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978.101
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1336476
GENEALOG
COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBL
lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllfllllllllllllll
3 1833 01103 1686
HISTORY
OF
Leavenworth County
Kansas
By
JESSE A. HALL and LEROY T. HAND
' HALL
ILLUSTRATED
HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
TOPEKA. KANSAS
1921
±336476
JESSE A. HALL
LEROY T. HAND
FOREWORD
It is not an easy task to write the history of such a county as Leaven-
worth. Of all the counties in the State of Kansas, there is none so rich
in historical lore. Carved, as it was, out of the heart of the wild and un-
broken frontier; organized and developed amid the hardships and vicissi-
tudes of pioneer days, its story is one of unusual historic interest. Many
events had an influence in shaping its destiny. Less than a century ago,
the territory of which it is now composed was a wild, unbroken waste,
inhabited by the untutored Indian. Where once the council fire blazed
and the wigwam of the red man stood, we now find unsurpassed commer-
cial, industrial and social institutions have developed.
History is but a record of the happenings of human events, the per-
sonal element ever being present, and the history of a community or
county is merely a record of those who have contributed to its upbuild-
ing and advancement. Each step in the development of the above men-
tioned institutions; each incident connected with the passing of the
original inhabitants of the territory of which our country is now com-
posed as well as the coming of the pioneers — our forefathers — is history
today. Centered about every pioneer family; about the rude log cabin,
long since deserted and fallen to decay; about the old landmarks that
live now only in our memory; about the farms, and about the grave
marked by some weather worn piece, there is a story worth the telling;
a story that would interest someone. Unfortunately the authors have
been compelled to eliminate much that they would like to tell owing to
want of space.
Having finished our undertaking of writing a history of Leavenworth
County, though not to our satisfaction, we look back upon our labor as
one of love and pleasure. While the task has been a tedious one, yet
we feel a bit of satisfaction in our belief that we have written a story
of our county in "Leavenworth County" language ; that it is not so much
written as spoken and in a way that we feel the average citizen can read
and understand. We claim for this work no literary merit, neither do
we claim absolute correctness. Errors have doubless occurred by rea-
son of transcribing, typesetting and proof reading. Again much of this
history as it is written herein has been handed down by word of mouth,
and realizing as we do the frailty of human memory, we have attempted
to arrive at the truth as best we could.
Thoughout this work we have tried to tell the story of Leavenworth
County and its people simply and plainly with the hope that we might
be able to present a substantially authentic history of our county and its
people to which the present and future generations may refer with con-
fidence and satisfaction as the years come and go, that it may be a per-
manent record for all time, and incidentally to inspire, by the sweep of the
story, a love for our county and our cities and an intelligent solicitude for
their destiny.
Especial attention is directed to the biographical sketches which form
a part of this volume. In these sketches will be found much interesting
and valuable reading, from which the future historian may well compile
a history of Leavenworth County. It is to be regretted that many others
of our citizens have not availed themselves of the opportunity to perpet-
uate the history of their families for the benefit of those who come after
them. However, it is no fault of the editor, as the pages of this volume
have been open to all who cared to respond to the invitation of the
solicitors.
JESSE A. HALL, LEROY T'. HAND.
Leavenworth, Kansas, May 1, 1921.
To the memory of our fathers and mothers — the hardships
and adversity with which they have met as pioneers
of this county — their unswerving devotion to us —
the sacrifices that they have made for us —
their honest toil and brave hearts, as an
humble token of our grateful ap-
preciation for the sacred her-
itage they have left us in
these, we respectfully
dedicate this
volume.
— The Authors.
INDEX
Adams, Dr. A. R. .__ 357
Adams, William 456
Alford, Dan A. 608
Anderson, James D. 568
Anthony, D. R., Jr. 676
Arring, Henry C. 343
Atkinson, D. I. 423
Baade, John 414
Babcock, Samuel Z. 435
Baer, Bernard E. 610
Baker, Miss Lucy 576
Banks, Leo 597
Barnes, Cassius M. 344
Barnes, John G. 350
Barrett, Charts R. 541
Basehor State Bank 466
Beal, George 549
Becker, Richard E. 543
Becher, William 546
Begley, Michael 503
Biddle, W. I. 646
Biehler, H. T. 516
BVeistein, Pete 614
Bodde, Lieu 660
Boling, Dr. T. G. V 426
Bollin, John N. 448
Bond, Lee 547
Boone, Dr. Thomas John 355
Bowen, A. A. 517
Bransfleld, W. J. 378
Bright, Ira J. 360
Brose, Tony 620
Brown, Felix 406
Brown, Gus A. 403
Brown, Thomas J. 341
Browning, H. B. 663
Brune, Henry J. 441
Brune, J. F. 436
Brune, Louis 439
Brune, William M. 446
Buchanan, Benjamin B. 388
Bueckemann, Frank 463
Bullard, Mrs. Cora AdVelia 544
Bullard, Henry Shelby 545
Burns, Peter 657
Burre, Fred 451
Byrne, Francis A. 631
Cahill, Thomas 618
Campbell Bros. Tire Service Shop... 413
Campbell, C. V. 462
Campbell, John S. 447
Carr, George E. 392
Chambers, B. C. 627
Chapman, Ira N. 352
Choatwood, James M. 477
Cheatwood, Joel 468
Cherrie, Charles L. 376
Chestnut, T. J. 395
Clark, Leonidas C. 584
Clark, J. L. 593
Cleavenger, Joseph D. 494
Cockerell, H. E. 601
Coe, Dr. Walter B. 662
Coflman, Allen 665
Cogan, Richard 393
Coldnen, Harry Isaac 367
Collins, Samuel P. 664
Colvin, Sidney O. 363
Concannon, Joseph 622
Connelly, Robert S. 628
Corson, Clarence W. 503
Cory, John Milton 403
Cooper, Miss Julia 580
Courtney, Rufus 605
Courtney, William H. 382
Cox, Charles T. 375
Crites, Frank 589
Curtin, Charles Edward 351
Dassler, Charles F. W. 677
Davidson Brothers 611
Davis, Theodore C. 569
Day, Minor H. 412
Defrees, Sjoerd 598
Dews, Mrs. T. C. 580
Dick, Rev. A. G. 540
Dickenson, A. M. 675
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Dicks, Edward T. 373
Dohrn, Henry E. 602
Domann, William J. 485
Donnelly, Felix 672
Donovan, Benjamin J. 421
Donovan, J. H. 420
Doran, R. E. 426
Douglas, Earl 380
Douglas, Oscar Lee 476
Drews, William F. 654
Dunbar, C. C. 607
Dunnuck, A. G. 337
Easton State Bank 511
Eberth, Ernest 666
Edmonds, Charles 396
Eggert, Martin J. 359
Ehart, Adam 483
Ehart, Martin 483
Ehart, William F. A. 515
Evans, John W. 555
Evans, Lemuel F., Jr. 670
Everhardy, Dr. J. L. 354
Everhardy, Peter 353
Farrell, Frank A. 641
Faulkner, R. F. 397
Fenning, C. M. 379
Fishback, Gustave H. 638
Flinner, Max 437
Folger, Arthur 638
Freeman, Robert W. ... 673
Fredrick, F. E. 525
Fuqua, J. T. 592
G»9isen, Charles 645
Geraughty and Tetxor 381
Gilman, John Milton 400
Gist, Charles 429
Gist, Dr. William 430
Goble, W. F. 474
Goff, John 464
Gray, James B. 475
Grisham, James R. 473
Grootaers, Rev. A. 617
Haag, Peter W. 667
Hall, Jesse A. 651
Hall, T. F. 502
Hallenbeck, Hugh A. 572
Halpin, Mike 652
Hand, LeRoy T. 649
Harper, Floyd E. 591
Harris, F. P. 387
Harris, L. D. 387
Hashagen Brothers 417
Hassett, Dennis A. 452
Hegarty, James 497
Heim, Charles J. 619
Heim, John G. 508
Henderson, William 445
Hennessy, John W. 525
Hennessey, Thomas J. 661
Henry, Frank W. 556
Herries, David 534
Hiatt, Mauriw W. 478
Hicks, Charles H. 623
Hiesrodt, Lewis 595
Hill, Samuel H. 438
Hillner, William H. 564
Hinz Brothers & Company 630
Hogue Catholic Church 612
Hook, Miss Lucy V 334
Hooper, Duke 585
Hovey, Wallace FranWin 624
Hughey, F. L. 665
Hughey, John T. 496
Hunnius, Carl 356
Hunnius, Ernest 356
Hunt, Floyd 590
Jadicke, Oscar 495
Jamieson, Charles R. 386
Jeffries, John H. 405
Johnson, Charles E. 574
Johnson, Orra S. 527
Justus, Herbert L. 348
Keating, Charles E. 628
Kelly, Rev. Bernard S. 550
Kemler, J. W. 479
Kemberling, Henry A. 565
Kenton, J. W. 466
Kennedy, Lawrence 498
Kennedy, Matthew C. 659
Kern, W. J. 418
Kesinger, Calvin 563
Klamm, John P. 471
Klinkenberg, Henry 581
Knipe, Ben H. 588
Knipe, Henry C. 632
Kopp, John N. 433
Kowalewski, Joseph 436
Krueger, Fred 507
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Kruse, Dietrich 472
Kuhnhoff, George H. 434
Kuhnhoff, W. A. 631
La Caille, William L. 432
Laird, Jack J. 415
Langworthy, Dr. Joseph Howard „. 369
Langworthy, Dr. S. B 368
Lark, A. C. 431
Leakey, Dr. Eustace P. 561
Leeman, Robert L. 399
Linaweaver, W. J. 384
Linwood Soap Powder Co. 530
Linwood State Bank 524
Logan, Frank W. 490
Lohman, Fred W. 506
Lohman, H. A. 634
Lohman, Henry J. 389
Loomis, Calvin Willard 512
Lord, C. L. 594
Lord, E. J. 592
Lowe, David C. 601
Lozensky, John 380
Lozensky, Marian 380
Lysle, E. D. 364
Lysle Milling Company, The 366
McAuliffe, Francis J. 363
McClure, Ross J. 411
McConkey, Melvin K. 644
McCreary, Miller B. 444
McEvoy, Patrick 501
McEvoy, Joseph P. 500
McFarland, John 582
McGuire Brothers Clothing Company 548
Mclntire, George J. 385
McMillen, John 616
McNamee, James 557
McNaughton, Malcom N. 370
McNaughton, Samuel James 554
McNerney, E. C. - 613
McRill, Kirby 668
McQuillan, Ed. 642
McQuillan, Peter 639
Martin, T. W. 522
Masterson, Charles H. 416
Mayer, J. H. 460
Mayor, Reinhart 662
Medill, Sherman 334
Meinke, Theo. 529
Mensing, C. F. 586
Meyer, Charles G. 621
Meyer, Charles Frederick 467
Morris, C. E. 637
Morris, Thomas 629
Mosse, Arthur St. Leger 487
Mottin, J. F. 487
Mottin, L. A. 656
Murr, Henry 566
New, Oliver F. 626
Nieman, John F. 514
Nirschl, Anton 480
Ode, August 656
Ode, Henry 499
O'Dea, Dennis 504
O'Donnell, J. J., Jr. 409
Oplinger, Christian 636
Oplinger, Samuel 635
Papenhausen, Fred 558
Payeur, Francis 499
Peters, Jordan B. 578
Petherbridge, R. M. 465
Pettit, C. E. 428
Phelps, E. Rice 457
Poberezny, Peter 599
Porter, George 514
Porter, S. C. 410
Potter, F. M. 346
Potter, Mrs. Grace J. Fisher 342
Potter, O. J. 339
Powell, James W. 424
Pulley, T. C. 626
Rapp, George L. 536
Robinson, I. W. 508
Roe, George William 505
Rozendal, Gerardus 604
Rumford's Ford Hospital 422
Rush, Lon 390
Sanders, Louis P. 570
Sass, Christian 511
Schmekel, Otto F. 679
Schmidt, John 442
Schroeder, Gus 587
Schweizer, George „ 492
Seckler, Harry H. 648
Sedgwick, John : 577
Sedgwick, John C. 675
Seeley, Dr. Timothy D. 551
Seifert, Charles 539
Seifert, Roy 535
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Seifert, Wallace 596
Seitz, John C. 378
Seymour, Robert L. 394
Sharpe, William F 491
Short, H. C. 530
Shrey, Carist 609
Siscoe, Clyde F. 528
Smelser, John 526
Smith, Walter C. 461
Snyder, Charles E. 373
Snyder, E. W. 371
Sparks, W. W. 643
Spaulding, Joseph 412
Spears, Baxter 596
Specialty Garage and Manufacturing
Company 419
Stafford, R. W. 509
Stein, Otto 658
Stephenson, William J. 482
Stevenson, George A. 377
Stigleman, Martin L. 449
St. Joseph's Church of the Valley 617
Stoneburner, B. W. 430
Swan, Charles Morehead 408
Taylor, Capt. John T. 332
Taylor, Thomas 571
Taschetta, Peter V. 588
Thornburgh, Giles H. 501
Timberlake, James F. 391
Timpe, Frank 665
Toffler, Morris 469
Townsend, Charles D. 349
Townsend, Charles E. 418
Tudhope, John 520
Twomey, Rev. Jerome 612
Uhlrich, Frank — _ 450
Unmessig, A. A. 465
Unmessig, William H. 459
Victor Manufacturing Company 401
Voorhees, Joseph 532
Voorhees, Prof. Eph. 660
Waelti, Dr. Christian 533
Walden, William 470
Walker, John C. 374
Ward, Samuel H. 669
Warring, Dr. J. W. 519
Weingarth, Louis Smith 633
Wellhouse, Frederick 652
Wendel, William 518
White, James G. 488
Wilson, Russell 639
Wilson, Thomas K. 537
Wise, F. L. 423
Wosser, Thomas 440
Wortman, John 407
Wright, John W. 454
Wuerth, Franklin 361
Yoakum, Robert B. 443
Yoakum, Walter C. 443
History of Leavenworth County
CHAPTER I
INDIAN HISTORY
THE KANSAS— PRINCIPAL, VILLAGES— THE TRIBE REMOVAL— CHARACTERISTICS-
NOTED CHIEFS— TREATY OP 1806— DELA WARES AND KICKAPOOS— TREATIES
_ LEGENDS — CHIEFS— "JOURNEY CAKE" — "KETCHUM"— CUSTOMS — OTHER
TREATIES 97-104
CHAPTER II
_ EARLY EXPLORATIONS
NEW WORLD— SPANISH EARLIEST CLAIMANT— PONCE DE LEON— PAMPHILO
DE NARAVEZ— CABEZA DE VACA— CORONADO— TREATMENT OF INDIANS-
FRENCH EXPLORERS— MARQUETTE— LA SALLE— CROZAT GRANT— DU TISS-
NETT EXPEDITION— FORT ERECTED— LOUISIANA PURCHASE— LEWIS AND
CLARKE— DANIEL BOONE 106-114
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
CHAPTER III
EARLY SETTLEMENTS
COLONEL. LEAVENWORTH— FIRST SETTLERS— "SQUATTERS"— TOWN COMPANY-
SALE OF LOTS — EARLY INDUSTRIES— FIRST STORES — NEWSPAPERS — HOTELS
— EARLY FLOUR MILLS— BREWERIES— SCHOOLS— THEATERS— PUBLIC HALLS
—BANKING— CHURCHES 115-136
CHAPTER IV
EARLY SETTLEMENTS CONTINUED.
KICKAPOO— DELAWARE— EASTOX— SPRINGD ALE— TONGANOXIE— RENO 137-153
CHAPTER V
PIONEER LIFE AND HOMES
TYPES OF PIONEERS— THEIR HOMES— HOW HOMINY WAS MADE— HOSPITALITY-
IMPLEMENTS AND CLOTHING— THE TYPICAL PIONEER— THE PIONEER
WOMEN 154-158
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
CHAPTER VI
FIRST THINGS IN CITY AND COUNTY
CHAPTER VII
EARLY DAY TRANSPORTATION AND HIGHWAYS
STBAMBOATING ON THE MISSOURI— LANDING— EARLY HIGHWAYS AND TRAILS-
OTHER ROADS — STAGE ROUTES — SALT LAKE TRAIL— SANTA PE TRAIL— OXEN
USED— METHOD OF TRAVEL 166-170
CHAPTER VIII
FORT LEAVENWORTH
SELECTED BY COL LEAVENWORTH— BOUNDARIES— DESCRIPTION— BUILDINGS-
WATER WORKS— SCHOOL— CHAPEL AND OTHER BUILDINGS— DURING WORLD
WAR— A BASE OP SUPPLIES DURING WARS— COMMANDANTS— ARMY SERVICE
SCHOOL— DISCIPLANARY BARRACKS 171-180
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
CHAPTER IX
ORGANIZATION OF COUNTY.
TERRITORIAL ACT OF 1855— BOUNDARIES DEFINED— TOWNSHIPS ORGANIZBD—
COURT HOUSE— COUNTY OFFICERS 181-199
CHAPTER X
LEAVENWORTH CITY.
FORM OF GOVERNMENT— OFFICERS— FIRE DEPARTMENT— POLICE DEPARTMENT
—CEMETERIES— CUSHING- HOSPITAL— KANSAS ORPHAN ASYLUM— PUBLIC LI-
BRARY—PUBLIC SCHOOLS— CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 200-209
CHAPTER XI
SLAVERY QUESTION AND THE CIVIL WAR.
MASON AND DIXON LINE— MISSOURI COMPROMISE— PLATTE PURCHASE— WILMOT
PROVISO— DRED SCOTT DECISION— COMPROMISE OF 1850— KANSAS-NEBRASKA
BILL— "SQUATTERS" SALT CREEK MEETING! — PRO-SLAVERY BANDS— EAST-
ERN IMMIGRATION— LEAVENWORTH COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR— MILITARY
LEADERS 210-221
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
CHAPTER XII
CHURCHES
FIRST METHODIST— FIRST CHRISTIAN— EVANGELICAL, GERMAN LUTHERAN-
EPISCOPAL— JEWISH— PRESBYTERIAN — CONGREGATIONAL — EPISCOPAL, ST.
PAUL'S— CATHOLIC— FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST 222-24S
CHAPTER XIII
LODGES, CLUBS AND SOCIETIES.
ABDALLAH TEMPLE— MASONIC LODGES— KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS— INDEPENDENT
ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS— MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA— WOMAN'S AUX-
ILIARY OF AMERICAN LEGION— KANSAS FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS—
CHAUTAUQUA ASSOCIATION — YEOMEN— KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS 244-256
CHAPTER XIV
NATIONAL AND STATE INSTITUTIONS
NATIONAL MILITARY HOME— UNITED STATES PENITENTIARY— STATE PENITEN-
TIARY 257-261
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
CHAPTER XV
THE PRESS
"THE KANSAS HERALD"— "TERRITORIAL REGISTER"— "THE JOURNAL"— "YOUNG
AMERICA" — OTHER PIONEER NEWSPAPERS — LATER PUBLICATIONS — THE
LEAVENWORTH TIMES— THE LEAVENWORTH POST 262-266
CHAPTER XVI
MEDICAL PROFESSION
FIRST PHYSICIANS CAME WITH THE ARMY— FIRST ON THE TOWNSITE-^EARLY
PHYSICIANS— KICKAPOO— OTHER SMALL TOWNS— PROMINENT DOCTORS-
SANITARY COMMISSION ESTABLISHED— U. S. MILITARY HOSPITAL— OTHER
HOSPITALS — "MEDICAL HERALD"— PRESENT DAY PHYSICIANS 267-271
CHAPTER XVII
THE LEAVENWORTH COUNTY BAR
TERRITORIAL CODE OF PROCEDURE— JUDGES APPOINTED— JUDICIAL DISTRICTS-
FIRST TERRITORIAL COURT AT LEAVENWORTH— ATTORNEYS ADMIT-
TED 272-293
ILLUSTRATIONS
Adams, William 456
Barnes, C, M 344
Bollin, J. N 448
Bright, Ira J 360
Bullard, Mrs. Cora A 644
Cherrie, C. L 376
Cherrie, Mrs. C. L 376
Court House, Leavenworth County 97
D. A. R. Room in Leavenworth County Court House 248
Ft. Leavenworth, Marking the Beginning of 176
Gilman, John M. 400
Goff, John and Family 464
Grist Mill, The Jacob Rapp 536
Hall, Jesse A Frontispiece
Hand, LeRoy T Frontispiece
High School, Leavenworth and Cadets 144
Hughey, John T., and Family 496
Kruse, Dietrich 472
Langworthy, Dr. S. B 368
Leavenworth, View of 200
Library, Public 224
Linaweaver, W. J 384
Linaweaver, Mrs.-W. J 384
Loomis, Calvin W 512
Loomis, Mrs. Mary 512
Motor Company, Leavenworth 416
Nirschl, William, John and Carl H 480
O'Dea, Residence of Dennis 504
Powell, J. W 424
Siscoe, Family and Residence of C. F 528
Steamboating on the Missouri 112
Swan, C. M 408
Taylor, Capt. John T 332
Transportation, Early Day 168
Tudhope Family, Five Generations of 520
Wellhouse, Frederick 552
White, Mr. and Mrs. James W 488
World War Veterans, Banquet to 296
Wosser, Thomas and Grandsons, Owen and Francis Buchanan 440
History of Leavenworth County
CHAPTER I
INDIAN HISTORY
THE KANSAS— PRINCIPAL VILLAGES — THE TRIBE REMOVAL— CHARACTERISTICS-
NOTED CHIEFS — TREATY OF 1806— DELAWARES AND KICKAPOOS— TREATIES
— LEGENDS — CHIEFS— ".TOURNEY CAKE" — "KETCHUM"- CUSTOMS — OTHER
TREATIES.
The earliest known inhabitants of the territory which now comprises
Leavenworth County was a tribe of Indians known as the Kansas. Early
day historical accounts vary greatly in the spelling of the name. They
were frequently known and referred to as the Canceas, Kansez, Canzas,
Canzes, Okanis, Cances, Kansies, Canzon, Kanzon, Konza, Konzas and the
Kasas. It was not until 1854, when Edward Everett Hale wrote his "Ac-
count of Emigrant Aid Companies and Directions to Emigrants," under the
title of "Kanzas and Nebraska," that the spelling of the word was finally
settled upon as Kanzas, in preference to what he terms the more fashion-
able way of spelling it, "Kansas." The name of our state as well as .the
river, Kansas, which flows through it from west to east, draining a
major portion of it, was derived from the name of this early Indian tribe.
Early historical accounts of this tribe place their lands and country as
north of the Kansas River of today and along the western banks of the
Missouri. The tribe was known to have been divided up into two principal
villages referred to as the upper and lower village. What was known as
(3)
98 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
the lower village was located about forty miles north of the junction of
the Missouri and Kansas rivers, the present site of Kansas City, Missouri.
In 1804 when the explorers, Lewis and Clarke, ascended the Missouri
River they reported that they were unable to find any trace of the lower
Kanzas village but had found at its location the ruins of an old French fort
that had apparently been abandoned some twenty-five or thirty years pre-
vious. It is believed that the cause of the Kanzas removing from this
locality was due to the war-like encroachments of the Iowas and Sacs,
tribes to the northward who had previously had extensive dealings with
Mississippi Valley traders, had been abundantly supplied with firearms and
were desirous of obtaining the hunting and trapping grounds of the Kanzas.
Upon leaving their country, which extended over all of the territory
of which Leavenworth County is now composed, the Kanzas removed to a
point situated on the Kansas River, near the present location of Manhattan,
Kansas. It was not until June, 1825, that the Kanzas ceded their lands,
of which Leavenworth County is now a part, to the United States by
treaty. The treaty by which they ceded their lands was made at St.
Louis, June 3, 1825, with Superintendent of Indian Affairs Clarke and,
with reference to the land ceded, reads in part as follows:
"Beginning at the entrance of the Kansas River into the Missouri
River; from thence North to the North West corner of the state of Mis-
souri, from thence westerly to the Nodaway River, thirty miles from its
entrance into the Missouri River and with that river, (the Nemaha), to
its source; from thence to the source of the Kansas River, leaving the
old village of the Pania (Pawnee) Republic to the West; from thence on
the ridge dividing the waters of the Kansas River from those of the
Arkansas, to the westerly line of the state of Missouri; and with that
line Thirty miles to place of beginning."
According to the terms of the treaty, the United States Government
was to pay in consideration of the ceding of the above described lands
the sum of $3,500.00 per year for a period of twenty years to the tribe.
In addition thereto a reservation was made to the Indians of a tract of
land near the present location of Manhattan, Kansas, and the govern-
ment was to provide the Indians with stock and agricultural implements,
and was to supply them with a blacksmith and furnish them a teacher
of agriculture.
The Kanzas, or "Kaws," as they were sometimes known by the
French contraction of the word, Kanza, which signifies "Smoky," were
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 99
said to have been more or less inclined to be a peaceful tribe. They were
more industrious than some of the tribes west of the Mississippi, yet
there was great room for improvement. Their requirement in their
treaty of 1825 with the United States Government, that they be furnished
agricultural implements, a blacksmith and teacher of agriculture, would
indicate that they were desirous of deserting the chase and hunt as a
means of obtaining a livelihood and resorting to the tilling of the soil.
Their treatment of visitors has always been recorded as generous and
considerate. In the journals of M. de Bourgmont, the French explores,
it is said that they believed in a Great Spirit; had crude forms of re-
ligious worship; a code of ethics existed which looked with extreme dis-
taste upon such a crime as drunkenness. Insanity among them was
unknown. Their language was the dialect of the Dacotahs. Among
their most noted chiefs were "Na-he— da-ba" or Long Neck; "Ka-he-ga-
wa-ta-ning-ga" or Little Chief, and "Shen-ga-ne-ga." To the south of
this tribe dwelt the Osages, with which they occasionally became in-
volved in disputes. At a grand council of these tribes held at Pawnee
village, Republic, September 28, 1806, a treaty was entered into between
them and the United States Government, the government being represented
by Lieut. Zebulon Montgomery Pike and Lieut. J. B. Wilkinson, which
reads as follows:
"In council held by the subscribers, at the village of the Pawnee Re-
public, appeared Wahonsongay with eight principal soldiers of the Kansas
nation on the one part, and Shin-ga-wasa, a chief of the Osage nation,
with four of the warriors of the Grand and Little Osage villages on the
other part. After having smoked the pipe of peace, and buried past ani-
mosities, they individually and jointly bound themselves in behalf of and
for their respective nations to observe a friendly intercourse and keep a
permanent peace, and mutually pledge themselves to use every influence to
further the commands and wishes of their great father.
"We, therefore, American Chiefs, do require of each nation, a strict
observance of the above treaty, as they value the good will of their great
father, the President of the United States.
"Done at our council fire, at the Pawnee Republic village, the 28th
day of September, 1806, and the Thirty-first year of American
Independence.
"(Signed) "Z. M. Pike,
"J. B. Wilkinson."
100 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
The above treaty as entered into by the chiefs of the Kanzas and
Osage tribes was never broken.
With the removal of the Kanzas from the territory of which Leaven-
worth County is now a part, came the entrance of two other tribes, the
Delawares and Kickapoos, of which more is known. In the year 1818 at
St. Mary's, Ohio, the Delaware or Lenni Lenapes ceded all lands held by
them in the State of Indiana. Part of the consideration being that the
government was to furnish them with a country west of the Mississippi
in which to reside. Subsequent to this they were assigned certain tracts
of land in the State of Missouri to which they removed. On September
24, 1829, the Delawares again ceded their lands by treaty to the govern-
ment and were granted lands further west and in what was later to be
organized into Kansas Territory and of which Leavenworth County was
to become a part. In the treaty granting the lands last mentioned to the
Delawares, the tract granted them is described as follows: "The country
in the fork of the Kanzas and Missouri rivers extending up the Kanzas
river to where the Kanzas (Indians) live and up the Missouri River to
Camp Leavenworth and thence West by a line drawn westerly leaving a
space ten miles wde North of Kanzas boundary as an outlet."
This ti-act of land as ceded to the Delawares comprised the greater
portion of what is now Leavenworth County. Of this tract of land
granted them, the Delawares on December 14, 1843, sold to the Wyan-
dottes triangular tract at the junction of the Kansas and Missouri rivers
which comprised the greater portion of what is now Wyandotte County.
Later, and on May 6, 1854, the Delawares ceded to the United States Gov-
ernment by treaty practically all of their lands excepting a strip ten miles
wide on the north bank of the Kansas River beginning at the western
boundary of the Wyandotte lands and extending forty miles westward.
This strip, commonly known and referred to as the "Delaware Strip,"
"Delaware Reserve," and "Delaware Trust Lands," remained in possession
of the tribe until May 30, 1860, when it was ceded by the Delawares to
the United States Government by treaty.
The Delawares or Lenni Lenapes as a tribe were rich in legendary
and^ historical lore. They were descendants of the famous Algonquin
tribB^ Their oldest known home was in Pennsylvania, where they resided
along the banks of the Delaware River, the river getting its name from
that of the tribe. The name, Lenni Lenape, by which they were some-
times known, means in Indian parlance "Original Man." The tribe
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 101
claimed to have been the original parents of the Algonquins. Among
other things this tribe had the distinction of being the first Indian tribe
upon the American continent to negotiate a treaty with the United States.
This treaty was made at Fort Pitt, September 17, 1778.
Among the names of the chiefs of the Delawares we find those of
"Four Miles," "Fall Leaf," "Ketchum," and "Journey-Cake." In his val-
uable work, "Beyond the Mississippi," which dealt exclusively with the
New West of the early fifties, Albert D. Richardson tells of a night spent
by himself at the cabin of Chief "Four Miles." He describes the location
of the cabin as being about fifteen miles east of Lawrence, where it is
believed to have been located in what is now Sherman Township, Leaven-
worth County, Kansas. It was during this stay that he met the chief
"Fall Leaf," after which the station, Fall Leaf, on the main line of the
Union Pacific Railway between Linwood and Lawrence, is named. A
legend connected with the name of the chief, "Four Miles," is to the effect
that he once ran a distance of four miles and back without stopping.
The city of Linwood, Leavenworth County, Kansas, which is situ-
ated at the junction of Big Stranger Creek and the Kansas River, was
originally called Journey-Cake. It was named after a chief of the Dela-
ware tribe around which the following legend was interwoven: At one
time a young brave of the Delaware tribe was captured by white traders
and carried to a far distance from his tribe. He eventually managed to
escape and upon his long journey home, which was fraught with many
dangers and hardships, he was forced to rely for subsistence upon a
small cake of corn bread which he had concealed upon his person. Having
arrived safely with his tribe and after telling them the story of his es-
cape he was immediately rechristened "Journey-Cake." This name was
originally given to the city of Linwood, Kansas, owing to the close prox-
imity within which Journey-Cake lived to the city at the time of its
establishment. The name, which is of purely Indian origin, has been
corrupted by the whites to that of "Johnny-Cake." Another legend of
the Delawares in connection with their chief, "Ketchum," was to the
effect that while he was quite young, he was captured by white soldiers
while in battle and carried away captive. Long afterward he escaped by
tearing away a board from the floor of the guardhouse in which he was
held prisoner. After he had gained the open he was discovered by one
of the guards who immediately fired upon him several times and then
cried loudly to his associate guards: "Catch him!"
102 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Upon his return to his tribe and after telling the story of his escape
he was rechristened "Ketchum." Later he became chief of the Delawares
and died as chief of the tribe in 1857.
The Delawares as an Indian tribe were unusually industrious. Many
of them were quite intelligent and quite readily forsook the chase and
hunt as a means of livelihood and resorted to agriculture. The govern-
ment gave them considerable assistance in their agricultural work. They
built numerous cabins which were found mostly upon the hills and bluffs
and along the well established trails through their lands. It is recorded
that they were not as a rule very strict abont the marriage relation.
Whenever a brave took a liking to one of the female members of the
tribe he usually gave her father some sort of a present, a pony, hunting
knife, or some other article valuable to the Indian way of thinking, and
took the girl. They lived together as long as he liked and then he either
traded her off or they separated. The offspring, as a rule, went with
the mother.
On May 30, 1860, the Delawares entered into a treaty at Sarcoxie-
ville, a settlement on their reservation named after a chief of their tribe,
"Sarcoxie," the terms of which assigned to each member of the tribe
eighty acres of land in one compact body. A privilege was extended the
Leavenworth, Pawnee & Western Railroad Company, now the Union Pa-
cific Railway Company to purchase the balance of the land at not less
than $1.25 per acre.
On July 4, 1866, what was left of the Delaware lands, then referred
to as the Delaware Diminished Reserve, was offered for sale by the Sec-
retary of the Interior of the United States at not less than $2.50 per acre.
All of the remaining land was subsequently bought by the Leavenworth,
Pawnee & Western Railroad Company, the date of transfer being Janu-
ary 7, 1868.
The greater portion of the tribe removed to the Indian Territory in
1867, leaving only about two hundred members who in 1868 removed to
the Wichita Agency.
The Kickapoos, who followed the Delawares in the occupation of the
territory of which Leavenworth County is now composed in part, ceded
their lands and country on the Osage River in Missouri, October 24, 1832,
by treaty to the United States Government. Subsequent to this and on
November 26, 1832, they were granted a tract of land in the territory of
which Kansas was later to be formed and of which Leavenworth County
was to become a part, which was described as follows, to-wit:
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 103
"Beginning en Delaware line where said line crosses the left branch
of Salt Creek; thence down said creek to Missouri River; thence up the
Missouri River to a point thirty miles when measured on a straight
line; thence westerly to a point twenty miles from Delaware line so as
to include in the lands assigned to the Kickapoos at least 1,200 square
miles."
The first settlement of the Kickapoo tribe on their arrival upon their
new lands to take possession was at the southeastern corner of their
grant or reservation, a short distance northwest of where Fort Leaven-
worth now stands and near the present site of Kickapoo. As a tribe they
were industrious and of extremely good habits. Like a great many Indian
tribes they were prone to build their villages upon high places such as
hills and bluffs. Their cone shaped lodges v/ere closely grouped. About
the individual lodges were grouped such ornaments as buffalo skulls,
various hides, and bits of pottery. Occasional sacrifices might be seen
in the way of some gayly colored cloth or costly stuff hung over the door
of the lodge of the chief, offered by him for the good fortune that the
Great Spirit saw fit to allow him to enjoy. The Kickapoos were more or
less religious in a sense. They believed strongly in a Great Spirit.
"Kennekuk," their prophet, resented in a way the teaching of the white
missionaries, holding that they, not teaching the way of the Indian
prophets, were wrong. He taught long among his tribe and the major
portion of the tribe were ardent followers of his doctrine. Among other
things embodied in his teachings was the total abstenence from the use
of liquor. He also taught that he would arise upon the third day after
his death. So strong was the belief of his followers in his teachings that
upon his death in 1857 from smallpox, a large number of his adherents
stayed with his body until after the third day, expecting to see him arise
from the dead. Almost all of those who so attended his dead body in
turn contracted the disease of which he died, and in many instances it
proved fatal.
By the treaty of May 18, 1854, the Kickapoos ceded the major por-
tion of their lands to the United States Government for the sum of $20,-
000. They reserved in this treaty, however, a tract on the western por-
tion of their land containing 150,000 acres, to which they moved.
Two early missions were founded upon the Kickapoo land. In May,
1836, a Catholic mission was located near the junction of Salt Creek and
the Missouri River. It was established by Fathers Van Quickenborn and
104 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Hoeken, assisted by two lay brothers. It was established for the benefit
of the numerous Pottawatomies who were at that time located on the
Kickapoo lands. A Methodist mission was established for the Kickapoos
in 1833, which was under the supervision of Rev. J. C. Berryman, of
Weston, Missouri.
CHAPTER II
EARLY EXPLORATIONS
THE NEW WORLD— SPANISH EARLIEST CLAIMANT— PONCE DE LEON— PAMPHILO
DE NARAVEZ— CAEEZA DE VACA— CORONADO— TREATMENT OF INDIANS-
FRENCH EXPLORERS— MARQUETTE— LA SALLE— CROZAT GRANT— DU TISS-
NETT EXPEDITION — FORT ERECTED— LOUISIANA PURCHASE — LEWIS AND
CLARKE — DANIEL BOONE.
History has been held to be speculative, inferential, and actual ; spec-
ulative when it records conclusions based on hypothesis founded on facts,
far removed; inferential when conclusions are reasonably based on facts;
and actual when facts alone are recorded. The historian in his writing
deals with all three more or less in combination one with the other. This
chapter is more or less inferential and speculative insofar as it deals
with the visits and explorations of the earliest explorers.
When the new world was discovered and had wonderfully revealed
itself to the adventurous and daring men of the Old World, the enterprise
of Europe was. startled into action. Those valiant men who had won
laurels among the mountains of Andalusia, on the fields of Flanders, and
on the battlefields of Albion, sought a more remote field for adventure.
The revelation of a New World and a new race, and communication be-
tween the old and the new, provided a field of fertile imagination. The
fact was more astounding to the people then than it would be to us today
were we to awake some morning and find communication had been estab-
lished with one or more of our nearest planets.
The heroes of the ocean despised the range of Europe as too narrow,
offering to their extravagant ambition nothing but mediocrity. Ambi-
tion, avarice, and religious zeal were strangely blended, and the heroes of
the main sailed to the west, as if bound on a new crusade, for infinite
106 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
wealth and renown were to reward their piety, satisfy their greed, and
satiate their ambition.
America was the region of romance where their heated imaginations
could indulge in the boldest of delusions, where the simple ignorant native
wore the most precious ornaments, the sands by the side of the clear
runs of water, sparkled with shining gold. Says the historian of the
ocean, these adventurous heroes speedily prepared to fly by a beckoning
or a whispering wheresoever they were called. They forsook the cer-
tainties of life for the lure and hope of more brilliant success.
To win provinces with the sword, divide the wealth of empires, to
plunder the accumulated treasures of some ancient Indian dynasty, to
return from a roving expedition with a crowd of enslaved captives, and
a profusion of spoils, soon became ordinary dreams. Fame, fortune,
life and all were squandered in these visions of wealth and renown.
Even if the issue was uncertain, success, greater than the boldest imagin-
ation had dared, was sometimes attained.
It would be an interesting story to trace each hero across the ocean
to the American continent, and through the three great gateways thereof,
through which he entered the wilds of the great West. The accounts of
the explorations and exploitations into the great West reads like a
romance. The trials through which these early explorers passed were
enough to make the stoutest heart quail and to task the endurance of
men of steel.
The earliest known claimants of the vast stretch of land and country
west of the Mississippi River were the Spanish. Among the members
of the crew that crossed the Atlantic with Columbus on his second voyage
was a certain Juan Ponce de Leon, who had spent the greater part of
his life in the military service of Spain. In the year 1513, with a squad-
ron of three ships which he had fitted up at his own expense he set sail
upon an expedition which resulted in the discovery of Florida a few miles
north of the present location of the oldest city in the United States, St.
Augustine. Here, Ponce de Leon and a greater portion of his crew re-
mained for some time patiently and persistently exploring and penetrat-
ing the regions to the westward. Wild and fanciful tales were constantly
poured into his ears by the various Indian tribes concerning the country
further to the westward. They told him of great life-giving springs and
streams of water found in the interior, a veritable paradise where the.
youth of those who had grown old was restored to them by bathing in
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 107
the fabled waters. Ponce de Leon was old. His cheeks were deeply
etched by the fingers of time. The spell of the strange wild country
added new fire to his adventurous spirit. His fortune had been squand-
ered, the lure of the fabled "Fountain of Perpetual Youth" of which the
Indians told; the dream of replenishing his dwindled fortunes by con-
quests of new kingdoms, led him on and on. It was on his second voyage
to this territory in 1521 that he was killed in a battle with Indians who
resented his intrusion. His body was buried on the island of Cuba.
It was thus that the Spanish laid claim to the vest stretch of territory
of which the territory of Kansas, later the State of Kansas and our own
county was to be organized as part thereof.
In the year 1528, Pamphilo de Naravez, who had been appointed
governor of Florida by the King of Spain, organized an expedition for
the purpose of exploring the lands of which he had been made governor.
With a fleet of four ships and a company of nearly 400 men under his
command he set sail from Havana, Cuba. Upon his arrival in Florida
he took possession of all the territory in the name of Spain and proceeded
at once to diligently explore the regions to the westward. Upon his
return to the sea after one of his exploring expeditions he found that the
ships of the company had been spirited away or destroyed. The stranded
explorers were forced to construct several rude boats and with these they
started out to find the nearest Mexican post, following the gulf coast.
During their voyage along the gulf coast several of their boats were
wrecked and a number of the crew were drowned. Those who were not
drowned were taken captive by the Indians. The cruel treatment accorded
them by the savages soon led to the death of the major portion of the
captives. Cabeza de Vaca, who had occupied the position of treasurer of
the expedition, learned the language of the tribe as well as their customs
and gained their confidence. After remaining captive six years he es-
caped and made his way to San Miguel, in Sonora, Mexico.
Cabeza de Vaca, who had been a member of the ill-fated Naravez ex-
pedition, had as before mentioned set out with that expedition fronj
Havana, Cuba, in the year 1528. He had remained with Naravez and his
expedition as treasurer and had been one of the members of the expedi-
tion that had been left stranded when the ships of the party disappeared.
He was one of the party that had escaped drowning when the illy-con-
structed boats of the party were destroyed and wrecked in an attempt to
reach a Mexican port and had fallen into the hands of Indian tribes as
108 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
prisoner. Six years after his capture, during which he had studied the
ways of the tribe, their language, and had gained their confidence, he
effected his escape with a small party and started out to reach the Spanish
settlements in Mexico. Upon leaving his captors on the gulf, his party
proceeded north toward what they termed a great range of mountains
which are believed now to have been those in northern Alabama. From
thence they proceeded in a westerly direction crossing what they referred
to in their story as "the large river that comes from the north" (the
Mississippi). It is believed by many historians that in the course of
their wanderings and explorations to the westward that they traversed
the territory of which Kansas and the State of Colorado are now com-
prised. Whether or not this Spanish crusader and his party touched
upon any of the territory of which Leavenworth County is now a part
is highly conjectural. It is known that it was the custom of exploring
parties in those days to follow closely main river courses. In view of
the fact that Leavenworth County as originally laid out occupied all that
territory of which Wyandotte County is now composed and the confluence
of two great river systems center there, it is highly probable that did,
Cabeza de Vaca at any time follow the course of the Missouri which led
westward from the Mississippi, that he traversed territory of which either
Wyandotte or Leavenworth County is now composed.
In all probability the most famous of all exploring expeditions sent,
out under the Spanish Government for the purpose of exploring its hold-
ings west of the Mississippi River was that of Coronado. The expedition
of which he was at the head set out from Mexico on the morning following
Easter, 1540. The party consisted of some eleven hundred members.
They were well equipped and supplied for a long journey. The object
for which the expedition went forth was to find and take possession of
the cities of Cibola, Indian cities which were said to be enormously
wealthy in gold and other valuable articles. After a long and tedious
journey fraught with much hardship the party reached the object for
which they sought to find that they had been deceived. The cities of
Cibola had nothing in the way of riches to offer them, yet they did find
thereabouts provisions with which they replenished their diminished
supply. After remaining for some time with the tribes of Indians there-
abouts, there was brought to the ears of Coronado by one of the leaders
of the numerous scouting and exploring parties he sent out, a wild fanciful
tale concerning the wealth found in the kingdom of the Quivera, far to
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 109
1336176
the eastward. In due time the party, again thoroughly organized and
equipped, set out in search of the kingdom of Quivera. When the party
reached the Arkansas River they again found their provisions low and
it was decided to split the party up, allowing some to go on forward while
the others proceeded upon their return trip to their base on the Rio
Grande. Coronado took with him from this point on the Arkansas thirty
of his best mounted troops and six foot soldiers and proceeded on in
search of the kingdom which he believed the streets whereof to be paved
with gold. Jfiter marching on for a period of some forty days the party
halted in the fabled kingdom, only to find that they had been deceived.
The wealth of which they had dreamed was nowhere to be found. The
Indian guides who had attended the party finally confessed that the stories
they had told the Spaniards had been told for the purpose of luring them
away from the native tribes of the guides that they might not be further
imposed on by the Spaniards and with the hope that after leading the
party far into the desert like interior, their supplies would fail and they
would eventually perish.
The exact line of march of Coronado and his party through the State
of Kansas is and always will remain a matter of pure conjecture. Major
Henry Inman, best known as the author of "The Santa Fe Trail," and
who spent a great many years on the western frontier, believes that the
expedition crossed the Kansas River near Abilene and then proceeded to
the northward, striking the Missouri River in the vicinity of Atchison.
He further contends that the expedition returned by following the Mis-
souri to its junction with the Kansas River, where the party turned to
the westward along the north bank of the Kansas River, proceeding as
far westward as the Smoky Hill River, where they crossed the Kansas
and again proceeded on to Big Creek, where they turned to the south
toward the Arkansas.
Coronado in his report of the voyage to the Viceroy of Mexico stated
that he had reached the fortieth degree of north latitude, and described
the country thereabout as being very fertile and productive. Jaramillo,
a member of the party who chronicled the expedition's progress, mentions
the name of a large river, the "Saint Peter and Saint Paul," which is be-
lieved by historians to be none other than the Arkansas. After reaching
the province of Quivera, he tells of the party's learning of another large
river to the northward which was named by them the "Teucarea." Gen.
J. H. Simpson in his "Annals of Kansas" expresses the belief that this
latter river was the Missouri of today.
110 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
The expedition of Coronado it is estimated cost the Spanish approxi-
mately one-half million dollars and netted them practically nothing. It
is recorded that more than a hundred years elapsed before the country
over which Coronado traveled was again visited by any member of the
white race.
As a rule the Spanish explorers treated the Indians with barbarous
cruelty. Their great hopes of limitless riches and conquered provinces
became as ashes in their hands. Their men, after long marches for
months through the wilderness, became tattered, disgruntled and surly.
They were burdens upon the red men whom they visited in their different
villages, and consumed their maize and provisions. The Indians were
distrustful and suspicious, and an inborn hatred for the white man in-
stantly grew in their breasts, that was handed down by tradition with
growing rancor, to future generations. The fabled cities of Cibola were
found to be miserable mud huts. Indian guides lured them from place
to place with wonderful stories in order that the white men might be
kept away from their own country.
The earliest known explorations upon which the French based any
claim to the territory of which Leavenworth County is now a part were
those of Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet. In May, 1673, Marquette,
who was a French missionary at the time with station on Lake Superior,
set out with five companions and three canoes to the southwestward in
search of rich Indian tribes and valuable mines, the stories of which had
been borne to his ears by various Indians. Probably this was merely a
secondary object of the expedition, as it is known that one of the purposes
was to establish a mission among the Illinois Indians, and another to
carry the gospel to the tribes west of the Mississippi.
The party set out from the Straits of Michilimackinac and went by
way of Green Bay, the Fox River, the Wisconsin River and then into
the Mississippi, which they followed to the southward to near the mouth
of the Arkansas. It is known that they explored the Missouri River for
some distance up its course from the Mississippi and in their various
reports of their travels they refer to the Missouri as the "Pekitanc
Having heard the story of the great river whose course Mai'
and Joliet had followed on their trip to the southward, Robert Cavaner
de la Salle conceived the idea that it was none other than the great river
that had been discovered by De Soto in 1541. With a view of opening
it for navigation La Salle led an expedition that set out from the Illinois
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 111
River, February 6, 1682, with three barges. Upon entering the Missis-
sippi, La Salle gave to it the name, "Colbert." At various points along
the river on their journey to the south they erected crosses and took
possession of the vast tracts to the westward in the name of France.
On April 9, 1682, the party entered the Gulf of Mexico. By right of
discovery they claimed all of the lands and country west of the Mississippi
for the French Government.
Being desirous of getting into actual possession of the vast area of
territory which they had come into ownership of through the right of
discovery, the French Government on September 14, 1712, granted the
Louisiana Territory, which this country had come to be known as, to
one Anthony Crozat, a merchant, for a period of ten years, the said
Crozat to have perpetual propriety of all mines and minerals he should
discover subject to certain conditions, and other stipulations. Later,
Crozat retroceded this vast tract to the French Government and they
immediately and under similar conditions ceded these tracts to a company
which offered many inducements in the way of land, etc., to emigrants.
In the year 1719, M. Du Tissnett, who had previously been in the
service of M. Crozat when the French Government had ceded him the
Louisiana Territory, was ordered to make an expedition to west of the
Mississippi. It was during his travels that he crossed and explored a
great deal in territory of which the State of Kansas is now a part. He
visited many of the native tribes and erected many crosses, taking posses-
sion of all the territory explored and discovered by him in the name of
France. The principal object of this expedition was to locate valuable
mines the story of which had been poured into the ears of the French
as well as those of the Spanish explorers. Du Tissnett is commonly re-
ferred to by various historians as Du Tisne. He was the first French
explorer to give definite information concerning the native tribes of
Kansas.
In order to protect their great interests west of the Mississippi, the
French, as early as 1722, commenced the construction of a fort on the
■ouri River near where the Osage River empties into it, which they
d Fort Orleans. It was completed in the year 1723 and was placed
in' command of M. De Bourgmont. De Bourgmont in the year 1724 made
an extensive trip of exploration to the westward about and through the
territory of which the State of Kansas is now composed. He entered
what is now the bounds of Kansas near the present site of Atchison,
112 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Kansas. One of the objects of the expedition was to try and effect a
reconciliation among numerous native trbes who were at war among
each other. After visiting among the tribes for a considerable length
of time, during which he succeeded in bringing about an amicable adjust-
ment of the variQiis difficulties among a large number of the tribes, he
returned to Fort Orleans November 5, 1724. It is almost a certainty that
De Bourgmont during his travels touched, either himself or some of his
party, on territory which now goes to make up Leavenworth County.
After Jefferson had negotiated the purchase of the great Louisiana
tracts of land from the French in 1803 there arose a desire on his part
to have the territory acquired thoroughly explored, and investigated with
a view of learning what uses it might be best adapted to. Accordingly
in the year 1804 the first American exploring expedition that had ever
set foot on the vast expanse west of the Mississippi set out from St. Louis
under the supervision of Capts. William Clarke and Merriwether Lewis.
The party in full consisted of from thirty-five to forty-two men, accounts
differing; the date of the expedition's starting was May 10, 1804; they
traveled in three boats and made their way very slowly up stream. As
a rule hunting parties proceeded along the banks with the boats as they
wended their way against the muddy current and it was through the
agency of these parties that the party was supplied with much of its
provisions. On June 27, 1804, the party reached the present site of Kan-
sas City, Kansas, where they encamped. On July 2, 1804, they encamped
near the present site of Leavenworth, in all probability a little to the
north and nearer the fort. The journals kept by the party refer to an
island in the river to the north several miles under date of this encamp-
ment, which was in all probability the island known as Kickapoo Island
these days. There is no question but the members of this party and it
wouldn't be unreasonable to say the leaders of the expedition had tramped
over considerable of the territory comprised in the eastern part of Leaven-
worth County. The expedition as a whole was most successful in every
way. The trip consumed about two years of time and much of the terri-
tory embodied in the Louisiana Purchase was traversed, mapped and
thoroughly explored.
For twelve years after the Lewis and Clarke expedition into the
Northwest nothing was done further in the way of exploring the regions
traversed by the first mentioned parties. In the year 1819 an expedition
was sent out by the United States Government for the purpose of arriv-
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 113
ing at and collecting all scientific knowledge possible pertaining to the
newly acquired territory. The expeditfon was in charge of Major J. C.
Long and set out from Fort Osage on the Osage River in Missouri in
1819, and proceeded up the Missouri River by steamboat to Council Bluffs,
where winter quarters were established for the winter of 1819-1820. The
expedition required two years and while much scientific data was
gathered, the practical value derived therefrom was insignificant. One
of the chief features of the expedition was in the fact that it was the
first expedition as well as the first men of any kind or race to proceed up
the Missouri River in a steamboat.
A bit of exploring of a very different nature than that hitherto set
out was done between the years 1805 and 1815 in the valley of the Kansas
River by Daniel Boone. Boone, the most famous of American hunters
and trappers, Indian fighters and pioneers, was one of the first white men
of American birth to visit the Kansas Valley.. His grandfather, George
Boone, was born in Devonshire, England, 1668, and came to America in
1717, locating in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Daniel, the grandchild,
was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, February 11, 1735. In the year
1796 he lost much of his land holdings in Kentucky through defective
titles, which led him to renounce all allegiance to the government and
resort to the wild frontier. Later he declared his intention while residing
in the territory west of the Missouri of becoming a citizen of Spain, and
was through this given a position of overseeing certain Indian districts.
It was his wont and habit to take long hunts and to go on trapping tours
that kept him much away from his home country. In that interval of
time elapsing between 1805 and 1815 he is known to have hunted and
trapped up and down the Kansas River Valley for a distance of 100 miles
or more from its mouth. The Kansas River, as it does, touching upon
the southern end of Leavenworth County and the southern extremity of
the county being rough and consisting in places of rugged bluffs, it is not
unreasonable to believe that Boone in the ten years which he spent in
this river valley, touched many times upon Leavenworth County territory
and hunted and trapped thereon. This great son of the wild and untamed
frontier died September 26, 1820, in his ninety-second year.
John Peck, the noted Baptist preacher, in his memoirs of the Louisi-
ana Territory, described Boone thus : .
"His high, bold forehead was slightly bald, and his silvered locks
were combed smooth, his countenance was ruddy and fair and exhibited
(4)
114 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
the simplicity of a child, a smile frequently played over his countenance;
in conversation his voice was soft and melodious; at repeated interviews
an irritable expression was never heard ; his clothing was the coarse, plain
manufacture of the family; but everything denoted that kind of comfort
that was congenial to his habits and feelings and evinced a busy, happy,
old age. His room was a part of a range of log cabins kept in order by
his affectionate daughters and granddaughters. Every member of the
household appeared to take delight in administering to his comforts; he
was sociable and communicative in replying to questions, but did not in-
troduce incidents of his own history. He was intelligent, for he had
treasured up the experience afid observation of more than fourscore years.
'Not moody and unsociable as if desirous of shunning society and
civilization'."
Among other explorers whose deeds and names are not recorded, yet
who played an important part in the early settlement of Leavenworth
County, were those children of the river, the woods and frontier, who
intermingled with the various tribes, frequently marrying into the tribe;
who knew the habits of wild game with the same degree of adeptness as
did the savage; who was as skillful at the hunt, in the chase or with the
traps; who were generally referred to as Coureur-de-bois.
These men were as a rule of French descent. They were always
found domiciled along the various rivers, where they depended upon their
traps and hunting prowess to provide them a means of livelihood. They
were free and easy of manner, peaceful of disposition and quickly adapted
themselves to the customs of the various tribes. They traveled by boat
exclusively and as the trading posts moved westward they preceded them,
usually at long distances.
CHAPTER III
EARLY SETTLEMENTS
COLONEL LEA\'ENWORTH-FIRST SETTLERS— "SQUATTERS'— TOWN COMPANY-
SALE OF LOTS— EARLY INDUSTRIES — FIRST STORES— NEWSPAPERS — HOTELS
—EARLY FLOUR MILLS— BREWERIES— SCHOOLS— THEATERS— PUBLIC HALLS
—BANKING— CHURCHES:
Leavenworth. — While the preceding chapters deal with history,
largely speculative and inferential, leading up to the year 1804, when the
United States took possession of Upper Louisiana, the present chapter is
based on actual facts from the year 1827 on and deals most pertinently
with that section of Leavenworth County comprising its northeastern
part.
^The history of Leavenworth County from the time of the red men
and the first hardy adventurers and pioneers involves indeed a wondrous
story which is well worth preserving. States and nations preserve their
history, but the story of a county, its creation and development touches
a chord of home life and home making which is nearer and dearer than
that which is purely informational.
The beginning of settlement of the territory of which Leavenworth
County is now composed came when Col. Henry Leavenworth, Third
United States Infantry, was directed in March, 1827, to proceed up the
Missouri River with four companies of his regiment and to select a site
within twenty miles of the mouth of the Little Platte River to be used
as a location for a permanent cantonment. The story of how Col. Leaven-
worth, not being able to decide upon a suitable location on the Missouri
side which he was instructed to do, and of his fixing upon the present site
of Fort Leavenworth has been told in detail in other parts of this volume
116 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
as well as the approval of the selected site which became official Septem-
ber 19, 1827. With the establishment of this military post, which was
known as Cantonment Leavenworth, there was opened up the first post-
office in the territory which was known as Cantonment Leavenworth or
"La Platte," Clay County, Missouri, Clay County being the Missouri
county that joined the post on the east, the river separating them. This
postoffice was established May 29, 1828, and Phillip G. Rand was the
first postmaster.
The first white settlers who came into the territory were mostly
farmers and mechanics who secured positions tending the farm on the
government reservation and were employed in various capacities in and
around the post. There were also some white missionaries, who had
come in previously with emigrant tribes of Indians. After the passage
of the territorial act of 1854 numerous settlers flocked in and proceeded
to take up claims, mostly in close proximity to the present location of the
fort. All of those who had come in previous to this year could not in
any way establish any right or title to their lands, it being ceded by
previous treaties to occupying Indian tribes. When the Territorial Act
of 1854 passed a great majority of the emigrants who came into the
territory were under the impression that the lands were then subject to
pre-emption under the pre-emption laws of the United States. Yet when
the Delawares in May, 1854, ceded the greater portion of their lands in
what is now Leavenworth County, reserving a strip ten miles wide along
the north bank of the Kansas River in the southern end of the county, it
appears that the lands so ceded were not under the terms and conditions
of treaty subject to settlement but were to be sold to the highest bidder
after having been surveyed. Many of the emigrants who came into the
territory of which this county is now composed were from Platte County
and Weston, Missouri. They knew the value of these new lands and
acting upon the advice of David R. Atchison, then United States Senator
from Missouri, came over and took up all land possible. So strong was
this rush for land that followed the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act
that it is said by the month of June, 1854, there were very few acres of
land in what is now Leavenworth County that had not been staked out
and claimed.
What is believed to have been the first land "staked" and claimed
upon what is now the present site of Leavenworth City after the passage
of the Kansas-Nebraska Act was that "staked" and claimed by Gen.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 117
George W. Gist, John C. Gist and Samuel Farnandis. Later when the
Leavenworth Town Company was organized Gen. George W. Gist was
chosen its president and it was he that platted and surveyed the original
townsite. To this day it is known as the "Gist Survey." The plat of
this survey was filed in the surveyor general's office at Fort Leavenworth,
December 20, 1854. John C. Gist, who was a son of Gen. George W. Gist,
and Samuel Farandis were also members of the town company. John C.
Gist and Samuel Farandis "squatted" upon their respective claims June
12, 1854.
On June 10, 1854, the "squatters," having had more or less conten-
tion in the way of getting valid titles to their respective claims, held a
public meeting at Rively's store in Salt Creek Valley and drew up a series
of resolutions with reference to their respective rights and holdings.
Among other things done at the meeting it was decided by the "squatters"
to relinquish any claims that they might have to land which in any way
conflicted with those of the Leavenworth Town Company, which company
was then in process of formation and was definitely organized June 13,
1854. This was the first "squatter's" meeting ever held in the territory
of which Kansas is constituted as well as in Leavenworth County.
Despite the fact that the "squatters" were held to have no right to
settle upon the lands lately ceded by the Delaware Indians until the lands
had been surveyed and sold at public sale, they nevertheless lost no time
in staking out the town of Leavenworth, selling shares in the town com-
pany and proceeding in general and on a large scale to occupy and claim
the territory. The first sale of town lots of the city to take place in the
city of Leavenworth occurred on Monday, October 9, 1854. Previous to
this the town site had been cleared of all timber and underbrush by "Uncle
George" Keller, who had been given the contract. He began this work
about June 15, 1854, and employed eighty men and finished the job about
the middle of September. The "Herald," Leavenworth's weekly paper,
under date of October 13, 1854, contained the following article with refer-
ence to the sale:
"On Monday last, at 11 o'clock A. M., the sale of lots in this town
was commenced. There was a large assemblage of people on the ground,
many of whom had come from a distance for the purpose of attending
the sale. The survey had been completed and charts of the town drawn.
The streets had been cleared of rubbish, and marked with their names.
Those parallel with the river are numbered as far out as Seventh Street;
118 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
the cross streets are named for Indian tribes, and commencing on the
south, are as follows: Choctaw, Cherokee, Delaware, Shawnee, Seneca,
Miami, Osage, Pottawatomie, Ottawa, Kickapoo, Kiowa, Dacotah, Pawnee,
and Cheyenne. The streets parallel with the river are sixty feet wide,
and the cross streets are sixty-one feet wide, except Delaware, which is
seventy feet. The lots are twenty-four feet front, by 125 feet deep, and
there are thirty-two lots in each block. Through the center of each block
runs an alley fifteen feet wide. Seven lots have been laid off next the
river in warehouse lots, the fronts of which are about 150 feet from the
water's edge. All the space between Main or First street and the river,
except these several blocks, has been donated for a levee and esplanade.
"The terms of the sale were one-third cash and the balance payable
when the title is secured. G. W. McLane, of Weston, and W. S. Palmer,
of Platte City, were the auctioneers on the first day. Fifty-two lots were
sold, at an average of $140.00; on the second day fifty lots were sold, at
an average of $120.00; making the average of both days' sale about
$130.00. Only four lots were sold out of the thirty-two in each block.
The sales were distributed equally over the entire site. The purchases
were generally made for immediate improvement, but a small number
having been sold to shareholders. Every lot that was offered was sold,
and many others could have been disposed of if time had permitted. The
highest price paid for any one was $390.00, the lowest, $50.00. It was
recollected that no lot exceeded twenty-four feet front."
The Leavenworth Town Company, which was permanently organized
June 13, 1854, was made up in the great part of citizens of Missouri, as
follows : George W. Gist, Lorenzo D. Bird. D. H. Stephens,. L. W. Caples,
William H. Adams, Oliver Diefendorf, L. A. Wisely, Amos Rees, Samuel
Norton, William S. Murphy, Sam Farnandis, Meret Johnson, G. H. Keller,
William G. Caples, H. Miles Moore, Joseph Murphy, John C. Gist, G. B.
Panton, Edward Mix, Joseph B. Evans, Malcolm Clark, John Bull, Frans
Impey, James F. Brunei-, Frederick Starr, J. D. Todd, A. Thomas Kyle,
Sackfield Maclin, E. A. Ogden, Samuel F. Few.
The officers of the company were as follows: Gen. George W. Gist
President ; H. Miles Moore, Secretary ; Joseph B. Evans, Treasurer. Amos
Rees, L. D. Bird, and Major E. A. Ogden were selected as a board of trus-
tees, and the committee on by-laws was composed of L. D. Bird, O. Diefen-
dorf, and H. Miles Moore. H. Miles Moore was until his death considered
one of the ablest authorities on the early history of Leavenworth City and
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 119
Leavenworth County. His classification of the members of the original
Town Company was as follows: Ministers, three; lawyers, four; doctors,
five; printers, two; merchants, four; surveyors, one; army officers, two;
army clerks, one; farmers, eight.
The company staked off and claimed a tract of land comprising some
220 acres of land on the present site of the city of Leavenworth and pro-
ceeded at once to have it surveyed and divided into lots. The organiza-
tion was perfected on June 13, 1854, and on October 9th, following, the
first public sale of lots was held in the city as will be seen in account pre-
viously set out in this chapter. Shortly after the platting of the town
a discussion arose among the members of the by-laws committee as to
what the town should be named and the majority of the committee, L. D.
Bird and 0. Diefendorf, favored naming the city "Douglas" in honor of
the author of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, Sen. Stephen A. Douglas of
Illinois. It was due to the influence of H. Miles Moore that the name
"Leavenworth" was chosen. The naming of the streets from Choctaw,
north to the reservation after the various western Indian tribes was done
upon the suggestion of Major E. A. Ogden.
With the establishing of the city and the selling of the lots, the town
immediately took on an industrial aspect. Houses were erected as quickly
as possible and in the meantime tents and various other structures that
provided shelter were pressed into use. The first dwelling house to be
erected within the present confines of the city limits is said to have been
erected at the corner of 4th and Walnut streets in 1854 by Jeremiah
Clark. This house, which was afterward moved to a location on the alley
between 4th and 5th streets and Spruce and Olive remained standing
until the summer of 1919 when it was torn down.
A saw mill, one of the most needed industries at this time, began
operations a short distance north of the mouth of Three-Mile Creek. It
was owned and operated by Capt. W. S. Murphy and Capt. Simeon Scruggs,
the partnership being known as Murphy & Scruggs. H. Miles Moore, in
his valuable work, "Early History of Leavenworth City and County" tells
of his advancing the members of this firm the sum of $96.00 with which
to pay the steamboat freight on their mill and of his having to take his
pay long afterwards in cottonwood lumber at the rate of $35.00 a thou-
sand feet. Capt. W. S. Murphy, one of the partners in the project was a
member of the Leavenworth Town Company. Before his coming to Leav-
enworth he was a very prominent citizen of the city of Weston, Missouri.
120 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
He had served as a captain in the Mexican war under General Doniphan.
Captain Scruggs had, too, been a resident of Weston before coming to
Leavenworth and had served as constable 'there for a number of years.
Following the erection of the saw-mill Captain Sawyer erected a dwelling
house near northeast corner of Second and Shawnee streets and moved his
family there from Weston, Missouri. Their mill did a flourishing business
until the death of Captain Murphy when the business affairs became
involved in litigation which resulted in Captain Scruggs losing much of
his interests. After this he removed with his family to a farm north-
west of Kickapoo and just across the line in Atchison County where he
lived the remaining days of his life. The mill later came to be known as
Col. Isaac Young's Eclipse Mill.
Stores and storerooms were opened soon, the first being that of Lewis
N. Rees which was erected in the summer of 1854. The store which Rees
erected was upon the present site of the Union Depot and was what is
commonly known as a general merchandise store. Rees also acted as
postmaster without pay as an accommodation to the public for some time
until he was officially appointed. The postoffice remained in his store of
the Levee for some time when it was later moved further up town as a
matter of public accommodation. Numerous other stores of various nature
soon sprung into existence. Engleman Bros, built the second store in the
city. It was located on Main street about the middle of the block between
Delaware and Cherokee. H. Miles Moore, in his "Early History of Leav-
enworth City and County," mentions the following stores that began
operation in the city during the years 1854 and 1855 : Nelson McCracken,
on Water street near Choctaw; Adam Fisher, general store, southwest
comer Water street and Cherokee; James L. Beyers and M. M. Jewett,
grocery, Water street and Choctaw; White & Fields, dry goods, Water
street below Cherokee ; A. M. Clark, grocery, south side of Cherokee, west
of Third street; Cohn & Abel, general store, on Water street; Col. J. C.
Clarkson, general store, southwest corner of Cherokee and Second; Hall
& Walcott, dry goods, south side of Cherokee between Second and Third
streets ; George Russell, stove and tin, east side of Main street near Dela-
ware; Strass, Block & Rosenfield, dry goods and clothing, between Third
and Fourth streets on south side of Cherokee street; Shannon & Van
Doren, general store on Cherokee street between Second and Third ; James
Dixon, dry goods, on Cherokee between Second and Third; Meyer's Gro-
cery, on Levee north of Cherokee ; Philip Rothschild's clothing, on Levee
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 121
north of Delaware; E. Cody, grocery, west of Main street between Dela-
ware and Cherokee streets ; R. E. Allen, drugs, on Main street, west side,
north of Delaware street; William Russell, dry goods and outfitting, on
east side of Main street where Bittman & Todd's wholesale grocery now
stands. The latter, Mr. Moore states, was the largest institution of its
kind on the Missouri River above St. Louis.
A newspaper began operations in the city before there was a building
in the city in which to house its plant. The first edition of the paper was
published under the shade of a large elm tree that stood near the north-
west corner of Cherokee and Front or Levee streets. The type of the
original issue was set up by W. H. Adams. The first issue bore the date
of September 15, 1854. The second issue appeared September 22, 1854,
and was published in a one-story frame cottonwood house, the first erected
in the city of Leavenworth which was situated south of Delaware on
Levee or Front street. W. H. Adams, the original owner of the paper
which was known as the "Kansas Herald," was also one of the original
thirty-two members of the Leavenworth Town Company. He was a son-
in-law of Gen. George W.. Gist, president of the Leavenworth Town Com-
pany and a brother-in-law of Hon. John C. Gist, who was also a member
of the Town Company. A certain Mr. Osborn was associated with Adams
in the newspaper adventure at first possibly in the way of a printer more
than anything else. He had little or no capital invested and was retired
from the business after a period of about six weeks. He later became a
U. S. Deputy Marshal under I. B. Donaldson. With the retirement of
Osborn from the newspaper, W. H. Adams sold an interest in the paper
to Gen. Lucien J. Eastin, who became the active editor of the paper from
then on. General Eastin was originally from Missouri. He remained in
Kansas until about the year 1859 when he again returned to Missouri
to become editor of a Missouri paper. During his stay in Kansas he was
elected a member of the first Territorial Council from Leavenworth County
in 1855 and 1856.
In 1855 H. Rives Pollard, a young Virginian, became associated with
General Eastin in the editorship and publication of the "Herald," the
latter having acquired complete control of the paper at that time. From
this time on the paper became an unusually bitter pro-slavery organ. In
1859 General Eastin sold out his interest and removed to Missouri. Will-
iam H. Gill, who became editor at that time, tempered the policy of the
paper to great extent, going so far at one time as to support Stephen A.
122 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Douglas for the nomination to the presidency. In 1860 the paper was again
sold to William P. Fain, a former U. S. marshal, who in turn sold it to
R. C. Satterlee, B. R. Wilson and C. W. Helm. The financial status of the
paper at this time had gotten low and the publication of the paper was no
longer prosperous. Publication was suspended in June, 1861, the last
issue being under date of June, 27, 1861. Only two weeks previous to this
R. C. Satterlee, one of the owners, was shot and killed by Col. D. R.
Anthony.
The great influx of emigration into the territory surrounding the
city and the city itself in those early days necessitated the opening of
hotels and other places where the emigrants might be housed. George
Keller, commonly known and referred to in those days as "Uncle George"
and one of the most resourceful of the town's citizenry at the time took
advantage of the opportunity and opened up the first hotel erected in the
city as well as in the new territory. The hotel which was erected in 1854
was a frame structure and was located at the northwest corner of Main
streets and Delaware. It was a two-story affair and was situated upon
much higher ground than is found at the location this day, the ground
thereabout having been submitted to much grading and excavating since
those days. A. T. Kyle, a son-in-law of Keller, was associated with him
in the conducting and managing of the institution. Before coming to
Leavenworth and Kansas territory Keller was a Missourian and lived near
Weston. When the town was platted and mapped out by the Town Com-
pany Keller was given the job of cleaning the brush from the townsite
as well as opening up the various streets. The Keller and Kyle hostelry
was operated for about a year when it was sold. Kyle soon after removed
to Weston, Missouri, where he engaged for a number of years in the con-
ducting of a general merchandise store. Later he returned to Leaven-
worth County and settled at Lansing, Kansas, where he and his wife
conducted a boarding house for the officers of the Kansas penitentiary.
After selling out his interests in the "Old Leavenworth Hotel," "Un-
cle George" Keller subsequently engaged in the hotel business in various
parts of the city. At one time he was connected with the management of
the "Fisher-Parry" Hotel which was later remodeled and re-named the
"Old Mansion House". This famous old hostelry was located at the south-
east comer of 5th and Shawnee Streets. It early became such a ren-
dezvous for Free State men that it earned the title "Abolition Hill" and
Abolition Hotel by those of Southern sympathy.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 123
Keller for years took an active interest in early day politics. He
served as a member of the First Free State Territorial Legislature of
1857-1858, and also later after the building of the State Penitentiary at
Lansing he served as warden from 1867 to 1869. After leading a very
active life in the city during its early days and associating very much
in the building up of the county he retired to his farm a short distance
south of the little village of Springdale in the western end of the county
where he died.
While the "Old Leavenworth Hotel," under the managership of Keller
and Kyle, was always well conducted, yet it came into early disrepute
especially so by those of Southern sympathies. "Uncle George" Keller,
while a Missonrian in every sense of the word, never approved of the tac-
tics of the South in trying to force slavery upon the newly organized
territory of Kansas. Consequently his attitude was frowned upon by all
Southerners who had emigrated to Leavenworth in those days. It was
this feeling that led several radical Southerners to organize a company and
solicit subscriptions for the purpose of erecting a new hotel in the city
of Leavenworth. The city was growing very rapidly and the proposition
met with much favor as the accommodations of the "Old Leavenworth
Hotel" were more or less limited. H. P. Johnson, known as "Hog" John-
son, a rabid pro-slavery advocate of those days, solicited the subscriptions.
With the funds that were thus raised the "Old Planters Hotel" which is
now situated at northeast corner of Main and Shawnee streets ,was
erected in 1855.
One of the terms and conditions of the membership of the Associa-
tion was:
"That the hotel was to be owned by Southern men and was to be
conducted on exclusive Southern principles."
This was looked upon with much disfavor by the Abolitionists and
Free State men of those days and for several years there was much antag-
onism shown toward the hotel on their part.
The original structure was of brick and was four stories in height.
It was first managed and conducted by McCarthy & McMeekin, both of
whom were originally from Missouri and of strong pro-slavery tenden-
cies. In 1857 the hotel was sold to Len T. Smith and Col. Jepp Rice who
operated it for a period of seven years. Both Smith and P.ice were North-
erners and not wishing to entirely change The policy of the business they
strove to strike a happy medium. They catered to both the Northern
124 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
and Southern trade and assured each of equally fair and honest treatment,
a policy which boomeranged against them from both sides for some time.
An amusing incident of the Smith and Rice policy is mentioned by the
late H. Miles Moore in his work, "Early History of Leavenworth City and
County," in which he tells of the proprietors hiring two bartenders, one
pro-slavery, the other Free State. When a thirsty citizen of the South
would happen into the place of business and between drinks proceed to
give vent to his opinion on matters of importance of the day he immedi-
ately found an interested listener and sympathizer in the person of the
Southern barkeep. When a Free State man of like inclinations and con-
trary opinion happened along he found a friend in the barkeeper at the
other end of the bar.
Numerous incidents of note attended the operation of the famous
old hostelry in its early days. At one time a negro slave that had escaped
from his master in Kentucky was apprehended while working in the bar-
ber shop there. He was arrested and was going to be returned to his
master when Free State men interfered. Controversies and altercations
immediately arose between the various factions which finally resulted in
the Free State men's refusing to allow the negro to be placed in jail to
await his hearing before the U. S. Commissioner, James McDowell. As
a sort of a compromise the negro was finally placed in a room on the fourth
floor where he was under a guard consisting of two Free State and two
pro-slavery men. During the night the Free State men in numbers made
an assault upon the room and after liberating the negro, he refused to
accompany them. This attempt at liberation so enraged the pro-slavery
adherents that they immediately brought out the "old Kickapoo Cannon"
and planted it facing the hotel, at the same time passing the word down
the line that unless the slave was turned over to them they would pro-
ceed to destroy the hotel. The negro was finally spirited away under a
heavy guard and appeared before the U. S. Commissioner the following
day for a hearing. During the hearing some one called the commissioner
outside and during his stay the negro was spirited away. He was never
re-captured.
During the days when the Civil War was at its height more or less
guerilla warfare was carried on across the river. It was not an uncom-
mon thing for the windows on the east side of the building to be shot out
by guerillas under the leadership of Cy Gordon who would gather his men
together on the Missouri River sandbars and fire at the hotel and the
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 125
building south of it owned by Col. D. R. Anthony. On March 17, 1879,
Dan Smith, a brother of the proprietor, Len T. Smith, was shot and killed
on the west steps of the hotel by a party named Lattin following an alter-
cation over a horse. Smith had attacked Lattin with a hatchet, cutting
him in several places before he was shot by the latter. Lattin was after-
ward acquitted of the crime of murder.
Probably no other western hotel can boast of having entertained in
its day more notable early day characters as can the old Planters House.
Stephen A. Douglas, the author of the Kansas-Nebraska Act and Senator
from Illinois, made one of his famous speeches from' the balcony there.
Abraham Lincoln stopped there on his visit to Leavenworth. Gen. Will-
iam T. Sherman, famous for his- march through the Southern states dur-
ing the latter part of the Civil War and who later came to Leavenworth
to practice law, stayed at the old Planters while he remained here engaged
in legal practice.
Among other hostelries that sprang into existence during the early
days of the city of Leavenworth was that one located at the Southwest
corner of what is now 5th and Shawnee streets. The original owner of
of this hotel was George Keller, the original owner of the old
Leavenworth Hotel at Main and Delaware streets. In 1857 Keller
sold out his interest to Adam Fisher, one of the oldest settlers of the
city, who at once proceeded to remodel the place and enlarged it some.
It was then named the Fisher House. Subsequent to this the place was
leased to a party named Parry and came to be known as the Parry House
or "Fisher-Parry" House. Insley and Kiser later purchased the place
and it began operations under the name of "The Mansion House". It
rapidly came in favor as a hotel, being especially favored by Free State
men which led the Pro-Slavery forces to refer to it as Abolition Hill. At
that time the ground was much higher at this particular point than now,
it being graded down some fifteen or twenty feet when the present build-
ings were erected on the site and the streets paved.
Among the numerous other hotels that operated in the city of Leaven-
worth during the middle and late '50's was the "Shawnee Hotel" which
began operations in 1856. It was owned by Miles Norton and was located
on the north side of Shawnee Street between Main and Second streets.
The "Rennick House" was built in 1857 on the southwest corner of Main
and Seneca streets by Doctor Rennick, an early day physician. It was a
three-story frame building. Later the name was changed to the "Brevort
126 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
House". The "Woodward House" was built in 1858 on northeast corner
of 4th and Seneca streets. It was afterward known as the "Morris House"
and later as the "Washington House". It is still standing though much
the worse for wear and tear. It has long since been abandoned as a hotel
and has been unoccupied for the past seven or eight years. The original
"Pennsylvania House" was built in 1856 on northwest corner of Main and
Cherokee streets. It was burned down at an early date. A hotel by the
same name was later started on the north side of Shawnee street between
Second and Third streets. It was on the identical site of the present site
of the "Wilkins Hotel". Still later an early day hotel by the name of the
"Pennsylvania House" began operations at the southeast corner of Broad-
way and Sioux streets. It was owned and operated by Hubbard Frazier
and was built in the late fifties. The "Pittsburg House" was also built
during the late fifties at the southwest corner of Cherokee and Front or
Levee streets. It was operated by a famous early day character known
as "Pap" Hancock. The "Merchants Hotel" was built in 1858 by Adam
Fisher on the south side of Cherokee street between Main and Second.
It was a brick structure three stories in height. It was operated as a
hotel for a number of years by Adam Fisher who was an experienced
hotel man, having previously operated the old Fisher Hotel at Fifth and
Shawnee street and the "Fisher-Parry" House at the same place. "Har-
mony Hall" was built and operated as a hotel and public hall in 1855 by
an old Swiss by the name of Jean-de-Arms. It was located at the north-
east corner of Second and Choctaw streets. Among other famous early
day hostelries were the "Railroad Hotel" located near Walnut and Main
streets ; "Poor Jake's House" situated on the southeast corner of Main and
Choctaw streets, conducted by Jacob Stroble, an early day politician;
"The Leavenworth House" located at northwest corner of Fourth and
Cherokee streets, now known as "The Imperial Hotel ; the "McCarthy Ho-
tal," owned and operated by an early day politician named Timothy Mc-
Carthy; the "Second Ward House" located on the south side of Cherokee
street about the middle of the block between Second and Third streets,
operated by William Cranston; the "St. George Hotel" located near the
northwest corner of Second and Delaware streets; the "Balensloe House"
located at the northwest corner of Seventh and Kickapoo streets, operated
by Capt. John J. Murphy, and the "Half-Way House" located on Sioux
street about the middle of the block between Seventh and Broadway on
the south side.
HISTORY OF LEWENWORTH COUNTY 127
Scarcely had the city of Leavenworth got well under way of exist-
ence when flour mills began operations, being at the time a very neces-
sary industry, yet meeting with great obstacles in the carrying on of their
business. The first flour mill to be erected was built in 1857 at the north-
west corner of Main and Short streets by Earle & Bunbing. It was a two-
story brick structure approximately forty-five by one hundred feet in
dimension. It was not the roller type of mill prevalent these days but the
flour was made through a process of crushing between stones or what
was known as "burrs". There was not a great deal of wheat grown in the
community hereabout at the time and as the mill required considerable
money to be invested to get it on an operating basis, it did not prove to be
a profitable enterprise. After a short time it was abandoned as a flour
mill and the building was occupied as a furniture factory by Woods &
Abernathy. Among the other flour mills that were later started was one
by Capt. Elijah Wilhite, known as the "Wilhite Mill". It was located
along the river under what is now known as the South Esplanade. The
"Koehler Mill" was built in 1865 on Delaware street near Broadway by
Philip Koehler. It was a brick structure three stories in height. The
business failed a number of years later and passed into the hands of Hines
& Eaves who later sold it to H. D. Rush. Rush enlarged the capacity of
the mill and built the elevator that stands to the west of the original struc-
ture. This mill was later destroyed by fire. It stood on the site where
the Vogel Box Factory is now located. The "Plummer Mill" was built near
the intersection of Kickapoo and Main streets in the year 1872. This will
was also sold out later to H. D. Rush who enlarged it. It too was burned
down in the year 1878. Possibly one of the most successful of early flour
mill industries was that engaged in by A. B. Havens and Paul Havens who
built what was known as the "Havens Mill" a short distance south of the
bridge over Three Mile Creek on Main street. The location originally
taken up by this mill site is now occupied by the railroad tracks of the
local terminal company. The mill was a three-story frame building and
was equipped with all of the latest machinery available in those days. It
was burned down like a great many other early day business institutions,
the fire occurring May 28, 1882.
Among other mills which might in a way be termed later day mill-
ing industries was the "White Mill" which was erected and operated by a
party named White. This mill was located on Choctaw street, south side,
near Fifth street. It was later sold to H. D. Rush. This is the same mill
128 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
as is now known and operated as The Leavenworth Milling Company. The
Kelly & Lysle Milling Company owned and operated a mill on the north
side of Choctaw street near the intersection of Sixth street. This mill site
is now occupied by the Lysle Milling Company. Another mill of the '80's
was located near the intersection of Fifth and Oak streets. It was built
in 1886. This mill operated at considerable loss for some time owing to
its not being on a railroad and having to go to the expense of having the
wheat hauled to the mill and the finished product. It was later sold to
Thomas Ashby and has been operated as a corn meal mill for a number of
years .past. An oat meal mill was constructed during the early '80's at
the northeast corner of Main and Delaware streets. It was very success-
ful from it's inception. The mill was operated by S. F. North and occupied
a building which stood immediately north of the Union Station. It was
destroyed by fire a short time after its beginning operations. A woolen
mill was put in operation during the early days of the city known as the
"Leavenworth Woolen Mills." It was erected in 1857 on a location imme-
diately across Cherokee street from what is now known as the Klemp Fur-
niture Factory. The original promoters of this industry were L. N. Latta
and W. H. Hastings. It met the fate of many other early day mills, being
destroyed by fire at an early date. The old "Latta" House originally
owned by Judge L. N. Latta, one of the proprietors, is still standing near
the former mill site. The Leavenworth Carpet Mills began operations in
the city in 1870 on the south side of Choctaw street near where the Great
Western Foundry now stands between Second and Third streets. It pros-
pered for a time and was destroyed by cyclone May 24, 1878.
Among other industries that put in their appearance early in the city
of Leavenworth during its early settlement was the brewing industry.
The first brewery to be built in the city was that built in the fall of 1855
by Fritzen & Mundee. It was a two-story stone structure and was located
along the bank of the river immediately adjoining what is now the South
Esplanade. This brewery was operated for a number of years and was
later sold out to Capt. Elijah Wilhite who used the building for the opera-
tion of his flour mill known as the "Wilhite Mill." Another early day
brewery was that known as the "Kuntz Brewery." It was located on
South Fourth street along the south bank of Three Mile Creek immedi-
ately across the creek from the present site of the Fisher Machine Works.
The large square stone house standing on the bank overlooking the former
site of this brewery was built by the proprietor, Joseph Kuntz, for his
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 129
family. Underneath the present location of the house which has been
known for some time as the Ferrill property immense subterranean vaults
were constructed for holding the beer until it had reached certain stages
of fermentation and aging. A road to the brewery building proper led
in from Fifth street on the west. A large veranda and grove adjoined
the house in early days and was a favorite resort of summer evenings to
which thirsty citizens of the city flocked for refreshments and an even-
ing's entertainment, music generally being furnished in the nature of some
first-class band. After the death of the proprietor the property fell into
the hands of his nephew, Charles Kuntz, who married the widow. Lack
of proper business management soon brought the business into litigation
and it was finally closed out.
The "John Grund Brewery", owned and operated by John Grund, was
erected in 1857 on Delaware street between Fifth and Sixth streets, south
side, and on the location of the former building which was known as Chick-
ering Hall and what is now known as the "Leavel Motor Company". Henry
Foot, one of the wealthiest of Leavenworth's citizens in those days, was
associated with Grund in the enterprise. The brewery was a brick struc-
ture two stories in height. Its operation at this location was never a com-
plete success, owing to the fact that they could not provide suitable con-
ditions under which to have their beer age and the place was sold out,
the partners buying out a small brewery which was located on the west
side of what is now Shoemaker avenue, and which was operated under the
name of the "Little Cannon Brewery", and run and operated by an old
German on a small scale. The Grund interests at the same time also pur-
chased a tract of land on the east side of what is now Shoemaker avenue
and proceeded to erect an up-to-date brewery, the building itself being of
stone and the ruins of which are to this day standing. This brewery con-
tinued to do a flourishing business until the early '60's when it was closed
out by Lucien Scott, then president of the First National Bank, from
whom Grund had borrowed heavily.
Another prominent early day brewery was opened for business in
1857 near the northeast corner of Choctaw and Sixth streets upon the
present site of the Lysle Milling Company. It was owned and operated by
Keim & Wehrle, and while it did business upon a smaller scale than the
other breweries heretofore mentioned, nevertheless for the amount of
capital invested, the business was a very profitable one.
(5)
130 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
In 1858 John Brandon and David Block started the manufacture of
soda water at the southeast corner of Second and Kiowa streets. A few
years later M. Kirmeyer bought out the interest in the business and he
first operated under the name of Brandon & Kirmeyer and the business
was changed to that of brewing. This industry was finally forced to cease
operations through the interference of the law as administered under the
Prohibitory Act. A still later adventure at the brewing industry was set
upon when John Brandon and George Beal formed a partnership and
engaged in the manufacture of beer under the firm name of Brandon &
Beal. Their brewery was located on Kickapoo street, north side, between
Second and Main streets. This was the last brewery to do business in the
city of Leavenworth.
Schools were not so quickly to be established in the city. This was
due principally to the fact of the unsettled condition of the slavery ques-
tion in those days. As soon as it became apparent that the new territory
was to be Free State the establishment of schools took on a new impetus.
Previous to this about the only schools existing in the city were those
that were privately conducted. The first school of this nature to be estab-
lished was located on the southeast corner of Fifth and Delaware streets.
It was opened during the summer of 1855 and was conducted by Rev. J. B.
McAfee. He conducted the school at this place for several years. Later
McAfee was ordered out of the territory owing to the color of his political
views and not wishing to make a contest of the matter he left. It was
not until after the year 1858 when the first organized system of schools
was perfected, that the education of the children of the territory and city
ceased to be neglected.
A large two-story frame building was erected in the fall of 1856 at
the southeast corner of Third and Delaware streets which was used as a
public hall and theatre. It operated until the fall of 1858 when it was
destroyed by fire. Another building was erected in 1863 on Shawnee
street, north side, about the middle of the block between Fourth and
Fifth streets by the Goddard Bros. It was operated as an opera house
and theatre, playing vaudeville principally and was very popular until
destroyed by fire. The next early day theatre established in the city was
that which was located on the southeast corner of Fourth and Delaware
streets. It was known as the "Thorn Theatre", being named after a party
named Thom who, with his family, were actors and generally made up the
stock company that played there. Thorn, himself, owned and operated the
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 131
place for a number of years. The old Crawford Grand Opera House was
erected in 1880. It, while not in any sense being an early day house of
amusement, will be remembered by many of the old timers of the pres-
ent day. It was located on Shawnee street, south side, between Fifth and
Sixth streets, and was erected by a stock company of which H. D. Rush
was president. It played for years to large audiences and always showed
the very best bills. In 1910 the building was sold to the Abdallah Shrine
and after being thoroughly overhauled, has been since used as a Shrine
Temple. Recent theatres are not mentioned here, owing to the fact that
this article is supposed to deal with only the earlier history of the city of
Leavenworth.
A number of buildings used as public halls were erected and conducted
during the days of early settlement in the city. In 1855 a large two-story
frame building was erected on the north side of Delaware street between
Second and Third streets which was used for public meetings and for
church services. Melodeon Hall, Stockton Hall, Turner Hall, Lainge Hall,
Odd Fellows Hall, and Chickering Hall, were also famous in their day and
enjoyed equal popularity as places of public meeting and entertainment.
"Melodeon Hall" consisted of the third floor of a large three-story
brick building which was located on the north side of Cherokee street
between Main and Second streets. It was erected in 1851 by Springer
& Fries, a Cincinnati firm. It was one of the most famous as well as the
finest of early day halls. It was totally destroyed by fire at a later date.
"Stockton Hall was located on the southwest corner of Fourth and
Delaware streets. It was erected in 1857 by Capt. J. B. Stockton. Abra-
ham Lincoln spoke there December 3d, during his visit to Kansas in 1859.
It, too, was totally destroyed by fire at a later date.
The original "Turner Hall" was located at the northeast corner of
Sixth and Delaware streets. It was erected in 1857 by the Turner Society
of which Henry Deckelman, who ran a jewelry store in Leavenworth in
early days, was first president. It was equipped with a stage and served
the purpose of both public hall and opera house for the society. It stood
on this corner for thirty years or more. Later the Turner Society erected
a larger and finer hall at the northeast corner of Broadway and Shawnee
streets which is still standing. The original structure, after being deserted
by the Turners, was used for years as a livery stable.
"Lainge Hall" was located at the northwest corner of Fourth and
Delaware streets. It occupied the third floor of what' was known as the
Lainge building. It was used principally for political and religious meetings
132 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
The "Odd Fellows Hall" was erected in the early '60's at the south-
east corner of Sixth and Shawnee streets. It was one of the largest and
finest structures of its kind in those days and early became immensely
popular. The building is still standing and is still used for lodge purposes,
the lower part being at present used by the J. C. Davis Undertaking Co.,.
J. C. Davis of the latter mentioned company, being at the present time
owner of this famous old building.
"Chickering Hall" was erected in 1885, by Carl Hoffman. It was
located on the south side of Delaware street between Fifth and Sixth
streets on what is now lots owned and occupied by the Leavel Motor Car
Company. It was very popular as an early day hall and theatre, being
equipped with a stage. It passed into the discard as a theatre with the
establishment of the Crawford Grand Opera House on Shawnee street. It
was totally destroyed by fire November 14, 1914.
"G. A. R. Hall," located immediately north of the court house grounds
on Fourth street, and on the south side of Three Mile Creek, long served
as a public meeting place and hall. While it can not be linked with the
history of the earlier day halls of the city, yet it deserves mention here,
owing to the fact that its tearing down in 1912 marked the passing of a
familiar landmark.
The banking business became quickly established in the city during
its early settlement. The first bank to open for business was located on
the north side of Delaware street between Main and Second streets. It
Avas owned and controlled by a party named Bailey and began business
operations in the early part of 1855. It operated, however, but a very
short time.
Another early day bank was located on the north side of Cherokee
street, between Main and Second streets. It was originally owned by
Issett, Brewster & Co. Later Lyman Scott, an early day citizen, pur-
chased the interests of Isett and Brewster and the institution came to be
known as Scott, Kerr & Co. This banking business was later absorbed by
the First National Bank now located at the northeast corner of Fourth
and Delaware streets.
Among the other early day banks that operated in the city were those
of Eaves & Keller; Henry J. Adams & Co.; Clark & Gruber; J. C. Heming-
way & Co.; Smoot. Russell & Co.; J. W. Morris; Diefendorf, Hellen &
Bliss; Newman & Havens; E. Schoolscoff; E. H. Gruber; The German
Bank, and the Leavenworth Savings Bank.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 133
The bank operated by Eaves & Keller was located near the northeast
corner of Main and Cherokee streets. It began business in 1858 and oper-
ated for only a short time. The bank owned and operated by Henry J.
Adams & Co., was located in a one-story frame building which formerly
stood on the south side of Delaware about the middle of the block between
Second and Third streets. It was organized under the territorial laws of
the territory of Kansas in 1857 and was sometimes referred to as the
Leavenwoi-th City Bank. It, like former banking adventures, continued in
business but a short time. Clark & Gruber started a bank during the
middle '50's on Delaware street two doors west from the southwest corner
of Delaware and Third streets. The original building is now occupied by
the Sanitary Bakery, a new business adventure in this city. It, too, oper-
ated but a short time when the partnership dissolved and the business
was merged into other banking institutions. The J. C. Hemingway & Co.
bank was originally located at the northwest corner of Shawnee and Main
streets, immediately west of the old Planters House. This bank was the
outgrowth of the banking business of Smoot, Russell & Co., which was
started in 1855. The bank was later removed to the east side of Main
street between Delaware and Shawnee streets and still later was again
located at the southwest corner of Shawnee and Main streets. The bank
operated and conducted by the banking firm of Smoot, Russell & Co., was
originally located at the southwest corner of Main and Shawnee streets.
As previously mentioned, it was opened for business in 1855. The original
bank building was a two-story frame structure. Russell, one of the part-
ners in the firm was heavily interested in the great overland freighting
concern known as Majors Russell & Waddell, and when that company
removed from the city, the bank was sold to J. C. Hemingway & Co. A
banking business conducted by J. W. Morris which was opened for busi-
ness in 1857 was located near the northwest corner of Second and Shaw-
nee streets. It did business only on a small scale and was early discon-
tinued. The banking firm of Diefendorf, Hellen & Bliss which began busi-
ness in 1858 was located at the southwest corner of Delaware and Main
streets. It discontinued business at an early date. Paul E. Havens and
H. L. Newman began a banking business during the late '50's under the
name of Newman & Havens. Their bank was located on the northwest
corner of Third and Delaware streets in the building now occupied by the
Tremont Hotel. This bank operated successfully and on a large scale for
a number of years. The banking institution conducted by C. E. Scholscoff
134 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
located on the north side of Delaware street between Second and Third
streets, which did business during the late '50's was more of a loan office
than bank. It was conducted for a number of years on a very successful
scale. The large three-story brick building which now stands at the south-
west comer of Main and Delaware streets was built by E. H. Gruber, a
partner of the early banking firm of Clark & Gruber who started a bank-
ing business a few doors west of the southwest corner of Third and Dela-
ware streets at an early date. The former building mentioned was erected
in 1859 by Gruber after the dissolution of the Clark & Gruber partnei-ship.
Gruber, upon the completion of this building, started a bank there on a
large scale known as the "Gruber Bank." He did a large and flourishing
business there for a number of years but overstepped the bounds of pro-
priety in his desire to outdistance other banks and was finally closed out.
A bank known as "The German Bank" was started at the northwest cor-
ner of Third and Cherokee streets by Simeon Abeles at an early date.
Later it was moved to the southeast corner of Fourth and Delaware streets
and occupied the room now occupied by the Reif Drug Company. It was
finally merged into the First National Bank which is now located at the
northeast corner of Fourth and Delaware streets. The bank known as
the "Leavenworth Savings Bank" was established during the late '60's
by Hines & Eaves. It was at first located at the southwest corner of
Main and Delaware streets. Later it was removed and eventually was
located at the Times building on Fourth street. While located there it
failed, causing much financial distress to its depositors who were numer-
ous and were unfortunately of the working classes. The banks of today
in the city are not mentioned, owing to their having no historical signifi-
cance in this article which purports to deal only with the early day insti-
tutions and early settlement of the city.
That the pioneers who helped establish the city of Leavenworth, al-
though typical frontiersmen and soldiers in a sense of civilization's edge,
were a God fearing lot and Christians at heart is clearly evidence by the
quick establishment of churches and the building of other houses where
religious services were conducted. Scarcely had the city been laid out,
before religious services were being held in different ways and forms,
throughout its limits. The first religious service believed to have been
held within the present city limits was conducted October, 8, 1854, by W.
G. Caples, a Methodist elder. The services were held on the west bank
of the Missouri river near the northeast corner of the city limits. There
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 135
being no appropriate building in the city at that time which could be
utilized for church purposes, the first meeting was held under the shade
of a large grove of trees which formerly stood at the aforementioned
place. Rev. Caples was one of the members of the original Town Com-
pany and came here from Missouri. The Rev. Father Fish of Weston,
Missouri, officiated at the first Catholic church services that were con-
ducted in the city. There being no appropriate building, the residence
of Andrew Quinn who resided on the south side of Shawnee street *e-
tween Second and Third streets was used. A bureau was pressed into
service as an altar. This mass, the first Catholic mass to be said in the
city, was held during the early summer of 1855.
What is believed to have been the first building erected for exclus-
ive use for church purposes was built during the summer of 1855 by the
Methodists on Main street. The first Catholic church of the city was
built during the latter part of 1855. It was erected at the southwest
corner of Fifth and Kickapoo streets where the Catholic school now
stands. It was a large frame structure and was erected under the super-
vision of the Rt. Rev. Bishop Miege whose pastorate it continued to be
for a number of years. The present Catholic Cathedral supplanted it in
1863. Other Catholic churches were later established, a history of which
will be found elsewhere in this volume.
A Christian of Campbellite Church was erected during the summer
of 1855 on Shawnee street between Second and Third streets which was
destroyed by fire several years later. Shortly after this the congregation
erected another church building on the east side of Sixth street between
Shawnee and Seneca streets. This building is still standing and is still
used for religious purposes.
A Methodist Church, south, was erected in 1855 on the north side
of Choctaw street between Second and Third streets. It stood near where
the Great Western Manufacturing Co. now has its offices. In 1859 the
Methodist Church which stood for so many years at the northwest corner
of Fifth and Choctaw streets was erected. It was purchased in 1912, by
the J. C. Lysle Milling Company and was torn down, its present site
being converted into a lawn to the East of the milling company's offices.
In the late 50's or early 60's another Methodist church was erected at
the southwest corner of Sixth and Osage streets.
A Presbyterian Church was erected in the fall of 1855 at the south-
west corner of Sixth and Miami streets. Rev. A. W. Pitzer was pastor
186 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
of this church for about five years after its erection. Later and during
the year 1871 a First Presbyterian Church was erected near the north-
east corner of Seventh and Delaware streets on Delaware street. It was
eventually purchased by the Goodjohn Sash and Door Company and
converted to their business. Part of the old original building is still stand-
ing and is incorporated into the new building which they recently con-
structed for the carrying on of their business.
Other branches of the Presbyterian Church included the "West-
minister Presbyterian Church" which formerly stood at the corner of
West Seventh and Oak streets; the "Second Westminister Church" which
was built en the north side of Walnut street between Fourth and Fifth
streets; the "Cumberland Presbyterian Church" which was erected on
the north side of Cherokee street between Fourth and Fifth streets, and
the "United Presbyterian Church" erected in 1866 between Fifth street
and Second avenue on Arch street, often referred to as the "Flatiron
Church."
The first Episcopal Church erected in the city was built near the
southwest corner of Fifth and Chestnut streets. It was erected in 1858
and was abandoned later when the congregation erected a new church at
the northeast corner of Seventh and Seneca streets.
A German Lutheran Church was erected in 1857 at Seventh and
Miami streets. The first Congregationalist Church was located on the
northwest corner of Fifth and Delaware streets in 1859. The congrega-
tion sold their property at this location in 1887 and built their church
which at present stands at Fifth and Walnut streets, the northeast
corner. The Jewish Synagogue which stands at Sixth and Osage streets
was first erected in the year 1866. In 1916 it was completely overhauled
and remodeled and the new synagogue now stands on the old original
location. The first Baptist Church which is at present still standing and
still used for religious purposes was dedicated in 1871 at the southwest
corner of Sixth and Seneca streets. For years it was one of the most
massive and imposing looking church buildings in the city. A Colored
Church was erected in 1868 on the south side of Kiowa street between
Fourth and Fifth streets. It was of the First Methodist denomination.
The First colored Baptist church was erected in 1868 at the corner of
Seventh and Pottawatomie streets.
CHAPTER IV
EARLY SETTLEMENTS CONTINUED.
KICKAPOO — DELAWARE— EASTON— SPRING DALE — TONGANOXIE— RENO.
Kickapoo. — One of the most bitter of rivals of the city of Leaven-
worth during its fight for the supremacy of the cities of the county "was
waged by the little city of Kickapoo, situated several miles northwest of
the government reservation on the Missouri River. Kickapoo is in reality
a much older city in point of settlement than the city of Leavenworth. It
was for a time a very bitter rival of Fort Leavenworth in a business way.
The name of the city, "Kickapoo", was derived from that of the Kick-
apoo Indians, who came there and settled in 1832 upon grounds that had
been allotted them by the United States Government.
The original townsite was composed in all of three hundred and nine
acres of land and covered ground and land located principally in the north-
west quarter of section thirty-three, and the north one-half of the south-
west quarter of section thirty-three, township seven, range twenty-two.
The townsite was surveyed in July, 1854, and Josiah Elliott, who was
selected the first mayor of the city acknowledged the plat of the city in
October, 1854. The townsite was re-surveyed in May, 1858, and on Sep-
tember 10, 1858, the plat of the city as it was re-surveyed was recorded
with Scott J. Anthony, Register of Deeds of Leavenworth County at
that time.
The recorded plat of the city of Kickapoo, according to the re-survey
shows a city with streets beginning at the west bank of the Missouri
River and numbered north to south from one to thirteen. The names of
the streets from east to west are as follows, beginning at the north:
138 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Locust, Chestnut, Walnut, Main, Washington, Jefferson and Madison. All
streets were eighty feet in width with the exception of Main street which
was one hundred feet wide. The alleys as laid out were sixteen feet in
width and all lots were 124 f eef by 44 feet in dimension.
For a number of years it appeared that the city of Kickapoo was
destined to outstrip Leavenworth in growth and political prominence. As
early as September 20, 1853, a convention was held there for the purpose
of selecting a delegate to go to Washington and urge the organization of
Kansas and Nebraska as territories. A Catholic Mission was established
there in 1833 under the supervision of Fathers Van Quickenborn and
Hoecken. A trading post was doing a large business there at that date.
The old mission building that was erected by the Catholics was later con-
verted into a hotel and operated for a number of years. Later it was used
as a land office and was also used as an office for the "Kansas Pioneer," a
newspaper published there under the management of Saxton & Hazzard.
A part of this old building remained standing until a few years ago when
it was torn down by 0. L. Spencer into whose hands this property had
eventually passed.
One of the most flourishing industries of early day Kickapoo was a
saw mill which was operated there under the management' of Capt. Elijah
Wilhite and Captain Dennis. The lumber out of which many of the early
day buildings in this city were constructed was made at this mill. Nearly
all of the early day frame buildings at the fort were constructed from
lumber sawed at the Wilhite & Dennis mill. Wilhite later sold out the
interest which he owned in the mill and moved to the city of Leavenworth
and started a flour mill which stood on the river bank along the South
Esplanade. George A. Sharp, father of William F. Sharp, a prominent
farmer of Kickapoo at the present time, was an early employee of the
Wilhite & Dennis saw mill at Kickapoo.
A postoffice was established in the city of Kickapoo in 1855 and T. D.
Armond was appointed the first postmaster. For years the mail was
received at Kickapoo, coming across the river from Weston, Missouri.
Kickapoo then in turn acted as a distributing point for all points further
west in the surrounding country.
Among the early day settlers of the city of Kickapoo and vicinity
were Rev. Joel Grover, Major Robert Wilson, Major R. P. Rively, William
Finley, John Freeland, Jesse Connell, George 0. Sharp, Captain Dennis,
Isaac Cody, Lawrence Kennedy, Merrill Smith, David Herley, T. D. Ar-
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 139
mond, A. B. Hazzard, Elijah Wilhite, John Baker, Francis M. Beagle, Ben-
jamin F. Edwards, Frederick Hoberg, Jackson Hundley, Henry Clay
Squires, and Nathaniel S. Ward.
Rev. Joel Grover was a missionary to the Kickapoo Indians and came
to Kansas in 1851. He settled on a farm a short distance south of the
village of Kickapoo. He was the father of D. A. N. Grover and C. A.
Grover, both of whom were early day attorneys in the city of Leaven-
worth. C. A. Grover was the first County Attorney of the city and county
of Leavenworth.
Major Robert Wilson was the first white settler in Kickapoo Town-
ship, coming there in 1844. He settled on what is now known as the Cad
Flint farm which is located a short distance west of the station called
Miocene on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. He kept a trading
post there for several years and sold out in 1852 to Major R. P. Riveley,
who conducted a general store and hotel there for several years. Rive-
ley's place of business was one of the most noted on the Fort Riley Road
and Oregon Trail. One of the first "Squatters" meetings ever held in
Kansas territory was held there June 10, 1854. It was at this meeting
that the famous "Salt Creek Valley" resolutions were drawn up, a copy
of which appears elsewhere in this volume. Riveley conducted a general
store and inn at this place until July, 1857, when he sold out to Hiram
Rich.
William Finley settled on a farm in the Kickapoo community during
the middle '50's and for years took an active interest in the affairs of the
city of Kickapoo and the surrounding community. John Freeland was also
a farmer who lived in the Kickapoo community during the early '50's.
He took an active interest in early day politics and was elected a county
commissioner at an early date occupying the position of chairman of the
county board from August, 1858, until March 30, 1860. Jesse Connell was
also an early day farmer in the Kickapoo community. He served several
years as state senator also.
George O. Sharp, another of Kickapoo's oldest residents, came to
Kansas in 1855. He held the position of postmaster for a number of years
at that place and was also the first station agent there. He took an active
interest in the early day politics of the little village and served one term
as police judge there, and held the office of mayor from 1858 to 1861. He
was the father of William F. Sharp who at present lives a short distance
south of the little village.
140 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Captain Dennis operated a saw mill. For a time Elijah Wilhite was
associated with him. Practically all of the lumber that was used in the
construction of the stables at Fort Leavenworth during the early days was
sawed at this mill.
Isaac €ody, the father of the world famous "Buffalo Bill" also was
an early day settler in Kickapoo Township. There is no record of his
ever having lived in the village of Kickapoo. Cody's farm was situated on
the south side of the Fort Riley road and Old Oregon Trail and was a short
distance west of the Hund farm of today. His pi'operty eventually passed
through different hands and it is now part of the Weisinger and Seymour
farms.
Lawrence Kennedy, sometimes referred to as the "Mayor of Pleasant
Ridge," the father of M. C. Kennedy and L. V. Kennedy, prominent farm-
ers of Kickapoo Township, at the present time was also an early settler
in the township. His farm was located a short distance to the northwest
of the Cody farm.
Merrill Smith conducted a saloon and hotel in what might be properly
called Salt Creek Valley, a small early day village situated south of Kick-
apoo. His place was located on the Fort Riley Road and old Oregon Trail
and was a famous early day stopping place for freighting trains passing
over these trails.
David Herley operated the famous early day tavern and saloon known
as the "Eight Mile House". It was located approximately eight miles
northwest of the city of Leavenworth in Kickapoo Township at a point
where the Fort Riley Road and Old Oregon Trail branched. Part of the
old building is still standing and the place is now owned by Mrs. Patrick
Burns.
T. D. Armond was a resident of the village of Kickapoo during the
early '50's. He was the first postmaster at that place, being appointed in
January, 1855. At that time the mail was brought across the river from
Weston, Missouri, by ferry.
A. B. Hazzard was the editor of the "Kansas Pioneer", a radical pro-
slavery weekly published in Kickapoo. He published the "Pioneer" for a
period of about three years and when it became evident that Kickapoo had
lost the fight for the county seat and the territory-was destined to become
Free State the publication was suspended. He later published a paper
in Savannah, Missouri.
Elijah Wilhite was also an early day resident of the city of Kickapoo.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 141
For a time he was interested there in the operation of a saw mill with
Captain Dennis. After selling out his interests he removed to Leaven-
worth where he opened a flour mill.
John Baker came to Kansas in 1857 and located in Kickapoo. He
was at various times engaged in the manufacture of brooms there and
also at farming. He served as police judge of the city of Kickapoo one
term, as a member of the council three terms and as mayor of the city
one term.
Francis M. Beagle came to Kansas in 1852 and at first settled on
Kickapoo Island. About two years later he moved to the city of Kickapoo
where he engaged in the general merchandise business under the firm
name of Dennis, Lewis & Co. A short time afterward he moved to Colo-
rado but later returned to Kickapoo.
Benjamin F. Edwards, one of the early and prominent farmers and
stock misers of Kickapoo Township, came to Kansas in 1855 and located
on a farm northwest of the city of Kickapoo. During the Civil War he
served as a sergeant of Company A, Seventeenth Kansas Infantry. Mr.
Edwards took an active interest in early day political affairs. He was an
ardent Free State man and was one of the foremost farmers of Kickapoo
Township during his lifetime.
Frederick Hoberg, another early day resident of the city of Kickapoo,
came to Kansas in June, 1854. His original claim constituted a part of
the original townsite of the city. After selling it to the town company
he moved to a farm a short distance outside the city.
Jackson Hundley came to Kansas in September, 1854, and at first
settled in Salt Creek Valley, a short distance south of Kickapoo. He
farmed quite extensively in Kickapoo Township for a number of years.
Henry Clay Squires was another early day settler of Kickapoo Town-
ship. He came to Kansas in 1858 and for a number of years - engaged in
the freighting business on the plains. During his lifetime he was one of
the largest and most influential farmers in Kickapoo Township. He took
an active interest in politics and served several 'terms as County Commis-
sioner of Leavenworth County. His beautiful home is still well preserved
and is located a short distance northwest of the little vilage of Lowemont
on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway.
Nathaniel S. Ward came to Kansas in 1858 and settled on a farm a
short distance west of the city of Kickapoo. During the Civil War he
served as a member of Company A, Seventeenth Kansas Infantry.
142 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Delaware. — Another former rival of the city of Leavenworth for
political and business prominence, now long since lost and forgotten, stands
about two miles east of the present site of Lansing. This city, known in
its day as Delaware and sometimes referred to as "Old Delaware", was
commenced during the summer of 1854. A townsite was laid out, sur-
veyed and platted by the Delaware Town Association of which S. B. Pren-
tiss was president. The original plat of the city of Delaware was filed
in the office of Scott J. Anthony, Register of Deeds of Leavenworth
County, Kansas, on December 15, 1859, and the description of the city
from the plat recorded reads as follows :
"Beginning at a limsetone rock 15 inches long by 3 inches thick
set for the northwest corner of the town of Delaware on the south bank
of the Missouri River, in Leavenworth County, Kansas Territory, from
which a Cottonwood tree bears South S. 81J degrees W. 68 links and an
elm tree bears S. 83| degrees E. 42 links distant, thence S. 35 degrees E.
down the south bank of said river 80 chains to a limestone 30 inches long,
10 inches wide and H thick from which an oak tree bears N. 78 degrees W.
21 links and an elm tree bears N. 79 degrees E. A5 links distant. Thence
South 55 degrees W. 40 chains set a part corner from which a hickory
tree bears N. 9 degrees W. 17 links. Thence north 35 degrees W. 80
chains set for a corner a limestone 30 inches long, 10 inches wide and 2
thick. Thence 55 degrees E. 40 chains to the place of beginning. The
width of streets, lots, alleys, and depth of lots are as appear on plat. The
number of blocks and reserves are as well as the names of the street's
laid down on this plat."
The plat referred to above was filed by George Quinby on behalf of
the Delaware Town Association. The plat as recorded shows that the
streets from east to west were numbered from 1 to 6. From north to south
the streets were names as follows : Hazel, Hickory, Hackberry, Elm, Vine.
Maple, Mulberry, Walnut, Main, Oak, Linden, Ash, Cherry and Plum.
In 1855 an election was held in the county for the purpose of select-
ing a county seat and on November 6, 1855, the County Board of Leaven-
worth met for the purpose of canvassing the votes cast. After canvassing
the votes it appeared that the city of Delaware had cast 929 votes, the
city of Kickapoo, 878 and the city of Leavenworth 726. At the election it
is said that large numbers of Missourians had come over to Delaware and
Kickapoo and voted for the purpose of securing the county seat to each
of these cities. Following the canvassing of the votes Commissioners Hall
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 148
and Walker voted that Delaware city be selected as the permanent county
seat. John A. Halderman, one of the county commissioners at that time
refused to take any hand in the matter of the selection of Delaware as the
county seat for the reason that numerous illegal votes had been cast. A
county building was built at Delaware following this election and the
county offices were moved there February 20, 1857.
In 1857, however, the legislature ordered the holding of another elec-
tion for the purpose of fixing upon a permanent county seat for Leaven-
worth County. At this election which was held in October, 1857, the city
of Kickapoo received the largest number of votes, polling a vote of 1,004
as against Leavenworth's 968. When the board of county commission-
ers canvassed the vote they declared that Kickapoo was to be the county
seat and the county records were ordered transferred from Delaware to
th city of Kickapoo. After this the matter of the county seat was thrown
into litigation and eventually the city of Leavenworth won out. With
Leavenworth's winning the cities of Delaware and Kickapoo began quickl)
to pass into the discard and especially was this true as the Free State
sentiment began to grow.
An amusing story is told of the election of October 8, 1855, when
Kickapoo, Leavenworth, and Delaware City were waging a hot three-
cornered fight for the county seat. On the evening of the election after
the votes had been counted it appeared that Kickapoo had won out by a
vote of 892 to 860 over Delaware, her closest rival. There was a great
celebration held in Kickapoo and Weston where most of the Kickapoo
votes had come from during the day. However, the next day, Delaware,
not to be outdone, decided that there were several of her citizens who had
not voted so they threw the polls open on that day with the result that the
Delaware vote grew from 860 to 928, easily outdistancing Kickapoo in the
final canvass by the county commissioners.
Among the early settlers of Delaware City and Delaware Township
were the following: G. B. Redmond, J. M. Churchill, James Bruce, Will-
iam H. Spratt, George Quinby, L. F. Hollingsworth, R. C. Foster, David
Churchill, B. H. Twombly, S. D. LeCompte, G. W. Gardner, Eli Macamer,
John W. Loar, H. T. Green, Thomas Abshire, Joseph Kelley, Barnabas
Gable, Doctor Whiteside, Fred Frye, Matt Boyle, Herman Brandt, Mrs.
Hanson, William Patterson, Jonas Edge, Tom Yates and William Sprague.
Practically all of the residents of Delaware and community emigrated
to Kansas territory from Platte County, Missouri. They were in the main
strongly pro-slavery.
144 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Of the old-time settlers of the city of Delaware and Delaware Town-
ship heretofore named, none are now living. G. B. Redmond, whose name
was mentioned afterward, started the little village of Weimer, which was
located a short distance south of Delaware on the Missouri River. There
he operated a saw-mill and for a time it appeared that the village was
destined to blossom out into a real city. All of the former site of this
little village has now been carried away by the encroachment of the river.
J. M. Churchill was one of the early day storekeepers. James Bruce
was a brother-in-law of Churchill's and lived in the city of Delaware.
William H. Spratt ran a saloon there for a number of years.
In the mind of the old timers there still lingers recollections of George
Quinby, one of the leaders of the little village in its palmiest days. Quinby
ran a livery stable there for a number of years. He was a man of the
typical "town boomer" type of the fifties. He came to Delaware when it
was nothing but a "wooding up" station for the steamboats and it was
largely through his efforts that it gave promise for a time of being the
leading city in Leavenworth County. L. F. Hollingsworth was an early
day doctor of the little village and had an office there. Later he purchased
a farm a short distance from the townsite and removed there following the
less strenuous occupation of farming.
R. C. Foster was an early day farmer of the community. His farm
was located adjoining the city. David Churchill was associated with his
brother in the conducting of a general store there, and B. H. Twombly was
an early day attorney of Leavenworth City and County who lived on
a farm adjoining the village.
Of Samuel D. LeCompte much could be said. He was the first judge
of the district of which Leavenworth County was a part. He was inclined
to be a bit radically inclined toward the pro-slavery element and cause.
He resided in the city of Delaware for several years and held court there
when the county building was located there. When the city of Delaware,
in order to defeat Leavenworth and Kickapoo for the county seat, threw
open the polls and voted a second day, it is said that when the matter came
before LeCompte as a legal controversy, he decided in favor of Delaware.
After his retirement as judge hei'e he practiced law for a number of years
in Leavenworth but finally removed east where he died.
G. W. Gardener was another early day attorney of Leavenworth city
and county who took up an early residence in the city of Delaware. After-
ward he removed to a farm in Delaware Township where he followed the
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 145
occupation of farming. Eli Macamer was another lawyer who resided at
Delaware on a farm as well as was H. T. Green. John W. Loar was an early-
day farmer in the Delaware community as well as was Thomas Abshire and
Joseph Keliey.
Barnabas Gable, another early settler of the Delaware community,
came to Kansas in 1854 from Platte County, Missouri. At first he took up
a 'claim on Broadway in the city of Leavenworth which he afterward aban-
doned, the same being taken up and afterward platted as Benz' Addition
io the city. Mr. Gable died about ten years after locating on his Dela-
ware Township farm, leaving a large family. Frank M. Gable of Delaware
Township, and John M. Gable of this city, are his sons.
Doctor Whiteside was for years one of the leading physicians of Dela-
ware city. He enjoyed a large and lucrative practice and was rated as one
of the leading physicians in this part of the country.
Fred Frye was Delaware's baker. He conducted a bakery there dur-
ing the fifties and did a large and flourishing business. Matt Boyle ran
the leading saloon in the village. He was found guilty of selling liquor
without a license after the town boom had died out and was compelled
to serve a term in the penitentiary for same. Herman Brandt ran a saloon
and a small general store. He later moved to a farm south of Lansing
after that city had started.
The hotel which was operated by Mrs. Hanson, referred to as the
"Widow" Hanson, was one of the most noted places in the little village.
It enjoyed a large patronage and was political headquarters in early days.
There was about fifteen rooms in the hotel building as well as a large hall
which was often pressed into use as a dance hall. It was conducted under
the name of the "Hanson House".
William Patterson was an early day contractor and builder of the vil-
lage and later built himself a fine residence there. William Sprague was
an early day stone mason and bricklayer who helped build many of the
houses and buildings that sprung up when the boom was at its height.
The first mayor of the city was Thomas Yates, a typical town boomer
who saw visions of big things in store for his infant city.
Henry Foreback was the first shoemaker to locate in the city. For a
time he was a political "boss" there, controlling the German vote.
During its palmy days town lots in the city of Delaware sold for
fabulous prices. An improvement company was organized to grade and
make streets. The townsite was on very hilly ground and they cut one
(6)
146 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
street down to the river landing. The street was about a quarter of a
mile long and in many places it was necessary to make cuts as deep as
twenty feet.
An amusing incident relative to the county seats being established
there is still recalled by some of the old timers. After the building of a
temporary structure there for the purpose of housing the county offices,
it became necessary to hold a term of court. Judge Samuel D. LeCompte
was at that time judge of the district of which this county was a part.
During the trial of a case in the Delaware court house and while the jury
was in the box, the floor of the building collapsed and the jury all fell into
the basement. Fortunately no one was seriously injured.
Frank M. Gable, who came to Delaware Township as a small boy
with his father, Barnabas Gable, tells that it was a practice during the
early days of the town for the real estate agents to have emissaries down
at the river who hailed passing steamboats in search of immigrants, cry-
ing out: "Hear ye me! Hear ye me! Come to my town. It is the best
located."
Easton. — The city of Easton, situated about twelve miles west of the
city of Leavenworth, was another early day settlement in the county.
This city was originally called "Eastin" and was named after Lucien J.
Eastin, one of the early editors and owners of the "Kansas Herald," a
weekly Leavenworth newspaper. It was located and named in the fall
of 1854 by Andre Dawson, William G. Mathias and L. J. Eastin. It is
said the the name "Eastin" was changed to "Easton" owing to the fact
that Governor Reeder, the first territorial governor of the territory of
Kansas, was originally from a city in Pennsylvania named "Easton" and
the change in the spelling of the name was done in his honor.
The first known white settler in the immediate vicinity of Easton i?
believed to have been Andre Dawson, who at first lived a short distance
to the southeast of the present site of the city. Dawson's Creek Cross-
ing on Stranger Creek was a famous early day fording place where trains
traversing the Fort Riley Road crossed the stream. Dawson Creek, a
small creek running through the south part of the city of Easton, was
named after Dawson. Dawson was married to an Indian squaw. There
was one son born to their union, a son named John.
The plat to the city of Easton was recorded May 8, 1855. It was
recorded by Jesse Connell, administrator of the estate of Andre Dawson,
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 147
The plat of the city of Easton shows the city to be divided into six-
teen square blocks. The streets are numbered from east to west, be-
ginning with one and ending with four. From north to south the streets
are named as follows, beginning at the north: Dawson, Riley, Kickapoo,
and Broad Street. The blocks, as laid out, are divided into twelve lots
each.
Among the earliest settlers in the city of Easton and its immediate
community were Stephen Minard, who bought out Andre Dawson's hotel
there and operated it as early as 1855 ; Samuel J. Kookagee, who operated
a store there for several years during the middle fifties ; John Large, who
lived two miles south of the city and whose daughter married Andre
Dawson, and John McNeesh, who also operated a hotel there during the
early fifties. Samuel Pearson was also an early resident of the city. It
was he who in company with Merrill Smith, then the proprietor of a
hotel and saloon in Salt Creek Valley, engaged Martin Klien in an alter-
cation in the Number Six neighborhood one day and shot the latter, seri-
ously wounding him.
Other early day settlers included William H. Bristow, William N.
Borden, John L. Bristow, Robert Fevurly, A. E. Cleavinger, Joshua Hall,
Robert Kelsey, M. H. Langley, G. H. Loughmiller, C. D. Oliphint, J. H.
Seever, Stephen Sparks, Joshua Turner, E. K. Adamson, H. B. Gale, Rob-
ert Bishop, Thomas Snoddy, Charles Foster, John Thornburg and Jackson
Crane.
Practically all of these parties named in the last paragraph settled
on farms in the vicinity surrounding Easton. William H. Bristow, for
a number of years conducted a general merchandise store until it was
destroyed by border ruffians during the fall of 1856. William N. Borden
came to Kansas in 1842 and located in what is now Kickapoo Township.
He later moved back to Platte County, Missouri, but again moved back
to Kansas several years later, locating in the village of Easton, where
he engaged in the grocery business for several years before moving to
his farm north of Easton. Joshua Turner conducted a grocery store in
the city for a number of years during its early days. Stephen Sparks,
one of the earliest settlers in the Easton community, came to Kansas in
1854 and located on his farm on Walnut Creek a short distance to the
south of Easton, where he lived until his death. A. E. Cleavinger came
to Kansas in 1851 and located on a farm northeast of the city of Easton
several miles. Until his death he ranked as one of the leading farmers
148 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
of Easton Township. E. K. Adamson came to Kansas in 1854 and at first
located on a farm in Alexander Township. Several years later he moved
to Easton, where he engaged in the mercantile business. M. H. Langley
came to Kansas in April, 1854, and located on a farm to the northwest of
the city of Easton a short distance. He was a prominent farmer and
stock grower there during his lifetime. C. D. Oliphint, another of
Easton's most prominent old timers, came to Kansas in August, 1856, and
located in Easton, where he resided until his death. He took an active
interest in early day politics and served as a member of the State Legis-
lature during the session 1877-78. J. H. Seever, H. B. Gale, Robert
Bishop, Charles Foster, John Thornburg and Jackson Crane were all early
day farmers in Easton Township and community. They all lived to the
north and northeast of the city and all came to their respective homes
during the early and middle fifties. There are none of those old timers
heretofore mentioned living at this date.
An early day incident showing to what extent the pro-slavery forces
willingly went in order to carry out their purposes is illustrated in the
election which was held in the territory on January 17, 1858. Easton
was at that time one of the polling places. The home of T. A. Minard
was used as a voting place. A number of pro-slavery men sent word to
Minard that they wanted the ballot box. A number of Free State men
from Fort Leavenworth under the leadership of Capt. Reese P. Brown,
a newly elected member of the State Legislature, had gone out to see
that the election was conducted fairly. The Free State men of the vi-
cinity were under the leadership of Stephen Sparks, who lived a short
distance south of the city of Easton. The election went along quietly
until the morning after, when the Free State men from Leavenworth
learned that Sparks and his son had been taken prisoners. They imme-
diately set out to rescue them. On reaching the village they found Sparks
and his son and released them. Trouble followed. A pro-slavery man
named Cook was killed and several Free State men were wounded. Capt.
Brown set out with his party on their return to Leavenworth. On the
way back the party was met by two bands of pro-slavery men, one under
the leadership of Capt. Martin, and another under the leadership of Capt.
Dunn. Most of both parties were "Kickapoo Rangers." Seeing that they
were outnumbered the Free State men surrendered and were taken back
to Easton. A mock trial was held and all the prisoners were turned
loose with the exception of Brown. He was locked up. The mob, be-
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 149
came unruly and broke open the jail, dragged Brown out and one of the
party struck him in the head with a hatchet. He was stabbed and hacked
from head to foot and thrown into a farm wagon and taken to his home,
where he was thrown out at the door. His wife shortly after this went
violently insane and later died from the direct effect of the shock.
Another incident is illustrated in the raiding of the store which was
conducted at Easton by William H. Bristow. Bristow had been engaged
in the mercantile business there during the years 1855 and 1856. In the
fall of 1856 border ruffians from Missouri came to the little village of
Easton and robbed the store of all the provisions they were able to carry.
They then set fire to the building and set out on their return. The old
store book kept by Bristow is still preserved and contains many items of
interest. Among the first pages appears the heading: "Easton K. T.
October 10, 1855." Among the first customers appears an Indian, who
paid a balance on account of $1.00 for pantaloons. Several Indians' names
are found in the record, showing a great deal of trade among them.
The following is a copy of some of the original items as they appear
in this old account book:
"Saturday, Oct. 13, 1855; George W. Messersmith, to gallon of mo-
lasses, 75c ; to 8 pounds of sugar, $1 ; to one gallon whiskey, 75c. Another
bill: Tuesday, October 30, 1855; John Large, to 25 pounds flour, $1.37; to
50 cents coffee, 50c; to i/ 2 gallon whiskey, 40c. Another bill: William
Sparks, Dec. 3, 1855; to five pounds of nails, 60c; to set of knives and
forks, 50c ; to 8 yds. calico @ 12i/ 2 c, $1.00 ; to matches, 5c."
The last entry made in the store book was under date of December
1, 1856. The following are names of some of the customers recorded:
Wansuck Indian, Esquier Indian, John Thomas, Witousa Indian John,
Pacnocca Indian, Jim Thomas, Kawhuk Indian, Joel Crook, James Kain,
W. Sparks, James Novel, M. Langley, Steven Sparks, Mathias Ralston, F.
G. Braden, L. White, Mr. Mayfield, J. Brady, William Linck, K. Adamson,
David Large, S. J. Kockogee, Robert Whitehead, John Large, Levi White,
George Messersmith, Christopher Linvil, Jacob Adamson, John Wilfly,
Daniel Shiply, William McLain, Thomas Carson, Peyton Bristow, James
T. Roberts, Daniel Nickson, Anthony Reader, Joseph Langley, E. K.
Adamson, Thomas W. Brooks, Thomas Gwartney, W. R. Tubbs, Thomas
Turner, Augusta White, James Novel, William Sparks, James Ready,
Greenville Thompson, A. D. Jones, William Gabard, Charles Hedrick,
Zachariah Sparks, David Merphy, J. G. Brown, James Bradley, James
150 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Hugens, Henry Ready, Henry Price, S. C. Sumpter, Taswell Rose, John
Higgins, L. Minard, John Menech, Levi White, John Tritt, M. H. Langley,
Thomas Minard, Daniel Rose, William Rose, William Jones, Patrick Orr,
Benjamin Hicks, John Foular, Amber Jones, Moses Sparks, M. Coomstock,
John Large, M. Mackey, R. W. Chinnly, N. Taylor, Louisiana Lockmiller,
Chester Ferry, Lance Woodward, John Thompson, Robert Thompson.
The following is the contract for the first school house at Easton.
The original contract with other papers of William H. P. Bristow, includ-
ing the old store book, are at present in possession of William P. Hall,
grandson of Mr. Bristow, and to him we are indebted for this information :
"Know all men by these presents, that: We, G. C. Linvill & D. L.
McMickle, for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred and Twenty
five Dollars to be paid in manner following do agree to build and complete
a school house in the Town of Easton of the following dimensions, viz:
twenty four by eighteen feet, and nine feet between joints with one door
and four twelve light windows eight by ten, floor to be laid of plank with
a square edge drove up tight; sleepers and joice to be placed two feet
apart, the house to be chinked and pointed inside and out with lime and
set upon a good foundation one foot above the ground. When the house
is up and covered the sum of twenty five dollars will be paid and the re-
mainder one hundred dollars when the house shall be completed and fully
finished in a good and workmanlike manner.
" (Thos. A. Minard "C. C. Linville
"Trustees (Wm. H. P. Bristow "D. L. McMickle."
"(Joseph Langley"
"Easton Nov. 14th A. D. 1855
"Received of W. H. P. Bristow and T. A. Minard, Trustees of the
Easton School House the sum of One Hundred and Twenty Five Dollars
in full of all demands against the Easton School House.
"C. C. Linville
"D. L. McMickle"
The foregoing contract and receipt are written on a sheet of lined
foolscap paper and is plainly legible to the present day.
Springdale. — The city of Springdale was platted and surveyed in
1860 by Hiram Rees and Eli Morris. It is located in the center of Alex-
ander Township and about sixteen miles west of the city of Leavenworth.
It has no railroad connections. John Wright was reputed to have been
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 151
the first settler in the township, coming there in 1854. A postoffice was
established there in 1860 and P. F. Walker was appointed the first post-
master. In those days the mail was hauled overland by stage on the
Fort Riley Road, Springdale getting its mail from the station at Easton,
and Easton in turn getting its mail from Leavenworth, where it was
brought by steamboat. The township of Alexandria, in which Spring-
dale is located, was settled to a large extent by the Friends' Society.
They built a church and schoolhouse there at an early date. Among the
earliest industries of the little village was a sawmill operated by Henry
Ready and a grist mill operated by Thomas Ashby.
Among the earliest settlers of the village and community were the
following: Robert E. Courtney, Garrett V. Keller, James Medill, Alfred
B. Powell, Buell Trackwell and Dr. William B. Wood.
Robert Courtney came to Kansas April 7, 1855, and located on a
farm near the village of Springdale. He soon acquired considerable real
estate and was a prominent and prosperous farmer of that locality until
his death. Garrett V. Keller, another early day settler, located in the
Springdale community in January, 1859. He also was a farmer and
resided there for a number of years, operating one of the leading farms
of the community.
James S. Medill came to Kansas April 15, 1857, and did not until
1864 move to the Springdale community. He took an active interest in
early day politics and served four years in the State Legislature and two
years as railroad assessor. On his farm, which was one of the leading
ones of the community, he specialized in the raising of Shorthorn cattle
and Poland-China hogs. He was the father of a large family and was
one of the county's foremost citizens until his death.
Buell Trackwell came to Kansas and settled in the Springdale com-
munity in 1857. He also was one of the community's leading farmers
and citizens until his death. Dr. William B. Wood came to Kansas in
the fall of 1855. After his graduation from the Missouri College of
Medicine in 1875 he established himself in the practice at Springdale,
where for a number of years he enjoyed a large practice.
Tonganoxie.— The city of Tonganoxie, which is the second largest
city in Leavenworth County at the present time, was also an early settle-
ment in the county. It was named after an old Indian chief who lived
along the Lawrence-Leavenworth Road in that community during the
early fifties and whose home was a famous early day stopping place for
152 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
travelers in those days. The city of Tonganoxie was platted in 1866.
The original townsite at the time of the platting was owned by Magdalena
Berry. As platted the city contained forty acres. The first white
settler of the village is reputed to have been William H. Fox, who built
a log cabin on the townsite in 1862. During the early 60's a postoffice
was established there, and James English was appointed the first post-
master. It was not until 1866 that a regular merchandise store was
opened up there. It was owned by William Dane. A flour mill was put
into operation there at an early date, the same being situated several
miles southeast of the village and being owned by Mrs. E. Davis & Son.
Among the early settlers of Tonganoxie City and community were
the following: Willard S. Angell, Jacob Becker, Wallace A. Brice, Charles
Colwell, Francis J. Dessery, John S. Grist, Abner F. Hoskins, Archer J.
Jones, Eli H. Linton, A. McLawrence, Ashley A. Moody, Crawford Moore.
Axum Newby and Jonathan Winslow. Of these Willard Angell came to
Kansas in 1869 and at first located in High Prairie Township. He settled
later in the city of Tonganoxie, where for a number of years he conducted
a livery stable and a hotel. Jacob Becker came to Kansas in 1867 and
located in Leavenworth, where he lived for two years, when he moved to
Tonganoxie in 1869. His occupation was that of a saddler and harness
maker and for years he followed his trade in that village. William A.
Brice came to Kansas in 1869 and landed at the city of Leavenworth.
He was an early day farmer of the Tonganoxie community. Charles Col-
well came to Kansas in 1861 and located for a time in Leavenworth. He
was a blacksmith by trade and in the year 1866 he located in Tonganoxie,
where he conducted an early day blacksmith shop. Francis J. Dessery
located in the city of Tonganoxie in 1867. For years he traded in horses
and mules there. John S. Grist arrived in Kansas in 1868 and located
at Tonganoxie. He was a contractor and builder by profession and many
of the early day houses of the city and community as well as the bridges
were built under his supervision. Abner F. Hoskins came to Kansas in
1857 and during his first three years in the territory resided in Anderson
County. In 1860 he moved to a farm in the Tonganoxie community. He
was for years one of the leading farmers and stockraisers of that com-
munity. Archer J. Jones came to Kansas in 1859 but it was not until
1861 that he located in the vicinity of Tonganoxie on a farm. In 1866
Eli Linton arrived at the little village of Tonganoxie and located there
permanently. He was one of the early day postmasters of the village
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 153
and also worked as an agent for the railroad company there. A. McLaw-
rence arrived in the Tonganoxie community in 1866 and located on Big
Stranger Creek a short distance from the city. For years he conducted
a grocery store at Tonganoxie. Ashley A. Moody located in Tonganoxie
in 1868 and for years conducted a general merchandise store there.
Crawford Moore came to the Tonganoxie community in 1861 and located
on a farm which was situated about a mile northeast of the village. The
station of "Moore" on the Leavenworth-Lawrence branch of the Union
Pacific Railway is named after him. His farm, which consisted of 900
acres, was one of the finest in Leavenworth County. Axum Newby lo-
cated on a farm in the Tonganoxie community in the year 1873 and for
years was one of the most prominent farmers of the neighborhood. Jona-
than Winslow was another of the early day fanners to settle in that
vicinity. He located there in the year 1868.
Reno. — The little station of Reno, which is situated on the Leaven-
worth-Lawrence branch of the Union Pacific Railway, was named after
General Reno. One of the earliest merchants of the place was John
Jacobs, who was also the first postmaster there. Another small station
which is situated in Reno Township is named Fall Leaf and is located on
the main line of the Union Pacific Railway. It was named after an In-
dian chief who lived there in early days.
Among the early settlers of Reno Township are the following: R. C.
Taylor, John Jordan, Gavin Allan, Smith Benedict, William Bruce, John
C. Canary, John Develbess and Christian J. Halstead. Among these R.
C. Taylor was one of the earliest settlers of Reno Township, the other
oldest settler being John Jordan. They both were farmers and took up
their claims in the township at a very early date. Gavin Allan came
to Reno Township in 1869 and located on a farm there, where he lived
for a number of years. He specialized in the raising of fine hogs and
cattle. Smith Benedict was another early day farmer to locate in the
Reno community. He came there in 1867 and for years conducted one
of the finest farms in the neighborhood. William Bruce came to the
community in 1869 and located on a farm. John Canary also located
there at an early date and followed the occupation of farming. John
Divelbess located on a farm in the township in 1867 and devoted most
of his time to the raising of fine cattle. In 1880 he was elected state
representative from his district. Christian J. Halstead located in Reno
in the year 1866. He was one of the early day postmasters of the place.
He also served his district as a state representative for a number of years.
CHAPTER V
PIONEER LIFE AND HOMES
TYPES OF PIONEERS — THEIR HOMES — HOW HOMINY WAS MADE — HOSPITALITY —
IMPLEMENTS AND CLOTHING— THE TYPICAL PIONEER— THE PIONEER
WOMEN.
"Home of our childhood ! how affection clings,
And hovers round thee with her seraph wings.
Dearer thy hills, though clad in autumn brown.
Than fairest summits which the cedars crown."
— O. W. Holmes.
There were several different types of men found among the early day
settlers of Leavenworth City and Leavenworth County. There was the
type which came here mainly for political purposes with but one object
in view and that to make the new territory of Kansas pro-slavery. Many
of these were in the employ of Southern agencies. Their names are found
connected with many of the early atrocities which were committed in
the county in its early days. After it became apparent that they had
lost their fight and that the territory was destined to be free state they
gradually dwindled and slunk away. There was another type who came
here for the purpose of establishing homes for themselves and their pos-
terity. It is indeed a grateful thought that the latter were in the ma-
jority. Those it was that made up what might be truly termed the pio-
neers of our city and county. They were a people who despised the
coddling ease of luxury, ruddy of health, fired with an ambition of service
to their progeny, true soldiers of civilization's edge. Their first care
was to protect themselves from the elements. The first cabins that they
erected were a cross between a hoop cabin and Indian hut. Soon after,
however, the men assembled for what in those days was termed "log
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 155
raisings." The forests furnished the timber and the strong arms of the
pioneer with his. ax fashioned out the logs. The earth supplied the clay.
None of these first cabins are now in existence but the following is a fair
description of the way and manner in which they were constructed.
These cabins were generally built of round logs, notched together
at the corners, ribbed with poles, and covered with boards split from a
tree. A puncheon floor was then laid down, a hole cut in the end and a
chimney run up through. A clapboard door was then made, and a window
was made by cutting a hole through at the end or side two or three feet
square, and finished without glass or transparency. The house was then
"chinked" or "daubed" with mud and the cabin was ready to go into.
The household and kitchen furniture was adjusted and life on the frontier
really began in earnest. Much of the furniture used by the earliest of
these pioneers was "home made," being fashioned out of the timber by
the husband with no other instrument than an ax. The doors were fas-
tened with old fashioned wooden latches, and the latch string always
hung out for friends and neighbors. The convenience of stoves was a
thing at first unheard and unthought of, the housewife doing all- of her
cooking by means of pots and kettles over and above the fireplace, which
was usually later constructed. The acquisition of glass windows was im-
possible for these first settlers. White paper was pressed into service,
being greased and thus admitting a small portion of light.
Those settlers who thus faced the hardships of the new territory
were indeed true home builders, the very foundation of our nation, the
true root of patriotism and love of country. They appreciated the fruits
of their own industry, and manufactured practically everything they
used. The home made hominy-block is doubtless not within the memory
of our oldest citizens. This was made after this fashion:
A tree of suitable size was selected in the forest and felled. If a
cross cut saw was convenient, the tree was butted, that is the large end
was sawed off so that it would stand firmly when ready for use. If there
were no saws in the neighborhood the ax was used to do the work above
mentioned. Then the proper length, generally four or five feet, was
measured off and again cut off. After this the block was raised on end
and the work began of hollowing out one of the ends. This was generally
done with a common chopping ax. When the cavity was adjudged to be
large enough a fire was built in it and carefully watched until the ragged
edges were burned away. When completed it somewhat resembled a
156 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
druggist's mortar. Then a pedestle or something was necessary to crush
the com. This was as a rule made from a suitably sized piece of timber
with an iron wedge attached large end down. This completed the ap-
paratus. The block was then ready for use. Sometimes one hominy-
block accommodated a whole neighborhood and acted as a means of stay-
ing the hunger of a number of mouths.
One of the most noted of characteristics of the early day pioneer
when contrasted with the people of today was the spirit of helpfulness
and hospitality. Men and women everywhere assisted each other. Aris-
tocratic feeling was unknown. Log raisings, brush clearings, hunts and
such things were participated in by the entire neighborhood, each one
doing his share. When a neighbor butchered, his neighbors were sure to
come in for a portion of the meat. What one had all had. There is a
difference today when if we look over a neighbor's fence we are charged
for it. There are many who for these reasons decry the progress we
have made in the last three-quarters of a century and long to go back
to the years gone by when hospitality was a part of the human make-up.
On Sundays and holidays the pioneers would as a rule go visiting, gen-
erally to one of the more important neighbors, who as a rule would kill
a hog or sheep to provide eating for his visitors over Sunday. It was the
custom for the whole family to partake of these visits, generally coming
in the farm wagon and staying all day, sometimes several days.
The farming implements of the early county pioneers were very
crude and have long since passed into the discard and disuse. The "bull"
plough and mould board plow were early pressed into use. These plows
were then made of wood. The "cradle" was an improvement on the com-
mon scythe of today and was used in harvesting early grain crops. When
the "dropper" and "reaper" came into use in the early 80's their advent
was heralded as one of the greatest advancements in the agricultural
implement age. Previous to this but little wheat was grown owing to the
fact that there was no way to care for it during harvest season. With
the invention of the latter two machines wheat growing was given a new
impetus, although even at that time the use of twine for the tieing of
the sheaves was unknown, they, before this, being tied by a handful of
the sheaf ingeniously twisted and tied about it. A good "binder," after
the use of the "dropper" came in, was always in demand during harvest
season. The original way of preparing the soil for seeding by the pioneers
was to plow or "root" it up with a "bull" plow and then drag it down with
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 157
brush or logs. Later a harrow in the shape of the letter "A" was de-
signed, it being constructed by mortising three heavy pieces of timber
together in the form of a triangle and then boring holes through at cer-
tain distances apart and inserting therein at first wooden and later iron
teeth or plugs. Rollers were designed by the early day farmer, being
made out of a large log into each end of which there was mortised a
heavy steel pin upon which a frame work was constructed which con-
nected with a tongue and means by which it could be drawn by oxen or
horses. The fences that usually surrounded the pioneer's domicile were
constructed of rails which his ax had fashioned from the timber on the
premises. When not of rails they were usually made of stone. Both
forms entailed a great amount of labor when compared with the manner
and form as used in these latter days. The family clothes were made
entirely by the mother through the use of her needle and spinning wheel.
Boots were worn more than shoes. Every pioneer was his own cobbler
and the yarn hose knitted by the mother for the family for the winter
months were repaired over and over again. The straw hats which the
members of the family usually wore during the summer months were
made by the mother from the wheat straw after its being threshed.
There was nothing wasted ; there was nothing fastidious. Life was lived
in a sensible, homely, common-sense way.
The typical pioneer man was in the majority of cases strong and
robust of physique. His face was usually bearded and his hair was
allowed to grow long. As a rule the face was firm and seamed. His eyes
were clear, strong and piercing, the sense of sight being developed to a
wonderful degree as well as that of the other senses. He had vices and
traces of barbarism in his makeup peculiar to the situation in which he
was found. His manners were rough and appearance uncouth, yet under-
neath the rough veneer one generally found a true spirit of generosity
and a sympathetic side to the nature rarely found in these later days.
When one entered the door of the pioneer's cabin seeking shelter for the
night his request was generally answered with: "I reckon you can stay,
or I suppose we better let you stay." The welcome would indeed seem
ungracious, yet it was generally the harbinger of every kindness and
comfort his cabin afforded. Coffee, corn bread, butter, pork, wild fowl
or wild game were generally set before one at the mealtime. The wife
and mother, timid, silent and reserved but constantly attentive to your
comfort did not as a rule sit at the table with the guest, but like the wives
158 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
of the patriarch's stood by and attended. One seeking shelter was gen-
erally given the best the house could afford in the way of a bed. When
this kind of hospitality had been shown the stranger as long as he cared
to stay and when he was ready to depart and proceeded to speak of his
bill he was generally told that they were not running an inn or board-
ing house, with some slight mark of resentment, and that he was indeed
welcome to the accommodations such as they had been able to afford him.
The true pioneer woman and mother was a type of woman that is
rapidly and lamentably passing out of existence. She was mild of man-
ner and as a rule spoke but very seldom. She was generally strong and
healthy of physique and met unflinchingly the hardships and perils of
her situation. She was ever alert to the care and duties of her house-
hold and was seldom idle. Her house was always kept neat and tidy
regardless of the nature of the structure. About it she drew no social
lines based on the simplicity or grandeur thereof; she valued her friends
and neighbors at their true worth and all were welcome to visit with
her. Resolutely and cheerfully she bore her heavy burdens and met the
many vicissitudes cumbent to her life. There was a whole-souled opti-
mism and a spirit of buoyant laughter ever present in her heart. She
was not adverse to the bearing of children and found solace in the care
and homely attentions which she lavished upon them in her simple way.
The "homey" instinct was deeply embedded in her. She was not a dis-
ciple of vogues, styles of the fashion plates and the relief offered her from
her work in the divorce courts held no lure. She worshipped her God in
the simple way, her Bible being her constant companion and her greatest
pleasure being to gather her children about her of evenings and read to
them therefrom and teach them simple prayers. With the establishment
of churches at a later period she always tried to raise her family in her
church. About this true mother and her rude pioneer home there has
ever centered a magic enchantment. Recollections of the sacrifices which
she unflinchingly made ; of her many kindnesses, her honest toil and brave
heart still clings and pays homage to the memory of many of the older
citizens of today, touching their heart strings with angelic fingers. The
influence which she exerted was stronger than death. She is gone but
the spirit which she animated in the breasts of our fathers and mothers
and their forefathers still lives in the progress and greatness, the ad-
vancement and worth of our city and county as it has established itself
in the years that have gone by.
CHAPTER VI
FIRST THINGS IN CITY AND COUNTY
History has been said to be nothing other than a record of events.
The older the event, in reality the more valuable information it is from
a historical standpoint. A history that does not go back to the beginning
of things and events loses much of its value as a historical work. Leav-
enworth City and Leavenworth County had to be started. A city or
county is nothing in itself ; a state is nothing in itself, neither is a nation ;
it is the people that constitute them that make them what they really
are. The first settler in the city of Leavenworth and the first "squatter"
in the county together with the industries which they started really form
the nucleus around which our present day city and county grew. In con-
sequence of this the present chapter, a chapter which deals with the first
things of the city and county, has been inserted in this work.
In a former article it will be noted that the first white settlers of
the county were mechanics and laborers who lived in and very close to
the fort, where they were employed by the government in various ca-
pacities. Just who was the first white settler in the county is a matter
which has long since been lost in the maze of antiquity. It is a historical
fact that the first land staked out and occupied after the passage of the
Kansas-Nebraska Act on the present site of the city of Leavenworth
was that staked out and occupied by John C. Gist and Samuel Farandis.
Gen. George W. Gist also staked out a claim on the present site of the
city but was never an actual resident of the territory.
The first sale of the town lots into which the city of Leavenworth
had been divided and which was held in the city of Leavenworth took
place on October 9, 1854. G. W. McLane, of Weston, Missouri, and W. S.
Palmer, of Platte City, Missouri, were the auctioneers.
160 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
The first industry of note to begin operations in the city was the saw
mill owned and operated by Capt. W. S. Murphy ond Capt. Simeon Scruggs
on the north side of "Three Mile Creek" where it empties into the river.
This mill began operation in the fall of 1854. A more detailed account
of this industry is found in the Chapter on Early Settlement and institu-
tions of the city of Leavenworth.
The first newspaper published in the city of Leavenworth and in the
territory of Kansas was set up and published under the shade of a large
elm tree which stood a short distance to the southwest of the corner of
Cherokee and Main Streets. The first edition of this paper, which was
named the "Kansas Herald," bore the date of September 15, 1854. The
first editors of this paper were Adams & Osborne.
The first storeroom erected in the city was located at the northwest
corner of Delaware and Levee or Front Street. It was erected in the
summer of 1854 by Lewis N. Rees and was operated as a general store
and later used for the first postoffice building in the city.
The "First Squatter's Meeting" held in the territory was held at
the store of H. P. Rively, a short distance west of the Salt Cleek Valley
Bridge over Salt Creek. This store was located on the farm now owned
by Cad Flint. About two hundred "Squatters" were present at this
meeting and it was then that the famous "Salt Creek Valley Resolutions"
were drawn, a fuller and more detailed account of which appears elsewhere
in this volume. This meeting was held May 9, 1854.
The first church services held in the city of Leavenworth were con-
ducted by W. G. Caples, a Methodist elder on Sunday, October 8, 1854.
The services were conducted along the west bank of the Missouri River
near the northeast corner of the present city limits and there being no
building adequate for the purpose, the services were held under the shade
of a grove of trees which stood at the aforementioned location.
The first postmaster of the city of Leavenworth was Lewis N. Reese.
The postoffice conducted by him first was located in his store at the north-
west corner of Delaware and Levee or Front Streets. He served as post-
master here for several years without pay, the mail being brought down
from the fort postoffice. Later he was officially appointed by the gov-
ernment.
The first postoffice of the territory was established May 29, 1828,
and was known as Cantonment Leavenworth. Phillip G. Rand was the
first postmaster there. Up until and even after the establishment of
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 161
Kansas as a territory this postoffice handled the mail of the earliest
settlers as well as the official government mails at the fort or as it was
then known, Cantonment Leavenworth. For several years after a post-
office was opened in the city of Leavenworth by Lewis N. Reese, the mail
was brought down from the fort to the local office.
The first dwelling house erected in the city of Leavenworth was
built by Jeremiah Clark. It was located at the southwest corner of
Walnut and Fourth streets in the fall of 1854. Later it was moved to a
place on the alley between Olive and Spruce Streets near Fifth Street,
where it stood until a few years ago when it was torn down.
The first territorial election held in the territory of Kansas was held
November 29, 1864. This was for the purpose of selecting a delegate
to Congress. The voting place in the city of Leavenworth for this elec-
tion was the basement of the old Leavenworth Hotel, situated at the
corner of Main and Delaware Streets. It was at this election that such
a large crowd of Missourians came over and by the casting of their votes
made it possible to secure the election of the pro-slavery candidate, Gen.
John W. Whitfield.
The first hotel in the city of Leavenworth was situated at the north-
west corner of Main and Delaware Streets. It was erected in 1854 and
was a frame building. It was operated and conducted by George Keller
and his son-in-law, A. T. Kyle, and was known as the "Leavenworth Ho-
tel." The building was torn down in 1859.
The first well ever dug and known to exist in the city of Leaven-
worth was dug immediately south of the old Leavenworth Hotel by its
proprietors in the year 1854. It was situated about the middle of what
is now Delaware Street and almost at its conjunction with Main Street.
It was filled up when Delaware Street was graded.
The first child born in the city of Leavenworth was born in the
Leavenworth Hotel. She was a daughter of A. T. Kyle, one of the early
proprietors of the hotel and was christened Cora Leavenworth Kyle. She
was born December 5, 1855. After growing to womanhood she was
married to James N. Allen, who for years was Rock Island ticket agent
in the city of Leavenworth.
The first white male child born in the city of Leavenworth was George
C. Richardson, a son of Jason Richardson, who then lived in a one-story
frame house on Main Street, between Main and Cherokee streets. Thi3
child was born November 14, 1858.
(7)
162 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
The first marriage ceremony performed in the city was that per-
formed by Squire Alexander Russell on January 13, 1856, when he united
in marriage John Grund and Miss Eliza A. Tennell. Mr. Grund was
later connected with the brewing industry in the city.
The first boarding house conducted in the city was opened in the
year 1854 by an elderly lady named Gano. It was located on Main Street
near the present site of the Union Depot.
The first flour mill operated in the city was erected at the northwest
corner of Main and Short streets by Earle & Bumbing. It was a two
story brick structure.
The first brewery in the city was built in the fall of 1855. It was
a two story stone structure and was located along the river bank about
the middle of and under the bank of what is now the South Esplanade.
It was owned and operated by a partnership known as Fritzen & Mundee.
The first school conducted in the city was located at the southeast
corner of Fifth and Delaware streets on the present location of the Axa
building. It was a private school and was conducted by Rev. J. B. McAfee.
The first public hall was erected in the fall of 1855 and was located
on the north side of Delaware Street about the middle of the block. It
was used for many diversified purposes, among which were religious
meetings, political meetings, public speakings and was often used as a
dancing hall.
The first bank to open for business in the city was located on the
north side of Delaware Street between Main and Second streets in the
early part of the year 1855. It was in the nature of a private banking
institution and was conducted by a party named Bailey.
The first election of members to the territorial legislature of the
territory of Kansas to take place in the city occurred March 30, 1855.
The polls for this election were to have been in the old Leavenworth
Hotel, but the proprietor, George Keller, objected to the elections being
held there. The polling place was then selected at the saddlery shop of
Ben Woods, near Third and Cherokee streets. A large crowd came down
by steamboat from Weston, Missouri, the day of the election and cast
their votes.
The first convention held in Leavenworth for the purpose of nomi-
nating a candidate for delegate to Congress was held November 15, 1854.
The first "Squatter's Trial" ever held in the territory of Kansas was
held in Salt Creek Valley at the store conducted by Major R. P. Rively on
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 163
September 20, 1854. The question involved was over which one of two
parties had the legal right to the possession of a certain claim. The
late E. Miles Moore, who for years was a practicing attorney in the city
of Leavenworth afterward acted as attorney for a party named Martin,
who claimed that his claim had been "squatted" upon during his absence.
The case was tried by a board of three arbitrators, each party choosing
one and the two chosen choosing a third. Malcolm Clark, who was after-
ward murdered in the city of Leavenworth, was acting as marshall of
the "Squatter's Court."
The first fire company of the city of Leavenworth was organized
September 17, 1855, by consent of the city council.
The incorporation of the city of Leavenworth as a city took place in
the summer of 1855. A special charter was issued by the First Territorial
Legislature which was then in session at the territorial capital at Shaw-
nee Mission.
The election of the first city officers of the city of Leavenworth
occurred September 3, 1855. This election was held pursuant to an act
passed by the territorial legislature of 1855 authorizing the holding of
an election in the city of Leavenworth for the purpose of electing city
officers. J. H. Day, W. H. Adams and Lewis N. Rees, of the city of
Leavenworth, were the judges of this election.
The first city officers of the, city of Leavenworth were as follows :
Mayor, Thomas F. Slocum ; President of Council, J. H. Day ; Councilmen,
Fred Emery, Thomas H. Doyle, George W. Russell, M. L. Truesdell,
Adam Fisher, Dr. G. J. Park and William T. Marvin. The Council, after
being duly organized, appointed the following officers of the city: City
Clerk, Scott J. Anthony; City Assessor, H. G. Weibling; City Marshal,
William McDowell; City Treasurer, William H. Bailey; City Attorney,
John I. Moore; City Engineer, E. L. Berthoud, and Comptroller, M. L.
Truesdell.
What is believed to have been the first death of a settler of the
territory occurred December 6, 1854, a short distance north of the present
site of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, at the old Platte City River landing
when Stephen A. Noble was drowned while crossing from Weston, Mis-
souri, to this side. Joseph O'Neil, who was with him in the boat at the
time it capsized, was also drowned.
The first "grist mill" owned and operated by local settlers was not
built on this side of the river but was built in what is commonly known
164 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
as "Slabtown," a short distance east of the former site of Drydale. It
was owned and operated by Panton & Yohe.
The first hardware store to open for business in the city was situated
on Main Street and was operated by George Russell.
The first barber shop ever conducted in the city was owned and
operated by Julius Trummel. It was opened for business during the
month of February, 1855, and was located on Cherokee Street near Water
Street, or Levee.
Dr. Charles Leib is believed to have been the first physician to estab-
lish an office and practice in the city of Leavenworth. For a time his
office was located in a tent that stood near the "big elm tree" that stood
near Cherokee and Water Street. Dr. John H. Day was also an early
day physician, both he and Dr. Leib practicing here during the latter
part of 1854.
The first person to engage in the carpenter business in the city of
Leavenworth was Samuel M. Lyon. He came here and established him-
self as a carpenter in September, 1854.
The first wholesale grocery store established in the city was located
on Water or Levee Street in October, 1854. It was owned and operated
by Joseph J. Bentz.
What is believed to have been the first drug store to begin business
in Leavenworth was that operated by M. France & Co. This store began
business here when there was no building in which its products might
be housed and for quite a length of time at first used the office of the
"Herald" as a dispensing room.
What is believed to have been the first bridge to* have been con-
structed in the city of Leavenworth was constructed across a creek which
ran south crossing Delaware between Seventh Street and Broadway. It
was erected by Majors, Russell and Waddell. It was a temporary struc-
ture and erected for the purpose of enabling this great freighting firm to
cross this particular stream with their freighting wagons. The first
frame bridge to be erected in the city was built over Three Mile Creek
on Main Street. The first stone bridge was built over Three Mile Creek
on Main Street.
James W. Skinner was the first official steamboat agent to have
an office in the city of Leavenworth. This office was opened in 1855.
The first express company to do business was known as Richard-
son's Missouri River Express. It operated between St. Joseph, Missouri,
and St. Louis.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 165
The first city ordinance to be drafted by the Leavenworth City Coun-
cil was entitled: "An Ordinance Relating to Games of Skill and Chance."
The first meeting- of the regular council of the city of Leavenworth
was held Tuesday, September 11, 1855, and the meeting was held on the
second floor of a building located on the south side of Delaware about
half way between Second and Third streets.
The first surveyor general of Kansas Territory was Gen. John Cal-
houn. His first office in Kansas was located in Leavenworth City and
was in an old frame building on the south side of Delaware Street about
midway between Second and Third streets.
What is believed to have been the first court ever organized in the
territory of Kansas as well as the county of Leavenworth was that pro-
vided for by the Squatter's Meeting which was held at Rively's store in
Salt Creek Valley June 10, 1854. Following this several squatter's meet-
ings were held in Leavenworth with the result that a committee appointed
for the purpose of arriving at some solution of the question of claims
reported a preamble and resolutions which provided for a court to try all
matters of contested claims. The officers of the court were H. R. Rees,
Chief Justice; A. Payne, Associate Justice, from Stranger District; Alex.
Russell, Associate Justice, from Salt Creek Valley District; Miles Shan-
non, Marshal; Green D. Todd, Deputy Marshal, and S. D. Pitcher, Chief
Clerk of the Court and Recorder of Claims.
CHAPTER VII
EARLY DAY TRANSPORTATION AND HIGHWAYS
STEAMBOATING ON THE MISSOURI— LANDING— EARLY HIGHWAYS AND TRAILS-
OTHER ROADS— STAGE ROUTES— SALT LAKE TRAIL— SANTA FE TRAIL— OXEN'
USED— METHOD OF TRAVEL.
Advanced transportation and good highways are indices of a people,
certain evidence of their culture, progressiveness and prosperity. As are
these so are the people. Good transportation, advanced civilization; or
advanced civilization, good transportation; either way one follows the
other as certainly as night the day, or the day the night.
Transportation has been, is, and will be a process of evolution. Could
we turn back the scroll of time and witness the primitive methods of the
pioneer, great would be our astonishment; could we project ourselves
into the future one hundred years, and observe the methods of transporta-
tion then, doubtless it would be beyond anything then that we today
comprehend or anticipate.
When the first settlers of Leavenworth County arrived at the Mis-
souri River, the routes of commerce and travel were largely the water
courses. For this reason all early day settlements were made on the
banks of that river or in close proximity thereto. Steamboats were then
in use. Could we people of today behold one of the typical early day
steamboats it would indeed prove an awe-inspiring sight. They had as a
rule but one engine.. They were small and most of them were constructed
along the lines of a flat boat and were stern wheelers. The cabin was
a primitive affair. It was on the lower deck, as a rule in the back part
of the boat. At first there were no staterooms. They were arranged
with curtains in front of the berths. They were very small as a rule
and were slow. Weston, Missouri, was a great stopping place for early
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 167
day boating in those days, the river then swinging in close to the present
site of the city and there being a good landing place. With the advent
of the late '40s and early '50s steamboating had undergone a considerable
change. The boats had been improved. They were larger and faster.
Some were of the side wheel variety. Regular schedules were estab-
lished. When the city of Leavenworth was founded a landing place was
established immediately east of the present site of the Union Depot. It
was not an uncommon sight to see four or five river steamboats anchored
there during the late '50s. It is said that during the year 1856 there
were forty-one steamboats operating on the Missouri River that made
regular stops at the city of Leavenworth and that in all 328 trips had
been made by them during the year. J. W. Skinner was the general
agent for the steamboating industry on the river in those days and had
his office located for several years in the old "Leavenworth Hotel" at the
corner of Main and Delaware streets.
The new born city of Leavenworth in the middle and late '50s was
most fortunate in that it had at its disposal numerous highways and trails
that had been previously established. When Fort Leavenworth was es-
tablished in 1827 the government immediately set out to connect it with
prominent trading centers to the east and west by roads or trails. These
up to the establishment of the city of Leavenworth were used principally
for military purposes. With the coming of the pioneer home builders
other roads were quickly established such as necessity demanded. At
this time the second largest city in the territory of Kansas was Lawrence,
consequently a road was opened through from Leavenworth to there. Le-
compton was the capital of the territory which led to the establishment
of a road leading there. Other roads led up and down the river to the
towns of Atchison, Kickapoo and Wyandotte. A hack line carried pas-
sengers three times a week to Westport Landing, Westport, Missouri. It
was owned and operated by Kimball, Moore & Company. A tri-weekly
line of hacks and stages operated between the city of Lawrence and here.
Mail stages were run daily between heer and Weston. Daily stages were
operated between here and the capital at Lecompton and mail stages oper-
ated between the two latter named places three times a week. Fred
Emery operated a line of passenger and mail coaches between here and
Fort Riley, using the old Fort Riley Road and passing through Salt Creek,
Easton, Manhattan and other towns along the way. A weekly mail and
passenger stage service was in operation between Leavenworth and Atchi-
168 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
son. This service passed through by way of Kickapoo following a branch
of the old Salt Lake Trail which led off from the original trail at the Salt
Creek bridge to the northward and again connected with the main trail
northwest of the present site of the little city of Lowemont.
One of the most famous of the great early day trails had its eastern
terminus in the city of Leavenworth. It was known to this county as
the Salt Lake Trail. North of Atchison it connected with the St. Joe
Emigrant Trail and led on to the northwestward, being there known as
the Oregon Trail. Its route out of the city led to the northwestward
along what is now known as the Fort Riley Road to a point known in
early days as the "Eight Mile House," a famous early day inn and tavern
conducted and owned by David Herley, which stood a short distance to
the southeast of the present city of Lowemont, Kansas, Leavenworth
County. Here it branched off, leading sharply to the northwest, while
the Fort Riley Road led slightly to the southwest toward the city of
Easton. It entered Atchison County about four miles east of the present
site of the city of Potter, Atchison County, Kansas. Among the noted
and famous early day stopping places along the trail in Leavenworth
County in those days were the taverns and hotels operated by Merrill
Smith in Salt Creek Valley; Isaac Cody, father of "Buffalo Bill," in Salt
Creek Valley, and H. P. Rively in Salt Creek Valley. Also that famous
early day tavern and inn operated by David Herley known as the "Eight
Mile House." This famous early day trail and road was pressed into
constant use during the middle '50s by the great government Overland
Freighting Company, operated by Majors Russell and Waddell, which had
established its eastern terminus in the city of Leavenworth.
The Great Santa Fe Trail, the eastern terminus of which was at
Westport Landing, Westport, Missouri, was also a famous and much
used trail by the early day emigrants of the city and county of Leaven-
worth. The establishment of this great highway across the southwestern
part of the United States was necessitated through the growth of trade
between the western trading establishments of the American frontier
and the Spanish provinces in Mexico. Baptiste La Lande was the first
white man to traverse the country and deserts through which this trail
extended. In 1804 he made the trip from the western trading posts in
Missouri to Santa Fe, carrying with him a small amount of articles which
he traded to the Spanish traders at the latter post. The trail was prac-
tically established in 1812 when Capt. Becknell with a party set out from
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 169
Franklin, Missouri, for the purpose of trading with western Indian tribes.
After they had traded with the various Indian tribes they proceeded on
to Santa Fe, where they sold the articles which they had obtained from
te Indians at an enormous profit. When they returned to the American
settlements in Missouri with the story of their great success it served to
stimulate such trading excursions on a larger and still larger scale. These
great trading excursions led to the permanent establishment of the Santa
Fe Trail and it remained in constant use until superseded by the Atchison,
Topeka' & Santa Fe Railroad. At first these trading excursions met with
many hardships at the hands of hostile Indian tribes, who held up and
plundered the moving parties. This led to the sending out of larger and
larger trains. The first wagon train that ever passed over this great
trail made the trip in 1821. Up to this time pack mules had been used
as a means of carrying the various goods and provisions carried. This
great highway deserves mention particularly in this history of Leaven-
worth County because of the fact that a branch of the trail led out of
this city to the southwest and connected with the main trail.
Experience very early demonstrated that the use of oxen was best
in the handling of the heavy freight wagons over these various trails and
roads, although mules came into very popular use at a later date.
When oxen were used, the day was usually divided into two drives.
As soon as early dawn approached, the first drive was started and its
termination was in a measure decided by the most favorable camping
place where grass and water were to be found in plenty. About midday
the wagons were corralled and the oxen were given food. In very hot
weather the afternoon drive was not ordered until about three or four
o'clock. On such days the drive often continued until nine or ten o'clock
in the night. When the oxen were unyoked they were turned over to
the night herder, who kept watch over them as they went about seeking
the best grass. As it was only necessary for the herder to keep track
of the leader of the herd, one man could easily watch over as many as
three or four hundred head of oxen at night. In the herd on the trail
there developed, very soon after the start, one animal which all the others
recognized as a leader. Wherever the leader of the herd went the rest
usually followed. The night herder always kept track of the leader, and
frequently got off his mule, drove a peg in the ground to which he
attached a long rope that allowed the mule some grazing range, rolled
himself up in his blanket and went to sleep. Sometimes when the grass
170 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
was poor the leader would wander about a great deal in search of food,
the rest following and it would be necessary for the herder to be on the
alert all of the night. If the grass was plentiful the herd would usually
obtain a sufficient supply in the course of three or four hours and would
then lie down until morning. At the first appearance of morning the
night herder would round up the herd and start them for the corral.
After yoking up the oxen and eating their breakfast the train would move
away slowly to repeat the operations above mentioned until they had
reached their destination.
After the ox teams mule teams were pressed into service. The
method of handling them was much the same as that of the ox teams.
CHAPTER VIII
FORT LEAVENWORTH
sKI.ECTED BY COL. LEAVENWORTH— BOUNDARIES— DESCRIPTION— BUILDINGS —
WATER WORKS— SCHOOI CHAPEL AND OTHER BUILDINGS— DURING WORLD
WAR — A BASE OF SUPPLIES DURING WARS— COMMANDANTS— ARMT SERVICE
SCHOOL — DISCIPLINARY BARRACKS.
Leavenworth County and City derive their names from Fort Leaven-
worth. On March 7, 1827, Col. Henry Leavenworth of the Third United
States Infantry received orders to take four companies of his regiment
and ascend the Missouri River. At the time the order was given Col.
Leavenworth was on duty at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis. A portion
of the order in substance was as follows: "And when he reaches a point
on the left bank near the mouth of the Little Platte River, and within a
range of eighty miles above its confluence, he will select such a position
as in his judgment is best calculated for the site of a permanent canton-
ment. The spot being chosen, he will construct, with the troops of his
command, comfortable though temporary quarters sufficient for the ac-
commodation of four companies."
He proceeded as instructed, carefully explored the region and finding
no desirable site on the left bank of the river wrote to the department,
stating that there was a suitable location on the right bank of the river
within the distance designated and that he had concluded there was no
other place that would answer the purpose. Early in June before the
official approval reached him Col. Leavenworth began the erection of
barracks and named the post Cantonment Leavenworth. On September
19, 1827, Major General Gains, commanding the Western Department,
approved the site selected by Col. Leavenworth, which is the present site
of Fort Leavenworth, and it grew to be the most important military post
1IZ HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
established by the government in the West. The name was changed to
Fort Leavenworth February 8, 1832, as all army posts after this date
were designated as forts.
The boundaries of the fort were given as follows in the office of the
adjutant general:
"It extends from six to seven miles along the Missouri Kiver and
varies from one to two miles wide, containing about 6,840 acres, on the
right bank of the river."
The land was claimed by the Delaware Indians. Later on some 939
acres of land were added to the reservation on the Missouri side of the
river. There still exists the old stone wall with its port holes erected
for a defense against the Indians. Extensive improvements have been
made at Fort Leavenworth and on the reservation. A paved road con-
nects the city of Leavenworth with the fort as also does an electric
railway.
The fort is a magnificent natural park. To the east lies the Missouri
River and to the west lies a long ridge of wooded hills. The grounds are
dotted here and there with fine shade trees. To the southwest of the
new barracks are golf links and drilling grounds. North of the new
barracks and south of the old barracks are the west end parade grounds
used for drilling purposes and athletic events. The National Cemetery
lies at the foot of the hills on the west. It is a beautiful place covered
with blue grass and shade trees. Here many illustrious dead lie. The
graves are orderly arranged and many have monuments ■ showing who
are buried there. The body of Gen. Henry Leavenworth was removed
from Delhi, New York, to the cemetery on Memorial Day, 1902. A road
leads northwest toward Kickapoo at the western terminus of which is
found a hog ranch, cattle barns and chicken houses OAvned and operated
by the government. A fine herd of purebred cattle is kept by the
government.
Besides the west end parade grounds there is a tract east of head-
quarters and south of the disciplinary barracks used for drill purposes.
The fort is laid off in the same manner as a city. Along the streets are
located officers' residences. They are. fine structures generally built for
two apartments so that two officers and their families can occupy the
same building. There is a large hospital facing the west end parade
grounds on the east. The old barracks are on the north and the one to
the south, consisting of a double row all built of brick. Just northwest
-HISTORY OF LE VENWORTH COUNTY 173
of the electric depot is a magnificent Y. M. C. A. Building, the gift of
Helen Gould. Standing far out on the golf links is a radio station.
The first water works consisted of a six mule team and wagon driven
to the edge of the river and there barrels were filled and distributed to
the fort. In 1865 a pumping station was erected on the bank of the river
about a quarter of a mile north of the bridge. Water was pumped from
there to a large tank situated on Scott Avenue south of Pope Hall holding
21,000 gallons. From this water was hauled to the various places in
wagons. Cisterns and wells were also used. In 1883 mains were laid
from Leavenworth City and Ft. Leavenworth Water Co. and since then
the water supply has been obtained from this source.
Metropolitan Avenue is 100 feet wide along the entire length of the
southern boundary of the reservation. Grant Avenue, commonly known
as the Fort Road connects the fort with Leavenworth City at Seventh
Street and Metropolitan Avenue. It formerly connected at Fifth and Met-
ropolitan Avenue. Sheridan's Drive is along the summit of the bluffs
forming the western boundary of the post and is used exclusively for
pleasure. It was named after General Sheridan.
Prior to 1901 the educational facilities of the post were limited. By
an act of the Kansas State Legislature all of the military reservation was
organized into a school district and called District No. 81. The Board of
County Comissioners compose the school board and it is under the juris-
dction of the County Superintendent of Leavenworth County. The revenue
derived for defraying the expenses of the school is obtained by taxes on
the corporations in the district. The burden falls principally upon the
railroads and the Leavenworth Water Company. The valuation of all the
taxable property is about $500,000. Tax on this amount together with
the State School Fund furnishes ample funds to carry on the school.
There are five teachers including the principal. There is a well equipped
school building erected by the government just east of Pope Hall on the
incline overlooking the Missouri River.
In 1838 Congress enacted a law authorizing the appointment of chap-
lains in the United States Army and provided that they serve as school
teachers. The Rev. Henry Gregory was appointed chaplain at Fort Leaven-
worth and he established what is known as the first school for white
children on Kansas soil.
St. Ignatius Chapel, a Catholic Church edifice, was erected in the
fall of 1889. The Post Chapel was erected in 1878. The Y. M. C. A.
174 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
building was built and completed in 1907. It is a most beautiful structure
without and handsomely furnished within. Helen Gould furnished the
money to erect the building and was present at the dedication. Pope Hall
was dedicated in the fall of 1894 and named in honor of Capt. James W.
Pope. It is an amusement hall used for entertainments. Union Hall was
constructed in 1871. It was built for a Catholic Church. The Post Hospi-
tal is a magnificent structure costing about $120,000. The Post Steam
Laundry was opened for business in September, 1905. The Mess Hall
was established in March, 1877. The postoffice was erected in 1828.
In 1917-1918 during the World War new temporary cantonments were
erected along the Fort Road leading to the post proper. Many troops
were quartered here and at the regular barracks. Most of the temporary
buildings are still used for troops. There are at present 960 soldiers at
the post.
Fort Leavenworth has been a base of supplies and rendezvous for
troops and expeditions from the time of its establishment. Gen. Kearney's
expedition to Santa Fe in 1845 started from here. So also were the expe-
ditions of Gen. Joseph Lane to Oregon in 1848; Capt. Stansbury to Utah
in 1849 ; Col. Fremont in 1849. All through the Civil War, the Spanish-
American War and the World War troops were assembled, sent out and
returned to be mustered out at Fort Leavenworth. It was the seat of
government for the Territory of Kansas in 1854, being the only place in
the territory having buildings convenient for government purposes.
Commandants of Fort Leavenworth.
1827-1829, Col. Henry Leavenworth 3d Infantry
1829, Capt. Bennett Riley. 6th Infantry
1830, Major William Davenport. 6th Infantry
1832, Capt. Bennett Riley. 6th Infantry
1833, Capt. Wm. N. Wickliff 6th Infantry
1834, Capt. Bennett Riley. 6th Infantry
1834-1836, Col. Henry Dodge. 1st Dragoons
1836-1841, Col. Stephen W. Kearney. 1st Dragoons
1842, Lieut. Col. R. B. Mason. 1st Dragoons
1843, Col. Stephen W. Kearney. 1st Dragoons
1844-1845, Maj. Clifton Wharton. 1st Dragoons
1846-1847, Lieut. Col. Clifton Wharton. 1st Dragoons
1848, Capt. W. S. Ketchum. 6th Infantry
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 175
1848, May 2, Lieut. Col. E. V. Sumner. 1st Dragoons
1850, June 30, Capt. Chas. S. Lovell. 6th Infantry
1850, Aug. 20, Lieut. Col. Joseph Plymton. 1st Dragoons
1850, Sept. 6, Maj. Benj. L. Beale. 1st Dragoons
1850, Oct. 8, Lieut. Col. E. V. Sumner. 1st Dragoons
1851, March 12, Maj. B. L. Beale. 1st Dragoons
1853, March 29, Col. T. T. Fauntleroy. 1st Dragoons
1854, Capt. F. E. Hunt. 4th Artillery
(McCown Hunt, of 421 Chestnut Street, is his son.)
1855, Lieut. Col. Phil. St. George Cooke. 2nd Cavalry
1856, Col. E. V. Sumner. 1st Dragoons
1856, July 12. Capt. Thomas J. Wood. 1st Cavalry
1856, July 28, Lieut. Col. Joseph E. Johnston. 1st Cavalry
1856, Aug. 21, Capt. S. D. Sturgis. 1st Cavalry
1856, Sept. 21, Capt. Thomas Hendrickson. 6th Infantry
1856, Oct. 13, Col. E. V. Sumner.
1857, Oct. 12, Gen. W. S. Harney.
1857, Oct. 27, Col. Francis S. Belton.
1858, Jan. 31, Gen. W. S. Harney.
1858, May 15, Maj. Thomas W. Sherman. 3rd Artillery
1858, May 16, Lieut. Col. John Munroe. 4th Artillery
1859, June 15, Col. T. Dimmick.
1859, Nov. 14, Capt. Horace Brooks. 2nd Artillery
1859, Dec. 19, Lieut. Col. John Blankhead Magruder 2nd Artillery
1860, Sept. 3, Capt. W. F. Barry 2nd Artillery
1860, Oct. 2, Capt. Horace Brooks. 2nd Artillery
I860, Oct. 27, Col. John Blankhead Magruder.
1860, Oct. 31, Capt. Horace Brooks. 2nd Artillery
1861, Feb. 3, Capt. William Steel. 2nd Dragoons
April 30, Dixon S. Mills. 2nd Infantry
May 23, Capt. Alfred Sully 2nd Infantry
May 31, Maj. Delos B. Sackett. 1st Cavalry
June 12, Maj. S. D. Sturgis. 1st Cavalry
June 21, Maj. William E. Prince. 3rd Infantry
1862, June 11, Lieut. Col. J. T. Burris 8th Kansas Cavalry
1863, Dec. 24, Col. C. R. Jennison. 15th Kansas Cavalry
1864, July 7, Col. J. A. Goodwin. 138th 111. Vol. Infantry
Sept. 27, Lieut. Col. W. R. Davis. 16th Kansas Cavalry
176 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
1865, April 27, Lieut. Col. Heinrichs. 16th Kansas Cavalry
June 27, Col. A. P. Carahar 2nd U. S. Vol. Cavalry
Sept. 14, Lieut. Col. Rufus E. Fleming 6th. W. Va. Cavalry
Sept. 23, Maj. Win. Clinton. 13th Infantry
Nov. 20, Col. Isaac V. D. Reeve. 13th Infantry
1866-1867, Col. Wm. Hoffman. 3rd Infantry
1868, April 9, Maj. Alfred Gibbs. 1 7th Cavalry
Sept. 10, Maj. Henry S. Huntington.
Oct. 7, Capt. H. C. Hasbrouck. 4th Artillery
J 869, March 26, Capt. W. M. Graham. 4th Artillery
April 22, Capt. Simon Snyder. 5th Infantry
June 13, Lieut. Col. W. H. Lidell. 10th Infantry
Oct. 22 to April 2, 1871, Col. S. D. Sturgis. 7th Cavalry
1871, April 2, Capt. Dangerfield Parker. 3rd Infantry
April 7, to July 12, 1876, Col. Nelson A. Miles 5th Infantry
1876, July 22, Capt. W. Lyman. 5th Infantry
July 22, Capt. A. C. Wildrick. 2nd Cavalry
Dec. 20, to Feb. 5> 1878, Col. Jefferson C. Davis 23rd Infantry
1878, Feb. 5, Lieut. Col. R. I. Dodge. 23rd Infantry
May 19, Col. Jefferson C. Davis. 23rd Infantry
Jan. 27, Capt. George W. Randall. _" 23rd Infantry
Feb. 20, Col. C. H. Smith. 19th Infantry
1881, to June, 1885, Col. E. S. Otis. 20th Infantry
1885-1886, Col. Thomas H. Rusrer. 18th Infantry
1886, to June, 1890, Col. A. McDowell McCook. 6th Infantry
1890, to Sept., 1894, Col. E. F. Townsend. 12th Infantry
1894, to April, 1898, Col. H. S. Hawkins. 20th Infantry
1898, Maj. J. A. Augur. 4th Cavalry
1899, Maj. J. J. O'Connell. 1st Infantry
1900, Lieut. Col. J. M. Lee. 6th Infantry
1902, Col. Charles W. Miner. 6th Infantry
1903, Brig. Gen. J. Franklin Bell.
1904, Col. J. W. Duncan. 6th Infantry
1905, Col. Charles B. Hall. 18th Infantry
1906, Lieut. Col. Wm. Paulding. 18th Infantry
1907, Col. R. H. R. Loughbourough. 13th Infantry
1907, Col. Thomas F. Davis. 18th Infantry
1909, Jan. 1 to Aug. 23, Col. R. H. R. Loughbourough.
Aug. 24 to Oct. 11, Lieut. Col. Nichols.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 177
1909, Oct. 11 to Dec. 31, 1910 to March 8, 1911, Col. R. H. R. Loughbour-
ough.
1911, March 9 to April 20, Capt. James R. Lindsey.
April 1 to July 8, Maj. M. J. Lenihan.
July 9 to Sept. 30, Col. Loughborough.
1911, Oct. 1 to Dec. 81, Jan. 15, 1912, Maj. M. J. Lenihan.
1912, Jan. 16 to Feb. 23, 1913, Col. Daniel Cornman.
1913, Feb. 24 to Oct. 6, Capt. Johnston.
Oct. 7 to Nov. 8, Capt. Martin.
Nov. 9 to Dec. 10, Capt. P. Mawry.
Dec. 11 to Dec. 22, Capt. J. F. Barnes.
1913, Dec. 22 to April 28, 1914, Capt. C. C. Smith.
1914, April 29 to Aug. 21, Lieut. W. P. Burnham.
1914, Aug. 22 to March 29, 1916, Colonel Roberts.
1916, March 30 to June 23, Capt. H. E. Comstock, Q. M. C.
1916, June 24 to May 26, 1917, Capt. A. B. Warfield.
1917, May 27 to June 4, Capt. Emerson Eng.
1917, June 5 to June 22, Lieut. Col. M. L. Walker.
1917, June 23 to June 4, 1919, Col. Wm. A. Shunk.
1919, June 5 to July 31, Col. Charles Gerhardt.
1919, Aug. 1 to Aug. 27, 1920, Maj. Gen. C. H. Muin.
1920, Aug. 28 to Sept. 1, Brig. Gen. H. E. Ely.
1920, Sept. 2 to Sept. 4, Col. F. L. Munson
1920, Sept. 5 to Sept. 20, Col. L. R. Holbrook.
1920, Sept. 20 to present time, Brig. Gen. H. A. Drum.
The Army Service School. — The Army Service School was organized
in 1881. It is a large stone building consisting of four halls, namely:
Grant, Sherman, Sheridan and Wagner. It is located near the river bank
north and west of the bridge. Wagner Hall is the library over which Col.
Ezra B. Fuller has charge. The other three halls are devoted to offices,
recitation rooms and other purposes connected with the school. A large
clock is located in the tower over Grant Hall. Among the subjects taught
are: Military Organization, Field Engineering, Tactics, Solution of Prob-
lems, Combat Orders, Discussion of Problems, Map Manuevers, Strategy,
Military History, Care of Troops, Care of Animals, Military Intelligence,
Leadership, Laws of War, Methods of Training.
The first class was graduated in 1883 and consisted of thirty-five
members. The class of 1916 consisted of thirty-two members. The Army
(8)
178 HISTORY OP LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Staff College is located in the Service School as is also the Army Signal
School. Theses bring to the post every year a large number of army
officers for training and as instructors. The following is a list of the Com-
mandants of the school:
Otis, E. S., Col., 20th Infantry Nov., 1881 to June, 1885
Ruger, T. H., Col., 18th Infantry June, 1885 to May, 1886
McCook, A. McD., Col., 6th Infantry May, 1886 to Aug., 1890
Townsend, E. F., Col., 12th Infantry Aug., 1890 to Oct., 1894
Hawkins, H. S., Col., 20th Infantry Oct., 1894 to Apral, 1898
Miner, C. W., Col., 6th Infantry Sept., 1902 to June, 1903
Bell, J. F., Brig. Gen., U. S. Army July, 1903 to June, 1906
Hall, C. B., Brig. Gen., U. S. Army Aug., 1906 to April, 1908
Morrison, J. F., Maj., 20th Infantry April, 1908 to Aug., 1908
Funston, Fred, Brig. Gen., U. S. Army Aug., 1908 to Jan., 1911
Potts, R. D., Brig. Gen., U. S. Army Jan., 1911 to Feb., 1913
Burnham, W. P., Lieut. Col, Infantry Feb., 1913 to Aug., 1914
Greene, H. A., Brig. Gen., U. S. Army Sept., 1914 to Aug., 1916
Swift, Eden, Brig. Gen. U. S. Army Aug., 1916 to , 1917
Shunk, Wm. A., Col , 1917 to , 1919
Muir, C. H., Maj. Gen July 1, 1919 to Sept. 1, 1920
Drum, H. A., Brig. Gen Sept. 1, 1920 to date
United States Disciplinary Barracks. — The United State Disciplinary
Barracks is a post separate and distinct from Fort Leavenworth and is
managed by a Commandant, an officer of the United States Army. It was
formerly called the Military Prison. The first buildings were erected
in 1874-1875. The walls, which inclose about seven acres of ground, are
from fifteen feet to thirty feet high, five and one-half feet thick at the
base and two and one-half feet at the top. There are confined within the
walls 1,559 prisoners and 110 on parole. Those who are convicted of
violating the military law and all who have been convicted of charges not
greater than a felony by the laws of the Federal Government are confined
at this prison. The prison was discontinued in 1895 and continued again
in 1906, during which time the Federal Penitentiary was located here.
In 1906 the Federal Penitentiary was moved to its present location as
is shown elsewhere. The farm is operated by the prisoners as is also
the hog ranch, dairy, chicken ranch, brick plant and many and various
trades inside the prison. It was here that many conscientious objectors,
slackers and alien enemies were confined during the World War. Trades
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 179
and occupations of all kinds are taught the prisoners. There is a dry
cleaning plant, dye house, harness shop, shoe shop, tailor shop, laundry,
salvage department, building department, farm, rock quarries, saw mill,
brick plant, machine and blacksmith shop, carpenter and paint shop, broom
shop, plumbing shop, electric shop, tin shop, road construction, ice plant.
In these various departments the men are employed. On being restored
prisoners are allowed to re-enlist in the Army. Any valuables he may
have had are returned to him at his discharge together with a small
amount of money and transportation to his former home. About all the
building work around the prison is done by the prisoners with the aid of
overseers. While under strict discipline they receive manly and consider-
ate treatment. They are drilled in the manual of arms and calisthenics.
Any Friday they may be seen drilling on the parade grounds. It has been
said that they are the best drilled men outside of West Point.
The Prisoners Conference Committee was in effect in 1919. This
committee incited the prison body to make extraordinary demands on the
Commandant on July 22, 1919. Among them were the following:
1. A general amnesty for all military prisoners and that a telegram
be sent to President Wilson demanding same.
2. Better mess, that the prisoners take over the mess.
3. Better living conditions, more time for mess and two issues of
tobacco per week.
There was a general mutiny following. The committee was abolished
and the prisoners locked in their cell wings on bread and water diet. The
prisoners set fire to the Barracks Exchange and about all the buildings
were destroyed. The fire started at night and there was ample oppor-
tunity for the prisoners to escape but when morning came not one was
missing.
The following have been Commandants of the Prison or Disciplinary
Barracks :
Gen. Thomas Francis Barr, U. S. Army 1871
(Known as the father of the U. S. Military Prison.)
Major James M. Robertson (first Commandant) 1875 to 1877
Major Asa Peabody Blunt June, 1877 to Dec. 1, 1887
Col. James Worden Pope Jan. 1, 1888 to June 30, 1895
Lieut. Col. George S. Young Feb. 1, 1906 to June, 1908
Major Thomas H. Slavens June, 1908 to Jan. 12, 1914
Col. H. J. Slocum Jan. 13, 1914 to Aug. 31, 1914
180 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Frank A. Barton, Cavalry Sept. 1, 1914 to Dec. 19, 1914
Col. Sedgwick Rice Dec. 20, 1914 to Aug. 26, 1919
Brig. Gen. J. H. McRae Aug. 26, 1909 to Sept. 4, 1920
Col. Malvern-Hill Barum Sept. 4, 1920 to present time
CHAPTER IX
ORGANIZATION OF COUNTY.
TERRITORIAL ACT OF 1855— BOUNDARIES DEFINED— TOWNSHIPS ORGANIZED-
COURT HOUSE— COUNTY OFFICERS.
The First Territorial Legislature of 1855 formed Leavenworth County.
Under Section 27 of the Territorial Act the boundaries were as follows:
Beginning at a point on the southern boundary of Atchison County due
north of a point four miles west of Dawson's crossing of the Fort Riley
road, on Stranger Creek ; thence due south to the main channel of Kansas
River; thence down said channel to where said channel crosses the chan-
nel of the Missouri River ; thence up said channel of the Missouri, to the
southeast corner of Atchison County ; thence along the southern boundary
to the place of beginning.
The boundaries as then defined included the present county of Wyan-
dotte. January 29, 1859 the Territorial Legislature Wyandotte County
was detached and formed into a separate county, leaving Leavenworth
County essentially as it now exists.
The General Statutes of Kansas for 1915 defines the boundaries as
follows : Beginning at the southeast corner of Atchison County ; thence
west with the south boundary of Atchison County, to the corner of sec-
tions twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-seven and twenty-eight, of township
seven south, of range twenty east; thence south with the section lines
between the third and fourth tiers of sections, to the middle of the main
channel of the Kansas River; thence down said Kansas River, in the
middle of the main channel thereof, to the intersection with range line
between ranges twenty-two and twenty-three east; thence north on said
range line to the old Delaware reserve line, the same being the dividing
line between the original Delaware reservation and Delaware trust lands;
182 HISTORY OF LFAVENWORTH COUNTY
thence east with said reserve line, to the western boundary line of the
state of Missouri; thence northerly with said boundary line of the state
of Missouri, to the place of beginning.
It is bounded on the north by Atchison County; east by Missouri
River and Wyandotte County; south by Wyandotte County and the
Kansas River; and west by Jefferson County and Douglas County.
The Board of Supervisors of Leavenworth County met February 10,
1859, at 10 o'clock a. in. and adopted the following resolution:
Resolved, By the Board that from and after the 28th day of Febru-
ary A. D. 1859, the County of Leavenworth be and is hereby set off and
organized as follows:
Easton Township. — "All of Fractional Township number seven south
range number twenty east and the west half of fractional township num-
ber seven south range number twenty-one east, and so much of township
number eight south range number twenty east, and of the west half of
township number eight south range number twenty-one east, as lies north
of the section lines dividing sections 27 and 34, 26 and 35, and 25 and 36
in T. 8, R. 20 and sections 30 and 31, 29 and 32, and 28 and 33, in T. 8,
R. 21, to constitute the township of Easton."
Kickapoo Township. — "The east half of fractional township number
seven south, range number twenty-one east, and fractional township num-
ber seven south of range number twenty-two and twenty-three east, also
so much of the east half of township number eight south, range number
twenty-one east, as lies north of the section lines dividing sections 27 and
34, 26 and 35, 25 and 36 and of fractional township number eight south,
range number twenty-two east as lies north of the section line dividing
sections 30 and 31, 29 and 32, and 28 and 33 to constitute the township
of Kickapoo."
Leavenworth Township. — "All of fractional townships number eight
and nine south of range number twenty-two and twenty-three east em-
braced within the corporation of Leavenworth City and the Leavenworth
Military Reserve, to constitute the township of Leavenworth."
Delaware Township. — "So much of the east half of township num-
ber nine and ten south of range number twenty-two east and fractional
townships number nine and ten south of range number twenty-three east
as lie south of Leavenworth City and north of the Delaware Reserve line,
to constitute the township of Delaware."
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 183
Stranger Township. — "Sections 34 and 35, and 36 of township number
eight south, range number twenty-one and sections numbers 31, 32 and
33 of township number eight south, range number twenty-two east and
the east half of township number nine south, range number twenty-one
and the west half of township number nine south, range number twenty-
two east, and so much of east half of township number ten south, range
number twenty-one east and of the west half of township number ten
south, number twenty-two east as lies north of the Delaware Reserve and
all of the Delaware Reserve lying east of Stranger Creek and west of the
range line dividing ranges number 22 and 23 to constitute the township
of Stranger."
Alexandria Township. — "Sections 34, 35 and 36 of townships num-
ber eight south, range number twenty-one east and the east half of
township number nine south of range number twenty east, and the west
half of township number nine south, range number twenty-one east, frac-
tional sections 1, 2, and 3 of township number ten south, range number
twenty, and fractional sections 4, 5 and 6 of township number ten south,
range number twenty-one east, and so much of the Delaware Reserve as
lies within the county south of the Reserve line and west of Stranger
Creek to constitute the township of Alexandria."
Tonganoxie Township. — Tonganoxie Township was organized on
April 1, 1867, with the following boundaries: Commencing at the north-
east corner of section number nine (9), township ten (10), range twenty-
one (21), and running thence due west along the section lines dividing
sections 4 and 9, 5 and 8, 6 and 7, range 21, and sections 1 and 12, 2 and 11,
and 3 and 10, range 20, to the county line of Jefferson County; thence
southward along the line between the said county of Jefferson and the
county of Leavenworth to the southern boundary of the county of Leaven-
worth on the Kansas River; thence eastwardly along the southern boun-
dary of Leavenworth County To the present line between the townships
of Alexandria and Stranger, both of the county of Leavenworth; thence
northwardly along the said line between Alexandria and Stranger town-
ships to the place of beginning."
Fairmount Township. — Fairmount Township was organized on July 1,
1867, with the following boundaries: Commencing at the northwest cor-
ner of section ten, township ten, range twenty-two, and running thence
south following section lines about five miles; thence west to the north-
west corner of section three, township eleven, range twenty-two; thence
184 HISTORY OP LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
south following section lines about ten miles to the banks of the Kansas
River; thence eastwardly following the banks of said Kansas River about
three miles and a half to a point where said river intersects the line
dividing ranges twenty-two and twenty-three; thence north following said
range about nine and a fourth miles, to the northwest corner of section
six, township eleven, range twenty-three; thence east to the southwest
corner of section thirty-one, township ten, range twenty-three; thence
north following section lines about five miles to the northeast corner of
section twelve, township ten, range twenty-two ; thence west following
section lines about three miles to the place of beginning.
High Prairie Township. — High Prairie Township was organized on
September 16, 1867, as follows: All that part of Stranger Township lying
north of. the section lines dividing sections 4 and 9, 5 and 8, 6 and 7, in
township ten, ranges twenty-one and twenty-two and sections 1 and 12,
2 and 11, and 3 and 10, in township ten, range twenty-one was declared
to be a new and distinct township known as High Prairie Township.
Reno Township. — Reno Township was organized on January 4, 1869,
with boundaries as follows : To be taken from the territory of Tonganoxie
Township to be bounded as follows: Beginning at the southwest corner
of section twenty-two, township, eleven, range twenty, and running east on
the section line bet-ween sections 22 and 27, 23 and 26, 24 and 25, 19 and
30, 20 and 29, 21 and 28, thence south commencing at the northeast cor-
ner of section 28 and running on the section line between sections 28 and
■27, 33 and 34, 4 and 3, 9 and 10, 16 and 15, 21 and 22 to the Kansas River;
thence by said river to the east boundary line of Douglas County ; thence
north by the dividing line between Douglas and Jefferson and Leaven-
worth counties to the place of beginning.
Sherman Township. — Sherman Township was organized on January
4, 1869, with boundaries as follows: To be taken from the territories of
Stranger and Fairmount Townships as follows: Commencing at the
northwest corner of section thirty-four, township eleven, and range twen-
ty-one, thence east on the section lines between sections 27 and 34, 26
and 35, 25 and 36, 30 and 31. 29 and 32, 28 and 33, 27 and 34, 26 and 35,
25 and 36, to the west boundary line of Wyandotte County; thence south
by the boundary line between Wyandotte and Leavenworth County to the
Kansas River; thence west by the Kansas River to the southeast corner
of Reno Township; thence north by the east boundary line of Reno town-
ship to the place of beginning.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 185
Later on a strip one section wide was taken from Stranger Township
and added to Fairmount Township, making the townships of Fairmount
and Stranger conform to the present boundaries. With this change the
various townships attained the boundaries which they have at the pres-
ent time.
Court House. — After the removal of the county seat from Kickapoo
to Leavenworth the county offices were located at the northwest corner
of Third and Delaware streets where they remained during some time
and then removed to the City Hall at the northeast comer of Fifth and
Shawnee streets, remaining there for many years. April 22, 1858, Jere-
miah Clark offered the county part of the present site of the court house,
under the following proposal :
"To the Board of Supervisors for the County of Leavenworth K. T.
Gentlemen: I have the honor to submit the following proposition for
your consideration. I hereby propose to donate to the County of Leaven-
worth, in perpetuity, the following described tract of land, viz.: The
East half of Block Thirteen (13) known as Court Square lying 300 feet
on Third street by 180 feet on Central avenue, and Walnut street, exclu-
sively for the purpose of being occupied, as the site for Court House,
public offices and such buildings as the county may require.
Respectfully Your Obt. Servant,
JEREMIAH CLARK."
On May 18, 1858, the board accepted the proposition of Jeremiah
Clark in the following resolution:
"Resolved by the Board, That the proposition of Jeremiah Clark,
Esq., be and is hereby accepted, and that the County Attorney be requested
to draw up a title deed to the land named in said proposition."
On June 9, 1858, John G. Haskell was appointed architect of the court
house and that the building when complete to be of the dimensions of
about 100 by 200 feet in three wings, surmounted by a dome or tower
and to cost about $100,000, the middle wing about 60 by 100 to be built at
once with accommodations for jail in the basement at a cost of about
$35,000.
On Monday, October 8, 1860, deed was received from Jeremiah Clark
and Florinda Clark, his wife, for the east half of block thirteen (13) 300
feet front on Third street by 180 feet deep in Clark & Reese Addition,
Leavenworth City, County and Territory of Kansas. The deed was ac-
186 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
cepted, approved and filed in the Recorder's Office. The other half of the
said block was purchased for $9,200 from John Halderman and deed ac-
cepted June 21, 1869.
Although bonds were voted for the court house in June, 1858, it was
not till February, 1873, that the structure was completed. It was built
of red brick, with stone trimmings, and consisted of three stories and a
basement. It had a lofty tower in which was situated a fine clock giving
forth the time to many passers by. It was one of the most attractive
court house buildings in the West. It would not be far wrong to value
the court house property at $200,000.00, including the building proper,
clock, fixtures, furniture and the site. Its situation commands one of the
grandest views to the city of Leavenworth, the Missouri River to the
east and the surrounding country. It was occupied by the county offices
in 1873 and continued to be used as such till March, 1911.
On the morning of March 22, 1911, the court house burned. It was
reduced to ruins except the walls which remained standing. On these
walls was afterwards built the present structure. Owing to the strong
vaults very few of the records were destroyed. There was $81,000 insur-
ance on the court house and $2,000 on the furniture.
Steps were immediately taken by the County Board for rebuilding
the court house. On June 24th, John G, Barnes was awarded the con-
tract for removing the debris from the ruins of the old building at the
price of $1,668 less $168 for the old material.
On July 31st W. P. Feth was appointed architect for the new Leav-
enworth County Court House. He was instructed to immediately pre-
pare plans for the building.
Architect W. P. Feth made his report on plans which was in sub-
stance as follows:
The building on the exterior to be faced with stone, porticoes on four
sides, windows to be increased in size, and the exterior design to be as
shown by the sketch. Interior, the rooms to be changed as shown on
sketch with enlarged vaults, the building made fire-proof throughout,
terrazzo floor in corridor and concrete floors in offices, wood doors and trim,
steam heat, plumbing and electric wiring. The building as described will
cost approximately $96,000.
The contract for the erection of the present court house was awarded
to J. B. Betts of Topeka, Kansas, for the sum of $100,189. September
14, 1912, contract for hardware for the court house was awarded to A. J.
Atwater Hardware Company for $697.00.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 187
January 13, 1912, the county board awarded the contract for furni-
ture to the Wollaiger Manufacturing Company for $10,500 which included
marble fronts for recorder's office, county clerk, county treasurer, sheriff
and clerk of the district court, also battleship linoleum for all counter tops
and desks.
It is noted that the board ordered changes made in the original con-
tract with Mr. Betts and they are as follows, being made on December
7, 1912:
Concrete columns changed to Pheniz cut stone with a difference in
price of $6,608.
Where concrete floors are specified change to terrazo with added cost
of $3,000.
Extra window in office of clerk of district court with added price
of $40.00.
Extra marble treds and rises in toilet rooms price additional, $169.00.
Change in steel beams north and south porticos additional price of
$205.00.
Extra vault doors in treasurer's and clerk's office added cost of $25.00.
This made a total additional cost of the building over the original con-
tract of $10,047.
The total cost of the court house, additional grounds, etc., was as
follows :
J. B. Betts, contract for erection $110,915.75
Tholen Bros., heating and plumbing 10,022.30
Tholen Bros., electric light and fixtures 1,800.00
C. L. Lord, electric wiring and phone conduit 1,666.15
Wollaeger Mnfg. Co., furniture 10,516.10
J. G. Barnes, removing debris 1,668.00
Inspecting old walls, McGonigle and others 150.00
F. E." Hinds, clerk of works 1,285.00
McCune, for grading grounds 272.42
W. P. Feth, architect fees 4,756.82
G. A. R. Hall, grounds 1,897.00
Duffy property and car barn 1,900.00
Total $146,849,54
188 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
County Boards. — The following are the various members of the county
boards and the dates of their entrance into office:
Board of County Commissioners — John A. Halderman, September 7,
1855, resigned May 1, 1857; J. M. Hall, September 7, 1855, died in office
May 31, 1857; Matthew R. Walker, September 7, 1855, resigned May 13,
1857; William Franklin, May 13, 1857; George W. Perkins, May 18, 1857;
Josiah Elliott, December 3, 1857 ; Charles Starns, December 21, 1857.
Board of Supervisors — Samuel F. Few, April 2, 1858; George Rupell,
April 2. 1858; John W. Penoyer, April 2, 1858; George Dickinson. April
2, 1858; John Freeland, August 9, 1858; E. F. Stafford, August 9, 1858;
(in place of Penoyer) Sampson Miller, September 2, 1858; (in place of
Few), Alfred Gray, December 8, 1858.
On April 2, 1859. the Board of Comity Supervisors was reorganized
and was composed of the following members: John Freeland, Kickapoo
Township; R. C. Foster, Delaware Township; Thomas A. Gwartney, Eas-
ton Township; George Dickinson, Alexandria Township; Henry B. Kel-
ler, Stranger Township; H. B. Denman, Leavenworth City, Mayor; Elijah
Hughe?, Leavenworth City, Councilman; I. W. Morris, Leavenworth City,
Councilman; John C. Tarr, Leavenworth City, Councilman.
On March 30, 1860, the County Board of Supervisors ceased to exist
and adjourned sine die.
Board of County Commissioners — Edward Stevenson, Chairman,
April 2, 1860; Marion Todd, April 2, 1860; John M. Gallagher, April 2,
1860; Frederick Wellhouse, Chairman, January, 1862; Roger F. Kelly,
January. 1862; Alexander Harlow, January, 1862; E. W. Baird, January,
1864; Thomas Kincaid, January, 1864; C. N. Palmer, January, 1864; Will-
iam T. Marion, January, 1866; William Dunlap, January, 1866; C. N.
Palmer, January, 1866; John Hannon, January, 1868; George B. Hines,
January, 1868; J. P. Curran, January, 1868; A. J. McMannas, January,
1868; John W. Broaddus, January, 1868; R. H. Davis, January, 1868; B. B.
Moore, January, 1868; William Crowder, January, 1868; John C. Gist.
January, 1868 ; W. P. Burney, January, 1868 ; R. C. Foster, January, 1868 ;
Benjamin Harrod, January, 1868; John Hannon, January, 1870, First
Ward; G. B. Hines, January, 1870, Second Ward; Cyrus Hicks. January,
1870, Third Ward ; P. J. McMamius, January, 1870, Fourth Ward ; Charles
H. Chapin, January, 1870, Alexandria Township; J. F. Miller, January.
1870, Delaware Township; J. Thomburg. January, 1870, Easton Town-
ship; O. S. Hiatt January, 1870, Fairmount Township; J. T. McWirt, Janu-
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 189
ary, 1870, High Prairie Township; Charles Spencer, January, 1870, Kick-
apoo Township; A. A. Harrison, January, 1870, Stranger Township; John
Jewett, January, 1870, Sherman Township; J. W. Murphy, January, 1870,
Tonganoxie Township; J. E. Eaton, January, 1870, Reno Township; W. S.
Plummer, January, 1872 ; John Wilson, January, 1872 ; Enos Hook, Janu-
ary, 1872; Gottlieb Geiger, January, 1872; C .W. Spencer, January, 1872;
O. S. Hiatt, January, 1872; A. C. Williams, January, 1872; John Hannon,
January, 1874, Nineteenth District; John Wilson, January, 1874, Twenti-
eth District; Enos Hook, January, 1874, Twenty-first District; J. McCor-
mick, January, 1874, Twenty-second District; W. F. Ashby, January,
1874, Twenty-third District; J. G. Mclntyre, January, 1874, Twenty-
fourth District; James Pickens, January, 1874, Twenty-fifth District;
B. S. Richards, January, 1876; E. W. Lucas, January, 1876; John Van
Winkle, January, 1876 (commissioners at large) ; H. C. Squires, January,
1878, District No. 1 ; B. S. Richards, January, 1878, District No. 2 ; James
Pickens, January, 1878, District No. 3; B. S. Richards, re-elected Novem-
ber 4, 1879, from Second District ; H. W. Rice, elected November 2, 1880,
from Third District; H. C. Squires, re-elected November 8. 1881, from
First District; L. Michael, elected November 7, 1882, from Second Dis-
trict; J. M. Phinicie, elected November 6, 1883, from Third District, in
office till first Monday in January, 1899 ; H. C. Squires, re-elected Novem-
ber 4, 1884, from First District; John Hannon, elected November 3, 1885,
from Second District, in office till January, 1895 ; J. M. Phinicie, re-elected
November 2, 1886, from Third District; H. C. Squires, re-elected Novem-
ber 8, 1887, from First District, in office till first Monday in January, 1891 ;
John Hannon, re-elected November 6, 1888, from Second District; J. M.
Phinicie, re-elected November 5, 1889, from Third District; R. C. Mullins,
elected November 4, 1890, from First District, in office till second Monday
in January, 1903; John Hannon, re-elected November 3, 1891, from Sec-
ond District; Jacob Rodenhaus, elected November 6, 1894, from Second
District; Frank O'Donnell, elected November 2, 1897, from Second Dis-
trict; Joseph Bleakley, elected November 8, 1898, from Third District, re-
signed 1910, and Moses Harvey appointed to fill vacancy till first Monday
in January, 1911 ; Stephen Naeher, elected November 6, 1920, from Second
District, in office till first Monday in January, 1905 ; M. C. Kennedy, elected
November 4, 1902, from First District, in office till first Monday in Janu-
ary, 1911 ; Harold C. Short, elected November 8, 1904, from First District,
in office till first Monday in January, 1913 ; John Bollin, elected November
190
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
8, 1910, from First District, in office till first Monday in January, 1915;
S. H. Ward, elected November 8, 1910, from Third District; Robert E.
Davis, elected November 5, 1912, from Second District; George Roe,
elected November 3, 1914, from First District, present incumbent; Har-
old C. Short, elected November, 1916, from Second District, present incum-
bent ; Ernest Eberth, elected November, 1916, present incumbent.
County Clerks — James M. Lyle, September 7, 1855; D. J. Johnson,
June 25, 1857 ; H. B. C. Harris, October 19, 1857 ; William Perry, January
5, 1858; H. C. Fields, April 2, 1858; James H. Churchill, January 18, 1860;
August Gates, January 1, 1862; S. J. Darrah, second Monday in January,
1866; Oliver Diefendorf, second Monday in January, 1868; A. B. Keller,
second Monday in January, 1872; Oliver Diefendorf, second Monday in
January, 1874; Oliver Diefendorf, second Monday in January, 1876; J. W.
Niehaus, second Monday in January, 1878, to second Monday in January,
1911 ; Jesse A. Hall, second Monday in January, 1911, to second Monday in
January, 1915; Joseph E. Voorhees, second Monday in January, 1915,
(present incumbent).
Probate Judge.
John A. Halderman 1856-1861
George W. Perkins 1861-1862
David J. Brewer 1862-1864
Peter McFarland 1864-1866
James Ketner 1866-1868
S. B. Williams 1868-1870
Richard R. Rees 1870-1876
Newton Mann 1876-1878
Oliver Diefendorf 1878-1880
Newton Mann 1880-1882
Laurens Hawn 1882-1904
Thomas Johnson 1904-1916
Win. P. Wettig 1916-
present time
Clerk District Court.
James A. Burton 1858-1860
William Shepperd 1860-1862
John E. Blaine 1862-1864
Edward Carroll 1864-1866
Henry Carney 1866-1868
H. J. Dennis 1868-1870
Julius Haug 1870-1874
H. J. Dennis 1874-1876
McCown Hunt 1876-1882
John Rohr 1882-1886
C. W. Curtan 1886-1890
J. W. Brandon 1890-1892
H. E. Abry ____1892-1896
James Gray 1896-1900
Frank J. Ryan 1900-1906
R. G. McFarland 1906-1910
C. C. Smith 1910-1914
Grace Fisher 1914-
present time
Horace Dunlap 1861-1866
Thomas Stewart 1866-
VlcCown Hunt 1910-1912
W. H. Courtney 1912-1914
(Abolished in 1914)
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
191
Coroner.
Richard R. Rees 1856-1864
Joseph F. Smith 1857-1861
Luke P. Stiles 1861-1864
S. B. Williams 1861-1864
L. P. Stiles 1864-1867
A. C. VanDuyne 1867-1869
S. B. Williams 1869-1873
A. Brown 1873-1875
John McKee 1875-1876
J. C. Lynch 1876-1877
E. F. Quinn 1877-1890
J. L. Hamilton 1890-1891
J. F. McGill 1891-1893
H. W. Koohler 1893-1898
C. C. Smith 1898-1902
James C. Davis 1902-1910
H. T. Madison 1910-1916
Register of Deeds
1861
V. S. Van Doren
H. C. Keller
John Wolkiewicz
County Supt.
David J. Bruner
1858
Geo. E. Rudington
James Taylor
1860
James S. McGill
J. G. Reaser
W. W. Bloss
3. L. Baldridge
3. L. Baldridge
H. D. McCarty
Surveyor
1855
John P. Thompson
1857
Bennett Burnam
1858
Powell Clayton
John J. Bailey
John M. McCarthy
1861
vVilliam H. Godwin
John McCarthy
D. Toohey
E. I. Farnsworth
County Attorney
James McCahon
1861
Thomas P. Fenlen
1862
1864
H. W. Ide
1865
1866
Thomas P. Fenlen
1867
1868 '
David J. Brewer
Treasurer
1855
M. P. Rively
1857
Daniel Tibbets
William Tholen
H. L. Pennock
E. McCrillus
E. McCrillus
Sheriff
1855
Green D. Todd
1856
3. W. Tunnell
1857
Wm. H. Elliott
W. H. Golden
Alexander Repine
John McKee
Peter McFarland
Register of Deeds
C. C. Mast
C. C. Mast
J. Rohr
John Rohr
Wm. Crowder
C. W. Curtain
County Supt.
J. P. Bauserman
*
J. P. Bauserman
W. H. Bradshaw
A. R. Van Earn an
A. R. Van Eman
R. B. Soper
Surveyor
S. P. McCrary
D. S. Morrill
E. Diefendorf
E. Burwell
D. N. Barnes
County Attorney
1869
1870
F. P. Fitzwilliams
1871
1872
L. M. Goddard
1873
1874
L. M. Goddard
1875
1876
J. W. Taylor
1877
1878
T. W. Taylor
1879
1880
Wm. Dill
1881
Treasurer
A. Repine
Geo. S. Smith
Geo. S. Smith
E. McCrillus
E. Hook
Wm. Sheppard
Enos Hook
Enos Hook
Sheriff
Peter McFarland
Thomas Leonard
Thomas Leonard
W. H. Bond
W. H. Bond
P. G. Lowe
P. G. Lowe
John W. Prest
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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 197
Judges of the District Court.— Mw. C. McDowell, 1861-1865 ; David J.
Brewer, 1865-1869; H. W. Ide, 1869-1877; Robert Crozier, 1877-1893; L.
A. Myers, 1893-1900 ; J. H. Gillpatrick, 1900 to Oct., 1909, resigned ; Wil-
liam Dill, appointed Oct., 1909, to Dec. 24, 1910 ; J. H. Wendorff, 1910 to
present time.
Judge of Criminal Court.— B. Gray, 1868.
District Railroad Assessor.— James Medill, 1871 ; H. S. Bickford, 1873.
State Senators.— 1862— John Wilson, C. B. Pierce, F. P. Fitzwilliams.
1866— H. C. Haas, Peter McFarland, A. C. Foster.
1868 — John McKee, Wm. Larimer, Martin Smith.
1870— W. S. VanDoren, H. C. Hass, Joseph Kellogg.
1871 — C. R. Jennison (to fill vacancy).
1872— Thomas Moonlight, J. T. McWhirt, Jacob Winters.
1874 — John A. Halderman, T. L. Johnson, J. P. Bauserman.
1876— J. H. Gillpatrick, R. D. Evans.
1880— H. M. Aller, T. G. V. Boling.
1884— P. G. Lowe, W. C. Butts.
1888— Edward Carroll.
1892— Lucien Baker.
1895— J. W. Hirst (to fill vacancy) Baker elected to U. S. Senate.
1896— W. A. Harris.
1900— Louis H. Wulfekuhler.
1904— Vinton Stillings.
* 1908— Vinton Stillings.
1912— Vinton Stillings.
1916-1920— Charles E. Snyder (present incumbent).
State Representatives. — 1861 — Thomas Carney, James A. McGonigle,
M. S. Adams, John McCarthy, Charles Starns, Erastus McCrillus, Thomas
O. Gwartney, Charles H. Grover, James Medill.
1862 — Josiah Kellogg, Abraham Brown, Horace W. Ide, W. A. Lattin,
R. C. Foster, James Medill, D. F. Walker, Thomas O. Gwartney, Charles
Grover.
1866— John Hannon, M. Przybylowicz, H. Allen, John Dugan, J. T.
Knight, L Kennedy, John Faulkner, S. D. Lecompte, J. Turner.
1867— Wm. P. Gamble, H. Miles Moore, C. R. Jennison, Matthew
Ryan, Wm. H. Hastings, James Cooley, Seth Hollingsworth, J. L. Wallace,
Thomas S. Towne.
1868— P. H. Liernow, J. Kellogg, M. S. Adams, R. C. Flora, T. Mc-
intosh, James Larimer, N. Humber, Joseph Palmer, R. E. Palmer.
198 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
1869. Ryan Sherry, Joseph Kellogg, J. A. Halderman, Dan Shire,
Charles H. Grover, W. F. Ashby, S. B. Stewart, J. K. Faulkner, James
Larimer.
1870— Thomas J. Darling, D. D. Calley, James F. Legate, Thomas P.
Fenlon, A. C. Williams, Levi Churchill, Wm. F. Ashby, Joseph Howell,
J. J. Crook.
1871— L. M. Goddard, N. Marchand, S. N. Latta, Thomas P. Fenlon,
James Cooley, B. C. Barker, C. J. Halstead.
1872— W. S. Plummer, Thomas Morgan, Josiah Kellogg, W. H. Bond,
Josiah Turner, H. C. Fields, Thos. Dillard.
1873— D. R. Anthony, J. W. Taylor, S. N. Latta, Thos. P. Fenlon, W.
Tucker, James Medill, C. W. Lawrence.
1874— H. D. Mackey, J. C. Vaughn, J. F. Legate, F P. Fitzwilliams,
H. C. Squires, M. R. Mitchell, Crawford Moore.
1875— E. Stillings, J. W. Taylor, A. F. Fenn, J. C. Stone, W. T. Mar-
vin, Jas. Howell, C. C. Duncan.
1876— E. Stillings, Jas. Clark, J. Kellogg, L. B. Wheat, C. D. Oliphant,
A. Huddleston, Joel Willis.
1878— Geo. T. Berens, Thos. P. Gable, J. F Legate, Chas. H. Miller,
Wm. R. Henderson, Frank M. Gable, J. A. Blackman.
1880— Oscar Haberlin, P. Geraughty, Jas. F. Legate. John Schott, W.
T. Marvin, M. C. Harris, John Divelbess.
1882— Edward Carroll, H. T. Green, Geo. W. Greever, J. K. Faulkner.
1884— Edward Carroll, George T. Anthony. Wm. F. Ashby, E. J.
Holman.
1886— Edward Carroll, T. A. Hurd, M. H. Berry, Frank M. Gable.
1888 — L. C. Hay, Jas. Legate, L. J. Morgan, F. Wellhouse.
1890— Fred W. Willard, S. F. Neely, T. C. Craig, F. M. Gable.
1892— Stephen Meagher, H. C. F. Hackbush, McCown Hunt.
1894— S. H. Hill. H. C. F. Hackbush, McCown Hunt.
1896— H. C. F. Hackbush, Horace A. Keefer, N. F. Graves.
1898— Sherman Medill, M. W. Edmonds, F. B. Dawes.
1900— J. M. Hund. F. G. Markhart, James G. Gaw.
1902— O. G. Ballard, J. Ross Perkins, George B. Hollenbeck.
1904 — Stephen Meagher. Frank Ohlhausen, J. M. Phenicie.
1906— James F. O'Conner, Charles E. Snyder, D. V. Umholtz.
1908— John Hannon, Charles E. Snyder, H. G. Parker.
1910— C. C. Goddard, Hiram G. Parker.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 199
1912— Edward Carroll, L. M. Gilman.
1914— Ben j. F. Endres, J. M. Gilman.
1916— Benj. F. Endres, J. M. Gilman.
1918— Benj. F. Endres, J. M. Gilman.
1920 — Benj. F. Endres (present incumbent), J. M. Gilman (died
shortly after election), Charles Hicks (elected in December, 1920, to fill
vacancy) .
CHAPTER X
LEAVENWORTH CITY.
FORM OF GOVERNMENT— OFFICERS— FIRE DEPARTMENT— POLICE DEPARTMENT
—CEMETERIES— CUSHING HOSPITAL— KANSAS ORPHAN ASYLUM— PUBLIC LI-
BRART— PUBLIC SCHOOLS — CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Leavenworth City was governed by a mayor and councilmen till 1909,
when the city adopted a commission form of government. The mayor
was elected by the entire city and the councilmen were chosen, two each
from each of the six wards. Under the commission form of government
the mayor is elected by the entire city and the four commissioners are also
elected by the entire city. The duties of the commissioners are desig-
nated and divided as follows: Finance and Revenue, Parks and Public
Property, Streets and Public Improvements, Water and Lights.
The following are the officers of the City of Leavenworth since its
organization :
Judge of City Court.— 1899-1900, F. P. Harkness, appointed by Gov-
ernor ; 1900-1904, H. Miles Moore ; 1904-1910, David W. Flynn ; 1910-1914,
Floyd E. Harper; 1914-1916, Wm. P. Wettig; 1916, present time, Eli Nird-
linger.
Clerk of City Court.— 1899-1900, O. C. Phillips; 1900-1904, Wm.
Bucher; 1904-1906. R. G. McFarland; 1906-1914, A. J. Erman; 1914-1916.
August Kunz, abolished in 1916.
Marshal of City Court.— 1899-1904, John Bramlage ; 1904-1906, Henry
Yerkes.
Fire Department. — The first fire company was organized by charter
granted to the City Council by the Territorial Legislature in the fall of
1855. Miles Shannon was chosen the first chief that fall and served two
terms. James L. McDowell was the next chief and later served as mayor
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
201
3
3
a
E. S. Berthoud
E. S. Berthoud
Geo. P. Buell
Geo. P. Buell
Geo. P. Buell
Powell Clayton
Powell Clayton
John McCarthy
John JlcCartln
C. G. Waite
C. G. Waite
Daniel Tuohey
E. I. Farnsworth
E. 1. Farnsworth
G. W. Vaughn
Win. o. Gould
(i. W. Vaughn
G. W. Vaughn
F. Hawn
D. N. Barnes
E. Diefendorf
G. T. Nelles
G T. Nelles
G. T. Nelles
G. T. Nelles
G. T. Nelles
p.
s
M. D. Parlin
M. D. Parlin
C. F. Greever
C. F. Greever
W. G. Neely
W. G. Neely
Edw. Jones
Joe O'Neil
Joe O'Neil
Joe O'Neil
H. A. Perkins
H. A. Perkins
Walter Thomas
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202 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
of the city. Henry Deckelman was the next and he was the father of
the Turner's Society. Martin Smith followed him for eight years. The
following have been chiefs since that time : Cyrus Sprague, Matt Kelley,
Patrick Delaney, Mike Bahler and Gus Schoreder, the present incumbent.
The department has two divisions. Department No. 1 is located at
the northeast corner of 5th and Shawsee Streets and No. 2 is located at the
southeast corner of 5th Avenue and Spruce.
The following men make up the department:
Department No. 1 — Fire chief, Gus Schroeder; foremen, Peter Jo-
hosky and Chas. Voss ; mechanic, J. H. Ciift ; firemen, J. E. Ramey, Fred-
erick Copenhaver, Andrew Hauserman, J. L. Ramey, Lynton Tuttle and
Louis Ringlesby.
Department No. 2 — 1st assistant chief, Peter Taschetta; 2nd assistant
chief, G. A. Stevenson ; firemen, Wm. Meeker, L. L. Malody, Chas. Hoctor,
and W. R. Shouse.
The department is equipped with the following fire apparatus: At
Fire Department No. 1. one White combination hose wagon, one White
service ladder truck, one Fulton hose truck, and one Stutz, chief's car.
At Fire Department No. 2. one White combination hose wagon.
Police Department. — The headquarters of the police department was
formerly located between Delaware and Shawnee streets on Fifth. It is
now located at the northeast corner of 5th and Shawnee streets.
The following named persons have served as chiefs: John Roundee,
John Shockley, John Kendall, John Schott, Joseph Michael, John McKee,
Hiram Robinson, D. A. Hook, Col. Thomas Moonlight, James Jennings,
Isaac Losee, Charles H. Miller, Milt Orr, S. S. Ellis, W. D. Shallcross, Joseph
E. Walter, Wm. W. Roberts. J. G. Doane, Chas. H. Robinson, A. McGahey,
Dan McFarland, F. W. Willard, E. C. Murphy, J. H. Rothenberger. J. A.
Cranston, W. M. Pickens, Anton Maduska, J. T. Taylor, J. M. Murphy, W.
B. Shaughnessy, John T. Glynn, Lewis Young (the present incumbent.)
The following constitutes the entire police force at present: Lewis
Young* chief ; Wm. Mueller, captain; John Kinney, lieutenant; Geo. W.
Herren, detective; Andy Welkey, W. A. Heath, J. A. Cranston, H. T.
Madison, Geo. Richardson, Frank Brown, V. M. Hooper, W. E. Felix, Louis
Jackson, Henry Johnson, Phil Knight, Robt. Buckley, patrolmen ; M. Fitz-
patrick, jailor; James Freeh, guard; Bentley Clark, J. P. Reavy, auto
drivers; Jas. M. Thompson, Wm. Leeman, Joe Gorzkiewicz, merchant police.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 203
J. A. Cranston served as chief from 1897 to 1903, from 1905 to 1908 ;
a part of the year 1893 and for the past three years has been a patrolman ;
he has the longest service as chief of any one on record in the department.
Cemeteries. — There are four burial grounds in the vicinity of the
city of Leavenworth, namely: Mount Muncie, Mt. Calvary, Jewish Ceme-
tery and Greenwood Cemetery. In 1858 a burial place known as Mount
Aurora was donated by W. W. Bachus. This was used for about fifteen
years and then abandoned. Most of the bodies were removed to Mount
Muncie and the ground has been since used by the Leavenworth Water
Company.
Greenwood Cemetery is located on the Lawrence Road at the city
limits. This tract was donated by Mrs. Mary A. Davis in December, 1865.
Mt. Calvary Cemetery is three and a half miles south of the city on
the DeSoto Road. It is the Roman Catholic burial grounds. It consists
of an eighty-acre tract of land.
Mount Muncie Cemetery is located about three and a half miles south
of the court house on the old Delaware Road. It adjoins the grounds of
The National Military Home on the south. It is a tract of 187 acres,
extending to the Missouri River.
It is incorporated under the laws of Kansas and a portion of the
charter provides that the sale of the lots and proceeds of the investment
of the funds are dedicated to the purchase and improvement of the
grounds for a cemetery and keeping them durably and permanently in-
closed and perpetual repair throughout all future time and no part of the
funds shall inure as dividends or profits to the incorporators. The grounds
were opened for burial about 1865. Thirteen thousand persons have been
buried in this cemetery.
The Jewish Cemetery is located about three miles west of the city
on the Mt. Olive road.
Cushing Hospital and Home of the Friendless. — Cushing Hospital
grew out of the Home for the Friendless. The latter institution was or-
ganized in 1868. A charter was secured in 1870. An appropriation of
$10,000 was made by the State Legislature and the city of Leavenworth
purchased the present site of five acres for the institution. In 1879 an
additional appropriation of $6,000 was obtained from the state for the
purpose of an additional building. The first building was known as the
"Cottage". The building as it now stands is of brick with stone trim-
mings, three stores and a basement located on Marshall street. It orig-
204 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
inally cost about $16,000. The Home of the Friendless was originally
founded for the following purposes : First, to temporary shelter for sick
and destitute women and children; second, to aid women in securing
employment in respectable families and secure Christian homes for chil-
dren; third, to reform the inmates and teach them a better mode of life.
The management of Cushing Hospital has been in the hands of benevolent
women of the various Protestant churches of the city till 1920 when an
advisory board of men were selected to aid them. It was named after
Mrs. C. H. Cushing who devoted much of her time and money to the found-
ing and maintaining of this most needed institution.
The following are the names of the presidents: Mrs. C. H. Cushing,
Mrs. S. A. Lord, Mrs. H. Mills, Mrs. Florence Hopkins, Mrs. O. H. Shelly,
Mrs. Carrie Huffman, Mrs. Louis C. Feller.
The Kansas Orphan Asylum was located on a beautiful five-acre tract
of land on South Broadway. It was organized and incorporated as a pri-
vate charitable institution for Leavenworth city and county. The orig-
inal cost of the land and buildings thereon was met by the business men
of the city. The organization was formed in 1866. At first the asylum
had only the right to receive and dispose of children under the apprentice
law. In 1867 the State Legislature gave the asylum the right "to receive
and retain orphans, destitute and friendless children, and provide the same
with homes for such time, not exceeding their majority, and upon such
terms as the board of directors may determine."
The institution was first known as The Leavenworth Protestant Or-
phan Asylum and Home for Friendless Children, and changed to the name
of Kansas Orphan Asylum by act of 1874. By this act the board of direc-
tors were bound to receive children from all the counties of the state. The
sum of $16,000 was expended for buildings which sum was appropriated
by the legislature and donated by people of Leavenworth. The state also
made appropriations at various times for the support and maintenance.
The report of the board of directors in 1882 stated that twenty-eight chil-
dren remained in the home, sixty-four received ; making a total of ninety-
two; forty-eight boys and forty-four girls; placed in homes, twenty;
adopted, eight; agreement, twelve; returned to friends, thirty-one; died,
one; sent to Reform School, one; remaining in the asylum, thirty-eight.
About the year 1900 the Dr. Stewart McKee took over the asylum and
ran it till 1914 as The Leavenworth Hospital, a private institution. May
27, 1912, the board of trustees offered a lease to Leavenworth County for
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 205
a County Hospital. On March 9, 1914, was recorded a lease dated May
25, 1912, and running to May 25, 1959, to the Board of County Commis-
sioners of Leavenworth County. The inmates of the old Poor Farm were
then removed to the County Hospital and the farm was sold.
The Leavenworth Free Public Library Association was organized in
1895 under the auspices of the Whittier Club of Leavenworth and the
library was opened in a room in the Ryan building with Mrs. G. W. Mickel
as librarian and Miss Syrena McKee and Mrs. Mary Fitzwilliam Carney
as assistants.
In the spring of 1899 the city of Leavenworth voted to levy a tax for
library maintenance and in August of the same year Mayor Neely called a
meeting to effect a permanent library organization. In November, 1899,
the first formal meeting was held at which officers were elected and rules,
regulations and by-laws adopted. Miss Syrena McKee was appointed
librarian and Miss Bessie Martin assistant. The following were mem-
bers of the first Board of Directors : Judge M. L. Hacker, president ; James
A. McGonigle, vice-president; Mrs. J. A. Lane, secretary; A. J. Tullock,
Mrs. Florence Hopkins, Mrs. W. C. Hook, Miss Catherine Becker, W. C.
Schott, L. P. Rothchild, Mrs. G. W. Mickel, Mrs. E. W. Snyder and Mrs.
Mary Fitzwilliam Carney.
Through the efforts of A. J. Tullock a gift of $25,000 was secured
from Andrew Carnegie for the erection of a permanent library building.
This gift was later increased to $30,000 and in May, 1902, the library was
moved to its present location at Fifth and Walnut.
In November, 1904, Miss Syrena McKee resigned her position as libra-
rian and was succeeded by Miss Ortha Johnson as acting librarian. Miss
Johnson's appointment as librarian was confirmed in March, 1905. In
January, 1907, she resigned and Asa Don Dickinson was appointed to fill
the vacancy. Mr. Dickinson served until September, 1909, and was suc-
ceeded by Julius Lucht who resigned, in May, 1912. Irving R. Bundy, his
successor, served until March, 1916, when Truman R. Temple became
librarian. Mr. Temple resigned in January, 1919, and was succeeded by
Miss Elsie Evans, the present incumbent. The present Board of Direc-
tors is comprised of the following members : N. H. Burt, president ; Lee
Todd, vice-president; Mrs. Mary Fitzwilliam Carney, secretary; Mrs. Vic-
tor Cain, Mrs. Harry DcCoursey, A. J. Schilling, C. E. Snyder, O. H. Wulfe-
kuhler. The only member of the present board who was a member of the
original board is Mrs. Mary Fitzwilliam Carney. She has served continu-
ously since the establishment of the institution.
206 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
The total number of books in the library, January 1, 1921, was 28,679.
The number of registered borrowers was 5,216, 32 per cent of the popu-
lation. The circulation for the year 1920 totaled 99,786. Besides the cen-
tral library, the library maintains deposit stations at the Y. W. C. A. and
the Small Memorial Home and traveling libraries in twelve of the public
and parochial schools of the city.
Leavenworth Public Schools. — The Board of Trustees for the common
schools of Leavenworth City was organized July 3, 1858. This board con-
sisted of four members and was responsible for the management of the
public schools although it had no control over the school funds which were
entrusted to the common council. In May, 1864, the Board of Education,
displacing the old Board of Trustees, was organized and entered upon its
duties as guardian and manager of the educational interests of the city.
In October, 1859, the board adopted the graded system. In 1865 the
high school was organized and has continued to grow in importance and
numbers since that time.
The Board of Education is now composed of six members elected at
large for a term of four years. A clerk and treasurer are appointed by
the board yearly.
The personnel of the present board is as follows : S. B. Langworthy,
president; William S. Albright, vice-president; F. D. Bolman, W. W.
Hooper, Thomas L. Todd, S. E. Nirdlinger, Ira J. Bright, superintendent.
The following table gives the essential facts concerning the schools:
Name of School Location. Enrollment
Jan., 1921. Principal.
High School Fourth and Walnut 512 E. R. Stevens
Morris Fifth and Osage 376 Josephine O'Keefe
Third Avenue__Third Ave. and Congress 413 Mary M. Pfefferkorn
Oak Street Seventh and Oak 374 Olga Gates
Maplewood Chestnut and Grand 220 Anna Willcott
Sumner Fifth Ave. and Chestnut 146 B. K. Bruce
Lincoln 612 Dakota 124 E. H. Lawson
Franklin Ninth and Arthur 100 Lillian McBride
Jefferson Eleventh and Kickapoo 95 Lillian Kunz
Wilson Union and Vilas 43 Jane Cleavinger
Cleveland Park Sixteenth and Vilas 34 Anna Truesdale
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 207
The larger elementary school buildings, Oak Street, Third Avenue,
Morris, and Sumner, need to be replaced by modern school buildings. Oak
Street was rebuilt in 1874; Third Avenue was built in 1860, and Morris
was built in 1867. It is needless to say that these buildings do not meet
modern educational needs.
The Board of Education is now working out a School Building Pro-
gram and there is little doubt that Leavenworth will have school build-
ings of which she may be proud.
The efficiency and standing of the Leavenworth school system is well
set forth in the report of Allen D. Albert, a "city doctor" of national
renown, who made a survey of the city in the early summer of 1920. He
says:
"Leavenworth has developed one of the outstanding school systems
in the Middle West. There runs through the whole establishment the
modern purpose to fit the school to the child, to help the child find him-
self, to arouse motive rather than to impose disciplinary control, to build
character rather than to teach by note."
The standing of the high school is best indicated by the fact that the
Leavenworth High School has been a member of the North Central Asso-
ciation of Secondary Schools and Colleges for fifteen years and no school
in Kansas has been a member of the association for a longer period. Affili-
ation with this organization means that admission without examination
to practically all the larger universities and colleges of the middle west is
granted graduates of high schools belonging to the association.
The Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce was organized by consoli-
dating and absorbing the Commercial Club, Greater Leavenworth Club,
Merchants' League, Retail Merchants' Association and Ad Club. This was
done in 1914. The organization was incorporated under the laws of the
State of Kansas in 1916 and since that time has operated as a corpora-
tion organized not for profit.
The Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce has been very active in busi-
ness and civic affairs. It secured the establishment in Leavenworth in
1917 of the Red Cross Sanitary Unit No. 6. This unit, in co-operation with
the United States Public Health Service and the City and County Govern-
ments and Board of Education, spent approximately $50,000 in sanitary
work in the city and immediately adjacent county during the years of
1917, 1918 and 1919 and after the clinic was withdrawn this work was
then carried on by the city government through the organization of a
public health service.
208 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
The Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce undertook the organization
of Leavenworth County and Leavenworth City for war work in prepara-
tion for the Third Liberty Loan campaign and perfected an organization
in the city by dividing the congested district into committees, the resi-
dence district into precincts and the county into school districts. Loyal,
public spirited citizens of the city and county volunteered in this organiza-
tion which, with minor changes, "put over" the Third Liberty Loan cam-
paign, the Second Red Cross Drive, the United War Fund Drive, the
Fourth Liberty Loan campaign, the Near East campaign, the Victory
Liberty Loan campaign, the War Savings Stamps drive and the Welcome
Home Fund for the returning soldiers. One million and twelve thousand
dollars ($1,012,000) was raised in the Third Liberty Loan which was over
$300,000 more than the county's quota. Approximately $53,000 was raised
in the Second Red Cross War Fund, which was $17,000 more than the
county's quota. One million six hundred and sixty-six thousand dollars
($1,666,000) was raised in the Fourth Liberty Loan, which was approxi-
mately $50,000 more than the county's quota. The quota of $60,000 in the
United War Work Drive was exceeded. Nearly $14,000 was raised in the
Near East campaign. In the Victory Liberty Loan the county exceeded
its quota of $1,100,000 by nearly $50,000 and nearly $4,000 was raised in
the Welcome Home Fund to afford a proper celebration and welcome for
the boys from Leavenworth County who did their part in the Great War.
The Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce sponsored the organization
of the Leavenworth County Counsel of Defense which served during the
war and the secretary-manager acted as chairman of the County Council
of Defense. The Farm Agent acted as Vice-Chairman. The local Food
Administration was also handled by the County Council of Defense.
The Chamber of Commerce also organized the local branch of the
Military Training Camp Association in the early days of our participation
in the war and acted as headquarters in this work of securing personnel
for the training camps.
The Chamber of Commerce also organized the Leavenworth War-
Camp Community Service, which handled the Community House at Leav-
enworth during the war.
The Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce also organized the work of
securing harvest laborers and recruited harvest armies in 1918 and 1919,
furnishing the farmers of Leavenworth County with harvest help and
sending the excess to the harvest fields in central and western Kansas.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 209
The Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce helped organize the Farm Bu-
reau of Leavenworth County, which was the first bureau organized in the
State of Kansas. They paid a substantial proportion of the expenses of
the Farm Bureau for the first two years of its existence and at the pres-
ent time furnished an office and headquarters for the Farm Bureau.
The Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce has been very active in the
promotion of good roads. It originated the Fort to Fort road but the put-
ting over of these petitions, especially on the cross county road, was
done by the good roads booster in and around Tonganoxie. These road
boosters at Tonganoxie had been trying for a long time to secure a hard
road connection with Kansas City and with Lawrence, and at the time the
Federal Aid Law was passed, practically the only hard road sentiment in
the entire county was along the line of the east and west road from Tonga-
noxie to the end of the parallel road in Wyandotte County.
The Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce has approximately 325 mem-
bers holding about 400 memberships. Through its activities, secured the
purchase by the War Department of the old North Bridge. It has co-
operated with the Farm Bureau in its efforts to bring pure-bred livestock
into the county and with the State Holstein Association and the County
Holstein Association in the holding of pure-bred livestock sales at Leaven-
worth.
CHAPTER XI
SLAVERY QUESTION AND THE CIVIL WAR.
MASON AND DIXOX LINE— MISSOURI COMPROMISE— PLATTE PURCHASE— WILMOT
PROVISO— DRED SCOTT DECISION— COMPROMISE OF 1850— KANSAS-NEBRASKA
BILL— •'SQUATTERS" SALT CREEK MEETING — PRO-SLAVERY BANDS— EAST-
ERN IMMIGRATION— LEAVENWORTH COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR— MILITARY
LEADERS.
In order to give the reader a clearer idea of the events directly con-
nected with the history of Leavenworth County in the Civil war, it will be
necessary to briefly state some of the events leading up to the formation
of the county into a political unit. This will bring into prominence the
slavery question with many of its features.
Dui'ing the early history of Maryland and Pennsylvania there arose
a dispute between William Penn and Lord Baltimore as to the boundaries
of their respective colonies. They agreed on a compromise line run by
the surveyors, Mason and Dixon, which is the present boundary between
the states of Maryland and Pennsylvania. The line later became the divid-
ing line between free and slave-holding states. As a balance between the
North and South the number of slave and free states were kept equal for
some time. It was equal when Louisiana was admitted as a slave state in
1812, both sections having equal representation in the Senate; Indiana,
in 1816, was balanced by Mississippi in 1817; Illinois, in 1818, was followed
by Alabama in 1819. The North and Northwest grew so much faster than
the South that in 1820 the House of Representatives was composed of
105 free state members and 81 slave state members.
Missouri petitioned for admission in 1818. Though a western com-
munity they had slaves and wanted to keep them. The bill was lost in
the Senate. In 1819, a bill was introduced to admit Maine and another to
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 211
admit Missouri. Both bills finally passed the House and Senate, but con-
taining the famous Missouri Compromise, prohibiting slavery in Louisiana
Purchase, north of 36 degrees 30 mnutes north latitude, except in Mis-
souri. Maine was admitted as a free state and Missouri was a slave state,
again keeping the balance between the two sections. This act excluded
slavery from the territory comprising Leavenworth County.
In forming the boundaries of Missouri originally the western boundary
of the state was a line drawn north and south of a point at the intersection
of the Kaw and Missouri Rivers. This made Platte County and the terri-
tory north of it just across the Missouri River from Leavenworth County
free territory. Later on that territory was added to the State of Missouri.
This was the first violation of the Missouri Compromise.
In 1846 David Wilmot of Pennsylvania offered a proviso in the House
of Representatives, "That neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall
ever exist in any part of the said territory." This had reference to terri-
tory then under consideration for purchase from Mexico. The proviso
failed to pass but again set into agitation the slavery question.
Dred Scott, a slave, was taken by his owner Dr. Emerson, in 1834,
from Missouri to Rock Island, Illinois, a free territory. Afterwards he was
taken to Louisiana, then back to Missouri, slave territory. Dred Scott
brought suit for his freedom on the grounds that being carried into free
territory made him free. The case was tried in the Supreme Court of
the United States under title of Dred Scott vs. Sandford, and the decision
handed down held that negroes, "had no rights which the white man was
bound to respect." The North was bitterly incensed at the decision and
declared that they were not bound by it.
The balance of free and slave states was continued till 1849 ; Arkansas
(slave) was admitted in 1836 and Michigan (free) in 1837; Florida and
Texas, both slave, in 1845; Iowa and Wisconsin, both free, in 1846 and
1848.
By 1850 the slavery question had grown to such enormity that such
eminent statesmen as John C. Calhoun advocated secession of the slave
states. This year what is known as the Clay Compromise was passed
and contained the following provisions briefly stated :
(1) New Mexico to be organized and admitted with or without slav-
ery as their constitution may prescribe.
(2) California be admitted as a free state.
(3) Utah bill organized Utah as a territory intended to be free.
212 HISTORY OP LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
(4) A new fugitive slave law to try cases in a "summary manner".
(5) Prohibited slavery in the District of Columbia.
The bill in Congress proposed the organization of two territories, one
to comprise the territory lying directly west of Missouri and extending
west to the crest of the Rocky Mountains to be called Kansas ; the remain-
der of the territory lying north of Kansas and west of Iowa, to be called
Nebraska. Kansas was bounded on the north by Nebraska; on the east
by Missouri; on the south by the 37th degree of North Latitude, a line
dividing the Cherokees and Osages ; on the west by the ridge of the Rocky
Mountains. The bill was passed May 27, 1854, and signed by the President
on May 30. The vote in the House was 113 yeas and 100 nays. The pro-
visions pertaining to slavery are as follows:
First. That all questions pertaining to slavery in the territories and
in the new states to be formed therefrom, are to be left to the decision of
the people residing therein through their appropriate representatives.
Second. That all cases involving title to slaves and questions of per-
sonal freedom are referred to the adjudication of the local tribunals, with
the right of appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States.
Third. That the provisions of the Constitution and laws of the United
States in respect to fugitives from service are to be carried into faithful
execution in all the organized territories the same as in the states,
The Missouri Compromise was positively annulled by the act. Stephen
A. Douglas actively supported the measure which finally brought on the
great Civil War. It was designed to uphold the aggressions of slavery but
finally tolled its death knell. It meant two million men in arms, one-fourth
million in soldier's graves, and the freedom of four million slaves.
So under the provisions of the foregoing act Leavenworth County,
along with the rest of Kansas, was to be settled, government established
and its institutions begun by the settlers. Up to the passage of this act of
1854 Leavenworth County may be said to have had no civilized residents
except the soldiers sent to Fort Leavenworth, and a few missionaries to
the Indians, together with a few fur traders.
In 1853, previous to the Kansas-Nebraska Act, all the eastern part of
what is now Kansas was covered by Indian reservations and upon this
territory white settlements were forbidden. The only exception being
for government agents and religious missionaries. Immediately preced-
ing the aforesaid act, treaties were secretly made with the various Indian
tribes, consisting of the Delawares, Kickapoos, Shawnees, Sacs, Foxes,
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 213
Otoes and other tribes, whereby a large part of the territory adjoining
Missouri on the west was opened for settlement. These purchases of
Indian land by the government was well understood by the Missourians
of the western border. They had for some time been organizing societies
such as "Blue Lodges," "Sons of the South" and others for the purpose
of taking possession of the new territory for slavery.
Immediately following the passage of the aforesaid Kansas-Nebraska
Act hundreds of Missourians crossed over into Leavenworth County, staked
out large areas of land and held meetings to further their purpose.
With undue haste and before the time for occupancy of the Indians
had expired the border Missourians occupied the greater portion of what
is now Leavenworth County. They still retained their homes in Missouri
and held squatters' claims in the adjoining territory.
As early as June 10, 1854, squatters held a meeting in Salt Creek Val-
ley and formed an organization. The following resolutions were adopted
by them:
Whereas, We the citizens of Kansas Territory and many other citi-
zens of the adjoining State of Missouri, contemplating a squatter's home
on the plains of said Territory, are assembled at Salt Creek Valley for the
purpose of taking such steps as will secure safety and fairness in the loca-
tion and preservation of claims.; therefore be it
Resolved (1) That we are in favor of a bona fide Squatter Sovereignty,
and acknowledge the right of any citizen of the United States to make a
claim in Kansas Territory, ultimately with the view of occupying it.
(2) That such claim, when made, shall be held inviolate so long as
a bona fide intention of occupying is apparent, and for the purpose of
defending and protecting such claim, we agree to act in concert, if neces-
sary, to expel intruders.
(3) That every person of lawful age who may be at the head of a
family, who shall mark out his claim of 160 acres, so that it may be
apparent how the same lies, and proceed with reasonable diligence to
erect thereon a cabin or tent, shall be deemed to have made a proper
claim.
(5) That all persons now holding claim shall have two weeks from
this day, in which to make improvements contemplated by the foregoing
resolutions.
(6) No person shall be protected by the Squatter's Association who
shall hold in his own right more than one claim.
214 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
(7) That a citizen of the Territory be appointed as register of
claims, who shall keep a book in which he shall register the name and de-
scription of all squatters, and their claims, and the dates of making the
same for which registration he shall be allowed fifty cents, to be paid by
the claimant.
(8) That we recognize the institution of slavery as always existing
in this Territory, and recommend that slaveholders to introduce their
property as soon as possible.
(9) That we will afford protection to no Abolitionists as settlers of
Kansas Territory.
(10) That a "Vigilance Committee" be appointed by the chairman
to decide upon all disputes in relation to claims, and to protect the right-
ful party; and for that purpose shall have power to call together the
entire "Squatter's Association".
(11) That all persons who wish to become members of the "Squat-
ter's Association" shall subscribe to the foregoing preamble and res-
olutions.
(12) That the Secretary of this meeting be instructed to hand these
proceedings to E. S. Wilkinson and S. J. Finch, or either of them, for
immediate publication and reference.
J. H. R. Cundiff, Secretary. Lewis Burns, President.
Doubtless the pro-slavery element was stimulated to make settlement
of the territory by the knowledge that organizations of the free state ele-
ment were being formed in New England and other parts of the North.
The sentiment along the Mississippi border was intense, especially just
across the river from our county. The Salt Creek Valley meeting received
extensive comment and the sentiment is shown in some of the following
extracts from newspapers at that time:
The Democratic Platform. Liberty, Mo., June 8, 1854:
"We learn from a gentleman from the Territory of Kansas that a
great many Missourians have already settled in that country, and are
making arrangements to "darken the atmosphere" with their negroes.
That is right. Let every man that owns a negro go there and settle, and
our Northern brethren will be compelled to hunt further north for a loca-
tion."
Also under date of June 27, 1854, same source :
"We are in favor of making Kansas a "Slave State" if it should re-
quire half the citizens of Missouri, musket in hand, to emigrate there,
and even sacrifice their lives in accomplishing so desirable an end."
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 215
Platte Argus, Missouri, has the following:
"The abolitionists will probably not be interrupted if they settle north
of the fortieth parallell fo north latitude, but south of that line, and
within Kansas Territory, they need not set foot. It is decreed by the
people who live adjacent that their institutions are to be established, and
candor compels us to advise accordingly."
The Industral Luminary, Parksville, Mo., June 20, particularly refers
to the Salt Creek Valley meeting as follows :
"We give today, in. another column, the resolutions passed at the
meeting held in Kansas Territory on last week. They are more temperate
than the Independence and Westport resolves. The claim-makers are
right in organizing themselves, but they should avoid everything that
savors of sectionalism. We hope fanatico-political combinations will be
kept out of the new country, especially such as we read of being formed
in some of the Eastern states. American freemen are wanted — not
mercenary tools of furious demagogues either from the South or North."
The Baltimore Sun, on June 28, 1854, commenting on the Salt Creek
Valley meeting states:
"According to these resolutions free-soilers will do well not to stop
in Kansas Territory, but keep on up the Missouri River to Nebraska Terri-
tory where they may peacefully make claims and establish their abolition
and free soil notions ; if they do they will be allowed one day's grace to
take up their bed and baggage and walk. It is estimated 2,000 claims have
already been made within fifteen miles of the military reserve, and in
another week's time, double that number will be made.
Meetings were held across the river in Missouri and bands were
organized for the purpose of crossing over into Kansas and taking over
the polling places in behalf of slavery. Subscriptons were taken to de-
fray the expenses of the parties. Some of them crossed over at Leaven-
worth. The History of Clay County, Missouri, by Col. W. H. Woodson
(1920) gives the following account:
"The troubles in Kansas began in 1853, when the Kansas-Nebraska
bill was being discussed in the halls of Congress ; this bill was passed by
Congress, and repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820. The law left
to the people of the territory to decide whether slavery should exist or be
excluded therefrom. "The true intent and meaning of the act" as therein
expressed, to be "not to legislate slavery into any state or territory, or
exclude it therefrom," but to leave the people form and regulate their
216 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
domestic relations as they pleased, subject only to the Constitution of the
general government. The Free Soilers claimed that all public territories
were to be admitted into the Union, as free States, and that slavery was
to be excluded therefrom; on the other hand, this was denied by pro-
slavery men; that under the Kansas-Nebraska bill, they had the right to
vote in the territory of Kansas, there being no restrictions denying them
the right. The Free State men clamed only actual settlers had the right
to vote in the territory. Yet it became a notorious fact that "Emigrant
Aid Societies" from New England, and parts of the North, sent hundreds
of men, "armed with the Bible in one hand, and a Sharp rifle in the other,"
as expressed by a noted Northern preacher, for no other purpose than to
vote to make Kansas a free state. This was known to the people of the
Southern states, and was the cause of great excitement to Missourians,
and particularly so to those living in the Western part of the state, who
determined if the Free State men intended to import voters into the terri-
tory, certainly the Missourians or any other persons had the right to ex-
ercise suffrage at the same polls, to determine whether the territory should
be admitted as a state, with or without slavery.
No subject for years had caused so much talk during 1854, and winter
of 1855, as the Kansas question. Organizations, not only in Missouri, but
the Southern States, were made to take suitable action in the premises.
Western Missouri was very active. The border counties on the North side
of the Missouri River, next to Kansas, held meetings and men were urged
to go to Kansas, and be there by March 30, 1855, for an election was to be
held to choose members of the Territorial Legislature. On the South side
of the Missouri, and in counties bordering on Kansas, like meetings were
held, and resolutions passed pledging the people to go to Kansas.
The people of Clay County were thoroughly aroused. A large and
enthusiastic meeting assembled at the court house, and many of the best
men of the country were enrolled into companies, and started for Kansas.
Many who did not go in person, furnished horses, arms and provisions.
Gen. David R. Atchison was the leader, chief adviser and commander of
the men living in Northwest part of the state. These men crossed the
river at Leavenworth, and on the day of election cast their votes at the
various polling places in that section. The Missourians from the Southern
and western part of the state, south of the Missouri River, were under the
leadership of Congressman Samuel H. Woodson, at Tecumseh, and points
in that part of Kansas, to cast their votes. The result of this, the first,
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 217
election in Kansas, was that the pro-slavery candidates were elected by
an overwhelming majority.
During the entire troubles in Kansas until it was admitted as a state
into the Union, Clay County furnished men and means to aid the pro-
slavery cause whenever called upon. On one occasion when the young
men of the county were preparing to go to Kansas in aid of the pro-slavery
cause the following subscriptions were obtained to pay their expenses:
Col. James H. Moss, $20.00; J. T. V. Thompson, $50.00; John Purley,
$10.00; A. G. Reed, $20.00; F. R. Long, $20.00; W. E. Price, $20.00; E. M.
Samuel, $50.00; R. C. Thompson, $10.00; A. Withers, $20.00; David Lin-
coln, $10.00 ; John Dougherty, $50.00 ; John Holbert, $50.00 ; W. H. Wymore,
Bird & Co., $50.00 ; Joel Turnham, $50,00 ; W. E. Rhea, $10.00 ; R. M. G.
Price, $50.00; John Mosby, $10.00; Garrard Long, $20.00; William Mc-
Nelly, $10.00; Francis Henshaw, $25.00; J. M. Watkins, $10.00; Joseph
Pf ester, $5.00; John Arthur, $10.00; Spencer Anderson, $20.00; R. H.
Miller, $10.00; William Onan, $10.00; M. Haines, $10.00; David Roberts,
$25.00; Edwin Bell, $10.00; G. W. Gerden, $20.00; Thomas McCarty,
$10.00; William Davenport, $10.00; Simpson McGaghey, $5.00; Capt.
Anthony Harsel, $20.00; A. Lightburne, $50.00; Thomas Routt, $10.00;
George Stone, $10.00 ; Thomas Fields, $50.00 ; Bernard Mosby, $10.00 ; A.
J. Calhoun, $10.00 ; John Estes, $10.00 ; Wade Mosby, $50.00 ; Robert Ad-
kins, $10.00; D. J. Adkins, $50.00; J. J. Moore, $10.00; S. R. Shrader,
$50.00; John B. Talbott, $20.00; R. A. Neely, $20.00; John Berry, $10.00;
M. Arthur, $50.00; Robert Reardon, $20.00; John Ecton, $20.00; Joseph
Anderson, $50.00 ; David D. Miller, $10.00 ; M. V. Wymore, $10.00 ; Bland,
Fisher & Co., $20.00; A. B. Everett, $10.00; M. Estes, $10.00; Andrew
Robertson, $25.00 ; Elisha Cravens, $5.00 ; Samuel Homes, $5.00 ; Strother
H. McGinniss, $25.00; O. P. Mess, $20.00; Fountain Waller, $25.00;
Thomas C. Gordon, $50.00 ; Presley Gray, $10.00 ; Robert Thomason, $5.00 ;
John D. Hall, $25.00; James Chanslor, $25.00; Gen. A. W. Doniphan,
$40.00; William J. Stark, $10.00; J. D. Davidson, $20.00; John D. Ewing,
$10.00; William Collins, $20.00; Joseph Lewis, $20.00; James Fleming,
$25.00 ; T. J. Young, $10.00."
Eastern Emigration. — By the middle of the summer of 1854 emigrant
aid companies were formed in the East and North, and the great flow of
Northern emigration moved toward Kansas and especially toward the
territory bordering on the west bank of the Missouri River. Up to August
there were probably not more than fifty free state families in the ter'ri-
218 HISTORY OP I.EA.VENWOXTH COUNTS
tory of Kansas, and most of them in the present boundaries of Leaven-
worth County. Thenceforth this vicinity became the theater of the most
momentous struggle known to the nation. It was the beginning of the
final contest between freedom and slavery, and became the issue of life
and death to the great Republic.
Leavenworth County in the Civil War. — Leavenworth County fur-
nished more troops in the Civil War than any other county in the State.
having the largest population. Many from the surrounding country sought
refuge here and enlisted in the Union Army. Leavenworth seemed to be
a vast camp for enlistment to suppress the Rebellion. A detailed account
will not be attempted to be given here.
The first company mustered into service was the Steuben Guards
under Capt. Gustavus Zesch and designed as Company I, First Kansas
Infantry. The date given was May 27, 1861. It participated in the bat-
tle of Wilson Creek and sustained a heavy loss. It took part in many
other engagements.
By May 20, 1861, eighteen companies had been organized and were
ready for service. These companies were known as follows:
Home Guards, Thomas Carney in command; Leavenworth Fencibles,
J. B. Stockton in command; German Rifles, J. B. Huesgen in command;
Leavenworth Guards, I. G. Losee in command; Emmett Guards, William
Phillips in command ; Steuben Guards, Gustavus Zesch in command ; Dela-
ware Guards, G. W. Gardner in command ; Delaware Rifles, B. T. Twombly
in command ; Lincoln Rangers, William Freeland in command ; Mounted
Rifles, H. P. Johnson in command; Leavenworth Grays, A. H. Kent in
command; Shields Guards, Daniel McCook in command; Phoenix Guards,
Peter McFarland in command; Union Guards, Edward Cozzens in com-
mand; Leavenworth Light Infantry, Powell Clayton in command; Lafay-
ette Guards, David Block in command; Lane Rifles, T. J. Weed in com-
mand; Leavenworth Rifles, W. B. Smith in command. During the year
many other companies were organized. Companies continued to be organ-
ized throughout the war. Among them are the following:
A cavalry company of Union Home Guards in Stranger Township,
J. P. Salisbury in command; Kickapoo Guards, Capt. Fred Wellhouse in
command ; Capt. Black's Guards, re-enlisted to serve in first regiment of
diome guards ; Lyon Guards, D. H. Baily in command ; Fourth Ward Guards,
L. B. Wheat in command ; The "Old Guards", James M. Dickson in com-
mand; Third Ward Guards. William Haller in command; Leavenworth
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 219
Mercantile Guards, M. S. Adams in command ; Leavenworth Light Cavalry,
I. G. Losee in command.
James L. Abernathy entered the service November 1, 1862, as Lieu-
tenant Colonel and resigned November 8, 1862; founder of Abernathy
Furniture Company.
M. S. Adams, Captain, commissioned September 16, 1862, resigned
10th, 1863.
Henry J. Adams, Major, Paymaster Commissioned September 5, 1861,
discharged August 1, 1864.
D. R. Anthony, Sr., Lieutenant Colonel Seventh Kansas Cavalry, com-
missioned October 29, 1861, resigned September 3, 1862. Editor of Leav-
enworth Times.
E. N. 0. Clough, Provost Marshall a large part of the war ; raised 2,300
men for the union; appointed colonel but not assigned; served without pay.
Powell Clayton, Captain Company G, First Kansas Infantry, brevet
Brigadier General August 1, 1864, afterwards United States Senator from
Arkansas.
William F. Cloud, Colonel Fifteenth Kansas July 26, 1865; mustered
out October 19, 1865.
Samuel F. Drake, Lieutenant Colonel Seventeenth Infantry, commis-
sioned July 28, 1864.
George W. DeCosta, Major, Paymaster, Commissioned April 21, 1864 ;
Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, mustered out February 16, 1865.
S. B. Davis, Major Medical Department; commissioned February 19,
1863 ; breveted Lieutenant-Colonel ; mustered out February 7, 1865.
Thomas Ewing, Jr., Colonel Eleventh Infantry, September 15, 1862;
promoted Brigadier General March 13, 1863; afterwards member of Con-
gress from Ohio.
Henry Foote, Major Paymaster, commissioned June 1, 1861 ; resigned
July 27, 1863.
J. H. Gillpatrick, First Lieutenant and Adjutant First Regiment
Home Guards, commissioned November 1, 1862; promoted to Major Sec-
ond Kansas (colored) ; promoted to Lieutenant Colonel November 9, 1864 ;
afterwards Judge District Court.
John Gould, Captain, commissioned November 26, 1862; breveted
Major and mustered out October 9, 1865.
Cyrus L. Gorton and R. M., by President, May 18, 1864; mustered
out October 7, 1865.
220 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
George W. Gardner, commissioned Captain February 18, 1863; re-
signed January 18, 1864.
George Hoyt, Second Lieutenant C. K. Seventh Kansas Infantry,
commissioned November 11, 1861 ; promoted Captain May 7, 1862 ; re-
signed November 3, 1862; appointed Lieutenant Colonel September 7,
1863; resigned July 19, 1865; appointed Brevet Brigadier General March
13, 1865.
John A. Halderman, Major First Kansas Volunteers; Major Gen-
eral of northern division of state forces ; members of first County Board ;
Major of Leavenworth two terms; regent of State University; State
Senator and Representative; Consul to Siam.
M. H. Insley, Captain, commissioned by President August 16, 1861;
promoted to regular army March 13, 1863 ; resigned May 26, 1865 ; banker.
Charles R. Jennison, Colonel Seventh Kansas Cavalry, October 28,
1861 ; Colonel Fifteenth Kansas Cavalry, 1863 ; Brigadier General ; com-
mand at Fort Leavenworth; State Senator and State Representative.
Hampton P. Johnson, Colonel of Fifth Kansas Cavalry; killed in ac-
tion at Morristown, Missouri, September 17, 1861.
James Ketner, First Lieutenant Company G, Second Kansas; pro-
moted to Captain; Bi-evet Major General March 13, 1865.
Albert Lee, Captain, commissioned August, 1861 ; May 17, 1862, pro-
moted to Colonel, Seventh Regiment, and November 29, 1862, promoted
to Brigadier General.
Daniel McCook, Captain Shields Guards ; Captain Company H, First
Kansas, November 9, 1861 ; appointed Brigadier General by the President ;
killed in action.
Thomas Moonlight, Captain Leavenworth Light Battery; Captain
Company D, Fourth Kansas ; Colonel Eleventh Kansas ; Brevet Major Gen-
eral 1865; served in Seminole War; Adjutant General of Kansas.
George W. McLain, commissioned Captain by the President in Quar-
termaster Department, October 20, 1862.
H. Miles Moore, Major and Judge Advocate Fifth Kansas Regiment,
June, 1861 ; resigned November, 1862 ; lawyer ; author of History of Leav-
enworth City.
Marcus J. Parrott, commissioned by President as Captain August
3, 1861 ; member of Congress.
Edward H. Schneider, Lieutenant Colonel Eighth Kansas Infantry,
December 3, 1863; resigned July 11, 1864; Brevet Major General March
13, 1865.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 221
Hiram S. Sleeper, Major Paymaster; commissioned February 19,
1863; resigned November 23, 1864.
William Tholen, Captain, appointed by President March 8, 1863 ; dis-
charged March 10, 1864.
Champion Vaughn, Major and Aid-de-Camp; appointed by President
November 21, 1862 ; mustered out April 11, 1865.
T. J. Weed, Major and Aid-de-Camp, January 29, 1862; discharged
November 21, 1862; re-appointed March 31, 1863; Brevet Lieutenant
Colonel March 13, 1865.
A. C. Wilder, Captain, August 7, 1861 ; resigned August 22, 1862.
CHAPTER XII
CHURCHES
THE FIRST METHODIST— FIRST CHRISTIAN— EVANGELICAL GERMAN LUTHERAN-
EPISCOPAL— JEWISH— PRESBYTERIAN — CONGREGATIONAL — EPISCOPAL. SI
PAUL'S— CATHOLIC— FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST. SCIENTIST
The First Methodist Episcopal Church. — The first sermon preached
in Leavenworth County was delivered by Rev. W. G. Caples, of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, at or near the Leavenworth Company's coal
shaft October 8, 1854. Occasional services were held by Rev. W. Butt.
of Indiana, during the years of 1855 and 1856. It is said that he was
fairly driven out of town by the pro-slavery element and hid for a long
time in the hazel brush, so fearful was he for his life.
In May, 1857, George R. Weaver organized the first Methodist Epis-
copal Sunday School, which has been maintained ever since. At the same
time a Quarterly Meeting of the church was held.
On February 21, 1860, the church was incorporated by a special act
of the Kansas Territorial Legislature, under the name of "The First
Methodist Episcopal Church, Leavenworth City, Kansas," and has ever
since maintained its corporate existence.
The first incorporators or board of trustees named in the charter
were George H. Weaver, Elijah Hughes, Jacob Landis, William B. Waugh,
James R. Lunn, William Ferguson and William Fairchild. Before that
time, however, under the ministry of Rev. Hugh D. Fisher the church had
acquired the property at the northwest corner of Fifth and Choctaw
streets and commenced and completed the erection of a church building
thereon. Here the members worshiped until the fall of 1912, when the
congregation moved to the new and present edifice at the northeast corner
of Fifth and Chestnut streets. The old church building on Choctaw
HISTORY OF LEWENWORTH COUNTY 223
Street, together with the grounds and the parsonage were sold to The
J. C. Lysle Milling Company. The new owners soon tore down the church
building pioper but the parsonage still stands. The new church is built
of stone and cost approximately $50,000 completed. It is a fine modern
structure of striking architectural beauty. The present membership is
400. There are several organizations of the church, consisting of a For-
eign Missionary Society, Epworth League, Sunday School and a Ladies
Aid Society. Ira M. Benham is the present pastor. The following are
the names of the various pastors :
William Butt 1856 C. B. Mitchell 1884-1886
Charles Ketchum 1856 J. A. Swaney 1886-1889
Milton Haun 1857 A. S. Embree 1889-1891
Hugh D. Fisher 1858-1860 Josephus Collins 1891-1893
James Paddock 1860-1863 E. M. Randall 1893-1896
D. P. Mitchell 1863-1866 S. A. Bright 1896-1900
A. B. Leonard 1866-1868 E. Combie Smith 1900-1903
W. K. Marshall 1868-1870 J. G. Henderson 1903-1904
D. P. Mitchell 1870-1871 J. D. Hitchcock 1904-1905
J. J. Thompson 1871-1874 A. E. Young 1905-1908
T. F. Houts 1874-1876 H. E. Wark 1908-1911
P. H. Phillips 1876 C. M. Williams 1911-1913
William Smith 1876-1877 M. M. Culpepper 1913-1916
J. R. Madison 1877-1881 A. L. Wood 1916-1919
A. E. Higgins 1881-1883 Ira M. Benham ___1919 to present
William Jones 1883
The Official Board at the present time is as follows:
N. T. Atwell. Albert Berg.
A. M. Bain. F. E. Borst.
Sam Butt. Earl Berg.
George Combs. George Conrad.
F. M. Denny. Reese Faulkner.-
M. A. Gonser. W. F. Harding,
lesse A. Hall. A. B. Irwin.
H. G. Powers. J. M. Parsons.
Herbert Kihm. Clarence McGuire.
Charles R. Moore. Dr. J. H. Langworthy.
Carl Sill. J. C. Walker.
224 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
The Board of Trustees is:
William Dill, President. H. W. Sexton, Secretary.
F. J. Tallant, Treasurer. George Bleakley.
M. B. Hamilton. Dr. S. B. Langworthy.
M. T. Powell. W. D. Reyburn.
J. W. Wright.
First Christian Church. — The few members who stood for the restora-
tion of the New Testament Church in creed, ordinance and life were or-
ganized into a church in the summer of 1855. Elder William S. Yohe
was the leader and the first minister of the congregation. He had been
a captain in the United States Army and received honorable discharge
at Fort Leavenworth in 1845. He was one of the early settlers and be-
came one of the leading citizens of these early days. A Christian Church
at Little Stranger and at Nine Mile were also organized through his
ministry.
The first building was a small frame building on the south side of
Shawnee between Second and Third streets, erected in 1855. This was
destroyed in the big fire of Leavenworth in 1857. In 1859 the present
location was secured and the brick church erected at a cost of $7,300.
The first trustees were J. C. Stone, William S. Yohe, J. P. Marshall, B. S.
Richards and Geoi-ge Fisher.
The signers of the charter secured in 1858 were Elder J. B. McCleery,
Julia McCleery, Dr. E. W. Younkin, R. A. Lovitt, B. S. Richards, W. B.
Halyard, Sallie L. Halyard, Dr. J. P. Marshall, J. W. Renfrow, Clara Bell,
Eleanor T. Kelly, Elizabeth M. Wilson and Mary Renfrow.
The following ministers have served the church since Elder Yohe:
A. A. Bartholomew, John F. Rodgers, John O'Kane, Calvin Reasoner,
James J. Sloan, J. P. Bauserman, F. M. Rains, Sumner T. Martin, Elder
Underwood, Leslie Drake, Benton Bowen, W T illiam H. Embry, T. L. Myers,
James S. Myers, S. W. Nay, W. J. Dodge, E. L. Cunningham, H. L. Daven-
port, B. E. Parker, Ernest Seibenthal, Bert E. Stover.
The church building has been improved many times. The lots cor-
nering on Sixth Street and Seneca were secured in recent years. A neat
parsonage has been erected. Th church building has also been improved
at an expenditure of $4,000 in the past two years.
The trustees of the church elected in 1920 were A. P. Flack, O. J.
Snyder, Carl Holman, W. A. Strean and G. F. W. Knuth. The Bible
School superintendent is W. A. Strean.
HISTOHY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 225
The present pastor, Elder Bert E. Stover, after a year in welfare
work with the American Expeditionary Forces in France, began his min-
istry here in October, 1919.
The Evangelical German Lutheran Church was organized in 1861
with the following members: G. Elbert, Peter Schott, George Lueders,
Henry Schott, Henry Steinker, F. Scheer, Becker and John Ulrich.
The Rev. Michael Meier was chosen pastor and he remained their leader
till 1882. The Rev. C. Hoffner became the pastor in that year. The
congregation first worshipped on Delaware Street and occupied the build-
ing on the present site in 1881. It is a brick building costing $3,500 and
is situated on the northwest corner of Seventh and Miami streets. A
parsonage is attached to the church.
The Michigan Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in
February, 1888, and at the same time incorporated under the laws of
Kansas. William Fairchild donated the lots on which the church build-
ing is located at the northwest corner of Michigan Avenue and Shoemaker-
Avenue. Mr. Fairchild was a prominent member of the First Methodist
Episcopal Church of Leavenworth. William Dill, also a member of the
First Methodist Episcopal Church, secured the charter. So this church
may be considered a child of the First Methodist Episcopal Church.
Jewish Church. — From their first arrival in the city here the Jews
have always maintained a house of worship. In early days services were
held in a building which stood near the northwest corner of Fifth and
Seneca streets. In 1866 a synagogue was erected on the southeast corner
of Sixth and Osage streets. Col. R. N. Hershfield, a resident of Kansas
City. Missouri, is the only living charter member of this church today.
In 1916 this synagogue was torn down and a new temple erected. This
structure represents a cost of $35,000.00. Recently a new $2,500.00 pipe
organ was installed.
The rabbis who have officiated in the old as well as the new temple
since 1893 and the term of their rectorship is as follows: Rabbi Rosen-
pitz, 1893-1894; Rabbi Samuel Marks, 1894-1897; Rabbi Kornfelt, 1897-
1898 ; Rabbi Zelonika, 1898-1899 ; Rabbi S. Frey, 1899-1901 ; Rabbi Joseph
Kahn, 1901-1904 ; Rabbi David Liknaitz, 1904-1914 ; Rabbi H. Elkins, 1915-
1916; Rabbi J. J. Meyerovitz, 1918-1919; and Rabbi Emil Ellinger, who
has charge at the present time.
The First Presbyterian Church was organized January 1, 1856. It
was the first white Presbyterian Church organized in Kansas. With the
(ID
226 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
exception of the Southern Methodist Church it was the first religious
organization in the city of Leavenworth. Rev. C. D. Martin presided at
the organization, and the following were among the first members : George
I. Park, Sarah Park, John I. Moore, Jane Moore, R. R. Kirkpatrick, Eliza-
beth A. Kirkpatrick, Margaret Doyne, John D. Ross, Auley McAuley, Mary
Douglas and John R. Rapp.
Rev. A. W. Pitzer, of Danville Seminary, was the first pastor, being
called in May, 1857. He remained the pastor until 1861, when he resigned
to take up the cause of the South. From this time on till January 1,
1863, the church was without a pastor. On this date William S. Sterrett
became the pastor and remained till July, 1863. On August 6, 1863,
George S. Woodward, of Parkville, Missouri, was elected pastor and re-
mained till December 18, 1867, resigning on account of ill health. Under
his charge the church became prosperous and added a large membership.
The first church building was erected on Miami Street between Sixth
and Seventh and was dedicated in July, 1857, by Rev. J. G. Fackler, of
Liberty, Missouri. The first Sabbath School was organized August 23,
1857, with six teachers and eighteen scholars.
The church was united with the Westminster Church February 4,
1867, and the congregations were joined on March 5, 1867. In February,
1868, the church resumed its former status in Odd Fellows Hall and Rev.
William L. Green was chosen pastor May 24, 1868. He held the pastorate
till October, 1869. William R. Brown became the pastor January 23,
1870, and remained till January 27, 1873.
In 1871 the church building was completed on Delaware Street be-
tween Sixth and Seventh on the north side and was dedicated on October
22. The cost including the ground was $20,000. In 1879 a large and
beautiful chapel was built holding about 500 people. Col. J. L. Abernathy
was the Sunday School superintendent during this time. The Rev. Wil-
liam Alford, of the Methodist Church, supplied the pulpit for a short time
after the resignation of Rev. Brown. June 29, 1873, Dr. W. N. Page was
elected pastor. This building on Delaware Street was used for church
purposes till January 1, 1909, and soon afterwards sold to the Goodjohn
Sash and Door Company, who at the present time are using it in their
business.
The present church building at the southwest corner of Fourth and
Walnut streets was dedicated January 1, 1909. It is one of the finest
church buildings in the city. The cost, including the manse and grounds,
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 227
is about $80,000. The pipe organ cost $7,000 and was donated by E. P.
Willson and family.
Doctor Page continued to be the pastor till 1905, a continuous service
of thirty-two years. The pastors since then are as follows : R. A. Elwood,
1905-1908; A. H. Morrison (supply), 1908-1910; R. B. A. McBride, 1910-
1915; A. B. Miller, 1915-1921, and William R. Dodd, February, 1921.
The following are some of the elders who have served since the found-
ing of the church : A. McAuley, George Park, W. C. Yoakum, C. Carlysle,
B. Greenup, Wilson James, George M. Burrell, H. D. McCarthy, Edward
Russell, E. P. Wilson, J. L. Abernathy, William Merill, D. C. Hawthorne,
A. Kirk, R. C. Clement, J. C. Lysle, Ed Burns, C. R. Carpenter, Lewis
Mayo, Alexander Sharp, W. R. McLaughery, F. Picketts, E. R. Marquis,
Eugene Burt and C. P. Hollingsworth.
The following are the official boards: Elders: M. B. McCreary, W. F.
Cobb, E. S. Catlin, H. Peters, George Baker, W. C. Yoakum, R. B. Yoakum,
B. G. Culver, Dr. D. R. Sterritt, Albert Kirk and D. D. Dickey. Trustees :
Homer Cory, Chairman; Dr. Charles Brown, H. C. Feller, George Geiger,
W. G. Leavel, Laun Clark, Louis Vanderschmidt, Eugene Lysle, Rev.
Parsons, I. B. Parmalee and Clarence Chase.
The First Congregational Church was established in the city of Leav-
enworth in 1857. Prior to this and in the year 1855 Rev. J. N. Byrd
had settled in Kansas Territory and in the vicinity of Leavenworth. Rev.
Byrd was an ardent Free State man and early came into disrepute with
the pro-slavery factions, who did not hesitate to threaten his life because
of his opposition to them.
In November, 1857, Rev. R. D. Parker, one of the Kansas Yale Band
of Volunteers, was commissioned by the Home Missionary Society to hold
services in the city of Leavenworth. On March 6, 1853, articles of faith
and a church covenant were adopted by the following twenty-seven per-
sons, who constituted the original charter members of the church : James
Taylor, Maria Taylor, C. B. Brace, Harriet N. Brace, Caroline Williams,
Samuel Norton, Elizabeth Norton, M. S. Adams, Lizzie C. Adams, G. Mor-
timer Lee, J. A. Bullen, Anna M. Bullen, Anna C. Hastings, S. L. North,
Maria J. North, A. K. Todd, M. P. Purdy, L. A. McRaw, Lydia E. Wil-
liams, G. W. Hogeboon, John C. Douglas, R. D. Parker, Thomas Todd,
Susan M. Todd, John E. Gould, Adelia Gould and Mrs. Mary Scott. A
council of churches consisting of delegates and ministers from Lawrence,
Topeka, Quindaro and Grasshopper Falls.
228 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
In the autumn of 1860 two lots were purchased on the northwest
corner of Fifth and Delaware streets and the first house of worship of
this congregation was erected. It was a brick edifice 42x60 feet and cost
85,000. Its location was that now occupied by the Wulfekuhler Bank
Building. In 1863 a pipe organ was purchased for the church and in-
stalled and is to this day in use by the church. The old building was
yold in the year 1887 and a location at the northeast corner of Fifth and
Walnut streets was selected, where the congregation caused to be erected
the present church building at a cost of $30,000.
The following is a list of the ministers of the First Congregational
Church from its establishment in the city until the present day and the
periods of time which they served in that capacity: Rev. R. D. Parker,
1857-1859; Rev. J. D. Leggett, 1859-1870; Rev. William Kincaid, 1870-
1876; Rev. Henry L. Hubbell, 1876-1877; Rev. J. C. Bodwell, 1877-1879;
Rev. W. H. Thomas, 1880-1885; Rev. Josiah H. Jenkins, 1885-1887; Rev.
Thomas N. Boss, 1888-1896 ; Rev. Charles H. Fenn, 1896-1900 ; Rev. Ralph
Newman, 1900-1901; Rev. Charles Connolly, 1901-1905; Rev. W. E. Hard-
ing, 1905-1914, and Rev. W. F. Butcher, the present rector of the church,
has served since 1914 to this date.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church — The first effort to establish a parish of
the Episcopal Church in the city of Leavenworth occurred in November,
1856, when Rev. Hiram Store commenced his missionary work in the city.
Later and on December 10, 1856, Rev. Store organized the St. Paul's
Church of this city. It was the first organized Episcopal parish in the
territory of Kansas. He remained as pastor of the church from 1856
unutil 1859. This, the first church of this congregation, was consecrated
on November 1, 1858. by Bishop Kemper. The consecration of this churcn
was also the first consecration of any Episcopal Church in the Territory
of Kansas.
The location chosen for this church was or at least proved to be un-
fortunate and impeded in a way the growth of the parish. In October,
1859, the Rev. Store resigned the rectorship to accept a chaplaincy at
Fort Leavenworth.
On March 6, 1863, the Church of St. Paul was reorganized by the
adoption of a constitution and the election of wardens and a vestry. The
Rev. John H. Egal, D. D., was called to the rectorship. Steps were at
once taken to erect a new church building. Three lots were purchased
on the corner of Seventh and Seneca streets and plans for the erection of
a building that would seat about BOO people were approved.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 229
The building of this church was commenced in June, 1863, and on
Sunday, July 10, 1864, the first services were held there. At that time
the number of communicants reported was fifty-three. At this date there
are 252 active members.
The following is a list of the rectors : Rev. Hiram Store, 1856-1859 ;
Rev. John H. Egal, 1863-1868; Rev. John M. Kendrick, 1868-1874; Rev.
Charles S. Daniel, 1876-1877; Rev. Thomas W. Barry, 1878-1883; Rev.
Charles T. Stout, 1884-1885; Rev. T. C. Tapper, 1886-1891; Rev. S. B.
Pond, 1891-1893; Rev. N. S. Thomas, 1894-1897; Rev. F. N. Atkins, 1898-
1907; Rev. James C. Cameron, 1908-1910, and Rev. R. K. Pooley, from
1911 until this date.
Cathedral of Immaculate Conception and Catholicy in Leavenworth.
— Catholicy in Leavenworth County was practically bom with the visit of
Rev. Joseph Anton Lutz to Cantonment Leavenworth, September 18, 1828.
Father Lutz had been sent by Bishop Rosati, first bishop of St. Louis at
that time, to open a mission among the Kansas Indians. His visit to the
northwestward thirty-seven miles from the Kaw's mouth was merely an
incident of his labors among the Kanzas. A few years later Father Roux*
was sent by Bishop Rosati to the mouth of the Kansas River as a mis-
sionary to the Kansas Indians. During his stay there he made numerous
visits to the Kickapoo Indians, then living to the northwest of the present
government reservation and near and about the little village of Kickapoo.
In a letter under date of January 20, 1834, Father Roux wrote Bishop
Rosati relative to the Kickapoos as follows:
"The Kickapoo prophet has two very docile sons, who, like their
father, show themselves very favorably inclined toward religion. Con-
cerning that nation I could tell you very many fine things which I have
heard with my own ears and seen with my own eyes. They pray every
day, morning and night and before meals; they sanctify Sunday as we
do and spend it entirely in prayer. They do not swear or wage war,
nor lie, nor have more than one wife; they believe in Heaven, Purgatory
and Hell, honor the Blessed Virgin and the Saints, etc. I should never
finish were I to tell you all the edifying things I saw among them."
In 1836 a Catholic Mission was opened among the Kickapoo Indians
at Kickapoo by Rev. Charles Van Quickenborne. Through Father Van
Quickenborne's solicitations at Washington the sum of $500 a year had
been allowed for the maintenance of the mission. Funds for the erection
of the various buildings had been solicited by the reverend father in
230 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
different eastern cities. With these funds a building was erected and a
chapel, which was dedicated to St. Francis Xavier. This was the first
Catholic place of worship in the Missouri Valley. It was not until 1920
that the last of the old mission building was completely torn down. The
land where it formerly stood now belongs to 0. M. Spencer.
In 1837 Father Van Quickenborne was summoned from the mission
and the next priest to become Father Superior was Rev. Christian Hoecken,
S. J. On June 21, 1851, Father Hoecken died while aboard a river steam-
boat near Council Bluffs, Iowa, from cholera, which he had contracted
from a passenger to whom he had ministered. Rev. Anthony Eysbogels
then became Father Superior of the Kickapoo Mission.
Up to 1850 the Indian missions of the Missouri Valley were subject
to the See of St. Louis, when the Holy See erected the Vicariate Apostolic
of the Indian Territory East of the Rocky Mountains and appointed the
Rt. Rev. J. B. Miege Vicar Apostolic. The Vicariate Apostolic over which
Bishop Miege ruler as spiritual adviser extended from the Kansas River
at it's mouth to the British possessions on the north and from the Mis-
souri River west to the Rocky Mountains. Bishop Miege made Potto-
watomie Mission, which later developed into St. Mary's College, his place
of residence.
In 1853 Bishop Miege visited Rome. Upon his return he found that
Kansas had been opened to white settlers and that several promising
towns had sprung up in the territory, the most promising of which he
believed to be Leavenworth. On May 15, 1855, he visited here and cele-
brated mass and on the same day fixed this city as his permanent residence.
Shortly after this Bishop Miege purchased some ground near the
present site of the Cathedral and a temporary frame building 24x40 feet
was erected to be used for church purposes. Two years later Bishop
Miege had a larger building 40x100 feet erected, dedicating it to the
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In 1864 Bishop Miege projected the erection of a cathedral. The
corner stone for the cathedral as it stands today was laid in September,
1864. December 8, 1868, the cathedral was ready for dedication.
The dedication ceremonial was attended by many distinguished pre-
lates. Among them was the Most Rev. R. P. Kendrick, Archbishop of St.
Louis; the Rt. Rev. John Hennessey, Bishop of Duquesne; the Rt. Rev.
James O'Gorman, Vicar Apostolic of Nebraska, and the Rt. Rev. J. J.
Hogan, of St. Joseph. The sermon in the morning was delivered by Rt.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 231
Rev. John Hennessey, while that in the evening was delivered by Rev. P.
J. Ryan, later Archbishop of Philadelphia.
There is a conflict of opinion among historians as to when, where and
by whom the first mass was celebrated within the city of Leavenworth.
Andreas in his "History of Kansas" states that it was celebrated by
Bishop Miege in the house of a Mrs. Quinn in 1854. The late H. Miles
Moore in his "Early History of Leavenworth City and County" holds that
the first Catholic mass was celebrated in the early summer of 1855 by
the Rev. Father Fish, of Weston, Missouri, at the home of Andy Quinn
on the south side of Shawnee Street between Second and Third streets,
where a bureau was pressed into service as an altar.
The first pastor of the Cathedral parish was Father Heiman. He
officiated until 1864, being assisted by Rev. James DeFouri and the Jesuit
Fathers. After that time the following ministers have held the pastorate
of the parish: Rev. Paul Ponsiglioni, S. J.; Rev. Father Coghlan, S. J.;
Rev. Father Corbett, S. J. ; Rev. Father Schultz, S. J. ; Rev. Father Panken,
S. J. ; Rev. Ambrose Butler, S. J. ; Rev. William Fitzgerald ; Rev. James
DeFouri, V. G. ; Rev. James O'Reilly; Rev. John B. McCune; Rev. John
Cunningham ; Rev. Father Ward, and Rev. B. S. Kelly, who is at present
rector and dean of the Cathedral Parish.
Easton Catholic Church. — The pioneer Catholic family of Leaven-
worth County was that of Pensoneau, who dwelt on Stranger Creek. The
name of Lawrence Pensoneau appears in the letters of the first mission-
aries to this region. He was an agent for the American Fur Company,
which was largely controlled by the Catholic Chouteau family, one mem-
ber of which founded St. Louis and another of which was largely instru-
mental in the founding of Kansas City. The records as far back as the
early thirties of the last century found in the "Kickapoo Register," which
is now kept at St. Mary's, Kansas, among the first marriages and bap-
tisms the name of Pensoneau.
After Bishop Miege was constituted Vicar Apostolic of all Indian
missionary work east of the Rocky Mountains, he sent the Rev. Ambrose
T. Butler to the settlers on Stranger Creek in the vicinity of Easton in
the year 1854. Among the other priests that were later sent there were
the Rev. Bernard Hayden, and Rev. Sylvester Meehan. The latter is now
at Everest, Kansas. Father Hayden has been dead for a number of years.
In 1889 the Rev. Francis Taton was appointed to Easton and outlying
missions then comprising Springdale and St. Joseph's at Mount Olivet.
232 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Father Taton completed a beautiful stone church at Springdale in 1893.
He built the present St. Joseph's Church at Mount Olivet also. The pres-
ent pastor at the Mount Olivet Church is Rev. A. Grootaers, who having
built the present parish house adjoining the church moved there from
Easton to become the first resident pastor of the St. Joseph's of the Valley
Church. He was succeeded at Easton by Rev. Father Fisher, now at
Tonganoxie, Kansas. The next pastor at Easton to follow Father Fisher
was Father Lercke, who was forced to leave on account of ill health and
died later in California. His successor was Rev. J. A. Laczniak, who is
now pastor at the St. Casimer's Catholic Church of Leavenworth. Father
Lacznizk's predecessor at St. Casimer's was sent to Easton, where he built
the present beautiful brick church of Roman style. He also furnished
the church with a beautiful altar and stations and a large bell.
The Rev. Stephen F. Healy, who is at the present time pastor of the
St. Lawrence Church at Easton, is a zealous young priest who is well
pleased with the generous co-operation of his parishoners in religious
work. He is contemplating the erection of a new rectory in the near
future.
The Kickapoo Catholic Church, known as the Sacred Heart Church
of Kickapoo, has an interesting history. The settlers of Kickapoo and
vicinity were among the very first in the county of Leavenworth as well
as the territory of Kansas. Among them were a number of devout
Catholics. Bishop Miege, after establishing his residence in the city of
Leavenworth, furnished the parish and vicinity with the services of a
priest who at first was required to say mass in private residences in the
neighborhood, the Catholic mission houses at the place having been aban-
doned. For a number of years the Catholic families of the vicinity were
forced to do without a church, owing to the bigotry of the Kickapoo Town
Company, who blocked every effort on the part of the Catholics to get
ground on which to build a church. At length a tract of land was donated
to the Catholics to be used for church purposes by Theodore Meyers, an
early day resident of the city and community and a church was built.
The priests of St. Joseph's Church were among the first to go to
Kickapoo. Among the pastors of the church were Rev. M. Huhn, Rev.
J. Hurley, Rev. James O'Reilly, Rev. T. H. Kinsella, Rev. J. A. Shorter,
Rev. A. Jennings, Rev. T. J. McCaul and Rev. J. M. Dougherty It was
during Father Kinsella's pastorate that the old frame church originally
built was remodeled. A vestibule was added to it during Father Shorter' s
term as pastor.
HISTORY OF LE.WENWORTH COUNTY 233
When Father Dougherty was in charge he found it necessary to build
a larger and better church. It was during his term as pastor that the
beautiful brick church was erected that stands there today. After Father
Dougherty considered that all his time should be taken up with the church
at the fort, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Ward placed the care of the Kickapoo
Church under that of the cathedral clergy. Rev. B. S. Kelly being rector
there, the Rev. Thomas McNamara, assistant at the cathedral, usually
held divine services at the Kickapoo Church. He built there a modern
two-story brick rectory and was appointed resident pastor. Upon Rev.
Father McNamara's being transferred to Blaine, Kansas, the Rev. R. B.
Groener was appointed resident pastor at Kickapoo. Father Groener at
the present time has complete charge of the Kickapoo parish.
The Catholic Church at Hoge. — The priests stationed in Leavenworth
did not neglect any of the Catholic families even though they lived miles
away during the early days. There being a number of Catholic families
living in the community now known as Hoge during the early days of
statehood, a congregation was organized there by Rev. Aloysius Laigneil,
S. J., who resided at the cathedral in 1866, and a church was built and
placed under the invocation of the Holy Angels. One year following this,
Rev. Laigneil was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. Ambrose Butler,
who before the end of the year 1867 was replaced by Rev. Joseph Perrier,
who remained four years.
The rectors of the Holy Angels' Church at Hoge from 1871 to 1874
were the following: Rev. John Murphy, Rev. M. J. Dougherty and Rev.
P. J. Tuit. In 1874 Rev. Ambrose Butler returned and remained until
1875. His successor at Hoge was the Rev. John Leary. He remained
there as rector until 1879.
The next rectors at Hoge in the succession in which they held the
pastorate were as follows: Rev. Michael Browne, Rev. Bernard Hayden,
Rev. Michael Harrigan, Rev. Peter Bishop, Rev. James McNamee, Rev.
Patrick Shields, Rev. M. D. Cavanaugh, Rev. P. J. Kennedy, Rev. Sylvester
Meehan, Rev. Eugene Dekat and Rev. Thomas J. McCaul. The Revs.
James McNamee and Thomas J. McCaul died while at Hoge in charge of
the prison there.
The present pastor, Father Twomey, has replaced the old stone church
with a handsome brick edifice in the Roman style and dedicated the new
church to St. Patrick. The altar and other interior furnishings are very
beautiful and are in keeping with the architecture. A Catholic Cemetery
234 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
adjoins the church in which many of the pioneer Catholics of this com-
munity have long since been laid to rest. A beautiful monument has
been erected in the cemetery by the members of the parish in honor of
the Rev. James McNamee, who died at Hoge attending his parish.
The Catholic Church at Lansing was originally located at the city of
Old Delaware, which stood about two miles east of the present site of
Lansing. It was dedicated, when built, which was at an early date when
Delaware was making a strong bid for city supremacy in Leavenworth
County, to St. Francis de Sales.
Father Downey, who was succeeded at the fort parish and also in
the mission in Delaware Township by Rev. John Hurley, had made nu-
merous attempts to secure a site for a church in the city of Lansing
without avail. Father Kinsella, who succeeded Rev. John Hurley at the
Delaware Mission, bought the ground in Lansing on which the Catholic
Church of that place now stands and had the small church building which
was standing on the present site of old Delaware moved -to the new
location.
In 1888 Father Kinsella was succeeded as rector of the Lansing
Church by the Rev. E. Coolen, who is now in the Wichita Diocese. In 1890
the Rev. H. Eummellen had charge of the Delaware Mission for a period
of about five months. During their rectorship there Fathers Coolen and
Eummellen visited the Kansas Penitentiary and said mass each month.
They also had charge of the Holy Epiphany Church while there. Father
Shorter succeeded them, having in addition the Kickapoo Mission and the
St. John's Hospital.
Following Father Shorter the Rev. J. Heuberger was appointed chap-
lain of the St. Vincent's Home and was also given charge of the St. Francis
de Sales parish at Lansing. When he received an appointment in Miami
County, Father Shorter was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Gormley, who was
in turn succeeded by Rev. Patrick Smith. It was during the rectorship
of Father Smith that a building fund was collected. Father Smith's suc-
cessor increased this fund and during the rectorship of Father McManus,
who succeeded Father Smith, and the Rev. F. A. Geinitz, who in turn
succeeded him, this fund had reached such proportions that Father Gein-
itz decided that instead of erecting a new building the addition of a
transept with other changes would answer the immediate needs of the
parish. Alterations and improvements were accordingly made. Stained
glass windows, new pews and a furnace were installed. During this time
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 235
Father R. B. Groener, who had been away on account of ill health, re-
turned from Wyoming. He was shortly after his return appointed by
Bishop Ward, chaplain of St. Vincent's Home and rector of St. Francis
de Sales Church at Lansing. When Father Groener was transferred to
the Sacred Heart Church at Kickapoo he was succeeded at Lansing by
Father O'Farrell. The Rev. Father Malloy succeeded Father O'Farrell
at St. Francis de Sales and is in charge there at the present time.
Tonganoxie Catholic Church. — The Catholics in the Tonganoxie com-
munity were visited in the early days of the county by Rev. Louis Guen-
ther, 0. C. C, and other priests of the neighboring missions.
When St. Patrick's Church at Hoge received a resident priest in
Father McCaul, he and his successors there attended Tonganoxie as a
mission.
The Rev. O. E. Degan, Rev. J. A. Budrean and Rev. E. Fischer, who
is now pastor at Holy Family Church at Tonganoxie, have succeeded one
another as resident priests of the church at Tonganoxie.
The Sisters of Charity, of Nazareth, was founded by a priest by the
name of John Baptist Mary David, who came to America from France
with the future Bishop Flaget, whose coadjutor he became in Bardstown,
Kentucky. Their first school was opened there in 1819. Their rule was
founded after that of St. Vincent de Paul.
In 1841 the nucleus of a new community went to Nashville, Tennes-
see for educational and charitable work. In 1858 the Nashville com-
munity was invited to Leavenworth by Bishop Miege, who afterward
always considered this one of the greatest things he had done for Kansas.
The first Sister Superior here for the Sisters was Mother Francis Xavier.
Around this most amiable personage there is woven a wealth of history
and romance that essences of the most beautiful thought. She was born
November 13, 1813, in Cincinnati, Ohio, of Protestant parentage, her
father being a Methodist minister. On her first entering the Novitiate
at Nazareth, her father came after her and forced her to return home.
There was no objection on the part of her mother to her taking up her
chosen work, and shortly afterward she escaped from home and again
returned to the Sisters of Nazareth. The mother of Sister Xavier wrote
kindly and frequently to the convert daughter, but the father remained
bitter toward the daughter to the end of his life. After finishing her
novitiate Sister Xavier was sent to Louisville, Kentucky, where she had
charge of an orphanage for a time. In 1853 she was sent to Nashville,
236 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Tennessee, from which place she came to Leavenworth in 1858. Sister
Xavier died April 2, 1895, being at the time of her death over eighty-one
years of age.
Soon after their arrival in Leavenworth the Sisters began teaching
in two small frame buildings. In 1860 a boarding school was opened in
a rented building, but shortly after this Bishop Miege erected an academy,
to which girls were sent from neighboring territories. A novitiate was
approved by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Miege and the Sisters began receiving
candidates for the Sisterhood. In 1868 St. Mary's Female Academy, con-
ducted by the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul of Leavenworth,
Kansas, was incorporated under the state laws of the State of Kansas,
and thereafter conferred diplomas of graduation on those who had finished
satisfactorily the academy's course of studies.
Mount St. Mary's Academy. — In 1868 it was found necessary to plan
a larger building than the Sisters then had for a mother-house of the
Leavenworth Sisters. On April 30, 1868, the foundation of the present
Mount St. Mary's Academy south of the city of Leavenworth was com-
menced. In a short time the sisters obtained thirty-five acres of ground
which has been increased by later purchases. James A. McGonigale re-
ceived the contract for building the academy. The architecture is of the
Italian order and the academy as it now stands is one of the finest educa-
tional institutions in the country.
The completed building was occupied by the sisters in 1870. Before
it was completed the sisters found themselves short of funds. A loan of
$25,000.00 was secured through a St. Louis bank, which enabled them to
properly equip and furnish the building.
With the exception of three terms of office held by Mother Vincent.
Mother Xavier was Superior of the Leavenworth Sisters until 1877, when
Mother Josephine Cantwell was elected. Mother Cantwell was very effi-
cient in paying off the debt of the property. In 1886 she was succeeded
in the office of Mother Superior by Sr. Josepha Sullivan, who secured a
second state charter for the community in 1892. In 1890 the erection
of a handsome addition conformable in style to the original building was,
begun. The addition comprises the spacious chapel of the Annunciation.
It was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. L. M. Fink, O. S. B. D. D., December 6,
1894. Buildings equal to those described have since been added. Xavier
Hall has a seating capacity of 500. The new Annunciation Chapel is a
fine specimen of the Basilica style. Its fine marble altars and its paint-
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 237
ings including the stations are works of art. The teaching staff is well
equipped to give the students a thorough academic education. At the
present time there are over 100 students enrolled.
The Sisters cf Charity also conduct the parochial schools in the
cathedral parish, Sacred Heart parish, and St. Joseph's parish. The pupils
in these three schools number about 600. They also act as teachers in
the Leavenworth Catholic High School, which has over 100 pupils en-
rolled.
St. Vincent's Home. — It was the desire of Bishop Miege, once the
Sisters of Charity were located in Leavenworth, to establish an Orphan's
Home or Asylum. Accordingly a fair was held under the direction of
Bishop Miege in 1862 and from the proceeds, which amounted to $7,000.00,
a neat two-story brick building was erected before the end of the year.
It was located on Kickapoo Street and it was here that the orphans of
Leavenworth received a home under the charge of the Leavenworth
Sisters of Charity.
The Orphanage was later removed to its present location by Bishop
Fink. The building erected by Bishop Fink was improved and enlarged
by Bishop Lillis and more land was added. At the present time accom-
modations can be furnished 100 children.
St. John's Hospital. — Another and one of the most valuable of insti-
tutions which was built and conducted by the Sisters of Charity in the
city of Leavenworth was St. John's Hospital. This was opened by the
Sisters March 15, 1864. At that time it was the only hospital in Kansas.
The first Sister Superior of the hospital was Sister Joanna. Several
times the old building was improved and remodeled and in 1911 the hos-
pital was entirely reconstructed and modernized so as to make its equip-
ment equal to the best. At the present time it has a capacity of seventy-
five beds. It has a training school and a maternity department. The
hospital affords every facility for diagnosis and for medical and surgical
operations, including an operating room with every modern improvement.
St. John's has an "open staff" of physicians, so that any reputable
physician can attend his patients that may be there. It has done a great
deal of charity work and is now well patronized. Its doors are open
to all colors and creeds.
St. Joseph's Church, Leavenworth. — When the Rt. Rev. Louis Mary
Fink was consecrated Bishop of Eucarpia as coadjutor to Bishop Miege
his first public function in Kansas was the consecration of St. Joseph's
238 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Church at Leavenworth on June 16, 1871. Bishop Miege himself cele-
brated the solemn high mass.
In the year 1858 Rev. Casimer Seitz, 0. B., who was the first priest
ordained by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Miege in Leavenworth, erected a frame
building two stories in height to answer the parochial requirements of a
new parish in Leavenworth for the Catholic Germans. A Catholic school
was also instituted shortly afterward. Father Casimer Seitz was suc-
ceeded by the Rev. Father Fisch, who said the first mass there on June 13,
1855. Father Aloys Mayer had charge of the parish in 1859. In 1863
Rev. Anthony Kuhls, who is now Monsignore, and who after leaving
Leavenworth was pastor at St. Mary's, Kansas City, Kansas, for forty-
four years, assisted Father Fisch and when the latter was forced through
ill health to retire Father Kuhls took charge of the parish until October,
1864.
Father Kuhls was succeeded at this parish by the Revs. Cyril Knoll
and Xavier Huber, two Carmelite Fathers, who had come during the early
part of the year 1864 from Germany. The Rev. Father Heimann, who
was the first secular priest in the vicariate and who was the first priest
with Bishop Miege in Leavenworth, with the exception of Father Fisch,
joined the Carmelites in 1865, as well as did Rev. Father Louis Guenther.
Subsequent to his joining this order Father Heimann was known as Father
Albert, O. C. C. It was Father Albert that built the beautiful St. Joseph's
Church which was consecrated by Bishop Fink on Corpus Christi, 1871.
Father Louis, 0. C. C, succeeded Father Albert as rector of this parish
and during his incumbency built the three story parish house.
In 1882 the Rev. Father Bernard Fink, 0. C. C, became rector of
the parish. He remained until 1887, when he was succeeded by the Rev.
Otto Wiedeman, who added the transepts to the church and had the in-
teriors decorated. In 1890 Father Leo Vanden Heuvel took charge of the
pastorate. During his pastoral administration the new stations in bas
relief were donated in memory of the Mergen de Leglise families. The
"Sorrowful Mother" of "Pieta" in heroic size was also added for the de-
votion of the congregation. Chime bells were also hung in the tower,
which were blessed by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Fink.
In 1895 the Rev. Father Louis Guenther returned and a little later
the corner stone for a new school building was laid. The dedication took
place on the Feast of the Patronage of St. Joseph, April 26, 1896, the Rev.
Father Aloysius Bradley, 0. S. B., preaching the dedication sermon. In
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 239
May, 1896, the new brick building two stories in height was ready for
occupancy and 200 children find ample accommodation there. The Rev.
Father Ferdinand Vander Stay, who had been assisting Father Louis
Guenther, was placed in charge of the pastorate when ill health forced
Father Louis to retire. During the latter part of the year 1903 he died
here and was buried from the St. Joseph's Church, the Rt. Rev. Bishop'
Fink officiating at his funeral and Father Beck, of Argentine, preaching
an interesting sermon.
In 1903 Father Sebastian Urnauer, O. C. C, became pastor of St.
Joseph's parish. He made many valuable improvements in the church
and schools. He was succeeded in 1906 by Father Ferdinand, who had
been his predecessor. Father Ferdinand had the church refrescoed and
repaired in many ways in preparation of the parish's Golden Jubilee, which
was held May the 10th to 12th, 1908. Pontifical High Mass was cele-
brated on the first day by Bishop T. F. Lillis, of Leavenworth; on the
second day by Bishop Cunningham, of Concordia, and, on the third day
by Rt. Rev. Abbot Innocent Wolf, Abbot of St. Benedict's, Atchison, Kan-
sas. Shortly after this Father Ferdinand was called east and Father
Sebastian was again placed in charge. Father Sebstian was succeeded
by Father Peter, O. C. C, who served two terms of three years each, and
he was succeeded by Father Angela Lager, the present pastor, who is
assisted by Rev. Xavier Tynan, O. C. C.
St. Joseph's Benevolent Society was organized in this parish in Octo-
ber, 1859. On October 20, 1879, P. C. Becker instituted the first branch
of the Catholic Mutual Benevolent Association in Kansas at this parish.
A Young Ladies Sodality of the Blessed Virgin was organized in the
parish in 1871 by Rev. Father Albert Heimann. The Society of Christian
Mothers, The Young Men's Casino and the L. C. B. A. are also flourishing
organizations of the St. Joseph's parish.
On December 10, 1903, Bishop Fink dedicated the new chapel under
the title of Our Lady of Lourdes. In the city Father Shorter has built
a school west of the Holy Epiphany Church at a cost of $5,000.00 and
a roomy two-story building to the east of the church as a home for the
Oblate Sisters and dependent colored girls, where they are given needed
care and attention.
Father Shorter is still in charge of the colored mission work in
Leavenworth and of the prisoners in the penitentiary here after a period
of more than thirty years. In 1909 Rev. Thomas F. Lillis appointed
Father Shorter Vicar General of Leavenworth.
240 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH^. COUNTY
Holy Epiphany Church owes its origin to the zeal of Rev. M. Huhn,
who, encouraged by Bishop Fink, collected in the diocese the sum neces-
sary for the building of the church. The cornerstone of the structure
was laid September 29, 1878, and it was dedicated August 20, 1879. It
was the first Catholic Church west of St. Louis built for a colored congre-
gation and the first confirmation services were conducted there by Bishop
Fink November 15, 1878.
It was through Father Huhn's efforts that a Guardian Angel's Home,
one of the very first institutions in the country for the care of homeless
colored boys, was begun. In 1887 he transferred this institution to Texas.
In 1889, however, the Colored Orphan's Home was reorganized by the
Oblate Sisters of Baltimore.
Before the arrival of Father Shorter in 1890, Rev. E. Coolen and
the Rev. H. Eummellen held services at regular intervals at Holy Epiphany
Church. Upon Father Shorter's taking charge he pressed the church
basement into service for school purposes and mass was celebrated at
this church more frequently. When the number of orphans cared for in
the school and home increased more sisters came from Baltimore to
assist, and Bishop Fink authorized the purchase of the Whitaker home-
stead with forty acres of ground. The orphans were subsequent to this
moved from the city to their new home, where in charge of the Oblate
Sisters of Providence they continued under the direction of Father
Shorter.
The buildings of the home as they exist today were added from time
to time. Forty acres more of land was added to the grounds during
Lillis' administration.
Sacred Heart Church. — The Sacred Heart parish was organized by
the Rev. Thomas Downey, who also built the present Sacred Heart Church,
a two-story brick structure with a tower. The building as originally
built still serves for church and school purposes. It was during the
pastoral administration of Father Burke that the parish house was erected.
Rev. Father Burke was succeeded as pastor of the Sacred Heart par-
ish by Rev. R. B. Groener, who at the present time is pastor of the Sacred
Heart Church of Kickapoo. Rev. Patrick Smith, who is at the present
time pastor of the Sacred Heart parish of Leavenworth, succeeded Father
Groener. He is a native of Kansas and an alumnus of St. Benedict's at
Atchison. Shortly after his ordination he was appointed chaplain of St.
Vincent's Home and pastor of St. Francis de Sales Church at Lansing,
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 241
where he was transferred to Blaine and Wheaton, from which places he
received his appointment to the Sacred Heart Church. The school at the
Sacred Heart Church is taught by the Sisters of Charity.
St. Casimer's Church. — St. Casimer's parish and church is among
the younger of the Catholic Churches organized and built in Leavenworth
City and County. The parish was organized and the present church built
by Rev. A. Smietana in 1896. One year later Rev. John Grudzinski was
ordained # and in 1897 he was appointed as successor to Father Smietana.
He arrived to take charge of his pastorate on Thanksgiving Day and
found a debt of over 83,000 hanging over the parish. Father Grudzinski
being a zealous worker scon liquidated this debt and set out to make
additional improvements. He enlarged and decorated the church with
side altars and purchased a suitable bell and also built a beautiful parish
house at a cost of 85,500.00 and a fine school building that cost more than
twice as much. This school is conducted by the Felician Sisters, who
have quarters in the school building.
Father Grudzinski was succeeded at the St. Casimer's parish by Rev.
Frank Kozlowski. When Fther Kozlowski was transferred to the parish
at Easton, Kansas, he was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Laczniak at St.
Casimer's, who is rector there at the present time.
Catholic Church at Fort Leavenworth. — When the building of a
Catholic Church at Fort Leavenworth was first undertaken there was at
the fort many civilian employees whose number was greatly reduced a
short time afterward, making it a very difficult task to pay off the in-
debtedness incurred in the initial erection of a church. General Morgan
and Ordinance Sergeant Cornelius Kelly were among the most ardent early
day workers in this parish. When the work of building a Catholic Church
there was begun they had collected a sum amounting to $3,000.00. which
was used to defray initial and immediate expenses.
The cornerstone of the first Catholic Church at the fort was laid in
the fall of 1871 and the work was rushed forward with considerable help
from the Quartermaster's Department. The church upon its completion
was dedicated under the title of St. Ignatius Chapel in honor of the
founder of the Society of Jesus. Father Ambrose Butler was one of the
early day pastors of the parish. He was succeeded by Rev. James
O'Reilly, who remained pastor for about five years. During his adminis-
tration he succeeded in relieving the parish of all its indebtedness and
having the church handsomely furnished.
(12)
242 «Y OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
The first resident priest of the Fort Leavenworth parish was Rev.
T. F. Kinsella, who about a month after his ordination at the cathedral,
July 17, 1884, was assigned to the Fort Leavenworth parish. At that
time his duties included that of being chaplain at the United States Mili-
tary Prison. In 1885 Father Kinsella, who had made a request to the
War Department for permission to build a rectory, was notified by that
body that his request had been denied and that the government desired
to purchase or remove the Catholic Church at the fort, together with the
building that was used for school purposes. The government subsequent
to this purchased the Catholic Church building and authorized the selec-
tion of a new site for the church by the church authorities. It was not
until June 27, 1889, that Bishop Fink and the government officials finally
agreed upon the terms and conditions that the church was to be built at
the fort and on August 18, 1889, Bishop Fink laid the cornerstone for
the present church at the fort which wa^ dedicated December 22, 1889.
The new edifice was of Gothic design and was erected at a total cost of
$15,233.85.
In January, 1892, Father Kinsella was succeeded at the fort parish
by Rev. Alexander Jennings, who remained in charge there until April
18, 1895, when the Rev. Thomas McCaul took charge and continued as
pastor until November 12, 1905. The Military Prison, which has been
transferred into the Federal Prison, was attended by Father McCaul. He
was the first clergyman here to receive an annual salary of $300.00 for
his services at the prisen. When Father McCaul was sent to the parish
at Hoge, Rev. William Ospital, O. S. B., a father of the Sacred Heart
Abbey, Oklahoma, succeeded him. He was in turn succeeded by a priest
of the same Abbey, Rev. J. M. Dougherty, on August 27, 1908. Father
Dougherty has remained in charge of the fort parish from the last men-
tioned date until the present time.
The Catholic Church at the Soldiers Home. — When the western
branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers was estab-
lished, the need of a Catholic chaplain to minister to the needs of the
Catholic veterans was early recognized. The Rev. Peter Flannagan, who
was at that time pastor of St. Francis de Sales at Lansing for a short
time, supplied this want and then was succeeded by Rev. M. A. Finn, who
was also chaplain of St. Vincent's Home.
Father Finn was succeeded by Rev. T. F. Kinsella. who held the
chaplaincy of the home for a period of seventeen years. When Rev.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 243
Father Kinsella was sent to Paola as chaplain of the Ursuline Academy, he
was succeeded at the Soldiers Home by Rev. Francis Pottgieser, who re-
mained until March 1, 1918, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Owen
Degan. Father Degan died during the month of December, 1918, and
the Rev. Francis Taton was appointed chaplain at the Soldiers Home
parish. Father Taton at the present time is chaplain at this parish
and church.
First Church of Christ, Scientist. — The introduction of Christian
Science in the city of Leavenworth was brought about in the year 1885
through the mediumship of two students who began holding services in
their own homes. Some seven years later and on the 27th day of De-
cember, 1892, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, was organized with
fourteen members. Several years later a charter was obtained. A read-
ing room was established February 26, 1899, and lectures have been given
yearly since 1898.
For years services were held in various down-town buildings. In 1903
the building now owned by this congregation was purchased from the
English Lutheran Church. The growth of this organization has been
gradual until at the present time there is a large and prosperous con-
gregation.
CHAPTER XIII
LODGES, CLUBS AND SOCIETIES.
ABDALLAH TEMPLE— MASONIC LODGES— KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS— INDEPENDENT
ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS— MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA— WOMAN'S AUX-
ILIARY OF AMERICAN LEGION— KANSAS FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS—
CHAUTAUQUA ASSOCIATION— YOEMEN— KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
The Abdallah Temple, Ancient Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine,
was chartered March 28, 1887, and is located at Leavenworth. It has a
membership of 4,500 and its jurisdiction extends over nineteen counties
in the northeastern part of Kansas. The Temple is located on Shawnee
street, between Fifth and Sixth, on the site of the old Crawford Opera
House which was purchased December 11, 1910. A new temple is being
erected on the lots just west of the present temple. The new structure
will cost about $200,000 when completed. The Shrine owns the park
southwest of the city, formerly known as the Leavenworth County Fair
Association Park. It is fitted up with a lake, bath houses, dancing pa-
vilion, race track and other places of amusement. The membership is
made up of Knight Templars and Scottish Rite Masons. Shrine Clubs are
located at Atchison, Emporia, Hiawatha, Kansas City, Lawrence, Marys-
ville, Ottawa, and Topeka, all under the jurisdiction of Abdallah Temple
at Leavenworth,
The temple maintains a band and a patrol, located at Leavenworth.
At the time of the ceremonials which are held several times during the
year, large number of members come to Leavenworth from the surround-
ing district.
The first officers were: Richard A. Ketner, Potentate; Dwight By-
ington, Chief Rabban; Carle A. Woodruff, Assistant Rabban; Tullius C.
Tupper, High Priest; Edward W. Osgood, Oriental Guide; John M. Laing,
Treasurer; La Martine Cretors, Recorder.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 245
The present officers are : John A. Steinmeyer, Potentate ; T. I. Mains,
Chief Rabban ; Samuel L. Courtney, Assistant Rabban ; Asa T. Hoge, High
Priest; Charles K. Haw, Recorder; O. B. Taylor, Jr., Treasurer; John H.
Atwood, Ad Vitam ; J. H. Steinmeyer, F. L. Olson, Horace T. Phinney, John
N. Johnson, Representatives to Grand Council; William Newmark, First
Ceremonial Master; M. B. Hamilton, Second Ceremonial Master; J. W.
Farley, Marshal ; C. F. Mattmiller, Captain Guards ; Ed. W. Osgood, First
Alchemist; J. P. Dobbs, Second Alchemist; J. F. Schiffer, Outer Guard;
Oscar Helmers, Director of Work; Fred L. Olson, Class Director; George
Fisher, Captain of Patrol; R. K. Pooley, Organist; Peter Strauss, Execu-
tioner; John McNarry, Official Announcer; Webb Tholen, Electrician; A.
R. Evans, Electrician; Herman Weidman, Sand Heater.
Henri Lodge No. 190, A. F. & A. M. of Tonganoxie was organized
December 27, 1879, with the following charter members: 0. K. Lock-
wood, J. M. Phenicie, S. B. Cantrell, J. C. Alexander, A. L. Jacobs and
A. Mac Lawrence, John Divelbees, Edward Bowman, James Duncanson,
E. H. Linton, John Billingsley, J. S. Grist, Charles Collins, C. J. Halstead,
Charles Collins is the only charter member now living. E. H. Linton was
the first Master and James Duncanson its first Secretary.
Grafton D. Whitaker, Jr., is the present Master and William Hevnen
the Secretary.
Hancock Lodge No. 311, A. F. & A. M. was chartered February 20,
1889, and is located at Ft. Leavenworth. There are 494 members made
up principally of officers and enlisted men of the army. Charles M. Snell
is Master; Fred Nodsle, Secretary; Ezra B. Fuller, Treasurer; Russell P.
Reeder, S. W. ; William J. Snyder, J. W. ; Fred Jensen, S. D. ; Edward Wil-
son, J. D. ; Henry J. Matchett, S. S. ; John E. Stafford, J. S. ; Raymond Kis-
cadden, Tyler.
Linwood Lodge No. 241 of Linwood was chartered February 19, 1885.
It has seventy-six members. Charles H. Harris is the Master and Archie
T. Meinke is the Secretary.
Nine Mile Lodge No. 49, A. F. & A. M., at Lansing, Kansas, was char-
tered October 17, 1866. It now has a membership of ninety-nine. The
following are the officers : U. J. Matthey, W. M. ; Paul B. Owens, S. W. :
David T. Lindsey, J. W.; T. J. Boone, Sec; William A. Harmon, Treas.;
Charles L. Cherry, S. D. ; Orvil F. Spencer, J. D. ; W. O. Thomas, Tyler ;
George E. Carr, S. S.; William R. McCormick, J. S. Trustees: W. 0.
Thomas, Orvil M. Spencer, C. L. Cherry.
246 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
The fiftieth anniversary was celebrated October 17, 1916, with a
sumptuous banquet and an excellent program given in the chapel of the
State Prison. Frank Gable, one of the charter members, was present on
the occasion and delivered an address on the early history of the lodge.
Boling Lodge No. 365 A. F. & A. M., was chartered February 17,
1904. It has a present membership of forty-eight. The following are the
officers: C. M. Bozworth, W. M.; H. Smith, S. W.; H. Starns, J. W.; W.
Hedges, S. D. ; F. McCune, J. D.; William Boling, Treasurer; George
Hobbs, Secretary; Len Pitts, Tyler; Fred Sloan, S. S.
Leavenworth Lodge No. 2, A. F. & A. M. — Organized January 18,
1855, with R. R. Rees, W. M. ; A. Payne, S. W. ; Auley McAuley, J. W. ;
Charles Mundy, Secretary; George B. Panton, Treasurer; L. J. Easton,
S. D ; J. M. Alexander, J. D. ; J. J. Bentz, Tyler. It was organized under
dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Missouri. It was chartered by the
Grand Lodge of Missouri as Leavenworth Lodge No. 150, June 16, 1855,
and chartered by the Grand Lodge of Kansas July 14, 1856, as Leaven-
worth Lodge No. 2. It is the oldest Masonic Lodge in Kansas under con-
tinuous operation.
The present officers are as follows : H. L. Justus, W. M. ; D. S. Lewis,
S. W.; C. E. Rosenquist, J. W.; C. E. Cart, Treasurer; Ed. W. Osgood, Sec-
retary (has been Secretary since 1876) ; Lazarus Loeb, S. D. ; Carl Jenson,
J. D.; Charles Tholen, S. S. ; Alfred Alexander, J. S. ; Joseph Chalmers,
Tyler. First officers were as follows : R. R. Rees, A. Payne, Auley McAu-
ley; George B. Panton, Charles Mundy, L. J. Easton, J. M. Alexander,
J. J. Bentz. There were 343 members on February 12, 1921.
King Solomon Lodge No. 10 was organized November 30, 1857, under
dispensation granted by M. W. Richard R. Rees, Grand Master of Kansas.
In October, 1858, a charter was granted. Calvary Lodge No. 50 was con-
solidated with King Solomon by approval of the Grand Master on May
19, 1876.
The present officers are as follows: Edward Eraser W. M. ; R. C.
Thornton, S. W. ; H. J. Cramm, J. W. ; Harry Simonn, S. D. ; A. W. Kim-
ball, J. D. ; Earl Eschlemann, S. S. ; V. A. Hank, J. S. ; Elmer McCool, Sec-
retary; Clarence Rohrbough, Treasurer; Joseph Chalmers, Tyler. First
officers were as follows: Henry C. Justice, Moses S. Adams, George A.
Eddy, H. H. Beck, J. J. Clarkson. There are 371 members on February
12, 1921.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 247
Hiram Lodge No. 68 was organized January 18, 1868, and chartered
on October 21, 1868, with the following charter members: Barnard
Flesher, George Einstein, David Prager, John Switzer, Sam Suman, Julius
Levi, Benjamin Thuse, Walter Wetheim, Joseph Westenberger, Joseph
Waise, Dr. C. C. Shoyer and Sam Wolf.
The present officers are as follows: Edwin Sickel, W. M. ; Elzra W.
Reel, S. W. ; J. Ross Perkins, J. W. ; Harry Coldren, Jr., S. D. ; William H.
Case, J. H.; William Rumford, S. S.; H. W. Coldren, J. S.; Joseph Chal-
mers, Tyler; George Leak, Secretary; Morris - Toff ler, Treasurer. First
officers were as follows: George Einstein, B. Flesher, J. Simmons. There
were 229 members on February 12, 1921.
Leavenworth Chapter No. 2, R. A. M., was instituted by the General
Grand Chapter of the United States, February 27, 1857. The charter was
received September 9, 1865. The date of the charter from the Grand
Chapter of Kansas, October 19, 1868. The first officers were R. R. Rees,
H. P. ; Leander Kerr, King ; E. E. McCarty, Scribe.
The present officers are as follows: Maj. H. G. Stahl, High Priest;
Rolo Lawn, King; Joseph F. Seymour, Scribe; John McCool, Treasurer;
Ed. W. Osgood, Secretary; John McFarland, Capt. of Hosts; Carl Jensen,
Principal Sojourner; Charles W. Tholen, R. A. Captain; James E. Snyder,
Master 3d Veil ; Dr. Van Manning, Master 2d Veil ; Albert Kihm, Master
1st Veil; Joseph Chalmers, Sentinel. The number of members on Febru-
ary 12, 1921, was 400.
Leavenworth Conunandery No. 1, Knight Templar, was organized
February 10, 1864, by the General Grand Commandery with the following
as officers: T. A. Hurd, Em. Commander; R. R. Rees, Generalissimo; L. P.
Stiles, Captain General.
The present officers are: Robert Hertel, Jr., Em. Commander; Ben-
jamin F. Heis, Generalissimo; Col. Frank D. Webster, Capt. General;
George Pulsifer, Prelate; W. D. Woodman, Sr. Warden; C. L. D. Terry,
Jr. Warden; Asa Hoge, Treasurer; Ed. W. Osgood, Recorder; Eugene N.
Meyer, Standard Bearer; James Franks, Sword Bearer; Ed. C. Lingen-
felser, Warder; Joseph Chalmers, Guard. Number of members February
12, 1921, 359.
Scottish Rite-EIeusis Lodge of Perfection No. 1 was organized in 1871
and received its charter from the southern jurisdiction of the United
States. The first officers were as follows : P. J. Freling, V. Master ; John
Westlake, S. W. ; Ed. W. Osgood, J. W. ; J. W. Park, Secretary.
248 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
The lodge was afterwards moved to Topeka, Kansas, with the same
number and Abdallah Temple of Mystic Shrine was organized in Leaven-
worth. This was by mutual agreement between members of the two
bodies in Leavenworth and Topeka and that Topeka should not ask for
a Shrine nor Leavenworth ask for a Scottish Rite.
Leavenworth Council No. 1, Royal and Select Masters, was organized
December 16, 1865, and received a charter May 24, 1866, from the Grand
Council of Missouri. The Grand Council of Kansas gave a charter Decem-
ber 12, 1867.
The present officers are as follows : Joseph F. Seymour, Master ; H. G.
Stahl, Deputy; Rollo Lawn, P. C. W.; Asa T. Hoge, Treasurer; Fred T.
Nye, Recorder; Carl Jensen, C. G.; Fred M. Patton, C. C; Edward L.
Luther, Steward ; Jerome A. Chalmers, Sentinel.
The charter members were as follows : R. R. Rees, Dwight Byington,
N. Daniels, Dr. S. Houston, Otto C. Beeler, M. B. Haas, Jacob D. Rush,
Fritz Magers, A. Cohn.
Past Masters : John McCool, Ezra B. Fuller, William M. Bonar, T. I.
Mains, Eugene S. Davidson, Fred T. Nye, John H. Clarke.
Byington Chapter No. 177, Order Eastern Star, was instituted Decem-
ber 28, 1896, and received its charter May 14, 1896.
The present officers are as follows: Mrs. Jennie Pitts, Worthy Ma-
tron; Ben J. Hughes, Worthy Patron; Sue Brown, Associate Matron;
Geneva Curry, Treasurer; Mrs. Ben J. Hedges, Secretary; Mrs. Asa Hoge,
Conductress; Kate Beeler, Associate Conductress; Mrs. Ida L. Kaufmann,
Chaplain ; Bettie Cleavinger, Ada ; Evelyn Kihm, Ruth ; Elizabeth Franks,
Esther; Blanch Carr, Martha; Virginia Meyer. Electa; Grace Fisher,
Warder; Anna Cramm, Marshall; Opal Donagan, Organist; Joseph Chal-
mers, Sentinel. Number of members February 12, 1921, 272.
Azor Grotto No. 72, M. O. V. P. E. R., was organized January 6, 1916,
with the following officers: George Pulsifer, Monarch; Sam Nirdlinger,
Master C; Joseph F. Seymour, Marshal; John McFai'land, Treasurer;
George Leak, Secretary.
The present officers are as follows: Eugene S. Davidson, Monarch;
Henry Kaufmann, Master C; Gustave Nitsche, Marshal; James E. Sny-
der, Treasurer ; George Leak, Secretary. Present membership is 216.
Ivanhoe Lodge No 14, Knights of Pythias, was instituted December 1,
1873, with the following officers: L. M. Goddard, C. C; T. J. Darling,
V. C. ; W. F. Porter, Prelate ; J. L. Vickers, M. E. ; W. E. Robinson, M. of
E. ; John R. Creighton, K. of R. and S.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 249
The present officers are: E. W. Jennings, C. C; 0. L. Wiltsey, V. C;
J. F. Casey, Prelate; D. I. Atkinson, M. of W.; W. L. Thomas, K. of R. &
S. ; George R. Bleakley, M. of F. ; Sig Anderson, M. of E. ; J. A. Downum,
M. at A. ; F. M. Denny, I. G. ; R. C. Thornton, O. G. ; Trustees, J. C. Franks,
F. M. Denny, F. W. Bartlett. There are 150 members at present. Meet-
ings are held every Monday night at the southeast corner of Sixth and
Shawnee.
Concordia Lodge No. 8, K. of P., was organized December 4, 1872,
with the following officers : August Thanheldt, P. C. ; John Trump, V. C. ;
August Geveke, Prelate ; E. F. Haberlin, K. of R. ; J. C. Dickelmann, M. of
F. ; Charles Engstrom, M. of E. ; George Linck, M. A. ; Henry Berine I. G. ;
H. J. Caniff, G. C. ; J. A. Bliss, G. K. of R. S.
Far West Encampment No. 1, I. O. O. F., was instituted February 14,
1859, with the following as charter members: J. B. Davis, Phillip Koeh-
ler, N. W. Cox, C. A. Logan, Thomas Plowman, Charles Monday. In 1882
it had 101 members.
Mechanics Lodge No. 89, I. O. 0. F., was organized October 8, 1872,
with the following charter members: G. A. Davis, John Shoemaker, J.
Burnham, J. R. Duncan, George Byron, J. E. Varney, R. A. Saunders,
J. L. Duncan and C. H. White. It had a membership in 1882 of 142.
Allemenia Lodge No. 123, I. O. O. F., was instituted December 27,
1875, with the following charter members: Charles Chienke, Christian
Hoffman, Peter Bubb, And. Dreschel, August Benz, Henry Schiermayer,
Charles Conrad, Jacob Rodenhaus, Joseph Walter, Henry Brueggen, Will-
iam Graisky, Dom. Wissler, Charles Paeper, William Hermance, Fred
Wochner, H. C. Mohr, N. Hieb, Charles Ackenhausen, Karl Kempire, G. F.
Zeitz, August Schanze, Chris. Kantner, August Streibich, C. F. Cremer,
W. Stech, Julius Meincke, Joseph Woolman, William Schroeder, Charles
Fees, Jac. Elsasser, G. M. Young, Joseph Bergmann, W. G. Hesse, John
Grund. It had a membership in 1882 of 75.
Schiller Encampment No. 2, I. 0. O. F., was instituted May 20, 1866,
with the following charter members : Phillip Koehler, William Schroeder,
Charles Diebrich, Charles Besser, George Walter, Michael Hoffman, Gott-
lieb Geiger. It had a membership in 1882 of 50 members.
Metropolitan Lodge No. 27, 1. O. O. F., was instituted October 11, 1867.
The Grand Encampment, I. O. O. F., was instituted October 9, 1866,
in Leavenworth, and its headquarters have been there ever since, its three
Grand Scribes each serving till his death: Samuel F. Burdette, Ed. T.
250 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Rees and Lewis T. Rees. The present incumbent, A. M. Bain has been
Grand Scribe since 1910.
Tonganoxie Lodge No. 390, I. O. O. F., was instituted April 17, 1891,
with charter members: J. W. Reno, W. W. Reno, R. H. Southard, J. L.
Shaffer, H. Cronemeyer, M. W. Hadley, J. Coolidge. Its first officers were:
R. H. Southard, N. G. ; J. W. Reno, V. G. ; W. W. Reno, Secretary, and
James Coolidge, Treasurer. Its present officers are : Vin. Needham, N. G. ;
James Skaggs, V. G. ; George Cline, Secretary, and John Rumsey, Treas-
urer.
Lansing Lodge No. 449, I. O. O. F., was instituted March 24, 1894,
with charter members : C. L. Cherrie, S. W. Furnas, M. A. Burdick, C. D.
Jones, J. R. Wilson, E. W. Prather and W. R. Knisley. Its first officers
were : C. L. Cherrie, N. G. ; J. R. Wilson, V. G. ; G. W. Thomas, Secretary ;
W. R. Knisley, Treasurer. Its present officers are: O. M. Spenser, N. G. ;
C. H. Walker, V. G. ; C. L. Cherrie, Secretary ; W. A. Hannon, Treasurer.
Linwood Lodge No. 607, I. 0. O. F., was instituted October 15, 1907,
with twenty-eight charter members. Its first officers were: Thomas P.
Frederick, N. G. ; Theodore Meinke, V. G.; Harry Coons, Secretary; and
Francis Frederick, Treasurer. Its present officers are: A. H. Engle,
N. G. ; F. W. Attebery, V. G. ; Ed. Brown, Secretary ; and T. P. Frederick,
Treasurer.
Easton Lodge No. 662, I. O. O. F., was instituted April 25, 1916, with
twenty-eight charter members Its first officers were : William A. Evans,
N. G. ; Henry Goff, V. G. ; Christian Sass, Secretary; and Charles O.
Trower, Treasurer. Its present officers are : William L. Partridge, N. G. ;
William R. Taylor, V. G.; Lloyd Coberly, Secretary; and Dean G. Erhart,
Treasurer. Its membership is 68.
No. 367, Modern Woodman of America was the first Woodman Lodge
organized in Leavenworth County. It is located at Leavenworth and the
following are the officers: A. C. Dengler, Consul; W. W. Trew, Adviser;
Frank Ohlhausen, Clerk; Fred Lutgens, Banker; J. M. Murphy, Escort;
L. Miller, Watchman; R. C. Powers, Sentry; W. E. Ferry, L. Weingarth,
P. J. Feidler, Trustees.
Live Oak Camp No. 3322, Modern Woodman of America, was organ-
ized October 30, 1895. The first officers were: J. J. Hartnett, Consul;
Henry Dolde, Banker; Frank O'Kane, Clerk. Present officers are: Julius
Textor, Consul; Carl Hunnius, Banker; Joseph Schuelle, Clerk. Present
membership, 252. Thirty-nine claims have been paid, amounting to $72,-
000, since the lodge was organized.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 251
Other Lodges of Modern Woodman of America are as follows :
Camps Place Clerk Camps Place Clerk
6812— Basehor F. A. Hein 1181— Lansing W. R. Davis
3500— Boling W. Klinkenberg 561— Linwood T. W. Martin
3693— Easton W. P. Hall 3634— Lowemont__ John W. Roach
3581 — Fairmount E. A. Seegert 2310 — Tonganoxie J. C. Rumsey
3608— Kickapoo W. E. Oliphant
Easton Lodge No. 45, A. F. & A. M., was organized December 20, 1864,
with the following charter members: Robert A. Kelsey, E. K. Adamson,
T. Donohue and William Kelsey. The first officers were Robert A. Kelsey,
W. M. ; E. K. Adamson, S. W. ; William Kelsey, J. W. For many years the
lodge was held over the store building known as McGee Bros. The lodge
owned the upper story of the building. In 1915 the lodge bought the
building they now occupy and moved into it. The upper story is used for
a lodge room and the lower story for a confectionery and a store. There
is now a membership of Meetings are Saturdays on or before the
Full Moon.
The following are the present officers : Christian Sass, W. M. ; Walter
Borden, S. W.; Ed. Searles, J. W.; Lloyd Coberly, S. D.; Lee Sass, J. D.;
William Taylor, S. S.; Grover Fevurly, J. S.; Henry Gray, Tyler; Tom
Adamson, Secretary; Dean Erhart, Treasurer.
The Easton Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star No. 274 was char-
tered May 11, 1905, with the following charter members Anna Adams,
Ella Jones, Nellie Kelsey, Maggie Kelsey, Florence Kelsey, Mattie Kelsey,
Jessie Mitchell, May Oliphant, Norah Potter, Elva Smith, W. A. Adams,
Joseph P. Hall, Charles Jones, John Kelsey, James B. Kelsey, Chris Saas,
Fred Thornburg, James L. Oliphant, Oscar Potter, James Wilburn.
Germania Lodge No. 9, I. O. O. F., was organized July 24, 1859, with
the following charter members: F. W. Wood, C. A. Shinke, Christian
Beck, Phillip Kaler, and W. Itz. It had a membership in 1882 of 103
members.
Leavenworth Lodge No. 2, I. O. O. F., was organized March 9, 1855,
with the following charter members: Christian Beck, J. H. Blanchard,
Ryland Jones, John Shirley, W. A. Thompson and Samuel C. Weller. It
had a membership of 1882 of 118 members. There are now 210 members.
All the Odd Fellow lodges were consolidated into one lodge under the
name of Leavenworth Lodge No. 2, I. O. O. F., in 1920. They owned the
252 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
building at the southeast comer of Sixth and Shawnee street, but sold it
to James C. Davis in 1920.
The following are the present officers : John H. Dickey, N. G. ; George
C. True, Secretary ; Edward Butt, Financial Secretary ; John Keets, Deputy
Grand Master; E. C. Dresser; Trustees, J. B. Howell, Edward Butt and
Ike Swartz.
Leavenworth No. 22, K. of P., was installed August 24, 1878, with the
following officers: J. W. Wheeler, P. C. ; McCown Hunt, C. C.; L. E.
Wicks, V. C. ; S. Simmons, P. ; R. B. Cleghorn, M. of E. ; Joseph McDonald,
M. of F. ; E. T. Rees, K. of R. & S. ; T. W. Thomas, M. at A. ; W. P. Doerson,
I. G. ; W. D. Skinner, 0. G. This lodge has surrendered its charter and no
longer exists. *
Tonganoxie Lodge No. 125, K. of P., was organized May 2, 1885, with
the following charter members : A. M. Thistlewaite, John B. Moore, J. W.
Ratliff, William G. Singley, R. W. Myers, J. S. Grist, N. M. Grist, Frank
F. Stone, Charles Tholen, Jonathan Knight, William J. Carter, James M.
Phenicie, B. C. Stringfellow, R. F. Slaughter, Sr. Charles F. Milett is the
present K. of R. & S.
Graham Chapter No. 395, Eastern Star, was organized at Lansing
early in 1916. It was named after Mrs. Julia Graham who was at the
time a member of the Leavenworth chapter and desired to have one located
at Lansing, her home. Through her efforts a dispensation was granted
February 29, 1916. May 20, 1916, the Grand Matron appointed Past Grand
Matron Katharine S. Hughes to install the new officers and they were
duly installed June 8, 1916.
Rachel Chapter 0. E. S., Linwood, was organized in 1896. The seal,
records and all the paraphernalia were destroyed in the flood of 1903.
Afterwards it was reorganized and received a duplicate charter. It was
named after Rachel Passon of Lawrence, Kansas. The chapter was called
Martha Washington till the charter was received. They have 65 members.
Rinda Chapter 0. E. S., Tonganoxie, was organized at Tonganoxie in
December, 1899. Members from Ada Chapter of Lawrence instituted the
chapter. It was named Rinda after Rinda Chesney, Grand Secretary at
the time. In the following March they received their charter. There are
120 members.
Army Chapter No. 339, O. E. S., Ft. Leavenworth, was organized
May 10, 1910. It worked under dispensation till March 31, 1911. On May
II, 1911, a charter was received. The name "Maple Leaf" was originally
used and afterwards changed to the present name.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 253
The following were the first officers : Hulda C. Church, W. M. ; Mar-
tin W. Rose, W. P.; Charlotte Parish, Associate M. ; Ruth D. Timmons,
Secretary ; Sadie V. Smith, Treasurer ; Laura M. Corbett, Cond. ; Mary A.
Rose, Asso. Cond. ; Ethel Brown, Adah ; Clara Kalb, Ruth ; Helen Unthank,
Esther; Grace Weikamp, Martha; Lena Nodsle, Electa; L. V. Smith,
Warder; W. A. Weikamp, Sent.; Charles S. Timmons, Marshal; Albert
Kalb, Chap. ; John L. Corbett, Organist.
The chapter holds its meetings in the hall of Hancock Lodge No. 311.
The Women's Auxiliary of the American Legion was organized in
March, 1920. It is an outgrowth of the World War. It comprises mothers,
wives, sisters and daughters of those who were in the World War. These
noble women are helping the boys who were in the great struggle as best
they can in time of peace. The hospital needs are being looked after wher-
ever they may be found.
The Leavenworth Unit of the Byron H. Mehl Post have pledged sup-
port to those in the National Military Home. Visitations are made once a
month. Fruits, flowers and reading material are furnished. The follow-
ing are the officers of the Leavenworth Unit: • Mrs. Sherman Medill,
president ; Mrs. Grace Fisher Potter, secretary ; Mrs. George Pulsifer, vice-
president ; Mrs. May S. Coleman, treasurer ; Mrs. Frank Ricketson, auditor.
The Tonganoxie Auxiliary of Lester E. Hamil Post was organized in
March, 1921, and the following are officers: Mrs. J. L. Johnson, president;
Miss Thekla Farrell, vice-president; Mrs. B. A. C. Williams, secretary;
Miss Maude Dessery, treasurer; Miss Izola Farrell, auditor.
Kansas Federation of Women's Clubs. — To Mrs. C. H. Cushing, of
Leavenworth, and Mrs. May Tenny Gray, of Wyandotte, Kansas, is due
the honor of founding of the Kansas Federation of Women's Clubs.
On May 19, 1881, by invitation of Mrs. C. H. Cushing, of Leavenworth,
a meeting was held. Ladies from Topeka, Atchison, Lawrence, Wyan-
dotte, and Kansas City, Kansas, were in attendance. In all over one hun-
dred ladies responded to Mrs. Cushing's invitations and all met in the
parlors of the "Home of the Friendless". Mrs. Cushing acted as chair-
man of the meeting. Permanent officers were elected. The following
were elected as the first officers: President, Mrs. Mary F. Gray, Wyan-
dotte; Mrs. N. C. McFarland, Secretary, Topeka; Treasurer, Mrs. C. B.
Brace. Leavenworth; Committee of Constitution and By-Laws, Mesdames
Cushing, Hopkins, Scott, Brace, Leeper and Monroe. This organization
was known as the Social Science Club. It was known for twelve years by
254 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
this name. On May 3, 1895, the name of the organization was changed
to that of the Kansas State Social Science Federation. It was not until
1903 that the name was changed to that of the Kansas Federation of
Women's Clubs.
Mrs. R. R. Bittman, of Independence, Kansas, is at the present time
president of the Federation. Mrs. Sherman Medill, of Leavenworth, is
president of the First District of the Federation.
Through the efforts of the organization industrial training was intro-
duced in the Beloit School for Girls and Manual Training in the public
schools. A traveling arm gallery was started which was a success from
the first. A Scholarship Loan Fund feature has been added to the Fed-
eration by which girls finishing high school may borrow three hundred
dollars with which to finish their education, paying the money back after
they have secured positions and are earning money. A continuous cam-
paign in the interest of education in general has ever been waged by the
Federation.
At the present time the following Leavenworth County Clubs have
been federated : Leavenworth Art League, Catholic Literary Club, Lowell
Club, Glenwood Community Club, Lansing Community Club, Leavenworth
County Rural Life, Easton Improvement Club, Basehor Merry Matrons,
Kickapoo Woman's Club, Boling Community Club, Tonganoxie Civic
League, and Tonganoxie Reading Club.
The Leavenworth County Chautauqua Association was organized in
1913 with the following officers: Otto Wulfenkuhler, president; Otto
Rotherberger, secretary; Amos Wilson, treasurer; Rev. T. W. Harding,
platform manager.
Feeling the need of a better organization the citizens of Leavenworth
City and County obtained a charter in 1917 with eighty stockholders. A
set of by-laws were drawn up making the first Monday in October every
year the date of the regular meeting. The corporation is not one for profit
but for the purpose of securing a high class of educational entertainments
for the community. The programs were first given in the grand stand of
the old fair grounds, now the Shrine Park. The place was later changed
to the Court House Grounds just north of the building, in a large tent.
The program for the year 1921 will be given in the Sales Pavilion at
Seventh and Delaware. The programs have been given under the auspices
of Redpath-Horner Chautauqua and the contract calls for $1,500 for the
year 1921.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 255
The following are the officers and board of directors: Board of di-
rectors : Otto Wulfenkuhler, Clarence McGuire, J. W. Wright, F. R. Beery,
H. C. Feller, J. A. Searcy, C. H. Wentworth, A. J. Reno. Officers : Clar-
ence McGuire, president; C. H. Wentworth, first vice-president; F. R.
Beery, second vice-president; F. M. Potter, treasurer; Jesse A. Hall,
secretary.
Yeomen. — Sunflower Homestead No. 1393, Brotherhood of American
Yeomen, was organized in Leavenworth, Kansas, March 29, 1906, by Dis-
trict Managers West and West with fourteen members. The first officers
were as follows: Honorable Foreman, J. A. Downum; Master of Cere-
monies, E. E. Lanhan; Correspondent, Etta V. Downum; Master of Ac-
counts, Kate Harr; Chaplain, Mary Ludwig; Overseer, Charles Powell 1
Watchman, Frank Wormer; Sentinel, D. P. Chapman; Guard, Alva Adams;
Lady Rowena, Katherine Drowns ; Lady Rebecca, Katie A. Chapman.
The present officers of the organization are as follows: Honorable
Foreman, J. F. Casey; Master of Ceremonies, Thomas I. Fowler; Corre-
spondent, Etta V. Downum ; Master of Accounts, Dr. A. R. Adams ; Chap-
lain, Lillian Fowler ; Overseer, Roy E. Wells ; Watchman, James Connelly ;
Sentinel, Herman Levene; Guard, Earl Downing; Lady Rowena, Jennie
Biltz ; Lady Rebecca, Addie Ramey, and Musician, Myrtle Ledman.
J. A. Downum is first district manager of the organization and has
held the position for a number of years. Etta V. Downum has served
continuously as correspondent since the organization of the lodge. This
organization has a membership at the present time of about 600.
Knights of Columbus. — Leavenworth Council No. 900 of the Knights
of Columbus was organized and instituted in the city of Leavenworth,
May 30, 1904. A constitution and by-laws was adopted October 10, 1904.
The following were the charter members of the local organization at the
time of its institution in Leavenworth : Frank X. Aaron, Ed. R. Bannon,
J. J. Brown, Frank E. Carroll, Frank J. Dougherty, Edward T. Dicks,
James H. DeCoursey, Jacob L. Everhardy, Charles M. Fenning; Simon
Flynn, Arnold Frana, T. H. Hannon, Anton Hartwig, Joseph D. Hurley,
Frank J. Hurley, Michael P. Kearney, Charles M. Mullen, James McAu-
liffe, W. G. McLaughlin, John McLaughlin, M. J. McDonald, John McGuire,
Peter W. Nichola, William A. O'Kane, John J. Roche, Leo J. Roche, R. F.
Thayer, Joseph F. Wallace, J. P. Wallace, F. J. Wincheck, A. J. Wohlfrom,
J. F. Wohlfrom, Thomas E. Walsh, Simon Collins, Edward Carroll, George
M. Christ, Jr., M. J. Cunningham, A. E. Dempsey, L. A. Dougherty,
256 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Thomas E. Dougherty, E. E. DeCoursey, Rev. I. Eliselade, James H. Foley,
Rev. R. B. Groener, John J. Glynn, John J. Hartnett, William A. Hannon,
McCown Hunt, John Hannon, Thomas Jones, Rev. T. H. Kinsella, W. F.
Koel, Aloysius Meyers, M. B. Murray, Stance Meyers, William K. Miller,
M. S. McCarthy, Rev. Francis M. Orr, John J. O'Donnell, Patrick O'Brien,
Patrick F. Roche, W. B. Reilly, William B. Shaughnessy, and W. E.
Thomas.
The first officers chosen for the organization were as follows: Grand
Knight, J. D. Hurley; Deputy Grand Knight, J. J. Brown; Chancellor, Dr.
M. S. McCarthy; Recorder, James McAuliffe; Financial Secretary, Ed. R.
Bannon; Treasurer, Frank E. Carroll; Lecturer, John J. Hartnett; Advo-
cate, A. E. Dempsey ; Warden A. J. Wohlfrom ; Inside Guard, Arnold
Frana; Outside Guard, Charles M. Fanning; Chaplain, Rev. Francis M.
Orr; Medical Examiner, Dr. Joseph F. Wallace; Trustees, McCown Hunt,
Edward Carroll and John J. Roche.
The present officers of the organization are as follows : Grand Knight,
T. J. Cahill ; Deputy Grand Knight, J. J. O'Connell, Jr. ; Chancellor, George
Collins; Recorder, Raymond Thayer; Financial Secretary, J. P. Wallace;
Treasurer, Edward Keane; Lecturer, Edward Van Grino; Advocate, John
T. O'Keefe; Warden, Thomas L. Medill; Inside Guard, Joseph Hurley,
Jr. ; Outside Guard, George O'Donnell ; Chaplain, Rev. B. S. Kelly ; Medical
Examiner, Dr. J. L. Everhardy, and Trustees, A. F. Miller, A. E. Becker,
and J. C. Reick.
CHAPTER XIV
NATIONAL AND STATE INSTITUTIONS
NATIONAL, MILITARY HOME— UNITED STATES PENITENTIARY— STATE PENITEN-
TIARY.
The National Military Home. — By Act of Congress March 3, 1865, the
National Military and Naval Asylum for disabled officers and men of vol-
untary forces was established. It was located at Dayton, Ohio. Since
then branches have been established at various places over the country.
A movement was started in Leavenworth to secure a branch of the home.
S. F. Neely, ex-Gov. George T. Anthony, Gen. Chas. W. Blair and Hon.
Alexander Caldwell were the prime movers. A meeting was called at
which the following committee was chosen: J. B. Johnson, Maj. W. B.
Shockley, Thomas Ryan, Charles W. Blair, George T. Anthony and S. F.
Neely. This committee met with the Congressional representative at
the various places viewed and examined. Five states were after the prize.
Iowa offered $50,000 and Kansas delegation $50,000 and a section of land.
After careful deliberation the present site overlooking the Missouri River
was chosen. The Leavenworth branch was established by Act of Con-
gress March 7, 1877. The first disabled soldier was admitted September
1, 1885. Fifteen years later there were 4,000 veterans in the home.
Nearly all of these were Civil War veterans but in the early '90s there
were some from the Mexican War. Beginning a few years after the
Spanish-American War a few veterans from this war began to enter the
home. At present a large number of the World War soldiers are enter-
ing. So that the members now enrolled may be classified as follows:
Civil War, 1,811 ; Spanish-American War, 354 ; World War, 133 ; Mexican
Border War, 1 ; total number enrolled April 15, 1921, 2,299 ; total enrolled
since beginning of the home till June 30, 1920, 40,080.
(13)
258 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
There are some sixteen or more barracks, a large hospital, a hospital
for epileptics, a general mess hall, a library, administration building, a
theatre, a chapel, greenhouse, power plant, several fine residences for the
officials and other buildings. There is a fine lake to the south of the
hospital, at the east edge of which stands a band stand. Here the Soldiers
Home band plays during the summer months on Sunday afternoons. A
band stand also is located in front of the mess hall. A cannon is placed
near by and is fired every evening at sundown and during the lowering of
the flag. A more beautiful place for a soldiers' home probably could not
be found in this section of the United States. The governors of the home
to the present time are as follows : Col. Andrew J. Smith, Col. J. G. Row-
land, Col. S. G. Cooke.
United States Penitentiary. — June 10, 1898, Congress set aside 700
acres adjoining Leavenworth City for a site for a prison. Work was be-
gun on the present penitentiary during this year. Prison labor was used
in the construction of the walls and buildings. From 1895 to 1906 the
penitentiary occupied the military prison at the fort. In 1906 the United
States Penitentiary was moved to the present site. It is inclosed by a
wall about thirty feet high, built of stone. The west wing cell house is
under construction at the present time. The entrance to the prison is
on the south. A fine lawn extends to Metropolitan Avenue, and is planted
in shade trees and sodded in blue grass. The warden's residence is lo-
cated on the east side of the east driveway and the deputy warden's resi-
dence is located on the west side of the west driveway. Band concerts
are held on the lawn in the summer time and the music is furnished by a
band composed of prisoners. A small railway leads from the prison to
the hills on the west, over which stone is hauled from the quarry.
The prisoners are employed at various occupations inside, such as
carpentering, blacksmithing, stone cutting, brick making, building and
many other trades. Strict discipline is maintained within, although the
inmates are allowed many privileges at stated times. Baseball games
are played within the inclosure. When the Federal League had a team
in Kansas City an exhibition game was played between the Kansas City
team and a picked team from the prison and it proved to be an interesting
game, although the Kansas City team won by a handsome score. Many
amusements are provided for. the inmates. Picture shows are given in
the chapel at times. The writer recently attended an entertainment in
the chapel given by members of the prison. Among the numbers on the
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 259
program was a boxing exhibition between Jack Johnson, a former heavy-
weight champion pugilist, and three other members.
A school is maintained and is in charge of the chaplain. The Rev.
Harmon Allen is the present chaplain.
A prison cemetery is located to the west of the institution at the foot
of the hills and here are buried those who died while in prison and not
taken in charge by relatives.
The penitentiary was first in charge of Warden French. In 1895 R.
W. McClaughery became the warden and held this position till 1913, when
Thomas W. Morgan became the warden. In 1919 A. B. Anderson was
chosen warden and holds the position at the present time.
State Penitentiary. — The first move toward establishing a peniten-
tiary was February 11, 1858. A commission was appointed and the next
year John Ritchey, E. B. Prentiss and Fielding Johnson were selected
commissioners to erect and maintain a prison for Kansas. They were
given power to select a tract of land on which were good building stone
and erect temporary buildings for prisoners and officers. Twenty thou-
sand dollars was appropriated for the purpose of a prison building ade-
quate for twenty years. No action was taken immediately and the pris-
oners were kept in an inclosure at Lecompton and at the various county
jails. Later they were kept in the Leavenworth County jail.
In 1861 the Legislature passed an act authorizing the state prison to
be located in Leavenworth County. Governor Robinson appointed M. S.
Adams, C. S. Lambdin and Charles Starne commissioners as required by
law. In the fall of 1861 the commissioners selected the present site for
the prison. The land was purchased from Mr. Whitney for $600 and
the deed was executed November 25, 1861. No appropriation had been
made for locating the prison so the total sum to be met by the Legisla-
ture was given by the commissioners in their report as follows:
Expenses of the penitentiary for 1862 $4,271.29
Land for site with one year's interest 660.00
Expenses of locating same and service of commissioners 305.75
Total $5,237.04
The commissioners also recommended the employment of convicts in
the construction of the prison and pointed out that the judgment of the
courts was that they should be employed at hard labor and that there
was no labor they could perform while confined in a jail.
260 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
In 1863 the Legislature passed an act for the regulation of the peni-
tentiary and made an appropriation therefor. Under this act William
Dunlap, John Wilson and S. S. Ludlum were appointed directors of the
penitentiary, the term "commissioners" having been dropped. The di-
rectors visited the state prisons in New York, Michigan and Illinois, for
the purpose of obtaining views to be embodied in a penitentiary. They
found that Joliet, Illinois, the best and this one was followed as a model.
The Illinois prison was just nearing completion at the time. Erasmus
E. Carr was chosen architect May 22, 1863. He prepared plans on the
order of the Joliet prison and they were accepted.
The contract for the construction of the prison was awarded to John
McCarthy and Calvin Adams. They began work in the summer of 1864
and put in the foundation of the first wing, known as the north wing.
Owing to the conditions in Kansas growing out of the Civil War, work
was then stopped for two years.
In 1866 the contract was awarded to Flory and Caldwell for building
the penitentiary. The buildings were to be completed on or before Octo-
ber 1, 1867.
Before the building of the Federal Penitentiary, military and Federal
prisoners were kept at the State Prison. The Oklahoma prisoners were
also kept there for a number of years. The last of these were removed
to Oklahoma on January 31, 1909. Until 1909 contracts had been made
to furnish convict labor to private employers, but since then no more
contracts have been let.
The north wing cell house burned down on election day in November,
1917. It is now being rebuilt and the east wall of the wing is being
moved farther east so that more room is added. It is being rebuilt in
the most modem style with all the conveniences of up to date cells. The
dining hall was built in 1872. Over the dining hall is the chapel, where
services are held and entertainments furnished for the prisoners.
Amusements of various kinds are furnished. In summer there is
baseball and in winter are picture shows, boxing and wrestling. There
is a band which furnishes music inside and also plays at times during
good weather in front of the administration building. -
There are four departments of industry. The coal mine, twine plant,
brick plant and the farm. The state owns a part of Stigers Island in the
Missouri River and on this a large amount of farm products are raised.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 261
The State Industrial Farm is located on the prison farm overlooking
the Missouri River. It was established in 1918.
The records show that there are confined at the prison and at the
industrial farm on February 9, 1921, 1,026 prisoners.
The following wardens have served: J. L. Philbrick, Maj. Henry Hop-
kins, W. C. Jones, John H. Smith, George H. Case, S. W. Chase, J. B.
Lynch, H. S. Landis, J. B. Tomlinson, E. B. Jewett, W. H. Haskell, J. K.
Codding, J. D. Botkin, J. K. Codding.
CHAPTER XV
THE PRESS
"THE KANSAS HERALD"— "TERRITORIAL REGISTER"— "THE JOURNAL"— "YOUNG
AMERICA"— OTHER PIONEER NEWSPAPERS — LATER PUBLICATIONS— THE
LEAVENWORTH TIMES — THE LEAVENWORTH POST.
From the very inception of the city of Leavenworth as a city, the
newspaper industry has been one of the leading industries. Even before
there was a house in the city to shield the presses from the elements, a
paper was being published. An account of the publication of this first
paper in the city, "The Kansas Herald," will be found elsewhere in this
volume in more complete detail. The first publication was under the
management of Adams and Osborne and the paper was printed under the
shade of a large elm tree that stood near the foot of Cherokee Street
and Levee or Water Street. The date of this publication was September
15, 1856. This paper eventually passed into the hands of R. C. Satterlee
and several others. When Satterlee was shot and killed by Col. D. R.
Anthony, the paper suspended publication. It was later merged with
"The Inquirer," a publication of this city in those days but was totally
destroyed by a mob in October, 1861.
The next early day newspaper to begin publication in the city was
published under the name of the "Territorial Register." It was strongly
Free State and came quite early into disrepute in the eyes of the pro-
slavery element of the city and territory. It was owned and published by
a partnership known as Severe & Delahay. After a few months of exist-
ence the office was raided by Kickapoo Rangers and the presses and type
were thrown in the Missouri River.
Another early day paper was published under the name of "The
Journal." Col. S. S. Goode was the first editor of this publication. It
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 263
was an evening paper and owing to the bitterness displayed toward its
publication by the "Herald" interests, it was forced to quit publication
within a short time.
A paper named "Young America" was published for a short time by
George W. McLane. It had a tendency to be Free State and consequently
met with considerable resistance at the time of its publication. McLane
was registered on the attorney roll of the city of Leavenworth but there
is no record of his ever practicing law here. He was the auctioneer at
the sale of the first town lots sold in the city of Leavenworth, October
9, 1854. McLane left the city during the middle '60s and never after-
ward returned. His paper, "Young America," was published but a short
time and was finally merged with the "Daily Ledger."
The "Daily Ledger" was the first daily paper to begin publication in
the city of Leavenworth, in fact it was the first daily paper published
west of the Mississippi River at the time of its beginning publication,
September 1, 1857. Conditions at that time were not favorable to the
publication of a daily paper and the "Ledger" was forced to suspend pub-
lication in 1859.
"The Weekly Times," one of the foremost of the early day publica-
tions, began publication in the summer of 1857. The first editor of this
paper was Judge Robert Crozier, who for years held the position of judge
of the District Court here. The "Times" was at first owned by a stock
company. Eventually this paper began a daily publication, the first daily
being issued February 15, 1858. The ownership finally passed into the
hands of the late Col. D. R. Anthony, who published it until his death,
when it passed into the hands of D. R. Anthony, Jr., his son, the present
owner. For years this paper has ranked among the foremost of its kind,
occupying one of the strongest positions in the newspaper business in
the Middle West. The paper since it came in the hands of the Anthonys
has always been strongly Republican in policy and politics.
A paper named the "Kansas Zeitung" was started in the city of
Leavenworth during the year 1858 by Dr. Kopph. This was the first
German paper to be published in this city. In 1869 another German
paper was published by Major Haberlein under the name of the "Frie
Presse." This paper was published by Major Haberlein for a number of
years until his death, when the publication of it was taken up by his son.
"The Conservative," one of the foremost of early day Leavenworth
papers, was started by D. W. Wilder, who was also editor of the publica-
264 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
tion. Wilder continued the publication of the "Conservative" for some
time, eventually selling out his interests to Col. D. R. Anthony. About
this time Anthony also bought out a stock company's interests in the
publication known as the "Evening Bulletin," a Republican organ as well
as "The Conservative." Another publication known as the "Leavenworth
Commercial," which was published about this time by Prescott and Hume,
also passed into the hands of Col. Anthony. A paper that had been
published for a short time by J. C. Clark & Co., known as the "Evening
Call," suspended publication when the owners became interested in the
publication of the "Leavenworth Commercial," which as aforementioned
later passed into the hands of Col. D. R. Anthony.
Another early day paper that lived but a short time was published
by Emory & Co. and was known as the "Daily Appeal."
Among other papers that began publication in this city and met with
indifferent success were the "Home Record," "The Daily Public Press,"
"The Evening Commercial," "The Kansas Farmer," "The Cosmopolitan,"
"The Evening Ledger," "The Daily Standard," "The Daily Evening Press,"
"The Chronicle," "The Labor Review," "The Kansas Churchman," "The
Advertiser,'* "Western Life," "Leavenworth Post" and "Leavenworth
Times."
The "Home Record" was a small publication published in the city
here for a number of years in the interest of the "Home of the Friend-
less." It was a monthly journal and has long since suspended publi-
cation.
"The Daily Public Press" was a daily publication under the manager-
ship of F. J. Wendell and under the editorship of Dr. H. B. Horn. It
was published but a short time when it suspended publication.
H. Miles Moore, one of the pioneer citizens of the city Leavenworth,
was the editor of a publication for a short time known as the "Evening
Commercial." The publication was Democratic in politics and was forced
after a short time to suspend publication due to the lack of financial
On October 17, 1877, Frank Hall and J. W. Remington began the
publication of an evening paper known as the "Evening Ledger," Being
Democratic in politics it soon went the route of all early day Democratic
papers.
The "Kansas Farmer" was published here but a short time. It was
under the editorship of George T. Anthony, who afterward was elected
governor of the State of Kansas.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 265
-One of the strongest adventures in the way of a Democratic news-
paper in the city of Leavenworth was began here in 1870, when a publi-
cation known as the "Daily Standard" was begun. This publication was
under the managership of Frank T. Lynch and the editorship of ex-Sena-
tor Ross. It was owned by a syndicate of leading Democrats of this
city. After fighting the fight of a Democratic paper against heavy odds
for about twelve years it was finally consolidated with the "Daily Eve-
ning Press" and was issued as a morning paper. After this consolidation
Lynch became part owner and editor. Upon his death the paper was
gotten control of by Col. Anthony, who published it for a time as an
evening paper. Not succeeding in this, the publication was suspended.
"The Chronicle" was another Leavenworth paper owned and con-
trolled by a syndicate of Leavenworth men. It was under the editorship
of R. M. Ruggles and quickly became one of the leading publications of
this city. The majority of the stock in the concern, however, eventually
found its way into Col. Anthony's hands and when the publication became
involved to some extent, publication was suspended.
"The German Tribune" was a weekly publication for years pub-
lished in this city. It was originally owned and published by Capt. Met-
cham and enjoyed a very successful business under the captain and Sig
Kuraner, into whose hands it eventually passed. Publication was sus-
pended several years ago.
In 1902 George Davis started a publication known as the "Labor
Review." For a number of years it was under the editorship of J. F.
O'Conner. It was and still is devoted exclusively to the cause of labor.
"The Advertiser" was another newspaper adventure entered into by
Capt. Metcham, the first editor of the "German Tribune." Shortly after
its publication began it was purchased by Fred Jameson, who changed
its name to the "Western Life." Under the editorship of Jameson the
"Western Life" grew rapidly in favor with the people of this city and
county. The outgrowth of this publication was the "Leavenworth Post,"
a publication originally owned and controlled by Fred Jameson and Albert
T. Reid. The "Leavenworth Post," Leavenworth's evening paper at this
time, is owned and controlled by a stock company. Wallace F. Hovey is
at the present time editor and manager of the publication. It enjoys a
large circulation and stands well in rank with other evening papers in
the state.
266 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
"The Leavenworth Times," Leavenworth's morning paper of today,
ranks among the leading morning papers of the state. It is owned and
controlled by Congressman D. R. Anthony, Jr., and is one of the oldest
and most stable of local publications. It enjoys a very large circulation
and in politics has always been found to be one hundred per cent Republi-
can. James M. Mickey has for a number of years past been associated
with the publication of "The Times" in the capacity of associate editor,
while W. I. Biddle has acted as city editor of the publication.
A paper that should have been classified with the early day publica-
tions of Leavenworth County, that while it was only published for a short
length of time contributed materially to the keeping of all things pertain-
ing to the slavery question in an uproar, was the "Kansas Pioneer."
The "Pioneer" was published at Kickapoo, Kansas, one of the bitterest
rivals of the city of Leavenworth as well as Fort Leavenworth. The
first edition of the paper came out during the month of November, 1854.
A. B. Hazzard was for a while the sole owner, manager and editor of the
publication, which was radically pro-slavery. For a while a party named
Sexton associated himself with Sexton in the publication of the "Pioneer."
When it became evident to the editors that the fight of Kickapoo for the
county seat of Leavenworth was hopelessly lost and that Kickapoo City
was destined to a certain death, the publication of the "Pioneer" was
abandoned.
Among other papers now published in the county of Leavenworth is
the "Easton Transcript" and the "Tonganoxie Mirror." Both are weeklies
and enjoy a large circulation as well as remunerative patronage in the
way of advertising. The "Easton Transcript" is published in the city of
Easton, in Easton Township, Leavenworth County, Kansas. At the pres-
ent time Robert Stafford is the owner and editor. The "Transcript" is
practically the outgrowth of an early day Easton publication known as
the "Light of Liberty" and later as the "Easton Light." The first publi-
cation of the "Light" was dated July 26, 1895, and the original owners
and editors were M. L. and K. Lockwood.
CHAPTER XVI
MEDICAL PROFESSION
FIRST PHYSICIANS CAME WITH THE ARMY— FIRST ON THE TOWNSITE— EARLY
PHYSICIANS — KICKAPOO— OTHER SMALL. TOWNS— PROMINENT DOCTORS-
SANITARY COMMISSION ESTABLISHED— U. S. MILITARY HOSPITAL— OTHER
HOSPITALS— "MEDICAL HERALD"— PRESENT DAY PHYSICIANS.
The medical profession of Leavenworth County has a longer span
of activity than any other of the learned professions. The physician came
with the troops located at Cantonment Leavenworth, now Fort Leaven-
worth, in 1827. The first medical officer there was Assistant Surgeon
Clement A. Finlay, according to the information given by Maj. Howard
McC. Snyder, Medical Corps, United States Army, now post surgeon of
Fort Leavenworth. The physician has been active at the post in an un-
broken line of succession from 1827 to the present day. In 1854, when
Leavenworth City and Kickapoo were founded, Dr. G. Magruder and Dr.
Samuel Phillips were on duty at Fort Leavenworth. The first physician
of the new townsite of Leavenworth was Dr. Charles Leib, who had an
office in the "Big Tent" north of the elm tree at Levee and Cherokee
Street. Five physicians were included in the original Town Company.
Among them were Drs. Magruder, Samuel Philips and S. F. Few. The
latter was for a long time city physician in after years. Other early
physicians in Leavenworth were Drs. Dyer, W. S. Catterson, Levi Houston,
John Harvey Day, S. F. Norton, James Davis, J. M. Bodine and Tiffin Sinks.
Dr. H. B. Callahan located here in 1856, and after a temporary ab-
sence in Platte City, relocated in 1866. He died in his office in 1896.
The wonderful growth of Leavenworth spread afar and attracted the
following physicians, who permanently settled here in the years men-
tioned: Drs. M. S. Thomas, 1856; T. J. Weed, 1857; J. L. Weaver, 1859;
268 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
S. W. Jones, 1859 ; Margaret Burdell, 1861 ; John McCormick, 1862 ; A. C.
Van Duyn, 1865; J. W. Brock, 1865; W. B. Carpenter, 1866; J. J. Edic,
1869, and S. F. Neely, 1869.
The activity of these physicians is still remembered by many of the
present adult population of Leavenworth. When they became older their
work was continued by such men as Drs. D. W. Thomas, B. E. Fryer, L. K.
Hunter, W. J. Van Eman, J. A. Lane, W. W. Walter, W. R. Van Tuyl, D.
R. Phillips and R. F. Slaughter. From the foregoing, who have long since
ceased their labors, the present medical profession of Leavenworth County
has inherited a reputation of eminent skill and ability. They are grateful
to them for their heritage. They hold them aloft in their own esteem,
respect and veneration. In cherishing the memory of their success, sac-
rifices and arduous work for humanity, the Medical Association of today
is sensible of its duties to them and are resolved to uphold their high
ideals in promoting the progress of medical and surgical science.
Kickapoo, while it was contending with Leavenworth for supremacy,
numbered among its population Drs. D. A. Crane, H. B. C. Harris, Brown-
field and Hathaway. Dr. T. H. Hathaway came in 1878. As the rural
portion of the county was settled by the pioneers smaller towns also grew
up. Dr. T. G. V. Boling located in High Prairie Township in 1865. He
was a member of the Legislature for a number of years. He was joined
later in 1876 by Dr. James Hutchison. Dr. William B. Wood came to the
Springdale settlement in 1855 as a youth, and after graduation in 1875
practiced there. Dr. J. W. Warring has been in active practice at Lin-
wood since 1873. Dr. W. J. Van Eman started his professional career at
Tonganoxie in 1879 and moved to Leavenworth in 1881. He died ah un-
timely death from blood poison in 1901. Dr. R. F. Slaughter, of Tonga-
noxie, who died in March, 1921, dated back to 1873. Dr. T. C. Craig has
been at Easton since 1866 and is now retired. Lansing has had a number
of physicians temporarily located at the Kansas Penitentiary, one of whom
was Dr. George F. Neally, who became a permanent resident of Lansing
in 1883.
The outstanding historical character of the Leavenworth medical
profession is Dr. Samuel Phillips, who was a contract surgeon at Fort
Leavenworth before coming to Leavenworth in 1857, where his first office
was at the southeast comer of Fifth and Kickapoo streets. In 1855 he
volunteered to go to Fort Riley, where cholera was raging and where
Maj. E. 0. Ogden was constructing new buildings. Dr. Phillips has the
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 269
credit of checking the ravages of cholera at that post. On August 3,
1855, fifteen people died, among them Maj. Ogden. Dr. Phillips died
October 31, 1919, after serving three generations.
Dr. C. A. Logan was very prominent and successful in Leavenworth
until he gave up his practice to become minister to Chili. Prior to that
he was a member of the State Legislature. Dr. J. W. Brock succeeded
him in Leavenworth, and was active until he died, on November 26, 1900.
Dr. B. E. Fryer was an eminent specialist on the eye and ear. After
his retirement from army service he practiced in Kansas City, Missouri,
where he recently died, beloved and honored by all.
Col. C. F. Craig, of the Medical Corps at Fort Leavenworth, is an
accepted authority of international reputation on serology and malaria.
He is a prolific writer and has published several volumes on serology and
malaria. He is now on duty at the Army Medical Museum at Washing-
ton, District of Columbia.
The United States Sanitary Commission established in Leaven-
worth in 1861 a general supply depot of sanitary stores for hospitals and
armies west of Missouri. From here supplies were forwarded to the far
West and all points in Kansas as far south as Fort Scott. Material aid
was given to the needy at Westport after Price's raid in October, 1864.
In 1863 the United States Military Hospital was a frame structure
on the northeast corner of Third and Seneca streets. Dr. S. B. Davis
was the medical officer on duty.
St. John's Hospital was opened in 1864 as a general hospital by the
Sisters of Charity. It was enlarged in 1911 to its present capacity oft
seventy beds.
The City and County Hospital, on Shawnee Street west of Broadway,
was in charge of Dr. H. Buckmaster in 1866. The old poor farm was
abandoned in 1914, and its inmates transferred to the new County Hos-
pital, which was formerly the Kansas Orphan Asylum, and later the
Leavenworth Hospital.
The Homeopathic Free Dispensary was organized January 26, 1866,
and was located at 29 Shawnee Street. It was supported by a society
of citizens, and furnishes free medical advice and medicines to the poor.
It was attended by Dr. Martin Mayer. Office hour: 9 to 10 A. M.
In the early days Leavenworth was the medical center, as well as
the commercial metropolis of the West. The Leavenworth Medical and
Surgical Association was active from 1862 to 1865, with a membership
270 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
including Drs. Levi Houston, C. A. Logan, Tiffin Sinks, J. P. Earickson,
George E. Budington, A. Bowlby, 0. P. Barbour and others. The Leaven-
worth Medico-Chirurgical Society was organized April 14, 1865, with Dr.
0. P. Barbour president and Dr. W. B. Carpenter, secretary.
Four meetings of the Kansas State Medical Society have been held
in Leavenworth. Three Leavenworth physicians have held the office of
president of the society. A meeting of the state society will be held
whenever the hotel accommodations are adequate.
The Homeopathic Society of Kansas met in Leavenworth on April
14, 1869, with Dr. J. J. Edic as secretary.
"The Medical Herald," a quarterly, appeared June 1, 1867, and was
edited by Drs. C. A. Logan and Tiffin Sinks, later by Dr. J. W. Brock.
In 1859 there were in Leavenworth ten drug stores, four midwives
and thirty-five physicians; in 1868, ten drug stores, fifteen nurses and
forty-one physicians ; in 1921 there are thirteen drug stores, thirty nurses
and twenty-three physicians.
The county of Leavenworth is more hospitalized than any other in
Kansas, and is unique in the entire country in the variety of its hospitals.
The capacity of the hospitals is given as follows:
Cushing Hospital 30 beds
Elmwood Hospital 30 beds
Evergreen Hospital 50 beds
St. John's Hospital 70 beds
County Hospital 70 beds
Kansas Prison Hospital 16 beds
Kansas Industrial Farm 10 beds
National Military Home Hospital 525 beds
United States Disciplinary Barracks Hospital 150 beds
United States Prison Hospital 122 beds
United States Post Hospital 150 beds
The names of physicians of Leavenworth County, who are in active
practice, together with address and year of graduation, are as follows:
Easton: Clint A. Laffoon 1907
Basehor: James McCully 1915
Jarbalo: Edwin S. Wood 1896
Lansing: S. L. Axford 1902
J T. Faulkner 1903
Leo J. Swann 1908
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 271
Leavenworth: Alonzo R. Adams 1904
Wilbur A. Baker 1916
Charles E. Brown 1904
G. Ralph Combs 1902
P. W. Darrah 1898
J. L. Everhardy 1897
C. C. Goddard 1873
Frederic J. Haas 1907
S. N. Jackson 1894
Cyrus D. Lloyd 1898
J. H. Langworthy 1907
Charles J. McGee 1902
S. B. Langworthy 1887
Stewart McKee 1895
J. D. Miller 1898
C. M. Moates 1888
Frank M. Morrow 1905
James W. Risdon 1905
J. E. Skaggs 1915
Andrew J. Smith 1894
H. J. Stacey 1896
D. R. Sterrett 1907
A. L. Suwalsky 1901
C. K. Vaughn 1898
A. F. Yohe 1888
Linwood: H. E. Vannoy 1907
J. W. Warring 1873
Tonganoxie: Walter B. Coe 1896
National Military Home : Surgeon, A. W. Bartel ; assistant surgeons, A. S.
Stayer, O. A. Menges, F. C. Fuller, E. Raike, F. S. Yates and A. S.
McClain.
At Fort Leavenworth: Maj. Howard McC. Snyder is post surgeon; Maj.
Edgar King, of the Medical Corps, is in charge of the United States
Disciplinary Barracks Hospital; Lieut. Col. M. A. W. Shockley is on
duty at the Service Schools.
CHAPTER XVII
THE LEAVENWORTH COUNTY BAR
TERRITORIAL CODE OF PROCEDURE— JUDGES APPOINTED— JUDICIAL. DISTRICTS-
FIRST TERRITORIAL COURT AT LEAVEN WORTH— ATTORNEYS ADMITTED
It is no more than fitting that in a history of Leavenworth City and
County mention should be made of the various members of the county
bar. The major portion of these members once famed for their handling
of early day legal matters have long since died or removed to other cities.
When the Territory of Kansas was established and the Territorial Legisla-
ture had met and passed a code of procedure a system of courts was estab-
lished. Three judges were appointed and each had a certain district over
which they presided. The first judge to preside over the district of which
Leavenworth County was a part was Samuel D. LeCompte.
The clerk of the court was furnished with an attorney's roll book
which each practicing attorney having business before the court was re-
quired to sign. Not all of the attorneys who signed the roll were neces-
sarily residents of the city of Leavenworth, as there were some who from
time to time came before the local court to transact business who conse-
quently signed.
The first territorial court ever organized in the Territory of Kansas,
as well as in the county of Leavenworth, was organized in Leavenworth
City, April 16, 1855, and this court met in a room on the south side of
Delaware Street between Second and Third streets. S. D. LeCompte pre-
sided as judge. His district at that time comprised all of the territory
north of the Kansas River and east of the Blue River in the Territory
of Kansas.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 273
The names of the attorneys as they appear on the attorney roll in the
office of the clerk of the District Court, together with data relative -to their
enrollment as well as a short sketch of each is as follows:
John A. Halderman, April 19, 1855. One of the first county com-
missioners of the county of Leavenworth, having been appointed probate
judge by the territorial governor of Kansas and ex-officio county commis-
sioner. Mr. Halderman was for a number of years associated in the prac-
tice of law with W. S. Stanley under the firm name of Halderman & Stanley.
Volunteered his services during the Civil War and was commissioned major.
Afterward promoted to rank of brigadier-general. Subsequent to war was
appointed United States minister to Siam.
Richard R. Rees is the second name found on the attorney's roll. Mr.
Rees came to Leavenworth during the early '50s. He was a member of
one of the oldest and most highly respected families of the city. He was
elected in 1855 as one of the members of the territorial council. Judge
Rees was associated in early days quite strongly with the pro-slavery ele-
ment of the city and county. After serving in the Legislature he was
elected probate judge of Leavenworth County and later as justice of the
peace, which offices he held for a number of years successively. Subse-
quent to this Judge Rees practiced his profession in the city successfully
for a number of years.
The name of D. J. Johnson is third found upon the attorney roll. Col.
Johnson, as he was sometimes referred to, was a native Georgian. He
came to the city of Leavenworth in the fall of the year 1854 and estab-
lished himself in the practice of law, building up a very lucrative practice.
For a time he was associated with James M. Lysle in his practice.
Aulay McCauley, the fourth attorney to be entered on the roll, is re-
ported not to have engaged in the practice of law so much as that of specu-
lating in real estate in those early days. He laid out and had platted sev-
eral additions to the city and took an active interest in the civic develop-
ment in every way.
James M. Lysle, the fifth attorney registered, was a southerner and
took an active interest in early day politics, always aligning himself with
the pro-slavery interests. His feelings ran very bitter against all Free-
State men and his utterances and demeanor generally kept him in trouble.
He was killed, being stabbed to death, in an election fight in 1855, by Wil-
liam Haller, an election clerk, after Lysle and a number of others had tried
to break up the polling place in the Second Ward. Haller was never tried
for the crime, it being evident that he acted in self-defense.
(14)
274 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
D. A. N. Grover appears to have been the sixth to register as an at-
torney in the county. Grover resided with his father near the city of
Kickapoo, where his father was an Indian missionary. When the squatters
of the territory held their meeting- at Rively's store in Salt Creek Valley,
June 10, 1854, Grover was selected as recorder of claims on the Kickapoo
and Delaware lands.
David Dodge is registered as the seventh attoi*ney.
The eighth lawyer registered on the local attorney roll was B. H.
Twombly, who resided on a farm near the city of Old Delaware.
The ninth name to appear on the attorney roll is that of Cole McCrea.
In his valued work, "Early History of Leavenworth City and County," H.
Miles Moore intimates that there was no real reason ever became apparent
for the name being placed there. On April 30, 1855, McCrea and Malcolm
Clark, then marshal of the county, engaged in an altercation at a squatter's
meeting, which resulted in the killing of Clark at the hands of McCrea.
The name of Charles H. Grover appears tenth on the attorney roll.
Mr. Grover was a brother of D. A. N. Grover heretofore mentioned. Mr.
Grover, too, lived in Salt Creek Valley. Among other distinctions Mr.
Grover had the honor of being elected the first county attorney.
Amos Rees was for a number of years an attorney in Platte City,
Missouri. He was a member of the Leavenworth Town Company and took
an active part in politics in the city's early days. For a number of years
Mr. Rees was one of the city's and county's foremost attorneys.
Peter J. Abell, the twelfth name to appear on the roll of attorneys,
was a resident of Weston, Missouri.
John Doniphan, the thirteenth attorney, also practiced law in Weston,
Missouri, before coming here. Later he moved to St. Joseph, Missouri,
where he was for years one of the most successful and prosperous attor-
neys. He was a nephew of Col. Doniphan.
C. F. Burns, the fourteenth attorney, practiced law in Weston, Mis-
souri, before coming here.
W. B. Almond was the fifteenth attorney to register for practice. Be-
fore coming here he had served as district judge of Platte district in Mis-
souri. He practiced here but a short time and later removed to San
Francisco, California.
William G. Mathias came here from Maryland in 1854. He was elected
a member of the House of Representatives from Leavenworth County to
the first Territorial Legislature in 1855.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 275
Marens J. Parrot came from Ohio. In later years he removed back
to Dayton, Ohio, where he died.
J. Marion Alexander came to Leavenworth in 1854 from Pennsylvania.
After the Civil War he went to Florida.
William Wier, Jr., practiced successfully for several years. He raised
a regiment of volunteers during the Civil War and was commissioned
colonel.
William Phillips, the twenty-first name on the list, came to Leaven-
worth in 1854 from Ohio. He was a very active Free State man and
was soon classified as a bitter enemy of the pro-slavery classes. The pro-
slavery element several times ordered him to leave the city. On Septem-
ber 1, 1856, he was shot and killed by a mob of pro-slavery fanatics.
C. F. Barnard, the twenty-second attorney to appear on the roll,
never practiced much before the local courts.
Benjamin F. Simmons, the twenty-third attorney, came here from
Virginia. He was an ardent pro-slavery man and shortly after it became
apparent that the territory was distined to be Free State he moved away
Samuel Formly appears to have been the twenty-fourth to sign the
roll.
M. L. Truesdell came from Ohio and was an ardent Free State man.
Jeremiah Clark was the twenty-sixth party to register. He had been
appointed deputy marshal of the court by Judge Samuel D. LeCompte.
H. P. Johnson came from Ohio. He was an ardent pro-slavery advo-
cate and he with others, interested parties of pro-slavery inclination in the
building of the old Planters' Hotel. When the Civil War broke out John-
son joined the Union Army and was commissioned a colonel by Gov. Rob-
inson. He was killed in the battle of Morristown.
M. W. Delahay came in 1854 from Illinois. He was an ardent Free
State man and very early began the publication of a Free State paper
known as the "Kansas Territorial Register," which came into much dis-
favor in the sight of the pro-slavery element. During Delahay's absence
from the city on one occasion a number of Kickapoo Rangers came to the
city and raided the "Register's" place of business, confiscating all type
and printing machines which they threw into the Missouri River. After
this the paper was never re-established or published. Upon Lincoln's
taking his office of President he appointed Delahay to the office of judge
of the United States District Court for the District of Kansas.
Thomas Shanklin came 'to Leavenworth in 1855.
276 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
H. Miles Moore, next to register as a practicing attorney, came to
Leavenworth from Weston, Missouri, in 1854. Mr. Moore was a Free
State man and took an active part in early day politics in the territory.
He was admitted to the bar in New York and later removed to Weston.
He took an active part in the organization of the Leavenworth Town
Company and was a member and officer in the same. The first squatter
trial ever held in the territory of Kansas was held at Salt Creek Valley
and Judge Moore was one of the attorneys in the same. During the
latter years of his life he wrote a very authentic work in the way of a
history of the early days of Leavenworth City and County.
G. W. Gardner came to the city in 1854. He later moved from here
to Colorado.
Solomon P. McCurdy was never a resident of the city or county.
William H. Miller came to Leavenworth County from Virginia in
1855. He returned to Virginia and enlisted in the Confederate Army.
H. T. Green was a native of Missouri and came to Leavenworth
County in 1855. 'When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in an or-
ganization to suppress the threatened Price raid.
Thomas C. Shoemaker came from Illinois in 1854. His first work
here was as an appointee of President Pierce as register of the first land
office in the territory. He was an ardent Free State man. He was subse-
quently murdered by a mob of pro-slavery fanatics.
John I. Moore, a practicing attorney from St. Joseph, Missouri, came
to the county in the year 1855 and remained here until the Civil War,
when he removed to Salt Lake, Utah.
G. W. Purkins came in 1855 from Virginia. He ranked as one of
the ablest attorneys at the bar in these days and while a man of pro-
slavery tendencies and belief he was broad minded enough to take no
offense with those who differed with him in his political belief. He after
several years' successful practice in this city removed to Denver, Colorado.
George W. McLane appears to have been the next to enroll as an
attorney.
B. F. Stringfellow practiced in Weston, removing from there to
Atchison, Kansas. It was he and other radical pro-slavery leaders who
organized the various "Blue Lodges" and "Defense Associations" which
came over from Missouri in early days and tried to control elections.
Edward Young, a young Kentuckian, stayed here and practiced but
a very short time.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 277
James Hadley was a practicing attorney of Atchison, Kansas.
Henry Tutt is the next name found registered.
James Christian, a law partner of James H. Lane at Lawrence, Kan-
sas, practiced successfully before the local courts for a number of years.
W. M. Patterson is the next name.
A. G. Otis, a member of the firm of Otis & Glack, of Atchison, Kan-
sas, was never a resident here.
J. P. Kichardson practiced law but very little.
Lorenzo Bird came to Leavenworth in 1854. He was a member of
the Leavenworth Town Company.
H. H. Hutchison was the next to enroll.
L. F. Hollingsworth resided in the county south of town.
Joseph P. Carr was a resident of Atchison, Kansas.
John Wilson came from Platte City, Missouri, in 1856. He occupied
a high place in the rank of local attorneys from the first.
Josiah Kellog came to Leavenworth in 1855.
Marshall P. Taylor never practiced much.
Burrell B. Taylor, of Kentucky, came here in 1855. For a time he
was editor of the "Leavenworth Herald."
Robert P. Clark resided at Platte City, Missouri, before coming to
this city.
William Perry practiced successfully here for a number of years.
S. S. Goode was an ardent pro-slavery man. For several years edited
"The Journal."
Reece Paynter came here from Missouri in 1856.
D. S. Boling practiced but little here.
Daniel L. Henry was a resident of Missouri and a strong pro-slavery/
man.
B. M. Hughes resided at St. Joseph, Missouri. He was later elected
governor of Colorado.
R. C. Foster, Jr., came from Platte County, Missouri, and formed a
partnership with H. T. Green. Foster practiced in the city for several
years very successfully and later moved to Texas, where he was counsel
for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway.
E. M. Mackemer was another practicing attorney.
David M. Smith did but little in the way of practicing law.
Lewis Ramage was a practicing attorney of Weston, Missouri.
H. B. Branch was a St. Joseph, Missouri, attorney.
278 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
William McKay resided here for a number of years.
0. B. Holman came from Wisconsin and was very successful.
William M. McMeath was the next attorney to register.
Ferdinand J. McCann is the next member enrolled.
Henry J. Adams came to this city from New York in 1857. At the
outbreak of the war he joined the Union forces and was appointed pay-
master by President Lincoln.
Henry W. Ide came to this city in 1857 from Wisconsin. He was a
very able attorney and was elected judge of the district court here and
held this position for four successive terms.
Albert Perry was the next attorney.
John W. Henry came from Weston, Missouri, in 1857.
E. Magruder Lowe was from Virginia.
Clifton Hellen came from Washington, District of Columbia.
Samuel A. Young was a prominent Missouri attorney.
J. W. Whitfield was the first delegate to Congress to be elected from
the Territory of Kansas. He was a Georgian and pro-slavery in politics.
A. E. Mayhew was never a resident lawyer.
James H. Lane was never a resident of the county. His home was
in Lawrence. At the time of his suicide on the military reservation north
of the city he was United States Senator.
Albert Weed was but little known.
John C. Douglas came to Leavenworth County in the early '50s, and
was one of the early attorneys who began practicing in this city and re-
mained here engaged in the practice during his lifetime.
William Scott Brown enrolled April 29, 1857.
Guernsey Sackett enrolled April 30, 1857.
Van B. Young enrolled May 10, 1857.
Willard P. Gamble came to this county during the middle fifties from
Michigan. He was early associated with M. S. Adams, the partnership
being one of the strongest in the city. He served as a member of the Leg-
islature from the city in 1868.
David W. Guensey never engaged actively in practice.
John L. Pendery came in 1857 from Cincinnati, Ohio.
S. W. Johnstone came to Kansas in 1854 from Ohio. He had been
appointed as a territorial judge by President Pierce and assigned to the
western district. After serving for a period of three years he resigned
the judgeship and took up a residence in Leavenworth and became asso-
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 279
dated with the law firm of Johnstone, Stinson and Havens. Later he
removed to Washington, D. C.
John E. Pitt was a practicing lawyer of Platte City, Missouri.
0. Diefendorf came here from Illinois. He was at one time associ-
ated in practice of law with Stephen A. Douglas and later with H. Miles
Moore.
J. B. Chapman was never a resident of this city or county.
James McCahan was one of the most successful attorneys in Leaven-
worth in the early days.
Col. John P. Slough came to this city from Ohio in 1857. He returned
to Ohio and joined the Union army. He was appointed governor of the
territory of New Mexico by President Lincoln.
William Franklin was never a resident of this city or county.
William Stanley came to this city in 1857 from Kentucky. Shortly
after arriving here he entered into a partnership with John A. Halderson
in the practice of law. When the Civil War began he enlisted together
with the greater majority of a company of men which he had organized
in this city known as the "Shields Guards", in the Union Army. After
the war he studied for the ministry and in due time became a Christian
minister.
William H. Cole practiced but little here, if any.
Jerome B. Conklin practiced but little.
M. S. Adams came to Leavenworth in 1857 from Connecticut. Mr.
Adams was a very able attorney and practiced successfully for a number
of years.
William Kemp, Jr., was at one time associated in the publishing of
the "Leavenworth Times" in early days.
Jackson Smith registered September 19, 1857.
Claudius McGiven, registered September 22, 1857, Robert H. Shan-
non, registered September 25, 1857, and William C. Prest registered the
same date.
Franklin G. Adams was a brother of Henry J. Adams.
George S. Withers enrolled October 7, 1857.
J. A. Burton was next to enroll.
A. W. McCauslen enrolled November 7, 1857.
Warren Woodson enrolled February 2, 1858.
Alex. Paddock signed the attorney roll April 13, 1858.
Henry Tinsmede signed April 14, 1858.
280 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Joseph E. Merryman, of Platte City, Missouri, was very widely known.
James Taylor came to Leavenworth in 1857 from New York.
Walter N. Allen was admitted to the bar after coming here from Ken-
tucky in 1858.
A. M. Sawyer enjoyed a large practice here for a number of years.
J. S. Kalloch enrolled April 17, 1858. For a time here he was minister
to the Baptist Church, and later moved to Ottawa, Kansas, where he
became interested in the publication of a newspaper there.
S. A. Stinson came to Leavenworth in 1858 from Maine. He was one
of the most brilliant young attorneys the city ever had.
John Gill Spivey practiced successfully here for a number of years.
Fox Diefendorf came here comfortably fixed in the way of the world's
goods and devoted but little time to the practice of his profession.
C. B. Trowbridge was devoted to real estate speculating.
E. N. 0. Clough, the next name to appear on the attorney roll, came
here from Parkville, Missouri, in 1858. With the outbreak of the Civil
War he enlisted in the Union Army where he was later elected to several
positions of honor and trust by his many friends.
E. Joyce Smithers and L. B. Hamilton practiced for only a limited
time.
R. Crozier came to this county in 1857 and was interested in the pub-
lication of the "Leavenworth Times". He was appointed United States
District Attorney for the district of Kansas by President Lincoln. He
also served three terms as Judge of the District Court of the First Judi-
cial District of Kansas.
William Simpson, J. K. S. Burbridge, William D. Wood, J. H. Bennett,
D. C. Allen, F. T. Goodrich, F. T. Logan did not reside here.
Frederick Swoyer, Benjamin Wigley and Alfred Gray were never
residents of the city or county.
E. F. Havens practiced successfully here for a number of years, yet
died young.
Alonzo F. Callahan came to Leavenworth County from Ohio, in 1858.
J. C. Hemingway came from Kentucky.
J. F. Broadhead, George W. Still and Barzills Gray next appear.
The next five attorneys to appear on the roll are: P. Sidney Post,
Charles H. Bargh, D. H. Hailey, William S. White, and W. R. Kickpatrick.
John C. Tarr came here from Virginia.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 281
D. S. Johns, S. H. Glenn, Ira P. Ballen, Edwin S. Grant, Othello I.
Flagg, L. S. Mager and William H. Ruell were registered attorneys.
The names of the attorneys as heretofore set out were all subscribed
to the attorney's roll previous to the admission of Kansas as a state.
After the admission of Kansas as a state the first name to appear on the
roll is that of Samuel D. Lecompte. Lecompte, after leaving the bench
as judge of the First Judicial District of the territory of Kansas, opened
an office here. He associated with him in the practice William G. Mathias
and Lewis Burns. He practiced here for several years and then returned
to the East where he spent the latter part of his days.
D. J. Brewer whose name follows that of Judge Lecompte's on the
attorney roll came to this city from New York. His first legal association
here was with the law firm of Johnstone, Stinson & Havens. Later he
formed a partnership with P. B. Hathaway under the firm name of Brewer
& Hathaway. Shortly afterward he was appointed United States Commis-
sioner. Later he was elected county attorney, then probate judge, and
still later judge of the district court. He also held the office of county
superintendent of schools here at one time.
Judge Brewer's rise was rather rapid from the very inception. From
the district bench he was elected one of the judges of the supreme court
of the state of Kansas. Later when there was a vancancy on the bench of
the United States Circuit Courts he was appointed by the President. From
this position he advanced in a few years to a Justice of the Supreme Court
of the United States, being appointed December 18, 1889. He died in
Washington, D. C, March 28, 1910.
R. H. Housley, for a time identified with the law office of Clough &
Wheat, devoted more of his attention to farming than to his practice.
Thomas P. Fenlon came to this county in 1859 from Pennsylvania,
and took a high rank as a criminal lawyer: He served several terms in
the State Legislature. He was a Democrat and was one of the leaders
of his party.
Samuel S. Ludlam came to this county in 1859 from Michigan. He
early deserted the practice of law and entered into newspaper work.
F. P. Fitzwilliam was one of the foremost attorneys in the city for
a number of years.
Lysander B. Wheat was another attorney who early forced his way
to the very pinnacle of his profession in this city and went to make up
that legal coterie which gave to Leavenworth County one of the most for-
282 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
midable of bars. He came to this county in 1859 and for a time was asso-
ciated in the practice with William McNeil Clough.
Owen A. Bassett lived at Lawrence, Kansas, where he was district
judge.
John M. Case came to this county in 1859 from Wisconsin. He prac-
ticed here until about the time of the Civil War when he returned to
Wisconsin.
R. P. C. Wilson, before coming here, resided in Platte City, Missouri.
He early associated himself with A. J. Jacobs.
George W. DcCosta practiced here but a very short time and then
moved to the West.
T. A. Hurd shed light and brilliancy upon the Leavenworth Bar. He
came here in 1859 from New York. He was associated with H. Miles
Moore. During Governor Glick's administration he was appointed to the
Supreme Court of the State of Kansas. Judge Hurd enjoyed a large and
successful practice here during his lifetime as an attorney.
N. H. Wood was also from Wisconsin.
John P. Mitchell was a resident of the city for a number of years.
W. W. Gallagher was for a time associated with the firm of Delahay,
Dugger & Gallagher.
P. P. Hathaway practiced quite extensively here for several years.
He was identified with David J. Brewer for some time.
W. S. Carroll came to this county in 1859, and eventually moved to
Wyandotte County.
E. Stillings, another of the more noted of early day lawyers, came
from Ohio at an early date and formed a law partnership with Thomas
Fenlon, and later with Judge Hurd.
Hiram Griswold came from Ohio. For a time he was associated in
the practice of law with Z. E. Britton.
William McNeil Clough came here from Platte County, Missouri.
Charles W. Lowrie never practiced.
George H. Hoyt, Z. E. Britton and D. B. Halderman registered but
never practiced.
William C. McDowell, from Ohio, enjoyed a large and successful prac-
tice here for a number of years and was eventually elected judge of the
District court of this county. He met death through an accident in St.
Louis, Missouri.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 283
Lewis Burns was a resident of Weston, Missouri, before coming
here. When Kansas was admitted as a territory Burns came here from
Weston and proceeded to take up a large tract of land in Salt Creek Val-
ley. At one time he was a member of the law partnership known as
Lecompte, Mathias & Burns. He later moved to St. Joseph, Missouri, and
entered the newspaper business.
L. M. Goddard took a leading part in the affairs of the city and was
elected county attorney for several years. Mr. Goddard removed from
here to Colorado and was elected one of the judges of the Supreme Court
of that state.
Hector D. Mackey devoted his time to the insurance and real estate
business.
James S. Jelly came from Indiana and practiced very successfully
until about the time of the outbreak of the Civil War when he returned
to his home in Indiana.
George H. English was a very clever attorney and gentleman and
practiced here for a number of years but when Kansas City gave evi-
dence of developing into a city he moved there.
Charles W. Helm came from Virginia. He was a very successful
practitioner while here. He remained in this city until about the time of
the Civil War when he moved to Texas.
Henry M. Burligh was a resident of the city here but did not practice
on an extensive scale or for long.
Joseph W. Taylor occupied a very prominent place among the early
day attorneys, and his active interest in politics secured his election to
the State Legislature several terms as well as county attorney. He
removed to Colorado.
Byron Sherry served one term as judge of the Leavenworth County
Criminal Court and later went to Kansas City.
James Ketner occupied a very high position in the legal profession
here for a number of years and served two terms as probate judge. He
later removed to Junction City, Kansas.
Nicholas Smith came from Kentucky at an early date. After the
death of his wife he removed to New York where he became associated
with Horace Greeley in the publication of the New York Tribune.
Isaac E. Eaton was another Ohio attorney to come to this state. He
was an active Democrat and quite a leader.
284 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Newton Mann came to this state shortly after its organization. He
was elected twice as probate judge of the county and together with his
brother Nathan Mann who was associated with him in the practice of law.
Among the most famous of early day attorneys to practice law in
this city was William T. Sherman of Civil War fame. Sherman came to
this city in 1858 and soon engaged in the practice of law, associating him-
self in partnership with Hugh Ewings and Dan McCook. Sherman, while
associated with a formidable firm of attorneys here, never gave a great
deal of his time to the practice of law. Shortly before the outbreak of the
Civil War Sherman removed to Louisiana. It was from that place that
he entered the army upon the outbreak of the war.
Thomas Ewings, Jr., another famous early day lawyer, was associ-
ated with William Sherman in the practice here. He was elected as the
first chief justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Kansas. When
the war broke out he was commissioned a colonel of a company which he
had raised. He rose from this rank to that of Brigadier-General. It was
he that during the war issued the famous "Order No. 11" which was aimed
at the destruction of Missouri Guerillas. After the war Ewings returned
to his home in Ohio and still later went to New York where he engaged in
the practice of law.
Hugh Ewings was another member of the famous early day legal
firm of Sherman, Ewings & McCook. Most of Mr. Ewings' time was
taken up in real estate business rather than the practice of law. He like
other members of this famous legal firm proceeded to get connected quite
early with military affairs upon the outbreak of the war, he returned td
Ohio and raised a regiment of volunteers for the Union Army. He was
appointed colonel of this regiment and from this rank rose during the war
to that of Major General. He held the position of United States Minister
to The Hague.
Dan McCook, the other member of the firm of Sherman, Ewings &
McCook, came here originally from Ohio during territorial days. He was
a very brilliant young attorney and the partnership was a noted one of
those days. McCook was a member of the famous "Shields Guards" of
this city in those days and at the time of the outbreak of the war this
famous partnership dissolved and McCook returned to his home in Ohio
where he assisted in raising a regiment for the Union Army and received
a commission of colonel. From this he rose, like his three associates, to
the rank of General during the war. He was wounded in battle during the
war from which he eventually died.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 285
James F. Legate, whose name appears next on the attorney roll,
came to Kansas in the early fifties from the State of Massachusetts. He
was a very active Free State man and took an unusual amount of interest
in early day politics. Insofar as the practice of law is concerned, Legate
devoted but little of his time to it before the local courts. He liver, upon
first coming to the state, at Lawrence, Kansas. Mr. Legate held numerous
positions of honor and trust during his lifetime which were given him by
his numerous friends and constituents.
L. G. Hopkins came here in 1868 from New York State where he had
been engaged for several years in the practice of law. He practiced here
until he died. During his latter years, especially, he devoted most of his
time to abstract work. His son, Edgar Hopkins, at present carries on the
abstract business.
J. D. Shafer was another attorney of the late sixties and early seven-
ties who practiced here. He came from Pennsylvania and arrived here
April 2, 1867. He practiced here successfully for a number of years.
H. N. Pendery, the next attorney, was a son of John L. Pendery, also
an early day attorney. He was born in Cincinnati and was a graduate of
Harvard University. He practiced here for a number of years.
William Green came to Leavenworth with his parents in 1854. His
father, Henry T. Green, was also an early day attorney who early gave
up the practice of law and retired to his farm in the vicinity of Delaware
City. William studied law and practiced here for some time.
E. L. Carney was the son of Governor Carney, second governor of the
State of Kansas. Ed. Carney, as he was known, was born in Kenton
County, Ohio, and came here at an early date. He practiced here for
some time after his admission to the bar.
Vinton Stillings came to Kansas in 1863 with his parents in 1863.
His father, E. Stillings, was one of the early attorneys of the county.
Vinton Stillings practiced here for several years.
W. C. Hook was born in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, September 24,
1857. He practiced in this city from 1878 until 1899. In 1899 he was
chosen United States District Judge for the District of Kansas and held
this position until 1903 when he was appointed judge of the United States
Circuit Court for the 8th judicial circuit, which position he still holds.
Henry Woolman was a son of Jonas Woolman, a prominent early day
citizen of this city. He practiced here for a number of years.
Laurens Hawn was born at Weston, Missouri, and came to this city
with his parents in 1860. He later graduated from Cornell University
286 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
and began the practice of law here in the year 1878. For a number of
years he held the office of Probate Judge in this county. His practice at
the present time is confined exclusively to his office.
M. L. Hacker came here from Kentucky in 1871. He practiced here
for some time. He held, during his lifetime, numerous positions of trust,
being at one time mayor of the city.
J. P. Stinson came from Maine. He was a graduate of Yale Univer-
sity and practiced here during the eighties and early nineties. He finally
removed to Boston, Massachusetts, where he died.
C. P. Rutherford was born in Meigs County, Ohio, November 13,
1847. He was a graduate of Atwood College, Albany, New York, and
came to Kansas in 1881, locating at Leavenworth. His first office in the
city was with Lucien Baker. He has served as county attorney and as city
attorney of the city of Leavenworth. He is still active.
Henry F. Misselwitz practiced here during the eighties for awhile.
Lysander B. Wheat was the son of Lysander B. Wheat, a prominent
early day citizen of this city. For years he took an active interest in the
welfare of the city. He held numerous positions of trust during his life-
time here and was for years the city's foremost criminal attorney.
John H. Atwood's name is next to appear on the attorney roll. He
was born in Phillipston, Massachusetts, and was a son of Andrew and
Mary E. Atwood. His legal education was obtained at Harvard Univer-
sity where he graduated in 1884. He then came to Leavenworth where he
engaged in the practice of law from 1884 until 1908 when he removed to
Kansas City, Missouri, to engage in the practice there, being at the pres-
ent time connected with the law firm of Atwood, Wickersham, Hall &
Popham.
During his practice here, Mr. Atwood ranked as one of the city's
most brilliant attorneys. He took an active interest in Democratic poli-
tics. He served as County Attorney of Leavenworth County from 1886
to 1892. During the World War he was sent to France on a special mis-
sion and while there traversed the entire Western battle front.
Samuel C. Wheat, the next attorney to register for practice in this
city and county, was the son of Samuel Wheat. He was at one time rated
as Leavenworth's most brilliant attorney. He was associated for years
here in the practice of law with his father.
J. H. Wendorff, for several years before taking up the practice of
law in this county, taught in the county schools. He served four years as
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 287
county attorney of Leavenworth County and for the past twelve or four-
teen years has been judge of the first judicial district of the State of
Kansas which is composed of Leavenworth County.
T. W. Bell registered December 7, 1886. He has for years been one
of the leading colored attorneys of this city.
Joseph Combs registered for practice before the local court Septem-
ber 19, 1887. He never practiced here to any extent.
William E. Goss, the next attorney on the roll, registered October 15,
1887. He practiced here but very little.
C. S. Kinney, whose name appears next on the attorney roll, regis-
tered for practice before the local courts. He practiced in this city but a
short time.
W. W. Hooper subscribed his name to the roll September 26, 1888.
Mr. Hooper came here from Nebraska and his legal education was obtained
in the office of Vinton Stillings and at Ann Arbor, Michigan. For a num-
ber of years before taking up the study of law, Mr. Hooper was employed
in the city here as a telegraph operator and station agent. While he has
always taken an active interest in public affairs, Mr. Hooper has never
held a public office with the exception of being a member of the local school
board.
Wilson G. Lowe was born and raised in the city of Leavenworth and
organized the first company of high school cadets here. He never practiced
very extensively here.
Thomas P. Fenlon, Jr., a son of T. P. Fenlon, one of Leavenworth's
leading early day lawyers, was the next attorney to subscribe his name.
W. B. Latta registered June 19, 1889. He did not practice here but
a short time when he removed to New York. He died several years ago.
J. D. Wendorff, a brother of J. H. Wendorff, at present time judge of
the first judicial district, was born in Jefferson. He registered as an attor-
ney here June 29, 1889. At the present time he is a practicing attorney
in Kansas City, Missouri.
N. E. VanTuyl registered September 16, 1889. For a number of years
he was a member of the law firm of Kelso, Van Tuyl & O'Keefe. He prac-
ticed in this city about fifteen years and is at the present time connected
with the Prairie Oil & Gas Company at Independence, Kansas.
H. M. Minor was the next attorney to subscribe his name.
W. L. McClinton came here from Pennsylvania. He registered for
practice February 28, 1891. He served as assistant county attorney under
288 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
John H. Atwood and served during the Spanish-American War in the
United States army. At present he is a lieutenant colonel in the United
States army.
William C. McDonald, next on the attorney roll, came to Leavenworth
in 1888 and studied law in the office of William Dill. He served as deputy
clerk of the district court under Con Curtin, and later removed to the
Pacific Coast where he died of consumption in 1905.
J. C. Petherbridge was a Leavenworth County man, being born near
Boling. He practiced here for a number of years. About 1904 he removed
to Kansas City, Missouri, where he is at the present time engaged in the
practice.
B. R. Brewer is never known to have resided here.
John T. O'Keefe, whose name appears next on the attorney roll was
born in Leavenworth County, January 19, 1871. His legal education was
obtained at Yale University where he graduated with the degree of L.L.B.
in 1893. He opened an office here after his being admitted to the bar and
has remained in the practice here since that time. While he has always
taken an active interest in public affairs he has never held but one office,
that of city attorney for several years.
Eli Nirdlinger registered September 20, 1892. He has served as judge
of the city court of Leavenworth since 1917.
John R. Judge never practiced here to any extent.
James C. Stone never engaged in active practice here, though he
registered for such May 5, 1893.
A. E. Dempsey, next on the attorney roll for this county, was born
in High Prairie Township, Leavenworth County, in April, 1866. After
being admitted to the bar he became associated with the late Judge Gil-
patrick in the practice of law here. At the present time he is located in
the Times Building.
F. P. Fitzwilliam was born and raised in the city of Leavenworth.
He practiced successfully here for a number of years and served three
terms as city attorney. He died September 22, 1913.
Morris G. Levison registered July 13, 1894. He later went to St.
Louis, Missouri, where he is at the present time engaged in the practice.
Harry E. Michael practiced law here for a number of years and served
as county attorney for two years, 1900-1901. He later removed to San
Francisco.
Ira E. Dudley registered for practice October 2, 1894.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 289
L. L. McBride subscribed his name March 11, 1895.
Lee Bond whose name was subscribed to the local attorney roll May
4, 1895. Mr. Bond served the county as county attorney for eight years
and also served several years as deputy clerk of the District Court. Since
1907 he has served as U. S. commissioner for this district.
H. M. Aller was the next attorney to subscribe his name to the list
of practicing attorneys.
0. E. Mann, a son of Newton Mann, a prominent early day attorney
of Leavenworth city and county registered as a practicing attorney May
18, 1895. He has been engaged in the practice of law here since that
time.
Frank Garrett registered as a practicing attorney of this city and
county, July 15, 1895. After practicing here several years he removed to
Los Angeles, where he died.
Dennis Jones has been one of the leading colored attorneys of this
city.
Benjamin F. Endres registered February 24, 1896. He was born
January 27, 1875 in this city and attended the Leavenworth schools. He
was admitted to the bar in February, 1896. Mr. Endres served from 1903
to 1907 as police judge of the city of Leavenworth and as city attorney
from 1909 to 1913. He was also deputy county attorney under Harry
E. Michael. At the present time he represents the city of Leavenworth
in the State Legislature and has for several years.
Arthur M. Jackson registered July 18, 1896. He was born in Arenz-
ville, Illinois.
E. K. Krezdorn registered January 4, 1897. Mr. Krezdorn was for a
time associated in the practice with the offices of Clough and Wheat. He
is at the present time chief clerk in the quartermaster's office in San An-
tonio, Texas.
Stanley A. Pearson never practiced to any extent in this city.
John Dougherty registered January 30, 1897. He was born and
reared in the city of Leavenworth.
N. Earl Mann never practiced law to any extent here.
A. C. Harding subscribed his name July 12, 1897. He practiced
nothing but pension law.
C. R. Middleton subscribed in June, 1899. He came to this city from
Montana and practiced here for three or four years.
(15)
290 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
W. H. Bond was admitted January 6, 1900. He was born in Weston,
Missouri, from which place he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, later coming
here in the year 1864. He took an active part in politics and represented
this district as State Representative for several years. He also served as
sheriff of Leavenworth County and several years as city commissioner,
as well as fifteen years as U. S. commissioner from this district.
Thomas L. Johnson subscribed his name April 20, 1900, as a practic-
ing attorney. For many years Mr. Johnson held the office of probate
judge, being succeeded by the present incumbent, W. P. Wettig.
David W. Flynn served as judge of the city court from 1904 to 1911.
Harry L. Wilson registered September 15, 1900. He was admitted to
the bar on the motion of C. R. Middleton. He practiced here for ten or
fifteen years and finally removed to Minnesota.
Samuel Eugene Nirdlinger registered November 24, 1900, although
he never practiced in this city, and has been for a number of years con-
nected with the C. B. & Q. Ry. Company in this city.
E. B. Baker registered as a practicing attorney November 24, 1900.
Mr. Baker practiced law in this city until about 1910. He is now engaged
in practice at Alamosa, Colorado.
James W. Hawes registered March 31, 1902.
Paul F. Roberts registered as a practicing attorney January 24, 1903.
Thomas Reed registered March 28, 1903.
Lawrence E. Hohl was admitted to the bar April 4, 1903. He is now
a lieutenant-colonel in the United States army.
Malcolm McNaughton was born in Reno Township, Leavenworth
County, April 1, 1882. For years he has been associated with Lee Bond
here in the practice of law. He was deputy county attorney under Mr.
Bond from 1908 to 1903. He also held the office of city attorney from
1917 to 1918.
Floyd E. Harper came here from Illinois. He was born at Ross Grove,
Illinois, March 9, 1879, and obtained his legal education at the University
of Chicago. He was admitted to the Kansas bar in 1905. He served as
judge of the city court from 1911 to 1915 when he was elected county
attorney which position he held until 1921.
Lucien B. Rutherford enrolled January 25, 1910. At the present
time Mr. Rutherford is associated with the Wulfekuhler State Bank in
the banking business.
James Benton Kelsey was born and reared in Leavenworth County.
For a number of years he taught in the county schools and was superin-
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 291
tendent of schools before taking up the study of law. His legal education
was contained at the Kansas City School of Law. He registered as a
practicing attorney of Leavenworth County July 2, 1910. He was
shortly after this elected county attorney which position he held for some
time. During the World War he enlisted as a private in the aviation sec-
tion of the signal corps and soon rose to the rank of first lieutenant. In
the early part of 1921 after being discharged from the military service
he resumed the practice of law in the city of Leavenworth.
Jesse A. Hall, next attorney to register, was born in Easton Town-
ship, Leavenworth County, November 12, 1875. He attended the county
schools as a youth and taught twelve years before taking up the pro-
fession of law. His legal education was obtained at the University of
Kansas and Kansas City School of Law. In 1910 he was elected county
clerk of Leavenworth County, which office he held four years. He also
served three years as police judge of the city of Leavenworth under the
Davis and Seitz administrations.
G. F. Dohrn, who registered January 22, 1913. For a number of
years he was associated in the practice here with Bond & McNaughton.
Stewart Brewster registered as a practicing attorney June 25, 1910.
For a time he was associated with the late F. P. Fitzwilliam in the prac-
tice here and later with Floyd E. Harper. He served several years as
police judge of this city. He removed from here to Kansas City several
years ago.
Charles Dolde, the next attorney to register for practice here was
born and reared in Leavenworth. He practiced here but a short time,
being associated with James B. Kelsey, under whom he served as deputy
county attorney for a time.
George L. Carter registered as a practicing attorney April 4, 1914.
W. P. Wettig, the next attorney to appear on the local roll, was born
and reared in the city of Leavenworth and attended the city schools. He
was admitted to the bar, January 25, 1914. In 1915 he was elected judge
of the city court which office he held for a term of two years when he
was elected probate judge and now holds that office.
James S. Medill subscribed to the roll June 24, 1915. He was at first
associated in the practice with Benj. F. Endres. During the World War
he was commissioned a first lieutenant of infantry and was assigned to
the 43rd Infantry. He died of pneumonia at Camp Logan, Texas, while
in active service.
292 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
W. H. Biddle, a son of W. I. Biddle, warden of the U. S. penitentiary
at the present time, was born and reared in the city of Leavenworth, at-
tended the city schools and graduated from the local high school. He
obtained his legal education at the Kansas City School of Law and reg-
istered as a practicing attorney of this city June 24, 1915. During the
World War he was commissioned a second lieutenant and was for a time
attached to Company E, 353d Infantry, the major portion of which was
made up of Leavenworth men. After his discharge from the army he
resumed practice here for a short time but was later commissioned a cap-
tain in the judge advocate department which position he is at present
holding.
Samuel Parisa signed the roll as a practicing attorney October 5,
1915. Fo,r a short time he was associated in the practice with James B.
Kelsey. He lives at present on his farm south of Lansing.
LeRoy T. Hand, the next attorney to subscribe his name to the local
roll was born and reared in Leavenworth County. He graduated from
the county schools and for a number of years taught in Leavenworth and
Atchison county schools before taking up the study of law. He was ad-
mitted to the bar January 20, 1916. Since beginning the practice of law
he has been associated with Jesse A. Hall. Together they have written
this work.
Paul C. Mails registered June 24, 1916. He was born and reared in
Leavenworth County. During the first administration of J. C. Davis as
mayor of Leavenworth, he served as police judge. He later removed to
Tulsa, Oklahoma.
D. W. Hooper, registered June 27, 1917. Since being admitted to the
bar he has been associated in the practice with his father. He served a
term as city attorney under the J. C. Davis administration and was elected
county attorney in 1920.
Eugene V. Henderson registered July 7, 1916. At that time he was
treasurer of the Kansas City Western Railway Company. He held this
position for a number of years here. He never engaged in the practice
of law during his stay in this city.
James J. Olson registered as a practicing attorney of this city Febru-
ary 21, 1917. For several years he was sheriff under W. H. Courtney.
He served during the World War in the United States army, being a mem-
ber of the 89th Division. Upon being discharged from service he began
practice here with Floyd E. Hai*per under whom he served as deputy
county attorney.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 293
John A. McLaughlin, during the World War, served as a first lieu-
tenant of cavalry and is now serving with that rank in the army.
John J. Glynn registered for practice April 21, 1918. He is now serv-
ing as deputy county attorney under D. W. Hooper.
W. H. Medill, a son of Sherman Medill and brother of the late James
S. Medill, was admitted to the Missouri bar in 1920 and to the Kansas bar
in January, 1921. He is associated with Bond & McNaughton.
While the name of C. F. W. Dassler does not appear to have been
subscribed on the local attorney roll, Mr. Dassler is at the present time
a member of the local bar association and has been engaged here in active
practice for many years. He came to this city in 1873 from St. Louis,
Missouri, and since that time has been engaged in practice here. Since
1876, Mr. Dassler has compiled the statutes for the state of Kansas. He
served two terms as city attorney here in previous years and holds that
position at the present time. He has also served as president of the
Board of Education of this city and as a member of the city council. He
is the author of two valuable text books in "Dassler's Civic Code" and
"Dassler's Kansas Form Book."
CHAPTER XVIII
WORLD WAR.
ENTRANCE OP THE UNITED STATES IN THE WORLD WAR— PRESIDENT WILSON'S
ADDRESS TO CONGRESS— WAR ACTIVITY IN LEAVENWORTH COUNTT— AR-
MISTICE SIGNED— "IN FLANDERS FIELDS"— THOSE WHO SERVED — CAS-
UALTIES.
It is not in the province of this history or within the purview of this
short chapter to attempt a history of the great World War which threat-
ened the very foundation of civilization and affecting every nation in the
world.
President Wilson, in his speech before Congress, April 6, 1918, used
the following eloquent and forceful words which found a spontaneous
response throughout all America:
"Let everything that we say, my fellow countrymen, everything that
we henceforth plan and accomplish, ring true to this response till the
majesty and might of our concerted power shall fill the thought and utterly
defeat the force of those who flount and misprize what we honor and hold
dear.
"Germany has once more said that force, and force alone, shall decide
whether justice and peace shall reign in the affairs of men, whether right
as America conceives it, and dominion, as she conceives, shall determine
the destinies of mankind.
"There is. therefore, but one response for us; force, force to the
utmost, force without stint or limit, the righteous and triumphant force
which will make the law of the world, and cast selfish dominion down in
the dust."
Leavenworth County generously and nobly did her part in the great
World War in both men and money. Her citizenship is made up from
people or descendants from almost every nation of the Eastern Hemis-
phere. Like other localities in this country we form a melting pot for
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 295
the nations of the globe. She has a large number of German birth or
parentage. As a class they are frugal, saving, prosperous, honest and
loyal to America.
Before our entrance into the great war most of them were in sym-
pathy with Germany, and as such were not neutral. But with our
entrance their hearts beat true, and they at once sprang to action, and
responded as a class to every call. If there were reservations in the
minds of a few, the number was indeed small and existed to a large ex-
tent in the minds of the suspicious. By reason of the variety of national-
ities blended into our citizenship the editors are called upon to say that
they can conceive of no war with a foreign foe that would not in some
way involve some of our citizens in a conflict with their ancestors. But
with all we are Americans, regardless of the route each has traveled to
become one. We are one in life of home and country. Those who toiled,
suffered, bled and died in Flanders fields are confined to no special
nationality.
Early Monday morning, November 11, 1918, the news was flashed
across the country that the armistice was signed. A great demonstration
was held in Leavenworth City. Bands played and demonstrations of all
kinds were carried on in celebration of the occasion and in jubilation of
the end of the most stupendous tragedy in the history of the world.
The treaty of peace with Germany has not yet been signed and some
of our brave boys are yet on German soil. One by one most of them have
returned. We are not able to give the promotions or special deeds of
valor of our boys with the meager information at hand. Nor are we able
to give the names of all of those boys who left their homes to give their
services to their country. For the following list we are indebted to the
draft board, consisting of W. H. Courtney, sheriff; H. V. Reilly, county
treasurer; and Loretta Quinn, secretary of the board. J. E. Voorhees,
county clerk, was a member of the draft board but was commisisoned a
lieutenant and gave his services overseas.
IN FLANDERS FIELDS.
In Flanders fields, the poppies grow
Between the crosses, row by row,
That mark our places ; and in the sky,
The lark, still bravely singing fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
296 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe.
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch ; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with' us who died
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
(Written by Lieut. Col. John McCrea during the battle of Ypres,
April, 1915. He now sleeps in Flanders fields.)
AN ANSWER.
In Flanders fields the cannon boom
While up above, like eagles fly
The fierce destroyers of the sky;
With stains the earth wherein you lie
Is redder than the poppy bloom,
In Flanders fields.
Sleep on, ye brave. The shrieking shell,
The quaking trench, the startled yell,
The fury of the battle hell
Shall wake you not, for all is well.
Sleep peacefully, for all is well.
Your flaming torch aloft we bear,
With burning heart an oath we swear
To keep the faith, to fight it through,
To crush the foe or sleep with you
In Flanders fields.
(Written by C. B. Galbraith, Columbus, Ohio, Ohio State Librarian.)
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
The following is a list of those who served in the World War from
Leavenworth County:
James Arron
Thomas Adams
John Adams
William Adams
Eugene Alford
Alfred Alexander
Edward Alig
Hugh Ward Allen
Arthur Allrich
John Alster
Ray B. Anderson
Claude Anglin
Floy R. Arnold
Norvel J. Atkinson ■
Manuel Abillicira
Herman T. Ala
Oscar Allen
Albert E. Anderson
Franklin Attesburg
David R. Alford, Jr.
Dan R. Anthony, 3rd
Chas. A. Attesberg
Lafe M. Amundeson
Ray Bachmann
Leo Bagley
Chas. Baker
Albert Balz
George A. Burman
John E. Barnhardt
Earl Barrett
George Becher
August W. Biene
James Wm. Bell
John Bell
Nobel Benefiel
Louis Bernstein
Herbert Boyer
John Bilsing
Wm. A. Bishop
John Black
.Arthur Blanton
Chris Blockberger
Thos. J. Boone
Clarence Andrew Botts
Charles W. Bowen
Henry A. Bozworth
Leo N. Bradley
Edwain Brewster
Albert Brightwell
James M. Bristwow
Harold Brogan
Herman Brokaw
John D. Brown
Clifford Brown
Chester Brown
Lathrop Brown
James Brown
Carl W. Bucholz
Hermann Bullard
William L. Burns
William Burns
Albert Burton
William Burwell
John J. Bollin
Clarence Burr
Chas. C. Brown
Grover E. Bolten
John Blaser
Hugh M. Bell
Harry Benson
Jacob Bellstusky
298
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Wallace Bryant
Frank Brown
Roscoe Baker
Edward A. Bloom
Paul Bear
Curtis A. Brooks
Nichodemus Bonczynski
Aloysious Bollin
Humphrey Biddle
Jess Bridges
Bradford Baker
Wm. Borchhardt
Fredrich Bird
Louis Burton
Raymond Beandry
Lawrence Beard
George A. Burhnam
Eugene Brooks
John Blume
Earnest Chas. Brown
Wm. T. Bush
Clarence Bell
Arthur Bojanwer
Cyburnis Brown
Herman Brandt
Charles B. Bubb
Albert L. Barr
George Bleistein
Ernst Babcock
John Busey
Charles Baker
Chas. Joseph Bellstusky
Raymond Brown
Joseph Bradley
Roy Brinkley
Louis Bunker
Vernon Branch
William Baglin
Leonard Bishop
Walter Brueckan
Charles Behee
Edgar Bleistein
John Wm. Bell
Edward 0. Besel
Erwim Samuel Brown
Carl Brantigan
Raymond Brokaw
William Banes
Earl G. Briggs
Frederick Butzin
John D. Baker
Joseph Boone
James C. Bates
Joseph Bates
Howard Bransfield
Carl Orrin Bird
Walter Bleakley
John Richard Babski
Joseph Cahill
Peter Caldwell
Fred Colson
Raymond Campbell
Archibald Campbell
Harry Campbell
Terry C. Canady
Dennis Carter
Joe Chism
John Chismar
Bentley Clark
John F. Clements
Ralph Coffman
James A. Collier
Walter Collins
Henry Joseph Collins
John Connelly
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
299
Frank Conboy
Alex. Constantinopolus
James F. Conway
Emmett Cook
Leon Cooter
John Cooter
Wm. Cowling
David Craig
Charles Creclius
F. M. Crook
Wm. Curry
Wm. Curtian
Harry Can-
Ernst Cline
Edward Kenneth Crowley
James C. Craven
Elmer Camerron
Harry L. Calvin
James Prentiss Conley
Roscoe C. Campbell
William McCarthy Cook
Fred Collins
Roy Collins
Myron S. Collins
Oscar Cowling
Don Phillip Coleman
John W. Christian
Frank Champbell
Thommas Francis Connelly
James L. Chase
Burr Cowan Coelett
Norman F. Cleverdon
Thomas John Cahill
Chauncey Clark
Ralph Collins
Fred Carter
George Carther
C. C. Cloud
William Edgar Connell
Joseph Coffro
Guy Truman Courtney
Elmer John Cowling
August Albert Cowling
Tom Carl
James A. Clyce
Willie Lee Collier
Charles H. Clyde
Frank Curry
Graham M. Coppersmith
Harry Elleworth Crook
Granville M. Coppersmith
Raymond Coldren
William Casey, Jr.
William M. C. Cornforth
Roy Samuel Campbell
Arnett Ray Cox
Dewey Chandler
Lloyd Colvin
William Paul Chandler
Eugene Hugh Cammerron
Joseph B. Colombo
George L. Cochran
Earl Wayne Cherrie
William Eugene Collins
Herbert M. Dallon
N. Davis
Charles Davidson
Albert C. DeFrees
Clarence Dickinson
Henry Doll, Jr.
Leo Bernand Donovan
Edward Dooley
Frank Dorsey
Walter Dougherty
Arthur Singer Downs
300
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
George W. Drescher
Frank Drexel
Charles Daniel Driscoll
Roy L. Droullard
Arlie Duree
Henry Charles Dolde
John Albert Denny
Oscar Lee Douglas
Thomas Dooley
Frank Driscoll
John Dailey
Robert A. Downing
Edward Doyle
Fred J. Dabner
Daniel B. Doyle
Leonard G. Deamer
Ownie Davis
Sir Francis Cecil Drake
James Duncan
Roy Davenport
Thomas C. Desmond
John M. Duffin
John Dorsey
John B. Donovan
Daniel T. Dodson
Charley Davidson
Floyd J. Decker
Vernon Alfred DeHoff
Ray Jennings Dessery
Fred H. Dutweiler
Ward William Dengler
Chas. Ebert
Raymond C. Edgell
William Ebert
John Martin Edler
George Adam Ehart
Albert L. Emsurlere
Burnam T. English
Perry H. Enyeart
Joseph E. Egkert
Fred Eisler
Taylor England
William H. P. Evert
William Ralph Evans
Paul Edmonds
Ray Edmonds
Charley Jack Elberson
James Bryan Erratt
Alfred Elmer
Ralph S. Edwards
Fred Faerber
Earl Farrell
Alphonsus Fellman
Myron K. Feth
Grover Ray Fevurly
Robert E. Field
Neal Flom
William G. Forrin
Carl W. Franie
John B. Franks
Sam Frauson
Chester A. Freeman
John M. French
Lee H. Frey
Leo Louis Fink
William G. Fuller
William Fitzgerald
Gerald Leo Fitzgerald
Emmett Leo Farrel
George Fowler
Hirman R. Floyd
John Clifford Fewing
Henry Clyde Fisher
Robert B. Frick
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
301
Henry Forge
Clyde N. Fritz
Louis Martin Fink
Glen Frank Ferree
John Fletcher
Raymond McKay Flint
Charles Fewing
Richard N. Fisher
William H. Fort
Frank Milo Ogden
Edgar Earl Fevurly
Edward B. Ferguson
Clyde Willis Ford
Henry D. Flom
Elgie Clarence Flinner
Michael Paul Forris
Daniel Francis Foley
James Endriss Farrell
George Forris
Daniel V. Galvin
Bert Gardner
Mayer Garfinkle
Joseph E. Gates
John Giese
Ed. Giacominni
Roy Gilbert
John Glynn
Martin W. Goergen
Charles H. Goetting
Edwin Leonard Gordon
Charles E. Gaupp
Elmer Gough
Charles F. Green
Paul R. Greever
James Guihm
Roy Grisham
John C. Girt
Paul Evertt Gilman
James Edwin Garnett
Eugene P. Gempel
Paul A. Gempel
Charles N. Giese
Harry 0. Garvey
John Henry Glettig
Joseph Elmoin Green
James U. Gabbeft
Arthur Jacob Grady
Louis George
John Glynn, Jr.
John B. Greever
John D. Gallagher
Robert E. Gror
Walter E. Gerb
Clarence Earl Geisen
John F. Gwartney
Michael Ginsburg
Walter M. Gist
John Alfred Godfrey
Fred Goetting
William R. Gardner
William Charles Gailey
John F. Grady
William Mason Garrett
Earl Francis Galvin
Gerome Galvin
Hugo Giacomini
Russell Walter Good John
Carl H. Goehner
Warren Morse Gorbett
Walter Henry Goller
Omar Lealie Gordon
Robert J. Galvin
Joh H. Hafferkamp
Lester D. Hamil
HI2
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Sam Hamilton, Jr.
Harry Harun
James Hauson
Charles A. Harbaugh
Aaron Sylvester Harvey
August Hashagen
Jacob A. Hastert
Clarence Hathorne
Milton Haworth
Andrew J. Hauserman
Jacob Hencheck
Edward Hencheck
Walter Henderson
Carl L. Heim
Lewis L. Heim
Charles A. Heitzelman
John T. Herkins
Tony Herrig
Zell Hewitt
Henry P. Hicks
Frank B. Hicks
Glenn Harry Hill
James C. Hill
Alfred Rudolph Hilpert
Claude E. Hinman
Albert R. Hodapp
Abe Hoffman
Edward John Hogan
George W. Hageman
John P. Holloman
Ray E. Horton
Otis Horton
Clarence James Hawkins
Amos Frederick Hoy
Edward W. Hoy
Irvin A. Houghland
Homer Hughey
Clyde Hughes
George Huhn
Alfred Hultz
Claude H. Humphreys
Clark Hurley
Martin Hunner
Kenneth Hunt
Orville Hunt
King L. Hunting
Walter Melton Hawkins
Samuel Hamler
George E. Harding
Antoine A. Holtmeyer
Albert N. Hack
Walter N. Hill
William Hubbard
Carl Martin Holdorf
E. M. Harris
Homer William Haug
Truman F. Henderson
Edward Kibbie Hallaux
Clarence H. Hitzemann
Verne Clarney Hager
Henry Hicks
Ora N. Hollingsworth
Carl Fountain Huffman
Carl H. Helman
Wilbur Hanley
Thomas 0. Hedges
Richard Hardin
Daniel Hawes
Ed. Haug
Howard Frances Hassett
Joseph J. Heintzelman
Andrew Hodock
William Hundley
Dan Hunter
Mathew Huff
James William Hawkins
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
303
Pleasant Hartley-
Edward James Halpin
Roy Huffman
Lester Wilson Hilner
Gerald Bruce Harford
Martin Huhn
Leo Heintzelman
Allie Heintzelman
Allen A. Hawkins
Carl Hopkins
George Henry Harth
Elmer A. Henderson
Louis Howard
Walter Michael Halpin
Frank Hines
Otto Hertel
Bisbarck Haxlewood
Martin Andrew Heim
Lowell F. Harmon
Lee Graham Henry
Milton Emil Haas
Harry J. Hicks
William Herman Huhn
William H. Helmers
Paul B. Hughes
Joseph H. Inkman
Elmer L. Iven
Ivan A. Jackson
John W. Jenkins
Asa Lauter Jewett
Homer R. Jewett
Henry Johnson
Louis Johnson
James J. Johnson
Edward Earl Jones
Walter W. Jones
Clyde Joyce
Harry F. Joyce
Pearly J. Jackson
William Miller Jones
Rudolph Jost
Lester Jackson
Albert R. Jackson
Alex Jackson
John Johnson
Frank Albert Jenkins
George Joyce
Frank Albert Jenkins
Harry Byron Jenkins
Frank Charles Jeanin
Kilmer Harris Jackson
Joseph Henry January
Lawrence Johnson
Edward Jackson
Warren B. Jury
Albert Reiser
Julian E. Keller
Richard L. Kelley
Floyd J. Kelsey
Andy P. Kensbock
Arthur George Kenton
Leo George Kern
Anton Kern
Lambert J. Kern
McKinley King
John Stance Kirmeyer
Joseph Henry Klamet
Edward J. Klinkenberg
Otto A. Klieistick
Joseph Knapp, Jr.
Alexander T. Knox
John B. Kosakowski
Joseph Kolometz
304
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
William F. Krautz
Joseph Kressin
William Kreutzer
Edward Kleinschmidt
Albert Alexander Kihm
William John Kersten
Eddie Kimble
Ora E. Kinnaman
James Arthur Keating
Otto August Kasten
Frank Kiser
Albert L. Koerner
William Keys
Arthur S. Klemp
Clarence Kennedy
Fred Kreutzer
Carl Krekler
Walter E. Klinkenberg
William Kelly
Henry Kempin
Michael William Knapp
Stephen George Kramer
Louis Harold Kane
Alva King
■ Arthur Klamm
Fred Christ Kruse
Walter Kaster
Kenneth C. Knight
Joseph C. Klasinski
Matt Kersten
John Krautz
Frank Joseph Killillay
Harold Joseph Kueny
Henry L. Klamet
William C. LaCaille
John Lada
John J. Laird
George E. Lamb
Walter A. Lambert
Roy Lambkin
Ralph Earl Larew
Earl M. Lawson
Lewis LeGrande
Edward P. Leonard
Harry T. Lewis
Henry Liebenow
Alphonse Lienhart
Charley Lina
Martin Lippert
Stanley W. Lloyd
John Loar
John A. L. Lockhart
Ray Love
John R. Lowe
George Gary Ludwig
George V. Lingenfelser
James Carothers Lysle
Otis Calvin Lytten
John M. Langley
Clarence L. Langley
I. R. Lurker
Miner Lott
Earl Long
Mack Lawrence
John Langly
Squire Logan
Virgil Charles Lurker
Jerome Levy
George Lippert
John G. Lozenski, Jr.
Herman V. Lichtenfel
John 0. Latta
Raymond L. Lord
John Larkin
Abe E. Laird
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
305
Dan Love
James F. Lahiff
Adolf Lowenstein
Emmit Logan
David T. Lidsay
Foster Laming
Joseph Lozenski
Eugene A. Longgood
Ralph Lewis
Samuel Langford
George Lawrence Leonhard
Lewis Earnest Lohman
Lester Carr Lewis
Charles C. Laming
Dan J. Lyons
Benedict Lingenfelser
Sidney Guy Long
George Adolf Linck
George N. Lawrence
Ormand Warren Leavel
Ralph F. Lewis
John Henry Majors
George F. Majors
Edward Monahan
Charles Leo Mann
Frederick B. Manatt
Bertell L. Matthews
Harry Edward Matthey
Victor Mayer
James C. McCaffrey
Ralph McClain
Elwood McLain
Thomas McCarty
Thomas Robert McCarty
John McConnell
John B. McCool
Thomas F. McDonald
(16)
William H. McGlynn
Henry McGraw
Alexander Meade
George Meeker
Edward Mainert
Ray Allen Melvin
Albert Meister
Charles Henry Merchant
R. A. Meyer
John J. Michalak
Frank Miller
Edward Lewis Miller
Joseph Mischefsky
Samuel Jefferson Mitchell
Thomas J. Monahan
John Moore
Essie Moore
Randell Morton
William A. Moses
Charles Murphy
William Murray
William A. Mueller
Oliver Meyers
Joseph A. Meyers
Byron Henry Mehl
James Sherman Medill
Robert McCarty
Joseph McCarty, Jr.
Arthur McCIurg
John Charles Madden
Sidney Baker Mitchell
Will Murray
Anthony Michefsky, Jr.
James Andrew McCarren
James Cassies Moore
William T. Moore
Michael McCheskey
Luther May
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Floyd Morris
Joseph Thomas McEvoy
Paul Domby McKenzie
Robert Earl Moody
Sherwin Mella
Bennie Matthews
Height Majors
Joseph Frank Mandel
King Edward Marks
William Valentine Majors
Wilfred J. Maloy
Joseph John Michalak
Edward Mosher
Francis Rudolph McEvoy
Henry August Meyer
Thomas James McCaffrey
Wallace Emora Matthews
William Harold Medill
Wilson Robert Meyers
Gene Alfred McCone
Morris Morgan
Charles Percival Matthews
John A. McLoughlin
Henry Gustus Meinert
John Herman Meinken
Ira Llewlyn Matthews
Clarence Morton
George Tabor Medill
Frank William Mayer
Andrew B. Matzeder
Paul A. Morton
Roy Herbert Martin
Thomas F. Murray
Edward Marcott
Joseph E. Merrifield
Selden I. Munson
Lewis Frederick Mehl
Porter H. McCartney
James 0. McFarland
Samuel H. Markley
Natus J. Milkowski
Ralph Charles Matzeder
Ralph Arthur McRill
Noble Hayes Mayfield
Edgar McRill
Thomas L. Medill
Walter Morris
Bryan Murphy
Nicholas N. Navinsky
Arthur Noack
John Joseph Nirschl
Glenn Norris
Charles Leon Nuhn
Richard Nywenning
Sidney E. Norris
Charles Henry Norris
Stephen Nowowiezski
Stephen A. Naeher
John Wesley Nuhn
John Northrop
Joseph Alfred O'Brien
Adam William Ochs
Leo Frederick Ode
Edward George O'Leary
James Joseph Olson
Arthur Olson
Benjamin J. Olson
William T. Orlowski
Otto Orlowski
Ralph O'Neil
Homer T. Orick
John Edwin Ortman
George L. Ortel
Frank Underwood Orr
John William O'Connor
Charles Michael O'Brien
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
307
Francis O'Heron
Edwin G. Oliver
Michael O'Keefe
Frank O'Hara
Hugo A. Okoniewski
Herman Amor Ochs
Edgar Harold Oswalt
John Joseph O'Donnell
Julius Peters Ochs
Albert Panek
Joseph Panek
Chester L. Parks
Orville Lee Paronto
John Parsons
Harry Pasewark
Frank E. Paul
Stanley Panek
John G. Pellman
Groutcher Peet
Paul Peterson
Gilbert L. Phillips
Clarence J. Piechowaik
Eddie Pierce
Charles F. Pike
Lucien B. Pike
Virgil Poynter
George F. Post
James E. Potter
Glenn L. Preston
Antone Price
Emil Psotta
Willard W. Putnam
Bernard R. Phillips
Alois Podlesny
George F. Palmer
Andrew O. Potter
Freddie Pennington
John Pappenhausen
Charles Aaron Pouppirt
Sherman Palmer
Alphonse John Payeur
Audrey Lavery Purcell
Harry C. Peterson
Homer Calvert Peters
Leo Harrison Pearson
Robert Emmett Pike
Malcolm Bradley Parlin
William Peck
Ralph N. Phenicie
Harry Peterson
Ben Harrison Pullins
Jason Penrod
Paul Russell Parker
Peter Paul Popowitz
Eugene Page
William H. Perkins
Arthur Price
Frank F. Payne
Claude H. Porter
Seymour N. Perkins
Clarence Price
Jack Patton
Robert Coleman Powers
Caryl Wright Parks
Tom Peet
Albert Phillips
Peter Paul Panek
Lucien Parlin
Paul Dewey Parker
David H. Putney
Herman Poggemeyer
William C. Quackenbush
Amos Lawrence Quinlan
Howard D. Quinlan
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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Albert J. Singer
John Shaughnessey
Leo Shepherd
Lowell E. Shields
Walter H. Shirk
Alexander Sughrue
Harry D. Skaggs
Charles W. Slocum
James Snopkowski
Martin Slomski
Joseph Snopkowski
Cecil Bryan Southwell
Dee Spain
Paul Spaethe
Doc Sparks
Grover C. Spencer
John Spencer
Peter Stadsholt
Robert C. Staniford
Leonard Stanwix
Collin Starnes
Henry Stein
Walter D. Steinhauer
Earl Stigers
Joseph Ray Stucker
Peter Paul Stuchr
Victor Swiderski
Fred C. Schrieber
Andrew L. Schlonga
Joseph Schmidt
David J. Schweizer
Paul H. Suberkrup
Hillel Samisch
Frank C. Salisbury
Lawrence Stucker
Edward Springer
Frank Spencer Scott
Fritz Schillo
Edward John Suydam
Lee E. Sacks
Charles Albert Sihler
William J. Stevenson
Rex Slocum
Reginald O. Shepherd
Vincent Straub
Charles X. Sharpe
Roy William Shouse
Leonard 0. Schapley
Andrew Ward Stewart
Emile Sommerla
Lonie L. Sample
Paul Sanders
Charles Henry Smith
Arthur W. Schonitzius
George Smith
Carl S. Scott
Guy Sharp
Franz Stump
Lysle Michael Sellers
Willard E. Smith
Lawrence J. Savage
Frank Scott
William Splride
Luther Self
Charles Scott
Henry Hampton Springs
Otto Henry Schulz
August E. Schwanz
Alfred Strather
Roy Chester Shaver
Andrew F. Starnes
John Alvan Schroeder
August E. Schanze
Archie Henry Seifert
Lloyd Dwight Schlag
Julius Strong
310
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Earl N. Stewart
Paul Hyde Savage
Frank B. Stacey
Edwin Arnold Schalker
Albert Luther Short
LeRoy Shepherd
Russell A. Stephenson
Charley N. Schroyer
Daniel Russell Simmons
Morrill Self
Arthur Wm. Stemmerman
O. M. Schultes
George T. Taylor
George T. L. Taylor
Vessey T. Taylor
Ernest Theel
Henry Theel
James Jeremiah Thompson
Edward P. Tillquist
Walter T. Timmons
Joe Titolski
Henry Todd
William N. Todd
Louis Toffler
Albert H. Tornedon
Frank Towns
Clifford Townsend
Anton Titolski
Frank Tonar
Clyde Mills Theur
Joseph A. Thorpe
Ralph Tierney
Frank Joseph Tonar
Joseph Patrick Turner
Thomas A. Tabb
Deamont Thomas
John R. Thayer
Davis Ernest Theel
William Adolph Teets
Roy Cornelius Tinberg
Randall Trackwell
Carl Franklin Turner
Louis F. Terwilliger
Charles W. Thornburg
Corlett Umholtz
Charles Nicholas Ulrich
Andrew C. Vlaehos
John H. Voight
Paul A. Voight
Joseph E. Voorhees
Luther B. Vigus
John Frederick Vosmer
Andrew Stacey Van Emman
George Charles Vickers
Harry Edward Van Tuyl
Michael Visocsky
Eddie C. Vormehr
William T. Van Veighton
Carl Wagner
Clement Wahler
Tony Wahler
Richard Wahler
Thomas Wahler
Plummer Walker
Robert Wallace
Albert E. Walsh
Robert L. Watson
Jesse B. Warren
Charles R. Warren
Herman C. Watson
Clement J. Weber
Harry Welch
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
311
Lloyd Welch
Joseph A. Wellman
August L. Werly
Fred Carl Werner
Edward F. Wettig
George Whitelaw
Lawrence Whitney
Ernest Wilkes
David Roy Williams
Jesse Ed Williams
Otto W. Witt
Edward Wikelsky
Ira Wittelschofer
Herman Willhardt
Mosby Dan Woodson
William Wright
George Wright
W. Wallace Wright
Floyd Wuerth
Harold Raymond Wood
Amos E. Wilson, Jr.
Eugene Wilson
William Edward Wright
James Marshall Wirtz
Leo Walz
Elvin Williams
Whitney Bastion Wagner
Ora Withrow
Gusta Wash
Harry Omer Westergeren
John Elmer Wilson
Willis Edward Wood
Ben Warren
Harry B. Weeks
Elmer Whitten
Wirt Dudley Walton
William R. Wheeler
James Williams
Willie Floyd Williams
Chris Wyrick
Elliott Edward Winnig
Fred Wake
Jesse M. Wilson
George A. Weaver
Vernon LeRoy Wake
George F. Wilson
Joseph W. White
Anton Weber
John C. Ware
John Wizzard
John E. Walker
William E. Williams
Chester De Witt Worley
Ralph Welch
Amiel Wornei
Leonard C. Williams
Roy Elwood Wells
Jesse Earl Wardwell
John Phillip Wilhardt
William Ernest Winter
Edward Martin Willets
Norman Earl Wiley
Blair C. Watson
Paul P. Younger
Parker C. Young
Mahlon A. Young
Frank Thomas Young
Elmer Zook
Raymond George Zeitz
Anthony Zienlinsky
Walter Frank Zoellner
Benjamin E. Zoll
312 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
The following is a list of Leavenworth County soldiers wounded:
Wounded in Action. — Major George Pulsifer, Capt. Arthur O'Keefe,
Lieut. William D. Bly, Sgt. Don P. Coleman, Sgt. E. E. Wilcox, Lieut. Per-
cival Wilson, Sgt. Arthur Warner, Sgt. F. Walters, Sgt. Sam Loar, Sgt.
Walter Cochran, Sgt. W. E. Burwell, Corp. Groucher Peet, Corp. J. J.
Olson, Corp. Roy A. Nitsche, Corp. W. J. Peters, Corp. J. D. Brown, Corp.
William J. Kersten, Aerial Gunner Tracy Hand, Privates Merle Ridgeway,
Corlett Umholtz, Burt Leonard, F. G. Pottorf, H. P. Hinks, J. W. Calvert,
Walter Sullivan, J. F. Conway, H. R. Jewett, Wilson Meyers, Charles
Moorehead, Alfred Balz, E. M. January, W. E. Biene, John Roe, Joe Totoh
ski, John Herkens, H. Skaggs, A. L. Sclonga, Oscar Douglas, A. Mischef-
sky, Henry Liebenow, Ernest Trackwell, Clarence Piechowiak, Bert Mc-
Kelvey, William J. Douglas, Neal Flom, Sidney Mitchell, Claude Erwin,
Robert Downing, Joseph Inkman, C. A. Hitzeman, Thomas Hedges, A. J.
Fellman, Ranza Moler, William Eberth, Charles Eberth, Lloyd Welch, King
Hunting, James Wilson, Len Kerr, Ray Anderson, Walter Tuninious, Lam-
bert Heitlinger, Andrew Clarke.
Gassed— Lt. Paul Radford, Pvt. A. L. Jewett, Pvt. Edw. Dooley, Pvt.
Oscar Meyers.
Shell Shocked— Pvt. Walter F. Timmons, Pvt. Eisner Hammann.
Necrology of Leavenworth County Soldiers in the World War:
Bagwell, Ernst M., Bugler, Tonganoxie ; killed in action.
Baker, Charles S., Corporal, Leavenworth; died.
Bannister, James H., Captain, Leavenworth.
Blanchard, Anthony, Sergeant, Leavenworth; died.
Blockberger, Edward R., Corporal, Leavenworth; killed in action.
Burns, William E., Corporal, Tonganoxie; killed in action.
Crockett, David H., First Lieutenant, Leavenworth; died.
Cunningham, Riley D., Private, Ft. Leavenworth; killed in action.
Curtis, Frank, Private, Leavenworth; killed in action.
Defrees, Albert C, Corporal, Acherland; died of wounds.
Ewing, George T., Private, Leavenworth ; died.
Fellman, Alphonse J., Private, Leavenworth; killed in action.
Gadow, Hans, Sergeant, Leavenworth; died.
Gallivan, Daniel J., Sergeant, Ft. Leavenworth ; died.
Gouck, Kenneth S., Private, Leavenworth; died.
Hageman, Harry D., Corporal, Leavenworth; killed in action.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 313
Hamil, Lester D., Sergeant, Tonganoxie ; killed in action.
Harding, Gilman C, Private, Leavenworth; died.
Joyce, Harry F., Corporal, Leavenworth; killed in action.
Hicks, Frank B., Corporal, Linwood; died of wounds.
Kahn, Eugene M., Captain, Ft. Leavenworth ; died.
Kelsey, Floyd J., Private, Tonganoxie ; killed in action.
Kelsey, Harry B., First Sergeant, Easton ; killed in action.
Korakowski, John, Private, Leavenworth ; killed in action.
Leahy, John L., Private; killed in action.
McCarren, Andrew J., Private, Leavenworth ; died of wounds.
Medill, James S., First Lieutenant ; died.
Mehl, Byron H., First Lieutenant, Leavenworth; killed in action.
Mischefsky, Peter P., Private, Leavenworth ; died.
Mitchum, Zachariah H., Major, Ft. Leavenworth; died.
Moore, Charles A., Private, Leavenworth; died.
Palmer, Sherman, Private, Leavenworth; died.
Pogue, Charley E., Private, Leavenworth ; died.
Rosencranz, Ike, Private, Leavenworth; killed in action.
Sample, Louie L., Private, Leavenworth ; died.
Schwandt, Carl F., Private, Leavenworth ; killed in action.
Seichpine, Edward, Private, Piper; killed in action.
Shepherd, Reginald 0., Private, Leavenworth; died.
Slowski, Martin, Private, Tonganoxie; killed in action.
Smelley, Duck, Corporal, Leavenworth; died.
Smith, Mearil, Private, Loring; killed in action.
Summerla, Emile, Private, Leavenworth; died of wounds.
Souhrada, John, First Lieutenant, Leavenworth; died.
Swiderski, Victor, Corporal, Leavenworth; killed in action.
Thompson, William E., Private, Leavenworth; died.
Titolski, Joe, Private, Leavenworth; died of wounds.
Titolski, Julius, Private, Leavenworth; died.
Warren, Ben C, Private, Lenwood; died of wounds.
Williams, David R., Sergeant, Tonganoxie; killed in action.
Wright, William E., Private, Leavenworth ; killed in action.
Corporal H. A. Cline, unaccounted for.
Private Emery Nobles, unaccounted for.
Private James Haskins, unaccounted for.
Private Or D. Roach, unaccounted for.
314 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Private Thomas Owens, unaccounted for.
Private Homer Hughey, unaccounted for.
Bugler Victor J. Johnson, unaccounted for.
Mechanic R. Knowles, unaccounted for.
Private Paul Schmidt, unaccounted for.
Corporal L. L. Peters, missing in action.
Private M. L. Meyers, missing in action.
Private M. W. Mails, missing in action.
Whitney Wagner, Seaman; died.
Jess W. Bridges, Seaman, died.
Thomas Duff Cole, First Sergeant, died.
Archie Phillips, Private, died.
V. W. Lobb, Private, died.
B. H. Doen, Sergeant, died.
E. S. Brown, Private, died.
J. D. Wright, Private, died.
Anton Holtney, Seaman, died.
Charles Goettings, died.
Summary of the War with Germany. — The following is taken from
report of Col. Leonard P. Ayers, authorized by the War Department:
Five out of every 100 Americans took up arms in the defense of
the country.
During the Civil War ten out of every 100 inhabitants of the North-
ern States served as soldiers or sailors ; 2,400,000 served in the Northern
Army and Navy.
Between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918, when the armistice
went into effect, 4,800,000 men constituted our land and naval forces.
The British sent forth in her first year of the war more men than did
the United States during her first year of the war. On the other hand
it took England three years to reach a strength of 2,000,000 men in
France, while the United States was able to place this number in the field
and across the seas in half the time.
Organization and equipment and transportation of an immense army
as that of the United States across the ocean has never been equaled in
the history of the world.
Two out of every three American soldiers who reached France took
part in battle; 2,084,000 reached France and 1,300,000 took part at the
front.
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 315
American divisions were in battle for 200 days and engaged in thir-
teen major operations from the middle of August till the armistice.
American divisions held during the greater part of the time a front
longer than that held by the British in October. They held 101 miles
of the line or twenty-three per cent of the entire western front.
In the battle of Saint Mihiel 550,000 Americans were engaged as com-
pared to 100,000 on the north side in the battle of Gettysburg.
The artillery fired more than 1,000,000 shells in four hours, which
is the most intense artillery fire recorded in the history of the world.
The Meuse-Argonne battle lasted forty-seven days, during which
1,200,000 Americans were engaged.
For every man killed in battle seven were wounded.
Five out of every six men sent to hospitals on account of wounds
were cured and returned to duty.
In the expeditionary forces battle deaths were twice as many as
deaths from disease.
The number of American lives lost was 122,500, of which 10,000
were in the navy and the rest in the army and marines attached to it.
The war cost America $21,850,000,000, or approximately $1,000,000
per hour.
The greatest number of men sent over seas in a single month was
306,000 and the largest number returned in any one month was 333,000.
The supplies shipped from the United States to France was 7,500,000
tons in nineteen months.
The registration of men for the draft was 24,234,021 and of these
2,810,296 were inducted into service. The largest number inducted into
service in a single month was 400,000.
CHAPTER XIX
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
COMPANY C, TWENTIETH KANSAS REGIMENT U. S. V. IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN
WAR.
During the Spanish-American War Leavenworth was called upon to
furnish a company of volunteers for active service in our war against
Spain. So it was that this company was organized and afterward be-
came C Company of the famous Fighting Twentieth Kansas Regiment.
C Company was organized principally through the efforts of William
S. Albright, who afterward became its captain, and Reverend Bright,
pastor of the Methodist Church. Both of the above gentlemen organized
companies. These two companies were consolidated and finally became
C Company of the Twentieth Kansas Regiment.
Of the services of the Twentieth Kansas Regiment in the Philippine
Islands, Elihu Root, Secretary of War, makes the following comment:
"The records of the War Department show that the Twentieth Regiment
of Kansas Volunteers sailed from San Francisco on the steamship "In-
diana" on the 27th of October, 1898, and on the steamship "Newport"
on the 9th of November, 1898, arriving at Manilla on the first and sixth
days of December following; that the regiment was engaged in actual
battle, sustaining losses by death or wounds, on each of the following
days, viz.: The 4th, 5th, 7th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 17th, 23d, 24th, 26th and
28th of February, 1899 ; the 11th, 12th, 13th, 23d, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th,
29th and 31st of March; the 25th and 26th of April; the 4th and 24th of
May, and the 16th and 22d of June. Their participation in engagements
is specially mentioned in cablegrams from General Otis on the 8th of
February, the 28th of April and the 25th of May, 1899."
The greater part of the engagements above mentioned were fought,
and most of the losses of life were incurred, at a time when there was
HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY 317
no obligation for further service resting upon the members of the regi-
ment, except that which was self-imposed upon them by their own love
of country and their determination to maintain the rightful sovereignty
of the United States and the honor of its flag.
The officers and enlisted men of the regiment exhibited high quality
of bravery and efficiency.
I beg to join with the people of Kansas in welcoming to their homes
these citizen soldiers, so worthy of the heroic origin and patriotic history
of their state."
C Company took part in every engagement participated in by the
Twentieth Kansas Regiment. Two members of the company, Private
Raymond B. Dawes and Private Charles Graves, contracted and died of
typhoid fever at Honolulu, Hawaii. The following is a list of officers
and enlisted men who were wounded in action: Captain William S. Al-
bright, Privates Arthur C. Howe, William Laudenschlager, James E.
Riley, Henry L. Johnson, Frank I. Sample, Thaddeus J. A. Weigant, Ben-
jamin Couchman.
The following is a list of the officers and non-commissioned officers,
together with the enlisted personnel of Company C:
William S. Albright, captain; Samuel H. Hopkins, 1st lieutenant;
Harry H. Seckler, 1st lieutenant; John W. Hauserman, 2nd lieutenant;
John G. Waste, 2nd lieutenant; Ralph Leavitt, 1st sergeant; John C.
Murphy, 1st sergeant; James P. Richardson, 1st sei'geant; William Cor-
natzer, quartermaster sergeant; Joseph Besser, sergeant; Aubrey S. Ed-
wards, sergeant; George S. Few, sergeant; Ernest Mordaunt, sergeant;
Charles I. Sparks, sergeant; Frederick Boeppler, corporal; Frederick D.
Carpenter, corporal; John S. Crook, corporal; Silas E. Davis, corporal;
Carl H. Delfs, corporal; Jacob Dervies, corporal; Frank I. Dittman, cor-
poral; Elmer Elkins, corporal; Lewis B. Howard, corporal; Arthur Mays,
corporal ; Clarence F. Meyers, corporal ; Albion C. Nelson, corporal ; Frank
I. Sample, corporal; William Suberkrup, corporal; Jay Thomas, corporal;
Jacob Vogler, corporal; Richard Flannigan, artificer; John Kennedy, arti-
ficer; Thomas D. Cole, musician; James B. Hines, musician; George B.
Clark, wagoner; privates, William W. Baker, Frank Barbour, Thomas J.
Bell, William Bickford, Walter M. Birdsall, Frederick W. Buckmaster,
Robert C. Churchill, William S. Clark, William A. Conklin, Clare O. Coe,
Charles M. Crane, Claude Croft, Benjamin Couchman Raymond B. Dawes,
William L. Dawson, Eli C. Dresser, John Eckert, Edwin E. Ferris, Emmit
318 HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Fleming, Taylor Foster, Frederick Frank, George Frost, Ralph Gehrett,
Charles Graves, Perry C. Goff, Arthur Ginger, Francis E. Head, Adolph
Hensle, Arthur C. Howe, Charles A. Hund, Harry Jansen, Henry L. John-
son, Robert Keifer, Edward Killilay, William P. King, William Lauden-
schlager, William J. Lawson, William E. Ledger, Martin W. Layman, Isaac
N. Lewis, Jonathan Loar, George W. Lucas, Edward L. McClure, William
McCormick, Ralph E. McDowell, James C. McPherson, William J. Maloney,
Owen Meredith, Robert L. Mitchell, Walter S. Moonlight, James F. Pinzon,
Maiden E. Purvis, James T. Quackenbush, Joseph S. Reyburn, Roy B.
Richards, James E. Riley, Stephan E. Ryan, George Schmania, Harvey
T. Sherman, Maurice Sherman, Charles E. Singleton, Frank Slaybough,
Faret A. Snell, William B. Sprague, Hiram W. Stevenson, Frederick
Stewart, Miles A. Sweeney, William W. Taylor, Oliver Tillquist, Park C.
Trueblood, John E. Watson, Albert Welday, Thaddeus J. A. Wiegant,
Arthur Wrigley.
CHAPTER XX
MISCELLANEOUS
'■KICKAPOO CANNON"— KICKAPOO RANGERS — TARRING AND FEATHERING OP
WILLIAM PHILLIPS— FLOOD OF 1903
