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©ENEALOGY COLLECTION

ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

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A HISTORY

-OF-

Republic County,

KANSAS,

EMBRACING A FULL AND COMPLETE ACCOUNT OF ALL
THE LEADING EVENTS IN ITS HISTORY, FROM ITS

FIRST SETTLEMENT DOWN TO JUNE \/0\.

INCLUDING INDIAN DEPREDATIONS AND THE HARDSHIPS
ENDURED BY THE PIONEER SETTLERS.

ALSO THE TOPOGRAPHY OF THE COUNTY,

INCLUDING SOIL, CLIMATE, TIMBER, STREAMS, WATER
POWER, COAL, SALT, ETC., ETC.

STATISTICS,

SHOWING INCREASE IN WEALTH AND POPULATION,
RAILROADS, CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, NEWS
PAPERS, SECRET SOCIETIES, ETC.

AND OTHER VALUABLE INFORMATION NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED.

BY I. O. SAVAGE.

-""STt

EELOIT, KANSAS.

JONES & CHUBBIC, ART PRINTERS.

I90L

PREFACE.

A single county in the great state of Kansas occupies
but an insignificant place on the map of the world, and its
people and its story are comparatively unknown. Yet the
grand river of national history is formed by the union of
many rills of traditions and record, flowing from a thou-
sand counties and states all over the land. The tracing of
one of these rills to its source is the province of the pres-
ent little volume. It is the aim of this work to collect and
preserve some of the facts of the early settlement, subse-
quent growth and development of one of the leading coun-
ties of a young, yet great and glorious state. The families
who were early on the ground, and whose members have
contributed to make the county what it is, are worthy of
remembrance; and their difficulties and sorrows, labors
and patriotism, should not be allowed to fall into oblivion.
By a knowledge of these, the present generation will be
instructed, and the future will be guided. All history, if
properly written, is profitable; and there is not a country,
or a city, or a hamlet, on the globe, whose history might
not be more or less valuable to posterity. We trust this
little volume will be the means of preserving from the
empire of decay a, host of incidents, of recollections and of
anecdotes relating to the land of pioneers and first settlers
of the county, which, in the estimation of the historian and
student of history, are of priceless value, but which other-
wise would soon fade from the memories of the living.

Still, a perfect and complete history of any county is
one of the impossibilities, and this work may be incom-
plete in many particulars. Nor, indeed, is it possible for
it to be otherwise, as it is not permitted any man to attain
perfection. Its regions lie beyond our reach.

And now, after several months of laborious research
and persistent toil, the History of Republic County, so far
as I have to do with it, is completed, and it is my hope and
belief that no subject of importance or general interest has
been overlooked or omitted, and even minor facts, when of
sufficient note to be worthy of record, have been faithf ullj''
chronicled. I have endeavored to be fair and impartial,
aiming in all cases to give credit where credit is due, and
to criticise as little as possible consistent with the facts.
I also claim to have prepared a work fully up to the stan-
dard of my engagements, and to have fuliilled all the
promises contained in my prospectus. il.'^AJ2*3of>

In collecting the facts here presented I have drawn
largely from my own observations extending over a period
of thirty years' residence in the county, but am much in-
debted and hereby acknowledge my obligations to many of
the hardy pioneers and first settlers of the county for early
incidents, recollections and other valuable information
^^ which could be obtained in no other manner, and especially
to D. Y. Wilson, County Clerk, for his uniform kindness
and courtesy in allowing me access at all times to the
records of his office; also to J. C. Humphrey, late editor
and proprietor of the Telescope, for valuable information of
historic interest obtained from the old files of the paper,
which I have at all times been privileged to consult.

TABLE OF CONTENTS,

INTPvODUCTORY HISTORY.

Page.
CHAPTER I.— The Pawnee Republic and The Old Flag i;j

CHAPTER II.— Republic County— Boundaries of The Coun-
ty Defined— Eakly Settlements— First Schools—
Karly Mail Facilities 32

CHAPTER III.— Indian Dei'redations 41

CHAPTER IV.— First Law Suit In The County— County Or-
ganized—Officers Appointed— First Elections 56

CHAPTER v.— Permanent Location of The County Seat
And The Troubles Attending it 63

CHAPTER VI.— Soil— Climate— Streams— Timber -Limestone
—Coal— Salt— Water Power— Rain Fall— Etc.— Etc. 69

CHAPTER VII.— Wind Storms— Toronadoes and Cyclones 76

-7CHAPTER VIII.— Railroads 81

CHAPTER IX.— County Agricultural and Horticultural
Societies 87

-7 CHAPTER X.— Crops and Farm Animals

CHAPTER XI.— County Indebtedness 102

CHAPTER XII.— District Court Twelfth .Judicial District. . . 104

CHAPTER XIII.— Elections and Election Returns 115

CHAPTER XIV.— County Buildings 132

CHAPTER XV.— Townships 141

-7 CHAPTER XVI.— Cities AND Towns 175

CHAPTER XVII.— Churches 194

CHAPTER XVIII.-SCHOOLS 227

CHAPTER XIX.— Newspapers 233

CHAPTER XX.— Census Statistics and Assessed Valuation
FOR 1901 242

CHAPTER XXI.— Soldiers' Reunion, Organization, Etc 245

CHAPTER XXII.— CORN JUBILEE 254

CHAPTER XXIII — Secret Organizations 270

CHAPTER XXIV.— Patriotic Record 294

History of Republic County.

INTRODUCTORY HISTORY.

EARLY EXPLORATIONS— LOUISIANA PURCHASE-KANSAS AND NE-
BRASKA BILL— BORDER RUFFIAN WAR-TOPEKA AND WYAN-
DOTTE CONSTITUTIONS-ADMISSION OF KANSAS AS A FREE
STATE.

The Spaniards were the first white people who made
explorations here. As early as 1540 Coronado, a Spaniard,
commanding an expedition which marched from Mexico
northward in search of gold, silver and precious stones,
explored the region of the Colorado, examined the country
now known as New Mexico, and penetrated as far east as
Kansas, which he named Quivira, and northward to the
40th degree of latitude, the northern boundary of the
state. Finding no gold, which seems to have been the
leading object of the expedition, he returned to Mexico,
leaving Kansas early in the year 1542. On his return to
Mexico he reported that the regions through which he
passed were not fit to be colonized. This expedition made
the first explorations in Kansas of which we have any
record. Forty years later the Spaniards, after conquer-
ing the natives, colonized New Mexico. In April, 1682, La
Salle, a French discoverer, took formal possession of the
mouth of the Mississippi river, for the King of France,
and the country on the banks of the river received the
name of Louisiana, in honor of King Louis XIV. then at
the height of his power. Louisiana was understood to
embrace all the country drained by the waters emptying
either directly or indirectly into the Mississippi river.
This made Kansas a possession of France.

November 3, 1762, France cedes Louisiana to Spain.
This cession made Kansas Spanish. In 1769 the Spanish
troops took possession of Louisiana, and the dominion of
Spain begins, and continues until 1802, when, almost with-
out consideration, she, by secret treaty, retrocedes Louisi-
ana to France, and Kansas again becomes French territory.

6 History of Republic County.

April 30, 1803, a treaty was concluded between the United
States and the French Republic, by which France con-
cedes Louisiana to the United States. The treaty was ne-
gotiated, on the part of France, by Barbe-Marbois, the
French minister, and by Robert R. Livingstone and James
Monroe on the part of the United States, and Kansas be-
comes the property of Uncle Sam. The above, briefly
stated, is the chain of title. By this the United States
acquired 1,160,577 square miles of territory, or 742,769,280
acres of land. The purchase price was fifteen millions of
dollars, or a fraction over two cents per acre. This pur-
chase was made during the administration of Thomas Jef-
ferson, and was approved by the entire nation as an act of
the greatest importance, as it doubled the area of the
United States and placed the whole valley of the Missis-
sippi within the territory of the Republic. Congress at
once divided this great region into two territories, the
territory of Orleans, corresponding to the present state of
Louisiana, and the district of Louisiana, comprising the
remainder of the purchase. On the 22d of May, 1854, the
House passed the Kansas-Nebraska bill, providing for the
organization of the territories of Kansas and Nebraska.
The Senate passed the same bill on the 24th, and it was
signed by President Pierce on the 30th. The passage of
this act opened the door to a bloody and bitter conflict in
Kansas between slavery and free labor, which continued
with almost unabated fury until the admission of Kansas
into the Union as a free state. On the 29th of June, 1854,
Andrew H. Reeder, of Pennsylvania, was appointed by
President Pierce Governor of Kansas, and November 29 of
the same year an election was held for choosing a delegate
to Congress, which resulted in the election of J. W. Whit-
field, the pro-slavery candidate, he receiving 2,258 votes to
574 votes for free state candidates. Whitfield took his seat
and held it until March 3, 1855, the close of the 33d Con-
gress. He was re-elected October 1, 1855, receiving 2,721
votes, the free state men not voting. The first election

History of Republic County. 7

for members of the Territorial Legislature was held by
districts, March 30, 1855, thirteen members of the Coun-
cil and twenty-six members of the House, resulting in the
choice of the pro-slavery candidates by large majorities.
This Legislature convened, by order of the Governor, at
Pawnee, near h\. Riley, nearly one hundred miles from
the border, and supposed to be far enough away to be free
from intimidation by the Missourians. Pawnee was a re-
tired and quiet place, and the members, no doubt, fre-
quently called to mind that passage of Scripture which
reads something like this : "The foxes have holes, and the
birds of the air have nests, but this Kansas Legislature has
not a peg to hang its hat on. " The executive ofiice was also
established at Pawnee. On the 6th of July both branches
of the Legislature passed, over the Governor's veto, an act
removing the seat of government from Pawnee to the
Shawnee Manual Labor School, in Johnson county, near
the Missouri border. August 8th, the Legislature, in joint
session, voted to establish the permanent seat of govern-
ment at Lecompton. Upon re-assembling at Shawnee the
Legislature proceeded to adopt the laws of Missouri as the
laws of Kansas, and to frame a series of laws designedly
cruel and oppressive to the free state men. Nearly all the
acts of this Legislature took effect as soon as passed. They
made a volume of 1,058 pages, and were commonly called
the "Bogus Laws." Under these laws none but pro-slav-
ery men could hold office, and every officer, whether elected
or appointed, was compelled to take an oath to support the
Fugitive Slave Law. This was also the oath administered
to every attorney admitted to practice in the courts. Under
these laws any person found with a New York Tribune in
his pocket was deemed guilty of felony, the punishment
being imprisonment at hard labor for two years. These
laws were vetoed by Governor Reeder, but passed by a
nearly unanimous vote over his head. Governor Reeder,
being odious to the pro-slavery party and to the adminis-
tration at Washington, was removed August 16 and Wilson

8 History of Republic County.

Shannon, of Ohio, appointed in his stead. In the mean-
time the free soil settlers had increased so rapidly that
they outnumbered the pro slavery settlers. They now
felt themselves strong enough to resist the outrages of
the Missourians, and accordingly, on the 5th of Septem-
ber, 1855, held a convention at Big Springs, formally or-
ganized the Free State party, and adopted a platform, in
which they distinctly and emphatically repudiated the
government that had been forced upon them by men who
were not residents of the territory. They announced
their intention not to take part in the election of a dele-
gate to Congress, which the territorial authorities had
ordered to be held on the first of October, and called upon
the actual residents of the territory to send delegates to a
convention to be held at Topeka on the 19th of September.
This convention ordered an election to be held for the pur-
pose of choosing a delegate to Congress. On the 23d of
October the convention adopted a Free State constitution,
known as the Topeka constitution. An election for state
officers, under this constitution, was held January 15,
1856, and Charles Robinson was chosen Governor, receiv-
ing 1,296 votes, the pro-slavery party not voting. The
struggle for the possession of the territory now passed out
of politics. The outrages of the pro slavery men had
forced the free state men into an attitude of direct and
uncompromising resistance, and after the action of the
latter at Topeka, the struggle, which had hitherto been
comparatively bloodless, changed its character, and be-
came an open and sanguinary war between the two parties,
in which the pro-slavery men were the aggressors. Bands
of men, armed and regularly organized into companies and
regiments, came into the territory from South Carolina,
Georgia and the extreme southern states, with the avowed
design of making Kansas a slave-holding state at all
hazards.

May 21st, 1856, under the pretext of aiding the United
States Marshal to serve certain processes upon the citi-

History of Republic County. 9

zens of Lawrence, they captured and sacked that town,
burned several houses, killed several of its citizens and
inflicted a property loss upon it amounting to $150,000.
Prom this time the war went on in a series of desultory
but bloody encounters, in nearly all of which John Brown
took an active and prominent part, some of which assumed
the proportions of battles. The Free State Legislature
met at Topeka, March 4th, received the message of Gov-
ernor Robinson, appointed three commissioners to pre-
pare a code of laws, elected James H. Lane and Andrew
H. Reeder United States Senators, prepared a memorial
to Congress asking admission into the Union under the
Topeka constitution, and adjourned to meet July 4th, hav-
ing been in session four days. This memorial was pre-
sented to Congress by Lewis Cass, of Michigan, in the
Senate, and by Representative Mace, of Indiana, in the
House. July 3d, the House passed Grow's bill for the ad-
mission of Kansas under the Topeka constitution, but the
Senate, being pro-slavery, refused to concur. The Free
State Legislature met at Topeka, July 4th, pursuant to
adjournment. Col. Sumner, of the First Cavalry, appears
in the House, and then in the Senate, and orders each
body to disperse. He was acting under orders from Act-
ing Governor Woodson and President Pierce. The Legis-
lature obeys the order. Governor Shannon received notice
of his removal August 2Ist, and Acting Governor Woodson
calls out the militia and declares the territory in a state of
open insurrection and rebellion. This was the darkest day
during the whole struggle for the Free State men, and
large numbers of them left Kansas.

January 6th, 1857, the Free State Legislature again
met at Topeka. Governor Robinson and Lieutenant Gov-
ernor Roberts are absent, and there is no quorum. Re-
assembled on the 8th with quorum present, organize and
appoint a committee to again memorialize Congress to ad-
mit Kansas under the Topeka constitution. After adjourn-
ment a dozen or more of the members were arrested by a

10 History of Republic County.

United States marshal and sent as prisoners toTecumseh.
Met again on the 8th without presiding officers and with-
out quorum, the president of the Senate and the speaker
of the House being prisoners at Tecumseh It appears to
have been the tactics of the pro-slavery party, backed by
the administration at Washington, to arrest a sufficient
number of members to break a quorum, and thus prevent
legislation. Late in July John W. Geary was appointed
Governor in place of Wilson Shannon, removed. The sec-
ond session of the Territorial Legislature met at Lecomp-
ton, January 12th, 1857, to enact more "bogus laws.'' The
Free State men had no part in the election of this House,
and the whole Legislature remained pro-slavery. All bills
vetoed by Governor Geary were promptly passed over his
head, in accordance with a secret agreement at the com-
mencement of the session. Governor Geary exerted him-
self honestly to restore peace, freedom of speech and of
the press, and asked the repeal of many of the bogus laws;
but finding himself powerless, and fearing assassination
from the pro- slavery party, he secretly left Kansas, March
10th, as Governor Reeder had done before him.

President Buchanan appointed as successor to Gover-
nor Geary, Robert J. Walker, of Mississippi, a man of emi-
nence and ability, who sincerely desired to effect a settle-
ment of the quarrel, and who succeeded in inducing the
Free State party to vote, at the coming election, for mem-
bers of the Territorial Legislature and a delegate to Con-
gress, assuring the people that the election should be fair
and free. The election was held October 5th, 1857, which
resulted in the election of a large majority of Free State
men to the Legislature, and of M. J. Parrott, Free State
candidate for delegate to Congress, by a majority of over
4,000. This was the first free and fair election held in the
territory. Governor Walker resigned December 17th, and
James W. Denver was appointed in his stead. Denver
acted as Governor until October, 1858, when he in turn re-
signed, and Samuel Medary, of Ohio, was appointed No-

Histoiy of Republic County. 11

vember 19th, 1858, and who continued in office until Janu-
ary, 1861, and was the Democratic candidate for Governor
under the Wyandotte constitution, against Charles Robin-
son, December Bth, 1859, but was defeated by over 2,500
votes.

In January, 1859, the civil strife having partially sub-
sided in the territory, and the Free State men having a
majority in the Legislature, a convention was summoned
at Wyandotte. It met in July and adopted a Free
State constitution, which was submitted to the people Oc-
tober 1th and ratified by a majority of 5,000. The Wyan-
dotte constitution was then laid before Congress, and a bill
admitting Kansas into the Union passed the House early in
1860. The Senate, however, failed to act upon the bill.
At the next session the measure was revived, and on the
29th of January, 1h61, the opposition of the south having
ceased by reason of the withdrawal of a large number of
the southern Representatives and Senators from Con-
gress, Kansas was admitted into the Union as a free state,
adopting as her motto, "Ad astra per aspera " — To the
stars through difficulties.

List of Territorial Governors of Kansas and the term
of office of each:
Andrew H. Reeder, of Pennsylvania, from October 7, 1851,

to August 16, 1855.
Daniel Woodson, of Virginia, Secretary and Acting Gover-
nor from August 16 to September 7, 1855; June 24 to
July 7, 1856; August 18 to September 9, 1856, and
March 12 to April 16, 1857.
Wilson Shannon, of Ohio, from September 7, 1855, to Au-
gust 18, 1856.
John W. Geary, of Pennsylvania, from September 9, 1856,

to March 12, 1857.
Frederick P. Stanton, of Tennessee, Secretary and Acting

Governor from November 16 to December 21, 1857.
Robert J. Walker, of Mississippi, from May 27 to Novem-
ber 16, 1857.

12 History of Republic County.

James W. Denver, of California, Secretary and Acting
Governor from December 21, 1857, to May 12, 1858,
when he was appointed Governor.

Hugh S. Walsh, born in New Winsor, Orange county, N.
Y.; came to Kansas from Alabama in April, 1857; was
Secretary and Acting Governor from October 10 to
December 17, 1858.

Samuel Medary, of Ohio, from December 18, 1858, to De-
cember 17, 1860.

George M. Beebe, born at New Vernon, N. Y.; came to
Kansas in 1859; Secretary and Acting Governor from
December 17, 1860, to February 9, 1861.
Governors of Kansas since its admission as a state :

Charles Robinson, elected December 6, 1859; sworn into
office February 9, 1861.

Thomas Carney, elected November, 1862.

S. J. Crawford, elected November, 1861; was re-elected
November, 1866; resigned November 1, 1868, to take
command of 19th Regiment, Kansas Volunteer Cavalry.

Nehimiah Green, Acting Governor after the resignation of
Governor Crawford.

James M. Harvey, elected November 3, 1868. Served two
terms.

Thomas A. Osborn, elected November 5, 1872. Served two
terms.

Geo. T. Anthony, elected November 7, 1876.

John P. St. John, elected November 5, 1878. Served two
terms.

George W. Glick, elected November 7, 1882.

John A. Martin, elected Nov. 4, 1881. Served two terms.

Lyman U. Humphrey, elected November 6, 1888. Served
two terms.

Lorenzo D. Lewelling, elected November 8, 1892.

Edmund N. Morrill, elected November 6, 1894.

John W. Leedy, elected November 3, 1896.

William E. Stanley, elected November 8, 1898. Re-elected
November, 1900.

History of Republic County. 13

CHAPTER K

THE PAWNEE REPUBLIC AND THE OLD FLAG.

On the 15th day of July, 1806, Zebulon M. Pike, a
young army officer, being at that time only twenty-seven
years of age, left Belle Fontaine, a small town near the
mouth of the Missouri river, to make explorations in our
newly acquired territory known as the Louisiana pur-
chase. The party consisted of twenty-three white men,
and a part}^ of fifty -one Indians of the Osage and Pawnee
tribes, who had been redeemed from captivity among the
Pottawatomies. These he was to take back to their
friends on the head-waters of the Osage river, on the
border of what is now Kansas. The safe delivery of this
charge at the point of destination, seems to have been the
primary object of the expedition. This being accomplished,
he was to push on to the seat of government of the
Pawnee Republic and establish as far as possible friendly
relations and a good understanding between the various
Indian tribes as well as to cultivate the friendship of all
of them towards the government of the United States.
He was also instructed "to remark particularly upon the
geographical structure, the natural history and popula-
tion of the country through which he passed, taking es-
pecial care to collect and preserve specimens of every-
thing curious in the mineral and botanical worlds, which
can be preserved and are portable. " This expedition was
planned in April, 1806, on the return of Lieut. Pike from
a successful tour of discovery and exploration to the
head- waters of the Mississippi. He was chosen to con-
duct these expeditions on account of his great proficiency
in mathematics, astronomy and the languages.

Capt. Pike camped on White Rock creek on the eve-
ning of September 24th, and the following day he entered

14 History of Republic County.

the Pawnee village, the exact location of which has only
recently been established, different historians locating it
at different points, some placing it at, or near the present
site of Scandia, others at Red Cloud, Nebr., but all agree-
ing that it was located in the valley of the Republican.
During the year 1896 researches were made which estab-
lished beyond a reasonable doubt the site of this historic
village, locating it on section 3, * in township 2 south,
range 5 west, known as White Rock township. This fact
is established by a careful study of the route of Pike's
travels, he being easily traced into Republic county and
by many relics consisting of broken mills, pottery, pipes
of red pipe stone, dressed and undressed flints and many
other articles of Indian workmanship, also many large
circular excavations, within what was once a wall of earth
works, an adjoining cemetery, all distinguishing charact-
eristics of the permanent villages of the Indian tribes of
the plains. At what time this village was established is
only a matter of conjecture. All the information the Paw-
nees themselves can give is that it was a long time ago.
Neither is there any record as to when it was abandoned,
but probably not later than 1833 as in that year the Paw-
nees, by treaty surrendered all their possessions south
of the Platte river, but for a long time thereafter con-
tinued to hunt throughout their ancient hunting grounds
on the plains, their hunting parties frequently visiting
the White Rock valley after its settlement by white men.

September 29th Capt. Pike held a grand council with
the Pawnees at which a large number of warriors were
present. The Spanish flag was floating from a pole in
front of the head chief's lodge, a large part}^ of Spanish
troops having passed this way but a short time previous.
Pike, although having but twenty men under his com-

* The N. E. '4 of section 3. town 2, range 5, on which was located the Paw-
nee Indian village, was pre-eTnpted in 1871 by John .Johnson, known by tbe early
settlers as White Horse Johnson to distinguish him from other Johnsons in the
same neighborhood, as he was the owner of a fine team of while horses.

HI-

■i^^^^^^^^^^^^H^ ^^IH^^Bf / . ^.^Mk^^^^^^^HH^Hi

"^ inni

'3mMli^^BHHIi^SHKraB!!«99S^>T^ "' '^^B^^^^^^f

1^1

^^^^^^ , ,:•*. ..* ^

n^^Ks^|l^gpK?79.^AJT-» ' - -^

Residence of George Johnson, White Rock Township.

History of Republic County. 15

mand, ordered the Spanish lla^ hauled down, and the
American Hag run up to which demand the grand chief,
Characterish, demurred. Here Pike's tact and ingenuity
were called into play and he applied the art of persuasion
with so great effect that the chief permitted the flag to be
taken down and the stars and stripes hoisted in its place
with the jiromise that the Spanish flag should not again
be displayed in the village during Capt. Pike's stay. It is
thus established beyond a reasonable doubt that the stars
and stripes first floated to the breeze in Republic county
on September 29, 1806, this event being now annually
commemorated by the Pawnee Republic Historical So-
ciety. (In a former edition of this history it was stated
the flag was first raised at Scandia, September 25, 1806,
but was given as traditional only and from the best in-
formation then obtainable).

At a meeting of the citizens of White Rock and Big
Bend township held at the Pawnee school house, January
4, 1896, Col. Thomas Shuler was chosen chairman, and
James Lacey, secretary. At this meeting it was decided
to effect a permanent organization which was accordingly
done. The name adopted was '-The Pawnee Republic
Historical Society," and the first officers elected were,
Col. Shuler, president; Mrs. George Johnson, vice-pres-
ident; Hon. Gomer T. Davies, secretary; Mrs. W. R.
Charles, assistant secretary and Geo. Johnson, treasurer.
An investigating committee was appointed at this meeting
consisting of E. D. Haney, Mrs. E. A. Johnson, J. C.
Price, Dr. J. W. Mcintosh and Major C. W. Gulick. This
committee visited Red Cloud, Nebr., but found nothing in
support of the claim that the Pawnee village was located
at that point, the theory that at or near Scandia was the
place having already been abandoned. The valley of the
Republican has been visited and carefully scrutinized by
members of this committee and officers of the society for
many miles up and down, finding no other traces of per-
manent Indian occupancy at all comparable with the well

16 History of Republic County.

defined and unmistakable evidences which exist at this
point, and so reported to the society.

The next step was to get the State Historical Society
interested in this investigation which was done by laying
before it a large amount of accumulated evidence at its
annual meeting in January, 1896, at which time the fol-
lowing committee was appointed by Gov. Morrill, presi-
dent of the society, viz: The late Judge F. G. Adams, at
that time secretary of the state society; the late Noble L.
Prentis, author of "Pike of Pike's Peak," and Prof. E. B.
Cowgill, of the Kansas Farmer, with instructions to inves-
tigate and make a complete and exhaustive report to the
State Historical Society at its annual meeting in January,
1897. Accordingly Judge Adams and Professor Cowgill
visited the site on July 15, 1896, Mr. Prentis being dis-
abled by an accident which made it impossible for him
to visit the field. This committee reported as directed, an
advance copy being furnished the Pawnee society at the
request of Mrs. Johnson, its vice president, as follows:

ToPEKA, Kansas, August 22, 1896.
To Hon. Thomas Shuler,

President Pawnee Republic Historical Soc'ety,
White Rock, Kansas.

Dear Sir: — In conformity to the wishes expressed
by your respected vice-president, Mrs. George Johnson,
and in compliance with our duty in the premises, the un-
dersigned, members of the committee appointed by the
Kansas State Historical Society at its annual meeting in
January last, to co-operate with your society in an effort
to identify the location of the village of the Pawnee Indian
Republic visited by Lieut. Z. M. Pike in 1806, hereby give
you the conclusion arrived at by us as the result of our
recent visit to the ancient village site in White Rock town-
ship, and our inspection of the same, accompanied by offi-
cers and members of your society. In giving you the
conclusion to which we have arrived in the matter it is
proper that we should say that in the first place we have

History of Republic County. 17

been guided by the narrative of Lieut. Pike, giving as it
does an account of his journey to and from the village,
with such description as the narrative contains; this,
taken in connection with such an account as is given by
Lieut. Wilkinson, who accompanied the explorer.

These descriptions, though meager and somewhat
conflicting, by careful examination have been of service.
Next we take into consideration the local information on
the subject derived from the fact that the entire valley
of the Republican and the adjacent country of the region,
above and below, has for many years been settled up and
brought into cultivation, and that your society has made
diligent inquiry among all the inhabitants and, though
your committee, has visited the only other locality be-
lieved by any of the inhabitants to have ever been the site
of an Indian village; and that at that place there had been
seen at one time merely slight evidences of a temporary
Indian camp; no remains of a permanent Indian village.
In regard to the inquiries and investigations made by
you, it is of course out of our power to do otherwise than
rely upon your information. In this we place implicit
confidence.

The final consideration influencing us has been the
markings at the place which we visited with you and
which clearly exhibits evidence that there was at a time
as remote as Pike's visit, an Indian village of the char-
acter described by him.

In respect to this the evidences are quite satisfac-
tory. They conform to those well known artificial fea-
tures which have identified sites of other ancient villages
of the Indians of the plains country.

There are the clearly marked remains of a surround-
ing wall, and within the bounds of the wall circular ridges
marking the situations of the numerous permanent
lodges. There is the debris left from the destruction of
these habitations. All these evidences are distinct and
unmistakable. Prom these considerations we have ar-

18 History of Republic County.

rived at the conclusion that the spot pointed out to us by
your society is the identical site of the village in question.
There is but a bare possibility that it can be otherwise.

We beg to give you our sincere thanks for the cour-
tesies extended to us during our visit to the now rich and
fruitful region ushered into history ninety years ago;
then an uncultivated wilderness, now one of the most
productive portions of Kansas, bearing all the evidences
of thrift and culture among the people. The existence of
your society organized for the laudable object of promot-
ing an important branch of information respecting the
history of the state and country, is in all respects highly
praiseworthy, and should receive due consideration from
the Kansas State Historical Society, which we have the
honor to represent. With great respect.

Yours truly,

P. G. Adams.

E. B. COWGILL.

The Pawnee Republic Historical Society holds its reg-
ular annual meetings at the Pawnee school house near the
village site, on the 29th of September, this being the anniver-
sary of the hoistingof the American flag in Republic county,
and special meetings whenever deemed necessary, but
the annual celebrations and flag raisings are held on the
town site, one of the most beautiful and picturesque spots
in the great state of Kansas. The present officers of the
society are: J. C. Price, president; Mrs. John Moore, sec-
retary, and George Johnson, treasurer

The site of the village, embracing eleven acres was
deeded by Mrs. Johnson to the state, conditioned that an
appropriation be made by the legislature for the purpose
of suitably marking this place as one of the leading his-
toric spots of Kansas. The importance of doing this was
strongly presented to the legislature by the Pawnee Re-
public Historical Society in which it was ably assisted by
the Daughters of the Revolution.

Accordingly Senator R. B. Ward introduced the fol-

View near the Pawnee Indiaa Village. Road leaving the
Grove at foot of the hill.

History of Republic County. 19

lowing bill January 14, 1901, and ably championed it to
final passage February Uth; yeas 28, nays none, absent or
not voting 12. Hon. W. H. Woodward, representing Repub-
lic county, introduced the same bill in the House, where it
met with some opposition, being at one time stricken from
the calendar, but it finally passed that body without a dis-
senting vote and was approved by the gov^ernor February
U, 1901:

SESSION LAWS OF KANSAS, 1901.

CHAPTER 40.

PIKE'S PAWNEE INDIAN VILLAGE.

An act accepting title to the site of Pike's Pawnee Indian
village, in Republic county, Kansas, making appropri-
ation for fencing and suitably marking the said prem-
ises, and placing the same under the care and control
of the Kansas State Historical Society.

Whereas, Elizabeth A. Johnson and George Johnson, of
of White Rock, Republic county. Kansas, have, by their joint
deed of general warranty, tendered as a gift to the state
of Kansas a clear and unencumbered title to the following
described real estate situated in Republic county, Kansas,
which deed is now held in escrow by the secretary of the
Kansas State Historical Society, to wit : Beginning at a
point six chains west of the southeast corner of the north-
east quarter of section 3, township 2, south of ntnge 5
west; thence west sixteen chains, thence north seven
chains, thence east sixteen chains, thence south seven
chains to the place of beginning, containing eleven and
two-tenths acres, more or less, being in the site of Pike's
Pawnee Indian village, which conveyance of title is to be
made upon condition that within four years from the 29th
day of March, 1899, the state of Kansas shall accept the
title to said premises so tendered, and shall cause the said
premises to be fenced and suitably marked to commemo-
rate the first raising of the American flag on Kansas terri-
tory; therefore.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:

Section 1. That the title to the premises aforesaid
and described as follows, to wit : Beginning at a point six

20 History of Republic County,

chains west of the southeast corner of the northeast quar-
ter of section 3, township 2, south of range 5 west; thence
west sixteen chains, thence north seven chains, thence east
sixteen chains, thence south seven chains to the place of
beginning, containing eleven and two-tenths acres, more
or less, being the site of Pike's Pawnee Indian village, ten-
dered as a gift to the state of Kansas by Elizabeth A. John-
son and George Johnson, by their deed of general war-
ranty, dated March 29, 1899, be and the same is hereby
accepted by and on behalf of the state of Kansas ; pro-
vided, however, that the title to said premises so tendered
and accepted shall revert to the said donors in the event
the state shall fail to fence and mark said premises as
hereinafter provided within four years from the 29th day
of March, 1899.

Sec. 2. That upon the vesting of the title to said
premises in the state of Kansas, under the provisions of
this act, the Kansas State Historical Society shall have the
care and control of said premises for and on behalf of the
state, and shall fence the said premises and suitably mark
the same by monument or otherwise, to commemorate the
first raising of the American flag on Kansas territory.

Sec. 3. That the sum of three thousand dollars, or so
much thereof as may be necessary, be and the same is
hereby appropriated out of any money in the state treas-
ury not otherwise appropriated, to fence and suitably
mark said premises by monument or otherwise, as herein-
before provided, the money so expended to be paid upon
warrants of the State Auditor, allowed and drawn upon
vouchers approved by the secretary of the Kansas State
Historical Society.

Sec. 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from
and after its publication in the statute book.

Approved February 14, 1901.

The corner stone of the monument provided for in the
above act was laid with impressive ceremonies by the
Grand Lodge, A. P. and A. M., under the auspices of
Belleville Lodge, No. 129, July 4, 1901, and at which
time and place other patriotic exercises were held. Hon.
George W. Martin, secretary of the State Historical So-
ciety, called the assembled multitude to order and intro-
duced Senator R. B. Ward as president of the day, who in

History of Republic County. 21

a few patriotic and well-timed i-emarks introduced J. C.
Price, president of the Pawnee Historical Society, who in
the name of the society and in behalf of Mrs. Johnson for-
mally presented to Governor Stanley a deed to the eleven
acres of land comprising the site of the Pawnee village.
Mr. Price said:

Were it possible by any system of investigation to find
out the history of all the peoples who have occupied this
country since the beginning of lime, men would stand
ready for the undertaking.

Were it possible to trace an immigration from the north
through British America to our lands of gold and ice
across Bering straits, south through Asia to some un-
known -'Garden of Eden" as the original home of our In-
dian predecessors, men and means would not be wanting
in the enterprise. But the origin of these people is a
closed book, and no one is found who can break the seal
thereof, and we are defrauded of an heritage to which we
are justly entitled.

History, like nature, has its hill-tops, and though our
vision may be shaded by a misty past, much remains with-
in the range of our observation and research which we
may classify, record and bequeath to those who come after
us as a goodly heritage.

This testament should convey not only the full comple-
ment of that which we have received, but increased and
augmented by the results of our inquiry, our studies and
observation.

We meet today upon a natural promontory — the pano-
rama presented is many miles in extent in all directions —
and yet the prominence of this place is not its elevation
above the surrounding country, but that it occupies a
prominent place, and I might say the initial point in our
state's history.

We meet on this historic spot, this hall of fame, to
place a tablet to the memory of one of our early heroes,
and to dedicate these grounds to the cause of freedom, to
which he gave his young life. To perpetuate the record of
one of the greatest peaceful victories of our history, a vic-
tory only possible by the rare judgment, tact and person-
ality of the gallant young officer, Zebulon M. Pike.

History places him on these grounds, over which

22 History of Republic Comity.

floated the flag of one of the greatest nations of the world,
surrounded by hundreds of warriors who recognized the
sovereignty of that flag, while he with a little band of
travel-stained and weary men demanded the lowering of
the flag of Spain and substituting the Stars and Stripes.
Incredible as it may seem, this demand was complied with,
and on September 29, 1806, Kansas breezes were called
upon for the last time to unfurl that flag, which has floated
over more of misery, more of oppression, more of treach-
ery, than any emblem ever designed by man.

We meet to transfer to this great commonwealth
these grounds where our children and our children's
children may gather to learn lessons of loyalty, patriot-
ism and devotion to the principles which have made us the
foremost nation on the globe.

These grounds twice hallowed, hallowed by being the
home of the Republican Pawnees, a people whose identity
is perpetual in the name of this county, the river that
flows at the foot of these bluffs, and the name of yonder
village, a people who when they had accepted the sover-
eignty of the United States were always loyal to the
"Great White Father" in Washington.

lOV^A SETS A PACE.

Our sister state, Iowa, has just dedicated a monument
to the memory of Sergeant Floyd of the Lewis and Clarke
expedition, at the cost of $60,000, of which the general
government contributed $5,000. We believe that this sum
was wisely and justly expended and leads us to anticipate
a substantial appropriation for preserving these grounds.

The organization of the Pawnee Republic Historical
Society was the inception of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Johnson,
and to their devotion to its objects is due whatever of suc-
cess may be attained. They have been tireless in conse-
cration of time and means for the necessary investiga-
tions to establish the facts in connection with this inter-
esting chapter of state and national history.

May the time soon come when they will be appropri-
ately remembered for the unselfish labor which they have
devoted to this cause of preserving whatsoever remains of
the history of our predecessor, the Republican Pawnees,
for honoring and preserving the spot upon which Ameri-
can dominion was first enforced in the disputed territory
of the Louisiana Purchase.

History of Republic County. 23

It has been the purpose of our society to arrive at ex-
act truths in our examination of these historic grounds,
and the deeds here enacted which have made them of
national as well as local interest. And when we had ex-
hausted our own resources, the results were turned over
to the State Historical Society, which with its better
facilities has carried on the labors to the successful ter-
mination.

We will ever hold in grateful remembrance our late
Secretary Judge Adams for the interest and assistance
which he rendered our local society.

Our only hope of retaining these grounds in their
present position is the fact that Geo. Martin can not have
them moved to Topeka, labeled and placed on the shelf
in the new historical rooms.

And now I am impowered as the representative of the
Pawnee Republic Historical Society, and through the gen-
erosity of Elizabeth A. Johnson, to deliver to your ex-
cellency, the representative of our great state, this inden-
ture, conveying the title in fee of these grounds.

To which the Governor responded as follows :

In the early days of the century that has just closed,
at this spot. Lieutenant Pike hauled down the Spanish
Hag, which up to that time had been the emblem of au-
thority to the savage tribes that peopled these plains, and
erected in its stead the stars and stripes. Since that time
the flag has had a memorable history, and recently there
has been a great discussion of the question whether the
constitution followed the flag. Be that as it may, many
things have followed the flag since Lieutenant Pike planted
it here as a mark of American sovereignty over this terri-
tory . Then the United States was composed of eighteen
states and twenty-four territories, with a population of six
million people. Now it is composed of forty -five states and
six territories, counting Alaska and Hawaii and excluding
Porto Rico and the Phihppines, with a population of sev-
enty-eight millions.

The planting of the American flag here closely fol-
lowed the Louisiana purchase and marked the commence-
ment of our internal improvements and the beginning of
steamboat navigation. Now the great Louisiana purchase
embraces the richest part of our domain; our internal im-
provements have grown to immense proportions, and the

24 History of Republic Countv.

protection of American commerce is becoming one of the
pressing questions of the hour. Then Uncle Sam was a
modest youth, unable to command any considerable share
of respect or attention from foreign nations. Now he is
a mature and very vigorous gentleman and commands the
respect of the whole world. Then we were a debtor nation
and the ledger balance was always on the wrong side. Now
we are a creditor nation and the trade balance is largely in
our favor.

About the time that Lieutenant Pike raised the Ameri-
can flag here our imports were |130,000,000, our exports
$100,000,000, showing a balance against us of $30,000,000,
or 30 per cent of our entire imports. Now our exports are
more than one and one-half billion dollars, our imports less
than a billion, leaving a balance in our favor of more than
$500,000,000. making the great balance on the credit side
of the ledger one-half as great as the entire imports.

In a single century we have grown from weakness to
strength; from poverty to wealth; from a debtor to a cred-
itor nation. The American flag is upon all seas, Ameri-
can products and the American merchant in all markets,
and the United States enters upon the new century as a
great world power.

But marvelous as has been the development of the
United States, the development of Kansas has been more
remarkable. For more than half a century after the flag
was planted here the territory which now comprises our
state was known by travelers and geographers alike as a
great desert. The development of that desert land into
fruitful fields; the substitution of an energetic, thrifty
people for savage tribes; the displacement of the wild
herds that roamed in countless numbers over these prai-
ries by the Shorthorn and the Hereford; the building of
homes, school houses and churches where formerly the
wigwam stood, has been marvelous, and the history of
that wonderful growth reads like a fairy tale.

Forty years ago Kansas was admitted into the Union
as a state. It had scarcely more than a hundred thousand
people, but these have grown and increased until we have
within our borders one and a half million people, as devoted
to home and law and order and good government and tem-
perance as any people that were ever brought together.

We have developed along the lines of agriculture until
in 1900 and 1901, in two succeeding harvests, Kansas pro-

History of Republic County. 25

duced the astounding and unequaled yield of more than
150,000,000 bushels of wheat. Last year we had in Kansas
more than 6,000,000 head of live stock, or more than four
head for every unit of our population. We have realized
the dreams of the theorists and have a horse for every
family and a cow for every individual in the state, with
plenty of swine and sheep thrown in for good measure.
We have grown from the crude business methods where
pelts and robes were used as mediums of exchange to a
banking system represented by over five hundred banks,
with an aggregate deposit of nearly seventy million dol-
lars, or nearly tifty dollars for every unit of our popula-
tion. The deposits of our state and private banks have in-
creased in a single year over 30 per cent.

To carry the products of our pastures and fields to the
market we have nearly nine thousand miles of railway. If
built in parallel lines equi-distant from each other, it
would make twenty lines of railroad traversing the state
from east to west.

But it is not in our rich harvests, our bursting gran-
aries, our increasing bank deposits or our great system of
railways that the state has made its greatest advancement.
There was not a school house in Kansas for half a century
after Pike raised the flag here. There are now more than
nine thousand in the state. There are eleven thousand
school teachers and an enrollment in our schools of four
hundred thousand pupils. This shows that more than
one-fourth of the population are enrolled in the common
schools, and that one out of every one hundred and thirty
of our population is a school teacher. That our schools are
efficient is shown by the fact that Kansas has a smaller
per cent of illiteracy than any state in the Union.

One of the strongest influences in this wonderful de-
velopment has been the public press. There are now pub-
lished in Kansas eight hundred and thirty-eight papers and
other periodicals. These go into our homes and afford the
people means of keeping in touch with all the topics of the
day. The influence of the schools and homes and newspapers
had a forcible illustration during the Spanish- American
war, when in four full Kansas regiments, enlisted from all
parts of the state, there was not a single soldier who could
not write a legible hand. A remarkable thing in all of this
wonderful development is that it has taken place within the
space of a single life.

26 History of Republic County.

Many of the men who moulded and shaped public sen-
timent in Kansas in the early days are moulding and shap-
ing public sentiment still. Of the strong coterie of news-
paper men who directed the current and trend of popular
sentiment in the great struggle to make Kansas a free
state, some still wield a ready pen in defense of the insti-
tutions which the early Kansas press made possible. Of
these men, John A. Martin, of the Atchison Champion; Sol
Miller, of the Troy Chief; S. S. Prouty, of Freedom's Cham-
pion; T. Dwight Thatcher, of the Lawrence Journal; P. G.
Adams, of the Atchison Free Press, have gone, but D. R.
Anthony, of the Leavenworth Times; M. M. Murdock, of
the Wichita Eagle, and George W. Martin, formerly of the
Junction City Union, now of the Kansas City Gazette, are
still in the editorial harness I think many fail to realize
the great and successful fight that the early free state
press of Kansas made for freedom's cause and the influ-
ence it exerted to give breadth and purpose to Kansas
civilization.

By every golden harvest, by every lowing herd, by
every bursting granary, by every successful business en-
terprise, by every overflowing bank, by all of her increas-
ing streams of business, already bank full, Kansas has
reason to congratulate itself upon these evidences of ma-
terial prosperity that have followed the planting of the flag
upon her soil long before Kansas was born. But better than
all these — in its many happy and contented homes, from
the dugout to the mansion; in all of its public schools, uni-
versities, colleges and academies; in its many churches, of
whatever name, denomination or creed; and in the product
of all these, its noble type of manhood and womanhood,
Kansas finds its real cause for rejoicing.

And this suggests two questions: If the hauling down
of the Spanish flag and the planting of the American flag
in its stead at that place in the early days of the last cen-
tury has been productive of so much good, can the hauling
down of the Spanish flag and the planting of the American
flag in its stead in any other place, at the closing days of
the same century, be productive of harm? If the haul-
ing down of the Spanish flag and the planting of the Ameri-
can flag in its place brought so much liberty and blessing
to millions of people and displaced a rude savagery by a
high Christian civilization, is there any danger that the
hauling down of the Spanish flag and the planting of the

MRS. ELIZABETH JOHNSON.

History of Republic County. 27

American tlcig in its place a hundred years afterward will
bring hardship, tyranny or oppression?

And now, in the name of Kansas; in the name of its
one and a half million strong, brave and law-abiding citi-
zens; in the name of its publ'c schools, the pride and glory
of our state; in the name of its homes, its churches, its
public press; in the name of its early pioneers, living and
dead; in the name of the boys and girls who are soon to
come forth out of our homes and churches and schools —
the product of our civilization — to take upon their shoul-
ders the responsibilities and cares of state; in the name of
all that is good and inspiring in the history of Kansas, I
hereby accept, in the name and behalf of all of these, the
deed to this historic spot.

At 2 o'clock in the afternoon the program was re-
sumed and Henry P. Mason, of Garden City, delivered an
address on "From Quivira to Kansas," which abounded in
stories of the exploits and conquests of Coronado, Cortez
and other early adventurers. His speech was of an his-
torical nature and elicited close attention.

Mrs. Margaret Hill McCarter, of Topeka, the noted
woman orator, delivered a patriotic address "Lest we
Forget," showing the educational advantages of such
gatherings. The address was warmly received.

The speaking closed with an able address on "Fra-
ternalism and Patriotism" by Hon. John W. Haughey,
grand master of the Odd Fellows of Kansas.

The unveiling of the monument with appropriate
ceremonies will take place September 29, just ninety-five
years from the day that the American flag first floated to
the breeze in Kansas.

PIKE'S PAWNEE INDIAN VILLAGE.

A paper read by Mrs. Elizabeth A. Johnson before the Daughters
of the American Revolution, at Lawrence, Kan., October
11, 1900.

What of the Pawnee republic? Where was it? And

28 History of Republic County.

why do we, a people of modern ideas and fancies, busy
with the trials and cares of a new era, seek to return to a
people nearly a hundred years gone? Can we only say
"because?"

To begin with, what of the Pawnee republic? Was it
only a place high on a hill overlooking the Republican
river, which bears its name, and flows continually on, un-
mindful that above it dwelt the first uncivilized people who
gave themselves a republican form of government such
as we now enjoy? Ah, no ; nor was it the plains, vast and
wide, which stretched away to the southward as far as
the eye could reach. One would never have dreamed that
some day the iron horse would leave a dense cloud of
smoke behind, or that cities would spring up like magic.
The Pawnee Indians, like their white brothers, were not
always at peace with their neighbors; in fact, they were
rightly named the Ishmaels of the plains.

On the 15th of July, 1806, there sailed away from the
landing at Belle Fontaine, near St. Louis, two small boats
with a party consisting of two lieutenants, one surgeon,
one sergeant, two corporals, sixteen privates, and one in-
terpreter. They had in charge a number of Osages and
Pawnees who had been to Washington, and whom Lieuten-
ant Pike was to escort to their own peeple. He was also
to investigate our new possessions, a part of which is now
Kansas. Yet no sooner had he started than the news was
carried across by Spanish spies, and Lieutenant Malgares
hurried up with an army of 300 men from Santa Fe, with
the hope of bringing Pike back a prisoner. But luckily on
the broad Kansas plains they missed each other, and after
many trials and hardships Lieutenant Pike arrived safely
at the Pawnee republic, having crossed the Spanish trail
wondering what it meant. He was soon to find out. Our
little handful of men crossed the Republican river, oppo-
site the village, and rested a few days.

On the 29th of September they held their grand coun-

History of Republic County. 29

cil, at which were collected hundreds of warriors who had
been taught hostility to the American cause. Imagine a
place high on a lonely prairie, wigwams here and there, a
river dark and somber, hundreds of dusky warriors made
hideous with war paint, each solemn and stern, and a man
determined and cool, but the same as alone with this vast
throng, each ready to slay him. Why? you ask. There
on a staff in front of a chief's tent floats a flag foreign to
our country. Would Lieutenant Pike hold council under
another flag, and in his own country? No, a thousand
times no! He demanded that the Spanish flag be hauled
down, and our stars and stripes be hoisted in its place.
Receiving no response, he repeated his request, adding
that it was impossible for a nation to have two fathers;
either they must be children of the Spanish sovereign or
acknowledge their American father. Slowly an old man
arose, took down the Spanish colors, and sadly laid them
at Pike's feet.

Pike's end was gained. Our flag floated proudly over his
head for the first time in a new and disputed territory. We
are almost tempted to shout ' 'America !" but we must pause
and think of what he suffered after his departure from
this place. He was beset on on all sides by these savages,
only overcoming danger by his fearlessness, but he was
captured at last and remained a prisoner for six months.
His notes of observation and his letters were taken from
him. He merely saw the glorious peak which bears his
name. Honor to Colorado for her step in the matter. Does
he deserve honor? Shall we, a patriotic people, allow this
one and only place to pass into obscurity? Does Kansas
lag behind her sister state in recognizing bravery and de-
votion to a proud flag and a glorious cause? A more fit-
ting tribute we cannot give than to mark this spot, which
it would seem even nature had designed to do honor to a
brave and noble man, Lieut. Zebulon M. Pike.

30 History of Republic Comity.

THE PAWNEE REPUBLIC.

Read by A. B, Warner, before the Pawnee Republic Historical So-
ciety, at the Pawnee village.

Tread lightly to-day, for the dust of your feet
Is the tomb where a nation lies sleeping;

The cold blast of winter and summer's soft breeze
Together their vigils are keeping.

No monument o'er them to crumble to dust.

Unmarked as the realms of the fairy;
These children of nature, how sweetly they rest.

Embalmed in the green of the prairie.

A blast from the tempest swept over the scene;

The nymphs of the vale have a story;
They stand at the portal of nations and plead

For a people entitled to glory.

The fierce battle-ax and the torch of the foe
Were the doors to this climax of horror;

The sun in its glory set peaceful and calm,
But rose sullen and black on the morrow.

The voice of the infant was cruelly hushed,

It perished beside its dead mother;
The maiden arrayed in her bridal costume

Died in the cold arms of her lover.

You ask of the warrior and where could he be,
'Mid the flame and the carnage and rattle;

Surprised and outnumbered, a hero was he,
As he fell in the front of the battle.

Old Father Time with his sickle so keen
Sweeps down the tall oak and the heather ;

And nations unborn with the nations that be
Shall mingle their ashes together.

The voice of each mortal shall cease to be heard,

And palsied the arm of the giant;
And kings with their kingdoms shall lie in the dust,

And the tongue be no longer defiant.

These toilings for gain and for honor we see,
Ambitions loud claim for preferment;

Historv of Republic County. 31

The bustle and turmoil and strivings that be,
Be unknown in the place of interment.

The prince and his palace, the serf and his hut.

Shall mingle their ashes together ;
From dust and to dust is again the decree,

And not a leaf missed from the heather.

And, at the last page of the records of time.
When the nations from slumber shall rally.

Then the Pawnee republic shall shine as she stood,
In her pride, overlooking the valley.

32 . History of Republic County.

CHAPTER IL

REPUBLIC COUNTY.

BOUNDARIES OF THE COUNTY DEFINED— EARLY SETTLEMENTS— FIRST
SCHOOLS— EARLY MAIL FACILITIES.

The first mention we have of Republic county is by
the Legislature of 1860, which defined its boundaries and
gave it a name. It is so called from its relations to the
Republican river, which enters the county near its north-
western corner, flowing a little east of south, leaving the
county about eight miles east of the southwest corner.
The river received its name by reason of the fact that at
one time the band of Pawnee Indians called the "Pawnee
Republic " had its principal village and seat of government
in its vaDey. The boundaries of the county, as fixed by
the Legislature of 1860, are as follows : Commencing at a
point where the sixth principal meridian intersects the
base line of the state of Kansas; thence south on said sixth
principal meridian to the township line between townships
four and five, south; thence west with said township line
to the range line between ranges five and six, west of the
sixth principal meridian; thence north with said range
line to the base line of the state of Kansas; thence east on
said base line to the place of beginning. These boundaries
have never been changed: and the idea, entertained by some
of our citizens, that the county originally embraced a larger
area, and that one tier of townships on the south had been
detached from Republic and attached to Cloud county, is
erroneous. The county is as large to-day as it has ever
been, being thirty miles from east to west and twenty-four
from north to south, containing seven hundred and twenty
square miles, and is located in what is popularly called the
"northern tier," immediately south of the fortieth paral-
lel of north latitude and west of the sixth principal merid-

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History of Republic County. 33

ian. It is bounded on the north by Thayer and Nuckols
counties, Nebraska; on the east by Washington, on the
south by Cloud and on the west by Jewell county. It is
one hundred and twenty -five miles, on an air line, west of
the Missouri river, and ninety miles northwest of the geo-
graphical center of the United States.

The following highly interesting account of the loca-
tion of a townsite in Republic county before any settle-
ment had been made here by white men is a bit of history
never before published. Mr. Manning was one of the origi-
nal members of the Winlield, Cowley County, Townsite
Company, organized in January, 1870, and has been a con-
spicuous figure in the history of Kansas for forty years.
He was a State Senator during the session of 1864, and
whose district comprised the counties of Marshall, Riley,
Washington, Clay, Republic and Shirley, now Cloud, and
was the author of an important measure in the interest of
Republic county :

WiNFiELD, Kan., March 25, 1891.

Hon. I. O. Savage, Belleville, Kan.

Dear Sir: — I am in receipt of your communication of
the 24th inst., and note its contents. With pleasure I com-
ply with your request. In the spring of 1860 I was a resi-
dent of Marysville, in Marshall county, Kansas, 21 years
of age and a land surveyor. Mr. Prank Marshall, who was
the founder of Marysville and a conspicuous figure in ante-
bellum days and politics, closely in touch with Buchanan's
administration and alive to western development, antici-
pating the passage of a Pacific railroad bill then pending
in Congress, decided to secure possession of a townsite at
what should be the focal point of two lines of railroad under
the bill. By its provisions one line was to start from the
vicinity of the mouth of the Platte river, and the other line
was to start from the mouth of the Kansas river, and the
the two were to converge to a point within 200 miles of the
Missouri river. Congressmen Craig, of Missouri, and
Montgomery, of Pennsylvania, were co-operating with
Mr. Marshall. The latter outfitted a heavy government
wagon drawn by two yoke of oxen, with necessary tools,

34 History of Republic County.

camp outfit, including tent, and employed me to take
charge of it and five men to go over to the big bend of the
Republican river and select a townsite on suitable ground,
which was to be the junction of the two railroads, from
which westwardly one line was to be constructed. This
was in April of 1860. We drove from Marysville down the
Big Blue river to reach what was known as the parallel
road, the only road leading to the Republican valley in that
vicinity at that time, and on arriving at the Republican
river found a big, burly settler named Cloud at or about
where Clifton now is. We remained there over night and
resumed our travel up the valley on what was known as the
Military road. We saw no more settlers nor Indians. I
easily found the parallel line, dividing Kansas and Ne-
braska, for the township and section corners were plainly
marked by stones. At the point where the river turns
south and extending from the north bank of the stream to
the state line a fine, gently sloping plateau offered a beau-
tiful townsite. This I selected and laid off and staked two
streets, one running east and west and one running north
and south, and in the four angles of these cross streets
superintended the laying of the foundations of four log
houses and platted a map of a townsite one mile square, to
be turned over to Mr. Marshall. I then left the party to
complete the buildings and returned on a mule, which I
had taken along for my individual use, across the track-
less country to Hollenberg station, on the overland stage
road, about sixty miles distant. There were no settlers
on the route. The party completed the buildings and re-
turned some weeks later by the route they went. There
was some travel at that time over the Military road, con-
sisting of teams en route to Oregon and Washington terri-
tories. That summer the Indians burned the houses down.
The Democratic railroad bill died with Buchanan's admin-
istration, and a new bill, with different provisions and com-
missioners, fostered the living Pacific railroad. At the
time I speak of there was considerable good timber at the
junction of White Rock creek and the Republican. As I
now remember, Sec. 4, Town 1, S. R. 5 west, was the loca-
tion selected. Tom Tierney and G. L. Manning, a younger
brother of mine, were in the party, but I do not now recall
the names of the other members of the party. M}' brother,
a boy of 17 years, joined an emigrant train and went to
Bakerville, Oregon. I don't now remember what name

CONK AD MYERS.

History of Republic Coimty. 35

Gen. Marshall gave the town site, nor what steps he took
to obtain title. Respectfully yours,

E. C. Manning.

Daniel and Conrad Myers were the first white settlers
of Republic county, Daniel settling upon the E ^ of NE i
and E ^ of SEi of section 1, town 4 south, range 3 west,
and Conrad taking W ^ of NWi and W4 SW i of section 6,
town 4 south, range "1 west, where he now resides.

These settlements were made the 28th of February,
1861. The nearest white settlement, at that time, was at
Lake Sibley, in Cloud county, which did not prove perma-
nent on account of Indian depredations. Conrad Myers
is the only one of the early settlers who did not, at any
time, leave the county on account of the Indian troubles,
and for more than four weeks during the spring of 1861
was the only white person in Republic county. The near-
est postoffice at that time was at Manhattan, eighty miles
away; and it is not, perhaps, necessary to state that Mr.
Myers did not at that time take the daily papers.

Daniel Myers built the first dwelling house in Septem-
ber, 1861, a comfortable log structure in which he lived
during his entire residence in this county. John Myers,
a cousin, came with Daniel and Conrad, but did not take up
any land. He died the last of April, 1861, being the first
white settler who died in the county.

The next settlers after Daniel and Conrad Myers, were
David and John Cory, who came and made settlement
March 17th, 1862, John Cory taking the W i NW \ section
18 and the W i SW \ section 7, town 4, Range 2, in the fall
of 1861, and made the first improvements in the county
after the two Mr. Myers.

David Cory was born in Cortland county. New York,
March 4th, 1807, and died after a long and painful illness
at the home of his son, John W., in Grant township, Jan-
uary 3rd, 1893, being 85 years, 10 months and 23 days old.

John W. Cory is still living on the land he selected 40
years ago.

1112536

36 History of Republic County.

The next settlers were James VanNatta and Wm,
Harshberger; the former setthng on the NW i of section
19, town 3-2, on the tenth day of March, 1862, and the lat-
ter on the SW i of same section and same date.

The next settler was James G. Tuthill, who arrived at
what was then known as Salt Marsh, on the tenth of June,
1862, and located on the NW \ of section 28, town 4, south
range 2 west.

On the day of his arrival he cut and hauled four logs
for the foundation of a house, intending to build at once,
but was obliged to return to Jefferson county, Kansas, his
former home, on account of the serious illness of his hired
man, where he remained until July 1st, when he returned
with four men, intending to complete the building of the
house as speedily as possible. Again was he disappointed,
one of his men being so unfortunate as to have a bug
crawl into one of his ears on the night of his arrival; and
having no means of removing the same, and fearing the
same would prove fatal, necessitated the return of the entire
party to Jefferson county. Mr. Tuthill then employed C.
M. Way, a resident at that time, of Jefferson county, to
come on and complete his house; Mr. Way arriving at the
Marsh August 16th, 1862, but finding the country swarm-
ing with Indians, returned at once to Clifton, where a
small settlement had already been made.

Mr. Tuthill remained in Jefferson county until the lat-
ter part of September, 1862, when he again set out for Re-
public county, bringing his family and two good men as
help with him, arriving at the Marsh October 1st, and built
that fall two houses of logs, each 18x20 feet.

The winter of 1862-63 was very mild, no snow or rain
falling, and little freezing weather, no ice forming thicker
than a knife blade. The spring opened very early, and
Mr. Tuthill broke ten acres of prairie at the Marsh in
February, 1863, and had his garden all made by the 10th
of March. He had a splendid garden that year, melons
being ripe on the 4th of July. On Sunday after the 4th,

History of Republic County. 37

about 6,000 Indians, principally Pawnees, lowas andOtoes,
camped near Mr. Tuthill's place, and harvested his melons
and other garden truck most successfully, but offered no
violence to himself or family. After everything on the place
had been stolen the chief in command placed a double guard
around the garden patch. This action of the chief was very
considerate, and highly appreciated by Mr. Tuthill after
his property had been stolen.

The same spring a settlement was made on White
Rock creek by Mr. Philip Keyser, on what is now known
as the Fisher farm. Keyser had been here but two months
when the creek overflowed its banks and swept over the
bottom to the depth of four feet or more, and continued
this way for nearly two weeks. Until very recently the
driftwood at the foot of the hills indicated the height of
the water. The water in this creek has not been as high
since by five feet. Mr. Keyser left as soon as the water
fell so he could go, not liking that kind of a drouth.

In the fall of 1863, S. M. Fisher, James Reed and one
Clark, a preacher, homesteaded the land now owned by
Fisher, Johnson and Lovewell, and remained upon it until
the spring of 1864. That spring the Pawnees and Chey-
ennes had a battle on the town site of White Rock, which
resulted in the death of one of the Pawnee braves named
Sywasha Spattybat, the first blood known to have been
spilled in White Rock township. The presence of large
numbers of Indians, and their hostile demonstrations, so
alarmed the settlers that they all left, and no further set-
tlement was attempted until the spring of 1866, when
Thomas Lovewell and others came back to stay.

But to return to the settlement on Salt Creek. In the
fall of 1862, Isaac M. Schooley settled on the NW i of sec-
tion 7, town 4 south, 2 west, and made homestead entry
No. 54 on the same, January 17th, 1863, and made final
proof on the same January 17th, 1868, certificate No. 9.

Daniel Meyers made entry No. 55 on the E \ of NE \
and E i of SE i of section 1, town 4 south, range 3 west, on

38 History of Republic County.

the 17th day of January, 1863, and made final proof Janu-
ary 17th, 1868, being exactly five years from the date of
his homestead papers, certificate No. 10.

Thus it appears that the homestead entries and final
proofs made by Schooley and Meyers were made on the
same dates, the land office at that time being located at
Junction City.

John Cory made final proof on the W i of the SW i of
section 7, and the W i of the NW i of section 18, town 4
south, range 2 west, with land warrant, on the 5th day of
October, 1864, thus becoming the first real estate taxpayer
in the county.

The first prairie broken was by Daniel and Conrad
Meyers in March, 1861. The population of the county,
according to the census of 1861, was 5. In 1862 this num-
ber was augmented by the arrival of David and John Cory,
James VanNatta and family, making a total of 13 at the
close of that year. Rev. R. P. West came to Republic
county in October, 1863, and settled on the NW \ of sec-
tion 18, town 3 south, range 2 west. The entire population
of the county at that time was 47. Conrad Meyers paid
$2.89 taxes in May, 1864, for the tax of 1863, which was
the first paid in the county. The first white child born
was Lincoln, son of Daniel and Matilda Meyers, Septem-
ber 15th, 1861.

The first persons married in the county were Sidney
S. Way and Madora Tuthill, at Salt Marsh, near the pres-
ent town site of Seapo. They were joined in the holy bonds
by a United Brethren preacher from Nebraska named
Pring, in December, 1864. Edward Enoch and a Miss
Johnson were the second couple married, this marriage
being solemnized by Rev. R. P. West in May, 1865.

The first school district that was laid off or formed was
six miles wide and twelve long, embracing all the territory
occupied by the first settlers. On the division of this dis-
trict, by some mistake or other, that part having the first
school house, and where the first school was taught, was

History of Republic County. 39

named No. 2, and district No. 1 was formed from territory-
lying next on the south.

During the war the growth of the county was very slow,
scarcely averaging five families a year, the settlement of
the country west of the Sixth principal meridian being re-
garded as an experiment only. The only soldiers from Re-
public county in the war of the rebellion were Ezra Spen-
cer Cory, son of our late esteemed fellow citizen, David
Cory, who enlisted at Ft. Riley as a private in company C,
2d Kansas Cavalry, August 27th, 1863, served a little more
than a year, and died at Springfield, Mo., March 9th, 1864,
of disease contracted in the service, and Wm. Harshberger,
before mentioned, who, from the best information we can
get, enlisted soon after leaving the county, and, on the 8th
of April, 1865, was commissioned by the President as sec-
ond lieutenant in the 5th U. S. Volunteers.

As before stated, the nearest post office was at Man-
hattan, 80 miles from the settlement on Salt Creek, and
more than 100 from the settlement on White Rock; and,
about twice a month, some one of the settlers made this
pilgrimage for the mail, and to procure flour and groceries
for the settlement. The mail was brought to the resi-
dence of J. E. VanNatta, and from there distributed. This
continued until the summer of 1863, when the mail route
was extended to Fox village, now called CUfton, 20 miles
distant from the nearest settlement in Republic county,
and over 50 miles from White Rock. Two years later the
line was extended to Elk Creek, now called Clyde. This
extension was granted by the government on condition
that the settlers pay all the expenses of carrying and
handling the mails, which they did for two years, Moses
Heller, the first postmaster at Elk Creek, having the con-
tract for the same. The office was kept in a stovepipe hat,
the weekly mail never being sufficient to fill the hat half
full. In 1868 the Une was extended to Salt Marsh, and
James G. Tuthill appointed postmaster, this being the
first post office established in Republic county.

40 History of Republic County.

The gospel of peace was first proclaimed in Republic
county by William Harshberger, a Methodist Episcopal
preacher, who came to the county with J. E. VanNatta in
March, 1862, and preached his first sermon at Mr. Van-
Natta's house in April following, to a small congregation,
we judge, as the population of the county did not exceed
13 at that time. From what we can learn of the Rev. Mr,
Harshberger, we are inclined to the opinion that he was
not possessed of a superabundance of piety, his religion
probably being of that sort which would not well bear
transportation across the Missouri river. His place was
soon filled, however, by R. P. West, who commenced
preaching in October, 1862, and who has preached more
sermons in Republic county than any other man living.
Still, his work was not confined to this county alone, but
embraced a large scope of country, his circuit being more
extensive than is usually assigned to Methodist preachers.
As near as we can learn, his circuit was bounded on the
north by the Platte river, on the east by the Missouri, on
the south by the Kaw, on the west by the Rocky moun-
tains.

John Harris, jr., and James Swan were the first set-
tlers on Mill creek, in the eastern part of the county, lo-
cating on section 4, in Richland township, March 5th, 1866,
Mr. Harris taking a homestead on the N ^ of NW i of sec-
tion 4, and Swan filing on the NE \ of the same section.
This land was, at that time, v ' '- e limits of the old
survey of the Kansas Pacific Ra. , their route at that

time being up the Republican iiv„, but was changed to
the Smoky Hill Route in the summer of that year.

The next settler to arrive in this part of the county
was Edwin Enoch, who settled on the NE i of section 2,
Richland township, in April, 1866. The next were Z. P.
Rowe and Jacob Hull, who came the same summer. M.
H. Harper, Henry Willoughby, Wm. Oliver and Samuel
Elder came in the fall of the same year. Harper making
settlement in the north part of Elk Creek township, and

History of Republic County. 41

the others in the south part of Richland. John Swan
came in the fall of 1867, Joe Long and Ira Mclntyre in the
fall of 1868.

The nearest post office at that time was Haddam, in
Washington county, ten miles distant from this settlement.
In the spring of 1868, an office was established at Cuba,
and Z. P. Rowe appointed postmaster. This was the sec-
ond post-office established in Republic county.

John Harris was the first reporter of agricultural sta-
tistics from the county, reporting to the Commissioner of
Agriculture at Washington for the years 1868 and 1869.
He was also one of the first board of county commission-
ers, being appointed by Gov. Crawford in September, 1868.
The Indians were not troublesome in this neighborhood,
but confined their operations to the settlements farther
west.

On the 15th of May, 1867, Thomas Register and his
two sons. Job and Robert, and one daughter, made a set-
tlement on Rose creek, in what is now Rose Creek town-
ship. This was the first settlement attempted in the
northeastern portion of the county. During the summer
of 1867, serious apprehensions of an Indian raid were an-
ticipated, so much so that Mr. Register and family, and a
few other settlers, left their claims and went some miles
down the creek into Nebraska, where, in company with
the settlers of that reprion, they erected a stockade or fort,
and where they reir. ft^^'^.-X several weeks. Thomas and
Robert are dead and ;iias removed from the county.

CHAPTER HL

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS.

It is an undisputed fact that during its early settle-
ment no part of Kansas suffered more severely from In-
dian raids and depredations than the Solomon, Republi-

42 History of Republic County.

can and White Rock Valleys. The pioneer settlers were
disturbed by them with more or less frequency for nearly
ten years.

During the war, and even as far down as 1869 and 1870,
the settlers were almost constantly harassed by the In-
dians, their crops destroyed, cattle and horses driven off,
and occasionally a settler butchered.

We are indebted to A. B. Whiting, formerly of Clay
county, but now living in Topeka, for the following account
of an Indian massacre committed in Republic county, near
the present town site of Republic City, in the year 1857,
nearly four years prior to the first settlement of the county.

The overland emigration to California and Oregon in
1857 was immense. During May and June in that year,
the trails leading westward across Kansas were crowded
with the trains aad herds of the emigrants. So heavy was
the travel on the old Mormon trail leading northwest from
Fort Riley, that for many days it moved in three or four
parallel columns. This rush of stock led some few trains
to try the new route, barely marked by a government train
in 1855, up the Republican valley, but soon to be opened
and bridged between Forts Riley and Kearney, as the
chance for grass was much better by this route.

A party of twenty-five men, women and children, from
Arkansas, with eight wagons, four hundred head of stock,
and some few saddle horses, took this route; and early in
June passed by the frontier settlements, and traveled leis-
urely up the Republican valley, now an ocean of grass,
dotted with the bright spring flowers.

Ignorant of the dangers of the route, and reveling in
the abundance of game and fish which this route afforded^
and improving the opportunity to recruit stock and teams
before they should reach the regions of scanty forage, they
were loath to leave the beautiful, happy valley. The watch-
ful eyes of the savages were upon them; and their neglect
of setting guards and enforcing semi-military discipline
soon revealed to the Indians, who were dogging the train,

History of Republic County. 43

that it could be surprised and robbed with small danger to
the attacking party.

The train camped for the last time in the valley at that
point in Republic county where the old Military road left
the Republican and struck across the prairie for the
Little Blue, more than one hundred miles from Port Riley.
This point was at, or near, the present site of Repub-
lic City. Just as the train was hitching up to roll out of
camp in the early morning, the Indians charged, shouting
through the train and shooting in every direction, to stam-
pede the stock and drive the owners from the train. All
was disorder and confusion, and little resistance was made.
They fled from the train, many of them just as they
arose from their beds. Smith, the captain and largest
owner, in attempting to escape on a horse, was shot, his
body stripped of valuables, and mutilated in a shocking
manner.

Four of the men in the train were killed, others wound-
ed, one young woman very seriously. But plunder, not
blood, was the object of the Indians; and, as soon as the
whites left the train, they left them to their fate and ran-
sacked the wagons. A keg of whiskey found among the
loading, soon had the whole band engaged in a drunken
revel; but, while the emigrants saw from the hills the In-
dians drunk to helplessness, they dared not attempt to re-
capture the train.

Their drunken orgies over, the Indians loaded their
ponies from the train. The wagon covers were stripped
off, sacks of flour, meal and dried fruit were poured on the
ground that the bags might be carried away, the clothing
packed on the ponies, and, driving the herd of stock, they
started for their camp — wherever that might be.

The events of after years satisfied the settlers in the
Republican valley that this robbery was committed by the
Pawnees, nominally, friendly, but ever ready to rob and
murder when they thought it would be charged up to the
Siouxs, Cheyennes, and other hostile tribes on the plains.

44 History of Repnhlic County.

Meanwhile, the emigrants turned away from the train
without food, or means of procuring it; with half the men
in the party killed, including the captain; with several
children, the wounded woman to care for, and ninety miles
from the settlement — were in danger of starvation.

Two men started for help. Without food or rest, and
almost dead from exhaustion, they reached the settlement
in three days, coming to the house of Moses Yonkin, in
eastern Clay county. The settlement was very small, few
horses were in the country, and a sack of flour was very
hard to find ; but as soon as a team could be got together,
bullets run, and provisions found, Moses and Wm. Yonkins
and A. B. Whiting started up the valley, while word was
sent to Port Riley asking for help, and the country was
scoured to follow those on the way; but so scarce were
horses, that in twenty miles only three could be found for
the trip. And now the relief party began to meet the emi-
grants in bands of twos and more, the strongest first, as
they straggled toward the settlement, but so scared, crazed
and bewildered that they fled and hid away from the friends
who were bringing them relief. The sixth day after the
attack the relieving party found the last of the emigrants
about thirty miles from the scene of the butchery. An
old white-headed woman, her long hair streaming in the
wind, almost borne on the shoulder of her son, he fainting
from the wound of a poisoned arrow that afterwards
caused his death, having on his other arm a couple of old
muskets, and a fire brand in his hand, both haggard, dirty,
bloody and wild — they presented a spectacle once seen
never to be forgotten. And when the certainty of help
and relief came to them, their utter prostration and help-
lessness told, as words could not, the sufferings they had
endured.

It is a sufficient commentary on the administration of
James Buchanan, that in a case like this, with six com-
panies of cavalry at Port Riley, not a man nor a gun, nor a
ration, could be had for the relief of this unfortunate

History of Republic County. 45

party till after a handful of poor frontier settlers had gone
out, gathered them up, and brought them to the Fort.
And this is only one of many instances where frontier set-
tlers in Kansas, and notably in Republic county, "stood
picket" for the United States troops, who were placed
near the frontier ostensibly for its protection.

The survivors of these emigrants mostly returned to
Arkansas, a few, however, remaining in Kansas.

The first organized armed resistance to Indian depre-
dations in Republic county was made in September, 1864^
a company of militia having been formed, comprising about
fifty men, all mounted, each man furnishing his own horse,
saddle and bridle, made up of the early settlers of what
is now the counties of Clay, Cloud, Washington and Re-
public, commanded by Captain I. M. Schooley, with head-
quarters at Elk Creek, now called Clyde. The arms and
ammunition for this company were furnished by the Gen-
eral Government, drawing the same at Fort Riley, the
nearest military post. The arms were old and condemned,
and consisted of Enfield, Springfield, Harper's Ferry mus-
kets, some smooth bore, some rough bore, and some with
scarcely any bore at all; but all were considered good
enough for the pioneers of Republic county to fight Indians
with. At the time arms were drawn, thirty days' rations
were furnished, consisting of bacon and hardtack; and so
this little independent command was placed on a war foot-
ing.

Capt. Schooley held a commission from Gov. Robin-
son, and seems to have been chosen to this distinction on
account of gallant services rendered in Missouri, or some
other place, in the early part of the war. He also seems to
have been an exceedingly prudent and careful commander,
seldom, if ever, exceeding the authority vested in him by
virtue of his commission.

These were troublesome days and many a feat of noble
daring remains to be recorded by the historian, and to be
graphically told in ballad and poem. Kansas has her tales

46 History of Republic County.

of border Indian warfare awaiting the pen of the novelist,
and her chivalrous deeds awaiting the poet's rehearsal.

When our future romancer shall come, one incident at
least, connected with the early history of Republic county,
will court his attention, and render the valley of the Re-
publican as romantic as the highlands of Scotland. It was
in the autumn of 1864, when Capt. Schooley and his com-
mand were preparing for a campaign up the Republican
river, and when the little band of heroic souls was drawn
up on the banks of the stream preparatory to starting.
Yes, heroes ! ye readers of tales of chivalry resonant with
the clashing of swords against mailed armor, and bedecked
with gaudy plumes! these hardy, rudely clad frontiers-
men, mounted on their horses taken from the plow, were
as great heroes as any you read of in your romances ; and
though no fine court ladies bade these brave men adieu,
they saw around them wives, mothers, sisters and daught-
ers, whose lives and homes were to be protected from
ruthless savages. The time for departure had arrived.
The gallant Captain seated on a noble charger, addressed
his company from a little eminence in front; and, as the
locklets from his finely formed forehead floated on the
morning breeze, and the burning words fell from his de-
termined lips, all felt that the leader was worthy of his
trust, and that he was every inch a hero.

In that company stood every male inhabitant of law-
ful age, and in close proximity stood the women of their
households. Good-bye came at last, and heart-rending
cries and sobs rent the air. The sun looked down with a
calm, autumnal smile upon the brown prairie, and the gen-
tle Kansas zephyrs sighed, scarcely heard over the placid
stream. Life seemed beautiful and good; but, alas! man
ever mars the harmony established by the Creator, and
here on this beautiful morning and on this lonely spot,
stood a band of men in the very prime of life's enjoyment,
preparing to rush into the jaws of a cruel death.. Alas !
with so intrepid a leader, much danger must be encount.

History of Republic County. 47

ered, many a brave one must fall, and many a fair face
must be mutilated by savage bands. Shrieks and sobs
rent the air, and wives and children and gray-haired
mothers clung to the noble men with the grasp of despair.
Only one woman among them all manifested no emotion.
The captain's wife stood unmoved amid all this scene of
sorrowing, and reminds us of one of Sparta's noble dames.
She was a noble woman, and worthy to be the wife of the
gallant leader of his fellows. No sign of grief, or fear, or
sadness, did she betray. Not a word escaped her lips un-
til the troops were about to start, and were already drawn
up in line; then she waved her hand to the women to be
silent. Every one obeyed, as though this strange creature
held a magician's wand. All were silent and attentive, when,
in clear, firm tones, she thus addressed them: "Ladies,
be composed. Why all this demonstration? Why make
such a racket ? There is going to be no trouble, nobody
hurt, nobody killed, unless through awkwardness some of
them kill themselves. They are under the captain's com-
mand, and must obey his orders; and from a long and in-
timate acquaintance with him, I hiow he will not lead them
where there is the least indication of danger. Dry your
tears, and cease your wails. This is a picnic excursion,
'only this, and nothing more. ' "

This memorable campaign was followed by a reign of
comparative quiet, which lasted until April, 1867, when
the Indians made another hostile incursion into the coun-
try. During the summer of 1868, the independent com-
pany of Salt Creek militia was organized, composed whol-
ly of settlers of Republic county, and numbering about
fifty men, with W. P. Peake as first lieutenant, to rank
from August 24th, and captain from September 8th, and
W. H. H. Reily as first lieutenant from the latter date.
The members of this company were:

John H. Frint, Joseph Meyers,

J. H. Smock, Wm. Hardaker,

Charles A. Campbell, B. F. Sayler,

History of Republic County.

Horace Beers,
JohnW. Swan,
Daniel Morland,
Robert Swan,
Z. P. Rowe,
Wm. W. Newlon,
T. C. Reily,
Conrad Meyers,
Geo. McChesney,
Thos. J. Eckert,
Wm. T. Campbell,
Jacob Shafer,
Edmund Powell,
Geo. J. Trowbridge,
William Shafer,
Noah Kunkel,
Thos. Hedgecoke.
Milton A. Daughertee,
Philo P. Way,
Geo. S. Willoughby,
William Oliver,

Geo. Shafer,
Wm. Bonham,
John McParlane,
J. W. Cory,
John Mclntire,
J. E. Van Natta,
John G. Isaacs,
Hilbert Johnson,
West Union Spillman,
Michel Young,
John C. Reily,
Chas. W. Beebe,
David Cory,
Adams E. Cooly,
Hiram Jackson,
Geo. W. Wilcox,
Daniel Meyers,
Hudson Cooly,
Samuel Elder,
Lanty Oliver,
Augustus Willoughby,
Henry Vining.

W. H. Willoughby,

"The Independent Company of Salt Creek Militia "
was well officered, tolerably well armed and equipped, and
rendered very efficient service in repelling Indian invas-
ions. The arms and ammunition for this company were
furnished by the State, while each man furnished his own
horse, saddle and bridle.

In June, 1869, R. T. Stanfield was commissioned cap-
tain of militia by Governor Harvey. During the summer
be recruited a company of 65, which included all the avail-
able men for miles around. Of this company, Peter John-
son was first lieutenant, he also being commissioned by
Governor Harvey, and was a gallant officer. This com-
pany was furnished by the State with Spencer carbines,
ammunition and rations, each man furnishing his own
horse, saddle and bridle. Served a little more than six

History of Republic County. 49

months, the Indians soon learning to give this company a
wide berth. It is quite probable that the settlements of
White Rock would have been abandoned but for the pro-
tection afforded by this militia company.

Fearing trouble from the Indians, nearly all the set-
tlers on Salt and Reily Creeks left their claims in May,
1869, and staid away until July, at which time a small body
of militia, belonging to Captain Stantield's command, was
sent to their aid, with headquarters on the NE ^of section
3, Belleville township, where a log fort had been erected.

This fort was on the north side of what is now the
main road leading from Belleville to Scandia, and nearly
opposite the present residence of John N. Snyder. The
men comprising this garrison were Noah Thompson, Cor-
poral in command; George Andrews, Wm. Little, Oliver
Gross, Samuel Darling, William Hoover, Lew Hoover,
William Robinson, Charles English and Ephraim H. Wil-
cox.

This force was a Godsend to many of the early set-
tlers, as several of this command were expert marksmen,
a dead shot on buffalo; and it has been reported that Tex-
as cattle were sometimes mistaken for buffalo, as a large
herd of them had been stampeded in this neighborhood
about this time, and several head of stragglers remained
in the vicinity for several days. At any rate, nearly all
the settlers had a plenty of buffalo meat as long as any of
the Texas cattle could be found.

These soldiers remained here from July until October
18th, when they joined the main company which went on a
scouting expedition up the Solomon valley, going as far
west as where Kirwin now stands.

The only actual settlers of Republic county known to
have been killed by the Indians, within the limits of the
county, were Gordon Windbigler, in Big Bend township,
August 15th, 1868, and Malcolm Granstadt, a Swede boy,
at Scandia, in the spring of 1869. The circumstances of
the killing of Windbigler are about as follows: As before

50 History of Republic County.

stated, he was killed on the 15th day of August, 1869, and
it occurred on section 36, about three-fourths of a mile
southwest of where Republic City now stands. The set-
tlers in this immediate neighborhood at that time consist-
ed of fourteen men, four women and five or six children.
Their fortress, or place of rendezvous in case of danger,
was on the NW ^ of section 1, town 2, range 5, and consist-
ed of eight log houses built around a square, and was con-
sidered secure against any ordinary Indian attack.
Among the men were R. T. Stanfield, Daniel and David
Davis, W. R. Charles, Chas. Johnson, Lewis Boggs, Alex-
ander Lewis, W. P. Phillips, James Egans, Gordon Wind-

bigler, and Miller, a lame man, some of whom had

taken claims in Jewell county. The women were Mrs.
Charles, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs Dan. Davis and Mrs. Thos.
Lovewell. David Davis, Johnson, Lewis and Windbigler
were making hay near the river, three miles above the
fort, when they were suddenly surprised and attacked by
about 75 Indians, mounted on ponies, and armed with re-
volvers and spears, or lances. Only one of the hay-mak-
ing party, Lewis, was armed, he acting as sentry, and
carrying a Spencer rifle. They had with them a team
and wagon and one saddle horse. They immediately start-
ed for the fort, being hotly pursued by the Indians, Wind-
bigler riding on horseback in advance of the wagon until
when within about a mile from the fort, losing his hat, he
stopped to recover it, which brought him in the rear of
the wagon. Having recovered his hat, by rapid riding, he
soon overtook the wagon and passed it. The Indians in
the meantime were circling around in front of the party
with evident intention of cutting them off from the fort
and massacreing the entire party. The Indians, having
discovered by this time that Windbigler was unarmed,
rode up within pistol shot, fired on him, brought him to
the ground, then speared him with their lances, one of
which severed the juglar vein causing death in a few min-
utes. Lewis now displays great coolness and bravery.

History of Republic County. 51

Seeing Windbigler fall, he leaves the wagon and advances
to the assistance of his wounded comrade, with his trust-
ed Spencer driving the Indians to a respectful distance,
and remains by the dead body of his fallen companion until
help arrived from the fort.

Windbigler was buried in a coffin made of puncheons
taken from the floor of Dan Davis' shanty.

For the benefit of the younger readers I will say that
a puncheon is one of the parts of a log split in halves with
one or both sides smoothed by hewing.

The floors of the dwellings of the pioneer settlers
who were fortunate enough to have any other than a dirt
floor, were made of this material, as no lumber was ob-
tainable within one hundred miles.

Windbigler's remains were some time afterwards
disinterred and removed to his old home in Indiana.

The same day that Windbigler was killed, Benjamin
White, a frontier settler living on Granny Creek, now
called White Creek, in Cloud County, was murdered by
the Indians. Miss Sarah White, his daughter, a girl of
sixteen, was captured and carried away into captivity.
The following February she was rescued from the In-
dians by General Sheridan, in Northern Texas, and re-
stored to her friends.

The next day after the massacre of Windbigler the en-
tire settlement left, Mr. and Mrs. Charles going to Oak
Creek, in Cloud County, some three miles east of where
Concordia now stands, Love well and Davis going on to
Clifton. Lewis and wife never returned to the settlement.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles remained at Oak Creek until De-
cember 19th, 1869, when they returned to Big Bend and
found their log cabin and everything that was left in it in
a heap of ashes. It was now mid-winter, the ground be-
ing frozen to a depth of two feet, conditions which to peo-
ple of less self-reliance, confidence and hopefulness would
have appeared discouraging in the extreme. But they
possessed staying qualities and are both living to reap a

52 History of Republic County.

golden harvest, the product of their toil and privation.
Stanfield, Lovewell and some others of the settlers returned
in the spring of 1869 and came to stay.

In June, 1868, a party of Indians attempted, in the
daytime, to steal a horse of a settler named Horner, his
team being harnessed and hitched to wagon and tied to a
tree in front of his shanty. The Indians deliberately pro-
ceeded to unharness the best horse. Horner ordered
them to leave, which order they disregarded, whereupon
he opened fire upon them from the door of the shanty,
which was returned by the Indians, a bullet striking his
watch, entirely ruining it, but saving the settler's life.
The Indians were repulsed and fled without securing the
horse. In July of the same year the Indians made an-
other visit to the settlement, stealing two horses, one the
property of W. R. Charles and the other belonging to W.
P. Phillips, these being the only two horses in camp at
the time.

One afternoon in May, 1869, an attack was made on
Stanfield and Phillips, who were planting corn on Stan-
field's claim, a man named Teneyck acting as sentry and
O. C. Davis, another settler, guarding the house, all very
narrowly escaping capture. At this time Davis lost his
team of mules and Stanfield saved his horses by taking
them into his log house, 12x14 feet, where they remained
all night in Stanfield's best room. The house was occu-
pied that night by two horses, four armed men and all of
Stanfield's parlor and kitchen furniture. Next morning
firing was plainly heard up the river, the cause of which
was at that time unknown to the settlers. Fearing the re-
turn of the Indians and a renewal of the attack, a dispatch
asking for assistance was started by a special courier to
Lake Sibley, where some soldiers were stationed.

The dispatch bearer was a cow, which had been brought
by Dan Davis from Sibley some two weeks previous, and
believing that if she was turned loose, would return to
that place, the dispatch was written and securely fastened

History of Republic County. 53

to the cow's head with a piece of red tlannel cloth to attract
attention upon her arrival there. This being done, she
was turned loose with the best wishes of all for a safe
journey and prompt delivery of the dispatch. After wait-
ing three long and wearisome days for an answer, the set-
tlers decided to visit Lake Sibley and learn why their ap-
peal for assistance had been unheeded. On reaching Scan-
dia they found that their dispatch bearer had been inter-
cepted there and milked regularly ever since her arrival,
presumably by Squire Lembke, as he informed the party
that he had milk in his coffee that very morning. They
also found John McChesney there, the only survivor of a
hunting party of seven, who were surprised by the In-
dians, and after making a desperate resistence, six of their
number were killed. This party was composed of John
Winkelpleck and son, John McChesney, a man named Berg
and three men from Michigan on a visit to friends in Mar-
shall county. The McChesney who narrowly escaped by
hiding in the brush until the Indians left is now a resident
of Osborne county and uncle to the jovial, whole-souled
John McChesney, the traveling man from Red Wing, Min-
nesota, who for several years has made regular visits to
Belleville and other points in this county. The cause of
the firing heard by Stanfield and his party the morning
after the eventful night just described was now fully ex-
plained. They then decided to abandon their visit to Lake
Sibley, and accompanied by McChesney go up the river to
the scene of the massacre of the hunting party and bury
the dead bodies as best they could. The bodies were all
found and buried on the east bank of the Republican, on
section 15, town 1, range 5.

Other outrages of a similar character occurred in the
Solomon and Saline valleys on the same day, and the people
of the entire state became thoroughly aroused, those of the
lower Republican valley being especially agitated, as these
atrocities had been committed but a comparatively short
distance from their own homes, and they promptly re-

54 History of Republic County.

sponded to the call for assistance, as they had done many-
times before. Dispatches having reached Gov. Crawford,
notifying him of these troubles, he at once wrote the fol-
lowing characteristic letter to W. P. Peake, captain of the
Salt Creek Militia, which was received by him September
1st, 1868:

State of Kansas,
Office Executfv^e Department,
TOPEKA, August 23, 1868.

Capt. W. P. Peake, Salt Marsh, Kansas:

Please say to the settlers of Cloud and Republic coun-
ties, that I am now using every means in my power to pro-
cure cavalry arms, with ammunition, from the government,
and that I have notified the President that the Indians
must and sliall be driven at once out of the state, and not
permitted to return. Also, that Gen. Sheridan has agreed
to send troops immediately to the Saline, Solomon and Re-
publican valleys for the purpose of protecting the settlers;
that the people may rest assured that they will, in the fu-
ture, be protected. If the government fails, the state will
not, although I am seriously embarrassed on account of
the present Indian policy.

I hope the people will remain at their homes and not
abandon the country. No possible effort will be spared to
secure protection, and to relieve the wants of those who
are in a destitute and suffering condition. I shall not rest
until the Indians are driven out of the state; and if they
return within reach of the settlements, I trust the people
will dispose of them in the most summary manner. I
shall endeavor to do my duty. We have submitted to these
atrocities until forbearance has ceased to be a virtue.

Yours Respectfully,

S. J. Crawford, Governor.

P. S. — Please perfect the organization of one company
of militia, and have a place of general rendezvous in case of
danger. S. J. Crawford.

Governor Crawford served with distinction as captain
in the 2nd Kansas Infantry, as captain in the 2nd Kansas
Cavalry, and colonel of the 2nd Kansas Colored Infantry

History of Republic County. 55

during- the war of the rebellion; was elected Governor in
1864, re-elected in 1866, resigned as Governor Novem-
ber 4th, 1868, to take command of the 19th Kansas Cavalry,
a regiment raised to fight the Indians. He was an earnest,
active and devoted friend of the frontier settlers, very-
many of whom still hold him in grateful remembrance.

The Indians of the plains were loath to give up their
ancestral hunting grounds, and every summer camped
and hunted in the Republican valley. In the spring of
1869, a party of Cheyennes and Arrapahoes came, as usual,
and camped a few miles below the town of Scandia, where
a small settlement had been made the previous summer.
They killed buffalo, and skulked as near the settlers as
safety would permit: One day in May, they raised their
camp, and went off, apparently leaving the valley. The
next morning the sentry on the hill left his post, his ser-
vices then being no longor needed, as was supposed. Two
boys, however were put to watch the settlers' horses,
grazing on the townsite. Presently two Indians were
seen swiftly riding down the ravine east of town. One of
the boys saw their approach in time to run towards the
house. The other boy, Malcolm Granstadt by name, was
still at his post, till with a clubbed pistol, he was first
knocked down, and then shot and killed. The horses, five
in number, were driven away, and never recovered. Two
of the horses taken on this occasion belonged to Robert
Watson, of White Rock township.

The Indians claimed that, by treaty, they had a right
to perpetual occupancy of this country; and this claim
they kept up until 1870, when they very reluctantly aban-
doned all the country east of the Repubhcan river, but
continued their depredations for a year or two longer in
the newer counties farther west.

The number of persons killed and wounded by In-
dians within the limits of what is now Republic county
may be briefly summarized as follows: Emigrants killed
in Big Bend township in 1857, five persons; wounded, two

56 History of Republic County.

persons; Windbigler, killed in August, 1868; Granstadt,
the Swede boy, killed in the spring of 1869; six buffalo
hunters killed in Big Bend township in 1869, making a
total of thirteen killed and two wounded.

CHAPTER IV.

FIRST LAW-SUIT IN THE COUNTY— COUXTY ORG ANIZED— OFFICERS
APPOINTED— FIRST ELECTIONS.

James E. VanNatta, the first justice of the peace in
Republic county, was appointed by Gov. Crawford in 1867,
holding the office four years, the first law-suit in the
county being tried before him in 1869. The parties to this
suit were Henry Mead, plaintiff, and Conrad Meyers, de-
fendant, the suit being for damages on contract on the sale
of a yoke of cattle by Meyers to Mead. In this suit each
party was his own lawyer, the nearest attorneys at that
time bi;ing at Manhattan or Marysville.

The law library of this county at that time consisted of
the territorial laws of 1859, the session laws of 1865, the
Testament and Psalms in one volume, and the Blue Laws
of Connecticut, the latter being kindly furnished the court
by J. C. Reiley, the first trustee of Republic precinct, then
attached to Washington county.

This suit was decided in accordance with the law and
evidence, and no appeal taken.

On account of trouble with Washington county in re-
gard to the assessment and collection of taxes, the same
being considered burdensome and oppressive, and having
to be paid at a remote distance, led the settlers to take
steps to organize the county at what has since been con-
sidered too early a date. Accordingly, Mr. J. C. Reiley,
the first assessor elected in the county, taking the assess-
ment in June, 1868, and at the same time taking the census,
with a view of securing a county organization, reported a

History of Republic County. 57

population of three hundred and fifty actual residents, too
small a number, the law requiring six hundred. But in
August of the same year a special committee for taking
the enumeration was appointed by Gov. Crawford, consist-
ing of W. P. Peake and J. E. VanNatta, who, by careful
counting reported a population of between six and seven
hundred.

The last report shows a gain of three hundred inhabi-
tants in two months. Had the same percent of increase
been maintained until the present time we would have been
overjDopulated, as there would not have been standiag
room in the county for all its people. I have not compu-
ted the number and if any of the readers of this history
are curious to know how many, they are at liberty to make
the computation from the data given above. I do not say
this with a view of being understood as criticising the re-
port of the committee, but I still believe it took very care-
ful counting to find so many people in the county at that
time.

In pursuance of said report, Gov. Crawford issued
the following order: —

State of Kansas, Executive Office, \
Topeka, September 7th, 1868. j

Whereas, In due form of law, it has been made to
appear that the county of Republic, State of Kansas, con-
tains the requisite number of inhabitants to entitle the
people of said county to a county organization.

Now, therefore, I, Samuel J. Crawford, Governor of
the State of Kansas, by virtue of authority vested in me
by law (and having commissioned county otficers), do here-
by locate the county seat of Repubhc county at Pleasant-
Hill, in School District No. 2 in said county.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand,
and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State. Done
at Topeka the day and date above written.

By the Governor, S. J. Crawford.

R. A. Barker, Sec'y of State.

58 History of Republic County.

The following named persons were commissioned by
the Governor, September 8th, 1868: John Harris, jr.,
John M. Campbell and Thomas C. Reily, county commis-
sioners, and John McFarlane county clerk; and from this
date Republic county takes its place among the organized
counties of Kansas.

The first election held in the county was prior to the
county organization, and was held at J. G. Tuthill's house,
at Salt Marsh, and was for township officers only, the
whole county being one voting precinct and attached to
Washington county. This election was held on the fourth
Monday in March, 1868. This was the wrong day, but the
officers chosen were subsequently appointed by the com-
missioners of Washington county. The officers elected
were: J. C. Reiley, trustee, James VanNatta, justice of the
peace; Thomas Durant, justice of the peace; J. H. Frint,
constable; Charles Campbell, constable. Whole number
of votes polled, 13, of which Mr. Reily received 8, I. M.
Schooley, his opponent, 5. Mr. VanNatta had no opposi-
tion. Mr. Print received 6 votes, his opponent 6, which
was decided by casting lots, the office falling to Print.

A mass convention was held at Pleasant Hill, October
20th, 1868, and the first in the county, for the purpose of
placing in nomination a candidate for representative in
the State Legislature, and also to nominate county officers,
to be supported at the November election. At this con-
vention, 15 voters were present,and Capt. I. M. Schooley, be-
fore mentioned, was nominated for representative, but
was defeated at the polls by R. P. West, independent can-
didate, by a majority of 9, Brother West receiving 37 votes
and Capt. Schooley 28. It must not be forgotten, how-
ever, that Brother West was a candidate for representa-
tive in 1867, while we were yet attached to Washington
county. There were three candidates in the field and 172
votes cast, of which S. P. Snyder received 91, R. P. West
41, and Vernon Parker, 40, Mr. Snyder being elected by a
plurality of 50 votes. At the November election, 1868, the

History of Republic County. 59

following named persons were elected: R. P. West, rep-
resentative; W. W. Newlon, Z. P. Rowe and John M.
Campbell, county commissioners; John McParlane, county
clerk; James G. Tuthill, county treasurer; R. H. Vining,
sherifiF; Wm. Hardaker, surveyor; B. P. Sayler, county
superintendent; John McParlane, register of deeds; Dan-
iel Meyers, probate judge.

The first meeting of the Board of Commissioners of
which we have any record was held at Pleasant Hill, Sep-
tember 29tb, 1868, and the first business transacted was
the division of the county into three commissioner dis-
tricts as follows: —

Ordered, that townships, 1, 2 and 3, of range 1, and
the E i of townships 1, 2 and 3, of range 2, shall be one
voting townshi]), and known by the name of Parmington
township; and the place of election shall be at the house
of John Harris, jr., on section 3, town 3, range 1; and it
was called Commissioner District No. 1.

This township embraced what is now Parmington, Al-
bion,Richland, and the east half of what is now Rose Creek,
Fairview and Jefferson.

And the W i of townships 1, 2 and 3, range 2; and
townships 1, 2 and 3, of range 3; and townships 1, 2 and 3,
of range 4; and townships 1, 2 and 3, of range 5, — shall be
one voting township, and be known by the name of Repub-
lic township, and the place of voting to be at the school
house at Pleasant Hill, and was called Commissioner Dis-
trict No. 2.

This township embraced what is now the west half of
Rose Creek, Pairview and Jefferson, all of Liberty, Free-
dom, Belleville, Washington, Union, Scandia, Big Bend,
White Rock and Courtland.

And township 4, of range 1; township 4, of range 2;
township 4, of range 3; township 4, of range 4; township
4, of range 5, — shall be one voting township, and known by
the name of Grant township, the place of voting to be at

60 History of RepiMic County.

the residence of Jas. G. Tuthill, and was called Commis-
sioner District No. 3.

Grant township embraced what is now Grant, Elk
Creek, Lincoln, Norway and Beaver.

After transacting a little other business, the Board
adjourned until dark. Board met at dark, pursuant to ad-
journment, and ordered that election notices be posted in
the several townships, and then adjourned until the 6th
day of November.

Time pieces were probably somewhat scarce in Re-
IDublic county at that time, but it is safe to conclude that
no mistake would be made as to the time of meeting if the
adjournment was till dark.

Pleasant Hill, November 6th, 1868.
Board met in pursuance of adjournment, T. C. Reiley
in the chair. At this meeting it was ordered that notices
be posted for an election for permanent location of county
seat. After allowing a few bills and transacting a little
other unimportant business the Board adjourned.

Clerk's Office, January 4th, 1869.

Board of County Commissioners met, W. W. Newlon
in the chair. At this meeting it was ordered that the
county clerk procure blank books, stationery and a seal,
necessary for the use of the county. Up to this time all
the county records had been kept on legal cap paper, and
the State had not yet furnished the county with the gen-
eral statutes.

The Board adjourned until the Statutes shall have been
received.

The next meeting was held March 13th, 1869, at which
time the county surveyor was ordered to procure the Plats
and field notes from the General Land Office, provided
they do not cost the county to exceed one hundred dollars.
At this meeting two additional election precincts were
created as follows: Scandia, four miles on the west side
of range 4 and all of range in 5 townships 1, 2 and 3.

History of Republic County. 61

Elk Creek, township 4, range 1, the south ^ of township 3
range 1 and a strip one mile wide, the whole length of the
townships west of range 1.

At the elections held in the above named precincts in
April, the following township officers were elected: Farm-
ington township — Edwin Enoch, trustee; John Swan, clerk;
Francis McNulty, treasurer; Edwin Enoch, justice of the
peace; D. S.Oliver, justiceof the peace; Z. P. Rowe, constable;
R. Swan, constable; E. Enoch, road commissioner. Grant
township — P. P. Way, trustee; John W. Cory, treasurer;
W. Hardaker, clerk; Thomas Eckert, justice of the peace;
R. Hodges, justice of the peace; H. Smock, constable; J.
G. Tuthill, constable. Republic township — G. H. Jack-
son, trustee; J. H. Frint, clerk; John Robins, treasurer;
Jomes E. VanNatta, justice of the peace; Joseph Myers,
justice of the peace; H. A. Meade,constable; G. W. Wilcox,
constable. Elk Creek township — John Manning, trustee;
W. H. Wilioughby, clerk; G. S. Willoughby, treasurer;
Reuben James, justice of the peace; John Jarrett, con-
stable; Marion Harper, road commissioner. Scandia
precinct held no election. This was the first election for
township officers after the organization of the county.

At a meeting of the Board held April 9th, 1869, Wil-
liam Milburn and H. A. Cheney were appointed as assistant
school examiners, being the first appointments of the kind
in the county, B. F. Sayler being at the time County Sup-
erintendent.

Pleasant Hill, July 5th, 1869.

Board of commissioners met; quorum present. At
this meeting a tax of ten mills on the dollar was levied on
the taxable property of the county for a general fund.
This was the first tax levy made in the county. The total
valuation for that year was:

Real Estate $ 5590 00.

Personal Property 25620 10.

Total $ 31210 10.

62 History of Republic County.

And the amount of taxes thereon for state, county and
school purposes was $801.61. The largest individual tax-
payer on personal property for that year was C. M. Way,
of Grant township, who paid $63.38 on a valuation of $1950.

August 22nd, 1870, the county officers, with the ex-
ception of probate judge were ordered to remove all books,
papers and records pertaining to their respective offices,
to Belleville within twenty days of the order. This order
was rescinded September 6th, and the time extended
until the first Monday in October, 1870, when for the first
time the county records were to be found at the present
county seat. These records were very meager and con-
sisted of the minutes of the Board of Commissioners and
the tax rolls of 1868 and 1869.

The county clerk's office was on the second floor of a
small wooden building on the southwest corner of the pub-
lic square, the lower floor being occupied by Dr. J. C.
Griffith as a drug store. The county treasurer's office
was in a general store kept by Dixon & Bowling on the
present site of the Hardy block, Captain A. Shaw, being
deputy county treasurer.

In the spring of 1871, the county clerk's office was
moved into a small wooden building about 14x16 feet, on
the south side of the square, about where J. M. Doyle's
furniture store now stands. This building was occupied
jointly by the county clerk and the clerk of the district
court. The register of deed's office was in the store of
Vantrump & Hallowell, the present site of the State bank,
Vantrump being deputy register of deeds. The sheriff's
office, county attorney's office and the office of the probate
judge were anywhere these officers could be found, some-
times in town, but more frequently in the country. The
old stone school house was built in the summer and fall of
1871, and soon after its completion, the second story, all
in one room, was rented by the county for county offices
at $200 per annum, the right of holding church services
therein being reserved by the school board.

History of Republic County. 63

The county officers remained here until the comple-
tion of the first courthouse, which is described in another
chapter.

CHAPTER V.

PERMANENT LOC\TION OF iTHE COUNTY SEAT AND THE TROUBLES

ATTENDING IT.

As stated in a previous chapter, Gov. Crawford named
Pleasant Hill, in school Dist. No. 2,as the temporary county
seat. This location was on the N i of SE i, section 18, in
Jefferson township, the land now being owned by W. P.
Peake.

At the election in 1869, the permanent location of the
county seat was voted on with the following result:

Belleville 59

New Scandinavia 42

SE \ section 17, town 4, range 1 4

Salt Marsh 1

Belleville having received a majority over all, was de-
clared the permanent county seat. This election was,
without doubt, honestly conducted and fairly expressed
the wishes of the voters of the county.

At a meeting of the Commissioners, held at Pleasant
Hill, January 3rd, 1870, after transacting some business,
on motion, the Board adjourned to meet at Belleville in
case the court house was finished ; if not, to meet at the
residence of P. P. Way, county clerk. Pursuant to ad-
journment, the Board met at Belleville, April 4th, 1870,
being the first time they met here in an official capacity.
After appointing J. H. Print chairman pro tern, adjourned
to meet at the residence of P. P. Way, in Grant township,
April 8th,thecourt house in Belleville not being completed.
The court house here alluded to, was the little log
school house built on the east side of the public square, in

64 History of Republic County.

the summer of 1870. There is no record of any business
being transacted at the meeting held April Sth.

The next meeting of the Board at Belleville was July
2nd, 1870, at which session a petition was presented pray-
ing for a new election on the county seat. The petition
containing the requisite number of names to meet the re-
quirements of the law, it was ordered that an election be
held on the third Tuesday in August; in accordance with
the prayer of the petitioners. The election was held as
ordered, there being three candidates in the field, — Belle-
ville, Salt City and New Scandinavia, — and the Commis-
sioners met at Belleville, August 20th, to canvass the vote.

The county commissioners at this time were John H.
Frint, of Jefferson township, chairman, and a steadfast
friend of Belleville; George W. Johnson, of Elk Creek, and
Z. P. Rowe, of Farmington. One R. A. Hamill, of Belle-
ville township, kept the minutes of this meeting, he hav-
ing been appointed deputy county clerk some time pre-
vious. Mr. Hamill was an eccentric genius, dividing his
time betweenfarming, politics, school teaching and preach-
ing, also being quite partial to Himoe's and Red Jacket
bitters. A fairly well educated man, a little careless about
his spelling at times, and as a preacher ranked above the
average, but his conduct not always harmonizing with his
profession, his most ardent admirers never claiming that
his religion, at its best ever reached eighteen carats fine.

The following record of the proceedings are given in
Mr. Hamill's original and peculiar style:

1. Canvass of Farmington township was called and
result declared, for Belleville, 33 votes; Salt City, 7.

2. Elk Creek township called and result declared, for
Salt City, 29; Belleville, 6.

3. Albion township, no votes cast, the citizens of that
township not being able to find a voting place.

4. Rose Creek, for Belleville, 17.

5. Salt Marsh precinct called. Result, for Salt City, 3;
Belleville, 11; New Scandinavia, 3.

History of Republic County. 65

Returns from White Rock were opened, and
on motion of G. W. Johnson, the board refused
to count the vote of the precinct for two causes:
(1.) The voting precinct was declared illegally-
formed in that the board had not granted an or-
der for such voting precinct while in session. (2.)
There had been an order signed by two members of the
board and sent to White Rock without the knowledge of
the other member, and without any notification of the
fact to the county clerk until five days before the election.
(3.) There were no notices of any election posted in the
precinct.

These seem to be tolerably fair reasons for rejecting
the votes of White Rock, although the vote was heavy and
nearly solid for Belleville.

On motion of G. W.Johnson, there was a hearing given
to certain parties from White Rock who were legal voters,
and an abstract of their evidence of "Frauds Perpetrated"
was ordered to be filed in the clerk's office; voted unanim-
ously. The board declared in the acknowledgment of
strong evidences of fraud and one case of apparent repeat-
ing. On motion for the entire rejection, G. W. Johnson
and Z. P. Rowe voted for the motion. J. H. Frint entered
his protest against the second clause, declaring his opinion
to be that the board had no jurisdiction over the matter,
but must simply count out the ballots, and declare the re-
sult without regard to the nature of the vote.

6. Scandinavia precinct called. Result, for New
Scandinavia, 79.

7. The Republic precinct called. Result, for Belle-
ville, 238; New Scandinavia, 4; Salt City, 1,

Total number of votes polled, 463, of which Belleville
received 305 ; New Scandinavia, 86 ; Salt City, 72.

Thus it appears that the Scandinavians were solid for
New Scandinavia, the Belle villeians nearly the same for
Belleville, while the denizens of the Marsh divided their
strength between the three places.

66 History of Republic County.

On motion of G. W. Johnson, the board ordered that
Mr. Baker, Mr. Blankenship, G. Paulson, H. Wallen and
Mr. Blunk, be sworn as to evidences of partiality and
fraudulent voting. Ordered that an abstract of the evi-
dence be filed in the clerk's office. Board then adjourned
until 7 a. m. of the following day.

Board met pursuant to adjournment, and proceeded
to discuss the final acceptance or rejection of the poll
books from Republic precinct; and, after a tedious attempt
at a decision, the board adjourned until one o'clock, at
which time Mr. Frint made the following proposition:
Throw out all the votes of Republic precinct except 100, and
declare the decision on the remaining number of polled
votes in the county, or throw out the entire vote of the coun-
ty as incorrect and fraudulent, and immediately order a
new election. After much argument and many attempts
at reconciliation of the whole board on one of the points
named, Mr. Print and Mr. Rowe cast their votes for the
first j)roposition — that is, to count 100 votes from Repub-
lic precinct and reject the balance.

I suj^pose this was considered a compromise; yet it
located the county seat at Belleville just as effectually as
though the entire vote had been counted. I here give the
concluding portion of the record in Mr. Hamill's own
phraseology, spelling and punctuation:

"Mr. Rowe requested the minutes of the following
causes of action in the case and decision of made Con-
siders the poll book alarmingly fraudulent and evidences
of partiality and misdemeanor in the action of the judges
of election — but thinks his judgment is that certain voters
who were legally entitled to the same should be represent-
ed and therefore gives his consent to the admission of the
100 votes. Com missioner Johnson declared his desire to re-
cord his name against the whole procedure as destruc-
tive to the declaration of the popular vote of the people—
and that the people could be defended only by an entire
and sweeping rejection of the poll books of every precinct

History of Republic County. 67

known to be illegal in any part or parcel of the action of
the officers of that election especially where such a glare-
ing inconsistency stood so open to every honest Man,"

As before stated, the vote of the county in November,
1868, was65 votes; in November, 1869, 123 votes; at the county
seat election in August, 1870, -163 votes, with Albion and
White Rock not counted. This shows a remarkable in-
crease in the voting population, and it is barely possible
that this increase may not have been entirely healthy, as
we find the vote of the county at the November election,
1870, with Albion's 30 votes and White Rock's 40 counted,
to be 322, or 141 less than were polled at the county seat
election. Soon after the result of the county seat election
was declared, J. S. Tutton, T. A. Eberhard, and T. C.
Smith, judges of the election at Belleville, were politely in-
vited to appear before Thomas J. Eckert, a justice of the
peace at Salt Marsh, charged with conduct unbecoming
officers and gentlemen and especially as judges of election.
In fact it was charged that gross frauds had been com-
mitted at the election, that the purity of the ballot box
had been invaded, and these officers were charged with
complicity in the same. It will be remembered that, at
this time, the office of probate judge was vacant. Judge
Meyers having resigned some time before; and, in view
of the circumstances, it was thought best by the citizens
of Belleville, and especially by the prisoners, we suppose,
that this vacancy should be filled. Accordingly, A. B,
Tutton, as special messenger, was dispatched to Topeka,
bearing a petition to Gov. Harvey, asking the appointment
of our esteemed fellow citizen. Dr. J. C.Griffith, to this posi-
tion. It is, perhaps, unnecessary to state that this petition
was not largely signed by the citizens of Salt Marsh, but
the signatures were probably procured in other portions
of the county.

Gov. Harvey acted on the petition at once, granting the
same, and the special courier returned just in time to find
the Eckert court in the act of committing the prisoners to

68 History of Republic County.

jail. It must be borne in mind that jail accommodations
were not as fine in those days as at the present time, and
the prisoners were loath to be torn from the bosoms of
their families, and incarcerated in a dungeon located in
Washington county. Accordingly, the kindly ofiBces of A.
F. Heely, who now appeared on the stage, were invoked,
a writ of habeas corpus issued by the probate court, and the
prisoners brought to Belleville, before Judge Griffith, for
trial. Now the scene is changed, no witnesses on the part
of the prosecution appear, and when the prisoners are ar-
raigned, the court, no doubt, in the language of one of old,
is led to exclaim : "Where are those thine accusers?" But
writs of attachment are issued to compel the attendance of
the now unwilling witnesses, and, when all was ready, the
case was called. A. J. Banta, of Washington county, coun-
sel for the prosecution, addressed the court in substan-
tially the following manner: "While at Salt Marsh and
in 'Squire Eckert's court, I thought I had a case ; but now
the scene is changed, and, with this change of scene, grave
doubts arise in my mind as to my ability to convict these
prisoners, therefore, if the court please, we desire to very
gently intimate to the court that it has our permission to
dismiss this suit." There being no opposition to this sug-
gestion, it was acted on, the pipe of peace was passed and
smoked, and all parties acquiesced in the decision. Thus
it appears that, after a season of considerable excitement,
some sectional bitterness, and probably a little tall voting,
the county seat was established at Belleville, where it has
since immovably reposed, although the question of relocat-
ing was again agitated in October and November, 1881, by
the circulation of petitions asking the commissioners to
call an election for that purpose. Quite a large number of
names were secured and some little excitement created.

This agitation was kept up until May, 1882, when the
matter was dropped and has not since been talked of.

Historv of Republic County. 69

CHAPTER VI.

SOIL — CLIMATE — STREAMS — TIMBER — LIMESTONE— COAL — SALT-
WATER POWER, RAIN-FALL— ETC., ETC.

The general surface of the county is undulating, a very
small per cent being what would be termed bluffy, broken
or hilly. The soil on the upland is a rich, black vegetable
mould, very fertile and underlaid with a subsoil of porous
clay, so that it is well adapted to either wet or dry seasons;
the river bottom land is very rich, containing quite a large
per cent of sand, together with the usual deposits of bot-
toms. The creek bottom lands are less sandy and more
nearly resemble the upland.

About ten per cent of the land is river and creek bot-
toms and ninety per cent what is usually termed high
prairie. The county is very well watered, there being
living streams in nearly every township, the Republican
river being the principal one. As a mill stream it is not
considered so valuable as many smaller ones, owing to its
broad channel, with a bottom of shifting sand. Some of
the most desirable land in all Kansas is to be found in its
valley. It traverses the entire western portion of the
county, the average width of the bottom lands being two
miles. White Rock, Beaver and Oak creeks are its princi-
pal tributaries from the west, while Otter, Dry, School and
other small creeks flow into it from the east; West, Reily,
Salt, Coal, East, Upton and Elk creeks, flow south into the
Republican river, draining the southeastern portion of the
county. Mill and Cherry creeks flow east and Rose creek
northeast, out of the county. These streams have numer-
ous tributaries, all of which, with the main streams, are
belted with timber from ten to eighty rods in width, con-
sisting of oak, ash, black walnut, hackberry, red and white
elm, box elder and cotton wood. Some writers have placed

70 History of Republic County.

hickory in the list, but I do not beheve there is a hickory-
tree in Republic county, at any rate I have never seen one.

About five per cent of the area of the county is natural
forest. In some places the larger timber has been cut,
and its place is being filled with young oak, ash and walnut
trees, which grow with great rapidity. Great attention
has been paid to artificial forestry, there being on the first
of March, 1901, 2663 acres growing, consisting of walnut,
ash, elm, maple and other varieties, all of which grow with
wonderful rapidity, and in a few years we will have all the
timber needed for fence posts and fuel. Nearly every farm
has its artificial grove, which adds greatly to the beauty of
the landscape.

These streams are distributed in such a manner as to
give more or less timber to every township in the county.
Well water is obtained at a depth of from ten to one hun-
dred feet, according to locality, and fine, flowing springs
are quite numerous. Notwithstanding all these facts, the
country lying west of the 6th principal meridian, of which
Republic county forms a part, had, up to the year 1870,
borne a bad reputation as to its ability to support a civi-
lized population ; and prior to that time a few settlers, who
had selected their homes along the streams west of that
line, could scarcely say they had done so for the purpose
of becoming permanent settlers, a large portion of the
country being regarded as a desert, for all practical pur-
poses ; and even as late as 1874 it was a debatable question
whether the country would not have to be abandoned to
the grasshoppers, coyotes, owls and rattlesnakes. But,
thanks to the persistent efforts of an active and indus-
trious population, a genial climate and fertile soil, all these
questions are now forever set at rest.

Magnesian limestone of most excellent quality is found
in large quantities in almost every township in the county.
I know of no other country having such an abundant sup-
ply of building rock and so large a proportion of tillable
land. This rock is of a light gray color, quite soft, easily

History of Republic Cotmty. 71

quarried and easily worked. It is almost entirely free
from grit, can be easily sawed with any kind of a saw
without injury to the instrument more than if used in
wood. This rock is very valuable for building purposes,
makes an excellent quality of lime, and good building sand
is found in almost every neighborhood. Several of the
most substantial buildings in the county are built of this
rock, including the opera house block in Belleville, the
school house in Scandia, the basement of the court house,
and many farm residences in different parts of the county.
The great abundance of this rock, the trifling expense of
quarrying, the facility with which it is shaped for masonry,
compensate in no small degree for the lack of lumber. And
sandstone is found in abundance in the southeastern por-
tion of the county, which possesses all the characteristics
of a reliable building stone; but it is not as popular as the
magnesia, as it is not as easily worked.

COAL, SALT, ETC.

The southern one-third of the county is underlaid
with coal, said to be of the lignite variety, although the pro-
priety of thus classifying it has been questioned. It is
probably of more recent origin than the anthracite bitu-
minous coal of the proper coal series. It is tough rather
than brittle, and cannot be easily broken except in hori-
zontal layers. The veins are from sixteen to thirty in-
ches in thickness, and are found beneath a firm layer of
sandstone, which forms a good roof in mining. These
mines have been worked since 1870, and have furnished
the principal fuel supply for a large scope of country; and
this coal has been extensively used for making steam in
grist mills, although it has been rejected by the railroads
on account of the large proportion of ashes it leaves, thus
clogging the grates in the locomotive. The coal is sold at
the mines at an average of two dollars and fifty cents per
ton. It does not kindle readily, but burns well when ig-
nited, makes a hot fire, produces no soot, burns to pure
ashes and leaves no clinkers. If exposed to the weather

72 History of Republic County.

for any considerable length of time it has a tendency to
slack like lime, which greatly impairs its value. Coal of a
good quality was mined as early as February, 1872, on the
SE^of section 7, the claim of P. L. Norlun in Grant town-
ship. A considerable quantity of this coal was hauled to
Belleville by John Forney and sold for six dollars per ton
— three dollars for mining and three dollars for the haul-
ing. These prices would indicate a scarcity of fuel. This
mine was worked one season only, being abandoned by
reason of water flooding the mine.

Within a short distance of these coal fields is situated
one of the most extensive salt marshes in the country,
commonly known as the "Tuthill Marsh," and is adjacent
to the old town site of Seapo. This marsh embraces an
area of about 4,000 acres, and wells of brine are obtained
at a depth of six feet. Sixty-five gallons of this brine pro-
duce a bushel of salt of unequaled purity, a chemical
analysis, by Professor Mudge, showing less than two and
a half per cent of impurities. It contains no chloride of
lime, — a very bad impurity, found in all the salt manufac-
tured in New York, Michigan and West Virginia. Profes-
sor Taylor, Massachusetts' State Assayer, also made an
analysis of this salt and reported it to be of a most excel-
lent quality. The salt water rises to near the surface,
evaporates and leaves a crust of pure salt, which, at all
times in dry weather, can be scraped up and taken away.
One hundred bushels of this earthy salt, diluted and evap-
orated, will produce seventy-five bushels of clean, white
salt. Borings have been made here — one to the depth of
sixty feet and another two hundred and sixty feet; the
latter threw up a column of brine five feet in height and
three inches in thickness. It is hard to tell why cajDital
has not been invested here to utilize this mine of wealth.
Another marsh of about the same extent is found in
Beaver township, near the southwest corner of the county,
but no analysis of the brine has ever been made that I am
aware of.

History of Republic County. 73

WATER POWER.

Ill this respect Republic county is not highly favored,
although there is good water power on White Rock creek,
in White Rock township, where a large flouring mill was
built in 1878 by Geo. R. Thacker, wholly a water power
mill, with Turbine wheel and three run of stone, two for
wheat and one for corn. A forty horse-power engine was
put in by Fred Cooper in 1881, so that the mill could be
kept running during low water, which sometimes occurs
during the months of August and September. Also on
the Republican river about a mile above Scandia, utilized
for several years by C. F. Ericson's large flouring mill;
also on the river at Rocky Ford, near Republic City, which
has never been utilized. There is also most excellent
water power on Salt creek, on the SW i of section 6, in
Grant township, which could be utilized at a very small
expense for dam, and water sufficient to run a mill of con-
siderable capacity the greater part of the year.

CLIMATE.

The climate of northern Kansas does not, differ materi-
ally from that of the western slope of the Alleghany moun-
tains and of states farther east, lying along and immedi-
ately below the fortieth parallel of north latitude. Like
all of these states, it has its extremes of heat and cold, but
in a somewhat modified form, being modified as it is by
latitude, altitude and proximity to the Rocky Mountain
range. It is not far enough south to be enervating, nor
far enough north for the rigorous and benumbing influ-
ences of a northern climate. In short, it is a happy com-
promise between the two. It is true that the climate of a
prairie country is more variable than that of a timbered
country, and the sweeping winds of winter on the high
prairies are sometimes quite searching, but the severity
of the winter winds is more than compensated by the
salubrity and the generally agreeable character of the
breezes of summer. In the most sultry July and August

History of Republic Comity.

weather our nights are cool, usually inviting pleasant re-
pose. Besides, the climate is remarkably healthy, being
far more free from bilious diseases than localities in the
same latitude farther east, and consumption is seldom or
never contracted in this country. Our summers are longer
than the average summers of other states in the same lati-
tude and our winters shorter.

RAINFALL.

This subject has nearly ceased to be one of anxious in-
quiry by the emigrant seeking a home on what Olney's
Geography taught him was a barren and sandy desert.
The crop statistics, given elsewhere in this book, must set
at rest all doubts as to the sufficiency of the rainfall here
for all the needs of agriculture. Below we give the obser-
vations of the rainfall at Belleville for the years 1872 and
1873, reported for the Smithsonian Institute by A. A..
Carr, who was furnished with standard instruments by
that institution for ascertaining the rainfall, temperature,
etc. Mr. Carr was also a special reporter for the State
Board of Agriculture from Belleville for the years named:

BellevUle,

Republic county. Latitude. 39 degrees
grees 40 minutes. Altitude, 1,540 feet i

50 minutes. Longitude,
ibove sea level.

97 de

•Ian.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May.

Juiie

July.

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Total

0 90
0.10

1872
1873

00
0.49

0.50

2.30
5.04

3.59'
8.91

1 58
6.60

6.62
0.92

2.03
1.90

3.30
3.05

1.47

0.84

.00
0.30

.00
1 10

22.29
28 76

Crops of all kinds for the two years named were
abundant, although the rainfall was far below the average,
as compared with the twenty-eight years succeeding the
above report, which proves conclusively that crops do not
so much depend on the amount of rain as on its distribu-
tion, a small rainfall, evenly distributed during the grow-
ing season, being far more desirable than a large amount
unfavorably distributed.

The rainfall for 1874 was above the normal during the
spring months, being 16 57-100 inches, including snow
fall to the depth of twelve inches during the month of

History of Republic County. 75

February, and no spring opened with brighter prospects
since Repubiic county has been settled. The drouth set
in June 15th and continued seventy-nine days, the temper-
ature being high for the entire period, reaching 110 de-
grees on July 25th, which with the grasshoppers made it
one of the worst seasons ever experienced in Kansas, al-
though the crops of small grain were exceptionally good
that year. On the night of September 1st the heavens
opened and rain fell in abundance from that time on, there
being sixteen rainy days in the month of September, with
a rainfall of almost eight inches for the month, badly dam-
aging hay and grain in stacks, a loss which the farmers
were illy prepared to stand. The rainfall for the entire
year was considerably above the average but unevenly
distributed.

The grasshopper visitation came on Sunday, July
26th, a few, however, having made their appearance in
some localities the day previous. About eleven o'clock
great clouds of them began to make their appearance from
the northeast, and although the day was cloudless the sun
was almost obscured by myriads of moving pests. No
pen picture I can make can convey to the understanding of
a person who did not see them; the immense and enor-
mous amount of grasshoppers that visited Republic county
that year. Imagine, if you please, a blinding snow storm
where a foot of snow falls in a few hours and that for
every snow flake, there were at least three grasshoppers,
then you can begin to form some faint conception of their
numbers. They were the most hungry crowd that ever
visited Kansas. Every green thing that suited their
tastes vanished in an incredible short time, onions, red
peppers and tobacco, being especially rehshed by them,
sorghum cane being about the only thing they spared.
Many stories were told of their voracious appetites, but
I do not vouch for the truth of all of them. One man in-
formed me "that he had to hitch his team to the wagon
and run it all day to keep them from eating the wagon

76 History of Republic County.

tires." Another says "he saw fifteen or twenty of them
pull up a corn stock and fly off with it, eating as they went
along." Another, that "after they had stripped off all the
leaves, they would pull up the stalks, sit back on their
hinder most, and swallow them whole." Another, "that
they were so thick in his field that there was not room for
one-half of them on the stalks, consequently a general row
arose, and they commenced pulling up the corn stalks and
beating each other to death, by which means he saved some
of his corn." And still another, "that they ate the handle
and commenced to eat the tines of his pitchfork." And
lastly, "that after devouring every green thing on the
place, they formed in line on the ridge board of his house
and very complacently picked their teeth with shingle
nails they had drawn from the roof." The above stories
are probably slightly exaggerated.

CHAPTER Vn.

WIND STORMS, TORNADOES AND CYCLONES.

One of the severest storms ever known in this part of
Kansas, although it could not properly be denominated a
cyclone, swept over Republic county on the night of Sun-
day, April 13th, 1873. After a heavy wind all day, and as
night approached, big, black clouds could be seen in the
western sky, and the vivid lightning and distant thunder
warned our people of its near approach. The rain fell as
if the flood gates of heaven had been opened, reminding
one very forcibly of a little shower that occurred in ancient
times. About ten o'clock it turned into hail, which lasted
but a few minutes, when a blinding snow storm set in,
continuing until Tuesday noon. The wind possessed such
terrible force as to move the largest buildings from their
foundations, and to dash the smaller buildings to pieces.
The art gallery of F. M. Hopkins, in Belleville, was utterly

History of Republic County. 77

demolished. The wind was so searching as to drive the
snow through the cracks and crevices of the houses. Great
loss was experienced among the farmers in the destruc-
tion of their stock, occasioned by the severity of the storm.

One of the saddest events which has ever happened in
this county, and which draped the whole community in
mourning, occurred while the gale was at its height. Two
families lost their most loved members, eight in num-
ber. The house of Mr. Crane, one of our most estimable
citizens, who was absent from home, was burned on
Saturday, and his family — a wife and four children
— took shelter in the residence of Mr. Bennett. On
Monday night the hurricane took off the roof of the
house, a stone one, and blew in the gable end, crushing
the floor, causing it to fall into the cellar, where the family
had taken shelter from the fury of the elements. Mrs.
Bennett was severely injured. When morning dawned
Mr. Bennett proceeded to the house of the nearest neigh-
bor to obtain help. He was unable to procure it, and made
his way to the next house, where he succeeded in getting
assistance. Upon his return a most terrible sight greeted
his eyes. There, in the chilling embrace of death, lay his
wife and three children, together with Mrs. Crane and two
of her children. A boy and girl of Mrs. Crane's were still
alive, and Mr. Bennett carried them to the residence of
the nearest neighbor, at which place the boy died for want
of timely assistance. The little girl recovered. What the
feelings of Mr. Bennett, as a husband, father and friend
were, can but be imagined.

Mr. Crane's house was on the NW i of section 15,
later known as the George Henek farm, now owned by
Gus Kauffman, in Jefferson township, and Mr. Ben-
nett's, where this sad catastrophe occurred, was on the
NE \ of section 11, in the same township.

Since the first settlement of the county it has been
visited by only a few of what may, with propriety, be
termed genuine tornadoes, none of which have proved

78 History of Republic County.

very destructive to life, only one person having been killed
and one or two slightly injured, but the property losses
have been quite severe. The first occurred May 30, 1879,
the day of the Irving disaster, in Marshall county, and the
cyclone at Delphos, in Ottav^a county. The storm struck
Belleville from the northwest, carried away a few chim-
neys, unroofed a few buildings, moved a few others from
their foundations, including the "Duck elevator" * on the
west side of the public square. At this place it was simply
a high wind and showed none of the essential characteris-
tics of a cyclone. Prom Belleville it moved nearly due east
and it was not till it reached Tom Harkness' place that it
commenced to cut its curious capers, taking his fanning
mill, rending it into hundreds of pieces, and scattering
them over a wide extent of territory. Portions of this
mill were found one-half mile north, other pieces more
than a mile south, and still other portions one and one-half
miles east of where it was standing when the storm took
possession of it.

Passing on to the east, it moved Prairie Home school
house from its foundations, but without doing much dam-
age to the building. Still further east, it struck Ernest
Cole's hoiise, sweeping it away, leaving nothing but the
floor and cooking stove, without injuring Mrs. Cole and the
little one, who were in the house at the time. A family by
the name of Matthews, emigrants, were just going into
camp, near Mr. Cole's house, when the storm struck the
wagon, rolling it over and over on the prairie, instantly
killing a son of Mr. Matthews, a boy about fourteen years
of age.

The funeral of the Matthews boy was held at the res-
idence of Al. Brown in Fairview township, Rev. A. N. See
officiating,

* The "Duck elevator" was a one-story wooden building standing on the pres-
ent site of the opera house block, used by Vantrump & HaUowell as a poultry
house in which fowls of all kinds were kept, while awaiting shipment. It was so
named by J. E. HaUowell a member of the firm.

History of Republic County. 79

Still further east, it moved the Farmington school
house from its foundation, carried it about thirty feet to
the east and damaged it considerably. Still further on,
it picked up Richard Rowe's wagon, which was standing
near his house, carried it away and completely destroyed
it, without disturbing anything else on his place. This
storm moved in a due east course for miles, was accom-
panied by sharp lightning, heavy thunder and an unusu-
ally heavy fall of rain, and, in places, hail.

The second tornado visited Elk Creek township. May
25, 1880, striking the school house in district No. 5 about
6 o'clock in the afternoon, completely demolishing it. The
funnel-shaped cloud, minutely described by several wit-
nesses, when first seen, was moving in a northeasterly
course, but, after destroying the school house, moved due
east, striking Mrs. Streeter's house, damaging it but
shghtly. After leaving Mrs. Streeter's it again moved to
the northeast, doing no further damage.

Its track was narrow, at no place exceeding a rod in
width, and could be distinctly traced by the appearance of
the grass, which presented the appearance of having been
scorched. It lifted and carried away the sods from land
newly broken, was accompanied by a light fall of rain, but
no thunder or lightning. The school house had been built
but two years, and was a substantial structure.

June 24th, 1894, will long be remembered by the citi-
zens of Repubhc county as a day in which high winds,
with cyclonic variations, ran riot in a greater portion of
the county, the most damage being done between 5 p. m.
and sundown. The general direction of the storm was
from the southwest to the northeast, paying very Httle
attention to the rules governing cyclones, but cavorted
around in an indiscriminate manner and many places doing
its work in a very effective way.

The Republic County Mutual Fire Insurance Com-
pany suffered more severely from this storm than from any
other either before or since. I shall never forget the week

80 History of Republic County.

following when in company with F. M. Johnson, then Presi-
dent of the company, we as a committee to adjust losses,
traveled from the southwest corner of the county to the
northeast, working from seven a. m. to nine p. m., driving
more than two hundred miles, adjusting twenty-five loss-
es, the weather being as hot as it ever gets in Kansas. I
believe I am safe in saying that this was the hardest
week's work ever done by any two officers of the company
since its organization. A genuine twister on a small scale
visited Belleville on the afternoon of June 6th, 1899, but
fortunately no one was killed or seriously injured. The
fore part of the day was damp and chilly with some rain-
fall and the afternoon continued cold with heavy rain, but
at no time did that peculiar hot sultry condition of the at-
mosphere exist that usually precedes a cyclone, hence no
one was expecting a diversion of that nature. About
four o'clock while it was raining about as hard as it ever
does in Kansas, a wind cloud came from the southeast
passing over the M. E. church, descending rapidly as it
traveled northwest. When it reached T. N. Short's black-
smith shop it was low enough to scrape off a few shingles
without otherwise damaging the building. About eighty
feet north of the shop stood a substantial one-story brick
building 22x50 feet owned by J. A. Mosher and occupied
by L. D. Speenburg as a meat market, and there is where
the little twister gave an object lesson in the power and
peculiarities of that apparently useless and dangerous
combination of nature's elements known as a cyclone.
The building seems to have been crushed as one would
crush an egg shell in the hand, the greater portion of the
debris lying in the cellar. Ordinarily, the debris is
considerably scattered, but not so in this case, and
the fact that it did no damage elsewhere indicates
that after smashing the Mosher building it suddenly rose
above the other buildings in the immediate vicinity and
got out of town as rapidly as it came in. The fact that build-
ings north and south in the immediate vicinity, were

History of Republic County. 81

scarcely shaken, makes it evident that the force — whatever
it was — descended almost perpendicularly and as suddenly
rose again.

The last visit of this kind was on Sunday May 6th
1900. This storm struck the residence of J. C. Roberts in
Norway township, shortly after 7 -p. m., completely de-
stroying it, then rose taking a northeast course passing
within easy view of Belleville, descending again about 7:30
p. m. upon the residence of John Pachta, about 4^ miles
east of town, almost literally demolishing it. Mrs. Pachta
was the only person about the premises at the time, and on
the approach of the storm which was heralded by a loud
roaring sound, had the presence of mind to take shelter in
a cave in the rear of the cellar, thus saving her life. The
storm after doing about all the damage it could at Pachta's
passed on to the northeast, moving the barn of Tony Broct
but slightly, next striking the farm of Tony Lesovsky,
where the storm seemed to vent all its fury, tearing up
and carrying away the buildings, leaving the place divested
of everything looking like a home; apple trees from six to
eight inches in diameter were torn from the ground and
carried away, leaving large holes in the earth where they
had stood. Mr. Lesovsky and family on the approach of
the storm took shelter in the cave all escaping injury ex-
cepting Mr. Lesovsky, who had a finger crushed in closing
the door of the cave.

CHAPTER Vm.

RAILROADS.

A proposition to extend aid to the Central Branch of the
Union Pacific Railway in the sum of $100,000 bearing in-
terest at seven per cent., and running thirty years, con-
ditioned that said railway company shall extend its line
from Waterville to the center of Republic county on or be-

TOWNSHIPS. FOB. AGAINST.

Albion 15 10

Fairview 4i 14

Farmington 42 4

Freedom 94 0

Elk Creek . . . . , 5 32

Grant 11 47

Lincoln 4 19

Liberty 1 22

82 History of Republic County.

fore July 4th, 1873, and build and maintain a depot at said
place, and to further construct said railway and have the
cars running thereon to the Republican valley in said
county of Republic, on or before the 31st day of Decem-
ber, 1873, was voted on in the several voting- precincts of
said county on the 7th day of October, 1871, with the fol-
lowing result:

TOWNSHIPS. FOR. AGAINST

Norway 0 42

Richland ....■• .36 I

Scandia 5 78

Rose Creek... . 3 38

Union 22 21

White Rock ... 13 54

Belleville lU 1

Total 4C3 383

Majority in favor of the proposition, twenty.

This was the first railroad bond election held in the
county. No bonds were issued as the railroad company
failed to comply with the terms named in the proposition,
greatly to the disappointment of the people of the county.

At a called meeting of the citizens of Republic county
held at Belleville, April 26th, 1878, for the purpose of tak-
ing into consideration the proper steps to be taken to se-
cure a railroad, the following named persons were chosen
as a committee to visit Kansas City to confer with the of-
ficers of the Kansas Pacific railroad and the Kansas City
Board of Trade in relation to railroad matters: namely,
Hon. W. H. Pilkenton, I. O. Savage, Ed. E. Chapman, Dr.
W. H. Woodward, William Haskett, Col. D. C. Gamble, M.
Patrie and H. S. Stone. All the members of this com-
mittee, with the exception of Col. Gamble, left for Kansas
City the following Monday and were successful in their
mission, securing from the Kansas Pacific Railway Com-
pany the following proposition which was submitted to
the Board of County Commissioners in special session,
- June 4th, 1878. The company proposed to extend its line
from Clifton northwest, entirely through the county, to
build and maintain a depot within one mile of the then-
thriving town of Seapo, one as near as practicable to the

History of Republic County. 83

city of Belleville, one as near as practicable to the mouth of
White Rock Creek, and one at the then-prosperous village
of White Rock, with flag stations at convenient intermedi-
ate points, conditioned that the county subscribe to the
capital stock of said railway in the sum of four thousand
dollars per mile, but not to exceed in the aggregate one
hundred and thirty thousand dollars, the bonds to run
thirty years at eight per cent, the road to be completed to
Belleville by the first day of January, 1879, and through
the county by January 1st, 1880. On presentation of a
proper and lawful petition, the Board of Commissioners
ordered a special election held July 13th, one thousand
dollars having been deposited by the company with
county treasurer, Crummer, to defray the expenses of the
election. The vote was canvassed July 16th, and the fol-
lowing result announced:

TOWNSHIPS.

FOR.

AGAINST.

TOWNSHIPS.

FOB.

AGAINST.

Albion

Liberty

Beaver

Lincoln

Belleville

161

Norway

Big Bend

Richland

Courtland

116

Rose (reek

Elk CreK-k

.Scandia

135

Fairview

Union

Farniington

Washington —

. 47

Freedom

126

White Rock...

Grant

108

Jefferson

Total

850

1126

And thus what seemed to me at the time, to be one of
the best propositions ever submitted by any railroad com-
pany to the voters of Republic county, and after a lapse of
nearly a quarter of a century, my views on this question
remain unchanged, was defeated by a majority of two hun-
dred and seventy-six. My reasons for entertaining these
views are, that at that time Seapo was quite an important
trading point, and, had the road been built and a depot es-
tablished there, it would have held and constantly in-
creased its trade, and by this time, in my opinion, would
have been a city of fifteen hundred people. On the con-
trary the town went to decay, has been wiped off the map,
and the best energies of the citizens of two townships of
this county have been devoted to building up a town in an

84 History of Republic County.

adjoining county, which, without their support and patron-
age, would have been today only a flag station. And Belle-
ville, with a population of two thousand, would have had at
least twice that number, but, worst of all, was the fate of
White Rock, which, for years, was by far the most pros-
perous town in Republic county, and which, had this road
been built, would have remained so, being situated in the
midst of one of the most beautiful and fertile valleys in
the state of Kansas, the settlement in its neighborhood
being rapid, and without any particular design or effort a
town of considerable importance grew up here, having
its full complement of establishments devoted to trade
and the mechanical pursuits and the best water power in
the county, which at one time was utilized by a saw and
grist mill, both of which did a flourishing and thriving
business, but like Seapo, it went into a decline and per-
ished from the earth, all by reason of failing to secure a
railroad, which was easily within its reach had its citizens
been governed by good sense and sound reasoning, in-
stead of allowing selfishness, jealousy and prejudice to
control their action. The voters of White Rock claimed
that in order to further their interests, they must oppose the
bonds, but how any man or set of men can further their
interests by cutting their own throats, is a proposition I
have never been able to understand. Had White Rock,
Big Bend and Courtland given reasonably fair majorities
for the bonds they would have carried, the road would have
been built and Republic county, instead of a population of
eighteen thousand, would have had today at least twenty-
five thousand, with White Rock as its leadingcity.

RAILROAD LINES.

There are seven lines of railroads in the county having
a total mileage of one hundred and forty miles, exclusive of
side tracks, being exceeded by only fourteen counties in
the state. The first road to build into the county was the
Atchison, Republican Valley & Pacific, now known as the
Missouri Pacific. This road enters the county on the

History of Republic County. 85

south line of section thirty-three, Norway township, and
runs in an air line to Scandia, which placfe was first
reached by trains December 24th, 1878. This road runs
up the Republican valley and has a mileage of twenty-six
and thirty -five hundredths miles in Republic county, con-
necting us with Kansas City and St. Louis, via Atchison.
The stations along this line in the county are Norway,
Scandia, Sherdahl, Republic and Warwick. The assessed
valuation of this road in 1901 was $116,375. The next line
to build was the Republican Valley branch of the Burling-
ton & Missouri river railroad, built in the summer of 1880.
This road enters the county near the northwest corner,
running east along our northern border, with twelve and
seventy-one one-hundredths miles of track in the county,
one station, Byron, being located on the state line, three
others being located just across the line in Nebraska. The
assessed valuation of this line for 1901, was §86,098. The
next line was a branch of the B. & M., known as the
Chicago, Nebraska and Kansas branch of eighteen and
thirty one one-hundredths miles which enters the county
on the east line a little north of the center, runs south-
west and leaves the county about ten miles west of the
southeast corner, these two lines furnishing direct com-
munication with Missouri river points on the east and with
Denver on the west. The stations along this line in Re-
public county are Haworth, Cuba and Wayne. This road
was built in the summer and fall of 1884. Its assessed
valuation in 1901 is §83,149. The Junction City and Fort
Kearney extension of the Union Pacific from Junction
City to Belleville was built the same year, and it was a
race between this road and the one last mentioned to see
which should get to doing business first. The first reg-
ular passenger train over this road to reach Belleville ar-
rived on Saturday, November 29th, 1884, and received a
hearty welcome by the citizens of the city and adjacent
country assisted by the Belleville Cornet Band, construc-
tion and freight trains having been running some two

86 History of Republic County.

weeks. W. R. Wilbert, for thirty years a railroad engin-
eer, and at present engineer at the city water works, ran
the first train into Belleville November 15th, 1834. The
Union Pacific depot was completed and ready for occu-
pancy December 1st, 1884. The stations on this line in Re-
public county are Talmo and Belleville, the latter being
the terminus. The mileage in the county is thirteen and
thirty-one one-hundredths miles, and the assessed valua-
tion for 1901 is $73,706. The Chicago Kansas and Ne-
braska line, now known as the Chicago, Rock Island and
Pacific was built in 1887, reaching Belleville in September
of that year. The first regular passenger train to leave
Belleville over this line was on the morning of Sunday,
September 18th, 1887, for Pairbury, Nebraska, returning
at seven in the evening. This line has two branches, one
from Kansas City enters the county in Elk Creek town-
ship, on the SE i of section 33, runs northwest to Belle-
ville; the stations on this branch are Agenda and Cuba.
The other enters the county on section 12, in Albion town-
ship; runs southwest to Belleville, where the two unite
and form the main line to Denver. The stations on this line
are Narka and Munden. On the Main line west the sta-
tions are Belleville, Rydal, Scandia and Courtland. The
mileage on both lines is fifty-four and ninety-one-one hun-
dredths, and the assessed valuation for 1901 is $421,336.
A branch of the Atchison, Topeka and SanJ^a Pe, known
as the Chicago, Kansas and Western, enters the county
about four miles east of the southwest corner; runs north-
west and leaves the county about the center of the west
line. This is a very important line of road and is very
popular with the farmers, feeders and shippers of the
southwestern portion of the county, affording a good out-
let to the south and southwest for their immense surplus
of agricultural products. The mileage of this line is thir-
teen and forty-eight one-hundredths and the stations are
Kackley and Courtland. The assessed valuation for 1901 is
$64,420. The road was built in 1888. The seventh line is

History of Republic County. 87

known as The Pacitic Railroad in Nebraska, Jewell branch,
one mile in length, extending west and north from War-
wick. The assessed valuation of this road in Republic coun-
ty for the year 1901 is $4,245. In addition to the valua-
tions above enumerated, the Pullman Car Company were
assessed $5,723; The Burlington and Missouri River Tele-
graph Company, 12,168; Western Union Telegraph Com-
pany, $8,225. Total assessed valuation for 1900, including
the Pullman Car and telegraph lines, $849,196. There are
sixteen stations in the county and four others in Nebraska
within a half mile of our northern border, thus affording
facilities unsurpassed by any county in Kansas for ship-
ping our immense products to a ready market, the stations
being so distributed that there is not a farm house in the
county at a greater distance than eight miles from a rail-
road depot.

As shown in another chapter the entire bonded in-
debtedness of the townships through which these same
lines of road run amount to a fraction less than $722 per
mile.

CHAPTER IX.

COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

On the evening of February 20th, 1871, in pursuance
of notices previously published, a meeting of the citizens
of Republic county was held in the log school house on the
east side of the public square, for the purpose of consid-
ering the propriety of organizing a county agricultural so-
ciety. Of this meeting J. W. Raynolds was chairman, and
I. O. Savage, secretary. At this meeting it was decided
unanimously to organize such a society, and a committee
of five chosen to draft constitution and by-laws, with in-
structions to report in one week. The following named
persons composed the committee: I. O. Savage, chair-

88 History of Republic County.

man, J. C. Griffith, R. P. West, A. Shaw and H. G. Dow.
This was the first step ever taken in Republic county, or
in any other county in Kansas west of the Sixth principal
meridian, to organize an agricultural society. The com-
mitte reported constitution and by-laws in accordance
with instructions, which report was unanimously adopted
and officers elected for one year, as follows : President,
Albert Odell; vice president, R. P. West; secretary, I. O.
Savage; treasurer, John M. Ryan; and an executive com-
mittee of five, consisting of W. S. Latham, J. C. Griffith, J.
W. Raynolds, W. P. Peake and H. G. Dow was also chosen ;
and thus the Republic County Agricultural Society became
fully organized, being the pioneer agricultural society in
Kansas, west of the Sixth principal meridian.

A fair was held the same year, commencing on the
4th day of October, two miles east of Belleville, on the SE
i of SEi of section 36, in Freedom township. These
grounds were considered as only temporary, and were
fenced with a few posts and a rope. However, a start was
made, and everything seemed to work favorably for the
society. Sixty-five entries were made, and the premiums,
to the amount of $44.75, were awarded and paid. The re-
ceipts from all sources were $48.20, and the total expendi-
tures $51.95, leaving a balance of $3.25 against the socie-
ty. These figures now look small, but it was a beginning
and a start in the right direction. The settlers on the high
prairie were just coming in, very little of their land was in
cultivation, very few of them having raised any crops the
previous year ; there was but little stock in the county,
no speed ring nor fast horses, consequently the material
for making a very attractive display was quite limited.

At the annual meeting in February, 1872, for the
election of officers, A. Odell was re-elected i3resident, R.
P. West, vice-president; I. O. Savage, secretary; and J.
M. Ryan, treasurer; and an executive committee of seven,
as follows: John R. Bowersox, A. Kindy, Joseph Boothe,
J. E. VanNatta, W. P. Peake, Frederick Collins, Sr., and

History of Republic County. 89

A. B. Wilder. The rules, regulations and premium list
for the second annual fair were printed by Wilder & Kir-
by at the Belleville Republic office, in a neat pamphlet of
twenty-four pages, each alternate page containing adver-
tisements and notices by the business men of Belleville
and Scandia, which paid all the expenses of printing. The
following card, by George Morningstar, were remembered
by many of the older settlers of Scandia, probably con-
tains more truth than is usually found in the advertise-
ments of institutions of a similar character:

EEPUBLICAN VALLEY SALOON,
Scandinavia, Kansas.

Geo. Mouningstar & Son, Prop's.

This notorious establishment takes pleasure in noti-
fying the public generally that it is fully prepared (having
on hand a large stock especially selected for the trade) to
supply at exhorbitant rates by the pint, half-pint and
drink, to be drank on the premises or off the premises, by
man, woman or child, preacher, lawyer or doctor, black-leg
and bummer, the most diabolical rot-gut whiskey ever
vended to the public.

Special mixtures provided for church members, put
up in small bottles, labled medicine, and deposited for
their accommodation ten steps south of the southwest cor-
ner of the saloon.

Candidates for office supphed at wholesale rates.

Customers from Belleville will have their drinks wat-
ered properly.

Beastly drunkenness insured in three drinks. Fam-
ily ruin in six months. Free fights are an attractive fea-
ture of this institution. In fact, we are prepared to sink
the morality of the whole neighborhood in a few gulps.

GEORGE MORNINGSTAR.

It is scarcely necessary to add that the above was the
means of securing a liberal patronage from customers
from the vicinity of Belleville.

The second annual fair was held on the third and

90 History of Republic County.

fourth days of October, 1872, on lands proposed by J. C.
Griffith and R. W. VanDyke as permanent fair grounds
of the society. These grounds were about one-half mile
northeast of Belleville, and comprised thirty acres, fifteen
acres off the NW corner of the SE ^, and fifteen off the
NE corner of the SW \ of section 35, Freedom township,
and the right of way sixty feet wide leading to the same,
both quarters being homestead land. The understanding
then was that the society should take possession of these
grounds, enclose the same with a hedge, grade a track for
trials of speed, dig a well, erect a building suitable for a
floral hall, and otherwise improve the grounds as the so-
ciety saw proper, in consideration of all which Messrs.
Griffith and VanDyke were to convey these grounds to
the society in fee simple, whenever they could legally do
so, for a price to be determined by disinterested j^arties.
Unfortunately for the society and for Republic county to
day, all of these conditions were not complied with. This
fair was one of the best ever held in the county, everybody
seeming interested and working for the general welfare of
the society. Two hundred and six entries were made,
cash premiums to the amount of $185 were awarded and
paid, and the receipts exceeded the expenditures by
121.66. At this fair, liberal private premiums were offered
and paid by Gardner Bros., Josiah Kindt and A. O. Kindy.

On the 7th day of December, 1872, A. B. Wilder was
elected a delegate to represent the society in the State
Board of Agriculture.

At the annual meeting in February, 1873, for the
election of officers, the following persons were chosen:
President, R. P. West; W. H. Pilkenton, vice president;
I. O. Savage, secretary; and V. Vantrump, treasurer.

The third annual fair was held on the society's
grounds, October 1st, 2d and 3d, and a fine exhibit made.
There were two hundred and nineteen entries, and over
$200 in premiums paid. This year a building 20x30 feet
was erected for a floral hall, at an expense of $240, a well

History of Republic County. 91

dug and walled, hedge rows broken, and a large amount
of money expended on the track. The receipts, although
large, were not sufficient to meet these expenses, and a
balance of 8106.92 was found against the society.

The officers elected for 1871 were R. P. West, presi-
deet; O. A. Gardner, vice-president; I. O. Savage, secre-
tary : and V. Vantrump, treasurer. A fair was held Sep-
tember 16th, 17th and 18th. but, this being what was called
grasshopper year, the entries were few, the attendance
meagre, and the receipts small.

In 1875 the following named persons were elected
officers of the society : A. B. Wilder, president ; A. J.
Beers, vice-president: V. Vantrump, secretary; and J. A.
Mosher, treasurer. The fifth annual fair was held Sep-
tember 28th, 29th and 30th. Receipts from all sources,
1^279.10; expenditures, $271.57; leaving a balance in favor
of the society of |!l.83.

The officers for 1876 were I. O. Savage, president; J.
Kindt, vice-president; A. B. Wilder, secretary; and J. A.
Mosher, treasurer. No fair was held this year.

At the annual meeting in 1877, the following persons
were elected officers : J.Kindt, president; Milton Han-
cock, vice-president; Adam Dixon, secretary; J. A,
Mosher, treasurer. The sixth annual fair was held Sep-
tember 20th, 21st and 22d, 1877. The weather was fine,
the attendance large, and the receipts larger than in any
former year.

The officers elected for 1878 were : Wm. Hughes,
president; A. J. Beers, secretary; I. O. Savage, treasurer.
The seventh annual fair was held September 24th, 25th
and 26th. The attendance was not large, but the receipts
from all sources exceeded expenses by $79.25.

On the 29th day of October an application was made
by the treasurer of the society to the chairman of the
board of county commissioners, asking him to issue an or-
der on the treasurer of the county for the sum of money
to which the society was entitled from the county, under

92 History of Republic County.

section eight of chapter 37, of the laws of 1872. This ap-
plication was accompanied by a certificate, attested by the
president and treasurer of the society, under oath, in
strict conformity with the law above referred to. The
chairman declined to grant the application, and did not
treat the same with that consideration which the officers
of the society thought its importance demanded; conse-
quently, a writ of mandamus was applied for and obtained
from the district court, citing the chairman to appear at
the April term of said court; to show cause, if any he had,
why he did not sign the order as asked for in the applica-
tion.

Everything had worked harmoniously down to this
time, the society having had no trouble in getting the as-
sistance from the county to which it was entitled under
the law above referred to. Lars C. Hansen, of Scandia,
was at this time chairman of the board of commissioners
and he objected, and objected vigorously to signing the or-
der, saying he would never do, so long as his name be Han-
sen. Strange as it may seem, all the attorneys in the
county at the time took sides with Mr. Hansen and freely
expressed the opinion that the society could not recover,
this being the first and only case I call to mind when all of
them were wrong at the same time. Of course,attorneys are
expected to be wrong half of the time, but this case seems
tohavebeenan exception and not the rule. The case came on
for hearing, able counsel appearing on both sides. Along
and tedious trial ensued, and the jury, after being out
twenty minutes, returned a verdict in favor of the society,
as under the instructions from the court it could not well
do otherwise, as Judge Wilson in his charge clearly inti-
mated that if any other verdict was returned he would set
it aside. After mature deliberation on the part of the so-
ciety, it was thought best, under existing circumstances,
the society being compelled to resort to the courts to ob-
tain the rights to which it was entitled under the law, to
sell the building on the fair ground, pay off all indebted-

History of Republic County. 93

ness, surrender the charter, and let the RepubUc County
Agricultural Society be one of the things of the past,
which was accordingly done, and it is a lamentable fact
that the banner agricultural county of Northwestern Kan-
sas h3s no agricultural society today.

We do not state the above facts with the design or de-
sire of censuring any one, as all parties may have acted
for what they considered to be the general welfare of the
county. It has, however, been clearly demonstrated that
it is much easier to lind fault with, break up and destroy
such an organization than to organize one. and put it in
successful operation. On this point, we are satisfied there
can be no dispute. The advisability of reorganizing the
society was talked of from time to time through the
medium of the county papers and a few feeble and unsuc-
cessful attempts to do so were made, the nearest approach
to it being in August, 1887, when a few meetings were
held, a charter procured, constitution and by-laws adopted
and officers elected. The officers chosen were: E. M.
Crummer, president; J. A. Mosher, vice-president; I. O.
Savage, secretary; Wm. McCullough, treasurer; and
who still have the honor, if any there be, of holding these
offices, as their successors have never been elected.

This was to be a joint stock company with a capital of
$10,000 divided into 2,000 shares of ^5 each, only a small
portion of which was subscribed.

COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

As early as 1879 it had been demonstrated that fruit of
almost every variety could be successfully grown in Re-
public county. In pursuance of a call a public meeting
was held at the court house in Belleville October 11th,
1879, having for its object the organization of a county hor-
ticultural society. Of this meeting O. A. A. Gardner was
chosen chairman, and W. P. Peake secretary.

A committee, consisting of N. T. VanNatta, Ezra
Powell and J. A. Mosher was appointed to draft a consti-

94 History of Republic County.

tution and by-laws for such an organization, after which
the meeting adjourned to the lirst Saturday in December.

Met pursuant to adjournment when the committee re-
ported a constitution, which after receiving careful con-
sideration, was adopted, and the following officers were
elected to hold until the regular annual meeting as pro-
vided in the constitution : O. A. A. Gardner, president ;
J. A. Mosher, vice-president; W. P. Peake, secretary;
Ezra Powell, treasurer ; and N. T. VanNatta, Adam Dixon
and Dr. Henry Patrick, trustees.

J. A. Mosher was elected delegate to represent the so-
ciety at the annual meeting of the State Horticultural So-
ciety to be held at Holton on the 16th, 17th and 18th days
of December, 1879.

The organization, the simplest part of all the work,
was now complete, but to keep the society alive and in
working order required great effort on the part of its
friends and promoters, the most zealous of whom many
times, almost yielded to discouragement, however, for
some time quite a lively interest was taken and much use-
ful information disseminated.

The third meeting was held at the court house March
3d, 1880, at which time Honorable N. T. VanNatta was, by
a unanimous vote made a life member in consideration of
five dollars, donated by him to the society. The following
is a complete list of the members at this time: O. A. A.
Gardner, president; J. A. Mosher, vice-president; W. P.
Peake, treasurer; John Pulcomer,, Dr. H. Patrick, Adam
Dixon, John E. Hallowell, E. M. Crummer, Edson G.
Haven, N. T. VaNatta, Chauncey Perry and Selwyn M.
McBride.

The next meeting was held May 4th, 1881, at which
time it was decided to hold the annual meeting on the
third Saturday of December of each year, and the semi-
annual meeting in June, at such date and place as may be
determined at the annual meeting. The second board of
officers elected were: W. P. Peake, president; John Pul-

History of Republic County. 95

comer, vice-president; O. A. A. Gardner, secretary; J. A.
Mosher, treasurer. The society received its charter from
the secretary of state July 14th, 1883.

It was not until 1886 that Republic county commenced
to attract attention as one of the leading fruit producing
counties of Kansas. Quite a number of orchards of first
planting had by this time come into bearing, being from
ten to twelve years old, and this being a fine fruit year
the society decided to make an exhibit at Topeka in the
fall of that year.

John Fulcomer and Henry Passmore were chosen a
committee to represent the society and take charge of the
exhibit. The fruit was selected with great care from the
best orchards in different parts of the county and placed
on exhibition in competition, not only with older counties
of Kansas and Missouri, but with the world. The commit-
tee returned with nine first premiums on best plates of
apples, four second premiums on best plates, and third
premium for best and largest display by counties, the
premiums being ij^l each for best plates, 50 cents each for
second best plates, and $25 for third largest and best dis-
play, aggregating $36, which more than defrayed the ex-
penses of the exhibit. Peeling encouraged by this excel
lent showing it was decided to try again when the proper
time arrived. 1887 was also fruitful, two fairs being held
in the state, one at Bis mark Grove and the other at Topeka.

J. A. Mosher and Dr. H. Patrick were the committee
to take charge of the exhibit at both places, being awarded
the second premium for best and largest display of fruit
at Bismark, the amount of the premium being $75. Were
not successful at Topeka, the fruit having been handled
considerably and reshipped did not present so fine an ap-
pearance as in the first place. After paying all expenses
of the exhibit at both places a balance of $9.10 was left in
favor of the society.

As before stated attention had been directed to Re-
public county by its excellent exhibit at Topeka in 1886, so

96 History of Republic County.

much so that the State Horticultural Society decided to hold
its seventeenth semi-annual meeting at Belleville on June
27th and 28th, 1887. An able, cordial and hearty welcom-
ing address was made to the society by Rev. Geo. W.
Wood, then pastor of the M. E. church, which was appre-
ciateingly responded to by Judge L. A. Simmons, of Wel-
lington, in behalf of the society. The semi-annual address
of Geo. Y. Johnson, president of the state society, was an
able effort, full of encouragement, and was well received.
Leading horticulturists from different parts of the state
were in attendance, including Fred. Wellhouse, the cham-
pion apple grower of Kansas. Interesting and instructive
papers were read by Judge Simmons, Hon. Martin Allen,
of Hayes City, Dr. Charles Williamson, of Washington, and
A. B. Warner, of White Rock, and instructive addresses
by Fred. Wellhouse and others.

The next meeting of the society was held at the office
of Cooper, Meek & Cooper December 22d, 1888, it being
the regular annual meeting, when the following officers
were elected for the ensuing year: W. M. Moore, presi-
dent; J. M. Williams, vice-president; I. O. Savage, secre-
tary; J. A. Mosher, treasurer. From this time the inter-
est in the society began to wane and no meetings were
held until June 28th, 1890, at which the attendance was
small, and it became painfully evident that the days of the
Horticultural Society were numbered. No meetings have
been held since the above date.

CHAPTER X,

CROPS AND FARM ANIMALS.

Reliable statistics in regard to crops, farm animals,
etc., were not gathered in Kansas until 1872, and these
were not as complete as desired, owing to the absence of
any efficient official source through which they could be

History of Republic County.

obtained, as the law providing for the collection of statis-
tics by the township assessors was not passed until the
session of 1873. The statistics here presented, therefore,
embrace a period of thirty years, from 1872 to 1901 in-
clusive.

HORSES.

Yrs.

No.

Yrs.

No.

Yrs.

No.

Yrs.

No.

1872

IfjOO

1873

2322

1888

12116

1889

12787

1874

3199

1875

3103

1890

11093

1891

13867

1876

3316

1877

3711

1892

13761

1893

14513

1878

4481

1879

5868

1894

13448

1895

14667

1880

6942

1881

7471

1896

13014

1897

13054

1882

7703

1883

8793

1898

12744

1899

13040

1884

9270

1885

9876

1900

12607

1901

13249

1886

10636

1887

11155

MULES

MILCH

cows

MULES.

MILCH

COWS

Yrs.

No.

Yrs.

No.

Yrs.

No.

Yrs.

No.

1872

1877

3242

1888

1180

1893

6829

1873

227

1878

3310

1889

1185

1894

6716

1874

319

1879

3788

1890

948

1895

8630

1875

308

1880

4248

1891

992

1896

7576

1876

272

1881

4766

1892

931

1897

7752

1877

384

1882

5925

1893

1133

1898

8958

1878

408

1883

7194

1894

1145

1899

9681

1879

544

1884

8583

1895

1622

1900

10207

1880

575

1885

9737

1896

1498

1901

12327

1881

645

1886

11450

1897

1467

Prior to 1877 sta-

1882

651

1887

11527

1898

1488

tistics in re

iffard to

1883

832

1888

12709

1899

1591

milch cows were

1884

979

1889

14355

1900

1413

included

in the

1885

1154

1890

10359

1901

13.56

whole number of

1886

1124

1891

10993

cattle.

1887

1185

1892

10362

OTHER CATTLE.

This table gives the whole number of cattle in the
county down to, and including 1876, after which milch
cows are excluded.

Yrs.

No.

Yrs

No.

Yrs.

No.

Yrs

No.

1872

4944

1873

4682

1888

24551

1889

24112

1874

6649

1875

6050

1890

22368

1891

22560

1876

6746

1877

4690

1892

23347

1893

14516

1878

5623

1879

6390

1894

11009

1895

13739

1880

7422

1881

9189

1896

9878

1897

13285

1882

10185

1883

13532

1898

17881

1899

23995

1884

19287

1885

17965

1900

27063

1901

25978

1886

20721

1887

23522

History of Republic County.

SWINE.

SWINE

SWINE.

Yrs.

No.

Yrs.

No.

Yrs.

No.

Yrs.

No.

1872

1232

1873

3336

1888

40939

1889

49306

1874

9897

1875

5038

1890

54939

1891

.^3769

1876

7097

1877

18011

1892

49311

1893

14013

1878

31286

1879

38142

1894

16610

1895

32842

1880

44169

1881

40290

1896

33295

1897

48069

1882

41915

1883

48469

1898

64673

1899

64457

1884

69383

1885

81009

1900

62819

1901

57585

1886

55389

1887

54186

The falling off in the numbers of live stock from 1874
to 1875 is accounted for by the grasshopper visitation of
1874, the corn crop that season being almost a total fail-
ure, but very little being raised in the county. Large
numbers of our people went back east to winter, taking
their teams and milch cows with them, many not return-
ing until late in the season of 1875, while others did not
come back at all. In 1877 Republic ranked as the ninth
county in the state in the number of swine, seventh in
1878, second in 1879, and first in 1880, leading Brown
county, the next highest, by 2,827 head. In 1881 she
ranked third, being surpassed by Brown with 41,279 and
Miami with 41,040 head. In 1882 she ranked third again,
being surpassed by Brown and Cowley.

In 1885, in proportion to area, Republic led, with the
unprecedented number of 81,009, being so far in advance
of all other counties of the same area as to make it idle to
institute a comparison. Cholera among swine broke out
this year and was quite general throughout the state,
raging with great fury in many counties during the years
1885, 1886 and 1887, seriously crippling this important in-
dustry. The losses in Republic county from this cause
alone were in 1885, 9,122 head; 1886, 51,513 head; 1887,
21,966 head; aggregating 82,601 head, in three years re-
ducing the number to 40,939 in 1888, since which time this
dreaded disease has not generally been prevalent.

WHEAT. — (WINTER AND SPRING.)

Years.

Acreage.

Bushels.

Years.

Acreage.

Bushels.

1872

4858

47252

1887

3006

32355

1873

12044

8820;{

1888

1057

23846

History of Republic County.

Years.

Acreage.

Bushels.

Years.

Acreage.

Bushels.

1874

27757

289225

1889

2458

54389

1875

33092

476307

1890

8320

75118

1876

28925

361531

1891

13687

229855

1877

19174

282846

1892

18713

271036

1878

38936

681968

1893

22420

26838

1879

46573

413612

1894

13254

45393

1880

42275

404154

1895

7137

28548

1881

25574

204592

1896

4514

64084

1882

8427

132948

1897

7231

144310

1883

4612

93712

1898

10829

193914

1884

758(i

141892

1898

21046

252204

1885

8204

116293

1900

8545

161398

1886

4975

55814

1901

23385

Republic county has not in any one year produced a
million bushels of wheat, its nearest approach to it being
in 1878 when 681,968 bushels were raised, hence it is not
classed among the leading counties in the production
of this important cereal, although during the 70s she
ranked high in the production of spring wheat being located
in what was known, from 1872 to 1881 as the spring wheat
belt of Kansas, composed of seven counties lyiog in a
compact body in the northwest, five of which. Marshall,
Washington, Republic, Jewell and Smith, being in the
northern tier,and the other two, Cloud and- Mitchell, adjoin-
ing. In 1887 these seven counties produced 3.3-45,340 bush-
els, or nearly three-fiftbs the entire spring wheat product
of the state. In the number of bushels raised, Repubhc
county ranked in the state as follows :

1872 as 2ti. 1876 as 2d.

1873 as 6th. 1877 as 3d.

1874 as .3d. 1878 as 3d.

1875 as 1st.

Thus it appears that, for a period of ten years, she
held the first place three years, the second place three
years, the third place three years, and the sixth place one
year. But at present its cultivation is almost entirely
abandoned, one reason for discontinuing its culture being
that it was most successfully grown on new land, or
ground that had not been ploughed more than two or three
times at most. Another and the principal reason being
that most of the farmers have found that corn growing

1879 as 1st.

1880 as 3d.

1881 as 2d.

100

History of Republic County.

and stock raising and feeding are more profitable and have
turned their attention in this direction, although some
very fine wheat, both spring and winter, are still grown,
S. T. Collins, a leading farmer of Freedom township,
holding a testimonial from the directors of the world's
fair at Chicago for a sample of superior excellence ex-
hibited there in competition with the world, the medal be-
ing for the best one-half bushel of hard winter wheat.

Prom 1874 to 1880. barley was quite successfully
grown, the product being:

Year.

Acres.

Bushels.

Year.

Acres.

Bushels.

1874

907

18140

1878

67640

1875

2988

71719

1879

4939

98740

1876

7210

201040

1880

2219

37723

1877

155700

This crop has also been nearly discontinued.

CORN.

Year.

Acr*^age.

Product in
Bushels.

Year.

Acreage.

Product in
Bushels.

1872

20907

258240

1887

116382

1745730

1873

22726

568325

1888

132878

6378144

1874

21714

1889

140792

7039600

1875

23512

940480

1890

20432

245184

1876

26940

1077600

1891

131548

4735728

1877

47541

1806508

1892

129176

3875280

1878

36969

1478760

1893

164261

1806871

1879

51124

2044966

1894

147764

443292

1880

75969

2431008

1895

177218

1063308

1881

90.317

1806340

1896

189737

6261321

1882

103263

4646835

1897

203662

7739156

1883

120990

4718610

1898

200125

2201375

1884

116761

5721289

1899

210131

()5I4061

1885

125439

5017560

1900

186283

2794245

1886

138739

4162170

1901

172230

Alfalfa,,

1901 ....

. 10389 acres

^^ ^ i* -M- \^/ * J- W 1

CORN I

S KING.

• • .*- *_/ ^^ *^' f KV^i-y » \j *J

In 1876, for the first time, the corn crop of the county
exceeded one million bushels. In 1880 we ranked as the
seventh corn producing county in Kansas, and in 1882 as
third, producing, as shown in the tables, 4,646,835 bush-
els, only two counties in the state producing a greater
number of bushels, viz., Marshall and Sumner; but it

History of Republic County. 101

must be borne in mind that these counties embrace a

much larger area than Republic. The following shows the

area of the three counties named, and the number of

bushels produced by each:

Kepublic, 720 square miles 4,646,835 bushels

Marshall, 900 square miles 4,899,900 bushels

Sumner, 1,188 square miles 4,671,520 bushels

From the above it will readily be seen that Republic,
in proportion to area, led both the others so far that it is
hardly worth while to make a comparison, Jewell county,
adjoining Republic on the west with an area of 900 square
miles, produced 4,081,950 bushels.

Prom a careful examination of the above table it will
be seen that in the twenty nine year record, we have had
one total failure of the corn crop, viz:, in 1874, known as
the grasshopper year, this failure extending over the en-
tire state, partial failures in 1881, 1890, 1894 and 1895. But it
must be borne in mind that the crop was a failure through-
out the state generally in 1890 and 1894, the total product
for 1890 being fifty one million bushels and in '94 a little
less than sixty-seven million bushels, so we could not have
been much behind the rest of the state.

From 1875 to 1880 inclusive, were seasons of unex-
ampled prosperity in all the departments of agriculture.
A partial failure of the corn crop in 1881 owing to ex-
treme wet and unfavorable weather in planting time,
succeeded by long continued dry weather later in the sea-
son, reducing the yield from 2,431,008 bushels in 1880 to
1,806,340 bushels in 1881, while the yield of small grain
was very nearly up to the average. Again from 1882 to
1886 inclusive, we were blessed with abundant harvests,
the greatest trouble of the farmer being to get sufficient
lumber for granaries and cribs. The year 1884 was re-
markably productive, the yield of corn being the largest
in the history of the county up to this time, footing up
5,721,289 bushels, averaging forty-nine bushels per acre
for every acre planted, and which would require for ship-

102 History of Republic County.

ment a train of cars eighty-five miles in length, placing
Republic as third in rank among the corn producing
counties of Kansas. In 1889 the yield was 7,039,600 or
more than 400 bushels to each citizen of the county. Pol-
lowing the failure of 1890 was the excellent showing of
4,735,728 bushels in 1891, a fairly good crop in 1892, an
enormous yield in 1896, 6,261,321 bushels, while the crop
of 1897 broke all former records with the unprecedented
yield of 7,739,156 bushels, or more than one-twentieth of
the entire product of the state. The crop of 1899 was the
third largest ever grown in the county.

Republic has always ranked high as a corn producing
county, being located nearly in the center of the great
corn belt of Kansas, composed of the counties of Nemaha,
Marshall, Washington, Republic, Jewell and Smith, all in
the northern tier. In 1897 these six counties produced
40,189,976 bushels, or more than one-fourth the entire
product of the state.

CHAPTER XL

COUNTY INDEBTEDNESS.

As stated in a former chapter, the county was organ-
ized in September, 1868, with a population barely suffi-
cient for that purpose; and, the county lying wholly with-
in the homestead area, consequently having very little
real estate subject to taxation, and nearly every settler
sheltering himself behind the $200 exemption clause in
the constitution, it is not strange that the county found
itself unable to pay current expenses. The total taxable
property of the county in 1869 was but little more than
$100,000, and under the law only one per cent could be
levied for general revenue, raising only $1,000 for current
expenses, providing the tax had all been collected, which,

History of Republic County. 103

in those days, did not often happen. Then the lands
known as the State or Steele lands, being the principal
portion of the real estate in the county subject to taxation,
paid no taxes for that year owing to some irregularity in
advertising them for sale, consequently the tax collected
for current county expenses was considerably less than
$1,000. In 1870, the taxable property had increased to
$202,329, on which the county tax was, in round numbers,
$2,000. In the spring of 1871, a committee to investigate
the financial affairs of the county was appointed, consist-
ing of C. Perry, A. D. Wilson and T. J. Baird, who re-
ported an indebtedness of 15,500, and the same constantly
increasing, which from the nature of the case, was un-
avoidable; and the fact that the county had been organ-
ized at too early a date became apparent to every one.
County scrip depreciated to sixty cents on the dollar, and
books, stationery and other supplies needed by the county,
had to be paid for with depreciated paper.

And so matters continued until April, 1873, when
$15,000 in county bonds were issued by the county com-
missioners, to liquidate outstanding indebtedness, in pur-
suance of an act of the Legislature approved February 20,
1873. This measure afforded temporary relief only, as
the amount was barely sufticient to liquidate outstanding
indebtedness, leaving nothing for current expenses for
the year.

The tax levy of 1878 was insufticient to meet expenses
and the indebtedness steadily increased until 1876, when
the maximum of $42,800 was reached. During this year
$27,800 in county bonds were issued in pursuance of an
act of the Legislature, approved February 28, 1876, to pay
off outstanding scrip, and provide for the current expen-
ses for the year. These were ten per cent, bonds, run-
ning fifteen years, the last of which were issued by the
commissioners December 26, 1876. From that time the
debt was steadily reduced, leaving a balance outstanding
June 15, 1888, of $19,000, which was refunded in six per

104 History of Republic County.

cent bonds running ten years, but subject to call after
five years, the last of which were paid according to the
terms of the bonds, leaving the county free from debt at
the close of 1893, since which time no county indebted-
ness has been created.

The following table presents an exhibit of the town-
ship, city and school district indebtedness on the first day
of July, 1900:

Albion township C. K. & N railroad $11000

Belleville twp Juct'n City & P. K. R. R. 8000

Belleville township refunding 9000

Courtland township refunding 11000

Elk Creek township refunding 7000

Richland township refunding 14000

Scandia township refunding 23000

Freedom township J. C. & P. K. R. R. 6000

Belleville city refunding 12000

Belleville city water works 500

Scandia city prospecting for coal 1500

School District No. 14 11000.

School District No. 38 200..

School District No. 46 600..

School District No. 45 200.

School District No. 87 500.

School District No. 113 200. .

School District No. 118 350. .

School District No. 121 400..

School District No. 53 250.

Due

Rate per ci.

Julv 1,

1921

June 1,

1904

July 1,

1915

Jan. 1,

1920

July 1,

1914

July 1,

1926

July 1,

1920

June 1,

1904

Jan. 1,

1920

July 1.

1900

July 1,

1901

Apl. 1,

1904

This indebtedness may safely be set down as trifling
when we take into consideration the facts that the
county has 140 miles of railroad, fine county buildings and
school houses, all the county bridges necessary and all
comparatively new and in good repair.

CHAPTER XII.

DISTRICT COURT TWELFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT.

It is now more than thirty years since first the time-
honored words of "Hear ye, hear ye, the Honorable Dis-
trict Court of Republic county is now in session" rever-

History of Republic County. 105

berated on the air of the bleak prairies where the beautiful
city of Belleville now stands. During all this time the
Twelfth Judicial District has maintained a rank second to
none other in the state of Kansas. In its history we can-
not find a single incident where any of its officers have
ever by their official acts brought dishonor on its fair
name. Its sessions in this county first began in a shanty
and its first officers were pioneers on the frontier of a
civilization dwelling, where but recently the savage in pred-
atory bands went hither and thither, bedecked in paint
and feathers, following the instincts of their savage natures
and a menace to the peaceful and law-abiding pursuits of
the Anglo-Saxon race.

On Tuesday, May 7th, 1901, Sheriff Brown, as the
bailiff of the court, shouted "Hear ye, hear ye!" from the
window of one of the best court houses in the state — all
paid for. His eyes looked out on one of the fairest land-
scapes that would meet the eye of man in any country or
any clime. Instead of the scene that greeted the first
crier of this same court — the bleak prairie, the cotton wood
shanty, or the lowly sod house — he saw the handiwork of
man wrought out in stone and brick and metal. Here are
modern houses in the town and on the farm where dwell
the highest type of American civilization, itself the best
on earth. Here, since the first crier called out his doleful,
monotonous cry, has been wrought a change that could
not have possibly been foreshadowed by the most romantic
and sanguinary dreamer of those who attended court at
its first session in this county.

The Twelfth Judicial District of the State of Kansas
was created by an act of the legislature approved Febru-
ary 28th, 1871, and originally comprised the counties of
Marshall, Washington, Republic, Jewell, Mitchell, Cloud,
Clay, Smith and Osborne.

This territory has been cut down from time to time
until at present it embraces three counties only, namely,
Washington, Republic and Cloud. On the 19th day of

106 History of Republic County.

March, 1871, Hon. A. S. Wilson was appointed judge of
the new district by Gov. James M. Harvey. Judge Wil-
son was born in Macon county, Illinois, in 1847, and grew
up to manhood in that state. After graduating from the
Illinois State Wesleyan University at Bloomington, he
studied law with Stuart, Phelps & Brown, and at the age
of twenty-two was admitted to practice before the Su-
preme Court of the state of Illinois. Near the close of 1869
he came to Kansas and located at Washington, the county
seat of Washington county, where he resided for nearly
twenty years. At the election in November, 1870, he was
elected to represent Washington county in the state legis-
lature, being the youngest member of that body. As be-
fore stated, he was appointed judge March 19, 1871, and
served by appointment until the general election in 1872,
when he was elected without opposition, receiving 9,014
votes out of 9,017 cast; was re-elected in 1876 and again in
1880. In October, 1884, he resigned and returned to the
practice of law.

Judge Wilson was a giant physically, intellectually
and judicially; a man who had a host of warm friends and
a very few bitter enemies, and won for himself a state-
wide reputation as a jurist. Probably a less number of
his decisions have been reversed than those of any other
district judge serving an equal length of time in Kansas.
He moved from Kansas to Sioux City, Iowa, where for
many years he had a large and lucrative practice. On the
27th of October, 1884, Governor Glick appointed Hon. J.
G. Lowe, of Washington, as judge, to fill the vacancy
caused by the resignation of Judge Wilson. Judge Lowe
served ten days, when he resigned, as he could ill afford
to relinquish his extensive practice to serve so short a
time as judge. After his resignation the governor ap-
pointed A. A. Carnahan, of Concordia, who served as
judge until Judge Edward Hutchinson, who had been
elected in November, 1884, entered upon his regular term,
and held courtinCloud, Marshall, Washington and Republic

History of Republic- County. 107

counties; the term for Republic county being held in Jan-
uary, 1885, when the celebrated case of The State of Kan-
sas vs. Sanford Sparks Voorhees was tried. The state was
represented by T. M. Noble, county attorney, and Ex- At-
torney General, W. W. Guthrie, was vigorously prosecuted;
the late A. E. Taylor being counsel for the prisoner.

Voorhees, as some of our readers will doubtless re-
member, was charged with wrecking a passenger train
on the B. & M. R. R. in Rose Creek township, near Hub-
bell, by which several persons were badly injured, and
after a trial lasting six days at an expense to the county of
more than )BoO per day, he was convicted and Judge Car-
nahan, ia giving him his sentence, said: "You are a young
man and this may be your first offense, and in considera-
tion of your youth and apparent inexperience, I shall be
very lenient with you and shall sentence you to only fifty
years at hard labor in the state penitentiary."

Voorhees received the sentence very graciously and
thanked the court for leniency. The verdict and sentence
however, were not heartily approved by the public, as
there was a strong presumption in the minds of the peo
pie, which still exists, that Voorhees was nearly one hun-
dred miles away when the wreck occurred. After serving
eight years at hard labor he was pardoned in March, 1893,
by Governor Lewelling.

It is but fair to say, however, that Judge Carnahan
presided with dignity and ability and maintained the high
rank the court had attained during the incumbency of
Judge Wilson. At the election in November, 1884, Edward
Hutchinson, of Marysville, was elected Judge and served
four years, an able, conscientious and impartial Judge,
presiding with dignity and to the general satisfaction of
litigants and members of the bar.

In November, 1888, Hon. P. W. Sturgis was elected,
reelected in 1892 and again in 1896, serving three full
terms with distinguished ability.

Prior to his election as judge he was county attorney

108 History of Republic County.

of Cloud county and represented that county in the legis-
lature of 1883, taking an active and leading part in the leg-
islation of that session.

In November, 1900, Hugh Alexander, of Concordia,
was elected, carrying every county in the district by de-
cisive majorities.

The first term of the district court for Republic
county was held at Belleville March 27, 1871, in a little,
low room over the drug store of Dr. J. C. Grifiith, on the
site where the Masonic Temple now stands.

There were five cases docketed, none of which came
to trial at that term. As stated elsewhere, L. R. Dobyns,
of Rose Creek township, had been elected clerk of the
court in the fall of 1870, which being prior to the forma-
tion of the district, his election was declared void, but he
was appointed by the judge and discharged the duties of
clerk at the first term of court. The remainder of his
term was filled by deputies, I. O. Savage serving until
June, 1872, and Chauncey Perry filling out the remainder
of the term.

The first business transacted at this term was the ad-
mission of A. P. Heely to practice in the courts of this
state, he having presented a certificate of admission in the
state of Missouri. Mr. Heely was elected county attorney
in November, 1870. N. H. Billings, of Billings county,
Kansas, who, after undergoing a very rigid and severe ex-
amination by the following committee appointed by the
court, viz., A. A. Carnahan, A. P. Heely, and N. T. Van-
Natta, was duly admitted to practice in the courts of the
Twelfth Judicial District. Mr. Billings was an attorney
of fair attainments, good legal mind, and afterwards rep-
resented Billings county (now Norton) in the state legis-
lature. He was a pioneer in the homestead country, taking
up his residence in Norton county in 1872, and was one of
the first to discover the fine location of Jewell City and to
aid in its selection as a county seat.

The records of the court at this time were kept on

History of Republic County. 109

legal cap paper, and the office furniture consisted of two
stools, one spittoon and a cracker-box. At this term the
Judge ordered the clerk to procure, for the use of the
court, the following books to wit: an appearance docket, a
trial docket, a journal, an execution docket, and a recog-
nizance docket, and a seal: after which court adjourned
until September, when several important cases were
tried, and the following named attorneys admitted to
practice: Hon. W. H. Pilkentou, Geo. B. Austin, Aaron
E. Taylor and H. G. Dow.

This second term was held in a small building then
standing on the north side of the public square on the
present site of Young's barber shop. The building is now
owned and occupied by Joshua Harlan as a residence.

The following persons served as jurors for this term,
being the first jury empaneled in the district court in this
county: A. O. Kindy, John L. Daniels, A. J. Hill, James
H. Bradd, L. C. Hanson, John R. Bowersox, Ezra Powell,
J. P. Williams, John Engle, E. E. Monroe, J. A. Mosher
and John Harris.

The first grand jury summoned in ReiDublic county
was drawn September 23d, 1887, and consisted of the fol-
lowing persons: James Kackley, Beaver; William Law-
rence, Beaver: W. A. Brock, Belleville; A. R. Park, Belle-
ville; S. T. Rider, Belleville: Wesley Klabzuba, Fairview;
Anton Blocklinger, Fairview; W. A. Clark, Courtland;
John Mattison, Farmington; C. R. Cleveland, Elk Creek;
S. M. Stewart, Lincoln; J. B. Rickard, Rose Creek; Clark
Emery, Richland; Silas Young, Elk Creek.

The first trial for homicide in the county was at the
spring term of 1872. The State of Kansas vs. Stephen
Gidley, for the killing of John Walsh, on Salt Creek, near
the residence of J. E. VanNatta, in January, 1872. A. F.
Heeley, J. D. Brumbaugh and W. H. Pilkenton appearing
for the state, and Borton & Linville for the defendant.
This case attracted the attention of the entire community.

110 History of Republic County.

and was ably handled, especially by Judge Linville, who
succeeded in getting a verdict of not guilty.

J. A. Linville was one of the most successful attor-
neys that ever stood before a jury in Republic county, and
after saving several clients from the penitentiary, was
not, with all his tact and legal ability, able to save himself;
he having served two terms since he left Republic county
— one in Indiana and one in Kansas.

The business of the court, we presume, was conduct-
ed in those early days very much the same as at present
with an occasional case which "drew, " among which we
may name the case of Lemuel Sears vs. Lucinda Pitman
and Dr. Hoxie. This case was first tried before Henry
Ebbling, a justice of the peace, of Teutonic descent, in
Union township, and in whose court the proceedings could
not always be characterized as monotonous. This case,
owing to its importance, the prominence of the parties to
the suit, and the interest manifested by the denizens of
the great valley of Dry Creek, was moved to Belleville,
where a law library and supreme court decisions were of
easy access, the large and commodious court room in the
new court house secured, and ample facilities afforded the
newspaper reporters to report the proceedings from day
to day. The counsel for Sears was the late Judge L. W.
Borton, at that time a central figure in important trials in
the courts of the twelfth district, assisted by A. P. Heely
and John Wilson, Jr., and one John Hughes, then running
a saloon on the present site of The National Bank of
Belleville. The last named party being quite an import-
ant factor in the trial of the case, his resort being very
popular with the court, the counsel, the jury and a ma-
jority of the witnesses.

The defense was represented by N. T. VanNii.tta, who,
against such fearful odds, battled bravely for his fair cli.
ent, Lucinda, and the distinguished, long-haired, wild and
woolly, doughty doctor. Objections as to the admissibil-
ity of testimony were frequently made on both sides, by

History of Republic County. Ill

the learned counsel, on the grounds that the questions
were unimportant, impertinent, incompetent, irrelevant,
insignificant, improper, immaterial and incoherent, and
several other objections which I do not now distinctly re-
member, and were argued at great length by the learned
counsel, in very much the same manner as at the present
time, whenever the court will allow them to do so.

When the court was asked how he would rule, he invar-
iably decided, "That the witness must tell the truth.''
This decision was not popular with the attorneys on either
side, but was the only one that could be obtained in Jus-
tice Ebbling's court during the entire trial and for which
he received the commendation of all disinterested parties.

If this rule could be enforced at the present time the ends
of justice would be better subserved than they are. This
suit, although originally brought by Sears for the recovery
of possession of a team of horses held jointly by the fair
but frail Lucinda and the irrepressible doctor, which they
claimed to have received from Sears for kindness shown
him by Lucinda and services rendered by the doctor. By
some legerdemain on the part of the plantifE's counsel the
paternity of a certain male child born to the fair but frail
defendant, Lucinda, some time prior to the commence-
ment of this suit, was called in question, and was by the
court admitted as a part of the case. For the purpose of
the plaintiff it was necessary to show that said child was
of premature birth. Defendant Hoxie, who at this stage
of the proceedings was in that maudlin condition begotten
by too liberal doses of homiletic elaborator imbibed at the
resort kept by John Hughes before mentioned, was called
as an expert, and was asked if he attended the fair Lu-
cinda at the birth of said child, to which he replied in the
affirmative. When asked as to the appearance of said
child, said "its hair was short and hic-thin." "Well, doc-
tor, what would that appearance seem to indicate?" "It
would seem to indi-hic-ate that its-hic-hair was short and-
hic-thin. "

112 History of Republic County.

This seemed to settle this part of the case, as the
court, jury and all the attorneys seemed to be satisfied
with this lucid and highly scientific explanation. The
counsel for the defense had prepared instructions which
he requested the court to submit to the jury as the law in
the case. This was vigorously opposed by Judge Borton,
counsel for the plaintiff, on the grounds that it was un-
necessary, highly improper, and an insult to such an intel-
ligent jury as to even propose to instruct them. Picking
up from the table a copy of the first bi-ennial report of the
State Board of Agriculture, he continued, "I hold in my
hand, your honor, a book which is everywhere recognized
as authority, and upon my honor as a man, and attorney-
at-law, and with no desire to mislead the court, I defy any
man to find one single sentence in that book in regard to
instructing a jury. How does the court rule? I rule the
instructions out, by golly." It is hardly necessary to
state that the jury found for the plaintiff, but was after-
wards reversed in the district court before Judge Wilson.

Of the early practitioners, Brumbaugh, Borton, Mc-
Hutcheon, Tibbetts, Wilder, Pilkenton and Taylor are
dead; Heely, Humes, Austin, Dow and A. D. Wilson have
moved away and have been lost sight of, while others hav^e
been heard from only occasionally. Great changes have
been wrought in thirty years.

Of all the attorneys who practiced before this court in
the early 70 's, only one remains in active continuous ser-
vice; namely, Hon. N. T. VanNatta, who was admitted to
practice in the courts of Kansas some time prior to the
formation of the twelfth district, and who has been coun-
sel in more cases in this county than any other attorney
who has practiced here.

Since the organization of the county. Judge Lynch
has held but one session here, which was in the case of
Fitz Myers, who stole a team, harness and wagon from '
Dock Hancock, of Union Valley, was pursued and cap-
tured with the stolen property, near Blue Springs, Ne-

HON. N. T. VANNATTA.

History of Republic County. 113

braska, by William Stanley, brouo:ht back to Belleville,
lodged in jail and one quiet Sabbath morning when Dep-
uty Sheriff Latham went to the jail with the prisoner's
breakfast, he found the door battered down and the pris-
oner gone. Search was immediately commenced, and at
the suggestion of Governor Doty, I believe, the searching
party were headed for Riley Creek, directly' west of town,
where sure enough they found poor Fitz dangling from a
butcher's derrick at the end of a rope. At this time the
A. H. T. Association was well organized and ready to do
business whenever its services were required. '

One of the most noted characters, one most widely
known, perhaps, connected with the history of this court,
was the late Judge L. W. Borton. Prom what has been
said incidentally in another part of this chapter the read-
er might get a wrong impression of Judge Borton's
ability. So in this connection we have here a brief sketch
of his history:

Lewis W. Borton was born September 1st, 1831, in
Guernsey county, Ohio, at which place he received his
education, principall}^ in the common schools; studied
law and at the age of twenty years was admitted to the
bar at Cambridge, the county seat of his native county,
and was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the
United States in 1885 He came to Kansas in '69 and set-
tled at Clyde, Cloud county. In politics he was democratic,
being the candidate of that party for secretary of state in
1878. In 1882 he was elected to represent district No. 81,
the same being the east half of Cloud county, in the state
legislature, in which he served with distinguished ability.
He died at his home in Clyde several years ago. To this
we wish to add that Judge Borton's natural ability was far
above the average, and no one who knew him, and who,
himself, had a discriminative faculty above mediocrity,
would fail to appreciate his wide range of information and
his remarkable genius for "catching on" to the peculiari-
ties of human nature. He was, without doubt, the most

114 History of Republic County.

inveterate story teller — and most skillful — in the state.

In the case of the State of Kansas vs. Jim Little,
Judge Borton was counsel for the defendant. Little had
been prosecuted for disposing of mortgaged property. At
that time a chattel mortgage was considered pretty good
security, but the rate of interest was very high, running
all the way from two to five per cent a month, according
to the necessities of the borrower.

In this case Judge Wilson held that before the jury
could find a verdict in a case wherein a person is charged
with disposing of niortgaged property on which he has
given a chattel mortgage, a fraudulent intent must be
shown. Having secured the acquittal of his client under
the ruling above noted. Judge Borton immediately, and
while court was in session, wrote and handed to Judge
Wilson the following verses:

"A chattel mortgage in the west,
Is like a cancer on your breast;
It slowly eats your life away
And saps your vitals day by day.

A cloud by day and fire by night
It stands before a poor man's sight,
And haunts him in his dreams and sleep.
While salt tears trickle down his cheek.

A Sorghum Lapper, tired and poor,
Sees B A N K in gold above the door,
And when the threshold once is crossed
The trap is sprung and all is lost.

His team, his grain, his cow and hog.
His bed and breeches, wife and dog.
On the altar of three per cent, are tossed,
Time rolls along and all is lost.

But now Judge Wilson comes and brings
Good tidings on his healing wings,
And says the man can't be rent
Unless Old Shy lock proves intent."

History of Republic County. 115

CHAPTER XIL

ELECTIONS AND ELECTION RETURNS.

ELECTION 1868.

Representative Ninetieth District.

R. P. West, Ind. Rep 87

Capt. I. M. Schooley, Rep 28

State Senator Seventh District.

A. A. Carnahan, of Cloud county 58

County Clei'k John McFarlane 58

County Treasurer .Tames G. Tuthill, Rep (lO

Sheriff' R. H. Vining, Rep 61

County Supt. B. F. Sayler, Rep 59

Reg-, of Deeds John McFarlane '. 58

Probate .Judge Daniel Myers, Rep 64

County Commissioners.

W. W. Newlon, Rep 64

Z. P. Rowe, Rep 59

Conrad Myers, Rep 63

County Surveyor William Hardaker, Rep " 62

1869.
Probate Judge.

Daniel Myers, Rep 38

James VanNatta, Rep 33

Noah Kunkle, Rep 12

Francis McNulty 1

Supt. Public Instruction.

Charles Hogan, Rep 48

B. F. Sayler 21

Coroner R. T. Harper, Rep 1

Sheriff.

W. H. Willoughby, Rep 90

J . H. Smock, Rep 33

Surveyor.

E. P. Hedenskogg, Rep 59

N. O. Wilkie, Rep 69

Representative.

R.P. West, Rep 68

John Manning, Rep 55

County Clerk.

P. P. Way, Rep Tl

116 History of Republic County.

John McFarlane, Rep 59

1869.

Commissioners.

A. Asbjornson, Rep 44

Z. P. Rowe, Rep 94

J. H. Frint, Rep 75

G. W. Johnson, Rep 73

G. Willoughby, Rep 55

Treasurer.

Geo. J. Trowbridge, Rep 64

John Swan, Rep 62

P. P. Way, Rep 64

John McFarlane, Rep 62

County Seat.

Belleville 59

New Scandinavia 42

Sei 17-4-1 4

Salt Marsh 1

1870.

State Senator Seventh District.

A. G. Barrett, Rep 87

Philip Rockefeller, Rep 223

Representative Ninetieth District.

G. W. Johnson, Rep 112

N. T. VanNatta, Rep 211

Probate Judge.

J. C. Griffith, Rep 182

I. N. Page, Rep 136

Clerk District Court.

Li. R. Dobyns, Rep 195

G. B. Austin, Rep 72

A. B. Tutton, Rpp 7

V. Vantrump, Rep 1

F. T. Powell, Rep 2

County Attorney.

A. F. Heely, Rep 217

A. D. Wilson, Rep 27

Corey 3

County Superintendent.

Charles Wilson, Rep 114

W. Lancaster, Rep 214

For the Herd Law 164

Against 28

History of Republic County

117

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 18n.

REPRESENTATIVE 81ST DISTRICT

A. D. Wilson, Rep

U P. West, Ind. Rep

P. McHutcheon, Ind. Rep

D. C. Gamble, Ind Kep

Sam Austin

276

163

154

•>

COUNTY CLERK.

S. W. Skeels, Rep...

Sam Austin

P. P. Way

Andrew Engle

Schencli

SURVEYOR.

J. G. Arbuthnot, Rep

J. S. Martin, Ind. Rep

August Weld

COMMLSSIONER SECOND DISTRICT.

J. H. Print

S. R Morlan

A . B. Young .

S. A. McKay

ELECTION,

STATE SENATOR 28TH DISTRICT.

Elden Barker, of Jewell county

PROBATE .IDDGE.

Joseph Boo the. Rep

J. M. Rockhold, Ind. Rep

Sam Austin

CLERK DISTRICT COURT.

Chauncey Perry, Rep

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT.

A. D. Marble

E. T. Neel

ELECTION

REPRESENTATIVE 81ST DISTRICT.

W. H. Pilkenton, Rep

R. P. West, Ind. Rep

A. D. WUson. Ind. Rep

COUNTY CLERK.

Chauncey Perry, Rep

E. M. Crummer, Ind. Rep

A. Moree

J. Adams, Rep

C. Smith, Ind. Rep

John McFarlane, Ind. Rep

E. M. Crummer

RAILROAD ASSESSOR.

Perry Hutchinson, Rep

I. B. Quimby, Dem

R.
T.

TREASURER.

L O. Savage, Kep .S46

G. J. Trowbridge Ind. Rep 323

SHERIFF.

W. W. Newlon. Ind. Rep 3.53

W. S. Latham, Rep 313

Joseph Merica 5

REGIS I'ER OF DEEDS.

6ti3 Ell O. Kindy. Rep 381

1 V'olney Vantrump Ind Rep 273

1 CORONER.

1 W. F. Compton, Rep 574

1 Dr. C. Taylor. Ind Rep 48

Ben Lake, Ind Rep 42

COM.MISSIONEK FIRST DISTRICT.

630 J. P. Williams, Rep 99

33 J. M. Smith 5

2 'A. P. Rowe 1

COMMISSIONER THIRD DISTRICT.

113 L. C. Hanson 113

85 G. W. Beebe 109

67 RAILROAD ASSESSOR.

61 H. C. Sprengle .596

D. E. Ballard 36

. NOVEMBER, 1872.

REPRESENTATIVE 8IST DISTRICT.

1079 Almond Shaw, Rep 724

R. P. West, Ind. Rep 412

1075 S. B. Lum 6

1 COUNTY ATTORNEY.

A. F. Heely, Rep 1060

1129 W. H. Pilkenton. Ind. Rep 39

Sam Austin 1

1108 .JUDGE 12th JUDICIAL DISTRICT.

23 A.S.Wilson 1088

, NOVEMBER, 1873.

COUNTY TREASURER.

542 I. O. Savage, Rep 826

441 J. E. Cooper, Ind. Rep 247

90 SHERIFF.

Josiah Kindt, Ind. Rep 598

546 Robt. Swan, Rep.... 473

.539 W. W. Newlon 4

4 COUNTY SURVEYOR.

J. G. Arbuthnot, Rep 722

689 J. C. Price, Ind. Rep 365

S-g CORONER.

291 W. F. Compton, Rep 586

2 S. B. Lum. Ind. Rep 417

E. A. Hallo well, Dem 63

. 854 J.C.Humphrey 7

. 164

118

History of Republic County.

COMMISSIONER DISTRICT NO. 3.

J. C. ReDy, Rep

J. Hooser, Ind. Rep

L. C. Hanson, Ind. Rep

J. H. Frint, Ind. Rep

ELECTION.

SENATOR 28th DISTRICT.

Horace Cooper

R. P. West, Ind Rep

REPRESENTATIVE 81ST DISTRICT.

W. H. Pllkenton

COUNTY ATTORNEY.

A . F. Heely , Rep

N. T. VanNutta, Ind. Rep

PROBATE JUDGE.

Joseph Boothe, Rep

W. H. Boyes, Ind. Rep

H. G. Dow

ELECTION

REPRESENTATIVE.

R. P. West, Rep

D. C. Gamble, Ind Rep

TREASURER.

E. M. Crummer, Ind. Rep

Robert Kyle

A. Odell

J.E.Cooper

CLERK.

C. Perry, Rep

SHERIFF.

Joslah Kindt, Ind. Rep

R. W. Vandyke, Rep

J. A . Mosher, Ind. Rep ,

COUNTY SURVEYOR.

J. C. Price, Rep

ELECTION

SENATOR 33D DISTRICT.

James Strain, Rep ,

I. O. Savage, Ind. Rep

L.'W. Borton, Dem

REPRESENTATIVE 106TH DISTRICT

W. H. PilUenton, Rep

Milton Grim, Dem

REPRESENTATIVE 107TH DISTRICT,

Geo. L. White, Rep

D. C. Gamble, Ind. Rep

R. P. West

A. J. Beers, Dem

jUDtJE 12th .judicial district.
A. S. Wilson, Rep

COMMISSIONER DISTRICT NO. 1.

221 Robert Kyle. Rep 181

104 R. T. Stanfield, Ind Rep 105

61 A. B Young, Ind. Rep 29

44 COMMISSIONER DISTRICT NO. 3.

John Manning, Rep 166

S. R. Miller, Ind. Rep 78

R. Hodges, Ind. Rep 69

NOVEMBER, 1874.

County superintendent. ^

510 D. O. Gamble. Rep 670

491 B. W. Hollen, Ind. Rep 308

A. D. Marble, Ind. Rep 78

998 CLERK OF DISTRICT COURT.

John Brown. Rep 1050

563 Frank Sorgatz, Ind. Rep 20

470 Asa P. Wilbur appointed in April,
1876, to fill vacancy caused by resig-
664 nation of John Brown.

341
69
NOVEMBER, 1875.

849 R J. Adams, Rep 1397

459 CORONER.

W. F. Compton, Rep 1378

520 COMMISSIONER 1ST DISTRICT.

153 W. E. Day, Rep 186

152 C. A. Northrup, Ind. Rep 147

171 L. D. Smith 94

COMMISSIONER 2D DISTRICT.

1379 J. T. Glasgow, Rep 260

L. C. Hanson, Ind. Rep 126

716 T. W. Johnson, Dem 101

457 COMMISSIONER 3D DISTRICT.

203 J. W. McCall, Rep 236

Geo. L. White, Ind. Rep 231

1398

, NOVEMBER, 1876.

county attorney.

331 N. T. VanNatta, Rep 1098

1121 A. E. Taylor, Ind. Rep 603

310 PROBATE judge.

Joseph Boothe, Rep 998

625 J. C. Reily, Ind Rep 419

390 A. B. Young, Ind. Rep 370

SUP'T PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

354 J. C. Price, Rep 1362

60 J. M. Roach, Dem 431

104 CLERK district COURT.

169 Frank Arm.strong, Rep., elected. .ll.'iO

E. A. Hallowell, Dem 651

1482 Chas. F. Woodward appointed clerk
October, 1878, to fill vacancy caused
by resignation of Franlf Armstrong.

History of Republic County

119

ELECTION NOVEMBER, 1877.

COUNTY CLERK.

C.Perry i:m

lOUNTY TKE.\SUHKR.

E. M. Ciummer, Rep I~ti4

SHERIFF.

Wm. Norris 329

Brady Bowling, Dem Itii)

Frank Brown, Ind. Rep 235

J. P. Forshee, Rep 324

REtUSTER OF UBEDS.

J. A. Mosher, Rep 574

E. A. Hallowell, Dem 1.52

CORONER.

R. p. West, Ind. Rep 3H<)

J. C. Reily, Rep 9t8

SURVEYOR.

J, C. Price 1273

COMMISSIONER 1st DISTRICT.

246
131

J. C. Keene, Rep

W. E. Day, Ind. Rep

COM.MISSIONER. 2nd DISTRICT.

L.C.Hanson, Rep

W. McDonald, Ind. Rep

Nicolas Marty. Ind. Rep ...

COMMISSIONER 3rd DISTRICT.

J. H. McCall. Rep 253

Peter Doctor. Ind. Rep — 182

268
127
115

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1878.

REPRESENTATIVE lOOTH DISTRICT

Wm. M. Moore 284

J. G. Arbuthnot. Ind. Rep 172

J. B. PoUard 96

REPRESENT.XTIVE 107th DISTRICT

Geo. L. White, Rep 310

D. C. Gamble, Ind. Rep 199

A. D. Wilson 251

H. T.Wetzel 41

PROBATE .JUDGE.

Joseph Boothe . . 1220

COUNTY Attorney.
N. T. VanNatta, Rep 1208

CLERK district COURT.

J. E. Hallowell. Rep 911

J. P. Heaton, Ind. Rep 411

SUP'T. PUBLIC instruction.

J. H. McCall. Rep 1166

J. H. Sherrard 193

COMMISSIONER 1st DISTRICT.

A. B. Bachelor, Rep 196

A..Steenblock 20

W. W. Wait, Ind. Rep 157

ELECTION. NOVEMBER, 1879.

COUNTY treasurer

1878
50

S. G. Stover, Rep

M. W. Hodgins

COUNTY CLERK.

C. Perry. Rep 1074

M. C. Polley, Ind. Rep 820

J. WUliams 39

SHERIFF.

R. B. Ward, Rep 549

Josiah Kindt. Ind Rep 648

J. P. Forshee, Ind Rep 229

E. D. Bugbee, Ind Rep 28

John A. Clark, Ind Rep 29

Wm. Norris. Ind Rep 258

W. C. ShuU, Dem 199

SURVEYOR.

J. C. Price, Rep 1.339

W. H. Thompson, Greenback. 299

E. W. Wagener, IndRep 55

E. A. HaUowell, Dem

John Kasl, Kep

E. D. Spatlord

CORONER.

J. C. Reily, Rep

G. W. Lash

C. Taylor

COMMISSIONED 2d DISTRICT.

L. C. Hanson, Rep

J. W. Smith, Ind Rep

COMMISSIONER 3D DISTRICT.

J. F. Wells, Rep

Geo. Kidder, Ind Rep

Conrad Meyers

1124

761

1125
52

693

384
293

337

271

120

History of Republic County.

13:w
919

477

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

For the constitutional amendment,
prohibiting the manufacture and
sale of intoxicating liquors

Against

SENATOh 3 iD DISTRICT.

N. B Brown. Rep

R. P. West, Ind Rep 134.5

L,. J. Crans, Dem 72S

County attorney.

N. T. VanNatta, Rep 1.582

L. J. Tibbetts. Dem 847

T.M.Noble 16

probate judge.

Joseph Boothe, Rep 1941

T. W. Johnson, Dem 536

H. Smith Ind Rep 130

CLERK OF district COURT.

J. E. Hallo well. Rep 1893

W. A. Allen, Dem .594

Geo. H. Collins 138

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1880.

SUP'T. PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

J. M. Lawrence, Rep 1886

J. H. Sherrard 609

W. H. Thompson 1^6

REPRESENTATIVE 106TH DISTRICT.

W. H. Leigh, Rep 725

S. F. Vinton. Dem 332

S. M. Edwards, Rep 101

PEPRESENTATIVE 107TH DISTRICT.

D C. Gamble. Ind Rep 438

W P. Peake, Rep 689

F.N.Hart 40

W. C. ShuU, Dem 275

COMMISSIONER 3D DISTRICT.

J. F. Wells, Rep 583

Samuel Whan, Dem 253

JUDGE OF 12th judicial DISTRICT.

A. S. Wilson 2119

COUNTY TREASURER.

S. G. Stover, Rep

COUNTY CLERK.

C. Perry. Rep,

Geo. A. Terpening

J. A. Mosher, Rep

E. A. Hallowell, Dem

SHERIFF.

T. M. Little, Rep

Joriah Kindt, Ind. Rep

W. P. Rarick. Dem

J. B. Pollard

S. A. McKay, Ind. Rep

.1717
399

1725

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1881.

SURVEYOR

.2051 E. W. Wagener, Rep

W. H. Thompson, Greenback

..1918 CORONER.

.162 J. C. Reily, Rep

A. Blocklinger. Ind. Rep 117

.1039 COMMISSIONER 1ST DISTRICT.

,.1070 S. M. Edwards. Rep 366

A. B. Bachelor. Ind. Rep 272

.. 536 COMMISSIONER 2nd DISTRICT.

. 726 E. S. McKay, Ind Rep 180

. 700 John Goold 157

.7 T. Wohlf ort. Rep 447

138

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1882.

REPRESENTATIVK Ti'TH DISTRICT.

W.A.Reeves, Rep

J. B. Pollard

RRPKESENTATIVE 80TH DISTRICT.

Wm. Glasgow, Ind. Rep

D. 0. Gamble, Rep

Geo. A. Terpening

COUNTY ATTORNEY.

T. M. Noble, Rep

N. T. VanNatta, Ind. Rep

B. F. Surface

PROBATE JUDGE.

Joseph Boothe, Rep

R. P. Cheney, Ind. Rep

S. F. Vinton

603
350

490
. .561

183

1159

. 825

250

1392

299
645

SUP'T. PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

J. M. Lawrence. Rep 1535

J. S. C^arpenter, Ind. Rep 6 3

CLERK D STRICT COURT.

E. A. Hallowell. Dem 1732

W. A. Hallowell, Rep 4^3

CQM.MISSIONER 2nd DISTRICT.

E. S. McKay, Ind. Rep 2.58

R. T. Stantleld 185

T. Wohlf art. Rep 462

History oj Republic County.

121

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 18^3.

COUNTY TKEASUREK.

E. M Crummer. Rep 151-^

J. G. Arbuthnot, Tad. Rep 609

Robert Kyle. Ind. Rep 350

COUNT V CLKKK.

Y. K. Parks. Dem 1376

Chauncey Perry. Hep 1138

SHERIFF.

T. C. Ileily 111.5

Robert Swan 1390

REtilSTBR OF DEEDS.

L. R. White. Rep 1084

H. H. Hoffman, Dem .....1213

Cheney Shaw, Ind. Rep 220

SURVEYOR.

Eli Wagener, Rep 2495

Fayette Smith 5

CORONER.

J. M. Rockhold. Rep 2240

Geo. Lembke. Ind. Rep 57

C. W.Gulick 6

J. Woodhouse 9

L. Altshul 18

lOMMISSIONER 3KD DISTRICT.

JohnF. Wells. Rep 426

S. T. Rider, Ind. Rep 3.54

Thomas Rider 5

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1S84.

JUDGE r2TH .JUUICIAL DISTHICT.

Ed Hutchinson, Rep 2112

J. G. Lowe Dem ' 1411

SEN.\TOR a7TB DIST.

Geo. H. Case. Rep 2366

.7 C. Postlethwaite 1080

REPRESENT.\TIVE 80TH DIST.

William Glasgow, Rep 1039

A.I) Wilson, Ind Rep 893

PROB.\TE .JUDGE.

Joseph Boothe, Rep 2812

R. P. West, Ind Rep 654

COUNTY SUPT.

John M. Lawrence. Rep 2417

J. H. Sherrard 1073

( LERK OF DIST. COURT.

John E. Hallowell. Rep 3460

COUNTY COMMISSIONER 1ST DIST.

S.M.Edwards Rep 654

Wm. Brassfleld. Ind Rep 317

REPRESENTATIVE 79TH DIST.

W. A. Reeves. Rep 904

F. T. Cuthbertson, Dem 673

COUNTY att'y.

T. M. Noble, Rep 3448

N.T. VanNatta 5

COUNTY TREASURER.

E. M. Crummer. Rep

W. F. Allen, Ind. Rep

J. R. Bowersox, Prohibitionist.

COUNTY CLERK.

H. O. Studley, Rep

E. J. Fiala, Dem

B. F. Surface, Ind. Rep

SHEP.IFF.

T. C. Reily, Rep

I. G. Householder. Dem

J. D Black, Ind. Rep

J R. Hugos. Ind. Rep

D. W. Hamilton. Rep

H. H. Hoffman. Dem

R. P. Cheney, Ind. Rep

E. J. Dennison

ELECTION. NOVEMBER, 1885.

COUNTY SURVEYOR.

.. 1492 E. W. Wagner, Rep

..1379 C. B. Keith. Dem

. 328 J. H. Sherrard

CORONER.

. 1755 Dr. H. Patrick. Rep

. 1086 S. B. Boyer, Dem

. 332 L. R. Dobyns, Ind Rep . ..

COMMISSIONER 2D DISTRICT.

. 1642 J.W.Smith, Rep

,. 823 E. Stanton. Ind. Rep

. 372 Gust Nelson, Ind Rep

. 304 S. A. McKay, Ind Rep

2465

277

1890
834
336

429

191

403

1848

1053

230

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1886.
COUNTY ATTORNEY. REPRESENTATIVE. 73D DISTRCT.

Jay F. Close, Rep 2364 Gomer T. Davies, Rep 831

122

History of Republic Coimty.

T. r. s. Cooper, Dem 12^1

PKOBATK JUDGE.

Edward Early, Ind. Rep 1207

Joseph Boothe, Rep 1287

Geo. L StubbleQeld. Dem 1083

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT.

B. T. Bullen, Rep 2166

Nora Pollard 1»)9

J. M. Lawrence 16

f'LEBK OF DISTRICT COURT.

Jacob Beck. Rep 2675

Geo. A. Terpening 979

Milton Grim Dem 647

BEPKESENTATIVE 7lTH UISTKICT.

J. A. Jacobs, Rep 1024

K. P. West, lad. Rep 266

J. B. Edson, Dem 768

COMMISSIONER 3D DISTRICT.

John F. Wells, Rep 8 13

C.A.Campbell 368

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1887.

COUNTY TREASURER.

S. M. Edwards, Rep 1089

C. P. Carstensen, Dem 120.5

J. R. Bowersox, Prohibitionist, 131

I. O. Savage, Ind Rep 307

COUNTY CLERK.

H. O. Studley, Rep 1673

F. W. Craft. Dem 939

Geo. M. Simpson 85

SHERIFF.

T. C. Reily, Rep 1583

A. S. Orr, Dem 968

W. M. Moore 169

H. C. Swartz 4

D. W. Hamilton, Rep 1862

E. J. Fiala, Dem 766

Charles Park .. Ill

SURVEYOR.

Fayette Smith, Rep 1960

CORONER.

L. R. White, Rep 1834

G. D. Bowlin-;, Dem 862

COMMISSIONER DISTRICT NO. 1.

Robert Kyle. Rep 368

J. S. Davenport, Dem 143

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1888.

.JUDGE 12TH .judicial DISTRICT.

F. W. Sturgis, Rep 2627

L. J. Crans, Dem 1027

STATE SENATOR 32D. DISTRICT.

E. E. Swearengen, Rep 2392

E. A. Hallowell, Dem 1296

130

PROBATE .IDDGE.

Charles Northrop, Rep

James J. Wilkes

Joseph Boothe Ind. Rep —
J. M. Galloway

COUNTY ATTORNEY.

Jay F. Close, Rep

M. E. Grover
J. B. Mosher.

Morris Cooper, Dem. . . .
T. C. S. Cooper, Dem...

Steve Rost

T. P. Harris

REPRESENTATIVE 73D DISTRICT.

Gomer T. Davies, Rep 1057

B. L. Mitchum, Dem 578

W. M. Moore 76

REPRESENTATIVE 74TH DISTRICT.

A. D. Wilson, Rep 1117

Ernest Davis, Dem 683

T. J. Mahafta, Ind. Rep 64

W. A. Glasgow, Ind. Rep 69

R. P. West, Ind. Rep . . 189

CLERK. OF DISTRICT COURT.

Jacob Beck, Rep

D. H. Hamlin

Oscar Parks

County superintendent.

B. T. Bullen, Rep

Geo. W. Moore, Dem

Mrs. M. O. Kamp

Mrs. Angeline Allison

commissioner 2d district.

J. W. Smith, Kep

Geo. D. Bowling. Dem

2004
601

1039
111

2769

217

2763

124

2563

1068

137

756
564

Historv of Republic County

123

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1889.

COUNTY TRE.\SURKK.

E. W. Wagener, Rep 1321

C. P. Carstensen. Dem 1873

F. E. Thompson 68

COUNTY CLKKK.

R. H.Galloway, Rep 309a

G.M.Thompson 84

SHERIFF.

Bruce Culhbertson, Dem 1376

H. C. Swanz, Rep I838

C C. Payne. Prohib

KEUlSTBR_OF DEEDS.

J . A . Mosher. Rep 1686

A. A. Hamilton, lad. Rep 1463

W.A.Glasgow. 74

CORONER.

L. R. White. Rep 3092

SURVEYOR.

F. A. Smith, Rep 3114

COM.MIS.SIUNER, 3rd DISTRICT.

John M. Campbell 824

.John F. Weils 406

William Beatiy 8

ELECTION. NOVEMBER, 1890.

6.")

REPRESBNT.\T1VK 73rd DISTRICT.

J. C.Dale, Rep 754

J. T. Ingraham. Pop 757

C.Payne. Pro 12

REPRESENTATIVE 74TH DISTRICT.

A. W. Miller. Rep 905

SUPT PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

D. K. Thomas, Rep I8I6

C. E. Costolo, Pop 2075

C.R. Cleveland. Pop

. .. 1188

S. M. Hunt, Prohib

.... 10

PROBATE JUDGE.

C. A. Northrop, Ind. Rep

.... 15i7

Joseph Boothe

6;i8

J. F. Glasgow, Pop

. .. 1804

CLERK DISTRICT COURT.

Jacob Beck. Rep 1893

A. Ellingson. Pop 1982

J. M Ryan, Prohib 30

SURVEYOR.

John D. Andrews. Rep

J. F. Haley. Pop

Perry Heaton

I U.MMISSIONER 1st DISTRICT.

Robert Kyle, Rep

David Van Aken. Pop

COUNTY ATTORNEY.

T. C. S. Cooper, Pop

W T. DUlon

Special election held December
30th 1S90 for State Senator to fill
vacancy caused by death of E.
E. Swearengen.

S. C. Wheeler. Pop of Cloud Co..

John W. Sheaf or, Kep '

1700

2049

606
694

2223

1580

1662

1178

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1891.

COUNTY TREASURER.

Joseph Kuchera. Rep 1754

H. H. Collins. Pop 1558

J. B. Edson. Dem :i58

COUNTY CLERK.

R. H. Galloway, Rep 1850

O. P. MUler. Pop 1648

M. E. Hall. Dem IS.)

RF.GISTER OF DEEDS.

J. A. Mosher. Rep 1672

Orrin Abbey. Pop - 1642

E. A. Hallo well, Dera 357

SURVEYOR.

J. C. Price, Rep 17o7

Geo. Parker, Pop 1636

CORONER.

L. R- White. Rep 1763

J. W. Mcintosh. Pop 1593

J. H. Honck 319

COMMISSIONER DISTRICT NO. 2.

Jonathan Taylor, Kep 533

C. G. Anderson. Pop 625

Mike Weislogel, Dem 4G

SHERIFF.

H. C. Swartz, Rep 1G23 J. A. Donielson, Dem 434

Bruce Cuthbertson. Pop 1616

124

History of Republic County.

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1892.

SENATOR 32p DISTRICT.

B. R. Hogin, Rep 214.5

Geo. D. Bowling, Pop 20.54

Geo. M. Simpson, Pro 103

REPRESENTATIVE 61.ST DISTRICT.

.T.M.Foster. Rep 21S4

J. W. WUds, Pop . . 20(37

L. M. Morris, Pro 99

JUDGE 12TH .judicial DISTl.ICT.

F. W. Sturgis, Rep 2221

A. R. May, Pop 2039

PROBATE JUDGE.

John A. Jacobs, Rep 2144

J. T. Glasgow, Pop 2(176

Frank E. Thompson, Pro 74

ELECTION

COUNTY TREASURER.

H, A. Hansen, Pop

CLERK OF DISTRICT COURT.

Joseph H. Long, Rep 2092

A. Ellingson, Pop 2130

Chas. Early. Pro 96

SUP'T. PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

E. L. Glasgow. Rep 2174

C. E. Costolo, Pop 2060

Mrs. E. S. Boyes, Pro 76

COUNTY ATTOBNEY.

Jay F Close, Rep 2157

T. C. S. Cooper, Pop 2080

COMMISSIONER THIRD DISTRICT.

A. R. Dillehay, Rep 723

W. H. Terpening 721

Oscar Park, Pro 54

NOVEMBER, 1893.

SURVEYOR.

1,388

Joseph Kuchera, Rep : 1964

101
175

1919
93

209

M. L. Canfleld, Prohib

F. M. Baxter, Dem

SHERIFF.

Fremont Crummer. Pop 1498

R. B. Ward, Rep

C. C. Ingersol, Prohib

S. B. King, Dem

COUNTY CLERK.

A. P. Gamble, Pop 1445

F. N. Woodward, Rep 1964

T S. Walter, Phohib 83

C. F. Scholer, Dem 216

D. C. Bo wersox. Pop 1451

R. T. Jellison, Rep 1911

T. J. Baird, Prohib 88

W. M Babcock, Dem 252

James Rickel, Pop

E. W. Wagener, Rep

F. A. Smith. Prohib

A. E. Whan, Dem

CORONER.

J. W. Mcintosh, Pop, ...

L. R. White Rep

R. P. Cheney, Prohib

G. D. BowUng, Dem

COMMISSIONER ISt DISTRICT.

T. E. Collins, Pop

Robert Kyle. Rep

J. T. Whittield, Dem

1455

1926

110

211

1427

1898
100
214

510

663

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1894.

REPRESENTATIVE 61ST DISTRICT.

J. M, Foster, Rep 2038

Wm. Kamp, Dem 200

H. N. Boyd, Pop 1653

Geo. M. Simpson, Prohib 91

PROBATE JUDGE.

J. A. Jacobs, Rep 2058

James Wa.shburn. Dem 16:^

Frank S ager. Pop 1680

W. W. Hulett, Prohib 75

CLERK DISTRICT COURT.

S. A. Ingham. Rep 2075

Geo. Litsiuger.Pop 1785

Charles Park, Prohib 86

COUNTY ATTORNEY.

Jay F Close, Rep 2031

B. F. Surface, Pop 1819

SUP T. PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

E. L. Glasgow, Kep 2072

Samuel J. Henry, Pop 1813

COMMISSIONER 2D DISTRICT.

Wm. Bell, Rep 769

F. M Boyd 44

J. W. Ambrose. Pop 494

History of Republic County

125

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, ISOrj.

TBEASUBEB.

R. T. Stanfleld. Rep 1465

H. A. Baxter, Pop 1418

A. M. Cantield, Prohib 72

COUNTV CLERK.

F. N. Woodward. Rep 1C08

A. Ellingson. Pop 1299

Geo. M. Simpson, Prohib 69

RECilSTEK OF DEEDS.

R. T. Jellison. Rep 1615

A B Cheney, Pop .. 128S

H. B. Walter. Prohib 76

SHERltl'.

R. B. Ward, Rep 1661

A. B. Brosh, Pop 785

A. Brosh, Pop 455

A. W. Dowd. Prohib 75

SURVEYOR.

I. C. Ware, Rep

D. A. Davies, Pop . .

1607
1286

CORONER.

L. R. White. Rep 1577

.1, H. Mallory. Pop 1276

Dr. Hall, Prohib 73

COMMI.SSIONER 3D DISTRICT.

A. W. Miller, Rep 513

G. W. Cowle.Pop 499

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1896.

JUDGE OF 12th judicial DISTRICT.

F. W. Sturges, Rep 2052

A. A Carnahan, Pop 1467

SENATOR 32D DI.STBICT.

Chas. W. Gulielj, Rep 1985

W. A. Mosher, Pop 1884

REPRESENTATIVE 61ST DISTRICT

T. Arbuthnot. Rep 1870

John M. Doyle Silver Rep 1970

C. C. Payne, Pro 20

COM.MJSSIONEB 1ST DISTRICT.

A. Wegal, Kep 621

H. H. Hoffman, Pop 620

A. W. Dowd, Pro 4

PROBATE JUDGE.

John A, Jacobs, Rep 1986

A. M Canfleld, Pro 20

J T. Glasgow, Pod 1878

CLERK DISTRICT COURT.

S. A. Ingham, Rep 2021

Walter Canfleld, Pro 27

James A, Lacey, Pop 1830

COUNTY ATTORNEY,

B. T. BuUen, Rep 1977

N. T. VanNatta, Pop 1867

SUP'T PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

Lucy Howard, Rep 1885

Elenora Harris Ind 1763

Franli Rundus. Ind 212

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1897.

CORONEB

Dr. S. Morgan, Rep 1833

Dr. W. G. Haning, Dam 1667

SURVKYOR.

I. C. Ware, Rep 1883

Chas. E. Hoard. Pop 1586

COMMtSSrONER 2ND DISTRICT.

Wm. Bell, Rep 926

L. Rasmusson 499

COUNTY TBEASUBER.

R. T. Stanfleld, Rep 1799

Emmett Keith. Pop 1731

COUNTY CLERK.

D. Y WUson, Rep 1879

R. A. Larabee. Fop 1627

B. D. Woods, Rep 1911

J. W. Plotner, Pop 1605

SHERIFF.

Frank N. Brown, Rep 1«89

Eugene McDonald, Dem 1616

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1898.
SENATOR 32D DISTRICT. COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT:

R. B. Ward, Rep 2078 Lucy Howard. Rep

Gomer T. Davies, Pop 1305

1977

Ed. Benson, Pop 1518

126

History of Republic County.

PEPRESENTATIVE 61ST DISTRICT.

F. N. Woodward' Rep 2081

C. A. Potts, Dem 1381

CLEBK OF DISTRICT COURT.

B. B. McCall, Rep 2100

Joe Shirnek, Pop... 1408

COUNTY ATTOKNEY.

B. T. Bullen, Rep 2245

John Brown. Pop 1295

PROBATE JUDGE.

J. T. Patterson, Rep 1917

H. T. Bedell, Pop 1632

COMMISSIONER DISTRICT NO. 3.

A. W. Miller, Rep 718

Wm. J, Kennedy, Dem f02

ELECTION, NOVEMBER. 1899.

COUNTY TREASURER.

H. B. S wanson. Rep 2195

G. D. Bowling. Pop Vl^'i

COUNTY CLERK

D. Y. Wilson, Rep 2119

R. A. Larabee, Pop 132?

REGISTEP 0¥ DEEDS.

B. D. Woods, Rep 9149

C. M. Kelly. Pop 130a

SHERIFF-

F. N. Brown, Rep 1977

Eugene McDjnald, Pop . 1493

SURVEYOR.

I. C. Ware, Rep 21(56

COKONER.

Wm. F. Howard, Rep 2005

Wm. Kamp, Dem 1318

COMMIS.-5IONER FIRST DISTRICT.

A. Wegal, Rep 612

Joseph Horak. Pop 411

ELECTION, NOVE-MBER, 1900.

JUDGE 12th JUDICIAI. DISTRICT.

Jay F. Close. Rep 1972

Hugh Alexander, Dem %i%i

STATE SENATOR 32D DISTRICT.

R.B.Ward. liep 21(55

John M. Doyle, Silver Rep 2204

RKPRESENTATIVE 64TH DISTRICT.

F. N. Woodward, Rep 2384

John F. Swenson, Pop 2005

PROHATE JUDGE.

J.T.Patterson. Rep 2247

A. B. Bachelor, Pop 2145

CLERK DISTRICT COURT.

B. B. McCall, Rep

Alvin Campbell, Pop

COUNTY ATTORNEY.

John C. Hogin, Rep

John Brown. Pop

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT.

Edgar E. Baird, Rep

J. D. James, Pop

COMMISSIONER 2ND DISTRICT.

R. Rimol, Rep

H. H. Smith, Pop

2323

2048

2582
1779

2257
2117

840
527

I herewith present a list of all the officials who have
been elected to administer the county government since
its organization in 1868, down to and including 1900, also
our representatives in the legislature, state senators and

Judges of the District court.

Year. COUXTY CLERK

18(58 John McFarlane

1869 i'hilo 1' Way

1871 Samuel W Skeels

187.'> Chauncey Perry

1875 (,'hauncev Perrv

Year COUNTY TREASURER

18()8 James G Tutbill

18G9 George J Trowbridge

1871 Isaac O Savage

1873 Isaac O Savage

1875 Edwin M Crummer

History of Republic County.

127

\x~~ Chauncey Perry 1877

187!i Chauncey Pen-y 1879

1881 Chauncey Perry 1881

1883 Yuba R Parks 1883

1885 Hiram () Studley 1885

1887 Hiram O Studley 1887

1889 Robert H Galloway 188!)

1891 Robert H (Jalloway 1891

1893 Fred N Woodward 1893

1895 Fred N Woodward 1895

1897 Dick Y Wilson 1897

1899 Dick Y Wilson 1899

Year. SHERIFF. Year.

1868 Robert H. Vining 1868

1869 William H. Willoughby 1869

1871 William W. Newlon 1871
1-873 Josiah Kindt- 1873

1875 Josiah Kindt 1875

1877 William Norris 1877

1879 Josiah Kindt 1879

1881 Josiah Kindt 1881

1883 Robert Swan 1883

1885 Thomas C. Reily 1885

1887 Thomas C. Reily 1887

1889 Henry C. Swartz 1889
1891 Henry C. Swartz 1891
1893 Richard B. Ward 1893
1895 Richard B. Ward 1895
1897 Frank N. Brown 1897
1899 Frank N. Brown 1899

Year COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT Year

1868 Benjamin F. Sayler 1870

1869 Charles Hogan 1872

1870 Wilson Lancaster 1874

1872 Albert D. Marble 1876
1874 David C. Gamble 1878

1876 Judson C. Price 1880

1878 James H. McCall 1882

1880 John M. Lawren e 1884

1882 John M. Lawrence 1886

1884 John M. Lawrence 1888

1886 Benj. T. Bullen 1890

1888 Benj. T. Bullen 1892

1890 Charles E. Costolo 1894

Edwin M Crummer
Solomon G Stover
Solomon G Stover
Edwin M Crummer
Edwin M Crummer
Carsten P Carsten.sen
Carsten P Carstensen
Joseph Kuchera
Joseph Kucbera
Richard T Stanfield
Richard T Stanfield
Henry B Swanson

John McFarlane
Philo P. Way
Eli O Kindy
Robert J. Adams
Rob art J. Adams
Edward A. Hallowell
Edward A. Hallowell
Edward A. Hallowell
Henry H. Hoffman
David W. Hamilton
David W. Hamilton
Mosher
Mosher
Jellison
Jellison

James A.

Robert T

Ben D. Woods

COUNTY ATTORNEY
Asa F. Heely
Asa F. Heely
Asa F. Heely
Nelson T. VanNatta
Nelson T. VanNatta
Nelson T. VanNatta
Thomas M. Noble
Thomas M. Noble
Jay F. Close
Jay F. Close
T. C. S. Cooper
Jay F. Close
Jay F. Close

128

History of Republic County

1892 Edward L. Glasgow

189-4 Edward L. Glasgow

1896 Lucy Howard

1898 Lucy Howard

1900 Edgar E. Baird

Year. PROBATE JUDGE.

1868 Daniel Myers

1689 Daniel Myers

1870 John C. Griffith

1872 Joseph Boothe

1874 Joseph Boothe

1876 Joseph Boothe

1878 Joseph Boothe

1880 Joseph Boothe

1882 Joseph Boythe

1884 Joseph Boothe

1886 Joseph Boothe

1888 Charles A. Northrop

1890 J. T. Glasgow

1892 John A. Jacobs

1894 John A Jacobs

1896 John A. Jacobs

1898 Joseph T. Patterson

1900 Joseph T. Patterson

Year. CLERK DISTRICT COURT

1870 L. R. Dobyns

1872 Chauncey Perry

1874 John Brown

1876 Frank Armstrong

1878 John E. Hallowell

1880 John E. Hallowell

1882 John E. Hallowell

1884 John E. Hallowell

1886 Jacob Beck

1888 Jacob Beck

1890 Axel Ellingson

1892 Axel Ellingson

1894 Silas A. Ingham

1896 Silas A. Ingham

1898 Bert B. McCall

1900 Bert B. McCall

1896 Benj. F. Bullen
1898 Benj. F. Bullen
1900 John C Hogin

Year. COUNTY SURVEYOR.

1868 William Hardaker

1869 N. O. Wilkie

1871 James G. Arbuthnot

1873 James G. Arbuthnot

1875 Judson C. Price

1877 Judson C. Price

1879 Judson C. Price

1881 Eli W. Wagener

1883 Eli W. Wagener

1885 Eli W. Wagener

1887 Fayette A. Smith

1889 Fayette A. Smith

1891 Judson C. Price

1893 Eli W. Wagener

1895 Isaiah C. Ware

1897 Isaiah C. Ware

1899 Isaiah C. Ware

Year CORONER

1869 R. T. Harper

1871 W. F. Compton

1873 W. F. Compton

1875 W. F. Compton

1877 John C. Reily

1879 John C. Reily

1881 John C. Reily

1883 John M. Rockhold

1885 Henry Patrick

1887 L. R. White

1889 L. R. White

1891 L. R. White

1893 L. R. White

1895 L. R. White

1897 S. Morgan

1899 William F. Howard

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
1868 Appointed by Gov. Crawford on September. 7th-
John M. Campbell, T. C. Reily.

-John Harris

History of Republic County. 129

18()8 Elected— W. W. Newlon, Z. P. Rowe, Conrad Myers.

1«(U) p:ieoted— Z. P. Rowe, J. H. Frint, G. W. Johnson.

1871 Elected— L. C. Hanson, .T. H. Frint, J. C. Williams.

1873 Elected— Robert Kyle, .J. C. Reily, John Manning.

1875 1st District, W. E. Day; 2 Dist., J. T. Glasgow; 3rd Dist., J.
H. McCall.

1877 1st Dist. , J. C. Keene, 1 year, 2nd Dist., L. C. Hanson, 2

years; 3rd Dist., J. H. McCall, 3 years.

1S7S Ist Dist., A. B. Bachelor, 3 years.

1879 2nd Dist., L. C. Hanson, 3 years; .3rd Dist., .fohn F. Wells,
1 year.

• 1880 3rd Dist, John F. Wells, 3 years.

1881 1st Dist., S. M. Edwards, 3 years; 2nd Dist., Thure Wohl-

fart.

1882 2nd Dist., Thure Wohlf art, 3 years.

1883 .3rd Dist., John F. Wells, 3 years.

1884 1st Dist., S. M. Edwards, 3 years,

1885 2nd Dist., J. W. Smith, 3. years.
188(5 3rd Dist., John F. Wells, 3 years

1887 1st Dist., Robert Kyle, 3 years.

1888 2nd Dist., J. W. Smith, 3 years.

1889 John M. Campbell, 3rd Dist., 3 years.

1890 Kobert Kyle, 1st Dist., 3 years.

1891 C. G. Anderson, 2nd Dist., 3 years.

1892 A. R. Dillehay, 3rd Dist., 3 years.

1893 Robert Kyle, 1st Dist., 1st Dist., 3 years.

1894 William Bell, 2nd Dist., 3 years.

1895 A. W. Miller, 3rd Dist., 3 years.

1896 A. Wegal, 1st Dist.,3 years.

1897 Wm. Bell, 2nd Dist., 3 years.

1898 A. W. Miller, 3rd Dist., 3 years.

1899 A Wegal, 1st Dist., 3 years.

1900 R. Rimol, 2nd Dist., 3 years.

STATE SENATOR 7TH DISTRICT.

1868 A. A. Carnahan, of Cloud County.

The Seventh Senatorial District comprised the counties of
Cloud, Republic, Marshall, Riley and Washington. Sen-
ator Carnahan's majority in the district was 932. At this
time there were only twenty-five senatorial districts in the
state.

130 History of Republic County.

1870 Philip Rockefeller, of Washington County.

Majority in the district 56S. Senator Rockefeller served in
the 8th Kansas Infantry — John A. Martin's regiment. Sec-
ond Lieutenant Co. D, April 30th, 1863; First Lieutenant
same company, September 15th, 1863, and Captain same
company, November 4th, 1863.

STATE SENATOR 28TH DISTRICT

1872 Elden Barker, of Jewell County.

This district comprised the counties of Linc':^ln, Phillip?,
Smith, Jewell, Republic, Cloud, Clay, Mitchell, Osborne,
Ottawa and Norton. Senator Barker was elected without
opposition, receiving 6538 votes in the district.

STATE SENATOR 28TH DISTRICT.

1874 Horace Cooper, of Mitchell County.

R. P. West, of Republic, was independent candidate. Sen-
ator Cooper's majority in the district was 3991.
STATE SENATOR 33D DISTRICT.

1876 I. O. Savage, of Republic County.

Composed of the counties of Cloud and Republic, the term
of otiice having been changed from two to four years.
This year James Strain, of Concordia, was the Kepublican
nominee; Louis W. Bortoa, of Clyde, Democratic nominee;
I. O. Savage running as Independent Republican. Senator
Savage's plurality in Rspublic county 477, in the district, 14.

STATE SENATOR 33r'd DIST.

1880 N. B. Brown, Rep., of Cloud county.

The opposition was W. P. West, of Republic county, Ind.
Rep., and L. J. Crans, of Cloud, Dem. The vote was as
follows:

Republic county, Brown 447

Republic county. West 1345

Republic county, Crans 728

Cloud county. Brown 1509

Cloud county, West 573

Cloud county, Crans 938

Senator Brown's plurality in the district, 38.

STATE SENATOR, 27th DIST

1884 George H. Case, Rep., of Jewell county.

The state having been redistricted, making this the 27th
District. Including Republic and Jewell counties.
Senator Case's majority in district, 2o25.

History of Republic Comity. 131

STATE SENATOR, 32d DIST

1888 E. E. Swearengen, Hep., of Cloud County.

The district having been changed to Cloud and Republic

and numbered as the '.V16.. Senator Swearengen's plurality

in the district, 2.") 17.
1890 S. C. Wbeeler, Pop., of Cloud Couuty.

Special Election. Majority in District, 11B9.

STATE SENATOR 32D DISTRICT.

1892 George D. Bowling, Pop., Republic County.
Plurality in district, 158.

STATE SENATOR 32D DISTRICT.

1896 W. A. Mosher, Pop., Cloud County.
Majority in district, 342.

STATE SENATOR 32D DISTRICT.

1898 R. B. Ward, Rep., Republic County.

To fill vacancy caused by death of Senator W. A. Mosher.
Senator Ward's majority in district, (59.").

STATE SENATOR 32D DISTRICT

1900 R. B. Ward, Rep., Republic County.
Majority in district, 74.

SPECIAL ELECTION.

Held December 30th, 1890, for State Senator to fill vacancy
caused by death of E. E. Swearengen.

S. C. Wheeler, Pop 1BG2

John W. Sheafur. Rep 11"8

1888 November 6th:

E. E. Swearengen, Rep 2392

E. A. Hallowell, Dem 1295

M. E. Grover, Ind (54

J. B. Mosher, Ind 127

1896

C. W. Gulick 1985

W. A. Mosher 1884

Gomer T. Davies, Pop 1580

R. B. Ward, Rep -^23

REPRESENTATIVES IN STATE LEGISLATURE.

1868 R. P. West 70th Dist 1882 D. C. Gamble 80th Dist

1869 R. P. West 90th Dist 1884 W. A. Reeves 79th Dist

1898

132

History of Republic County

1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
187()
1878
1878
1880
1880
1882

N. T. VanNatta 90th Dist 1884

A. D. Wilson 81st Dist 1886

Almond Shaw 81st Dist 1886

W. H. Pilkenton 81st Dist 18S8

W. H. Pilkenton 81st Dist 1888

R. P. West 81st Dist 1890

W. H. Pilkenton 106th Dist 1890

Geo. L. White 107th Dist 1892

Wm. M. Moore 106th Dist 1894

Geo. L. White 107th Dist 1896

W. H. Leigh 106th Dist 1898

W. P. Peake 107th Dist 1900
W. A. Reeves 79th Dist

Wm. Glasgow 80th Dist
Gomer T. Davies 73d Dist
J. A. Jacobs 74th Dist
Gomer T. Davies 73 Dist
A. D. Wilson 74th Dist
J. T. Ingraham 73d Dist
C. R. Cleveland 74th Dist
J. M. Foster 61st Dist
.J. M. Foster 61st Dist
.John M. Doyle 61st Dist
F. N. Woodward 61st Dist
F. N. Woodward 64th Dist

JUDGES DISTRICT COURT 12TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT.

1871

1876

1884

1884
1884
1892
1900

1872 A. S. Wilson

1880 A. S. Wilson

A. S. Wilson

Appointed March 19, 1871.
A. S. Wilson

Resigned October, 1884.
Joseph G. Lowe appointed October 27th, 1884, held the office

ten days and resigned.
A. A. Carnahan appointed November 11th, 1884.
Edward Hutchinson 1888 F. W. Sturges

F. W. Sturges 1896 F. W. Sturges

Hugh Alexander

CHAPTER XIV.

COUNTY BUILDINGS.

In the spring of 1872 the question of erecting county
buildings at Belleville and building a bridge across the
Republican at New Scandinavia was agitated, all agreeing
that these improvements were badly needed. Petitions
were circulated and signed, principally by those living in
the vicinity of tbe two points named. These petitions
were presented to the Board of County Commissioners at
a meeting held June 14th, 1872, asking that an election be
called for the purpose of voting the bonds of the county to

e.
c;

a.'

C
c

cc'

History of Republic County. 133

the amount of !tl30,000 — -$15,000 of said bonds to be appro-
priated to the erection of county buildings at Belleville
and |115,000 to be appropriated to the erection of a bridge
across the river at the foot of 4th St., in the town of New
Scandinavia, whereupon it was ordered that an election be
held in the several voting precincts, on Tuesday, July 16th,
for the purpose of voting for and against the proposition
as set forth in the petition. Said bonds to be drawn in
amounts of $1,500 each, with interest coujDons 'attached,
payable annually, on the 1st day of July at the rate of 7
per cent., three thousand r^ollars of said bonds to be paid
July 1st, 1877, and three thousand dollars each year there-
after, until the whole amount be paid.

This projwsition was submitted in such a manner that
a voter could cast his ballot for each proposition separate-
ly; that is to say, he could vote for the county building
bonds and reject the bridge bonds and vice versa.

The board of commissioners met July IQth, 1872, to
canvass the vote with the following result:

For Against Fo'- Against

TOWNSHIPS BuiH. Build. Bridge Br'dge

Bold Bond Bond Bond

Albion 50 50

Belleville 65 8 34 28

Elk Creek 75 1 74

Farmington 5 44 1 48

Fairview . 6 4(i 46

Freedom 16 46 24 26

Grant 2 79 3 78

.Tefferson 10 3« 3 44

Lincoln 57 57

Liberty 43 42

Norway 47 2 45

Rose Creek 71 71

Richland 77 77

Scandia 38 62 93 i)

Soldier 1 41 37 3

Union 3 77 8 72

White Rock 108 10 98

Buffalo Precinct 7 7 10

Total 146 977 223 878

The result showing that both propositions were de-
feated by a very decisive vote, Albion, Lincoln, Liberty,
Rose Creek and Richland being unanimous in opposition

134 History of Republic County.

to both propositions, while Elk Creek and Farmington had
one man each who wanted a bridge across the river, one
man in Soldier township wanted county buildings and
thirty-seven wanted the bridge across the river and three
who thought the bridge unnecessary. Norway solid in
opposition to county buildings and only two men who had
any use for a bridge. White Rock unanimous in opposi-
tion to county buildings, but ten men who wanted the
bridge, Belleville being the only precinct in which both
propositions received a majority.

The result of this election would seem to indicate that
the early settlers were averse to creating a bonded indebt-
edness, although the fall before a proposition to extend
the aid of the county to the Central Branch of the Union
Pacific railroad in the sum of $100,000 was carried by a
majority of twenty. The next proposition having for its
object the building of a court house and which met with
more favor and proved n;ore successful than the one above
described, was made to the Board of County Commission-
ers August 12th, 1872, and was as follows:

The Belleville Town Site company proposed to donate
to the county of Republic, for the erection of a court house
on the public square in the said town of Belleville, the
sum of two thousand dollars, in town lots, providing the
board of commissioners would appropriate for the same
purpose, the sum of one thousand dollars, which proposi-
tion was agreed to by the board, Mr. Print and Mr.
Williams voting in the affirmative and Mr. Hanson voting
in the negative, claiming that there was no law for mak-
ing such an appropriation.

August 13th the Townsite company presented a deed
for 126 lots, which was accepted by the Board. October
9th, 1872, the following building committee was appointed:
viz, J. H. Print, Chairman; V. Vantrump and Charles H.
Smith. The contract for building the Court House and
jail was awarded to I. D. Edwards, he being the best re-
sponsible bidder. The Court House was 24x50 feet and

History of Republic County. 135

two stories high, situated on lots 11 and 12 in Block 16, N.
side of square, the second story being all in one room and
used for court room. The lower floor was divided into five
rooms which were occupied by the county officers as fol-
lows, beginning at the south door:

No. 1, Register of Deeds and Clerk of District Court.

No. 2, Sheriff and County Surveyor.

No. 3, Probate Judge and Couoty Attorney.

No. 4, Treasurer and Coroner.

No. 5, County Clerk and County Superintendent.

And were occupied as county offices until the comple-
tion of the present Court House in December, 188ri, when
it was sold to John Shemonski for ^1,705, was remodeled
into a hotel and was finally destroyed by fire, Peburary
15th, 1890. At a meeting of the Board of Commissioners
held April 15th, 1887, a contract was made with Ditto
Brothers to remove the old jail from its location on lot 12,
block 16, to lot 6, block 35, said last named lot being owned
by the county, to place it on a good foundation, to remove
the fence and place it around the jail, all to be done in a
good workmanlike manner for the sum of fifty dollars,
where the old building still stands as a relic of the early
70's.

At a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners
held August 4th, 1884, a levy of fifty cents on each ^100
of taxable property in the county was made for the pur-
pose of creating a Court House building fund.

S. M. Edwards, of Albion township, was at this time
commissioner from District No. 1 and chairman of the
board; Thure Wohlfart, of Scandia township, was commis-
sioner from District No. 2 and John F. Wells, of Belle-
ville township, was commissioner from District No. 3, Y.
R. Pa^ks being county clerk. Mr. Edwards and Mr.
Wells voted in favor of the levy and Mr. Wohlfart record-
ing his vote in opposition to it. This was the first step
taken toward the building of the present Court house.

The board met again on December 10th, 1884, and

136 History of Republic County.

contracted with Hulse & Moses and Ulrich brothers to
erect the court house on plans and specifications furnished
by George Ropes, architect, at a cost to the county of
$552.80 for said plans and specifications. Hugh A. Scott
was appointed by the board to superintend its construe
tion at a salary of $3.00 per day time actually employed.

1883 Net court house tax collected was .... $ !t537 82

1884 10707 57

Total 20245 39

The original contract for the building was 18lMi8 00

Extras 2!»4 00

Total cost of the court house proper 10262 00

Furniture for court house, A. H. Andrews & Co 30(51 50

Miscellaneous items, including architects' and superin-
tendents' bills 2020 55

Grand total when ready for occupancy $24344 05

The building was accepted by the commissioners De-
cember 22, 1885. A special meeting of the board of com-
missioners called for the purpose of adopting plans and
specifications for a jail and jailor's residence and to order
advertisement for bids for the construction of the same
was held at Belleville February 12th, 1889. The commis-
sioners at this time were J. W. Smith, commissioner Sec-
ond district, chairman; Robert Kyle, commissioner First
district; John F. Wells, commissioner Third district; all
beingpresent,and after a careful examination of plans and
specifications presented by Geo. W. Cochler, architect,
then living at Belleville, it was ordered that the county
clerk advertise in The Belleville Telescope for sealed bids
for the material and construction of said buildings and for
the jail cells.

After examining several building sites upon which to
construct said buildings, the board decided to build them
on the southeast corner of the public or Court House
square. The board met in regular session April 10th, 1889,
that being the expiration of the time in which bids were
to be received. The bids on file were opened and found
to be as follows:

History of Republic County. ]37

Van Ness & Crispin, of Belleville, Kansas, on build-
inar, S4955.90; Lund & Carson, Belleville, Kansas, f 4884. 50,
a difference of only ^71. 40: Van Dorn Iron Works, Cleve-
land, Ohio, cells and ironwork, $3640.00: Diebold Safe and
Lock Co., Canton, cells and iron work, $4,950.00; Prank F.
Dinsmoor, Lawrence, Kansas, cells and iron work, $4800.00;
Champion Iron Fence Co,. Kenton, Ohi >: cells and iron
work $5:^73.38; Pauly Jail Co., St. Louis, Mo., cells and
iron work, S5036.00: Hall's Safe and Lock Co., Cincinnati,
Ohio, cells and iron work, -^6725.00, a difference of §3085
between the highest and the lowest bidder for the same
job of work, (quite a margin. )

The Board then proceeded to the consideration of the
,bids for steel and iron work as made and filed by the dif-
ferent competitors, giving each company an opportunity
to exhibit materials used in the construction of their jail
cells, also to show models illustrating plan of construction
with locking devices, etc. All the afternoon was consumed
in this work, whereupon the Board adjourned, to meet at
9 o'clock, a. m., April 11th. The board met pursuant to
adjournment, all members being present, and proceeded
with the consideration of bids for jail and jailor's resi-
dence, listening to the arguments of the representatives
of the different systems and testing materials, devoting
much of the day to said work, and adjourned to April 12th
at 9 o'clock, a. m.

Met pursuant to adjournment, present the same as
yesterday. The contract for the jail cells, structural iron
work, steel and iron necessary to the completion of the
jail, including four criminal cells on the first floor ani two
cells for females on second floor of jail was awarded to the
VanDorn Iron Works, of Cleveland, Ohio, E. Jenkins,
agent, to be built according to plans and specifications
adopted by the Board of County Commissioners and now
on tile in the County Clerk's office as a part of the con-
tract with said company for the sum of $3940, said work
to be completed in all respects according to contract on

138 History of Republic County.

or before the 15th day of October, 1889, and if equal to the
requirements named in said contract and proved by rea-
sonable test to be proof against cutting with saw, file or
other tools usually employed by jail breakers in escaping
from jail, then the said jail and structural iron work is to
be accepted by the board and paid for in full the aforesaid
sum of $3940 — but if at any time prior to the complet'on
of said jail by the Van Dorn Iron Works of Cleveland,
Ohio, it shall be shown and proven that any prisoner has
escaped from a jail of like construction and material which
was built by the said Van Dorn Iron Works, by cutting,
sawing or tiling out of said jail, then the Board of County
Commissioners are by the terms of the contract, to pay
for said cells and structural iron work, the sum of one
dollar — said payment to be in full of all demand upon Re-
public county or the said Board of County Commissioners
for said material and work.

Prom the above it appears that the board proceeded
with extreme caution m making this important contract.

The Board met again April 13th, all members being
present and awarded the contract for building the jail and
jailor's residence to Robert Lund and Charles Carson, of
Belleville city for the sum of five thousand and fifty seven
dollars, said building to be completed on or before the 15th
day of October, 1889. Hugh A. Scott was appointed to
superintend the construction of said buildings at three
dollars per day. Both of the above contracts were fully
complied with and were accepted by the Board, Sept. 10th,
1889.

The total cost, including extras was as follows:

Van Dorn Iron Works for jail cells and struc-
tural iron work $4153.75

Lund & Carson for building 6605.19

Total cost of jail 110758.94

COUNTY ASYLUM FOR THE POOR.

The laws of Kansas make it lawful for the board of

History of Republic Comity. ]39

county commissioners in the several counties in the state,
whenever they may deem it advisable, to purchase a tract
of land in the name of their respective counties, and there-
on to build, establish and organize an asylum for the poor.
This was not deemed necessary nor advisable in Re-
public county until the spring of 1879 when the following
described tract of land was purchased for such purpose,
viz: The W ^ of the SEi of section 4, and the Ni of the
NEi of section 9, town 3, range 3. This land was the
homestead of John Engle, well remembered by many of
the early settlers as a rather undesirable citizen, but
whose loyalty was never called in question. After leaving
the county Engle went south into Dixie, where he was shot
and killed for too openly avowing his Union sentiments.
This land was deeded to the county May 12th, 1879, the
purchase price being s950. The contract for the erection
of a suitable building to be used as an asylum was awarded
to W. C. Shull on June 16th for the sum of |852, he being
the lowest bidder. The commissioners at this time were
L. C. Hanson, chairman and commissioner for Second dis
trict; A. B. Bachelor, commissioner First district, and
John F. Wells, commissioner Third district. The first
superintendent of the county asylum was O. M. Wagner,
he having having made the lowest bid, receiving $2.95 per
week for the board, clothing and care of each inmate. This
contract was made September 16th, 1879, and was for one
year. O. A. A. Gardner was the second superintendent,
his bond being approved October 5th, 1880, which position
he held until March 1st, 1884, when the contract was
awarded to C. W. Wray for the sum of $2.69 per week for
each and every inmate of the asylum, which position he
held until the latter part of 1887, when he was succeeded
by Simon Miller, who held the position until March 1st,
1892. Miller was succeeded by T. C. Reily, late sheriff
of the county, who acted in this capacity until March 1st,
1900, receiving as compensation the use of the farm and
$2.60 per week for each inmate until the last year when it

140 Histoiy of Republic Coitnlv.

was reduced to $2 per week. Reily was succeeded by P.
P. Musser, who receives $2 per w^eek for each inmate and
exclusive use of the farm and such additional sum per
week for the care of disabled and invalid inmates of the
asylum as the board of county commissioners shall deem
right and just. Mr. Musser is now in charge and is giv-
ing good satisfaction. It is but simple justice to the state
that all of the superintendents of this institution have
been responsible,conscientiou3 and humane men and that
that unfortunate class of our fellow citizens who have
been cared for there have uniformly received kind treat-
ment and the best of care at their hands.

An addition to the Asylum 22x26 feet was built in the
fall of 1892, the contract being awarded to Al. Crispin,
October 15th, the contract price being $590.
Recapitulation.

Cost of the land $950 00

Cost of the first buildino: 852 00

Cost of first addition 590 00

Total $2392 00

This farm is now worth |4,500.

JOHN F. WELLS.

John P.Wells, during his long term of service as county
commissioner, made a record with which, as a whole, his
friends may well be satisfied. In 1878 J. H. McCall resigned
as county coramissionei', behaving been elected county su-
perintendent, and Mr. Wells was appointed to succeed
him. Was elected in 1879 to serve one year, re-elected in
1880, again in 1883, and again in 1886, making eleven years
of continuous service in this important office. He was
■fearless in the advocacy of measures which he believed to
be for the general good of the county, and by his energy
and perseverence, succeeded in securing improvements
which otherwise, it is quite probable would have failed.
The period of his commissionership was the most import-
ant in the history of the county in the matter of bridges,

History of Republic County. 141

public buildings and other improvements, and although
some of the measures which he championed were not re-
garded with general favor at the time they were made
public, they afterwards received the general endorsement
of the people, particularly the part he took in the con-
struction of the court house and jail. After a lapse of ten
years since his retirement from office the almost unani-
mous verdict is that he was an unusually efficient and
faithful officer.

CHAPTER XV.

TOWNSHIPS.

The assessed valuation of the railroad property in the
following sketches of townships, is for miles of track only
and does not include telegraphic and Pullman car assess-
ments, nor the mileage in cities. For total valuation of
railroad property by townships and cities, see chapter on
Census and Assessment of Real, Personal and Railroad
Property for 1901.

ALBION TOWNSHIP.

As shown by the map, Albion occupies the northeast
corner of the county, and is known as town 1 south, range
1 west, and is a most excellent township of land for farm-
ing purposes, there being none better in Republic or any
other county in Kansas. It is watered by Cherry Creek
which flows southeast through the southern portion of the
township. The first settlement was made on the SWi of
section 26, by Reuben Phillips, in October 1869. The first
school in the township was taught by Ed. Waterbury, in
what is now Dist No. 13, in the spring of 1871. This was
a three-months subscription school, the school room being
a dugout, formerly occupied by Dr. Waterbury as a
residence, situated on the NW i of section 28, the school

142 History of Republic County.

furniture and fixtures being about the same as others
described elsewhere in this history.

The first gospel sermon was preached by Elder
Marks, a pioneer preacher from Jefferson county,
Nebraska, and whose eccentricities are still well remem-
bered by the early settlers. The first birth in the town-
ship was George, son of Reuben Phillips, before mentioned,
in the summer of 1870. The second was Oliver B. Reeder,
October 11th, 1870. The first marriage was Meredith
Morris and Lydia A. Treon, September 2d, 1872. The
first death was lola M., daughter of E. C. Crammer, Jan-
uary 19th, 1872.

The famous Chicago House, the first frame dwelling
in the township, was erected on the SW^of section 14, by
John Lester, a Chicago man, in the sjDring of 1870, E. W.
Hall, being the architect and builder. This house was
16x24 feet, 14-foot studding and could be seen from any
direction for miles around, and is still standing as one of
the early landmarks in that part of the county. This
man, Lester, as before stated, was from Chicago, and
never seemed so happy as when airing his reminiscences
of that windy city. He could not be engaged in a five min-
ute's conversation on any subject without alluding to that
celebrated city and the wonderful things he had seen
there. Hence he came to be known as the "Chicago Man, '"
only a very small number of the early settlers knowing
him by any other name, and so when he come to build so
pretentious a dwelling, it was but natural that it should be
known as the Chicago House, and it is still so called by
the citizens of Albion and adjoining townships.

Albion township was organized July 5th, 1870, and
the following officers appointed: James H. Bradd, trus-
tee; Francis McAferty, clerk; Jacob Smith, treasurer.

The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad enters
this township on section 12, runs southwest, leaving it on
section 30, with 6.76 miles of track, valued in 1901 at
$48,898.

History of Republic County. 143

ROSE CREEK TOWNSHIP.

This township hes immediately west of Albion, is
well timbered and well watered and perhaps possesses as
many natural advantages as any township in the county.
Rose Creek, a well timbered stream, flows northeast
through the greater portion of the township, the bottom
lands being very fertile. Magnesia limestone of excellent
quality is found in great abundance on twelve different
sections of land.

The lirst settlement in this township was made by
Thomas Regester and his two sons, Job and Robert, and
one daughter. May 15th, 1866. The first prairie was
broken by them on the NW \ of section twenty-one (21)
soon after making settlement, consisting of about five
acres of bottom land which for nearly three years was
the only land in cultivation in the township and which has
been cropped continuously for thirty-four years and still
produces well.

Thomas Regester died in September, 1870, being the
first death in the township.

The first school was taught iu the winter of 70 and
71 by Myra Dooley in a log building with dirt roof, which
had been previously occupied as the residence of William
Dooley and f<«mily. This was prior to the organization of
the school district and was a subscription school.

The first sermon was preached at the pioneer resi-
dence of Frank Powell by Rev. R. D. Preston, a Freewill
Baptist minister from Nebraska. This house was built of
logs, and like nearly all of the early residences, had a dirt
floor and dirt roof, and was occupied by Mr. Powell and
family for several years. Rev. Preston preached a very
impressive sermon on this occasion, and during the most
interesting part of his discourse a hen with brood of chick
ens came leisurely out from one corner of the room, pass-
ing immediately in front of the speaker, attracting his at-
tention, as well as the attention of the entire audience.

144 History of Republic County.

After carefully surveying this new addition to his audi-
ence, the speaker in a meditative sort of way, resumed
his discourse by saying, "Brethren and sisters, there's a
better time coming." Probably alluding to the time when
those chickens would be large enough for table use, as I
have heard it frequently remarked that preachers gener-
ally were quite partial to that kind of a diet.

The first church in the township was built by the
Methodists at Ida in the summer of 1885, the first pastor
being R,ev. J. W. H. Williams. The first child born in the
township was Violet M. Rickard, adopted daughter of J. B.
and Nellie Rickard, June 28th, 1869.

The first marriage in the township was J. W. Ball and
Martha Dooley February 14th, 1871. The township was
organized June 5th, 1870, and the following oflicers ap-
pointed: Prank T. Powell, trustee; Edwin E. Monroe,
clerk; L. R. Dobyns, treasurer.

William Dooley built a substantial frame residence on
the NWi of section twenty -one (21) in the fall of 1870. This
house was for several years the best one in the township
and at the time it was built was probably the best farm
residence in the county. The Burlington & Missouri
River Railroad traverses the northern part of the town-
ship, there being 5 31-100 miles of track valued at 'i?6,259
per mile and the Chicago R. I. & Pacific 3.34 miles as-
sessed in 1901 at $23,130. There are no stations in the
township, but there are two of easy access, Hubbellon the
B. & M., just across the north line in Nebraska, and Mun-
den on the Chicago R. I. & Pacific, just across the south
line of the township.

Among the first settlers, who are still residents of the
township, are J. B. Rickard, now the oldest continuous
resident, Robert Kyle, Wm. M. Mooi-e, A. Steenblock,Wm.
Bobenhouse, Wm. Lugenbeel, G. W. Dixon, Leander Wells
and Mirza Skinner, all of whom claim more than thirty
years residence.

History of Republic County. 145

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

Liberty, next west of Rose Creek, is well watered and
has considerable timber. The tirst settlement was made
by J. L. Neville on the SW^ of section 13 in the spring of
1869, who built a small log house with dirt roof, but he did
not do the first breaking. The first breaking was done by
a man named Preston, about an acre in the bend of the
creek on the SEi of section 14, now known as the Rose
Creek stock farm, in the spring of 1869.

Preston made no permanent settlement, although it
was his intention to do so, he having homesteaded the
land. Soon after doing the breaking he went west on a
buffalo hunt and never returned, having been killed by the
Indians. Mrs. Preston planted a fiower garden on the
acre above referred to and among other seeds sown were
some morning glories, which have bloomed there ever year
since, having survived drouth, grasshoppers and the culti-
vation of the land. Mrs. Preston sold her right for i^TS to
John Riley, who came on during the latter part of the year
1869, he being the second settler in the township. This
same i section, with eighty acres additional, has recently
been sold for 110,000. In the spring of 1869 Mr. Neville,
thinking to get a start in poultry, made a trip to Nebras-
ka for the purpose of buying a few fowls, but could find
none until within a few miles of Fairbury, where he pur-
chased a rooster for %l and a pullet for $1.25, returning
late at night considerably elated with his success. Next
morning, hearing a considerable commotion in the poultry
yard, went out to find that a wily coyote had captured,
killed and carried away the pullet and was on his return
for the rooster which, owing to the presence of Mr. Ne-
ville, he failed to capture. During the summer Mr. Ne-
ville bought another pullet in Washington county, paying
$1.25, which seems to have been the established price.
With this one he had better luck, as she laid during the

summer and fall one egg.

Mr. Neville thought that at this rate it would be some

146 History of Republic County.

time before he would be overstocked with chickens.

The next settlers were the colony from New York, all
being English and Scotch and all mechanics, principally
stone cutters. The colony consisted of J. J. Wilkes, An-
drew Glenn, Thomas Benson, Sydney Pearce, Edward
Thornton, Daniel McKenzie, Burns and Munro. This col-
ony left New York City Dec. 31st, 1869, and arrived at
Belleville the first week in January, 1870. Selected eight
quarter sections of land along Rose Creek, combin-
ing timber and water. The claims selected were numbered
from one to eight and the corresponding numbers placed
in a hat, each man drawing a number, which decided the
claim he should homestead. This entire party was con-
veyed to the land office at Junction City by T. C. Reily,
since sheriff of the county, where after declaring their in-
tentions to become citizens of the United States, their
homestead entries were made. The four first named are
still prosperous and respected citizens of the county, all
owning the land first selected; the last four never returned
to occupy their claims.

The township organization, in which E. D. Bugby,
then a citizen of the township, took an active and promi-
nent part, was effected July 7th, 1871, and was christened
Liberty by Mrs. Geo. A. Hovey. The officers appointed
at that time were: Geo. A. Hovey, trustee; J. L. Neville,
clerk; John Riley, treasurer.

The first child born in the township was Flora Neville
February 2d, 1870. The first male child born was Pearl
Brown, May 20th, 1871. These two after arriving at a
suitable age, became man and wife, a coincidence without
a parallel in the county and probably not in the state.

The first marriage was Menzo Churchill and Sarah
V. Clark, March 3d, 1870. The first death in Liberty
township was Arthur Hart, an infant, son of Frank and
Katie Hart, who died in October, 1872.

This township has no railroad within its limits, there
being only one other — White Rock — similarly situated.

History of Republic County. 147

yet there is not a farm house in the township at a greater
distance than seven miles from a railroad station,

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

A. B. Turner made the first improvements in this
township by breaking a few acres of prairie and com-
mencing a sod house on the SW \ section one the last of
April, 1h71. These improvements he abandoned on being
notified from the land ofiice that section one was within the
limits of the St. Joe & Denver railroad land grant. Turner
then horaesteaded the SE:i^of section 13, and commenced
improving it about the 12th of May. Wm. R. Toll was the
second person to make improvements, commencing to
break prairie as early as May 10th. James Wilkins, Steve
Madison and John Stevens all took homesteads about the
same time and made settlement the same spring. W. A.
Reeves took a homestead on the NEi, section 11, May 13,
and commenced improving it the following week. John
Rule, an Englishman, settled on section 2 soon after, he
and members of his family homesteading the whole sec-
tion. Other early settlers were N. W. Hayes and his son,
William, and William Stewart, a son-in-law, J. W. Smith,
Isaac B. Gaylord, Noah Miles and Ritchie Clark, all mak-
ing settlement in the spring of 1871. Of all the above
named, only three — Reeves, Smith and Clark — are living
on the land first taken, the others having died or moved
away. W. A. Reeves was the first justice of the peace in
the township, being appointed by Governor Harvey in 1872.

The first marriage was Sam. Wilkins and Mary E.
Turner. This marriage was solemnized by W. A. Reeves,
Esquire, at his residence in Washington township, Febru-
ary 12, 1873. The first gospel sermon was preached by
Rev. J. L. Millard, a United Brethren preacher, then liv-
ing in Liberty township, soon followed by Elder Marks
and R. P. West, all pioneers in religious work.

The township was organized July 2d, 1872, and the
following officers appointed: A. Watenpaugh, trustee;

148 History of Republic County .

Spaulding Eddy, clerk; Rev. Milner, treasurer; A. B. Tur-
ner, constable.

At the first election for township officers held in April,
1873, the following were chosen: Noah Miles, trustee; C.
Foskett, clerk; A. B. Turner, treasurer; W. A. Reeves
and H. C. Swartz, justices of the peace; A. B. Gilmoreand
J. D. Trimmer, constables.

This township has the largest area of land in cultiva-
tion of any in the county. The railroad mileage, B. & M.,
is 2.42 miles, assessed in 1901 at $16,393.

BIG BEND TOWNSHIP.

This township lies in the northwest corner of the
county, is watered by the Republican river, which flows
through it from the northwest to the southeast. The first
settlement w^as made by Daniel Davis, who broke the first
prairie and built the first cabin in the township in the
summer of 1866, on the SE:|^of section 34. This township
was the theater of many thrilling and exciting incidents
of repeated outbreaks and attacks by Indians, hardships
endured and heroic fortitude shown by the pioneer set-
tlers, much of which is narrated in the chapter on Indian
depredations. No part of the county suffered so severely
and so long from Indian incursions as the townships of
Big Bend and White Rock. Often in the early history of
these two townships, while the pioneer settlers were rest-
ing in fancied security and safety, the treacherous savage,
with deadly intent, was lurking near. This is but the
same old story of all new countries infested with Indians.

The first school district embraced all that part of the
township lying west of the Republican river and the first
school was taught by J. D. Leigh, a highly interesting ac-
count of which will be found in the chapter on schools.

The first child born in the township was Myrtle,
daughter of Oscar and Matilda Low, January, 1871. The
first male child born was Tudor Charles, February 6th,
1871, and who is now living on the farm where born.

The first goods sold in the township was by John Rus-

History of Republic County. 349

sel, at the mouth of White Rock Creek, at which point
Dan. Davis sought to start a town, and where James and
John A. Clark had located a steam saw and shingle mill
which they brought with them from Ohio, and had it in
operation early in the fall of 1870, doing a good business
until the following April, when they sold out to old Mr.
Whitney, of Haddam, who soon after moved the mill to
that place. This was the second saw mill in the county,
the one owned by the Scandinavian Colony being the first.
James R. Clark homesteaded the SEi and J. A., the NEi
of section 10, in Freedom townshij^. John A. sold out in
1874, and pre-empted a quarter in section 3, in the same
township. James R. afterwards bought theCapt. School-
ey farm in Grant township, where he lived for several
years. The grocery store above referred to was built of
Cottonwood manufactured by the saw mill aforesaid. The
stock in trade at this grocery was principally nails, to-
bacco and whiskey. The institution was short lived, re-
maining onl}' a few months. The next store was kept by
Jack Galbraith on the claim of W. R. Charles, in the win-
ter of 1870 and 1871. Galbraith was in business there for
a few months only, when he removed to White Rock. The
next business established was a general store by William
Walton, in the northwest corner of the township, close to
the state line in the summer of 1871.

The first postoffice was estabhshed in 1871, was named
Gomeria, and W. R. Charles appointed postmaster.

The township was organized July 19th, 1872, at which
time the following officers were appointed: A. B. Young,
trustee: S. G. Stover, treasurer; H. C. Waffle, clerk; and
the first election ordered to be held at the residence of
Andrew Low.

This township has three lines of railroad:

Missouri Pacific 7.62 miles Assessed in 1901 $32347

Rep. Valley, ( B. & M. ). . . .4.98 miles Assessed in 1901 337.35

Pacific Ry in Nebraska 1.00 mile Assessed in 1901 4245

Total - - 13.60 miles - - - - $70327

150 History of Republic County.

This township having the greatest mileage of any
township in the county, but not the largest assessed rail-
road valuation. As shown in another chapter, this town-
ship has the most taxable property of any in the county.

WHITE ROCK TOWNSHIP

Is SO called from a creek of the same name which
flows across a portion of the western and northern por-
tions of the township. This part of Republic county is
one of great historic interest, and was on account of its
richness and beauty, a region of attraction, years before
the most venturesome pioneer sought to establish a home
here. And long before prudence warranted the under-
taking, a few more daring than others, endeavored to
build a home in this beautiful valley, some with the loss
of their lives, and all living in constant dread of Indian
incursions.

The first settlement in the township was made by
Philip Keyser, on the NW^of section 4, in the spring of
1862, who made the first improvements and broke the
first sod in this part of the county. His settlement was
not permanent, as he remained here only a little more
than two months. Settlers came and went and it was not
until 1866 that a few determined men — among whom I
mention Thomas Lovewell as a leading spirit — came to
stay, but all subject to an annual scare from an Indian in-
vasion.

The first school was taught in the summer of 1871, by
Mrs. Emanuel Maudlin, in what was known as Crown's
blacksmith shop, a large and roomy building, the upper
story being used for general public purposes. This was
a subscription school. The first gospel sermon was
preached by R. P. West in 1870. The first church build-
ing was erected in 1873, not purely denominational, but
was known as a union church, its construction being con-
tributed to by parties of all religious beliefs — and sinners
as well — but later passed under the control of the Bap-

History of Republic County. 151

tists. In the fall of 1871, a commodious and comfortable
school house was built of rock, Thomas Lovewell being
the architect and builder, and a term of school taught
therein the following summer by Miss Ida Kirkpatrick.

White Rock post otiice was established in May, 1871,
and Chester L. Babcock appointed postmaster. The
boundaries of the township were defined August 20th,
1870, and embraced a territory of twelve miles north and
south, by six miles east and west, the voting place to be
at the house of Joseph Kohl, but no township officers were
appointed at that time. The first officers elected were:
W. H. Leigh, trustee; A. B. Young, clerk; S. R. Morlan,
treasurer; A. B. Warner, justice of the peace; Andrew
Low, justice of the peace; W. Malory, constable; D. Rice,
constable.

The township has no railroad.

UNION TOWNSHIP.

The first settlement in this township was made by S.
Sherdahl, April lOth, 1870. Mr. Sherdahl had his only
team of horses stolen by the Indians May 18th, 1870. The
township was organized July 7th, 1871 and the following
officers appointed:

E. K. Mahan, Trustee; David Rockhold, Clerk; J. R.
Bowersox, Treasurer; J. M. Rockhold, Justice of the
Peace; S. A. McKay, Constable.

The first sermon was preached by Rev. Albert Odell,
a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, about May 1st, 1871,
in a board shanty located on the SWlof section 23 the
same being occupied by J. R. Bowersox as a residence.
School district No. 39, one of the leading school districts
of the county, was orgauized May 23d, 1871, and the first
school meeting was held on the third day of June follow-
ing. The first school district officers were Andrew Engle,
S. A. McKay and John R. Bowersox. The first three
months of school in this district was taught by Miss Zu-
retta Rockhold in a dugout on the SE corner of sestion 22

152 History of Republic County.

the site of the present school building. The names of the
l^upils Avho held down slab seats that term were: Frank
Cooper, Calvin Gant, Benjamin Gant, Charles Gant, David
Hall, J. Householder, Daniel Householder, Geo. Page, Van
Rockhold, Fred Rockhold, Arthur Rockhold, Eddy Sims,
Rose B. Woods, Racena Cooper, Albina Gant, Caroline
Gant, Mary G. Householder, Clem Landreth, Esther Page,
Lefa Robbins, Loretta Rockhold, Orpha Rockhold, Anna
F. Small, Rachel Small, Irene Woods, Sarah E. Woods.
This has been a graded school, employing two teachers
since 1891.

This township embraces a larger area than any other
in the county, the Republican river forming its western
boundary. Has a railroad mileage of 6.12 miles assessed
in 1901 at $26629.

FREEDOM TOWNSHIP.

This township lies in the center of the county, east
and west, is well settled and well improved, the third
ward of the city of Belleville being located within its boun-
daries.

The first settlement was made on the southwest quar-
ter of section 35 in the spring of 1870, by Dr. A. B. Tut-
ton, who built a small log dwelling where the residence of
J. P. Talmadge now stands. This was thefirst building of
any kind erected in the township. The first prairie
broken was on the claim taken by Dr. J. C. Griffith, the
SE :^, section 35, in the spring of 1870. This breaking was
done by T. C. Reily, afterwards sheriff of the county. Dr.
Griftith built a comfortable stone house in the summer of
1870, recently occupied by T. M. Childs as a residence.
Dr. Columbus Taylor, the same summer built a good
frame house on his homestead, the NW i of section 29.
Among others who made settlement in this township in
1870, I name James Taylor, J. D. and S. L. Black, George
and Ezra Couchman, J. F. Walker, Amos Moree, Robert
M. Edgecomb, John Bodine, W. P. Weeks, D. M. Howard,
Albert Myers. William H. Boyes, Ezra Powell, David Van

~1>?*

.jL^iiuf J k^

m^-.^^^"^

Residence and Farm Buildings of H. J. Slutts,
NEi Sec. 15, Freedom Township.

Residence of F. M. Johnson, Freedom TownsbiiJ.

History of Republic Comity. 153

Aken, Aai-on Bond, R. P. Cheney, P. L. Peck, Fredrick
Collins, J. J. and P. F. Scofield.

The tirst school was taught by Mrs. Albert Odell, at
her residence on the southwest quarter, section 29, in the
winter of 1H70-1. This was prior to the district organiza-
tion and was a three-months subscription school. The
school house was a combination of a dugout and sod, sim-
ilar to others described elsewhere in this history. The
first school taught after the organization of District No.
17, the first one to organize in the township, was by the
Rev. Albert Odell.

The township was organized July 7th, 1871, and was
christened "Freedom" by William Hughes. The following
were the ofiicers appointed: Adam Dixon, trustee: Rob-
ert M. Edgecomb, clerk; Philander L. Peck, treasurer; A. O.
Kindy, constable. The first election was ordered to be
held at the residence of R, M. Edgecomb, on theNEi,
section 21. The first child born in the township was Ira
W. Walker, December 9th, 1870. The first marriage was
E. M. Bailey and M. E, Personett, February 3d, 1871.
The first death was Maria E. Howard, wife of D. M. How-
ard, who died January 18th, 1872. The township has a
railroad mileage of 2.02 miles, assessed in 1901 at $15483.

FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP

Lies next east of PYeedom and is a most excellent
township of land for agricultural purposes, nearly its en-
tire area being susceptible of cultivation. The first settle-
ment was made in ] 870 and the whole township was practi-
cally settled up that and the following year. It was named
by Joseph Northrup, one of the first settlers and the first
township trustee being appointed January 4th, 1871, at
which time the township was organized. The other officers
appointed were Filer S. See, Clerk; Joseph B. See, Treas.
The first election was held at the residence of Joseph
Northrup.

The population of the township is about equall.y di-

154 History of Republic County.

vided between nativ^e and foreign born, the foreigners be-
ing principally Bohemians. The first school in the town-
ship was taught by Mary Dixon, in a dugout, on ihe SE \
of section 30, the farm now being owned by J. N. Snyder.
This was a three months' subscription school taught in
the spring of 1872, which was prior to the organization of
any school district in the township. The following is a
partial list of the pupils who attended this school, none of
whom were advanced beyond the first reader during the
term:

William Ryan, Rosetta Ryan, Lincoln Hill, Mary Hill,
Nancy Guthrie, Mary Guthrie, William Guthrie, John
Hawkins.

Both branches of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific
Railroad traverse this township with a total mileage of
10.22 miles, assessed in 1901 at $72,423.

FARMINGTON TOWNSHIP.

Z. P. Rowe and Jacob Hull were the first settlers in
Farmington Township, making settlement on section 35,
in May, 1866. Wm. McBride and Calvin Mapes came in
the spring of 1867, and John Harris. Sr., and Thomas
Maxtield came in the fall of the same year. George Hard-
enberg and William Herman came in Ma3% 1868. Jacob
Hull homesteaded the land where H.H. Hoffman now lives.
This was the first township organized in Republic county
as shown elsewhere. The second postoftice in the county
was established in this township in the spring of 1868, and
Z. P. Rowe, a pioneer settler and later County Commis-
cioner, was the postmaster. A school was started in the
summer of 1868, taught by Miss McBride, in what is now
school Dist. No. 4. The territory embraced in this dis-
trict was 9x15 miles and had a school population of 18 at
the time the school was taught.

The first marriage was John H. Oliver and Rhoda
Spiilman, June 3d, 1869. They were married on the open
prairie by Rev. R. P. West in the presence of witnesses.

Residence of Hugh Colville, Fairview Township.

History of Republic County. 155

The B. & M. Railroad had a mileage of 3.24 miles in the
township with an assessed valuation in 1901 of S 1^4556.

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.

John Harris and James Swan were the first to make
settlement in this township, Harris taking a homestead on
the N 7 of NWt of section 4, and Swan pre-empting the
NE \ of the same section on the 5th day of March, 1866..
Edwin Enoch came in April, Z. P. Rowe and Jacob Hull in
the summer of the same year. Henry Willoughby, Wm.
Oliver and Samuel Elder came in the fall, settling in the
south part of the township. This township is well watered,
has considerable timber, and an abundance of building
stone.

Ida Harris, now Mrs. George Sissel, was the first
child born in Richland township, July 12th, 1867. The
first marriage was West Union Spillman and Amelia John-
son in May, 1866. The township was organized July 7th,
1871, and the following officers were appointed: J. S.
Bates, Trustee; Jacob Baird, Treasurer.

The first election was ordered held at the house of Mr.
Carpenter. The township has railroad mileage as follows:

Chicago K. I. and Pacific 5. (dO miles, assessed 1901. . . . $ 40495

B. & M ;{.92 " " " 16993

Total 9.. 32 Total * 57488

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.

This township is one of great historic interest as it
was here that the temporary county seat was located; the
first law-suit in the county was tried, the first school
taught, the first political convention held and the first gos-
pel sermon preached, all of which are mentioned in pre-
ceding chapters. The first settlement made was by J. E.
VanNatta and William Harshberger, May 10th 1862, David
Corey coming soon after, and still later, R. P. West, Henry
Mead, J. H. Frint, Noah Kunkel, John Robbins, Hiram
Jackson and Geo. Wilcox, all taking claims along the
creeks. It was not until 1870 and 1871 that settlements

156 History of Republic County.

on the high prairie were made and at the close of the year
'71 all the desirable land in the township had been taken.
This township is centrally located and possesses many
natural advantages.

It was organized Feburary 24th, 1872, and T. J. Baird
appointed trustee, the lirst election to be held at the res-
idence of Andrew Pfaff, a central location, and where the
elections were held for many years. The township has
two lines of railroad, namely:

B. & M 4.34 miles, assessed 1901 $18814

Chicago, R. I. & Pacific ...2.53 " " 17520

Total 6.87 Total valuation $36334

BELLEVILLE TOWNSHIP.

So called from Belleville, the county seat. The first

settlers were J. C. Reily and T. C. and W. H. H. Reily,

his sons, in 1866. They, like all the other early settlers,

took land along a creek and named it Reily Creek, no one

believing at that time that the high prairie land would

ever be settled upon, but would always remain grazing

land.

J. C. Reily was the first assessor in Republic county

being elected in the spring of 1868, which was prior to

the organization of the county, and while it was attached

to Washington county as a voting precinct. The whole

number of votes cast was thirteen, of which Mr. Reily

received eight, and Captain I. M. Schooley five, although

it is probable that there were at the time, fifty or sixty

voters in the county. Mr. Reily is remembered by the

early settlers and by all who knew him intimately, as a

man of mature judgment and conscientious and upright,

both in public and private life. He died at his home in

Belleville. September 7th, 1895, at the advanced age of

eighty- seven years, five months and twenty days. T. C.

Reily, for nearly a third of a century a citizen of Republic

county, now lives in Woodward county, Oklahoma. W.

H. H. Reily is still living on Reily Creek, where he first

settled.

History of Republic County. 157

The following sketch has never before appeared in
print: A history of Republic county would be incom-
plete that did not refer to the trials, difficulties and dan-
gers attendant on the settling of the country. A sad
event which occurred at Scotch Plains in 1870, shows some
of the trials to which pioneers were subjected. Jack Mc-
Kenzie and wife, who were Scotch, came from New York
City, with the Excelsior colony, homesteading and set-
tling on the SE t, section 18, town 3, range 3, now owned
and occupied by Thomas S. Doctor. After building a
sod house and planting a little crop. Jack proceeded to
dig a well, and being lone handed and an old sailor, he
made him a rope ladder by which he went down, filled
his bucket of dirt, ascended by his ladder, and wound up
by his windlass the bucket of dirt. (His wife, a young-
nimble woman, had learned to go down and up this lad-
der by starting at the top when the excavation was quite
shallow.) Jack had worked along in this way, some-
times getting a hand from a neighbor to help him and
again working alone until he had gone down about thirty-
six feet, and at one time, at least, being compelled to
quit work, on account of bad air in the hole. On the sec-
ond of August, he went down to work as usual, his wife
going around the place attending her chickens; heard
some commotion in the well, running to it and looking
down, she saw there was something the matter with Jack.
Hastily calling a young man (James Kinnard), who was
boarding with them, to run across the creek for help, she
descended to Jack's assistance. When the help arrived
at the well breathless from running and excitement, she
was seen sitting supporting Jack's head on her knee.
One of the party, James Lowden, immediately
attempted to descend. On reaching nearly half way
down, he looked up, saying, "Boys, I can't go; it chokes
me!" He was ordered up. Then commenced a struggle
for life; it was all he could do to get back far enough for
the others to haul him out, when he lay on the bank vom-

158 History of Republic County.

iting for a couple of hours, before he recovered. Word
was sent around the neighborhood of the calamity, when
a crowd gathered. After ventilating, by means of a fun-
nel made of sheets, an old miner, the late Joseph Mc-
Gowen, descended and sent the bodies to the surface.
They were buried next day in the cemetery on the
Preacher West place, R. P. West preaching the funeral
sermon.

The township was organized September 4th, 1871,
and S. W. Skeels was appointed township clerk. No
other officers were appointed. The election for township
officers was held in Belleville, April 2d, 1872, when the
following were elected: J. C. Reily, trustee; T. C. Reily,
clerk; S. K. Waterson, treasurer; Joseph Boothe, justice
of the peace; John Engle, constable; D. C. Bowersox,
constable.

The township has two lines of railroad — the Chicago,
Rock Island & Pacific, 3.32 miles, assessed in 1901 at
$24,651; the Junction City & Fort Kearney (U. P.) 4.90
miles, assessed in 1901 at $25,146. Total mileage, 8.22
miles; total assessed valuation, $49,797.

SCANDIA TOWNSHIP.

The first settlement was made by the Scandinavian
colony in the fall of 1868. This township lies on both
sides of the Republican river, which is spanned by a sub-
stantial iron bridge at Scandia city, a place of consider-
able commercial importance and the second city in size in
the county.

Among the early settlers who took homesteads on
the high prairie in Scandia township, I mention Thomas
and William West and Fred O'Connell, WiUiam West tak-
ing the NE i, section 24; Thomas, the NW i and O'Con-
nell the SW i; David C. Gamble taking the SE i in the
spring of 1871. Soon after taking his claim, O'Connell
went to Kit Carson, Colorado, to work on the Union Pa-
cific railroad and never returned, presumably scalped by

Residence of Ex-State Senator Geo. D. Bowling,
Scandia, Township.

History of Republic County. 159

the Indians, as it was well known that several railroad
workmen met that fate about that time. In the spring of
1H72, John West, a brother of William and Thomas, came
and took the O'Connell claim, w^hich he held until his
death, which took place about Christmas, 1891, his land
now being owned by D. H. Riddlebarger. Thomas still
lives on the land first taken, and William lives on the SE
i, section 18, Scandia township.

The township was organized January 2d, 1H71, and
comprised two congressional townships, namely, town 3,
range 4: and town ?>, range 5; but no township officers
were appointed. At the first election, April 4th, 1871,
the following were elected: Jacob Gui, trustee; Wm. N.
Knoll, clerk: A. Asbjournson, treasurer; George Lembke,
justice of the peace; William West, justice of the peace;
Joseph McGowan, constable; Lars C. Hanson, constable.

The township has two lines of railroad — the Chicago,
Rock Island & Pacific, 6.55 miles, assessed in 1901 at
$5U,U64; and the Missouri Pacific, 5.10 miles, assessed in
1901 at S21,650. Total mileage, 11.65; total assessed val-
ue, $71,714.

COURTLAND TOWNSHIP.

The first settlement in the township was made by C.
A. Holm Strom in the spring of 1869, who broke the first
prairie and built the first house. The first school house
was built by subscription, in district No. 42, in the summer
of 1871. The township was organized Peburary 24th, 1872,
mainly through the efforts of John H. Crane, an early set-
tler of the township, who suggested the name "Soldier"
from the fact that a large number of the first settlers had
served in the army. The name was afterward, without
apparent good cause, changed to Courtland. J. Peterson
was appointed first trustee. Thefirstelection was ordered
held at the residence of John T. Sothers, but was really
held in his stable. At the first election, held on the second
Tuesday of April, 1872, the following ofiicers were elected:

160 History of Republic County.

C. C. Parkinson, Trustee; John H. Crane, Clerk; John
T. Sothers, Treasurer; John M. Lawrence, Justice of the
Peace; W. Stafford, Justice of the Peace; Charles Wynn,
Constable; John T. Henry. Constable.

The first birth in the township was a daughter of Otto
Olsen and wife in the fall of 1871. The township has two
lines of railroad, as shown by the map with a total mileage
of 11.04 miles, assessed in 1901 at $66312.

BEAVER TOWNSHIP.

E. B. Pedersen and T. A. Nelson settled on Beaver
creek in 1869, being the first settlers in the township.
It was called Buffalo precinct and was attached to Norway
township until October 6th, 1873, when the township was
organized and named Beaver from the creek which flows
through it. R. M. Williams was appointed first trustee
and the first election was ordered held as near the center
of the township as practicable. This was the last town-
ship organized in the county. The first birth in the town-
ship was Joseph Munson, December 9th, 1872. The first
marriage was Andrew Sederlin and Mary Knutson, in
June, 1872. The first death was Gustav Werner, who died
August 10th, 1872. This township had a railroad mileage
of 6.14 miles, assessed in 1901 at $29,500. The population
is about equally divided between native and foreign born,
the foreigners being mostly Swedes and Norwegians.

NORWAY TOWNSHIP.

The first settlement in this township was made by
Thomas Green, who built a log house and dug a well on
the SE corner of the SE i of section 17, in the fall of 1868.
He broke a little prairie and planted a little sod corn in the
spring of 1869, which the soldiers and Indians harvested.
He left early in the summer of '69 on account of Indian
troubles and never returned. His claim was contested
by Joseph Merica,a man of heavy avoirdupois, the heaviest
in the county at that time, tipping the beam at a little over
400 pounds. Merica occupied this claim for several years

Residence of August Johnson, Beaver Township.

■ Mm\

Residence of S. A. Haggman. Beaver Township.

Residence of Fred Eagwall, Beaver Township.

History of Republic County. 161

and during his residence here, had a good team of horses
stolen from him by the Indians. He moved to Jamestown,
Cloud county, where he died several years ago.

Mrs. Anna Pherson is the oldest continuous resident
of the township, making settlement in the latter part of
July, 1869. R. Rimol, at present county commissioner,
came Aug. 15th of the same year, and is still a resident of
the township. The first school was taught by Mary But-
ton in a log cabin on the SW i of section 35 in the spring
of 1871.

The second school was taught in the fall of the same
year by Julia McCathron, daughter of J. G. McCathron, a
pioneer settler in Peter Hammer's dugout, on the SE i of
section 11. Both of these were three months subscrip-
tion schools and were taught prior to the organization of
any school district in the township. The enrollment was
about ten pupils in each school and very moderate wages
were paid.

The first marriage w^as Reuben Everhart and Jerusha
McCathron, May 30th, 1871, The first child born was
Nels Rimol, October 13th, 1870.

The township was organized April 3d, 1871, at which
time the following officers were appointed: John Hull,
trustee: G. B. Burk, clerk; Noble Rogers, treasurer;
Sivert Lehm, road overseer.

The township has a railroad mileage as follows:
Missouri Pacific, 6.01 miles, assessed in 1901 at $26,382;
Santa Fe, 1.12 miles; assessed in 1901 at $5,040. Total
mileage, 7.13 miles; total value , $31,432.

I gladly give space to the following highly interest-
ing sketch of Norway township, from the pen of Mr. E.
Stanton, a pioneer settler, my only misgiving being that,
perhaps, my readers may come to the conclusion that it
would have been better had Mr. Stanton written the en-
tire book:

"Of incidents that transpired in the territory of Nor-
way before the homestead settlement, but little is known.

162 History of Republic County.

It is said that there were some Mormon emigrants up
the Republican river on their way to Salt Lake in 1849.
In about 1852 the government laid out, and it is said,
bridged the creeks on a wagon road from Fort Riley to
Fort Kearney. I doubt the bridging. I remember in the
spring of 1873, on returning from Scandia, on crossing
Mud Creek, some three miles south of Scandia, my trusty
oxen Buck and Bright, broke the chain and left the writer
sitting in the wagon in the middle of the creek, just as the
shades of night and a dismal rain was falling fast; if
there was a bridge either up or down the creek, the writer
did not observe it from where he sat.

In 1806 Captain Pike no doubt passed through Nor-
way township, but we are not claiming that he made any
treaties with the Pawnees nor pulled down any Spanish
flags, nor will we do so without evidence that such is the
case. Our friends in different localities up and down the
river, do not seem to be particular; it is all right however,
and I am glad there is a disposition in the county to let
no good thing get away for the want of a claimant, for
the story is a very pretty and true one — as far as Captain
Pike's part of it goes.

As to who was the first settler, opinions diifer, nor
does it matter; they were "roving blades," taking choice
claims with the intention to sell out at the first chance
and move on and repeat the operation, making a living
by hunting and trapping for the hide of the buffalo and
beaver. The first permanent settler was Mr. Rasmus
Rimol, now a county commissioner, he taking pos-
session of the homestead on which he now resides,
in February, 1869. He was soon followed by the rest of
the Norwegian colony; the township took its name from
the excellent people at the instance of J. G. McCathron,
who was the first postmaster and first justice of the
peace. The land in the valley and tributary creeks, was
mostly taken during 1869-70. The prairie east of the val-
ley was settled mostly in 1871, by a colony from eastern

History of Republic County. 163

Indiana, an intellig'ent, law-abiding community and a
credit to the locality from whence they came. The prairie
land west of the river was mainly taken in 1872, : there
was no colony about it, about every state and every coun-
try of Europe being represented at one time or another.
The people seemed to lack the stability of colonists named
before, some claims having changed hands ten or twelve
times, but five of the original homesteaders now remaining.

Of Indian trouble there was but little, the robbing of
Mr. Olof Pehrson of a team of horses, being all that I ever
heard of. Mr. Pehrson was breaking prairie, he took his
gun out with him, but had laid it down at the end of the
furrow, an Indian, who no doubt had been watching him,
leaped from out of the grass and weeds and shot at Mr.
Pehrson, who at once ran toward the end of the field to
where his gun was, the Indian meanwhile making off with
the horses. There may be those inclined to criticise the
action of Mr. Pehrson in laying his gun aside; to such I
say, next summer when the thermometer marks about 105
in the shade, attempt to navigate a breaking plow among
the roots and sods, flies being bad, and carry a gun in
such a position as to use it should an Indian appear, mean-
while keeping a lookout for the plow, I think you would
soon come to look upon the gun as a glittering superfluity
and leave it by the coat and water jug, as Mr. Pehrson did.

The first settlers, as a rule, were poor people and
some of us were very poor, our dwellings and outbuild-
ings were miserable makeshifts of poverty, what httle
money we had was soon gone, our bread was of corn, our
fruit was from the pumpkin vine, our rags fluttered in the
breeze as if to signal to the Hosts of Heaven our destitu-
tion, and our. dugouts became the abode of myriads of
flees, which drove the honest settler to distraction by day
and by night.

On Sunday, April 13th, 1873, began "The Great
Storm," which lasted for three days and will be remem-

164 History of Republic County.

bered by the old settlers during life. Saturday, the 12th,
was a very warm day, with a strong wind blowing from
the south, people were busy plowing and planting, but on
Sunday morniug all was changed, a fierce gale was blow-
ing, the snow as fine as flour, seemed to penetrate every
crevice. The air was so thick that it was impossible to
see more than a few rods. On Monday the storm was, if
possible, worse, the cold became bitterly intense, the air
was thick as deep fog, the wind seemed to come now
in great, bounding billows, seeming to make the very
earth tremble, then in a screaming hurricane as if bent
on tearing everything from the earth, it was dangerous to
go out of doors, indeed, many in Kansas and Nebraska
perished, and the loss of stock was large. I remember
the writer felt constrained amid the mighty uproar to re-
turn thanks to the Lord for a poverty that had forbidden
him to build even a shanty above the ground, but had com-
pelled him like a coyote, to dig a hole in the earth for the
protection of his family and himself. Tuesday morning
the conditions were the same; the settlers became alarmed,
it seemed as if the world had made a revolution endwise
and we had come to the place formerly occupied by the
north pole, but in the afternoon the clouds broke away and
we were able to dig out, and give our stock water, some
of which had not received that attention since the Satur-
day before.

In 1872 the corn was fair. In 1873 considerable wheat
was raised and hauled to the railroad, sixty miles. The
corn also was good in 1873. In 1874 the wheat was
pretty fair, that was the grasshopper year that you may
have heard of, it was a very dry year and the corn on the
prairie would not have amounted to much anyhow. It
was a great blow to the farmers to lose their hogs; they
had seen that it would never do to haul corn so far to mar-
ket, and had made every possible sacrifice to get a start
of hogs, but now there was nothing to feed them but a
little wheat, so, after the hogs ate up the wheat they had

History of Republic County. 165

to be killed for such meat as they would make or starve
to death. The winter of 1874 was the aid winter, when the
kind hearted people of the east sent almost all kinds of
things to Kansas. To see a person full rigged in eastern
city toggery, was an amusing sight, why, I don't know,
but there seemed to be a kind of unfitness about it. I re-
member that Mr. McCathron, the distributor for Norway,
gave the writer a gray blanket; of which his wife made
him a coat, never was garment more acceptable, for with-
out it he would have been coatless that winter.

In the spring of 1875 many left the country; much
land that had been broken was not tended that year, how-
ever there were many who had come to look upon a condi-
tion of abject poverty as the proper condition of man by
this time and they went to work with such seed of wheat
and corn as they were able to obtain, and we had fair crops
that year and also in 1876. About this time there occurred
an event that, from a frivolous beginning, created quite an
excitement along the river. There appeared in a Missouri
paper a flaming article, afterwards copied and illustrated
by the New York Police Gazette, regarding a sea serpent
which appeared in the river at Scandia. The article was
<'i bout as follows: "On Sunday morning, as Mr. George
Lembke. the toll collector of the bridge, approached the
river, he saw a huge monster in the stream and uttered a
Swedish cry of astonishment which brought the whole
population running to the bank. The appearance of these
persons seemed to astonish and enrage the creature, and
rearing itself upon its hind legs, it reached its long neck
over the bank, and was almost in the act of seizing an in-
habitant; just at this moment Mr. Birchfield, who had
rushed promptly to the scene with his fire extinguisher
strapped upon his back, aimed the nozzle of his machine at
the open mouth of the animal and discharged such a stream
of chemicals down the creature's throat as to cause it to
fall back into the water and depart rapidly down the river.
Raising its huge, cut- water fin, it parted the waves, throw-

166

History of Republic County.

ing the water with great violence against either bank and
soon disappeared around the bend."

Now what concerned us was its departing down the
river. The Republican river had its rise in the wild and
unknown regions of the west and we did not know what
kind of creatures had their being there. One settler, who
farmed on the east side but lived on the west, refused to
cross the river to tend his corn and let it go to weeds. An-
other man. a Buffalo hunter and Indian killer, patrolled
the river bank for days in the hope of adding fresh laurels
to an already undying fame.

The cause of the sea serpent scare was very simple.
It seems that Mr. Lembke had set a hook in the river for
the enticement of such wandering catfish as might be pas-
sing, to which some person hid fastened an enormous bull
snake, they being very plenty and of great size in those
days.

Mr. Birchfield, who was a very pleasant gentleman, al-

Historv of Republic County. 167

though a little odd, had procured a fire extinguisher, which
he was fond of showing to his friends at the store, which
stood on the corner where Morey's bank now is. A
drummer, who saw Mr. Lembke pull the snake from the
river and to whom was shown the fire extinguisher, being
of romantic disposition and vivid imagination, wrote the
thrilling tale which had created so much uneasiness.

In 187H the Central Branch railroad was surveyed up
through the township and completed the next year.

In July, 1878, we had a railroad county bond election
for the aid of the Kansas Pacific to build a branch to Belle-
ville. And now that I have mentioned something politi-
cal, I wish to refer to our earlier politics, as time has
healed all wounds and the cry that was wont to arouse us,
"Belleville Ring," is no longer heard. In those days there
was not much party politics, the county being overwhelm-
ingly republican; there were a few democrats and they
were much in evidence like a woodpecker on a knot — mak-
ing considerable noise without much visible result. It
seems that from the earliest settlement there had been a
bitter rivalry between Belleville and Scandia for the pos-
session of the county seat. I do not think the writer had
been in the township twenty-four hours before he was
fully instructed by the older settlers as to the innate vil-
lainy and hopeless rascality of the "Belleville Ring;" they
had stolen the county seat from Scandia, a wrong which
was going to be speedily rectified. We, of Norway, were
all for Scandia; it was our town and place of trade, and as
the years rolled on and there were reports of fresh villain-
ies, we were worked up to fever heat. Every year, just be-
fore election, the Scandia lawyers would come around and
tell us what candidate or measure to vote for, and they
were willingly obeyed. I remember all our old arguments;
"no water could be had in Belleville, or if one did get any,
it was almost poisonous for an honest man or beast,"
although the 'Ring" seemed to thrive on it; no railroad
could ever get there over those hills, and it was al-

168 History of Republic County.

together a pestiferous place." As for Scandia, there was
water there in plenty, it was easy of access to a railroad,
its lawyers were the most learned of the profession, with
an eloquence equalled only perhaps by Clay and Webster,
her merchants the princes of trade, and her editors — with
what bitter sarcasm they assailed the "Belleville Ring, "
especially Jim Humphrey and the Telescope." We sec-
onded every move that Scandia made, and although most
of her schemes miscarried and some of them had an effect
opposite from what was intended, we never faltered in
our allegiance, and great was the reward thereof. Selah!
I remember that at the bond election of which I have
written, we had visitors from Belleville, four I think, I do
not now remember who, except Mr. Allen, commonly
called "Dad." We were glad to see them, for in Norway
our politics do not interfere with our friendships; they
stayed some time and on preparing to go, Mr. Allen called
the writer aside and asked a good many questions as to
how far it was to the graders' camp, how many, if any, were
legal voters here, how many votes we had polled up to the
present moment, etc. When through, I asked him why
all these questions. He replied that it had been reported
in Belleville that we were going to run in a couple of hun-
dred railroad graders who were working just over the line
in Cloud county, to vote against the bonds. After they
had gone, I was asked what we were talking about, and I re-
peated the conversation. There was considerable indigna-
tion. One old gentleman said that because they were a
set of black rascals themselves, they thought everybody
else was, and blamed me for not kicking up a racket, or
else informing him of what they said before they got
away. To this day, I am not clear in my mind as to whether
I did right or wrong in permitting the escape of the Belle-
villians.

In 1879 the village of Elgo was platted by Gus. Nelson,
the proprietor. T. A. Nelson was the pioneer merchant.
Elgo and Norway are identical; Norway being the com-

History of Republic County. 169

mon, and Elgo the scientific name.

In 1H80 the township was divided into two voting pre-
cincts. Norway proper, east, and Norway west side, west of
the river, this division continued until after the building of
the bridge. And now I approach a subject which has been
the crowning event so far in the history of the township —
the building of the Norway bridge, and how we got it,
which, I presume, is a secret to some to this day, when all
will be made clear. As soon as the railroad was in opera
tion, many in the township thought they could see a fair
prospect for a thriving town at Norway; there was a good
productive country all around it, and if there was a bridge
across the river there was no reason why it should not
make an important trading point. So in 1883 we had a
township bond election for building a bridge, which was
defeated. About this time Captain Wm. Walker built the
elevator, and he thought we ought to have a bridge, and
with him, to think is to act. He went to Topeka at his own
expense, and there wrote the present Republic county
bridge law, and ably assisted by our then representative,
Wm. Glasgow, pressed it through the legislature. And to
that action can be credited the splendid bridge system of
the county. Directly after the bill became a law. Captain
Walker telegraphed his son at Norway to have the neces-
sary petition circulated and tiled with the county clerk. In
a few hours the petition was signed by nearly every voter
in the township and on its way to Belleville. We then be-
gan to besiege the county commissioners, singly and in
delegations; we got fair words in plenty, but no bridge.
As we were about to abandon all hope, one day in the spring
of '86 I met an old friend who had been in the county
clerk's office for years, Mr. Perry, who, I suppose from
habit, kept the run of county affairs. He asked how we
were prospering with our bridge project. I felt wearied
by the question and made some answer, I do not recollect
what. His reply, as near as I can remember, was as fol-
lows: "You can get your bridge if you go about it in the

170 History of Republic County.

right way, for at present the law certainly means the Nor-
way bridge. If I lived in Norway township I would be in
favor of engaging competent counsel that the matter might
be properly presented to the board."

Meeting some of the friends of the bridge in Norway,
I repeated the conversation I had with Mr. Perry, and it
was concluded that we would make another effort and the
friends of the bridge were accordingly notified.

From first to last we had many bridge meetings; pro-
bably a hundred, and they had got to be an old thing; peo-
ple had lost heart and supposed we would never get a
bridge, at least not until all the rest of the county had been
supplied. At the meeting only seven appeared, but they
were good ones. From hints we heard we had become dis-
trustful of our guides and mentors — the Scandia lawyers.
Besides we considered it very probable that their feeling
was that a bridge at Scandia was the only one they desired,
as above all things they were loyal to Scandia and to no
other place, hence it was unanimously agreed that if pos-
sible we would secure the assistance of N. T. VanNatta to
present our case.

Our method of choosing a delegation to wait upon Mr.
VanNatta was very simple — we just concluded we would
all go. So in a few days we proceeded to Belleville and
were fortunate in finding him in his office. On stating
our case Mr. NanVatta produced a copy of the session
laws containing the law, and after reading it attentively
remarked, that from the present situation of the river
bridges, the law certainly meant the' Norway bridge, and
sent one of our number to the County Clerks's office for
certain information, which Mr. Studley very kindly and
promptly gave. Mr. Van Natta undertook our case, and
on a certain day when the County Commissioners were in
session, we were to return to Belleville, and meanwhile to
say nothing about the matter; but everything got out, as
it usually does in such cases.

We heard that we were to be opposed, it seems, by a

History of Republic County. 171

petition for a bridge at Sherdahl switch, claiming to be of
an earlier date than ours, which was absurd unless their
petition was dated before the law was passed. One of them
being afterwards asked how he could champion the propo-
sition when the law required the bridges to be at least six
miles apart — Sherdahl being not four — said they did not
mean to measure by section lines, the law did not require
it, they meant to measure the meanders of the river I

On the day appointed we repaired to Belleville and en-
countered Mr. VanNatta in the hallway of the courthouse.
He was there purposely, I believe, to head us off from go-
ing into the county clerk's office where the commissioners
were in session. He rounded us up and told us he had
made some progress with our case, but that Mr. Wilder
and Mr, Wilson were before the commissioners, and had
been all the day before, and he very strongly suspected
they were waiting to oppose our plans, and advised us not
to go in, as the county commissioners had said they had no
desire to hear any arguments, but to leave the whole mat-
ter with him.

Mr. Wells, chairman of the board, also said to some of
our party whom he met on the street. "We will not have
time to consider your bridge petition today; we will be in
session several days, however, and it will receive attention
before we adjourn; in the meantime it will not be neces-
sary for you to remain, your representative will be suffi-
cient."

We took this advice, but before leaving, the writer
could not help steaUng back to the door to take one linger-
ing look at our old time "Standard Bearers" waiting there,
Oh, so patiently! When they saw him standing in the
door they smiled, their smile resembling, I suppose, the
grin of two amiable tigers about to feast on a victim, as
they thought the time for doing us up had come. I gazed
mournfully upon them, as I thought if this was all our re-
ward for our years of devotion to Scandia, rent by all the
pangs of a discarded lover, I fled from the Court house to

172 History of Republic County.

conceal my emotions, when suddenly a great light broke
in upon my mind and a voice seemed to shout in my ear,
"Miserable deluded! all these years you have been swear-
ing at the wrong ring!"

In a few weeks we had the pleasure of seeing in the
official paper of the county, the call for bids for building
the Norway bridge. The bridge was built in 1887 and is
a splendid structure, costing nearly thirteen thousand
dollars.

High up on the bridge the builders placed — and most
properly so — a plate of bronze with the names of the coun-
ty commissioners, Messrs. Wells, Kyle and Smith, en-
graved thereon, and I presume the same is the case with
all the river bridges of the county. But higher yet, over
and above all, on every one of them, in letters of gold a
foot high and on a plate of silver sixteen foot long, should
be inscribed the name of IVilliam Walker.

Since the building of the bridge there has been no
incident proper to record here. We are at peace with all
the world.

Our dreams as to a thriving city at Norway are not, as
yet, fully realized, although it is a busy place where much
stock and grain is bought and many goods are sold.

Shortly after building the bridge the Santa Pe road
was built near the west line of the township and the town
of Kackley, as it were, was built almost in our door yard,
with the station of Courtland and Oneonta to the north and
south of it, thus cutting off a great trade that would have
come to us, so that our visions of the paved streets, brick
blocks, shining minarets and golden towers, (and how
mad we would get because people would continue to put
Republic county on our letters) were bui the empty fabric
of a dream.

The privations to which the pioneer settlers of Norway
township were subjected, and the hardships endured by
them, so graphically described by Mr. Stanton, were the

History of Republic County. 173

common lot of nearly all the settlers of Republic county
during the early 70's.

LINCOLN TOWNSHIP

Was settled by Daniel Myers, in February, 1861, one
of the first settlements in the county. West Creek post-
office was established June 26th, 1871, and Joseph A. Dew-
eese appointed postmaster. Sections 17, 27, 33, 3-4 and
35 are underlaid with coal, and pottery clay is found on the
northeast quarter of section 16. Hydraulic cement is also
found in the township in considerable quantities, and mag-
nesia limestone of most excellent quality is distributed
throughout the entire township. It is watered by West
creek, and has considerable timber.

The township was organized September 4th, 1871, and
the following officers appointed: Alex Mclntyre, Trustee;
Jacob Shafer, treasurer; Ehsha Ray, Constable.

Geo. J. Trowbridge, second treasurer of the county,
was an early settler of this township. The first election
was ordered held at the residence of Jacob Shafer, one of
the early settlers.

The Junction City and Port Kearney branch of the
Union Pacific railroad has a mileage of 0.59 miles in this
township assessed in 1901, at |3028.

GRANT TOWNSHIP.

As stated elsewhere in this history, the first settle-
ment in the county was made in 1861 by Conrad Myers.
He was soon followed by John W. Cory, James G. Tuttle^
Capt. Isaac M. Schooley, C. M. Way, P. P. Way, Charles
A. Campbell, John M. Campbell, Dan Moreland and Thomas
J. Durant, all of whom made settlement during the 60's,
all selecting land with timber and water and some of the
finest bottom land in Republic county, and that they have
prospered is not to be wondered at. Grant is one of the
most prosperous townships in the county, stock growing
and feeding being the leading industries. The great salt
marsh, described in another chapter, lies wholly within

174 History of Republic County.

township. Grant was one of the three townships organ-
ized by the commissioners at their first meeting after the
organization of the county, and its history is interwoven
with the general historj'^ of the county.

It has two lines of railroad:

The B. & M. with 0.27 miles, assessed 1901 $28835

Union Pacific with 5.73 " " " 31011

Total 12.00 Total $59846

OnljT- two other townships have a greater mileage.

ELK CREEK TOWNSHIP.

Elk Creek, lying in the southeast corner of the county,
was settled early in 1868, the first settlers being W. H.,
Geo. W. and E. A. Willoughby, Wm. Oliver, A. Mapes, M.
H. Harper, Samuel and Robert Edwards, Roman te Alder-
man and Prank Smith. John Manning, G. W. Johnson,
Reuben James and John W. Jarrett arrived October 15th,
the same year; and C. G. Bowers and family, on the 16th.
John H. Ranney came later in the fall. David Doran
is among the early settlers and is still a resident of the
township.

Elk creek flows from north to south across the town-
ship, affording plenty of water, and in many places along
its banks, there is considerable timber. Limestone, for
building purposes, is abundant. The township was or-
ganized in 1871.

At the election held in April, 1872, the following town-
ship officers were elected: Robert H. Vining, trustee; P.
McDonald, clerk; Geo. W. Johnson, treasurer; John Can-
ary, justice of the peace; H. S. Cole, constable; P. M. Ja
quays, constable.

The first marriage in the township was R. H. Vining
and Martha J. Oliver, January 1st, 1869.

The township is crossed by C. R. I. and Pacific rail-
road, with a mileage of 6.01 miles, assessed in 1901 aD |42-
804.

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History of Republic County. 175

CHAPTER XVI.

CITIES AND TOWNS.

BELLE\T[LLE CITY.

The Belleville Townsite Company was organized on
the 25th day of September, 1869, and the following named
persons were reported as charter members: James E.
VanNatta, A. B. Tutton, W. A. Means, J. H. Print, T. C.
Reily, W. H. H. Reily, W. A. Dugger, John McFarlane,
John Harris, jr., B. F. Sayler, T. C. Smith, W. W. Newlon,
John W. Cory, G. H. Jackson and N. T. VanNatta.

The site selectedwas the NWi of section 2. town 3 south,
range 3 west, the same being made with a view to a central
location in the county. On motion of A. B. Tutton, the town
was christened Belleville, in honor of Arabelle, his wife.
At this time the town was on paper wholly, no buildings
having been erected, nor improvements of any kind made.
At this meeting the following resolution was unanimously
adopted: '■'■ Resolved, That this company proposes Belle-
ville as a point for the county seat of Republic county,
Kansas, and that we all use due exertion, as a company and
individually, for its election." Subsequent events show
that this company stood together to carry out this resolu-
tion.

At the second meeting of the company, held August

27th, the charter and by-laws were adopted, and the fol-
lowing officers elected: J. E. VanNatta, president; John
McFarlane, secretary; John Harris, jr., treasurer; B. F.
Sayler, J. C. Reily and A. B. Tutton, were elected direct-
ors. A portion of the townsite was surveyed by E. P.
Hedenskogg, county surveyor, in the fall of 1869.

The third meeting was held November 13th, 1869, at
which meeting R. P. West moved that a house 16x18 feet
be erected for the use of the company, and that the logs
for the same be placed on the ground by November 27th,
which motion prevailed. A. B. Tutton was chosen chair-

176 History of Republic County.

man of the board of directors, and the meeting adjourned.

No more meetings were held until March, 1870, when
1,000 feet of native lumber was purchased Ijv $35, de-
livered, and Mr. Tutton authorized to receive bids for dig-
ging a well.

The next meeting was held April 4th and the job of
digging the well was let to Dave Woodruff.

Next meeting was held May 29th, 1870, when the fol-
lowing plan and specifications for 'inishing the house were
adopted:

T^esolved, That the town house be chinked with rock,
daubed with mortar, covered with cottonwood shingles,
one door and one window cut and finished, gables finished
with lumber, window to be in the east and door in the
west end.

Opportunity w".s now offered for bids to finish the
house in accordance with the above plans and specifica-
tions, and the same being received and considered, the
contract was awarded to John G Rich for the sum of $26,
the house to be completed in twe'.^y days, which we pre-
sume, was complied with, although this the record does
not show. We may state, in passing, that W. P. Weeks
slept in this house on the night of April 28tij. 1870, before
it was roofed, he being the first citizen that si t on the
town site. This log building, standing alone on i^e high
prairie, with no other buildings or timber in sight, • re-
sented an apperance of incongruity; yet the squatty ii^t!*^
structure had an air of newness about it that was quite
refreshing.

This house has frequently been referred to as the log
court house. This is a mistake as it was never used for
that purpose. The county commissioners held a few
meetings in it in 1870 and one or two suits before justices
of the Peace were tried there in the summer of 1871.

In this house the first store was kept, by J. C. Bright;
the first postoftice by A. B. Tutton, postmaster; and the
first school taught by Mrs. Eliza G. Latham, in the winter

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Residence of J. C. Gurnea, Belleville City.

History of Republic Comity. Ill

of 1870-71. It was also used for church purposes, lectures
and lyceums and later was occupied as a dwelling house.
The first building erected on the north side of the
public square was the Belleville hotel, built by William
Piper, from Macoupin county, Illinois, completed and
opened for business about the middle of September, 1870,
The original was about 16x32 feet, 14 feet in height and
had a board tioor and shingle roof. I mention the fact in
regard to the lloor and roof as being exceptional for these
days, making this hotel a celebrated one west of the sixth
principal meridian. It was what was then called a "box
house," the siding being pine stock boards twelve inches
wide, standing up and do wn and battened with pine strips two
inches in width, was sided with native lumber, principally
Cottonwood, and unbattened, all without lath or plaster and
was not guilty of paint either outside or in. Mr. Piper re-
received from the Town Company, as a bonus for building
this house, two choice lots on the public square and an ex-
cellent residence lot three blocks away. At all times dur-
ing dry weather, the guests of this house while seated at
the table, enjoyed a tine perspective through the openings
between the boards, which at times but partially enclosed
the north end of the building, of the future fine farming
lands of Freedom and Liberty townships, with the dimly
described fertile plains of Thayer county, Nebraska, in the
distance. 1\\ rainy weather, however, these openings
would close and the beautiful landscape would be obscured
from view. The front part of this building, 12x16, was
used as an office, parlor, confectionery store, cigar store
and wash room. The rear 16x20 feet, for dining room and
kitchen, but where the dining room left off and the kitch-
en commenced, I believe was never definitely determined.
In cold and stormy weather some of the guests would,
after having their meals served, take their plates and cof-
fee and gather around the kitchen stove, while others
would retire to the parlor, their footprints being easily
traced in the snow, greatly to the annoyance and disgust

178 History of Republic County.

of the chief cook and head waiter, who frequently in-
dulged in remarks which could not possibly be construed
as complimentary to the offending guests. The bill of
fare consisted of corn bread and bacon, sorghum and cof-
fee, with beans twice a week. On holidays and festival
occasions, buffalo steak and jack rabbits were sometimes
served.

This j)eriod is known in history as the "Cornbread
and Sorghum Era" in Republic county.

The entire upper story was used for sleeping apart-
ments, six in number, the bridal chamber 10x16 feet be-
ing the south room and immediately over the parlor. The
other rooms were occupied by Mr. Piper and family, the
cook and waiters, regular boarders and transient guests.

Mr. Piper was also the proprietor of another and less
pretentious building, standing near the hotel, remembered
by the early settlers as the cottonwood saloon which also
has a history, as will be noticed in another chapter.

In the spring of 1871 Piper moved to his claim two
and one-half miles north of town, the farm now owned by
S. T. Collins, the hotel being managed during the summer
by J. B. Whitsell, reputed to be a bigamist from Mexico,
Mo. Whitsell resigned in the fall, his place being taken
by Mr. Solomon Wilcox, an old and highly respected citi-
zen, father-in-law of J. A. Mosher. Mr. Wilcox kept the
house until March, 1872. During the summer of that year
V. Vantrump having purchased the premises, enlarged,
refitted and refurnished the house and kept, for those
days, a reasonably good hotel. Vantrump was succeeded
by Geo. H. Wilkes, a practical hotel keeper, who made the
Belleville hotel for the first time in its history, a desir-
able stopping place, spreading a table which has not to
this day been surpassed in Belleville. Mr. Wilkes was
followed by William Haskett, who raised the building, put
in the basement and otherwise improved and refitted the
house. Under his management the hotel was well kept
and well patronized.

History of Republic County. 179

James H. Bradd, of Albion township, took charge of
the house the summer of 1875 and managed it until his
death January 1, 1877. Mr. Bradd was succeeded by P.
N. Munger, who took charge January 12th, 1877, and man-
aged the same in a satisfactory manner until May 23d of
that year, when he was succeeded by Capt. Geo. L. White,
now of Scandia, who kept the house fully up to the de-
mands of the times and was a genial and popular landlord.
Capt. White's successor was Moses J. Post, now in Den-
ver, Colorado, who built what was called the "new part"
and under his management the hotel was a credit to the
city and increased in popularity. This building about
which so much historic interest clusters was, with four
other frame buildings on the north side, with nearly all
their contents, destroyed by fire on the evening of Sep-
tember 25, 1888.

During the summer and fall of 1870 several substan-
tial business houses were built, among which we mention,
a general store on the southwest corner of the public
square, by G. D. Bowling, a drug and grocery store, by J.
C. Griflith; a general store, by Vantrump & Hallowell; and
a hotel on the north side of the square, by Wm. Piper.
During the summer of 1870 the little Telescope was started,
the first issue being on the 20th of September. Geo. Wood
started the first blacksmith shop in the fall, on the south-
west corner of the square. Charles Blanchard opened the
first wagon shop, and manufactured the first wagon and
the first buggy at Belleville in August, 1872.

Everything seems to have worked harmoniously and
well until the latter part of the year 1870, when A. B. Tut-
ton, a member of the board of directors, accompanied by
Marshall Stone and J. C. Bright as witnesses, proceeded
to the land office at Junction City, where he represented
himself as president of the Townsitecompany and author-
ized and empowered by said company to make final proof
on the NWi of section 2, town 3, range 3, the tract se-
lected as the townsite of Belleville. With the assistance of

180 History of Republic Countv.

Stone and Bright, on whom the obligations of an oath
seem to have rested very lightly, he succeeded in mak-
ing final proof, taking receiver's receipt in his own name.
We had heard before this of a man stealing a barn in the
state of New York, but this was the first case we recollect
of where a whole townsite had been stolen. Soon after
this Tutton left for parts unknown, but was pursued by
R. W. VanDyke and W. S. Latham, acting for the town
company, who, after a long and tedious search, captured
him at York Center, Nebraska, and brought him to Belle-
ville to answer for his crookedness. A rope and a limb of
a tree were talked of, but' better counsels prevailed, a
compromise effected, and Tutton deeded the townsite
back to the company, after which he was allowed to depart
in peace.

This fraudulent final proof made by Tutton was after-
ward cancelled by the general land office. On the 9th day
of August, 1872, the town company requested J. C. Grif-
fith, probate judge, to prove up on the Belleville town site.
For this purpose he was provided, by the company, with
agricultural college scrip. On the 10th of August the
judge reported that he had made final proof as requested,
whereupon the town company resolved to issue deeds on
demand to those entitled to them. But towards the latter
part of February, 1873, intelligence was received from the
land office that the commissioner of the general land office
at Washington had refused to accept agricultural college
scrip in payment of townsites, and that the scrip sent had
been returned. By direction of the town company, C.
H. Smith and V.Vantrump, accompanied by Judge Boothe,
proceeded to Concordia, and made final proof on the town
site, by paying cash, on the 28th day of February, 1873,
just in time to make the town property taxable for that
year; and so at last, after much delay and vexation, a title
was obtained, the patent being received October 1st, 1874.
On the first day of December, 1874, the unsold lots belong-
ing to the company were divided by lot among the stock-

History of Republic County. 181

holders, and the Belleville Townsite Company, after an
eventful career of over five years, was dissolved.

Belleville was incorporared as a city of the second
class January 10th, 1878, embracing 1,000 acres, com-
mencing at the northeast corner of the SE^of section 35,
in township ll south, range three west, thence west 400 rods
thence south 400 rods, thence east 400 rods, thence north
400 rods to the place of beginning. This description in-
cluded the townsite of Belleville, viz., the NB i, section 2,
town 3, range 3, and contained a population of 260.

The first election was held January 26, 1878, when the
following officers were elected: Wra. H. Woodward, May-
or; William Haskett, Police Judge; Chauncey Perry, Ed-
win Knowles, Daniel Miller, Ed. E. Chapman and P. N.
Munger, councilmeu.

The following were the appointed oflicers: Willis C.
Allen, city marshal; A. E. Taylor, city attorney; Charles
H. Smith, city clerk; Columbus Taj^lor, city treasurer;
W. C. Allen, street commissioner. Among the first or-
dinances passed was one relating to dram shops, saloons,
taverns and tippling houses, also one to prevent intoxica-
tion, so it seems our early city fathers were not unmind-
ful of the existence of these evils and were employing
their best talent in legislating against them.

The first dram shop license issued by the city author-
ities was issued to M. Patrie, February 12th, 1878.

The regular election for city ofticers was held April
11th, when the first oflicers were all re-elected.

The mayors, while a city of the third class, have been
W. H. Woodward, 1878 and 1879; Chauncey Perry, 1880
and 1881; F. N. Munger, 1882: S. G. Stover, 1883. At the
election in 1884 E. A. Hallowell and S. C. Crummer re-
ceived an equal number of votes for mayor, which was de-
cided by lot, the otfice falling to Hallowell. S. C. Crum-
mer, 1885; W. C. Allen, 1886; T. R. May, 1887.

At a regular council meeting held November 1st, 1887,
Joseph P. Sherer was appointed enumerator to take the

182 History of Republic County.

census of the city with a view of organizing as a city of
the second-class. Mr. Sherer performed that duty and re-
ported December 8th that the city contained a population
of 2,104. Mr. Sherer must have been an expert, for he
found a greater number of people here than any one else
has been able to find either before or since. However,
the report was accepted and a petition at once forwarded
to Governor John A. Martin, asking that the city of Belle-
ville be declared a city of the second-class, which petition
was acted upon favorably and on February 14th, 1888, in
pursuance of the proclamation of the governor, it was de-
clared by the mayor and city council to be a city of the
second-class, its boundaries greatly enlarged and divided
into wards as follows: All that portion of the city south
of the C. K. & N. Railway and east of Commercial street
to be known as Ward No. 1 ; all that south of the C. K. &
N. Railway and west of Commercial to be known as Ward
No. 2, and all that portion north of the C. K. &. N. Railway
to be known as Ward No. 3. The boundaries of these
wards have never been changed.

Mayors and clerks of Belleville as city of the sec-
ond-class:

MA.YORS. CLERKS.

E. M. Crummer 1888 J. H. Long .1888

Geo. S. Simonds 1889-1890 J. H. Long 1889

T. M. Noble 1891-1892 T. A. (Jordry first half 1890

G. E. Knowlton 1893-1894 John C. Hogin. . . .last half 1890

Resigned October 22, 1894. E. B. Towle '91-'92- '93

John M. Doyle, from November R. M. Armstrong 1894

6, 1894 to April 9, 1895. John C. Hogin, from Novem-

Amos Pierce '95-'96 6, 1894-'95-'96-'9T-'98-'99-'00.

James Shepherd '97-'98

H. T. Crawford J899

Resigned September 4, 1900.
John M. Doyle, acting mayor until September 28th, when Geo
S. Spencer was elected to fill vacancy.

Amos Pierce 1901

The postmasters at Belleville have been:

A. B. Tutton, appointed Feb. 18th, 1870

Volney Vantrump, " Jan. 16th, 1871

Belleville Cash Store,
Loomis & Hollands worth. Proprietors.

History of Republic County. 183

Eli W. Wag-ner, " June, 11th, 1877

Volney Vantrump, " Oct. 25th, 1877

William A lirock, " June llth, 1883

Max J . Ahvens, " July 31st, 1885

John McLaury, " March28th, 1888

William A. Brock, " Feb. 28th, 1891

Charles P. Baldwin." March20th, 1895

Joseph H. Long-, •' April 1st, 1899

Madge E. Long, " Sept. 22nd, 1899

Messrs. A. H. Loomis and W. A. Hollandsworth came
to Belleville February 27th, 1899, and opened a general
store in the south room of the hotel block, which they now
use as a flour and feed room. The building shown in the
cut was erected especially for them during the summer of
1900. It has a frontage of fifty feet, is eighty feet deep,
with a tine basement, making a total floor space in the two
rooms of 56,000 square feet. They have more than quad-
rupled their stock since they commenced business. They
have their own light plant and have one of the lightest and
best equipped store rooms in Republic county. They are
both young men and hustlers, anticipating a bright future
in their business. In answer to a question as to their
success, said they owe it to selling lots of goods at small
profits.

Belleville, with a population of 2000 is beautifully sit-
uated on high, gently rolling upland, very nearly in the
center of the county. It is the junction for two divisions
of the great Rock Island system. The Junction City
branch of the Union Pacific terminates here, giving this
section another direct line to the east and west. The city
has a fine water system and the telephone service is sur-
passed by none; a large first class flouring mill and ele-
vator combined, and two other large elevators. There are
nine church organizations here, with six substantial church
edifices, all well sustained and flourishing. A graded
school, with three handsome school buildings in which nine
teachers are employed at least eight months in the year;
a fine opera house, complete in all its appointments; two

184 History of Republic Cotmty.

good weekly newspapers, one of which has the best plant
of any city of its size in the state; an elegant court house
and jail, although the last named building is but little used,
as more peaceable and law-abiding people are nowhere to
be found,

SCANDIA CITY.

The first settlement made at Scandia was in the fall
of 1868, by the members of the Scandinavian Agricultural
Society, of Chicago, Illinois. The first settlers to arrive

were M. Johnson, Charles Lesom, P. Walin, Lundin,

John Strom, F. Granstadt, A. Bergren, A. Erickson, J. R.
Sandell, John Holmstrom and Peter Johnson. The town
was named New Scandinavia.

The first store was built in the fall of 1869, by J. R.
Sandell, size 8 feet square, and his first stock of goods in-
voiced one hundred and twenty -five dollars. This was the
first store started in Republic county. The second busi-
ness house was built b}^ A. B. Whiting, of Milford, Davis
county, who kept a stock of general merchandise. The
third was Wilson Brothers — Charles and A. D. — who kept
a general store, starting in the spring of 1870. The next
was a grocery house, by August Weld, who commenced
business some time in the summer. A. T. Miller and
Amos Coyle built a business house in the summer of 1870,
and commenced general merchandising in the fall. Dr.
Amos Coyle started a drug store the same fall. L. C. Han-
son opened the "Hanson House" early in the spring of
1870, being the first hotel in Republic county.

At the time the settlement was made at Scandia, the
nearest settler on the south was one Dutton, in Cloud
county, about sixteen miles down the river. The nearest
on the east was the Salt Creek settlement, about fourteen
miles distant, and S. M. Fisher and a few others had made
settlement on White Rock Creek. In the spring of 1869,
immediately after the killing of the boy Granstadt, by the
Indians, E. B. Pedersen was dispatched to Fort Riley, the

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Hislorv of Republic County. 185

nearest military post, for assistance, but failed to procure
any at That time. A short time after, however, seventy-
five men under the command of Col. Weir, were sent to
Scandia, where they remained on duty about two months.

The post office was established July 1st, 1869, E. H.
Hansen being the first postmaster, and the office was •
called New Scandinavia. This was the third postoffice es-
tablished in the county. The mail was brought from
Junction City once a week. The postmasters at New
Scandinavia have been:

E. H. Hansen, aupointed June 24 1869

August Asbjournson, ai)pointed Jan 24 1870

John R. Sandell, appointed Aug 11 1870

Jacob L. Gui, appointed Apr 25 1872

Charles N. Hogan, appointed Oct 11 1872

Jacob L. Gui, appointed Dec 12 1872

John R. Sandell, appointed May 11874

Charles Peterson, appointed July 16 1875

Name changed to Scandia June 7 1876

Charles Peterson, appointed June 7 1876

Adelbert B. Wilder, appointed Feb 26 1877

John Hadsell, appointed Feb 211878

George L. White, appointed Mch 17 1881

William Walker, appointed July 3 188()

Stoy E. Ware, appointed May 11891

William Walker, appointed Mch 29 1893

Albert B. Kimball, appointed May 6 1897

Geo. Lembke was the first Justice of the Peace in
Scandia township, being appointed by Gov. Harvey, in the
spring of 1870, which office he held for several years. The
first school taught in Scandia was in the summer of 1870,
by Maria Young, now the wife of Walter Johnson. This
was a three months' subscription school, and was taught
in the old colony building, afterward purchased by the
district, and used for several years as a school house.

The Atchison, Republican Valley, and Pacific Railroad
company was organized in April, 1878, and work com-
menced in June of the same year. The first train ran into
Scandia, December 24th, 1878.

The Hanson House was destroyed by fire, October 22,

186 History of Republic County.

1879; was rebuilt the same fall, and reopened in just three
months from the date of the lire.

The order of incorporation of Scandia as a city of the
third class, was made March 28th, 1879. First election
held on the 15th of April, 1879, at which A. D. Wilson was
elected mayor, C. W. Gulick, D. P. Longnecker, T. A. Nel-
son, L. C. Hanson and A. B. Wilder, councilmen. R. L.
Whitney was elected police judge. A. D. Marble was
appointed city clerk; Isaac McClun, treasurer, and M. J.
Sigsbee, marshall and street commissioner.

The first sawmill was brought to the county by the
Scandinavian colony in the fall of 1868. It was hauled
from Waterville on a wagon with six wheels, drawn by
five yoke of oxen and was set up in Scandia on the river
bank just south of where Pinney's elevator now stands.
The mill was owned by the colony and remained at Scan-
dia until the spring of 1870, when it was moved three
miles down the river to the quarter section which after-
wards became the homestead of Charles Nordmark,
where it was operated until the fall of that year by Ras-
musson brothers and L. Ellingson, these parties having
rented it of the colony. It was then moved some three
and one-half miles further down the river to the home-
stead of Joseph Merica, the farm now being owned by
Joseph Blosser, where it remained until the spring
of 1871, when it was moved back to Scandia and a
grist mill attached. William Bell, late county commis-
sioner, being the foreman and boss miller in the grist
mill department for the years 1871 and 1872. The mill
was remodeled and considerably improved in 1873 by the
addition of a new engine, two runs of new burrs, new bolt-
ing machinery, etc. The dam across the river, one-half
mile above the old site of the mill, was built in 1876, at an
expense of $5,000, and the mill moved and rebuilt. Excel-
lent water power was obtained, with a fall of six feet,
Leffel's Turbine wheel running four burrs, two for wheat,
one for corn, and one for middlings. Capacity of the

History of Republic County. 187

mill, 150 barrels of Hour per day besides corn and mid-
dlings: size of mill, ;>()x4o feet, two and a half stories high
besides basement. This mill was successfully operated
by C. F. Ericson until it was destroyed by fire and
has not been rebuilt.

Scandia is the second city in population and commer-
cial importance in Republic county, pleasantly located in
the Republican valley at the intersection of the Rock
Island and Missouri Pacific, has a graded school in which
the higher branches are taught, a fine city hall, a good
weekly newspaper, several churches and ample elevator
facilities for handling the immense quantity of grain
which finds a good market there.

CUBA.

The old town of Cuba was located on the NW i of
section 4, in Richland township, and on the SW i of sec-
tion 33 in Farmington township, on the main road leading
from Belleville to Washington. John Swan built the first
business house there in 1873 and for several years it was
a place of considerable trade.

When the B. & M. Railroad was built it missed the
place and a new town also called Cuba was started about
three miles southwest at the intersection of the Burling-
ton & Missouri and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific
Railroads. The town was laid out in the spring of 1884,
and N. O. Danefer built the first general store and for
several years was the leading merchant in the town. John
D. Bennett published the first newspaper, "The Cuban,"
in the summer of 1885, it being the first paper published
in the eastern portion of the county. It is now a flour-
ishing little city of about 600 people, the population being
about equally divided between native and foreign born,
the foreigners being principally Bohemians, several of
whom are leading business men of the city. It has two
newspapers, a graded school, several churches, many
first-class business houses and ample facilities forhandl-

188 History of Republic County.

ing the grain and live stock of the county tributary to the
place, making it the third city in the county in population
and the amount of business transacted.

COURTLAND.

Courtland, in the west part of the county, located at
the crossing of the Rock Island and Santa Fe roads, is an
enterprising little city, with a weekly newspaper, a good
bank, schools and churches, good facilities for handling-
grain and is justly noted as being one of the best grain
markets in the county, as it is located in one of the best
agricultural centers in the state, and no farming commu-
nity in Kansas is more substantial, intelligent or prosper-
ous. Its history from the first has been one of steady
growth, all its citizens working in harmony for the up-
building of the city.

It was incorporated as a city of the third-class July
18th, 1 892, on the petition of A. A. Burk and fifty-nine
others.

The first election was ordered held at the office of the
Courtland Register on Monday, July 25th, for the purpose
of electing a mayor, police judge and five councilmen.
The election was held as ordered, 112 ballots being cast,
which being canvassed resulted in the election of C. Ever-
est, mayor; C. F. Litsinger, police judge; A. N. Smith,
L. F. Bradley, W. W. Stewart, T. L. Freeland, C. N. El-
liott, councilmen.

The mayors have been: C. Everest, 1892. L. P.
Bradley was elected in April, 1893. and served until June
7th when he resigned, W. S. Conaway acting as mayor un-
til November 13th. when A. A. Burk was elected and
served until the end of the term.

A. A. Burk 1894 and 1895

A. N. Smith 1896

A. A. Burk 1897

Wm. Bateman 1898 and 1899

Paul Smith 1900

C. M. Gevrev 1901

History of Republic County. 1H9

NARKA.

The original plat of the townsite of Narka was filed for
record by M. A. Low, president, and C. J. Gilson, secre-
tary of the Kansas Town and Land Company, Sept, 8th,
1887. A corrected plat was filed Oct. 13th, same year,
comprising 14 blocks, being all that part of section 16, town
one south, range one west, which lies south of the right of
way of the C. K. and N. Railway. Reeder's addition to
Narka, containing blocks one and two, situated in the SW
\ of section 15, town one. Range one, was filed for record,
April 4th, 1889. Brenneman's addition, containing three
blocks in the NE corner of section 21, was filed for record
Peburary 6th, 1894.

Narka was incorporated as a city of the third class,
April 9th, 1894, and the first election held May 14th, when
the following oflicers were elected: J. V. Campbell,
mayor; H. Beck, police judge; J. E. Walker, D. W. Dus-
kin, S. H. Bacon, A. L. Brandon, A Brosh, Councilmen.

The city council organized May 18, 1894. The mayor's
have been: J. V. Campbell, 1894; B. H. Speer, 1895, '96,
'97; R. A. Larabee, 1893; J. E. Arnold, 1899; G. E. Moore,
1900; S. M. Hunt, 1901.

Population in 1901, 275, ranking as the 5th city in the
county in population. The first hotel in the town was built
in the fall of 1887 by James Foreman. The first buiness
house was built by U. B. Mclntyre, a drug and grocery
store, the same fall. The first physician was Dr. Edward
Stone, who built the store now ocupied by Wm. Thomas.
The first postmaster was S. M. Edwards. The Narka
News, a live and bright paper, is published weekly by
Howard E. Moore.

Narka is surrounded by a fine farming country; is an
excellent trading and shipping point, where all branches
of trade are well represented.

REPUBLIC CITY.

Republic City is located on section 36, in Big Bend

190 History of Republic County.

township. In March, 1878, A. B. Young- purchased the
S W i of NE i of said section at a public sale of school land,
with the view of starting a town. Mr. Young had asso-
ciated with him, Milton Grim, H. S. Stone, T. F. Marlett.
J. B. Pollard, Fred and Wm. Elliott each contributed ten
acres of land, making seventy acres in all, with seven
members as a town company. The company was chart-
ered immediately and in May twelve blocks were laid off
and lots offered free to any person who would build on them.
About the first of October E. B. Duncan moved a small
dwelling house from his farm, three miles away, and built
a blacksmith shop about the same time. These were the
first buildings on the town site.

Gomeria postoffice was moved from Mr. Pollard's, in
October, to Duncan's, and Mr. Duncan appointed post-
master. In May, 1879, Mr. A. Capers erected a business
house, the town company donating him two lots. The
postoffice was then moved from Duncan's to Capers, and
the latter appointed postmaster, holding the office until in
1882, when H. Stone was appointed.

In June, 1879, Wm. Spotts built a small blacksmith
shop and dwelling house combined. Mr. Spotts opened the
first boarding house in the city. In September, E. Kerns
erected the second business house, keeping dry goods and
groceries. His building was blown down and Mr. Kerns
soon after left. At the close of the year there were eight
or nine buildings on the town site.

In June, 1879, the town was surveyed,and lots offered
for sale. In the fall, the extension of the Central Branch
from Scandia to the state line was commenced, and some
grading done. In the spring of 1880 the railroad was
completed, depot built and trains commenced running in
June. C. W. Gulick built the famous New York store, 20
x50 feet, in May of the same year. The Chicago Lumber
Company opened a yard in June, with D. S. Zanker as
manager. In the fall, George Michel erected his large

History of Republic County. 191

and commodious livery stable. Another blacksmith shop
was built, and an elevator erected.

During the year 1881, the growth of the town was
rapid. Many large business houses and several elegant
dwelling houses were erected, and its growth has been
healthful and continuous ever since, until it has become
one of the liveliest little cities in Northern Kansas, being
noted far and wide for the vast amount of grain and live
stock it ships annually. An elegant city hall 40x80 feet, of
which the citizens feel justly proud and which would be
an honor to any city of three times its size, has just been
completed. Republic City was incorporated as a city of
the third class, April 23rd, 1885, since which time the fol-
lowing well known citizens have been chosen mayors.

Ralph W.Polly 1885

R. T. Stanfield' 1887 and 1888

J.W.Goodrich 1889

F. W. Craft ^ 1890

R. T. Stanfield 1891 and 1892

J.W.Goodrich 1893 and 1894

R. W. Polly 1895

Gomer T. Davies 1896

H. A Baxter 1897

E. V. Rockhold 1898 and 1899

J. W. Boughner a part of 1899

W. H. Stinson 1900 and 1901

The village of Munden, so called from John Munden,
owner of the land on which the town is built and trustee
for Jane Ann Stephens, is located on the north line of
Fairview township. The original townsite was surveyed
by E. W. Wagner, county surveyor, on the 29th and 30th
days of September, 1887, containing seven blocks situated
north of the C, K. & N. Railway in the northwest corner
of section three (3) and the northeast corner of section
four (4). The original plat was tiled for record October
31st, 1887. The first addition comprising blocks eight,
nine and ten lying south of the C, K. & N. Railway, was
filed for record August 18th, 1890.

John Washichek built the first general store in the fall

]92 History of Republic County.

of 1887 and commenced selling goods in October of that
year. Wesley Skocdopole was the first blacksmith com-
mencing business early in the fall of 1887.

A. M. Canfield, postmaster at Bethel, built a store
building in the fall of 1887 and commenced business the
last of October, 1887. He was the first postmaster at
Munden. John Epherson, a Swede, built a millinery store
building in the winter of 1887 and 1888. Joseph Kuchera
built a hardware store in the spring of 1888, moved to
Munden and commenced selling goods May 6th of that year.
Anton Stransky built a business house in the summer of
1888 and commenced selling goods August 1st. Amasa
Welch built and kept the first restaurant and boarding
house in the summer of 1888, running until fall, when he
sold out to John Whitlach. The building is now occupied
by Dr. G. E. Gray as a drug store. The Odd Fellows' hall,
a two-story frame building, was moved from Ida to Mun-
den in the summer of 1888. C. L. Houdek was the first to
do business in this building in Munden. It was destroyed
by fire June 28th, 1895. Was rebuilt of brick and dedi-
cated April 26th, 1896. This building stands on the Rose
Creek side of the line, is the best building in the town and
is now occupied by Bowersox & McCall as a general store.

Mr. O. A. Allen commenced business in 1892 as grocer
and confectioner and is still in business as a general store-
keeper. Joseph Stransky built a general store in 1894 and
has been in business ever since. Mr. Stransky is the
present postmaster.

The grain business is represented by John W. KeUey
and the Davis Elevator Company. The station agent is
H. H. Howes.

NEVA OR AGENDA.

Neva is the name of the town and Agenda the name of
the railroad station and postoffice. This town was laid out
in 1887. The first building erected on the townsite other
than railroad buildings was a store 28x50 feet, built by
Joseph Cox in the fall of 1887. This building was rented

History of Republic Comity. 193

by Stephen Bradley, who commenced selling goods in No-
vember of that year and is still in the business at the same
place. Geo. W. Smith built the second store and sold
goods for several years.

The grain elevator was built some two years later.
The postoffice was kept at the depot for some time, when
it was moved to Bradley's store and Bradley appointed
postmaster, where it has been ever since, except during
the four years of Cleveland's administration, during
which time Geo. W. Smith was postmaster.

WAYNE.

The town of Wayne was laid out in May, 1884, imme-
diatel}^ after the B. & M. railroad was built. It is located
on the SE i of section 9-4-2, this quarter being the home-
stead of Isaac Walton, and which had been purchased by
the Lincoln Land company for a town site. Wm. Hill
erected a small frame building in August, 1884, which he
occupied as a store, selling the first goods in Wayne.

Olof and Hans England built a store in the fall of that
year, which was rented to and occupied by George A. Ho-
vey, as a store. Isaac Walton erected a store building
about the same time. The stone block was built in the lat-
ter part of 1884 and the spring of '85. The east room was
built by M. S. Herring and occupied by him as a bank.
John M. and Charles A. Campbell built the "next two rooms
and V. W\ Wimer, the west room. John M. Campbell built
the hotel in the fall of 1885.

Wayne is surrounded by a fine farming and stock-
raising country and is a good trading point, all branches of
trade being well represented.

HARBINE OR BYRON.

Harbine is located on the NE i of section 4, town 1
south, range 4 west, in RepubUc county, and on the SE i
of section 33, town 1 north, range 4 west, in Nebraska,
and is on the line of the B. & M. railroad.

The first building erected on the townsite was the

194 History of Republic County.

railroad depot, in August, 1880. The second was a busi-
ness house, by Boorman & Waite, on the Kansas side of
the railroad. The next were a dwelling house, by David
Carpenter, and a grain house by Gregg & Keyser, in the
fall of the same year. Mr. Noah Miles, an old resident of
Republic county, built the hotel in 1831, and Harsh & Son
opened a lumber yard about the same time. Boorman &
Waite built a second business house on the north side of
the railroad, in March, 1883. Since that time as business
increased, several business houses have been erected.
This is a convenient shipping point, for one of the best ag-
ricultural sections of country in northern Kansas and
southern Nebraska. Nearly all branches of trade are
represented here, and the town is in a highly prosperous
condition.

KACKLEY.

This thriving and prosperous little town is located in
Beaver township on the A. T. & S. Fe railroad, is sur-
rounded by a rich agricultural country and is justly noted
as being one of the best grain markets and shipping points
in Republic county, especially for corn, which frequently
commands a higher price here than at any other point in
the county.

CHAPTER XVIL

CHURCHES.

Every shade of rehgious opinion and belief is repre-
sented, from Roman Catholics to Latter-Day Saints. As
stated in another chapter, the first gospel sermon
preached was by a representative of the M. E. church, at
a very early date in the history of the county; and this
denomination seems to have been the pioneers in religious
organization and work, and. are, perhaps, more widely
diffused than any other in this county.

Methodist Episcopal Church, Belleville, Kansas.

History of Republic County. 195

The first to organize was the M. E. church in Grant
township, known as the Pairview church, during the latter
part of the year 1870, and the meeting house was built in
the summer of 1872, being the first house of worship
erected in the county. Rev. E. R. Brown was the insti-
gator of the enterprise, Thomas Gray being the architect
and builder. This house was erected under great disad-
vantages, as nearly all the lumber was hauled from Water-
ville. This building is on the farm of A. W. Way and has
been used by him for several years as a barn. In 1885 the
Evangelical society erected a fine house of worship in
Wayne at a cost of about $2600, and it was dedicated as an
Evangelical church, but it was also used by the Metho-
dists, who a few years ago purchased the house and now
own and occupy it as a place of worship. Preaching once
in two weeks, Rev. Mann being the pastor.

I am indebted to Mr. John Fulcomer for the following
highly interesting historical sketch of the M. E church at
Belleville :

THE BELLEVILLE M. E. CHURCH.

In reviewing the proceedings of the church from its
infancy, which is nearly all within the last quarter of a
century — that being just the time that has elapsed since
the issuing of the charter of its incorporation — Methodis-
tic aggressiveness is clearly visible in all the enterprises
that tend to the elevation and eternal welfare of mankind.
And to this rule the pioneer settlers of Republic and ad-
joining counties were no exception, when we remember
that not many ages have passed since this vast domain
was considered as being a worthless and barren waste,
but by the heroic efforts of the people who, by their per
sistence and the use of brain and muscle have caused it to
blossom as the rose, at the same time remembering the
source of all blessings. So in order that they might the
more acceptably worship God they banded themselves to-
gether in Christian fellowship and commenced the holding

]96 History of Republic County.

of religious services. The names of the persons thus unit-
ing in the years of 1870 and '71 were in part as follows:
R. P. Cheney and wife, J. P. Wells and wife, James S.
Price and wife, R. P. West and wife, G. A. Hovey and
wife, vS. K. Waterson and wife, W. P. Compton and wife,
H. B. Buck and wife, Ezra Mackey and wife, J. P. Ball and
wife, Charles Counter and wife, Wm. Bond and wife, J.
Beers and wife, John Watson and wife, Mrs. Annie S.
Humphrey, Samuel Thompson and wife, Mrs. J. G. Rich,
Mrs. W. S. Latham, James Anderson and J. Fulcomer and
wife.

The first services held in the city of Belleville, accord-
ing to the best recollection of persons now living here,
were held in the log court house the day after the roof
was put on. The dimensions of this building were about
16x18 feet, one story high. The sermon on that occasion
was preached by Rev. J. W. Reynolds, of the U. B church,
and the first Methodist Episcopal sermon was preached
by R. P. West a week or two later, which was followed
shortly after by Dr. Griffith, Christian, and Rev. Odell of
the Cumberland Presbyterian persuasion.

The records show that in the year A. D. 1871 Belle-
ville was embraced in the Lake Sibley and Concordia cir-
cuit and Manhattan district. It also shows that the
preaching points embraced in, this circuit were Lake Sib-
ley, Concordia, Norway, Belleville, Pairview, Rose Creek,
White Rock, and all the region lying beyond, which, to
my mind, leaves the western boundary very indefinite.

The first quarterly conference ever held in Belleville
was on May 27th, 1871, with Presiding Elder G. S. Dear-
born officiating and Rev. Freem preacher in charge. Jas.
S. Price was appointed secretary ; others named as being
present at said firstquarterly conference were R. P. West)
R. P. Cheney, W. F. Compton and G. A. Hovey. There
was also appointed at that conference a committee on
church building consisting of J. P. Wells, R. P. West,
S. K. Waterson and J. S. Price. And the Presiding

History of Republic County. 197

Elder was requested to send a young man to the
work who would make his headquarters at Belleville. This
implies a resignation on the part of the pastor, and it is
claimed that this young preacher, though a college grad-
uate, gave as a reason the cause of his resignation "that
there was too much intelligence in 'this neck o' the wood."
Admitting that to be the fact, is it any wonder that Belle-
ville has gained the very unenviable reputation of sending
away a great per cent of her preachers long before the ex-
piration of their term? It is also very evident that in the
early history of the church the ladies were considered an
important factor in the onward march of Methodism, as
has been demonstrated by the first committee ever ap-'
pointed, on missions, which was by a Quarterly Confer-
ence, held on January 18th, 1872, consisting of Mesdames
Latham and Price, for Belleville, Mrs. Hovey, for Rose
Creek, Mesdames Fisher and Persinger, for White Rock,
Mrs. McCathron, for Norway, Mrs. Bean for Concordia,
and on tracts, Mesdames Price, West, Cheney, Raymond,
Smith, Silvers, and Scribner. The said quarterly confer-
ence also appointed a committee to secure a charter for
the legal organization of the church at Belleville, said com-
mittee consisting of the following named persons, viz., I.
T. Hull, Jas. Wood, Water son. West, Compton, and Price.
It was also ordered that the circuit be divided so as to cre-
ate a new one, to be known as the Belleville circuit. A
committee consisting of the pastor. Rev. Nicholson, Hull
and Sprague were appointed to establish the boundary line
between the Concordia and Belleville circuits. Under the
pastorate of Rev. James Walters in the summer of 1872, a
parsonage was built at Belleville, the total cost of which
was about $400. Early in January, 1873, application was
made to the state for a charter of incorporation of the
Methodist Episcopal church at Belleville, in which docu-
ment the following names occur: Charles H. Smith, Ed.
E. Chapman, W. S. Chapman, J. F. Wells, S. K. Waterson,
James Price, G. A. Hovey, R. S. A. Tar bell and Albert

198 History of Republic County.

Myers, and on the second day of May, 1873, a charter was
issued, signed by W. N. Smallwood, secretary of the state.
Under the careful management and heroic efforts to
more thoroughly establish Methodism in Belleville, the
Rev. J. T. Shackelford and his staff, which consisted in
part of such persons as James VanAkin, J. E. McCuUough,
W. Bond, W. G. McBride, Samuel Thompson, J. N. Sny-
der, and James Swan, whose names had not occurred in
the preceeding allusions of this sketch, the erection of a
church edifice was contemplated. This was in the sum-
mer of 1873, after a very noted revival held in the frame
court house on the north side of the square in the latter
part of December, 1872, and the early days of 1873, con-
ducted by Rev. J. T. Shackelford, assisted by Rev. Jones,
pastor of the Presbyterian church. It will be remembered
that up to and for sometimeafter this date no church organ-
ization represented in Belleville had a building of its own
in which to worship. Thus, under the pastoral manage-
ment of Rev. J. T. Shackelford, the erection of the first
church edifice of Belleville was commenced, near the close of
the year, 1878, being completed some time during the sum-
mer of 1874, and was dedicated on the 17th day of October,
1875, the sermon being preached by the Rev. C. Holman.
There were present Rev. James Lawrence, P. E., Rev.
Gray, pastor. Rev. George Winterbourn, pastor at Cuba,
also Revs. Jones and Odell of the Presbyterian churches.
The cost of this church was about $2,000. The Presbyter-
ian congregation, not having any house of worship of their
own, used the M. E. church every alternate Sabbath dur-
ing the first year after its completion. And the Rev. Joy
Bishop, Universalist, who resided at Delphos, Kansas,
and traveled the entire distance on horse back, also preached
in the M. E. church once in four weeks. In its struggle
for existence during and shortly after the memorable year
of 1874, known as the grasshopper year, Methodism, in
order to hold the fort and more fully establish her bor-
ders, found it necessary to take up some new appoint

History of Republic County. 199

ments. Hence there were added to the Belleville circuit
Union Valley and Washington and later still, Beauchamp
and Scandia. The first M. E. Sabbath school organized in
Belleville was in the new church in the spring of 1875,
with J. Fulcomer as superintendent, all previous ones be-
ing undenominational or union in sentiment. The first
ladies' organization was known as the Mite Society and
was organized prior to 1876.

The first Sabbath school organized into a missionary
society on Belleville circuit was in 1878, and as time
rolled on and the wealth of the church increased and other
names were annually added to its membership, it was
found necessary to commence the pruning process by
lopping off some of its outside appointments. Pairview
being the first, which was added to the Seapo circuit in
1877, and Washington, was set out the same year. Union
Valley was dropped in 1880 and Scandia which was appor-
tioned 825 per year on the pastor's salary, was set out in
1881, and in the spring of 1884, the Beauchamp appoint-
ment was discontinued by request of its membership, thus
leaving Belleville circuit with but two outside appoint-
ments. Spring Hill was attached in 1886 to Rose Creek
circuit, and Belleville was declared a station, which was
more in name than practice, as the Grace Hill aj)pointment
was not dropped for sev^eral years thereafter.

The charter of the Ep worth League organized at
Belleville bears as date of issue June 8th, 1890.

In the years of 1890-91 it became evident that the old
church building was inadequate for the accommodation of
its congregation, the natural result was the agitation
of the project of building a new and more commodious
one, which in the summer of 1893, under the labors of
the irrepressible pastor, Rev. D. A. Allen, was commen-
ced with the understanding that its cost would reach
§5000. The erection of this church was crowded to its
completion with all possible speed, which was accomplish-

200 History of Republic County.

ed by the middle of January, 1893. On investigation it
was ascertained that about $3,500 was not yet provided
for, thus it became necessary to ask for pledges covering
the amount before any further steps could be taken in the
line of dedication. And Bishop Warren with his very
earnest appeals to the people during the morning and early
evening services succeeded in getting pledges to the
amount asked for and immediately proceeded with the
dedication services, being assisted by Rev. E. P. Michener,
P. E., and Rev. D. A. Allen, pastor, thus ended the dedica-
tion services of January 15, 1893. And all hearts were
aglow with bright anticipations of the future of Belleville,
realizing that a great work was accomplished for God and
the church. But lo, the scene was soon changed when
in midsummer the clouds withheld their rain and south
winds began to blow and the corn tassels were withered
and the ears hung down by the sides of the stalks. Men's
hearts began to fail; the condition of pledges were not com-
plied with; interest was accruing every day on the debt.
Theboardof trustees heroically stood shoulder to shoulder,
each one becoming personally responsible for the whole
amount. Thus having been tried as by lire we have now
entered upon a new era. The early and the later rains
have descended in copious showers; the husbandman
reaping such a harvest as has hitherto been unequaled;
prosperity has returned; the dark clouds, which for three
long years hung as a harbinger of despair over our little
city have disappeared, and the glorious sun of righteous-
ness has arisen with healing for the nations. So is it any
wonder that with the uplifted eye of faith, men and wo
men are heard every week in the prayer circle crying for
a hundred souls in Belleville for God and the church.
Who can estimate the value of, or what will a man give in
exchange for his soul.

Following are the names of all the Presiding Elders
and Pastors since the organization of the church, in their
regular order:

History of Republic County. 201

PKESIDING ELDERS.

G. S. Dearborn, C. L. Shackelford,

James Lawrence, E. P. Michener,

W. J. Mitchell, P. D. Baker,
J. H. Lock wood.

PASTORS. •

Rev. Freem the fore part of 1871

G. K. Nicholson latter part of 1871, to March, 1872

J. J. Walters March, 1872, to April, 1873

J.F.Shackelford April, 1873, to April, 1874

T. B. Gray April, 1874, to March, 1876

C. B. Crysler March, 1876, to March 1877

Geo. Winterborn March, 1877, to March, 1879

W. B. Holland March, 1879, to March, 1882

R.A.Hoffman March, 1882, to March, 1885

J. F. Shackelford March, 188.'), to March, 1887

G. W. Wood March, 1887 to March, 1888

W. T. Robinson March, 1888, to August, 1888

C. T. Shackelford August, 1888, to March, 1891

W.H.Pierce March, 1891 to September, 1891

D. A. Allen October, 1891. to October, 1893

D. McGurk October, 1893, to March, 1894

O. L. Housel April, 1894, to April, 1895

W. L. Cannon April, 1895, to April, 1897

E. L. Hutchins April, 1897, to April, 1901

PROVIDENCE CHAPEL.

Situated on the southeast corner of section 25, Scan-
dia township; was built in September, 1892, under some-
what peculiar circumstances, inasmuch as there was at
that time, but one professional member of the Methodist
church in the neighborhood, that being Mr. Henry Pul-
comer, and it was through his suggestion the project of
building a church was taken into consideration. Upon
his interviewing the neighbors, it was found that although
a large majority of them were members of no church, all
of them were God-fearing men and women who readily
acquiesced in his suggestion to erect a church, conse-
quently a meeting was held at Red Top school house and
all that were interested were invited to attend. Rev. Al-

202 History of Republic County.

len, at that time the Methodist minister at Belleville, was
consulted and readily offered his assistance, and was there
to preside at the meeting, giving a preliminary discourse
from the text found in John, 1-46: "Can any good thing
come out of Nazareth?" He evidently thought that be-
cause there were no members in the vicinity, he was jus
titled in making the comparison. After the sermon the
business part was taken up and Mr. Fulcomer chose the
present location, which was not objected to by any one.
The site being on the southeast corner of Mr. Brady Bow-
ling's farm, that gentleman arose and offered to donate
one acre of ground as his share towards the church.
The site being thus secured, subscriptions were next
in order, and before the meeting closed enough money
and labor had been subscribed to insure it safe to go ahead
and build. Thereupon a building committee composed of
George Bowling, Mose Bushby and Henry Fulcomer was
chosen and instructed to proceed to collect the money and
have the building erected, which was done without delay,
at a cost of $1,020; 1600 of which was collected in cash,
the balance in labor and material. As soon as it was fin-
ished Rev. Allen notified Presiding Elder Michener of the
Concordia district that it was ready for dedication, where-
upon the Elder came up and conducted the dedicatory ser-
vices, assisted by Rev. Allen, who also made arrange-
ments with the Elder to have it attached to the Scandia
circuit. Rev. Ryan having charge of that circuit at that
time, was the first to hold regular services in the chapel,
but was removed from Scandia the following spring and
Rev. Jenkins assigned to the charge. He proved to be a
good sermonizer and was held in high esteem by the ChajD-
el people, and through his instrumentality several con-
verts were added to the one mentioned at the beginning.
However, Rev. Jenkins only remained at Scandia one year
and was followed by J. I. Osman, who did some hard work
both at the Chapel and at Scandia, and was successful in
adding some fifteen or twenty converts, besides six or

History of Republic County. 203

eight who joined by letter, giving them a membership of
twenty -five or thirty, who, strange as it may seem, every
one of them have remained steadfast in the faith up to the
present time. Rev. Osman remained on the circuit two
years, and was succeeded by Rev. J. E. Elwell, a bright
young man, an elegant speaker, and, although a good ser-
monizer and an earnest worker while in the pulpit, his so-
cial life was not up to what some of his members deemed
the standard, consequently he was removed from Scandia
at the end of his first year. Several members were added
to the organization through his efforts at the Chapel.

Next came Rev. Nichols a stranger who had just been
transferred to this conference, but proved to be a failure
as a minister of the gospel and gave up the appointment
before the first year expired. W. W. Wells, now of
Belleville, was our next minister, and gave fair satisfac-
tion, and won the respect and admiration of the Chapel
people for his kind disposition, largeness of heart, ready
to do good at every opportunity. He, too, at his own re-
quest, remained on the charge but one year, and was fol-
low^ed by Rev. James Kerr, a man of considerable exper-
ience, having passed the middle mile stone of life, but
still retains a strong, loud voice while speaking from the
pulpit. He always seems to have words at his command.
This makes his third year on this charge. The organi-
zation at the Chapel now^ consists of forty or more mem-
bers in good standing who have one of the best attended
Sunday Schools in the county, the old people as well as
the young attending regularly the year around. They al-
so have preaching every Sunday alternately morning and
evening. Providence Chapel is now known far and wide
and its people have the reputation of being courteous,
w^ell behaved, and under all circumstances maintaining
perfect order, even w4ien crow^ded to its utmost capacity.
Miss Howard, county superintendent, has held several
commencement exercises at the Chapel and made the
statement at the last one. May 7, 1901, that of ail the ex-

204 History of Republic County.

ercises she has held in the county, better order has bene
maintained at the Chapel than at any other place in the
county.

So it seems after all, that some good did really come
out of Nazareth, and if Rev. Allen should ever visit the
Chapel neighborhood, he will tind a nice little band of
humble followers of the lowly Nazarene.

KACKLEY M. E. CHURCH.

A church was built by subscription at Kackley in 1892,
at a cost of about $700, and was dedicated by the Pente-
cost. This church has recently passed into the hands and
under the control of the Methodists, and forms a part of
the Courtland charge. Preaching once in two weeks.

AGENDA M. E. CHURCH.

The Agenda M. E. church was chartered August 29th,
1891, with A. R. Dillehay, W. J. Clark, M. Kenney, Geo.
W. Smith and Stephen Bradley as charter members. The
first pastor of this church was Rev. D. A. Allen, before
the present building was erected and while the meetings
were being held in the school house. The church was
built the latter part of 1892 and the spring of 1893, at a
cost of about $1,800. Was dedicated in July, 1893, by Rev.
E. P. Michener. Sunday school every Sunday and preach
ing once in two weeks.

SPRING HILL M. V.. CHURCH.

In the spring of 1892 the Spring Hill Society of the
M. E. church, which had regularly held services in the
Spring Hill School House (District No. 43) since 1873,
decided to build a church. Accordingly, a regular or-
ganization was effected, a charter procured and a society
incorporated. A subscription paper was circulated, the
community generously responded and in a short time a
sufticient amount was subscribed to erect a commodious
church. A site was selected on the southwest corner of

History oj Republic County. 205

A. M. Bond's farm, on the SW i of section eleven, Free-
dom towTiship. In December the building was completed
and dedicated, with Rev. M. J. Baily as pastor and Rev.
E. P. Michener as presiding elder. The cost of the
church .was about S1,']0C. Services have been held week-
ly since the erection of the church, and the present pas-
tor is Rev. M. O. Moyer.

MUNDEN BETHEL M. E. CHURCH.

The Bethel M. E. church at Munden, was commenced
in the fall of 1884, and finished early in the winter of that
year. The house is 28x45 feet with a 20-foot ceiling, and
cost ^2,000. It stood on the southwest corner of the SE ^
of section three, town two south, range two west, land
owned by Joseph Northrup, a pioneer settler of that town-
ship, and to whose untiring and well-directed efforts the
building of this church was made possible, he having con-
tributed in time, labor and money, far more than any per-
son connected with it. At the time it was built, it was
probably the best house of worship in Republic county.
The building was dedicated December 28th, 1884, by Rev.

B. D. Fisher, assisted by Rev. C. L. Shackelford and Rev.
J. H. Lockwood. The house was moved to Munden in the
summer of 1888, and a parsonage built soon after. Rev.
M. J. Bailey was the first resident pastor. The following
have been pastors of this church: A. N. See, S. Brooks,
George Winterborn, J. W. H. Williams, Don A. Allen, Jos-
eph. M. Ryan, B. F. Rhoades, M. J. Bailey, G. W. Burch,
W. Vandervoort and M. O. Moyer, the latter being the
present pastor. The present membership is forty-four.

COURTLAND M. E. CHURCH.

The Methodist Episcopal church, of Courtland, Kan-
sas, was organized in the year 1888, on the 25th day of
November, by James Flowers, who at that time lived at
White Rock. The class began with a small membership
and, like all churches, has had its time of adversity and
also of prosperity. In the year 1893 the present house of

206 History oj Republic Couity.

worship was erected. It is a neat and commodious build-
ing, conveniently located on the west side of Main street.
The entire cost, including the furnishing, was about
$2,200. The first class leader was Nathan Pilcher, better
known as Father Pilcher, who, after a faithful service of
two years, went to his reward. The church has been
served in succession by the following pastors : James
Flowers, George T. Barick, W. S. Sedore, S. A. Greene,
M. J. Bailey, James Flowers, Rev. Wright, J. Ramsey,
B. F. Hutchins, J. H. Brown and W. A. Pierce, the last
named being the present pastor. The present member-
ship of the class at Courtland is forty-five. It has had
at different times the following outlying classes attached
to it : White Rock, Lincoln and Kackley. The last two
named belong to the Courtland charge at the present
time.

CUBA M. E. CHURCH.

In the spring of 1890, the annual conference of the
M. E. church decided to take up Cuba as a work, and a
class was accordingly organized there under the ministrj''
of D. A. Allen, who continued as its pastor until October,
1891, when he was transferred to Belleville. Rev. E. G.
Alderman was appointed to fill out the unexpired term.
Since that time G. L. Rarick, E. Price, W. E. Jenkins, L.
B. Tremain, and N. S. Ragle have successively served as
its pastors, Rev. N. S. Ragle being the pastor present.
While D. A. Allen was pastor, a lot was purchased and a
house erected for use as a parsonage, which, however, was
not entirely cleared of debt until 1898. Rev. E. B. Tre-
main served the longest pastorate — four years. During
his service the old Free Will Baptist church was bought
and repaired and made free of debt. It was made ready
for use January 1, 1899, at which time also our first Sun-
day school was organized, which is still prospering, with
a membership of about seventy-five. Among the first
members of this class were Mr. and Mrs. John Harris
and Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Ingham, who are still mem-

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History of Republic County. 207

bers of the same. Tlie i)resent membership is about
thirty.

PLEASANT VIEW M. E. CHUKCH.

In the summer of 1892 it came into the hearts of the
Methodist people of the Beau champ and Star classes to
unite and by their joint efforts erect a suitable house of
worship, these two classes belonging to the Munden
charge which forms a part of the Northwest Kansas Con-
ference. The church building was dedicated to the Lord
February 26, 1893, by Rev. E. P. Michener. Presiding
Elder. The Rev. M. J. Bailey was the pastor at the time
the church was built and dedicated. The cost of the
building was i<24()(». Tlie following are the trustees : D.
A. Zech, President : R.M. Vaughn, Secretary : John Moss-
hart, Treasurer : Wm. E. Whitney, Welden Worrel, C. C.
Ball, G. S. Wells, E. C. Carson, C. L. Porter.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT SCANDIA.

Owing to the fact that the records of the Methodist
church at this place were lost a few years ago, it is im-
possible to give a complete history. The church was or-
ganized in 1883. The trustees were, C. G. Bulkley, S.
Albro, W. O. Boots and two others. Dr. J. H. Lockwood,
who was Presiding Elder at that time writes as follows :

"It would be impossible for me to write a correct
sketch of the Scandia church. It has been too long, and
I have no record to refer to. I think Bro. Albro could
come as near giving you the facts as any man I know of.
I was the Presiding Elder when the appointment was
really estabhshed. I have a very distinct recollection of
Bro. Albro, who then as now was upon the streets with
his dray, stopping me on the streets as I was driving
through from Beloit to Belleville and saying, as he held
my horses by the bits, 'When are you going to send us a
preacher?' I sent Bro. Hollen. G. H. Woodward fol-
lowed him. While Bro. Woodward was pastor, the church
was bought from old Father Marks, of Reynolds, Neb. I

208 History of Republic County.

met him on the road between Scandia and Belleville. We
did not know each other, but we introduced ourselves and
I bought the church before we parted, and Brother Wood-
ward completed the contract. The church was enlarged
while Bro. J. O. Osman was pastor. I dedicated the
church. I cannot give you all the pastors during these
years. Before the church was bought we held our ser
vices in the Presbyterian church when it was on the hill."
The church was rebuilt and enlarged to its present
handsome proportions in 1894. This was the year that
Rev. Henry Williams conducted his celebrated revival here.
The meetings were held at first in the old church, but
speedily outgrew the room and were transferred to the
city hall. Since the church was enlarged the pastors
have been: 1894-5, Rev. J. O. Osman; 1896, Rev. C. S. El-
well; 1897, Rev. W. W. Wells; 1898, Rev. A. A. Nichols;
1899, Rev. James Kerr, who is now in the pulpit.

NARKA M. E. CHURCH.

The Narka M. E. church was organized in the District
school house in 1881, with twelve members. Organized
by D. A. Allen. Church was built in 1893 and dedicated
in February, 1894, by Rev. E. P. Michener, assisted by
Rev. Sedore, the pastor. The cost of the church building
was $2,250. The present membership is about eighty.
The present pastor is G. P. Miller. Sunday school organ-
ized about the same time and has been kept up continuous-
ly ever since, and is well attended.

WAYNE SWEDISH M. E. CHURCH.

The Swedish M. E. church at Wayne, was organized
May 17th, 1878. A house of worship was built on the
southeast corner of the SW i of section 9, town 4, range
2, in 1882. The church site contains one and one-half
acres of land. Rose Hill cemetery, belonging to this
church, comprising about two acres of land, is located in
section 17, in the same township. Services have been
held regularly once a week until the present season.

History of Republic County. 209

Preaching only once a month now, Rev. Oscar J. Shaw-
pastor; membership forty.

RICHLAND METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.

The Methodist Protestant church in Richland town-
ship is located near the southeast corner of the SE \ of sec-
tion 25. The house was built during the winter of 1900
and 1901. is 26x36 feet and cost $500. It was dedicated in
January, 1901, by Rev. Shepherd, assisted by Rev. Green,
the pastor. Preaching every two weeks. A Sunday
school has been organized in connection with the church
which is doing well. The congregation is made up of
members from both Washington and Republic counties.
The church membership is not large, but the meetings are
well attended.

BELLEVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The first Presbyterian church of Belleville was organ-
ized in May 1873. The foundation of the church building
was laid by William Phelps of Prairie Home in September
and October 1874. I. O. Savage was treasurer of the board
of trustees until the completion and dedication of the house.
The Belleville Town Site company donated the society the
south half of block No. 15 on which to erect a building.
Among those who contributed largely in labor I mention
Mr. James Taylor, Capt. W. W. Wait and S. T. Collins.
Caleb E. Jones was the first pastor and preached during
the spring and early summer of 1875 in the M. E. church
in Belleville, also had regular appointments at Scotch
Plains during that time.

At a Congregational meeting held June 20th the fol-
lowing church officers were elected: W. W. Wait, ruling
elder, S. T. Collins, deacon and Mrs. Charlotte A. Taylor,
Mrs. Mary Lawton and Miss Chryssie Kindt as deacones-
ses. The first sermon preached in the house was on Aug-
ust 17th, 1875, by Rev. Jones. The house was dedicated
August 25th by Rev. T. Hill, ably assisted by Rev. Jones,
pastor, who served the church three years, was succeeded

210 History of Republic County.

by Rev. Laughlin for one year, Rev. Moffatt three years,
Rev. Smith one year. Rev. Abram Steed nine and a half
years, Rev. Gane one year and the present pastor now in
his third year.

SCANDIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

"Oh that men should praise the Lord for His good-
ness, and His wonderful works to the children of
men. Let them exalt Him, also in the congregation of
the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the
Elders."
The Presbytery of Solomon met at Concordia, April
26, 27 and 28, 1877, appointed the following committee to
visit the field and organize a church a*'- Scandia: Rev. A.
D. Laughlin and H. Falbright and ELdei- A. Doctor. On
June 10th, 1877, the committee proceeded to organize a
church, consisting of the following members, viz., James
Kelley, Mary Kelley, Joseph T. Cooper, Nancy J. Cooper,
Mrs. Louisa Whitney, Mrs. Elizabeth F. Laughlin, Ellen
F. Laughlin, and Mr. Charley M. Laughlin. James Kel-
ley was chosen elder. Services were held in the school
house in the western part of town until a church building
was erected on the hill in the eastern part of town, ad-
joining the present residence of H. S. Cooper. This house
of worship was dedicated January 25th, 1880. ^' For the Lord
has chosen the vine." He has desired it for his habitation.
In the year 1888 the church building was removed to pres-
ent situation on Fourth street and improved. Improve-
ment committee was Messrs Hunter, Caldwell, Bulkley,
Wilson and Mesdames Louisa Whitney, Caldwell, Donald-
son, Bulkley, Kelly, Laughlin, Kerr and McGillivary. The
records show that the above named committee was very
faithful and zealous, and performed a great amount of
work before their labor was finally crowned with success,
and the house of worship improved and furnished to meet
the requirements of the congregation.

'■'And let the beauty of the Lord, our God, be upon us; and
establish thou the work of our hands upon us. Yea, the zvork of
our hands establish thou it."

o
p
D

History of Republic County. 211

Of the members of the original committee there re-
main in this lield only the following: Mr. and. Mrs. Bulk-
ley and Miss Louisa Whitney, the others having removed
from Scandia. Those now living are nearly all widely
separated and are now located, some on the Pacific coast,
some in Kansas and some in Georgia. But nearly all hold
property interests in Scandia and return from time to time
to the scene of their early church work. To say of this
committee that their friendship and religious ties, formed,
in those early days grow stronger as the years pass, would
perhaps hardly express their feelings or their deep inter-
est in each other and the church work, in which they were
instrumental in organizing and per^Detuating all these years.
Since the church was organized there has been a succes-
sion of ministers as follows: Revs. Laughlin, WoodruflF,
McMeekin, Hensh, McGillivery, Maxwell, Phillips, E. P.
Shier, H. H. Gain, W. W. Kilpatrick and H. Cooler who
now occupies the pulpit. There have been nine elders,
two deacons and nine trustees. The records show a mem-
bership of eighty-two; of this number eight are deceased
and forty-eight have removed from the bounds of the
Scandia church, but none are forgotten.

" This gospel of the Kingdom shall he preached in all the world
for a witness for all nations and then shall the end come."

SCOTCH PLAINS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The Scotch Plains Presbyterian church was organized
May 11th, 1873, at the Bowling Green school house by Rev.
S. G. Clark of the Highland Presbytery with the following
named persons as members viz: James Lowden, Hugh
Scott, Mrs. Hugh Scott, Mrs. Alexander Maxton, Eliza-
beth Donaldson, Mrs. Janett Curry, Mrs. James Kelly,
Mrs. Mary Bainbridge, Margaret J. Hamill, R. A. Hamill,
Marion Duncan, Ellen Doctor, Margaret McGuire, Janett
Doctor, Ann Kerr, E. C. Baker, Helen Chalmers and Cath-
erine Hay; at which place meetings were held until 1878
when the place of meeting was changed to the school house

212 History of Republic County.

in district No. 35 where it remained until 1885 when a
church building was erected on the SW corner of the SWi
of section 18, town 3 south, range 3 west, at a cost of |1,250,
C. E. Jones being the first pastor. Services are held reg-
ularly every two weeks, Rev. Kilpatrick being the last
pastor. The present membership is 35. A Sabbath
school was organized in connection with the church and
has been maintained ever since.

CONCORDIA UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The Concordia United Presbyterian congregation was
organized the first Monday in December 1875. The church
is located on the SE corner of section 29 in Lincoln town-
ship, the church site containing one and three-fourths
acres of land. Had no regular pastor until 1879, the pul-
pit up to that time being filled by supplies, Rev. Joseph
McKelvey being the first. In 1879 Rev. P. D. Patterson
became the first called and regularly installed pastor.
The meetings were held in the school house in district No.
98 until 1885, when a commodious house of worship was
erected. The present pastor is J. P. Stevenson and tbe
membership is 47.

CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The Republican Valley Presbytery of the Cumberland
Presbyterian church consisting of congregations in Re-
public, Jewell, Washington and Cloud counties was organ-
ized at Belleville, November 20th, 1874. Rev. Albert
Odell acting as moderator and Rev. G. H. Hawks as clerk.
On the election of permanent officers Rev. Odell was
chosen clerk and Rev. J. M. Pan tier treasurer. The sec-
ond meeting of the Presbytery was held at Belleville, June
4th, 1875 at which time Rev. R. P. West united with the
Presbytery. At this time the Belleville congregation was
the only one represented from Republic county. Rev. A.
Odell being the pastor. Steps were taken at this meeting
to organize Sabbath schools throughout the entire Presby-
tery. Courtland Center congregation was organized in

History of Republic Comity. 21

1877 and the Albion congregation in the spring of 1878,
and the Rev. S. M. Hunt appointed pastor which charge
he held continuously for four and a half years. He was
chosen moderator of the Presbytery August 21st, 1879.
West Union congregation, seven miles southeast of Belle-
ville was organized in 1881, by Rev. R. P. West. Concord
congregation in Albion township was organized by Rev.
Hunt in 1887. Minersville was organized in 1888 and
Agenda and Seapo in 1889, making seven congregations in
Republic county. The Albion and Concord congregations
were merged into one and formed what is known as the
Narka congregation, which has a fine church building, a
handsome parsonage and is free from debt. The congre-
gation at Agenda has a good house of worship and is also
free from debt. A line building site has been purchased
and paid for at Courtland, but no church has yet been
erected.

Among the early ministers of the Cumberland Pres-
byterian church I mention Revs. A. Odell, G. H. Hawks,
R. P. West, S. M. Hunt, Smith McCall, A. Short and P.
M. Madden, all residents of Republic county and all
preached here during the 70s.

GERMAN BAPTIST BRETHREN (DUNKER) CHURCH.

In 1871 an organization was effected in Farmington
township. This is now known as the east branch of the Belle-
ville church. There are now about fifteen members, with
Daniel Smith as minister. August 1880 Elder Lemuel
Hillery took residence five miles southwest of Belleville on
the NW quarter of section 20. In the autumn of the same
year the Belleville church was organized at the home of
Wm. Gooch with the following charter members: L. Hil-
lery and wife, Kate Gooch, Sarah Daggett, Chester Dag-
get, Nellie Daggett, Rufus Hillery and wife, Mary Gooch,
Carrie Gooch, Susan Wise and Louisa Williams. The
membership increased greatly under the care of Elder
Hillery. In 1881 A. W. Austin, a minister from Jewell

214 History of Republic County.

county, Kansas, took residence in the congregation and
rendered assistance. During the autumn of 1884 Elder M.
M. Eshelman took charge of the church, remaining until
the close of 1887. In this time the membership was com-
mendably increased and a commodious house of worship
built on the NW quarter of section 20. This house was
dedicated by Elder Jacob D. Trostle of Abilene, Kansas,
October 25th, 1885, sixteen other ministers being present.
The first children's services were held October 25th, 1885,
forty bright little ones being present. It was at this time
through the efforts of Elder M. M. Eshelman that the first
collection, resulting in $71.90, was taken up for the pur-
pose of purchasing a farm for Elder C. Hope, who had
spent nine years in Denmark as the first foreign mission-
ary of the Dunker church. The home was eventually pur-
chased for him at Herrington, Kansas. The bible for the
church was donated by Elder D. N. Workman and wife of
Ashland, Ohio. The first love feast was held in the new
church October 24th, 1885. On the 29th of December 1886
at a meeting called for that purpose, Albion C. Daggett
was elected to the ministry. He is now an ordained
Elder and is one of the district evangelists.

September 1887 Elder M. M. Eshelman, being identi-
fied with tlae McPherson, Kansas, college, moved to Mc-
Pherson, and he was succeeded by Elder C. S. Holsinger
who had charge until 1899 when Elder Samuel Henry as-
sumed the oversight. There being a need for more minis-
terial workers, D. R. Holsinger was chosen to the minis -
' try in 1894 and is still an efficient worker in the congrega-
tion. June 3rd, 1899, C. F. Daggett was elected to the
ministry. A large and llourshing Sunday school has been
maintained since the erection of the church house. Re-
cently through the directions of a committee a thorough
canvass by sections was made by sixteen members to en-
courage those who attend some Sunday school, and invite
those to become attendants who are not identified with the
work. Thorough organization and proficient work char-

History of Republic County . 215

acterizes the Sunday school efforts of the Pleasant Hill
school. At this time the enrollment is 82, teachers 5, col-
lections past year $28.53, conversions 6. The membership
of the church is about 100, with six ministers and six dea-
cons and a mission board of three members.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, BELLE\^LLE.

Organized September 28th, 1884. Charter members:
Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Haven, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Beecher, Mr.
and Mrs. Wm. Andrews and Janet Beecher. Worshipped
awhile in Powell's hall and other places. But through earnest
endeavor and noble sacrifices a splendid brick edifice was
constructed, at a cost of nearly s4, 000. It was dedicated
January 3J , 1886. A Sunday school was organized Feb-
ruary 14th, 1886. The pastors:

J. W. Mcintosh September 28, 1884, to July, 1887.

J. D. Matthews July, 1887, to September, 1889.

Thos Phillips September, 1889, to September, 1890.

L. M. Newell November 9th, 1890, to November, 1893.

R. N. Martin February, 1894, to February, 1895.

Frank L. Rozelle Supplied a few months in 1895.

J. D. Matthews 1895, to February, 1897.

C. E. Flanigan February, 1897, to February, 1899.

G. M. Adams February, 1899, to August 28, 1900.

Lee Boyce Parker February 1st, 1901.

Members now, 125.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF REPUBLIC CITY.

On March 23, 1879 the following named persons: Mr.
and Mrs. H. R. Sherwood, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Sherrard,
and Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Baxter, Mr. and Mrs. F. E.
Thompson, bringing letters from the Otter Creek Bap-
tist church in Republic county met in Big Bend town-
ship and proceeded to organize the First Baptist church
of Big Bend. Their first pastor was Rev. J. C. Thomas,
who served until December 1879, when D. H. Babcock be-
came pastor. In 1881 J. W. Mcintosh was called to the
pastorate and served in that capacity until April 1385. In
1883 it was decided to move the organization to Republic

216 History of Republic County.

City and change the name to the First Baptist church of
Republic City and to build a church house. The follow-
ing trustees were appointed to look after the work of
building the new church: F. E. Thompson, Wm. Maguire,
H. H. Smith, R. W. Polley and I. M. Baxter. It was de-
cided to locate the building in East Republic. Lots were
donated and the work begun. The house was dedicated
May 25th, 1884. The cost of building and furniture was
12.000. The pastors of the church since have been:
John M. White, 1885; J. W. Hough, 1890; J. D. Matthews,
1893; John Farley, 1894; E. G. Boyer, 1897: F. L. Cox, 1899;
John Melmaker, 1901.

In February of 1897 in the midst of a series of revival
meetings the church was totally destroyed by fire. The
members felt their loss keenly and at once set about form-
ing plans for the erection of a new church house. W. H.
Stinson, H. A. Baxter and A. Fogelberg were chosen as a
building committee. A larger and better church w^as
planned and it was some time before the actual w^ork on
the building could be begun. The work proceeded rapid-
ly however and the house was ready for use in February,
1898, and was completed and ready for dedication in Oc-
tober of that year. Present valuation of church property
$3,000. Present membership (1901) 79.

White Rock Regular Baptist church was organized
March 1st, 1872, Rev. L. McDaniel, moderator: A. L.
Crouch, clerk, making it one of the oldest religious or-
ganizations in Republic county. A suitable church edifice
was erected in the summer of 1878.

UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH — SCANDIA.

The United Brethren church of Scandia was born in a
revival in February and March, 1894. This was the larg-
est revival ever held in Scandia and was conducted by
Rev. H. H. Williams, who was appointed pastor of Scan-
dia mission by Rev. M. R. Myer, presiding elder.

In April of 1894 the church was organized w^ith more

History of Republic County. 217

than one hundred members. Preparations were made to
build a church house and the following board of trustees
were elected: Geo. L. White, president: L. Cullers, C.
W. Gulick, R. A. Heddens, John Garman, A. J. Hollen-
beck, Al. Mahan. W. W. Woods was chosen secretary
and treasurer. Brothers White, Heddens and Gulick
were chosen as building committee. The building was
completed in January, 1895, at a cost of $3,000. The main
building is fifty by thirty feet, with a wing fourteen by
twenty-eight feet. The seating capacity is four hundred.

The following pastors have served the church in
their order: Rev. H. H. Williams, two years; Rev. H.
Eby, one year; Rev. E. R. Baber, two years; and Rev. P.
]M. Herrick is pastor at present.

The church from the beginning has maintained a
thriving Sunday school of about one hundred enrollment,
a Ladies' Aid Soeiety, Young People's Society, Woman's
Missionary Society and a large children's band.

P. M. Herrick was pastor of this church one year and
the pulpit is now occupied by Rev. G. M. Beeler.

The Washington United Brethren church was char-
tered September 13th, 1892, with the following charter
members: David E. Vance, L. E. Stone, Geo. W. Stew-
art, Wm. H. Mead and J. W. Brumbaugh. The church
was built on the NE corner of the SE i, section 21, town
1, range 4. The meetings were first held at Blue Mound,
J. D. Baker first pastor, and Noah Miles, first class
leader. This class formed a part of what was known as
Republic Mission West Kansas conference, known at first
as Blue Mound class and afterward changed to Otterbein
class by which name it is now known. This class took
steps to build a church in September, 1892, by circulating
a subscription paper, $1,693.32 being in a short time sub-
scribed. Work was immediately commenced and pushed
rapidly to completion, the house being dedicated Febru-
ary 12th, 1893. The cost of the building was about $1,800.

218 History of Republic County.

The present pastor is George Cavan'augh and the present
membership is thirty-seven.

ST. isadore's catholic church.

St. Isidore's Catholic church was organized at Cuba
in 1878 and a stone church 14x24 was built the same year
by Asa White and James Dorman. The building was en-
larged some ten years later by a frame addition 24x40
feet. The church site consists of ten acres of land on
which is the preist's residence and a fine well kept cem-
etery. The membership consists of twenty families, at
present under the charge of Father Dragoun, an able and
highly educated man who is very popular with all classes
of the community in which he resides.

ST. JOSAPHAT CATHOLIC CHURCH.

St. Josaphat Catholic church, located on the north-
east corner of section seven in Freedom township, was
organized in 1874 and meetings were held regularly once
a month at the residence of John Shemonski until 1883
when a fine church building was erected at a cost of about
$1,000. The church site contains three acres of land with
a well fenced and carefully kept cemetery. The member-
ship consists of 24 families, with services at least once
a month by Father Dragoun.

ST. GEORGE'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.

St. George's church (Catholic) was organized in 1886
and a fine house of worship erected on the southwest
corner of section 17, in Fairview township in the summer
and fall of 1887. The building is 30x60 feet and cost about
$1,500. The building site and cemetery grounds com-
prise three acres of land. The membership comprises
seventeen families, services being held at least once a
month, Father Dragoun in charge.

BELLEVILLE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

A Catholic church was erected in the Third ward of
the city of Belleville in the summer of 1901. The build-

History of Republic County. 219

ing is 24x40 feet, is nearly completed, but has not yet
been dedicated. The cost of this building- has been up
to this time about SI, 000, exclusive of the lot.

OUR savior's evangelical LUTHERAN CHURCH.

Our Savior's Evangelical Lutheran church at Nor-
way, Kansas, was organized at the home of C. J. Strom-
gren, on the NWi of section ten, on the 4th day of Aug-
ust, 1872, by the pastors Brun and Andersen and at which
R. Lehn presided and R. Rimol was elected secretary.
The total membership was 19. The congregation was
then somewhat regularly attended by R. C. Chilleene a
Swedish minister from Clay Center who held services
once a month for nearly two years. During the next
two years the congregation had no regular minister,
but services were held at different times by J. A. Holl-
and from Butfalo Creek, N. Nelson now of Oneonta, and
others. In 1876 J. A. Holland became its regular min-
ister until 1880 when he resigned. In 1881 H. C. Roernaes
was called as minister.

A parsonage was built by the congregation in the fall
of 1881 but was sold to H. C. Roernaes in 1888. The present
church at Norway was built in the spring of 1888 by pop-
ular subscription among its members, and others in the
neighborhood who contributed liberally. Assistance was
also given by the Ladies' Sewing association, who had
then been in existence for a number of years. The build-
ing of this church was largely due to the earnest and
energetic efforts of its minister at that time, H. C. Roer-
naes. The corner stone was laid on the 19th day of
April, 1888, by Rev. J. E. Maurer, Lutheran minister at
Hardy, Nebraska. On the evening of the 26th day of
May of the same year, and about two weeks after it had
been enclosed and after one service had been held in it,
the church was struck by a terrific windstorm and turned
over on its roof and the steeple torn completely from the
main building. At a cost of some over $200.00 it was put

220 History of Republic Countv.

back on its foundation and iinally finished. There was
no insurance on the church at this time.

Through the strenuous effort and influence of Rev. H.
C. Roernaes. a loan of $200 was at this time obtained from
the "General Synod's Church Extension Fund," which
amount was used for seven years without interest. The
size of the church is 24x40, belfry 12x12, height of spire,
60 feet. Through the praiseworthy efforts of Mrs. Amund
Larsen, who superintended the subscription, a bell cost-
ing about $85 was hoisted in the steeple in the spring of
1893. In 1892 Rev. N. Fosseland was called as minister,
Rev. H. C. Roernaes having previously retired, and con-
tinued as its minister until 1896, when he removed to
Iowa, and Rev. N. Holm took his place and is the present
incumbent.

SWEDISH EVANGELICAL AMANA CHURCH.

The Swedish Evangelical Amana church in Beaver
township was organized in 1873. A fine church building
34x95 was erected in 1883 and was at that time the finest
church edifice in the country and is yet far above the
average. Services are regularly held every Sabbath,
Rev. Oden being the resident pastor. In connection with,
and composed of members of this church, are the Old La-
dies' Society, the Young Ladies' Society and the Lutheran
Language Society, all doing effective religious work, and
a church choir of about forty members. The present
membership is 200.

SCANDIA SWEDISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.

The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Amana church at
Scandia, Kansas, was organized in June, 1873. Charter
members were thirty-eight. Name of first minister, O.
Chilleen. Cost of church completed, $1,000. Present
number of members, 130. Name of pastor, C. J. Maxwell.

SWEDISH METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Swedish Methodist Episcopal church of Scandia
was organized 1877. Some of the early settlers in Repub-

History of Republic Coiintv. 221

lie county were Methodists and a local preacher, Mr. Nels
Peterson, was the first to hold religious services in the
Scandia settlement. At his request there came two min-
isters from Clay county, John B. Anderson and Jonas
Engstrom, who held a series of meetings in February,
1887. Rev. John Linn, Des Moines, Iowa, was presiding
elder in charge of the missionary work in Kansas at that
time and he also visited the place and perfected the or-
ganization. The first members were Nels Peterson and
wife, A. M. Swanson and wife, and Mrs. Lysholm, who
already belonged to the church from other places. Among
those who joined the church at the organization or soon
after may be mentioned: P. E. Walen, Olof Olson, An-
drew Rosene, A. P. Rosene, H. J. Rosene, A. Westine,
Henry Anderson, A. F. Granstedt, A. Johnson and their
wives. A substantial church building was erected the
same year, 30x50 feet, of stone, and a parsonage was built
in 1878. The first preacher in charge was Jonas Eng-
strom, but he did not reside in the place. Rev. J. B. An-
derson was the first pastor who lived there. He had
charge for two years and was succeeded in 1880 by Rev.
C. Charnquist. The present pastor is O. J. Swan and the
membership is some over a hundred. Last year the con-
gregation, after having put new pews in the church
and other improvements, gave to missions and other be-
nevolent work S332, besides the current expenses and
pastor's salary. This year, 1901, they have built an addi-
tion to the parsonage, making it the best in the district.
Assisting the pastor in the work is C. J. Peterson as Sun-
day school superintendent. Otto Chellberg and A. J. Blom
as local preachers, and Johannes Johnson, exhorter.

SWEDISH EVANGELICAL MISSION CHURCH.

The Swedish Evangelical church in Courtland township
dates back about fourteen years, a christian family by
the name of Anderson being identified with its early his-
tory, by gathering the Swedish people together and urg-

222 History of Republic County.

ing upon them the importance of Evangelical work. Axel
R. Anderson, a son in the above named family being es-
pecially active and zealous in establishing the church and
who later became the pastor of a church of the same name
in Kansas City, Missouri, afterwards pastor of a church
at Seattle, Washington, and for the last two years evan-
gelist at Cape Nome, Alaska. The meetings of this
church were held at first in school houses and family
homes until about five years ago a building was secured
in Scandia, rebuilt and consecrated to religious worship.
Rev. August F. Carlson being in charge of the church for
about six months when he moved to Enterprise, Kansas.
Rev. J. H. Hanson succeeded him, being in charge over
a year. Then for some time the church was without a
pastor, but was frequently visited by S. Armqvst as trav-
eling evangelist, until June 1900, when the Rev. Joseph
Esterborg was chosen pastor and is now in charge. After
due deliberation it was decided to establish the head of
the church near Courtland and to erect a suitable house
of worship w^iich was accordingly done, the building be-
ing completed in the spring of 1901 at a cost of $2,200,
and is one of the neatest and finest looking country
churches in the county. To the credit of the American
people in the neighborhood it must in justice.be said that
they contributed liberally to the building fund, about two-
thirds of the cost of the building being subscribed by
them. Rev. Esterborg gave freely of his time and labor
to this enterprise and without whose valuable assistance
it is not probable that the work would have been brought
to a successful termination. The church was dedicated
June 16th, 1901, over seven hundred people being in at-
tendance.

CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

The Central Christian Church of Belleville was or-
ganized in January, 1889, in the small hall in the opera
house block, by R. L. Downing, an evangelist from West-

History of Repiibiic County. 223

moreland, Kansas, who was an active and earnest worker
in the church.

At first it was distinctively a missionary movement.
There were sixteen charter members, namely: A. O.
Baldwin and wife, D. B. Perry and wife, C. A. Clark and
wife, James McKenzie, Frank and Susie Perry, Mrs. M.
J. Watkins, Mrs. E. A. Everts, Mrs. Nellie Rose, Miss
Cora Davis and three others whose names do not appear
in the record. The first pastor was J. H. Speer, who came
from South Haven, Kansas, on the recommendation of the
State Missionary board. The first elders were A. O.
Baldwin and Charles A. Clark; the first deacons were D.
B. Perry and J. W. McKenzie. A meeting was held at the
home of A. O. Baldwin in October, 1889, when the first
steps toward the erection of a house of worship were
taken. Charles A. Clark was chosen president and John
Nesmith, secretary. The following members were elected
trustees: Charles A. Clark, John Nesmith, J. L. Daniels,
J. L. Spillman and A. H. Perry. It was then resolved to
build a house of worship 24x40 feet and the following
members were appointed a building committee: John
Nesmith, C. A. Clark and J. L. Spillman. who were di-
rected to proceed accordingly. The building was erected
in the fall of 1889 on lot 3 of block 41, city of Belleville.
This lot was purchased by Joseph B. McCune, of Brad-
ford, Pennsylvania, for $250 and donated by him to the
church as a building site.

Mr. McCune during his life was a steadfast friend of
this church, often assisting it in a financial way; donating
at one time $100 in payment of a bill for lumber. John
Nesmith, chairman of the building committee, received
the thanks of the church for the prompt and creditable
manner in which his duties were performed. The house,
which was begun in October, 1889, was completed and
opened for services in January, 1890, The cost of the
building, exclusive of the lot, was $1,400. The pastors of
the church have been: J. H. Speer, 1890; J. W. Bryant,

224 History of Republic County.

1892; J. R. French, 1893; John L. Stine, 1895; C. Eaiiey,
1896; W. I. Thomas, 1897; W. E. Pitcher, 1898; C. Hen-
derson, 1900, all earnest and faithful in their religious
work. Especially we mention J. R. French, whose pastor-
ate marked an epoch in the history of this church, more
than one hundred members being added while he was in
charge. He died at the home of F. N. Munger December
10, 1894, deeply regretted by all classes of the communi-
ty. The membership of this church February 1, 1901, was
216.

CHERRY CREEK CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

The Cherry Creek Christian church, located on the
northeast corner of section 23, town 2, range 1, was or-
ganized by Elder J. C. Griffith, of Belleville, February
l')th, 1873. The church site contains li acres of land.
The house of worship, was built in 1890 at a cost of $1000.
The following are the names of the charter members:

David. Edwai-ds, Nelson Mapes,

William Flint, Sarah Spencer,

Cary Mapes, Webster Mapes,

A. W. Stone, Sarah Mapes,

John E. Edwards, Susan Flint,

America Edwards, Mary J. Griswold,

Nathan Mapes, Lucy Oliver,

Lovina Mapes, Sarah Stone.

J. C. Griffith and R. R. VanWinkle have been pas-
tors of this church, but at present it has no pastor, but a
Bible school is held every Lord's day at 10 a. m. The
present membership is 31.

CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF COURTLAND.

The Christian Church of Courtland was organized in
the year 1889 by Elder Pickett, then state evangelist, with
a membership of fifteen. Elder Garner the same year
held a protracted meeting and made eighteen additions,
after which the society gradually grew until it now has a
membership of sixty. The present church building was
erected about 1893 and is a neat, commodious structure

History of Republic County. 225

located in the east part of town. Elder Bryant followed
as pastor in 1H93 and Elder E. J. Babcock in 1895. Elder
W. P. Jewett came in 1896 and remained until the present
time. He has but recently moved to Hill City and his
place will be filled in the near future.

SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.

In the spring of 1872 the first Friends' meeting was
held by appointment, with fourteen members, at Wm. A.
Brown's home on Mill Creek, near Cuba, Republic county,
Kansas. Mill Creek preparative meeting and meeting for
worship on first and fourth days was set up by Tonga-
no:sie monthly meeting at the home of Isaac Mardock with
Abner George clerk for the day of the preparative. The
meetings were held from house to house until the sum-
mer of 1877 a log house was built in which they held their
meetings until the fall of 1883 the present building was
put up, a fi'ame 30x40. John W. Stribbling, of Iowa,
holding the first meetings in it.

The charter members were Isaac and Nancy Mardock,
Nathan and Jemima Bales, Wm. A. and Mary W. Brown,
Richard and Joanna Brown, Elkanah and Sallie Mardock
and John F. Mardock from Iowa and Indiana yearly meet-
ings. At the time of the setting up the preparative meet-
ing there were twenty-one members. Through the stead-
fastness of these fathers and mothers and the faithful-
ness of Elkanah and John F. Mardock, who were chosen
vessels of God to watch over and feed the flock, the mem-
bership increased till November, 1876, union montlily meet-
ing was setup by Spring Dale quarterly meeting, which
was held alternate at Mill Creek, Riddle Creek and Peach
Creek, the latter now called Dale.

Under the ministry of the above named Friends and
others of God's servants which came among them, their
borders were enlarged and their stakes strengthened,
until February, 1879, God saw it proper to remove by
death Elkanah Mardock. His last meetings were held at

226 History of Republic County.

Mill Creek and many can now say that he was the instru-
ment in God's hands in bringing them to Christ. Just be-
fore the close of the meeting- he said"that the veil was get-
ting very thin between him and God. Oh, if I only knew
you would be faithful I would not hate to leave you."
After the meetings closed he went home, told his wife
that that was as far as he could see, and thought God
was going to call him to distant lands or was going to
call him home, he thought the latter. He withdrew all
of his appointments, "He being dead, yet speaketh. "
(Hebrew 11-4.)

Among our home workers who carried on the work
were Townsend Mardock, Steven Hankers and Leah
Bales. Wm. P. Haworth, James Kerr and Wm. Harris
each labored for a season with them. Lealds Mardock and
James Henley too have been efficient ministers. In 1882
they had a membership of 172. In 1886 the number had
increased to 351. Owing to the setting up of other meet-
ings in Washington county their numbers were reduced in
1887 to 292, in 1892 again they reached 310, by 1897 their
numbers were reduced by removals, death andreleasements
and a few disowned to 250. At this time the enrollment
is the same as in 1882, 172.

BOHEMIAN CHURCH, CUBA.

The Bohemian church at Cuba was organized in 1876
but meetings had been held at school houses in the neigh-
borhood of Tabor prior to that lime. The church was di-
vided in 1888, one part remaining at Cuba under the Pres-
bytery and the other estabhshing itself at Munden as an
independent Bohemia Reform church, having a pastor of
its own and owning its house of worship.

The church at Cuba has a fine church building, erected
in 1890 and dedicated in October 1891 by Rev. V. Pisek of
New York. Prank Rundus was the first pastor at Cuba
after the church was built, the cost of which was about
$1500. The present membership numbers 50. Preaching

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History of Republic County. 227

every Thursday night aucl every Sunday morning by J. A.
Kohout, pastor, under whose able and efficient manage-
ment much good is being acomplished.

CHURCH OF CHRIST, WAYNE.

The Church of Christ at Wayne was organized by J.
H. Speer, September 20th, 1891. Elders James McFar-
land and J. C. Morford; Deacons, Solomon McVey and B.
F. Bashford; Treasurer, Z. Reeder; clerk, Ida A. White.
First pastor, I. T. LeBaron. A store building was soon
afterwards purchased and fitted up for a church, where
social meetings have been regularly held ever since and
preaching most of the time. Present membership 35.

CHAPTER XVIIl

SCHOOLS.

The first school house in Republic county was built in
1867, and the first school was taught in the fall of that year
by Margaret Tate, a married lady, and oldest daughter of
J. G. Tuthill. This was a log house built by Peter Moe, a
Swedish pioneer settler, for a dwelling, afterwards pur-
chased of him by the early settlers and finished up for a
school house, was located on the N|^ of the SEi of section
18, town 3, range 2, now known as Jefferson township.
This building was 18x20 feet, 12 feet high at the eaves,
roofed with split oak shingles, known in some timbered
countries as "shakes," contained but one room, one door
and two windows, was ceiled overhead and had a good board
floor, and was, without doubt, the finest and most preten-
tious building of any kind in Republic county at that
time.

In it the first political convention and a few of the first
meetings of the board of county commissioners were held,
the site of this building having been designated by Gover-

228 History of Republic County.

nor Crawford as the temporary county seat. The district
where this school was taught was tweh^e miles long and
six miles wide and embraced all the territory occupied by
the first settlers in this part of the county. On the divis-
ion of this district, for some reason which has never been
explained, that part having the first school house and where
the first school was taught was named No. 2, and is still so
known, and district No. 1 was formed from territory lying
next on the south.

There has been some little controversy about where
the first school was taught, but from the best information
obtainable I am satisfied that the above is correct, in fact
there is scarcelj'^ a reasonable presumption that it can be
otherwise.

The following is a list of the names of the pupils who
attended the first school, some of whom are still residents
of this county:

George Harris, Sanford Robbins,

Andrew Frint, Inez Jackson,

Fred Frint, Mary Robbins,

Mary M. Frint, Nettie Myers,

Elizabeth Frint, Nate Myers,

Delia VanNatta, George Myers,

Hattie Stout, Eva Reily.

There may have been others but these are all the
names I have been able to obtain. Mrs. Tate, the teacher,
believed with Solomon in a liberal application of the rod.
This statement will be verified by George Harris of Cuba,
to whom, by permission I refer in case the reader has any
doubt.

In this first school house above described, Hon. N. T,
VanNatta taught two terms of school; viz, in 1873 and 1874.
In the meantime a stone school house had been built on the
hill in the same district in which he taught three terms.
He was succeeded as teacher by his daughter, Maggie,
now the wife of Senator Ward, who taught four terms, and
she after a lapse of several years was succeeded by her
son, Guy, who taught one term, thus the representatives

History of Republic County. 229

of three generations have been teachers in the same dis-
trict and in the same school house. How long this succes-
sion is to continue remains to be seen.

A school house was built in what is now school district
No. 4 in the fall and winter of 1867-68, and a school taught
by Miss Viola McBride in the summer of 1868. This
school district embraced at that time a territory of nine by
fifteen miles and a school population of 18. Among the
other schools taught about the same time was one taught
in what is now district No. 1, by a Miss Adkins in a part
of Captain I. M. Schooley's residence on the NWi section
7, Grant township, the particulars of which I have been
unable to obtain.

I am indebted to Mr. J. D. Leigh of Hardy, Nebraska,
for the following sketch of the first school taught in Big
Bend township. This was in the winter of 1871-72. "The
building used for a school house was on John Pecht's
claim being the farm recently sold by Judge Hurst and
being about three and one-half miles northwest of where
Republic now is. 'Twas a 'little log cabin' 10x12 or possi-
bly 12x14, built of small cotton- wood logs chinked up and
daubed with earth and straw, the straw answering the
same purpose hair does in plaster. The building was cov-
ered with split poles, brush and straw and also earth. It
had a board floor made of rough cotton-wood lumber, and
in the south side of the building there was a hole 12x18
inches to admit light and air and watch for Indians by the
parties who occupied the building previous to this time.

"After Mr. Pecht bought the claim that had this build-
ing upon, he built for himself and family quite a preten-
tious house out of hewn logs with a shingle roof, moved
into it leaving this smaller building vacant which was se-
cured for school purposes. The loop hole was closed up
and windows were put into each end by putting in the sash
lengthwise, and a board shelf 12 or 14 inches wide was
fastened against the wall at each end for the desk, two
heavy cotton-wood slabs were secured from the saw mill

230 History of Republic County.

at White Rock, out of which seats were made by boring
holes and inserting wooden pins for legs. When a pupil
wished to use the desk o.r shelf he had to turn around and
sit with his back to the teacher; and there may have been
ten pupils enrolled that term. The first thought that
would naturally come to us would be that these boys and
girls must have been very backward,, this being the first
term of school ever taught in the township, but they were
from the east and had been out of school less than a year.
One of them, Harry Lowe, was from the graded school of
Lena, Illinois, and in mental arithmetic was a 'cracker.'
It was all that I could possibly do to follow him through
the long mental problems that he solved most readily, and
Will Hill of McHutcheon's family had attended some Cath-
olic school in Canada, where he studied French, and was
naturally as bright as a star. One day I was hearing him
read, it was about Washington's home, he came to the
word, 'Potomac, ' and stopped. I looked at the word, be-
came confused, finally jumped onto it and called it 'Po-to-
mack, ' with the accent on the last syllable, and that boy
looked up and laughed in the face of as kind a teacher as
ever failed to get a certificate, and I saw the confidence in
the superior intellectual ability of his teacher fade away
from his bright countenance, and I knew something had to
be done, and that -quick too, so I said: Young man, all
proper names are either herbiverous or corniverous and
may be effervescent or suffruetescent and are subject to
bifercation, and the accent is always on the ante-peanut
syllable, if it was not somewhere else, and it was hard to
tell always whether they were roasted or raw, and that in
this case I believed 'Po-to mack' was a little raw. And I
had him squelched and held his confidence and respect for
the balance of the term of three months, for which I re-
ceived $25 per month. I say it without boasting or fear of
contradiction that it was the best school that had been
taught in the township up to that time, and there was not
a pen or pencil tablet within fifty miles of us."

History of Republic County. 231

Other pioneer schools are referred to in the chapter
on Townships, all of which clearly indicates that the early-
settlers of Republic county were not only interested in
securing homes for themselves and families, but used all
the means at their command to secure educational advan-
tages for their children. And, kind reader, do not for one
moment imagine that because these primitive conditions
existed that there were no good teachers or bright
pupils in those days, for there were as thoroughly well
qualitied teachers in Republic county in the early 70s as
there has been at any time since; some of them holding
state, and several holding first grade certificates, among
whom I mention: N. T. VanNatta, David C. Gamble, R. H.
Galloway, E. W. Wagener, J. C. Price, H. O. Studley, Miss
Clara Jones, Lou Arbutnot, Cordelia Bradley, Clara Tur-
ner and Mrs. Eliza G. Latham.

I am indebted to Mr. E. E. Baird, our gentlemanly
county superintendent, for the following highly interest-
ing sketch of the present conditions of the schools of the
county: "Republic county has one hundred and twenty-
six organized school districts, one hundred and twenty-one
of which lie entirely within its boundaries, and five of
which are joint districts — Joint No. 1, Republic and Jewell
counties; Joint No. 1, Republic and Cloud counties; Joint
No. 1, Republic, Cloud and Washington counties; Joint No.
2, Republic, Cloud and Washington counties; and Joint
No. 1, Republic and Washington counties. One hundred
and forty-eight teachers are required to teach these
schools. The school population at this time is 6,541, with
an enrollment for last year of 5,478 pupils. The districts
having the largest school population are No. 14, with 712;
No. 6, with 268; and No. Ill, with 214. These districts in-
clude the cities of Belleville, Scandia and Cuba respectively.

•'To maintain our schools requires an expenditure of
nearly $60,000 annually. Of this amount $40,250 is paid
for teachers' wages. The average salary per month paid
to male teachers being $40.37 and to female teachers $34.77.

232 History of Republic County.

The school districts are now comparatively free from debt,
the bonded indebtedness at present being only $15,350.

"For the better preparation of teachers the county nor-
mal institute is held at Belleville four weeks each year, as
has been the custom since the law was enacted providing
for institutes. The largest institute ever held was in the
year 1899, when 226 bona fide members were in attendance.
This was the largest institute held in the state that year.

"The Republic County Educational Association is a
permanent organization of the teachers of the county for
the mutual benefit of the teachers and for the promotion
of education. Seven sessions are held annually at the var-
ious cities in the county. Each teacher in the county is
considered a member and it is his duty to attend, and to
take a part in as many of the meetings as possible.

"At no time have the schools been in better condition
than at present, and at no time has the teaching force been
so well prepared for the work of the profession. Even
district schools are graded and a definite course of study
is followed. A system of graduation from the common
schools at the completion of the eighth grade work has been
in vogue since 1892. The number of graduates for the
different years is as follows: 1892, 15; 1893, 21; 1894, 117;
1895, 113; 1896, 113; 1897, 40; 1898, 69; 1899, 59; 1900, 74;
1901, 88; total 709. Each year commencement exercises
are held at convenient places in the county. Each gradu-
ate delivers an essay or an oration of his own preparation.
Representatives of each class take part in a central com-
mencement held at Belleville at the time of the normal in-
stitute.

"The teachers' Reading circle has been an impetus
toward the reading of professional books by a majority of
our teachers, and this has been one means of raising the
standard of the profession."

Residence of J. C. Humphrey, Belleville City.

History of Republic County. 233

CHAPTER XIX.

NEWSPAPERS.

The Belleville Telescope, the pioneer newspaper of
Republic county, was established by James C. Humphrey,
in September, 1870, when there wei'e only two buildings
on the townsite. The paper was issued regularly for six-
teen months, when its publication was discontinued, the
last issue being January 19th, 1872. The reason for so do-
ing, as briefly stated by Mr. Humphrey in his valedictory,
was "to make room for a larger paper, as he had not the
capital to enlarge to such a size as the county demands."
After a lapse of eighteen months he resumed its publica-
tion, the first issue being July 3d, 1873, greatly enlarged
and improved and fully up to the demands of the town
and county at that time, Mr. O. A. A. Gardner assuming
editorial management of the agricultural department of
the paper, Mr. Humphrey being the editor-in-chief, pro-
prietor and publisher until October 23d, 1884, when the
late Mr. E. B.Towle took the place of Mr. Humphrey as edi-
tor, remaining in charge of the editorial columns until Sep-
tember 29th, 1887, when the paper was sold toE. E. Brain,
erd, who took possession October 6th, 1887, having sole con-
trol until March 22, 1888, when a partnership was formed
with J. W. Shackelford, which continued until November
1st of that year, when the partnership was dissolved, Mr.
Brainerd again assuming entire control until September
1st, 1889, when Humphrey and Shackelford purchased the
paper, Mr. Shackelford becoming editor, continuing as
such until November 14th, 1890, when Mr. Shackelford re-
tired, leaving Mr. Humphrey again the sole owner of the
paper, remaining so until July, 1900, when he formed a
partnership with his daughter, Adela, which continued
until July 1st, 1901, when they sold the paper to Mr. A. J.
Bayse, who is now conducting the paper. The Telescope

234 History of Republic County.

has always been republican in politics, has labored earn-
estly and persistently for the advancement of the material
interests of Belleville, Republic county, and northern Kan-
sas.

SCANDIA JOURNAL.

The paper now published as the Scandia Journal was
first published in Belleville under the name Belleville Re-
public. The first issue was printed February 7, 1872. For
eighteen months it was the only paper in the county, hav
ing taken the place of the Telescope, suspended in Janu-
ary, 1872. A. B. Wilder was the founder of the paper and
was associated with it off and on until 1888. At different
times other men were associated with him or bought it
from him, but none of them made a success of the busi-
ness. During the time Mr. Wilder had the paper it was
Independent Republican in politics. Since that time it has
been radically republican. Mr. Wilder's first partner was
a Mr. Kirby. From May, 1872, to February 5th, 1873, it
was under the editorial control of Hugh M, Sawyer, a
scholarly man, afterward a prominent school man in Io\^ a.
May 6th, 1874, it was sold to Frank Kirk and the office re-
moved to Jewell Center, re-established under the same
name at Belleville August, 1875. The last issue of the
Belleville Republic was August 9th, 1876. The next issue
came out as the Scandia Republic, Mr. Wilder having
moved the plant to Scandia during the week. On January
1st, 1878, the paper was sold to L H. Tibbitts, a Scandia
lawyer, who changed the name to the Republic County
Journal. Mr. Tibbitts did not become a shining light in
the newspaper field and on August 21st of the same year
the plant was returned to Mr. Wilder. He now associated
with him A. P. Wilber, who remained on the paper until
November 15, 1879. At this time it was sold to S. W.
Moore, who edited it until June 4, 1881. On this date it
was sold to Charles F. Woodward. Mr. Woodward con-
tinued in control of the paper until after the tragic death

A. B. KIMBALL,
Editoi' Scandia Journal and Post-
master, Scandia, Kansas.

History of Republic County. 235

of his brother, Dr. Wm. H. Woodward. On April 29th,
1882, Mr. Wilder again came into possession and continued
to wield the editorial pencil until January 1st, 1887. During
the month of August, ]885, the Journal was pubhshed as
a daily, the only daily paper ever published in Republic
county. On the first day of January, 1882, Mr. Woodward
changed the name from Republic County Journal to Scan-
dia Journal, which name it has since borne. From January
1st to October 7th, 1887, George F. Page was editor. On
May 18th, 1888, Mr. Wilder sold the Journal to Stoy E. and
I. C. Ware and finally severed his connection with news-
paper work. The paper was published by Ware & Co.,
until September, 1890, when Stoy E. Ware was appointed
postmaster, and I. C. Ware continued the publication alone.
In August 1889 the Journal absorbed the good will and
subscription accounts of the Scandia Independent, de-
ceased, since which time it has been the only newspaper
in Scandia.

Mr. Ware retired from the newspaper work December
1st, 1891, being succeeded by George F. Page as editor
and proprietor. In September 1892 the plant was burned
and was a totaJ loss, there being no insurance. Through
the generosity of friends Mr. Page was put on his feet and
not an issue was missed. Entirely new equipment was
put in and the paper became a five-column quarto and one
of the handsomest in the state. This form has been re-
tained and the paper is now issued with from eight to
twelve pages as the business requires. In 1895 Mr. Page
contracted the California fever and on March 1st sold the
plant to Albert B. Kimball, who has conducted the busi-
ness ever since. In his hands the paper has been more of
a success, financially than ever before. From time to time
material additions have been made to the office, until at
this time it is probably the best equipped newspaper and
job ofiice, size of town considered, in the state of Kansas.
In July 1900, the proprietor bought as a home for it, the
two story stone building it now occupies, and last spring

236 History of Republic County.

put in an engine so that all the machinery is run by power.
Mr. Kimball has been postmaster at Scandia for the past
four years and has the postoffice in the same room as the
Journal.

SCANDIA SENTINEL AND REPUBLIC CITY NEWS.

The Scandia Sentinel was established at Scandia by
William H. Ketch um early in the year 1881. In May of
that year Mr. Ketchum found that it would be to his
advantage to move his plant to Republic City, which was
done, and the name of the paper changed to the Republic
County Sentinel. Ketchum was a practical printer and a
newspaper man with more than the average ability. His
editorials possessed a vigor which made the Sentinel a
popular country newspaper. He was a staunch republican
and was fearless in his advocacy of republican principles.
But like many another — liquor and convivial habits got the
better of him and in May 1882 he was forced to suspend
publication. He next moved his plant to Table Rock, Ne-
braska.

The place of publication at the time the Sentinel was
first issued in Republic City, was in the top story of a large
frame building known as the "Garside Block." Later it
was moved into a building which yet remains on the town-
site, and on the front of which may be seen to this day the
sign "The Repubic County Sentinel." It may be of inter-
est to say something of the building itself. It was first
built on Rose Creek, for a store, 15 or 16 miles east of
where now stands Republic City. Along about 1879 or
1880 it was moved to a site on Otter Creek, on the farm
where Mr. John Sumbler now lives, where it contained "a
large and complete stock of general merchandise," — it
having the prodigous dimensions of 16x24, with a Boston
front. Shortly thereafter, when it was determined to have
a town on the site of Republic City, the building was once
more put on to a truck and moved to "the city," and set
down on the corner of Broadway and Republic avenue.

History of Republic County. 237

There it was occupied as a drug store where behind its
capacious prescription case the early denizens of "the city"
were wont to slack their thirst with liberal libations of
"squirrel whiskey" — "squirrel, "because as soon as two or
three drinks were imbeded in a man's frame he wanted to
climb a tree, or a telegraph pole, for a lack of a single tree
on the townsite. A Kansas zephyr came along one day and
bio wed the shack down and the badly fractured remains
were gathered together and moved "up the avenue" a bit
further, to its present site. The Sentinel was moved into
the building in the new location and remained there until
its early demise, which incident happened, as near as I
can remember from the hearsay evidence, before it was
yetayearold. The editor and proprietor might have done
well, in fact did do well, if he had devoted his time to his
business, but he had very little time for that, as he was
very busy most of the time "looking for another drink."
The town was for some time without a paper.

In March, 1883, one Charles H. Wolfe, learning the
necessity of a newspaper at Republic launched the News.
He was lacking in all the essential traits and qualifications
of a newspaper man, and after six months' experience sold
the venture toGomer T. Davies, a native of Wales, the pur-
chase price being §150. Gomer developed into a practical
and fearless newspaper man, possessing rare qualifications
for the work in which he was about to engage, and who
made for Republic City, through the medium of the News,
a reputation that will live for many years to come. Gomer
T. Davies is one of the few men who have in Kansas made
a success of a country newspaper. While editor of the
News he was twice elected as a republican to represent his
district, comprising the north half of Republic county, in
the state legislature, sessions of 1887 and 1889. Later he
became an earnest advocate of the principles of the popu-
list party, and is at the present time the editor and pro-
prietor of the Kansan, a paper of state reputation. D. A.
Davies, a brother of Gomer, succeeded to the proprietor-

238 History of Republic County.

ship of the News in 1897 with George H. Litsinger as edi-
tor. After a few months Litsinger severed his connection
with the paper to take a course in medicine, and in 1900
graduated at the head of his class of 125, from the Univer-
sity Medical college of Kansas City, Missouri. He is now
engaged in a successful and lucrative practice at Riley,
Kansas. Following D. A. Davies, Tom Charles, a half-
brother, became editor and proprietor of the News in 1898.
He was ably assisted in the editorial work by his mother,
Mrs. Lydia Charles, a woman of rare attainments, and a
vigorous writer. Under the management of D. A. Davies
and Tom Charles the paper remained populist in principle.
In 1900 the paper again changed hands and political pohcy.
It is now owned and edited by Don Patterson who is keep-
ing the paper up to the demands of the times and the sat-
isfaction of its patrons. Tom Charles has taken charge of
the Belleville Freeman and is running a paper of which a
much larger town might feel justly proud. In conclusion it
is but fair and just to say that the Republic City News has
not been at any period of its history altogether obscure in
the newspaper world of Kansas, nor is it now.

THE BELLEVILLE DEMOCRAT.

The Belleville Democrat was established at Belleville,
August 1st, 1885, by J. and C. M. McLaury and was pub-
lished as a democratic paper for about ten years. Its pub
lication was suspended for about one year, while John,
the senior member of the hrm, was postmaster at Belle-
ville. The paper came from Chester, Nebraska, where it
had been published about seven months. It was a reliable
newspaper, always taking a lively interest in all measures
calculated to promote the best interests of the city and
county.

THE BELLEVILLE ASTONISHER.

The Belleville Astonisher was first issued as a weekly
November 24th, ] 886. The prospectus stating the objects
and giving subscription rates was as follows: "The As-

History of Republic County. 239

tonisher is published for the social and financial benefit of
the residents of Republic county, Kansas, and also for the
benefit of the editor. With the latter object in view the
price is six dollars per year. If you do not think it is
worth that amount please leave your name with the editor
and you will receive it free. W. A. Godard, Editor and
Proprietor." Under the tast clause of the prospectus quite
a large number of our best citizens were induced to become
subscribers. This paper was published for some time as
a weekly and afterwards as a monthly. It was neutral in
politics.

REPUBLIC COUNTY FREEMAN.

This paper was established in June, 1880, by H. N.
Boyd, as a greenback paper, at Logan, Phillips county,
Kansas. In October, 1890, at the solicitation of the Re-
public County Alliance it was moved to Belleville. During
the period from 1880 the paper supported for President,
General Weaver twice, Mr. Streeter once, and Mr. Bryan
twice. In January 1889 he sold it to the Kimball Publish-
ing Company, which again sold it in 1900 to Tom Charles,
who is now publishing it as a populist paper and which
has the largest circulation of any paper in Republic county.
Mr. Boyd mentioned with some pride the fact that during
his nineteen years ownership of the paper there were
births, deaths and marriages in the family and the paper
was moved 120. miles without missing an issue.

THE NARKA NEWS.

This paper was established by James A. Harris, edi-

itor and publisher, the first issue being on June 22nd,

1893. Mr. Harris published the paper about one year

when he sold to J. L. Addington, editor and publisher, who

made it a spicy and readable paper, weilding considerable

influence. During most of the time that it was published

by Mr. Addington it was a Peoples party organ. After

bout six years proprietorship he sold toH. E. Moore, who
a

240 History of Republic County.

took charge in September, 1900, and who published the
same until August, 1901 , when he sold to W. H. McCurdy,
who is now publishing it as a republican paper. The News
during its entire history has been ably edited, its columns
always bright and newsy, and a credit to the town in which
it has been published.

THE TALMO ENTERPRISE.

The Talmo Enterprise, a six column weekly, V. D.
Bullen, editor and proprietor, was published at Talmo, the
first issue being September 22nd, 1887. This was quite a
breezy paper, republican in politics, devoted to the interest
of Talmo and vicinity, had quite a liberal advertising pat-
ronage, but like many other ventures of a similar charac-
ter, died young.

THE W^ARWICK LEADER.

The Warwick Leader, republican in politics, was pub-
lished at Warwick by J. H. Price in 1835 or 86.

THE ADVANCED LEADER.

The Advanced Leader also republican, was j)ublished
at Warwick in 1888. Peter McHutcheon being editor, pub-
lisher and proprietor. This paper like many others did
not live to an advanced age.

THE CUBAN RECORD.

The Cuban Record was published at Cuba, commenc-
ing in August, 1900 till March, 1901, by L. L. Moon. Re-
publican in politics.

THE CUBAN UNION.

The Cuban Union, a republican jDaper, was published
for a short time at Cuba by T. A. Cordry in 1887 or 1888.

THE UNION AND PILOT.

The Union and Pilot were merged and formed the
Cuba Daylight, which is now being published weekly as a

History of Republic County. 241

republican paper by Nutter & Novak; is a bright and newsy
local paper and well patronized.

THE WHITE ROCK INDEPENDENT.

The White Rock Independent, a weekly newspaper,
was published at White Rock for about a year in 1877 and
78, by Harlan Taylor, a brother of the late A. E. Taylor,
and was what its name indicated, independent in politics.

THE WEEKLY RECORD.

The Weekly Record, an independent paper was pub-
lished at Belleville for a few months in 1883 and '84 by J.
M. McAfee.

THE REPUBLIC COUNTY CHIEF.

The Republic County Chief, a republican paper was
published at Scandia in 1884, A. E. Blank, editor and pub-
lisher.

THE WAYNE REGISTER.

The Wayne Register, republican in politics, was pub-
lished at Wayne in 1885 and '86, by B. W. Curtis, editor
and proprietor.

THE CUBAN.

The first newspaper at Cuba was The Cuban, pub-
lished in the summer of 1885, by John D. Bennett.

THE REPUBLIC COUNTY PILOT.

The Republic County Pilot was published at Cuba in
1886 and '87 by W. S. Elliott. Republican in pohtics.

THE COURTLAND REGISTER.

The Cortland Register, (now Courtland) was estab-
lished by F. M. Coffey and the first issue published Peb-
uary 2nd, 1889. After about six months J. A. Litsinger
was pen pusher. About 1893 H. A. Hoy t came into pos-
session of the paper and continued to publish it for five
years. On the 1st of May 1898 it came under its present
management. This paper has seen its ups and downs.

242

History of Republic County.

Twice its suspension has been announced but both times
it failed to suspend and now is a money maker. It has
had almost as many changes of politics as of editors but is
now straight republican.

THE CUBA ADVOCATE.

The Cuba Advocate, a People's party paper is published
weekly at Cuba, John Brown, editor, proprietor and pub-
lisher. It is ably edited, has a large circulation and good
advertising patronage.

THE INDEPENDENT,

The Independent, a four page paper, in size about 7x9,
possibly a little larger, greenback in politics, was pub-
lished in 1875 in the rear of Hart's furniture store in Belle-
ville, by W. C. Thornton, commonly known as "Dirty Shirt
Thornton," and this paper was pretty nearly, if not quite
as dirty as its editor.

THE SCANDIA INDEPENDENT.

The Scandia Independent, a Democrat newspaper, was
published at Scandia in 1888 by Newton and Scott.

CHAPTER XX,

CENSUS STATISTICS AND ASSESSED VALUATION FOR 1901.

1860
1861
1862
1863
1868
1870
1873
1874
1875

The population of the county was, in

1885 17540

630
1281
7055
8020
8048

1876
1877*
1878
1879

1880
1881
1882
1883
1884

* No report for 1877.

8758

10132
12193
14913
13117
14057
14897
16237

1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893

18070
17539
17575
17539
19002
17048
16933
17047

1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
1901

16771
16676
15658
16059
17161
17925
18248
18562

History of Republic County

243

In 1880 about 1500 laborers employed in building the
B. & M. railroad were enumerated by the United States
census takers in the townships of Big Bend and Rose
Creek, which accounts for the large increase from 1878 to
1880, and the falling oflf from 1880 to 1881.

Census of Republic county by townships and cities
for 1900 and 1901:

Assessors Government.

1901

()25

Townships

Albion

Beaver

Belleville (563

Big Bend 772

Courtland 724

Elk Creek 757

Fairview 915

Farmington 763

Freedom 667

Grant 804

Jefferson 649

Liberty 752

Lincoln 709

Norway 724

Richland 881

Rose Creek 742

Scandia 701

Union 740

Washington 776

White Rock 602

Belleville City 1984

Scandia City 601

Cuba City 476

Courtland City 287

Narka City 275

Republic City 248

1900
707
612
658
772
704
757
894
753
667
800
649
747
709
726
877
738
699
740
776
602

1833
598
445
286
258
241

Total 18562

18248

244

History of Republic County

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History of Republic County. 245

CHAPTER XXL

SOLDIERS' REUNION. ORGANIZATION, ETC.

A public meeting was held in Belleville November
29th, 1878, for the purpose of making arrangements for
holding a reunion of the ex-soldiers of the county, at
which time a committee of arrangements was appointed,
with instructions to report program, time and place of
holding the meeting, etc.

The committee reported on the 7th of December, nam-
ing December 13th as the time and Belleville the place for
holding the same, which report was accepted and adopted.

Friday, the 13th, the day set for the reunion, turned
out to be the stormiest of the season thus far; the wind
being one of those peculiar Kansas zephyrs which, farther
east, would be called a high wind, blowing at its best
gait all day, and the snow flying so as to render travel-
ing well nigh impossible. Notwithstanding all this, some
200 of the "boys," fired by the patriotism still so fresh in.
their bosoms, managed to be present, besides quite a
number of citizens, including many ladies, who so kindly
furnished the most bountiful supply of luscious rations,
of which there was a large quantity left over. The day
was passed in exercises, in drill, speaking, story telling,
and drinking genuine soldiers' coffee, etc., all within
doors, the weather being too inclement for outdoor exer-
cises.

The w^elcome address was delivered by Mayor Wood-
ward, who was followed by Mr. Ed. Knowles, H. G. Dow
and others. Hon. E. J. Jenkins, of Concordia, who had
been expected to speak, expressed his inability to be
present in the following sympathetic and patriotic letter;

Concordia, December 11th, 1878,
W. H. IVoodward, [Mayor, Belleville, Kan.:

Dear Sir: Yours of the 7th has just been received.
The time between this and the day of your reunion is so

246 History of Republic County.

short that it will be impossible for me to arrange to be
present. Nothing would afford me more pleasure than to
be present at a reunion of the soldiers who defended the
republic. During my official career in the Republican land
district I have met many gallant fellows among the home-
stead settlers who. having done gallant and noble service
in the defense of their country, in time of peace exhibit
the best evidence of good citizenship by improving and
developing the prairies of the west, thus aiding the nation
by advancing civilization westward, into the hitherto
wild waste of wilderness.

Many of them carry as many scars as were upon the
person of Coriolanus of old, and I have frequently thought
that our government, in the disposition of public lands,
has not done as much for the honorably discharged sol-
diers as they deserve for their services. I believe every
honorably discharged soldier, who fought for the defense
of the Union, should have a quarter section of land, free
of charge, to be selected from the public lands belonging
to the government. If the odd-numbered sections within
the limits of grants to the railroad companies, that have
been granted to such companies since the close of the war,
and during that struggle, had been reserved for and given
to the honorably discharged soldiers, their widows and
orphans, the government would have done a noble work
as a partial compensation to the men whose patriotism and
valor saved the government and the nation as a unit, with
its escutcheon untarnished.

A feeling of sadness comes o'er my mind as I contem-
plate the remembrance of the departed who fell in battle,
while there is one thought that is consoling, — that they are
not forgotten by the true patriots living, while the mystic
chord of memory stretches from every battle field and
soldier's grave to every hamlet and dwelling place through-
out the land. Very Respectfully,

E. J. Jenkins.

No steps were taken at this time to effect a permanent

History of Republic County. 247

organization, but on the 9th day of August, 1879, in pur-
suance of previous notice a meeting was held for that pur-
pose, at the court-house in Belleville, and a permanent or-
ganization effected by the election of the following officers
for the ensuing year: President, J. G. McCathron; vice-
president. S. A. McKay; secretary, P. F. Grant; treasurer
H. G. Wallin.

A committee of arrangements was then appointed,
viz., J. H. Crane, George Lembke, S. A. McKay, E. C.
Baker, Capt. W. W. Wait, and H. C. Swartz. At this meet-
ing, it was decided to hold the annual reunion on the public
square in Belleville, on September 18th. The following
persons were announced as speakers: E. J. Jenkins, Con-
cordia; Hon. I. O. Savage, Freedom township; Dr. W. H.
Woodward. Belleville; L. C. Hanson, Scandia.

The Second annual reunion was held at Belleville, Sep-
tember 18th, 1879, and proved to be a perfect success, a
more enjoyable affair having never before taken place in
Republic county. From 7 a. m. until nearly noon, crowds
flocked in from all parts of the county, until the number
reached the neighborhood of 2,000. They were about 500
soldiers present, who were formed into companies, and,
under the command of Col. D. C. Gamble and their respec-
tive captains, they were drilled add marched, marched and
drilled, until some of the boys cried, "Give us a rest."

After dinner, the assembly repaired to the grove on
the pubhc square, which had been neatly seated, and where
a stand had been erected for the speakers, so as to listen
to eloquent and patriotic addresses by Mayor Woodward
and others, all of whom were attentively hstened to and
loudly applauded. The music and singing, by the choir,
was excellent: also, the martial music to the White Rock
and Cuba martial bands did much to enliven the occasion.
Great credit is due Messrs. J. E. Hallowell, J. H. Crane,
S. A. McKay, and others of the committee of arrange-
ments, for the zealous and earnest manner in which they

248 History of Republic County.

worked to make the second soldiers' reunion a grand suc-
cess.

It was decided to hold the third annual reunion at
Belleville on the first Thursday and Friday of September,
1880. The third annual reunion was held on Tuesday and
Wednesday, September 14th and 15th, 1880. Gov. St. John
and Senator Plumb were advertised to address the meet-
ing, but, failing to attend, their places were filled by Col-
onel Gamble, Dr. W. H. Woodward, Hon. R. P. West, and
others. There were fully 400 soldiers in attendance, and the
best of feeling prevailed. The weather was fine, the at-
tendance of citizens large, and everything passed off in a
most harmonious and satisfactory manner.

The fourth annual reunion was held at Belleville, Sep-
tember 9th and 10th, 1881. The crowd the second day ex-
ceeded by far that of any former gathering in Republic
county, and the programme was carried out to the letter.
Not less than 3,000 people were in attendance.

The fifth annual reunion took place at Belleville, Sep-
tember 1st, 1882, and was well attended by the old soldier
boys, as well as by citizens generally throughout the coun-
ty. Dr. Griffith made the address of welcome to the boys,
Thursday forenoon, which was able, interesting and well
delivered. The oration delivered by Col. M. M. Miller
was a masterly effort, and was listened to with the great-
est interest and attention by all present. Captain Dixon
was officer of the day, and acquitted himself nobly in the
discharge of his duties. This occasion was one long to be
remembered by all present.

The sixth reunion was held at Belleville September
6th and 7th, 1883. Music was furnished by the K. of P.
cornet band from Washington, the band from Republic
City and two martial bands.

Hon. Wm. Glasgow was president of the day. One
of the leading features was the parade of Co. "E," com-
posed of soldiers from Freedom and Liberty townships
under command of Capt. B. Dutton.

History of Republic County. 249

The principal addresses were made by Col. Dan L.
Brown, of Concordia, Hon. David Heron, of Mankato, and
Col. David C. Gamble, of Seapo.

The ''Virginia Veteran" was played to crowded
houses both evenings and everybody voted the sixth re-
union a decided success.

The seventh reunion was held at Belleville Septem-
ber 25th and 26th, 1884. Col. D. C. Gamble, president,
and Capt. Adam Dixon, officer of the day. Music by the
Belleville cornet band. Walker's martial band of Freedom,
Mosher's, of Scandia, and Wagener's, of Cuba.

Hon. John A. Anderson, our member of congress,
was the orator of the day, delivering a very able address,
which was followed by a short address by John M. Law-
rence.

SECOND DAY.

Speaking by Rev. R. A. Hoifman, T. M. Noble, E. B.
Towle, J. F. Close and others interspersed with music.
A recitation by Miss M. O. Davies, entitled "The Irish
Veteran's Wife, " rendered with pathos and feeling, was
warmly applauded by her appreciative hearers. Much
credit was due to Colonel Gamble and Captain Dixon for
the very able and efficient manner in which they dis-
charged their duties on this occasion.

The eighth reunion was held at Scandia August 6th
and 7th, 1885, and was one of the largest ever held in Re-
public county. Although the weather was exceedingly
warm, the exercises were highly enjoyed by all. The
citizens of Scandia acquitted themselves nobly, doing
everything in their power for the comfort and enjoyment of
the vast number of veterans in attendance.

The inter- state reunion at Beatrice w^as held the sec-
ond week in September, 1885. Republic county was rep-
resented there by about 200 veterans, John Brown Post
attending practically in a body, carrying the new" banner
received by the Post September 3d, 1885. This banner

250 History of Republic County.

was made of dark blue silk, surrounded by a heavy gold
fringe, hung by a gold cord. The front contained a large
painting of old John Brown, after whom the Post was
named and the finest likeness of him I ever saw, and the
lettering John Brown Post, No. 44, Belleville, Kansas,
and the letters G. A. R. On the reverse side the grand
army badge and the words "Mustered in March 25th,
1882, Department of Kansas."

This was the finest banner in the parade, admired by
all and of which the Post justly felt proud. It was de-
stroyed by fire November 4th, 1890, when the G. A. R.
hall and all its contents were swept away. The sickness
and sudden death of Comrade John M. Thompson while
at this reunion cast a gloom over what otherwise would
have been a most enjoyable occasion. The boys returned
home one day earlier than they had intended on that ac-
count.

The eight annual reunion, September 9th and 10th,
1887. Weather unfavorable and the attendance light. All
the exercises were held in doors, owing to the inclement
weather. Addresses by Rev. Geo. W. Wood in the court
room, on Friday forenoon, and Gen. J. C. Caldwell in the
afternoon. Ex-Governor Geo. T. Anthony spoke on Satur-
day. Music of a high class was furnished by the Belle-
ville Cornet band and Walker's martial band of Freedom.

A broom brigade from Republic City, was also in
attendance, composed of young ladies in uniform, under
command of Thomas F. Marlatt. Their drill was very fine,
and had the weather been pleasant, they could have given
a very interesting exhibition. The addresses of General
Caldwell and Governor Anthony, on this occasion, were
very able, and pleased the soldier boys so well a com mit-
tee of three were appointed to draft resolutions expressive
of the sense of the association. The resolutions were as
follows :

Resolved — First, that our asssociation has been very
highly favored during the reunion, just held, by having the

History of Republic County. 251

pleasure of listening to the very able and interesting ad-
dresses of General J. C. Caldwell and Governor George T.
Anothony.

Resolved — Second, that to these gentlemen our warm-
est thanks are due for the services they have rendered, in
adding to the enjoyment and permanent interest of the
occasion.

Resolved — Third, that we will hold them in grateful
remembrance, and cherish the truths they gave us, and
will be delighted to have them visit us again, assuring
them of a warm and soldierly welcome.

George W. Wood,
H. O. Studley,
I. O. Savage,

Committee.

Camp John A. Logan, Belleville, Kansas, August
9th, loth and 11th, 1888. This was the largest and most
successful reunion ever held by this association. A large
number of tents were obtained and pitched in the public
square for all who wished to spend the night there, and
on Friday night they were all filled.

The music was by Walker & Wagener's martial bands
combined, a martial band from Concordia, and the Belle-
ville K. of P. band. The officers w^ere: H. C. Swartz,
colonel; C. H. Hansen, lieutenant colonel; Sam. M. Stew-
art, major; W. W. Wait, adjutant. Officers of the day:
John R. Bow^ersox, first day; T. F. Marlatt, second day;
John H. Crane, third day.

FIRST DAY.

Address of welcome by H. O. Studley and address by
Rev. Don A. Allen. Camp fire at night when short ad-
dresses were made by several comrades.

SECOND DAY.

Hon. Lewis Hanback, of Osborne county, delivered
an able address in the forenoon and Rev. Geo. W. Wood,
of Guthrie Center, Iowa, in the afternoon.

252 History of Republic County.

THIRD DAY.

In the forenoon Col. John W. Foster delivered the
principal address. In the afternoon a sham battle was
fought in the open field west of the city, C. N. Hansen,
colonel, commanding the Union forces, and Colonel James
Smith commanding the Confederate forces. The boys
labored under disadvantages in not having enough guns,
and the few they had were muzzle loaders, consequently
the firing was neither heavj?" nor rapid. Of course the
Union forces were victorious and marched triumphantly
back to town with the whole Confederate army as prison-
ers. Taking everything into consideration, this was the
most complete success of any celebration of the kind ever
held in the county. The weather was exceptionally fine
and the attendance the largest ever known in Belleville up
to that time. It was estimated by good judges that on
Saturday there were at least 6,000 people in attendance.
Seventeen states were represented by ex-soldiers, Illinois
having sixty-six, being the largest number from any one
state.

September 12th, 13th and 14th, 1889, twelfth annual
reunion. Eminent speakers from abroad who had accepted
invitations failed to put in an appearance, consequently
home talent had to be called into requisition, of which
there was no lack. Still it was a disappointment to
many who never appreciate home talent anyway. The
speakers were J. F. Close, E. L. Meek, W. H. Pilkenton,
E. W. Wagener, D. A. Allen, H. O. Studley and Rev.
Shackelford. The Belleville juvenile band, the Scandia
cornet band and the Mosher-Sheeks martial band fur-
nished the music throughout the reunion.

On Friday afternoon the grand review took place and
it was quite a creditable exhibition. Captain Wm. Walker
of Scandia, commanded the column, which was reviewed
by General Dixon, and staff, consisting of Captain Stud-
ley, Jacob Beck and C. G. Bulkley. The exercises, though

History of Republic County. 253

Dot quite as interesting as on some former occassions,
were of a creditable nature, when everything is taken into
consideration. The following criticism of this reunion ap-
peared in the Belleville Democrat, at that time edited by
by Charlie McLiiury, and although perhaps a little severe,
very nearly portrays the situation at that time:

The twelfth annual reunion of the soldiers and sailors
of Republic county closed on Saturday. We do not say
that the reunion was an entire failure, but do say that it
bordered very closely to one, had but a small margin to
go on, and in saying that it was not a fizzle we are making
a distinction where but a slight difference exists. This is
attributable to several causes, first and chief, perhaps,
was the unfavorable weather the second day; second, dis-
appointment in the speakers who were advertised, and
third, the mismanagement, or rather total lack of manage-
ment all the way through. Last week we questioned the
propriety of sending off for United States senators and
other celebrities when the committee inviting them feel
pretty certain that none of them will show up and we are
of the same opinion yet. But if the managers persist in
this course, let us suggest a program something like the
following for next year:

FIRST DAY.

Addresses by Right Hon. William E. Gladstone and
Charles Stuart Parnell.

SECOND DAY.

The following distinguished speakers will address
the assembled multitude: James G. Blaine and William
Windom.

THIRD DAY.

Twenty minute speeches by Ben. Harrison, Secretary
Noble, Assistant Secretary Bussey, Corporal Tanner and
Private Dalzell.

(It might be proper to append a footnote to the pro-

254 History of Republic County.

gram, in small letters, stating that in all probability not a
single one named would be here.)

Whether the above criticism by Charley or a general
feeling of apathy on the part of the members of the asso-
ciation is responsible for the collapse of the annual re-
union meetings is left to the careful consideration of the
unprejudiced reader. At any rate no meetings have since
been held.

CHAPTER XXIL

CORN JUBILEE.

Belleville, Kansas, August 23, 1890.

Dear Sir: — In view of the fact that Republic county
will this year harvest the most bountiful crop of corn in
its history, it is deemed just and proper that this event be
celebrated in an appropriate manner; therefore a mass
meeting of the farmers, and any and all others interested,
will be held at the court house in Belleville on Monday,
August 28th, at 2 o'clock p. m., for the purpose of making
the necessary preliminary arrangements for the holding
of a Corn Carnival or Pall Festival not later than the first
week in October, to continue not less than three days, at
which the agricultural and horticultural products of the
county are to be exhibited, the display of corn being made
a leading feature.

It is also recommended that one day be devoted to ex-
ercises conducted by the Old Soldiers' and one by the Old
Settlers' Reunion Association of Republic county.

The railroads running through the county have already
signified their willingness to co-operate.

Fellow citizens, let us for one week lay aside our ordi-
nary business cares and celebrate with songs and rejoicing
the fact that it is our good fortune to reside in one of the
grandest and most fruitful counties on earth.

History of Republic County. 255

You are earnestly requested to attend, also to give this
circular the widest possible publicity in your neighbor-
hood and see that your township is represented by a large
delegation of your leading farmers at the meeting on Mon-
day, August 28th.

I. O. Savage,

R. B. Ward,
Geo. W. Collins.

In pursuance of the above call, a meeting of the farm-
ers and others, interested in Republic county, was held at
the court house in Belleville, August 28th, for the purpose
of considering the propriety of holding a Fall Festival or
Corn Carnival that fall. The meeting was called to order
by Hon. John M. Doyle and the object briefly stated by I.
O. Savage. After an interchange of views, all present
favored the project, a permanent organization was effected
by the election of John Harris of Richand, president; I. O.
Savage of Belleville, secretary; Capt. C. A. Potts of Lin-
coln, treasurer; and a vice president from each township
in the county. The meeting then adjourned to September
9th, when all necessary committees were appointed and
the association was declared fully organized, the general
management and very many of the details being left to
the executive committee, of which Senator R. B. Ward
was chairman. A mammoth tent 70x110 feet in which to
make the exhibit was procured and pitched on the vacant
lots on the north side of the public square, also a tent
suitable for secretary's office. The time was fixed for Oc-
tober 4th, 5th and 6th, only twenty -five days after it was
definitely determined to hold the jubilee.

FIRST DAY.

The first day, Wednesday, was devoted to getting
everything in position in the tent where the displaj" of
products was made, and when evening came it presented
a scene of interest and beauty. Broad tables extended
around the tent and upon these were placed exhibits,

256 History of Republic County.

those upon the south side being set apart for individual
exhibits and they were all well filled. Below we give a
complete list of the entries, which tells the reader what
the tables contained. ,

John A. Swenson had an individual exhibit of the
products of his one farm, which was extraordinarily fine.
The articles were numerous in variety and unexcelled in
quality and took the first premium in its class.

John Fulcomer also had a very fine exhibit of pro-
ducts from his several farms. It consisted of several
varieties of every farm product, in the aggregate number-
ing about thirty, and all of the very best quality. In ad-
dition to these his table was handsomely decorated with
plants and flowers, canned fruits, etc., of his own rais-
ing. It was a fine display, attracted much attention and
took first premium.

The township displays of Jefferson, Rose Creek and
Freedom were in place and the only ones until Union
pulled in her float after the parade the next day, and
these were the only townships that made a display in
the tent. Imagine what it would have been had all the
townships participated.

SECOND DAY.

All nature seemed to smile upon this effort of the
people of Republic county to display her (nature's) boun-
ties, for day never dawned upon finer weather for such an
occasion. Early in the morning people began to pour
into town from every direction, and by 10 o'clock the
streets were crowded and, but for the wise precaution of
the committee in roping in the square to exclude vehicles,
there would have been a complete blockade. The parade,
which was to be the first and principal feature of the day,
was a little late in starting, but the immense crowd kept
itself interested by looking through the tent and listening
to the music by the Clay Center and BeUeville brass
bands, both of which organizations were lavish with the

History of Republic County. 257

highest order of music, but finally the parade started.

THE GREAT PARADE.

The parade was beyond all expectation, magnificent
beyond description, and it is impossible to give a descrip-
tion of the floats that would convey to the mind of the
reader who did not see them even a faint idea of their
beauty, or of the artistic decorations made of corn, kafiir
corn, the various varieties of grasses, wheat, oats and
vegetables, all blended in perfect harmony, in designs
that were really artistic, beautiful and pleasing to the eye
and perfect beyond criticism.

The line commenced to form at the ball grounds, and
as the floats took their places the head of the line moved
up into town, so when the parade was ready for the final
start the head was on the south side of the square while
the rear end was yet on the ball ground, and at about 11
o'clock the final start was made and everything moved
along with the precision of clock work.

The Belleville Military Band, one of the solid and
most admired institutions of the city, led the parade and
during the march of more than an hour was playing al-
most constantly which, with the Clay Center band that
rendered similar good service, and the schools on floats
that were almost continuously singing, made music in
abundance.

The next, and one of the prettiest and most unique
attractions in the parade, was a vehicle constructed of
bicycles, upon which was a platform and on this a ped-
estal, and upon this pedestal about ten feet from the
ground stood Miss Effie Chapin, representing the God-
dess of Liberty; this was drawn by three bicycles, little
Miss Ethel Lord beautifully representing an angel, lead-
ing, followed by Mr. M. J. Chappius and M. Ed. Grat-
ingny riding abreast, the former representing John Bull
and the latter Uncle Sam, all apparently driven by the
Goddess who had lines extending to each of the riders.

258 History of Republic Countv.

Next came the Union township floats, which were
drawn by a large traction engine, nicely decorated and
driven by Clint Brackney. The float was one of the hand-
somest in the parade, and but for the failure of the town-
ship to make the proper showing in the tent, which they
could have easily done, it would certainly have taken one
of the premiums. The float consisted of a platform nine
or ten feet wide and probably twenty feet long on low
wheels. On this was a neatly constructed and gracefully
proportioned boat about fifteen feet in length, two and a
half feet deep and nicely rigged with masts and yard
arms, etc.^ all made of cornstalks and grasses firmly
bound together. The platform from the outer edge in to
the bottom of the boat was laden with the products of
Union township farms so arranged as to present a very
attractive appearance; and the trimmings, which were
unexcelled by any other float, were strikingly beautiful
and artistic and all made from the products of the farm.
And here we will mention another article — the result of
genius backed with patience and perseverance which was
on the float the second day. It is a rocking chair made
of sixty-four horns from Texas steers. The chair was
made by Capt. Dancy, and each horn represents one year
of his age at the time he made it. Each horn is polished
as smooth as glass and so arranged that every curve of
bottom, back and arms were perfect. It was a pretty
piece of work, solid and substantial, and required many
hours of the Captain's leisure time to complete it.

The float was followed by Union Valley school in full
force on a neatly trimmed float, all singing as merrj^ and
happy as larks.

Freedom township came next with a magnificent float
drawn by six beautiful gray horses, followed by individual
floats and other amusing and interesting features that at-
tracted great attention.

The main float, which in connection with their splen-
did display within the tent, gave that township first

Freedom Township Float.

Awarded First Premium at Corn Jubilee,

held at Belleville. October 4th. 5th and 6th. 1899.

History of Republic County. 259

premium, consisted of a platform at least 10x20, decor-
ated nicely about the edges, in the center of which was a
pyramid about six feet at the base and gradually tapering
to a point ten feet above with a nice red pumpkin at the
top. The sides of the pyramid were richly ornamented
with corn wrought into various pretty designs, producing
a very pleasing effect. The portion of the platform not
occupied by the pyramid was covered with the products
of the township and so arranged as to make a splendid
showing. At each corner of the platform stood a sheaf
of grain and beside each of them, with an old time sickle
in hand, one of Freedom's handsomest girls. Large as it
was, but well proportioned and handsomely trimmed, it
combined the grand with the beautiful and delicate in such
pleasing harmony that the result was perfect.

One of the very nice and suggestive floats was that of
H. J. Slutts. The fore part of his covered spring wagon
showed Kansas in her primitive state, that is it was or-
namented with buffalo grass, nothing more, while the lat-
ter part was well laden with the products of farm — corn,
potatoes, pumpkins, squashes, apples, and various kinds
of grasses. On the front end of a board attached hori-
zontally to the wagon on either side was the word "be-
fore" and at the latter end the word "after" and between
the words was a plow nicely outlined with grains of corn.
It took first premium.

Another beautiful float with a young lady standing
upon a pedestal with the sword of justice in her hand and
in front of a banner bearing the words "protection, peace,
prosperity," was very elegant.

Next came Scandia's contribution to make the parade
a success, and no float excited more curiosity or attracted
more attention. To many it was a moving mystery. The
design was a large boat, longer and wider than the wagon
upon which it was built. The top of the hull was as high
as the wagon box, shaped and curved in to graceful form;
from this to the ground, representing the part that would

260 History of Republic County.

be in the water, was suspended a matting made of heads
of kafiir corn, so closely and perfectly put together that
at only a short distance away they closely resembled the
dark, gracefully curved sides of the lower part of a boat
in dry dock. On top of the craft was a small deck, and
steering rigging. The propelling force was a mystery,
no horses in sight, no smoke or steam or noise escaping,
and yet a man at the wheel guiding it at his will as it
moved noiselessly along, it put a good many to guessing.
But by getting close enough to look through or under the
mysterious force could be seen the form of a pair of mules.
It was a unique and ingeniously constructed craft, and
had its builders not quit too soon; that is to say, had they
gone ahead and put on decks and masts and other rigging
they would have been a winner.

Next in line came Center Valley School, District No.
92, Washington township. Their float was handsome and
loaded down with bright, happy, healthy children, all of
whom seemed to be enjoying their day of recreation.

Washington as a township, made no display, never-
theless ex-sheriff H. C. Swartz, here showed up in the line
with a very handsome individual float, upon which he re-
ceived a premium. Hank was determined his township
should not go unrepresented, notwithstanding the fact
that he could not get the people to see that it was to their
interest to make a township display.

The Sons and Daughters of Justice, Lodge No. 106,
followed with a large, elegant and tastily ornamented float.
Miss Mabel Penfield, appropriately attired as the Goddess,
standing upon a high pedestal blindfolded and holding in
her hands the scales and sword of justice. The portrayal
was complete.

Next in the line was the Clay Center brass band of
eighteen pieces, and as fine a musical organization as can
be found in Kansas. Each member is a first class music-
ian and a gentleman, and during their visit here they
gained the respect of everybody.

History of Republic Comity. 261

Rose Creek township's display was next in line. It
was a beauty and attracted much attention. The big float
was a house on wheels, a house that cost more money, time
and labor to construct, and a house more pretentious in
style and appearance than the houses that sheltered
its builders in the early days in Kansas. The building
itself did not constitute the merit of the display; that was
in its ornamentation, and we don't see how it could have
been improved. The window and door casings were orna-
mented pieces of ears of corn q,rranged in pretty shapes
and looked as neat as carved wood work; the sides of the
house were beautifully ornamented with all manner of in-
describably beautiful designs made of corn and grass,
and the roof was equally as rich, and on the comb of the
roof stood a board on either side of which was the outlines
of Old Glory, the stars and stripes and back ground all
clear and distinct in proper colors and made of kernels of
corn. An immense amount of patient, persevering work
was required to make this float. It was filled with child-
ren and drawn by four nice horses hitched abreast.

Ida school with 30 to 40 children on a float drawn by
four elegant gray horses made a fine appearance.

Jefferson township received a fair share of the mer-
ited compliments that were paid to the floats as they
passed in review between the lines of people who thronged
the streets on both sides along the line of march. The
float was built on low wheels, the platform was large and
commodious, and on this was constructed a raised plat-
form about two and a half feet high, the sides sloping up
at an angle of about 45 degrees, leaving a platform about
twelve by three feet at top: on this was a boat trimmed
up and rigged out in good style at the Salt Creek navy
yard. The portion of the lower platform not covered by
the upper one was covered with fruits and other farm
products and the sloping sides referred to were also
handsomely festooned and oramented, the products of the

262 History of Republic County.

farm being the only material used, but so deftly arranged
as to present a strikingly handsome effect.

The next was an old covered wagon filled with child-
ren and bearing the label, "The Crop that Never Fails."
It made a good hit, everybody saw the point and cheered
it as it passed. This float was from Liberty towmship
and all agreed that the committee made no mistake in
awarding it the first premium.

Liberty township was also represented by a very
handsome float carrying Excelsior school, district 66.

Washington township by Center Valley school, dis-
trict 92.

Rose Creek by Star school.

Courtland by Courtland school.

Every school in the county ought to have been here.
Citizens of Belleville had several attractions in the parade.

The parade being over the people amused themselves
in various ways until 4 p. m., when the glee club sang
and the show of twenty one samples of the "Crop that
Never Pails in Kansas," took place at the grand stand.
This was the baby show. In the evening again thousands
assembled at the stand to listen to the Clay Center band,
the colored vocal musicians of the same city, witness the
cake walk by the same parties, and the marriage ceremony
that made Fred Martin and Miss Maggie Regester man
and wife. This closed the program for the day, but the
corn throwing and other innocent amusement that sug-
gested itself continued until late in the night.

THIRD DAY.

The third day was as nice and bright as either of the
others, and though the crowd was not quite as large as the
day previous they were just as full of fun and enthusiasm.
It had not been the intention to have the parade over again
on Friday, but it being so far beyond -what had been ex-
pected hundreds wanted to see it again, and to accommo-
date them and also those who did not see it the day pre-

History of Republic County. 263

vious, it was decided to repeat its principal features, and
those having charge of the main floats kindly consented,
and accordingly at ten o'clock the parade was again on the
march, as grand as before, though not so large, followed
by "Sousa's Band, " which was not a feature the day before.

In the afternoon all the sports and contests came off
accoi'ding to the programme and furnished an abundance
of fun for all who could get within seeing distance. And
here again was a demonstration of the good feeling and
fellowship that prevailed throughout the jubilee, for if
there is one thing more than another calculated to stir up
bile and bad blood it is a contest where the physical
prowess of man or beast is involved with money at the end
of it, but in these several contests not a harsh word was
uttered or a particle of dissatisfaction manifested.

When these contests closed the great Republic Coun-
ty Corn Jubilee of 1899 was practically over; a thing of the
past, but its memory will last as long as anyone is living
who is now old enough to realize its magnitude, and every-
one who did something to help it along can always point
with pride to his county's great jubilee and say "I did
what I could."

The following descriptive sketch is from the pen of
Harry Root, correspondent of the Topeka State Journal,
who attended the Jubilee as special reporter for that paper:

Belleville, October 6. — Republic county has been hold-
ing a three days' corn Jubilee in Belleville. The big day
was Thursday. Ex-Sheriff Kindt who has been here about
as long as anybody, says the crowd outnumbered two to
one any other crowd ever seen in Belleville, and Kindt has
seen all of them. The crowd reminded everybody of the
great populist rallies and picnics of 1890.

Republic county has a just right to rejoice this year,

and her people are celebrating over the most bountiful

crops ever raised in the county. Her farmers had out

over 210,000 acres of corn. There is not a poor field in

he county, and they estimate not less than ten million

History of Republic County.

)ushels as the product for 1899. And they make the
claim that when the statistics are all in, Kansas will then
credit Republic county as the banner corn county for the
year. And this year her people are holding a great corn
jubilee, the like of which has perhaps never before been
seen in Kansas. Atchison came nearer to it, but Republic
county can go them several lengths better,

A mammoth tent has been secured where the cereals
of the garden and farm are shown by townships, and for
which liberal premiums are offered for the best display.
The contests have been spirited. The inside of the big
tent is worth going miles to see. It is full of the products
of Republic county farms. Ex-State Senator Savage, who
came to Republic county in 1871, and who was one of the
assistant commissioners to the Centennial from Kansas,
says the display of corn at this jubilee beat anything in
the corn line at that exhibition when Kansas made such an
effort to get the best, by 50 per cent. He says the display
of farm products at this jubilee beats anything he has seen
in all his travels.

Every merchant bore his part in the decorations of
windows and buildings, each one trying to outdo his neigh-
bor in neat and artistic corn emblems or other farm cer-
eals. Suffice to say that all the business men were with
one accord to see the first corn jubilee made a crowning
success.

The parade was magnificent. It was headed by the
queen of the corn jubilee, Miss Effie Chapin, the Belleville
military band in the lead. Union township came with a
float representing a ship made of corn and farm products
and drawn by a traction engine. Scandia township had
another ship float, loaded down with vegetables, corn and
farm and garden cereals. The float of the Sons and Daug-
ters of Justice of Belleville council No. 6, was a most at-
tractive one in its decorations. Rose Creek township's
float was a house tastily trimmed with corn and cereals,
and filled with young girls, the beauty of this township.

History of Republic County. 265

Freedom township's float was a large wagon, in the center
of which was a huge pyramid built of corn, and tastefully
trimmed with the products of the farm and garden. Lib-
erty township had a float laden down with young girls and
boys, with the inscription: "Crop that never fails." It
was also artistically decorated with corn and other farm
emblems.

Every float was gotten up to attract. They were all
good. There wasn't a bad feature in the parade. They
were gotten up to entertain and the jam of people went
away satisfied. To speak of each one separately, and they
all deserve special mention, would fill columns. Many of
the decorations and floats would be creditable to picture
out in the leading magazines and newspapers of the country.

Liberal premiums were offered by the committee
which tended in a measure to increase the interest in the
corn jubilee. Neighboring towns swelled the crowd until
Belleville was overflowing with a perfect jam of people, es-
timated from 12,000 to 15,000. The attractions put on the
bills are numerous, each having scores of backers, though
the main one was Republic county's farm and garden cer-
eals. Republic is the first county in Kansas to hold a
purely farm and garden carnival.

The crowd was as orderly as it could possibly be at a
corn jubilee, and when dayhght came the streets were
white with corn meal. Not a serious accident occurred.

The corn jubilee is the biggest advertisement Repub-
lic county and Belleville has ever had. The crops are large
this year, specimens of which are on exhibition from most
every township in the county. All of Atchison, which is
the father of the corn carnival enterprise in Kansas, would
praise the first successful efforts of the people of Belleville
and Republic county in making so complete a success of
their jubilee. In fact her people will not take a back seat
in their first successful attempt at a corn jubilee.

Many visitors from Topeka, St. Joseph, Kansas City
and points east thereof, say it was the grandest display of

266

History of Republic County.

farm products they ever saw and a number say they visited
Philadelphia in 76 and Chicago in 1892-93, but there was no
better display of corn, wheat, rye, potatoes, etc., than those
on exhibition here today.

Old gray haired men and women who immigrated to this
county in the sixties and seventies, looked on with amaze-
ment and surprise that so many people had gathered to-
gether, so many well dressed, well behaved people with
happiness and prosperity written on their brows.

Nearly every, if indeed not every township in the
county, was represented either in the exhibition tent or in
the grand parade and hundreds of business men and
others fell in line.

The following names, together with number of entry
and products entered, and every individual in the list, has
the happy satisfaction of knowing that he assisted in mak-
ing Republic County's Corn Jubilee the greatest affair of
the kind ever held in the state, and in doing so contributed
to the two days' pleasure and enjoyment of the ten thous-
and of his fellow citizens who attended it. Indeed it is a

ROLL OF HONOR.

B. F. Carson, Belleville township,

1 50 ears White Dent corn.

2 53 ears Yellow.

M. M. Donges, Belleville City,

3 '» bushel Irish potatoes.
L. W. Bethards, Belleville City.

4 i4 bus^iel Irish potatoes, six weeks

5 V2 bushel turnips,

6 1 dozen Mangoes.

J. A. Miller, Freedom township,

7 .50 ears Yellow Dent corn,
R. H. Boyes, Freedom township,

8 69 ears White Dent com.

Sons and Daughters of Justice, Lodge
No. 1-,

9 float.

H. J. Slutts, Freedom town.ship,

10 Decorated family vehicle.
Edward Kipper, Freedom,

11 50 ears pop corn, sample on stalk.
Thomas Benson, Liberty.

12 H bushel Irish potatoes,

13 Plate of apples.

14 do do do

15 do do do
Aaron Boyes, Freedom,

16 Plate of apples, '

17 do do do
Aaron Perry, Liberty,

IS Decorated float.

P D Patterson, Lincoln,

Kt f>0 ears Yellow Df nt corn,
W. P. Hamilton, Belleville township,

20 25 heads of Kaffir corn.
Orrin Jewett, Lincoln,

21 y^ bushel Irisb potatoes.
J. F. M. Smith. Jefferson,

22 50 ears Bloody Butcher corn.
W. VV. Boyes. Freedom,

23 50 ears White Dent corn.
Henry Osman Belleville township,

24 Vi bushel Irish potatoes,
35 % bushel turnips,

26 1 pumpkin.
Henry Passmore. Grant,

27 V« bushel sweet potatoes.
Orry Corey. Grant,

28 Yi bushel Irish potatoes.
Henry Passmor*^, Grant.

39 14 bushel Irish potatoes.
Charles Passmore, Grant.

30 50 ears White Dent corn.
Henry Passmore, Grant,

31 50 ears White Dent corn.
W. M. Owsley, City,

32 V« bushel Irish potatoes.
W. W. Wait, Freedom,

33 14 bushel Irish potatoes.
W. W. Wait, Freedom.

31 50 ears White Dent corn.

History of Republic County.

267

A. J. Hill, city,

35 50 ears sweet corn.

36 50 ears sweet corn.

37 50 ears pop corn.

38 50 ears pop corn.

59 !4 bushel Irish potatoes,

40 ^2 bu-shel Irish potatoes.
F. M. Johnson.

41 '3 bushel Irish potatoes.
Charley Pangle.

42 50 ears pop corn.
Z. J. Tate,

4:i 1 radish.

44 1 bungle horn squash.
Mrs. Geo. Hodgkinson. Freedom,

45 50 ears pop corn.
Orrin Abby. Freedom,

4t) 'o bushel Irish potatoes.
T. M. Hemphill. Belleville township,

47 50 ears White Dent corn.
E. Howard. Belleville City,

48 ^2 bushel Irish potatoes.
Willis Childs, Freedom,

49 50 ears pop corn.
George McCune, Jefferson,

.50 1 pumpkin,

51 1 squash.

.52 1 squash.
I. M. Champion. Jefferson,

53 .50 ears White Dent coi n,

.54 50 ears Bloody Butcher corn.

55 50 ears pop corn.

.56 50 ears Yellow Dent corn.
Ted Black. Freedom.

57 .50 ears White Dent corn.
H. D. Cooley, City.

58 1 squash.

Geo. M. Adams, Belleville City,

•59 50 ears pop corn.
Ed Kipper. Freedom.

60 50 ears pop corn.
M. Li. Cantield. Freedom.

61 50 ears White Dent corn.

62 25 heads white Kaffir corn.
6i U bushel Irish potatoes.

C. Corbut, Lincoln.

64 .50 ears Yellow Dent corn.

65 V2 bushel Irish potatoes.
Abbott Cheney. Freedom.

66 '2 bushel Irish potatoes.
L. W. Bethards. BeUeviUe City,

67 ^i bushel Irish potatoes,

68 U bushel turnips,

69 1 dozen Mangoes.
E. B. Helwick. Liberty,

70 50 ears Bloody Butcher corn.
R. T. Jellison Liberty,

71 50 ears White Dent corn.
Geo. W. Sickeis,

72 50 ears YeUow Dent corn, (Golden
Beauty.)

H. C. Hancock. Albion,

73 50 ears Yellow Dent, (Gold Stan.)
E J. Mill»n. Washington,

74 2 Hubbard squashes.
W. Steenblock. Rose Creek.

75 25 heads white Kaffir corn.
Jessie Jellison,

76 decorated bicycle.
R T. Kelley.

77 5 pi ites apples.
J. M. Randall.

78 .50 ears White Dent corn.

79 !4 bush-;l Irish potatoes.

80 50 ears pop corn.
Wm. Hadley. Liberty,

81 54 bushel Irish potatoes.
Julius Beecher,

82 1 pumpkin.

J D Pangle. Belleville City.

83 50 ears YeU jw Dent corn.
F. N. Townsend, Big Bend.

84 14 bushel Irish potatoes,

85 Yams.
Geo. M. Powell.

86 'i. bushel Irish potatoes.
T. J. Bucknell,

87 V2 bushel Irish potatoes.
A. P. Larsen Warwick, Kansas,

88 .50 ears White Dent corn,

89 .50 ears Bloody Butcher corn.
Peter Welsh,

90 50 ears Yellow Dent corn.
J. W. Abbott.

91 1 pumpkin.
Anna C. Feight,

92 squashes.
Geo. W. Cowle,

93 50 ears Yellow Dent corn,

94 oats,

95 squashes,

96 Vi bushel Irish potatoes.

97 35 heads white Kaffir corn.
Smith Brothers. Norway township,

98 50 ears White Dent corn.
D. W. Wilson. Lincoln.

99 1 peck wheat.
Jonathan Taylor, Scandia towns

100 Vz bushel Irish potatoes,

101 Vi bushel Irish potatoes.
W P HamUton. Belleville.

102 50 ears White Dent corn.
John Kuhn, Belleville township,

103 onions.

Thos. Benson, Liberty.

104 plate of apples.

105 plate of apples.
P M Howard,

106 1.; bushel potatoes.
S Pentico. Elk Creek,

107 i-S bushel sweet potatoes,

108 '2 bush'Jl Irish potatoes.
P M Howard,

109 lo bushel of oats,

110 Vi bushel Irish potatoes,

111 vs bushel Irish potatoes,

112 50 ears White Dent corn.
Thos Benson Liberty,

113 K. bushel oats.
B F Carson. Belleville.

114 .50 ears White Dent corn.
P M Howrrd.

115 'i bushel wheat.
C A Ball.

116 .50 ears Yellow Dent.
U7 Vo bushel Irish potatoes.

H. J. Slutts,

118 decorated float of farm products.
P M Howard.

119 Vi bushel wheat,
Chas Larson.

120 .50 ears White Dent corn,

12 1 V« bushel Calico corn,

122 V« bushel Irish potatoes.
James S Price,

123 sample of alfalfa,

124 1 pumpkin,

125 1 squash.

268

History of Republic County.

Geo. Thompson,

126 50 ears White Uent corn .
A M (Janfleld. Belleville City,

12" !4 bushel sweet potatoes
J. H Waterson. Rose Crpek,

128 50 ears Bloody Butcher corn,

129 50 ears Yellow Dent corn,

130 50 ears White Dent corn,

131 5) ears Calico corn,

132 50 ears pop corn
A. M. Canfleld,

133 i4 bushel onions, (grown from
seed.)

Mrs. Gardner, Washington,

134 pumpkins.

I C Ware, Scandia,

135 sweet corn,

W Bateman, Courtland,

]3t 50 ears White Dent corn,
13(5 .50 ears Yellow Dent corn.
137 apples

J D Pangle,

139 50 ears pop corn,
W. M. Eccles, Farmington,

140 50 ears White Dent corn,
S T Collins,

141 sample of wheat,

142 sample of corn grown from seed
supposed to be 4,000 years old.

Lewis Young,

143 Vo bushel Irish potatoes.
O. B. Haven,

144 >j bushel Irish potatoes,

145 Vi bushel Irish potatoes.
M Kenney,

14(5 >2 bushel Irish potatoes.
John L Lewis, Belleville township,

147 y« bushel Irish potatoes.
U. S. G Bowersox, Union,

148 50 ears White Dent corn.
C Baker,

149 50 ears Yellow Dent corn.
J. A. Cardwell, Union.

1.50 50 ears Calico corn.
Aaron Boyes,

151 plate of apples.
M Kenney, Elk,

l.'i2 .^iO ears Yellow Dent corn.
H. C. Hancock Albion,

1.53 1 plate apples,

154 1 plate apples,

1.55 6 longest ears of corn.
G. W. Hubbard, Lincoln,

156 ,50 ears pop corn.
L. N. Bonner, BelleviUe,

157 Vt bushel sweet potatoes.
Toney Hansleeb, Fairview.

158 >^ bushel Irish potatoes,

159 1/2 do do do

160 14 do do do
John Randall Jefferson,

161 1 plate of grapes.
J. O. Larson. Beaver,

162 y« bushel spring wheat.
Wm. Bateman, Courtland,

163 1 plate of apples.
W. H. Remy, Washington.

164 Y" bushel Irish pot^^atoes.
W. O Tate, Norway,

165 li bushel Yellow Dent corn.
Thos Ward,

166 50 ears squaw corn.
Baby entries:

Otis Lash. 4 mo.; Paul Fulcomer, 10

mo.; Helen R. Legerstrom, 7 mo.; Chas.
W. Rae, 9 mo., irst prize; Trueman
Smith, 11 mo., second prize: Maude
Buhner, 11 mo.; Lewis Harold Chlastic,

10 mo.: Ester Hicks, 3m(j.:ElmerL0gue,
2 mo.: Leslie Waters. 8 mo : Freddie
Sherman, 4 mo ; IsabeUe Collins. 4 mo.;
Mollie Nixon, 4 mo.: Willie Kelley, 12
mo.: Fern Corwin. 6 mo : Walter Polly,

11 mo.; Bessie Kuhn, 4 mo.: Evert Thom-
as, 1 year; Helen Bales, 10 weeks; Rosey
Robins, 4 mo.: Elsie Swenson, 11 mo.

Following are the judges and awards:

Com. on decorated bicycles and car-
riages:
Mrs. D. D. Bramwell,
Mrs. Dr. Kamp,
Mrs. Chauncy Perry.

Best decorated horse and lider:
Mrs D. D Bramwell,
Mrs. Dr. Kamp.
Mrs. Chaunc- Perry.

Com Township display:
T. M. Thompson,
D. Lake.
Joseph Brenneman.

Com. on Individual display:
Wm. Bell,
John Yale,
John Mosshart.

Display by townships:

Freedom township .... 1st $50.00

Rose Creek township 2d 25.00

Jefferson town.ship 3d 15.00

White Dent corn:

G. M. Hemphill. Belleville. . 1st 5.00

J. M. Randall. Jefferson 2d 3. CO

Smith Brothers, Norway — 3d 200

YeUow Dent corn;

M Kenney. Elk Creek 1st 5 00

George W. Sickel^. Freedom 2d 3. CO
P. D. Patterson. Lincoln.... 3d 2. CO

Calico corn:

J. A. Cardwell, Union 1st 5.00

J H. Watterson 2d 3.00

Bloodv Butcher corn:

J. F. Smith, Jefferson 1st 5.f0

A. P. Larson, Warwick 2d 3.00

I. N. Champion, Jefferson.. 3d 2.00

Pop corn:

Phas, Pangle. Belleville Citylst 2.00

Willis Childs. Freedom 2d 1 .00

J. M. Randall, Jtffersdn 3d .50

Sweet corn:

I. C. Ware, Scandia City ..1st 3 00
A.J.Hill Belleville City.... 2d 2.00
A.J. Hi 1, BeUeville City.... 3d 1 00

White Kaffir corn:

A. Steenblock, Rose Creek 1st 3 00
M. L. Cantield, Freedom.... 2d 2 00
W. P. Hamilton Belleville .3d 1.(0

Squaw corn:

Th. mas Ward 1st 2 03

Irish potatoes:

Abott Cheney, Freedom. ..1st 3.00
Lewis Young. Rose Creek ..2d 2.00
F. N. Townsend, Big Bend. 3d 1.00

Sweet potatoes;

Henry Passmore. Grant 1st 3.00

A. M. Canfleld, Belleville C, 2d 2.00
L. N. Bonner. Belleville 3d 1.00

Six largest ears corn.

H. C. Hancock, Albion, Te'escope 1
year.

History of Republic County

269

Six heaviest ears of cora:

A. P. Larsoa. Warwiciv, Telescope
1 year.

A. P. Larson. Warwick, by Cash
Store. 1 pound Tourist coffee.

Best peck Irish potatoes:

M. L. CanBeld, Freedom, Telescope
1 year.

Best plate apples:

H. C. Hancock, Albion, Freeman 1

year.
Best '» bushel onions:

John Kuhn. Belleville township. 6

loaves bread, S. S. Brown.
Best plate grapes:

John Randall, Jefferson, Freeman 1

year.
Best 'c bushel wheat:

J. O. Larson, Beaver— Cash Store, 1

pound Tourist coffee. M. Y, Store,

towel rack and mirror.
Largest Squash:

Geo. Cowles, Lincola— Cash Store,

1 pound Tourist coffee.
Best Hubbard squash:

E, J. Miller, Washington— J. C.Daw-
son, photo album.
Largest pumpkin:

J. W. AbDott, Big Bend— 1 psund of

Tourist coffee by Cash Store.
Sack Race .50 yards:

C. L. Ward #1.00

Egg race:

J. T. Fleming 1.0)

Throwing sledge:

W. Parks 2.00

Standing jump:

W. Parks 2. GO

Running jump:

W. Parks 2.0O

Strongest team of horses or mules:

A.C.Taylor 1st 5.00

Geo. Hunger, no premium on M.

Tug of war:

Union, J. J. Eastman, Capt 1st 12 00
Rose Creek, L. Young Capt 2d 6.00

Babv show, 20 entries,

Mrs. Chas, W, Rea {1st baby

9 month old) 6,00

Mrs. Truman Smith (2d baby

10 months old) 4,00

Best exhibit of farm product by

any indiidual, grown on the
land owned or controlled by
the exhibitor, John Fulcomer
BellevUle City 10,00

Best display farm products any
one farm. John A. Swenson.
Freedom 10.00

Best decorated float of agricul-
tural products by any one in-
dividual:

H. J. Slutts, Freedom 1st 10.00

Aaron Perry 2d 5.00

H. C. Swartz Washington,
Telescope l year.

"Crop that Never Fails in Kan-
sas'" represented by Liberty

township float 1st 10.00

Jefferson township, Freeman
1 year 2d

200 vard foot race:

W. Parks 1st 3.00

S. Baldwin 2d 2. CO

Best parade by any society:
Sons and Daughters of Jus-
tice, Belleville 10.00

Best decorated family vehicle:

J, E. Caswell 5 00

Best decorated horse and rider:

Cash Store Indian 1.00

Bicycle float:

Effle Chapin 1st 5.00

Minerva Weightman 2d 3 00

Single bicycle:

Grettie Crummer and Millie
Carstensen.

To the ofi&cers and committees who engineered it the
people owe a debt of gratitude. They seem to have been
the right men in the right places. Circumstances and
opportunity develop the genius and ability of men to do.
Others might have done as well; none could have done bet-
ter, and where all have done so well it is difficult to dis-
criminate in favor of any, still I desire to especially men-
tion Senator R. B. Ward, chairman executive committee;
S. C. Crummer, chairman committee on printing and ad-
vertising; Hon. J. M. Doyle, Ex-Mayor H. T. Crawford,
Capt. C. A. Potts, treasurer, and J. T. Patterson, marshal;
also Miss Lucy Howard, county superintendent, for active
interest taken in having the schools represented in the pa-
rade.

270 History of Republic County

CHAPTER XXIIl

SECRET ORGANIZATIONS.

Belleville Lodge No. 96, I. O. O. P. was instituted Aug-
ust 27th, 1872 by Geo. W. Shriner, Deputy Grand Master.
The following is a list of the charter members: W. H. Allen,
W. H. Pilkenton, A. J. Smith, A. J. Hill, and A. Blocklinger,
only one of whom, Brother A. J. Hill now holds member-
ship in the lodge. This is the pioneer secret organization
in Republic county. The membership June 30th, 1900
was 53.

White Rock Lodge No. 126, I. O. O. F., was instituted
June 26th, 1875, by Special Deputy Grand Master W. H.
Pilkenton. The following are the charter members: An
drew Lowe, W. K. Miller, D. L. Badley, Samuel Akins, J.
W. Johnson, John Hobson, A. B, Young, Joseph Smith,
and John Counzelman. This lodge was instituted at the
old town of White Rock, the place of meeting for the first
two or three years being on the second floor above Brother
Bagley's blacksmith shop. On the advent of the railroad
the place of meeting was moved to Courtland where regu-
lar meetings are held every week. The membership June
30th, 1900 was 21.

Ida Lodge No. 127, I. O. O. P., was instituted May 17,
1878, by W. H. Pilkenton, Deputy Grand Master; Charter
members: J. S. Davenport, John Davenport, Henry Bartle,
Robert Allen, P. T. Powell and D. H. Johnson. The place
of meeting has been changed from Ida to Munden, where
meetings are regularly held every Saturday night. The
membership June 30th, 1900 was 39.

Scandia Lodge No. 165, I. O. O. P., was instituted
March 12th, 1880, by W. H. Pilkenton, Grand Master of
the state of Kansas, who appointed the following assist-
ants: Grand marshal, D. L. Badley; grand warden, H. K.
Peckham; grand secretary, E. A. Hallowell; grand guard-

The I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. Block, Belleville, Kans.

History of Republic County. 271

ian, W. A. Brock. The following is a list of the charter
members: M. Curran, W. A. Smith, J. L. Dixon, A. B.
Wilder, Daniel Young, Leroy Whitney, C. P. Carstensen,
M. Weislogel, R. Nicholas and T. M. Little. At the first
meeting M. Curran was elected N. G.; L. Whitney, V. G.;
W. A. Smith, recording secretary; C. P. Carstensen, treas-
urer. At this meeting the following j^ersons were duly
initiated as members: P. Curran, D. P. Longnecker, W.
F. Allen and James Weyand. This lodge was incorporated
under the laws of the state of Kansas, February 22d, 1883,
and is now in a prosperous condition, with a membership
of 66.

. Republic City Lodge No. 204, I. O. O. F., was institut-
ed June 22d, 1882, by A. H. Dow, Grand Master State of
Kansas. The following is a list of charter members: T.
M. Little, D. S. Zencker, A. T. Miller, F. W. Craft, T. C.
Clark, W. E. Finley, I. W. Williams, M. C. Polley, Wm.
Taylor, T. F. Marlatt and Chas. Somers. The present
officers are: P. W. Craft, N. G.; I. W. Williams, V. G., J.
Beck, secretary. Present membership, 72. Meet every
Saturday night at their hall in Republic City.

Nelson Lodge No. 294, at Norway, was instituted by. J.
S. Codding in 1885, assisted by brothers from Belleville
and Scandia. Its present membership is 17.

Wayne Lodge No. 366, I. O. O. P., at Wayne, was in-
stituted by I. O. Savage, March 14, 1890, with the follow-
ing charter members: J. M. Campbell, Geo. W. Pell, W. G.
Dallas, J. A. Fetters and Wm. H. Morgan. Twenty-nine
persons were duly initiated, receiving all or part of the three
degrees. This prosperous lodge meets every Friday night
at its hall in Wayne. Membership, June 30th, 1900. 41.

Cuba Lodge, No. 371, I. O. O. P., at Cuba, was institut-
ed by I. O. Savage, May i3th, ]890, with the following
charter members: D. A. Allen, P. S. Sherman, I. P. Moon,
John Kuchera, B. C. Williams, J. A. Johnson, Morris Tur-
pin, A. T. Gillean, W. H. Beels, P. T. Baker, P. Slospanski
and P. B. Kirk. Thirty-three persons were duly initiat-

272 History of Republic County.

ed, receiving all of the three degrees, leaving the lodge
with forty-five members. The present membership is 37.

Narka Lodge No. 386, 1. O. O. F., of Narka, was insti-
tuted March 19, 1891, by I. O. Savage, of Belleville, assist-
ed by H. O. Studley, D. H. Ferguson, S. CCrummer, H.
B. Brown, C. E. Leedom, and the Degree Team of Belle-
ville Lodge No. .96. with the following charter members:
Samuel Patton, S. M. Edwards, W. F. Bobenhouse, W. B.
Mitchem, J. A. Anderson, A. Brosh, A. B. Peebles, George
Farlow, B. F. Doval, U. B. Mclntyre, C. E. Mclntyre, and
Hiram Beck. Forty-two persons were initiated, and eight
brothers admitted by card, leaving the lodge with 62 mem-
bers. Membership, June 30th, 1900, 44.

Charity Rebekah Lodge No. 76, I. O. O. F. . was insti-
tuted at Belleville, October 4th, 1886, by V. Vantrump,
special deputy, with twenty-two charter members, as fol-
lows: Brothers E. Strong, A. Dixon, L. N. Tweedy, F. H.
Stoddard, Chas. Hunter, R. E. Sweeny, Mark Wright, R.
H. Weightman, D. W. Goodwin, G. W. Personett, Geo. N.
Davis, H. O. Studley, Henry C. Brown, C. Caruthers, S. C.
Crummer, L. W. Leavenworth, G. W. McKee and Ezra
Mackey; Sisters M. E. Vantrump, Christina Weightman,
A. A. Hamilton and Electa Wray — eighteen brothers and
four sisters — only one of whom is a member of Rebekah
Lodge today, and that is Sister Wray, who has held con-
tinuous membership in this lodge ever since it was insti-
tuted, three having died and all the others fallen from
grace. This is a sad commentary on Oddfellowship, but
only emphasizes the fact that many are active and appar-
ently earnest in any good work at its commencement, but
that only a few remain faithful to the end, through evil as
well as good report. My observation convinces me that
the above statement is applicable to any and all charitable
and benevolent organizations on earth. The night this
lodge was instituted twelve persons were added, leaving
the lodge with a membership of thirty-four. The first of-
ficers were: Brother L. W. Leavenworth, N. G. ; Sister M.

History of Republic County. 273

E. Vantrump, V. G.; Sister A. A. Hamilton, secretary;
Sister Electa Wray, treasurer. Its membership June
30th, 1900, was 43.

The Rebekah lodge instituted in Republic county was
Hope R. D. "Lodge, No. 188, at Cuba, March 3d, 1892, by I.
O. Savage, special D. G. M., assisted by Brother Evans,
Sisters Clark, Wray, Leach, McCuUough, Perry, Hogate,
Brown, Evans, Davis, Stoddard, and Noble, all of Charity
R. D. lodge No. 76, with the following charter members:
Brothers S. A. Daniels, James Elliott, L. R. Curtis, F. S.
Sherman, J. M. Davidson, W. J. Kennedy, C. S. Fry, W.
V. Miller, C. E. Tobey, S. Case and J. A. Johnson, Sisters
Daniels, Elliott, Curtis, Sherman, Davidson, Kennedy, Fry,
Miller, Tobey, and Case, leaving the lodge with 21 mem-
bers. Its membership June 30th, 1900 was 14.

Faith Rebekah lodge, No. 259, at Munden, February
8th, 1884, by Sister Belle Sherman, assisted by Sisters
C. Daniels, A. Green, E. Elliott, J.Pennick, M. Washicheck,

F. Davidson, E. Sense, E. Oliphant, S. Miller, H. Tobey,
Slospanskey, E. Kuchera, F. Kuchera, D. Davidson, Marvin
Vokalkest, with the following charter members: A.Strnad,
J. A. Skocdopole, J. S. Skocdopole, H. Bartle, E. Bartle,
S. W. Washicheck, T. Washicheck, M. L. Gray, L. Roush,
S. M. Roush, A. Kasper, J. L. Kasper, A. Stransky, Agnes
Stransky, W. Drashiner, Wm. Strnad, M. Strnad, W. F.
Skocdopole; 18 members. Brother J. M. Roush was com-
missioned as D. D. G. M. Its membership June 30th, 1899
was 20.

Louise Rebekah lodge No. 260atCourtland, March 1st,
1894, by Ada F. Riddle, assisted by Brother and Sister
Sherman of Cuba, and brothers and sisters from Scandia
lodge No. 261, with the following charter members:

Brothers —

J. M. Foster, J. E. Hesser, L. P. Bradley,

Henry Wray.

274

History of Republic County.

Sisters —

S. E. Bradley, A. N. Smith, Caroline Smith,

L. A. Hesser, Lucy M. Wray.

They started with 22 members. Membership June
30th, 1900, 20.

Scandia Rebekah lodge, No. 261, at Scandia, February
28th, 1894, by Ada F. Riddle, assisted by brothers and sis-
ters from Cuba, with the following: charter members:

Brothers —

E. S. Ramsey,
E. F. Leweke,
A. P. Happer,
Grant Pulcomer,
John W. Gatchel,

Sisters —

Martha Johnson,

J. B. Bowling,
Ben Rosenquist,
W. E. Mills,
Ed Bushby,

A. L. Larson,
Geo. D. Bowling,
I. N. Voorhis,
M. Weislogel,

Clara Rosenquist,

Eva Leweke,

Martha A. Bowling, Connie E. Happer, Lillie C. Mills,
Mary D. Voorhis, Susie Fulcomer, Eva Christian,
Luella Eckler, Mary B. White, Mattie E. Bushby,

Derica V. Wilder, Anna Weislogel.

Thirty-eight members. Brother E. S. Ramsey was
commissioned as D. D. G. M. Membership June 30th,
1900. 39.

Fidelity Rebekah Lodge, No. 265, at Narka, was insti
tuted April 30th, 1894, by Sister Belle Sherman and Sister
C. J. Savage, with the following charter members:

Brothers —

A. Brosh,

D. D. Johnson,

Hiram Beck,

S. Morgan,
S. H. Bacon.

Sisters —

Mary J. Brosh,
Delila Morgan,
Lydia Bacon,

J. H. Crammer,
A. B. Peebles,

Anna Kuchera,
Linda Johnson,
Rose Shara.

Lenora E. Bowles,
E. T. Pebbles,
Chat Kobes,

Nineteen members. Brother Hiram Beck was com-
missioned D. D. G. M. Membership June 30th, 1900, 39.

Friendship Rebekah Lodge No. 275, at Wayne, was in-
stituted January 9th, 1895, by Mrs. Belle M. Sherman,
with the following charter members:

History of Republic County

275

Nettie Eldridge,
Emma G. Hill,

A. F. Morley.
M. B. Kellogg.

Wm. Hill,

Sisters —

Ellen Eldridge,.
Mary I. Reeder,

Brothers —

D. C. Eldrich, Z. Reeder,

Geo. W. Morley, G. M. Kellogg.

Sixteen members. Wm. Hill was commissioned D. D.
G. M. Membership June 30th, 1900, 21.

Republic Rebekah Lodge No. 276, at RepubUc City,
January 29th, 1895, by Mrs. Belle M. Sherman, with the
following Charter members:

Sisters —

Lessie Elliott,
Nora Sumbler,
Mary E.Evans,
Lydia Charles,

Malinda Abbott.
Genie Charles,
Mattie Bester,
Mary .Jones.

Geo. Beck.
John Sumbler,

W. J. T. Elliott,
D. A. Davies,

Kate Davies,
Lennie Abbott,
Nellie G. Bedell,
Julia A. Davies,

Brothers —

G. T. Davies,
J. W. Abbott,
T. J. Charles.

Twenty-three members. D. A. Davies was commis-
sioned D. D. G. M. Membership June 30th, 1900, 38.

Republic Encampment No. 30, I. O. O. P., was insti-
tuted January 25th, 1876, by Special Deputy Grand Pat-
riarch S. H. Kelsey, assisted by Chas. H. Krebs and H. S.
Wooden. The following is a list of the charter members:

W. H. Pilkenton,
Josiah Kindt,
W. C. Shull,
F. M. Cox,

V. Vantrump,
Wm. Hughes,
A. J. Hill,
Geo. E. Ross,

I. O. Savage,
E. A. Hallowell,
Jas. H. Bradd,
Chauncey Perry.

The present officers are —

I. O. Savage, chief patriarch, John Soderholm, senior warden,

Josiah Kindt, junior warden, A. J. Hill, high preist,

C. P. Carstensen, scribe, T. N. Short, treasurer.

Pilkenton Encampment, No. 112, at Repubhc, Repub-
lic county on November 11, 3892, by the grand patriarch in
person, assisted by Patriarchs I. O. Savage, E. Strong, J.
Whalen, D. H. Ferguson, H. C. Blanchard, Wesley S.

276 History of Republic County.

Skocdopole, Anthony Strnad and Geo. B. McCullough, of
Republic Encampment, No. 30, of Belleville, with the fol-
lowing charter members:

Jacob Beck, Gomer T. Davies, R. W. Policy,

C. M. Hall, W. S. Hill, D. A. Davies,

J. C. Price.

The officers were duly elected and installed, after
which five persons were admitted, advanced and exalted,
leaving the Encampment with twelve members.

Belleville Lodge No. 129, A. F. & A. M. was duly
chartered by the Grand Lodge of the State of Kansas, A.
F. & A. M., on the 17th day of October, A. D. 1872, and
duly instituted by Special Deputy Grand Master W. P.
Mudgett, of Waterville, Kansas, on the 22d day of Novem-
ber, A. D. 1872. Its charter members were:

C. I. Mclntyre, Joseph Boothe, Taylor Wilson,

R. W. VanDyke, R. C. Carr, S. A. McKay,

John Hadsell, Austin Phelps, Wm. H. Harmond,

James Mackey, Benjamin Abbott, A. A. Burk,

J. J. Schofleld, John F. Wells.

Its first officers were —

C. I. Mclntyre, W. M., Joseph Boothe, S. W.,

A. T. Wilson, J. W., R. W. VanDyke, treasurer,

R. C. Carr, secretary, S. A. McKay, S. D.,

John Hadsell, J. D., A. L.Phelps, S. S..

J. Mackey, Tyler. Wm. H. Harmond, J. S.,

The present officers are:

D. D. Bramwell, W. M., W. T. Perry, S. W.,
W. E. Keith, J. W., Wm. Kamp, Sec.

Meets every second and fourth Wednesday night of
each month. The present membership is 98 and the lodge
is in a very prosperous condition.

The Belleville Chapter, R. A. M., was organized De-
cember 30th, 1887, with the following charter members:

George W. Wood, S. G. Stover, E. H. Daniels,

F. H. Sherer, Eli Haskett, J. B. Cain,

J. H. Hair, E. B. Towle, B. R. Hogin.
J. C. Gurnea.

History of Republic County. 277

First Officers —

G. W. Wood, high priest, J. H. Hair, king,

S. G. Stover, scribe, J. C. Gurnea, secretary,

B. R. Hogin, treasurer.

Present officers —

Wm. Kamp, high priest, John M. Doyle, king,
W. T. Perry, scribe, Wesley Hanzel, secretary,

C. P. Carstensen, treasurer.

Meets each first and third Friday of each month, and
has forty-two members.

Lebanon lodge, A. F. A. M., was organized under dis-
pensation, August 21st, 1882, by E. D. Hylier, Past M. W.
M. of the state of Kansas. Dispensation granted to S.
W. Gunter, W. M.; C. S. Morey, S. W.; R. W. Swan, J.W.
Charter granted February 22d, 1883, by Benj. Lake,
Special Deputy G. M., assisted by A. A. Carahan, John S.
Elliott and A. E. Carlisle. Present officers are:

A. B. Kimball, W. M., H. J. Hollenbeck, S. W.

M. A. Prible, J. W., I. C. Ware, Secretary,

A. P. Happer, Treasurer.

Meets regularly once a month at the Masonic Hall in
Scandia, Kansas. The present membership is 29.

Cuba lodge A. P. & A. M., No. 362, began work under

dispensation, October 21, 1899, and was granted a charter

February 21st, 1900. The charter members are:

Ransom Stevens, W. M , W. F. Howard, S. W.,

Joseph Kesl, J. W., Jas. S. Deathridge, Treasurer,

C. E. Hoard, Secretary, P. L. Powers, S. D.,

C. A. Campbell, J. D., Royal Tyler, Tyler,

J. E. Woodhouse, S. S., L. D. Oliver, J. S.

This lodge owns its hall where it meets the first and
third Monday nights in each month. It has increased its
membership in eighteen months from ten to forty-four
members. W. F. Howard is the present Worshipful Master
and F. L. Powers, secretary.

Narka Lodge No. 349, A. F. & A. M. Papers of dis-
pensation issued March 19th 1892. Lodge instituted April

278 History of Republic County.

15tli, 1893, by E. B. Towle, Deputy Grand Master. Charter
members 14.

First officers —

A. Steenblock, W M., G. W. Edwards, S. W. ,
W. F. Bobenhouse, J. W.,.John F. Wilcox, secretary.

Present officers —

W. L. King, W. M., I. P. Sellers, S. W.,

J. S. Cordry, J. W., H. S. Taylor, secretary.

Members at present 38. Meets first and third Satur-
day nights of each month at Masonic and I. O. O. P. Hall,
Narka, Kansas.

Ophel Chapter O. E. S. at Belleville, Kansas, was

granted a dispensation and organized February 23d, 1892,

by Deputy Grand Master, Anna Coon, with the following

officers:

•Jennie L. Dillon, W. M., W. T. Dillon, W. P.,

J. M. Watkins, treasurer, B. T. Bullen, secretary,

Mary E. Bullen, Conductor, Emma McCuUough, Asst. Con.,

Adela Perry, Adah, Kate F. Howe, Ruth,

Anna L. Humphrey, Esther, Anna James, Martha,

Jennie Conwell, Electa, Betsey Blanchard, Warden,

Edward Blanchard, Sentinel.

This lodge received its charter June 23d, 1892, having
worked under dispensation just four months. The pres-
ent officers are:

Laura Doherty, W. M., Geo. W. Collins, W. P.,

Mrs. A. F. Dunn, A. M. D. D. Bramwell, Secretary,

J. H. Yale, Treasurer, Harriet L. Bethards, Conductor.

Anna L. Spencer, Asst. Con. Livona Yale, Chaplain,
Anna Wade, Adah, Adela E. Perry, Ruth,

Clara Bramwell, Esther, Lizzie Pox, Martha,

Maude Smith, Electa, Dora Carstensen, Warden,

Dr. Wm. Kamp, Sentinel, Kate G. Collins, Organist.

This lodge meets regularly on the second and fourth
Tuesday nights of each month at Masonic Hall, and is in a
highly prosperous condition with a membership of 71.

John Brown Post No. 44, G. A. R. Nearly twenty
years have come and gone since eighteen loyal and patri-
otic comrades, no two of whom served in the same regi-

History of Republic County. 279

merit, and representing five different states, moved and
actuated by the universal sentiments of fraternity, char-
ity and loyalty and an earnest desire to keep alive and per-
petuate the memories and associations of their army life,
petitioned the proper authorities for the privilege of being
mustered into the Grand Army of the Republic as a Post
under the jurisdiction of the department of Kansas. This
petition was granted and in accordance therewith they
were on the 25th day of March, 1882, by Department
Commander J. C. Walkenshaw, mustered in as a Post to
be known as John Brown Post No. 44, Department of Kan-
sas. Their names were as follows:

W. W. Wait, Captain Co. C, 64th N. Y. Inf.

G. A. Hovey, Q. M. Sergt., Co. F, 15th Iowa Inf.

John M. Lawrence, Private, Co. F, 13th 111 Inf.

Adam Dixon, Captain, Co. B, 104th N. Y. Inf.

G. A. Terpening, Private, Co. L, 12th 111. Cav.

John M. Ryan, Private, Co.'.D, 42d Ohio Inf.

John E. Hallowell, Musician, 39th 111 Inf.

A. O. Kindy, Private, Co. K, 12th Mich. Inf.
John H. Crane, Private, Co. A, 9th Iowa Inf.

B. R. Hogin, 1st Sergt., Co. K, 9th Iowa Cav.

S. G. Stover, Private, Co. A, 92d 111. Mounted Inf.

D. C. Bowersox, Private, Co. B, 152d, Ohio Inf.

J. R. Bowersox, Corporal, Co. E, 5th Ohio Cav.

J. B. Bradford, Sergeant, Co. A, 30th 111. Inf.

Wm. Hughes, Sergeant Co. H, 89th 111. Inf.

Mark C. Cuthbertson, Sergt. Co. D. 72d Ohio Inf.

H. C. Bradley, Private, Co. K, 3d Iowa Cav.

Daniel demons, Private, Co. H. 2d Neb. Cav.
In the preliminary work which led to securing this
organization Comrade Bradford was largely instrumental,
and to whose untiring and unselfish labors the early suc-
cess and prosperity of the Post were largely due. He re-
mained steadfast and active in promoting the welfare and
best interest of the post during entire his residence in our
midst.

When the Post was mustered Comrade B. R. Hogin
was chosen Commander, was re-elected ia December,
1882, serving with distinguished ability for nearly two

280 History of Republic County.

years, and by whose patriotic and well directed efforts the
prosperity and usefulness of the Post were promoted.

Capt. A. Shaw was chosen S. V. Commander, Comrade
J. M. Ryan J. V. Commander and J. E. Hallo well. Adjutant.
Comrade Hallowell served as adjutant from March 25th,
to June 17th, 1882, when he resigned and Comrade R. A.
Hoffman was chosen to fill the vacancy thus created.
The Post was mustered in the court room of the old
court house, where its meetings were held until Septem-
ber 1883, when the place of meeting was changed to the
Odd Fellows hall, which was occupied until the close of
that year, then moved to Powell's Hall, where the meet-
ings were held until February 27th, 1886, when on account
of a slight misunderstanding between the Post and the
proprietor of the hall the place of meeting was changed
back to the old court house, where meetings were held
until June 12th, 1886, when it moved to Hallow^ell's Block-
where a large and commodious hall, with a pleasant par-
lor nicely furnished, spacious and convenient ante and
w^ardrobe rooms had been fitted up to be occupied jointly
by the Post, the Woman's Relief Corps and the Sons of
Veterans, and was so occupied until the disastrous fire
of November 4th, 1890, by which the First National bank
block and Hallowell's block were entirely swept away, to-
gether with the hall and all its contents, including para-
phernalia, guns and our beautiful John Brown banner,
inflicting a property loss on the Post of $200, and the Re-
lief Corp losing at least $75. But undaunted by this mis-
fortune, the A. O. U. W. hall in the Phenix block was
rented and furnished where meetings w^ere held until Jan-
uary 1st, 1896, when the Post moved to Deal's hall, wiiich
it now occupies.

The amount expended for the relief of comrades and
their families since the organization of the Post has been
in round numbers $3,000, which money has been raised
by dues, at first one dollar per year and later two dollars
per year, the net proceeds of entertainments given by the

History of Republic County. 281

Post, contributions from individual members of the Post
and from funds donated by John Brown Woman's Relief
Corp No. 112, which, ever since its org:anization, has been
an untiring, constant and faithful auxiliary, neglecting
no opportunity to minister to the wants and relieve the
distress of unfortunate and needy comrades and their
families. Since its muster in 1882 one hundred and sev-
enty-three comrades have been borne on the muster roll,
representnig nearly all of the loj^al states from Maine to
California. The largest membership at any one time was
about the close of 1882, when one hundred members w^ere
reported in good standing. About this time other Posts
were being mustered in the county, to which quite a
large number of our members were transferred, consider-
ably reducing our membership; several have answered to
the final bugle call and have surrendered to the angel of
death, and whose graves will ever be kept green by their
surviving comrades: others have moved away and a few,
I regret to say, have allowed their membership to lapse
for non-payment of dues, leaving only fifty members in
good standing at last report, but all comrades not only in
name but in deed and in truth. And in conclusion I will
say that ever since the organization of this Post harmony
and the utmost good will and fraternal feelings have
characterized all of its proceedings and deliberations,
proving conclusively that the entire membership has been
actuated, regulated and controlled by the ennobling prin-
ciples of fraternity, charity and loyalty.

The following is a roster of the Commanders and Ad-
jutants of the Post since its muster:

YEAR. COMMANDERS. YEAR- ADJUTANTS.

1882-83 B. R. Hogin. 1882 J. E. Hallowell from March

1884 J. H. Bradford. 25th to June 17th.

1886-87 H. O. Studley. 1832 R. A. Hofifman from June

1888 Orrin Abbey. 17th to end of term.

1889 J. H. Long. 1883-84 R. A. Hoffman.

1890 S. G. Stover. 1885 H. O. Studley.

1891 W. T. Humphrey. 1886 J. H. Bradford.

282

History of Republic County.

1892 Wm. McCullough.

1887

D. C.

Baker.

1893 P. F. Scofield.

1888

D. C.

Baker.

1894 John M. Jones.

1889

Daniel David.

1895 Leo Bullen.

1890

J. H.

Long.

1896 John R. Bowersox.

1891

B. Dutton.

1897-98 D. C. Baker.

1892-98 J. H.

Long.

1899 D. C. Baker to Aug-

1899

O. A.

A. Gardner.

ust 7th, 1899.

1900

S. A.

Ingham.

1899 Z. J. Tate from

Aug.

1901

Geo.

Bullen.

26, to close term.

1900 P. N. Mung-er.

1901 K. F. Stantield.

DEATH ROLL.

NAMtS. CO.

REG.

STATE.

SERVICE. DATEOFDE^TH

William Hughes H

111.

Inf.

January 18, 1S83<

James Evans

Ind.

Battery April 1, 1883.

David C Gamble B

111.

Cav.

Nov. 9, 1884.

John M.Thompson E

Ohio

Cav.

Sept. 10, 1885.

Robert Calvert D

Wis.

Inf.

January 7, 1886.

Levi M. Pitner I

115

111.

Inf.

March 18, 1886.

Preserved Ireland C

Wis.

Inf.

March 17, 1886.

Henry C. Fuller I

111.

Cav.

Dec. 22, 1887.

James C. Keene H

Iowa

Cav.

March 1, 1892.

Julius P. Porter G

111.

Inf.

April 26, 1890.

James Wolco'^t F

Wis.

Inf.

November, 1890.

Charles BlanchardE

Wis.

Inf.

Nov. 29, 1890.

Wm. H. Pilkenton P

Ind.

Cav.

July 15, 1892.

Michael Murphy

111.

Cav.

March 13, 1892.

Ezra Mackay F

122

111.

Inf.

Aug. 11, 1894.

Chauncey Perry E

Mich.

Cav.

Aug. 17, 1894.

Manoah Graham F

Iowa

Inf.

Aug. 20, 1894.

John F. Wells C

152

Ind.

Inf.

Oct. 4, 1894.

Daniel Clemens H

Neb.

Cav.

Jan. 30, 1895.

Ezra Powell A

195

Ohio

Inf.

April 16, 1895.

Joseph A. Woods I

Mo.

Inf.

Nov. 25, 1895.

Wm.T. Humphrey G

111.

Cav.

Jan. 20, 1896.

C.W.Coykendall D

111.

Inf

Nov. 8, 1896.

Joseph Boothe H

144

111.

Inf.

October 13, 1897.

H. C. Bradley K

Iowa

Cav.

April 6, 1898.

Geo. A. Burnham I

Iowa

Cav.

June 1, 1899.

Dewitt C. Baker E

Iowa

Inf.

August 7, 1899.

Joseph H. Long B

152

111.

Inf.

Sept. 15, 1899.

N. W. Wells C

Wis.

Inf.

Dec. 25, 1899.

W.W.Wait,Capt. C

N. Y.

Inf.

Aug. 13. 1900.

J. E. Hallowell, Musician 39

111.

Inf.

March 3, 1901.

History of Republic County. 283

Parson Brownlow Post, No. 359, was mustered Aug-
ust 14th, 1885, at Wayne, Kansas, by Jacob Beck, a mem-
ber of Billy Hughes Post, No. 310, assisted by comrades
of that Post and John Brown Post No. 44, with 20 mem-
bers.

First Commander, Geo. A. Hovey,

Senior Vice Commander, C. A. Campbell,

Junior Vice Commander, W. J. McClenahan,

Adjutant, F. W. Walker.

This Post is in good working order and meets regu-
larly twice a month.

John Brown W. R. C, No. 112, auxiliary to the G. A.
R., was organized in the early jjart of 1887, with about 30
charter members. The records of the Corps were all
burned at the time John Brown Post of G. A. R. lost their
records, together with the beautiful banner with the like-
ness of John Brown, all lost when theHallowell block was
burned in Belleville, October 9th, 1890. The department
promptly furnished the corps with a new supply of books
and rituals free of cost to the corps. The corps prospered
until about the year 1893, when it surrendered its charter.
On the 9th day of February, 1898, John Brown W. R C.
was re-organized by Mrs. Evelyn Bradford of Concordia,
with over 40 charter members, taking the same number
(112) that it had originally, since which time it has been
in a flourshing condition. The membership now number-
ing 60. The first oflicers were:

Madge Long, president, Manta Galloway, secretary,

Adella Perry, treasurer,

The present officers are:

Ethel Patterson, president, Mrs. C. J. Savage, secretary,
Adella Perry, ti'easurer, Mrs. Yale, sen. vice,

Clara Johnson, junior vice.

Courtland Corps, No. 135, was organized by Mrs.
Emma Bradley, on May 22nd, 1897. Officers were in-
stalled by J. T. Glasgow. There were 15 charter mem-
bers. The first officers were:

Belle Saunders, president, Lois Nelson, senior vice,

284 History of Republic County.

Emma Bradley, junior vice, Aseneth Hoyt, chaplain,
Jessie Pebow, treasurer, Anna Conway, secretary,

Minnie Bettis, conductor, Julia Burke, guard.

The present membership numbers 24. The present

officers are:

Avada Glasgow, i^resident, Lizzie Johnson, senior vice,
Margaret Glenn, junior vice. Belle Saunders, chaplain,
Fanney Shelton, secretary, Aseneth Hoyt, treasurer,
Lou Pinkerton, conductor.

Narka W. R. C, No. 35, was organized April 21st,
1900, by Abbie Adams, of Superior, Neb., National I. and
I. Officer, with fourteen charter members. The first of-
ficers were:

Mattie Foster, president, Hannah Beck, senior vice,

Clara Duskin, junior vice, Emma Benneman, treasurer,

Laura Kramel, secretary, Christina Miller, chaplain,

Ninnie Shopman, conductor, Agnes Hamilton, guard,

Wayne W. R. C. w^as organized Janurary 1st, 1889,
by Mrs. Pratt, of Concordia, with 12 charter members.
The first officers were :

Emma G. Hill, president, Mrs. Lawrence, senior vice,
Mrs. Charles, junior vice, Mrs. Oliver, secretary,
Mrs. Reeder, treasurer.

The present officers are:

Mrs. McClenahan, president, Mrs. Lawrence, senior ^ice,
Mrs. Williams, junior vice, Mrs. Eldredge, secretary,
Mrs. Smith, treasurer.

The present membership is 11.

Belleville Lodge No. 55, A. O. U. W., was instituted
August 12th, 1880, by Wm. R. Sheen, Deputy Grand Mas-
ter Workman, and the following officers were elected:
C. Perry, P. M. W., Joseph Boothe, M. W. ,

W. H. Woodward, foreman, E. A. Hallowell, overseer,
L. R. White, recorder, J. P. Heaton, financier,

E. M. Crummer, receiver, J. Vantrump, guide,
Lafe Ball, inside watchman, J. Walker, outside watchman,
Trustees: A. E. Taylor, J. C. Humphrey, Daniel Miller.
Medical examiner, Dr. L. R. White.

Present officers are:

M. M. Barnhart, M. W. Ellis Carpenter, foreman.

History of Republic County. 285

D. C. Newcomer, recoi^der, D. H. Ferguson, financier,
John M. Doyle, receiver.

Meets every Tuesday night in Odd Fellows hall
Belleville. Present membership 125.

Republic City Lodge, No. 330, A. O. U. W., was or-
ganized July 14th, 1891, with 17 charter members. The
first officers were:

J. C. Price, P. M. W., Jacob Beck, M. W.

Wm. Bateman, foreman, D. H McDonnell, overseer,

Gomer T. Davies, recorder, O A. Throop, Treasurer,
W. W. Stover, receiver, C.'F. Neerman, Guide,

Geo. Beck, inside watchman, O. P. Clabaugh, O. W.

The present officers are:

Frank Carr, M. W. O. A. Throop, recorder,

George Beck, receiver, O. H. Durand, financier,

M. C. Polly, treasurer, W. C. Moon, overseer,

S. W. Jones, guide, A. Fogleberg, I. W.
C. Clabaugh, O. W.

The present membership is 88. Meets at I. O. O. F.
hall second and fourth Thursdays of each month.

Scandia Lodge, No. 424, A. O. U. W., meets every
Thursday at Scandia, Kansas. Lodge was instituted on
June 20th, 1900, with the following officers:

W. B. Rhoades, P. M. W., Charles M. Gould, M. W.,

E. E. Parker, foreman, Wm. Schlogle, overseer,
N. J. Hyatt, recorder, W. B. Gulick, financier,
Theo. Granstedt, receiver, V. T. Christian, guide,
Bert Curren, I. W., E. Egg, O. W.,
Medical examiners: N. J. Hyatt and E. E. Parker.
Trustees: A. L. Larson, A. Nelson and A. D. Norris.

Number o± members 85. The present officers are:
Charles Gould, P. M. W., W. B. Rhoades, M. W.,
C. A. Rowe, foreman, R. J. Bettis, overseer,

J. W. Weislogel, recorder, W. Schogle, financier,
Theo. Granstedt, receiver, F. Gatchel, guide,
J. Christiansen, I. W., J. Brown, O. W.,

Medical examiners, N. J. Hyatt.

Courtland Lodge, No. 324, A. O. U. W. was organized
March 20th, 1891, by Deputy Grand Master Workman,

286 History of Republic County.

Sheen, of Lawrence, Kansas, with 14 charter members.

The officers at that time were:

Jno.A. Donelson, P. M.W., W. W. Stuart, M W.,
C. N. Elliott, foreman, Wm. Campbell, overseer,

E. M. Ludwick, recorder, T. L. Freeland, financier,
Carroll Everst, receiver, Charles Stewart, guide,

W. M. Poole, I. W., Andy Peterson, O. W.

Membership in good standing August 15th, 1901, 70.

The present officers are:

Henry Wray, P. M. W., Gustaf E. Hallberg, M. W.,

C. S. Greenslade, foreman, M. H. Wray, overseer,
John E. Wurth, recorder, A. C. Burk, financier,
J. E Tucker, receiver, Charles Pilcher, guide,
James Henderson, I. W., C. H. Squire, O. W.,
Trustees: J. W. Smith, G. Dickerhoof, W. W. Pinkerton.

Since the organization of Courtland Lodge, No. 324,
it has lost three members by death. J. E. Hesser, lum-
berman, died March, 1896. Dr. W. W. Stewart, died De-
cember 6th, 1897. Gilbert Lawerence, merchant, died
March 7th, 1898; each holding beneficiary certificates for
$2,000.

FreedomCamp, No. 614, Modern Woodmen of America,
was instituted at Belleville, May 29th, 1888, by Deputy
Head Consul F. H. Buchanan. The charter was dated
June 18th, 1888, and contains the following names as

charter members:

D. W. Cheney, V. C, J. E. Caswell, W. A.,
S. C. Crummer, E. B., A. I. Robinson, clerk,
C. D. Herbert, escort, M. J. Post, watchman,

E. P. Robinson, sentry. Dr. J. S Billingsley and
Dr. W. J. Davis, Med. Examiners.

J. H. Bradford was the first representative to Head

Camp. J. E. Caswell, A. I. Robinson and J. E. McCuh

lough first managers. Present officers are:

J. E. Caswell, V. C, Wm. R. Wells, W. A.,

J. H. Hostetler, E. B., D. H. Ferguson, clerk,

Ole Sorenson, escort, John M. Jamison, watchman,

Emmitt Keith, sentry. Dr. J M. Billingsley, physician.

Dr. W. J. Haning, physician. Dr. W. T. Doherty, physician,

Frank A. Train, manager, Ellis Waggoner, manager,
Emmitt Keith, manager.

History of Republic County. 287

Present membership 161. Meets second and fourth
Wednesday nights in each month.

Republican River Camp, No. 1905, Modern Wood-
men of America, at Repubhc City, was organized July 3th,

1893, with 22 charter members. The first officers were:

R. W. Polly, V. C, M. R. Greenfield, W. A.,

I. L. Durland, E. B., M. H. Sinclair, clerk,

E. B. McArthur, escort, E. A. Simpson, jr., watchman,

Edgar Polly, sentry, G. A. Dillin, physician,

E. B. McArthur, manager, C B. Rickel, manager,
O. M. Knight, manager.

Present membership 85. Present officers are:

R. \V. Polly, V. C, S. J. V.an Norturck, W. A.,

M. H. Sinclair, E. B., J. I, Horkman, clerk,

C. L. Myers, escort, E. E. Powers, watchman,

Sol Mitcher, sentry, Dr. W. M. Thomas, physician.

Dr. W. L. Borst, physician, O. G. Figgin, manager,

R. W. Polly, manager, Henry Freund, manager.

Meets first and third Wednesday of each month.
Narka Camp No. 3394, Modern Woodmen of America
was organized December 5th, 1895, by G. W. Davison,

Deputy Head Consul. Charter members 15.

E. C. Boaz, V. C., F. A. Guy, clerk.

Present officers:

J. E. Arnold, V. C., R. E. Henderson, clerk.

Present membership 70.

Meets second and fourth Mondays of each month at
I. O. O. F. hall in Narka, Kansas.

Agenda Camp, No. 4587, Modern Woodmen of Amer-
ica, was organized March 13th, 1897, by Geo. Davison,
with 17 charter members. First officers were as follows:

F. S. Long. V. C., W. H. Flick, W. A.,
Jno. Henderson, E. B., C. E. Costolo, clerk,

Jno Thompson, escort, J. A. Woodward, watchman,

E. E. Houchin, sentry.

Present officers :

W. E. Nixon, V. C., W. H. Flick, W. A.,

L. G. Paulin, E. B., M. B. Houdek, clerk,

F. S. Long, escort, I. M. Lindamood, watchman,
J. A. Manning, sentry.

288

History of Republic County.

The camp meets the second and fourth Saturdays in
every month. The camp has built a hall 20x40 and has it
nearly paid for. The membership at present is 42 bene-
ficial and 6 social members. First managers:

John Hertzberg, J. J. Hunter, Chas. Young.

Present managers:

John Henderson, I. M. Lindamood, C. E. Costolo.

Scandia Camp No. 3720, Modern Woodmen of Amer-
ica, was instituted March 21st, 1896, by W. H. Ramsey,
with 20 members. The first officers were:

A. J. White, W. A.,

Hugh S. Cooper, clerk,
A. P. Peterson, watchman,
N. J. Hyatt, medical examiner,
W. A. Beck, manager.

George McBroom, V. C,
B. D. Woods, banker,
James P. Gibbons, escort,
D. E. Rubendahl, sentry,
D. J. Churchill, manager,
A. P. Hopper, manager.

The present officers:

Wm. Wolford, V. C, Hugh S. Cooper, clerk.

The present membership is 64.

De Leon Lodge, No. 147, Knights of Pythias, was or-
ganized at Belleville, May 14th, 1887, with the following
charter members, namely:

George W. Collins, J. C. Humphrey, Josiah Kindt,

F. N. Munger, Chauncey Perry,

Geo. W. Stephenson, Edward Wilson,
William Babcock, F. N. Culver,

B. F.

C. H.
J. H.
E. B.

W. A. Godard,
D. W. Hamilton,
M. Robinson,
R. B. Ward.

John Nealeigh,
N. T. VanNatta,
James Anderson,
E. M. Crummer,
E. A. Hallowell,
James A. Lacey,
J. S. Smith,

The present officers are:
E. O. Baldwin, C. C,
J. M. Doyle, prelate,
W. H. Bell, M. of F.,
Chas. Caldwell, M. at A.
J. H. Hostetler, O. G.

The lodge is in a prosperous condition, and meets
regularly every Thursday night.

Courtland Lodge, No. 218, Knights of Pythias, was

Griffith,
Haney,
Long,
Towle,

H. L.

J. M.

Peirce, V. C.

Hostetler, M. of Ex.,
C. C. Canfield, K. of R. S.,
C. C. Armstrong, I. G.,

History of Republic County.

289

instituted in 1890 by J. F. Close, D. D. G. C. Officers:
J. A. Donelson, P. C, C. Everest, C. C,

J. A. Litsing-er, V. C, F. M. Boyd, prelate,

J. D. Everst, M. of F., C. N. Elliott, M. of E.,

Geo. H. Litsinger, K. of R.S. W. S. Conway, M. at A.,
C. A. Boyd, I. G., W. P. Shewer, O. G.

Started with 32 members. Present efficers:

C. A. Kimball, P. C,
C. N. Elliott, V. C,
J. E. Tucker, M. of E.,
A. A. Bushow, K of R.
Dr. Roberts, O. G.,

Wm. A. Neil, C. C,
J. S. Tucker, prelate,
W. S. Conway, M. of F.,
S., John Pilcher, I. G.,

G. E. Holburg, M. at A.

Has 54 members. Meets every Thursday evening at
Tucker's hall.

Liberty Camp, No. 739, Royal Neighbors, was insti-
tuted at Belleville, August 27th, 1897, with 21 charter
members. The first officers were:

Addie Swanson, vice oracle,
Mrs. A. C. Taylor, receiver,
Mrs. W. C. Schissler, marshal,
Mrs. W. S. Lash, O S.

Alta M. Hostetler, oracle,
Mrs. D. C. Deal, recorder,
Mary Hill, chancellor,
Mrs. O. S. Spencer, I. S.,

The present officers are:

Mary Hill, oracle, Mrs. Effie K. Paynter, V. O.,

Mrs. Alta M. Hostetler, P.O., Adela E. Perry, recorder,
Minnie Howard, receiver, Mrs. Ida Ide, I. S.,
Eva Gardner, O. S.

The present membership is 40 beneficiary members
and 14 social members. Meets at Deal's hall on the first
and third Tuesday evenings of each month.

Royal Neighbors, Snow Ball Camp, No. 579, RepubHc

City. Organization of camp, March 17th, 1897. Number

of charter members 19. The first officers:

Blanch Figgins, vice oracle,
Stella Curtis, recorder,
Delia Remy, chancellor,
Lyda Cardwell, inner sentinel,
Mr. Curtis, manager.

Charlotte Rickel. oracle,
C. B. Rickel, past oracle,
Mary Goosman. i-eceiver,
Anna Goosman, marshal,
Stella Cure, outer sentinel,
Iva Fogleberg, manager.
Dr. Dunn, physician.

Mrs. Dr. Dunn, manager,

290 History of Republic County.

Present membership 32. Present officers:

Lyda Cardwell, oracle, Charlotte Rickel, vice oracle,

Lynda Sinclair, receiver, Maggie Heath, chancellor,

Edna Shrouf, marshal, Jennie Reichley, inner sentinel,

Blanche Fig-gins, outer S. Edward Simms, manager,

Rhoda Stewart, manager, Charlotte Rickel, manager,
Dr. Thomas, physician.

Meets second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.

Live Forever Camp, No. 2001, Royal Neighbors, at
Agenda, Kansas, was organized Febuary 14th, 1900, by
Mrs. F. L. Horton, D. S. O., of Clifton, Kansas. Twelve
beneficiary members and seven social. The officers were:
Effie Manning, oracle, Eveline Flick, vice oracle,

Stella Nichols, recorder, Mollie Harbaugh, i^eceiver.

May Pauline, Chancellor, Belle Long, marshal,
Mary Webb, inner sentinel, Emma Houdek, outer sentinel,
Lou Henderson, manager, Lou Patten, manager,
Jessie Griber, manager.

It now has a membership of 20 enthusiastic members.
The present officers are as follows:

Cassie Nixon, oracle, Ellen Marsh, vice oracle,

Eveline Flick, recorder, Lou Henderson, receiver.

May Pauline, chancellor, Belle Long, marshal,
Inez Flick, inner sentinel, Maud Sharpies, outer sentinel,
Emma Cox, manager, Eveline Smith, manager,

Lou Patton, manager.

The Sons and Daughters of Justice was organized in
Belleville, March 7th, 1898, by G. H. Justus, with 52 char-
ter members and the following officers:

John W. Penfield, P. P., Charles W. Brown, president,

Benjamin T. Bullen, V. P., David W. Hamilton, chaplain,
David H. Ferguson, Sec, David H. Ferguson, Fin. Sec,
M. Bambaur, treasurer, Mrs. M. S. Perry, conductor,

N. N. Weaver, I. G., Charles T. Martin, sentry,

Frances E. Barrett, trustee, Herbert G. Weightman, trustee,
Cornelius W. Elliott, trustee.

Present membership, 102 beneficiary and 15 social
members. Officers at present are:

John W. Penfield, P. P., O. C. Dickerhoof, president,

Willis Spratt, vice president, David H. Ferguson, financier,
C. P. Sanford, treasurer, Clara Sanford, secretary,

History of Republic County. 291

EflBe S. Waite, chaplain. Mary Nealeigh, conductor,

Frank Doutey, I. W., W. M. Hubbard, sentry,

Mary Perry, organist.

Courtland Council, No. 327, P. A. A., was organized
May 27th, 1897, by C. M. Polly, Topeka, Kansas, with 30
charter members, 22 beneticiary and 8 honorary members.
The officers were at that time:

Wm. Bateman, P. P., C. N. Elliott, president,

Ellen Elliott, vice president, J. C. Clark, secretary,
J. E. Tucker, treasurer, W. W. Stewart, M. Ex.,

Emma A. Litsinger, chaplain, John E. Wurth, guide,
C. H. H. Squire, observer, John Oliver, sentinel,
Mrs. J. E. Tucker, trustee, Wm. Bateman, Trustee,
M. MpGregor, trustee.

Membership in good standing, August 15th, 1901, 70.
The present officers are:

Harrison H. Johnson, P. P., John E. Wurth, president,
John H. Bovver, vice pres., .Joe A. Litsinger, secretary,
J. E. Tucker, treasurer, R. A. Stewart, M. Ex.,

S. J. Snider, M. Ex., Arvina Bower, chaplain,

Jennie Elliott, guide, Geo. Malcome, observer,

Samuel Malcome, sentinel, John. H. Bower, trustee,
HarrisonH. Johnson, trustee, C. N. Elliott, trustee.
Since the organization of Courtland Council, No. 327,
it has lost four members by death. Dr. W. W. Stewart,
December 6th, 1897; L. McGregor, June 27th, 1898;
Chas. Sallmon, 1900; James A. Richer, April 1st, 1901.
Amount beneficiary certificates: W. W. Stewart, $2,000;
L. McGregor, $3,000; Chas. Sallmon, $1,000; J. A. Pil-
cher, $2,000.

On April 19th, 1894, twenty persons met at Deal's hall
and were called to order by M. E. Ellin wood, deputy of the
Knights and Ladies of Security, and proceeded to make a
permanent organization. The officers elected were:

Chauncey Perry, president, Mrs. R. A. Evans, 1st V, P.,

George Nelson, 2d V. P., Mrs. S. E. Robinson, prelate,

John A. Jacobs, Cor. Sec, Mary J. Billingsley, conductor,

Mrs. A. E. McKeen,Fin. Sec, Jacob Hollenbeck, guard

G. B. Freeman, sentinel, Dr. J. S. Billingsley, Med. Ex.,

R. I. Jellison, treasurer, W. W. Evans, trustee,

J. H. Yale, trustee, John L. Daniels, trustee.

292 History of Republic County.

Of the 25 present at its organization, the following
have died: Chauncey Perry, W. T. Humphrey, Wm. Alex-
ander, A. O. Baldwin. The order now has 152 beneficiary
and 40 social members.

Munden Council, No. 883, Knights and Ladies of Se-
curity, was instituted January 2d, 1901, by Major H. N.
Boyd, and the following officers were elected and installed:
Chas. Ramsey, president, Anton Strnad, vice president,
Lorna Ramsey, 2d vice pres.,Mrs. M. C. Morey, prelate,
Florence Moi^ey, conductor, H. H. Howes, Cor. Sec,
Mrs. L. M.McCalljFin. Sec, Geo. Saip, treasurer,
Joseph .Janasek, guard, Frank Hanel, sentinel,

H. E. Kirk, trustee, Joseph Brokesh, trustee,

Frank Larhman, trustee.

Talmo Council Knights and Ladies of Security, No.
883, was organized July 2d, 1901, with 15 members, by H.
N. Boyd, national deputy.

W. H. Bottomley, president, Mrs. S. Y. Bottomley, Cor. Sec

Republic Supreme Court of Honor, No. 690, was or-
ganized April 22d, 1898. Officers and charter members:

R. W. Polley, chancellor, John W. Ambrose, vice chan. ,
A. M. Johnson, past chan., Jessie Craft, recorder,
Lydia E. Myers, treasurer, O. A. Throop, Chaplain,

C. A. Remy, conductor, Mary Myers, guard,
R. E. Myers, sentinel, H. H. Smith, director,

D. A. Davies, director, F. M. Baxter, director,
W. M. Thomas, medical Ex.

Members to date 34. Present officers:

F. W. Craft, chancellor, Lydia E. Myers, vice chancellor,

D. A. Davies, past chancellor, Geo. H. Cundiff, recorder,
Mary Myers, treasurer, Maude L. Cundiff, chaplain,

Mrs. John Counzelman, con., R. E. Myers, guard,
John Counzelman, sentinel, J. I. Horkman, director,
A. L. Counzelman, director, F. M. Baxter, director,
Dr. D. E. Foristal, Med. Ex., Dr. W. M. Thomas, Med. Ex.
Meets second and fourth Mondays of each month.

A Court of Honor Lodge was instituted at Cuba, on

June 27th, 1901, by District Deputy, W. S. Rowley, with

25 charter members, with the following officers:

Frank Barnett, chancellor, Edith M. Cashman, recorder.

History of Republic County. 293

A Court of Honor lodge was instituted at Belleville

on June 1st, 1898, by District Deputy W. H. Remy, with

'27 members, with the following officers:

Ole Sorenson, chancellor, D. Y. Wilson, recorder.

They now have a membership of 75.

Republic City Lodge, No. 203, Degree of Honor, was

organized March 3d, 1898, with 22 charter members. The

first officers were:

Daisie Jones, P. C. of H., Lydia E. Myers, C. of H.,

Laura Goodrich, L. of H. , Nannie Throop, C. of C. ,

Mary E. Myers, recorder, Nellie Elliott, financier,

Lillie Rockhold, receiver, Aggie Shaver, usher,

Bert Myers, O. W., Salina Kelley, I. W.

The present officers are:

Salina Kelley, P. E. of H., Nellie Beck, C. of H.,

Mary Jones, L. of H., Anna Hall, C. of C,

Ethel Beck, recorder, Winnie Chappell, receiver,

Lydia E. Myers, financier, Ida Kelly, usher,

Wm. Kelley, O. W., Delpha Fogelberg, I. W.

The present membership is 35. Meets every first
and third Thursday of each month at the I. O. O. F. hall,
Republic City, Kansas.

Ziz Kuv Dub Lodge, No. 109, a Bohemian fraternal
and benevolent insurance order was organized June 29th,
1884, in Cuba, Kansas, where it meets every second Sun-
day in each month, in a fine commodious hall owned by
the lodge. This lodge is in a flourishing condition and
has a membership of 57. Joseph Barton is president
and John M. Marsicek, secretary.

The Bohemian Benevolent Society was instituted
April 2d, 1894, by J. J. Houdek, at Narka, Kansas, with
24 members. The first officers were John Marsicek,
chairman, and Fred Novak, secretary. Re-organized July
4th, 1897, when ladies were made eligible to membership.
The organization is now known as Western Bohemiam
Society Z. C. B. J. Meets every second Saturday of each
month in Odd Fellows' hall in Narka. Present member-
ship: males, 28: females, 11. The present officers are: J,
C. Jensek, chairman, J. M. Marsicek, secretary.

294 History of Republic County.

CHAPTER XXIV.

PATRIOTIC RECORD.

Abbey Orrin, of Freedom township, enlisted in the na-
val service on the seventh day of November, 1864, and
served as a seaman on the gunboat, Paw Paw, on the Ohio
and Tennessee rivers for one year, when he was dis-
charged by reason of expiration of term of enlistment.
Enlisted again as a private on the fifteenth day of Febru-
ary, 1865, in company E, 38th regiment, "Wisconsin vol-
unteer infantry, to serve one year or during the war.
Was in the battles before Richmond, just prior to Lee's
surrender. Was honorably discharged at Washington, D.
C, July 26th, 1865, by reason of special orders, headquar-
ters department of Washington.

George D. Bowling was born at Rock Island, Illinois,
in 1847, where he lived until eighteen years of age, when,
with his parents, he moved to Henry county, remaining
there about three years, when he came to Kansas, locating
in Atchison county. In 1870 he came to Republic county,
and homesteaded the NE i of section 25, in Scandia town-
ship, being one of che earliest settlers in this part of the
township, there being only one house in sight when he
moved on his place. Was elected State Senator in 1892,
on the Populist ticket, over one of the most popular candi-
dates ever nominated in the district by the Republican
party, by a plurality of 158.

T. C. Bales, enlisted August 7th, 1862, at Michigan
City, Indiana, and was enrolled as a private in Co. K, 73d
Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Took part in nearly all of
the fights in which the regiment was engaged. Was hon-
orably discharged at Indianapolis, Indiana, in July, 1865.

Wm. A. Brown was enrolled as a private August 13th,

HON. GEORGE D. BOWLING,
Ex-State Senator 32 District .

History of Republic County. 295

1862, at Indianola, Iowa, in Co. C, 34th Volunteer Infantry.
Was in active service with regiment and in thirteen gener-
al engagements, besides skirmishes. Was wounded at
Atchafalaya Bayou, in Octooer, 1863, but was never in a
hospital. Was mustered out at Houston, Texas, August
15th, 1865.

L. W. Bethards enlisted on the third day of July, 1863,
for three years or during the war. Was mustered into
the service on the tenth day of July, 1863, and assigned to
Co. K, 88th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Was promoted to cor-
poral and placed on detached duty, and served ,in that
capacity almost the entire time. Was mustered out on
the third day of July, 1865, by reason of the war coming
to a close.

Jacob Beck enlisted at Atchison, Kansas, in Septem-
ber, 1862, and was enrolled as a private in Co. D, 13th
Kansas Volunteer Infantry. Served under General Blunt
in the seventh army corps. Was mustered out and hon-
orably discharged at Leavenworth, Kansas, in July, 1865.
Settled in Big Bend township in June, 1872.

I. L. Bullen, known by his comrades as Leo, enlisted
October 7th, 1861, at the age of seventeen, at Florida, Ohio,
and was enrolled as a private in Co. P, 68th Volunteer In-
fantry. Served with Grant from Donelson to Vicksburg;
was in Gen. Logan's third division, 17th army corps. Re-
enlisted at Vicksburg in the summer of 1863. Served un-
der Gen. Sherman the remainder of his term, and was in
the grand review at Washington, D. C. Was in all the en-
gagemenis in which his regiment took part. Was mus-
tered out and honorably discharged at Louisville, Ken-
tucky, July 9th, 1865.

Chester L. Babcock enlisted September 17th, 1861, at
Utica, New York, and was enrolled as a private in Co. B,
26th New York Volunteer Infantry, it being a two years
regiment. Served in the army of the Potomac and took
part in the battles of second Bull Run, Chantilly, South

296 History of Republic County.

Mountain, Anteitam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.
Was mustered out and honorably discharged at Utica, New
York in May 1863. Settled at Manhattan, Kansas in 1865,
moving to White Rock, in this county, in the spring of 1870
and settling on section 7, town 2, range 5.

John R. Bower SOX enlisted as a private on the 11th day
of September, 1861, and served in Co. E, 5th Ohio Cav-
alry and was mustered out as a corporal on the 29th day
of November, 1864, at Columbus, Ohio. Participated in
the battles of Pittsburg Landing, seige of Corinth, luka,
Chattanooga and the engagements through Georgia to At-
lanta.

Horatio N. Boyd was born in Wilmington, Delaware,
July 29th, 1845; enlisted in July, 1861, in the 7th regiment
Illinois Cavalry, and served until December, 1865; was
twice severely wounded and once a prisoner of war. En-
tire service of four years and four months before he was
twenty-one years of age. Moved from Iowa to Kansas in
1877.

Charles A. Campbell enlisted in July, 1862, at Perry,
Illinois, and was enrolled as a private in Co. P, 99th regi-
ment Illinois Volunteer Infantry; served in the western
army under McClernand and Canby, and was on duty with
the regiment during the entire period of his enlistment;
was in the battles of Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Champion
Hill and in the Vicksburg campaign; served in Texas and
the Red River campaign, and Spanish Ports and Port
Blakesley; was mustered out and honorably discharged
at Baton Rogue, Louisiana, after serving three years.

Adam Dixon was born in Cumberland county, Eng-
land, July 4th, 1827. He emigrated to America in 1851,
arriving at New York, April 20th. He soon after located
in Livingston county, New York, where he remained until
the war broke out. He enlisted as a private in October,
1861, in the Wadsworth Guards, at Geneseo, New York,
and was mustered into the United States service with the

HON. H. N. BOYD.

History of Republic County. 297

104th regiment New Youk Volunteer Infantry, November
2d, 1861, and was in active service with the first corps,
army of the Potomac from Cedar Mountain to Gettysburg.
He was promoted to first sergeant and commanded Co. G,
at the second battle of Bull Run. Was promoted to sec-
ond lieutenant September 12th, and to first lieutenant Oc-
tober 21st, 1862, and to captain May 23d, 1863. for meri-
torious conduct while before the enemy; was captured at
the battle of Gettysburg and held as a prisoner of war in
the prison pens of the south for twenty months; was mus-
tered out and discharged at Elmira, New York, July 28th,
1865. He came to Kansas in 1870, taking a homestead on
section 3, in Freedom township, this county, April 12th;
was the first trustee of that township, being appointed
July 11th, 1871. He held the oflice of brigadier general
in the Kansas National Guards for several years, which
position he filled with distinguished ability.

John W. Duskin enlisted August 13th, 1863, at Cen
terville, Iowa, and was enrolled as a private in Co. H, 8th
Iowa Cavalry; served in the department of the Mississip-
pi, under Gen. Wilson. The regiment was captured July
30th, 1864, at Noonan, Georgia, but Duskin being on de-
tached service at the time, was not captured; took part
in the battles of Franklin and Nashville and any number
of skirmishes; was mustered out at Macon, Georgia, and
received final discharge at Clinton, Iowa, after having
served two years.

William K. Dixon enlisted at Caroll, Ohio, was mus-
tered in the U. S. service at Camp Dick Robison, Kentucky,
on the 30th day of August, 1861, to serve three years
or during the war and was enrolled in Co. I, 17th Ohio Vol-
unteer Infantry, as a private. Served three years and
twenty-six days. Was honorably discharged at Camp
Denison, Ohio, on surgeon's certificate of disability, Sep-
tember 26th, 1864. Was badly wounded and taken prison-
er at the battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, on September

298 History of Republic County.

20th, 1863; was paroled on the Chickamauga field, Septem-
ber 29th, 1863, and conveyed by ambulance to the Union
line at Chattanooga, Tennessee. Saw two years and twenty
days constant service in the ranks and participated in all
the battles and skirmishes that the regiment was engaged
in to the 20th of September, 1863. Took part in the bat-
tles of Wild Cat, Kentucky; Mill Springs, Kentucky; Cor-
inth, Mississippi; Perryville, Kentucky; Stone River, Ten-
nessee; Tullahoma campaign, Tennessee; Hoovers Gap,
Tennessee, Chickamauga, Georgia. Served in the 14th
army corps.

I. G. Donaldson enlisted July, 1862, at Troy, Kansas,
and was enrolled as a private in Co. H, 13th Kansas Volun-
teer Infantry. Served in this regiment about two months
and was discharged for disability. Re-enlisted in August
1863 Id Co. H, 14th Kansas Cavalry, as corporal. Served
under Generals Steele and Blunt; was in the fight at Jen-
kins Ferry and a large number of skirmishes. Was on de-
tached dut}'^ a part of the time as clerk in the quartermas-
ter department. Served with this regiment until the close
of the war. Received final discharge at Lawrence, Kansas.

-&^

D. C. Eldridge enlisted November 7th, 1861, at Berlin,
Wisconsin, and was enrolled as a private in Co. A, 16th
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Served in the department
of Tennessee under General Sherman and marched with
him to the sea. Was mustered out and honorably dis-
charged at Louisville, Kentucky, in February, 1865.

S. L. Everts enlisted in Allegan county, Michigan,
January 2d, 1863, and was enrolled in Co. F, 8th regiment
Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, as a sergeant. Served under
Burnside in the 23d army corps, was all through the Mor-
gan raid and in most of the fights in which the regiment
was engaged; was captured at Athens in east Tennessee,
September '27th, 1863, and was held as a prisoner of war
for seventeen months in Andersonville and other prison

History of Republic County. 299

pens of the south. Was mustered out and honorably dis-
charged at Camp Chase, Ohio, June 14th, 1865.

David H. Ferguson enhsted as a private in Co. C, 118th
regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, August 2d, 1862, at
Hamilton, Illinois. Was mustered in as a corporal in that
company vrhich he held for a short time, when he was pro-
moted to sergeant major of the regiment, which office he
tilled in a most satisfactory manner until the close of the
war. Served in the 13th army corps, taking part in Sher-
man's first attack on Vicksburg; was in active service dur-
ing the entire period of his enlistment and was in nearly
all the fights and skirmishes in which his regiment was
engaged. After serving three years and two months was
mustered out at Baton Rogue, Louisiana, receiving final
discharge at Springfield, Illinois.

George Fritzinger enlisted August 28th, 1862, in Jay
county, Indiana, and was enrolled as a private in Co. H,
100th regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Had served
seven years in the French army before coming to Amer-
ica. Was in the 15th army corps under General John A.
Logan and took part in the battles of Vicksburg, Jackson,
Missionary Ridge, Knoxville and marched with Sherman
to the sea. Received no wounds during the whole ten years
service, the nearest approach of it being bullet holes
through clothing and knapsack. Was mustered out at
Washington, D. C, June 8th, 1865.

N. E. Gile enlisted February 1st, 1861, at Newport bar-
racks, Kentucky, and was enrolled as a private in Battery
G, 4th U. S. Artillery; was in the West Virginia campaign
in 1861 under Generals Rosecrans and McClellan; was
wounded at Greenbriar, West Virginia, and again at Mal-
vern Hill and again at Ringgold, Georgia, this time severe-
ly. Took part in 57 engagements including Gettysburg
and Antietam; was employed in the secret service of the
government about 18 months; was mustered out and hon-
orably discharged from the battery at Bridgeport, Alabama,

300 History of Republic County.

February 1st, 1864, was discharged from the secret service
at Washington, D. C, September 11th, 1865, having served
in all, a little over four years and a half.

William Glasgow enlisted in Co. F, 4th Iowa Volunteer
Cavalry, in September, 1861, at Oskaloosa, Iowa, and was
enrolled as a private, but was mustered in as fifth sar-
geant in the same company and served in Missouri and
Arkansas. His company was on detached service most of
the time, being detailed to procure subsistence supplies
from the enemy's country. In the first skirmish in which
he was engaged, the lieutenant in command of the com-
pany was killed and one man wounded. Served later in
the western army under Curtis and took part in many
of the fights and skirmishes in which his regiment was en-
gaged; was a comrade and messmate of the late George A.
Burnham, of John Brown Post; was discharged at Helena,
Arkansas, by reason of surgeon's certificate of disabiliry,
in September, 1862.

Noah H. Griffis, of Belleville township, enlisted in Co.
C, 15th regiment Iowa Volunteers in 1861 and served four
years and two months; was in the battles of Shiloh, Cor-
inth, Vicksburg, luka, Atlanta, Ezra Church; Bentonville,
North Carolina, and marched with Sherman to the sea;
was first sargeant of the company, afterward promoted to
lieutenant and was in command of the company for one
year.

John C. Griffith enlisted in August, 1861, at Laporte,
Indiana, and was enrolled as hospital steward of the 29th
Indiana Infantry and served as such for eighteen months,
when he was promoted to first assistant surgeon of the
regiment, which position he held until discharged by rea-
son of disability at Chattonooga, Tenn., August 29th, 1864.
Was in eighteen general engagements and several skir-
mishes. The last eighteen months of his service he had
entire charge 'of the medical department of his regiment.
He died at his home in Belleville.

History of Republic Coimty. 301

O. A. A. Gardner enlisted September 18th, 1861, at
Camp McClellan, Iowa, and was enrolled as a private in
Co. A, 11th Volunteer Infantry; served in the department
of Missouri; was on detached service as military telegraph
operator and as provost marshal the whole term of service;
was mustered out and honorably discharged at St Louis,
Mo., June 22d, 1865; was in the government service about
four years after the close of the war.

William L. Hubbard enhsted in September, 1861, and
was enrolled in Co. B, 3-4th regiment, Illinois Volunteer
Infantry; served in the army of the Cumberland, and was
severely wounded at the battle of Stone River. Was hon-
orably discharged in 1861, having served three years and
two months; came to Kansas in 1873, and settled in Lin-
coln township, where he has since resided.

Joshua Harlan enlisted August 1st, 1862, at Valpariso,
Indiana, and was enrolled in Co. I, 5th Indiana Cavalry, as
a blacksmith, in which capacity he served but a few months
when the blacksmith tools were turned over to the regi-
ment quartermaster. Served in the 23d army corps under
General Burnside. Took part in the battle of Henderson's
Mills, Tennessee, after which the regiment fell back to
Wraytown, where a stand was made and another battle
fought. The rebel troops engaged were Bragg's and Long-
street's commands. Was in all the campaign in East Ten-
nesee; was partially disabled by being thrown from his
horse while making a cavalry charge; also took part in the
capture of John Morgan; was mustered out and honorably
discharged May 28th, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky.

H. K. Hoyt enlisted in Co. E, 9th Vermont Volunteer
Infantry as a private, at Woodstock, Vermont, December
17th, 1863. Served in the army of the Potomac; took part
in the battle of Newport and several skirmishes. Served
on detached duty as hospital steward about one year; was
mustered out and honorably discharged at Burlington, Ver-
mont, December 1st, 1865.

302 History of Republic County.

W. H. Hamilton enlisted August 11th, 1862, at Say-
brook, McLean county, Illinois, and was enrolled as a pri-
vate in Co. P, 116th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Served
in the 15th army corps under General John A. Logan.
Took part in the attack on Vicksburg, the battle of Arkan-
sas Post, seige of Vicksburg, Jackson, Mississippi; Mis-
sionary Ridge, Atlanta campaign and marched with Sher-
man to the sea. Was never in the hospital or sick a day;
was mustered out at Washington and received final dis-
charge at Springfield, Illinois, June 28th, 1865.

P. M. Higgason enlisted at Monmouth, Illinois, in
August, 1863, and was enrolled as a private in Co. C, 83d
regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Served in the
army of the Cumberland under General Thomas. Served
about six months and was discharged by reason of loss
of left arm while in the line of duty.

Joseph L. Harkness was born in Huron county, Ohio,
November 24th, 1831. He enlisted on the 12th day of
August, 1862, at Story City, Iowa, and was enrolled as
a private in the 32d regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry.
He took part in the battle of Pleasant Hill and many minor
engagements; was with General A. J. Smith on the famous
Red River expedition. He was made a prisoner of war at
the battle of Pleasant Hill and spent thirteen months in
prison at Tyler, Texas. Came to Republic county Octob-
er 13th, 1876, and settled in Belleville township, where he
still resides.

Ben Hull enlisted in the fall of 1861, at Ottaw^a, Illi-
inois, and was enrolled as a private in Co. G, 4th Illinois
Volunteer Cavalry. Served in the w^estern army. Took
part in the battles of Fort Henry and Donelson, Shiloh,
Vicksburg and several minor engagements. Was mus-
tered out at Springfield, Illinois, after having served three
years and two months.

John Harris enlisted in August, 1861, in the Leroy,
Coffee county, Kansas, Home Guards, commanded by Cap-

R. T. JELLISON.

History of Republic County. 303

tain Scott, in which he served three months. This com-
pany was recognized and paid by the general government.
Soon after being discharged from the Home Guards, he
enUsted in Co. C, 2d Kansas Cavalry. Served in the
western department: was in several skirmishes and run-
ning fights with Quantrell's men. Was honorably dis-
charged at Leavenworth, Kansas, after having served
two years.

James Isaac enlisted in November, 1861, and was en-
rolled as a private in Co. I, 10th Kentucky, Volunteer In-
fantry. Took part in the battles of Mill Springs, Ken-
tucky, seige of Corinth, campaign in Kentucky under Gen-
eral Buel, Chickamauga, Jonesboro, and many minor en-
gagements. Was mustered out and honorably discharged
at Louisville, Kentucky, in Febuary, 1865. Settled in
Grant township in the spring of 1869, where he still
at resides.

S. A. Ingham, a native of the state of New York, from
whence he moved at an early age to Wisconsin, where he
resided until Febuary, 1862, when he enlisted in the 9th
Light Battery, Wisconsin Volunteers, Captain James H.
Dodge commanding. Served in the western divison under
Generals Blunt and Curtis. Was honorably discharged
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, January, 26th, 1865.

David Jones enlisted July 25th, 1861, at Kinmunda,
Illinois, and was enrolled as a private in Co. B, 40th Illi-
nois Infantry. Served in the 15th army corps under John
A. Logan. Was in the battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg, and
Jackson, and took part in all the battles and skirmishes in
which the regiment was engaged: marched with Sherman
to the sea. Was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky,
July 25th, 1865, having served exactly four years.

Robert T. Jellison was born in Lawrence county,
Pennsylvania, January 3d, 1818, came to Kansas in 1859
where he has resided ever since. Enlisted August 19th,
1862, in Co. I, 13th Kansas Infantry, and was mustered in

304 History of Republic County.

soon after at Troy, Kansas. Served in the 7th army corps.
Took part in three heavy engagements and several skirm-
ishes; was mustered out July 26th, 1865, and honorably
discharged. Comrade Jellison claims the distinction of
being the youngest soldier now living in Republic county,
if not in the state, who served in the war of the rebellion
as long as he did, being only 14 years and seven months
old when he enlisted. Came to Republic county in 1884;
was elected register of deeds in 1894, serving two terms.

Gabriel M. Jones was mustered in as a private and
enrolled in Co. H, 2d regiment, Illinois Cavalry, August
12th, 1861. Served in the department of Mississippi the
first two years, and the last year in the department of the
Gulf. Took part in the battle of Holly Springs and all
the fighting and skirmishing in which his regiment was
engaged; was seriously wounded in the leg at Sabine
Cross Roads; was mustered out and honorably discharged
at Baton Rogue, Louisiana, August 11th, 1864, having
served exactly three years.

Josiah Kindt enlisted April 21st, 1861, and was en-
rolled as a private in Co. A, 20th Illinois Volunteer In-
fantry, and took part in the following engagements: Fred-
ericktown, Missouri; Charlestown, Missouri; Forts Henry
and Donelson, seige of Corinth, battle of Estanola or
Brittons Lane, Fort Gibson, Jackson, Mississippi: Bak-
er's Creek, Vicksburg, and many minor engagements and
skirmishes; was mustered out and honorably discharged
after having served three years and nearly three months.
He was four times elected sheriff of Republic county, viz:
in 1873-75-79-81, always on the independent ticket, never
receiving large majorities but getting there just the same.
He fed and shipped the first stock from Republic county,
two cars of cattle and two of hogs in the spring of 1874.

Solomon Kent enlisted as a private, August 11th,
1862, in Co. C, 72nd regiment. Indiana Infantry. After
the battle of Stone river the regiment served as mounted

■ £^:M«:'P~3-^l«:«C»ti»-.-s%i-j#S

HON. II. B. WARD,

State Senator 32d Pistrict.

History of Republic Comity. 305

infantry. Took part in the battles of Stone River, Hoover
Gap, Ringgold, Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Atlanta, Sel-
man, Columbus, Georgia: and Macon, Georgia. Was color
bearer most of the time: was mustered out and honorably
discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, July 20th, 1865.

M. E. Kavanaugh of Freedom township enlisted Jan-
uary 1st, 1862, at Springfield, Illinois, as a private and
was enrolled in Co. A, 49th regiment, Illinois Volunteer
Infantry. Served in the army of the Cumberland under
General McClernand. Took part in the battles of Fort
Donelson and Shiloh: was mustered out and honorably
discharged at Springfield in January, 1865. Afterwards
served 30 days in an independent company guarding pris-
oners at Camp Butler.

Joseph H. Long was born in Putnam county, Indiana,
November 22d, 1848. While quite young the family moved
to Iowa, where he grew to manhood. His father enlisted
early in the war of the rebellion, leaving Joe to be the
support of his mother and younger brothers and sisters.
In the fall of 1863 he was discharged for disability and
upon his return home Joe began trying to enlist. He was
promised a position as teamster, but upon reporting at
St. Louis was rejected. He then made efforts to join the
army at Alton, Mt. Sterling and Jacksonville, but each
time rejected on account of his youth and slight form.
Nothing daunted, he resolved to make another effort, and
this time went to Springfield, Illinois, where he was ac-
cepted and mustered into Co. B, 152d regiment, Illinois
Infantry, in which he served until the close of the war,
not being 17 years of age when mustered out. At the
close of the war he returned to Iowa, where he lived until
1878, when he came to Kansas, and in 1883 to Belleville,
which was his home until the time of his death. He was
married to Miss Madge Bradley in June 1885. Mr. Long
was an active worker in Grand Army circles, being a
member of John Brown Post, No. 44, and its commander

306 History of Republic County.

for the year 1889, and adjutant of the same for the years
1890-92-93-94-95-96-97 and 98. He was appointed post-
master at Belleville by President McKinley, taking charge
of the office, with Mrs. Long as assistant, in April, 1899,
but owing to failing health was unable to give it but little
personal attention. His health failed rapidly during the
summer and on September 15th, 1899, he passed peacefully
away. Mr. Long was intensely loyal, a man highly re-
spected by all who knew him, for his high standard of
moral character and spotless business integrity. He will
always be remembered for his loyalty and devotion to the
old flag. He was succeeded in the postoffice by his faith-
ful wife, who is conducting the business in a highly sat-
isfactory manner.

Chester Lewis, of Jay county, Indiana, enlisted Aug-
ust ]5th, 1862, at Wabash, Indiana, and was enrolled as a
private in Co. E, 89th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, served
in the army of the Cumberland; took part in the battle of
Mumfordsville, Ky., where he was taken prisoner; was
exchanged about thirty days after and served the remain-
der of his term of enhstment in the 16th Illinois Infantry,
being most of the time on detached service; was mustered
out and honorably discharged at Indianapolis, Indiana,
August 15th, 1865; settled in Norway township May 1st,
1871, where he still resides.

Henry Leibeck enlisted at Chicago, Illinois, in Decem-
ber, 1863, and was enrolled in battery G, 2d Illinois Light Ar-
tillery as a private; was in the battle of Eastport, Miss.,
took part in the capture of Price, s army, was in the bat-
tles of Nashville, Tenn., and Spanish forts and Port Blake-
ly; was mustered out and honorably discharged September
5th, 1865, at Springfield, Illinois.

David Lawrence enlisted at Seneca Palls, New York,
in May 1861, and was enrolled as a private in Co. A, 33d
New York Volunteer Infantry, a two-year regiment.
Served in the army of the the Potomac, took part in the

History of Republic County . 307

battles of Williamsburg-, Yorktown, White House Landing,
Mechanicsville, Savage's Station, Anteitam, Malvern Hill,
Cold Harbor,Fredericksburgand many minor engagements;
was slightly wounded at Fredericksburg; was mustered out
and honorably discharged at Elmira, New York, in June,
1863, by reason of expiration of term of service.

Conrad Myers was born in Somerset county, Pennsyl-
vania, in 1831, and lived in that state until 1850. His fath-
er was a blacksmith, of whom young Myers learned the
trade, afterward learning the trade of millwright. Emi-
grated to Iowa in 1850; locating at Marion, the county seat
of Linn county, where he remained four years, then moved
to Benton county, where he lived for six years, working at
his trade as millwright. In 1860, he and his brother, Dan-
iel, emigrated to Kansas, arriving at Manhattan June 6th,
where they remained until February, 1861, when they
came to Republic county, arriving- hereon the 28th, locat-
ing on Salt Creek as described in another chapter, and
where Conrad has ever since resided, never leaving his
home on account of Indian troubles. He was married at
Grasshopper Falls, Jefferson county, Kansas, in August,
1862. His dwelling house was destroyed by fire March 4,
1901, but has rebuilt on the same site, where it is hoped
he may live many years to enjoy a competency which he
has secured by frugality and honest industry.

W. H. Mosher enhsted August 8th, 1861, at Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, and was enrolled as a corporal in Co. B, first
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Served in the 14th army
corps under Generals Rosecrans and Thomas; took part in
the battles of Perry ville. Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Chick-
amauga and the siege of Atlanta; was slightly wounded at
Chickamauga; was mustered out and honorably dis-
charged at Milwaukee, November 2d, 1864; came to Kan-
sas and settled in Washington township in the spring of
1874.

J. C. McPherren enlisted May 1, 1861, at Young America,

308 History of Republic County.

Illinois, and was enrolled as a private in Co. C, 36th Illi-
nois Infantry; took part in the battles of Pea Ridge, Siege
of Corinth, Perry ville and Stone River; in the last named
engagement he was wounded and taken prisoner; after
being released re-enlisted in Co. I, Mississippi Marine
Brigade, under Gen. Ellet; served in all three years and
nine months; was mustered out and discharged at Vicks-
burg, Mississippi, m February 1865. Settled in Union
township in the spring of 1871, where he still resides.

George S. Milner enlisted August 11th, 1862, and was
enrolled in Co. I, 73d Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Served
in the army of the Cumberland; was on duty with his com-
pany during the entire period of his enlistment, except a
short time while on detached service. Took part in all
the battles and skirmishes in which his regiment was en-
gaged, the 73d being known as a fighting regiment; was
mustered out and honorably discharged, after serving
nearly three years.

A. W. Miller enlisted April 2d, 1862, at St. Joseph,
Missouri, and was enrolled as a private in Co. G, 5th reg-
iment, Missouri Volunteer Cavalry. Was in all the fights
and skirmishes in which the regiment was engaged, prin-
cipally with the guerrillas and bushwhackers in the
mountains of Missouri; was mustered out in June 1864 at
St. Joseph, Missouri, and honorably discharged.

I. F. Moon enlisted at Des Moines, Iowa, in Decem-
ber, 1864, and was enrolled as a private in Co. B, 40th
regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry. Served in Tennessee
and Arkansas; was in several skirmishes with Quantrell's
guerrilla band. Had enlisted twice before in the early
part of the war but his parents interfered and prevented
his muster on account of his age. Was mustered out and
honorably discharged at Fort Gibson, Cherokee Nation,
after having served nearly one year.

Albert Myers, of Freedom township, was mustered
in as a corporal, in Co. F, 161st regiment, Ohio Volunteer

Chauneey Perry, at the age of 35 years.

History of Republic County. 309

infantry, at Columbus, Ohio, May 7th, 1864. Served four
months and was mustered out by reason of expiration of
term of service. Enlisted again in September, 1864, in
Co. E, 55th Ohio Infantry to serve one year; was mustered
out and honorably discharged June 5th, 1865, by reason
of the close of the war.

"William ^McCuUough, of Freedom township, enlisted
August 21st, 1862, and was mustered in at Davenport,
Iowa, October 6th: was enrolled in Co. K, 32d regiment,
Iowa Infantry, for three years or during the war. Served
in the army of the Mississippi under Generals Sherman,
Banks, Canby and A. J. Smith: was in ten battles and sev-
eral skirmishes: was mustered out and honorably dis-
charged at Clinton, Iowa, August 24th, 1865, by reason of
the close of the war.

J. P. Nutter enlisted in Fayette county, Illinois, in
1861, and was enrolled as a private in Co. K, 54th Illinois
infantrj^. Served in the Trans-Mississippi department
under Generals Steele and Canby: was taken prisoner at
Ashley Station, Arkansas, August 24th, 1864; was kept
in parole camp at Benton barracks about four months,
when he was sent back to the army and served out his
term of enlistment: was mustered out and honorably dis-
charged at Springfield, Illinois, in February, 1865.

George W. Nelson enlisted in 1861 in the 44th regi-
ment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and re-enlisted in the win-
ter of 1863, in the 8th regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry;
was in the 9th army corps and served in West Virginia,
Kentucky and Tennessee. While charging the enemy at
Dunstan Hill, Kentucky, was seriously wounded in the
forehead and left on the field for dead; was in active ser-
vice three years, eleven months and eleven days; was mus-
tered out and honorably discharged at Clarksburg, West
Virginia.

Chauncey Perry was born in Lenawee county, Mich-
igan, April 21st, 1843. He was raised on the farm, work-

310 History of Republic County.

ing thereon during the summer and going to school in
winter. He enhsted December 5th, 1861, in Co. E, 3d
Michigan Cavalry and served until February I2th, 1866.
Soon after his discharge he moved to Iowa and took a
course in the Great Western Business College at Mt.
Pleasant, from which he graduated September 10th, 1866,
and for nearly three years held an important clerkship in
the state asylum for the insane. He came to Kansas in
1870, taking the NE \ of section 1, in Jefferson township
as a homestead and while making it his home, taught
school for about eighteen months. He was appointed
deputy clerk of the district court, and was elected to that
office in 1872; was elected county clerk in November, 1873,
which office he filled in a creditable and satisfactory man-
ner for ten years. He was married November 18th, 1872,
to Miss Adela E. Counter. Soon after leaving the county
clerk's office he engaged in banking, and continued in the
business about seven years; was elected councilman of the
city of Belleville in 1878, and again in 1882, and mayor in
1880 and 1881. Mr. Perry always took a lively interest in
everything that pertained to the welfare and advancement
of the community, and his advice and counsel were often
sought. He died at the residence of his brother-in-law,
Mr. J. N. Counter, in Wray, Colorado, August 17th, 1894.

J. W. Pentield enlisted at the age of eighteen years
at Peru, Bennington county, Vermont, and was enrolled
as a private in Co. F, 9th regiment Vermont Volunteer In-
fantry; served in the army af the James, his regiment be-
ing one of the first to enter Richmond; took part in the
second battle of Fair Oaks, and was very active in service
from date of enlistment to date of discharge; was honor-
ably discharged at Richmond, Virginia, June 13th, 1865.

James W. Pringle, of Belleville City, enlisted May 2d,
1864, at South Charleston, Ohio, and was enrolled in Co. I,
147th regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; served in the
Kanhawa valley in West Virginia; was mustered out and

History of Republic County. 311

honorably discharged at Camp Denison, Ohio, September
17th, 1864.

George W. Personett, of Belleville City, enlisted as a
private February 14th, 1864, at Springfield, Illinois, and
was enrolled in Co. E., 114th regiment, Illinois Infantry,
in which regiment he served eighteen months, was then
transferred to Co. E, 58th regiment, Illinois Veteran Vol-
unteer Infantry, in which he served until June, 1866 when
he was mustered out and honorably discharged by reason
of expiration of term of enlistment; took part in the siege
of Mobile, battle of Franklin, Guntown Raids, and several
minor engagements.

Joseph T. Patterson enlisted February 17th, 1863 at
Chillicothe, Ohio, and was enrolled as a private in Co. E,
63d Ohio Volunteer Infantry; served in the Ohio brigade;
was in the battles of Corinth, Decatur, Alabama, Mission-
ary Ridge and other engagements in which the regiment
took part; was mustered out and honorably dischai-ged
at Columbus, Ohio, May 27th, 1865.

John M. Ryan enlisted in September 1861, at Sayres-
ville, Noble county, Ohio, and was enrolled as a private
in Co. D, 42d regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, better
known as James A. Garfield's regiment. Served in the
army of the Cumberland a little more than a year, when
he was transferred to the army of the Gulf. Was in act-
ive service in Kentucky, chasing John Morgan; also took
part in nearly all the fights and skirmishes in which his
regiment was engaged. After serving three years he was
mustered out and honorably discharged at camp Chase,
Ohio. Mr. Ryan was the first Sunday school superinten-
dent at Belleville, the school being organized in the spring
of 1871, and conducted by him as a Union Sunday school
for two years.

William H. H. Reiley enlisted at Aledo, Illinois, Aug-
ust 6th, 1861, and was enrolled as a private in Co. E, 9th
Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Served in the army of the

312 History of Republic County.

Tennessee under General McPherson; was in all the bat-
tles and skirmishes in which the regiment was engaged;
was mustered out as a sergeant and honorably discharged
at Louisville, Kentucky, July 18th, 1865.

Zachariah Reeder enlisted July 26th, 1862 at Perry,
Pike county, Illinois, and was enrolled as a private in Co.
F, 99th regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Served in
the department of the Gulf; took part in 13 battles, includ-
ing the charge on Vicksburg, May 22d, 1863; was honor-
ably discharged at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, July 31st,
1865.

Chloe J. Baker (Savage) was born in Fairfield, Lena-
wee county, Michigan, July 8th, 1835, of Quaker parent-
age. Was educated in the common schools and Raisin
Valley Seminary, of which institution she was principal
in 1855; was married to Isaac O. Savage, October 16th,
1855, living with him on a farm until July 1862, when he
enlisted and was absent three years in the army, leaving
her to take care of a family of four small children. She
came to Republic county in 1871, where she has since re-
sided. Has been quite active in Relief Corps work, being
elected chaplain, department of Kansas, in 1900 and re-
elected in 1901; is a member of the M. E. church in Belle-
ville and is a Daughter of Rebekah.

Isaac O. Savage was born in Moravia, Cayuga county,
New York, September 30th, 1833. His early life was
spent on a farm and attending the district school, winters,
until 1848, when he took an academic course at Moravia
academy, completing the same in September, 1849. He
then emigrated to Michigan, locating in Fairfield, Lena-
wee county, and immediately commenced teaching, which
he continued until 1862, sixteen terms in all, three of which
were select schools for advanced pupils. Was elected
school inspector in 1854 and was re-elected in 1856. Was
married to Chloe J. Baker, of Fairfield, Michigan, October
16th, 1855. Held the office of supervisor of Fairfield

MRS. C. J. SAVAGE,
Department Chaplain W. R. C.

History of Republic County. 313

township tour years, which office he resigned to enter the
army. Enlisted as a private July 27th, 1862, at Fairfield,
Lenawee county, Michigan; was mustered in as second lieu-
tenant, at Detroit, Michigan, August 21st, 1862, to rank as
such from the date of enlistment. Was assigned to Co.
I, 18th regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, in which
he served as second lieutenant until November 24, 1862,
when he was promoted to first lieutenant of the same com-
pany. Served as first lieutenant until May 12th, 1864,
when he was appointed acting regimental quartermaster
of the regiment; was commissioned first lieutenant and
regimental quartermaster August 21st, 1864. Was post
quartermaster at Decatur, Alabama, in November and De-
cember, 1864; also served a short time in the subsistence
department as brigade commissary. Served as acting
assistant quartermaster in charge of railroad transporta-
tion and quarters at Huntsville, Alabama, from January
12th to April 21st, 1865, when he was appointed post
quartermaster at the last mentioned place, and served as
such until June 26th, when he was ordered to Nashville,
Tennessee, to be mustered out, by reason of instructions
from the war department. Received final discharge at
Jackson, Michigan, July 11th, 1865; came to Kansas in
December, 1870, reaching Belleville, January 6th, 1871;
was elected county treasurer in November, 1871, which
office he held four years, three months and ten days. Was
elected a member of the state board of agriculture in
January, 1874, which position he held continuously
for twelve years. In 1876 he was appointed by
the board of Centennial managersto represent Kan-
sas at the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, as
assistant manager, which position he held forty days.
Was elected state senator for the 33d district of Kansas,
in November, 1876, on the Independent Republican ticket,
defeating Judge James Strain, of Concordia, by a majority
of fourteen votes. Was trustee of Freedom township
four years, and township treasurer one year; assessor of

314 History of Republic County.

Belleville city four years ; secretary of the Republic County
Mutual Fire Insurance Company, ten years, and deputy
clerk of the district court, fourteen years, and is alive yet.

Almond Shaw, of Belleville City, enlisted August 13th,
1862; was mustered in at Knoxville, Illinois, September
2d, as first lieutenant of Co. C, 102d regiment Illinois Vol-
unteer Infantry; was promoted to captain April 28th,
1863; served with distinction in the army of the Cumber-
land; was two years in the field, and the last year in the
quartermaster and subsistence departments at Nashville,
Tennessee, and Louisville, Kentucky; was mustered out at
Chicago, Illinois, in June, 1865.

P. F. Scofield, of freedom township, enlisted March
4th, 1862, in New York City to serve three years or dur-
ing the war; was enrolled in Co. I, 94th regiment New
York Volunteer Infantry; served in the army of the Po-
tomac; was honorably discharged March 4th, 1865, by
reason of expiration of term of enlistment.

George T. B. Smith; of Richland township, enlisted
at Albany, Illinois, in September, 1861, as a private in Co.
C, 8th Illinois Cavalry and was mustered into the service
at St. Charles; served in the army of the Potomac under
Gens. Stoneman, Pleasanton and Buford; was in all the
battles in which the regiment was engaged; had horse
shot from under him and a bullet hole through clothing,
but was not wounded; was mustered out and honorably
discharged at Chicago, in July, 1865.

Frank Sager enlisted September 22d, 1861, at Bath,
New York; was mustered into the service at Elmira,
in October, and was enrolled as a private in Co. E, 1st New
York Light Artillery; served in the department of the
east; took part in the battles of Williamsburg, Yorktown,
Lee's Mills, Fair Oaks, Seven Days' Fight, Anteitam,
Fredericksburg and several minor engagements; was mus-
tered out and honorably discharged at Elmira, October
11th, 1864, by reason expiration of term of service.

History of Republic Countv. 315

J. N. Snj'der enlisted in August, 1862, at Momence,
Illinois, and was enrolled as a private in Co. H, 76th Illi-
nois Volunteer Infantry: served in the army of the Cum-
berland under Gen. Rosecrans; took part in the campaign
against Price in Missouri and was in tlie battle of Stone
River, was in hospital for about eight months in Mem-
phis, Tennessee, and in St. Louis, from which place he
went home on a furlough; on expiration of furlough joined
the regiment in Tennessee and served with it until the
close of the war; was mustered out and honorably dis-
charged in 1865.

R. T. Stantield enlisted February 25th, 1864, at Colum-
bus, Indiana, and was enrolled in Co. K, 120th regiment
Indiana Volunteer Infantry as a private; took part in the
battles of Resaca, Dalton, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta,
Columbus, Tennessee, Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville,
Tennessee; Kenston, North Carolina, was the last fight in
which he was engaged; was mustered out and honorably
discharged at Raleigh, N. C, January 8th, 1866, having
served nearly' two years.

H. O. Studley when a boy of eighteen, and barely five
feet, four inches in height, enlisted in Co. M, 5th regiment
Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, in March, 1863, and took
part in every battle, skirmish and raid in which his regi-
ment was engaged. Served as special messenger on the
staff of Colonel R. A. Alger, during the Wilderness cam-
paign, and was severely injured by having his horse fall
upon him while carrying a dispatch from General George
A. Custer to Colonel Alger, during the battle of Trevillian
Station, June 11th, 1864, but not disabled so as to be off
duty from the date of his enlistment to the final wind up
at Appomattox.

Henry C. Swartz enlisted October 1st, 1861, and was
enrolled in Co. F, 46 Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in
active service with his regiment during all the time from
enlistment to the date of his discharge, August 2d, 1865.

316 History of Republic County.

Was in the following battles: Shiloli, seige of Corinth,
Vicksburg, Black River, Jackson, Mississippi; Resaca,
Dallas, New Hope Church, Atlanta, July 22d.; Kenesaw
Mountain, Ezra Chapel, Jonesboro, Savannah, Columbus,
South Carolina; Benton ville. North Carolina; and Raleigh,
besides a large number of skirmishes and minor engage-
ments. The 46th made nine charges during the Atlanta
campaign, being repulsed only twice. It was known as
a fighting regiment by the entire army.

N. D. Settle enhsted March 3d, 1862, at Kokomo, In-
diana, and was enrolled as a private in Co. K, 60th regi-
ment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Served in Kentucky
the first year; his company serving as a mounted infan-
try, chasing John Morgan over nearly all of that state.
The regiment was captured by Bragg at Green River
bridge, in the fall of 1862. Was paroled at once and re-
ceived three days furlough. Afterwards served with
Sherman in the campaign against Vicksburg, then served
in the department of the Gulf until expiration of term of
service; was on detached service for six months as order-
ly for General R. A. Cameron; was mustered out and hon-
orably discharged at Dauphine Island, March 23d, 1865.

Thomas J. Stainbrook, was born in Muskingum coun-
ty, Ohio, in 1843. He went to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1861,
with a squad of fifteen to serve under Gen. Fremont: en-
listed in the 13th Missouri Infantry and took part in the
battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth and many other en-
gagements in which that famous regiment took part; after-
wards served in the first Missouri Cavalry till its re-en-
Jistment when he was mustered out; moved to Kansas in
1887 and settled in Republic county, where he has since
resided.

C. W. Sense enlisted in 1864, and was enrolled as a
private in Co. H, 30th Iowa Volunteer Infantry; served in
the army of the Cumberland; was transferred after the
grand review at Washington, to Co. K, 6th Iowa Infantry

History of Republic County. 317

in which he served four months; was in several skirmish-
es, but served a considerable portion of his time on garri-
son duty guarding- prisoners at Pocatallago station in
South Carolina; marched with Sherman to the sea; was
mustered out and honorably discharged at Louisville,
Kentucky.

Henry Squire enlisted August 7th, 1861, at Indianap-
olis, Indiana, and was enrolled as a private in Co. A, 27th
regiment Indiana Infantry. Served two years in the
army of the Potomac, taking part in the battles of Win-
chester, Cedar Mountain, Anteitam, where he was severely
wounded, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Was then
transferred to the army of the Cumberland, and was in
the battles of Resaca, Dallas and Peach Tree Creek, being
w^ounded at the last named place. The last engagement
in which he took part was at Bentonville, North Carolina.
Was mustered out and honorably discharged at Indianap-
olis, August 3d, 1865.

N. T. VanNatta was born in Schoharie county, New
York, October 6th, 1833, and was prepared for the soph-
omore year in college, at the New York Conference Semi-
nary, located at Charlottsville, New York. While pre-
paring for college he engaged in teaching school winters
to defray expenses. In 1855 he received a state certifi-
cate from the Hon. Victor M. Rice, superintendent of pub-
lic instruction for the state of New York. In 1857 he en-
tered the State and National Law school located at Pough-
keepsie, New York, and graduated therefrom in 1860, re-
ceiving the degree of L. L. B. and was admitted to the
bar at the general term at Newberry in September, 1860.
In 1862 he was elected Superintendent of common school
for the county of Schenectady, which office he held for
three years. He was married in 1858 to Miss C. A. Smith
of Montgomery county, New York. In 1867, he with his
family started for Kansas, stopping at Mexico, Audrain
county, Missouri, to visit friends and in September of

318 History of Republic County.

that year was chosen Superintendent of the city schools,
being the first free schools taught in the city. In 1868 he
received a state certificate from the Superintendent of
Public Instruction, for the state of Missouri. At the
June term, 1868, of the circuit court held at Mexico, he
was admitted to the bar. In 1869 he homesteaded the land
on which he now lives and removed thereto in February,
1870. In April, 1870, while Republic county was attached to
Washington county for judicial purposes, he was admit-
ted to the bar in the city of Washington, the late judge,
Nathan Price, one of the ablest jurists of Kansas, presid-
ing. Mr. VanNatta is easily the pioneer attorney of Re-
public county. In the early 70's he taught school and
practiced law, being found on one or the other side of all
important cases, until he became blind in 1885. During
his extensive practice he has prosecuted four persons for
murder in the first degree and defended three. Of the
former three were convicted and one acquitted. Of the
latter two were acquitted and one convicted of manslaugh-
ter in the second degree. He represented Republic county
in the legislature of 1871, serving on the judiciary com-
mittee. Was elected county attorney of Republic county
in November, 1876, by 486 majority, was re-elected in 78
without opposition, re-elected in '80 by a plurality of 735.
In 1888 his vision was restored and he still continues to
practice law. and ranks as one of the most trustworthy
lawyers in Northwestern Kansas.

W. W. Wait enhsted October 15th, 1861, at Cattarau-
gus station, New York, to serve three years or during ihe
war; was enrolled in Co. C, 64th regiment New York Vol-
unteer Infantry as a private; served ten months as a pri-
vate when he was promoted to orderly sergeant of same
company, in which capacity he served one month when he
was promoted to captain of same company, which position
he held until he was mustered out; took part in the bat-
tles of Fair Oaks, Gaines' Mills, Seven Pines, Seven Days'
Fight, Malvern Hill, Cold Harbor, Deep Bottom, Weldon

History of Republic County. 319

Railroad. Anteitain, Second Bull Run, Kettle Run, Chan-
cellorsvilie, Sj^ottsylvania Court House, Gettysburg, Fred-
ericksburg and many other minor engagements. Was
severely wounded at Anteitam and sent to hospital at
Frederick City, Maryland; was again severely wounded at
Spottsylvania; was honorably discharged October 2d,
1864, at Petersburg Virginia. Captain Wait died at his
home in Freedom township, August 13th, 1900.

James F. Walker was mustered in as a private in Co.
K, 34th regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry at Burlington,
Iowa, October 28th, 1862; served in the 13th army corps
under Gens. Sherman, Grant and Canby; was in every
fight in which his regiment took part — some nine or ten
general engagements and a large number of skirmishes;
never rode in an ambulance nor took refuge in a hospital;
was mustered out September 15th, 1865, at Houston, Tex
as.

Ezra Williams enlisted March 21st, 1864, at Rock
Bluffs, Nebraska; was mustered in at Omaha, April 27th
and enrolled as a private in Co. C, 1 st batallion Nebraska
Volunteer Cavalry; was ordered west and served in the
department of the plains; was consolidated with the 1st
Nebraska Veteran Cavalry, July 10th, 1865; took active
part in all the campaigning from 1864 to 1866; was mus-
tered out and honorably discharged at Omaha, Nebraska,
July 1st, 1866.

George L. White, a native of Guernsey county, Ohio,
was mustered into the service as first lieutenant of Co. B,
185th regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Served in the
army of the Cumberland under General Thomas. For
about nine months his company was on detached service,
guarding the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, and on which
road Lieutenant White served for some time as military
conductor. Was commander of the post at Lebanon, Ken-
tucky, the latter part of 1864, and until he was discharged
as brevet captain in September, 1865. Came to Kansas in

320 History of Republic County.

1870, settling in Grant township near the Great Salt
Marsh, where for several years he was engaged in farming
and stock raising. Was elected in November, 1876, as rep-
resentative in the state legislature, from the 107th district,
comprising the south half of Republic county; was re-
elected in 1878 by a decisive majority. He now resides at
Scandia and is the present mayor of the city.

R. B. Ward was born in Lestershire, England, in 1852,
emigrated to America with his parents at the age of thir-
teen, locating in Keokuk county, Iowa, where they re-
mained six years, thence to Kansas in 1871, locating in
Washington township, this county. R. B., familiarly
called Dick, was elected sheriff of this county in Novem-
ber, 1891, re-elected in '93, by decisive majorities at both
elections; was elected state senator in November, 1898, to
fill vacancy caused by the death of Senator W. A. Mosher,
by a majority of 695; was re-elected in November, 1900, and
is the present incumbent. Is now engaged in the hard-
ware and implement business at Belleville, Kansas.

Augustus Wegal was enrolled as a corporal in Co. H,
4th regiment, Michigan Cavalry, August 6th, 1862. Took
part in the battles of Stone River, Resaca, Chickamauga,
Chattanooga, Kenesaw Mountain and the seige of Atlanta,
and a large number of minor engagements and skirmishes.
The 4th cavalry was a very active regiment, and probably
took part in a greater number of engagements than any
other Michigan regiment. Comrade Wegal was mustered
out and honorably discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, on
July 1st, 1865, by reason of close of war.

Philo P. Way enlisted in August, 1862, at Portland,
Jay county, Indiana, and was enrolled as a private in Co.
E, 89th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Served in the army
of the Cumberland and the army of the Mississippi; was
taken prisoner at Mumfordville, Kentucky, in September;
1862; was paroled a short time and sent south; took part in
the battles of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana; Natchez, Alexander

JOSEPH H. LONG,
Late Postmaster at Belleville

History of Republic Coimtv. 321

and Topelo, Mississippi; Blue River, Missouri; Blakely,
Alabama; Spanish Ports and Fort Blakely; was mustered
out and honorably discharged at Mobile, Alabama, in Sep-
tember, 1865. Settled in Grant township in May, 1866,
where he still resides on the land first taken, the W^ SWi
section 18.

John Williams, of Richland township, enlisted Novem-
ber 14th, 1861, at Peoria, Illinois, and was enrolled as a
private in Co. C, 11th regiment Illinois Cavalry, better
known as Col. Robert G. Ingersoll's regiment; served in
the army of the Cumberland and took part in the battles
of Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Jackson, Mississippi; and
many minor engagements; was honorably discharged as a
corporal at Memphis, Tennessee, after having served
nearly four years.

C. B. Williamson enlisted at Chicago, in August, 1862,
and was enrolled as a private in Co. I, 88th Illinois Volun-
teer Infantry; served in the army of the Cumberland;
took part in the battles of Perryville, Stone
River and Chickamauga; was mustered out and honorably
discharged at Indianapolis, Indiana, in July 1865.

S. W. Walker enlisted August 4th, 1862, at Oneida, Il-
linois, and was enrolled as a private in Co. I, 102d Illinois
Infantry; served in the middle division under Gen. Sher-
man; took part in the battles of Stone River and the siege
of Atlanta; was mustered out and honorably discharged
at Nashville, Tennessee, June 27th, 1865.

Peter J. Zumalt enlisted at St. Louis, Missouri, June
1st, 1863, and was enrolled as a private in Co. H, 23d Mis-
souri Infantry. Served in the army of the Cumberland;
was in the battles of Big Sandy, Chatahooche, Peach Tree
Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Bentonville and Fort McAlis-
ter; was mustered out at St. Louis, Missouri, and honor-
ably discharged July 26, 1865.

IISTDEX.

Page.

Adams, F;G 18

Abby Onin 123-294

Albion Township -. 141

Arbuthnot J. U 117-113-121

Allen, Don A 199-209

Anderson, C.G 133-120

Austin. Geo. B 109

ArmstroDK R. M .182

Adams. Robert J 117-118-127

AsbjornsoD, A 116-159-185

Armstrong, Frank j 128

Allen, Willis C 181

Alexander, Bugh 108-126-132

Agenda ..192

Boothe Josepli 117-128

Belleville Township 156-243

Beaver Township 160-243

Big Bend Township 148-243

Belleville City 175

Bonon, L. W 113

Bowersox, John R 103-151-2U6

Brock, W. A 109-183

Baldwin. Cha,s. P ' 183

Billings-. N. H 108

Brown, Frank N 125-127

Brown, John 126-242

BuUen, B. T ...122-125-128

Bullen, V. D 240

Bradd, James H 142-179

Bowling, Geo. D .'. . . 124-131-294

Boyd. H.N 239-296

Babcook, Chester L, 151-295

Beck, Jacob 122-128

Bell, Wm 124-12.5-129-186

Baird, T. J 103-156

Baird, C. E 126-128-231

Bachelor, A. B 119-126-139

Bradford, J. H 279-281

Courtland To wnship 1.59-243

Courtland Ci y . , 188-243

Cuba City 187-243

Carstensen. C. P 122-U'3-127

Crummer E. M llS-119-121-127-182

Close Jay F 121-l::2-124-127

Cooper. T. C. S 123-127

Campbell. John M .58-12-3-193

Cosiolo, Chas. E 123-127

Cory, David 35

Cory, John W : 35-38

Crummer, S. E . . .181

Campbell, Chas. A 47-283-296

Carnahan, 108-11.5-129-1H2

Compton. W F 117-118-128

Cleveland. C. R .109-123-1.32

Charles, W. R .. ,50-52-149

Charles, Mrs Lydia A 50-238

Charles, Tom 238

Clark, James R 149

Clark, JohQ A 149

Crawtord, O.T 182-269

Cash Store 183

Dixon, Adam , 153-298

Dixon, William K 296

Page.

Dale, J. C 123

Davie-s, Gomer T 15-121-122-132-237

Davies, D. A .... 238

Davies, Dan 50-5M48

Dow. H G 109-112

Doyle, J. M 125-182-2.5.5-269

Dillehay, A. R 12J

Day, W. E 118

Elk Creek Township 174

Edwards, S.M.... 120-122-1.35

Engle, John 139

Ellingson, A... 12M24-128

Fairview Township 153

Farmingtcn Township 154

Freedom Township 152

Ferguson, D. H 299

Fulcomer, John 94-9.5-19.5-256

Frint, J. H 58-63-6.5-116-117

Grant Township ,59-173

Galloway, R H 123127-231

Gamble, D. C 118-120-231-158

Glasgow, Wm 121-132- 248-30iJ

Glasgow, J. T. .. . 123-128

Glasgow. E.L 124-128

Griffith. J. C 67-90-116-300

Gardner, O. A. A 93-94-1311-233

Graduating Class 2a7

Hutchinson, Edward

Humphrey, J. C

Hanson, L. C 92 117-

Hansen, E. H

Hogan, Chas. N

Hallo well, E. A

Hallowell, J. E ;..119-

Hamilton, D. W

Howard. Luoy

Hogin B, R

Hoffman, H. H ,. .

Heelv, A. F 68-108-116-

Harris, John 40-4 1-58-109-15.5-

Hogin. John C

Hanzel & Co

Ingham, S. A 124-

184-

115-
119-
■120
121-
125-
279-

117
255
126-

125-

06
S33
186
J 85
■185
120
12 1
■122
269
281
121
118
■302
182
175
303

Jacobs, John A 124-125

Jelli.son R. T ...; 12-M25

Johnson. Elizabeth A...... 19-23-27

Johnson, Geo 1.5-18

Johnson. Geo. W 64-6.5-116-174

Jefferson Township 155

Kindt, Josiah 117-118-119-120-304

Kuchera, Joseph 123-124

Kackley 194

Kyle, Robert 122-123 124-136-144

Keene. J. C 119

Knowlton. G, E. .. 182

Kindy, E. O 117

LoveweU. Thos. 1.50

Lancaster. Wilson 116

Lawrence, John M 120-121

Page

Liberty To wnship 145

Lincoln Township ..173

Long, J. H 182-183-283-305

McFarland, John 58-5<)-I l.'i

Mosher, J. A 91-93-95-96-l(iSt-12;i

Miller. A. W 125-1:>6-30S

McCiill. J. H 119

McCall, B B 126

Manning. John 118-1(4

Moore, Wm. M 119-144

Munden 191

Myers. Conrad 35-38-129-173-307

Myers, Daniel 35-37-115

Narka City 189

Norway Township IWi

Newton, W. VV lt.5-117

Norri<, Wm 110

Noble, T. M 120-131-182

Odell. Albert 153-312-213

Price, J. C 18-21-118-119

Pilkinton, W. H «2-lii9-n7-l 18

Perry, Chuncey 103-117-118-1 1:»-12(>-30'J

Pdtter.son, J. T 126-269-311

Pleasant Hill 57-60-63

Pierce, Amos 1«3

Peake, W. P .54-120

Rose Creek Township 143

Kichland Township 1,55

Relly, J. C .56-57-1 18-1.56

Reilv, T. C 58-121-122-156

Reily, W. H.H 156 311

Kowe. Z P 59-64-6.5-115

Rimol. K 126-161

Republic City 189

Reeves, W. A 121-47-148

Scandia Township 1.58

Scandia City 184

Page

SkePls. S. W 117

Studley. H. O 121-l.i2-272-2Sl-3l5

Swariz. H. C l?.3-260-315

Smith. J. W 121-122-1:^6

Stover, S G .... 119-120-281

Schooley, L M .37-45

Stanfield. R. T 48-50-125-315

Savage L O. 313

Sturges. F. W 107-123-124-135

Shaw, Capt. A . 117-314

Tuthili, James (J .36-115-173

Union Township 151

VanNatta, J E .38-39-56-.5S-61-155

VanNatta, N. T.. .93-94-108-110-112-116-118

119-317

Vantrump, V 180-182-183

Washington Township

White Rock Township

Warner. A B

Way, PhiloP

Willoughbv, Wm. H

Ward, R B 124-125-

Wood w ard, F. N

Wilson, D. Y

Woods, Ben D

Wagener, Eii W 120-

Ware, I C 125

Wells, John F 119-121-122-

White, L. R 122-

Williams, J. C

Wegal, A 125-

West, R. P 38-40-58-88-11.5-118-

Wilson, A. S 106-1 17-

Wayne

WUson, A. D

White, Geo L US-
Wilder. A. B

Woodward. Chas. F

Wohlfart. Thure.

....147

. . . . 1.50

30-96

115-320

2.55-269
19-126
125-126
12.5-1 2()
■121-231
■136 335
135-140
133-124
... 117
126-330
■1.58-212
118-130
193
103-117
119-319
.91-234
11 8-9 34
...120

87^

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Full text of "A history of Republic County, Kansas : embracing a full and complete account of all the leading events in its history, from its first settlement down to June 1, '01 ... Also the topography of the County ... and other valuable information never before published"

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