The country school-
house, too, is feeling the effect of modern apprecia-
tion of the esthetic and the value of a proper en-
vironment for the child. Proper lighting, heating
and ventilation are now regarded as essential qual-
ities.
"But, better than all of these is the demand for
more thoroughly and more widely trained teachers.
However well the teachers of the early sixties met
the need of the times, the teacher of today must be
vastly better trained. Our views of what the schools
must do for the child have radically changed. To
prepare our boys and girls for the active duties of a
new and wonderful age requires much more than a
passing knowledge of the three R's. The twentieth
lJf6 3vitt ICrattrnmortly
century that promises to be the most complex, the
most strenuous and the most democratic of all ages
calls for a broader and a more comprehensive train-
ing than sufficed for our fathers/'
When in 1899 the war department decided upon
the enlargement of Fort Leavenworth, a considera-
ble increase of its even then large school population,
was anticipated. The need for improved facilities
for the education of the children of soldiers, officers
and civilian employes was so apparent that imme-
diate steps were taken to secure them. The effort re-
sulted in the obtainment of a law from the Kansas leg-
islature organizing the Fort Leavenworth Military
Reservation into a separate school district ar,d provi-
ding it with the necessary machinery for operation
under its general school laws.
When the state ceded back to the federal govern-
ment its jurisdiction over the territory embraced
within the reservation it retained the right to tax
the corporate interests within its limits. Up to the
time of this enactment the reservation had been di-
vided by the superintendent of Public Instruction
for Leaven v/orth county for school taxing purposes
by adding the divisions to adjoining districts on the
north and west, thus giving these districts the oppor-
tunity to tax these properties and reducing thereby
their own expenses.
The value of the taxable property within the
Fort Leavenworth district, according to the assess-
ment for 1911 is $506,840.00, tenth in valuation in
the county. With a levy of forty-five cents on every
one hundred dollars of taxable property, that being
the maximum allowed by the general school laws of
the state, the district last year realized $2,265.75.
To this add the apportionment made from the state
school fund, which the special law directs, and
iftfi (lIl|urd|rB ixwh grtiimlB 1^?
which last year was $205.64, the Fort Leavenworth
school district enjoys a revenue per annum of
$2,371,39.
The idea of securing from the legislature a
special enactment providing for the organization of
the Fort Leavenworth Military Reservation as a
separate district was born of the failure to secure
from the Leavenworth Board of Education authority
to admit Fort children to its schools, without the
payment of a tuition fee. The author, who had pre-
sented a petition to the board praying for such ac-
tion, knew its refusal did not represent the senti-
ment of the community. This refusal determined
him to even greater effort and victory finally came
all along the Hne. Its fruits are now enjoyed by the
residents of the post.
This failure, however, was only temporary. The
author, who had undertaken to obtain improved
school facilities at the post, hit upon the idea em-
braced within the law under which its public school
is now conducted. He presented his views to Mr.
R. C. Middleton, an attorney, who agreed with him
upon the propriety of such a law. A bill was drawn
and forwarded to State Senator Louis H. Wulfekuhl-
er of Leavenworth County within a few days of the
close of the session of 1901, urgently requesting
to secure its passage. The prompt action of the legis-
lature was proof that it recognized the justice of the
request, and to Senator Wulfekuhler is due great
credit for his effort,
The text of the law is as follows:
An act creating a school district out of the Fort
Leavenworth military reservation.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of
Kansas.
iJfS S^nrt fUrau^nmnrtli
Section 1. That the Fort Leavenworth Mihtary
Reservation, by and with the consent of the War
Department of the United States, be and the same
is hereby set apart, established and created a school
district, to be designated and known as the ''Fort
Leavenworth school district/'
Section 2. That the board of county commis-
sioners of the county of Leavenworth, Kansas, be
and is hereby authorized and empowered to establish
maintain and conduct a common school upon the
said Fort Leavenworth military reservation, the same
as other district schools under the general school
laws of the state; provided that the duties and pov/-
ers of officers of school districts under the general
school laws shall, for the purpose of this act, de-
volve upon and be exercised by the said board of
county commissioners, which said board is hereby
empowered and authorized to levy a tax each year
upon the franchises and property of railroad com-
panies, bridge companies and other corporations on
said reservation, as may be deemed necessary, to es-
tablish, maintain and conduct said district school,
not to exceed in any one year the maximum rate au-
thorized by law to be levied by the trustees of other
school districts within said county and state, and
Provided further, That no part of the taxes so
levied or collected shall at any time be used in the
erection of a school building or buildings upon the
said military reservation, and such moneys shall only
be used and expended in establishing, maintaining and
conducting a common school or schools upon such
reservation, in such building or buildings thereon as
may be provided by the War Department or the De-
partment of Justice, the use of which may be per-
mitted or authorized by the commanding officer in
charge at Fort Leavenworth or by the warden at
the Federal Prison at said Fort Leavenworth.
3ltfi (El|urrhrfi <xnh iirlyiiolB H9
Section 3. That for the purpose of listing, as-
sessing and valuing the franchises and property of
railroad companies, bridge companies and other cor-
porations on said reservation, and in order that the
taxes for school purposes may be levied and collect-
ed thereon, it is hereby made the duty of revenue
officers of the state or the county of Leavenworth, as
the case may be, according to the class or character
of the franchise or property to be taxed for the pur-
pose of this act, to do and perform whatever acts or
things are or may be necessary to be done or per-
formed, to all intents and purposes the same as such
officer or officers are or may be required by law to do
or perform under the general school laws of the
state, and to the same extent as if such franchises
and properties were not situated upon the Fort
Leavenworth Military Reservation; Provided,
That the franchises and property of the railroad
companies, bridge companies and other cor-
porations so taxed under the provisions of this
act shall not be liable for school taxes in any other
school district; and. Provided further, That the coun-
ty treasurer of the county of Leavenworth shall be
ex officio treasurer of the said Fort Leavenworth
district school.
Section 4. A school census shall be taken, as
required by law, of all children of school age situated,
living or residing upon said military reservation, and
for the purpose of this act such school census shall
be taken by the superintendent of schools in and for
the said county of Leavenworth, a copy of which
shall be kept on file in his office, and he shall file a
copy thereof with the state superintendent of public
instruction, as required by law, under the general
school laws; and any and all moneys apportioned by
the state to the county of Leavenworth or the district
150 Fnrt Siraurnmortlf
schools therein shall be so apportioned that said Fort
Leavenworth district school shall have and receive
its just proportion thereof, which amount shall be
paid into the hands of the country treasurer of Leav-
enworth county for the use and benefit of said school
district.
Section 5. All acts and parts of acts in conflict
with this act are hereby repealed.
Section 6. That this act shall take effect and
be in force from and after its publication in the offi-
cial state paper.
Published in official state paper March 29, 1901,
The law reached the governor too late before the
closing hours of legislative session to permit its ex-
amination and became effective, without his signa-
ture, after publication in the official state paper.
The following letter from Senator Wulfekuhler
deserves place here:
Leavenworth, Kansas,
July 29, 1910.
Henry Shindler,
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas,
My Dear Sir:— Replying to your communication of
the 28th rcjlative to an Act of the Legislature of the
State of Kansas entitled **An Act to estabhsh and
maintain a Public School on the Fort Leavenworth
Military Reservation in the State of Kansas" being
Senate Bill No. 512, passed in the regular session of
the Legislature in 1901, will say that this bill was
sent to me by yourself stating that being nearly at
the end of the session you had Mr. Middleton, then
a resident of this city, prepare the bill, and the day
that I received the bill, I introduced the same in the
Kansas State Senate and I believe gave a copy to
Hon. John M. Hund then representing the Sixth Le-
3tfi (lll|«rrl)r0 anb i^rl|aola i5i
gislative District* of this county to introduce in the
House just as received. The Senate bill was passed
first and messaged to the House as fast as the same
could be done the same then passed by the House
and became a law. The bill as sent me by you was
not changed in any word, figure or syllable but
passed and became a law just as sent to me by your-
self.
Yours Very Truly,
L. H. WULFEKUHLER
The post authorities did not avail themselves of
this grant until 1906, a building for school purposes
not being available. In the year named a building
for many years occupied by the post commander, was
set aside for the purpose and the school established.
The attention of the mihtary authorities was called
to the post's inadequate school facilities by Colonel
H. 0. Perley, Surgeon, Medical Corps, in charge of
the school as local manager, representing the par-
ents of pupils. The response was prompt and to the
effect that plans and estimates be prepared and for-
warded for approval. This has been done and a site
selected. The latter is on the east side of the gar-
rison, fronting Merritt Place, an excellent location,
secluded, yet convenient, it being in the very center
of the post's school population. The plans were
drawn along modern lines for a school building and
are very complete in every detail. It's cost is to be
$20,000.
Subsequent to the enactment of the law for a
public school at the post, an election was held in the
city of Leavenworth for members for the board of
education. The friends for a free school for the
Fort Leavenworth children took an active part in the
* The Fort Leavenworth Military Reservation lies within
this district.
152 Wott KiniMmmtixthi
contest, resulting in the overwhelming defeat of
every candidate unfavorable to such demand.
Among the first acts of the nev/ board was the adop-
tion of the resolution, w^hich follows, introduced by
Mr. W. N. Todd, to-wit:
That Regulation No. 7 be amended by
adding the follovving: Provided, That no
tuition shall be charged residents of Fort
Leavenworth and Soldiers' Home, in the
graded schools.
It is the sense of the board that no tui-
tion be collected from High school pupils,
and that pupils of the Fort and Soldiers'
Home be considered as resident pupils.
Adopted September 15, 1902.
Notwithstanding that the post has its own public
school, a number of the children attend the public
schools of the city and all qualified attend its High
school.
The local press was unanimous in the support of
the board's action as the following indicates:
A SPLENDID MOVE
(Western Life)
In opening the doors of our public schools to the
children of Fort Leavenworth and the Soldiers' Home
on the same footing with the actual resident children
of the city the board of education has done a com-
mendable thing. It is our duty to cultivate the most
friendly relations with the people of the Fort and
Home and every action of this character will be
viewed in the spirit in which it is taken.
The vote on the proposition was almost unanim-
ous and the people will approve its action.
To Mr. Henry Shindler much of the credit is due
for finally securing favorable results. He has been
endeavoring to obtain this privelege for the past two
3lta (El|urrl|fa att^ S>rl|unl0 153
years. It has required a complete change in the per-
sonnel of the board. Not another man in this com-
munity is so well qualified to discuss every phase of
Fort Leavenworth affairs as Mr. Shindler and the
presentation of the facts to the present board made
up of broad minded men, has been done in a manner
that carried conviction with it.
CHAPTER XVII
A PAROCHIAL SCHOOL AT THE POST CONDUCTED FOR
MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS
/|THE large Catholic population of the post forced the
^ church authorities to provide suitable school fac-
ilities for the youth of that faith. The Jesuit fathers
were, at this time, 1868, in charge, and these asked
the services of the Sisters of Charity of Leaven-
v^orth Mount St. Mary's Academy, to assist. The
latter were encouraged to take up this v/ork by Mrs.
Schofield, the wife of Major General J. M. Schofield,*
then an official resident of the post. Rooms for this
purpose were obtained on the first floor of a building
known as "Bedlam,^'* on the west side of the gar-
*In his "Forty-six Years in the Army" General Schofield
says: "The department headquarters were removed to St.
Louis during the winter of 1869-70 to make room at Fort
Leavenworth for the cavalry who had been on the plains dur-
ing the summer * * * We returned to Fort Leavenworth
in the following spring, and expected to make that our per-
manent home. Some necessary improvements had been
made in the quarters during the winter, and none could have
desired a more comfortable residence, more congenial com-
panionship, or more agreeable occupation than that of guard-
ing and protecting the infant settlements of industrious but
unarmed and confiding people rapidly spreading far out
upon the plains."
"It was a large two storj^ frame, with front and back
porches and stone basement. It was the quarters of unmar-
ried officers, with an officers' mess attached. (A lieutenant
in those days would be content with one room, and all of his
furniture would not be worth twenty-five dollars.) 'Twas
here they fought the battles o'er, from West Point and the
girls they left behind them, through the swamps of Florida,
the wilds of Texas, over the great plains, the mountains, on
165
156 IFnrt Crau^nmottli
rison. There the school was conducted for some
years and then removed to St. Ignatius chapel. Rev.
Father O'Reilley caused a part of the main church
auditorium to be partitioned off for this purpose and
it was so used for a number of years, when the sisters
removed the school to a building constructed for the
purpose. The correspondence which follows ex-
plains how the school building came to be erected:
Leavenworth, Kansas,
Hon. G. M. McCrary, August 31, 1877.
Secretary of War,
Washington, D. C.
Your Honor:~I, the Roman Cathohc Bishop of
the diocese of Leavenworth, Kan., beg leave most
respectfully to submit the following to your kind
consideration: My predecessor, Bishop J. B. Miege,
addressed to the Secretary of War a petition, en-
dorsed by the commanding general of the Depart-
ment of the Missouri, setting forth the great need of
church facilities for the Catholic officers, soldiers
and civilians in the employ of the United States
government at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and
praying that a piece of ground be set apart for the
creation of suitable church buildings for said mem-
bers of the church at the aforementioned Fort. An
order was then issued by the War Department dated
January 10, 1871, in virtue of which a piece of
ground 200 feet square, was set apart and permission
granted for the erection of a Roman Catholic church
at the expense of its mem.bers. A good brick build-
ing was put up and suitably furnished at a cost of
the Pacific Slope and the fields of Mexico. 'Twas here they
met after tedious campaigns, recounted their triumphs, dis-
appointments and hardships; through heat, cold, hunger and
disease — and now the feast, if not always of reason, at least
the flow of soul -and other things."— P. G. Lowe, in ^^Five
Years a Dragoon.^^
3itB OIliitrrhfB ati& frlinnlfi i57
$10,000. Before the church was built the mihtary
authorities had assigned an old frame building for
church as well as for school purpose, and for
the latter purpose it served until a year ago when
the attending clergyman was notified to vacate the
building, as it would be needed for post purposes.
The school was conducted by Sisters of Charity. For
the last year the school was kept up at the expense
of the members of the church at the Fort at the
church edifice. Hov/ever, as this building is entirely
unsuitable for school purposes, I beg leave most re-
spectfully to petition your honor in behalf of the
Catholic officers, soldiers and civilians at the Fort, to
grant permission, that the members of the Roman
Catholic congregation of said post may erect a proper
and suitable school building on the church premises
and will ever pray to be, honorable sir.
Your most obedient servant,
(Signed) LOUIS M. FINK, 0. S. B.,
Roman Catholic Bishop of Leavemvorth.
Headquarters of the Army,
Adjutant General's Office,
Washington, D. C, Oct. 27, 1877,
To THE Commanding General,
Department of Missouri,
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Sir:— I have the honor to inform you that the
Secretary of War^ has approved the request of the
Roman Catholic Bishop of Leavenworth, returned by
your endorsement of the 10th inst, for permission to
erect a building for school purposes, on the lot of
land heretofore set apart for the occupancy of the
Catholic church on the Fort Leavenworth military
reservation with the distinct understanding that the
158 Jffiirt 2I^a»eumortl|
building is to be removed whenever the land is re-
quired by the United States.
I am sir, Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) E. D. TOWNSEND,
Adjutant General.
The terms in the permit were accepted. Plans
were drawn by Major Dallas* then stationed at the
post and a devoted member of the church. The
building was placed west of ''Union Hair' and is at
present the northeast corner of Thomas and Kearney
avenues. There the building remained until 1889
when it was removed to the site of the new church
and later torn down.
Of the Sisters who taught here Sister Mary
Francis was perhaps the best known. She is said to
have been a remarkable little woman and well re-
membered for the way in which she could lay the
lash to the shoulders of the loafers in her school,
many of whom were taller than herself.
In the ''History of the Sisters of Charity of
Leavenworth'' considerable space is devoted to their
school work at the post and from this the following
extracts about good sister Mary Francis are repro-
duced:
"Rev. Father Panken, S. J., was pastor, and
when Mother Xavier told him that she proposed to
send Sister Mary Francis McMahon to the Fort as
one of the two teachers required, he hesitated— then
unhesitatingly objected, saying that Sister Mary
Francis was too old and too— ugly.
"Sister Mary Francis was not so exceedingly old,
she was forty at the time, but looked years and
*Major Alexander James Dallas, 28d Infantry. He was
stationed at this post from 1877 until 1879. He came of a dis-
tinguished family, a member of which was Vice-President
under President Polk. Major Dallas died July 19, 1895.
3ltB (!Il)urrl)rB an^ #rl|ool0 159
years older; she died May 26, 1894, at the age of
sixty-two, but she was not by any means a beauty;
she was homely in feature, but her manners were
refined, her movements graceful, her whole bearing
ladylike and commanding respect. She proved a very
successful teacher at the Fort, where she remained
for twelve years continuously.'^
And this concerning the school and the work re
quired of the Sisters:
"At that time there was no Catholic school house
at the Fort, so a government building was used for
that purpose. The building thus loaned to the Sisters
for school was taken three or four times during the
year for different purposes. This was annoying to
both teachers and pupils, so finally the Government
allowed a Catholic Church to be built at the Fort, and
here the Sisters taught for two years. The com-
manding officers were always kind and respectful to
the Sisters; even the Protestant ministers v/ere most
polite and attentive. For a while the Sisters taught
in the Episcopal Church, whilst their own was in
course of completion. The Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Woart,
was very kind to the Sisters, frequently inviting
them to his house for luncheon, and when the Sisters
would decline, he would express his concern at their
having to partake of a cold collation. The kind rev-
erend gentlemen would undoubtedly have raised his
hands in holy astonishment if he had been granted
an interior view of a small basket that accompanied
the Sisters to and fro on their daily trips, for it con-
tained some slices of dry bread and a bottle of coffee
—usually this, seldom more,
'Quoth the raven, seldom more.''
"After they had been some time teaching in their
own church, they had the honor of two or three visits
from Mrs. W. T. Sherman, who expressed herself
160 3ixtX Sl^aupttmortt?
highly gratified at such a flourishing Catholic school
at a post, the only post in the Union that had a
Catholic church. On the occasion of her last visit
she gave one hundred and fifty suitable books to be
distributed as premiums to the children of the school.
Her great delight was to come after Mass and spend
an hour with the Sisters. Mrs. Sherman was, at this
time, a guest of General Miles, who was a relative of
hers. She had with her her youngest son, who was
thirteen years of age and and a lover of the saddle.
'*In the morning an ambulance was sent for the
Sisters, and the same conveyance brought them home
after school hours. One bright, delightful spring
morning, as the Sisters were on their way to the
Fort, they passed this young lad and his cousins rid-
ing rapidly towards the city. The boy was not an
expert rider; he had a mettlesome horse, and as he
was going very fast, he lost his balance and fell,
and in falling his foot caught in the stirrup, and
thus he was dragged for some distance, when one of
the prisoners, an Irishman, who was working on the
road, came to his assistance at the risk of his life —
for a guard stood with loaded gun, ready to shoot
any man that left his post.
''When this news reached Mrs. Sherman, and
her son had been restored to her arms, badly bruised,
but not seriously injured, she sent for the brave
prisoner, told him to ask what he would, and it should
be granted him. She had him pardoned that day,
supplied him Hberally with clothing, presented him
with a handsome sum of money, and obtained for
him honorable employment.*'
The pupils of the parochial school came largely
from a section of the post known as "Happy Hol-
low,'' on the site now occupied by the engineer and
artillery stables. The residents of * ' Happy Hollow ' '
3ftH (EIiurrlfFB anb ^t\}oo{B 161
were employes of the quartermaster's and subsistence
departments. Early in the eighties the authorities
decided on the removal of all buildings on the site.
It was there where lived the Flannigans, the Cronins,
the Buckleys, the Logans, the O'Connors, the Mc-
Guires, the Kinerneys and many others of similar
name and nativity. The removal of this large Cath-
olic population from the reservation to the city wiped
out of existence the post's recruiting station for the
parochial school and the facilities for easily reach-
ing the parochial schools of the city, made it im-
possible to maintain the local school and was finally
closed down in 1904.
ituifitnu ©uifluf
Sljr P00t*0 (HtmHnwB
163
CHAPTER XVIII
FORT LEAVENWORTH'S NEW AND OLD CEMETERIES
FURNISH INTERESTING HISTORY
WITH a view of preserving for the future a history
of the post's burial ground, past and present,
its publication within these pages was believed to be
appropriate and it is hoped will prove as interesting
as that which precedes it.
Originally there were two cemeteries at Fort
Leavenworth. The first came with the establish-
ment of the post in 1827 and was known as the
* 'soldiers' burying ground". It was located within
what are nov/ the limits of the grounds attached to
the residence of the commandant of the Army Ser-
vice Schools. Here v/ere buried the soldiers, and
many civilians w^ho, in the post's early history, died
in its vicinity; some having been brought from the
plains along the Santa Fe trail and even as far south
as Santa Fe, New Mexico. This two cemetery
was discontinued in 1860. Late in the fifties it was
decided to establish an ordnance arsenal at Fort Leav-
enworth. The grounds occupied as a cemetery and
those adjoining were considered as best adapted for
an arsenal site. The selection was approved. Or-
ders reached the post late in the year 1860 to aban-
don the cemetery, locate a new site and disinter all
remains for transfer to the new location.
The second cemetery, known as the ''officers'
burying ground", was estabhshed subsequently. It
has not bean possible to ascertain the exact date.
The site selected was upon the brow of the hill,
fronting the Missouri River and directly east of the
College building, knovv^n in early days as "rattle-
165
66 3titt 2i^aufnutortl|
snake hill", from the fact that the ground was in-
fested with rattlesnakes. * Here were buried many
of the officers who died at this and neighboring mili-
tary posts and also many civilians.
Mr. E. T. Carr,t for many years superintendent
of construction quite famihar with all the surround-
ings of the post at that time was in charge of
the disinterment of the remains from both ceme-
teries and their transfer to the newly selected site, in
a letter written by him some years ago giving his
recollection of this subject says:
''Soon after the establishment of the arsenal
came the order to remove the bodies from the old
'soldiers burying ground' to the present site— in or-
der to make room for quarters for the command-
ing officer of the arsenal. These are the quarters
now occupied by the Army Service School's com-
mandant.
"In the early spring of 1861, by direction of Cap-
tain J. L. Reno, ordnance officer, then in charge of
the arsenal, I made a contract with R. V. Flora,
of Leavenworth, to remove the bodies. The work
was performed by him under my supervision and all
* In his "Annals of Plabie County, Missouri", Mr. W. M,
Paxton, who at this writing is past the age of ninety, speaks
of this site as having been infested with rattlesnakes, but
never knew of anyone having been fatally poisoned by them.
§ E. T. Carr, a native of Syracuse, N. Y., came to Fort
Leavenworth in 1855. Under Major E. S. Sibley, quartermas-
ter of the post, he had charge of the construction of many
buildings. Later he was employed as superintendent of con-
struction by the ordnance department and all buildings which
comprised the old arsenal, were constructed under his direc-
tion. In this position he continued until 1871. In the mean
time he planned many public buildings for the county and
state including the capitol at Topeka. He occupied the res-
ponsible position of Grand Recorder for the Masonic Grand
Lodge of the state, and chairman of the committee on "For-
eign Correspondence" for many years.
3ft0 (2IJ|urrl)rB m\h ^rI|nola 167
bodies taken up where the appearance of a grave
could be found. These were placed in rows, in
trenches along the upper side of the new cemetery
nearest the main road (northwest), all head stones
or other means of identification being carefully pre-
served and placed over each body.
"How many were left in the old cemetery will
probably never be known.*
**The bodies from the 'officers burying ground'
were not removed until two or three years later and
I had charge of their removal also. This was a
small enclosure and contained a number of monu-
ments, headstones, etc. But there were many graves
with nothing to mark them, before removing any of
these bodies I made a measured diagram of the en-
closure, locating all visible graves, and giving names
of all I could, and where the names were not known
the distance and direction from other graves, ob-
jects, such as trees, etc. Some graves had probably
become entirely obscured. This diagram I left with
the Depot Quartermaster for future reference."
In 1867, owing to the many burials of soldiers
who served in the army during the civil war and
were killed, or died in this section who were buried
in this cemetery, it was declared a National Ceme-
tery under the law passed at that time and a super-
intendent placed in charge. Notwithstanding that
only those who died in the army or navy, or honor-
ably discharged, were entitled to burial in such
cemetery, the post continued to bury there its dead
regardless of the restrictions of the National Ceme-
tery law.
* Since the abandonment of this cemetery the grounds
have been frequently graded and much excavation has been
done for the erection of buildings which lead to the uncover-
ing of many bones of the soldier dead. These were always
carefully collected and given proper burial in the new ceme-
tery among the "unknown dead".
168 Effort Craui*nm0rtl^
In 1883 the Quartermaster General of the army
(Ingalls) called attention to this law with the result
that the post was compelled to look elsewhere for a
burial ground. This was regarded as a hardship and the
department, later authorized an extension of the
grounds toward the south. In the meantime, Colo-
nel Otis, then in command of the post, set off a small
plot adjoining the northeast corner of the cemetery
wall and surrounded it with a barbed wire fence. A
few bu.ials were made there of children and adults.
The new addition in the main cemetery was called
the ''post plot'' and placed directly under the con-
trol of the post commander. The abandonment of
many of the frontier posts brought all the dead from
such post cemeteries to the local National Cemetery,
requiring a second extension.
Up to March 1, 1912, there have been 3,936
burials in this cemetery. Of this number 2,353 are
among the known and 1,583 among the unknown
dead. Among the known dead seven Confederate
soldiers are included. The government has placed
a regulation head stone at the grave of each of
these soldiers.
Since the establishment of the National Ceme-
tery there have been five superintendents, as fol-
lows:
Hugh M, Fogg,
Noble Warwick,
WilHam Dillon,
Max Ritter,
A. V. Menuez, (now in charge).
The first lodge for the cemetery superintendent
with the stone wall surrounding the grounds was
constructed in 1873-74, the former costing $2,551.60,
the latter $3,067.99.
In 1886-87 the grounds were extended towards
the south at a cost of $2,403.50. The rostrum on the
3(tH (lIl|urrI|rH aub S>rljoul0 i^5
grounds adjoining the cemetery on the north was
erected in 1882-83 at a cost of $1,946.75.
Prior to the erection of the stone wall about the
cemetery grounds a picket fence served the purpose.
Several years ago the first lodge was destroyed by
fire and a modern building placed upon the site.
CHAPTER XIX
DISTINGUISHED DEAD LIE AT REST IN FORT LEAVEN-
WORTH CEMETERY
AMONG the many distinguished dead, at rest in the
cemetery at the post, are the names of officers
who have rendered valuable service to their country
upon the Plains in the earliest day of its occupancy
of this section. Among these is General Henry
Leavenworth, in whose honor the post was named.
General Leavenworth died July 21, 1834, while
in command of an important expedition against hos-
tile Pawnees. His remains, after a temporary in-
terment near the place of demise, were removed to
Delhi, New York, where they arrived the following
year. In 1901 a movement was undertaken in Leav-
enworth to have the remains brought to this post for
final interment.
The Leavenworth Chronicle-Tribune of Decem-
ber 1, 1901, furnishes the following account of that
eifort:
''The transfer of the body of the late General
Henry Leavenworth from its resting place in the
cemetery at Delhi, N. Y., to the National cemetery
at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., is a proposition Henry
Shindler has undertaken and its success is therefore
virtually assured.
"With this object in view he obtained permission
of the only hving descendants -three grandchildren
—and their authority is now on file in the Depart-
ment of War at Washington.
"The idea of transferring the body to the Fort
Leavenworth National cemetery grew out of a news-
171
172 Ifott ^mMttmiort\}
paper paragraph which appeared some four years
ago to the effect that the grave at Delhi, N. Y.,
which contained General Leavenworth's body was
almost forgotten and no relatives lived near there to
care for it. It struck Mr. Shindler that the transfer
of the body to Fort Leavenworth would not only be
appropriate, because General Leavenworth selected
the site where Fort Leavenworth now stands, but
the grave would be kept green as long as the republic
stands.
"Mr. Shindler promptly set to work to ascertain
the names and whereabouts of living descendants to
secure their authority for the removal. After a long
and persistent effort their location was established,
and the proposition, when placed before them, not
only received their unanimous approval, but authority
for its immediate accomphshment.
''Armed with this permit, Mr. Shindler enlisted
Leavenworth's Commercial Club in the undertaking
over a year ago and upon his suggestion Senator
Baker was requested to present the matter to the
Secretary of War with a view to having the dis-
interment, shipment to, and reinterment at Fort
Leavenworth ordered. The senator endeavored to
induce Secretary Root to comply with the Club's
request, but without avail. Last summer when the
Secretary visited Fort Leavenworth, Mr. Shindler,
in the presence of a Chronicle-Tribune reporter,
again broached the subject to him, but the Secretary
could not see his way clear. He said that he would
like to oblige the citizens of Leavenworth, but that
it was out of the question for the reason that there
was no appropriation available for removing the body
from the New York cemetery to this place.
*' 'The Department,' he said, 'will gladly give
the permit for the interment of the body in the
3lta OIl|«rrI|pfi anb 0rl|aola 173
National cemetery here, but this is as far as it
can go. ^
"When the Department declined to grant Sena-
tor Baker's request for the transfer of the body, the
session of Congress was then too near its close to
permit the initiation of proceedings looking to a
special appropriation, and nothing, beyond broaching
the subject to the Secretary of War, has since then
been done.
"Mr. Shindler has now determined to bring the
matter to a successful issue, and he has gone to work
with the vim and spirit so characteristic of him in
anything he undertakes.
"That the plan proposed will meet with
unanimous public approval need not be discussed
here. That is a certainty. It will at once commend
itself, not only to every man, woman, and child in
Leavenworth County, but every officer and soldier in
the Army will feel that the people of this community
will acquit themselves nobly by undertaking to carry
out such a proposition and thus pay proper tribute
and respect to one whom the entire West owe a
lasting debt for his valiant services.
"It is Mr. Shindler's further idea that after the
body is brought here and laid away for its final and
eternal rest, a pubHc subscription be started through-
out the county and city through which to obtain
sufficient means for the erection of a monument
worthy of the dead soldier. He believes in having
the body brought here as soon as practicable, so that
funds may be raised in season and the monument
erected in time to permit the unveiling on next
Memorial Day, May 30, 1902.
*It is not any too soon to begin now,' said Mr.
Shindler today. 'Let us make the ceremony of un-
veiling of a character more imposing, if possible,
17 Jf 3txvX ^J^attfttttiflrth
than were witnessed during the unveiling of the
Grant statute at Fort Leavenworth in 1889. Let
these ceremonies be truly worthy of General Leaven-
worth and the United States Army at the same
time. Let us invite a distinguished soldier, General
Nelson A. Miles, if possible, to come here and
deliver the oration upon the occasion. Let us invite
the only living descendants of General Leavenworth,
three in number, to be the guests of the city for the
occasion. It would bring to Leavenworth an army of
people, the like of which was never witnessed in this
city. The day will be a national holiday. Every-
body will have an opportunity to attend, and there is
not a man, woman or child in Kansas, within easy
reach of this place, who would not willingly come to
Leavenworth on that day and assist in its proper
observance. Let us have a parade at the fort of
young and old soldiers that will be the largest of its
kind ever seen in Kansas. We have both here and
we can get many to join from other points.'
* 'The above is a general outline of Mr. Shindler's
proposition.*'
A GREAT SUCCESS
(From Western Life)
Memorial Day of 1902 will long be remembered
by those who witnessed the exercises in connection
with the re-interment of the late General Henry
Leavenworth. It was the grandest day in the his-
tory of the city. More than ten thousand strangers
entered her gates and more than twice that number
beheld the most imposing military spectacle ever
seen in the west. The presence of distinguished
mihtary men including such soldiers as General John
C. Bates; of civic officials including such as Governor
Dockery, of Missouri, with a brilliant military staff,
and of the church including such as Bishop Mills-
3ftB (UlyurrliM anb ^rlyaalH 175
paugh, of the Kansas Episcopal diocese, who came
to pay tribute to the soldier dead, added to the
greatness of the day. Besides Mrs. Dunn, of Chicago,
a granddaughter, and Miss Ingersoll, of Tacoma,
Washington, a great granddaughter, there were many
other relatives present.
The splendid display of the military was, of
course, a chief attraction in the parade. Much of its
success was due to the royal assistance rendered by
the commanding officer of the post and his subordi-
nates. Every one seemed to vie with each other to
make the day one worthy of remembrance, and they
succeeded. There have been many big demon-
strations in Leavenworth, but none of them ever
came up to last Friday's parade. There was not a
hitch anywhere. There wasn't even cause for criti-
cism. Everything was arranged with such nicety,
so thoroughly planned, that only praise was bestow-
ed upon those responsible for the results.
The person to whom this credit is largely due is
Mr. Henry Shindler, To him alone belongs the credit
for securing the transfer of the remains of General
Leavenworth and to his tact and diplomacy can the
fruits be ascribed. Referring to Mr. Shindler's
efforts the Delhi Republican in a recent issue said
that: **Mr. Shindler's tact and courtesy in effecting
the transfer of the remains without the least friction
from the conflicting interests, is to be highly com-
mended."
From the moment he announced last winter that
the transfer would be effected and re-interment made
in the National Cemetery with imposing ceremonies,
Mr. Shindler never wavered. He was confident of
success. It was this confidence that gave Him cour-
age, and with an executive ability so thoroughly dis-
closed in the management of the entire affair, gave
176 Jffort Sranpttmnrtij
Leavenworth a splendid example of what can be ac-
complished when the elements required to win are
present and put to good use.
The chairman of the committee, Mr. W. H. Bond,
gave Mr. Shindler the widest latitude and felt con-
tent that the arrangements would be well looked
after.
Western Life is pleased to give Mr. Shindler
the fullest credit. He is being congratulated on
every hand and feels grateful to his friends for the
many kind expressions uttered.
Relatives of General Leavenworth have sent him
the following card of thanks:
The members of the Leavenworth family, guests
of the city of Leavenworth, not only desire to express
their thanks for the royal entertainment extended
them, but wish to express their appreciation of the
efforts of Mr. Shindler, Secretary of the Citizens'
Committee, and all others who assisted him, for the
honors shown to the name and fame and memory of
our illustrious relative.
Mrs. C. J. KERSHAW,
Mrs. a. M. INGERSOLL,
Mrs. WILLIAM DUNN,
Granddaughters,
Miss A. C. Leavenworth.
Mrs. Mary Leavenworth-Smythe.
Mrs. Elizabeth Leavenworth-Farnsworth.
Hiram Leavenworth Ferris.
Anna Martin.
Francis Coon.
i-cMy'13
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LIBRARY
CONGRESS
