• * • » o » A^ O. - ' ' 0^ <,"'' ' .^'% HI.STOET r OF LABETTE COUNTY, KANSAS, FROM THE FIRST SETTLE^IEXT TO THE CLOSE OF 1892. By :NELSo:sr case. 5 ,,' TOPEKA, KANSAS: CRAXE age Mound Valley (including city) Labette f.... !......„. Liberty 861 838 660 Montana Oswego Fairview 8''6 Mount Pleasant (including Altamont city) Canada 1,230 741 Howard 828 1,400 Elm Grove ( including Edna city) !...!."!! Hackberry 637 784 960 1,196 Kicbland 1,068 •> 0(35 Cities. Chetopa Oswego ''* 574 Parsons 6,736 Total of county 9,973 22,735 •'7 586 Altamont Edna 26 138 301 Mound Valley 545 56 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. ASSESSMENT FOR 1867. The following is the amoimt of taxable property in the several town- ships of the county as reported by the county assessor on the first assess- ment ever made of the county, in the year 1867: A7noiint of ta xable Name of toivnship . property. Oswego township $18,126 00 Chetopa " 16,961 00 Hackberry " 5,609 00 Canada " 2,549 00 North " 4,596 00 Amount of taxable Name of township. property. Montana township $9,369 50 Neosho " 17,120 00 Labette " 3,116 Oa Big Hill " 1,862 Oa TAX SALES. So many different considerations enter into the question of the pay- ment or non-payment of taxes that I shall not attempt to assign any reason for the fact that in several years a very large proportion of the real estate has gone to tax sale. In 1877 an act was passed authorizing a sale of all real estate on which any county or city held tax-sale certifi- cates ; proceedings were required by which a judgment was rendered de- termining the amount due on each tract, and directing the sale of such tract to be made by the sheriff substantially as upon execution. Under the provisions of this act, one and one-half pages of the Independent were occupied in July, 1877, by a notice describing the real estate on which a judgment was to be asked. A small part of this property was redeemed before it went to sale, but the bulk of it was sold in December of that year, under these proceedings. As will be seen by the following state- ment, prior to 1877 very much more land went to sale for taxes than after that date. In 1873 the Advance contained twenty-five solid columns of description of real estate to be sold at tax sale. In 1874 the Independent contained thirty-five columns of such matter; in 1875, twenty-three col- umns. In 1876 the list was embraced in eight columns in the Herald. In 1877 it filled but seven and one-half columns of the Independent. Ii» 1878 twelve columns of the Independent were required ; and a less amount of space has been required each year since. COUNTY EXPENSES. The first few years no detailed annual report of the county expenses was made; there are one or two reports prior to 1871, but it seems evident that the figures there given are incorrect. Reports exist subsequent to- 1870, but as to some of them it is probable they do not cover exactly a year, and it is also quite evident that some mistakes have been made by PERMANENT SE TTLEMENT. 5r the party who copied them or by the printer ; but it is believed the fol- lowing table shows substantially the amount expended by the county each fiscal year. For a number of years the fiscal year ended with July, but more recently it has closed with October : 1879 $29,713 62 | 1887 $36,261 62 1888 44,897 14 1889 41,019 93 1890 34,150 48 1891 31,244 44 1892 34,834 10 1871 $21,125 74 1872 23,621 81 1873 36,380 92 1874 31,459 45 1875 27,439 71 1876 23,814 89 1877 23.895 28 1878 31,789 84 1880 32,797 62 1881 27,224 96 1882 38,589 13 1883 40,958 43 1884 47,760 60 1885 40,657 53 1886 48,296 44 COLORED PEOPLE. From almost the first settlement of the county there have been a few colored people living in it, a number of whom have been successful and made good homes. Dairy Nero settled upon the S.E. )^ of section 15, adjoining Oswego, in 1866, and entered it at the Government land office, and has ever since made it his home. On April 4, 1870, the noon stage brought the news of the ratification of the fifteenth amendment, whereupon the colored men then in Oswego were informed of their rights, marched to the polls, the election being then in progress, where they deposited their ballots. Spencer Jones, who was the porter at the Oswego House, was the first colored man in the county, and of course one of the first in the State, to exercise the right of suffrage. In the fall of 1879 the "exodus" began, and hundreds of colored peo- ple, principally from Texas and Tennessee, and also many from other parts of the South, arrived in the county. Chetopa, Oswego and Parsons were almost overrun by them. Their coming was unexpected, and no provision for their care and comfort had been made. Buildings for shel- ter could not be procured. They were mostly without means, destitute of everything like comfortable clothing, and in a condition to appeal strongly to the sympathies of charitable people. Rough board sheds were erected and made as comfortable as could be, in which large num- bers were housed for that winter. During the next year or two others came in, until the number of colored people formed quite a large percent- age of the population of the cities named. Quite a number also were scattered over the county, more especially in the river bottom. A very great improvement has been made in their condition both intel- lectually and financially, and there are now among the colored people many well-to-do families, who are intelligent, industrious, and moraL 58 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY Some of coarse have remained shiftless, trifliDg, aud worthless. From :all appearances they are a permanent part of the population. ATHLETICS. Almost from the first settlement of the county the lovers of base ball have been organized, aud have done what they could toward making the game popular and successful. As early as 1871 clubs were organized at Oswego and Chetopa, aud within the next two or three years organiz- ations were had at several other places in the county, and frequent local contests took place. The craze seems to have reached its highest point in 1885, when there was a great strife by the Oswego club to be the champions not only of the county but of southeastern Kansas, and under the leadership of F. C. Wheeler great proficiency w^as attained. The in- terest in the game has been kept up to a considerable extent, but since the departure of Mr. Wheeler it has never created the excitement it reached at that time. In the fall of 1885 a ladies' broom brigade w^as formed, aud attained a -considerable degree of skill at drilling under the command of Col. True. The roller-skating craze had perhaps for a season the greatest run of anything in the line of athletics that has been witnessed in the county. The height of its prosperity was witnessed about 1884. Commodious aud well-furnished rinks were erected at Parsons and Oswego, and per- haps at other places in the county, aud their ow^ners supposed that they had a permanent aud well-paying business established ; but the interest died out as suddenly as it arose, aud nothing farther was heard of it. OFFICIAL DELINQUENCIES. The county has been extremely fortunate since since its organization in having ofiicers who performed their duties satisfactorily aud who were true to the trust reposed in them. There have been three or four in- stances in which the county has been required to commence legal pro- ceedings in order to collect from its officers money w^hich they held in their official capacity. When H. C. Bridgmau went out of office as treas- urer his accouuts were found to be short. A suit against him and his bondsmen was instituted, pending which a settlement was had, in which it was agreed that he was indebted to the county in the sum of S8,750. This was settled by him and his bondsmen as follows : The County Com- missioners took from them the quarter-section of land on which they located the poor-farm, at the agreed price of SI, 000. They gave their note for S3, 000 and paid $1,750 in cash. By this means the county was :saved from any financial loss. RECEP770N TO PRESIDEXT HAYES. 59 Wheu S. B. Abbott, the sheriff, completed the tax sale iiuder the pro- ceedings of 1877, he reported that he had received ^1,698.02, and that his charges for fees and services were ^2,008.48. These charges were largely in excess of what the law authorized. Suit was brought by the Commissioners to recover from him fees which he illegally held. The matter was finally settled by his paying 8802.02. Under a change of law regulating the fees of county officers, a question arose between the county and one or two of its officers as to what fees they were entitled to, and not agreeing on the construction of the law, the matter was settled in court. RECEPTION TO PRESIDENT HAYES. In the evening of September 24, 1879, President Rutherford B. Hayes and wife, General W. T. Sherman, George St. John and wife, and other dignitaries arrived at Parsons on their way to Neosho Falls, where they were to attend the district fair. People from all parts of Labette county went to Parsons, where a reception was tendered the Presidential party. An address of welcome was made by T. C. Cory, which was responded to by President Hayes and General Sherman. In the evening the whole assemblage was presented to the party. II^DUSTEIAL PUESUITS -COUNTY OEGANIZATIONS. FIRST WHEAT CROPS.— THRESHING-MACHINES AND GRIST- MILLS. In the fall of 1866 Charles Waclsack sowed a few acres of wheat, which he harvested the following summer ; this was probably the first wheat crop raised in the county. There was no threshing-machine here at the time, and he was compelled to thresh it by a more primitive method, which was by having his horses tread upon it. "When he got it to the mill it was so dirty that it would not make flour very palatable ; however, it was the best that could be done, and it furnished him with something in the line of breadstuffs during that year. Quite a number of farmers had enough ground in cultivation by the fall of 1867 to enable them to put out fairly good crops of wheat, and in 186S the first machinery for harvesting and threshing was brought to the county. The first threshing-machine was brought into the county by Ed. and George Cubbison. There were so many parties having wheat threshed who were all anxious to get it done early, that some of them had to be disappointed, and occasionally when the machine was through with a job the neighbors would take possession of it and put it at work at the next nearest place instead of allowing it to go out of the neighboihood. In 1870 Martin Jackson brought on a new reaper and Thomas Phillips a threshing-machine; these were probably the first machines of this kind south of the Hackberry. The first mill in the county, so far as I have learned, that was prepared to do anything at grinding wheat, was John Hart's mill, on the Labette. In addition to the corn buhrs which he had been using, he put in wheat buhrs in the fall of 1868, and was able to grind wheat for the farmers in that community. It was not until about 1873 that self-binders and steam threshers appeared. CASTOR BEANS. It is said that W. W. Robbins, in Pleasant Yalley, was the first person In the county to raise a crop of castor beans. This was in 1873. The (60) INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, ETC. (^i yield was so good that the followiDg season many others planted, and since then this has been one of the largest crops raised. TAME GRASS. On July 8, 1873, Col. F. Swantick brought a load of timothy to Oswego, which he sold to B. F. Hobart, at 88 per ton. The next day he sold a load of clover to H. C. Draper, at the same price. This was the first tame hay marketed in the county. At that time very few farmers had com- menced to raise tame grass. Since then its production has generally in- creased, until now the crop of tame grass is quite an item in the annual production of the county. THE COTTON INDUSTRY. In the spring of 1873 G. W. Everhart procured the seed and distrib- uted it among the farmers along Labette creek, and secured the planting of quite a large acreage of cotton in the vicinity of Parsons. Mr. Ever- hart put in a small cotton-gin that fall, which he continued to operate some two or three years, when it was removed to the Indian Territory. On February 5, 1874, a cotton convention was lield at Parsons which resulted in awakening quite an interest in connection with the raising of this product. After 1876 there was nothing done in the way of raising cotton until 1879, when an enterprising colored man from Texas who was living on David Romine's place, a few miles southwest of Oswego, planted several acres of cotton and induced several other colored men living along the Neosho river to also put out a few acres. Mr. Romine assisted in the erection of a cotton-gin at Oswego that fall, and it was found that the crop was large and profitable, considering the small num- ber of acres that had been planted. In 1880, 98 bales were ginned and shipped; in 1881, 145 bales; in 1882 a very much larger acreage was planted, but the fall was so wet that it cut the crop short, and but 70 bales were ginned. The prospect was good again in 1883 for a large crop, but this year, as the year previous, it was cut short by the wet fall, and but 45 bales were ginned. Two years of partial failure rather dis- couraged those who had been engaged in the business, and very little if any was planted thereafter in this vicinity. In 1889 the Oswego gin was taken to Chetopa, in the vicinity of which a few colored men had raised small crops, but the amount that has been raised the last few years has been inconsiderable. GRASSHOPPERS. In the fall of 1866 grasshoppers came in great quantities. Of the little crop that was raised that year most of it was matured so that they did 62 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. uot damage it, but everythiug that was green was devoured by them. They stayed until cold weather came. A rain in the fall filled the little brooks, and so washed them down stream that in places wagon-loads of them could be gathered up. The following February was so warm that the eggs hatched, and a hard freeze coming on in March killed the young hoppers ; so they bothered no more at that time. The next visit they made this county was in September, 1874. They came in one day in such myriads that what was green in whole fields of corn was devoured by them in a single day. All the trees w^re stripped of their leaves, and fruit trees were left bare of all foliage, hanging full of ripe apples. They laid their eggs and disappeared in the fall, so that the wheat crop then sowed was not all destroyed. About the last of March in the fol- lowing spring they commenced hatching, and during April and May ate the young crop about as fast as it came on. Corn had to be planted two or three times; the last planting extending into July. About the last of May they commenced moving, and during the fore part of June they were nearly all gone. In September, 1876, there was another visitation of them, but not to as great an extent as there had been the two years preceding. In 1875 farmers learned that very much could be done towards destroy- ing the hoppers and saving the crops. Several methods of destruction were used, among others plowing a deep furrow into which the hoppers were driven and then covered, either by refilling it with dirt or by put- ting straw over them and burning them up. FISH AND GAME. All of the streams of the county are well supplied with fish. They are more numerous, of course, in the Neosho than in the smaller streams. Many have been taken from the Neosho measuring from four to six feet in length and two and one-half feet in circumference, weighing from 00 to 100 pounds. On July 5, 1875, a large catfish of about the size just described got into a basin on the riffle at Motter's ford, east of Oswego, and could not get away. Two men who were crossing caught it, and brought it to town. In the early settlement of the county large numbers of wild animals of various kinds were caught, and added very much to the stock of provi- sions of the early settlers. Deer, antelope, wild geese and turkeys, and prairie chickens, as well as other birds and animals, were found in abun- dance. Coyotes, badgers and other carnivorous animals were here in larger numbers than was desirable to the settlers. As the county became settled they became less numerous. INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, ETC. 6a BOUNTY. \ Ou July 11, 1877, the Ccmty Commissioners passed au order puttlu^ mto perat,on ehapter 70 of the Laws of 1877, giving a bottnty on ,e Ip^ Of certam w,Id an.mals. Under this order, almost an mntm.erable m m be. Of sealps was presented during the years the law was In force "ml large sums of money were paid as bounty therefor. The law remine .n operation under the above order until January 13, 1885, w >en the Com m,ss,oners made an order revoking their previous ;ne, l^^J^^x^Z. no bounty has been paid for scalps of any wild animals. "" DEHORNING STOCK. In January, 1886, G. J. Coleman, of Moun,l Valley, created something Of an excitement In the neighborhood by dehorning his ca TW was the first, mstance in which that system of treatment of stock had been practiced ,n this county. A party who was not friendly wi h Mr Co,e man caused h,s arrest on the charge of cruelty to animals. On the trial he was acauuted, having convinced the Jury that his process was one of mercy rather than of cruelty to animais. Ever since that timrth"sy:. tern of treatment has been generally practiced. TEXAS FEVER. In 18(56, and tor several years thereafter, the people frequently became alanned over the Introduction of Te.xas cattle and the spread of Texas fe^r .among native stock. Several farmers lost quite a number of the cattle from what was supposed to be Te.xas fever. A number of ar rl s were made of those who had been Instrumental in bringing stick int the county, but it was seldom that a conviction was had It was a dil puted question as to whether or not the stock died from the'ff^ct of dsease contracted from those introduced, and there was a large" nough el ment ,n the county interested in bringing cattle in from the s uU to cut on. However, the law was finally enforced so vigorously that few parties attempted its violation. FIELD CROPS. On the pages following will be found, in tabulated form, a full report Of the vanous field crops of the county, from 1872 to 1805 inclut^e i'ted T^T% "■'""'''' ""*' ™'"^- ^"^ ''"^ --"""We tables I aul inilebted to the Reports of the State Board of Agriculture. •64 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUXTY. Table showing the acres, product and value of field crops in Labette county. 1872. 1873. CKOPS. Acres. Product. Value. Acres. Product.* Value.* Winter wheat bn, 23,765 475,300 $712,950 23,765 Spring wheat Corn ....bu. 51 612 612 84 bu 31,486 11,113 131 12 1,083,915 333,390 1,834 468 216 783 34,631 Oats bu. 66,178 1,375 374 10,608 283 16 Rye Barley Riipkwlipaf ....bu. ....bu. bu 92 1,380 1,380 49 Irish potatoes Sweet potatoes Sorghum ....bu. 764 60,356 36,213 1,380 bu. 30 3 090 2,317 64 ..gals. 286 16,302 8.151 379 nfl<;tnr heans ■ bn 186 3,720 5,208 156 ....lbs. .bu 3 1 4 745 996 10 2,000 1,762 199 12 400 8.810 107 41 10 576 Flax ....lbs. tons Millet and Huno-'n. Timothy meadow.... Clover meadow 214 428 4,280 214 tons 205 410 2,460 207 Prairie meadow ...tons 16,711 25,066 75,198 8,810 Timnthv nflstiire 34 6 10 462 10 463 Rliie-f rasR nastiire Prairie pasture 28.068 27,238 Totals 114,373 109,048 1 1 1 1 1874. 1875. CROPS. Acres. Product. Value. Acres. Product. Value. Winter wheat ....bu. 32,402 583,236 $466,588 38,075 761,515 $723,439 Spring wheat ....bu. 36 360 234 12 150 112 Corn ....bu 37,641 752,820 526,974 44,490 1,868,601 373,720 Oats bn. 7,836 117,.540 58,770 6,391 242,886 48,577 Rye ....bu. 262 5,240 3,668 313 7,210 4,326 Barley ....bu. 41 779 662 3 90 108 Buckwheat ....bu. 38 380 570 5 110 123 Irish potatoes ....bu. 1,330 26,600 33,2.50 1,109 138,731 55,492 Sweet potatoes ....bu. 91 6,825 10,920 99 1.5,497 11,622 Sorghum ..gals. 485 38,800 25,220 905 113,244 45,128 Castor beans ....bu. 800 9,600 12.000 1.564 18,777 18,777 Cotton ....lbs. 90 8,100 1,053 101 20,298 2,029 Flax bu. 436 4,360 7,040 2,036 20,362 24,434 Hemp ....lbs. 4 3,000 1.50 5 4,125 2,681 Tobacco ....lbs. 17 11.900 1,190 12 8.834 662 Broom corn ....lbs. 54 37,800 1,753 95 78,994 3,949 Millet and Hung'n.. ...tons 1,104 2,208 13,248 1,215 3,9.50 15,800 Timothy meadow.... ...tons 343 515 3,090 266 333 1.998 (Mover meadow ...tons 189 378 2,268 63 159 954 Prairie meadow ...tons 5,485 5,485 21,940 10,055 15,082 60,328 83 Clover pasture 25 Blue-grass pasture 21 '..;..; Prairie pasture 24,708 Totals 113,.521 106,825 $1,397,264 1 * There is nothing of record, either in the office of the State Board of Agriculture, or elsewhere, which shows the product and value by counties for 1873. — [N. C. IXDUS7RIAL PURSUITS, ETC. 65 Table sbowii^gUK^res, product and value of field crops in Labette county. Winter wheat bu Spring wheat bu <--(>i'u bu g«f-* bu! gye. bu. Barley bu. Buckwheat bu. Irish potatoes .bu! Sweet potatoes !!.bu. Sorghum .gals. Castor beans ...T.bu Cotton lb* Flax ■■.■.■..V.bu. Henap Ib^ J obacco ]b* Broom corn "lb< Millet and Hung'n..,."tons Timothy meadow tons Clover meadow tons Prairie meadow '.tons Timothy pasture Clover pasture .' Blue-grass pasture . Prairie pasture .*.'.."' Totals. ....bu ....bu ....bu ....bu ....bu, Winter wheat bu Spring wheat 'bu ^0':° bu g^ts bu Rye Barley Buckwheat...'.'.' Irish potatoes. Sweet potatoes Sorghum ^, Castor beans .!...........Tbu Cotton ]h^' ^^^ ;::::.-::;:^: He/np lbs. Tobacco lbs. Broom corn .lbs Millet and Hung'n...*.'.'.'tons Timothy meadow tons Clover meadow tons Prairie meadow .... Timothy pasture..." Clover pasture Blue-grass pasture, Prairie pasture Totals .tons 66 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. Table showing the acres, product and value of field crops in Labette county. Winter wheat bu. Spring wheat bu. Corn bu. Oats bu. Rye bu. Barley bu. Buckwheat bu. Irish potatoes bu. Sweet potatoes bu. Sorghum gals. Castor beans bu. Cotton lbs. Flax bu. Hemp lbs. Tobacco lbs. Broom corn lbs. Rice corn bu. Pearl millet tons Millet and Hung'u tons Timothy meadow tons Clover meadow tons Prairie meadow tons Timothy pasture Clover pasture Blue-grass pasture Other grasses Prairie pasture Totals 1880. Acres. Product. Value. 35.628 13 70,806 12,192 1,297 113 536 6,885 175 1,092 21 6 37 20 111 4,049 1,056 371 9,975 288 62 808 29,. 502 434,420 104 ,265,792 426,720 5,.580 780 384 129,700 14,736 61.709 82,620 29,750 9,828 25, .500 4,440 22,650 400 445 12.147 2.112 649 14,963 . 175,501 ^12,699 88 566,448 110,947 2,232 390 345 110.245 14.736 27,769 82,620 2,677 9,828 1,.530 444 792 160 1,780 48„588 10, .560 3,248 43,392 $1,451,522 1881. Acres. Product. Value. 40,518 405,180 $445,698 11 55 52 94,061 1,696.098 981.996 8,0.52 249.612 82,371 436 6,104 4,761 8 208 166 48 576 432 3,097 77,425 116.137 184 10,120 15,180 506 43,010 20 644 8,071 104,923 146.892 •>•>•> 66,600 6,660 680 5,440 7,616 5 4,200 294 25 17,-500 1.7.50 430 279, .500 12, .577 9 90 58 463 1,620 8,910 3,719 8,368 62,760 923 1,615 12,112 644 1,288 9,660 15,892 22,249 144,618 .509 • 115 1 583 1 39,139 218,3.50 $2,081,3.50 Winter wheat bu. Spring wheat bu. Corn bu. Oats bu. Rye bu. Barley bu. Buckwheat bu. Irish potatoes bu. Sweet potat(.es bu. Sorghum gals. Castor beans.. bu. Cotton lbs. Flax bu. Tobacco lbs. Broom corn lbs. Rice corn bu. Pearl millet tons Millet and Hung'n tons Timothy meadow tons Clover meadow tons Prairie meadow tons Other tame grasses tons Prairie, under fence. ..tons Timothy pasture Clover pasture Other grasses Prairie pasture Totals 229,610 1882 Acres. 2.5, .571 25 83,125 12,907 566 41 43 1,030 94 709 12,036 130 2,004 16 ia5 196 5,.579 1,684 224 25,058 15 1,118 56,934 Product. Value 562,562 300 3,325,000 516,280 10,7.54 1,148 344 82,400 7,0.50 63.810 110.7.54 24,0.50 24,048 11,200 82, .500 352 .588 16,737 3.368 .560 37, .587 $4.50,049 210 1,163,7.50 139.395 5,914 516 258 ,57,680 7,0.50 28,714 110,7.54 2,405 22,845 1,120 3,712 176 2,352 100,422 20.208 3.360 1.50,348 1883. Acres. 34,667 483 89,249 13,870 994 1,632 140 754 2,931 76 1,400 25 215 56 B,941 '1.59 1,818 70,200 Product. 416,004 4,347 4,016,205 624,150 315 130, .560 12,600 66,352 32,241 17,100 14,000 20,000 107,500 1,120 29,058 4,318 1,.512 4,091 91,260 $2,271,242 230.317 $2.326991 INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, ETC. 67 Table showing the acre?, product and value of field crops in Labette county. CROPS. . 1884. 1885. Acres. Product. Vahie. Acres. Product. Value. Winter wheat Spring wheat Corn Oats Rye Buckwheat Irish potatoes Sweet potatoes ...bu. ...bu. ...bu. ....bu. ...bu. ...bu. ...bu. ...bu. .gals. ....bu. ...bu. ...lbs ...lbs. ...bu. ..tons ..tons ..tons ..tons ..tons ..tons ..tons 35,404 672,676 $417,059 11,873 54 102,808 16,007 748 34 1,489 81 351 6,448 ; 1,791 1 ^ 75 142,476 486 2,.570.-200 .560,245 7,480 408 89,340 3,-240 $106,8.57 365 95,474 13,612 791 14 1,776 54 385 2,708 1,395 163 10,9-22 3,0-25 1,697 3,914,434 .558,092 15,0-29 112 22-2,000 7.020 38,.500 a5.-204 16,740 8.50 46,7.50 3,260 36, (M2 5,808 3,818 861,175 1-28,361 7,514 1.55,400 .5,616 1.5.400 .52,806 18,414 85 1,636 1,238 198,-231 37,7.52 22,908 771,060 140.061 3,740 •204 62,.538 2,.593 11,730 Castor beans. Flax Tobacco Broom corn 64,480 10,746 3,-200 4.5,000 103,168 9,671 320 1,800 Millet and Hung'n.... Timothy Clover Orchard fra^s 14,587 8,709 •2,715 .547 ; 2,497 781 66,676 43,761 1 1 1- 30,498 ! '' 47,9.59 175,044 152,490 Other tame grasses.. Prairie, under fence. 2,796 66,916 6,990 95,020 34,9.50 403,835 167,8.56 Totals -237,218 $2,362,455 238,-275 $1,709,497 1886. Acres. Product. Value. Winter wheat Corn bu. bu Oats bu. Rye bu. Barlev ....bu. Buckisheat Irish potatoes Sweet potatoes Sorghum ....bu. bu. ... bu. Castor beans ('otton ....bu. ....lbs. Flax bu. Tobacco ....lbs. Bn om corn Millet and Hung'n.. Timothy ....lbs. ...tons Clover ... Orchard grass ...tone 17,812 104,383 20.494 749 5 i,5TT 48 524 .5,769 11 643 Blue trrass Other tame grasses Prairie, under fence. ..tons Totals 253 11,431 16,418 3,138 388 2.406 1,366 63.2.50 213,744 1,878,894 614,820 11,984 100 330 90,660 4,800 .')7,eyu 3,300 6,430 $149,621 6.57,612 184,446 5,992 30 198 .54,396 4,800 17,495 86,.535 264 5,787 l-26,.500 4,427 114,310 1 I i J- 37,143 ; -216,618 164,908 r,440 1887. Acres. Product. Valtie. 1.5,816 316,320 $189,792 85,063 2. 1-26. .575 744.301 '23,9-26 837,410 -209, a52 138 2,070 828 -20 400 160 42 630 472 1,302 104.160 78,120 101 10,100 10,100 .592 19, .540 8,946 89,460 80,514 830 8,300 7,055 2 1,200 1-20 165 99,000 3,465 .5,2.50 10,.500 42,000 14,-268 1 2.793 - *. 5,437 292 38,059 1,896 1 1,208 J 43..5.55 24,049 96.196 •206,205 $1,. 5-20,075 Product of 1886. 68 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUXTY. Table showing tht- acre*, product and value of field crops in Labette county. Winter wheat bu. JSpring wheat bu. Coru.T bu Oats bu Rye bu Barley bu. Buckwheat ..bu. Irish potatoes bu. Sweet potatoes bu Sorghum Castor beans bu. Cotton lbs. Flax bu. Hemp lbs. Tobacco lbs. Broom corn lbs. Millet and HunLf'n tons Timothy .^. Clover.' Orchard grass tons Blue grass Other tame grasses Prairie, under fence. ..tons Totals 188,209 1888. Acres. Product. 14,066 70 80,702 17,495 271 30 36 ! 1,027 I 114 1,215 t 2,306 ; 267,254 1,120 2,501,762 804.770 5,420 9(K) 540 92.430 10.260 "'"'20,754' 2,100 5,800 / 'alue. 86 56 5,430 10,393 1,628 170 1.688 5.628 45,066 51,600 44,800 10,860 1 I ;■ * 4,829 I $221,820 784 &50,458 169,001 2,439 315 405 60.079 10,260 40.269 20,754 168 5,220 5,160 1.568 43,440 28,974 J,424 $1,344,540 216,914 1889. Acres. Product. lvalue. 22,703 26 80,577 14,418 13 1.349 120 1,007 2.431 14 682 1 2 10 5,077 10,809 3.057 209 2,271 "'606 71,149 431.357 416 2,417,310 360 4.50 9,.575 $267,441 199 410,942 .50,463 2,681 134,900 12,000 17,017 4,200 .5,456 700 1,200 6.000 10,1,54 30,969 78 53,960 4,800 36,2.52 30,630 336 5,4.56 35 120 210 40.616 92.907 $1,029,016 Winter wheat bu. Spring wheat bu Corn Oats Rye Barley Buckwheat Irish potatoes , Sweet potatoes Sorghum Castor beans... Cotton Flax Hemp Tobacco lbs. Broom corn lbs. Millet and Hung'n tons Alfalfa Timothy Clover Orchard grass tons Blue grass Other tame trrasses Prairie, under fence. ..tons ,.bu. .lbs. .bu. Totals 1.53,836 1890. Acres. Product. Value. 21, .380 10 42,2.54 15,7.52 230 1,341 20 424 3,727 28 1,192 48 3,0.55 9,768 2,8.56 89 1,5.53 792 48,315 256,560 1(X) 1,056,3.50 472, .560 37,270 11,200 21,920 $223,207 82 422, .540 1&5,396 1,495 80,460 1,600 1.5,264 46,.588 896 27,400 4, .582 1 I \ t 8,229 I J 19,809 18,: 288 .57,603 69,331 $1,130,510 1891. Acres. Ptoduct. Value. 43,.542 5 62,187 44,121 494 30 112 723 55 442 2,640 20 10, .542 10 2 69 2,770 10 12,650 3,693 52 740,214 80 1,243,740 1,147,146 7,410 7.50 1,680 43,380 4,785 21,120 5,000 63,2.52 7,000 1,200 34, .500 .5,540 1 j J- §8,.541 695 I 63,363 ! ' 23.783 249,683 $1,638,865 S5' 366 60 460,183 321.200 4.. 594 375 1.512 24,726 4.067 17,680 26,400 400 .50,601 350 120 1,121 22,160 42,705 >40 * Product of 1887. t Product of 1888. | Product of 1889. roduct of 1890. IXDUSTRIAL PURSUns. , ETC. 69 Table showing the acres, product and v alue of field crops in Labette county. Winter wheat. Spring wheat.. Corn Oats ...bu. ...bu. ...bu. 1892. Acres. Product. bu. Ry^ Bariey b« Buckwheat ."!!;.';.'.'.".' ^ Irish notntno^ .. DU potatoes Sweet potatoe.* Castor beans.., Sorghum CotFon Flax .lbs. .lbs. Tobacco "'.'!.*.... Broom corn Millet and HungaVian.".;;.".";::"";; ,,„^^ Timothy .^ ^<^"8 Clover Blue grass.. Alfalfa ; Orchard grassV."'.'.'.'.'."".'.'.'.'.".' ^'^"■* Other tame grasses.' Prai rie, under fence.'.'.".'....'.'.".'.'.' '.'."."..'".".'.".".'. ■,";■;■ Totiils. 37,170 49 59,317 30,749 112 8 8 484 43 1,625 274 10 3,711 1 65 1,992 12,237 2,302 1.668 48 506 38,957 191,343 520,380 490 889,755 737,976 1,456 96 80 19.360 3,440 11,375 "i.'soo" 25.977 600 26 000 Value \ * 9,706 23.603 Product of 1891. $286,209 245 284,721 184,494 655 40 60 14,520 3,784 14,218 6,632 175 845 11.952 48,530 r0,809 $950,031 FARMERS' ORGANIZATIONS. Almost from the commencement of our history the farmers have in one of agriculture, and the advancement of their interests. FARMEKS' CLUBS. The first organization of this kind of which I have any knowledge was he Farmers' Club, of Oswego township, which was organized in Octob" 18 .0. F. Swanwick was elected president, and J. P. Jones secretary The K.chland Township Farmers' Club was organized April 6, 187-^ although steps toward the organization of a club seem to have been taken t^f'Z'r '• ^' ^'^™^^ '"'' ^'^^^™^" -^^' '' ^- Watsorsete- t^ij of the temporary organization, and T. J. Calvin and J. N. Watson were the permanent president and secreta. y as^^-e^ideT^' ''''' '^'' ^^'^^'''^' ^^"^ ^^''-^'^ orgatnzed, with D. B. Crouse It is not inn3robable that clubs were organized at other points, of Hhich I have received no information. 70 HISTORY OF LABET7E COUNTY. farmers' alliance. On May 20, 1882, a Farmers' AUiauce was organized at Chetopa, with Isaac Butterworth president and A. E. Bartlett secretary. I know of no other alliance being organized prior to the general move some years later. farmers' union. The only account I have of this organization is the following announce- ment for a 4th of July celebration, made by them June 14, 1873 : "There will be a basket picnic and meeting of the Farmers' Union of the county at Han's Mill, two and one-half miles northwest of Labette City, on the Labette river ; not only for the purpose of celebrating our nation's anniversary, but for the purpose of declaring our independence and emancipation from the thralldom of monopolies and corporations that now, through their moneyed influence, oppress the laboring classes (the bone and sinew of the nation) to an extent more alarming than the tyranny our forefathers emancipated themselves from. J. F. Piper, KicHARD Baker, W. HOUCK, ^„.^T^^ Committee.'''' grange. The farmers' organization known as ''The Grange," or "Patrons of Husbandry," was introduced into this county in the summer of 1873. I do not know where the first grange in the county was organized, but John Nelson, of Neosho township, was county organizer, and on September 11, 1873, he organized the Pleasant Valley Grange, in District No. 3. On October 15, 1873, Richland Grange was organized, at Watson's school-house, with D. J. Doolen master, J. C. McKnight overseer, and John N. Watson secretary. County Organization. — On December 19, 1873, the various granges of the county met at Labette, to form a council. J. F. Hill was chosen chairman, and C. W. Olmstead secretary. At this meeting a constitution which did not allow women to vote was adopted, but it was unsatisfactory to the local organizations. On December 27th an adjourned meeting was held, in which 70 delegates were present representing 20 granges. Women, who had been excluded from the former convention, were ad- mitted to this. The county organization was now completed, and the fol- lowing officers were elected: J. J. Woods, master; J. F. Hill, overseer; John Richardson, treasurer ; D. C. Thurston, secretary ; S. W. Collins, business agent; and the following executive committee: J. T. Lampson, S. M. Canaday, and T. A. Fellows. The first meeting after its organiza- tion was held February 24, 1874. At this meeting the secretaryship was hYDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, ETC. 71 changed, and given to I. W. Patrick ; and a grange store was authorized to be started as soon as possible. H. C. Cook was appointed county or- ganizer. Store. — In 1874 a grange store was opened at Labette, with an au- thorized capital stock of $4,000. S. W. Collins, the business agent of the council, was salesman. In June, 1875, J. T. Lampson was appointed agent of the grange store in the place of Samuel Collins. From a finan- cial standpoint the store never proved a success, and quite an amount of money was sunk in the enterprise. Condemnatory Action. — On March 20, 1875, at a meeting of the county council, it was, on motion of J. C. Murphy, '•'Resolved, That the county council condemn the late action of the County Commissioners in regard to their refusal to accept aid to the destitute of Labette county." At the same time the following resolutions were adopted : ''Resolved, By the Labette County Council of Patrons of Husbandry in its regular session, that we, as a body, asking boot from no one, and in sympathy with our unfortunate yeomanry of this State, do bitterly de- nounce and condemn the late action of the Senate of the State of Kansas in regard to relief to the destitute of this State, as miserly, misanthropic in its nature, wrong and injurious to its loyal destitute, and a shame and a disgrace to the fair name of grateful Kansas. "•Resolved, That we will lieartily indorse any action of the Governor of this State, by way of appropriating a portion of the surplus accumulated funds of the treasury of this State, to render aid, relief and assistance to those requiring the same from the destitution that visited the State last season. ''Resolved, That we will not support for office anyone who would not be willing that the next legislature legalize the same.'' These organizations were maintained in the coimty but two or three years, or at least there was no active work done after that, although there may have been a few local organizations kept up somewhat longer. Examining County Offices. — In July, 1874, the county council of Patrons of Husbandry appointed a committee of five, consisting of Col. J. J. Woods, chairman, John F. Hill, secretary, S. M. Canaday, Thomas Bates, and J. Merwiu, to make a thorough examination of the county offices "for the purpose of ascertaining where the money goes." The committee spent some time in the court-house, and at the end of their in- vestigation made an exhaustive report, filling over five columns of news- pai)er. A number of recommendations were submitted by the committee, pointing out defects in the law which should be remedied and of admin- istration which should be corrected. It is not improbable that good re- 72 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUXTY. suited from this examination, if in nothing else than in making a large proportion of the people better acquainted with the way their business was conducted. FAIR ASSOCIATIONS. LABETTE COU>TY AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL SOCIETY. On January 31, 1868, a number of the citizens of the county formed an organization for the purpose of locating fair grounds on the southwest quarter of section 16, township 33, range 21 ; and N. L. Hibbard, W. S. Newlou, C. H. Bent, Isaac Butter worth and others filed a charter in the office of the Secretary of State on February 13th for the incorporation of the Labette County Agricultural and Mechanical Society. W. S. Newlon was elected president and W. P. Bishop secretary. The second issue of the Neosho Valley Eagle contains a notice that the books of the society are open for subscription to its capital stock. This organization never succeeded in starting a fair, or doing anything that looked practically to that end. LABETTE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. In the latter part of June, 1870, a call was made through the Oswego Register for those interested in the organization of a fair to meet at the court-house on July 3d for the purpose of taking steps to secure such re- sult. On that day there was quite a gathering of the citizens of the county, who effected a temporary organization by electing D. B. Crouse chairman and Nelson Case secretary. The establishment of a fair was discussed, and it was finally agreed to organize the Labette County Agri- cultural and Horticultural Society. A board of directors representing all parts of the county was selected, and the following officers chosen : D. B. Crouse president, Jonas Clark vice-president, C. H. Lewis secretary, William Steele treasurer. Under this management a fair was held on the south bank of the Neosho river, on the northwest quarter of section 1.5, in Oswego. The fair was a success. Annual fairs were thereafter held under the auspices of this society up to and including 1883. Most of these were successful both in the matter of securing a good display of the products of the county and in financial management. In 1873 a new charter was obtained, and the association put on a firmer basis. Fair grounds were purchased in the northeast part of Oswego city, and a commencement made toward improving and fitting them up for the holding of fairs. As indicating what the success of some of the first fairs were, I may mention that in 1873 the receipts were 82,135.15, and the disbursements 81,957.61; in 1874 the receipts were $2,279.84, and disbursements 82,386.09. The following two years the receipts were not INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, ETC. enough to pay expenses and premiums, and a small indebtedness was thereby created. The next year or two was more successful. In 1880 a large amphitheater was erected, whereby an indebtedness was created, to secure which a mortgage on the company's grounds was executed ; and this finally was foreclosed, and the property sold thereunder. In 1883 the association virtually disbanded, and made no other attempts at holding a fair. The following is a list of the presidents and secretaries of this association after the first fair: Presidents — 1871, D. B. Crouse: 1872, Isaac Butterworth ; 1873, C. M. Monroe; 1874-5, J. J.Woods; 1876, F. A. Bettis; 1877-8, R. W. Wright; 1879, J. P. Updegratt"; 1880. R. W. Wright; 1881, C. O. Perkins; 1882-3, C. Montague. Secretaries — 1871, C. H. Lewis: 1872-4, C. B. Woodford; 1875-7, C. A. Wilkin: 1878, C. B. Woodford, 1879-83, C. A. Wilkin. N'EOSHO VALLEY STOCK ASSOCIATION. In the summer of 1884, it having become apparent that the Agricultural and Horticultural Society was not going to hold a fair that season, a new organization under the name of the Neosho Valley Stock Association was formed, of which D. B. Crouse was president, Isaac Butterworth vice- president, and C. B. Woodford secretary. Under its auspices a fair was held on the fair grounds in Oswego, commencing the last of September. No premiums were paid, but diplomas were given according to merit. The treasurer's report at the close of the fair shows the total receipts to be S164.40, and expenses S156.65. In 1885 the officers were: J. F. Hill, president : D. Doyle, vice-president ; C. B. Woodford, secretary : and J. W. Marley, treasurer. Quite a successful fair was held, commencing Sep- tember 8th. LABETTE COUNTY HOKTICULTUKAL AND AGRICULTURAL FAIR ASSO- CIATION. No attempt was made at holding a fair at Oswego from 1885 to 1801. During the summer of 1891 a number of the citizens organized the Labette County Horticultural and Agricultural Fair Association, and elected R. W. Wright president, J. D. H. Reed secretary, J. G. Bradley treasurer and superintendent. A fair was held September 14th to 16th. The exhibits and attendance were encouraging. The receipts were large enough to pay all expenses, which amounted to .^260. In 1892 the association held its second fair, from September 29th to Oc- tober 1st. The officers this year were : J. B. Montgomery, president : J. D. H. Reed, secretary; George Pfaff, treasurer: and J. G. Bradley, super- intendent. The receipts were ^600, and all premiums and obligations were paid in full. " 74 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY LABETTE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL, HORTICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL ASSOCIATION. Id the summer of 1872 a number of the citizens in the vicinity of the town of Labette organized the Labette County Agricultural, Horticultural and Mechanical Association, for the purpose of holding a fair at that point. F. C. Burnette was elected president and Wm. Houck secretary. A fair commencing the 8th of October of that year was held, with a fair degree of success. The following officers were elected for 1873 : President, S. W. Collins; vice-president, J. F. Piper; secretary, William Houck; treasurer, Harvey I. Cox. It was decided to hold a fair in the fore part of October, but no fair seems to have been held ; and this, apparently, was the last of this association. PARSONS FAIR AND DRIVING-PARK ASSOCIATION. Early in 1882 steps were taken by some of the citizens of Parsons to form an organization for the pui pose of holding a fair at that place. The Parsons Fair and Driving-Park Association was formed, with a board of directors composed of its leading business men, of wliich G. W. Gabriel was president and J. R. Brown secretary. Good grounds were secured and improved, and from 1882 to 1886, inclusive, successful fairs were held. After that no fair was held till 1892, when auotjier effort was made, with a good result. STOCK ASSOCIATION. In August, 18S4, the Short-Horn Breeders' Association was organized, with the following officers: Dr. B. K. Van Meter, president; Chas. W. Stoddard, vice-president; M. E. Williams, secretary; J. C. Christian, treas- urer. LABETTE COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Those engaged in horticulture and fruit-growing were only a little be- hind those interested in agriculture and stock-raising, in taking steps to unite their interests for mutual improvement in growing and disposing of their products. The early records of the Labette County Horticultural Society have been lost, and I am not able to give the date of irs organiza- tion; but it was sometime prior to 1877. Nearly all of the fruit-growers in the vicinity of Oswego and a number in other parts of the county have been members and active workers of this society. Among those who have been most prominent as workers in the society I may mention the follow- ing: H. S. Coley, J. L. Williams, N. Sanford, J. A. Gates, John F. Hill, J. B. Draper, D. Doyle, Isaac Butterworth, W. S. Newlon, G. A. Stover, Wilf. Cooper, Henry Tibbitts, George Pfaft'. I do not wish to be under- stood as giving in this list the names of all of those who have been prom- INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, ETC. 75 inent workers iu this society, but only such as now occiir to me. Had I the records of the society the list might be very much enlarged. During the summer the society frequently holds picnics, at which all phases of the question of fruit-growing are fully and carefully discussed, and much of the success of the fruit-growing business may be fairly attributed to the work of this society. OTHER COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS. COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. There is no existing record of the organization of this society. It was probably organized early in 1869. The first minutes I have been able to find of its meetings are those for a semi-annual meeting held at Oswego on November 7, 1870; the society was then called the Osage and South- ern Kansas Medical Association. C. M. Gilkey was president and Rob- ert Steele secretary. At this meeting it was voted to change the name to the Labette County Medical Association ; W. S. Newlon was elected president, George Lisle vice-president, Robert Steele secretary, and J. W. Wier treasurer. A uniform schedule of fees was adopted. On June 8, 1871, a meeting of the society was held, at which W. S. Newlon was president and D. D. McGrath secretary. On June 16, 187.5, after a lapse of two or three years, a meeting was held, and the association revived. George Lisle was elected president, W. S. Newlon vice-president, C. Humble secretary, and B. R. Van Meter treasurer. On May 18, 1885, the society again organized, and elected J. J. Kack- ley president and A. H. Garnett secretary. The society now maintains an organization and holds regular meetings. BAR ASSOCIATION. On September 15, 1881, the members of the bar met at the court-house and organized a county bar association, with the following officers : H. G. Webb president. Nelson Case and George S. King vice-presidents, J. H. Morrison secretary, J. A. Gates treasurer. This association was never very active, and after a brief existence it was abandoned ; since which time no effort has been made to organize or maintain an association. nOOSIEK ASSOCIATION. On June 19, 1886, the former residents of Indiana met at Labette City and organized a Hoosier Association. Wilf. Cooper was elected president and W. W. Cook secretary. This association has held several annual meetings since then, and maintains a feeling of friendship and pride among the old "Indianians." 76 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUXTY. OLD settlers' association. Several attempts have been made to secure a permanent organization of the old settlers in the county. As early as April 16, 1884, there was a preliminary meeting held at the court-house in Oswego, at which a com- mittee was appointed to report a plan for enrollment at an adjourned meet- ing to be held thereafter. D. B. Crouse was chosen chairman and C. B. Woodford secretary. One or two other meetings were held the following month, and a form of constitution was adopted. However, this organiza- tion never did anything more than to have these preliminary meetings. In 1888 another effort was made to secure an organization, and a meeting of the old settlers was called through the Independent, to be held on the 32d of February of that year. A committee was appointed at this meet- ing to call a public meeting and arrange for a large attendance of the old settlers throughout the county. This committee called such meeting to be held at the fair grounds in Oswego on May 10, 1888. An organization was formed at this time, and since then some two or three other meetings have been held; but the general interest has not yet been secured which it is to be hoped will be shown by those who have done so much to make the county what it is. THE LABETTE COUXTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY. In its issue of July 6, 1878, the Oswego Independent contained a notice of about a half-dozen lines stating that a meeting of the citizens of the county would be held at the court-house on Tuesday evening following, for the purpose of taking steps to organize a historical society. It was understood that this notice was inserted by J. S. Waters, who was then doing editorial work on the Independent. On July 9, 1878, a few par- ties met at the court-house, pursuant to said notice. Alexander Duncan, of Canada township, was made temporary chairman, and J. S. Waters temporary secretary. The matter of a historical society was talked of, and before the adjournment of the meeting a committee consisting of Nelson Case, W. A. Starr and R. M. Donley, was appointed to prepare a plan for organization to be submitted in one week from that time. On Tuesday evening, July 16, the meeting met as per adjournment. The committee appointed to prepare the plan reported through Nelson Case, its chairman, recommending the formation of a society on a very simple basis, "keeping in view sooner or later the incorporation of a society," and submitting the draft of a constitution. The report of the committee was adopted, and the following officers elected : President, Nelson Case ; vice-president, George Lisle; secretary, J. S. Waters; corresponding sec- retary, M. W. Reynolds; treasurer, C. M. Monroe; with vice-presidents from each of the townships. There has never been any change in the IXDUSTRIAL PURSUITS, ETC. 77 ] (residency siuce its orgauization. In 1879 W. A. Starr was elected sec- retary ill place of Mr. Waters, who moved away ; this position he cou- tluiied to hold until his death. On November 21, 1881, the society became incorporated \>y filing its charter in the oflHce of the Secretary of State. Since Mr. Starr's death E. B. Baldwin and J. R. Hill have filled the office of secretary ; H. C. Cook and M. E. Williams have held the office of treas- urer. The society has as near complete files of the county papers as it has been able to obtain, and has collected quite a number of relics and objects of interest connected with the early history of the county, and it is to be hoped that its work of usefulness has but just commenced. COUXTY CENTENNIAL BOARD. On Saturday, September 19, 1875, a meeting was held at Oswego, wliich was attended by citizens from various parts of the county, for the pur pose of organizing a board auxiliary to the State board to secure a proper representation at the Centennial Exposition. The constitution and by- laws recommended by the State board were adopted, and a board of man- agers elected, consisting of the following individuals: W. S. Newlon, P. T. Rhodes, F. B. McGill, Henry Tibbitts, J. F. Hill, J. J. Woods, A. Gebert, H. C. Cook, and J. M. Cavaness. A quorum of the board being present, a meeting was held, and the permanent officers of the board chosen, with the folIowMng result: President, J. M. Cavaness; vice-president, F. B. McGill ; secretary, J. F. Hill ; treasurer, J. J. Woods. The board of offi- cers constituted the executive committee. The committees whose duty it was to make collections of the various articles requested by tiie State board were all chosen. COLUMBIAN CLUB. On August 26, 1892, a meeting of the ladies of the county was held at the parlors of the Oswego House, for the purpose of seeing the county properly represented at the Columbian Exposition. The following per- manent officers were elected : Mrs. M. M. Woodruff, president : Mrs. Mary E. Perkins, vice-president: Mrs. Alice Greene, secretary: Mrs. Elizabeth Elliott, treasurer. Mrs. Woodruff having declined to serve, Mrs. Lyda A. Baldwin was elected president in her place. G. A. B. Pea Ridge Post, No. 118, is located at Chetopa, and was organized August 21, 1882. Post commanders: Capt. Thomas 0"Hare, Col. J. B. Cook, James F. Sterling, L. M. Bedell, S. T. Herman, W. O. Brecken- ridge, Robert Orme, William Stevens, and H. J. Schock. Antietam Post, No. 64, is located at I'arsons, and was organized June 78 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. 6, 1882. There are now 263 Dames on the roll. The post has a tract of grouDd in Oak Wood Cemetery, in which all old soldiers are buried free of expense if the friends so desire. On this lot they have already buried 67. Nearly $3,000 has been expended on this burial-ground. Post com- manders: W. H. Morris, Luther Gilmore, H. L. Partridge, T. D. Ganer, W. P. Scholl, W. H. Porter, R. D. Talbot, J. D. Scott, and A. M. Sour- beer. Mound Valley Post, No. 139, was organized November 9, 1882. There are 110 names on its roll of old soldiers who have been members of this post. Only about 25 are in good standing ; five have died, and the others have withdrawn by suspension or removal. The following have been commanders : Josephus Moore, W. W. Harper, A. J. Ginger, L. C. Wil- moth, Ivy Prescott, L. E. Hanson, N. W. Wallis, and Ivy Prescott. Oswego Post, No. 150, was organized January 10, 1883, and has had the following commanders : John F. Hill, D. H. David, E. B. Baldwin, George P. Hall, J. C. Patterson, H. C. Cook, W. L. Burch, and R. W. Wright. Topping Post, No. 268, is located at Altamont, and was organized Sep- tember 8, 1883. Commanders : Daniel Reid, Ezra Bonebrake, J. C. Mur- phy, J. J. Miles, A. H. Waite, R. A. Davis, J. F. Hutfman, T. J. Hun, and T. H. Murray. It has a membership of twenty-two, and has lost three by death. Knoxville Post was organized at Kingston, May 18, 1883, with E. B. Baldwin commander. CRIMIlSrAL MATTEES. Ou August G, 1868, Charles Van Alstine killed J. C. Wheeler, near a saloon in Oswego in which they had been drinking. Van Alstine was tried and convicted of murder, and sent to the penitentiary. This was the first murder trial in the county. In the latter part of 1868 a half-breed Indian was intoxicated and mak- ing a disturbance on the streets of Chetopa. He was arrested by an offi- cer, who asked him where he got his whisky ; he told the officer if he would go with him he wonld show him. He went to a shanty ou the out- skirts of town, opened a door, and stooping down to his saddle-bags took therefrom a revolver, saying, "That is where I got my whisky," and fired, the ball striking the officer ou the forehead, but glanced instead of pene- trating the skull. The Indian was again arrested, and taken before the justice. A somewhat rough character called Bob Broadus told him he would be killed, and, if he had an opportunity, to run. The Indian soon started off, and was at once fired upon by a number of parties and killed. In 1870 John D. Coulter was postmaster at Oswego, and also agent of all the express companies that did business at that place. In the latter part of November of that year, without giving notice of his intention so to do, he left town, and was never seen here thereafter. He proved to he a defaulter to the Government and also the express companies in the sum of several hundred dollars. Authony Amend and John Pierce, living in Neosho township, had a difficulty over a child. Pierce shot and killed Amend, and then attempted to hide in the woods and tall grass. The grass was set on fire, and to escape, Pierce jumped into the Neosho and swam across. He was caught and taken to Jacksonville, where a vigilance committee hung him. This hanging took place in Neosho county. Several parties were arrested as being connected with it, but no one was ever convicted. On October 3, 1874, on the fair grounds at Oswego, John Bagby stabbed William Hogsett and Charles H. Westfall, both of whom were special police. Hogsett soon died, while Westfall, after a protracted confinement, recovered. Bagby was sent to the penitentiary. On November 2, 1870, Erastus E. and Liston P. Hopkins killed their (70) so HISrORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. brother-iu-law, Joliu M. May, by beating and wounding him \vitli poles and clubs. In June, 1871, they were tried tor this olfense. The State was represented by Judge D. P. Lowe, M. V. Yoss, and Jesse C. Harper, together with the county attorney. The defense was principally con- ducted by M. V. B. Bennett and J. D. Gamble. The defendants were convicted of murder in the second degree, after a protracted trial. A notable incident of this trial was in reference to the court driving a wit- ness named Chas. H. Butts from the witness stand during the giving of his testimony. It appeared by the testimony of Butts that he was a detective, and had been placed in the jail with the Hopkins brothers under the pretense of being guilty of some kind of a crime, for the real purpose of getting admissions from them to be of use on the trial. On these facts appearing, the presiding judge said that such a person was unworthy of credit, and should not be allowed to give testimony in his court; he was directed to leave the stand, which he did. On February 24, 1871, John Clark was killed at Chetopa by Frank Huber. Huber was tried, and convicted of murder in the first degree, and sentenced to be hung on September 1st; on August 31st a respite was granted until September 30th. Huber had been taken to Fort Scott after his trial for more safe confinement until the time of his execution. The last of August he was brought from Fort Scott to Oswego, where a gallows had been erected in front of the old jail, and where on the mor- row he was to be hung. After the respite arrived, and before the time of his execution, as then fixed, the Supreme Court granted him a new trial because of a defect in the form of the verdict. Preferring not to undergo the excitement of another trial, Huber succeeded in removing some of the stones and other rubbish that separated him from the outside world, and on the night of November 23, 1871, made his escape from the county jail, since which time he has never been heard of at this place. His case was the nearest we have ever been to having a legal execution in this county. On August 14, 1872, B. W. Harwood had a difficulty wnth the Blye brothers, and w^as very badly beaten and bruised by them. Later in the day he went to their home and fired into a crowd of people that w^ere there assembled, slightly wounding two persons. On the 15th he was arrested, and gave bond for his appearance at trial. On the morning of August 16th he was found on his premises, riddled with bullets. Three of the Blye brothers and a number of neighbors were arrested and tried for the murder. While people generally had no doubt about their guilt, the State failed to produce sufficient evidence to convict, and the defend- ants were all acquitted. C RIM IX A L MATTERS. §1 On May 27, 1875, R. B. Myers absconded. It appeared from exami- nation made that for months he had been embezzling from the Adams Express Company, for whom he was agent. A statement was made by the general manager to the effect that as far back as December previous he had been detected in defalcation. In the fall of 1879 he was brought back from the west where he was found, on requisition, and on exami- nation was bound over to court. In proceedings pending the trial it was developed that the company was defectively organized, its charter being imperfect; and there being no law punishing embezzlement by an agent of a joint-stock company, Myers was permitted to go at liberty. On April 1, 1878, while Milton Engler and Samuel Clevinger were go- ing to their homes in Cherokee county from Chetopa in a state of intoxi- cation, they got into a quarrel ; the former stabbed the latter with a knife, from the effects of which he soon died. On Sunday morning, August 25, 1878, R. H. Clift, who was marshal of Chetopa, was shot and killed near town by John Richmond, a horse- thief whom he was attempting to arrest. Richmond had passed through town a few days before with a stolen mule in his possession, and was now returning to Missouri. Word having come that he was guilty of stealing the mule, parties in town who had seen him pass through in- formed the marshal of the circumstances, and he immediately started in pursuit. He soon overtook Richmond and ordered him to stop, telling him that he was under arrest. Richmond replied that he would return with him, but at once drew a revolver and shot Clift through the neck : he died that night. On the Wednesday following the Sunday on which Clift was shot, Richmond, having reached his home in Missouri near the village of White Hall, in Laurence countj% was there arrested for steal- ing the mule at a camp meeting. The next morning, August 29th, he was being taken to Mount Vernon, when Bently came up and informed the officers that Richmond was guilty of the murder of Clift. This was the first that the shooting of Clift was known at the home of Richmond. Richmond was taken to Mount Vernon, where he was held until Bently could get a requisition, and as soon as the same could be obtained Bently and United States Deputy Marshal Graham secured his delivery to them, and at once started with him for this county. Instead of taking the train at Carthage to Oswego, they decided to go the route through the Indian Territory, transferring to the M. K. & T. Rly. at Vinita. They arrived at Chetopa on the midnight train Thursday night, Septem- ber 5th. Masked men appeared in the train as soon as it stopped at Chetopa, and compelled the officers to take Richmond out: they took him out and proceeded to get into a 'bus. The mob surrounded the — 6 82 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. 'bus aDcl traiu, took Richmond from the officers, marched him a mile southwest of town, and strung him up to an old bridge, where he was left hanging until the next afternoon. This cold-blooded murder of Richmond was without excuse. His crime was a terrible one, but there would have been no difficulty in convicting and punishing him for it. No one except the participants know who were the criminals engaged in the second mui-der, and no effort was made to apprehend or punish them. One of the most brutal murders ever committed took place in Canada township, about the last of October, 1878. Theodore Munsterman and William Hunt some time previous thereto had had difficulty over the en- try of a claim. On the day of the murder Hunt and his wife had been to Oswego, and during their absence Munsterman had been seen around the premises. On their way home from Oswego, Hunt overtook Munster- man going in the direction of their home. He got in and rode with them. It was late in the evening when they arrived home. Hunt and Munsterman talked over their previous difficulty, and agreed to bury all differences. Munsterman was making his home with his sister several miles away, and it was suggested that he stay all night with Hunt. They had but one bed, and they made a pallet for him upon the floor in the same room in which they slept. During the night Mrs. Hunt awoke and found Munsterman at their bedside bending over her; she asked him what he wanted ; he said he w^anted to kiss her. Later in the night Munster- man got up and shot both Mr. and Mrs. Hunt in the head. Hunt was evidently killed at once. Probably Mrs. Hunt made some move, and to finish the job Munsterman took a hatchet and broke in her skull. He left them both in bed where they had slept, went out, locked the door, and took Hunt's team and moved off. He was seen the next day with the team, which he said he had borrowed and was going to the Territory for coal. It turned out that he took the team and hitched it in a ravine, and himself went to Chetopa. That evening one of the neighbor boys went to the house, but could not get in. He heard a groaning inside, and went and told his mother. Several of the neighbors were aroused and came to the house and broke open the door. They found Hunt dead, and Mrs. Hunt unable to speak and nearly dead. Munsterman was found, and at once arrested on suspicion that he had committed the murder. His account of having the team and of his whereabouts was entirely un- satisfactory, and he was placed in the county jail. By the time of the next term of court, when the case came on for trial, Mrs. Hunt had so far recovered as to be able to talk. She came upon the witness stand and identified Munsterman as the murderer, giving the story of the trans- action substantially as here recorded. Munsterman was convicted of CKIM/XAl MATTERS. gg murder in the first degree. He died in tl>e penitentiary, November 25, 18S8. On Noveuiber 3, 1879, an obstrnctlon In the shape of a hand-car, with o d „ons and other material, was placed on the Frisco Ely., near Big H 11 tat,on A detective was employe.1 to ascertain the gnilt • parties an thereafter Albert C. Tolllver was arrested for the offense. Tol liver made Sir' The";',""'";''"' •'->- ^^-T B-nes, sr., and his son In ci me. The old man Barnes was not found, but the younger Barnes was tned, and by what Is believed to be the most s.tccessfully planned Id carrted out conspiracy for perjury ever attempted in this court, part ci- pate 1 m by a large number of his friends and neighbors, was acitdtted. On December 2, 1879, Quincy Harris was arrested for operating an Illicit hsttlleryon Hackberry creek, and .John and Josiah Johnson fo. assisting by furnishing corn. Harris was taken in charge by the U. S. Marshal On July 10 1830, Daniel Tucker killed a colored man named William se,e,al days, and hired Dudley to take him to Neodesha with his team, on the p,«ense that he desired him to bring back a load of goods. On Sunday, July 11th parties passing west of Mound Valley saw where some eviVlen eTT 1 ;' "*,'" '''°"' '"" "°"^^" "^""^ "' "'ood and other evidences of a hard struggle. Physicians were called, and after examina- tion pronounced the blood and brains found to be those of a human being. That evening someone found the body of a colored man in a ravine son^e three miles away, and parties immediately started out to find the mur- derer. They soon found a wagon with a man and woman in it, and the team was identified as tlie one which had encamped the night before where the body was found. The man was arrested and proved to be Tucker the murderer of the colored man, William Dudley. He was convicted of murder in the first degree. On March 4, 1881, on a south-bmmd passenger train on the M. K & 1. RIy., just as It was leaving Chetopa, James Hayden, who was from l^ebanon, Ky., and a passenger on the train, commenced firin- his re- volver promiscuously among the passengers. He shot and killed William Lewis, of McAhster, I. T., and wounded two others. He was at once arrested and taken from the train and lodged in jail. Soon thereafter ■t being: supposed that he was Insane, an inquisition was held. In which It was determined that he was of unsound mind. His friends came from Kentucky and took him home. The shooting was caused by his suppos- g hat he was in danger of his life fron. the Indians, as he was neariug the Indian Territory. On September 37, 18S4, John Douglas killed Harry Fox, at his home 34 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. in Canada township. Douglas escaped and went to Ohio, from whence he was brought back a year after, and on trial was convicted. At the May, 1885, term of the district court, Frank P. Myres was tried and convicted of stealing a span of mules. On his application he was granted a new trial. On the night of July 7, 1885, Winfield Scott Crouse, who was a prisoner in the county jail charged with murder, J. J. Thomp- son with liquor-selling, and a colored man, Mat Lingo, with assault and battery, broke jail and compelled Myres to go with them. The latter, however, did not leave town, but next morning returned and gave him- self up. On the night of July 20th Myres with others broke jail again, but he was soon found, at Yinita, and was returned to jail on the 28th. On the night of August 4th Myres was taken from jail. To secure his escape from jail, five locks had to be broken or unlocked. The next morning the locks were all found fastened and in good order. How the doors were opened is an unsolved mystery. On August 6th Myres's body w^as found in the Neosho river, just above the Oswego dam. During Myres's imprisonment Jacob jSIcLaughlin and Wash Berkaw^ were part of the time confined in jail with him on the charge of selling liquor. It is supposed that they feared testimony which Myres might give if called as a witness on their trial, and that they, after their release on bail, secured Myres and took him from the jail on the 4tli of August. On April 14, 1886, McLaughlin and Berkaw were arrested for the mur- der of Myres. On their examination Frank and George Davis, who were also confined in the jail at the time when Myres was taken therefrom, tes- tified that McLaughlin, with the assistance of Berkaw, took Myres from jail. The defendants were bo^li held to answer the charge of murder. On the trial of McLaughlin and Berkaw on the charge of murder in the district court, the Davis boys gave testimony directly contrary to what they had testified on the preliminary examination, and said that what they had testified to before was false. It was developed on the trial that after the preliminary examination had been had, the Davis boys went to the oflice of E. C. Ward, in Parsons, who was attorney for McLaughlin and Berkaw, where it was arranged between them that in the event of their giving testimony of the character which they did give upon the final trial, they should receive a certain sum of money. The money was deposited in bank, subject to their order upon the final acquittal of the defendants. The defendants were acquitted on the trial, although prob- ably no one had any doubt of their real guilt. At the close of the trial the court appointed a committee to investigate the conduct of E. C. Ward in connection with this transaction. The committee in the report found that he had been guilty of bribery, and CRIMIXAL MA TTERS. recommended that he be disbarred. Charges were preferred against him, and change of venue was had upon his application to the district court of Neosho county, where he was tried and found guilty, and a judgment of disbarment was entered. On the night of February 21, 1S85, Marcus A. Justice and Mayfield Carr, two colored men who had had some jealous feeling in reference to a woman, were in company near the M. K. & T. depot at Oswego. The next morning Carr was found dead in the cut of the Frisco Rly. between the M. K. & T. and the brick mill. Justice was charged with the mur- der, and on trial had on May 27, 1885, was convicted of murder in the first degree. On Xovember 16, 1885, George W. Gregson shot and killed W. A. Col- lins, in the Grand Central Hotel at Parsons. On February 19, 1886, he was convicted of murder in the first degree. In September, 1886, Wilf. Cooper got upon a freight train at Parsons to ride to his home at Labette City. There were some three or four other parties in the car, who proved to be tramps. Before arriving at Labette City they attacked Cooper and threw him out of the car. He recovered himself sufficiently to get to Labette City and telegraph to Oswego for the arrest of the parties, who were tried, convicted, and sent to the penitentiary. On June 26, 1888, the marshal at Chetopa had a warrant for the arrest of a colored man who was supposed to be engaged in the illegal sale of liquor, and who had made his boast that no officer could arrest him. The marshal called a man to his aid, and started to serve the warrant. An- other colored man had allied himself with the one they were seeking to arrest, and, seeing one of the officers coming, one of them secreted him- self behind the building, and the other from across the street leveled his gun at the officer. Both opened fire on the officers, and wounded them in a number of places in a way that was at the time supposed would prove fatal. The colored men ran at once, and secreted themselves in the loft of an old house. It was ascertained that they were in the house, and finding themselves hemmed in, they surrendered. The mayor put them under guard and sent for the sheriff, who arrived at Chetopa in the evening. It was not thought advisable to bring them to the county jail in the night-time. In the meantime the guard which had been placed over them was continued. They were placed in the city hall, the sheriff and guard remaining with them. A mob of masked men broke into the room, put a revolver in the face of the sheriff' and guard, blew out the light, slipped a noose over the head of each of the prisoners, dragged them to the rear end of the building, put them on a scaffold which had SQ HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. been piled upon a wagon standing by the side of the building, fastened the rope inside, and then drew the wagon from under them, where they were left to hang until the next morning. No serious attempt was ever made to discover the murderers of these men, and no prosecution for the crime was ever instituted. On April 1, 1890, Carrey S. Arnold killed John Bobzien, in the west part of the count}', for which he was afterwards tried and convicted. On October 22, 1892, William H. Mills, while sitting in a restaurant at Chetopa, was shot through the head by some party on the outside of the building, and instantly killed. G. A. Luman was arrested on suspicion, but has not yet had his trial. On December 17, 1892, Albert Shoemaker shot and killed his brother Allen. He claimed that the killing was in self-defense. His trial has not yet taken place. THE BEXDER SLAUGHTER-PEN. About the last of 1870 a family of Hollanders, or Germans, consisting of four persons — a man, his wife, son, and daughter — moved on the northeast quarter of section 13, township 31, range 17, in Osage township. The man was known as William Bender, the son and daughter as John and Kate. They erected a small frame house, 16x24 feet, which was di- vided into two parts by studding, on which hung an old wagon-sheet for a partition. In the front part they had a few articles for sale, such as tobacco, crackers, sardines, candies, powder, and shot. Just outside the door was a plain sign, "Groceries." In the front room were also two beds. They also pretended to furnish lunch and entertainment for trav- elers. In the back room, almost up against the partition studding, a hole just large enough to let a man down had been cut in the floor, the door to which raised with a leather strap. Under this an excavation had been made in the ground, leaving a hole some six or seven feet in diameter and about the same in depth. It was supposed that when a victim was killed In the daytime he was thrown into this hole until night, when he would be taken out and buried. Little was known of the family generally. They repelled rather than invited communication with their neighbors. Kate traveled over the county somewhat, giving spiritualistic lectures and like entertainments, but created very little stir or comment. The two young people occasionally went to church and singing-school, and the men fre- quently attended public meetings in the township. The place was on the road, as then traveled, from Osage Mission to Independence. During 1871 and 1872 several parties had traveled the road, making inquiries for per- sons who were missing, and who had last been heard of at Fort Scott or CRIMIXAL MATTERS. 37 Independence. About March 10, 1873, a public meeting was held at Har- mony Grove school-house, in District Xo. 30, to discuss the herd law. The matter of so many people being missing, and the fact that suspicion rested upon the people of Osage township, were spoken of. It was said a vigor- ous searcli should be made, under the sanction of a search-warrant. Both of the Benders were present. Father Dick said, ''Commence the search at my house," and father Dienst responded, "Yes, and go directly from there to my house." Old man Bender, who sat between them, made no reply. About the 1st of March, 1873, Dr. William York had left his home on Onion creek, in Montgomery county, in search of a man and child by the name of Loucher, who had left Independence for Iowa during the previous winter and had never thereafter been heard of by their friends. Dr. York reached Fort Scott, and started to return about March 8th, but never reached home. In the fore part of April, Col. A. M. York, with some fifty citizens from Montgomery county, started from Independence to make a thorough search for his brother. They went as far as Fort Scott, but could get no clue to the missing man. On their return they visited the Bender place and tried to induce Kate, who professed to be a clairvoyant, to make an effort to help discover the Doctor. But Kate was able to successfully elude their efforts without throwing any suspicion on herself. That night the Bender family left their place, went to Thayer, where they purchased tickets to Humboldt, and took the north-bound train at .5 o'cloc k on the following morning. A clay or two thereafter their team was found hitched a short distance from Thayer, and apparently nearly starved. It was about the 1st of May that a party passing the Bender place noticed the stock wandering around as though wanting care. On going to the stable he found the team gone, and a calf dead in a pen, ev i- dently having starved to death. He then went to the house, but found no one there. He notified the township trustee, who, with other parties, went to the premises and broke into the house, where they found nearly everything in usual order, little if anything aside from clothing and bed- clothing having been taken. A sickening stench almost drove them from the house. The trap-door in the back room was raised, and it was dis- covered that in the hole beneath was clotted blood which produced the stench. The house was removed from where it stood, but nothing further was found under it. In a garden near by a depression was noticed, and upon digging down the body of Dr. York was found buried, head down- ward, his feet being scarcely covered. His skull was smashed in, and his throat cut from ear to ear. On farther search seven more bodies were found, all of whom, except one, were afterwards identified by their friends, viz. : Loucher and his little girl, seven or eight years old, buried in one S8 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. hole; William Boyle, McCrattj-, Brown, and McKenzie. The other body was never identified. It is altogether probable that other parties were murdered, whose bodies were never found. From the victims the Benders seem to have procured, as far as it was afterwards ascertained, about the following money and property : From Boyle, SI, 900; from McCratty, $2,600; from Brown, $37, a team of horses and a wagon; from McKenzie, 40 cents; from Loucher, $38 and a good team and wagon ; from Dr. York, $10, a pony and saddle. A part of the property which they had disposed of was afterwards recognized and restored to the friends of the murdered men. Those who attempted to follow the Benders became satisfied of the following facts: They took the train at Thayer and all went as far as Chanute, where John and Kate got off and took the M. K. & T. train south, on which they went to Red river, in the Indian Territory, which was then the terminus of the road. Here they were subsequently joined by the old folks, who seemed to have gone to St. Louis after John and Kate left them at Chanute. Detectives thought they were able to trace their wanderings through Texas and New Mexico. Parties supposed to be the Benders were appre- hended in many parts of the country, and several were brought back to this county for identification, who proved to have little if any resem- blance to this butcher gang. Two women, supposed to be the old woman and Kate, were arrested in Michigan in 1890, and brought to this county on requisition. On habeas corpus proceedings they were released, the court being satisfied that they were not the Benders. However, some parties who were well acquainted with the Bender family still assert that these were the real Bender women. Several parties who lived near the Benders were supposed to be implicated with them in their crimes, and some of them were arrested, but on examination they were discharged, there not being sufficient evidence to hold them for trial. One or two of those thus arrested brought suit for false imprisonment, and obtained a verdict for a small amount as damages. VIGILANCE COMMITTEE. Members of this organization claim that it was formed at Luray, Clark county. Mo., in September, 18(33, by persons living along the borders of Iowa and Missouri, to protect themselves from horse-stealing and other crimes, and that from there the organization spread to other parts, and among them to Kansas. I am not interested in tracing its origin, but as a matter of public history it should probably be said that on one or two occasions they have made something of a stir in our county. In August, 1872, a secret organization of many of the citizens in the CRIMIXAL MATTERS. SO" western part of the county attempted to relieve the county of the pres- ence of a few parties who were then residing there, among them William M. Rogers, John Kramer, W. D. McBride, and W. H. Carpenter. These parties were visited at night by masked men and warned to leave the comity within a limited time. Some of them for a time disappeared in answer to this, but it was not long until the better-thinking portion of the community made its sentiments felt, and the proposition to have men's right to live there determined by a secret council was shown to be too unpopular to succeed. It was deemed best to allow people who were charged with objectionable practices to have a fair chance for vindicating themselves before any summary proceedings were taken to require them to disappear. On September 9, 1874, delegates from this and several adjoining coun- ties met at Stover school-house, in Fairview township, in grand council. The names of several of our prominent citizens, and some of them among the most respectable and conservative, were connected with this meetiug, and with the organization as then perfected. The business of the meet- ing was of course secret, but a series of resolutions was passed and given to the papers for publication. The tone of these resolutions indicates that the organization was assuming prerogatives which did not belong to any private organization, whether open or secret. It is quite likely that the organization has accomplished some good as an aid to the civil offi- cers in taking up and driving from our borders bauds of men engaged in larceny and other illegal transactions, and possibly for these services some of its utterances may be overlooked which cannot be justified. There have been a number of instances in the history of the county in which some of these secret organizations have played quite a conspicuous part in the settlement of criminal transactions, the facts in reference to- which I have not within my control, and therefore in reference to them I will not attempt to speak ; but It may be said that this county has probably been as free from transactions which cannot claim the sanction of law as has any county in a new State. CITIZENS' PEOTECTIVE ASSOCIATION. In 1879 there were various local organizations formed for the ]nirpose of aiding each other in resisting payment of what they claimed to be illegal obligations. Their contention was that they had made loans through loan agents representing Eastern capitalists, and that as the loan was not made until the application was received in New York and ac- cepted by the money-lenders there, and ^the notes were made payable in New York, it became a New York contract : and as the notes bore a rate 90 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUXTY. of interest greater than was allowed by the law of New York, they were absolutely void under those laws. They received some encouragement in the way of legal counsel in the position they had taken, and some few efforts were made to defeat actions which were commenced for the col- lection of these notes. But the move was not as popular with the mass of the people as the leaders in it supposed it would be, and never re- sulted in anything more than expense to those engaged in it. A county organization was formed early in its history, of which J. B. Graham of Jacksonville was president, A. J. Robertson of Oswego vice-president, J. A. Robeson of Ripon secretary, J. W. Breidenthal of Ripou corresponding secretary, J. O. McKee of Parsons treasurer, T. P. Lane of Labette City marshal. These names are given as published at the time in the county papers. It is probable that the object of the organization was somewhat broader than here stated, but it was short lived, and is only mentioned as one of the incidents showing the tendency of public opinion on matters of finance and political economy. MISHAPS. lu eveiy community during a course of years there are more or less occurrences which are generally regarded as misfortunes, some of which are the result of accidents and some of carelessness or mismanagement. Of these there have been quite a number in the history of the county. A few of these have either come under my own observation, or the knowl- edge of them has come to me while searching for facts on other subjects. 1 have made no effort to obtain this class of facts, but think it will not be out of place to mention a few of those about which I have learned. On August 31, 1868, C. A. Kelso and Augustus Melvin, while crossing the Neosho in a skiff above the mill-dam at Oswego, ran into a drift which carried them over the dam; Mr. Kelso succeeded in getting to shore, but Mr. Melvin was drowned. On September 18, 1869, the boiler to the saw-mill engine located on Big Hill creek, in Osage township, burst, and killed Messrs. Waymire and Worley, two of the proprietors. On April 20, 1870, Wm. Patterson and Henry Bodine were examining a revolver in a street near the Oswego House. The revolver was acci- dentally discharged by Mr. Patterson and Mr. Bodine was instantly killed. The deceased was at the time under-sheriff, and his death caused a good deal of annoyance in reference to official papers, as well as trouble to his family. In June, 1870, some parties came to the office of Dr. J. H. Lane, in Elston, in the night-time, and desired him to go several miles in the country to see a sick child. He lighted a lamp to dress by, but it was almost at once blown out, either by a gust of wind or by the parties in the room. He became unconscious. The last that he remembered in reference to this transaction was that he was on his horse going some- where — he knew not where. When he awoke to consciousness again he found himself in Missouri, and learned that several weeks' time had elapsed since he left his home. When he left he had quite a large sum of money on his person, most of which was gone when he found himself in Missouri. He was never able to give any account of the cause for his loss of consciousness, nor to intelligently trace his wanderings. (91) 92 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. Only a week or two after the mysterious disappearance of Dr. Lane, the County Surveyor, E. G. Davidson, living near Daytonville, mys- teriously disappeared, and some time thereafter found himself in Oregon. He was never able to give any more satisfactory account of his trip than was Dr. Lane of his. After an absence of a few months Mr. Davidson and Dr. Lane both returned to their homes. In the summer of 1871 old Mr. Hart with his little daughter were at- tempting to cross Pumpkin creek, at Duncan's ford ; the creek was very high, but so strong was Hart's belief that he would not die until the sec- ond coming of Christ that he drove in, and he and his daughter as well as the team were drowned. In the fall of 1871 two children of Wm. Chatfield, in the north part of Mount Pleasant township, were burned to death. While the parents were both away from home, the boys, aged about four and six years, got some matches and were playing prairie fire. The mother, who was at a neighbors, saw the fire, and started home. The children got into a hen- house built of hay, and shut the door ; the fire caught into this, and in spite of the mother's efforts the children were burned beyond recognition before they could be rescued. On March 13, 1872, C. B. Pratt, postmaster at Ripon, was found dead in the road between his home and Chetopa, he having fallen from his wagon and been run over by one of the wheels. In May, 1878, a family came into Oswego and located in the east part of town, and almost immediately a part of the family broke out with small-pox ; several members died of the disease. About the middle of December, 1880, while Richard Sloan was paint- ing the Frisco House, at Oswego, he fell from the scaffold and was killed. In April, 1881, Alexander Bishop lost a number of head of stock from hydrophobia, and a few months after that some twenty-three head near Edna had to be killed on account of the same malady. In the summer of 1881 quite a large number of cattle in different parts of the county died from hydrophobia. On September 20, 1881, the boiler of a locomotive on the M. K. & T. exploded near the residence of Ben Roberts, and killed the engineer and fireman and also two other engineers who were running with them, and tore the freight train almost to pieces. On December 12, 1881, while W. P. Wilson and his son Thomas J. were crossing Pumpkin creek, the water in which was then very high, their wagon capsized and young Mr. Wilson was drowned. On May 13, 1882, a locomotive on the M. K. & T., while stopping at Oswego, by some means got started while both the engineer and fireman MISHAPS. 93 were in the depot getting orders. It ran a mile or two north, where it collided with a passenger train and smashed both engines, but killed no one. On Jnly 24; 1883, Edgar Stonecipher, a little son of Mrs. Sallie J. Stonecipher, died of hydrophobia. A little play dog had a few days be- fore that made a scratch on his hand, which was not at the time thought sufficient to be at all dangerous, but from the effects of which the boy died. During the high water of June and July, 1885, travel over the Labette bottom above Parsons had to be by boat. On July 2d, Master Mechanic W. E. Phillips, having Chester Jones and T. Fox in the boat with him, was drawn into a current, and all were drowned. In July, 1886, the boiler of the National Mills, at Parsons, exploded, and caused a great destruction of property. In July, 188(3, a family of movers stopped just before crossing the bridge north of Oswego, and for some cause their team commenced back- ing and backed the wagon off the bluff to the right. The mother was badly injured and a little boy had his leg broken. In April, 1892, the barn of William Kollenberger, of Elm Grove town- ship, was struck by lightning. Five horses and two cattle were killed, and the barn, with its contents of tools, grain, etc., burned. WEATHEK. 1865. — Fore part of the seasou pleasant. July 4th, Neosho higher thaD has ever been known at any time clown to 1885. Fall pleasant. Stock did well during winter, grazing on river bottom. 1866. — About usual weather up to May. June wet; all the streams were overflowing. What little crop was planted did well where it was not killed by overflow. In September the grasshoppers came in great numbers, and ate up everything that was green, completely filling the earth with their eggs. Fall and winter very mild. 1867. — January and February were very warm; the leaves were started in February, and grasshoppers' eggs were hatching this month. March was disagreeable, and colder than either of the winter months; it froze hard, and the young grasshoppers were all killed ; they gave no trouble that seasou. Crops were not planted until the last of April. May and June pleasant. Latter part of June and July extremely wet ; ground too wet to get on it with machines ; grain had to be cut with cradles; streams overflowed. Very dry during the fall; streams got very low. A little cold weather during December. 1868. — There was considerable cold weather during January, the ther- mometer indicating 3 or 4 degrees below zero, and the ice on the Neosho being six to eight inches thick; the cold extended into the fore part of February. February was milder; some corn planted the last of the month made a good crop. A few showers during the fore part of March ; snow and hail storms about the middle ; it was a very windy month. Corn was generally planted about the first of April ; cattle turned out to grass about the 10th. Several good showers during May. June was very dry, grass injured; corn badly damaged by hot and dry weather; harvest commenced about the last of June. The middle of July the thermometer ranged from 110 to 115. The latter part of August was the first time the ground had been soaking wet for a year. September, heavy rains ; streams overflowed. Wheat-sowing took place in October. Middle of November the ground was frozen. Latter part of November and fore part of December severe sleet and snow-storm, and the same during the latter part of December. (94) WEATHER. 95 1869.— January and Febniary were mild and wet; the Neosho was over-bank ; cattle did well on the range with little or no feed. February 25th was the coldest day. of the winter; thermometer 5 degrees below zero; little snow during the winter. March was windy, rainy and dis- agreeable ; cattle turned on the range the first of April. Corn mostly planted the latter part of April. Plenty of garden truck the latter part of May and fore part of June ; frequent rains during June. Wheat har- vest commenced the first of July. August was dry and hot. Plenty of rains during the fall. Snow the 16th of November, and December 10th it fell to the depth of fourteen inches. 1870.— There were several cold days in January, but no extremely cold weather; several slight snows during January and February. February pleasant. Quite a hard snow on the 12th of March ; the last of March a good rain, which was the first hard rain during the spring. On April 16th there was a hard frost which cut down the corn and potatoes. Wheat harvest commenced about the middle of June ; latter part of June and fore part of July very hot. Latter part of July aud fore part of Au- gust hot and dry ; heavy rains the latter part of August. The fall very seasonable. High water during the latter part of October. Several inches of snow the latter part of December. 1871.— January 1st was pleasant; lettuce was growing in the gardens large enough to eat; January 12th to 15th heavy snow-storms; ex- tremely cold ; snow fifteen inches deep. February 3d a heavy rain, ac- companied by wind. April 21st heavy frost, which killed grass and fruit. Last week of June was very warm ; thermometer stood at 90 to 104 degrees; wheat harvest commenced the 1st of June. On the 1st of July a good rain fell. August and September were dry. November 13th, the first freeze ; 18th, first snow. December cold, with little snow. 1872.— January cold, but generally pleasant ; 7th, fourteen inches of snow. February 1st, sleet and snow. March dry, and w^heat suffering. Middle of May a good rain ; last of May new potatoes were in market. AVheat harvest commenced about the 20th of June. Part of last half of December very cold. 1873.— Fore part of January sleet; snow aud showers during latter part of mouth. February was fine, with showers of rain, and snow. Severe hail-storms during April; one very severe on the 5th ; on the 8th it snowed and sleeted all day ; at night the ground was covered with snow to the depth of four inches. During May and June there were heavy raius; Neosho river overflowed; harvest commenced about the 20th of June. August was very dry. 1874.— January pleasant, little snow or cold. Season all that could ■96 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. be desired for crops up to July. Chinch-bugs work ou wheat some this year ; harvest commenced about June 10th. July and August extremely hot; corn greatly injured; in August grasshoppers came. November 18th a sleet, and first freeze. 1875. — January was cold, but little snow. More snow in February. Oats sown about the 10th of March. Corn planting commenced about the 1st of April, and continued until June ou account of two crops being eaten off by the grasshoppers. 1876. — Opened with a hard rain ; no snow during January; weather cold, but not severe. No snow in February and considerable cold weather. March 19th, ten inches of snow on the ground, and the weather cold. Year closed with a cold spell and hard snow-storm. 1877. — Fore part of January sleet and snow and weather somewhat cold, but generally the month was pleasant. During February and March there was much rain and roads muddy. Heavy rains in April and May. The fore part of May Professor Riley was in the county investigating grasshoppers; the eggs were then hatching. June 5th to 8th heavy rains and streams at high-water mark ; houses on bottoms surrounded with water, corn crop washed out; June 28th one of the hardest rains €ver known, accompanied by wind and hail. This season the corn was replanted two and in some instances three times. There was plenty of rain during July and August. November 8th wind and snow. Decem- ber was wet and muddy ; no snow during the latter part. 1878. — January generally wet; roads muddy; wheat looked fine. February continued wet, but generally pleasant. In May the Neosho river overflowed ; boats used for travel on the bottom-lauds ; many fami- lies had to leave their homes and go to higher grounds ; the San Francisco track was washed out ; the streams were all out of bank. During June it rained almost incessantly ; the ground too wet to harvest with machines ; wheat cutting commenced about the 6th of June ; most of it had to be cut with cradles ; much of it was lost because of inability to get on the ground to harvest. Latter part of July and August were dry and hot. No frost until the 1st of December ; about the middle of December heavy sleet ; December 17th and following, Neosho frozen over — ice six to eight inches thick. 1879. — The first part of January was cold, with six inches of snow on the ground ; more snow during the latter part of the mouth. New pota- toes in market about the middle of May. Wheat-cutting commenced June 10th ; rain during the latter part of June. July and fore part of August hot ; some fine rains. Good rains about the middle of August. The grasshoppers create a scare in September, but do no great amount WEATHER. 97 of damage. The fall was dry and warm ; November 10th a good rain. The year closed with the ground covered with ice and snow. 1880. — January warm ; very little ice or snow. February, oats were sown and garden made. March was colder than January or February. April 28th, Prof. John Tice visited Oswego and lectured on cyclones: came to make scientific investigation on this subject. Plenty of ram during May and June ; crops look well. Summer very seasonable. Last part of August dry. October 7th, six inches of snow. November 16th, snowed all day, and was snowy and disagreeable until the 20th. Decem- ber 33d, 13 degrees below zero; ice on the Neosho six inches thick. 1881. — Large quantities of ice were taken from the river the fore part of January. February 11th, hard snow-storm; 23 degrees below zero. March, snowy. The summer was generally dry and hot. Rains com- menced about the first of October. November 25th, sleet and ice. 1882. — January warm and muddy during the first part of the month, with cold weather the last part. February, a good deal of rain and little winter. May 12th, sleet and frost. Much rain during May and June. Hot wind in September. Considerable snow in December. 1883. — First part of January, good sleighing and cold weather; Jan- uary 5th, 30 degrees below zero; the month generally cold, with plenty of ice and snow. Fore part of February, a severe storm. The streams were all frozen from Christmas of 1882 up the middle of February ; gen- erally frozen to the bottom, so that it was difficult to get stock-water; February 14th, ice commenced breaking up ; latter part of February, rained so that by the opening of March roads were almost impassable. Spring was very cold and backward. June w^as very hot; 14th, the streams were out of their banks. Good rains during July. November 12th, a hard freeze. December 3, five inches of snow, and more snow during latter part of the month. 1884. — January 1st, five degrees below zero; ground covered with snow ; January 3d, fifteen to twenty degrees below zero ; January one of the most disagreeable months for years. February was also wet and dis- agreeable ; February 12th, one of the very hardest sleets ever experienced in this part of the country ; many trees broken down. Spring did not really open until about the middle of March. May 1st, river high. Plenty of rain all summer. December 11th, snow storm; latter half of the month cold. 1885. — First part of January rainy ; 23d, six inches of snow fell. February mostly cold, with considerable snow ; March 17th, ground cov- ered with snow, weather cold. This year was noted for its floods, no less than three occurring during the season. Heavy rains during April — 7 98 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. resulted in all the streams rising almost, if not quite, as high as had ever before been known ; by the 22d of the month all of the bottom lands were submerged and crops destroyed; fences were washed away, and very much stock was drowned. On May 8th there was a slight freeze, and snow; corn was re-planted, and very largely injured by the web- worm. In the latter part of June the rain again set in, and by the open- ing of July the bottom was a second time entirely overflowed, this time the water being several inches higher than had ever before been known ; families had to be brought out of the bottom to save them from perish- ing ; many hundred acres of wheat that had been cut was washed away, and all crops that had been planted on the bottom lands were ruined ; railway tracks in many places were entirely under water, and all trains were for a time stopped. On the San Francisco road, east of Oswego, a train-load of cattle was attempting to cross, but was stopped at the Neosho river bridge because of its dangerous condition, and before it could back up to high ground a large section of embankment had become washed away, leaving the train standing in the middle of a lake several miles in width. An attempt was made to drive out a part of the stock ; a number of them were drowned, and for days feed was s^hipped to the remainder of them in boats. Passengers and mail were transported from the east side of the river in boats for a number of days ; freight ship- ments were completely blocked. The third overflow this season occurred in September, and while the water did not reach the height of either of the other two, yet all of the bottom land was inundated, and all crops thereon were destroyed. October and November were so muddy that farmers could hardly get into the fields to gather corn ; in the middle of November the ground was frozen, and several inches of snow. Decem- ber 25th, ten degrees below zero. 1886. — January opened warm; damp and a little snow the first few days ; several days of quite cold weather about the middle of the month : moderate the last half. Quite a snow-storm the first of February, but the month was generally pleasant. March was a cold mouth ; several snow-storms and little spring weather until the last of the month. April and May were pleasant and seasonable months. July was a hot month. December opened and closed with cold weather ; the thermometer stand- ing several degrees below zero most of the month. 1887. — January and February pleasant; little snow and no very cold weather. March cold and quite a snow at the close of the month. July dry and hot. Good rains during August. November 10th first freeze ; latter part of the mouth cold. December moderate and little snow. 1888. — A few cold days during January, but most of the month pleas- WEATHER. 99 ant. February somewhat colder. Little spring weather imtil the middle of March ; March 28th ground covered with snow. July very hot ; corn damaged. November 10th the first snow. December a little snow ; weather generally moderate. 1889. — January quite wet; little cold. Latter part of February six inches of snow and several cold days. March and fore part of April damp and cold. July hot. December a very pleasant month. 1890. — January 7th sleet and snow-storm; latter part of the month and first part of February very pleasant. Considerable cold weather dur- ing latter part of February and fore part of March. April dry. May 16th a hard frost. June and July extremely hot and dry. Good rains in August; August 17th a severe hail and electrical storm. September was cold. October 27th the first freeze. November wet and cold. Decem- ber 7th eight inches of ice and snow ; latter part of December mild. 1891. — Fore part of January cold ; most of the month mild. Febru- ary wet and very cold. March 7th snow storm. Spring backward. June, river banks full. Fall dry and hot. Wheat could not be gotten in until latter part of October and fore part of November. November 12th quite a hard freeze ; latter part of November and December pleasant and mild. 1893. — Severe snow during January; little weather that was very cold. Middle of March quite cold, and considerable snow. Spring back- ward ; oats not sown until April. Heavy rains in May ; streams up. Latter part of June wet weather interfered with harvesting. August and September dry. Wheat generally sown about the last of October. November, good rains ; month pleasant. December generally damp, cloudy and chilly, but no very cold weather till Christmas evening, when it turned cold and so continued for several days ; several slight snows during the month, but not enough at any time to make sleighing. Year closed with very little snow on ground, and ground slightly frozen. L.orc. STORMS. 1871. — July 10th, hard wind followed by rain, at Parsons. August 37th, hard wind-storm at Chetopa; several houses blown down (among them Lockwood's house, four miles west) ; tornado from northwest to southeast over Elm Grove and other townships ; over 20 houses badly damaged and several completely destroyed; Mrs. Scott and child, in Howard township, killed ; one man had arm broken ; Alfred Swope's house all blown to pieces ; Mat. Sharp's house, with 16 in it, blown over. 1873. — Night of April 5th hail-storm broke out all window lights in west side of buildings in Oswego. May 23d storm at Jacksonville blew down several buildings and killed seven persons. 1877. — June 6th wind-storm at Chetopa blew down chimneys, tore off roofs, etc. June 18th, one of the hardest rains ever known, accompanied by wind and hail. August 18th, cyclone, water-spout, and hail-storm, from southwest to northeast, between Chetopa and Oswego. 1878. — March 1st, cyclone between Labette and Parsons; J. M. Wil- son's large barn picked up, carried some distance, and demolished ; E. Wells's barn, in North township, blown to pieces; picked his house up and put it down some two rods away ; demolished R. Kimball's barn ; took his house from foundation and turned it around ; blew down stone building for E. H. Taylor. June 6th, tornado over Labette City, which demolished the school-house and did some other damage. 1879. — May 30th, severe wind-and-rain storm at Chetopa ; signs blown down, etc. June 14th another hard wind-storm, from west to east, over southern portion of county, partly removed Kingston Presbyterian church from foundation, and blew in one or two buildings in Chetopa. July — wind blew down east span of Chetopa bridge, then in process of erection. 1880. — April 2d,' severe hail-storm in Walton, and also in northern part of county generally. May 8th, small cyclone west of Chetopa dam- aged W. E. Liggett's kitchen and orchard. December 11th, severe rain- and-wind storm at Chetopa ; partly removed Catholic church from its foundation ; also other buildings. 1881. — September 29th, a small tornado in Oswego scattered some of Sharp's lumber, blew down Tuttle's porch, etc. (100) STORMS. ^Q-^ 1883.— May 13th, a cycloue from the Territory came iu west of Cecil, blew Cecil M. E. church to pieces, throwing the capstones to the win- dows through the air, but leaving Bible and hymn-book untouched on the box used for a pulpit ; blew M. U. Ramsburg's house to atoms, partly tore down other buildings, and uprooted trees. The storm occurred about 6 p. M., just after church was out. At the same time both houses at Fishkill were reported to have been torn down. 1884.— July 2d, tornado blew Cecil church to atoms ; destroyed houses, barns, grain ; heavy hall. 1885.— September 11th, hail-storm at Parsons and vicinity. MXJISriCIPAL TOWNSHIPS. While we were still a part of Neosho county we were recognized by its authorities as being of sufficient importance to be provided with at least apparent municipal privileges. The first official record which I have found, directly tending to give us these privileges, was made March 6, 1865, by the Commissioners of Neosho county, at which time, in di- viding the county iu:o municipal townships, they formed Mission town- ship, and made it embrace all south of Canville township as far south as the county line, and established Osage Mission as the voting-place of the township. By this order of the Commissioners the southern part of Neosho county, and all of what is now Labette county, was embraced in one township, with Osage Mission as the headquarters thereof. The next official action affecting our municipal affairs was made by the Commis- sioners of Neosho county on July 2, 1866, the record of which is as fol- lows : "On motion, it was resolved that the south line of Mission township shall be designated as follows : By a line running due east and west across three miles due south of Osage Catholic Mission. "On motion, it was resolved that there be a township organized to be called Lincoln township, and to be bounded as by a line running due east and west from a point two miles north of the mouth of Hickory creek across the county, on the north by Mission township, on the east by the county line, and on the west by the county line. Place of voting. Trot- ter's ford, on the Neosho river, at Patterson's store. "On motion, it was resolved that there be a new township organized south of Lincoln township, to be called Grant township, bounded as fol- lows : On the north by Lincoln township, on the east by county line, and on the south by line running due east and west from Reaves's mill-site on the Neosho river, on the west by county line. Place of voting, Montana. "On motion, it was resolved that there be a new township organized south of Grant township, to be called Labette township ; said township to be bounded as follows ; On the north by the south line of Grant town- ship, on the east by county line, on the south by county line, on the west by county line. Place of voting, J. S. Steel's house." (102) MUNICIPAL TOWNSHIPS. 103 This provision made a strip something over a mile in width of what is now Labette county a part of Lincoln township, and the remainder of Labette county was divided into Grant and Labette townships. Before the organization of Labette county the Governor appointed two justices of the peace: one, George Bennett, residing at Montana; and the other, C. H. Talbot, residing at Oswego. From the record in the office of the Secretary of State, it would seem that two orders were made for the appointment of Mr. Bennett — one on May 15, and the other on June 8, 1866. I do not know what was the cause of this. On July 3, 1866, the Commissioners of Neosho county approved Mr. Bennett's bond as justice of the peace, which made him the first legally qualified civil officer residing in what is now Labette county. Mr. Talbot was appointed vSeptember 24, 1866. and probably qualified soon thereafter, although I have not the date of his qualification. Upon the appointment of the Commissioners for the organization of the county, before calling an election, they divided the county into nine precincts : four in range 21, the south one of which they named Chetopa : three in the central part of the county, designated North, Labette and Hackberry ; and two in the western part, which they designated Timber Hill (or possibly Big Hill, as Mr. Dickerman, then County Clerk, says), and Pumpkin Creek. However, this name is not given at all in any record we now have, but in the first reference to this part of the coimty in the Commissioners' proceedings, it is called Canada. Of the division thus made there was no change until November 21, 1867, excepting to more definitely organize Timber Hill and Canada townships. The only change subsequently made was to divide some of these townships and create new municipalities. NEOSHO TOWNSHIP. The settlement of this township commenced in the summer of 1865. I have found no one who knows the date of the first settlement, nor even who the first settler was. Much of the information from which this ac- count is made is derived from James W. Galyen, who settled on the south half of section 8, township 31, range 21, December 2.5, 1865. When he came there were already along the riv^r several families, all of whom had come that fall and winter ; so that it may be safely said that the settle- ment of the township did not commence prior to September of that year. It is probable that the first settlers in the township were a company who came from Texas, composed of a Jones family and a Cox family, each con- taining quite a number of individuals, and some others. They seemed to have been on their way north, without any very definite point of destina- 104 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. tion in view, and were camping along the river in this township, allow- ing their stock to feed, when they heard of the proposed treaty with the Osages and concluded to locate there. Among those who were located when Mr. Galyeu came were : Jesse Frye, on section 9 ; a man by the name of John Buck, on the east side of the river; Newton Lowery, on section 5 ; and Mr. Spriggs, on section 16. Mr. Spriggs had a pole shanty on his claim at this time, but never brought his family here, and sold his claim to Asa Rogers. Craig Coffield and Clark Colfield located on section 23, in November; Holland and Baldwin were located on section 4. At the close of 1865 it is probable that there were not to exceed a dozen fam- ilies in the township, and some of these were only there for the purpose of holding the claims until they could get something out of them and then leave. In 1866 many more settlers came in, and nuich was done toward improving the claims taken. Messrs. Brown and Sampson R. Robinson brought a saw-mill from Bourbon county and located it on section 4, in the fall of 1866, and soon had it in operation. This was the first mill in operation in the county, and from it Mr. Gaylen got the first lumber that was made, which he used to make a floor for his cabin. All the cabins up to this time had nothing but dirt floors. Of the settlers who came about this time I may mention William Logan, who came early in 1866. He ran a blacksmith-shop at Jacksonville; was the first trustee of the township, having been elected at the election in April, 1867, and was elected County Commissioner in the fall of 1867, and figured quite largely in the local affairs in that part of the county. Nathan Ames came in latter part of 1866, and settled on sections 16 and 17, and at once became one of the leading spirits in the new settlement. Messrs. Pringle and Marguad settled on section 21 the same fall. CELEBRATIONS. On July 4, 1866, the first celebration in that part of the county was held, in Kenney's grove on the northwest quarter of section 23. All the settlers in that part of the county gathered here to see each other and participate in the celebration. Dr. Thurman, who lived on section 23, read the Declaration of Independence. On July 4, 1867, another cele- bration was held, this time in Logan's grove, at which J. F. Bellamy, who had shortly before that time 'moved into the vicinity, gave the ad- dress. RELIGIOUS EXERCISES. A Mr. Owens was located on the northeast quarter of section 5, in 1866. His wife was an enthusiastic worker, and that summer opened in their own house and conducted the first Sunday-school in the township, MUNICIPAL TOWNSHIPS. ^OS- which was coDtiuued until the winter. We have no account of any preaching in the township until 18.^7, when Joseph Rogers, who was a Methodist local preacher living on section 16, west of the river, com- menced holding services at private houses at ditferent points in the town- ship. After the school-house in district 16 was completed. Rev. Jackson Statton commenced preaching there, and continued for some time to hold services. SCHOOLS. The first school in the township was taught by Mrs. Abigail Ames, wife of Samuel Ames, in their own house on the northwest quarter of section 14, in the spring of 1868. That fall E. H. Taylor commenced teaching school in a house on section 5, and finished in the log school-house which the citizens turned out and constructed that fall. In this school-house, as soon as it was finished, a literary society was organized, of which Mr! Taylor was president, and at the meetings nearly all the people in that part of the county were present. IXDIAXS. West of the Neosho river on both sides of the county line, partly in section 5 in this county, partly in Neosho county, was situated one of White Hair's towns. This was abandoned about the time the white set- tlers commenced coming in here. About one hundred graves could be counted on this site, in some of which the frame of the occupant was still sitting and well preserved. The burying was done by piling stones over the lower extremities, leaving the body in a sitting posture, and then pil- ing up stones around it. When the settlers came here they found the remains of an old building on section 4, the posts still standing, giving evidence that at some prior time the Catholics from the Mission had probably had a station. The mile-posts between the Cherokee Neutral Lands and the Osage Reservation were still standing as they had been placed there by the surveyors when the lines had been run. INCIDENTS. T. D. G. Marquad and Mary Buck were married, it is said, in April, 1866 ; if this is correct, it must have been the first marriage in the county after the war. In May, 1866, Mr. and xMrs. Hampton had born to them twins, named John and Mary. ORGAXIZATIOX. There has been no change in the boundary of the east tier of townships from the time of their organization. They were all laid off by the Com- missioners appointed for the organization of the county, prior to the first 106 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. electiou. There is no record of their orgauization prior lo November 21, 1867, wheu the whole coimty was laid off into townships, at which time it was declared, "Neosho township No. 1 shall include town 31, R. 21." Two voting precincts have been maintained in the township almost from its organization — one on the east and the other on the west side of the Neosho. There is no record showing who were elected officers in April, 1867, but on October 23, 1867, the resignation of John W. Ankron as justice of the peace is accepted, and the record subsequentlj- shows J. B. Graham to be one of the justices of the peace. On January 14, 1868, *'It is hereby ordered, that the office of township trustee in Neosho township be declared vacant, as the present holder of said office has been elected to a county office." This evidently refers to William Logan, who had been elected and qualified as one of the County Commissioners, and it is safe to say he was the trustee elected in April, 1867. On the day on which the office was declared vacant as above, Anthony Amend was ap- pointed to fill the vacancy. For some reason which 1 do not know, no election was held in this township in April, 1868, and the following offi- cers were appointed by the Commissioners: Anthony Amend, trustee; N. H. Hopkins, clerk; S. K. Robinson, treasurer; J. B. Thurmau and William Fish, justices of the peace; John Summers and Noah Frye, con- stables ; John Radfield, road overseer. BRIDGES. The officers of this township were the first to take steps toward bridg- ing the streams. The action of the trustee created a good deal of dis- satisfaction. It was claimed that a "job was put up" by which a large amount of money was to be paid by the township and received by some one for inferior bridges. A tax ol \% mills was levied in 1868 for build- ing bridges. NORTH TOWNSHIP. In the spring of 1866 a firm of millers at lola sent some teams loaded with flour and meal down the Neosho, to sell to the settlers along the river. Two teams came into what is now Labette county, and on their return made such a favorable report of the county that several in that vicinity, and some connected with the mill, came down. Among these -were Messrs. Carr, McBride, Wells, Ballentine, and Smith ; the latter settled at the junction of the Big and Little Labette, and put up a small shanty. Mr. Ballentine paid Mr. Smith $60 for this claim, which took in most of the timber at this point. Just previous to this Zack Fultz had laid a foundation on a claim adjoining this on the east, and when the survey was made, the improvements of the two claims were found to be MUXICIPAL TOIVXSHIPS. 107 on the same quarter. Mr. Fultz paid Mr. Ballentiue S200 for his im- provements, and got the claim. Mr. Ballentine then bought Mr. Hart's claim, on section 36, where he settled and made his home. Mr. Hart then moved over to the Labette, in Liberty township, just below the mouth of Bachelor creek. Fred Latham settled on section 27, and his father-in-law, Mr. Keys, upon a claim just west of the creek. About the same time William Tolen settled in the northern part of the township, and gave the name to a little stream, "Tolen Branch." In July. 1867, the following settlements were made : Albert Porter and W. H. Porter, on section 20; Wm. Fultz, on section 17; Abraham Cary. on section 18; John Kendall, on section 19. SAW Mii.r.. In the fall of 1868 Moses Steel and his brother Len Steel brought a saw mill and put it in the forks of the Little and Big Labette, and had it in operation early in 1869. In June, 1869, Abraham Cary brought from Lawrence the first reaper and mower that was had in this part of the county. ORGANIZATIOX. Originally North township included its present territory and also the east half of what is Walton township, and on November 21, 1807, in re-forming the townships, the Commissioners ordered that '"North town- ship No. 7 shall include town 31, R. 19, 20," and it continued with these bounds until Walton township was detached. There seems to have been no election held in this township in April, 1867, at the time when the first county and township officers were elected. On October 4th an order was made by the Commissioners for an election to be held for township officers in this township at the November election following. At this time the following officers were elected; Samuel Ballentine, trustee; William Scott and David B. Stevens, justices of the peace; James M. Clayton and D. W. Reed, constables; and John Steward, road super- visor. These were the first township officers. There is no record of either clerk or treasurer being elected at this time. On April 7, 1868, the following officers were elected: Samuel Ballentire, trustee; J. D. Keys, clerk; F. W. Latham, treasurer; William Porter and A. Medkiff, justices of the peace; William Fultz and Oscar Knowles, constables; and Z. Fultz, road overseer. In April, 1869, H. Siugelton was elected trustee, and Samuel Ballentine treasurer. By some arrangement made at the time, which does not appear of record, Mr. Ballentine, instead of taking the office of treasurer, was continued as trustee for another year. 108 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. WALTON TOWNSHIP. The first settler in Waltou township was Jefferson Davis, who came in June, 18G6, and located on the southeast quarter of section 22. In Au- gust of that year the Weekly family, consisting of Luther, Perry, John, and Mary, located on section 17, and David Edwards on the northeast quarter of section 23. In the spring of 1867 Merrit Mason came, and bought the northeast quarter of section 17 from Mr. Weekly, and thereon made his home. In the fall of 1866 John Collins settled on the southeast quarter of section 36. Perhaps during these years there may have been a few other settlers along the Little Labette, but if so I have not learned the names of such. In 1869 the township received a large number of settlers. On May 1st Nelson Parker settled on the southwest quarter of section 27, and about the middle of May J. A. Jones settled on the north- east quarter of section 26 ; not far from the same time Alexander Abies and William Abies on the east half of section 29, George T. Waltou on section 16, J. M. Gregory on section 26. W. A. Disch, E. P. Emery, S. R. Hill, John Parker, C. C. Kinuison and R. P. Clark were all there before the opening of 1870 ; and on February 5, 1870, S. B. Shafer settled on the southwest quarter of section 21. CATHOLIC SETTLEMENT. During the summer of 1869 quite a large number of Catholics settled in the northern part of the township, and have ever since been among the most thrifty and progressive settlers of that vicinity. ORGANIZATION. Walton township was a part of North township as originally consti- tuted. An order of the Commissioners was made on April 6, 1870, on the petition of G. T. Walton, M. S. Mason, T. O'Conner, and some fifty other electors, for the organization of township 31, range 19, into a mu- nicipal township to be called AValton, and the following officers were appointed: Merrit S. Mason, trustee; A. C. Perkins, clerk; Timothy O'Conner, treasurer; Jason Luncinford, constable. On account of ill- health Mr. Mason was granted permission to appoint a deputy to assist in performing the duties of trustee. OSAGE TOWNSHIP. The settlement of what is now Osage township dates from-the fall of 1866. The first person to locate within the present bounds of this town- ship was Thomas May and family, who settled upon the northwest quar- ter of section 5, township 32, range 18, in September, 1866, where he MUNICIPAL TOWNSHIPS. 109 died the following year. There being no himber in that locality, the neighbors sawed up a wagon-bed and made a coffin in which to bury him. The next settler was Milton A. Buckles, who came December 3, 1866, and settled on the northwest quarter of section 33. Isaac Vance located with his family on the southeast quarter of section 29, township 31, range 18, on which he died, in 1870. Harvey Beggs settled on the southeast quarter of section 7, township 32, range 18, and after living on it several >ears moved away in 1871. Solomon Adams and family resided on the northwest quarter of section 6, township 32, range 18, till 1870, when he moved away. On the southeast (luarter of this same section Harvey Waymire made his home, and put up the first saw-mill in the township in May, 18()9. In the fall of 1869 the engine with which the saw-mill was run exploded, and killed Mr. Waymire and Mr. Worley. In 1867 many settlers came in, of whom I will mention a few. Felix Ollphant, John Oliphant, Frank Laberdy, John Frost, Thomas J. Vance, George Vance, W. H. Carpenter, J. H. Dienst, Jacob D. Dick, Henry Griffith and Alexander W. King are among those who that year helped to develop the county. Of those who came in 1868, F. M. Webb, W. H. Webb, J. H. Beatty, J. A. Newman, W. M. Rogers and Leroy F. Dick may be mentioned as active promoters of the general spirit of enterprise. William A. 8tarr, William Dick, J. L. Jaynes, John Carson, C. J. Darling, P. B. Darling, J. S. Masters, J. B. Swart, Jacob Warner, John Robinson, W. H. Thorne, G. W. Blake and W. W. Blake settled in 1869 and 1870, and each added a fair share to the prosperity and development of the township. Did I know all the settlers and were 1 acquainted with all the facts, others might probably be mentioned who are as worthy as any whom I have named; but these are named as a fair sample of those who first settled and developed this northwest corner of the county. FIRST SCHOOL. Mrs. Elizabeth A. King, who with her husband, A. W. King, had set- tled on the southwest quarter of sectioa 28, township 31, range 18, in June, 1867, taught the first school in the township, in the summer of 1868, as 1 am told by Mr. King, in their cabin on his claim. It was a free school for the few children then in the neighborhood. CELEBRATION. The first celebration in the township was July 4, 1869, on the north- west quarter of section 29. Milton Buckles read the Declaraticm of Inde- pendence. The day was principally given up to a picnic and social enjoyment. 110 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. RELIGIOUS EXERCISES. In the fall of 1867 the citizens met and put up a log house ou Pleasant May's claim in the bottom on the west side of the creek, on section 5, in township 33, to be used for religious and other gatherings. In this the first Sunday school was organized, in the spring of 1868, with Pleasant May as superintendent. A. W. King was the first preacher in the town- ship. He, with David Stanfield, J. S. Harryman, and Sheldon Parker, of the Methodist church, and J. L. Masters, of the Christian church, dis- pensed the gospel for several years over quite a portion of the new settle- ments in the western part of the county. BUSINESS. The first store in the township was started in 1868, ou the southeast quarter of section 33, township 31, range 18, by Luther Weakly and Frank Laberdy. In the fall of 1869, G. W. and W. W. Blake put in a stock of general merchandise in a building erected on the town-site of Timber Hill, which they continued to deal in till 1871. Dr. Lakius was the first in the township to offer his services as an aid to those desiring relief from physical ailments. He died a number of years ago, but his faithful mule, "Joab,'" it is said, still survives him. In 1869 Dr. Boutillier opened a small drug store, which he ran in connection with his practice. The following letter may be appropriately inserted here : "CoFFEYViLLE, KANSAS, Jan. 18, 1892. '■''Judge Nelson Case, Oswego, Kansas — Dear Sir: I settled in Osage township, Labette county, in the autumn of 1866, in company with Harry Weymire and Isaac Vaucil. There was but one man before us, a Mr. May, who had built his cabin just before our arrival. Others followed fast, and when the spring of 1867 had opened we had quite a settlement ou the Big Hill creek. In July, 1867, I was appointed a committee to visit the Commissioners at Oswego and procure an order for the organi- zation of a municipal township, which was effected at once. I remember well that when I found the Commissioners' court, which I had some trouble in doing, the Commissioners were sitting astraddle of the sleepers in a hewed log house in Oswego. There was neither door, floor, nor windows, the house not being finished at the time. *'The first child born in the township was Rolla Wood, son of Zacha- riah and Matilda Wood. "Our nearest postoffice was Rogers's store, where Chauute now is. We did our milling at Humboldt, and hauled lumber from the Neosho. I believe I am the only survivor of the first settler of Osage township. Yery respectfully yours, Milton A. Buckles." MUNICIPAL TOWNSHIPS. \\l ORGANIZATION. I am not quite sure whether the first name by which this territory was known was Timber Hill or Big Hill township. The Commissioners ap- pointed to organize the county laid off the west part into two precincts, which Mr. Dickerman says were designated Timber Hill and Pumpkin Creek ; but no voting-place was designated in either of them at that time, probably for the reason that there was not a sufficient number of resi- dents to justify the holding an election therein. The first official record we have relating to this township is the order of the Conmiissioners made June 5, 1867, declaring that "Timber Hill township shall include town- ships 31 & 32, range 18, and the west half of townships 31 & 32 of range 19, and as far west as the county line." In this order, as It ap- pears in the original record, written on foolscap paper, the name of the township is first written Big Hill, and aline is drawn through "Big,'* and "Timber" is written above it. On July 1, 1867, it was "Ordered, that a precinct be established at Timber Hill at the residence of Mr. Frank Larberdy, in Timber Hill township, T. 31 & 32, R. 18 & 19." On October 21, 1867, it was "Ordered that Timber Hill township to be changed to Big Hill," and at the same time it was ordered that the vot- ing precinct be changed from Mr. Larberdy's to Mr. Eli Sparks's. The first election in the township was held November 5, 1867, at which the following officers were elected: J. S. Blair, trustee; Isaac Van Sickle and Eli Sparks, justices of the peace; H. Waymire and J. Courtney, constables; Z. C. Wood, road overseer. On November 21, 1867, the Commissioners made an order more definitely fixing and somewhat changing municipal townships, by the provisions of which it was de- clared that "Big Hill township No. 8 shall include town 31 & 32, R. 17 & 18." On April 6, 1868, a petition therefor having been made to the Commissioners, they ordered "That the township commonly known as Big Hill shall hereafter be known in all official transactions as Osage township," and at the same time made an order establishing the south line of Osage township so as to include the north half of township 32, in ranges 17 and 18. AN ORDER NOT ACTED ON. On November 12, 1870, on the petition of Albert Allison and forty-nine other citizens for a division of the west tier of townships into four instead of three, forming a new township out of parts of Osage and Mound Val- ley townships, it was ordered that township 32, ranges 17 and IS, be de- tached from Osage and Mound Valley townships and organized into a municipal township under the name of Big Hill township, for which the following officers were appointed: William Johns, trustee; Albert Alll- 112 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. son, clerk; S. C. Hockett, treasurer. I find no action of the Commis- sioners changing or revoking this order; nevertheless, the order was never acted upon, the officers appointed never qualified, and Osage and Mound Valley townships remained as though no such order had ever been made. STOCK. On May 30, 1871, on the petition of William Dick and sixty-nine others, the Commissioners made an order restraining stock from running at large at night-time for a term of one year. PIONEER ASSOCIATION. On September 17, 1875, the Osage Pioneer Association was organized, with S. C. Hockett as president, Joel Bergess vice-president, W. A. Starr and Lindsey secretaries, and William Dick treasurer. MOUND VALLEY TOWNSHIP. 1866. There were two early settlers in this county who would be in Mound Valley township except for the fact that in 1870 more than two miles of our territory was given to Montgomery county. On June 3, 1866, Mr. Rutherford settled on the northeast quarter of section 4, in township 33 of range 17, and on December 10, 1866, R. M. Bennett, afterwards County Treasurer, settled on the southeast quarter of section 5, in the same township. The first white people to make settlement in Mound Valley township as now constituted were the families of Mr. McCormick and Mr. Court- ney. If anyone was there before them, he left no trace of his habita- tion. Joseph ISIcCormick, with his wife Martha and his son Joseph C, and in company with them John M. Courtney and liis wife Mary, came from Danville, 111., and on July 24, 1866, took their respective claims in this township. Mr. McCormick settled on parts of sections 23 and 24, township 32, range 17, where he made his home until his death, on De- cember 10, 1871, his wife having died the March preceding. Mr. Mc- Cormick lived in his wagon until he could build a log house, which he completed in about two months. He soon brought on a few goods, with which he traded with the Indians for their buffalo meat and such other things as they had to dispose of that he could use. Mr. Courtney settled on a part of section 26, township 32, range 17, which he improved and on which he lived till he moved to Cherryvale, where he now resides. John McMichael came in September, 1866, and settled on the same sec- tion as Mr. Courtney. In November, 1866, Eli Sparks settled on the southeast quarter of section 18, township 32, range 18. MUNICIPAL TO WX SHIPS. 1867. Green L. Canada settled on the northeast quarter of section 17, town- ship 33, range IS, January 12, 1867. William Jones and John M. Stigen- walt came February 20, 1867. Mr. Jones settled on the section with Mr. Courtney and Mr. McMichael, and Mr. Stigenwalt settled on the section with Mr. Sparks, where he lived on a well-improved farm until August 25, 1892, when he died from the effects of a kick by a horse, received the day before. John W. Claspell came in September, 1867. Samuel C. Hockett near that time settled on section 18, together with Mr. Sparks and Mr. Stigenwalt, while his daughter, Josie Hockett, took a claim north of him, on section 7, in Osage township. 1868. J. G. Penix settled on the northwest quarter of section 25, township 32, range 17, on April 8, 1868, where he lived for fifteen years, made a good farm, and is now in Cherryvale, enjoying the fruits of his industry. D. S. Muncie took the southwest quarter of section 25, towuship 33, range 18, on which he built, in 1869, a one and one-half story frame house, 16x24 feet. The lumber for this he hauled from Chetopa. This was the first frame house in this part of the township. In 1870 Mr. Muncie sold this farm to J. H. Tibbits. ORGANIZATION. Mound Valley township was originally a part of what afterward be- came Osage and Canada townships. It was not until June 13, 1870, that, upon the petition of Henry Rohr and some fifty other residents of its territory, the Commissioners made an order for the organization of four tiers of sections lying north and the same number lying south of the line between townships 32 and 33 in ranges 17 and 18, into a municipal town- ship with the name of Mound Valley. The following officers were ap- pointed for the new towuship : Josephus Moore, trustee ; Alexander Honrath, clerk ; J. M. Richardson, treasurer. At the same time, on the petition therefor, the order of the Commissioners was made restraining stock from running at large in the night-time for the term of five years. On July 28, 1870, Jonas Parks was appointed constable, and S. C. Hockett was recommended for the appointment of justice of the peace. LABETTE TOWNSHIP. The first settlement of this township as now constituted commenced in the fall of 1868, but there were only a few who came before the spring of 1869. The first settlers were scattered along Bachelor creek. Of these 1 may mention Leveret Wood, who came in the fall of 1S68, and —8 114 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. settled on the northeast quarter of section 1; the next spring John Singleton settled on the northwest quarter of section 1, and James H. Martin on the northeast quarter of section 2; Millard Sargent on the northwest quarter and his brother on the southwest quarter of the same section ; Edward C. Sanford on the northwest quarter of section 3, Major Hope on the southeast quarter, and Calvin S. Tracy on the southwest quarter, of section 36. All of these parties were located prior to the middle of July, 1869, at which time John J. Miles settled on the south- west quarter of section 34. With the opening of 1870 many new parties came into the township, of whom I may mention Thomas Mahar and his sons, who settled on section 21. The settlement of this township was nearly completed when James Beggs, on March 16, 1871, settled on the southwest quarter of section 19. ORGANIZATION. In the original division of the county into municipal townships, made by the Commissioners prior to the first election in the spring of 1867, the central portion of the county, embracing what is now Liberty, Labette, Mount Pleasant and Fairview townships, was made to constitute the township of Labette. The first official record we have of the formation of this township is an order of the board made November 21, 1867, in which Labette township is numbered 6, and is declared to include town- ships 32 and 33, in ranges 19 and 20. It is possible that there was an election held in the township in the spring of 1867, and probably one was held in the fall of that year, but as to both of these the record is silent. The first election of which we have any record was held on April 7, 1868. At this election H. P. Reeding was elected trustee, M. H. Lo- gan clerk, J. F. Molesworth treasurer, E. Reed and J. P. Peterson justices of the peace, G. W. Springer and T. M. Abbott constables, and Sam Lewis road overseer. At the election in April, 1870, the following offi- cers were elected : Newton Connor, trustee ; J. L. Williams, clerk ; Cal- vin Tracy, treasurer; G. P. Peters and G. J. Connor, justices of the peace; William Hanson and W. F. Hamman, constables. Within the next two months all of the territory, excepting township 32, range 19, which had theretofore been embraced in Labette township, was detached therefrom, and formed into other municipal townships. All the officers last elected resided within the territory thus detached, which left Labette township without any officers or organization. The last of June or fore part of July, 1870, a meeting of the citizens was held on the premises of John Alspaw, on the southwest quarter of section 15, and the following persons selected for township officers : Calvin Tracy, trustee ; John Cald- MUNICIPAL TOWNSHIPS. 115 well, clerk; William Collius, treasurer; William Hammau and Silas Rich, justices of the peace; John J. Miles and George Tracy, constables. It was decided to ask that the name of the township be changed from Labette to Mound. On July 11, 1870, the action of this meeting was presented to the Commissioners. The request for a change of name for the township was refused, as the board considered they had no authority to change the name of the township. The officers selected at the citi- zens' meeting were appointed in part, and some of the offices seem to have been left vacant. LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. The settlement of this township commenced early in the spring of 1866. The first person whom I have been able to trace to this township is David C. Lowe, who settled on the southeast quarter of section 34, and about the same time James Springer on the northeast quarter of the same section, and William Springer jr. on the southeast quarter of section 27. After these the following settlements were made : James Shelledy, John Y. and James Lewis, Latham, Enos Reed, James F. Molesworth, William Keiger, and Ed. Mercer. In June, A. W. Richardson bought from Wm. Springer jr. the claim on which he had settled, paying there- for S400. Mr. Springer had at the time some four or five acres broken out and planted to corn and garden truck. Rev. G. W. Richardson at the same time bought from Mr. Shelledy his claim to the northwest quarter of section 27, paying therefor 850. In December of this year G. P. Peters settled on the southwest quarter of section 36, and John Elliott on the southeast quarter of the same section. In the fall of 1867 Dr. W. J. Conner made his settlement in this township, and commenced the practice of his profession. CELEBRATION. On July 4, 1867, the first celebration in the township was held, on the claim of David C. Lowe. Wagon-boxes were turned upside down for tables; Samuel Cherry read the Declaration of Independence, and Elihu Greene delivered the oration. The drinking water was cooled with ice which G. P. Peters procured at Oswego. BUSINESS. The first business in the township was a store conducted by William and John Conner. It was located on section 35, which had been selected for the site of Neola, and was opened in the spring of 1868. Early in 1867, G. P. Peters commenced running a blacksmith shop at his home, and in the spring of 1868 built a shop at Neola, on section 35. There 116 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. was no other busiDess aside from farming until Labette was started, In 1870. ORGANIZATION. Township 32, range 20, originally formed a part of Labette township, and was detached therefrom and organized into a municipal township on May 20, 1870, on the petition of Enos Reed and fifty-one other citizens. The following officers were appointed: Samuel Lewis, treasurer; Wil- liam R. Williams, clerk; R. W. Campbell, constable; Samuel T. Cherry was recommended for appointment as justice of the peace. CARE OF STOCK. The Commissioners made an order on July 27th, on the petition of T. D. Bickham and sixty-eight other residents of the township, restraining stock from running at large in the night-time for five years, excepting during the months of January and February. RELIGIOUS EXERCISES. In 1868 the Methodists commenced holding services at the house of James F. Molesworth, on section 8 ; the ministers in charge of the Os- wego circuit preached here. MONTANA TOWNSHIP. There seems to be no dispute about Samuel J. Short being the first white settler in this township. It is said that he had located here before the war, and was driven off by the rebel Indians, and I am disposed to think that this is correct; but I shall only refer to his settlement in the summer of 1865. He came, probably the latter part of July, or early in August, and located on the southeast quarter of section 22, on the east side of the Neosho. During that fall a number of parties made settle- ment in the township, and of these I have learned the following names : Granville Reeves and William White came there the fore part of October, and located on section 34. On October 18th, Charles E. Simons and his brother Benjamin F. Simons arrived, and located, the former on the southwest quarter of section 4 and the latter on the northwest quarter of section 9. Charles Simons at once went back and brought his family, arriving with them on his claim November 18th. John and William Olford and Andrew Hammond also arrived in October. In November Nathan D. Tower settled on the southwest corner of section 27, but the next summer moved to the southeast quarter of section 30. Samuel Dunham located on section 29 ; Nelson Shipley on section 28 ; Charles Stewart on section 27 ; Samuel Coffield on section 27 ; Samuel and Jona- than Wilcox on section 16, the former on the east and the latter on the MUNICIPAL TOWNSHIPS. 117 west side of the river ; John Modisett on section 4. In December John Halford settled on the southwest quarter of section 16, and Mr. Lee on section 33. On December 24th Julius S. Waters arrived, and camped on Mr. Simons's claim, but soon thereafter located on section 33, in Xeosho township ; subsequently, however, he came back, and was for a long time a resident of Montana township. It will thus be seen that at the close of 1865 the township had quite a body of settlers, most of whom became pennanent residents, and several of whom are still residing there. Of those who came in 1866 I shall only attempt to mention a few. Dr. D. D. McGrath settled on the southwest quarter of section 4; Nehe- miah Sage on the northwest quarter of section 8 ; Uriah Davis on the southwest quarter of section 7 ; Frank and Albert Brockus on the north- east quarter of section 20 ; R. S. Cornish on the southwest quarter of section 21; Robert Haggard on section 30; Bergen Van Xess on the northeast quarter of section 16 ; Alfred W. Jones on the northeast quar- ter of section 17. In December, John S. Anderson located on the south- west quarter of section 8 ; Vincent Anderson on the southeast quarter of section 6 ; and Terry Anderson on the northeast quarter of section 7. SAW-MILL. About the first of February, 1867, the Anderson brothers brought a saw-mill and located it upon C. E. Simons's claim, on section 4, and by the middle of the month had it in operation. From the lumber sawed here it is claimed the first frame house in the county was built. SORGHUM MILL. At quite an early day R. S. Cornish put up a sorghum mill on his place, and for a number of years has carried on quite an extensive busi- ness in making sorghum for himself and his neighbors. He also raises a great many melons. OEGAlSriZATIOX. Montana township was laid off as it now exists at the time of dividing the county into precincts prior to its first election. There is no record of the formation of this township prior to November 21, 1867, when in the division of the county into townships it was ordered, that "Montana township No. 2 shall include town 32, range 21.*' George Bennett, who resided in Montana township, was appointed justice of the peace June 8, 1866, by the Governor, and was the first civil officer in the county. I can find no record in any way referring to its officers for 1867, but it is probable A. W. Jones was its first trustee. At the election held April o, 1868, C. B. Woodford was elected trustee ; T. M. Brockus, clerk ; D. lis HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. Shultz, treasurer; Henry M. Minor and James Livesay, justices of the peace; John Livesay and Jonathan "Wilcox, constables; and A. Warlow, road overseer. OSWEGO TOWNSHIP. 1865. The first settlers in Oswego township were Austin T. Dickerman and Samuel W. Collins, who located on section 31, Mr. Dickerman on the northwest quarter, and Mr. Collins on the southwest quarter, on July 15, 1S65. In August, Jabez Zink settled on the northwest quarter of section 30, and in September Norris Harrer on section 19. The next settlement in the township was on what is now the town-site of Oswego, and is spoken of in connection with the history of Oswego city. In November, 1865, D. M. Clover and C. C. Clover rode ponies from Kansas City, crossing the Neosho at Trotter's ford, and arriving at Little Town about the middle of the month. There they found Clinton Rex- ford and N. P. Elsbree encamped, but no start yet made toward the erec- tion of any building. They looked over the country for a few days, and on November 20, 1866, took four claims — one for each of them, and one each for D. W. Clover and John Clover. D. M. Clover's claim was lo- cated on the southeast quarter of section 10 ; C. C. Clover the northeast quarter of section 15. In taking his claim C. C. Clover had in view the establishment of a mill, and selected this place as affording the best water power he was able to find along the river. About the first of De- cember they started back for their families, provisions, and material. D. M. Clover went only as far as Fort Scott, where he bought oxen and wagons, with which he returned to their claims and commenced getting out logs for houses. C. C. Clover went back to Iowa, where he pur- chased material for a saw-mill and laid in a supply of groceries and pro- visions. In November or December, 1865, about the time the Clovers located, W. C. Watkins settled on section 4, and two of the Kingsbury boys lo- cated in the southwest part of the township. 1866. In January, 1866, C. C. Clover and his brother John R. Clover, together with H. A. Victor and one or two others, started from Iowa for this county, having three wagons with two horses each. They left Oska- loosa, Iowa, about the middle of January, and got to Oswego about the 10th of February. They found snow all the way down to Kansas City, but from there down to Oswego had pleasant weather and good roads. D. M. Clover had already commenced the construction of houses on each MUNICIPAL TOWNSHIPS. 119 of the claims. That season Mr. Clover commeDced the coustruction of a clam across the Neosho at a point some distance above the present dam, and about where the river makes the bend to the east. He did not suc- ceed in getting his mill in operation until the fore part of 1868. In the spring of 1866 John Clover went back to Iowa, and in July of that year again arrived in Oswego, having with him his father and mother, D. W. Clover and wife, James Stice, Wiley Jackson, Mason, John Burgess, and David Stanfleld. They located in the southeastern part of the township, some of them on the river and some on the prairie. On August 6th Cloyd G. Braught settled on the southwest quarter of section 34, and in September Simeon Holbrook on section 3 and Kandal Bagby on section 5, and in October Lewis W. Crain on section 4. On Novem- ber 9th William Herbaugh and Moses B. Jacobs arrived ; the former located north and the latter south of the town-site. 1867. About November 1, 1867, C. Montague settled on the southwest quar- ter of section 5, and on November 11th F. Swan wick bought the claim of W. C. Watkins and located on section 4. CELEBRATION. On July 4, 1866, the settlers of this part of the county assembled at Oswego and held their first celebration. MILL. Capt. Clover had some of the machinery here for his mill in the spring of 1866, but it took so loug to build the dam across the Neosho that he did not get it running till 1868. The first mill to be put in operation in the township was brought here November 9, 1866, by M. B. Jacobs, but he did not get it started till the spring of 1867. It was located on his claim, just south of town. It was thought better to haul the logs from the woods to the mill on the prairie and thus have the lumber where it could be procured easily, than to locate the mill in the woods and thus cause the lumber to be hauled out over the muddy bottoms. OKGANIZATION. This township from the first has had the same territory as is now in- cluded within its limits. It was organized at the time of the division of the county into precincts for the first election. The first official record of its organization now to be found is the order of the Commissioners made November 21, 1867, dividing the county into townships, in which they ordered that "Oswego township. No. 3, shall include town 33, R. 21." The first officer in this township was C. H. Talbott, who was appointed justice of the peace by the Governor in the fall of 1866. He seems to have appointed Andy Kaho constable, to serve whatever process was is- 120 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. sued by him. These were probably the only civil officers of the town- ship prior to its organization. I have not been able to learn the names of all the officers who were elected in April, 1S67. D. W. Clover was one of the justices of the peace elected at that time, and probably J. F. Newlon was the other ; Andy Kaho was elected constable. On April 5, 1868, the following officers were elected: R. W, Wright, trustee; S. Reardon, clerk; Norris Harrer, treasurer; R. J. Elliott and J. F. New- lon, justices of the peace; A. Kaho and F. D. Howe, constables; Ephraim Shanks, road overseer. FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP. As far as I have been able to learn, but two parties had settled in this township prior to 1866. Francis Wall settled on the southwest quarter of section 10, and Mr. Allen on the northwest quarter of section 13, in the fall of 1865. During the year 1866 a number of parties, came into the township. Early in the spring William Springer settled on the southwest quarter of section 2, M. V. B. Coffin on the northwest quarter of section 3, and William Cline on the northwest quarter of section 4. James Logan came in March, and located on the northwest quarter of section 11, and James M. Logan on the southeast quarter of the same section. In May, Charles Wadsack settled on the northwest quarter of section 12, and Frederick and Ernest Wadsack in the same vicinity. In June, John Richardson bought Mr. Springer's claim for S200, to which he moved from the claim taken in Liberty township, and where he has since made his home. Among those who made settlement during 1867 were W. S. Park. James Dike, S. H. Spurr, and Charles Kelso. Mr. Spurr bought J. M. Logan's claim, and the latter settled on the northeast quarter of section 16. INDUSTRIES. M. V. B. Coffin was the first blacksmith in the township ; he opened a shop at his home soon after settling there in the spring of 1866. He had been a soldier with Kit Carson, was a good workman, and had a good run of business. He died in January, 1867; Mr. Peters bought his tools. In 1867 J. M. Logan constructed a wooden mill for grinding cane, of which he and his neighbors raised quite large patches. He made a large amount of sorghum molasses. ORGAXIZATIOX. In the original division of the county, what is known as Fair view township formed a part of Labette. On the application of A. S. Spaul- ding. Frank Williams, J. R. Sweet and some fifty other electors, the Com- missioners, on April 26, 1870, made an order organizing township 33, MUNICIPAL TOWNSHIPS. 121 rauge 20, iuto a muuicipal township with the name of Fairview, and fixing the voting-place of the township at the office of Dr. A. S. Spaul- ding, on section 21. The following officers were appointed to serve until April, 1871: I.W. Patrick, trustee: W. W. Babbitt, clerk; A. S. Spaul- ding, treasurer ; W. H. Umbarger and John Robinson, constables. A. S. Potter and James Paxton were recommended for appointment as justices of the peace. STOCK. On May 20, 1870, the Commissioners, on a petition therefor, made an order that stock be not allowed to run at large in the night-time for the term of three years. MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. W. F. Hamman was the first settler in this tow^nship. He erected his house upon the northwest quarter of section 2, in April, 1869. Soon thereafter Mr. Moray located upon the northeast quarter of section 11. In July, E. A. Wait and his brother A. H. Wait settled on section 12. and Henry C. McClelland on the southwest quarter of section 14. A little later in the season the northwest part of the township was settled. Benjamin H. Greer, George Greer, James Armstrong and Lewis C. Hill were the first settlers in this part of the township. RELIGIOUS EXERCISES. In the fall of 1869 A. W. King, of Osage township, commenced preach- ing at the houses of Benjamin Greer and Lewis Hill. Service* were kept up at private houses with more or less regularity until the Pioneer school- house was built, when they were held there. They were principally con- ducted by Methodist preachers in charge of the Timber Hill circuit. BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. While Mr. Moray and his wife were camped upon their claim above referred to, before they had their house erected, the first child in the township was born to them. On October 1, 1869, W. F. Hamman lost his son Henry, which was the first death in the township. The first marriage in the township was that of George R. Greer and Mary A. Hill. ORGANIZATION. Mount Pleasant township was originally a part of Labette township. On ^lay 20, 1870, G. W. Moray and sixty other electors petitioned for the organization of township 33, range 19, into a municipal township, which petition the board granted, and named the township Mount Pleas- ant. Thereupon the board appointed the following officers: H. C. McClelland, trustee; Walter Downing, clerk; Henry Story, treasurer; Florence Hamman and C. E. Woodin, constables. Ezra A. Wait and 122 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. John Hambliu were recommeuded for justices of the peace, and they were afterward appointed. CAKE OF STOCK. Ou June 23, 1870, on a petition of its citizens the board made an order restraining the running at large of stock in the night-time for a period of Ave years. CANADA TOWNSHIP. On January 23, 1867, Alexander and Milton Duncan located on section 7, township 34, range 18, and were the first settlers in what is now Can- ada township. A little later in the season Jonathan Hill settled on sec- tion 38, Gresham Gokey on section 29, and sometime during the year John Nellis, J. Roberts, George Mays and Lewis Scott settled in the township. John McNeal came in October, 1868. I do not find the names of other settlers prior to those who came in the spring of 1869. During this year quite a large immigration came into the township, among whom may be mentioned H. Hedemann, D. M. Pitt, J. F. Wal- ford, H. A. Linn, Wm. Walters, David Koss, Howard Phenis and sons, John Phillips, Mrs. Mary Price, Ola Olson. Mr. Phenis and his sons had a shingle-mill, in 1869, on section 32, from which they supplied the settlers in that neighborhood with shingles for their cabins. The first child born in the township was Milton Duncan, son of Alex- ander Duncan, on February 12, 1868. The first death was that of an old man named Munk. ORGANIZATION. In the absence of any record I take the statement of Mr. Dickerman, who was then County Clerk, that, of the nine precincts into which the county was divided, in March, 1867, by the Commissioners appointed for its organization, the southwest part was called Pumpkin Creek. No elec- tion was held therein at the first election for county officers. When the Commissioners met and organized, ou June 5, 1867, they made an order for the organization of the tw^o west precincts, in which it was provided that "Canada township shall include 33 & 34, range 18, and the west half of town 33 & 34, range 19, and as far west as the county line." This is the first official record we have relating to this township, or giving it a name. It was not until October 21, 1867, that a voting-precinct was des- ignated for the township; at that time it was fixed at J. M. Duncans. On November 21, 1867, the Commissioners made a new order dividing the county into townships, in which it was ordered that "Canada town- ship. No. 9, shall include town 33 & 34, R. 17 & 18." On April 6, 1868, the north half of township 33, in ranges 17 and 18, was attached to Osage township. The first election in the township was held November 5, 1867, MUNICIPAL TOWNSHIPS. 125 at which J. R. Shippey was elected trustee, J. M. Duncan and G. W. Mays, justices of the peace ; John Nellis and John Scoville, constables. The record does not show who the opposing candidates were ; but the vote was a tie on justices between Mr. Mays and some one else, and Mr. Mays was successful in the casting of lots for the office. By an order made April 14, 1869, township 35, ranges 17 and 18, was attached to this township. PROTECTING CROPS. On May 27, 1871, on the petition of E. B. Baldwin and forty-two others, the Commissioners made an order restraining stock from running at large in the night-time for a term of two years. HOWARD TOWNSHIP. The first settler in what is now Howard township was John Kennedy, who located on the southwest quarter of section 12, township 35, range 17, in 1867. The settlement of this township fairly commenced in 1869, and among those who located here that year are the following : W. H. Godwin, on the northeast quarter of section 3 ; Clinton Hawley, on section 2 ; Jesse McClintock, on the northeast quarter of section 11; E. R. Lee, on the southeast quarter of section 33 ; Lee Leverage, on the southwest quarter of section 33; W. S. Getzendaner, on section 13, range 17 ; H. H. Long, on the northeast quarter of section 5. In March, 1870, E. B. Baldwin located upon the northeast quarter of section 2, and during the same season settlements were made by William Blackford on the southwest quarter of section 4, Scott on the south- east quarter of section 24, B. W. Harwood on the northwest quarter of section 10, George McKee on the southeast quarter of section 10, David McKee on the southwest quarter of section 14, J. M. Hart, on the north- east quarter of section 11, Dana H. Fuller and Aldin Fuller on section 4, Banks Hall and John W. Hall on section 13, D. Smallwood on section 1,^ Frank Pfiester on section 7. On March 5, 1871, W. J. Millikin took the southeast quarter of section 22, and sometime during the season, some early in the spring and some not till fall, settlements were made by P. B. Clark on the northwest quar- ter of section 24, Samuel Smith on the northwest quarter of section 12, James Bennett on the northeast quarter of section 20, Walter Bennett on the northwest quarter of section 29, William Reasor on the southeast quarter, John Reasor on the northwest quarter, and George H. Goodwin on the northeast quarter of section 27. James Steel took the southwest quarter, William Steel the northwest quarter. Boon Thompson the south- east quarter, and J. K. Russell the northeast quarter of section 23 ; John 124 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY Yance the southwest quarter and Christian Lieb the northeast quarter of section 24; Lincoln Clark, and William and John High section 1. W. M. Mabrey located on the southwest quarter of section 11, in range 17. ORGANIZATION. The territory of which I am now speaking was a part of Canada town- ship until after the spring election of 1872. At that election the oppos- ing candidates for justice of the peace were J. M. Hart and H. H. Long, both residing in what is now Howard township. The vote between them being a tie, lots were cast resulting in the choice of JNIr. Hart, who thereby became the first officer of the new township. On April 5, 1872, E. B. Baldwin presented the petition of himself and eighty-one other electors asking the Commissioners for the formation of a new township, embrac- ing all the territory in ranges 17 and 18 lying south of the line running east and west through the middle of township 34, leaving three tiers of sections in township 34 in the old township, and putting three tiers of sections in township 34 and all of fractional township 35 in the new township. This petition was granted, and the order of the Commis- sioners made creating said territory into a municipal township, which they named Howard in honor of the County Clerk. Thereupon the fol- lowing officers were appointed for the township thus organized : E. B. Baldwin, trustee; William J. Millikiu, clerk; Joseph Buckley, treas- urer; J. J. Breeding, constable. Mr. Buckley failed to qualify, and the Commissioners soon thereafter appointed William Blackford treasurer in his place. BUSINESS. There have been several places in the township at different times where small stores have been conducted. Capt. J. W. Hall started a store on his premises in the summer of 1870, which he conducted only a short time. W. H. Godwin and F. W. Noblett kept a small stock of groceries at the Dora post-office. The town of Willeyville, afterward called Deerton, while it existed was in this township, and the business houses in operation there have been spoken of in connection with that name. INCIDENTS. John McClintock and Nettie Smallwood, on December 22, 1872, were joined in marriage, being the first couple married in the township, and the marriage of H. F. Jones and Mary McClintock followed some two or three weeks later. Among the first births in the townsliip were sons in the families of W. J. McClintock and D. H. McKee, in the summer ot 1870, and on August 15, 1870, a daughter, Julia A., to Colonel Baldwin and wife. A son of G. B. McKee was injured by falling into a well, from which he died ; this was the first death in the township, and I uu- MUNICIPAL TOWNSHIPS. 125 derstancl that B. W. HarwoocI, who was murdered on August 15, 1872, was the second person who died in the township. ELM GROVE TOWNSHIP. The first party to locate in Elm Grove township was William Bowen, who took his claim on sections 3 and 10 early in the spring of 1867, the old settlers say, although no one whom I have met is able to fix the date of his settlement. Probably the next settlers in the township were R. P. and Amos Totten, who located on section 10, as it is thought, in the summer of 1867. A few parties made settlement here in 1868. Madison Sharp came in June and located on the northeast quarter of section 13, although he did not bring his family until the following February. At the same time Thomas Sharp located on the southeast of the same sec- tion. In 1869 many more families came in. C. M. Keeler located on same section with William Bowen, Daniel Mclutyre on the southwest quarter of section 12, Joseph Gray on the northeast quarter of section 3, A. J. Moler on the south w^est quarter of section 13, James Woodville on section 12, in township 35. Wesley Faurot came July 29th this year, and settled in the extreme southeast corner of the township ; Harvey Jones also settled in the southern part of the township. In July, C. B. Pratt took the northwest quarter of section 3, in township 35, and opened thereon the first store in the township ; he was appointed postmaster of the postoffice at that point, which was called Ripon. In October Dr. D. P. Lucas settled on the northwest quarter of section 12, in township 35 ; and during the season Thomas Summerfield settled in the same local- ity, on the southeast quarter of section 9. Probably still more families whose names I have not mentioned came in this year. The settlement of the southwestern part of the township did not commence until the spring of 1870. In June, Peter Shufelt found a small house on the southwest quarter of section 20 which had been put there by some one who had left. He took possession of this and made claim to this quarter, after- ward paying the man for his house. Harrison Sword settled on the southwest quarter of section 30, A. J. Lots on the southwest quarter of section 7, Peter Rhodes on section 18, H. H. Lieb and R. W. Lieb also in that vicinity. During the season Owen Wimmer and sons located on section 29, but did not bring their families until the spring of 1871 ; Al- fred Elliott located on the northwest quarter of section 30. In 1871, Junius, Peter and Lewis Goodwin settled on section 31. ORGANIZATION. By the division first made, what is now Elm Grove township was a part of Canada and Hackberry townships. After November 21, 1867, until its organization by itself, it formed a part of Hackberry township 126 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. only. On July 27, 1870, W. H. Bowen aucl fifti'-five others having peti- tioned therefor, the Commissioners made an order for the organization of townships 34 and 35, in range 19, into a municipal township, with the name of Elm Grove ; and on July 29th appointed the following officers : D. Mclntjre, trustee; John Lane, clerk; John Freeman, treasurer: Charles Ballard and S. Bentley, constables; and recommended W. H. Bowen and T. H. Noslen for appointment as justices of the peace. STOCK. On April 12, 1871, upon a petition of Its citizens, the Commissioners ordered that stock be prohibited from running at large in the night-time for the term of three years. OMITTED. This township had the misfortune not to be named in the apportion- ment of 1871, and it was not until 1873 that it was made a part of any legislative district. CEMETERY. In the fall of 1869 James M. Woodfill died, and was the first person to be buried in the cemetery then started on section 12, in the south part of the township. His wafe Sarah soon followed him, and was the second to be interred in this cemetery. HACKBERRY TOWNSHIP. A few parties settled in this township in the fall of 1865. James Moss, Robert Hastings and Mr. Cawthorn located on section 1, Mr. Henderson on section 12, and Mr. Chandler near by. A few more parties came in the following year, and among them Mr. Redfield, who settled on the northwest quarter of section 1, Luman Reed on the northeast quarter of section 25, and Robert Gill on section 22. Many settlers came in 1867, commencing early in the spring and continuing to arrive during the sum- mer. In June, Gilbert A. and J. T. Cooper located on the south half of section 14, and about the same time Alexander Bishop settled on the northwest quarter and Jerry Strickler on the northeast quarter of the same section; William Newcomb settled on section 11, and Henry G. Pore on section 12. In July, George W. Franklin and L. C. Howard located on section 2 ; William Sullivan, Robert Johnson, Abner DeCou, Benjamin Hiatt, James Sloan, Walter Pratt and Caleb Phillips came sometime during the year. It is possible that some of the parties named came in 1866 instead of 1867. Elder Cooper settled on section 8 early in 1868, and was the first Baptist minister in that vicinity. In October, William Hannigan bought the northwest quarter of section 9 from Cal. Watkins, who had taken it sometime previous thereto. About the same time Martin Jackson, Aaron Young and Mordecai Ramsey came in. In MUNICIPAL TOWNSHIPS. 127 February, 1869, D. C. Constant settled on the southeast quarter of sec- tion 18 ; on March 9th, G. W. Jenkins on the northeast quarter of sec- tion 33 ; and in July, J. L. Jones on the northwest quarter of section 5, township 35. ORGAXIZATION. In the first division of the county, Hackberry township included town- ship 34, range 20, and the east half of range 19. By the new division, on Xovember 21, 1867, it was ordered that ''Hackberry township, No. 5, shall include town 34, R. 19 & 20." On April 14, 1869, township 35, lying in these ranges, was attached as a part of the township. The first election in the township was held at the time of the election of the first county officers, April 22, 1867, but there is no record of the result. At the election held April 7, 1868, the following officers were elected : G. W. Franklin, trustee; William Johnson, clerk; H. G. Pore, treasurer; L. C. Howard and D. M. Beuder, justices of the peace; D. Day and William Hiatt, constables ; and William E. Pratt, road overseer. CARE OF STOCK. October 4, 1869, the residents having petitioned therefor, the board ordered that stock be not allowed to run at large in the night-time for the period of five years. RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. The first settlement of this township has been spoken of in another part of this work. It may be said to have been the first part of the county settled by the whites, but the settlement was entirely broken up in 1863. The settlement as it now exists commenced in the fall of 1865. Among those who came that season were Thomas King, who settled on the northeast quarter of section 18, William Busby on the northwest quarter of section 17, William Puitt on the southeast quarter of section 7, Zephaniah Woolsey on the southeast quarter of section 27 ; a man by the name of Baker and his three sons. Berry, John and William, and two sons-in-law, Dotson and Maxwell, along the Labette creek on sections 22, 23 and 26 ; G. W. Yandel and his sons-in-law, David Lewellin and Chas. A. Rankin, came in November, 1865, and took claims, but did not bring their families until the following spring. These parties and also Mr. Yandal's son, Columbus, settled on sections 6, 7 and 8. About the same time George W. Kingsbury settled on section 6. During 1866 many parties came into the township, some coming early in the spring and others later in the season. In the spring the Rice brothers, Benjamin, John and James, John Green, Orville Thompson. John W. Wiley, Gilbert Martin, Samuel Braught, Allen Barnes, Maucil Garret, Lorenzo Braught, James Smith, and perhaps others, settled in 128 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. the northeastern part of the township north of the Labette. In May, S. R. SoutHwiek settled on the northeast quarter of section 29, William Shay on the southeast quarter of section 20, John Kinney and sons on the northwest quarter of section 28, George Lane on the southwest quar- ter of section 28, Abraham Ewers on the southwest quarter of section 31. In June, Samuel Gregory settled on the southeast quarter of section 26, and in August Mr. Yunker on the northwest quarter of section 29, and Mr. Bedicker on the northeast quarter of section 32. On August 12th Franklin Asbell bought the northeast quarter of section 18 from Thomas King and became a permanent settler thereon. On October 10th, David U. Watson settled on the south w^est quarter of section 21, and John N. Watson on the southeast quarter of section 29 ; about the same time Mar- shall J. Lee settled north of Labette creek, Milton Helm on the northeast quarter of section 29, and Riley Hawkins on the southwest quarter of sec- tion 20 ; Stephen Briglit bought the south w^est quarter of section 7 from Woolsey ; John and Cass Steel settled on section 8, Salina Grant on the northwest quarter of section 30. On January 1, 1867, Moses Powers located on the northwest quarter of section 21; in April, Isaac Butterworth bought the northwest quarter of section 30 from Salina Grant, and made his home thereon. BUSINESS. The first store in the township, aside from those located in Chetopa, was kept by Orville Thompson, a little north of Labette creek, on the east road leading from Oswego to Chetopa ; it was started in the spring of 1866. Soon after this the town of Labette was started, on the Neosho. DRAINAGE. For many years a large part of the land south of the Labette was cov- ered with water so great a portion of the year that it was practically of little use. In 1882 a ditch w^as dug, draining this swamp into the Neosho, thereby making a large tract of land capable of cultivation. CEMETERY. In April, 1874, John F. Hill deeded three acres of land in section 9, on which the Pleasant Valley Cemetery was laid out ; George Gennoa was the first person buried therein. This cemetery has been nicely im- proved and quite extensively used. ORGANIZATION. The Commissioners appointed for the organization of the county, in laying it off into precincts constituted township 34, range 21, a township, which they named Chetopa. The first official reference we have to this township is on July 2, 1867, when it was "Ordered, that the township called Chetopa, the southern township of Labette county, be changed ac- MUNICIPAL TOWNSHIPS. 129 cording to the request of the petitioners, to be called Richland township hereafter." On November 21, 1867, in dividing the county into town- ships, the Commissioners ordered that "Richland township. No. 4 shall include town 34, R. 21." While we have no record showing the names of the persons who were elected officers at the election held April 22, 1S67, we soon thereafter find J. N. Watson acting as justice of the peace.' He resigned on October 23, and on November 19 the Commissioners ap- pointed G. H. English, and two days later they also appointed William H. Reed justice of the peace. On April 7, 1868, the following officers were elected : Robert Steel, trustee ; R. B. Wallan, clerk ; Daniel Quinby, treasurer ; George Kiueade and B. B. Baker, justices of the peace ; J. W. Wiley and A. P. Kinkade, constables ; Allison Hasty, road overseer. On April 14, 1869, an order of the Commissioners was made attaching town- ship 35, range 21, to Richland township. TOWI^S A^-D CITIES. PROPOSED TOWXS— "IT MIGHT HAVE BEEX.'^ LABETTE. No less than three towns christened Labette have been started in this county. The first of the three was located in the fall of 1866, by Gilbert Martin, on the banks of the Neosho, in section 14, Richland township. In 1867 Mr. Martin put in a saw-mill, to which was attached a set of corn buhrs. The mill got quite a trade at this point. A store building was erected by L. D. Bovee, for Mr. Smith, who put in a stock of groceries. This building was afterward sold to School District No. 3, and was moved from its location on the town-site to the public road, where it now stands, and is still in use as a school-house. Another building was erected, for R. G. Tileston, who put in quite a large amount of groceries. In Janu- ary, 1868, Martin, Tileston and Bovee put up quite a quantity of ice, fully eight inches thick. With the cold weather of the spring and winter of 1867 and 1868 the hopes of this town vanished, and during the spring all of its business was moved away. The second town of this name was located on parts of sections 20 and 21, in Richland township, just south of Labette creek. In May, 1868, a number of parties, among whom were G. A. Cooper, R. G. Tileston, L. D. Bovee, Allen Barnes, Gilbert Martin, and Isaac Butterworth, formed themselves into a company for the purpose of laying out this town, and on June 1 8 their charter was filed in the office of the Secretary of State. Mr. Tileston put up quite a large two-story building, and removed his stock of groceries from the former old town of Labette, lying to the north- east of this, and added thereto so that he had quite a respectable store. Moses Powers had a blacksmith shop, and quite a number of parties built small dwelling-houses; so that during the summer of 1868 there were probably twelve to twenty buildings of all descriptions on the town-site. The town was also known by the name of Soresco as well as by the name of Labette. Its proprietors supposed that they were in the line where the M. K. & T. Rly. would necessarily be located. With the close of (130) TOIV.VS AND CITIES. 131 186S the prospects of an important town being built up at this point dis- appeared. Mr. Tileston became interested in Chetopa, to which point he moved his stock of groceries, leaving his store building, however, as a watch-tower in the desert to mark the spot which had been the scene of so many bright anticipations. DAYTON. The town of Labette having been started in the southeastern part of Liberty township, it was thought by some that a more desirable location for a town would be farther up Labette creek, and in May, 1870, J. F. Newlon, E. K. Currant, Peterson Cherry, W. H. Porter, and a number of others, became incorporated, the charter being filed June 20, 1870, and a town-site was selected upon the west bank of the Labette, below the mouth of Bachelor creek, on sections 9 and 16, township 32, range 20. But few houses were ever erected on the town-site. William H. and John I. Sipple put up a fair store building and opened up a store. E. K. Currant put up a building and opened a branch of his main store, which was at Montana. There were two or three other business houses. In November following the town was moved to Parsons. JACKSONVILLE. This town was located in four counties, but principally in Neosho county. It embraced, however, a part of section 3, township 31, range 21, in Labette county. On December 23, 1867, a paper purporting to be a charter for the incorporation of the town was filed in the office of the Secretary of State, but there was no pretense of complying with the law. On January 23, 1868, a new charter was filed. Among the incorporators were William Logan, G. D. Dement, David Evans, and Samuel Correll. After the first two or three years there was little left to indicate what this town once was. CHERRYYILLE. On January 30, 1869, the charter for the town of Cherryville, incor- porating James H. Beggs, James McMains, John Oliphant, and others, was filed in the office of the Secretary of State. The town was to be lo- cated on the south half of section 12, township 32, range 17. The pro- prietors seem to have soon become satisfied that they were not going to be able to build up a town at this point, and concluded to abandon it. VERBENA. A town with this name was proposed to be located on section 13, town- ship 32, range 17, in Osage township. R. D. Hartsorn, John W. Claspill, W. 0. Hartsorn, Lionel A. Whitney and Samuel C. Hockett were charter 132 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. members of the town eompauj*. The charter was filed with the Secretary of State Jime 16, 1869. KINGSBURY. The above name was chosen for a town that was to have been located on the northeast quarter of section 30, in Osage township, if the line of the L. L. & G. R. R. had run through that quarter as it was expected to. Mr. Kingsbury, one of the surveying party, assured the owners of claims in that vicinity that the road would surely be located on that line. Per- haps it would have been had not the general course of the road been changed so as to pass through Montgomery instead of Labette county. On the strength of these assurances a town company was organized, of which W. H. Carpenter was president and L. F. Dick secretary. When the line of the railroad was located west of them the project of building this town was abandoned. TIMBER HILL. A company consisting of Alexander W. King, Mahlon A. King, J. H. Beatty and others, was incorporated April 12, 1869, for the purpose of laying off the town of Timber Hill. It was located on the south half of the northeast quarter and the north half of the southeast quarter of sec- tion 34, township 31, range 18. About the middle of September, 1869. George W. Blake and William Blake opened a store at this place ; they continued to sell goods till the spring of 1871, when they closed and moved on their farms. BIG HILL. Joseph McCormick, David Stanfield, John A. Helpingstine, Thomas Harrison and Jesse Bishop, became incorporated February 22, 1870, for the purpose of laying off the town of Big Hill, on parts of sections 23 and 24, township 32, range 17. NEOLA Was intended to cover 320 acres in section 3.5, tow'nship 32, and section 2, township 33, both in range 20. Gilbert Martin, John N. Watson, David C. Lowe, Julius S. Waters, Chas. A. Kelso, Benjamin A. Rice, and others, became incorporated for the purpose of laying off the town. The charter for the same was filed in the office of the Secretary of State December 24, 1867. By the most liberal construction of its language it can hardly be said to contain any of the statutory requirements for a charter, but it Is probable that this is not the reason why the town never succeeded in acquiring any more growth than one store and a blacksmith shop. TOIVXS AXD CITIES. ELSTOX. On September S, 1869, there was filed in the office of the Secretary of State a charter incorporating John Elston, John T. Weaver and others into the Elston Town Couipauj', for the purpose of laying off a town on section 6, township 33, range 20. During that summer this town had quite a growth. The parties composing this company were men of some means, who came from Johnson county and wanted to build a town nearer the center of the county than any other town had then been located, with the avowed, purpose of making it the county seat. They erected quite a large hotel and a number of store buildings, and for a time had considerable trade, and the town seemed to be on the road tO' prosperity, but its growth was of short duration, and in a few years not a single building remained to mark the site of this once ambitious place. KINGSTON. Kingston was located on sections 31 and 32, in township 34, and sec- tions 5 and 6, in township 35, range 19. It was started in the summer of 1877 by the erection of a flour mill by Eastwood & Reamer. Soon after, Mr. Jones started a blacksmith shop ; Thomas Brunei put in a drug store ; Aaron Humes a broom factory ; Anderson & Weaver a general merchandise store ; C. W. Campbell was postmaster, as well as physician ; S. E. Ball was the only lawyer. In 1S79 the engine was sold out of the mill, and thereafter was not put in again. The place continued more or less prosperous until the construction of the railroad through the southern portion of the county, in 1886, when it was abandoned and united with Edna. DEERTON. Named from the abundance of deer that were found in that vicinity by the early settlers. It was located by the Willie brothers on the north half of section 20, township 34, range 18, on the line between Howard and Canada townships. The first store in Deerton was opened in 1880, by Aaron Humes, who was soon after appointed postmaster. Charles M. Keeler next followed with another store of general merchandise. Blacksmith shops, a wood-worker and a broom factory were among the industries of this town. On the completion of the railroad through Howard township, in the fall of 1886, the town was all moved to Valeda. 131 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. CITIES, TOWN'S AXD STATIONS AS AT PRESENT EXISTINO. ANGOLA. C. H. Kimball, Lee Clark and others filed a charter in the office of the Seeretarj^ of State on Xovember 29. 1886, authorizing them to lay off a town-site and dispose of lots on the northeast quarter of section 8, town- ship 34, range 18. The plat was filed February 12, 1887, acknowledged by Lee Clark, president of the tow^u company. There has never been much growth — only two or three business houses of any kind, and the stock-yards. PENFIELD Is a station on the P. & P. Rly., located on the northeast quarter of sec- tion 27, township 33, range 18. This location w^as formerly called Bar- ton. WILSONTON Is located on the line of the Parsons & Pacific Rly., on sections 16 and 17, in Labette township. It was surveyed in August, 1887. The first store was started in the spring of 1888, by Samuel Jameson. Mrs. Ella B. Wilson is proprietor of the town, and has devoted much energy to its development and upbuilding. It has received its principal amount of ad- vertising by the distribution of the Wilsonton Journal, which is published here. IDENBORO Is a station on the Parsons & Pacific Railroad south of Parsons. MORTIMER Was laid out by Emanuel Mortimer, on the north half of the northeast quarter of section 25, township 31, range 17. The plat was filed Janu- ary 7, 1883. DENNIS. The first house in Dennis was the railroad depot, erected in the fall of 1880. In the spring of 18S1 William Current put up a store building, in which he placed a stock of groceries; this was the first store in town. John Webb and John Milligau put in another store in the spring of 1882, their stock consisting of general merchandise. A second stock of gen- eral merchandise was put in by W. H. Thorne, in the fall of 1883. Mr. Thorne also put in a corn elevator and shipped grain, and put up the first substantial residence house in town. Subsequently John Mason put in a harness shop, L. Pedan a lumber yard, Wm. Cline a drug store, J. L. Wilson a hardware store, and Nelson Dunn a livery stable. The first TOWNS AND CITIES. 135 hotel was put up by Mr. Acre, in the summer of 1885. It was not till December 21, 1883, that the plat of the town was filed in the office of the Register of Deeds, locating the town on sections 14 and 15, on the line of the Gulf Railroad, in Osage township. Lee Wilson was born to L. J. Wilson and wife December 24, 1884 — the first child born in town. LANEVILLE Is a station on the Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad, located on the southeast quarter of section 20, in Neosho township. It was started just after the building of the railroad, and has one store. MATTHEWSON. The plat of this town located it on section 15, township 31, range 21, and was filed in the office of the Register of Deeds April 30, 1879. The first house in Matthewson was built in the spring of 1879, by William Downs ; in this he had his residence, the store, and postoffice. The next store building was put up by G. W. Watson and C. Hamilton, who put in a fair stock of goods and did a good business until McCune was started, when they moved to that town, leaving but one store-house in Matthew- sou. STOVER Is a station on the Frisco, located on section 15, in Fairview township. The only business that has been conducted here has been one store, owned by J. X. Santee ; a blacksmith shop, by G. W. Brock ; and a part of the time H. M. Debolt has run a saw-mill, with which he has con- nected a set of corn buhrs, and has also been engaged in the grain busi- ness. BIG HILL Is a station on the Frisco Railroad, in Mound Valley township. STEVENS. On February 23, 1874, the charter of Stevens was filed in the office of the Secretary of State, incorporating Alfred Large, Jonas Clark, L. M. Bedell and others with authority to locate a town on sections 33 and 34. township 34, range 21. The plat was acknowledged by R. W. Officer, president of the town company, and was filed in March, 1874. A few years ago this place was incorporated as a part of the city of Chetopa. CECIL Is located on the northwest quarter of section 5, township 35, range 20. In 1869 Mr. Head put in a small stock of general merchandise, which he continued to sell until the fall of 1870, w^hen it was closed. Allen Mc- Neal has had a blacksmith shop since 1871. George Burge opened a 136 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. store in 1881, which he has continued to conduct up to the present time. From 1885 to 1887 C. W. Fowler had a store in connection with the post- office. The Methodists have a church and cemetery at this point. MONTANA CITY. Soon after coming to the county Frank Simons brought a small stock of groceries, which he commenced selling in his cabin. Early in the spring of 1866 he put up a hewed log house on what was thereafter to be the Montana town-site, but which had not yet been laid off, and in March opened therein a store. This was the first building on the town-site, and this was the first store in the township. Soon thereafter, Yates & Fagan built a frame store building on the town-site and put therein a stock of groceries. This is said to have been the first frame building in the county. Soon after this they built a frame residence. The next spring Frank Simons built a frame store building into which he moved his stock of groceries. TOWN COMPANY. The Montana Town Company had been agreed upon some time pre- viously, but was not incorporated until May 28, 1868. Among those who were members of the company were Levi Seabridge, J. S. Anderson, Henry Minor, S. S. Watson, J. S. Waters, and D. M. Watson. S. S. Watson was president and J. S. Waters secretary of the town company. The town was located on section 8, township 33, range 21. FERRY. Abner Furgeson was granted a ferry license on July 11, 1867, and at once he, in connection with Jonah Wilcox, commenced the operation of a ferry across the Neosho near where it is spanned by the iron bridge. HOTEL. In 1868 Henry M. Miner erected a two- story building and opened therein the first hotel in town. PHYSICIANS. D. D. McGrath was the first physician of standing to locate here. He was soon followed by Dr. Frye, and they in turn by Dr. J. M. Mahr, all of whom were good citizens as well as good physicians, and did their part toward building up the place. Doctors Hall, Gapen, Taylor and Keys are among the other physicians who came to the place. Of all who have located here. Dr. Wheeler, who at present is rendering professional ser- vices to the community, is the only one that remains. MILL. In 1870 W. E. Livesay and J. O. Charles erected, and in the spring of 1871 put in operation, the grist mill which ever since then has been an important industry of the tow^n. TOIVXS AND CITIES. 137 MASOXIC LODGE. Evergreen Lodge, A. F. & A. M., numbering 86, was organized about the close of 1870, with eleven charter members. A. W. Swift was the first W. M. After an existence of several years the lodge surrendered its charter. IMPROVEMENTS. In 1868 the town commenced a rapid growth, which was continued during the next two years, and at one time it contained thirteen general stores, three hotels, three saloons, two livery stables, two wagon shops, besides a great number of other shops and stores of various kinds, and a population of not less than .500 people. Failing to get the M. K. & T., which was built in 1870, and also other projected lines which were in- tended to pass through her boundaries failing to be built, It was evident that for a time at least she had reached the height of her prosperity ; and when the town of Labette sprang up on the line of the railroad but a few miles from her, many of her firms removed their business there, and some of them took with them their business houses. GOVERNMENT. In 1873 the Legislature passed an act authorizing the town to incorpo- rate as a city of the third class, and in pursuance of its provision an order was made by the district judge, on July 3, 1877, for the incorporation of the city of Montana, and an election ordered for July 14th. At the first election Col. J. J. Woods was elected mayor, E. D. Keirsey police judge, and the following persons members of the council : A. B. Chaplain, G, T. Peak, J. P. Bradfield, Samuel Ballentine, and J. M. Mahr. A pretense of a city government was maintained until 1884. In April, 1883, Martin Wilcox was elected mayor, and was the last person on whom that honor was conferred. It became generally understood that the act authorizing the incorporation was unconstitutional, and the form of going through an election of officers who had no legal authority to act was abandoned. BARTLETT. The plat of the town of Bartlett, located on the southwest quarter of section 27. township 34, range 20, acknowledged by Robert A. Bartlett, was filed in the office of the Register of Deeds, June 5, 1886. The first lot was sold to Jerome €alahan, who erected thereon the first building which was put up on the town-site. It was a two-story frame, in the first story of which he put a general stock of merchandise, which was the first store in town ; the upper story was a hall, in which were held re- ligious and other meetings. B. F. Cox built the first dwelling in town, and started the first blacksmith shop ; the second dwelling was erected by H. L. Whiting. In 1891 William Jarrett put in a cider-mill, and in 138 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. connectiou with it buhrs for grinding meal and feed. The Methodists are now erecting a church. ELM CITY Was laid out by Jesse A. Edmundson, on the northwest quarter of sec- tion 27, township 34, range 19, in Elm Grove township, soon after the <;ompletion of the railroad through that section, the town plat being acknowledged July 21, 1886. The first building on the town-site was erected by J. F. Shields and J. A. Edmundson, soon after the town was platted, and was occupied by Wilson & Vanbibber with a stock of gen- eral merchandise. Brown & Waugh and Smith & Edmundson soon fol- lowed with stocks of notions and groceries ; Henry Kobinett and N. L. Addis opened blacksmith shops ; D. Wilson sold furniture. In 1892 the Christian church erected a neat frame building. Quite a large amount of grain is shipped from this point, and a good business is done by deal- ers in most of the lines of merchandise. EDNA. On June 20, 1876,Mr. Booth and Alex. Patterson opened a general store in a claim shanty 11x14 feet, belonging to Jeptha Lackej-, on the X.E.^ of section 30, in Elm Grove township. This was the first start of the town of Edna. That same fall this firm brought from the town of Cha- nute the material of a frame building which they had torn down, and with it they put up at Edna, on the same quarter, the first store building in the place. This building still stands. They continued to conduct the business until 1879, when they sold to Frank Clark. Other stores were opened from time to time. In 1883 Dunlap & Co. started a hardware store, but there were no very important enterprises started or any large amoimt of building done until the construction of the railroad through there in 1886, with the exception of the flour-mill, which was erected in 1883, by H. S. Wimmer and William Gear. This mill was put in opera- tion in the spring of 1884, and has ever been one of the most substantial features of Edna's prosperity. The town was not regularly laid off until the location of the railroad, in the summer of 1886. A plat of the town embracing a portion of sections 29 and 30, township 34, range 19, was filed August 21, 1886. FIRES. There have been two quite extensive fires in Edna : one on February 13, 1889, on the west side of Delaware street, burning out the business houses of G. W. Reasor, W. P. Dollar, and Josiah Arnold ; the other in December, 1891, on the east side of Delaware street, consuming the busi- ness houses of Frank Martin, Frank Ilolton, L. Powell, Alexander Dun- Jap, and C. M. Einker. TOWNS AND CITIES. 139 STONE BUILDINGS. There are no brick buildings in Edna, and but two of stone, the first being the two-story bank building erected by C. T. Ewing, in 1887, and the second a one-story building adjoining it erected by G. W. Reasor, in 1891. GOVERNMENT. On the application of its citizens an order was made by the Board of County Commissioners on July 3, 1892, incorporating the town as a city of the third class, and on July 20 its first election was held, at which the following officers were elected: Mayor, J. H. Hoole; police judge, J. H. Reasor; councilmeu, G. W. Reasor, T. G. Harris, H. H. Clark, A. C. Yeach, and J. C. Arnold. The first meeting of the mayor and council was held July 25, 1892, at which J. E. Blunk was appointed and con- firmed as city clerk. On August 9 four ordinances were passed. The first levied an occu- pation tax on all the various kinds of business conducted there; the second provided for the maintenance of the peace ; the third prohibited stock from running at large ; and the fourth provided for licensing dogs. BANK. On January 25, 1887, C. T. Ewing, who was in the banking business at Thayer and Cherryvale, opened the International Bank at Edna, with J. M. Berry, cashier. C. H. Zabriska succeeded Mr. Berry as cashier on November 1, 1888, and continued in charge of the bank until it failed, in May, 1892. VALEDA. The site for this town is on a part of section 33, township 34, range 18, and was owned by the Excelsior Town and Mining Company. The plat was filed July 7, 1886. The first building in the town was put up by Stone & Willie, who placed therein a stock of merchandise. About the same time C. M. Keeler erected a store building and put in a stock of goods, and Dr. Ken worthy started the first drug store. During the fall of 1866 all of the town of Deerton was moved to the Valeda town-site. LABETTE. . This town is located near the center of section 26, in Liberty township. It was started with the avowed purpose of making it the county seat, and leading citizens from the southern part of the county as well as those in the near vicinity, took interest in the enterprise. Among the charter members were Dempsey Elliott, J. S. Waters, James H. Crich- tou, W. A. Hodges, John W. Horner, W. J. Conner, and many more of like character and responsibility. The town company was incorporated 140 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. May 3, 1870. The charter specified thai the town was to be located near Neola. It was not until September that the town plat was acknowledged by W. J. Conner, president of the town company ; however, the building of the town commenced immediately upon the organization of the town company. The first families to be located upon the town-site were Rob- ert Cooper, Wilf. Cooper, Dr. W. J. Conner, and Jacob Weider. Wilf. Cooper entered a part of the town-site, and had resided thereon since 1868. Probably the first business house upon the town-site was that of Jacob Weider, moved there from Montana the latter part of May, iu which he at once opened a bakery and saloon. Another saloon was opened some time after this by a Mr. Woolsey ; neither had license to run, and yet both were conducted for months without being interfered with. Before the close of June, 1870, a meat market was conducted by Lewis & Smith ; a lumber yard by Mr. Wilkins ; a boarding-house by Mr. Brady; a shoe shop by Mr. Moon, and a grocery store by Bates & Co. At this time it was said that there were fifty-two houses on the town-site. During the next few months the town built rapidly, and by the close of the year was represented by nearly every line of business. Failing to secure the county seat, the success of the town began to be questioned, and of those interested therein some commenced to take their departure. For a number of years past it has remained what it became after the boom had subsided — a village with a fair business for two or three stores, and a shipping point for the grain raised in the vicinity. About 1875 a mill was erected by Boweu & Williams, of Che- topa. Some two years thereafter A. W. Diggs bought it, but soon sold it to other parties. The machinery was then removed, and the mill has never since been in operation. Soon after the town was started, cemetery grounds were selected north of town. Mrs. Sarah Cooper was the first person whose body was inter- red therein. ALTAMONT. I. N. Hamilton, Henry G. Hamman, J. J. Miles, and others were mem- bers of the town company which was chartered February 4, 1875, for the pLU'pose of laying out a town on the south half of section 3 and the north half of section 11, township 33, range 19. This company does not seem to have accomplished its purpose, and on September 5, 1879, a new char- ter was filed, by I. N. Hamilton, S. O. Noble and others, for the purpose of locating a town on the northeast quarter of section 11, township 33, range 19. This laud the company purchased from William Miller. The town plat was acknowledged by J. B. Jones, president, and S. O. Noble, secretary, and was filed January 21, 1880. I. N. Hamilton was first president, but was soon succeeded by J. B. Jones as president and Scott TOlVArS AND CITIES. 241 O. Xoble as secretary. The first house erected on the town-site was the residence of Scott O. Noble ; this was built In October, 1879. In Decem- ber of the same year J. B. Jones put up the next building, in which, about the first of January, 1880, James Hershberger opened the first store in town. MILLS, In 1875, before there seemed any prospect of building a town near tliere, E. C. Gordon and A. B. Hammer erected a frame building on the northwest quarter of section 2, belonging to I. N. Hamilton. The ma- chinery for a grist-mill was put in the next season, and a custom flouring- niill was conducted quite successfully for several years. In 1878 J. W. Giles erected a small mill on the southwest quarter of section 2. This was not operated very long. Mr. Giles afterwards moved the building onto the town-site, and out of it constructed a hotel. The mill now in operation was built in 1881, by Martin A. Renuer and Daniel Reid. The town company donated the laud, constructed the pond, and gave them $75 in money, in order to secure the mill. HOTEL. The first hotel was built in the spring of 1880, by Samuel Sharp. Afterwards J. AV. Giles moved his mill building on the town-site, and out of it constructed quite a good hotel building. GOTERXMEXT. September 29, 1884, the town was incorporated, and on October 14. 1884, the first election was held, which resulted in electing H. C. Blanch- ard mayor, L. W. Grain police judge, and the following councilmen : R. B. Gregg, W. M. McCoid, D. Reid, C. S. Newlon, A. J. Garst. W. F. Haraman was elected city clerk. Mr. Blanchard was elected mayor by two majority over J. B. Jones. MAYORS. 1884, H. C. Blanchard ; 1885, C. S. Newlon ; 1886, W. P. Wilson ; 1887, A. W. Mackie; 1888-89, J. B. Jones; 1890, R. B. Gay; 1891, A. W. Mackie; 1892, C. S. Newlon. CLERKS. 1884, W. F. Hamman; 1885, A. A. Farmer; 1886, B. F. Godfrey; 1887-88, C. M. Pool; 1889, J. B. Libbey ; 1890, W. S. Haughton ; 1891, Harry Mills ; 1892, W. F. Hamman. BRICK BUILDINGS. In 1886 P. Lane erected a substantial two-story brick business house. Prior to this all the buildings had been frame. The only other brick building in town is the school-house, erected in 1891. 142 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. BANK. February 1, 1886, J. H. Macon and S. A. Duval opened a bank, which was run some lime, but finally the management was such that it was found to be unprofitable, and it was closed. CHURCHES. The Presbyterians put up a church building in the spring of 1881 ; the Methodists in 1883; the Baptists finished their house in June, 1884 ; and in 1892 the Christians purchased the old frame school-house and moved it onto their lots for a church. MOUND VALLEY. J. P. Allen, W. A. Lewis, Charles Beggs, X. L. Hibbard, Chas. Lierly, C. H. Lewis and others became incorporated July 13, 1868, with the au- thority to locate a town on section 2, township 33, range 18. The first building on the town-site was put up in the summer of 1869, by the town company in connection with Alexander Honrath and Henry Rohr, the upper story of which was to be used as the town company's office and the public hall, and the lower story by Honrath & Rohr for a general store. Among those who followed Messrs. Honrath & Rohr were L. F. Nicholas, who put in a stock of drugs ; J. B. Kremer, who had a grocery aud hard- ware store ; and E. H. Stevens, the postoftice. No title to the land on which the town was located was obtained from the Government until the passage of the act of 1876. In February, 1877, the occupants petitioned the Probate Judge to enter the town-site as he was authorized to do under the law. This he did, and in July, 1878, a certificate of entry was issued to him for the benefit of the occupants of the said town-site. PROFESSIONAL MEN. Several parties who had been or claimed to be lawyers have had their office In this town. W. M. Rogers was the first of this class to locate here. Without attempting to mention a number of those who subse- quently attempted to practice in justice court, some of whom were and some of whom were not admitted to the bar, I may mention W. F. Schoch, who for several years was located at this point, and did a good business. The first doctor to locate in this vicinity was Charles H. Lewis, who settled here in 1869. He had a claim on which he lived; he had quite a good practice. E. Tanner came in February, 1870, and N. M. Miller later in that year. Doctors Pattie, Woods, Towel, Wenner, Tustison, Stansbury, McEwen, Sanders, Allen, Lemon, Lake and Strother have offered their services to the public, and severel of them have done a good business and made a good reputation. TOIVNS AND CITIES. ^^^ BANKS. On October 7, 1883, C. M. Couclon and W. H. Gaudy opened a bank, which the}- continued to run until September, 1889, when they dissolved, since which time the bank has been conducted by Mr. Condon. GAS. In 1883 an effort was made to sink an artesian well for the purpose of supplying the town with water, and with the hope of finding coal. After drilling to a depth of over 750 feet, the parties became doubtful of ob- taining the object sought ; it was, however, discovered that the well con- tained a large amount of gas, and in 1884 tubing was put in with the view of utilizing the gas. SANITAEIUM. The gas wtII above referred to was found to afford water highly im- pregnated with minerals w^hich it was believed would be good for medici- nal purposes. Authority was obtained from the Legislature to use the proceeds of the sale of the township railroad stock in the erection of a large house, which was done, and it has become quite a resort for inva- lids. It is lighted and heated by natural gas from the well already spoken of. MILL. In 1881 W. C. O'Brien and W. W. Harper erected a mill on the bank of the I^abette, which proved to be a very good institution for the place, but not always a profitable investment to the owners. The mill was en- tirely consumed by fire on November 23, 1892. STONE AND BRICK BUILDINGS. There is one stone and one brick building in town. The first was built by Joseph Riff, in 1883 ; the latter, a very fine structure, was built by F. P. Dicus & Co., in 1890. FIRES. The first fire in town was on October 6, 1873, when the town company building with the stock of Honrath & Rohr was entirely consumed. This was probably as heavy a loss to the town as the great fire which occurred in 1889, when a whole block of buildings was consumed with the greater part of the stocks in it. The grist-mill was burned on November -^3 1892. " ' GOVERNMENT. On August 2, 1871, on petition of Alexander Honrath and others, an order of the Probate Court was made for the incorporation of the town, and the following persons were appointed trustees : Alexander Honrath, Wm. M. Rogers, John B. Campbell, E. Tanner, and Alexander Mc Bride. On January 9, 1884, an order of the Judge of the District Court was made incorporating the town as a city of the third class. The first elec- tion was held January 24th. 144 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. MAYORS AND CLEKKS. Mayors — E. Tanner, W. W. Harper, E. Tanner, William Clark, Joseph us Moore, W. W. McEwen, and F. E. West. Clerks— W. N. McCoid, J. M. Smith, N, M. Miller, S. B. Richard- son, Isaac Hill, Riifus Thrall, and W. N. McCoid. CHETOPA. Of the early settlement of this part of the county I have spoken in other parts of this work. The first white settler within the present cor- porate limits of Chetopa of whom I have any account, was John McMur- try, who lived at a point on the Neosho river at or near where the west end of the Neosho river bridge is now located. When the settlement was destroyed in 1863, his house was torn down. I have not been able to learn at what date he settled here, but Dr. Lisle found him there when he came, and he continued to reside there up to the breaking-up of the settlement in 1863. Dr. Lisle made his settlement upon a piece of ground ever since by him claimed as his home, on April 18, 1857. That summer he erected his house and shops on what is now a part of block 24. In August he went back to Ohio and brought his family with him, arriving in Chetopa in November. From that time to the present his absence from Chetopa has been but temporary. Willoughby Doudna came to see Dr. Lisle in fall of 1857 and stayed with him some time. The next year he went back to Ohio and married. In the fall he and his wife came to Chetopa, but in the spring of 1859 they located near Baxter Springs, and did not come back to Chetopa until after the war. The early settlement at and around Chetopa was broken up November 19, 1863, by a force of United States troops numbering probably some two or three hundred, under the command of Captain Willits, Adjutant Ahle and Lieutenant Josylen. All of the buildings in the vicinity were burned or otherwise destroyed and all the settlers were driven away. This was done, as the officers claimed, by command of their superior offi- <;ers to prevent the property falling into the hands of the rebels. Dr. Lisle and family went to Coimcil Grove. They remained until Septem- ber, 1865, when he came down and looked over the ground, and in No- vember of that year brought his family back to Chetopa. permanent settlement. The permanent settlement of Chetopa really commences with the year 1866. In the spring of that year Ephraim Doudna and Dr. George Lisle built the first house upon the town-site. It was a "shake" house, and stood on the west side of what is now Third street, and north of Maple street, near the alley. In this house Ephraim Doudna opened the first TOIVA'S AND CITIES. ^45 store in town. He had a small stock of goods consisting of dry goods, groceries, and provisions. Soon after this a man by the name of Hotf- mau built a cabin and blacksmith shop south of where Maple street now is, and between Second and Third streets. These were the only build- ings in town at the close of 1866 of which I have been able to learn, although it is probable there were two or three more log houses built that year. Perry Barnes moved into town on election day, in November of that year, and was allowed to vote ; it was considered that everybody who was here with the intention of settling had a right to express his prefer- ence at the first election. D. U. Watson and Wm. Shay were two of the judges of this election, and S. R. Southwick was one of the clerks. In February of 1867 Willoughby Doudna, who had a saw-mill on the east side of the Neosho river just above the mouth of Canville creek, in Neosho county, moved it to Chetopa and located it on the west side of the Neosho near the foot of Maple street as afterwards located. He began sawing on February 20th, and had a buhr for grinding corn in operation the fore part of May. The only other mills at this time in the county were in Neosho and Montana townships. W. H. Reed operated this mill, sawed the first tree made into boards in Chetopa, and during the spring built the first frame house that was erected in town. It stood at the northwest corner of block 60. From this time on frame houses made of native lumber began to be built where before either the log or "shake*' shanties had been made to answer. In the early summer of this vear a rough survey for the town-site was made by S. R. Southwick, and Maple and Third streets were located. In June, Perry Barnes built a house on the southeast corner of Third and Maple streets, designed for a hotel and store. In this, about the first of July, he opened a stock of groceries and a hotel : this was the first hotel in town, and the second store. About the same time a small cabin was erected on the southwest corner of First and Maple streets and called "Bachelors' Hall,'' or the "Cabinet Shop.*' That summer Z. A. Woodard bought out Mr. Doudna. and in the build- ing by him occupied put in a general stock of goods. In this store, from the first, was kept the postoffice. Thus the first building erected upon the town-site contained not only the first store, but also the first post- office. William Craft and family came in October of that year, and at once commenced the erection of a hotel on the northwest corner of Third and Maple streets. It was a frame building. 24 by 26 feet, two stories high. It was completed and opened for guests that fall, under the name of the Chetopa House, and was the first building erected exclusively for a hotel. In the "Bachelors' Hall"' or "Cabinet Shop*' above referred to, in September of this year, was opened the first Sunday school in — 10 146 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. town, with G. H. Hard as supermtenclent. Occasionally preaching ser- vices were also had. On October 23d, this year, Emma Reed was born to Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Reed. This was the first birth in town. The important events of 1868 were the securing of a title to the town- site, the organization of the town company, and the definite survey and laying-out of the town. As several of the then residents of Chetopa had settled there before the war, they were able to enter their lands under the 4th article of the treaty with the Osages of September 29, 1865. On January 21, 1868, Dr. George Lisle entered the southeast quarter of section 34 ; Willoughby Doudna and George Hanson part of section 35. The lands thus entered embraced the site of Chetopa, and so much as was within the limits of what was intended for the town was deeded to the town company. Thus, while her neighbors had to make their im- provements on Government land, Chetopa could offer homes to which a perfect title could be secured. This was an important item in her favor. IMPROVEMENTS. In the spring of this year the California House was erected, on the northeast corner of Maple and Third streets. In the latter part of the summer Spaulding's Hall, on the corner of Fourth and Maple streets, was erected; it was a good-sized two-story building, and furnished the first place in town suitable for holding religious and public meetings. An- other enterprise started this year, and one destined to add as much to the development of the town as almost any that was started in an early day, was the planing mill, sash and furniture factory of Taft, Brown & Co. This was built in the fall, and ready for operation the first of De- cember. They sent out a large amount of house-furnishing material and furniture to adjacent counties and neighboring towns. During the fall of this year Oliver Marsh opened a large dry-goods store, and Dr. M. H. Dursham started a drug store, which he conducted in connection with his professional practice. On April 4th James H. Crichton walked into town as the vanguard of a long line of attorneys who were to grace the bar at that place, and during the early summer he put up a two-story frame building on the north side of Maple street, and had it plastered ; this was the ^x%X> plastered house in town. At the close of 1868 there was quite a large settlement of industrious and enterprising people who were suc- cessfully conducting various lines of business, and the town presented the appearance of a thriving and progressive village. THE TOWN COMPANY. Dr. Lisle had from the first intended the location of a town upon the land on which he settled, and early in 1868 he arranged with influential men for the organization of a town company. It was not, however, until TOWXS AND CITIES. i^^ March 30 of this year that the towu company was incorporated. The charter members consisted of George Lisle, George Hanson, Willoughby Doudna, N. S. Goss, John Secrest, J. D. Torbert, and Watson Stewart. The company, organized by the election of George Lisle president and Willoughby Doudna secretary. The town was located and laid off upon sections 34 and 35. Liberal donations were made to the various church organizations, and to such enterprises as it was thought would tend to upbuild the town. IMPROVEMENTS IN 1869. I shall not attempt to describe the continued multiplication of new buildings, both business houses and private residences, as they appear during this and succeeding years. The two important features of the town's history in 1869 were the establishment of the Advance and the incorporation of the town. By donation of lots made by the town com- pany and the securing of a fair limit of paid subscribers, John W. Horner and A. S. Cory had been induced in the latter part of 1868 to bring a printing-press from Baldwin City, Douglas county, to Chetopa, and in the first week of 1869 they gave to the public the first issue of the Advance. It is not likely that any donation ever made by its citizens did more for the upbuilding of Chetopa than that which secured them this paper. Its publishers displayed a wonderful amount of enterprise in the gathering of news and extending the circulation of their paper. The advantages which the town offered were thus made known to all who had any dispo- sition to learn. In March W. A. Hodges brought quite a large nursery stock, which was the first to be brought to this part of the county. The first flouring- mill in town was erected in the fall of this year, and in October com- menced its operation. Gilbert Martin was the proprietor. AN IMPORTANT YEAR. The year 1870 was an important one in the history of Chetopa. The fact that every one confidently anticipated the completion of the railroad sometime during the early part of the year, gave a great impetus to busi- ness, and speculations ran high. A large number of new buildings were erected, and large numbers of new firms opened up in business. Brick Buildings. — Up to 1870 there had been nothing but wooden structures in towu, but early this summer several brick business houses were erected. Among the bricks erected were one by F. A. Drake, one by Dr. Halderman, and one by Hornby & Lewis ; others were also ar- ranged for and built the following year. In June of this year the cars were running into Chetopa, and the fact that it was the end of the line brought there a large number of emigrants — not only those who were intending to stop here, but also those who were anticipating going farther 148 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. south and southwest. From this point travelers laid in their supplies, and the merchants of Chetopa conducted almost a wholesale business. Foundry. — In the latter part of 1870, John Torrance located his foundry at this point. This was a valuable addition to the business of the town, bringing to it an element of trade which before that had been compelled to go to Fort Scott and other points north. BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES. In January, 1880, a branch of the State Freedman's Aid Society was organized for the purpose of furnishing aid to the destitute refugees who had settled here. C. H. McCreery was president and J. D. Graham sec- retary. Orphans' Home Society. — A number of years ago this society was formed in aid to the State Home for Orphans. The ladies met regularly, and worked on articles either to be used in the Home itself, or to be sold and the proceeds applied to the aid of the Home. Through their exer- tions a number of orphans were provided with homes. A. F. & A. M. — On November 5, 1868, a Masonic lodge was organized, with J. H. Crichton, W. M. I. O. O. F.— August 10, 1869, a lodge of the Odd Fellows w^as organ- ized. A. O. U. W. — A lodge of the United Workmen was organized Decem- ber 17, 1879, with J. B. Cook, M. W. K. of P. — A lodge of this order was organized May 9, 1883. OAK HILL CEMETERY. On September 13, 1869, a meeting was held in Spaulding's Hall to con- sider the matter of a cemetery. Jonas Clark, W. B. Gregory and T. B. Lake w^ere appointed a committee to select a site. In October the com- mittee selected twenty acres on the east side of Mr. Hard's farm, south- east of town. No title could be procured to this ground for some years: nevertheless, the burying proceeded. The Legislature authorized the trustee of Richland township to appropriate money to help pay for this cemetery ground ; the township and city thereupon appropriating enough money to purchase and procure title to the land. The cemetery associa- tion was incorporated in June, 1883, with L. M. Bedell president, and George Eddington secretary and superintendent. MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. On April 12, 1869, on petition of her citizens, the Probate Judge made an order incorporating the town of Chetopa, and appointed William Gage, Leander Brown, M. G. Pratt, A. S. Cory and Henry Lisle as its board of trustees. On April 14, 1869, these trustees met, and organized by electing William Gage chairman, and appointing W. H. Fisher clerk. TOIV.VS AXD CITIES. 149 Ou June 2Sth Mr. Fisher resigned as clerk, and C. F. Webster was ap- pointed to fill the vacancy. Sometime between August 16th and December Sth, 1869, H. R. Dobyns was appointed clerk. On March 9, 1870, an ordinance which had just been passed was pub- lished, declaring Chetopa a city of the third class; and on April 4th the first city election was held. A Republican caucus had previously been held, and nominated S. A. Marsh for mayor, W. B. Gregory, C. H. Lud- low, Wm. Nix, C. A. Degraff, and Dr. L. P. Patty, for councilmen. The opposition concentrated their strength upon the office of mayor, and, many Republicans joining, brought out F. M. Graham for that office, who, after a spirited contest, was elected, with all the above-named candidates for council. Upon organizing, the new government continued Mr. Dobyns as city clerk till May, 1870, when he was succeeded by N. S. Storrs. In March, 1871, the city was by ordinance declared a city of the second class under the special act of the Legislature providing for its organi- zation as such, along with Oswego. There was a lively contest for the city officers at the April election that year. George W. Fox was sup- ported by those generally designated as the "bummer element," by the Adxance, and of course by many good citizens. C. F. Smith was supported by the Mechanics' Association which had recently been organized, and by the more conservative class of citizens. Mr. Fox was elected. Ou April 12, 1871, the new city council organized, and the following officers were appointed : Clerk, J. M. Cavaness ; treasurer, Hiram Butterworth ; assessor, C. P. Spaulding; street commissioner, R. G. Tileston; attorney. J. J. Long. On September 1st Mr. Cavaness resigned as city clerk, G. "SV. Houston filling the place temporarily till October, w^hen L R. Minor was appointed, and was succeded by Leroy Neale in November. The city government was characterized by a spirit of profligacy in the expenditure of money and the incurring of debt which soon brought it into disrepute with nearly all of the business part of the place. The mayor claimed high prerogatives unknown to the law. The saloons were the most powerful features in the local administration. During the fall and winter the Advance, which had favored their election, opened a war on the city administration. It said, "The rogues are having their own way to their hearts' content." For weeks before the next election both sides — the administration and the reformers — conducted an active can- vass. But when the election came off, in April. 1872, those in favor of changing the administration made a clean sweep and elected their full ticket. For a second time F. M. Graham became mayor, C. F. Smith was soon appointed clerk, and in June was succeeded by M. S. Parker. The old debt was bonded, the expensive contracts for street improvements 150 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. were modified as far as possible in the interest of economy, and a feeling of financial security began again to inspire the people. It was evident that a new order of things had been inaugurated. MAYORS. 1870, F. M. Graham; 1871, G. W. Fox; 1872, F. M. Graham; 1873, George Lisle; 1874, N. Elliott; 1875, Alfred Large; 1876, S. B. Fisher; 1877, L. M. Bedell; 1878, S. B. Fisher; 1879, J. H. Crichton ; 1881-7, J. B. Cook; 1888, James Brown; 1889, George Eddington; 1891-2, C. Cranwell. CLERKS. 1869, W. F. Fisher, C. F. Webster, H. R. Dobyns; 1870, N. S. Storrs: 1871, J. M. Cavaness, G. W. Houston, I. R. Minor, Leroy Neale; 1872, C. F. Smith, M. S. Parker; 1873, G. M. Caldwell; 1874-7, Henry Frye; 1878-87, John W. Breidenthal ; 1887, A. F. Sloane, J. B. Snevely ; 1888-9, L H. Frye; 1890, A. R. Bell; 1891, J. M. Cavaness; 1892, E. W. Min- turn. BANKS. Near the close of 1868 C. P. Spaulding started the first bank in the town. He had very little capital, and attempted a much larger business than he was able to conduct. He continued to operate this bank till the spring of 1870, when, unable to meet his obligations, a number of suits were commenced against him and he was forced to quit business. Ketcham & Co.— W. B. Ketcham and F. H. Ketcham opened a bank about July 1, 1870, which they conducted till the fall of the following year. National Bank.— The First National Bank was the successor of Ketcham Brothers. It was opened for business December 4, 1871, with James E. Marsh, of Kansas City, president, E. J. Stewart (then post- master) vice-president. F. H. Ketcham cashier, Lee Clark assistant cashier. Some time thereafter R. W. Officer succeeded Mr. Marsh as president. The bank had an authorized capital of $50,000, and a paid-up capital of $25,000. In March, 1873, the bank moved into its fine brick building, which it had just completed on the northwest corner of Third and Maple streets. In September, 1873, the stringency of the money market caused this bank to temporarily suspend payment. On July 19, 1875, the bank decided to go into liquidation, and Lee Clark was put in charge and settled up its affairs. Savings Bank.— The Chetopa Savings Bank was organized July 1, 1871, with a paid-up capital of $30,000. Charles H. Safford was presi- dent, L. F. Fisher secretary, and George S. Newman cashier. Private Banks.— January 1, 1870, F. H. Ketcham, R. W. Officer and Lee Clark commenced business as Ketcham & Co., and succeeded to TOJVNS AND CITIES. 151 the business of the First National Bank. Lee Clark bought out the in- terest of his partners in June, 1876, and in August following associated with him Arthur D. Sturgis under the firm-name of Clark & Sturgis. January 1, 1879, Lee Clark went to Parsons to become cashier of the First National Bank of that place, and later in the year Mr. Sturgis re- moved to Mansfield, Ohio, leaving Edgar W. Clark in charge of the bank. August 1, 1879, Lee Clark purchased Mr. Sturgis's interest, and soon thereafter sold a half-interest to George H. Bates. Clark & Bates as thus constituted continued in business till the death of Mr. Bates, in February, 1883, when Florence E. Bates succeeded to the interest of her husband. Afterwards Lee Clark sold his half-interest in the bank to Edgar W. Clark, who, with Mrs. Bates, is still conducting the business. LOAN AND INVESTMENT COMPANIES. Col. J. B. Cook in 1875 opened a real estate and loan business, and during the next few years did an extensive business, both in the way of selling real estate and making real-estate loans. January 1, 1884, L. M. Bedell and J. W. Breidenthal became associated with him in the loan business, the firm being known as J. B. Cook & Co. By March 1, 1885, the Neosho Valley Investment Company was formed as the successor to the business of J. B. Cook & Co. J. B. Cook was president, J. W. Breidenthal secretary, L. M. Bedell treasurer. Subsequently R. Haines Passmore succeeded Mr. Cook as president, and still more recently other changes have been made in its officers. MILLS. October, 1869, Gilbert Martin commenced operating a flouring -mill which he had just finished on the Neosho. July 1, 1871, Hunter & Williams's flour-mill, which had been erected during the early part of the jear, was finished and opened for business. Since then other mills have been established. mechanics' ASSOCIATION. On March 3, 1871, the mechanics of the town organized an association for mutual help and protection, of which J. M. Bannan was secretary and the controlling spirit. This organization sought to unite the mechan- ics' interest in the town by an effort to control the work of that locality to those residing therein rather than allowing it to be done by persons brought there from abroad, and also to secure a fair remuneration to all who were engaged in mechanical pursuits. OPERA HOUSE. In December, 1883, the opera house company was organized, with G. H. Bates president, B. S. Edwards vice-president, William Lehman secre- 152 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. tary, aud E. W. Clark treasurer; aud the following year the opera house was constructed aud opened. FIEES. On September 17, 1S71, a big fire broke out, and nearly one block, known as the Sturgis block, was burned. August 14, 1882, a great fire took place, starting in G. A. Lumau's hardware store on the south side of Maple street, and consuming nineteen buildings before its force could be arrested. On May 3, 1884, Marsh's block was burned. LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. On February 18, 1875, the Ladies' Library Association of Chetopa wa?; organized, with a membership of eighty-one. Mrs. M. A. Shilds, Mrs. J. F. Hunter, aud Mrs. H. Butterworth, by the payment of $10 each, were made life members of the association. The following officers were elected : President, Mrs. M. A. Aldrich ; secretary, Mrs. B. S. Edwards ; treasurer, Mrs. M. A. Shilds ; librarian. Miss Fannie Shilds. On May 14^ 1875, the library was formally opened, with 116 volumes on the shelves. In February, 1882, the association disbanded, and did nothing for three years. On March 7, 1885, it was reorganized as the City Library Asso- ciation, with a membership of ninety. The payment of SI a year enti- tled one to the use of a book each week. The association now has 582 books in the library. LITERARY. A number of winters, more especially in her early history, Chetopa has maintained a good literary society; frequently the business men have been among the leading spirits in it. In 1870 C. H. Ludlow was presi- dent, and that year, as well as in 1872-3, most of the leading men took part in the debates. In 1873 a temperance literary society was organized,, of which Dr. C. Humble w^as president. An organization of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle was. effected here in 1884. CHINAMEN. In 1884 a couple of Chinamen came to town and opened up a laundry. Some of the citizens conceived a great antipathy to these workmen, and concluded that the proper thing to do was to dispense with their presence. The Chinamen were informed that they would do well to take their de- parture from town, but not heeding the request, other measures were taken to induce them to find a more congenial home. The authorities,, ascertaining what was going on, took steps to interfere ; the result was- the arrest of some two dozen men engaged in the attempt to depopulate, and after a protracted and hotly-contested suit four of the parties were convicted and fined 325 each. TOWNS AND CITIES. 15S CET.EBRATIONS. Chetopa has ever takeu a pride in getting up fine celebrations. The first one was held on July 4, 1867, in an arbor provided for the occasion north of Maple and east of Third streets, at which the Declaration of Independence was read by Harry Shannon, of La Porte, Indiana. Speeches were made by Captain Secrest and others, and in this arbor in the afternoon of that day Rev. Mr. Cox, from Indiana, preached the first sermon of which we have any account since the breaking-up of the settle- ment in 1863. At the same place in the evening a dance was held, and those participating therein took their refreshments at Barnes's Hotel, which had just been opened across the street to the south. The next celebration of note was on July 4, 1869, at which Congressman Sidney Clarke and Colonel Hoyt made speeches to a large crowd of people. An- other important celebration was held July 4, 1875, when George T. An- thony spoke to a large crowd of people. OSWEGO. 1865. Of the settlement of Mathews upon the present site of the city of Os- wego, I have spoken in another part of this work. The first settlement of the town aside from the Mathews settlement dates from the fall of 1865. In the latter part of October of that year Clinton Rexford and N. P. Elsbree located, the former on the southeast quarter of section 16, and the latter upon the southwest quarter of section 15, township 33, range 21, and were the first white men to make their homes upon the present site of Oswego after the death of Mathews^ Messrs. Rexford and Elsbree were directed to this site by A. T. Dickerman and Jabez Zink, who had a short time before that located upon the Labette, and who found them encamped near the mouth of that stream in search for a location and contesting with the Bakers for claims taken by them. They had not much more than gotten fairly located upon their claim until other parties came into the neighborhood. But as the location of these new settlements were outside of the limits of what became the town, and have been spoken of in treating of the settlement of the township, I will not re- peat it here. Late in 1865, Rexford and Elsbree brought on a small stock of provisions and opened up the first store or trading-post in the town, and in fact the first in this part of the county. Their store building was a rough log shanty, and stood near the center of what is now block 66. In the street near the northwest corner of this block is a spring from which all the early settlers were supplied with water. The old Government road, coming from a northwesterly direction, passed between what is now blocks 61 and 66. 154 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. 1866. The first hotel in the place was started in the spring of this year by Win. A. Hogaboom. It was a log cabin, and stood on what is now the east part of block 61. While it was not a very commodious affair, it served the purpose of furnishing entertainment to the few new settlers who commenced coming early that season. Among those who came this year were the following: Dr. John F. Newlon, C. H. Talbott, Andy Kaho, the Sloane Family, Thos. J. Buntain, Hiram HoUingsworth, Thos. J. Flourouoy, J. Q. Cowell, H. C. Bridgman, Jas. Jones, H. W. Thomp- son, Nelson F. Carr, and C. H. Bent. Carr and Bridgman bought from Rexford and Elsbree the small stock of groceries which they had put in the fall previous, and added somewhat thereto ; and during that year J. <3. Cowell put up a small addition to the Carr and Bridgman store, in which he opened up a small stock of groceries and drugs. This was the first drug store in the county. 1867. The treaty with the Osages having been ratified and proclaimed by the President, settlers came in this year in greater numbers, and with more assurance of finding here a home than had those who had previously <;ome. D. W. Clover had come into the vicinity the July previous, and had stopped with his sous down on the bank of the river. Directly after coming he had gone into the organization of the town company, making preparations for helping build up the town. During the winter he had gotten out logs, and in the spring of this year erected on the southeast corner of block 25 a hewed log house in which he at once opened a hotel, naming it the Oswego House ; ever since which time the principal hotel in the place has been maintained on that corner under the same name as first started. The principal new business firms that were started this year were A. Waskey & ^ons. Dr. R. W. Wright, and H. L. Woodford. All of these came here during the summer and got their business houses open in the fall. J. F. and T. P. Waskey conducted the business for their house, opening first in the Buntain building and the next season erecting their ■own building, in block 33, into which they moved. Prior to this year there had been no saw-mills in the county, and all of the buildings had been built of logs — some of them rough log houses, and some hewed. Those who built this year were able to get boards, and several frame houses were erected. Thomas J. Buntain put up a two- story frame about 20 x 40 feet, on the southwest corner of block 25 ; Dr. R. W. Wright put up a one-story frame on the northwest corner of block 31, in which he thereafter put his drug store; Dr. W. S. Newlon built a frame residence on the lots ever siuce occupied by him. Several other TOWNS AND CITIES. 155 smaller frame houses, either for busiDess or residence, were also built. In addition to Dr. Wright, Dr. Newlon, and the Waskey brothers, whom I have mentioned as having come this year, I may name A. L. Austin, Rev. Thomas H. Caufield, Jerry D. McCue, and Walter P. Bishop. At the close of 1867 there were in Oswego ten frame buildings and eleven log houses, with a population of sixteen families, numbering about 100 individuals. There were in all five stores, two of which were kept on the site first occupied, on the edge of the bluff, one by Carr & Bridgman and one by J. Q. Cowell. H. L. Woodford had a small feed store in the same vicinity. The other two stores were within the present business site — one by the Waskeys in the Buntain building, and the other by Dr. Wright in his own building, as above described. In addition to these there was one blacksmith shop and one hotel. During this summer Mrs. Herbaugh taught the first school, and the first religious services were also held, a Sunday school having been or- ganized and maintained during the summer, and preaching services hav- ing been instituted in the fall by Kev. Thomas H. Canfield, who had been sent here by the Congregational Society, and by Eev. John Mark, a local Methodist preacher, who had settled in the township. Thos. J. Flouro- iioy, a Baptist minister, also preached occasionally. 1868. A very great addition was made to the growth and improvement of the town during this year. Several firms of quite large means started in business, and a number of substantial residences were put up. Read Bros., a firm composed of John S., Merrit, and Elijah T., came early in the year, and at once commenced the construction of their store building on the west side of Commercial street, where they have ever since been in business. They built a large two-story frame building, and put therein the first stock of hardware brought to town. C. M. Condon came in the spring, and put up a two-story frame, placing therein a large stock of general merchandise. Israel R. Fisher (Samuel Fisher, his brother, being then with him) located and put up a two-story frame, in which he commenced the sale of groceries, which he has continued until the pres- ent. Several other business houses of less magnitude than those I have mentioned were started this year ; so that at the close of the year there were 100 frame buildings in town, a very fair proportion of which were occupied by business of one kind or another. Nearly all of the lines of l)usiness usually found in frontier towns were at that time fairly repre- sented. The town had been started on an Indian reservation before the treaty with the Indians releasing their rights thereto had been approved, and even at this time the title to the same was in the General Government, 156 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. aud no provision had yet been made for anyone acquiring a title to his home ; yet the people who had come here had commenced preparations for permanent homes, and most of them had no thought of making a change. Those in business were making money, and all seemed eon- tented and prosperous, and the year closed with Oswego having ap- parently as good a prospect as any of her competitors for making a prosperous and permanent growth. TITLE TO TOWX-SITE. The town company had originally claimed and bought the right of the original occupants to the southwest quarter of section 15 and the south- east quarter of section 16. Under the ruling of the land office the odd sections could not be entered under the joint resolution of April 10, 1869, but the even sections could. It was arranged that the southeast quarter of section 16 should be entered by D. W. Clover, who was then the oldest resident living upon the same. Immediately after making entry Mr. Clover conveyed the title to this quarter to the town company, which was thus enabled to make title to the several occupants then living and doing business thereon. As no titles could be obtained to lots on the southwest quarter of section 15, few persons settled thereon after that became known. After the contest with the railroads ended in the decision of the court against their claim, the passage of the law by Congress in 1876 provided for the entry of town sites by the municipal authorities, when the town was incorporated, for the benefit of the occupants thereon. Someone had secured a provision to be inserted in the act authorizing town companies to enter town-sites under certain conditions. A contest sprang up between the Oswego Town Company and the mayor and coun- cilmen of the city of Oswego, for the entry of the southwest quarter of section 15. The city was represented in this contest by its city attorney, and the town company by Colonel W. B. Glasse. The decision of the local land office was in favor of the city authorities. From this an appeal was taken to the Commissioner of the General Land Office, and then to the Secretary of the Interior, both of whom sustained the decision of the land office in favor of the city authorities. This contest was ended in March, 1880, and thereupon the city conveyed title to the occupants for the lots occupied by them respectively. THE TOWN COMPANY. Up to July, 1866, the place we now designate Oswego had been known as Little Town "from a time when the memory of man runneth not to the contrary." Prior to the incorporation of the town company there were no records kept of its transactions except upon slips of paper. I have gone through TOJVNS AXD CITIES. 157 the records thus kept so far as they have been preserved, aud from theui find the follov^ing facts: J. F. Newlon. William A. Hogaboom, C. H. Talbott and D. C. Eexford seem to have been the parties instrumental in organizing the town company; at any rate they are the ones who re- ceipted for the money paid for shares in the town company, so far as I can now ascertain from these fragments of records. The first records of any kind that I find are receipts, coming by date in the following order : "Xeosho Couxty, Kansas, July 9, 1866. "Received of N. Sloan thirty-one dollars, being one-half payment for said share in the town. Balance to be paid when the company is organ- ized and title perfected. If not perfected, the money refunded. William A. Hogaboom." "Xeosho Couxty, Kansas, July 10, 1866. "Received of A. Kaho one-half payment for one town share, in a watch ; if title not perfected, the watch returned in good order. Wm. a. Hogaboom." "Neosho County, Kansas, July 11, 1866. "Received of Daniel Matthias thirty-one dollars, being the one-half the money for a town share on the Matthews place. The balance due when the company perfect their arrangements and a good and sufficient title is had, but the above money to be returned if said arrangements are not consummated. Wm. A. Hogaboom." "Received of D. W. Clover thirty-one dollars, being one-half the pay of a share in Little Town. C. H. Talbot. "Little Town, July 12, 1866." The first record of the minutes of any meeting being held is the fol- lowing : "Little Town, Neosho County, Kansas, July 12, 1866. "The shareholders of the Town Company of Little Town met for the purpose of organization. Mr. D. W. Clover was called to the chair. On motion, Dr. J. F. Newlou was elected president pro tern., Wm. A. Hoga- boom vice-president 2-)ro tern., and H. C. Bridgman secretary pro tern. Moved that a committee of three be appointed to draft by-laws for the companj\ Carried." It will thus be seen that upon July 12, 1866, the proposed town is-still designated Little Town. The first time I find the word "Oswego" writ- ten is in the following instrument : "Oswego, Kansas, July 17, 1866. " This entitles the holder, T. J. Buntain, to one full share in the Town 158 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. Company of Oswego, Neosho count}-, Kansas, on his complying with the rules and regulations of the Town Company of said town of Oswego. J. F. New^lon, President. H. C. Bridgman, Secretary, Town Co.'''' There is no record now to be found of the exact time when it was done, nor of the action taken in changing from Little Town to Oswego, but it is apparent from the instruments copied above that sometime be- tween the 12th and 17th of July the change of name was made. I am informed that at a meeting of the town company D. W. Clover suggested the name of Oswego for the proposed town, and some other member of the company, probably J. Q. Cowell, suggested Vernon. A ballot was taken, and a majority of the stockholders voted in favor of choosing the name "Oswego''; and from that time on Oswego was the designa- tion of the settlement formerly known as Little Town. On August 3, 1867, J. Q. Cowell, C. C. Clover, J. F. Newlon, D. W. Clover, T. J. Flouronoy, T. J. Buntain and D. M. Clover signed articles of incorporation, which were acknowledged before D. W. Clover, justice of the peace, and the charter thus prepared and signed was, on August 10, 1867, filed in the office of the Secretary of State, and the company had a corporate existence from that date. The company's book contains no record of the meeting, but on a scrap of paper I find the minutes of a meeting held September 24th, and while the figures representing the year are not very distinct, I take it to be 1867. This being soon after the in- corporation, it was evidently the first meeting of the incorporators after receiving the charter. The minutes show that "on motion to organize and elect directors," the following w^ere elected : J. F. Newlon, T. J. Flouronoy, D. W. Clover, D. M. Clover, and N. F, Carr. On the same day J. F. Newlon was elected president, D. W. Clover vice-president, Nelson F. Carr secretary, and D. M. Clover treasurer. On November 26, 1867, R. W. Wright w^as elected secretary in place of Mr. Carr, resigned. On February 10, 1868, a new board of directors having been elected, D. W. Clover was elected president, R. W. Wright secretary, and A. L. Austin treasurer. On January 9, 1869, J. F. Waskey was elected presi- dent, and M. Reed secretary of the company, and they remained the offi- cers of the company during its further corporate existence. ENCOURAGEMENTS TO IMPROVE. To the town company thus organized and operated, Oswego owed a very large degree of her growth and prosperity. While the town com- pany could secure no title to its site until the fall of 1869, it promised from the first liberal donations to all enterprises which it was believed would be for the public good. Each church organization was given lots TOWNS AND CITIES. 159 of its own selection to an extent of 100 feet front; one-half block was donated for a school-site; a building was erected and donated to the county for a court-house ; a county jail was erected ; donations were made to the first newspapers ; and, until the close of 1869, anyone build- ing a house of a certain dimension had donated to him the lot on which it stood. STONE AND BRICK BUILDINGS. The first stone building to be erected in the place was the school-house, in 1869. During this year the Congregational church was commenced, and finished about the close of the year. The first stone business house was erected on the southwest corner of block 32, in the summer of 1869, by W. M. Johnson. The walls were laid that year, but it was not com- pleted until 1870. In 1874 H. S. Coley, W. H. Roby and Nelson Case purchased lots 1 and 3, block 38, and laid a foundation thereon with a view of erecting a brick building. These parties sold the lots, however, to Samuel Carpenter, who erected the brick building now standing there- on ; this was the first brick building in the place. One room of it was occupied June 1, 1875, by the firm of Montgomery & Carpenter as a store, and the other room was occupied by Hobart & Condon as a bank. In 1879, the Masons put up their temple on the west side of block 32. The opera house was built in 1879, on the north side of Fourth avenue. In 1880, after the fire on the west side of Commercial street, arrangements were made for the erection of brick buildings in their place, and during that season the entire east side of block 33, with the exception of the northeast corner building, was covered with a row of uniform brick build- ings. The following year Mr. Symmes completed the row by the erection of the one at the north end. The city building, at the southeast corner of block 38, was commenced in 1883 and finished early in 1884. In 1887 L. Sawyer & Co. erected a fine two-story stone building on the east side of block 38. The First National Bank building was erected in 1885; this was the first three-story brick in town. In 1890 Mr. Knight put a very fine three-story building at the southeast corner of block 35, in place of the old frame Oswego House. Oswego was thus furnished with one of the best hotels in this part of the State. WATER-POWER. It was believed by our citizens that the Neosho cut-oft", commencing just below the dam and running south near the foot of the bluft' and striking the river again at a point as nearly as possible south from the place of beginning, would furnish an immense water-power. The river at this place taking such a large bend to the east, the fall in several miles of its flow could, it was thought, be concentrated into a comparatively 160 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. short space by turning the channel down this cut-off. In 1871 a survey was made, and a report published that 19 feet of fall could thus be secured. But no steps were ever taken to make available this apparently wasting power, farther than to organize a company and make plans on paper. In January, 1874, W. T. Cunningham and others obtained a char- ter for the Oswego Canal and Manufacturing Company. STORMS. On the night of April 5, 1873, a severe hail-storm came from the south- west, and broke nearly every pane of glass on the south and west sides in very nearly all the houses in town. The following day was Sunday, and the town had a forlorn appearance. Not enough glass could be found in town to replace those broken, and for several days bed quilts and other garments furnished a conspicuous protection from the weather. September 29, 1881, a wind-storm in the nature of a cyclone passed over Oswego, scattering the lumber of Sharp's lumber yard, blowing down the porch at Mr. Tuttle's house, north of the Congregational church, and doing some other damage. FIRES. The following fires occurred according to their respective dates : Jen- nings's packing establishment, on July 3, 1879 ; the south end of the frame row on the west side of Commercial street, March 8, 1880 ; Grant's livery barn, with thirteen horses, February 18, 1882; Frisco depot, De- cember 11, 1882; Miller's mill, February 31, 188-4; the row of buildings opposite the Oswego House, February 10, 1886; Shotliif 's wagon factory, April 27, 1885; Hall's flour-mill, January 14, 1886; Judge Barnes's dwelling-house took fire and burned July 4, 1874. The Champion fire extinguisher, which had recently been purchased, had been taken that day to the celebration at Montana, and the fire company were much an- noyed on reaching home and learning that in their absence this fire had taken place. POSTOFFICE ELECTION. November 38, 1870, a vacancy existing on account of J. D. Coulter, the postmaster, absconding, and there being several applicants for the position, an election was held to determine who should be appointed. A. W. Pickering, who had been Coulter's deputy and who had charge of the office, was chosen over E. 0. Kimball, J. W. Minturn, J. A. Miller, R. J. Elliott, and C. M. Gilkey. These were not the days when the spirit of civil-service reform predominated, and the election cut no figure in the matter of the appointment. LITERARY AND ]MUSICAL. In the fall of 1870 Nelson Case, B. W. Perkins, H. C. Hall and some other parties organized for the purpose of securing lectures and aiding in TOIVNS AND CITIES. 161 literary enterprises, aucl ou October 6th of that year obtained a charter for the Oswego Library and Lecture Association. Under its auspices Henry Clay Dean delivered his lecture on "The Old Senate." This was about the extent of the work of this association. On July 19, 1870, a musical association was formed, with E. W. Davis as president. They at once arranged to give a concert on September 9th. This concert proved to be a great success, and on October 24th and 26th they rendered the cantata of Queen Esther. February 27, 1871, a brass band was organized, under the leadership of William Wells. In Janu- ary, 1872, Mr. Wells organized a ladies' cornet band, which soon became quite proficient, and was in favor at public entertainments. In January, 1873, Prof. Perkins held a musical institute. In May, 1874, a new musical institute was formed, of which J. A. Gates was president. On October 1.5, 1877, a musical institute commenced, under the direction of Prof. Teats, of New York. F. B. McGill, H. S. Coley, E. W. Ross, F. Beal and L. C. Howard worked hard for its success, and it proved a great benefit in developing the musical talent of the town.* workmen's ASSOCIATIOISr. April 27, 1872, the mechanics and workmen of Oswego formed an as- sociation for their mental as well as financial improvement. J. A. Miller was elected president and George C. Sarvis secretary. F. B. McGill, David Branson and James T. Pierson were appointed a committee on lectures and educational matters. A reading-room was opened, and sup- plied with reading-matter by the members bringing books and periodicals, so that each had the advantages of what all controlled. It was not a very long-lived institution; its history, like that of so many undertakings, shows that it is easy to start almost any kind of an enterprise for the public welfare, but that if it is to be made permanent and to be a lasting benefit, some one must be willing to sacrifice himself for the good of others : such a person is not always to be found. MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETY. About the last of January, 1874, a society was formed by those who had been inclined to dissipation, to assist in at least a partial reformation. They agreed not to drink, either not at all for a certain length of time, or to abstain from drinking under certain circumstances. It was said to have had quite a perceptible influence on its members, and, at least for a time, to have seriously affected the receipts of the saloons. William Wells was president and L. C. Howard secretary of the organization. A charter was obtained January 28, 1874. THE AGGASSIAX SOCIETY. In 1873 a number of Oswego citizens who were somewhat inclined to — 11 162 H] STORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. literary and scientific studies organized a society for the purpose of study, and the discussion of subjects in which they were interested and whicli might be deemed beneficial and of practical importance. Meetings were usually held weekly, at the residence of some of the members of the soci- ety. Some one was appointed to prepare a paper to be read at a subse- (luent meeting, and the paper thus presented formed a basis for discussion. This society was kept up for several years, and proved to be of very great interest and benefit. Among those who were prominently connected with the work were C. O. Perkins, Dr. W. S. Newlon, Mary A. Higby, Ferd. Beyle, F. B. McGill, together with many others who were less conspicu- ous in its workings. OSWEGO LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. The Murphy temperance meetings which had been held during the fall of 1877 resulted in the organization of a society for the purpose of open- ing a reading-room. A donation of a few books and periodicals was se- cured, and a subscription was taken to raise money to pay the necessary expenses of opening the room. Nelson Case wrote an article which ap- peared in the Independent in October, 1887, urging that steps be taken to make this reading-room, for which a start had been made, a permanent institution. His suggestion met with favor, and a committee was ap- pointed to secure a charter. The charter having been prepared and properly signed and acknowledged, it was filed in the office of the Sec- retary of State on December 34, 1877. A board of thirteen directors was appointed. On January 5, 1878, the directors met and organized, electing the following officers : President, C. O. Perkins ; secretary, C. L. Wyman ; treasurer, B. F. Hobart ; executive committee, Nelson Case, chairman, Merrit Read, F, H. Atchinson. Mr. Perkins remained presi- dent as long as he lived. F. H. Atchinson before the close of the first year succeeded Mr. Wyman as secretary, and continued to fill that posi- tion during the next nine years. Mr. Case remained chairman of the executive committee during its first ten years. Upon the death of ]Mr. Perkins, on April 30, 1887, the duties of the president were performed by the chairman of the executive committee until the annual meeting in December of that year, when Nelson Case was elected president, J. R. Hill secretary, C. M. Condon treasurer, F. H. Atchinson, E. P. Sawyer and R. L. Sharp executive committee. The following year Mr. Hill was made chairman of the executive committee in place of Mr. Atchinson, the other officers remaining as last announced, all of whom have held the same positions to the present. The association has maintained a free reading-room, kept open daily with very slight exceptions, from the time of its organization to the present. It has never invested very largely in books, but has acquired quite a fair library. Its tables have constantly TOWNS AND CITIES. 163 been kept supplied with the best periodicals. For a number of years the association had its reading-room in the city building, but during the past two or three years it has maintained its reading-room, in connection with the Y. M. C. A. rooms, in the center of the business part of town. The association has provided a course of literary entertainments, consisting of lectures and concerts, nearly every season since its organization. A number of the best lecturers on the platfoim have been secured, as well as first-class musical talent. In more recent years the policy of home lectures has been inaugurated, and some of the leading men of the State have been secured to give lectures in these courses. By this means the people have been furnished with a class of entertainments of high stand- ard, and the association has reaped something of a revenue to assist in maintaining its reading-room. GOVERNMENT. On February 8, 1870, a majority of the residents having petitioned therefor, the Probate Judge made an order incorporating Oswego as a town, and appointed R. W. Wright, J. F. Waskey, Merrit Read, John F. Newlon and W. M. Johnson trustees. The trustees met February 23d, and organized by electing W. M. Johnson chairman, and appointed John D. Coulter clerk. Nelson Case was employed by the trustees as counsel, and assisted them in preparing ordinances. On March 21, 1870, a census was taken, which showed more than 1,000 inhabitants in the town. An ordinance was passed declaring Oswego or- ganized as a city of the third class. The first election was held April 4th, at which the following officers were elected : Mayor, J. F. Newlon ; councilmen, D. W. Clover, R. W. Wright, William Wells, J. T. Pierson, and E. R. Trask. On April 6th the mayor and councilmen organized, and held their first meeting. J. D. Coulter was appointed clerk, James R. Morrison marshal, and F. A. Bettis attorney. On March 16, 1871, an ordinance was passed declaring Oswego a city of the second class by vir- tue of chapter 59 of the laws of 1871, permitting certain cities therein named to organize as cities of the second class. The city has continued to act as a city of the second class from that time to the present. How- ever, in 1890, in a case wherein Oswego township was plaintiff and Jo- seph Anderson was defendant, the Supreme Court decided that the act above referred to was unconstitutional, and therefore the organization as a city of the second class thereunder was illegal. In fact, it was al- ways considered doubtful whether or not this act had any validity, and in 1880 the necessary steps were taken to secure an organization as a city of the second class under the general laws. On June 18, 1880, the Gov- ernor issued a proclamation declaring Oswego a city of the second class. 104 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. MAYORS. 1870, J. F. Newloii; 1871, Merrit Read; 1872, J. F. Waskey; 1873-76, R. W. Wright; 1876-87, C. M. Condon; 1887-89, H. C. Cook; 1889-91, J. W. Marley; 1891-93, J. M. Grant. CLERKS. February 23d to August 15, 1870, J. D. Coulter; August 15, 1870, to February 6, 1871, J. B. Zeigler; E. E. Hastings was appointed, but did not qualify; March 10, 1871, to April 10, 1871, H. E. Porter; April 10, 1871, to May 16, 1872, C. F. Winton; May 16, 1872, to April 30, 1878, Nelson Case; May 6, 1878, to January 3, 1890, Thomas Bulwer; January 3, 1890, to April 10, 1891, J. D. H. Reed; April 10, 1891, to , W. K. Orr. BUSINESS ENTERPRISES. Pottery. — In 1868 Mr. Shanks operated a pottery, and turned out several kilns of stone-ware. In the spring of 1870, D. and C. E. Watts established a pottery in the east part of town, from which they sent out quite an amount of stone-ware that season. Pork-Packing. — Mr. Jennings was the first to start this enterprise. He erected a stone building in the southwest part of the town, in which, in 1878, he commenced the slaughter and packing of hogs. Edgar Leon- ard and George Schwartz succeeded Mr. Jennings in the business. The establishment having been mostly destroyed by fire, the business was discontinued after having been conducted with a fair degree of success for two or three years. Wagon Factory. — In June, 1882, J. Shotliff commenced work on his wagon factory in the south part of town, which was put in operation before the close of the year. Mr. Shotliff operated this until it was de- stroyed by fire, in 1885. On account of the loss then sustained, he was unable to again commence business. During the time he was running his factory he turned out a large number of wagons, and did a good business. Tile Factory. — In June, 1885, H. C. Draper moved his tile factory to Oswego from across the river, where he had operated it for several years. Cotton Gin. — In November, 1888, D. S. and J. C. Romine and A. Chambers purchased machinery and commenced the operation of a cotton gin. On December 11, .1888, they shipped six bales of cotton over the Frisco to St. Louis, which was the first shipment from this point. The gin was run several years, but was finally moved to Chetopa. C. A. Wilkin was interested in its operation a part of the time. A Cheese Factory was started on the south side of Fourth avenue TOIVNS AND CITIES. 165 uear the M. K. & T. depot, iu 1892, which it is hoped will prove suc- cessful. While no one else has ever carried on the manufacture of wagons at this place on such an extensive scale as did Mr. Shotliff while he con- ducted the business, there have been others who have done a good busi- ness in a smaller waj\ During the lifetime of David Branson, he and Mr. Marsh made wagons. J. C. Patterson has been engaged in the business almost from the start of the town. Mr. Gordon and Mr. Peters have likewise been in the business, and W. K. Orr has conducted a car- riage-trimming shop for many years. Evaporator. — Two or three parties have for a time conducted the business of drying and evaporating fruit. In 1893 a small plant was put in with the expectation of enlarging it and adding a canning factory. MILLS. In September, 1870, Macon, Krell & Cowell commenced the operation of their steam mill, the erection of which had been in progress for about a year. This firm were not able to continue the operation of their mill a great length of time, owing to financial embarrassment, and it was for a while in 1871 in the hands of Mr. Ross as receiver. The mortgage on the property was foreclosed, and the sale had through court. In October, 1873, R. S. Mathews became the owner of this mill. In October, 1870, Howell & Rathburn commenced the foundation of a three-and-one-half story frame flouring-mill on the bank of the river north of Oswego, which was run by water except when the river was low. In June, 1881, Mr. Eickermau arranged for the erection of the brick mill in the west part of town, the walls of which were put up during the sum- mer, and at the close of the year it was ready for business. Mr. Eicker- man and G. W. Bird were the original proprietors. There have been several different ownerships of the mill. In the summer of 1893 Kiddoo, Black & Co. erected a new mill south of the Frisco road, between Illinois and Michigan streets. BANKS. The First Bank. — The first bank in the county was started in Os- wego, by W. M. Johnson, in October, 1868. During that year and the fore part of 1869 it was conducted on the north side of Fourth avenue. In the summer of 1869 he erected a small frame building on the northeast corner of block 38, in which he thereafter conducted the business. For a short time only A. L. Austin was associated with Mr. Johnson in the banking business. This bank continued to do business until the spring of 1870, when Mr. Johnson was forced to make an assignment. His failure was caused by attempting to build a town instead of confining IQQ HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. himself to coucluctiDg a baDk. He had great confidence in the outcome of the county and of the town, and expected to realize very large profits from the money he could invest in real estate. He secured two corners, viz., the southwest corner of block 32 and the northeast corner of block 38, and on these intended to erect, for the time, very fine buildings. He went far enough to get the walls completed for the building on the south- west corner of block 32, now owned by Mr. Perkins ; in doing so he had used more money than he was able to control belonging to himself, and during the spring of 1870, when depositors were wanting their money, he found himself unable to cash their checks. Every dollar of his prop- erty was consumed, and still his creditors were far from being paid. What might have been a very profitable business proved his financial ruin, simply because he indulged in a spirit of speculation. About the middle of July, 1870, B. F. Hobart andH. L.Taylor came to Oswego and opened the next bank that was started in the town. About July 1, 1871, Mr. Taylor retired from the business, and was succeeded by J. C. Longwell, Mr. Hobart's father-in-law. Mr. Longwell having died, the business came under the management of B. F. Hobart. On July 1, 1877, C. M. Condon became a partner of Mr. Hobart, and thereafter the firm of Hobart & Condon conducted the business until the summer of 1882, when Mr. Hobart sold his interest to Mr. Condon, who has since had entire control thereof. He has a very extensive business. JState Bank of Oswego. — On August 18, 1870, the State Bank of Oswego, with a paid-up capital of $25,000, M. S. Adams being president and J. H. Folks cashier, commenced business. It only continued in business a few months, however, not finding a sufficient amount of busi- ness for two banks. The next bank to open its doors to the public was that conducted by George Brockway and H. C. Draper. It commenced business March 2, 1874. Mr. Draper desiring to retire, in 1876 C. F. Smith, upon the close of his official term as treasurer, became associated with Mr. Brockway in this bank, and afterwards, in March, 1877, the sole manager of the same. This bank discontinued business September 1, 1877. In 1880 H. A. Marley and his son J. W. Marley opened a bank and loan office, which business they conducted until April 11, 1887, when they were succeeded by the First State Bank, which in turn was succeeded by The Osw^ego State Bank, on May 5, 1888. This bank has a paid- up capital of $50,000, and has done a profitable business for a number of years. Its board of directors have been J. W. ^Marley, E. T. Reed, H. C. Cook, John M. Grant, Lee Williams, H. A. Marley, Fred Perkins ; in 1891 Scott Taylor succeeded Mr. Cook. TO I FA'S AND CITIES. 167 The FmsT National Bank was chartered in July and opened its doors for business the last of August, 1883. Its first officers were R. P. Clement, president ; J. B. Montgomery, vice-president ; F. C. Wheeler, cashier; C. F. Winton, assistant cashier. In January, 1885, C. Abbey succeeded Mr. Clement as president. The last of 1886, Mr. Wheeler re- signed, and was succeeded by II. C. Cook as cashier. On April 1, 1887, F. W. Keller became cashier, and served until September 16, 1890, when he was succeeded by J. M. Berry. On October 26, 1888, K. 0. Deming was elected president, since which time he has continued in that posi- tion. The bank has a capital of $60,000, and does a large and profitable business. LOAN AND INVESTMENT COMPANIES. The Oswego Building and Loan Association.— This institution was organized in June, 1884, with an authorized capital of $50,000. H.C. Draper was president, L. C. Howard secretary, and E. T. Reed treasurer. The Deming Investment Co. — On the last of December, 1887, the Deming Investment Company was organized, and opened business on the first of January, 1888, with a paid-up capital of 850,000, since which time it has been increased, and is now $60,000. The firm of Winton & Deming had been in the loan business previous to this time for a number of years, and upon the organization of this company it succeeded to the business of said firm. Nelson Case has been president, and R. O. Dem- ing treasurer and manager of this company from its organization. The Eastern Kansas Investment Co. — About the first of 1889, Fred Perkins, C. F. Winton. C. A. Wilkin, M. E. Williams, and a few other parties organized the Eastern Kansas Investment Co. for the pur- pose of conducting a loan business. The company has done a good busi- ness. PAKKS. Upon laying out the town, the town company designated block 52 as the city park. For a number of years it remained entirely unimproved. A few years ago a number of the citizens undertook the work of its im- provement, and set it out to trees. It begins now to present quite an attractive appearance. ladies' entertainment society. On February 12, 1887, about forty ladies of the city formed themselves into a ladies' entertainment society, with the following officers : Mrs. Mary E. Perkins, president ; Mrs. Hettie C. Hall, vice-president ; Mrs. Franc Wilkin, secretary ; and Mrs. Anna Sharp, treasurer. The purpose of the organization was to secure a site for and to improve a park. A number of entertainments were held, by means of which some money was raised, and in addition to this quite a sum was raised by subscription. A tract of ground was selected and purchased lying on the bluff of the 108 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. river north of the city aucl east of the water-works engine-house. This is about as far as the society has ever gone in its work of providing a park. There are a number of locations near the city with sufficient nat- ural advantages to make a delightful resort, were a reasonable amount of money expended upon the improvements. STREETS AND SIDEWALKS. For several years the only sidewalks in town consisted of platforms in front of the stores and public buildings. As the space between these buildings grew less by the erection of other new buildings, the platforms were connected and planks put down, so that there was a continuous sidewalk on the principal street so far as the stores extended. As early as July 21, 1870, notice was given by direction of the council for the construction of certain sidewalks, but no further action was ever taken thereunder. The first sidewalk constructed outside the business part of town, and the first one built by direction of the city council, was on Illinois street, extending from block 9 in Johnson & Folks's addi- tion, to the Methodist church. This was built in pursuance of an order made by the council on March 6, 1874, on the petition of the requisite number of property-holders along the line. From this time on, sidewalks began to be gradually petitioned for and to be built over the residence part of town, and for several years past nearly all streets of the city that are thickly inhabited have been supplied with good sidewalks. During the summer of 1878 Commercial street was graded from Fourth avenue to the Frisco depot, and put in good condition for travel. It was not until June, 1885, that a good plank sidewalk was laid on the south side of Fourth avenue from Commercial street to the M. K. & T. depot. TREES. Few cities are better supplied with shade trees than is Oswego. All of the principal streets were at an early day set out with lines of trees, which have made a good growth, and now furnish abundant shade. The yards are also supplied with beautiful shade and ornamental trees, and in the summer the place presents almost the appearance of a city built in ^ ^■«^'^^'^- TELEPHONE. Early in 1883 a telephone plant was put in operation, connecting many of the business and dwelling-houses, and was quite extensively used. During the summer a line was put in connecting Oswego with Parsons, which was completed July 20th. This plant was only used for a few months to any great extent, and after a time all of the instruments were taken out. ^ ^^ ^^^^.^c WATER- WORKS. During 1887 a system of water-works was constructed, supplying the city with water from the Neosho river north of town. They were put in TOWNS AND CITIES. \^^ operation in tlie fall, and were accepted by the city about the last of No- vember. ELECTRIC LIGHTS. An electric light plant was put in during the spring and summer of 1888. On July 12th of that year the lights were first turned on. After being run a few months, its operation was for a time suspended. A change of ownership, however, was had, and the lights were soon again turned on, and have been in operation ever since. The streets are lighted with arc lights, and many dwellings and business houses with incan- descent. PARSONS. THE COMMENCEMENT. On June 19, 1869, W. K. Hayes located on the north half of the south- west quarter of section 19, North township, and in connection with Mil- ton W. Eves opened a small stock of general merchandise. Mr. Hayes was on September 25, 1869, appointed postmaster of a new postofiBce established at that point and named Meudota— "the place of meeting." Whether it was the place of meeting of the two branches of the Labette, or of the two branches of the M. K. & T., neither of the latter of which was then located, or of the traveling public, perhaps it is too early to write with interest. When a hundred years of tradition and myth shall have gathered round it, the future historian can write a chapter upon the founding of the office which will be read with delight. But as a sober, historical fact, and to somewhat curtail the wings of mythology, it may be recorded that it was because of the proximity of the site to the conflu- ence of the Big and Little Labette that the name Mendota was chosen. In the winter of 1869 Mr. Hayes took his goods to a house he had built farther south, near Steel's mill, at the junction of the two Labettes ; but in the spring he removed back to his old stand. In 1870 J. J. Pierson succeeded Mr. Eves as a partner of Mr. Hayes, and the firm Hayes & Pierson continued in business at this point until November, 1870, when, the town-site of Parsons having been located, they moved to a point on the east side of the railroad track, northeast of the passenger depot, and just north of where the Belmont House now stands. the site. Sections 18 and 19 in North township, and 13 and 24 in Walton town- ship, formed the body of land selected by the company on which to lay out a town. Most of this land was already occupied by actual settlers, some of whom had acquired, or could obtain, title, and some of whom had only a squatter's right. John Leonard was on the southeast quarter of section 19, Abraham Fults on the northeast quarter, John Kendall on the northwest (luarter, W. K. Hayes on the north half and Aaron Midkitf 170 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. on the south half of the southwest quarter of the same section; John Davis was on the northeast quarter of section 18, Abraham Carj' on the northwest quarter, and Mr. Simpson on the southwest quarter of the same section; Anson Kellogg was on the southwest quarter and S. Eves on the northeast quarter of section 24 ; Henry F. Baker was on the south- east quarter of section 13, and H. L. Partridge on the southwest quarter and George Briggs on the northwest quarter of the same section. Some of the remainder was claimed by non-residents. Several of these parties were unwilling to dispose of their interest, and negotiations to secure title were in progress for some time. THE SITE SELECTED. The first intimation that the public generally had that a town was to be located at this point was on October 26, 1870, when L. F. Olney, a eivil engineer, got off the train and inquired of some parties at work on the ground where the city of Parsons is now built, if they could tell him where Parsons was located, saying he had come to lay off a town. Noth- ing was done by him for several days excepting to look over the ground and make observations. On Sunday, November 6, 1870, C. G. Wait, the railroad engineer, located the connection of the Sedalia and Junction City branches of the M. K. ct T., and two days later Frye & Pierce, grade <3ontractors, broke dirt at this junction. It was known that here was to be the railroad town, and, before the survey commenced, in addition to two or three business houses which preceded it, on November 11, 1870, John Austin had on the ground the first dwelling put thereon, aside from those which were there at the time of the location. He put it upon what proved to be the northeast corner of Central and Crawford avenues, and at once occupied it for a dwelling, and also for keeping boarders. In front of this building the next spring he set out some maple trees, which were the first trees planted in the place. On these premises Dr. G. W. Oabriel has for many years had his home. It was about the middle of November when Mr. Olney commenced the survey of the town-site, and it was not completed until about the middle of January. THE TOWN COMPANY. Isaac T. Goodnow, N. S. Goss, F. C. White, O. B. Gunn, Norman East- man and Robert S. Stevens were the incorporators of the town company. The charter was filed in the office of the Secretary of State October 24, 1870, and authorized the company to purchase lands and lay off a town at and adjacent to section 19, township 31, range 20. The company was formed expressly for the purpose of laying off and building a railroad town. It was believed that the junction of the two branches of the M. K. & T. was the most feasible point for the location of a town, where would almost certainly be located the machine-shops and offices. Of TOWNS AND CITIES. 171 course these parties knew the poiut where this junction must be made before their incorporation, for not only was section 19 designated in the charter as the central point, but their surveyor was on the ground before the railroad engineer had actually designated the connecting point. The intention being to have a railroad town, of course no more appropriate name could have been selected than that of the president of the road, who would thereby, if for no other reason, be interested in its support and growth. difficulties. The town having been located, the company soon encountered difficul- ties in acquiring title to as large a body of land as they hoped to secure, and we may readily believe that it was for the purpose of influencing these parties to make terms that the action of the town company — an account of which is given below — was taken, rather than with any seri- ous intention of carrying out the determination therein expressed, for no steps were taken looking to an abandonment of the site which had been selected and partly surveyed; but for some purpose, probably by the company's direction, certain resolutions by it adopted were published in several papers, and more or less was said through the press on "Parsons defunct." 1 will here refer to what appeared in but one paper, although the same was copied in the county papers and more or less commented on. Near the close of 1870 the following appeared in the Humboldt Union : "Neosho Falls, Kax., Dec. 22. "Eds. Union: Inclosed you have resolutions passed by the directors of Parsons Town Company, and confirmed by the president of the M. K. . B. Sandercook was the first shoe- maker; W. G. Douglas was the first tailor; E. P. Flummer opened the first bakery ; A. J. Peabody was the first harness-maker. Most of these houses were in operation before the close of 1870, and all of them when the sale of lots commenced, in March, 1871. PROFESSIONAL, MEN. A. L. Hutchison and T. R. Warren were the contestants for the honor of being the first physician in town; and of attorney, J. G. Parkhurst, T. V. Thornton and E. E. Hastings could hardly tell who was there first — but perhaps the race was won by Mr. Parkhurst. THE FIRST RELIGIOUS SERVICES. The first religious services of a public nature upon what became the town-site were held in Abraham Gary's log house on the northwest quar- ter of section 18, in North township, in the summer of 1870, conducted by A. W. King, of Osage township. Mr. King preached here frequently during the summer and fall. John Leonard, who lived on the southeast quarter of 19, was a Christian preacher, and sometimes preached in Mr. Gary's house after King had commenced holding services. The first ser- mon preached in the town proper was over Mr. Hazard's saloon, on De- cember 15, 1870, by A. W. King. Rev. H. H. Cambern was the next preacher on the ground. No religious exercises of any kind were held regularly during the winter of 1870 and 1871. There was no place pro- vided for holding such services, and whenever they were held it was in some business room temporarily fixed up for the purpose — probably in a saloon almost as frequently as in any other room. Of the organization and building of the various churches, I speak in another part of the work. GOVERNMENT. On February 22, 1871, on the petition of Simon Saddler and others, the Probate Judge made an order incorporating the town of Parsons, and appointed Abraham Gary, E. K. Currant, J. G. Parkhurst, John L Sipple aud John W. Rhodus as trustees. Thomas V. Thornton was the first TOWNS AND CITIES. 175 clerk appoiuted by the trustees ; H. L. Partridge was justice of the peace in Waltou township at the time of the settlement of Parsons, and be- came the first justice of the peace in Parsons. From November 8, 1870, to March 8, 1871, he tried seven criminal and twenty-six civil cases. He also married the first couple in town, they being Z. T. Swigert and Jo- sephine E. Parker. The town was organized as a city of the third class, and on April 17, 1871, the first city election was held, at which the following officers were elected: Mayor, Willard Davis; police judge, H. L. Partridge; council- men, Abraham Gary, William Dana, Charles Watson, S. B. Plato, and John W. Rhodus. The first meeting of the mayor and council was held April 28, 1871. On organizing, G. C. West was appointed city clerk. The city having attained a population of over 2,000 inhabitants, the evi- dence of which was furnished by a census taken by order of the city conncil, the Governor issued his proclamation, dated February 25, 1873, declaring Parsons a city of the second class. Since the organization of the city it has had the following mayors and clerks : Mayors. — April 17 to November 22, 1871, Willard Davis; November 22, 1871, to April, 1874, E. B. Stevens ; April, 1874, to April, 1875, Angell Matthewson; April, 1875, to April, 1877, G. W. Gabriel; April, 1877, to April, 1879, P. Y. Thomas; April, 1879, to April, 1881, J. W. Thompson; April, 1881, to April, 1885, G. W. Gabriel; April, 1885, to April, 1887, A. O. Brown ; April, 1887, to April, 1889, G. W. Gabriel ; April, 1889, to April, 1891, A. F. Neely ; April, 1891, to , J. M. Gregory. Clerks. — April to November 22, 1871, G. C. West; November 22, 1871, to April, 1872, H. L. Partridge; April, 1872, to April, 1873, Edgar E. Hastings; April, 1873, to April, 1875, G. W. Hawk; April, 1875, to April, 1876, A. M. Fellows; April, 1876, to March, 1877, Frank L. Gage; March, 1877, to April, 1878, E. S. Stevens; April, 1878, to April, 1882, A. A. Osgood; April, 1882, to April, 1S83, R. T. Halloway; April, 1883, to October, 1884, Ira F. Adams ; October, 1884, to May, 1885, Will W. Frye; May, 1885, to April, 1887, N. F. Mills; April, 1887, to April, 1889, Mrs. Mary S. Outland ; April, 1889, to April, 1891, R. D. Talbot; April, 1891, to , A. H. Tyler. LITERARY, MUSICAL, ETC. On November 2, 1871, a meeting was held which decided upon organ- izing a literary society and library association. On the 8th of the same mouth the organization was completed by electing W. H. Maxwell presi- dent and A. B. Truman secretary. During the winter literary exercises were maintained, participated in by the leading men of the town. On 176 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. December 29th the library received its first douation of books, amounting to twenty-two volumes, and during the next few weeks several other donations were made of a like character. On October 26, 1872, the asso- ciation held its first annual meeting, and reelected W. K. Maxwell presi- dent, and elected E. B. Stevens vice-president, and James Wells, jr., secretary. This seems to have ended the efforts at that time for the es- tablishment and maintenance of a library. In the summer of 1879 a new lyceum was organized, and Rev. P. M. Griffin elected president. Literary exercises were conducted by it for some months. library associatiox. In 1877 Mrs. Ella B. Wilson, Mrs. Kate Grimes and Mrs. Polly L. Cory secured the formation of a library association. In this association they remained, as I am informed, the controlling spirits, Mrs. Wilson taking the principal part in its management. She traveled over a large part of the United States, soliciting funds for the erection of a building, as well as books and works of art for the foundation of a library. Large sums of money were contributed, and very fine donations of books, statuary and other articles of interest and value were gathered. Practically it was a gift of the country generally to Parsons at the earnest solicitation of one woman. With the funds thus contributed as a basis of operation, a site was secured on the southeast corner of Forest avenue and Nine- teenth street, on lots 14, 15 and 16, in block 53, and the erection thereon of the building started. A loan of ^10,000 was procured, and the lots and building mortgaged to secure the payment of the same. A very fine three-story building was erected and finished, which, on December 25, 1883, was formally opened by appropriate exercises, among which was an address by Governor Glick. In the second story of this building were placed the books and works of art which had been contributed, and it was believed the hardest part of the work was then accomplished of securing a large, prosperous and permanent library. But times changed ; contributions of money did not come in ; there was no means provided for paying the indebtedness con- tracted in the erection of the building ; the mortgage was foreclosed, the property sold, and the seeming bright prospect for a great library van- ished from sight. ^^^^ association. On January 24, 1872, the attorneys in town established a bar associa- tion, and for some weeks thereafter had public lectures from its members on different phases of law. THE PIONEER ASSOCIATION Was organized in the Sun office, March 8, 1872. Dr. T. R. Warren was the first president. TOWNS AND CITIES. 177 ALPHA LITERARY SOCIETY. Ou November 17, 1880, a number of ladies met at the home of Mrs. T. P. Atchison, and organized a society under the name given above. The following officers were elected : Mrs. David Kelso, president : Mrs. M. F. Stevens, secretary ; Mrs. W. H. Wagoner, treasurer. The society has maintained a continuous existence, and has done a great amount of literary work. MACAULAY CLUB. This society was organized December 8, 1881. Miss Phrone Emery was its first president, and Mrs. Jennie Davis secretary. It was at first called the Young Ladies' Reading Society, but in September, 1885, was named the Macaulay Club. Since then it has been an active factor in the literary work of Parsons. ATHENEUM READING CIRCLE. The existence of this circle dates from the spring of 1883, when five ladies began reading together without any formal organization. Ou Octo- ber 24th of that year a number of new members were admitted to the circle, a formal organization was had, and the following officers elected : Mrs. Wells H. Utley, president; Mrs. B. B. Brown, vice-president, and Miss Emma June secretary and treasurer. The active membership is limited to 16. Its object is purely literary. BANKS. Banking House of Angell Matthewson. — On June 6, 1871, S. P. Crawford and Angell Matthewson, of Parsons, and W. P. Bishop, of Os- wego, formed a partnership, and on June 19th opened the bank of Craw- ford, Matthewson & Co. The first depositor was Oliver Duck ; the first draft was issued to Currant, Cook & Allen. On July 31st Mr. Matthew- son purchased the interest of the other two partners, and the business continued under the name of the Banking House of Angell Matthewson. First National Bank. — On April 8, 1873, Matthewsou's Bank was succeeded by the First National Bank, of which A. D. Jaynes, of Sedalia, Mo., was president, and Angell Matthewson cashier. This bank had a paid-up capital of ^.50,000, and started with over S37,000 in deposits turned over to it by Matthewson's bank. On January 19, 1875, R. S. Stevens succeeded Mr. Jaynes as president. During January and Feb- ruary, 1877, while Mr. Matthewson was in the Senate, George W. Hawk, the teller, performed the duties of cashier. January 1, 1879, Lee Clark succeeded Mr. Matthewson as cashier, and held the position until Octo- ber, 1890, when he became president, F. C. Stevens having been president immediately preceding him. E. B. Stevens became cashier on July 1, 1890, and still retains the position. -12 178 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. The Parsons Savings Bank was organized iu May, 1874, with Au- gustus Wilson president and Joshua Hill cashier ; having a paid-up capital of $50,000. The first draft was issued to A. W. Gifford. On July 1, 18t8, this bank was reorganized as The Parsons Commercial Bank, of which Joshua Hill was presi- dent and George W. Hawk cashier. The latter has continued to fill the position of cashier ever since. For several years past E. H. Edwards has been president of the bank. It has long been one of the established in- stitutions of the city. City Bank of Angell Matthewsox &. Co. — This bank was or- ganized May 1, 1879, with a capital of $20,000; Angell Matthewson and Merrit Noyes being the owners. On October 1, 1880, F. H. Snyder was admitted to the partnership and made cashier. Mr. Noyes died iu 1883, and in November, 1884, Wm. H. Taylor was admitted to the partnership and the capital stock made $60,000, which was increased to 8100,000 on February 1, 1888. L. E. Weeks was appointed cashier September 1, building and loan association. On July 14, 1879, the Parsons Building and Loan Association was or- ganized, of which C. A. King was president and J. G. Gray secretary. SANITARY. During the early part of 1884 much complaint had been made about the condition in which the private and public premises, as well as many of the private alleys and yards, were kept, and the Eclipse was especially vigilant in looking after and giving publicity to these grievances. In July of that year the mayor and council appointed J. B. Lamb health officer. It was thought by some that this appointment was made rather as a burlesque in retaliation for the frequent appeals to the authorities to do a general cleaning-up ; but whatever was the spirit that prompted the move, it turned out to be a very wise one. The Doctor went at the work vigorously, and did good work in securing the cleaniug-up of the filth which had been allowed to accumulate, and probably saved the place a great amount of sickness. The work thus commenced showed the advisability of having some permanent arrangement for removal of filth and the preservation of the public health. sewerage. In 1885 steps were taken to put in a system of sewerage, and this was pushed forward until the business part of the city was well supplied with means for the removal of all filth and the carrying away of the waste water. WATER WORKS. During the summer of 1882 the matter of supplying the city with water was discussed, and a company was formed for the purpose of carrying TOIV.VS AND CITIES. 179 out the contemplated project. On September 15th, by an almost unani- mous vote of the electors, the city gave its assent and promised aid. During the following year the works were put in under the general direc- tion of C. W. Hill, but it was not until July, 1884, that they were com- pleted and accepted by the city. Reservoirs were made upon the banks of the Labette some distance above the city, from which stream the water was procured. The city paid i$3,000 per year for fifty hydrants. Soon after the completion of the works, C. H. Kimball and E. H. Edwards became the principal owners of the stock of the company and had the general management of its business. The operation of the works under the original construction never gave general satisfaction, and they were believed to be far inadequate to meet the city's needs. Early in 1893 steps were taken to secure a better supply by obtaining water from the Neosho instead of from the Labette. Mains were laid from the Neosho to the old reservoirs on the Labette and into the city. A new stand-pipe, one of the largest in the State, was erected in the city, and under the present arrangements the water system is very complete. GAS. On December 11, 1882, the city council passed an ordinance giving an exclusive franchise for tw^enty-one years to Angell Matthewson to con- struct and operate gas works. The franchise was assigned to the Parsons Light and Heat Company, and in 1883 the works were completed, since which time those who desired it have been supplied with gas. ELECTKIC LIGHTS. On May 25, 1887, an ordinance was passed authorizing J. J. Everning- ham to erect electric works in the city of Parsons, and within a mouth thereafter this franchise was transferred to the Parsons Light and Heat Company, which was operating the gas plant. A system of arc lights was at once put in, and put in operation on September 25th. In the summer of 1892 the incandescent system of lights was added, and the capacity of the plant much enlarged. TELEPHOXE. In 1882 a system of telephones was put in providing for communication in the various parts of the city, and also a line was built connecting the city with Oswego ; and on July 20th of that year Mayors Gabriel and Condon exchanged congratulations. The line between Parsons and Os- wego was not maintained for any great length of time, nor was the city system very largely used after a few months of trial. STREET IMPROVEMENTS. One of the wisest investments made by the city in the way of improve- ment was that of building sidewalks and macadamizing its streets. The 180 HISTORY OF LABETl E COUNTY. work of macadamizing commenced in 1878, and was gradually pushed forward for the next two or three years, until the streets in the principal business part of town were all macadamized, and good sidewalks have been laid in nearly all of the streets that have any large amount of travel. STONE AND BRICK BUILDINGS. The first building to be erected of material other than wood was put up early In 1871, on block 25, on the north side of Johnson avenue, by Ed. Foley. It was constructed out of cut sandstone, and made a very creditable appearance. The first brick buildings in town were erected in 1873. They were the passenger depot, the First National Bank build- ing, the St. James Hotel on the corner north from the First National Bank, and the second ward school-house. The same year two or three brick business houses were put up — one by W. C. Calkins, on lots 13 and 14, block 33, and one by A. Royer, on lot 1, block 34. During this year T. C. Cory tore down his brick residence at Ladore and rebuilt it on the southeast quarter of section 24. This was the first brick residence in town. fires. On October 7, 1871, the 8un published an article advising the people to turn out the first still day and burn around the town to protect it from fires. I do not know whether or not this advice was heeded, but it seems that no damage resulted from fire from that quarter. During the history of the city there have been several quite extensive fires, but none that were at all destructive; in fact, most of them, in the business part of the city, while they may have damaged individuals, were a public benefit so far as the city was concerned, for it secured in the place of the buildings destroyed, others of a very much better quality. One of the first, if not the first fire in town to do any large amount of damage, was the burning of John Rhodus's boarding-house. On July 29, 1875, a fire occurred on Fourth avenue which destroyed nine business houses. The loss by this fire was estimated to be from 875, 000 to $100, 000. On December 26, 1875, the Lockwood House was burned ; and ou May 23, 1883, the City Hotel, which was one of the original hotels. Among the losses that have occurred from fire have been several of the mills and factories; one of the largest of which was on August 1, 1892, being the destruction of the National Mills. A number of other quite extensive fires have taken place at various times, the particulars of which I have not learned. machine-shops. Of all the enterprises which have contributed to the prosperity of Par- sons, none have approached that of the railroad influence, and especially the machine-shops thereof. Work on the machiue-shops commenced in October, 1871, and by the close of 1872 they were completed and ready for operation. The round-house was not completed until May, 1873. EDUCATIONAL. PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THE FIRST SCHOOL IN THE COUNTY. An accoimt of the first school in the coimty, while not a public school, is still necessary for a history of our educational growth. Of this school I will let ove of its founders, Dr. George Lisle, give the account, which is as follows : "On or about the middle of May, 1858, James Childers, George Walker, William Blythe, Larkin McGhee, Benjamin Todd, Millard Rogers, John McMurtrie, James Hethriugtou and myself got together and concluded to build a school-house that would be large enough to have preaching in as often as we could get the preacher. A committee was appointed to select a site and fix upon size of house and call the people together to approve the same. The next Saturday was appointed, and everybody turned out and agreed to build it at a small spring iu a branch one and one-half miles south of where Chetopa now stands. The people agreed to meet and go to work on Monday morning, which they did with such success that by Saturday night they had a house 22 by 24 feet square, floored with puncheons, seated and desked with the same, covered and lined with split and shaved clapboards ; door and window fastenings were of boards cut with a whip-saw ; and on Sunday it was dedicated in order. On Monday, Joseph C. Henry commenced a school by the mouth, which he kept up almost one year ; then Jetf . Jackson taught one term of three months; Pleasant McGhee taught one term; and Helen Hardin was teaching when the war broke out and ended our school, but not its effects." The history of the public schools of the county commences with the election of Dr. John F. Newlon as County Superintendent of Public In- struction, at the first election, held on April 32d, 1867. How soon after his election he commenced work I have no means of knowing, but a number of the school districts must have been formed early in May of that year, for as early as June 1st we find the residents of one of the districts petitioning for a change of boundary. On account of the imper- fection of our records as originally made, and of the entire loss of some of them, 1 am unable to speak with absolute definiteness in reference to the organization and history of many of the districts. Just how many districts were organized during Dr. Xewlon's term of office I cannot say positively, and yet I may say with a reasonable degree of certainty that (181) 182 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. twenty is the iiiuiiber. From the appearance ot the records the number cannot have exceeded twenty-one or twenty-two, 1 think, and there is nothing showing clearly, nor hardly intimating anything beyond twenty. The order for the organization of District 20 appears in Dr. Newlon's own writing. This cannot be said of any subsequent number so far as the records now show. It is quite likely some of these first twenty dis- tricts had scarcely any existence aside from on paper. Most of them, however, were at once organized and steps taken for the establishment of schools. The county having just been organized, there was of course no public money, nor any public schools before the fall of 1867, and I can learn of but two private schools having been taught that year, viz., one in Oswego District, No. 1, and one in District No. 2. However, levies for school purposes were made that summer and taxes collected the fol- lowing fall and winter, and from this time on the public schools w^ere regularly held for a greater or less length of time in most of the districts. In the Jacksonville district, No. 11, only a part of which was in this county, a public school was taught in the summer of 1867; that school was not in this county, although as a joint district, report of the school was made to our County Superintendent, as well as to the Superintend- ent of Neosho county. OSWEGO DISTKICT, NO. 1. All of Oswego township lying west and south of the Neosho river, ex- cepting the two southern tiers of sections, was, by the first order made by Supt. Newlon, formed into School District No. 1. In June, 1867, Mrs. Augusta Herbaugh commenced teaching the first school in the dis- trict. It was of course a private school, no public funds having yet been raised with which to employ a teacher. She taught in a small log build- ing with dirt fioor, situated near the northeast corner of section 21. The first officers elected were: T. J. Flouronoy, director; Henry Jacobs, clerk; and J. Q. Cowell, treasurer. The first report of the district is dated August 14, 1867, and signed by H. Jacobs, clerk, and shows 30 male and 39 female children in the district, 17 males and 15 females having attended the private school taught by Mrs. Augusta Herbaugh at $2.50 per scholar, which commenced on the 24th of June. At that time there was standing on lot 1, block 33, now occupied by Mr. Symmes's drug store, a small frame building, in which most of the meetings, both religious and secular, were held. The board secured the use of this building for school purposes, and by a "bee" slabs were furnished with legs, and thus seats were provided ; and in this room thus furnished, about the first of November, 1867, R. J. Elliott commenced teaching the first public school in the district, aud one of the first, if not the very first, ill the county. Public schools were taught that winter in several dis- ED UCA TIONAL. 1 S 3 tricts, but there are no records showing which w'as commenced first. Mr. Elliott's school continued for three months. There was no further school taught until the next fall. The second report is dated September 14, 1868, signed by J. F. Waskey, clerk, and shows a total enumeration of 176 children in the district, 77 of whom had attended a three-months school, taught by R. J. Elliott at a salary of ^50 per month, the average attendance being 41. On March 26, 1868, the following were elected: E. Hammer, director; J. F. Waskey, clerk; A. L. Austin, treasurer. On February 9, 1869, Mr. Waskey resigned, and W. S. Newlon was ap- pointed clerk in his place. During the summer of 1868 a subscription was taken up among the business men of the place, and a frame building was erected on the southeast corner of block 39, designed for public meetings as well as for school and church purposes. The only seats with which this building was furnished were rough slabs. In this building, in December, 1868, Rev. Cornelius Y. Moufort and Miss Sallie Elliott commenced a term of school. Mr. Monfort was not especially adapted to public-school teaching, and at the expiration of two or three months found it advisable to give up his employment, and R. J. Elliott was again placed in charge of the school in connection with his sister Sallie. On March 10, 1869, on a vote of the district to issue 85,000 in bonds to build a new school-house, there were 84 votes for and 8 against the proposition. The board elected on March 25, 1869, consisted of W. S. Xewlon, director ; George C. Sarvis, clerk; and R. W. Wright, treasurer. These officers had charge of the construction of the new school-house. Dr. Wright took the bonds to Leavenworth, where he negotiated them and secured funds for paying for the building as it was erected. The town company donated the west half of block 16, on w^hich, during the summer of 1869, a two-story stone building was erected, containing four good school-rooms capable of seating fifty pupils each. The building was furnished through- out with patent seats and desks. In this building, late in the fall of 1869, a school was opened, with George C. Sarvis principal. Miss Louisa M. Allen teacher of the intermediate and Miss Sallie Elliott teacher of the primary department. On September 14, 1869, George C. Sarvis, clerk, reported a total enrollment of 350, of whom 123 had been in school the preceding year; the average attendance being 98. In March, 1870, Henry Tibbits was elected director, J. F. Waskey clerk, and R. W. Wright treasurer. Mr. Waskey failed to qualify, and George C. Sarvis was appointed to fill the vacancy. With the opening of the school year in the fall of 1870, David Donovan was emplojed as principal, in which position he was continued for three years. In 1871 the board consisted of W. S. Newlon, director ; A. B. Close, clerk ; C. M. Condon, treasurer. In the spring of 1872 Nelson Case succeeded Mr. Close as clerk; Dr. 184 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. Newlon remained as director and Mr. Condon as treasurer, and the board as thus composed remained in office until the organization of the board of education in 1873. In April, 1873, at the city election the following per- sons were chosen members of the board of education : First ward, Henry Tibbits, Joseph Nelson; second ward, Mrs. Mary B. Franklin, J. W. Miuturn ; third w^ard, Mrs. Mary E. Case and Alexander Mackie. Some of these parties not desiring to serve, it was concluded not to organize the board of education, and the school continued under the charge of the district board as formerly elected. At the April election in 1873 a board of education was elected, consisting of Joseph Nelson and H. P. Nelson from the first ward, G. C. Sarvis and Dr. S. P. Hurbut from the second ward, and H. W. Barnes and R. J. Elliott from the third ward. The board organized by electing Mr. Nelson president and Mr. Sarvis clerk ; Nelson Case was elected superintendent of schools. Until the fall of 1883 the plan of the board was to have the teacher of the high school the principal of the school, and to employ a superintendent who was to have the general direction of school affairs, but who was not on the teaching force. Under this plan the superintendents were Nelson Case, Mary A. Higby, W. S. Newlon, W. A. Starr, F. H. Atchinson, D. H. Mays, and M. Chidester. During this time the principals of the school were : April, 1873, David Donovan, who resigned at the end of the month, and Mrs. E. Williams was put in charge until the close of the school ; 1873-76, A. C. Baker, three years; 1876-78, J. B. Hoover, two years; 1878-79, Mi'S. J. R. Boulter, one year; 1879-81, A. C. Baker, two years; 1881-83, O. R. Bellamy, two years. Commencing with the fall of 1883 the super- intendent of schools has been one of the teachers ; sometimes he has also been principal of the high school, and sometimes there has been a separate principal of the high school. Under this arrangement the su- perintendents have been : 1883-86, M. Chidester, three years ; 1886-90, J. W. Weltner, four years ; 1890-91, Evelyn B. Baldwin, one year; 1891- 92, H. C. Long, two years. Presidents of the board : 1873, Joseph Nel- son; 1874, H. W. Banes; 1875, Nelson Case; 1876-77, John A. Pigg; 1878-79, R. W. Wright; 1880-83, Nelson Case; 1884-88, J. B. Mont- gomery; 1889-90, Nelson Case; 1891, J. B. Montgomery; 1893, David Jennings. Clerks of the board : 1873, George C. Sarvis; 1874, John W. Montfort; 1875, J. W. Montfort and R. J. Elliott; 1876, C. A. Wilkin; 1877, John S. Read and Charles H. Willhalf ; 1878, J. C. Boulter; 1879, F. C. Helsel; 1880, N. Sanford and F. H. Atchinson; 1881-83, William Houck ; 1883, F. H. Atchinson ; 1884-85, John F. Hill ; 1886-92, A. T. Dickerman. At the close of school in April, 18S4, the first graduating^ class went out, consisting of Eunice Crane, Samuel Carpenter, D. S. Waskey, and Merrit C. Reed. The graduates now number 54 ; of this ED UCA TIONA L. 185 uumber, one, John Ford, was a colored boy. For some time prior to 1882 the stone school-house was entirely insufficient to seat the pupils of the district, and rooms had to be secured in such places as they could be had. Of course very inferior accommodations could be provided in this way. During 1880 and 1881 the board submitted several propositions to the electors for the issuance of bonds for a new school-house, which were voted down. In his annual report in 1881, and again in 1882, the presi- dent of the board urged the erection of a new house, and on June 6, 1882, a proposition to issue S12,000 in bonds was carried. With this the north half and the central part of the south half of block 4, in Cowell's ad- dition, was secured for a site, on which the west school building was erected during the summer and fall, and in January, 1883, was occupied for school purposes. In 1886 the old stone school-house was torn down and a new brick erected on the same site, at a cost of |6,000. Ladies' Educational Association. — June 16, 1871, at the close of the county teachers' association the ladies of Oswego formed an educational association, of which Mrs. Mary E. Perkins was elected president and Mrs. Amy B. Howard secretary. On June 15, 1872, they held their first annual meeting, and elected Mrs. M. E. Donovan president and Mrs. E. Williams secretary. At the annual election of 1873 Mrs. M. E. Donovan was re-elected president, Mrs. E. Williams secretary, Mrs. A. M. Taylor treasurer. The association was maintained for several years, and did a great amount of good. Through their exertions the school-house grounds were fenced, the trees which now adorn the east school-house yard were planted under their superintendency, the city authorities were induced to assist in securing sidewalks leading to the school-house, and in many ways their influence on the school was felt for good. STICE DISTRICT, XO. 2. The original order for the formation of District No. 2 is now on file, and shows that it was located in the southeast corner of Oswego town- ship. The first report of the district is dated August 9th, 1867, signed by William F. Mason, clerk, showing 46 children in the district, 26 being in attendance on a private school taught by Mrs, Sarah Braught, wife of Cloyd G. Braught. Mrs. Braught taught in their own cabin, situated on section 34, in Oswego township. John W. Burgess, clerk, makes two re- ports, one dated September 14th, 1868, showing 55 children in the district, 33 having attended a three-months school taught by W. Leonard at $25 per month ; the average daily attendance being 16. O. Whitney was clerk in 1869, and shows by report that Mary E. Biggs had taught a three- months school the preceding season at 825 per month. 186 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. GORE (or martin) DISTRICT, NO. 3. The origiDal order for the organizatioii of District No. 3 is not among the public records; but on June 1st, 1S67, a petition of a number of the residents of that district living in Richland township, north of the La- bette and west of the Neosho river, petitioned for a change of boundary so that it should include all of the township lying north of Labette creek, and west from the Neosho as far as and including a part of sections 17, 8 and 5, which petition Superintendent Newlon granted. The report of the district for 1867 has evidently been torn and mutilated, so that at present no information can be gathered therefrom. The fii'st report we have is dated November 9th, 1868, signed by M. J. Lee, clerk, showing 25 males and 20 female children in the district, and that a school had been taught by Cass Steel. Mr. Lee again reports as clerk, in 1869; the report shows a three-months school having been tanght by Miss Lizzie Kingsbury, with an average daily attendance of 22, at a salary of ^25 per month. On June 12th, 1869, a special meeting was held, at which 16 votes were cast, all in favor of issuing $^350 in bonds with which to build a school-house. With this money the district purchased a frame store building which L. D. Bovee had put up for Mr. Smith at the old town of Labette, and moved it out to the Oswego and Chetopa road. This build- ing has served the district as a school-house ever since. CHETOPA DISTRICT, NO. 4. All of the original records w^e have in reference to the formation of the early districts in the county are on slips of paper. There is no record whatever now on file of the formation of any district in the county num- bered 4 ; but the original records describing District No. 5 completely fit the territory which has ever since been recognized as District No. 4, and the description of District No. 6 fits the territory which was thereafter recognized as District 5 ; and as there is little or no record of any business in District 6 prior to the establishment of such a district in 1872, it may be fairly inferred that the Superintendent in writing out these orders made a mistake in numbering them, leaving out 4 entirely. I shall as- sume that the original order for the establishment of District No. 5 was intended for and was thereafter uniformly applied to District 4. It em- braced two miles in width on the east line of the county, extending from Labette creek on the north to the State line on the south. We have no record showing who composed the first board of this district, but the first report is dated August 14th, 1867, and is signed by Henry Shannon. The only thing the report shows is that there are in the district 20 males and 16 females of school age. We have then this negative testimony that no school was taught in this district prior to that time. During 1868 the school board consisted of William Craft, director; Daniel J. Doolen, EDUCATIONAL. 187 clerk; Z. A. Woodarcl, treasurer. The report dated August 29th, 1868, shows the school population to be 137, and that a three-months school of 26 males and 29 females, and a total average daily attendance of 30, had been taught by Miss Ellen Craft at a salary of S25 per month. During the winter of 1868-9 a school with two departments was taught; one by Mrs. Abigail Horner, and the other by Miss Ellen Craft. No school building had yet been erected, but early in 1869 a contract was made for the erec- tion of a school building. At the election on March 25th, 1869, the fol- lowing officers were elected : J. L. Taft, director ; John W. Horner, clerk; C. P. Spaulding, treasurer. On December 5th. 1869, the schools were opened in Spaulding s Hall, in charge of Newton Bowles and his daugh- ter, Miss Eva Bowles. On February 3d, 1870, the new frame school-house having been completed, it was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies. On the 7th of the same month the schools were opened in this new build- ing, which even then was found to be too small to accommodate the children who were ready to attend. At the election in the spring of 1870 N. S. Storrs was elected director, J. W. Horner clerk, and J. L. Taft treasurer. During the summer Mr. Storrs resigned and Jonas Clark was appointed in his place. J. J. McBride was appointed principal of the schools for the following year, but in January resigned, and for a time Miss M. L. Ela, who had been one of the assistant teachers, was put in charge, but in March she resigned, and Mr. Griswold was elected princi- pal. At the district election in 1871, Jonas Clark was elected diiector, C. H. McCreery clerk, J. L. Taft treasurer. The city having been organ- ized into a city of the second class about this time, on March 29th, 1871, Mayor Fox assumed, with the assent of the council, to organize the board of education, and appointed as members thereof the following: Jonas Clark, Dr. John Birch, C. F. Smith, and Eev. C. H. McCreery. On May 1st these parties met as the board of education and proceeded to organize by electing Mr. Clark as president, Mr. Birch vice-president, Mr. Mc- Creery clerk, and Mr. Smith treasurer; they then appointed J. M. Cava- ness superintendent of schools. In September, 1871, the schools were opened under the superintendency of Edward Mason. On June 10th, 1872, by a vote of 147 for to 54 against, it was decided to issue $25,000 in bonds to build a new school-house. In due course of time preparations for building were made. The board pushed forward the work as rapidly as possible. The building was completed and dedicated on July 4th, 1873, and was at that time the finest school-house in the county. A separate building was then erected for colored children. The first graduating class consisted of Nellie McGinley, Allie Horner, Jessie Sellman, and Harry W. Sterling. This class went out in 1873. In all, there are now fifty- eight graduates. J. M. Cavaness, C. H. McCreery, J. Paulsen and J. D. 188 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. Graham at various times have acted as city superintendent. In recent years the principals of the high school have also beeu superintendents. The principals, term commencing in the fall of the year named, have been : 1871, Edward M. Mason ; 1872, L. J. VanLandingham ; 1873, J. W. Horner; 1874, P. Fales ; 1875, J. A. R. Smith; 187G, Buel T. Davis; 1877-78, Robert Hay; 1879, L. J. VanLandingham ; 1880, O. V. Hays; 1881-84, J. W. Weltner ; 1885, J. W. Weltner and W. W. Lindsey ; 1886, Buel T. Davis; 1887-88, S. D. Crane; 1889-91, E. A. Herod; 1892, Clay D. Herod. Presidents: 1871, Jonas Clark ; 1872, Dr. John Burch; 1873, J. M. Bannan; 1874, L. J. VanLandingham; 1875, F. A. Hunter; 1876, William Alexander; 1877, L. J. VanLandingham ; 1878, C. H. Guntler; 1879-82, Lewis Williams; 1883-85, J. C. Witt; 1886-87, G. D. Boon; 1888, G. W. McEweu; 1889, G. D. Boon; 1890, B. F. Danforth ; 1891, J. C. Witt; 1892, Mrs. C. N. Bush. Clerks : 1871, C. H. McCreery; 1872, J. M. Bannan; 1873, C. H. Ludlow; 1874, C. Humble; 1875, L. J. Van Landingham; 1876-77, C. Humble; 1878, C. M. Williams; 1879-80, N. S. Van Ausdale; 1881, A. G. Drake and L. M. Bedell; 1882-89, A. G. Drake; 1890-92, G. W. McEwen. WATSON DISTJMCT, NO. 5. As I said in describing District No. 4, I must assume that the superin- tendent in preparing the records which have come down to us made a mistake in numbering these districts, as the description of what he has numbered 5 applies to the district which was thereafter designated 4, and the district he has numbered 6 applies to that which was thereafter acted upon as 5. The original order for the formation of District 5, as num- bered on said order, made it to embrace the east part of Richland town- ship, including the town of Chetopa; but all subsequent proceedings make it evident that that order was intended to be for District 4, or at least that it was thereafter acted upon as No. 4. As I have before as- sumed that the order by the superintendent numbered 5 was intended for 4, so I must assume that the order for the formation of District 6 was intended to be, as it was thereafter regularly recognized. District 5. It commenced at the northwest corner of section 1, in Hackberry township, and extended south to the State line; thence east three miles; thence north to the Labette river; thence up said stream to the place of begin- ning. This seems to leave the middle tier of sections running north and south in Richland township out of either school district. Perhaps the Superintendent's intention was to put District 6 in Hackberry township, and after running south to the State line, instead of running east, he should have made his order read, "thence running west." Or it may be that at that time, in some way, Districts 4, 5 and 6 were understood to embrace all of Richland township south of Labette creek, notwithstand- ED UCA T ZONAL. 189 iug the imperfect description Id the orders forming them. But that the west part of Richland township was organized District 5, rather than District 6, is made clear by a petition which was presented sometime during Mr. Newlon's administration, although the date is not given, where- in Moses Powers, John Kenney, William Shay, John N. Watson, S. R. South wick and a number of others represented themselves as being resi- dents of District 5, and asked that the district might be made to com- mence at the southwest corner of said township, which would be, as then constituted, the southwest corner of section 31, and to extend three miles east and three miles north. William Shay was the first director, S. R. Southwick the first clerk, and John Kinney the first treasurer of this dis- trict. The first report is dated September 5, 1867, and shows 39 children of school age in the district. No public school was taught in the district until the fall of 1868. The clerk's report, dated September 12, 1868, shows 51 children of school age, and that Matilda Quinby had taught a three-months subscription school, with an attendance of 11 males and 13 females. The next winter S. R. Southwick taught a three-months school at 835 per month, and in the spring Miss Frankie Hull taught a three- months school at $25 per month. The first school was taught in David Wagoner's vacant house on the southwest quarter of section 18. The first school meeting was held on the open prairie of John N. AVatson's claim, on the northwest quarter of section 29. It was there agreed that each person should bring in a few logs, and that they would put up a log school-house. This project was not carried out, and in the spring of 1869 they put up a frame house. D. U. Watson is credited with having been present at every school meeting that has ever been held in the dis- trict. BLACKFORD DISTRICT, NO. 6. What I have said in speaking of Districts 4 and 5 may be referred to at this place for a fuller statement in reference to this district. Aside from the order granting District 6, which I have heretofore assumed to be in- tended for a description of District 5, I find only these matters of record which would indicate that at any time there was any district designated as No. 6 prior to 1872. There is a report dated August 15th, 1867, signed by J. B. Huntly, clerk, which he represents to be a report for District 4, but at the bottom, evidently in the handwriting of the Superintendent, it is marked District 6, and is said to be in Oswego township ; and in May, 1871, by the notices of election returns, it seems that Stanley Foland was director, Joseph Watson clerk, and Wm. H. Payne treasurer of District 6. On May 28th, 1872, Superintendent Horner gave notice that he pro- posed to take the northeast quarter of section 27 and the southeast quar- ter of section 22, township 34, range 20, from District 6. If there was originally a district of this numl)er organized it seems to have lost its 190 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. organizatiou very soou, aud its territory must have been embraced in other districts. The policy of the Superintendent seems to have been, when a district of any number became extinct, to give that number to the next new district which should be organized, and this number was given to an entirely new district, situated in the central-southern part of Howard township. This district was formed by an order made March 17th, 1872, on a petition dated March 9th, 1872, signed by H. C. Long, William Blackford and others. The first school meeting in this new dis- trict was held at the house of E. R. Lee, on March 30th, 1872, aud the following officers elected : R. M. Roberts, director ; John Morse, clerk ; Wm. Stevenson, treasurer. BISHOP DISTKICT, NO. 7. The original order for the formation of this district located it in the southwest corner of Oswego township, and a portion of Richland town- ship lying north of Labette creek. A report dated September 14, 1867, signed by Francis M. Brockus, shows thirty-one children of school age in the district. This was the only item in the report, and this was the only report of the district as thus located which is now on file, and it seems that within the next few months this territory was absorbed by other districts, and this district became extinct. On December 14, 1869, Abner DeCou, Alexander Bishop, D. S. Bishop, Henry Newcomb and Henry G. Pore petitioned for the formation of a district to embrace sec- tions 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 aud 15, in Hackberry township ; and by an order made on the 17th of that month this territory, and also section 7 in Rich- land township, was formed into a new district designated as No. 7. A school-house was built in the fall of 1870, but before the erection of a school-house one term of school had been taught in a private house be- longing to Henry Pore, on section 10. This first school was taught, commencing in the fall of 1869, by Miss Esther Biggs. SHILOH DISTRICT, NO. 8. This district is located in the southwestern part of Montana township. The first officers were : Samuel Dunham, director ; R. S. Cornish, clerk ; Joseph Brown, treasurer. The first report of this district is dated Sep- tember 1, 1868, signed by R. S. Cornish, clerk, and shows 37 children of school age in the district, but no school having been taught therein. The first school in the district seems to have been taught in the spring of 1869, by A. A. Biggs. The report dated September 10, 1869, signed by E. G. Robinson, clerk, shows 37 children of school age, and an attendance of 21 at school, the average daily attendance being 15, and the salary of the teacher $24 per month. A log school-house was put up in 1868, and in 1871 a good frame building took its place. EDUCATIONAL. 191 BED EOCK (or RED BUD) DISTRICT, NO. 9. This district is located in Montana township, east of the Neosho river. It must have been formed in 1867, although there is no record of its or- ganization ; nor indeed is there any record showing anything in reference thereto prior to 1870, when the district board is reported to have been composed of David M. Watson, Benjamin F. Hanson, and James H. Wliite. On December 5, 1881, the school-house was destroyed by fire; and as the limit allowed by law for bonds had previously been reached, and the bonds were still outstanding, it was determined to raise funds by subscription with which to build. Considerable outside aid was secured, especially from the business men of Osw'ego. In this way the district was again soon supplied with a house. LABETTE CITY DISTRICT, XO. 10. This district was originally organized by Superintendent New^lon, em- bracing two miles in width on the north side of Fairview township and three miles in width on the south side of Liberty township, from the east line of said township five miles w^st. Wm. H. Cline was the first clerk, and on September 11th, 1867, reported no school having been taught in the district, but an enrollment of 24 males and 19 females of school age. The first school in the district was taught by Wm. H. Cline, as is shown by the report of W. J. Conner, clerk, dated September 1st, 1865, (evi- dently intended for 1868,) at a salary of 333.33^ per month. The school was taught in a claim cabin on the southeast quarter of section 27, be- longing to the estate of A. W. Richardson. The attendance at this school was 10 males and 3 females, with an average attendance of 3|. John Richardson succeeded W. J. Conner as clerk, and in the winter of 1868 James F. Molesworth taught a three-mouths school at a salary of ^35 per month, with an average attendance of 14|. This school was taught in the new hewed-log school-house which had just been erected on the southwest quarter of. section 35. This house was built by subscrip- tion with the understanding that the parties should be repaid when the district could raise funds, which was done. The town of Labette was started in June, 1870, and thereafter the school was taught in town. The first school in town was opened in a rented room on the east side of the railroad track, October 6, 1870, by J. L. AVilliams. In December the board bought a two-story frame building on the west side of the railroad track, known as Bates's Hall. The lower part was occupied by the pub- lishers of the Sentinel as a printing-office. The school was moved to the second story of this building, where Mr. Williams and his wife, Rachel Williams, both taught in one room. This building served as the school- house until June 6, 1878, when it was blown down and entirely destroyed 192 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. by a tornado. Dr. Conner, seeing that his barometer indicated a storm, went to the school-house and directed school to be dismissed. The schol- ars were scarcely home till the house was in fragments. A new house was at once erected, and ready for occupancy that fall. JACKSONVILLE DISTRICT, NO. 11. This was a union district, embracing the northeastern part of Neosho township, lying west of the river, and a part of Neosho county, with the school-site at Jacksonville, in Neosho county. On September 12th, 1867, David Evans, clerk, reported that Jennie McDonald had taught a three- months school at a salary of $23.33^ per month, with an enrollment of 15 scholars, and an average attendance of 9. The following year O. Herra- man and A. J. Kennedy, the former at a salary of 860 and the latter S25 per month, taught a four-months school, with a total enrollment of 55. BOWMAN DISTRICT, NO. 12. This district lies in the western part of Fairview township. There is no doubt but that a district was formed having this number by Superin- tendent Newlon, although there is nothing on file showing its original organization, nor anything in respect to the district, until after 1869. On February 11, 1870, an order was made for the formation of the dis- trict, and the first election directed to be held at the house of William Wood, on February 23, 1870. Whether the district of this -number formed in 1867 embraced entirely different territory, the organization of which never became perfected, or whether it originally embraced the same territory as is now comprised in the district, I am unable, with the information I now have, to decide ; I am, however, disposed to think that District 12 as formed by Superintendent Newlon was never fully or- ganized, but was laid off when there was little settlement, and contained within its bounds the territory forming that district as we now know it. The first officers as now shown by the records were, in 1870, Frank Wil- liams, director; I. W. Patrick, clerk; A. S. Spaulding, treasurer. MONTANA DISTRICT, NO. 13. The first report on file is not dated, but it is supposed to be the report for 1867. It is signed by B. W. Bennett, clerk, aud represents the dis- trict as being in Big Hill township. It is otherwise blank, excepting the statement that there are 8 males and 10 females in the district. The next report is signed by Henry M. Minor, clerk, and is dated August 31, 1868, showing 22 males and 20 females in the district, and that there has been a three-months school taught in the district, but not by a quali- fied teacher ; of course this was a private school. AVhile the report does not show it, the fact is this was a subscription school, taught in the sum- mer of 1807 by Alice Biggs, in the old log store building belonging to B. EDUCATIONAL. 193 r. Simons — the first house built on the town-site. Mr. Minor remained clerk the following j-ear, and reported 83 children of school age in the district, 46 of whom were attending school. A three-mouths school had been taught by John Hudson, at $<26.33^ per month. This first public school was taught in an old log house on the southwest quarter of sec- tion 8, township 32, range 21, in the spring of 1869. In 1870 the board consisted of J. J. Woods, director; H, M. Minor, clerk; and A. Geb- hart, treasurer. Capt. A. Gebhart and J. J. Woods were the building committee for the erection of a new school-house. Bonds in the sum of ^3,000 w^ere voted, and the house cost ^2,200. It was dedicated Novem- ber 19, 1S70, Colonel Horner delivering the address. Soon thereafter the first school in the new house was taught, by E. D. Graybill. CENTRAL DISTRICT, NO. 14. The original order for the formation of this district is not to be found; but a petition dated March 6, 1868, signed by J. H. Hart and some twenty more residents of the district, asking for a change in the boundaries of the district, seems to have been granted March 9, 1868. The first report is signed by James F. Molesworth, clerk, and dated September 1, 1868. It show^s 18 children in the district, and that a public school was then in progress. This was the first school in the district. It was taught by Mrs. Almeda Molesworth, in a cabin standing on the southeast quarter of section 17, belonging to S. T. Cherry. The following year Mr. Moles- worth reported 46 children in the district, 38 of whom were attending school, the average attendance being 17, and that Almeda Molesworth had taught a three-months school at a salary of 822 per month. The school-house w^as built in 1869 ; it was a frame building, covered with walnnt siding. NEW HOPE DISTRICT, NO. 15. This district is located near the north part of Neosho township, east of the Neosho river. The first report is dated September 1, 1868, signed by Edward Spicer, clerk, and shows only that there were 34 children in the district. The next report is signed by O. Sweet, clerk, and shows 50 children in the district, with 42 attending school, the average attendance being 24, and that Miss Jennie M. Beck had taught a three-months school at a salary of SI 5 per month. CONCORD DISTRICT, NO. 16. On January 29th, 1868, L. A. Rogers and James W. Galyen presented a petition for the formation of this district. It was made to embrace the northwestern part of Neosho township and the northeastern part of North township. Prior to this, Superintendent Newlon seems to have formed, or to have contemplated the formation of, this district, but no order for — 13 194 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. such formatiou is to be found. The first report, dated August 1, 1868, signed by L. A. Rogers, clerk, shows 33 children in the district, with 37 attending school, and an average attendance of 16. Mrs. Pauline A. Ames had taught a three-months school, at a salary of $20 per month. A. P. Gore succeeded Mr. Rogers as clerk, and the following year makes two reports — one in August, showing 39 children in the district, 20 of whom had been attending school, and one in October, showing 78 chil- dren in the district, 57 of whom had been attending school. E. H. Taylor had taught a three-months school, at a salary of $33. 33^ per month. The first school-house in the district was built of logs, the settlers turning out and doing the work; it was located on section 7, in Neosho township, and was put up in the fall of 1868. Subsequently the site was changed to North township, and a good frame building was erected. LIBERTY DISTRICT, NO. 17. The original order for the formation of this district is not among the public records. But probably in 1868 Supt. Reed, on the petition of L. N. Shelledy, Samuel Lewis, W. H. Scott, Ed. Mercer, and other resi- dents of the district, made an order for the subdivision of said district ; the boundary of this district thereafter to commence at the northeast corner of Liberty township, thence extending south three and one-half miles, to Labette creek. The first report of this district is signed by W. B. Jones, clerk, dated September 14, 1868, and simply shows 21 children in the district. In a report dated September 14, 1869, signed by Charles Denend, clerk, it is shown that there are 53 children in the district, with 10 attending a three-months school, taught by Miss Mary Bowlu, at a salary of $12 per month; but there is also a report on file dated September 15, 1869, signed by Eli Sayers, clerk, showing 66 chil- dren in the district, 44 in school, but not giving the name of the teacher. Evidently one of these is intended for some other district, but both pur- port to be for District 17. WOODS DISTRICT, NO. 18. This district was formed during Superintendent Newlon's administra- tion, but the record thereof is not now to be found. On April 4th, 1868, on the petition of F. W. Latham, it was reorganized and made to embrace a tract three miles square in the southwestern part of what is now North township. The first report, dated September 8th, 1868, signed by Aaron Midkiff, clerk, shows 24 children in the district, but no school. F. W. Latham, clerk, in a report dated August 31st, 1869, reports 45 children in the district, but no school taught. In the spring of 1873 a school-house was erected and well furnished, from the proceeds of $1,000 in bonds which had been voted. ED UCA TIONAL. 1 9 5 M'COKMICK (AFTEinVARDS CUXNINGHAM ) DISTRICT, NO. 19. According to the records uow on file, this district was formed October 7th, 1868, aud embraced the northwest part of what is now Mound Val- ley township. The district seems to have been contemplated in 1867, but the record of its organization, If one was had at that time, is lost. The first report, dated October 15th, 1868, signed by William Jones, clerk, shows 18 children in the district, but no school. On August 14th, 1869, the first meeting was held, at which it was decided to locate the school- house on the northwest corner of Mrs. McMichael's claim, and to circulate a subscription paper for material for building a school-house. J. Bishop, clerk, reported 13 children in the district at that date. The first school in the district was taught in a "shake" claim-house, with dirt floor, on section 26, township 32, range 17, by Mrs. Mollie Courtney, commencing in September, 1869. This was a subscription school, and continued for three months. In 1870 the board consisted of J. H. Beggs, director; H. B. Griffith, clerk ; and J. M. Courtney, treasurer. ^VILD CAT DISTRICT, XO. 20. The original order for the formation of this district is in the handwrit- ing of Supt. Xewlon, and seems to have been the last district formed under his administration. It is located in Montana township, east of the Neosho. Aside from the order for its organization, there is nothing on file showing that anything had been done therein prior to April 20, 1870, when the petition of Daniel Hoy and others was presented for a change in this district, which seems to have been made; also reorganization thereof had in the early part of 187-4. The first report on file is dated September 12, 1870, signed by James White, clerk. RED ELM DISTRICT, NO. 21. This district is located in the southwest corner of Neosho township. There is nothing of record, either original or copies, showing when it was organized. It must have been during Supt. Newlon's administra- tion, or very soon after Supt. Reed came into office. The first report, dated September 10, 1868, is signed by Newberry Cooper, clerk, in which he says that they have had no school, but will have the following winter if they can get their house completed in time. The report shows 54 children in the district. September 15, 1869, Mr. Cooper again reports, showing 68 children in the district, 47 of whom have attended a three- months school taught by Miss Mary Slane, who has received $2 per scholar, there being no public money in the district. SPRING HILL DISTRICT, NO. 22. On a petition of Harvey I. Cox and others, dated January 19th, 1 869, this district was formed, embracing the southwestern corner of North 196 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. township. The first election was held at the house of Harvey I. Cox, on February 13th, 1869. Harvey I. Cox was the first clerk. In 1870 a frame school-house was built, which was replaced with a fine brick house some five years ago. CLOVER DISTEICT, NO. 23. Under date of March 28th, 1869, Superintendent Elliott made an order for the formation of District No. 23, in the northeast part of Oswego township, north and east of the Neosho river, and appointed the first school meeting to be held at the house of D. M. Clover, April 7th, 1869. On August 31st, 1870, what Is marked as the second annual report was made by L. W. Craiu, which is the first now on file. It shows 33 chil- dren in the district, 24 of whom were attending school, with an average attendance of 20. The school-house was not plastered until 1871. OAK GROVE DISTRICT, NO. 24. On March 11th, 1869, the petition of AV. S. Newlon, R. W. Bagby, S. Holbrook, C. Montague, F. Swanwick and others was presented for the formation of a new district. Upon this petition the order of the Super- intendent was made, forming District 24, embracing the north part of Oswego township and the south part of Montana township. The first officers were : C. Montague, director ; Henry Lively, clerk ; F. Swan- wick, treasurer, chosen at the first meeting, which was held at the house of W. Lane, April 10th, 1869. The first report is dated September 14th, 1869, signed by Henry Lively, showing 42 children in the district, 38 in attendance upon school, with an average attendance of 13^, and a sub- scription school having been taught by Miss Amanda Powers. This was the first school in the district, and was taught in a cabin on the southeast quarter of section 5, Oswego township. In January, 1870, a log house w^as built at the southwest corner of section 33, in Montana township; it w^as built by subscription for church and school purposes. The first pub- lic school in the district was taught by Henry Lively, commencing in this house as soon as it w^as completed. The next school was taught by John P. Jones, commencing November, 1870. On September 27, 1873, at a public meeting of the district, a new school-house site was selected, on section 5, and it was voted to erect a stone school-house thereon. BREESE DISTRICT, NO. 2.5. February 15, 1869, C. M. Fentriss, M. Huntley, G. W. Yandle, L. W. Leak, and several other residents of the territory, petitioned for the for- mation of a district in the northwest corner of Richland township, lying east of Labette creek. The petition was granted, and District 25 was organized. There are no offlcers reported until 1870, when the board consisted of Lewis AV. Leak, director; L. F. Summers, clerk; and H. C. ED UCA TIONAL. 1 9 7 Hardway, treasurer. The sehool-hoii.se was built in the summer of 1871, and in it, in the fall of that year, John Lawrence commenced teaching the first school in the district. HIATT DISTEICT, NO. 26. On April 17, 1S69, an order was made for the formation of District 26. No boundaries are given in the order, but it seems to have been situated in Hackberry township. The first meeting was held at the house of G. W. Franklin, April 30, 1869. On September 14, 1869, James McRob- erts, clerk, reported 40 children in the district, but that no school had been taught. In 1870 the board consisted of J. M. McCoon, director; G. W. Franklin, clerk; George S. Downing, treasurer. DICKEKMAN DISTKICT, NO. 27. On April 18, 1869, this district w^as formed, and embraced the central portion of Fairview township, extending east as far as Labette creek. The first meeting was held at the house of Joseph Barker, on April 6, 1869. September 7, 1869, A. S. Potter, clerk, reported 56 children in the district, no school having yet been taught therein. In the fall of 1869 a subscription school was taught by Esther Biggs, in a log house on the northwest quarter of section 23. Thomas Bulwer was director, A. S. Potter clerk, and E. Wiggins treasurer, in 1870. In the fall of 1870 the first public school in the district was taught, by Mary E. Dickerman, in a frame house on the northwest quarter of section 27. A school-house was built in the spring of 1871, which, on May 21, 188.5, was burned to the ground. lockaku distijict, no. 28. This district is situated in the central part of Hackberry township, south of Hackberry creek. The first official document which I now find among the public records relative to District 28 is an annual report dated August 31, 1870, signed by John Shumeker, clerk. The only item of information contained in this report is that they have 24 children in the district; no school is yet reported. I can find nothing further among the public records indicating when it was organized. STOVEPt DISTRICT, NO. 29. This district was formed April 29, 1869, on a petition of J. P. D. Mou- riquand, J. M. Logan, George Pfaff, and others, and embraced a tract in the north part of Fairview township extending west from Labette creek. The first election was held at the house of J. S. McManis, on May 11, 1869. September 8, 1869, M. H. Logan, clerk, reported 34 children in the district, but that no school had been taught. The first school-house was built in the fall of 1869. HARMONY GROVE (OR CARPENTER, NOW MORTIMER) DISTRICT, NO. 30. This district is located in the central part of Osage township. A log 198 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. house was used for the first school-house hi the district, and in it WiHiam Jeans taught the first school, in the summer of 1869. In the summer of 1871 a frame house was built, and in it the following winter the first school was taught, by John Stroud. The first school board consisted of Leroy F. Dick, director; William H. Carpenter, clerk; and Henry Reed, treasurer. Another reports the board to have been : W. H. Carpenter, director; George N. Jeans, clerk; and J. H. Dienst, treasurer. PRAIKIE VALLEY DISTKICT, NO. 31. This district must have been organized in 1869, although the records concerning its organization are not to be found. As originally consti- tuted, it embraced the entire northwestern quarter of North township ; subsequently its territory was much reduced. District 104 having been taken therefrom. There is no report or other official record whatever on file with reference to the district prior to 1871, when the board were : S. Hardman, director; James F. Harris, clerk; A. J. Ingraham, treasurer, HEACOCK (or stone PALACE) DISTRICT, NO. 32. This district is situated in the northern part of North township. The record of its organization, if one was made, is lost. The first we have is a report made August 31, 1870, by A. Fagan, clerk, showing they have 50 children in the district, 30 attending school, with an average attend- ance of 22. In 1871 the board was composed of George Miner, J. C. Merwin, and C. W. Rictor. I'ARSONS DISTRICT, NO. 33. A petition dated February 23, 1809, made by R. T. Caldwell, Anson Kellogg, A. Midkiff, 8. N. Fultz, A. Fultz, Maria Hussey, George Brock, and several others, was presented to the Superintendent, on which he soon thereafter made an order for the organization of District No. 33, embracing, in addition to the territory now composed in that district, several additional sections. The first meeting was held at the house of Aaron Midkitf, at which the following officers were elected: Anson Kel- logg, director; George M. Wilson, clerk; Joseph Simpson, treasurer. September 10, 1869, George M. Wilson, clerk, reported 20 males and 14 females in the district on the 31st of August, 15 of whom — 10 males and 5 females, with an average attendance of 10 — were in school, in progress at that time, taught by Maria Hussey, at a salary of 816.60>^ per month. This school was taught in an out-house belonging to A. Midkiff, on the southwest quarter of. section 19, North township. The next school was taught from September to December. 1870, by Miss Sophronia Emery, in a vacant log house belonging to Samuel Eves, on the northeast quarter of section 24, in Walton township. This was the first public school taught in the district. On March 31, 1870, the first annual meeting was held, at EDUCATIONAL. 199 the house of Aaron Midkilf , aud the t'ollowiug officers elected ; Anson Kellogg, director; H. L. Partridge, clerk; George Brock, treasurer. The latter failing to qualify, W. K. Hayes was soon after appointed to fill the vacancy; and this same board was continued in office during two years. In March, 1873, they elected Dr. G. W. Gabriel director, T. C. Cory clerk, and Dr. T. R. Warren treasurer. At the meeting held March 31, 1870, the board were directed to take steps to build a school- house. On September 17th of that year, bonds in the sum of $1,000 were voted, and the board purchased lots 15 and 16 in block 72, aud on this, during the winter of 1870 and the spring of 1871, a one-story frame build- ing was erected as the first school-house in the district. It was not com- pleted until June, and was accepted by the board August 1, 1 871. On May 8, 1871, Miss Kate Squires aud Miss Sophronia Emery began a subscrip- tion school in the new school-building, which was then inclosed but not fully completed. On August 10th the board decided to enlarge the build- ing by adding six feet on the west end, making two school-rooms. This house was afterward bought by the colored people, to be used as a church. The house thus completed was built with the proceeds of the SI, 000 in bonds. In the fall of 1871 the school opened in the new school-house, with E. H. Taylor and Miss Sophronia Emery as teachers. On October 3, 1871, on a vote to issue ^15,000 in bonds with which to erect a new school- house, there were 108 votes in favor of the proposition, and but 5 against It. The bonds were sold at 87X cents on the dollar. In January, 1872. the contract for the erection of this building was let to T. B. Douglas, of Clinton, Missouri, for 811,993. On his failure to give bond satisfactory to the board, they attempted to take the contract from him and give it to Martin Mason, also of Clinton, Missouri, at the agreed price of $13,000: but the district assumed to overrule this action, and allowed Mr. Douglas to go on with the work. He failed to complete his contract, and the dis- trict had the loss to sustain. The building was completed and ready for the opening of school in the fall of 1872. In March, 1873, Parsons was incorporated as a city of the second class, whereupon the board of educa- tion was elected at the city election, in April. Presidents of the board : 1873, George A. Reynolds; 1874, O. L. Hall, George W. Briggs; 1875, G. C. West; 1876-79, A. Wilson; 1880-81, R. H. Patrick; 1882, William Moir; 1883, S. W. Kniffin ; 1884, J. M. Gregory; 1885, W. J. Quick: 1886, I. N. McCreery; 1887, J. M. Caldwell; 1888, R. D. Talbott: 1889- 90, J. T. Tinder ; 1891, A. H. Tyler ; 1892, O. II. Stuart, G. H. L. Cope- land. Clerks: 1873, J. H. Metier, W. A. Gillani: 1874, P. M. Griffin: 1875, M. Noyes; 1876, George Thornton ; 1877-81, James Grimes : 18S2- 86, A. H. Tyler; 1887, C. W. Duzan aud A. G. Thurman : 18S8. A. H. 200 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. Tyler, A. G. Thurmau ; 1889, Mary S. Outland and J. W. Iden ; 1890-92, J. W. Ideu. PriDcipals: 1872, J. H. Griffith; 1873, David Donovan; 1874, Mrs. E. J. Collins; 1875, Mrs. Jennie Arthur. Up to 1876 the schools were superintended by citizens who were not teachers, and who were expected to do little more than have a general oversight, to know what the schools were doing. J. G. Parkhurst and M. W. Reynolds were two of the parties who filled this position. Commencing with 1876, the superintendents had charge of the school, and did more or less teaching. Superintendents: 1876, B. F. Hickey ; 1877-79, M. Chidester; 1880, 0. M. McPherson; 1881-87, L. Tomlin ; 1888-90, C. H. Harris; 1891-92, H. C. Ford. The first graduating class was in 1882, and consisted of but one pupil, Maud G. Keyser. Those who have graduated from the school up to this date number 75. There are now five brick school-buildings in the city, viz. : the first, built in 1872, in the second ward, on the west half of block 3, costing $15,000 ; the second, erected in 1880, in the third ward, between Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth streets and between Belmont and Corning avenues, costing $10,000; the third, erected in the first ward, in 1881, on block 111, cost SG,000 ; the fourth, erected in 1884, in the fourth ward, situated west of block 160, cost $12,000; the fifth, in the third ward, erected in 1889, on block 210, cost $10,000. A high- school building, to cost $35,000, is now in process of construction. WHEATLAND ( OR HARD-PAN ) DISTRICT, NO. 34. This district was formed July 8th, 1869, and embraced a tract in Mound Valley township, west of Pumpkin creek and north of the line between townships 32 and 33. The first election was held at the house of C. Lyeiiy, July 2d, 1869. J. M. Kichardson was the principal one inter- ested in the organization of this district. The first school taught in the district was in a house belonging to Mr. Richardson, by his son, J. M. Richardson, jr. The school was taught for several years in this house. Bonds were thereafter issued, and a new school-house erected. In 1870 the officers were : J. M. Richardson, director ; William Reeder, clerk ; John B. Campbell, treasurer. SNOW HILL, DISTRICT, NO. 35. This district was formed July 9th, 1869, and embraced a tract in the southwest part of Osage township, most of it lying in what is now Mont- gomery county. The first election was held at the house of A. W. Cook, July 20th, 1869. When this territory was attached to Montgomery county this district became disorganized. In 1872 a new district was organized, in the extreme southwestern corner of the county, and was given this number. Its first officers were; Wm. Mabrey, director; W. S. Getsyen- dinger, clerk ; W. B. Roberts, treasurer. Mr. Mabrey was director for ED UCA TIONAL. 201 fourteeu years. Some time thereafter a storehouse in Parker was pur- chased, and moved out to the district for its first school-house. MOUNT ZIOX DISTRICT, NO. 36. This district was formed July 10th, 1869, and lay in the southwest part of Osage township. The first meeting was held July 20th, 1869. Miss Josie Hockett taught her first school in a log cabin on the southeast quar- ter of section 6, township 32, range 18. The first board now shown by records was that for 1870, and was composed of S. C. Hockett, director; Charles Beggs, clerk ; and William Johns, treasurer. TIMBER HILL, DISTRICT, NO. 37. This district was formed July 10th, 1869, and lay in the southern part of Osage township. The first election was held at the house of F. Laba- die, July 20th, 1869. In fall of 1869, E. D. Graybill induced the settlers to put up a log house on the southwest corner of Timber Hill town-site, in which that winter he taught the first school in the district. The fol- lowing winter W. A. Starr taught in this building. A. W. King was clerk in 1870 ; he is the only officer reported prior to 1871. DENNIS DISTRICT, NO. 38, Was formed July 10th, 1869, and lay in the central part of Osage town- ship, and embraced the present town-site of Dennis. A log house was put up in this district in the spring of 1870, in which Mrs. Lapham taught a three-months school. After the location of Dennis in this district a new frame school-house was erected in town, in the summer of 1885. The district board in 1870 consisted of X. P. Lapham, director; George W. Major, clerk ; Jacob Beaty, treasurer. BRADFORD DISTRICT, NO. 39. On July 10, 1869, an order was made for the formation of this district, but probably it was not acted on, for another order was made on April 6, 1870, under which the district was formed, and lay in the northwest cor- ner of Walton township. The first meeting was held at the house of M. S. Mason, on April 16, 1870, at which George T. Walton, M. S. Mason and John Lunciford were elected the board for that year. MOUND VALLEY DISTRICT, NO. 40, Is situated in the central-eastern part of Mound Valley township, and includes the town of Mound Valley. This district was formed in the summer of 1869, although there is nothing now on file showing that fact. The first annual report was made August 31st, 1870, by Alexander Hon- rath, clerk; it shows 33 children in the district, 22 in school, with an average attendance of 11. In 1870 the board was composed of Josephus Moore, Alexar.der Honrath, and L. C. Wilmoth. A new two-story build- 202 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. iug was erected in the summer of 1882, and in 1885 an addition was made thereto. enterprise district, no. 41, While there is no record thereof, an attempt must have been made In the summer of 1869 to form this district, which probably failed. It was formed May 12th, 1871, and lay in the southeastern corner of Mound Valley township. The first meeting was held May 27th, 1871, on petition therefor, signed by Joseph Moore, Alexander Honrath, John Campbell, S. W. Slocum, E. Tanner and others. The first school in the district was taught in 1879, by Delia Wilson, in a cabin on section 23, belonging to Rev. F. L. Walker. A school-house was not built until 1880. SALEM DISTRICT, NO. 42. On June 7th, 1870, E. P. Emery, Wm. R. Abies, and others, petitioned for a district in the southwestern corner of Walton township. I find no record of its formation, but it seems to have been organized soon after the presentation of the petition. S. B. Shaffer, J. A. Jones and G. B. Hughes are reported as the board In 1870. A school-house was built near the southeast corner of section 20 in the spring of 1871. In 1890 this first building was replaced by a new and much better one. The first school in the district was taught by Miss Sophronia Emery, in a log house on R, P. Clark's claim, in the fall of 1870. ALTAMONT DISTRICT, NO. 43, Was formed October 4th, 1869, and embraced the southeast corner of Labette township and the northeastern corner of Mt. Pleasant township, and includes the city of Altamont. In 1870 the board were G. Conner, J. C. Murphy, and John Elston. The first school-house was built in 1872, and was used until the number of scholars became so great that it would no longer accommodate them in any way, when it was sold to J. T. Wal- ler, by whom it was moved across the street, where it still stands, and is used for a dwelling. In 1880 the district employed J. B. Jones to erect a new house upon the same site formerly occupied by the old one. The district again outgrew this house, and in 1884 another room had to be added. The building thus improved accommodated the district until 1891, when $4,000 in bonds were voted, the old school-house was sold to the Christians for the purpose of being reconstructed into a church build- ing, and a new two-story brick school-house was erected under a contract with J. B. Jones, occupying the same site as its predecessors. SPRING VALLEY (OR CATALPA) DISTRICT, NO. 44. In 1870 the petition of John Connor, John W. Logan and other citizens was presented for the formation of a district in the southwest corner of Liberty township, which petition was granted, and on January 29, 1870, an order made under which District 44 w^as organized. William F. Gross ED UCA TIOXAL. 203 William J. Ilitf and S. W. Collius were the first board, elected at the first meeting of the district, held at the house of W. J. Iliff, February 11, 1870. ELLIS DISTRICT, NO. 45, Is situated in the northeastern part of Elm Grove township. I find no record whatever in reference to it prior to 1871, except the names of the board for 1870; they were Daniel Mclntire, John Lane, and Madison Sharp. The district must have been formed early in 1870. The first school in the district was taught in the summer of 1870, by Sarah Acker- son, afterwards the wife of Henry G. Pore, in her own claim cabin on the northeast quarter of section 14. The school-house was built in 1872, and Lou Blanchard taught the first school in it. LANEVILLE (OK HARD SCRABBLE) DISTRICT, NO. 46, Is in the central part of Neosho township, west of the Neosho river. The record is entirely silent as to the date of its formation, and I find no report prior to 1871, but in 1870 the board are reported to be E. H. Taylor, Samuel Frank, and E. H. Wells. HIATT DISTRICT, NO. 47, Was formed March 24, 1870, and embraced a tract of land in the south- west of Liberty township and the southeast of Labette township. This district was formed on the petition of Caleb Haskill, T. M. Gibson, and others, dated December 30, 1869. The first school meeting was held at the house of C. T. Haskill, April 4, 1870. P. M. Gibson, Edward Hiatt and C. F. Haskill are the officers reported for 1871. PLEASANT VALLEY, MORNING, OR KNOT-HOLE DISTRICT, NO. 48, Is situated in the northeast corner of Liberty and northwest corner of Montana township. In the spring of 1870 the first school was taught, in George Metcalf s old log house on the northeast quarter of section 13, by Miss Sidney Johnson ; this was a subscription school. In the spring of 1871 an old store building was moved from Labette and placed on the northeast corner of the southwest quarter of section 12, township 32, range 20 ; this was the first school-house. Two years later it was moved over onto the southeast quarter. The first school board, as now shown on the county records, was in 1870, and consisted of James Morning, director; S. S. Saytor, clerk; George Morning, treasurer. I judge from all that appears that the district was probably organized early in 1870. RIPON DISTRICT, NO. 49, Is situated in the central-southern part of Elm Grove township, border- ing on the State line. I have no means of telling from the public records when this district was formed. The first oflicial paper relative to it which I have been able to find is the report made by Jonas Burris, on 204 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. August 31st, 1870, showing 48 children in the district, with an average attendance of 21 at school. I find among the records a letter signed by Ben M. Smith, dated September 8th, 1870, in which he says that the dis- trict is composed mostly of single men ; that their school has been kept but two weeks, the teacher having been paid off and quit ; and that in re- ality the district has no organization. The officers reported for 1870 were : Colton B. Pratt, director ; B. M. Smith, clerk ; and W. D. Scog- gans, treasurer. It is therefore likely the report made by Mr. Burris should be credited to some other district. STAR DISTRICT, NO. .50. This district was probably formed in 1870, lying in the southeastern part of Elm Grove township. The first school was taught by Miss Unthank, in the house of Harvey Jones. The first board were : Ira Peck, director; Dr. D. P. Lucas, clerk; and George W. McGeyor, treasurer. The first public school was taught in the winter of 1871 and 1872, by Miss Frank Hall. DRESSER (now VALEDA ) DISTRICT, NO. 51. There is nothing of record showing any successful effort at organizing this district till December 29th, 1875, when an order for its formation was made, and the first election had on March 6th, 1876. The first school-house in this district was an old store building bought and moved from Parker to near the center of section 20, township 34, range 18, in 1879. In 1886 this building was sold, changes were made in the boundary of the district, and the school-house site was changed and placed at Valeda, which had just been started. A new school-house was erected in 1886. RAYBURN DISTRICT, NO. 52. This district lies in the central-eastern part of Mount Pleasant town- ship. It was organized under an order made June 8, 1870, and the first election was directed to be held at the house of John R. Eldridge on June 20, 1870. The following officers were elected: (William Skilliug, director, but declined to serve) ; Henry Story, director ; G. A. W. Grant, clerk; John Eldridge, treasurer. In 1871 the board consisted of Henry Story, director ; G. A. W. Grant, clerk ; W. Jones, treasurer. In the fall of 1870 Susan Story taught a subscription school in the Morrison claim house, on S.E. quarter of section 14. In the spring of 1871 the school-house was built, in which, commencing that fall, John Hamblin taught the first public school in the district. O'CONNER DISTRICT, NO. 53, Was organized June 13, 1870, embracing the central-northern part of Walton township. The first school meeting was held at the residence of James Cahill, June 25, 1870. The first officers were William O'Brien, James Cahill, and Timothy O'Couner. ED UCA TIONAL. 205 MAPLE GROVE DISTRICT, NO. 54. On Jime 20, 1876, Ernest Wadsack, John Richardson, and some twenty more residents of that territorj-, petitioned for tlie formation of a district in the northeast corner of Fairview township, which on July 6th was granted and District 54 was organized. This district was, however, orig- inally organized much earlier than this, although there is no record of the fact. In 1870 the board consisted of John Richardson, director; J. L. Williams, clerk ; , treasurer. These are the first officers now shown by the records. The first school in the district was taught by Mrs. W. S. Park, in a cabin on the Dike farm, in the winter of 1870. FRANKLIN DISTRICT, NO. 55, Is located in the northwestern corner of North township. There is no record showing the time of its formation, but I learn it was organized in 1868 through the efforts of Mr. Ballentine ; perhaps the organization was not till the next year ; at least, there is no record of any officers reported in 1869. The neighbors built a small board shanty on the northwest quarter of section 36, in which Elvira Bingaman, daughter of A. W. Jones, taught the first school, in the fall of 1868. A year or two after that the district was enlarged, and a new school-house costing S700 was built on section 35, in 1872. In 1870 the district board was composed of George Skelton, director ; Samuel Ballentine, clerk ; Robert C. Livesay, treasurer. This is the first that appears on the county record respecting this district. angola district, no. 56, Was organized in the central part of Canada tow-nship, July 13th, 1878. The first meeting was held August 19th, 1878, officers elected and organ- ization perfected. I find no account of any earlier organization, although it seems probable that one must at least have been attempted. CAMPBELL DISTRICT, NO. 57, Is located in the south-central part of Oswego township, and must have been organized early in 1870, although there is no record showing such fact. On August 31, 1870, T. Clark reported 47 children in the district, 41 attending school. The officers reported for 1870 are : John Overdeer, director; William Steel, clerk. Alice Spaulding was first teacher, her school commencing in the fall of 1871, in the new school-house which had just been built. ROCK CREEK (OR ARNOLD) DISTRICT, NO. 58, Was organized in the eastern part of Canada township, July 23. 1878, and the first meeting held August 21, 1878. No record of any earlier organization exists, so far as I have discovered. PIONEER DISTRICT, NO. 59, As originally constituted, embraced the northwest quarter of Mt. Pleas- 206 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. ant township. I find nothing on record showing anything of the forma- tion of the district, or anytliing in reference thereto prior to 1870. For that year the district board are reported to be B. F. Jones, S. M. Canady, and O. B. Clark. The school-house was built in the summer of 1871, and the first school was taught by Mrs. H. Pottinger, wife of Samuel Pottinger. lake creek district, no. 60, Is situated in the central-western part of Hackberry township. There is nothing on record showing when it was formed or what it did prior to 1871, when R. M. Roberts, John M. Morse and William Stevenson are recorded as the officers. CLOSSAR (or union) DISTRICT, NO. 61. A petition of Daniel Corell and a number of the neighbors was pre- sented for the formation of a district in the southwest corner of Richland township. There is no record of the date of this, but it seems to have been formed sometime in 1870. The officers for that year were : J. F. Chamberlain, director; F. M. Mendenhall, clerk; and Samuel Hull, treas- ^^^^^'- FROC4 POND DISTRICT, NO. 62, Was formed May 18, 1873, on a petition of P. H. Cherry, G. Spicer and others, and is situated in the southeast corner of Neosho township. MOUNT TRIUMril DISTRICT, NO. 63. James M. Kinnamon, Isaac Wylch and others presented a petition for the formation of a district in the central-northern part of Mound A^ alley township. It was formed June 18, 1872, an order for its formation hav- ing been made on May 20th, 1872. It lies in both Osage and Mound Valley townships. CRANSTON DISTRICT, NO. 64. A petition of James Cahill, Wm. O'Brien, Timothy O'Conner and a number of others was presented to the Superintendent for the formation of a school district embracing the central-northern part of Walton town- ship. This petition seems to have been acted upon, and the district formed in June, 1870. There is no record giving anything definite as to its formation farther than is here stated. November 10, 1871, on the application of Wm. M. Rogers, the first election was called for this dis- ^^''^^' GLOBE DISTRICT, NO. 65. Miss Ida Stevenson taught the first school in the district, in the fall of 1870, in a small claim building belonging to J. O. Stotts. There is no record showing when the district was organized, but it was probably early in 1870. The record shows the board in 1870, which must have been the first board, consisted of Ames, director; O. F. Presson, clerk; and George McDole, treasurer. The first public school was taught by Mrs. H. A. Boleman, in one of the rooms of her dwelling, commencing in the ED UCA TIONAL. 207 fall of 1871 ; she taught several terms in succession there. The district is located iu the northeastern part of Mound Valley township. LEE DISTRICT, XO. 66, Is situated iu the northwestern corner of Labette township. We have no record of its formation or work prior to 1872, when Alfred H. Lee, E. D. Graybill and John B. Daniel were reported as the board. m'clintock (or trenton) district, no. 67, Was organized December 15, 1870, and embraced the southeast corner of Howard township. The first meeting in the district was in the house of E. B. Baldwin, on April 8, 1871, at which the following officers were elected: W. J. McClintock, director; E. B. Baldwin, clerk; Benjamin Wade or J. M. Hart, treasurer. This was the first district organized iu Howard township. The first school in the district was taught by J. M. Hart, in a little cabin on his place, in the fall and winter of 1871. This was a subscription school. In the spring of 1873 a new school-house was built, and, commencing April 22, 1872, W. J. Millikin taught the first public school in the district. FAIRVIEW district, NO. 68, Is located in the western part of Mound Valley township. C. H. Lesley, E. Stapleton and Alexander Moore were interested in the securing of its organization, which was effected under an order made December 30, 1870. The first school-house was built by subscription, out of native lumber, and a school taught therein by Mrs. Hess, in 1871. That year bonds were voted, and the house was remodeled and fixed for a winter school, which was held the following winter. After the division of the district in 1883, additional bonds were voted, and a new school-house was built in 1884. Elisha Stapleton, J. J. Dickens and A. Moore were the first officers. UNION district, no. 69, Was formed January 31, 1871, and embraced the southwest corner of Labette township. The first meeting was at the house of Isaac Padget, February 20, 1871. In the summer of 1871 the first school-house was built in the district ; this was the first school-house in the township. The first school in the township was taught in this building by Miss Carrie M. Beggs, commencing the first of December, 1871. Andrew J. Heaton, Robert Vance and S. M. Hinshaw were the first officers ; in the spring of 1S71, John P. Hight, Isaac Padget and S. M. Hinshaw were elected. POLAND DISTRICT, NO. 70, Was formed February 8, 1871, and lay in the eastern part of Hackberry township and western part of Richland. The first meeting was held at the house of Isaac Butterworth, in February, 1871. The first officers 208 HISTORY OF LABEl'TE COUNTY. ^ve^e Samuel Cellars, L. H. Eeed, aud L. H. Lockwood. The school- house was built, but Bot plastered, iu the fall of 1871, aud in that winter James Dickey taught the first school. A new school-house was erected in 1892. NEWELL district, no. 71, Was formed May 1, 1871. It lay in the southwest corner of Fairview and the northwest corner of Hackberry. The first meeting was held at the house of G. W. AVilliams, and the following elected as the board : James Newell, director ; Samuel B. Good, clerk ; James Potteuger, treasurer. The first school was taught in a building belonging to James McCoy. A^ALLEY DISTRICT, NO. 73, Was formed May 3, 1871. It lies iu the central-eastern part of Elm Grove township. The first meeting was held at the house of Henry Pit- man, on May 15, 1871. L. Edmondson, D. S. Robbins and C. were the first officers. WIMMER (now EDNA) DISTRICT, NO. 73. An order was made May 3, 1871, for the formation of District No. 73, lying in the central part of Elm Grove township, and an election called for May 15, 1871, at the house of Owen Wimmer. The district failed to or- ganize under this order, and on May 30, 1872, a new order was made for the organization of the district, and the first election called for May 30, 1872, at the house of P. C. Goodwin. The building in the district was erected in the fall of 1872, and completed the fore part of December. It was completed on Monday, and on Tuesday W. J. Millikin opened therein the first school in the district. The building stood in the southeast cor- ner of the northwest quarter of section 30, township 34, range 19, and when the railroad was laid out the projected line ran directly through the building. It was then sold to Thomas Bickham, and moved a little to the north and used as a Free Methodist church. In the fall of 1886 a new four-room school-house was erected and furnished, at a cost of S2,000. PATRICK (or SHROUt) DISTRICT, NO. 74, Embraced a tract of land lying north and west of Oswego, extending from the Neosho river to the west side of the township, and was organ- ized May 8, 1871, on a petition dated April 14, 1871, signed by J. H. Holt, R. P. Bagby, Elisha Hammer, A. C. Baker, and others. The first elec- tion was held May 19, 1871. This district has undergone many changes since its organization. After the organization of the district the school was taught for some time in the old college building. After that was torn down and removed a new school-house was built. ELM WOOD (or SLOCUM) DISTRICT, NO. 75, Is located in the central and northern part of Mound Valley township, and was on the petition of Josephus Moore, Seth Wells, R. W. Simpson, ED LXA TIONAL. 209 and others, organized by order dated May 12, 1871. The first was held May 25, 1871. The first school officers were S. W. Slocum, Wm. Rob- bins, and Henry Terwilliger. The school-honse was built in the summer of 1871. The following winter a three-months school was taught by Mr. Jones, at a salary of 825 per month. ST. JOHN DISTRICT, XO. 76. This district is situated in the central and western part of Osage town- ship. I have not been able to find any record giving an account of its formation, nor have I found any of the old settlers who can give such in- formation. But the order for its formation was evidently made in 1871. It is said that the first teacher in the district was Miss Sadie Chambers. This has been one of the most enterprising districts in the county, and the school has always stood high. PLEASANT HILL DISTRICT, XO. 77. On July 27, 1871, George W. Blake, J. A. Jamison, P. Stevenson, and a great many others petitioned for a district in the southeast part of Osage township, on which the superintendent made an order October 20th, 1871, forming it into District 77, and appointing the first school meeting to be held at the house of J. L. Hills. The first officers consisted of J. T. Hills, director ; George W. Blake, clerk ; P. Stevenson, treasurer. WILLOW BRAXCH DISTRICT, XO. 78, Lies in the western part of Mount Pleasant township and eastern part of Canada, and was organized on an order made October 20, 1871. The first meeting was held at the house of S. Briner, November 19, 1871. W. H. Steel was elected director, D. S. Jackson treasurer, AV. H. Mapes, clerk. The first school-house was built by subscription, and in this the day and Sunday schools were held until the erection of the new house. SYLVAX DALE DISTRICT, XO. 79. This district is situated in the northwest part of Osage township, and was organized in 1870, on the petition of Wm. Padget and others. The first school was taught by Miss Maxwell ; Maggie x\dams and Edna Blake were early teachers. The first officers were David Lensy, Paulus Eisley, and A. H. Lockhart. ELSTOX DISTRICT, XO. 80, Was formed January 3, 1872, on the petition of J. T. Waller, John El- ston, J. O. King, Thomas D. Bickham and others, on December 19, 1870, in the corners of Fairview, Liberty, Labette and Mount Pleasant town- ships. The first meeting was held January 20, 1872, at the house of M. y. B. Watson. The following officers were elected : Silas Prayther, director; M. V. B. Watson, clerk; J. O. King, treasurer. — u 210 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. MILLER (on THE BRICK) DISTRICT, NO. 81. Ou June 10, 1872, an order was made for the organization of District 81, in the northwest corner of the county, on the request of J. B. Quinn, It seems that this territory was thereafter formed into a union district, and on March 18, 1875, a new district with this same number w^as organ- ized, in the southeast corner of Walton township. The first meeting was held April 24, 1875. CALDW^ELL DISTRICT, NO. 82, Originally embraced three miles square in the northeast corner of Labette township, and was formed January 10, 1872. The first meeting was held at the house of John M. Caldwell, January 5, 1872, at which the follow- ng officers were elected : L. A. Wood, director ; John M. Caldwell, clerk ; James Martin, treasurer. Miss Carrie M. Beggs taught the first school, in a private claim house. School-house completed in 1872. HENDERSON (NOW WILSONTON) DISTRICT, NO. 83. On January 1, 1872, E. M. Keeder and a number of others petitioned for a district In the central and western part of Labette township. Ou May 15, 1872, an order for its formation was made, and the first meeting called for May 30th, at the house of William Collins. In the summer Miss Carrie M. Beggs taught the first school, in a claim house. School- house built in 1872. EMMONS DISTRICT, NO. 84. This district was formed in the northwest part of Canada township, on an order made March 5, 1872. The first election was held at the house of J. Herringtoii, March 28, 1872. Otho Wilson taught the first school. Bonds in the sum of $1,000 were issued, and a house was built in the fall. Alexander Duncan taught the first school therein. The first board was composed of J. J. Higgins, Alexander Duncan, and James Sweet. LIEB DISTRICT, NO. 85. On March 26, 1872, Christian Lieb and a number of others petitioned for the formation of a district in the southeast of Canada and northeast part of Howard townships, and on May 15th an order was made for its formation. The first election w^as called for May 30th, at the house of Christian Lieb. This school-house was built in the summer of 1872, and that winter J. K. Russell taught the first school therein. The first board consisted of Christian Lieb, John D. Vance, and Jonathan Pearson. SUNNY SIDE DISTRICT, NO. 86, Was formed June 3, 1872, in the territory adjoining Chetopa on the north. The first meeting was held in the house of J. C. Wright, June 14, 1872, at which the following officers were elected: J. C. Wright, director; L. D. Bovee, clerk ; J. B. Sartain, treasurer. A house was built that year. ED UCA TIONAL. 211 CECIL (or LIGGETT) DISTRICT, NO. 87, Is situated in the southwest corner of Hackberry township. The record of its organization and early history is all a blank. A house costing $600 is said to have been built in 1872 ; and the first officers are said to have been William Liggett, director ; W. B. Trissol, clerk ; A. J. Barnes, treasurer. excelsior district, no. 88, Was formed in the northern part of Mound Valley township. May 3, 1873. The first meeting was held July 30, 1873. Samuel Mayginnis, J. D. Elli- son and J. F. Butts were the first school officers. The first school was taught by J. F. Finley, in a house belonging to J. F. Butts, in 1873. The school-house in the district was built in 1874. noble district, no. 89. In 1872 a large petition was presented for the formation of a district in the southeast corner of Mount Pleasant townshi]). There is no record of the formation thereof until the spring of 1873. The first meeting was held and the officers elected May 27, 1873. keeler district, no. 90, Was organized in the northwest corner of Elm Grove township, April 26, 1873. The first meeting was held June 5, 1S73. belle district, no. 91, Was formed in the west part of Mount Pleasant township, December 31, 1873. The first meeting was held January 31, 1874. HAWKINS (or KINGSTON) DISTRICT, NO. 92, Is located in the southwest corner of Elm Grove township, and was or- ganized January 29, 1874. The first meeting was held March 3, 1874. TWIN MOUND DISTRICT, NO. 93, Was formed in the northwestern part of Osage township, April 4, 1874. The first meeting was held May 23, 1874. RICHLAND (or YOUNG) DISTRICT, NO. 94, Was formed in the northern part of Canada township. June 18, 1874. The first meeting was held August 1, 1874. A school-house was built in the district in the fall of 1874. The first school in the district was taught by Kichard McKenzie. janes DISTRICT, NO. 95. April 15, 1872, W. H. Mapes and others petitioned for the formation of a district in the southwest corner of Mount Pleasant township. It does not appear to have been organized prior to June 18th, 1874, when the order therefor was made and the organization completed, August 1, 1874. The first school meeting was held at the residence of Noah Guy- man. John Hulse was elected director and Milo Hildreth clerk. The 212 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. first school was taught in the summer of 1874, by Mrs. Mary Owens, in a house belonging to Mr. Decker, with an average attendance of less than 4 scholars. School was held in rented buildings until the fall of 1878, when a new school-house was erected, the first school in which was taught by Mrs. Eliza Paist. HAZEL DELL DISTRICT, NO. 96, Is a joint district, situated near the northwest corner of the county, in connection with territory in Montgomery county. It was organized in 1873, or at least steps were taken as early as that to secure an organi- zation, and a house was built very soon after its organization. The first board consisted of W. T. Fallon, director; J. T. Finley, clerk; J. W. Phebus, treasurer. The first school was taught by John Stroud. m'kennax district, no. 97, Was formed in the northwestern part of Howard township, March 11, 1873. The first meeting was held April 10, 1873, The school-house in this district was first built on the west side of Pumpkin creek, and was thereafter removed to the east side of the creek. BAYLOR DISTRICT, NO. 98, Located in the southeastern part of Hackberry township, was formed March 12, 1873. The first meeting was held April 15, 1873. BELL MOUND DISTRICT, NO. 99, Was formed in the southeastern part of Mound Valley township, March 14, 1873. The first meeting was held April 11, 1873. The first officers were Cyrus Hopkins, M. F. Wakefield, and Ira Ross. In December, 1873, Herman Wade opened the first school. Colin Hodge was treasurer of this district for a number of years. PIETY HILL DISTRICT, NO. 100, Was formed in the southeastern part of Richland township, April 15, 1873. The first meeting was held May 22, 1875. That fall a school- house costing $900 was erected. WOODRUFF (or MILL VALLEY) DISTRICT, NO. 101. Notices of formation of this district were posted October 8, 1880. Offi- cers were elected and organization completed November 8, 1880. This district is situated in the western part of Oswego township. MAPLE GROVE DISTRICT, NO. 102, Was organized July 16, 1881, in the northwestern part of Osage township. The first meeting was held at the house of M. E. Sparks, July 16, 1881. COOK DISTRICT, NO. 103, Is situated in the southern part of Richland township, and was organized July 28, 1881. The first meeting was held at the house of Wm. Cook, ED UCA TIONAL . 213 July 28, 1881. Daniel Corell, E. C. Albrook aud a number of other parties petitioned for the formation of this district. The order is dated June 18, 1881. M. K. & T. DISTRICT, XO. 104, Is located in the northwestern part of North township, and was organ- ized June 10, 1883. The first meeting was held at the house of S E Cornelius, June 10, 1882. PLEASANT VIEW DISTEICT. NO. 105, Is located in the eastern part of Mound Valley township, and was organ- ized December 8, 1883. The first meeting was held at the house of R Terhune, December 8, 1883. The first school officers were A. B. Gibs H. K. Baker, and J. C. Lesley. A school-house was built in 1884 and the first school was taught there in the winter of 1884, by Miss Lina Gibs. BALLOU DISTRICT, NO. 106, Is Situated in the northern part of Labette township; was organized February 16, 1884. The first meeting was held at the house of Robert N Davis, January 11, 1884. MOOEEIIEAD DISTRICT, NO. 107, J^s^Iocated in the northwestern corner of Osage township, and is a joint ^'^^'^' ROSEDALE DISTRICT, NO. 108, Located in the western part of Fairview township, was organized May 6. 1&84. The first meeting was held at the house of F. M. Poe, May 16, ROSE HILL DISTRICT, NO. 109, Located in the south-central part of Elm Grove township, was organized April 30, 1884. The first meeting was held April 30, 1884. BARTLETT DISTRICT, NO. 110, Is Situated in the central part Hackberry township, including the town of Bartlett, and aud was organized June 3, 1889. The school-house was built that fall, and in it, commencing in December, J. L. Edmundson commenced teaching the first school in the district. JARBOE DISTRICT, NO. 111. On February 27, 1892, J. A. Jarboe and William Scott applied for the formation of a new district, and on March 1st the order was made for tlie formation of a district embracing territory in Walton and Osage town- ships. An appeal having been taken from the action of the County Su- perintendent, it was not until Jtdy 8th that the hearing was had before Uie Commissioners, when the action of the Superintendent was sustained. The first election was held July isth, at which the following officers were elected: William Turner, director; William Scott, clerk; J. A. Jarboe treasurer. Bonds were soon issued, and a new school-house costing ^500 214 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. was erected ou the southeast corner of section 13, in Osage township, in which, ou October 10th, the first school was opened, by Lillie Willi. GRADING COUNTRY SCHOOLS. Prior to 1889 no attempt had been made toward securing uniformity in the course of study and standard of scholarship in the various country schools. At the request of the County Superintendent the County Com- missioners made an order on July 3, 1889, authorizing a set of Welch's Classification Records for the use of each school district in the county, together with proper blanks for making reports, etc. A circular letter was sent out by the County Superintendent to each of the teachers, giv- ing information in reference to the examinations that would be required for promotion and graduation. Nearly all the schools in the county adopted the prescribed course of study and made preparations for their students to take part in the examinations that should thereafter be hekL The first examination under this arrangement was held on April 18, 1890, at a designated place in each township, where schools in such township could be represented. Ninety -nine applicants were examined, 34 of whom (5 boys and 29 girls) attained the required average, and passed. Commencement exercises were held during the early part of June at sev- eral places in the county, and on July 1st the final commencement for all of those who had passed the examination was held at the opera house in Oswego. This work has been continued each year since, with very grat- ifying results. The entire graduation thus far is as follows: 1890, 5 boys, 29 girls, total 34; 1891, 16 boys, 34 girls, total .50; 1893, 23 boys, 32 girls;, total 55. INSTITUTES. The first teachers' institute in Labette county was held in Oswego, June 1-4, 1869. It was called and conducted by R. J. Elliott, County Superintendent, with the assistance of the teachers of the county. Peter McVicar, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, was present one day, and lectured in the evening. On November 9-12 of the same year a second session was held, at Chetopa, under the same general direction, with an attendance of 24 teachers. On July 12, 1870, the next session was held in Chetopa, under the charge of the Superintendent. Prof. B. F. Mudge was present at this institute, and rendered valuable assistance. The next session was held in Oswego, commencing June 12, 1871, with Colonel J. W. Horner in charge, and 28 teachers in attendance. General Eraser, State Superintendent, visited this institute, and lectured. Two sessions of the institute were held in 1872, the first at Oswego, commenc- ing February 5th, with 35 teachers in attendance ; the second at Chetopa, ED UCA 7I0XAL. 215 commencing November 25th. At the close of this latter session, ou No- vember 28th, a countj' teachers' association was formed. In January, 1873, Miss Mary A. Higby came into office as County Superintendent, and continued to hold the position for six years. Under her superiu- tendency the institutes were even more successful than they had formerly been. One session each year was held at Oswego during the first four years of her administration, viz., 1873-76, all of which were well at- tended and gave good satisfaction. NORMAL INSTITUTES. ■ In the winter of 1877 the Legislature provided for a four-weeks session, with paid instructors, and a charge to those who attended. Previous to this the institutes had been only from two to five or six days ; the in- struction had been free, generally given by the County Superintendent and some of the leading teachers in the county. On August 6, 1877, the first institute under this law opened in Oswego, with Prof. J. B. Ho! brook as conductor, and over 100 teachers in attendance. The most satisfac- tory results were attained. This institute went far toward popularizing the idea of a long institute under paid instructors. With the exception of two years, all of the normal institutes, commencing with 1877, have been held in Oswego. Those for 1880 and 1892 were held at Parsons. Up to 1885 the attendance at the institute ranged from about 100 to 135. Since that time, with possibly one exception, the attendance has been considerably larger, reaching 200 in 1891 and 302 in 1892 ; the latter be- ing, it is said, the largest normal institute ever held in the State. The institutes have been under the charge of a conductor, with usually two and sometimes more assistant instructors. The following is a list of the conductors : 1877-78, J. B. Holbrook ; 1879-80, L. M. Knowles ; 1881, Buel T. Davis; 1882, Lee Tomlin; 1883, J. N. Ross; 1884, Lee Tomlin ; 1885-86, J. W. Weltner; 1887, D. E. Sanders; 1888, J. N. E. Monroe; 1889, C. H. Harris; 1890, T. W. Conway; 1891, C. H. Harris; 1892, J. W. Weltner. TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION. No formal organization of the teachers of the county was had prior to 1872, although teachers' institutes had been held since 1869. On Novem- ber 28, 1872, the teachers' institute having just closed, the teachers who had been in attendance came together and organized a county tear'hers' association. Miss Mary A. Higby, who had just been elected County Superintendent, was elected its first president, and Mrs. E. Williams sec- retary. An association has been maintained most of the time since then, a part of the time in a very efficient condition, but sometimes indications of life were scarcely discernible. The meetings have been sometimes 216 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. quarterly, and sometimes uot so frequently. Nearly all parts of the county have been favored with these meetings, and they have done much toward unifying the work In the county and maintaining a sympathy be- tween the teachers and the patrons of the schools. PRIVATE SCHOOLS. A number of parties at one time or another have started private schools in various parts of the county, some of which have run for quite a length of time, and others have been short-lived. At the close of Miss Mary A. Higby's term as County Superintendent she conducted a private school for a number of months. Subsequently Mrs. J. R. Boulter taught a pri- vate school for quite a length of time. C. C. Robins started a school in Oswego, but only conducted it a short time, because of its not being sufficiently attended to justify his continuance. B. R. Cunningham as w^ell as other parties in Chetopa conducted classes for a greater or less length of time. Several similar enterprises have also been had at Par- sons. In 1884 Lyman N. Judd opened an institute at Altamont, but fail- ing to get a sufficient amount of patronage removed it to Oswego, but here, too, he met with less success than he had hoped, and after a short time abandoned it. COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL. No provision has yet been made for establishing a high school in the county under the provisions of the law now in force, but during the summer of 1892 the County Superintendent arranged for a school to be opened at Altamont, with a course of study similar to that contemplated by the law for a county high school. T. B. Haiina was secured to take charge of the school ; the school board of the Altamont district furnished him a room in the new school-house, and on September 15, 1892, he opened with an attendance of 18 boys and 1.5 girls. The charge is ^2 per month. It is hoped that this may be the start of a real county higii school. HOBSON NORMAL INSTITUTE. The Friends' Yearly Meeting of Iowa having decided to establish a school for colored children, a committee by them appointed to locate the same decided upon its location at Parsons, and on March 23, 1882, the school was opened. The basis of the fund for starting this school was $1,000, from a legacy left by Mr. Hobson to be used for the benefit of colored people, and in his honor the school was named Hobson Normal Institute. Prof. D. W. Boles had charge of the school from its organi- zation until his death, in July 8, 1890, since which time A. W. Hadley has been principal. Both Messrs. Boles and Hadley have been assisted by ED UCA TIONAL. 217 their wives, aud also scholars iu the higher grades have done some teach- ing. The institute has a fine two-story frame building on the corner of Gandj' avenue and Twenty-fourth street. It is furnished with maps, charts, reference books, and other material adapted to the instruction in the common branches aud the natural sciences. Eighteen have already graduated from the teachers' advanced course, and a larger number have completed the teachers' elementary course. Many of these have them- selves become teachers iu schools at other points. The school has doue a good work, and is likely to prove of permanent worth and to accomplish great good. OSWEGO COLLEGE. The first private school of a high grade established in the county was planned and inaugurated by Rev. R. P. Bukey, under the above designa- tion. It was located on the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 17, township 33, range 21, a little northwest of the city of Os- wego. In the summer of 1870 Mr. Bukey erected a very nice-appearing two-story frame building, 20 by 36 feet, which contained two good school- rooms. Under his employment Miss Mary E. Claypool opened the school the first week in September, 1870. She remained in charge of the school until the close of the school year the following June, and was the only teacher till the close of December. After the school opened the attendance was so good and the prospects were so flattering that Mr. Bukey planned to largely increase its capacity and to provide for board- ing those who came from a distance. He secured the cooperation of John D. Gillette, who was a man of some means, and during the fall and winter of 1870 erected a two-story 20x26 feet frame addition, and also a kitchen aud accompanying rooms, which were ready for occupancy iu January, 1871. The teaching force was increased by securing Prof. Allen C. Baker as teacher of mathematics. Rev. J. H. Leard was also elected president of the college, but his relation to it was only nominal that year. The following year the faculty consisted of Rev. J. H. Leard, president ; Prof. A. C. Baker, teacher of mathematics ; Miss P. D. Bul- lock, teacher of languages; Miss Ella School, teacher of music. Judge S. P. Moore was also auuouuced as teacher of commercial law, but uoth- iug was ever done in his department. There were several boarding stu- dents. Neither of the owners had any practical knowledge of school matters, nor was the president able to add any strength to the school. The college opened with very bright prospects, and its first year's history gave promise of its becoming a permanent and flourishing school. Noth- ing but the inability on the part of those in control to comprehend and provide for its wants prevented its success. After the second year the 218 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. school hardly had au existence. The original building was purchased by Mrs. Bettis, who removed it to town and transformed it into a resi- dence. The addition was also brought to town, and out of the material a store was constructed. OSWEGO COLLEGE FOR YOUNG LADIES. At a meeting of the Neosho Presbytery, held at Garnett, Kansas, Oc- tober 3, 1882, a resolution was adopted looking to the establishment of a college within the bounds of the presbytery, and a committee was ap- pointed to report thereon. The committee having reported favorably, Rev. Austin Warner was appointed a committee to lay the matter before the synod, which he did at its October meeting at Ottawa, 1882 ; and on October 6th, upon the report of the committee, the synod authorized the presbytery to proceed with the establishment of a school as by them pro- posed. The next day, at a called meeting of the presbytery, a committee of five was appointed to take into consideration the matter of the estab- lishment of such school. A special meeting of the presbytery was called, to be held at Oswego, May 8, 1883, at which it was voted to establish the school at Oswego, and the following were elected as a board of trustees, viz. : Rev. C. H. McCreery, Rev. D. M. Moore, Rev. W. C. Porter, Rev. A. Warner, Rev. John Elliott, B. W. Perkins, C. M. Condon, C. O. Per- kins, and Porter Sawyer. Of this board of trustees, B. W. Perkins was elected president. Rev. John Elliott secretary, and C. M. Condon treas- urer. A few changes were subsequently made in the board. Rev. W. S. Davis was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the removal of Mr. Moore, and upon his removal from the State, E. P. Allen was elected to fill the vacancy. C. O. Perkins having died, on October 4, 1887, Nelson Case was elected to fill vacancy caused by such death. On December 23, 1883, the college was incorporated, a charter therefor having on that day been filed in the office of the Secretary of State. On October 4, 1884, on the request of the presbytery therefor, the Synod of Kansas took the college under its jurisdiction. In the fall of 1885, the citizens of Oswego purchased the N.W.M of S.W.i^ of N.E.i^ of S. 21, T. 33, R. 21, and presented it to the college as a site for the school. This property was at the time valued at ■';?17,000. It had upon it a large brick residence, which was considered one of the finest in the county. In December, 1885, Miss Louise Paull was elected principal of the school, and authorized to select other members of the faculty; and with the faculty thus chosen the school was opened in the brick residence above referred to, January 14, 1886. In 1886 C. H. Mc- Creery was elected (nominally) president of the school, with the view of ED UCA TIONAL. 211) his taking entire charge of its financial management, and devoting his time to the raising of funds with which to make improvements and pro- vide an endowment. His employment was in no way to affect the con- trol of the principal in the management of the school proper. Mr. McCreery had served but a few months when family afflictions compelled him to resign. Miss Paull continued in charge until the close of the spring term, in June, 1887. Miss Susan H. Johnson was thereupon elected principal, which position she has continued to fill until the pres- ent. In the summer of 1887 a large, new frame building was erected upon the college grounds, at a cost of about S12,00(), exclusive of furniture. CHAUTAUQUA LITERARY SOCIETY CIRCLES. Among the organizations of a literary character which have been formed in the county there has probably been no other that has main- tained such a permanent existence and clone as much good work as have the several branches of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle which have been organized and carried on in the county. Small circles were organized at Chetopa and Mound Yalley, and regular work was done by these for two or three years, but neither circle awakened as much interest as did those of Oswego and Parsons. CASE CIKCLE. This was the first C. L. S. C. to be formed in the county. It was or- ganized at Oswego, September 26, 1878, and was maintained for the next ten years. Three of its members graduated in the first class in 1882. This circle had an average of about 20 pursuing the work designated by the general officers. greciax circle. This circle was organized at Parsons, April 28, 1885, with a member- ship of 12. Its officers were as follows: President, W. J. Wirt; vice- president, Minnie Merriman ; secretary, E. G. Roberts. In October following, the circle took up the regular course of study, and had an en- rollment of 35 members; 13 of its members have graduated, and for six years the circle has quite regularly attended the Ottawa Assembly. CAKNATIOX CIRCLE. In the summer of 1889 a new circle with the above designation was organized, the number pursuing the course having become too great to do effective work in the Grecian circle, as was thought. This new circle had nearly as large a membership as its parent, the Grecian, and has done effective work. EAILEOADS. RAILROADS ATTEMPTED TO BE SECURED. Before speaking of the railroads that have been constructed, it may be interesting to briefly consider some of the projects which were formed on paper, but which never proceeded far enough to materialize into a road composed of wood and iron. If Labette county has succeeded in secur- ing a large number of miles of railroad within her limits, it has only been after repeated efforts and many failures. I shall not attempt to speak of all the projects that have been instituted for bringing roads to this county, but will mention a few on which some work of a preliminary character was done. ^ ^t. s. & s. ely. On December 19, 1868, J. F. Newlon and other citizens of the county obtained a charter for the Oswego, Fort Scott & Sedalia Railroad Com- pany, the purpose of which was to secure the building of a road from Sedalia to Oswego. So far as I know, this was the first railroad charter obtained by our people. The subsequent building of such a line of road to Parsons shows that this first attempt on the part of our citizens was not without some basis on which to rest. O. r. & EL p. ELY. On June 30, 1870, a charter was obtained by R. W. Wright. C. H. Bent, and others, for the construction of the Oswego, Parker & El Paso Railway. The intention was to secure a road from the northeast to Os- wego, and thence southwest to Parker and through the Territory. A great many public meetings were held in the interest of this contemplated road, and in the fall of 1870 a preliminary survey was made from Chero- kee through Oswego to Parker. All that seemed lacking to secure the success of this enterprise was the necessary financial aid. F. M. & C. E. ELY. Among the visions of the eccentric Colonel Hartshorn was one of a railroad running from Florida to the Columbia river through Labette county. John Elston, R. I). Hartshorn, and others associated with them, procured a charter on October 37, 1870, for the construction of the Florida, Memphis & Columbia River Railway. It was some time before the defi- nite location of this road through the county was agreed upon, and such (220) RAILROADS. 921 location was to depend upon tlie aid that could be secured ; but it was finally decided to locate it from Columbus through Montana and Parsons. During 1871 a number of townships voted bonds to aid in the construc- tion of this road. ^^^ ^ ^. ^^. p^ly. My impression is that the Memphis & Northwestern Railway Com- pany was a reorganization of the F. M. & C. R. Rly. Co. , of which I have just spoken, or at any rate, that the two were some way covering the same territory. This company did quite an amount of work in the win- ter of 1872-3 on the line of road from Columbus to Parsons. Watson Bros. & Co., of Montana, were the contractors, and secured a large amount of grading to be done and the abutments to be put in for a bridge across the Neosho at that point. This was as far as the work went, and the contractors lost what they had expended in pushing it thus far. S. FT. S. & S. F. ELY. Among the many efforts to secure a road from Sedalia or some other point to the northeast of this county, was one by the town of Labette, soon after its location, in 1870. The Sedalia, Fort Scott & Santa Fe Railway Company was organized, and in September, 1870, a preliminary survey was made from Fort Scott to Labette. Arriving at the latter place, the surveying party received a warm welcome, and were feasted at the principal hotel. p ^ ^^ p ely. Parsons was never content with her railroad facilities. There are few points in any of the adjoining counties to which she has not at some time had a projected railroad. In 1873 the proposition was to build a road southwest to Independence, and a very large amount of the paper work was done to secure it, and some propositions for municipal aid were voted "POl^- p. & M. ELY. The preliminary work for this road was legally done in 1876. It was to run southeast from Parsons through Montana. C. O. & W. ELY. In 1883 a company was organized to build a road from Oswego through the county in a southwesterly direction, and thence on west. Some mu- nicipal aid was voted to this road, but not enough to secure its construc- tion- S. C. & S. E. ELY. In 1886 the Salina, Colorado & Southeastern Railway Company was organized, with a view of running a road through Parsons, ]\[ontana and Columbus, extended from these points both northwest and southeast. A right-of-way was secured, and some grading was done. Municipal aid was voted along the line to quite an extent. 222 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. CHETOPA'S PROJECTS. Chetopa was scarcely behind Oswego in her efforts to secure railroad advantages. At a very early day steps were taken by her citizens to in- duce the building of a road from some point on the Kansas City & Gulf Railway so as to give her an outlet to Kansas City and northeastern points. Representatives of Mr. Joy visited Chetopa, and delegates from that place went to Kansas City, and negotiations were conducted for a long time. Possibly we may say the building of the Minden branch was a realization of these anticipations. Chetopa also made an effort to secure the Atlantic & Pacific, and has always had in view railroad con- nections with Baxter Springs and the east. RAILROADS CONSTRUCTED. From these ineffectual attempts at railroad-building, I wish now to turn to those which resulted in securing the end sought. From the first set- tlement of the county two lines of road were confidently expected: one from the north and the other from the east. What course they would pursue on entering the county was only a matter of conjecture. Both Oswego and Chetopa expected these two roads, and each took active steps toward securing them. While the first efforts of our people were made toward securing an eastern outlet, the road from the north was the one which their efforts seemed the most likely to secure first. M. K. & T. ELY. The Union Pacific, Southern Branch, had received a large railroad grant with the view of securing its construction down the Neosho valley, and it was now in process of building from Junction City in a southeast- erly direction. R. S. Stevens was now the general manager, and had under him a corps of enthusiastic lieutenants. The chief, with one or more of his aides, was early on the field to see what could be secured from the municipalities of this county through which it was proposed to construct the road. Their expectations of aid were very large. There were no bounds to the promises they were ready to make as to what the road would do for the various communities through which it was to be built, and the demands made of these communities were proportionate to the benefits promised. It seemed improbable to secure county bonds, nor was there much hope of obtaining aid from any township which did not have within it a town of some importance. The railroad officers had finally to look to Oswego and Chetopa, and the townships in which they were situated, as the chief if not the only points in this coimty from which they could expect to receive any aid. These places were repeat- edly visited, and the matter of railroad municipal bonds was very largely discussed. Both places felt that they were unable to meet the demands RAILROADS. 223 which the officers were makiug upon them. Where the raih-oad officials failed to win through the promises of benefits to be derived, thej' were uiore successful in securing a compliance with their demands by the dis- aster which seemed likely to follow their threatened change of route. Jt being apparent that these municipalities were not likely to extend to the road the amount of aid which they had demanded, the railroad officials proceeded to change the line, which had been originally designated along the Neosho river, and a survey for a new route w^as made, commencing near the north edges of the county and going w^est of the Labette river, and striking the State line several miles west of Chetopa. The citizens of Oswego and Chetopa became alarmed. It was evident, as they thought, that the construction of a road where thus located would build up towns on its line which would compel the abandonment of the sites occupied by them. The result was what the railroad officials undoubtedly supposed it would be. These towns were now ready to meet all the demands the company might make upon them. On February 25, 1870, an immense railroad meeting was held at Chetopa, which favored 8100,000 county bonds, and if they could not be secured, then township bonds. But one man in the town was opposed to the project. About this time Messrs. Stevens, Walker, Goss and other railroad officials visited Oswego and Chetopa, and arrangements were finally entered into for the construction of the road at — or, as it afterwards proved, near — these places, on con- dition of their issuance of bonds as agreed upon. Oswego township, which could with her assessed valuation legally issue bonds to the amount of perhaps ^50,000 or $60,000, was called upon and did vote bonds to the amount of 8100,000 to aid this road; Richland township gave S50,000, and Chetopa city $25,000 for the same purpose. The voting, issuance and delivery of these bonds was secured to the railroad company by a personal obligation entered into between the citizens of these two places to see the contract complied with. Little opposition was had in either place to the voting of the aid thus agreed upon. Of the litigation in re- spect to these bonds, and the compromise entered into for their payment which afterward took place, I need not here speak. With the aid thus promised and secured, the building of the road was rapidly pushed for- ward. After reaching the north line of the county, twenty miles of road were laid in eleven days, and in one day four miles and 100 feet were put down. Having reached and passed through Oswego and Chetopa, on Monday, June 6th, the State line was reached, at which time appropriate ceremonies were had. The last spike on the Kansas line was driven by Col. K. S. Stevens, the general manager, and the first spike across the line in the Indian Territory by Col. E. C. Boudinot, the famous Cherokee 224 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. who had always favored the building of this road. In the evening of June G, 1870, the first passenger train which ever entered Labette county passed over the road in charge of John C. Hall, conductor, and David Dunham, engineer. The Sedalia branch of this road was thereafter pushed forward to completion as rapidly as could be done, and on Feb- ruary 3, 1871, the connecting rail was laid uniting it with the Junction City branch at Parsons ; and on the 5th of that month the first through passenger train from Sedalia to Chetopa passed over the road in charge of L. S. Hamilton, conductor. Machine Shops. — It was the general understanding, when Parsons was designated as the point where the two branches would unite, that shops would be located at that place. In October, 1871, George W. Chess, contractor, broke ground for the round-house and machine shops, under the supervision of George Thornton, civil engineer. In December following, Proctor and Pardee, contractors, commenced the mason work, and by the close of 1872 the machine shops were so far completed as to be ready to commence operation, and in May, 1873, the round-house was ready to receive engines. General, Office. — Theoretically, the general office of the company has been at Parsons almost from the first building of the road, but it was not until 1892 that practically the offices were located at that point. M. K. & C. KLY. The Memphis, Kansas & Colorado Railway Company was organized for the purpose of securing a road from Cherokee, on the Fort Scott & Gulf road, to Parsons, with a view of its extension both ways. The company was formed early in 1877. Parsons first voted S10,000 to aid this enter- prise, and subsequently, after a protracted discussion, some favoring the project and others opposing making any donation, it w^as voted to take stock to the amount of ^30,000, the bonds to be delivered upon the com- pletion of the road into Parsons. Neosho township voted $5,000 in bonds. In April, 1878, the track-laying commenced from Cherokee west, and on July 1, 1878, at 10 o'clock at night, the first train arrived m Parsons. The officers of Parsons refused to deliver the bonds, on the ground that the road was not completed by the time specified in the contract. Liti- gation ensued, which was carried to the Supreme Court, wiiere it was finally determined that the city was not liable, and the bonds were never delivered. In February, 1880, this road was sold to the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf Railway Company, and steps were at once taken to extend it from Parsons to Cherryvale. No municipal aid was voted along the line, but the people of Cherryvale secured the right-of-way as an inducement to its construction. The road thus built from Cherokee RAILROADS. 225 to CheiTyvale was uarrow gauge; some two or three years after its com- pletion to Cherryvale it was made into a standard-gauge road. p. & p. RLY. In Deceml^er, 1885, the Parsons & Pacific Railway Company was char- tered to build a road from Parsons to Coffeyville. C. H. Kimball and Lee Clark were the leading spirits in the movement, and with the aid of eastern capitalists whom they enlisted in the enterprise the road was constructed, in 1886. On September 20, 1886, the first train ran from Mound Valley to Parsons. The company received municipal aid, from Parsons 840,0(30, from Mound Valley township S30,000, Canada town- ship ^20,000, and some from Montgomery county. K. C. «& p. KLY. During the building of the Parsons & Pacific road to Coffeyville, a com- pany in which the same parties were interested, was formed for the pur- pose of extending it from Parsons north to Kansas City. In aid of its construction Parsons voted an additional $20,000, and the municipalities in the counties north, through which the road ran, extended liberal aid. The road was pushed quite rapidly along, and a connection formed with the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf, at Paola. T>. M. & A. RLY. As early as 1884 an organization was formed of prominent men living along the proposed line of the Denver, Memphis & Atlantic Railroad for the purpose of doing the preliminary work, of securing the right-of-way, municipal aid, and putting the work in such shape that capitalists would be willing to take hold of the enterprise and build the road. Most of the members of this company lived at and between Larned and Chetopa. Col. J. B. Cook was the representative from this county in the company. Maj, Joseph Henson and Col. John Doniphan, of St. Joseph, Mo., who had had some experience in railroad matters and were men of some cap- ital, were also members of the company. Municipal aid was voted in nearly every township through which the road was to be run. A survey and plat was made, and negotiations commenced with Jay Gould for the construction of the road. The time in which the road w^as to be built under the conditions of the aid first voted having expired before any work was done, a second election had to be held and the aid voted again. The first plan also was to build a narrow-gauge road. In changing to a broad gauge the technical requirements of the law were not observed, and legislation had to be secured to cure defects, so that it was not until May 22, 1886, that the work began at Chetopa extending the road west from that point. Quite an amount of work had been done, commencing at Larned and extending east, prior to that. Two days later than this — 15 226 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. the coustnictiou train was put on, and by the close of June it was com- pleted as far west as Edna. On July 2, 1886, the first train arrived in Chetopa from Edna, and during the summer Coffeyville was reached. The following aid was extended to secure the construction of this road through this county : A subscription of several hundred dollars by the citizens of Chetopa, and municipal aid; from Hackberry township, SIO,- 000; from Elm Grove township, $20,000; and from Howard township, $20,000. NEVADA & MINDEN BKANCII. During the fall and winter of 1885-6 efforts were made by different citizens of the county to secure the extension of the road from Nevada, Mo., in a southwesterly direction, but it was finally determined to build it to Chetopa ; that place securing for it the right-of-way for about twenty miles and giving it thirty acres of ground in the city for depot and yard purposes. During the spring the work on it was rapidly pushed forward, and on April 6, 1886, the first train over this branch arrived in Chetopa. L. L. & G. E. R. It was at first expected that this line of road would run through the western part of the county its entire width from north to south, but on the organization of Montgomery county it was proposed to change the route, and that county voting liberal aid, the proposed location was changed so that the road only crosses the northwestern corner of this county a short distance and then enters Montgomery. ST. L. & S. F. IJLY. Tq secure connection with St. Louis was among the first things that the citizens of Oswego desired after the town was fairly started. The first effort in this direction of which I have any knowledge was the organiza- tion of a local company known as the Oswego, Carthage, Mount Vernon & Springfield Railway Company, for which R. W. Wright and others secured a charter January 27, 1869. On December 9, 1870, the Oswego Register published an account of the proposed extension of the Southern Pacific Railway from Springfield to Wichita. About that time delegates from Oswego attended meetings at Carthage and Columbus, at which the project was talked up. — On May 21, 1870, on the petition of quite a num- ber of citizens, the Board of County Commissioners made an order sub- mitting to the voters of the county a proposition to issue county bonds in the sum of $150,000 to the Southern Kansas Railway Company on con- dition of its building a road through the county seat, and west as near the center of the county as practicable. This left out important points in the county through which the road could not pass, and before the day fixed upon for voting the proposition was withdrawn. — On December 20, 1870, a meeting was held at Oswego, at which it was determined to have RAILROADS. 227 an eastrand-west road. On May 23, 1871, Oswego voted ^75,000 in bonds for the Atlantic & Pacific Railway. On this proposition there were but five votes against the bonds. On June 28, 1871. delegates from Mont- gomery, Labette and Cherokee counties met at Oswego, and decided to form a local company to aid in procuring the road from Springfield west. On August 13, 1871, a charter haviug been procured, the directors of the State Line, Oswego & Independence Railway met at Oswego, and organ- ized by electing H. G. Webb of Labette county president, Milton Douglas of Cherokee county vice-president, A. W. Jay of Cherokee county secre- tary, J. B. Emerson of Montgomery county treasurer, and J. J. Browne of Labette county attorney. — In September, 1872, a survey for the line of road from Miuersville to Oswego was made. Another local company, designated the Memphis, Carthage & Northwestern Railway Company, had been formed, and contracts for the construction of the road as far as Oswego were entered into. A large force of hands was put up(m the road, and the grading was nearly completed. While the bonds which had been voted could not be legally issued until the road was completed to Oswego, still, to aid its construction, by general consent of the citizens a part of the bonds of Oswego township were sold and the proceeds ap- plied towards paying for the grading. Without going into details, it is sufficient to say that this local company failed, and for some time nothing further was done toward the extension of the road. On January 4, 1875, Joseph Seligman bought this Memphis, Carthage & Xorthwestern road, and in February a new company was formed. On March 22, 1875, the Pierce City & Kansas Railway Company was consolidated with the State Line, Oswego & Independence Railway Company, the consolidated com- panies taking the name of the Missouri & Western Railway Company. Joseph Seligman was president and Edward Livingston secretary and treasurer. Additional bonds were voted by Oswego city and township. To show the interest which Oswego felt in securing this road, it may be mentioned that one evening at a public meeting held in the court-house personal aid to the amount of $32,745 was promised, all of which was afterwards paid, to secure this enterprise. On June 15, 1876, definite arrangements were made with Seligman for the construction of the road. Hobart & Condon were awarded the contract for preparing the road-bed from Minersville to Oswego. From this time the work progressed satis- factorily, and on Thursday, December 14, 1876, just at dark, the con- struction train reached the foot of Commercial street, in the city of Oswego. The end of the road remained at Oswego until 1879, when arrangements were made for pushing it westward, and during that sea- son it was completed as far as Wichita. This construction was done in 228 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. the name of a local company and with Hobart & Condon as chief con- tractors, but as soon as it was completed it came under the management of the Frisco company. STRIKES. There have been at least three strikes upon the M. K. & T. which have more or less affected the people of this county. In July, 1877, the workmen at other points on the road struck ; the men engaged in the shops at Parsons did not formally strike, but appointed a commit- tee to confer with the strikers ; work was suspended for some time, but matters were finally arranged between the company and its employes so that no strike was made in this county. — In March, 1885, the workmen In the shops at Parsons, as well as the train-men generally, went out on a strike. For a number of days freight traffic was completely blocked, but passenger trains continued to be operated. The differences between the company and its hands were satisfactorily settled, and they all, or nearly all, were taken back into the company's employ. — The most seri- ous of all the strikes was in March, 1886. It extended all along the line of the road. On March 6th the machine shop whistle at Parsons sounded at 10 o'clock A. M., and the entire force of railroad employes ceased work and marched out. An effort was made by the Governors of Kansas and Missouri to effect a settlement of the matters of difference between the company and its hands, but they were unsuccessful. New men were employed by the company, but were not allowed to work, the old em- ployes being of sufficient force to prevent their performing their duties. The strikers placed a guard around the company's property to prevent its being injured, but would not allow anyone to assist in moving trains. Adjutant General Campbell came down from Topeka and conferred with the strikers, but could not prevail upon them to come to any terms. Toward the last of March many of the strikers became more desperate and defying than they had been at first. Not only was force used to prevent freight trains from running and to "kill" the engines on all trains that attempted to pull out, but some went so far as to interfere with passenger travel. The track just north of the Bachelor creek bridge was loosened, and the north-bound passenger train was ditched. Had the train been going south instead of north it would have been plunged into the creek, and the result would necessarily have been fatal to many persons. Attempts were also made to burn some of the bridges. The citizens of Parsons organized for the purpose of assisting the company in running its trains, but the striking force was so strong that they were not able to accomplish their object. On the evening of April 2d seven car-loads of the State militia came into Parsons over the Neosho division. RAILROADS. 229 ancl about the same time several more car-loads over the Sedalia divislou, and soon thereafter several more cars arrived over the Gulf road. The arrival of the soldiers was a complete surprise to the strikers, as they had not learned that the militia had been called out. The soldiers at once took control of the entire railroad property and prevented anyone from entering the premises, placed those who had been employed by the com- pany in charge, and at once trains commenced to move. The strike was over. The soldiers remained several days, until everything was quiet and the citizens' organization felt itself strong enough to preserve the peace. The leaders among the strikers were arrested on a criminal charge, and a number of them were tried and convicted. They were punished by fine and imprisonment in the county jail. The great body of those who participated in the strike permanently lost their places in the railroad employ, and many of them- were practically financially ruined. POLITICAL. I give the following letter as bearing upon the organization of political parties in the county : "Lake City, Colo., April 5, 1892. "Friend Case : I am not much at writing history, and can only give you some of the points where I was interested and so remember them. You are right about the organization of the party at Trotter's ford and Jacksonville. It was there agreed to make no opposition to the organ- ization of the southern part into an independent county. It was also agreed that they were to nominate all the candidates for Neosho county from the northern part, and that we from the south part should abstain from voting for or against them, and should organize on our own account, and trust to the Legislature to legalize our action. According to that agreement, a mass meeting of the Kepublicans was called soon after, and met in the open air outside of Carr & Bridgmau's store, In the east part of what is now Oswego. Dr. J. F. Newlon was elected as its chairman, and the meeting then proceeded to nominate candidates for Representa- tive and for county officers. I was nominated for Representative, Ben. Rice for Sheriff, Sam. Collins, John Rice, and I think Norris Harrer, for County Commissioners; A. T. Dickerman for County Clerk, I think. You can verify these names from the records. After my admission to the Legislature the programme was carried out. Although our action was irregular, 1 found all the members and State officers willing to ren- der any assistance in their power. A resolution was at once introduced legalizing my election, and 1 was admitted to my seat. I then went to Governor Crawford with our petition for appointment of temporary county officers, and had those elected in the fall appointed. "The Democratic party in 1866 nominated W. C. Watkins for Repre- sentative. Very truly yours, C, jj. Bent." GREENBACK ORGANIZATIONS. The introduction of greenbacks into the politics of this county (not as an element of bribery, but as an organized body of voters) dates from 1877, when the first ticket was put into the field by the Greenback party. But of course there was some work done before that time in the way of organizing clubs and disseminating the principles of the party. I am not able to say definitely when and where the first organization was effected. The first mention which 1 have found of this organization is a card pub- lished in the Advance of September 16, 1875, signed by J. W. Caldwell, calling a meeting of those who were favorable to organizing a greenback club, to be held at Drake's Hall, Chetopa, September 18, 1875. I have^ (330) POLITICAL. 231 no information as to whether or not the organization was effected, but probably it was not, or if so did not live long. Sometime in 1877 a club was organized at the Slocum school-house. District No. 75, in Mound Val- ley township. On May 18, 1878, a club was organized at the Valley school-house. District No. 72, in Elm Grove township. During this spring a number of clubs were organized and a more perfect county organization was effected in a convention held at Parsons in April. After 1883 there was little life manifested by this party under its organizations as then existing. THE FARMERS' AND LABORERS' UNION Was organized at Mound Valley in the latter part of 188.5. It was con- ducted with open doors as a reform club till June 9, 188G, when a secret work was adopted and a secret organization perfected by the following charter members : George Campbell, Dr. E. Lemon, J. K. Russell, 1. M. Evans, W. N. McCoid, William Clark, Joseph Rift", J. White, N. Clark, B. F. Miller, B. F. Ralls, and E. H. Barnhart. Under the leadership of Mr. Campbell a number of lodges were instituted in this and adjoining counties, and the organization was extended to other States. In 1886 Mr. Campbell established and during 1887 conducted a paper called United Labor, for the purpose of giving publicity and strength to the new organization. Whatever may have been the good effects of this effort on others I do not know, but it proved a very disastrous under- taking financially to Mr. Campbell. After spending several thousand dollars in the attempt to put it on a paying basis, the publication of this official organ ceased, after being conducted about a year. In 1889 this organization was merged in that of the Farmers' Alliance and Industrial Union. — In the meantime, out of this and other labor organizations there had sprung up a new political party, which took the name of the Union Labor party, which was organized at Cincinnati, February 22, 1887. John W. Breidenthal, being one of the delegates from Kansas, was made chairman of the State committee. He at once took active steps towards organizing the party in this county. The first club in the county was or- ganized at Edna, in March. This was soon followed by others. A mass convention was called, to meet at Altamont, August 5, 1887. This meet- ing was largely attended. George E. Stone, of Howard township, was made chairman. To prevent being imposed upon, a pledge was required of all parties participating in its proceedings to support the Union Labor ticket: 137 signed this pledge. The party was then organized, and Wm. Cook was made chairman of the central committee. To Mr. Breidenthal is, in a large measure, due the victory which the party achieved that fall, for he was instrumental in bringing a numl)er of their best speakers into 232 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. the county, among whom were Gen. J. B. AVeaver, PI. A. Streeter, Jesse Harper, Moses Hull, and Capt. Geo. W. Bell. With the exception of Commissioner, this party elected the entire county ticket that fall. FARMERS' ALLIANCE, This organization so far as it relates to this county dates from January, 1889, when Mount Zion Sub-Alliance was organized, in Osage township. This was followed by Pleasant Hill, in the same month, and on February 12th Globe Alliance was organized, in Mound Valley township. These organizations were formed by C. Mcllvain. According to one report An- gola Alliance was organized before either of those above named. The County Alliance was formed at Altamont, on May 18, 1889. It has had the following officers: Presidents — G. J. Coleman. E. A. Richcreek, Daniel Pfaff, G. J. Colmena, Ben Johnson. Secretaries — C. L. Albin, Walter Phillips, Harry Mills, George Campbell. — Out of this, and the organizations which preceded it, in 1890 sprang the People's party. POLITICAL CONVENTIONS. REPUBLICAN COUNTY CONVENTIONS. The Republican party in this county was organized in 1866. The fol- lowing are the steps taken to secure such organization, and to hold the first convention. The fore part of August, 1866, a number of Republicans were assem- bled at the store of Roe & Dennison, at the Erie postoffice, about a mile north of the present site of Erie. Political matters were talked over, and it was decided to call a convention at Trotters ford, to organize the Republican party. Afterwards, by request of those residing in the south- ern part of the county, (in what is now Labette county,) the place of meeting was changed from Trotter's ford to Jacksonville. Delegates having been selected from all parts of the county in such way as each locality chose, they met in convention in a grove some two or three hun- dred yards north and about the same distance west of what is now the southeast corner of Neosho county, on Saturday, September 8, 1866. A Mr. Nugent (?) was chairman, and J. A. Wells secretary. At the request of the delegates from the southern part of the county, the nominations for the county officers were all made from those residing in the north half, with the agreement on their part that at the next session of the Legislature the county should be divided. On motion of G. W. Kings- bury, it was voted that when the division was made the southern part should be called (as they then wrote the word) La Bet county. J. S. Waters was recognized as the chairman of the delegation from the south- ern half of the county. POLITICAL. 233 Following we give a summary of various political conventious which have been held in Labette county, from 1866 to 1892, inclusive: lu October, 1866, a Rei)ublicau convention was called for the proposed new county of "La Bet" (alluded to above). It met in the open air near Carr & Bridgmans store, Oswego; J. F. Newlon chairman, A. T. Dick- erman secretary. The following ticket was nominated: County clerk, A. T. Dickerman; sheriff, Benjamin A. Rice; clerk district court, Elza Craft; register of deeds, George Bent; county assessor, Jabez Zink; pro- bate judge, David C. Lowe; county treasurer, C. C. Clover; superintend- ent public instruction, J. F. Newlon; coroner, G. W. Kingsbury; repre- sentative, Charles H. Bent; commissioners, S. W. Collins, C. H. Talbot, and Bergen Van Ness. J. S. Waters, chairman central committee. March, 1867, open air, near Carr A: Bridgman's store, Oswego; J. F, Newlon chairman, A. T. Dickerman secretary. County clerk. A. T. Dickerman; county treasurer, C. C. Clover; sheriff, Benjamin A. Rice; county assessor, Francis Wall; clerk district court, R. 8. Cornish; pro- bate judge, Bergen Van Ness; register of deeds, Elza Craft: superintend- ent public instruction, John F. Newlon: coroner, George W. Kingsbury; surveyor, Z. Harris; commissioners, Nathan Ames, William Shay, and David C. Lowe. September 1, 1867, Benj. A. Rice, chairman. Representative Eighty- fifth district, J. S. Waters: sheriff, John N. Watson; coroner, G. W. Kingsbury; county clerk, C. E. Simons: county attorney, W. J. Parkin- son; county treasurer, Bergen Van Ness; probate judge, David C. Lowe; commissioners, Isaac Butterworth, William Logan, J. F. Molesworth; superintendent public instruction, Enos Reed; clerk district court. R. S. Cornish: county surveyor. S. R. Southwick; register, Charles Beggs; county assessor, J. R. Morrison. C. H. Bent chairman central committee, J. S. Waters secretary. September, 1868, Oswego.* Representative Eighty-fifth district. Dr. D. D. McGrath; probate judge, H. M. Minor; superintendent public in- structiou, R. J. Elliott; county attorney, Walter P. Bishop; county clerk, Charles C. Beggs; clerk district court, Robert Steele; county commis- sioner first district, Elisha Hammer. E. R. Trask chairman central committee, W. H. Carpenter secretary. September 17, 1869, court-house, Oswego. Probate judge, AV. H. Witlock: treasurer, Harvey I. Cox; sheriff. J. C. Wilson: county attor- ney, J. S. AVaters; county clerk, L. C. Howard; register, P. H. Cherry; surveyor, E. G. Davidson; coroner, James Logan; commissioners, first district Gilbert Martin, second J. S. Anderson, third James H. Beggs. E. Hammer chairman central committee, E. D. Graybill secretary. September 17, 1870, court-house, Oswego; J. AV. Horner chairman. C. H. Lewis secretary. Representative p:iglity-fifth district, J. M. Mahr on third ballot over I. AA^ Patrick and C. H. Bent: probate judge, B. AA\ Perkins on third ballot over J. Demorst and Davis A'ulgamore: county attorney, J. S. AA^aters, by acclamation; superintendent public instruc- *Tn all cases where possible, the names of chairmen and secretaries are given, but in ^orae instances no record of these could be found. 23tl: HISTORY OF LABET7E COUNTY. tion, J. W. Horner ou first ballot over R. J. Elliott and D. C. Constant; clerk district court, D. S. Morrison on first ballot over Robert Steel and E. D. (xraybill; surveyor, G. T. Walton by acclamation, provided David- son does not get back; commissioner first district, Samuel Ballentine on first ballot over David Stanfield. T. E. Clark chairman central committee, E. D. Graybill secretary. October 7, 1871, held at the court-honse, Oswego; J. W. Horner chair- man, E. E. Hastings secretary. Sheriff, L. S. Crum on first ballot over J. C. Wilson; register, I. W. Patrick on second ballot over J. G. Steel, R. E. Holloway, Levi Seabridge, and Thomas Irish; county clerk, L. C. Howard on first ballot over K. J. Elliott, E. D. Graybill, and George T. Walton; treasurer, C. F. Smith on first ballot over N. Sanford; coroner, J. F. Newlon on first ballot; surveyor, S. R. South wick, by acclamation; commissioners, first district Henry Stewart, second J. H. Tibbits, third W. H. Carpenter. J. W. Horner chairman central committee, T. C. Cory, secretary. August 7, 1872, Horner resigned as chairman of the central committee, and J. S. Waters was elected in his place, and F. B. McGill secretary. October 5, 1872, at court-house, Oswego; E. B. Stevens chairman, I. O. Pickering secretary. Senator Fifteenth district, J. H. Crichton, on third ballot, over J. S. Waters and J. J. Woods; probate judge, B. W. Perkins, by acclamation; county attorney, E. C. Ward on second ballot over David Kelso, W. B. Glasse, T. L. Darlow; clerk district court, R. J. Elliott, on third ballot, over Wm. Houck, John Hamblin, D. S. Morrison; coroner, William Pinkerton, by acclamation; superintendent public in- struction, Mary A. Higby, on first ballot over W. A. Starr, E. H. Tay- lor, Keirsey Cook; commissioner second district, J. B. Cook, who declined nomination, and George Farland was substituted by central committee. F. B. McGill chairman central connnittee, S. O. Fletcher secretary. October 11, 1873, at court-house, Oswego; Josephus Moore chairman, H. L. Partridge secretary. Probate judge, S. L. Coulter; treasurer, C. F. Smith: sheriff, S. O. Fletcher, on second ballot over J. N. Watson; county clerk, J. B. Cook, on first ballot over L. C. Howard and Saml. Collins: register, I. W. Patrick, by acclamation; surveyor, Samuel F. Terrill, by acclamation; coroner, D. B. Crouse, by acclamation; commis- sioners, first district John Nelson, second P. B. Clark, third W. A. Starr. Decided to make no nomination for representative of the Forty-third dis- trict; Forty-fourth district, W. H. Mapes. R. J. Elliott chairman central connnittee, Willard Davis secretary. September 26, 1874, at court-house, Oswego; E. B. Stevens chairman, L. M. Bedell secretary. Senator Fifteenth district, J. H. Crichton on second ballot over T. C. Cory, D. Kelso, and W. H. Mapes; clerk dis- trict court, H. C. Cook on second ballot over R. J. Elliott, E. B. Newton, and Wm. Houck; superintendent public instruction, Mary A. Higby on first ballot over J. G. Coleman and x\llen C. Baker; county attorney, Willard Davis, by acclamation; coroner, J. G. Coleman, by acclamation. C. H. Bent chairman central committee, V. J. Knapp secretary. October 2, 1875, court-house, Oswego; J. S. Waters chairman, G. W. Hawk secretary. Treasurer, George M. Caldwell, by acclamation; sheriff, S. B. Abbott ou first ballot over J. H. Golden and J. A. Mapes: county POLITICAL. 235 clerk, S. T. Herman, by acclamation; register, I. W. Patrick, by accla- mation; coroner, D. B. Grouse, by acclamation; surveyor, S. R. South- wick on second ballot over George Thornton and Charles McClung: commissioners,- first district J. J. Woods, second W. M. Mabery, third W. A. Starr. J. M. Cavaness chairman central committee, S. O. Fletcher secretary. September 16, 1876, court-house, Oswego; Major H. W. Martin chairman, George Thornton secretary. Senator Fifteenth district, J. H. Crichton on seventh ballot over M. W. Reynolds, J. G. Coleman, H. G. Webb, and W. B. Glasse; probate judge, S. L. Coulter, by acclamation; clerk district court, H. C. Cook, by acclamation; county attorney, J. S. Waters, by acclamation; superintendent public instruction, Mary A. Higby on first ballot over L. J. VanLandingham, Keirsey Cook, A. C. Baker. W, B. Glasse chairman central committee, F. B. McGill secretary. September 22, 1877, court-house, Oswego; Major H. W. Martin chair- man, C. A. Wilkin secretary. Treasurer, G. M. Caldwell, by acclama- tion; register, 1. W. Patrick on first ballot over W. A. Starr; county clerk, T. A. Fellows, by acclamation; sherifi:', 1). M. Bender on fourth ballot over S. B. Abbott, J. W. H. Golden, and George Campbell; sur- veyor, George Thornton; coroner, W. R. Moore; commissioners, first district H. S. Coly, second W. J. Herrod, third J. B. Swartz. F. B. McGill chairman central committee, George Thornton secretary, September 14, 1878, court-house, Oswego; D. Kelso chairman, L. M. Bedell secretary. Clerk district court, H. C. Cook; county attorney, J. S. Waters; superintendent public instruction, Allen C. Baker; commis- sioner first district, T. E. Clark. C. H. Kimball chairman central committee, D. M. Bender secretary. April 24, 1879, opera house, Oswego; R. W. Wright chairman, L. M. Bedell secretary. Treasurer, George Thornton on first ballot over M. M. Kingsbury; sheriff, D. M. Bender on first ballot over J. W. H. Golden, D. H. David, and C. B. Woodford; register, I. W. Patrick on first ballot over J. M. Morgan, E. B. Baldwin, and George Poland; county clerk, W. H. Keirsey on first ballot over A. T. Dickerman, and F. G. Hunt; surveyor, J. M. Wells, by acclamation; coroner, W. W. luglish on first ballot over Dr. N. M. Miller; commissioner second district, A. N. Russell on second ballot over George Hildreth, J. W. Mason, D. F. Noblett, Michael Noel, and A. W. Darling. C. H. Kimball chairman central committee, R. W. Wright secretary. September 25, 1880, opera house, Oswego; J. S. Waters chairman, F. W. Felt and A. H. Tyler secretaries. Senator Fifteenth district, W. B. Glasse on third ballot over C. H. Kimball, M. W. Reynolds, and H. W. Itlartin; probate judge. Nelson Case on first ballot over A. H. Ayres, Wm. Starr, and H. W. I^Iartin: county attorney, L. C. True on first bal- lot over J. D. Conderman and J. E. Bryan; clerk district couit. H. C. Cook, by acclamation; superintendent public instruction, M. Chidester on second ballot over J. F. Hill, Nathan Williams, and Allen C. Baker; commissioner third district, J. J. Henderson. J. S. Waters chairman central committee, J. E. Bryan secretary. September 24, 1881, Oswego; J. S. Waters chairman, E. W. Bedell sec- 236 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. retary. Treasurer, George M. Caldwell ou first ballot over George Thorn- ton and G. S. McDole; register, A. M. Fellows ou fifth ballot over I. W. Patrick, Marshall Johnson, Jesse M. Morgan, and James Paxton; sheriff, D. M. Bender on second ballot over J. W. Wilson, S. B. Abbott, U. H. David, J. W. H. Golden, and C. E. Simons; county clerk, F. ^Y. Felt ou second ballot over W. A. Starr and W. H. Keirsey; surveyor, B. R. Cun- ningham, by acclamation; coroner, Lewis Peterson ou first ballot over S. M. Gregory. J. S. Waters chairman central committee, J. H. Morrison secretary. September 29, 1882, Oswego; Thomas O'Hare chairman, L. M. Bedell secretary. County attorney, 1j. C. True ou first ballot over T. C. Cory and J. E. Bryan; probate judge, Nelson Case, by acclamation; clerk dis- trict court, H. C. Cook, by acclamation; superintendent public instruc- tion, Anna C. Baker ou third ballot over O. M. McPherson, M. Chidester, B. R. Cunningham, and W. F. Schoch; coroner, H. C. Richardson, by acclamation; commissioner second district, C. M. Keeler on first ballot over A. N, Russell and A. T. Dickerman. T. J. Calvin chairman central committee, L. M. Bedell secretary. October 20, 1883, Oswego; J. E. Bryan chairman, O. M. McPherson secretary. Treasurer, C. W. Littleton on first ballot over M. L. Trotter; register, Asa Smith on first ballot over E. B. Baldwin and N. M. Miller; county clerk, F. W. Felt, by acclamation; sheriff, J. T. Lampsou on sec- ond l)allot over Andrew Kaho, C. E. Simons, C. B. Woodford, and W. H. Webb; surveyor, B. R. Cunningham, by acclamation; coroner, Ed. Dor- sey, by acclamation; commissioner third district, J. E. Brooks, by accla- mation. J. H. Morrison chairman central committee, Jess Brockway secretary. September (5, 1884, Oswego; Thomas O'Hare chairman, S. W. Kuiflfin secretary. Senator Ninth district, C. H. Kimball on first ballot over J. B. Swartz and J. E. Bryan; county attorney, J. D. Conderman ou third ballot over W. B. Glasse and J. H. Morrison; clerk district court, E. B. Baldwin on first ballot over W. W. Cook; probate judge, S. L. Coulter on first ballot over Isaac Hill; superintendent public instruction, Mrs. Anna C. Baker, by acclamation; commissioner first district, D. A. Jones on second ballot over J. F. Hill, Louis YouTrebra, and J. C. Mc- Knight; commissioner second district, to fill vacancy, J. M. Mason on third ballot over Peter Shufelt, J. N. Tibbets, M. Noel, and William Slaughter. T. C. Cory chairman central committee, S. O. Fletcher secretary. October 17, 1885, opera house, Oswego; J. B. Swartz chairman, S. T. Herman secretary. Treasurer, C. W. Littleton, by acclamation; regis- ter, Asa Smith, by acclamation; sheriff, C. B. Woodford on first ballot over 1. N. Cornelius, J. T. Lampsou, W. H. Sharp, and Joseph Craft; county clerk, W. W. Cook on second ballot over O. E. Woods and W. J. Quick; surveyor, W. W. Dentler ou first ballot over J. M. Hart; coroner, E. W. Dorsey, by acclamation. H, H. Lusk chairman central committee, A. H. Tyler secretary. On October 10, 1885, a convention was held at Edna, at which James Wilmoth was nominated for commissioner of second district. POLITICAL. 237 October 9, 1886, opera house, Oswego; J. W. Mai'ley cliairmau, J. W Weltner and L. M. Bedell secretaries. County attorney, T. C. Cory oii first ballot over J. D. Coudernian and Jess Brockway; probate judge, T J. Calvin on first ballot over Isaac Hill and F. H. Atchinson; clerk dis- trict court, E. B. Baldwin on first ballot over W. E. Crawford; su])erin- tendent public instruction, Mrs. Anna Hickenbottom on second ballot over Mrs. Anna C. Baker, C. C. Bobbins, L. Tonilin, J. W. Iden, and Mrs. Susan C. Keefe; commissioner third district, J. E. Brooks. J. W. Marley chairman central committee, M. E. Williams secretary. August 27, 1887, Oswego; S. T. Herman chairman, Abe Steinbarger and H. H. Lusk secretaries. Treasurer, W. F. Thorne on first ballot over B. R. Van Meter and AVilliam Slaughter; register, J. A. Flora on fifth ballot over O. S. Kliser, Ella Wood, Wilf Cooper, and J. A. Lough: sheriff, J. T. Lampson on seventh ballot over C. B. Woodford, D. M. Bender, I. N. Cornelius, and A. M. Newman: county clerk, w'ylie W Cook, by acclamation; surveyor, E. P. Bayless, by acclamation; coroner* J. T. Finley on first ballot over Rep Smith; commissioner first district' D. A. Jones. ' S. T. Herman chairman central committee, Joseph Craft secretary. September 1, 1888, Oswego; J. B. Swartz chairman, W. F. Thrall secretary. Senator Tenth district, C. H. Kimball, by acclamation; county attorney, J. H. Morrison on fourth ballot over A. A. Osgood, F. H. Atchinson, M. E. Williams, J. D. Conerman: probate judge, T.' J. Cal- vin, by acclamation; clerk district court, Colin Hodge on fourth ballot over J. S. Hileman, Ira F. Adams, H. H. Graue, W. H. Hunter, and George Hildreth; superintendent public instruction, Agnes Baty on third ballot over A. D. Martin, S. L. Fogleman. L. S. Crum chairman central committee, W. W. Cook secretary. August 31, 1889, Parsons; J. B. Swartz chairman, Thomas O'Hare and Evelyn B. Baldwin secretaries. Treasurer, William Slaughter, by acclamation; register, J. A. Flora on third ballot over B. R. YauMe'ter J. S. Odell; sheriff, W. H. Sharp on fifth ballot over J. E. Brooke S B* Shaffer, J. B. Pickering, A. J. Kirby, and W. J. Webb; county clerk George Tilton; surveyor, J. W. Boggess: coroner, Thomas J. Finlev commissioner, J. W. Scott on first ballot over C. J. Darling. W. W. McEwen chairman central committee, J. L. Magiunis secretary. August 23, 1890, Oswego; J. B. Cook chairman. A. H. Tyler secre- tary. County attorney, W. F. Schoch, by acclamation; probate judge, R. M. Hart, by acclamation; clerk district court, Colin Hodge, by accla- mation; superintendent public instruction, Fannie Smith on first ballot over Samuel Wade; commissioner first district, B. D. Roberts. L. S. Crum chairman central committee, W. W. Cook secretary. September 5, 1891, Mound Valley; M. Byrne chairman, W. W. Cook secretary. Treasurer, William Slaughter: county clerk, Geo. W. Tilton- register, J. C. Richcreek on third ballot over J. W. Fee, J. A. Flora, L. G. Bigwood; sheriff, A. Kaho on third ballot over W. H. Sharp, I.' N. Cissua, A. W. Newman, D. M. Bender, J. E. Brooks, and J. W. Bennett: coroner, T. J. Finley on first ballot over Jacob Crump and S. O. Clayton: surveyor, M. C. Gatt'ey on first ballot over J. W. Boggess. W. F. Schoch chairman central committee, Colin Hodge secretary. 238 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY August 1(), 1892, Parsons; W. G. Hoover chairman, W. K. Hayes and C. S. Newlon secretaries. Senator, W. W. McEwen, by acclamation: county attorney, A. I). Neale on third ballot over M. Byrne, J. W. Iden, and J). H. Wilson; probate judge, H. H. Graue was nominated on first ballot over A. T. Dickerman and W. F. Grierson, but as he had not been a candidate for that office he declined to accept the nomination, and W. F. Grierson was nominated on second ballot over A. T. Dickerman; clerk district court, E. C. Clark on first ballot over H. H. Graue; superintend- ent public instruction, A. D. Martin, by acclamation; commissioner third district, J. W. Scott, by acclamation, D. C. Rockhold chairman central committee, U, S. Harr secretary, REPUBLICAN EEPIiESENTATIVE CONVENTIONS. Forty-tldrd District. — October 7, 1871, Oswego; W. H. Carpenter chairman, H. L, Partridge secretary. Joseph J. Woods nominated on tiiird ballot over W. H. Carpenter and Josephus Moore. — October 12, 1872, Parsons; J. J. Woods chairman, S. O, Fletcher secretary, W. W. Harper on first ballot over J. H, Tibbets,— October 11, 1873, Oswego; W. W. Harper.— 1874, Parsons; J. J. Woods.— October 9, 1875, Par- sons; A, North chairman, R. E. Holloway secretary, M. W. Reynolds, by acclamation. Forty -fourth Bi.strict.—Octohev 7, 1871, Oswego. D. C. Constant on first ballot over Alexander Bishop.— October 5, 1872, Oswego; B, W, Perkins chairman, Sylvester Cook secretary. W. H. Mapes, by acclama- tion,— October 11, 1873, Oswego; W, H. Mapes.— September 26, 1874, Chetopa; W. P. Bishop chairman, N. Sanford secretary. J. C. McKnight on first ballot over R. W, Wright and S. M. Canady.— October 9, 1875, Chetopa; J. C, Watson chairman, E. W. Bedell secretary. Owen AVim- mer on third ballot over R, W. Wright, C. H. Bent, and E. Johnson, Forty-fourth District.— October 7, 1876. Parsons; S, Mayginnis chair- man, W, L, Winter secretary. M. W, Reynolds on first ballot over W. A. Starr.— September 28, 1878, Parsons; A. H. Ayres chairman, Wm. Horsfall secretary. M. W. Reynolds on first ballot over Frank AVebb,— September 27, 1880. J. B. Swartz on first ballot. Forty-fifth District.— Se\:)temher 9, 1876, Oswego; AA". H. Mapes chairman, W. B, Glasse secretary. F. A. Bettis on first ballot over James Paxton and R. AA". AA^right.— September 4, 1878, Oswego; E. D. Keir- sey chairman, S, M. Canaday secretary. F. A. Bettis on thirtieth ballot over F. B. McGill, H, W. Barnes, J. L. AVilliams and others,- Septem- ber 25, 1880, Oswego, J. S. Waters on fourth ballot over R, AV. AVright and J, L, AVilliams. Forty-sixth District.— September 23, 1876, Chetopa; G. AV. Jenkins chairman, S. T. Herman secretary. J. H. Tibbits on first ballot over H.AA^ Martin and Owen AVimmer.— September 21, 1878, Chetopa; Tim Kay chairman, George H, Bates secretary. T, J. Calvin on sixtieth bal- lot over H. AV. Martin, Alex. Duncan, and J. H. Crichton.— September 22, 1880; L. M. Bedell chairman, J. F. Hill secretary. T. J. Calvin, by acclamation. Thirty -third District.— September 9, 1882, Parsons; S. Mayginnis chairman, Lee Clark secretary. AV, L. Simons nominated on first ballot POLITICAL. 239 (iiifornial), but decliued; ou secoud ballot J. W. Fee nominated over J. B. Swartz and S. L. Obenchaius. — September 23, 1884, Parsons. David Kelso on first ballot. TJdrty-fourth District. — September 29, 1882, Oswego: E. D. Keirsej' cliairman, A. Kaho secretary. J. S. Waters on first ballot over H. C. Richardson. — September 6, 1884, Oswego; James Paxson chairman. Wm. Ilouck secretar}'. H. C. Cook, by acclamation. Thirty-fifth District. — September 28. 1882. Chetopa; Wesley Paurot chairman, E. W. Bedell secretary. J. H. Crichtou on first ballot. — Sep- tember 22, 1884, Chetopa; K.A. Bartlett chairman, Joe K. Hill secretary. J. B. Cook, by acclamation. Twenty-eighth District. — September 2.5, 1886, Parsons. F. Pt. Mor- ton. — September 2, 1888, Parsons; J. H. Beatty chairman, V. J. Knapp secretary. W. W. Cranston nominated on first ballot. — August 30, 1890, Parsons; W. H. Thome chairman, M. Byrne secretary. A. H. Tyler on second ballot over J. M. Birt and C. J. Darling. — October 4, 1890, a second convention was held to act on the matter of Mr. Tyler's withdrawal, he having signified to the central committee his willingness to withdraw. His action was accepted, and J. M. Birt was nominated in his place. Twenty-ninth District. — October 9, 1886, Oswego; J. W. Marley chairman, M. E. Williams secretary. J. H. Morrison on first ballot over H. C. Cook. — September 13, 1888, Altamont; W. F. Schoch chairman, M. E. AVilliams secretary. H. S. Coley on first ballot over J. J. Miles. — September 13, 1890, Altamont; H. M. Debolt chairman, W. K. Orr secretary. J. H. Morrison, by acclamation. Thirtieth District. — October 16, 1886, Chetopa; J. C. McKnight chair- man, Bayard T. Buines secretary. J. J. Slaughter on second ballot over J. S. Hileman, B. D. Roberts, Colin Hodge, and Isaac Butterworth. — October 2. 1888. Edna; J. E. Snevely chairman, Presley McKnight sec- retary. J. S. Hileman, by acclamation. — Septeml)er 6, 1890, Edna; E. A. Herrod chairman, M. N. Baldwin secretary. W. J. Raymond, by acclamation. Twenty-sixth District. — September 3, 1892, Parsons; J. W. Fee chair- man, J. D. Lusk secretary. D. M. Bender on first ballot over Arch Wade. Twenty-seventh District. — September 20, 1892, Chetopa; T. J. Calvin chairman. Dr. C. S. Newlon secretary. W. G. Hoover, by acclamation. DEMOCRATIC COUXTY CONVENTIONS. In October, 1866, an informal Democratic caucus was held at a spring on Short's claim, in section 22, Montana township. D. M. Clover was cliairman and M. A. Victor secretary. It was attended quite generally by the Democrats in the community, and the sentiment was to vote a Democratic ticket. In view of this they nominated a full county ticket. 1 have obtained only partial information respecting it. A part of the ticket was as follows: W. C. Watkins for representative, H. C. Bridgman for county clerk, Nelson Carr for county treasurer, Samuel Dunham su- perintendent public instruction. October, 1867, Democratic caucus in Buntain building, Oswego, W. C. Watkins nominated for representative Eighty-fifth district, H. C. 240 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. Bridgmaii for county treasurer. The rest of the ticket was left for par- ties to run independent. Dr. J. B. Thurman ran for probate judge. September 19, 1868, Fleming building, Oswego; J. D. McCue chair- man, J. F. Waskey secretary. Representative Eighty-fifth district, W. C. Watkius; superintendent public instruction, Jacob Ruble: county commissioner, G. W. Franklin; county attorney, N. L. Hibbard; county clerk, D. W. Clover; clerk district court, E. Wells; probate judge, John Richardson. In 1869 no convention was held, a caucus deeming it best to let parties run independent who wished to oppose the Republican ticket. Saturday, Ju>y 23, 1870, court-house, Oswego. M. Y. B. Bennett made a speech, and steps were taken to effectually organize the party in the county: what had been done theretofore having been rather informal, and hardly regular party action. A county convention was called for September 10, 1870, at Oswego, which assembled, and adjourned to Sep- tember 24th, after electing W. P. Lamb and M. V. B. Bennett delegates to the state convention. September 24, 1870, Oswego; D. J. Doolen chairman, George Huston secretary. D. C. Hutchinson, representative Eightj'-fifth district; J. A. Cox, probate judge; L. F. Fisher, county attorney; J. J. Browne, super- intendent public instruction; J. M. Cunningham, clerk district court; J. M. Richardson, commissioner third district. M. V. B. Bennett, chairman central committee. August 5, 1871, J. J. Browne elected in the place of Bennett, resigned; J. F. Waskey secretary. October 21, 1871, Oswego; J. J. Browne chairman. Sheriff, G. W. Franklin; treasurer, J. F. Waskey; county clerk, G. W. Houston: regis- ter, Frank Campbell; surveyor. Wade H. Prichard; coroner, G. D. Boon; commissioner first district, D. J. Doolen; third district, J. M. Richard- son; representative Forty-fourth district, Gilbert A. Cooper. J. J. Browne, chairman central committee. August 24, 1872, Oswego: J. J. Browne chairman, J. F. Waskey secretary. Democratic and Liberal Republican conventions in session at same time; H. L. Taylor chairman and J. M. Mahr secretary Liberal convention. Each convention instructed its central committee to confer and unite in calling a county convention to nominate a fusion ticket. October 18, 1872, court-house, Oswego; H. L. Taylor chairman, J. J. Browne secretary; Democratic-Liberal convention. Senator Fifteenth district, William Dick; probate judge, Thomas H. Bruner; county attor- ney, R. M. Donally; clerk district court, J. H. Macon; superintendent public instruction, David Donovan; coroner, A. P. Johnson; commis- sioner second district, C. M. Monroe; representatives. Forty-third district T. C. Cory, Forty-fourth Christian Lieb. No convention held in 1873. In 1874 the Democrats united with Liberal Republicans, and held a Democratic -Reform convention, Octoljer 14, 1874, Labette City; Wil- liam Dick chairman. Senator Fifteenth district, J. M. Mahr on first ballot; district clerk, R. C. Taylor on first ballot over A. J. Cary; county attorney, J. G. Parkhurst, by acclamation; probate judge, H. C. Blanch- POLITICAL. 941 ard on first ballot over S. L. Coulter (not present); superintendent public instruction, E. H. Taylor on first ballot over Mary A. Higby; represent- ative Forty-third district, Wm. Dick on first ballot over C. M. Monroe and J. C. Mervvin; representative Forty-fourth district, W. T. Cunning- ham and D. J. Doolen were successively nominated and declined, after which Henry Tibbets was nominated by acclamation. J. B. Lamb, chairman central committee. October 8, 187.5, Oswego; R. M. Donally chairman. Dr. ]M. M. Mil- ligan secretary. Treasurer, A. J. Cary, by acclamation; sheriff, Nixon Elliott on first ballot over J. H. Macon and W. M. Rogers; county clerk, L. C. Howard, by acclamation; surveyor. Wade Prichard, by acclama- tion; register, R. C. Taylor, by acclamation; coroner. Dr. M. M. Milligan, by acclamation; commissioners, first district D. J. Doolen, second Chris- tian Lieb, third J. H. Martin; representative Fortj^-third district G. W. Graybill, Forty-fourth H. G. Webb. J. B. Lamb chairman central committee, T. B. J. Wheat secretary. September 23, 1876, court-house, Oswego; R. M. Donally chairman, Nixon Elliot secretary. Senator Fifteenth district, Angell Matthewson, by acclamation; county attorney, W. P. Talbot on first ballot over G. W. Fox; probate judge, D. J. Doolen on first ballot over Dr. J, Spruill; clerk district court, I. H. Fry, by acclamation; superintendent public in- struction, Mrs. Hattie Coleman, by acclamation. G. W. Fox chairman central committee, W. J. Herman secretary. September 39, 1877. Central committee decided not to hold conven- tion. G. W. Fox chairman, W. J. Herman secretary. September 21, 1878, Oswego; G. W. Fox chairman, J. B. Lamb secre- tary. Probate judge, P. Y. Thomas; representatives. Forty-fourth dis- trict J. H. Martin, Forty-fifth H. C. Blanchard; clerk district court, J. K Russell; county attorney, I. S. Jones; superintendent public instruction J. Covalt; commissioner first district, D. J. Doolen. G. W. Fox chairman central committee, D. H. Mays secretary. August 25, 1879, Oswego; G. W. Gabriel chairman, H. C. Hall secre- tary. Treasurer, T. P. Waskey; sheriff, J. H. Macon; register, W. T. Berry; county clerk, L. C. Howard; surveyor, S. R. Southwick (W. H. Godwin substituted); coroner, J. B. Lamb; commissioner second district, I. D. Johnson. G. W. Fox chairman central committee, J. M. Hall secretary. October 9, 1880, Oswego; G. W. Fox chairman, F. C. Helsell secretary. Committee having consulted with committee from Greenback party, re- ported in favor of union on following basis: Greenback nominees for senator, district clerk and superintendent to be indorsed, and the Green- backers to withdraw their candidates for and indorse Democratic nomi- nees for county attorney, probate judge, and representatives in Forty- fourth, Forty-fifth and Fortj'-sixth districts. Adopted. — County attorney, George F. King on first ballot over W. P. Talbot; probate judge, W. P. Talbot on first ballot over James Barton; senator Fifteenth district, Geo. Campbell; clerk district court, J. K. Russell; superintendent public in- struction, M. T. McCarty indorsed; commissioner third district, A. H. McCormock indorsed. — 16 242 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. G. W. Fox chairman central committee, F. C. Helsell secretary. October 11, 1881. Central committee decided not to hold convention. Mr. Fox resigned as chairman central committee, and J. M. Mahr was elected chairman, F. C. Helsell secretary. August 13, 1882, court-house, Oswego; George S. King chairman, C. F. Wiuton secretary. Probate judge, A. G. Drake, by acclamation; county attorney, R. T. Holloway, by acclamation; clerk district court, R. C. Taylor. Authorized committee to fill vacancies. October 7, 1882. Central committee accepted A. G. Drake's with- drawal as probate judge, and agreed to leave that place, and also super- intendent, vacant, and to support Greenback nominees. Nominated C. M. Monroe commissioner second district. J. M. Mahr chairman central committee, G. S. King secretary. September 32, 1883, Oswego; J. M. Mahr chairman, George S. King secretary. Sheriff, J. P. DeJarbett on first ballot over J. J. Freeman and A. J. Mapes; treasurer, E. C. Dent on first ballot over J. F. Waskey; register, J. M. Cunningham over C. M. Monroe on first ballot; county clerk, F. W. Fry on first ballot over J. M. Bannon; surveyor, A. B. Bush- uell, by acclamation; commissioner third district, M. E. Carson. W. H. Morris chairman central committee, George S. King secretary. October 14, 1884, court-house, Oswego; J. R. Brown chairman, W. H. Cook secretary. Senator Ninth district, J. J. Kackley; probate judge, F. M. Smith; clerk district court, J. M. Cunningham; no nominee for superintendent; W. H, Cook, commissioner first district, indorsed. J. R. Brown chairman central committee, J. M. Landis secretary. October 28, 1884. Central committee accepted the withdrawal of J. J. Kackley, and placed W. J. Conner's name in his place; also nominated George S. King county attorney, and J. Covalt superintendent. After- ward chairman Brown and others published a card denouncing action of committee in placing Conner's name on ticket, etc. October 6, 1885, Oswego; J. P. DeJarnett chairman, W. W. Fry sec- retary. Treasurer, E. W. Ross; register, George Miller; sheriff, H. R. Lewis; county clerk, J. S. Odell; surveyor, A. B. Bushnell, coroner, T. A. H. Lowe; commissioner second district, Lewis Goodwin. George W. Gabriel chairman central committee, J. M. Landis secretary. October 13, 1886, opera house, Oswego; A. H. Garnett, chairman, I. H. Fry and A. W. Mackie secretaries. Probate judge, G. W. Gabriel, by acclamation; county superintendent, G. Guy Morris on first ballot over Fanny Cooper; representative Twenty-ninth district, Gilbert A. Cooper. Motion carried to make no farther nominations, in interest of State and Congressional tickets. G. W. Gabriel chairman central committee, A. H. Garnett secretary. During this canvass Dr. Gabriel withdrew as candidate for probate judge, and the central committee placed J. J. McFeely on the ticket in his place. September 13, 1887, Oswego; A. H. Garnett chairman, J. S. Odell sec- retary. Treasurer, James L. Wilson; sheriff, Samuel Ledgewood; reg- POLITICAL. 243 ister of deeds, I. H. Fiy; county clerk, D. H. Martiu; surveyor, A. B. Bushnell; coroner, Ca3sar Wilson. G. W. Gabriel chairman central committee, A. H. Garnett secretary. September 11, 1888, Mound Valley; G. W. Gabriel chairman, J. F. Waskey secretary. Senator Tenth district, R. L. Sharp, by acclamation; probate judge, J. AV. Deatherage. by acclamation; county attorney, F. M. Smith, by acclamation; clerk district court, E. W. Ross, by acclama- tion; superintendent, Fannie Cooper, by acclamation; representatives, Twentj'-eighth district M. V. B. Davis, Twenty-ninth George S. King, Thirtieth W. G. Reamer. J. F. Waskey chairman central conmiittee, Geo. S. Liggett secretary. September 26, 1889, Chetopa: E. C. Dent chairman, F. M. Smith sec- retary. Treasurer, J. F. Waskey; sheriff. W. H. Swartzell; register, I. D. Highlenian; county clerk, I. M. Hinds; surveyor, J. H. Dersham; coroner, A. H. Wells. J. M. Kleiser, chairman central committee. August 30, 1890, Parsons; J. M. Kleiser chairman, J. J. Rambo secre- tary. Clerk district court, Isaac M. Hinds; county attorney, G. S. King. August 20, 1891, court-house, Oswego; J. F. Waskey chairman, F. W. Frye secretary. Treasurer, J. W. Galyen; sheriff, W. H. Swartzel; reg- ister, W. S. Houghton; county clerk, J. J. Freeman; coroner, G. S. Lig- gett; surveyor, J. H. Dersham; commissioner third district, W. A. Huff. F. W. Frye chairman central committee, George S. Liggett secretary. September 29, 1892, Chetopa; George S. Liggett chairman, A. J. Aus- tin secretary. The convention indorsed the full ticket theretofore nomi- nated by the People's party. J. M. Landis chairman central committee, J. F. Waskey secretary. DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT CONVENTIONS. Usually there was a fusion of the Democrats with some other party on candidates for the Legislature; the names here given are those for whom the Democrats generally voted. Sometimes they were nominated by a convention, sometimes indorsed by the convention, sometimes by central committee, and sometimes no definite action at all was taken upon their candidacy. Forty-fourth District. — October 4, 1876, Parsons. A. Wilson nomi- nated on first ballot; vote was reconsidered, and on second ballot G. W. Gabriel nominated. — In 1878, J. H. Martin. — September 25, 1880, Par- sons; W. H. Morris. Forty-fifth District. — October 7, 1876, decided not to make any nomi- nations. — October 16, 1880, Oswego. Joint convention of Democrats and Greenbackers; Thomas Wilson chairman, George S. King secretary. J. C. Murphy on second ballot over D. Doyle. Forty-sixth District. — October 7, 1876, Chetopa; A. G. Drake chair- man, W. J. Milliken secretary. George E. Stone, by acclamation. — October 16, 1880, Chetopa. A. D. Martiu. Thirty-third District.— In 1882, G. W. Gabriel; in 1884, W. H. Porter. 244 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. Thirty-fourth District.— 1\\ 1882, George Campbell; in 1884, J. W. Deatherage. Thirty-fifth District. — OqXo\)%x \\, 1882, Chetopa, W. P. Wilson; in 1884, H. H. Lieb. Tioenty-eighth District.— 1\\ 1886, W. H. Utley; in 1888, Davis.— August 30, 1890, Parsons; S. C. Rickart chairman. Jas. Tanner indorsed. Ticenty-ninth District. — October 12, 1886, Oswego; Levi Metier chair- man, Walter Phillips secretary. G. A. Cooper on first ballot over E. Tanner. — In 1888, G. S. King. In 1890, central committee indorsed P. A. Morrison. Thirtieth District.— 1\\ 1886, R. S. Lyberger; in 1888, R. S. Lyberger. In 1890, central committee indorsed candidacy of Alexander Duncan. GREENBACK COUNTY CONVENTIONS. October 23, 1877, city hall. Parsons; A. N. Sourbeer chairman. A, H. McCleary secretary. Treasurer, A. J. Gary; sheriff, J. H. Macon; county clerk, L. C. Howard; register, H. E. Ingraham; surveyor, W. H. Prich- ard; coroner, B. D. Ellis; commissioner third district, P. W. Shick. F. A. Briggs chairman central committee, A. S. Harper secretary. April 6, 1878, delegates from various Greenback clubs met at Parsons for permanent organization, and elected an executive committee, of which J. W. Briggs was made chairman and S. M. Bailey secretary. August 20, 1878, grove near Labette City; R. M. Donelly chairman, S. M. Bailey secretary. Probate judge, W. A. Starr on first ballot over Noah Guymon; county attorney, J. A. Ball on first ballot over A. B. Hacker; superintendent, J. Covalt, by acclamation; district clerk, J. K. Russell, by acclamation; representative Forty-sixth district, J. M. Bannan. August 21, 1879, Labette City; J. O. McKee chairman, J. W. Breiden- thal secretary. Sheriff, J. O. McKee, by acclamation; treasurer, W. H. Porter on second ballot over John Hoffman, W. P. Wilson, and Noah Guymon; county clerk, S. M. Bailey on first ballot over W. P. Wilson; register, Lewis Goodwin on first ballot over Nelson Curl and J. J. Mc- Feely; coroner, Moses Steel, by acclamation; surveyor, W. H. Godwin; commissioner second district, J. C. Murphy, M. Snook, chairman central committee. August 14, 1880, Parsons; D. Doyle chairman, W. H. Potter secretary. Senator, George Campbell; clerk district court, J. K. Russell; probate judge, J. M. C. Reed; superintendent public instruction, M. T. McCarthy. J. J. McFeely chairman central committee, L. Garneau secretary. October 16, 1881, Mound Valley; J. J. McFeely chairman, George Campbell secretary. Register, John W. Breidenthal on first ballot over W, P. Wilson, T. J. Finely, and W. J. Millikin; treasurer, A. H. Mc- Cormick on first ballot over W. J. Millikin; county clerk, T. J. Finley on first ballot over J. Reasor and T. L. Cotton; sheriff, W. P. Wilson on first ballot over John Hoffman; coroner, William Rowe; commissioner first district, D. Doyle. J. M. Bannan chairman central committee, John W. Breidenthal sec- retary. POLITICAL. ' 245 October 7, 1882, Oswego; J. J. McFeely chairman, C. L. Albin secre- tary. District clerk, J. K. Kiissell, by acclamation; probate judge, J. J. McFeely, by acclamation; county attorney, no nomination: superintend- ent public instruction, J. Covalt on first ballot over Angelia Bishop and Mary Bradbury; coroner, W. J. Millikin, by acclamation; representatives, Thirty-fourth district George Campbell, Thirty-fifth W. P. Wilson; com- missioner second district, M. Breidenthal. J. M. Bannan chairman central committee, J. W. Breidenthal secretary. October 33, 1883, Mound Valley; J. W. Breidenthal chairman. Treas- urer, L. Garneau; sheriff, J. C. Murphy; register, W. Miller: county clerk, J. W. Fleming; coroner, U. Osborne. J. W. Breidenthal chairman central committee, L. N. Thompson sec- retary. October 27, 1884, Parsons; representative Thirty-third district, W. H. Porter. GREENBACK DISTRICT CONVENTIONS. Forty-fourth Distriet. — August 17, 1878, Parsons. James H. Martin nominated. — September 25, 1880, Parsons. James H. Martin represent- ative, and A. H. McCormick commissioner. Forty-fifth District. — Aw^w^t 14, 1878, Altamont. H. C. Blanchard. — October 1(3, 1880, Oswego; Thomas Wilson chairman, George S. King secretary. Joint convention of Democrats and Greenbackers. J. C. Murphy on second ballot over D. Doyle. Forty-sixth District. — 1878, Chetopa; John M. Bannan. — October 15, 1880, Kingston. W. P. Wilson. TEMPERANCE CONVENTIONS. September 24, Oswego, 1874: adjourned to October 6; C. Humble, chairman. Nelson Case secretary. The convention indorsed ihe follow- ing nominations that had been made by party conventions: Willard Davis and J. G. Parkhurst, county attorney; J. D. McCue, district judge; H. C. Blanchard, probate judge; Mary A. Higby, superintendent public instruc- tion; J. G. Coleman, coroner; representatives, William Dick district, Henry Tibbits Forty-third, J. C. McKnight Forty-fourth: J. J. Woods was nominated for senator Fifteenth district. The matter of indorsing S. L. Coulter for probate judge and H. C. Cook for clerk district court was left to be acted on by a committee after investigation was had as to their temperance faith. August 15. 1876, Parsons; M. G. Brown chairman, C. T. Smith secre- tary. Senator, M. G. Brown: county attorney, Nelson Case; probate judge, S. L. Coulter; clerk district court, H. C. Cook; superintendent public instruction, Hettie Coleman. August 24, 1882, on call of the Oswego Temperance Union, a meeting was held in a grove near Labette City; Kev. John Elliott chairman, J. M. Bowman secretary. Resolved to form the Labette County Prohibition Union. Favored only temperance men for officers, and demanded en- forcement of the prohibitory law. PROHIBITION CONVENTIONS. September 30, 1891, Parsons; W. S. Newlon chairman, G. W. Marley 246 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. secretary. Treasurer, W. S. Newlon; sheriff, J, B. Jones; register, Mary Scott; county clerk, T. O. Emerson; commissioner, C. B. Bennett. August 6, 1892, Parsons; W. S. Newlon chairman, G. W. Marley sec- retary. Senator, J. M. Magie; representatives, Twenty-sixth district G. W. Marley, Twenty-seventh B. F. Lucas; probate judge, O. F. Walker; clerk district court, James Beggs; superintendent public instruction, Mary Scott; commissioner second district, W. E. Snyder. W. S. Newlon chairman central committee, G. W. Marley secretary. UXION LABOR COUNTY CONVENTIONS. September 15, 1887, Parsons; W. H. Utley chairman, W. J. Bryant, F. W. Dauth and A. W. Mackie secretaries. Treasurer, W. H. Porter on second ballot over H. Leib, Alexander Duncan. A. H. Mickey, John Rich- ardson, Frank Briggs; county clerk, W. J. Millikin on second ballot over A. H. Mickey, C. C. Robbins, Milo Hildreth, A. Moore; register, J. K. Rus- sell on second ballot over B. F. Rolls, Thomas Lawrence, C. F. Turner, W. F. Grierson; sheriff, W. P. Wilson on third ballot over William Cook, Ed. Foyle, J. R. Duncan, Frank Briggs, Wm. Orr, D. W. Butler; sur- veyor, C. C. Robbins on first ballot over John M. Hart and Levi Fergu- son; coroner, A. R. Clarady on first ballot over Peter Hogan; commis- sioner first district, S. N. Woodruff. W. H. Utley chairman central committee, W. H. Porter secretary. August 21, 1888, Chetopa; J. W. Breidenthal chairman, Geo. Campbell and A. A. King secretaries. Senator Tenth district, George Campbell on second ballot over A. J. Hixon, W. J. Gillette, R. W. Wright; clerk of the district court, L. F. Dick on fifth ballot over A. W. Mackie, R. S. Lybarger, J. M. Morgan, J. R. Hill; probate judge, Nelson Abbott on third ballot over C. T. Bridgman, J. M. C. Reed, J. W. Evans, R. S. Lybarger, S. T. Cherry, J. R. Hill, John Richardson; county attorney, Jess Brockway on second ballot over J. J. McFeely, M. Byrne, G. W. Hendricks, C. C. Robbins, R. S. Lybarger; superintendent public instruc- tion, Mrs. Lucy Best, by acclamation. Wm. Cook chairman central committee, Nelson Abbott secretary. September 7, 1889, Parsons; J. W. Breidenthal chairman, L. F. Dick secretary. Treasurer, W. H. Porter, by acclamation; sheriff, Wm. Cook on second ballot over E. A. Richcreek, J. R. Duncan and W. P. Wilson; county clerk, A. H. Mickey on fourth ballot over J. A. Jones and W. J. Millikin; register, J. K. Russell on first ballot over F. C. Turner, C. L. Albin and George Campbell; surveyor, A. B. Bushnell, by acclamation; coroner, Wm. Rowe, by acclamation. Wm. Cook chairman central committee, J. R. Hill secretary. UNION LABOR REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT CONVENTIONS. Ticenty-eighth District. — September 8, 1888, at Parsons. A. J. Hixon nominated by acclamation. — June 11, 1890, at Parsons. James Tanner nominated by acclamation. Twenty-ninth District. — September 8, 1888, at Oswego; A. W. Mackie chairman, A. A. King secretary. George Pfaff on first ballot over Harmon and Milo Hildreth. — July 29, 1890, in connection with People's county convention at Parsons. P. A. Morrison. POLITICAL. 247 Thirtieth District.— ^e\)iem\)tx 1, 1888, at Edna; J. H. Reasor chair- man, E. H. Breidenthal secretary. R. S. Lybarger on first ballot over C. W. Holman and Levi Ferguson. — July 29, 1890, in connection with People's county convention at Parsons. Alexander Duncan. people's party county conventions. Parsons, July 29, 1890; E. A. Richcreek chairman, A. H. McCormick and Harry Mills secretaries. Clerk of the district court, J. A. Jones on second ballot over I. M. Waldrop, R. A. Johnson, L. F. Dick, J. M. Mor- gan, W. N. McCoid, W. H. Porter; probate judge, E. A. Richcreek on first ballot over J. H. Reasor, A. J. Hixon, J. W. Harrah, John Richard- son; superintendent public instruction, Mrs. Lucy Best, by acclamation; county attorney, J. R. Hill on third ballot over M. E. Williams, W. J. Gillette, G. S. King; commissioner first district, G. A. Cooper; represent- atives. Twenty-ninth district P. A. Morrison, Thirtieth Alexander Duncan. E. A. Richcreek chairman central committee, Harry Mills secretary. September 3, 1891, Parsons; E. A. Richcreek chairman, Harry Mills secretary. Treasurer, Martin V. Davis on second ballot over John Rich- ardson and Ben Johnson; sheriflf, William Cook on first ballot over A. B. Funk, J. R. Duncan, A. Sharp; register, A. W. Mackie on first ballot over George Blank, F. T. Deinst, W. N. McCoid; county clerk, D. H. Martin on first ballot over W. J. Millikin, I. N. Watson, 1. M. Waldrop; surveyor, A. B. Bushnell; coroner, J. Miller. Harry Mills chairman central committee, A. W. Mackie secretary. August 9, 1892, Parsons; J. F. Hill chairman, L. F. Dick and Harry Mills secretaries. Senator, John H. Riley, by acclamation; probate judge, George Campbell on third ballot over E. A. Richcreek, A. J, Hixon and H. Summers; clerk district court, Jesse M. Morgan on first ballot over A. W. Jones and R. A. Johnson; county attorney, M. E. Williams on first ballot over H. G. Webb; superintendent public instruction, Lucy Best, by acclamation; commissioner second district, J. A. Jarboe. William Cook chairman central committee, D. H. Martin secretary. people's party district conventions. Twenty-sixth District. — June 20, 1892, Parsons; Dr. E. Tanner chair- man, H. C. Sourbeer secretary. J. L. Humphrey on first ballot over A. F. Neely and Daniel Pfaff^. Ticenty- seventh District. — August 13, 1892, Chetopa; G. A. Cooper chairman, M. E. Williams secretary. P. A. Morrison on first ballot over John Ford. senatorial conventions. Sixteenth Senatorial District. — October — , 18(5(5, Republican conven- tion held at lola. Dr. J. W. Scott was nominated over J. C. Carpenter and J. S. Waters. Tlie Democratic convention was held at Humboldt, and Col. Wil- loughby Doudna was nominated. October 1."), 18G8, Republican convention met at Erie; R. W. Wright was chairman, and J. C. Redfield secretary. J. C. Carpenter was nomi- nated on eleventh ballot over E. R. Trask and A. A. Aiken. 2tl:8 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. October 24, 1868, Democratic convention convened at Osage Mission, and F. M. Frost was nominated. September 39, 1870, Republican convention was held at Humboldt; J. M. Beardsley was chairman, and P. I. B. Ping secretarj'. J. H. Crich- ton was nominated on tenth ballot over J. W. Dowe and G. P. Smith of Allen county, A. Miller of Wilson county, J. C. Carpenter of Neosho county, and H. AV. Martin of Labette county. October 6, 1870, Democratic convention met at Humboldt. J. M. Rich- ardson, of Labette county, was nominated over Moses Neal and others. September 21, 1870, Settlers' Protective Association held a convention at Prairie dn Chien, in Neosho county; G. W. McMillen was chairman, and George T. Walton secretary. Major H. C. Whitney was unanimously nominated. .JUDICIAL CONVENTIONS. In 18(37 N. F. Acres and John R. Goodin were opposing candidates for judge of the Seventh judicial district. October 10, 1870, Republican convention met in Oswego, with four del- egates each from Montgomery, Labette and Crawford counties, and five from Cherokee; T. E. Clark chairman, W. W. Jones secretary. On the 64th ballot the delegates from Labette county changed their vote from W. P. Bishop to W. M. Matheny, and nominated him over W. P. Bishop, John T. Voss, and Thomas Harrison, as a candidate for judge of the Eleventh judicial district. H. G. Webb ran as an independent candidate. In 1873 B. W. Perkins, H. W. Barnes, J. M. Scudder and J. G. Park- hurst were opposing candidates, each running independent. In 1874 a "Reform Convention" convened at Parsons, September 23d, with J. H. Waterman chairman, and C. O, Stockslager secretary. J. D. McCue was nominated on second ballot over J. N. Ritter, A. A. Fletcher, and B. F. Purcell. B. W. Perkins again ran independent. September 12, 1878, a Greenback convention assembled at Parsons, and nominated J. F. Broadhead. Opposed to him at the polls were B. W. Perkins and W^. B. Glasse, each running independent. On October 3, 1882, a Republican convention met at Cherokee; J. R. Hallowell chairman. On the 264th ballot George Chandler was nomi- nated over W. B. Glasse, John N. Ritter, and John T. Yoss. Opposed to him W. M. Matheny ran as an independent candidate. In 1886 George Chandler was an independent, with no opponent. A Republican convention assembled in Independence October 1, 1889, with S. L. Coulter chairman, and W. T. Yoe secretary. John N. Ritter was nominated by acclamation. J. D. McCue ran independent. A Republican convention was held at Parsons on September 11, 1890; George W. Wheatley chairman, W. H. Coulter secretary. A. B. Clark was nominated by acclamation. Opposed to him was J. D. McCue, as an independent candidate. POLITICAL CONVENTIONS OF A MISCELLANEOUS CHAR- ACTER. FAEMEES' CONVENTION. A Farmers' convention was called for and was held on October 17, 1873, at Labette City. It was a secret session. The following nomina- tions were made: Probate judge, Davis Vulgamore; sheriff, F. G. Bur- POLITICAL. 249 uett; treasurer, C. F. Smith; register, I. W. Patrick; coimty clerk, Sam. W. Collins; coroner, A. S. Spaulding; surveyor, S. R. Southwick; repre- sentatives, Forty-third district J. L. Williams, Forty-fourth Isaac But- terworth; commissioners, first district D. J. Doolen, second H. M. Debolt, third William Thornborough. GRANGE CONVENTION. On October 10, 1874, a Grange convention met at Labette City, which soon divided into two sections : one elected N. Cooper chairman and C. W. Stephenson secretary, and denounced political action; the other elected J. J. Woods chairman and C. Merwin secretary, and nominated the following ticket: Senator Fifteenth district, John F. Hill; probate judge, S. L. Coulter; clerk district court, H. C. Cook; superintendent, Mary A. Higby; representatives, Forty-third district S. M. Canady, Forty-fourth Henry Tibbetts. "LABORING men's CONVENTIONS." One was held at Parsons, on September 20, 1875; B. D. Roberts was chairman part of the time, and Isaac Butterworth a part; J. L. William- son secretary. The followiug ticket was nominated: Representatives, Forty-third district M. W. Reynolds, Forty-fourth F. B. McGill; treas- urer, William Dick on third ballot over A. J. Cary, George Caldwell, and Fred Perkins; sheriff, Nixon Elliott on second ballot over W. C. Church, J. J. Freeman, and S. B. Abbott; register, R. C. Taylor; county clerk, L. C. Howard, by acclamation; coroner, D. B. Crouse, by acclamation; surveyor. Wade Prichard on first ballot over George Thornton; commis- sioners, first district J. F. Hill, second C. M. Monroe, third J. H. Martin. J. L. AVilliams was chairman of the central committee. On October 9, 1877, at Keeler's school-house, a mass convention was held, of which Samuel Newell was chairman, and Newton Guymou sec- retary. A ticket was nominated as follows: Treasurer, A. J. Cary; reg- ister. Wash Knapp ; county clerk, T. A. Fellows ; coroner. Dr. W. S. Newlou; surveyor, Wade Prichard; commissioner second district, H. M. Debolt. "people's mass CONVENTIONS." A convention with the above title was held in the Methodist church in Mound Valley, on October 20, 1881: J. M. Cavaness was chairman, and T. C. Cory secretary. The following ticket was nominated: Treasurer, Andy Cary on first ballot over G. S. McDole: register, J. M. Cunningham on first ballot over J. W. Breidenthal and Thomas OTIare. The Republi- can nominees for sheriff, county clerk, surveyor and coroner were indorsed. Another "People's Mass Convention" was held on October 10, 1884, at Altamont; B. R. Van Meter was elected chairman and S. M. Bailey secretary, and the following nominations were made: Senator Ninth dis- trict, W. J. Conner, by acclamation; coumy attorney, H. G. Webb, by acclamation; clerk district court, C. L. Albiu on first ballot over J. M. Cunningham; probate judge, J. M. Cunningham, by acclamation; super- intendent public instruction, J. Covalt. A " FARMERS' AND LABORERS' CONA'ENTION " Was held at Altamont on August 20, 188(3; A. M. Fellows was chairman, and J. W. Breidenthal secretary. After electing delegates to the State convention and calling a county convention for Altamont on September 250 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. 8th, it adjourned. On September 8th the convention met as per adjourn- ment; J. J. McFeely was chairman, and J. W. Breidenthal secretary. A ticket composed of the following was nominated: Superintendent, Alice Metier; probate judge, A. T. Shrout; county attorney, H. G. Webb; clerk district court, W. J. Millikin. A. M. Fellows was made chairman of the central committee, and R. S. Lybarger secretary. October 9, 1886, another "Farmers' and Laborers' Convention" met at Parsons, and nominated W. H. Utley as representative for the Twenty- eighth district. ELECTIONS. The rapid growth of the county is in a measure indicated by the in- creased vote cast from year to year. The first election held in Neosho county was in 1864, at which there were but 35 votes cast in the whole county. At this time there was probably no one in what is now Labette county who had the legal qualifications of an elector, but had there been there was no provision made for the casting of votes. It was not until July, 1866, that the Commissioners of Neosho county established voting precincts in what is now Labette county. Our citizens might have par- ticipated in the election in November, 1866, had they been disposed to do so, but, as I have elsewhere stated, there was a mutual understanding between those residing in what is now Neosho county and those residing in what is now Labette county, that the latter would refrain from voting for the officers of Neosho county, and that at the ensuing session of the Legislature the county should be divided. However, at that election the people in the south half of the county voted for a full set of county offi- cers for themselves. Of course this vote was without any legal signifi- cance. No record of the result was kept, and I have been unable to ascertain anything in reference to the number of votes cast. C. H. Bent, who was elected to the Legislature at this time, was the only officer elected who was permitted to perform official duties by virtue thereof. I might here state that at this election there were something over 300 votes cast in Neosho county. For State Senator, J. W. Scott received 325 votes, and Willoughby Doudna received 82 votes. This is probably the average vote between the two parties in the county. The first legal election held in Labette county was on April 22, 1867. At this election a full set of county officers were elected, to serve until the ensuing regu- lar election in the fall ; and the question of locating the county seat was also voted on. The record of the canvass of this vote has been lost, and I have now no means of ascertaining the number of votes cast ; but some time thereafter there was published what was said to be the correct vote on the question of locating the county seat, from which statement it ap- pears that the entire vote cast on that subject was 380. This may fairly be presumed to be the total vote of the county at that time. POLITICAL. 251 At the November election in 1867 the canvass does not show the total number of votes cast, nor the votes cast for each candidate, except for the office of Judge of the District Court. For this position N. F. Acres received 303 votes, and J. R. Goodiu 193 votes. On the question of locating the county seat there were cast 397 votes. This was probably the highest number of votes cast at that election. At the election held November 3, 1868, each precinct in the county returned its vote. The Presidential Electors received 783 votes; 617 of which were cast for the Grant Electors, and 166 for the Seymour Electors. The candidates for the several State offices on the two tickets received substantially the same proportion of the votes. The political lines were not as strictly drawn on the county offices. On November 5, 1869, the board met to canvass the vote cast on the 3d of that mouth. For some informalities, which presented an excuse but did not amount to a reason for their action, the Commissioners re- jected the vote of every precinct in the county except those of Oswego and Hackberry. If it had required the rejection of either of these to enable them to count in the parties whom they desired to have elected, it may be presumed that on some pretense it would have been done. By the course pursued a set of officers were declared elected who had been over- whelmingly defeated at the polls, and those who had been elected by a large majority of the votes actually cast were deprived of their positions, some of them for a year and some of them during their whole term. I do not mean to say that every officer declared elected had been defeated ; no record has been preserved of the complete vote, and I have no means at hand of ascertaining what the vote of the entire county was ; but cer- tain it is that the Sheriff, Treasurer, Register of Deeds, and a part of the Commissioners who were elected were compelled to contest for their offices or to be deprived of them entirely. Mr. McCue, who had been beaten for County Attorney by a large majority, but who was declared elected, refused to qualify, and Mr. Waters, who had been elected but counted out, took the office without opposition. Some of those who had been counted out contested for the office, while others declined to go through the trouble and expense of a litigation. After a protracted con- test through all the courts, the true result was finally ascertained, and those who were determined to secure their rights even at a sacrifice were finally awarded their offices. At the November election in 1870 as many as 1,706 votes were cast for some of the positions, but generally the aggregate vote on any one office was a few short of 1,700. The Republican State ticket generally re- ceived about 1,025 to 1,050 votes, and the Democratic candidates about 252 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. 640 to 660 votes ; while ou the county ticket the vote for the respective candidates of the two parties was more nearly equal. In 1871 there were 1,794 votes cast for Sheriff; of these G. W. Frank- lin, the Democratic candidate, received 959, and L. S. Crum, the Re- puhlican candidate, 835. I. W. Patrick, the Republican candidate for Register of Deeds, was elected by a majority of 150. In 1872 the Grant Electors received 1,779 votes, and the Greeley Electors 1,014, making a total vote on the National ticket of 2,793. The candidates on the two tickets for State offices received substantially the same proportion of votes. In 1873 S. L. Coulter, the Republican candidate for Probate Judge, re- ceived 1,765 votes, while Davis Yulgamore, the Democratic candidate, received but 487. C. F. Smith, the Republican candidate for Treasurer, had no opposition, and received 2,346. In 1874 the total vote was 2,076. For the office of Governor, Thomas A. Osborn received 1,108 votes, James C. Cusey 730, and W. K. Marshall 77. In 1875 the total vote was 2,450. S. B. Abbott, Republican candidate for Sheriff, received 1,252 votes, and Nixon Elliott, the Democratic candidate, 1,112. In 1876 the total vote was 3,529. The Hayes Electors received 2,092, the Tilden Electors 1,372, the Cooper Electors 8, and the Smith Electors 17. In 1877 but 2,683 votes were cast. For Chief Justice, A. H. Horton, the Republican candidate, received 1,562; Samuel A. Riggs, the Greenback candidate, 824; and W. R. Wagstaft", the Democratic candidate, 253 votes. In 1878 the vote was 3,385. J. P. St. John, the Republican can- didate for Governor, received 1,594; J. R. Goodin, the Democratic can- didate, 968 ; D. P. Mitchell, the Greenback candidate, 804. There were 3,102 votes cast in 1879. The Republican candidate for Treasurer re- ceived 1,591; the Democratic candidate, 886; the Greenback candidate, 574. In 1880 the total vote was 4,672. The Garfield Electors received 2,721; the Hancock Electors, 1,462; and the Weaver Electors, 420. In 1881 the vote was 3,163. The Republican candidate for Treasurer re- ceived 1,340; the Democratic candidate, 1,311; the Greenback candi- date, 474. In 1882 the vote was 4,020. For Governor, St. John received 1,941 votes, Glick 1,669, and Robinson 329. In 1883 there were 4,015 votes. The Republican candidate for Treasurer received 2,057, the Democratic candidate 1,571, the Greenback candidate 242. In 1884 the Blaine Electors received 3,475, the Cleveland Electors 2,094, the Butler Electors 316, and the St. John Electors 149. In 1885 the vote was 3,763. The Republican candidate for Treasurer received 2,378 votes, and the Democratic candidate 1,347. In 1886 the vote was 4,802. For Governor John A. Martin received 2,427 votes, Thomas Moonlight 2,195, and C. H. Branscomb 125. In 1887 there were 4,799 votes cast. For Treasurer POLITICAL. 253 the Republican candidate received 1,903, the Union Labor candidate 2,448, and the Democratic candidate 417. This was the first election in the county In which the Republican party received a general defeat. Not infrequently one or more of the opposition ticket had been elected, but at this election, with one exception, the entire Union Labor ticket was elected. In 1888 the vote was 0,072. The Harrison Electors re- ceived 2,870 votes, the Cleveland Electors 976, the Streeter Electors 2,125, and the Fisk Electors 85. In 1889 the vote was 4,733. The Re- publican candidate for Treasurer received 2,120 votes, the Union Labor candidate 2,086, the Democratic candidate 507. In 1890 the vote was 5,555. For Governor, Humphrey received 2,165 votes, Willits 2,434, Robinson 914, Richardson 21. In 1891 the vote was 5,125. For Treas- urer the Republican candidate received 2,333 votes, the People's party candidate 2,449, the Democratic candidate 275, the Prohibition candidate 40. In 1892 the total vote was 6,174. The Weaver Electors received 3,116 votes, the Harrison Electors 2,950, and the Bidwell Electors 93. The result of the votes which I have given above in the several years fairly represents the average strength of each of the parties. Especially in county matters the votes on different offices have varied quite largely, local and personal considerations entering into the result very much more than in State and National matters. COMMISSIONER DISTRICTS. On June 5, 1867, an order was made dividing the county into three dis- tricts as follows: District No. 1, townships 31 and 32, in range 21; Dis- trict No. 2, townships 33 and 34, in range 21; District No. 3, the remainder of the county. On July 7, 1870, a new division was made, and the several districts were constituted as follows : District No. 1, all of range 21 ; District No. 2, townships 33, 34, and 35, in all of the ranges west of range 21 ; District No. 3, townships 31 and 32, in all the ranges west of range 21. This division has remained ever since it was thus made. It is evident that between these two divisions another one was made which does not appear of record; for at the November (1869) election the person elected from the first district resided in the second, and the person elected from the second district resided in the first, as the districts were constituted in 1807. LEGISLATIVE APPORTIONMENT. Labette county, without any bill making it such, was recognized as the Eighty-fifth Representative district from 1867, when our first member was admitted, to 1871, when the next apportionment was made, at which 254 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. time it was divided into two districts, the northern half constituting the Forty-third and the southern part the Forty-fourth. In this apportion- ment Elm Grove township was entirely left out of any district, and it was not until 1873 that it was made a part of the Forty-fourth district. We were a part of the Sixteenth Senatorial district up to 1871, when we were made the Fifteenth district. In the apportionment of 1876 we were continued as the Fifteenth Senatorial district, and divided into three Representative districts, the northern portion being the Forty-fourth, the central portion the Forty- fifth, and the southern portion the Forty-sixth district. In 1881 we were made to constitute the Ninth Senatorial district, and, commencing as before, on the north, the Thirty-third, Thirty-fourth and Thirty-fifth Representative districts. In the 1886 apportionment we were constituted the Tenth Senatorial district, and the Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth Representa- tive districts, numbering from the north. In 1891 the act of apportionment made us the Eleventh Senatorial dis- trict, and gave us but two instead of three Representatives, as we had theretofore had. The townships of Mound Valley, Osage, Walton, La- bette, Liberty, North, Neosho, and the city of Parsons, were made to constitute the Twenty-sixth Representative district, and the remainder of the county the Twenty-seventh district. LIST OF OFFICERS. Judge of District Court. — 1867, William Spriggs; 1868-69, John R. Goodin; 1870, William C. Webb; 1870-73, Henry G. Webb; 1873-83, Bishop W. Perkins; 1883-89, George Chandler; 1889, John N. Ritter; 1890-, Jerry D. McCue. State Senator.— 1867-68, J. W. Scott; 1869-70, John C. Carpenter; 1871-73, Henry C. Whitney; 1873-76, J. H. Crichton; 1877-80, Angell Matthewson; 1881-84, W. B. Glasse; 1885-93, Charles H. Kimball. Representatives. — Eighty-fifth District: 1867, Charles H. Bent; 1868, W. C. Watkius; 1869, Dr. D. D. McGrath; (on account of sickness. Dr. McGrath did not take his seat in the Legislature;) 1870, Walter P. Bishop; 1871, Dr. J. M. U^hr.— Forty-third District : 1873, J. J. Woods; 1873, W. W. Harper; 1874, J. L. Williams; 1875, J. J. Woods; 1876, M. W. ^Qyno\(\s.— Forty-fourth District: 1873, D. C. Constant; 1873, W. H. Mapes; 1874, W. H. Mapes; 1875, R. W. Wright; 1876, H. G. Wehh.— Forty-fourth District : * 1877-78, G. W. Gabriel; 1879-80, J. H. Martin; 1881-83, J. B.SwM-t.— Forty-fifth District : 1877-78, F. A. Bet- tis; 1879-80, H. C. Blanchard; 1881-83, J. S. Waters.— Forty-sixth Dis- trict: 1877-78, J. H. Hibbets; 1879-80, T. J. Calvin; 1881-83, T. J. Cal- vin.— Thirty-third District: 1883-84, G. W. Gabriel; 1885-86, David * T bis was the new Forty-fourth district, established by the apportionment of 1876. POLITICAL. 255 KQ\&o,— Thirty-fourt7i District : 1883-84, J. S. Waters; 1885-86, H. C. Goo^. — Thirty-fifth District : 1883-84, J. H. Crichtou; 1885-86, J. B. Coo^.— Twenty-eighth District: 1887-88, F. R. Morton; 1889-90, W. W. Cranston; 1891-92, J. I. T^nwew— Twenty-ninth District: 1887-88, J. H. Morrison; 1889-90, H. S. Coley; 1891-93, P. A. Uovv\soti.— Thirtieth District: 1887-88, R. S. Lybarger; 1889-90, J. S. Hileman; 1891-92, Alex. Duncan. Peobatp: Judge.— The party who was elected April 22, 1867, failed to quality in time. June 5, 18G7, Bergen Van Ness was appointed, and reappointed July 3d; 1868, D. C. Lowe; Jan. to Sept. 1869, Henry M. Minor; Sept. to Nov. 1869, Merrit Read; Nov. 1869 to July 1870, W. H. Whitlock: July to Dec. 1870, Walter P. Bishop; Dec. 1870 to March 1873, B. W. Perkins; March 1873 to July 1880, S. L. Coulter; July 1880 to Jan. 1885, Nelson Case; 1885-86, S. L. Coulter; 1887-90, T. J. Calvin; 1891 -92, E. A. Richcreek. CouxTY Attoknp:y.— 1867, W. J. Parkinson; 1868, C. H. Bent W P. Bishop; 1869, W. P. Bishop, B. W. Perkins; (J. D. McCue and J. H. Gunn special County Attorneys;) 1870-72, J. S. Waters; 1873-74, E. C. Ward; 1875-76, Willard Davis; 1877-80, J. S. Waters; 1881-82, Lewis C. True; 1883-84, George S. King; 1885-86, J. D. Condermau; 1887-88, T. C. Cory; 1888, A. A. Osgood; 1889-90, John H. Morrison; 1891-92, Joseph R. Hill; May 20 to Nov. 12, 1892, Frank H. Atchinson; Nov. l'> 1892-, M. E. Williams. SuPEEixTEXDEXT OF PuBLic Instructiox.— 1867, Johu F. Newlon; 1868, Euos Reed; 1869-70, R. J. Elliott; 1871-72, J. W. Horner; 1873-78, Mary A. Higby; 1879-80, J. Covalt; 1881-82, M. Chidester; 1883-86, Mrs. Anna C. Baker; 1887-S8, Mrs. Anna Hickenbottom; 1889-90, Miss Agnes Beaty; 1891-, Mrs. Lucy Best. Register of Deeds.— 1867, Elza Craft; 1868-69, Charles Beggs; 1870-71, James W. Peace; 1872-81, I. W. Patrick; 1882-83, J. M. Cun- ningham; 1884-87, Asa Smith; 1888-89, J. K. Russell; 1890-91, J. A Flora; 1892- Andrew W. Mackie. Sheriff.— 1867, Benjamin A. Rice; 1868 to April 5, 1869, John N. Watson; 1869, Frank D. Howe; 1870, John T. Weaver; Oct. 1870-71, Joseph C. Wilson; 1872-75, G. W. Franklin; 1876-77, S. B. Abbott; 1878-79, J. H. Macon; 1880-83, D. M. Bender; 1884-85, Jonas T. Lamp- son; 1886-87, C. B. Woodford; 1888-89, Jonas T. Lampson; 1890-93, Wm. Cook. County Surveyor.— 1867, Z. Harris; 1868 to April 5, 1869, S. R. Southwick; April 5, 1869, to 1871, E. G. Davidson; 1872-73, Wade H Prichard; 1874-75, Samuel Terrill; 1876-77, Wade H. Prichard; 1878-79, George Thornton; 1880-81, J. M. Wells; resigned in Sept. 1881, and B. R. Cunningham was appointed; 1881-85, B. R. Cunningham; 1886-87, W. W. Dentler; 1888-89, C. C. Robbins; 1890-91, J. W. Bogffess' 1892-93, A. B. Bushuell. CouxTY Assessor.— April 22, 1867, Francis Wall elected, but failed to qualify; A. W. Jones appointed; 1868, J. R. Morrison. Clerk District Court.— 1867-68, R. S. Cornish; 1869-70, Robert Steel; 1871-72, D. S. Morrison; 1873-74, R. J. Elliott; 1875-84, H. C. 256 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. Cook; 1885-88, E. B. Baldwin; 1889-90, Colin Hodge; 1891-92, J. A. Jones. County Treasuker. — April to Sept. 18G7, C. C. Clover; Sept. 3, 1867, James C. Watson appointed but failed to qualify; Oct. 1867 to July 1868, R. M. Bennett; 18(>8-69, Henry C. Bridgmau; Jan. to Oct. 1870, Wm. Logan; 1870-72, Henry C. Bridgman; 1872-76, Charles F. Smith; 1876-80, George M. Caldwell; 1880-82, George Thornton; 1882-84, Geo. M. Caldwell; 1884-88, C. W. Littleton; 1888-90, W. H. Porter; 1890-92, William Slaughter; 1892-, M. V. Davis. County Clerk. — March to July 1867, Austin T. Dickerman; July to Dec. 1867, D. W. Clover; Jan. to Nov. 1868, Charles E. Simons; Nov. 20th 1868 to Jan. 6th 1869, Charles C. Beggs; Jan. 6th to Nov. 1869, John D. Coulter: Nov. 1869-79, L. C. Howard; 1880-81, W. H. Keirsey; 1882-85, Frank W. Felt; 1886-87, W. W. Cook; 1888-89, W. J. Millikin; 1890-91, Geo. W. Tilton; 1892-, D. H. Martin. Auditor.— W. A. Starr, July 14, 1882, to his death, Dec. 14, 1883; W. B. Glasse, March 4th 1884-88; George S. King, Jan. 3 to Nov. 27, 1891. Health Officer.— June 1st 1885 to April 13th 1891, Elmer E. Lig- gett; April 13th 1891-, L. T. Strother. Coroner.— 1867-69, George W. Kingsbury; 1870-71, J. H. Logan; 1872, J. F. Newlon; 1873, William Pinkertou; 1874-77, D. B. Crouse; 1878-79, W. R. Moore; 1880-81, W. W. Inglish; 1881-82, Lewis Peter- son, who resigned in 1882, and P. Davis was appointed; 1883-87, E. W. Dorsey; 1888-89, A. A. Clarady; 1890-91, T. J. Finley; 1892-, J. H. Miller. County Commissioners. — March 10, 1867, Governor Crawford ap- pointed Samuel W. Collins, Charles H. Talbott and Bergen Van Ness commissioners to organize the county. April 22, 1867, William Shay, David C. Lowe and Nathan Ames were elected; Mr. Shay failing to qualify, John G. Rice was appointed in his place. 1868, 1st, William Logan; 2d, Isaac Butterworth; 3d, James F. Molesworth. 1869, 1st, William Logan; 2d, Elisha Hammer; 3d, James F. Molesworth. Subsequent to 1869 the commissioners were as follows: First District: 1870, William Steel; 1871, Gilbert Martin; 1872-77, D. J. Doolen; 1878, H. S. Coley; 1879-81, D. J. Doolen; 1882-84, W. G. Hoover; 1885-90, D. A.Jones; 1891-, GWhQYt A.. Qoo^^v.— Second District : 1870-71, J. W. Morey; Nov. 1871, Abner De Con was elected, but died before taking his seat; Feb. 10th 1872-73, George Poland; 1874-75, H. M. Debolt; 1876-77, C. Leib; 1878-79, H. M. Debolt; 1880-82, A. N. Russell; 1883-84, M. Breidenthal; April 5th 1884, Mr. Breideuthal died, and E. B. Baldwin was appointed in his place, and served from April 18th to Dec. 3d, 1884; Dec. 3d 1884-88, Lewis Goodwin; lS'i9-,U\\om\d\:Qt\\.— Third District : November 3, 1869, J. P. Hutton declared elected, but died before quali- fying; July 7, 1870, W. H. Carpenter was appointed; November, 1870, J. M. Richland w\as elected, but Carpenter claimed there was no vacancy, and Richland never took his seat; W. H. Carpenter continued to serve until the following November election; Nov. 1871-73, William Dick; 1874-77, W. A. Starr; 1878-80, P. W. Shick; 1881-83, J. J. Henderson: 1884-89, J. E. Brooks; 1890-92, J. W. Scott. List and Terms of Chairmen of Board of County Commissioners. — 1867, David C. Lowe; 1868, AVilliam Logan; 1869, James F. Molesworth; POLITICAL. 257 1870, William Steel; Nov. 14, 1870, to Jan. 12, 1S71, J. W. Morey; 1871, W. H. Carpenter; Nov. 1871 to Jan. 1872, J. W. Morey; 1872-73, William Dick; 1874-77, D. J. Doolen; 1878. H. S. Coley; 1879-81, D. J. Doolen; 1882-83, J. J. Henderson; 1884, W. G. Hoover; 1885-86, J. E. Brooks; 1887, D. A. Jones; 1888-89, J. E. Brooks; 1890, D. A. Jones; 1891-92, Milo Hildreth. COUNTY DEPOSITORY. October 10, 1882, to July 11, 1891, bank of C. M. Condon: July 11, 1891, First National Bank of Oswego up to fifty thousand dollars, and Oswego State Bank for amounts beyond what the National Bank is to have. LIST OF OFFICIAL PAPERS. 1868, January 14th, proceedings ordered published in Humboldt Union; subsequently the Neosho Valley Eagle was established at Jacksonville and did a part of the county printing; later the Oswego Register was es- tablished and did most of the county printing; 1869, Register; 1870, Reg- ister; 1871, Advance and Register; 1872, Advance; 1873, Advance; 1874, Independent; 1875, Register, during year transferred to Independent; 1876, Herald; 1877, Independent; 1878, Independent; 1879, Independ- ent; 1880, Democrat; 1881, Independent; 1882, Independent; 1883, In- dependent; 1884, Republican; 1885, Independent; 1886, Independent and Democrat; 1887, Bee and Sun; 1888, Bee and Sun; 1889, Independ- ent and Sun; 1890, Independent and Sun; 1891, on January 9th the In- dependent was designated as the official paper; this order was revoked on February 9th, and an order made that Mills's Weekly World be the official paper, and on February 10th this order was revoked and another one made designating the Labette County Statesman as the official paper; 1892, Mills's Weekly World. THE STEUGGLE FOE TEMPEEANOE, The license system was uot put in operation in this county without a vigorous opposition on the part of the temperance people. So far as I can ascertain, the first attempt to obtain license to sell liquor in this county was in the summer or fall of 1867, when J. Q. Cowell, who was running a small drug store in Oswego, got a sufficiently signed petition to authorize the issuance of a license ; but before it was presented to the board, H. C. Bridgman, who was conducting a general store next to his, in some way got possession of the petition and destroyed it. This seems to have been the last attempt made by Cowell to get license, but proba- bly not the last attempt to sell liquor. The sales, however, if made, were without any authority of law. Some time after this transaction John R. Clover got a petition contain- ing sufficient signatures to authorize a license to be issued to him, but Mrs. Augusta Herbaugh managed to get possession of it, and it suffered a fate similar to Mr. Cowell's. THE FIRST LICENSED SALOON In the county was kept at the northwest corner of block 39, in Oswego, by Jones & Stewart, who on January 11, 1868, presented to the Board of County Commissioners a petition said to contain the names of a majority of the residents of Oswego township, asking that a license to sell liquor be granted to them. The board granted this petition, and directed the clerk to issue license for one year, upon the payment by said Jones & Stewart of the sum of $50. This firm soon sold out to H. E. Porter and A. J. DeCou, the latter of whom in a few weeks sold his interest to his partner, and thereafter Mr. Porter ran the business alone. This saloon had been running less than seven months when, on the night of Au- gust 6th, J. C. Wheeler and Charles Van Alstine, with several more persons, spent the evening there in drinking and carousing until after midnight. Van Alstine and Wheeler got into a dispute over the ques- tion of indebtedness of the latter to the former, and after leaving the saloon, under the influence of liquor, remained by the side of the build- ing disputing for some time, until all the other parties had gone away, and H. E. Porter, the bar-keeper, had closed the door. The next morn- ing Wheeler was found by the saloon unconscious, his head bruised by (258) THE STRUGGLE FOR TEMPERANCE. 259 blows from a club, from which he soon thereafter died. Van Alstine was arrested, and at the next term of court convicted of murder in the second degree and sentenced to the penitentiary for ten years. I am in- formed that his family was left to be provided for by the public, as was also the family of Wheeler. Subsequently the Commissioners paid the expense of sending Wheelers children back to their friends in Ohio. The cost to the county of convicting and sending Van Alstine to the penitentiary, and caring for the destitute families of the murderer and his victim, is said to have been over $2,000. Comparing this sum paid out of the public treasury, for a matter which may fairly be said to be traceable directly to the saloon as its cause, with the paltry sum of $50 paid into the county treasury for the saloon license, the transaction would not look like a very profitable one for the public to engage in. The next party authorized by the board to make drunkards according to law was William B. Gregory, who on May 16, 1868, presented to the board a petition signed by 182 citizens of Richland township, asking that he be granted a dramshop license for said township. Whereupon the board ordered that, upon the payment of $100 into the county treas- ury, license be granted him for one year from that date. The last action of the board preceding their granting Gregory license to keep a saloon was their appointment of him to the office of constable of said township. The practical workings of this licensed saloon do not seem to have been altogether satisfactory to the people of Chetopa. On February 9, 1869, a large temperance meeting was held at Spauldlng's Hall, at which stirring temperance speeches were made by a number of citizens, and also by Rev. C. R. Rice, who had remained over a day or two after his quarterly meeting. Strong resolutions were passed denouncing those who were disgracing the town with their drunkenness, and calling upon the officers to see that the law was enforced. Temperance meetings were frequently held subsequently to this, and a temperance organiza- tion was effected. About the same time attempts were made by other parties to obtain license, but with less success. On July 21, 1868, a petition dated July 6, 1868, was presented to the board, asking them "to grant Charles Sipes a license to keep a grocery and first-class billiard saloon " in Oswego ; whereupon, " the board hav- ing considered said petition, and being satisfied that said petition is not made by a majority of the residents in said township as the law requires, and that the masses of the citizens are opposed to the granting of dram- shop license in said township, as evidenced by the remonstrance pre- sented to this board, therefore said petition is not granted." On the same day the record shows that W. S. Newlon presented to the board the following petition : 260 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. '''•To the County Board of Labette County, Kansas: The imdersigned, residents of Oswego township, over the age of 31 years, respectfully ask yon not to grant license to establish a dramshop at Oswego at your next meeting." And then follows their action thereon : "And the board having duly considered the same, do and it is hereby ordered that the board will not bind nor circumscribe its powers, but will endeavor to act at all times and upon all subjects according to law and justice. Wherefore, said petition is not granted." There seems to have been no other saloon license granted until Janu- ary 7, 1869, when John R. Clover and H. H. Stanley were granted a license on a petition said to contain the names of a majority of the citi- zens of Oswego township. The record shows that Commissioner Moles- worth voted to fix the amount charged for the license at $500, but that Commissioners Logan and Butterw^orth agreed to charge but ftlOO there- for. A year thereafter these parties had their license renewed by the Commissioners, at the same price. After 1870, Oswego and Chetopa being organized under city govern- ment, the manner of regulating the sale of liquor in these places passed from the Board of County Commissioners to that of the City Council. The jurisdiction of the Commissioners was confined to the rest of the county. The first record which I have found of a license being applied for outside of Richland and Oswego townships was that of Thomas Phillips to keep a saloon in Montana; this was at the meeting of the board in January, 1872. A remonstrance was also presented, and the license was refused. However, at their meeting in July of the same year the board granted a license to William T. Trapp, for a fee of $150. This was not the first saloon, however, that was kept in Montana. Several parties at different times were engaged in the saloon business who con- ducted it in defiance of law^ At the January, 1874, meeting of the board, two saloons were authorized to be licensed in Montana, at a fee of $100 each — one to be kept by Ed- ward Wilcox, and the other by William T. Trapp and Andrew Dixon. On February 2, 1875, J. S. Waters presented the petition of himself and 168 others, asking that license be granted to Andrew Dixon, and on the same day the petition was granted, the fee to be charged therefor to be .S300 ; but soon thereafter Mr. Waters appeared before the Commis- sioners and recommended that the fee be but $100. On consideration, the board finally fixed the fee at $200. In 1876 Dixon's license was again renewed, the fee charged this time being but $100. It was not long after its renewal until Mrs. Waters appeared before the board and showed that some of the names on the petition for license were not legal petitioners, THE STRUGGLE FOR TEMPERANCE. 261 aud she succeeded in getting the board to make an order revoking the license. At the next meeting, however, Mr. Dixon appeared with his attorney before the board, and by making them believe that they had no authority to revoke a license once granted, induced them to rescind their former action aud leave his license in force. It was not long after the town of Labette was started until saloons were opened aud run without the sanction of law, aud yet without re- ceiving any great amouut of molestation from the law officers. During 1872 and 1873 there was little organized effort at any place in the county to prevent the obtaining of license, or for the purpose of see- ing that the law against illegal sales was practically enforced. Some temperance meetings were held, and some protests were made by the temperance people, but nothing very effective was done. THE CRUSADE SPIRIT. The spring and summer of 1874 was one of the most exciting times upon the temperance question that had ever been known in the county. The spirit of the "crusaders," which in many places in the East had led the women to make raids on the saloons and pour liquor into the gutter, manifested itself in this county in a milder but scarcely less determined form. No saloons were raided, but in Oswego the women held prayer meetings in the churches, and visited the saloons and requested the pro- prietors to give up their business. Of course these requests were not complied with. But the ladies' organization was kept up, the entire city was thoroughly canvassed, immense petitions were secured praying the Council to issue uo license at all, and demanding that the law requiring a petition of a majority of the residents of the ward to be presented be- fore a license should be issued, should be enforced. At that time the law of the State required a petition of a majority of the residents of the township or ward, male and female, to be presented requesting such ac- tion before any dramshop license could be granted, but provided that the mayor and council of cities of the first and second class might, by ordi- nance, dispense with such petition. At the request of the ladies the Mayor called a special meeting of the Council, which was held on May 4, 1874, at which time a large delegation of ladies appeared before the Council and presented their petitions, and had several arguments made in favor of carrying out the spirit expressed therein. Prior to this no ordinance had been passed dispensing with the necessity of a petition, but the Council had entirely disregarded the law requiring a petition, and had uniformly granted license on the simple petition of the applicant himself. It being now apparent that such action would not be tolerated, at the close of the argument in favor of granting the ladies' petition a 262 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. motion was made instructing the committee to prepare and present an ordinance to dispense with the necessity for a petition by a majority of the residents of the ward, as they were authorized to do by statute. The vote on the passage of this motion resulted in a tie of the Council, and the Mayor gave the casting vote in opposition thereto, thus establishing the rule that licensed saloons could not exist in any ward until a majority of the adult residents thereof, male and female, should petition therefor. For this action the Mayor received a vote of thanks from the ladies' as- sociation. Less than a week later another meeting of the Council was called, at which an ordinance dispensing with the necessity for a petition contain- ing the names of a majority of the residents of the ward before a license could be granted was introduced, and on motion to adopt the same the vote of the Council, as at the previous meeting, stood a tie, and the Mayor gave the casting vote in favor of its passage, and thereby inau- gurated the policy in the form of law, which since the incorporation of the city had been practiced in defiance of law, of allowing the Mayor and Council to grant license without an express wish of the people there- for. This action on the part of the Mayor and Council created great excitement. A public meeting was immediately called, and strong reso- lutions of disapprobation of this action were unanimously passed. Tem- perance meetings continued to be held and public sentiment aroused. At the time Oswego was having this earnest action, rousing temper- ance meetings were held w^eekly at Parsons, and were addressed by lead- ing and influential citizens, as well as by the clergy. A little later, similar steps were taken at Chetopa. Public meetings were held and speeches made disapproving the licensing of saloons, and petitions were circulated and largely signed asking the Council to grant no license until petitioned for by a majority of the residents of the ward as required by law. These petitions, however, were unavailing, and at the close of the month a large number of saloons were licensed over the earnest protest of the temperance people. The temperance people were now intent on preventing the issuance of license in the cities unless the same were petitioned for by a majority of the residents of the ward ; and at the county temperance convention held on October 6, 1874, on motion of Nelson Case it was unanimously — '■''Resolved, That we are in favor of the immediate repeal of th^iyroviso of section 1 of the dramshop act, and request our entire delegation in the Legislature to use their utmost exertions to secure such result." Early in 1874 a party decided it would be a profitable thing to open a saloon in Mound Valley, and set about obtaining a petition asking the Commissioners to grant him a license for that purpose. As soon as this THE STRUGGLE EOR TEMPERANCE. 263 was kDown a public meeting was called and held at the school-house, on February 2d, and rousing temperance speeches were made, and a deter- mination expressed that no saloon should be opened in that place. A remonstrance was circulated, and a large majority of the people signed the same. During the winter of 1873 and 1874 the temperance sentiment in Chetopa was sustained by the maintenance of the weekly temperance literary society, in which a temperance paper was read, temperance de- bates were had, and all phases of the question were discussed. Nearly all of the temperance workers in the place took part in this society. REFORM CLUB. On July 8, 1877, quite a number of the men of Oswego who were in the habit of indulging somewhat freely in intoxicating liquors organized themselves into a reform club, with William Wells as president and L. C. Howard as secretary. The purpose of the club was to assist its mem- bers either in abstaining altogether from the use of liquor, or to abstain therefrom excepting under certain conditions. BREWERIES. As early as 1870, Max Muehlschuster started a brewery on the Neosho river at Chetopa, and soon opened in connection therewith a beer garden on the east side of the river. These were conducted by him until his death. In July, 1871. In 1870 a building for a brewery was erected in the north edge of Os- wego by John Seiber and Edward Eckle, but on account of financial em- barrassment on the part of the proprietors it was never put in operation. Early in 1873 John Apperger commenced the construction of a brewery just on the brow of the hill in the east part of Oswego, south of the sec- tion-line road running to Columbus, which was dedicated by a free-beer frolic on Sunday, April 31, 1873. Apperger ran the brewery for some four years, but finally, in November, 1877, it was closed by the Collector of Internal Revenue for Illicit transactions, and soon thereafter Apperger moved away. MURPfir MEETINGS. Murphy meetings in the county commenced in Oswego, where, about the 1st of October, 1877, a series of meetings was begun in the Methodist church, under the general direction of the pastor, which were kept up nightly for quite a length of time, and at which nearly all of the citizens who at any time spoke in public, as well as persons from abroad, made speeches. Miss Amanda Way was present on one or two occasions. The meetings resulted in securing the signatures of over five hundred of the citizens to the Murphy pledge. At its close steps w^ere taken for opening a library and reading-room. 264 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. SooD after the opening of the meetings in Oswego a series of meetings was held at Chetopa, conducted by Mrs. S. A. Williams, which resulted in securing something like six hundred signatures to the Murphy pledge. About the same time similar meetings were conducted at Parsons by Miss Amanda Way, at which about eight hundred parties took the Murphy pledge. Steps were taken at the close of these meetings look- ing to the opening of a free reading-room. During that winter Murphy meetings were held in a large number of the school-houses throughout the county, especially in the southern part. T. J. Calvin took a leading part in getting them started, and provided for their being frequently conducted. From these temperance meetings organizations were secured in the Baylor school-house, with W. G. Bay- lor as president, and in the Lockard school-house, with A. B. Hammer as president. At Montana during the same period. Murphy meetings were scarcely less successful than at either of the other points in the county. The whole neighborhood was thoroughly aroused, and a very large pro- portion of the people took the pledge. DISPENSING WITH PETITION. On May 28, 1877, the City Council of Parsons by unanimous vote passed an ordinance requiring the presentation of a petition of a majority of the residents of a ward in order to obtain a license. The Mayor, however, vetoed this ordinance, and the Council declined to pass it over his veto. The strong argument against the passage of the ordinance seemed to be that thereby some of the nine saloons then running in the city would not be able to procure the necessary petition, and the city would thereby be deprived of the $200 fee charged therefor. A public meeting was had, at which a vote of thanks w^as tendered the three Couneilmen who voted for the passage of the ordinance notwithstanding the Mayor's veto. Following up the Murphy movement in Oswego, petitions were presented to the Council requesting the repeal of the ordinance dispensing with the necessity of petition, in compliance with which the Council did, on No- vember 2, 1877, repeal the ordinance on that subject, and thereby made it practically certain that licensed saloons must cease with the last of the year, for with the sentiment as it then existed, there was no probability of anyone obtaining a sufficient petition to entitle the Council to grant license, were they so disposed. On the 1st of January, 1878, Oswego for the first time since the granting of the first license ten years before, was without a licensed saloon ; nor did she have one running during the next three months. In February, 1878, C. B. Woodford presented a petition sufficiently signed to authorize the Council to issue a license, provided they THE STRUGGLE FOR TEMPERANCE. 265 had chosen to issue it, for the purpose of selling "spirituous, vinous, and malt liquors in this city for medical, culinary, sacramental and mechanical purposes." Signatures to this petition were obtained on the theory that it was not for the purpose of securing license to open a saloon, but only for the sale of liquor for the purposes therein named. However, the Council refused to grant the petition, and passed a preamble and a resolution that no license would be issued until after the people had had an opportunity to express themselves at the polls whether they desired license to be re- stored. At the city election the only question was whether or not a mayor and council should be elected in favor of granting license, and the people decided in favor of license by a majority of more than one hundred. Of course with such a verdict in favor of a change of policy from that which had been pursued for the three months past, the Council was not long in granting license to those who had been anxiously waiting for an opportu- nity to open saloons, and from this time on until the State prohibitory law went into effect Oswego was able to furnish those who wished to buy, all the liquor they needed, not only for "culinary and medicinal," but also for intoxicating purposes. On January 1, 1878, in compliance with request of a petition very largely signed by the citizens of Chetopa, the Mayor and Council of that city unanimously passed an ordinance repealing the ordinance then in force dispensing with petition, thereby making it incumbent on the ap- plicant for license to get a majority of the ward, male and female, to petition therefor before he could obtain license to sell liquor. It was supposed that this would be sufficient to do away with saloons in that town. However, just one week thereafter a petition of the residents of the first ward was presented to the Council, containing the requisite num- ber of signatures, and a saloon was duly licensed. From that time the temperance war was carried on in earnest. Public meetings were fre- quently held, and every step possible taken to consolidate the sentiment in favor of no-license. This was the direct issue at the city election in April, 1878, and by a small majority the temperance people succeeded in electing officers opposed to the issuance of any license. At the expira- tion of the licenses then in existence, on June 30th, legalized saloons ceased in Chetopa, and were not again introduced. In the spring of 1879 little interest was taken in the election, and the result was that one license Councilman was elected, which made the Councir stand a tie. Soon thereafter, petitions were circulated to secure signatures asking that license again be granted. A vacancy soon occurred in the City Council ; a special election resulted in the election of a temperance man, which again gave a clear majority of the Council opposed to license, and therel)y, as was supposed, determined the matter of saloons for another 266 HISTORY OF LABBITTE COUNTY. year. But later in the season further efforts were made by the liquor men to obtain license, and by direction of the Council the Mayor called a special election, to be held on September 23, 1879, of all persons of lawful age, both male and female, to determine by ballot whether or not the Council should grant dramshop license. The vote was taken, result- ing in 66 men and 113 women voting against license, and not one vote in favor thereof. Prior to the election in April, 1880, a vigorous effort was made to arouse the temperance sentiment both in the town and surround- ing country. Petitions were sent out to secure the signatures of farmers who preferred to trade in a temperance town, and of course a vast ma- jority of them signed it. The election, however, resulted in the choice of one Councilman opposed to license and one in favor, thereby making the Council a tie upon that question. TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATIONS. I. O. G. T. Os^vEGo. — The first lodge of this order established in the county was organized at Oswego on November 14, 1869. Several temperance work- ers, feeling the necessity for something being done to save young men from drunkenness, applied to the officers of the grand lodge for a char- ter. J. J. Browne was appointed deputy to institute the lodge ; Nelson Case was elected W. C. T., and A. B. Close W. S. After some years this lodge became somewhat disorganized. On May 10, 1876, a district Good Templars' meeting was held at the Congregational church in Oswego, at which steps were taken to reorganize a lodge at this place. A number of persons signified their willingness to go into such an organization, and a lodge was soon thereafter instituted, which, with more or less regularity, maintained its existence until June, 1882, when, prohibition having been adopted, its members deemed it unwise longer to continue its operation, and it was suspended. The money in the treasury, amounting to S30, was donated to the library association. Chetopa. — The second lodge formed in the county was organized at Chetopa, where, by the aid of the members from the Oswego lodge, one was instituted on January 24, 1870, with G. L. Courtney as W. C. T., and S. T. Beck W. S. With some interruptions a lodge was maintained at Chetopa as late as 1877. Lodges were had at one time at Montana, the Lockard school-house, the Breese school-house, and probably at other points in the county. None of these were of very long duration. MouxD Valley. — On October 10, 1877, under the leadership of Mrs. Williams, a grand lodge deputy, a lodge was instituted at Mound Valley, and was maintained for some eight years, when it became disorganized. Robert R. Coleman was its first W. C. T., and he and his family were THE STRUGGLE FOR TEMPERANCE. 267 active workers duriug the history of the lodge. November 2, 1885, a re- organizatiou was had, and the lodge from this time was maintained regu- larly till May 9, 1887, when it was again discontinued. Very much of the temperance sentiment of Mound Valley may be ascribed to the prin- ciples instilled into the minds of the young, and to the correct temper- ance education given in this lodge. Parsons.— On November 13, 1874, through the instrumentality of Rev. J. P. Hight, a lodge was organized with M. G. Brown as W. C. T., Mrs. M. M. Hill W. V. T., Jas. Grimes W. S., M. Johnson W. T. With slight interruptions the lodge maintained its organization until the adop- tion of the prohibitory amendment, after which time it was allowed to die. Mr. Grimes, who was the first secretary of this lodge, afterward became quite prominent in the order, being at one time secretary and afterward G. W. C. T. of the Grand Lodge of the State, and several times represented the State in the R. W. G. Lodge. c. T. u. In 1877 local organizations of the Christian Temperance Union were formed at two or three places in the county. On October 25th one was formed at Chetopa, with T. J. Calvin president and J. M. Cavaness sec- retary. Sometime that fall or winter one was formed at Oswego, and one also existed at Montana. On March 20, 1878, a county union was formed, with H. G. Webb president, Mary A. Higby secretary, Robert L. Curl treasurer, and J. S. Waters organizer. Local Organizations,— The illegal sale of liquor in Altamont, re- sulting in the repeated and continued intoxication of several men, became so unbearable that in July, 1884, there was organized the Ladies' Tem- perance Alliance, with Mrs. Lizzie Hughes as president. This organiza- tion did much good in creating a public sentiment in favor of putting a stop to the illegal sale of liquor, and inducing those who were drinking to refrain therefrom. In 1883 the ladies of Mound Valley maintained a local imion, which rendered efficient aid to the cause in the way of encouraging and aiding those who were engaged in securing the enforcement of the law. The Oswego Temperance Union was formed in January, 1880, and under its management the entire city was canvassed for signers to a pledge against the use of liquor and also against aiding in securing a license for a saloon. w c t u On November 16, 1883, a union was organized in Chetopa by Mrs. Drusilla Wilson. Mrs. Julia R. Knight was elected pra'^ident. Miss Agnes Baty recording secretary, Mrs. Nancy Anderson corresponding secretary, Mrs. Isabel Cavaness treasurer. About July 28, 1880, a union 268 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. was formed at Parsons, with Mrs. A. Nealy secretary. On March 5, 1885, Mrs. M. E. Griffith, State organizer, held a week's meeting at Mound Valley, and at its close organized a union. After continuing its operation for a few months this organization became disbanded, but on August 10, 1886, it was reorganized, with Mrs. E. A. West president, and- Mrs. H. Beggs secretary. This union still maintains a vigorous organi- zation. On March 2, 1885, a union was formed at Oswego, with Mrs. E. Elliott president and Mrs. Lydia A. Baldwin secretary. Among the other la- dies who were associated with them in this work were Mrs. Augusta Herbaugh, Mrs. Mary E. Case, Mrs. Sallie J. Stonecipher, Mrs. M. L. Newlon. county union. In March, 1886, delegates from the several unions in the county met and organized a county union, electing Mrs. Z. L. Janes, of Parsons, president, and Mrs. E. A. West, of Mound Valley, secretary. Mrs. West was reelected secretary in 1887 and 1888. In 1887 Mrs. E. W. Ross was elected president, and Miss M. E. Scott in 1888. Miss Scott has continued to fill the position of president from that time to this. Mrs. Hattie A. Coleman was first elected secretary in 1889, and has since then continued to hold the position. THE PROHIBITION CANVASS. Early in 1880 steps were taken by the temperance people of the county to thoroughly present the claims of the pending constitutional amend- ment, to prohibit the sale and manufacture of intoxicating liquors, to the intelligent and conscientious consideration of the electors of the county. In August, 1880, Mrs. Lang lectured at Chetopa, at the close of which a prohibition society was formed, which soon thereafter adopted a consti- tution, and elected C. H. McCreeiy president and F. D. Allen secretary. In Elm Grove township a healthy prohibition club was organized early in September, with the avowed intention of thoroughly canvassing the township. In the same month a series of meetings lasting over a week was held in Oswego, at which E. B. Reynolds of Indiana and Col. C. N. Golding were the principal speakers. During that fall nearly all of the prominent workers in the county were engaged more or less in canvass- ing for the amendment. The cause was aided very materially by promi- nent workers from abroad, among whom, in addition to those above named, may be mentioned Gov. St. John, Judge Layton, Frank J. Sibley, and George W. Bain. The result of the effort was, that at the election in November 2,082 votes were polled for the amendment and 2,123 against it. While the friends of temperance had hoped to have a ma- jority in favor of prohibition, they felt quite well satisfied that the result THE STRUGGLE FOR TEMPERANCE. 269 was so small a majority agaiust it. The constitutional amendment hav- ing been adopted in the State, and the law for its enforcement having gone into effect on May 1, 1881, it was not long until most of the saloons were closed. A few held out with the idea that the law would not be enforced, but the majority in that business preferred to transfer their operations to more favorable fields. FIRST ANNIVERSARY. On May 1, 1883, the temperance people of the county celebrated the first anniversary of prohibition by a public meeting held at Oswego. Gov. St. John was present, and made the principal address. The day was unfavorable, a heavy rain falling almost continually from 9 o'clock until after the proceedings had closed ; yet notwithstanding this an im- mense crowd assembled, coming from nearly all parts of the county. Even the enemies of prohibition had to concede that the celebration was a success, and its friends were strengthened in theii- determination to see the saloon permanently driven out. ORGANIZATIONS FOR ENFORCING THE LAW. It was not long after this, however, until the friends of prohibition in the county who were gifted with any measure of discernment were satis- fied that its enforcement meant a long and hard struggle. Those who had been accustomed to reap the enormous profits which are incident to the sale of liquor, and whose disposition was to furnish all means pos- sible for man's downfall, were not disposed to surrender the privilege they had for such a length of time enjoyed, so long as they could find any means by which they could successfully defy the law. The number of those engaged in the traffic being so much larger at Parsons than at any other point in the county, and they having more capital invested in the undertaking, made that the headquarters for the liquor-men of the county. E. R. Marvin, the proprietor of the Belmont House, was the leader of this law-defying class. As good attorneys as could be found in the county were employed in the defense of Marvin, and those arrested with him, for the violation of the law. A protracted legal contest ensued, in which for a time it seemed as though the defyers of the law were to be triumphant because of the inability to secure a jury who would render a verdict of conviction even when the most positive and convincing testi- mony was presented to them. Occasionally, however, a jury of honest men could be secured, and witnesses who knew something of the obliga- tions of an oath could be put upon the stand, in which case verdicts of guilt were found. To aid the officers in the enforcement of this law, various local organizations were formed from time to time as necessity 270 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. seemed to require, aud the wisdom of the temperance people judged ad- visable. The first of these which was at all prominent and effective was The Labette County Law Enforcement Society, which was organized in the court-house in Oswego January 37, 1883 ; Rev. John Elliott was elected president, W. L. Simons vice-president, A. A. Osgood secretary, and J. M. Bowman treasurer. This meeting was largely attended by delegates from all parts of the county. Prior to this, however, local or- ganizations had been formed in Oswego, Chetopa, and Parsons. In July, 1882, a prohibition association was formed at Oswego. The Law Enforcement Society continued in force for some two years, during which it raised quite large sums of money with which to employ counsel to as- sist the County Attorney and to meet the expenses necessary to a pro- tracted litigation. It was thought best to raise this money by private subscription, so that the public expenses attendant on the enforcement of the law would not make it obnoxious to those tax-payers who might not have any particular interest in seeing it made a success. On May 9, 1885, Hon. Albert Griffin lectured in Oswego, and at the close of the lecture a committee consisting of Nelson Case of Oswego, T. J. Calvin of Chetopa, and Rev. H. A. Tucker of Parsons, was ap- pointed to effect a county organization. Thereafter, on October 20, 1885, the Labette County Temperance Union was organized, at the office of Nelson Case, in Oswego, a public meeting having been called at said office for that purpose. Rev. H. A. Tucker was elected president, sev- eral parties in different parts of the county vice-presidents. Nelson Case secretary, and C. U. Dorman treasurer. This organization proved more effective than any that had hitherto been formed for the purpose of en- forcing the prohibitory law. Mr. Tucker devoted a large amount of time canvassing the county, forming local associations, creating public sentiment in favor of the law, and uniting the earnest temperance work- ers into a solid organization for active duty. The result was that every saloon in the county was closed; scarcely a "boot-legger" or "jointist" was foolhardy enough to risk his liberty for the amount of profit to be realized from the sales he could hope to make. Not a very large amount of money was raised or expended by this organization, but a very large amount of earnest work was done by a few who were determined to see that the law was enforced, and it was practically demonstrated that pro- hibition could be made to prohibit when the officers, backed by a healthy public sentiment, were determined that it should be. DRUGGISTS' REPORTS. It was thought by some that the druggists who had been licensed to sell liquor under the law during 1882 had sold a larger quantity than was THE STRUGGLE TOR TEMPERANCE. 271 really needed for "medicinal, scientific and mechanical purposes." With the opening of 1883 the Probate Judge, while yet there was no law re- quiring reports to be made by those licensed to sell liquor, prepared blanks which he distributed to all of the druggists to whom license had been granted, requesting them to make monthly reports, verified by their affidavit to be true and correct, showing under the following heads what they had done in the way of making sales, viz. : "No. of sale," "Date," "Name of physician making prescription," "Person for whom liquor was prescribed," "Person to whom the liquor was delivered," "Kind of liquor sold," "Amount of liquor sold." Most of the druggists complied with this request without objection, and made their reports. Some of the reports showed a very large amount of liquor sold, and whether or not it was sold illegally seemed to depend principally upon whether or not the druggist had a right to fill all prescriptions made by practicing physicians, or whether he was bound to know that a prescription for liquor every day or oftener was in fact a subterfuge in order to enable the party to procure liquor to use as a beverage and not as a medicine. It became evident that the great bulk of prescriptions were made by a few physicians, and that they were made regularly to parties who thus obtained liquor almost as frequently as was desired. Some druggists re- fused to make reports as requested : to all such the Probate Judge refused to renew their license when those that already had been given had ex- pired. This caused a little friction, but in the end the plan adopted very largely secured the end sought, viz., to license only the druggists who were found not to abuse the privilege of the permit and under cover of the druggists' license carry on a real saloon. Two years after the adop- tion of this policy by the Probate Judge the Legislature enacted a law substantially requiring what he had been doing without any law on the subject. It was found that very few responsible druggists cared to have the files of a public office contain the evidence of their carrying on a saloon business. In many ways the practice of requiring reports to be made, and thus giving publicity to all sales of liquor, was found to be conducive to the cause of temperance and to tend to lessen the amount of liquor sold and consumed. "ORIGINAL PACKAGE" HOUSES. In April, 1890, the Supreme Court of the United States, in a cause brought there by writ of error from the Supreme Court of Iowa, decided that a liquor-seller in one State might send his liquors into another, there to be sold in the original packages as they were shipped, notwithstanding the laws of the latter State absolutely prohibited the sale of liquor within its boundaries. This decision announced a rule entirely opposed to the 272 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. opiniou which was generally entertained by the legal profession respect- ing the clause of the Federal Constitution giving to Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce ; and by virtue of it a century's practice of police regulation was upset, and a new system instituted as contrary thereto as could have been effected by a legislative enactment. Seldom has anything transpired which has been hailed by the saloon-men with a greater degree of delight than was manifested by them on the announce- ment of this decision. They were not long in making their arrangements to open saloons under the designation of "original-package houses" in nearly every town where public sentiment would at all tolerate them. In many places the temperance people made such a bold resistance to their introduction that the proprietors deemed it unwise to force them upon the people. This state of things was not left to be continued for a great length of time under the sanction of law. On August 8, 1890, the Congressional enactment known as the Wilson bill was approved, whereby the old rule of allowing the States under their power of police regulation to prescribe such rules as they desired, governing or prohibiting the sale of intoxicat- ing liquors within their respective jurisdictions, was revived. Very soon thereafter the original-package saloon, like its predecessor of some other name, took its departure from our county. A party brought a lot of liquors to Oswego, and attempted to rent a room in which to open out an original-package saloon. He found trouble In securing a room. Finally some one, to see what effect it would have, got a sign painted and put it up over the door of a vacant room belong- ing to John Clover. The town was soon astir with excitement. Mrs. Clover came up town, and, learning of the sign being on their building, at once proceeded to have it torn down. The determined opposition to the opening of such a saloon deterred any farther attempt in that direc- tion. In both Parsons and Chetopa these original -package houses were opened, several in both places running until after the passage of the Wilson bill. As is often done by saloon-men, those opening these houses were not content to sell under the law as it had been interpreted by the court granting them the authority so to do, but, disregarding the legal restrictions which the law had thrown around the sale, they carried on an open saloon. Prosecutions were soon commenced against them, and probably had the Wilson bill not been passed most of these houses could have been closed and their proprietors confined in the county jail : but the passage of the law and the criminal prosecutions instituted by our officials effectively removed from our boundaries the last original-package house. POSTOFFICES AND POSTMASTERS. Altainont. — Name changed from Elston Feb. 1, 1875. Postmasters appointed as follows: Henry E. Hammon, Feb, 1, 1875; Jane Huston, Nov. 19, 1878; William M. Paramore, Sept. 18, 1884; Andrew J. Garst, Oct. 21, 1885; Martha E. Davis, July 32, 1889. Angola. — Name changed from Arnold Jan. 31, 1887. Postmasters ap- pointed: Isaac N. Watson, Jan. 31, 1887; Alfred Elliott, March 29, 1889. Arnold. — Established Aug. 1, 1881. Postmasters appointed: Allen S. Meek, Aug. 1, 1881; James M. Sage, Jan. 4, 1884. Name changed to Angola Jan. 31, 1887. Bartlett. — Established Sept. 15, 1886. Postmasters appointed: Jerome Callahan, Sept. 15, 1886; Ira W. Clark, April 11, 1889; Haly J. Reece, Oct. 10, 1889. Big Hill. — Established June 8, 1868. Postmasters appointed: Joseph McCormick, June 8, 1868; David Stanfield, March 24, 1871. Discontin- ued Sept. 18, 1871. Barton. — Established Jan. 11, 1877. Postmasters appointed: John H. Tibbets, Jan. 11, 1877; William Paramore, March 28, 1884; George E. Nichols, July 28, 1884. Discontinued March 19, 1886. Cecil. — Established February 15, 1881. Postmasters appointed : John Lyons, Feb. 15, 1881; George Berge, May 8, 1882; Cornelius W. Fowler. Dec. 9, 1885; Mrs. Elizabeih Lewman, April 4, 1887; George Berge, May 15, 1889. Chetopa. — Established April 15, 1867. Postmasters appointed: Wil- loughby Doudna, April 15, 1867; Zachariah Woodward, May 8, 1868; Ephraim J. Stuart, Jan. 13, 1870; Jetferson J. Hibbetts, April 22, 1872; James M. Cavaness, Oct. 29, 1875; Josephus P. De Jarnett, May 18, 1885: Joseph Craft, July 18, 1889. Glymore. — Established Nov. 15, 1869, Postmaster appointed: John W. Lushbaugh, Nov. 15, 1869. Discontinued May 7, 1872. Cresicell. — Established March 25, 1870. Postmaster appointed: Ed- ward Spicer, March 25, 1870. Discontinued Sept. 11, 1871. Grouse. — Established April 23, 1880. Postmasters appointed: Daniel B. Grouse, April 2:^, 1880; M. Jennie Sacks, April 7, 1884; Jennie M. Hunter, May 1, 1884. Discontinued Oct. 23, 1885. Dennis. — Established June 8, 1881. Postmasters appointed: John S. Milligan, June 8, 1881; John N. Webb, Nov. 21, 1881; James L. Wilson, Sept. 1, 1885; Louis R. Powell, Dec. 16, 1887; John Raney, July 24, 1889. Dora. — Established Dec. 24, 1869. Postmasters appointed: William H. Godwin, Dec. 24, 1869; Francis W. Noblett, Nov. 24, 1877; John I. Martin, Nov. 26, 1884; Mrs. Ada James, Jan. 23, 1885. Discontinued Nov. 11, 1886. -18 (273) 274 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY Daytomille. — Established Aug. 12, 1870. Postmaster appointed: Elisha K. Current, Aug. 12, 1870. Discontinued July 7, 1871. Beertoion. — Established Sept. 5, 1881. Postmasters appointed: Aaron Humes, Sept. 5, 1881; Charles M. Keeler, Sept. 4, 1884. Name changed to Valeda Sept. 3, 1886. Edna. — Established April 4, 1878. Postmasters appointed: Alexander Pattison, April 4, 1878: Frank A. Clark, Jan. 30, 1880; John S. Odell, Nov. 20, 1886; Frank W. Martin, June 12, 1889. Elm City. — Established Sept. 24, 1886. Postmasters appointed: Zach- ariah H. Roberson, Sept. 24, 1886; Lewis F. Smith, Dec. 19, 1888; James H. Brown, Feb. 28, 1889; Thomas Greenup, May 21, 1891. Elston. — Established May 18, 1870. Postmasters appointed: John B. Laurence, May 18, 1870; David L. Adams, July 24, 1870; Martin V. B. Watson, Feb. 24, 1871. Discontinued June 11, 1873. Reestablished Aug. 19, 1873. Postmasters appointed: John Elston, Aug. 19, 1873; Susan A. Prather, Jan. 7, 1874; Henry A. Hammon, Oct. 21, 1874. Name changed to Altamont Feb. 1, 1875. Fishkill. — Established July 3, 1878. Postmaster appointed: William H. Fish, July 3, 1878. Discontinued July 2, 1879. Oorham. — Established June 11, 1875. Postmaster appointed: Park B. Clark, June 11, 1875. Discontinued Sept. 5, 1878. Grant. — Established May 8, 1876. Postmaster appointed: William J. Harshaw, May 8, 1876. Discontinued Dec. 13, 1876. Hackherry. — Established April 1, 1875. Postmaster appointed: Theo- dore A. Fellows, April 1, 1875. Discontinued July 13, 1876. Idenbro. — Established Oct. 18, 1887. Postmaster appointed: Thomas T. Iden, Oct. 18, 1887. luka. — Established Dec. 10, 1866. Postmasters appointed: John P. D. Mouriquaud, Dec. 10, 1866; Zachariah Harris, April 11, 1867; Jesse Fry, March 17, 1868. Discontinued Aug. 31, 1868. Reestablished Feb- ruary 15, 1869. Postmaster appointed: Aaron P. Grover, Feb. 15, 1869. Discontinued Dec. 14, 1S69. Kingsto7i. — Established Jan. 9, 1878. Postmaster appointed: Charles W. Campbell, Jan. 9, 1878. Discontinued Nov. 20. 1886. Labette City. — Established June 1868, 16. Postmasters appointed: Richard G. Tileston, June 16, 1868; George H. English, July 20, 1869. Discontinued April 8, 1870. Labette. — Name changed from Neola July 3, 1870. Postmasters ap- pointed: David C. Lowe, July 3, 1870; James W. H. Goulden, Oct. 3, 1870; Samuel W. Collins, March 16, 1875; Jonas T. Lampson, June 30, 1875; James W. H. Golden, Jan. 5, 1876; John S. McClain, Nov. 4, 1885; Alonzo C. Lamm, April 16, 1889. Laneville. — Established May 29, 1884. Postmasters appointed: Isaac W. Galyen, May 29, 1884; John W. Morning, April 16, 1886; Benjamin Franklin, Nov. 13, 1886; Samuel Ballentine, Nov. 1, 1887; Ira P. Mer- rill, April 9, 1888. Lake Creek. — Established Dec. 5, 1870. Postmaster appointed: Oscar C. Ketchum, Dec. 5, 1870. Discontinued March 29, 1872. POSTOFFICES AND POSTMASTERS. 275 Mattltewson. — Established August 15, 1878. Postmasters appointed William T. Carter, Aug. 15, 1878; William McDown, June 24, 1879 Gustavus V. Watsou, April 3, 1882; William McDown, April 21, 1882 Marshall E. Thonipson, Jan. 22, 1883; William McDown, Nov. 17, 1885. Minerva. — Established Dec. 8, 1874. Postmasters appointed: William H. Bower, Dec. 8,J874; Charles M. Keeler, July 23, 1877; Morris W. Monroe, Nov. 13, 1878; Daniel W. Butler, Nov. 10, 1879; Ptussell A. Curry, Jan. 24, 1882; Martha E. Butler, May 11, 1882; Mary E. Adams, July 6, 1883; Kussell A. Curry, July 20, 1883; Mary E. Adams, Nov. 15, 1883. Montana. — Established Oct. 4, 18()(). Postmasters appointed: Ben- jamin F. Simons, Oct. 4, 1866; Samuel S. Watson, Jan. 21, 1868; Charles E. Simons, May 21, 1872; Samuel Ballentine, Jan. 22, 1877; Jonathan J. Freeman, Sept. 2, 1885; Samuel Ballentine, July 15, 1889. Mortimer. — Established Jan. 12, 1883. Postmasters appointed: James T. Mortimer, Jan. 12, 1883; William J. Iliff, July 11, 1883; James G. Finley, Feb. 18, 1884; James B. Hibbard, Feb. 24, 1886; Geo. Lohman, July 9, 1886; Emanuel Mortimer, Nov. 1, 1886; William H. Makeany, April 20, 1889. Mound Valley. — Established May 18, 1870. Postmasters appointed: Alexander Honrath, May 18, 1870; Lewis F. Nicklace, Dec. 23, 1872; Francis M. Anderson, Nov. 7, 1873; Lilburn W. Slocum, Nov. 9, 1874; Milton Dunn, June 11, 1875; Pvobert Blackley, Nov. 29, 1875; Newton M. Miller, March 17, 1880; George Lutz, Aug. 1, 1884; Peter W. Shick, Aug. 26, 1885; James M. Richardson, Aug. 27, 1886; John Dudley, July 10, 1889. Mendota. — Established Sept. 25, 1869. Postmaster appointed: William K. Hayes, Sept. 25, 1869. Name changed to Parsons Dec. 9, 1870. Neola. — Established Oct. 12, 1868. Postmasters appointed: AYilliam J. Conner, Oct. 12, 1868; David C. Lowe, March 28, 1870. Name changed to Labette July 5, 1870. Oswego. — Established Oct. 4, 1866. Postmasters appointed: Nelson S. Carr, October 4, 1866; John Q. Cowell, May 7, 1868; John D. Coulter, March 29, 1869; Abel W. Pickering, Dec. 12, 1870; Hiram P. Newlon, April 13, 1871; Littleton S. Crum, April 13, 1876; John M. Landis, De- cember 2, 1886, not confirmed, but again appointed March 7, 1887; Frank D. Allen, Aug. 2, 1889. Parsons. — Name changed from Mendota Dec. 9, 1870. Postmasters appointed: Wm. K. Hayes, Dec. 9, 1870; Samuel O. Fletcher, March 22, 1878; Frank W. Frye, Aug. 7, 1885; Harry H. Lusk, April 23, 1889. Ripon. — Established January 12, 1870. Postmasters appointed: Carl- ton B. Pratt. Jan. 12, 1870; Mrs. Almira L. Pratt, April 3, 1872; Thomas H. Bruner, April 13, 1874; Thomas Greenup, Oct. 31, 1877. Discontin- ued Dec. 15, 1884. Reestablished May 6, 1886. Postmasters appointed: Thomas Greenup, May 6, 1886; John Triplett, Jan. 10, 1887. Discon- tinued Jan. 9, 1891. Stover. — Established Oct. 9, 1883. Postmaster appointed: Henry M. Debolt, Oct. 9, 1883. Name changed to Debolt July 16, 1884. Post- master appointed: Henry M. Debolt, July 16, 1884. Name changed to 276 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. Stover Jan. 28, 1886. Postmasters appointed: Clark M. Monroe, Jan. 28, 1886; Rnfus T. Monroe, April 17, 1888; Henry M. Debolt, April 16, 1889. Sylvan Dale. — Established March 29, 1876. Postmaster appointed : Geo. S. Anderson, March 29, 1876. Discontinued Jan. 21, 1878. SnoiD Hill. — Established Jan. 13, 1879. Postmasters appointed: Wm. Geyer, Jan. 13, 1879; William B. Roberts, July 12, 1880; James Cool, April 5, 188-1. Discontinued July 16, 1884. Timher iTzY?.— Established Dec. 22, 1869. Postmasters appointed: Francis Labadie, Dec. 22, 1869; Winfield S. Gotzenbaum, June 26, 1870; C. L. Boutillier, March 31, 1S71; William J. Boutillier, Dec. 13, 1876; John T. Weakley, May 8, 1879. Discontinued Nov. 17, 1879. Trenton. — Established Jan. 30, 1872. Postmasters appointed: John W. Hall, Jan. 30, 1872; James M. Arthur, Feb. 25, 1874. Discontinued May 10, 1875. Valeda. — Name changed from Deerton Sept. 3, 1886. Postmasters appointed: Charles M. Keeler, Sept. 3, 1886; William Blackford, Nov. 11, 1886; John G. Willey, March 26, 1889. Wilsonton. — Established Sept. 9, 1887. Postmasters appointed: John J. Melick, Sept. 9, 1887; Survilda A. Modlin, Sept. 18, 1888; Shelby W. Bonebraker, Dec. 5, 1888; Morris T. Baker, Aug. 10, 1889; Andrew R. Werning, Feb, 18, 1890; John M. Gordon, March 28, 1891. THE PRESS. For some time after the settlement of the eoimty commenced, the set- tlers had to depend on verbal and written communications for the trans- mission of local news. The first paper to be published in this part of the State was the Neosho Valley Eagle, the first issue of which is dated May 2, 1868 — just a month before the first publication appeared in La- bette county. While the Eagle was published at Jacksonville, in Neosho county, it was issued from an office only a few feet north of the county line, and was regarded by the settlers in this county almost as their own paper. B. K, Land was editor and publisher, and until the establish- ment of the Register his paper was considered the official paper of this county, and was very generally patronized by our citizens. PAPERS PUBLISHED AT OSAVEGO. THE OSWEGO REGISTER Was the first paper to be published in Labette county. The town com- pany arranged with E. R. Trask, of Emporia, to bring a press and estab- lish a paper at this point, and guaranteed him 300 paid subscribers, office rent for one year, and a building lot. The first issue of the paper ap- peared June 5, 1868. Trask continued to publish the paper until June 4, 1869, when he sold out to C. C. Clover and F. B. McGill, who thereafter published it until December 30, 1870, when McGill sold his interest to Clover, but continued as editor until June 1, 1871. About August 19, 1871, John Shorten took charge of the paper as editor and publisher, although there were associated with him in its ownership, and probably in its management, some who had been longer residents of the county. December 27, 1871, Shorten retired from the control of the Register, and B. W. Perkins took charge as editor. On May 21, 1872, E. R. Trask became joint owner with Perkins in the paper, and together they pub- lished it until May 1, 1873, when R. J. Alexander and J. C. Smith be- came the owners and publishers, and so continued until the 17th day of the month, when its issuance ceased, and no paper was issued until Oc- tober 3, 1873, when J. R. Wilson became editor, with L. S. Crum as pub- lisher. This arrangement continued until about the last of January, 1874, when W. P. Bishop succeeded Mr. Wilson as editor, and L. S. Crum con- tinued as business manager. The last issue under this management was on November 27, 1874. E. R. Trask succeeded Bishop, and for some (277) 278 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. time thereafter E. R. Trask aud H. P. Newlon had control of the paper. About the last of February, 1875, they arranged for its sale to F. B. Mc- Gill, and on March 12, 1875, appeared the last issue of the Register ; and from henceforth it became incorporated into the outfit of the Oswego Independent. The First Daily.— On May 13, 1869, Trask issued a little sheet which he styled the ''Oswego Daily Register,'''' aud which was marked "Vol. 1, No. 1." This was filled with matter relating to Oswego and Labette county, and was intended simply as an advertising medium. No. 2 of this "daily" never made its appearance. About September 10, 1871, Shorten started the Oswego Daily Register, which was the first daily paper published in this part of the State. He thought to make it a success by supplying the neighboring towns with a daily paper the same day of publication, and as soon as the issue was out a messenger started with a bundle of them to Chetopa and other points. This daily was short lived, only about forty issues appearing, and it finally closed No- vember 15. OSWEGO INDEPENDENT. W. J. Lea had been one of the publishers of the Independent at Co- lumbus for some time prior to its removal to Oswego. F. B. McGill, hav- ing no connection with any paper at that time, arranged for the purchase of a half-interest in the paper, the other half being retained by W. J. Lea, and they two moved it to Oswego, and on June 15, 1873, the Oswego Independent first made its appearance. Lea was one of the publishers up to November 23, 1872, when he sold his interest to F. B. McGill, who thereafter was editor and proprietor up to September 5, 1874, when J. W. Monfort became a joint owner and publisher, and continued as such up to June 10, 1875, when McGill again assumed exclusive ownership and control, and continued the editor and publisher until his death, on August 18, 1879. J. S. Waters, who had done some editorial work for Mr. McGill prior to his death, while he was unable to do the work him- self, succeeded Mr. McGill as editor, and continued as sole responsible editor to October 8, 1881, at which time the name of J. E. Bryan appears with that of J. S. Waters as editors. Mr. Bryan had, however, for some time before this done more or less editorial work. Waters and Bryan were joint editors up to April 29, 1883, when Mr. Waters retired, and Mr. Bryan became sole editor, aud continued to act as such up to Novem- ber 27, 1885. At that time Nelson Case became editor. Mr. Bryan's name continued to appear as one of the editors up to September 3, 1886, but he did very little work after Mr. Case took charge. Mr. Case con- tinued to edit the paper to March 1, 1889. Since that time Mrs. McGill and her son W. F. McGill have been the editors. Of course the local THE PRESS. 279 work has been doue by many different parties. W. F. Thrall was local editor for some time, and the McGill children have for many years done a large part of the local work. Mrs. Mary A. McGill has been the pub- lisher and business manager ever since the death of her husband. It will thus be seen that the Independent has been under the control of the McGill family from its start on June 15, 1872, up to the present. The Daily Independext. — On Wednesday, October 5, 1881, the first issue of the Oswego Daily Independent appeared, with J. S. Waters and J. E. Bryan as editors. Mr. Bryan had for some time been doing more or less editorial work on the Independent, but not until the commencement of the daily did he appear as associate editor. Mrs. McGill continued to publish the daily until January 25, 1883, when its publication ceased. It may fairly be stated that the daily was not started nor its publication continued with the idea on the part of the publishers or the editors that the best interest of all concerned required the publication of a daily in this place; but the Oswego Republican being at that time opposing a part of the Republican ticket, it was thought by some of the political managers that the oldest Republican paper in the place, and the one recognized as the most reliably Republican, should issue a daily to meet the opposition of the Daily Repuhlican. It was under these circum- stances that the Daily Independent was started and maintained as long as it was, and its publication discontinued only after its owner had made it evident that Oswego was not a large enough place to justify the pub- lication of a first-class daily paper. THE OSWEGO DEMOCRAT. In the spring of 1870 M. V. B. Bennett came to Oswego from Iowa, bringing with him material for a newspaper office, from which he soon issued the Oswego Democrat, which he continued to publish until No- vember 27, 1870, when he moved the establishment to Independence, from which place he continued to issue the paper. OSWEGO ENTERPRISE. On September 27, 1878, Volney Moon, of Webb City, issued the first number of the Oswego Enterprise, which he published weekly until No- vember 20 of the same year, when, claiming that he failed to get a suffi- cient support to justify its continuance, he sold the establishment to J. F. McDowell, who moved it to Baxter Springs. THE LABETTE COUNTY DEMOCRAT. This paper was founded October 16, 1879, by George S. King, D. S. Capell, and Frank W. Frye. Mr. King did the main part of the editorial work, Mr. Frye the local work, and Mr. Capell had charge of the job office. On May 3i), 1880, Mr. Capell sold his interest to his partners and 280 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. retired from the firm. Messrs, King and Frye continued together until February 11, 1881, when Mr. Frye sold his interest in the paper to Mr. King, who was its editor and publisher until December, 1882, when G. F. King became editor — his father, however, remaining publisher. This arrangement continued until July 1, 1883, when the paper was purchased by J. M. Landis and A. D. Carpenter, who continued in charge until March 13, 1884, when Mr. Carpenter sold his interest to Mr. Landis. On September 13, 1887, C. E. Hughey and H. A. Harley leased the office, and continued in its management until the first week of December, when Mr. Landis again assumed control, and has ever since been the editor and publisher. However, with the close of 1892 the paper, so vt is an- nounced, passes under the control of J. D. H. Reed. THE labettj: county statesman. On August 29, 1889, the first number of this paper was issued from its Oswego office as the successor of the Chetopa Statesman, which for four years preceding had been published at Chetopa. Nelson Abbott, with his wife a part of the time and his son a part of the time associated with him, was the editor and also the publisher of this paper from its first issue until its publication ceased at his death, which took place January 20, 1892. The last issue of the paper under Mr. Abbott's management appeared January 8, 1892, although one or two small sheets subsecpiently appeared during his sickness explaining the cause of the paper failing to issue. In March, 1892, R. B. Claiborne purchased the office from Mrs. Abbott and renewed the publication of the Statesman, the first number under his management being on March 10, 1892. When the Times sus- pended and passed under the control of the Democrat, Mr. Claiborne purchased the right to use its name, and on July 14, 1892, the name of the paper was changed to the Times- Statesman. THE AMERICAN CRANK Is published by W. W. Whetstone, at Oswego. The first number ap- peared November 18, 1892. Harry Mills is its editor. THE OSWEGO REPUBLICAN. About Aug. 1, 1881, a sandy-complexioned, medium-sized man, named H. H. Brooks, whose speech at once gave token of his English origin, made his appearance upon the streets of Oswego, hailing at that time from some point in Texas. It was not long after until the material for a printing establishment appeared at the depot, and on Monday, August 8, 1881, No. 1 of the Oswego Daily Mepublican was scattered among the reading public. On Thursday of that week appeared the Weekly Repub- lican, and from that time on both the daily and weekly llepuhlican made their regular appearance. Upon March 7, 1883, the daily ceased, but the THE PRESS. 281 weekly continued until the close of 1886, being at that time changed into the Bee. I. W. Patrick, who was a joint owner with Brooks from the start, did not appear as one of the editors or publishers until Sept. 30, 1881. Brooks and Patrick continued as joint owners until August 3, 1882, v/heu Brooks sold his interest to Patrick, aud retired. Patrick con- tinued to run the paper until April 23, 1885, when it was sold to C. A. Wilkin and Jess Brockway. In the fall of 1884 J. M. Hutton became associate editor, and in Patrick's absence as Indian agent did all the work on the paper. Wilkin and Brockway as editors, and F. G. Moore as publisher, ran the paper until August 27, 1885, when they sold to Abe Steinbarger, who, from September 1st to the close of 1886, had complete control as editor and publisher, when its publication ceased under the above title. -^u^ qswego bee. On January 1, 1887, the first number of the Bee appeared as the suc- cessor of the Republican, It was run by Abe Steinbarger as a weekly, on very much the same plan as he had theretofore run the Republican, up to October 6, 1888, when he sold to R. W. Wright and J. H. Macon, who conducted it until January 26, 1889, when it passed into the hands of a publishing company with Jess Brockway as editor, under which management it continued until May, 1889, when its publication ceased. The Daily Bee made its appearance March 7, 1887, and continued until September, 1888. THE OSAVEGO COUKANT Was published from the old office where the Bee had been gotten out, aud was considered a successor of that paper. Its first issue was dated May 25, 1889, and it continued to appear until February 27, 1891, when k,s subscription list and good-will were sold to the Independent. It was started by S. C. Steinbarger aud A. L. Utterback ; December 14, 1889, Mr. Utterback retired, and the paper was continued to its close by Mr. Steinbarger. r^^^ osavego times Was started by S. C. Steinbarger, June 13, 1891, and was conducted under the same management until July 9, 1892, when its subscription list and good- will were sold to the Labette County Democrat, and the Times was discontinued. Mr. Land is sold Mr. Claiborne the right to use the name of the suspended paper in connection with that of the Statesman. LABETTE COUNTY BULLETIN. In 1877 Parnell & Houck started this paper as an advertising medium. Its publication continued for several months. BEAL ESTATE EXPRESS. In July, 1885, C. R. Waters, a real-estate agent at Oswego, issued a sheet with this title, through which to let the people know what he was doing in the real-estate business. 282 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. THE DAILY INSTITUTE Was a sheet edited and published in Oswego by O. V. Hays and S. A. Kendall during the session of the institute in August, 1881. It was de- voted mainly to matters connected with the institute. THE LABETTE COUNTY SCHOOL .JOURNAL Is a monthly journal published at Oswego by J. M. Landis, with Mrs. Lucy Best as editor. The first number was issued in October, 1893. It is confined to educational interests. THE GOLDEN ROD Is an irregular publication, conducted by Dr. W. S. Newlon as an adver- tising medium, and also a vehicle through which he conveys to the public much of his general information. CHETOPA PAPERS. THE CHETOPA ADVANCE. Col. John W. Horner and A. S. Cory brought to Chetopa from Bald- win City, Douglas county, a printing-press and outfit, in December, 1868, and the first issue of the second paper in the county appeared under the above designation, January 6, 1869. J. W. Horner was editor, and Horner & Cory were publishers. From the first, J. M. Cavaness was foreman of the office. On the last day of May following Mr. Cory re- tired from the paper, leaving Colonel Horner as sole owner and editor, which he continued to be until the first of January, 1870, when he as- sociated with him S. A. Fitch in the management and editorship of the paper. At this time the name of the paper was changed to that of THE SOUTHERN KANSAS ADVANCE. The last of July, 1870, Mr. Fitch retired, leaving Mr. Horner again as sole owner. On July 1, 1872, James M. Cavaness became the owner of a half-interest in the paper, and its business manager. Mr. Horner sold his half-interest on February 37, 1873, to L. J. Van Landingham, and the paper was then conducted by Cavaness & Van Landingham. August 37, 1874, Nixon Elliott bought from Mr. Van Landingham his half- interest, and became the business manager, with Mr. Cavaness as editor. Mr. Cavaness, by the purchase of Mr. Elliott's interest, became the sole owner of the paper on February 35, 187.5. The name of the paper was on April 4, 1878, changed back to the CHETOPA ADVANCE. On February 4, 1886, A. F. Sloane and W. A. Shanklin leased the office from Mr. Cavaness, and became its editors and publishers. With the opening of 1887 Mr. Shanklin retired, and Mr. Sloane continued as sole editor and publisher until June 30 of the same year, when R. M. THE PRESS. 283 Roberts succeeded him in that position. On October 5, 1887, Mr. Rob- erts's engagements calling him elsewhere, A. G. Drake assumed the con- trol of the paper, in which position he continued for one year. On October 4, 1S88, Mr. Cavaness, having all the time retained the owner- ship, again took charge of the paper as its editor and publisher, and has continued in that relation ever since. CHETOPA HERALD. On March 4, 1876, this paper made its appearance under the editorial charge of J. H. Hibbits, the publication of which he continued until Sep- tember 1, 1877, when he announced its suspension on account of want of support. On December 15, 1877, Frank W. Frye, who had been em- ployed in the Herald office under its publication by Capt. Hibbits, resur- rected the paper in a much-diminished size, it being a five-column quarto, and being changed from a Republican to a Democratic sheet. It was continued under this management until February 16, 1878, when the office outfit was finally sold, and the paper ceased. THE KEYSTONE Was a temperance paper, edited and published by J. M. Cavaness and J. H. Hibbits. The first number appeared May 1, 1883. SOUTHERN KANSAS DEMOCRAT. The 1st of April, 1873, the first issue of this paper appeared, under the editorial management of F. D. Harkrider, in time to advocate the elec- tion of Geo. W. Fox for mayor. Its publication was continued until Sep- tember, 1873, when the outfit was advertised by the sheriff to be sold on execution. ^^^ chetopa times Made its appearance in June, 1884, with R. F. Brown as editor. On January 33, 1885, its publication was suspended, arrangements having been made with the Advance to fill out its unexpired subscription list. chetopa democrat. Under the management of J. J. Rambo as editor and publisher, this paper was started March 16, 1888, ever since which time it has been con- tinued under the same management. CHETOPA STATESMAN. No. 1, volume 1 of this sheet appeared August 6, 1885, with Nelson Abbott and Mrs. R. M. Abbott editors and proprietors. At the close of its fourth volume the material of the office was removed to Oswego, and the Labette County Statesman appeared as its successor. SETTLERS' GUIDE. J. B. Cook, doing a large land business at Chetopa, aud desiring to ad- vertise the same, started a paper with the above name, which he issued (piarterly from 187.3 to 1880 inclusive. 284 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. PARSONS PAPERS. THE ANTI-MONOPOLIST. On Jauiiary .5, 1871, the first issue of this paper appeared, purporting to be issued from Parsons, but being printed in fact at the Monitor office, in Fort Scott. Perry D. Martin was its editor and proprietor. After the issuance of a few numbers its publication was suspended, but it was again resurrected about the middle of the year, appearing at this time as issued at Osage Mission. But two issues, however, appeared from its new home; and a disagreement between Martin and his associates arising, Martin was forced to retire, and the paper was succeeded by the People's Advocate. rpjjj, parsons sun Shed its light through No. 1, volume 1, on June 17, 1871, M. W. Rey- nolds and Leslie J. Perry editors and proprietors. It was started as an eight-column, all home print. On August 12th of this year Mr. Perry sold his interest to Angell Matthewsou, who continued with Reynolds as publisher until February 13, 1873, when he sold to G. C. West, from which time Reynolds & West conducted the paper until November, 1872, at which time West retired as associate editor, and was succeeded by Harry L. Gosling. In May, 1874, Reynolds, having theretofore been appointed Receiver of the U. S. Land Office, retired from the manage- ment of the Siui, and G. C. West assumed full control, which he contin- ued until April, 1875, when the Sun again passed under the control of Reynolds. Gifford & Winter, who up to about this time had been pub- lishing the Parsons Surprise, soon thereafter consolidated it with the Su?i, the management of which was now under the control of Reynolds, Gifford & Winter, who continued its publication until November 11, 1876, when its publication as a weekly was discontinued, appearing occasion- ally thereafter, more as an advertising medium than anything else. On May 12, 1877, its publication was renewed by Reynolds, and by him con- tinued until December 14, 1878, when the entire outfit was sold to H. H. Lusk, who has continued its publication ever since. Daily Sun. — On the morning of September 5, 1880, the Daily Su?i made its appearance, and has continued regularly to appear since that time as the only morning daily paper published in the county, with the exception of once or twice when one of the other papers appeared as a morning issue for a short time. THE western enterprise Was conducted at Parsons by T. C. Cory and V. J. Knapp. It was started September, 1872, and published monthly thereafter until Janu- ary, 1873. It was a five-column, eight-page paper, nicely gotten up, carefully edited, with a large amount of reading matter intended to give THE PRESS. 285 a good idea of the great West to all persons seeking information in re- spect thereto. parsons weekly herald. On Thursday, May 22, 1873, this paper was started by O. Edwards, A. W. Gifford, and A. C. Covell, and its publication continued for some- thing less than one year, when it failed for want of support. PARSONS ECLIPSE. About the first of April, 1874, the Parsons ^YeeM^^ Herald was sold on chattel mortgage and bought by J. B. Lamb, with which outfit the Par- sons Eclipse was started by J. B. Lamb and J. B. Taylor as editors and proprietors. The first number appeared April 9, 1874. On March 29, 1877, at the end of the third vokmie, Taylor withdrew, from w'hich time its publication was regularly conducted by J. B. Lamb & Sous until the death of Dr. Lamb, December 36, 1890, since which time his sons have conducted it. The Daily Eclipse was started May 9, 1881, and is farther spoken of under the head of dailies. THE SURPRISE. About the middle of April, 1873, A. W. Gifford started the Surprise, which suspended after a few weeks' existence, and the force united with the Herald outfit. The latter having finished its career about the last of February, 1874, the Surprise was resurrected, being published by A. W. Gifford and W. L. Winter, and continued until January 36, 1875, when it surrendered to the inevitable. THE PARSONS SUNDAY LEADER Was started in October, 1883, by G. F. Kimball as editor and proprietor ; it continued but a short time. SOUTHEASTERN KANSAS ADVERTISER. In July, 1879, Copeland & Brewster, of Parsons, issued a real-estate sheet under the above title. THE JOURNAL. The Daily Journal having been discontinued in January, H. C. Sour- beer, on May 1, 1891, commenced the publication of the Journal as a weekly, which was continued by him until November 13, 1891, when it was merged into the Mills's Weekly World, and its publication under the title of the Journal ceased. THE PARSONS PALLADIUM. Frank W. Frye and Will W. Frye were the founders of this paper, the first issue of which appeared February 34, 1883. From August, 1883, to February, 1885, E. S. Stevens had charge of the job department of the paper. From February to October, 1886, George S. King had charge of the editorial department. Will W. Frye then did the editorial work for 286 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. some time. On June 1, 1889, Frank W. Frye purchased the interest of his brother in the establishment, since which time he has been sole editor and proprietor. the clakion Was started in the summer of 1888, by Sheward & Gregg. After a few months Mr. Gregg sold his interest, and L. S. Sheward became the sole editor and proprietor. In January following, A. H. Tyler became editor, in which position he continued until the close of the year, at which time Mr. Sheward again became its editor as well as publisher. Its publica- tion was continued, with few interruptions, until near the close of 1890, when it altogether ceased. settlers' advocate. About the first of August, 1872, Bancroft & Cory issued the first num- ber of the Settlers' Advocate, at Parsons, and continued the publication as a monthly until the spring of 1873, when they issued a weekly edition. THE NEOSHO VALLEY LAND GUIDE. In September, 1871, Walker & Thomas, real-estate agents at Parsons, started the publication of a real-estate paper under the above title, to advertise their land business, the publication of which continued for some two or three years. parsons advocate. Matthewson & Biggs issued this paper as a medium for advertising their real-estate and loan business, from December 1, 1884. KANSAS BANNER. This paper was started as au organ to enable religious and educational associations to meet the public. It was more especially under the direc- tion of the Y. M. C. A. Each organization was expected to prepare the material ready for publication that it desired to have appear ; thereby little editorial work was required. The first issue was dated July 15, 1886, and but six monthly numbers were issued. A WORD FOR YOU Was a publication of a religious character, started in 1891 by Rev. P. M. Griifin. After a few issues other parties became associated with him, and the name of the paper was changed to that of THE HOME VISITOR. Under this designation it lasted till the summer of 1892, when it ceased for want of support. MILLS'S WEEKLY WORLD Was removed from Altamont to Parsons in the middle of November, 1891, and on the 17th of that month the first issue of the paper from the Parsons office appeared ; it was conducted by H. C. Sourbeer and Harry Mills. At the end of about three mouths Mr. Mills's connection with it terminated, since w'hich time it has been conducted by Mr. Sourbeer. THE PRESS. 287 KANSAS PROGRESS. From June to August, 1883, H. C. Sourbeer published this paper almost exclusively as an advertising medium. The profits were supposed to be derived from advertisiug, though a little revenue came in through sub- scriptions. KANSAS STATE ALLIANCE. This paper was published at Parsons; it was started July 1, 1890, and, with some interruptions, continued till near the close of 1891. W. H. Utley was its business manager at the start, but he sold out in the course of a few months, and it was conducted by several members of the County Alliance. George Campbell was its first editor ; afterwards H. A. White edited it for a time ; then A. H. McCormick, and still later other parties. THE ARBITRATOR. J. M. Jones, James Tisdale, and perhaps others, were members of the firm of Jones & Co., who were the publishers of this paper. M. Byrne was secured as its editor. It was started in the summer of 1886, and its publication was continued for perhaps two months, when the arrest of its editor and publishers on the charge of criminal libel forced it to suspend. A part of the defendants escaped punishment on the ground that the evi- dence did not directly connect them with the publication of the libelous matter. -Pjjg business college .journal Was started in October, 1892, by C. E. Ball, as an irregular publication tlirough which he could advertise his business. THE PARSONS DAILIES. the daily record. This was the first daily paper published in Parsons, and was started in the fall of 1876, in September or October, by J. P. Coffin. It was a very diminutive sheet, but served as a means of giving the local news. Mr. Coffin continued its publication till May .5, 1877, when he suspended for the purpose of becoming traveling agent for the Sun. THE DAILY OUTLOOK. On August 20, 1877, the first number of this sheet appeared as the suc- cessor of the Daily Record, and, as the latter had been, under the man- agement of J. P. Coffin. On January 31, 1878, he wrote his valedictory, the substance of which was, "Died for want of support." THE INFANT WONDER Was started December 24, 1878, by McCarter Brothers, who conducted it as a daily until August 12, 1879, from which time to September 4 it appeared as a tri-weekly, on which last date it again resumed its daily issue, and continued as such till the last of April, 1880. 288 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. THE DAILY KEPUBLICAN. Frank H. McCarter, proprietor of the Infant Wonder^ which had just suspended publicatiou, associated himself with William Higgins in the publication of the Republican. The first issue appeared on May 10, 1880, with William Higgins editor. On March 22, 1881, Mr. Higgins retired from the paper and Mr. McCarter assumed full control. It was merged in the Eclipse, and its publication suspended May 9, 1881. THE DAILY ECLIPSE Was started May 9, 1881, by J. B. Lamb and F. H. McCarter, the latter doing most of the work thereon for some time. The management of the daily was entirely separate from that of the weekly Eclipse for some months. For a number of years it has been conducted by the Lambs alone, and has been a well-established daily, with a liberal support. THE DAILY WONDER, As a continuation of the Infant Wonder, was resurrected about Novem- ber, 1881, by F. H. McCarter and E. R. Marvin, after the former had become disconnected with the Eclipse. In January, 1882, E. C. Burnett bought out Mr. Marvin, and in connection with Mr. McCarter continued to conduct the Wonder till September of that year, when its publication was again suspended. THE DAILY INDEPENDENT Was started in Parsons in October, 1882, by E. C. Burnett, who contin- ued its publication till January, 1883. THE DAILY SUN Was started September 5, 1880, and is spoken of in connection with the Weekly Sun. rj.^^ evening staii Was first seen a little before sunset on Wednesday, April 6, 1881. It was published by M. W. Reynolds and George Higgins for gratuitous distribution. On September 2, 1881, Mr. Higgins retired, and removed to Paola to engage in the newspaper business at that place. The Star continued to give out more or less light till about the time of the fall election in 1881. the daily jouknal. W. H. Martin was the founder of this paper, and conducted it from November 10, 1889, to September 10, 1890, when he sold the plant to H. C, Sourbeer & Son, who continued its publication until January 15, 1891, at which time it was discontinued. THE DAILY ELI Was started in the fall of 1890, and continued to appear for several months — perhaps nearly a year. It was under the same general man- agement as the State Alliance. A. J. Miller was its editor a part, and perhaps all of the time it ran. 7 HE PRESS. 289 ALTAMONT PAPERS. ALTAMONT TIMES. On or about January 17, 1884, the first number of this paper made its appearance under the management of Gastin and Milton Fuller, and continued under their charge until about the 1st of June, when the mate- rial was purchased by C. Len. Albin. ALTAMONT SENTINEL. C. Len. Albin, having purchased the outfit of the Times, started the Sentinel, the first number of which appeared July 4, 1884, and was con- tinued by him until July 10, 1885, when he sold the paper to H. C. Blanchard. B. F. Godfrey was associated with Albin in the editorship of the Sentinel for a short time before Albin sold to Blanchard. Blanch- ard conducted the paper alone from the time of his purchase until Sep- tember 11 of that year, when he sold one-half interest therein to Frank VVilkins, from which time Blanchard & Wllkins published it until Janu- ary 15, 1886, when Blanchard sold his interest therein to Harry Mills; and on the 29th of the same month Mills also bought Wilkins's interest, and became sole editor and proprietor. On January 4, 1886, C. S. New- Ion having bought a half-interest, the paper appeared under the manage- ment of Mills & Newlon. On March 14, 1886, Mr. Mills sold his interest to Dr. Newlon, and Mrs. Lizzie Newlon became editor and publisher, which she continued till January 5, 1889, when she was succeeded in the editorial chair by W. H. Conner. On October 23, 1889, W. J. Lough took charge as editor and publisher, and conducted the paper till July 16, 1890, when its publication ceased. ALTAMONT NEW^S. After C. Len. Albin sold his interest in the Sentinel, he associated with him W. T. Pickett, and they two purchased a printing-office outfit, and on September 11, 1885, started the Altamont Neics, which was a five-column quarto. After two issues of the paper Albin sold his interest therein to Mr. Pickett, who at once made arrangement for its removal to Mound Valley. MILLS's WEEKLY WORLD. About the first of December, 1888, Harry Mills started a small sheet with the above title, at Cherry vale, Kansas. The first week in March, 1889, he removed the plant to Altamont, from which place he issued it from that time until the middle of November, 1891, when he sold an in- terest therein to H. C. Sourbeer, who removed the plant to Parsons, from which place it has since been issued. -19 290 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. EDNA PAPERS. THE EDNA ENTERPRISE. December 8, 1886, the first number of this paper appeared, with J. J. Fields as editor and Harry Mills as publisher. It was a small six-column folio. The publication continued some five or six weeks, when the good- will of the office was sold to C. M. Brown, of the Mound Valley News. THE EDNA ERA Succeeded the Enterprise. It was started by C. M. Brown, January 19, 1887. He moved the Mound Valley News office to Edna, where he pub- lished the Era about three months, when it ceased, and Edna was again without a paper for a short time. THE EDNA ENTERPRISE. On April 15, 1887, J. D. McKeehen, as editor and proprietor, brought out No. 1 of the Edna Enterprise under his management, he having theretofore purchased the material of the old office. He continued its publication until September of that year. THE EDNA STAR. John Truby and W. A. Peffer jr. started the publication of this paper, the first number appearing October 28, 1887. The last of April, 1888, J. H. Morse became its editor, and continued its publication until the close of June of that year. THE EDNA INDEPENDENT Was started December 14, 1889, by G. W. Liever and A. C. Veach. In June, 1890, Mr. Liever sold his interest to Mr. Veach, since which time the latter has conducted it alone. MOUND VALLEY PAPERS. MOUND VALLEY TIMES. The first paper credited to Mound Valley was designated The Times, and was started December 16, 1881. It was printed by Brooks & Patrick, at the EejyuMican office, in Oswego, and appeared as under the editorship of George Campbell. However, all the paper except a few local items was the same as the Oswego Republican. This arrangement was unsatis- factory to the citizens of Mound Valley, and the paper ran only a few weeks. mound valley herald. The first issue of the Herald appeared April 6, 1882, with George Campbell as editor and proprietor. Mr. Campbell conducted it until the fall of that year, when he sold to C. L. Albin, who continued to edit and publish it until May 1, 1884, when it came under the control of W. F. Thrall, who has since then been its editor and publisher. THE PRESS. 291 MOUND VALLEY NEWS. About the first of October, 1885, L. C. Wilmoth and W. C. Pickett became the joint owners of the office material from which the Altamont News had been printed. This they removed to Mound Valley, and com- menced the publication of the Neics at that point. In the spring of 1886 a company of several of the business men of Mound Valley was formed, under the title of "The Mound Valley News Company," for the purpose of publishing this paper. About June 1, 1886, C. M. Brown and T. Rowen jr. became owners of the paper, and with L. C. Wilmoth as edi- tor conducted it until September 9th, when Mr. Rowen retired and Mr. Brown became editor and proprietor, continuing Mr. Wilmoth as associate editor. The publication of the paper was suspended about the middle of January, 1887. united ladoe. The first number of this paper was dated February 19, 1887. It was, however, issued ahead of its date. It purported to be published by the Farmers' and Laborers' Cooperative Union, and edited by E. H. Barnhart. In June, 1887, C. L. Albin appeared as editor. During August and Sep- tember its publication was suspended, but was resumed again in October, with G. S. Worthington editor. Its publication was continued until the early part of 1888. During all of its existence George Campbell was its principal, if not entire owner, and while he does not appear as editor, yet the paper was principally conducted by him. LABETTE. the LABETTE SENTINEL. On Thursday, September 8, 1870, a well-filled seven-column paper un- der the above title appeared from the printing-office just started at the town of Labette, with J. S. Waters as editor and proprietor. On Octo- ber 13th Mr. Waters associated with him in the management of the paper, Thomas Irish. Mr. Waters having been elected County Attorney at the November election in 1870, he retired from the editorship of the Sentinel on November 24th, from which time it was conducted by Mr. Irish until sometime in March, 1871, when its publication ceased for a short time. About the first of April, however, it was revived by the Albin Brothers, who carried on its publication for some time, when it was given up by them as a losing venture. About May 10, 1872, Sheldon & Johnson attempted its resurrection, and tried to put it forth for some months, when it again became defunct. On the suspension of the Oswego Register, in May, 1873, Smith, one of the former proprietors of that paper, bought the Labette Sentinel material and moved it to Nevada, Mo., and there used it in starting a new paper at that point. 292 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. WILSONTON. THE AVILSONTON JOURNAL Was started at Wilsouton, May 1, 1888, by Mrs. Ella B. Wilson, since which time she has continued to conduct it as editor and proprietor. It is published monthly. PAPERS PUBLISHED BY THE COLORED PEOPLE. KANSAS ADVOCATE. The first issue of this paper was dated at Parsons, September 1, 1881. It was a small eight-page paper, started by W. B. Avery, a colored min- ister, and was intended as a medium for furnishing the colored population with a line of reading-matter in which they would be specially interested, to be issued only monthly. But Mr. Brooks, of the Oswego Repuhlican, entered into an agreement with Mr. Avery for publishing his paper at the Republican office. It was very much enlarged in size, and issued weekly instead of monthly. While continuing under the editorship of Mr. Avery, the most of the material was the same as that which simulta- neously appeared in i\\%Weekly Republican. The colored people did not furnish a sufficient patronage to justify its continuance, and its publica- tion ceased after some three or four months. THE EYE-OPENER Was started by the colored people of the county as an avenue by which to make known to the public their views, wants, and intentions, and as a means of educating their young people in the duties of citizenship. It was issued from Parsons. The first number is dated July 9, 1892. E. M. Woods was editor and E. W. Dorsey business manager. But in a short time Mr. Dorsey withdrew, to become president of the Blade company. At the time this account closes the paper is under the control of Mr. Wood. THE BLADE. A little disagreement arising between the proprietors of the Eye-Opener, a division of interest seemed advisable to them, and on August 20, 1892, the Parsons Weekly Blade was started, with S. O. Clayton editor, E. W. Dorsey president, and Chas. A. Morris business manager; and at the time this account is written the paper is still appearing under the same man- agement. RELIGIOUS OEGAl^J-IZATIOXS. THE AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY. On January 11, 1869, a call signed by about twenty prominent citizens of Chetopa and Oswego was furnished for publication in the Advance and Register, for a meeting to be held on January 31st, for the purpose of organizing a Bible society. At that time quite a large number of the citizens of the county met at the office of Dr. W. S. Newlou, in Oswego, and adopted a constitution, and elected the following permanent officers of the society : Rev. T. H. Canfield, president; J. L. Taft, vice-president; W. M. Johnson, secretary ; Dr. C. M. Gilkey, treasurer ; and also a board of five directors. Adjourned to meet in Chetopa, on February 7th fol- lowing. At this time a meeting was held in Spaulding's Hall, at 3 o'clock p. m., at which a large congregation gathered. Addresses were made by Rev. T. H. Canfield, Rev. C. R. Rice, and others. A subscription of some- thing over $40 for the benefit of the society was taken up. This was the commencement of an organization which was kept up for a number of years, holding its meetings somewhat frequently, and doing very much toward furnishing the new communities with Bibles. After a few years, when the growth of several of the towns of the county had been such that each felt the need of separate organizations, the county society was dis- continued, and city organizations were formed. Y. M. C. A. OSWEGO ASSOCIATIOX. The following account of the organization of the Oswego Y^oung Men's Christian Association is taken from an address by Fred C. Wheeler, delivered at the second anniversary of the organization of the association : "On Saturday evening, December 8, 1883, in response to invitations that morning received through the postoffice from him, there were gath- ered at the home of Nelson Case, in Oswego, Rev. John Elliott, Rev. H. McBirney, Fred Lee, Chas. Carpenter, M. Chidester, M. E. Diehl, Thos. O'Halloran, W. F, Thorne, and F. C. \Yheeler. Mr. Case made a state- meut showing the need of such an organization especially adapted to reach young men, and proposed the organization of a Young Men's Chris- tian Association. All present concurred in the views expressed, and a committee was appointed to consider and report at same place on Decem- ber 12, to which time we adjourned. (293) 294 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. "On December 12 Harry and Will Mitchell, Will Skilliug, Chas. Car- penter, Rev. H. McBiruey, Thos. O'Halloran, Mr. Case, and F. C. Wheeler, met as per adjournment. A draft of a constitution was pre- sented, and the matter of organization was definitely decided on. It was voted to adjourn to meet at the M. E. church, on Tuesday evening, Janu- ary 1, 1884, to complete the organization. On the evening of that date some six or eight met at the appointed place, adopted the uniform con- stitution provided by the national association, and organized by electing Nelson Case president, F. C. Wheeler vice-president, Chas. Carpenter secretary, and Harry Mitchell treasurer. The necessary committees were also appointed." During its earlier years the association did more aggressive work, per- haps, than it has since then, although it has always shown a fair degree of vitality. A Bible-training class was maintained for two or three years, and did very efficient work. The young men for some time had a liter- ary organization connected with the association. A boys' branch was or- ganized at the opening of the second year of the work, and in that alone enough work was done to justify the organization of the association. Some years ago an outfit was purchased for a gymnasium, and a room has been kept open ever since. A salaried general secretary was em- ployed a few months at one time, but with that exception the work has been done entirely by the home members. For the past few years the association has been somewhat intimately connected with the Library Association. Since its organization it has had the following presidents and secretaries: 1884-85 — President, Nelson Case; secretary, Charles T. Carpenter. 1886 — Charles T. Carpenter, president; Howard Merriam, secretary. 1887 — Howard Merriam and W. F. Thorne, presidents; F. G. Mitchell, secretary; 1888-89 — Nelson Case, president; W. G. Mitchell and W. A. Bibbitt, secretaries. 1890— A. B. Kegg, president; Ed. M. Baldwin, secretary. 1891 — W. W. Flora, president; H. H. Beard, secre- tary. 1892— W. W. Flora, president; Fred. W. Beymer and W. B. Co- valt, secretaries. The last-named president and secretary are now serv- ^^^' PARSONS ASSOCIATION. The Parsons Y. M. C. A. was organized December 5, 1885, with C. F- Hodgmau president, Cyrus G. Emerson vice-president, W. H. Martin and Thomas Clark secretaries, and F. H. Foster treasurer. The following year it was incorporated, and the following officers elected : M. E. Crowell, president ; E. C. Read, vice-president ; A. H. Whitmarsh, sec- retary ; F. H. Foster, treasurer. A ladies' auxiliary was organized early in the history of the association, and rendered valuable aid in furnishing rooms and giving entertainments. The most of the time since its organ- ization the association has maintained a paid general secretary. The following persons have served in that capacity : Chas. L. Helmick was RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 295 the first, and served from August, 1877, to February, 1889; James R. Smith succeeded him, and served to July, 1889 ; T. R. Breese, B. C. McQuesten, J. W. Shingley, W. Russell and Hopper have since then successively held the office. A reading-room, bath-rooms, as well as re- ception and parlor-rooms, have been provided, and much good work has been accomplished. ^ CHETOPA ASSOCIATION. During the month of August, 1886, steps were taken looking toward the formation of an association at Chetopa, and on September 20, 1886, a number of the members of the Oswego and Parsons associations visited Chetopa and assisted in the formation of this organization. At that time the following officers were elected : President, W. A. Shanklin ; vice- president, W. H. Piukerton ; secretary, George Campbell ; treasurer, T. O. Breckenridge. For a few months in 1889 John G. Lear was employed as general secretary for this and the Oswego association, giving about half of his time to each. This is the only time that a salaried officer has been employed. W. S. Henry was president the second year of the or- ganization, and F. M. Smith the third year; J. P. Slaughter was the sec- ond secretary, and was succeeded by H. F. Stewart. The association has a part of the time kept open a reading-room and conducted various lines of meetings. Y. W. C. A. On January 2, 1886, at the Methodist church in Oswego, an organiza- tion of this association was effected. For a year past the association has been practically disorganized, although it still does some work in an un- official way. A training-class and a Bible class were conducted in the association for several years ; also a girls' Bible class. The association has had the following presidents : Mrs. Annetta Cook, Mrs. Mary E. Case, Miss Sarah Crane, Miss Blanche Case, Miss Eunice Crane. SUNDAY SCHOOLS. In giving an account of the work of the Sunday schools of the county I separate it from the account of the other church work, not because I consider them a separate institution from the church, properly speaking, but because, especially in the early work in the county, there were many union schools, connected with no church in particular, and also because the Sunday-school work is one of the most important and best developed departments of church work, and is entitled to special mention as such. I will first give an account of the schools which have been at least a part of the time classed as union, (although some of them might prop- erly be spoken of as denominational,) and will then mention the denomi- national schools, connecting those of each denomination wherever situated 296 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. iu the county, iustead of classifying by localities. No one can realize more than I do the imperfect history which I here present of these schools, but all the information is given which I have been able to gather. It is regretted that parties who might have furnished more definite in- formation have failed to do so. One reason why this information is not accessible and has not been furnished, is that iu many instances no rec- ord whatever has been kept of the school work, and in many other cases records that were kept at the time have been misplaced or lost. Some of this information has been furnished me from people's memory, and of course contains more or less errors, but in the main, so far as it goes, 1 think it is as reliable as could be expected. From it some one may be able to construct a more perfect account of this important department of work. UNION SUNDAY SCHOOLS. CHETOPA. The first Sunday school in the county was organized by the early set- tlers at Chetopa, before the war. In a letter referring to these early times Dr. Lisle says: "Mr. Bryan organized a Sunday school sometime in 1858, which was kept up most of the time until the Rebellion." The Mr. Bryan here referred to is Rev. J. E. Bryan, then a minister of the M. E. Church South, in charge of the work of the circuit including Che- topa, and in 1871 pastor of the M. E. Church of Oswego, and still more recently a practicing attorney in this county. This Sunday school was held in the school-house, an account of the building of which is given at page 186. After Chetopa began to resettle, at the close of the war, the first Sun- day school to be organized was iu the summer of 1867, in a small frame building standing on the southeast corner of First and Maple streets, sometimes called the "Cabinet Shop," but more generally designated "Bachelors' Hall." G. H. Hard was the superintendent of this school. Later, arrangements were made for holding the school in the Ephraim Doudna store building. The school was closed during the winter, and opened in the spring of 1868. James H. Crichton sr., father of the at- torney who has lived there so long, spent a part of the summers of 1867 and 1868 at Chetopa, and assisted in superintending the school. The first Sunday in September, 1868, the school having previously been very poorly classified and organized, a reorganization was had, and Edward Johnson was elected superintendent, F. H. Mendenhall assistant, and D. J. Doolen secretary. Early in 1869 J. M. Cavaness was elected su- perintendent, and continued to serve until the organization of the denom- inational schools, in 1870. RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 297 PAKSONS. The first Simclay school in Parsons was organized in April, IhTl, by the joint efforts of Rev. G. W. Pye and Rev. H. H. Cambern. It was started and for some time maintained as a union school. It had a hard time to maintain an existence. With no permanent place of meeting, driven from vacant store buildings, offices, and shops, as they were needed for other purposes, it finally found a somewhat permanent and comfortable home in Gary's Hall. T. C. Cory was its first superintend- ent. After a few months of service he resigned, and J. E. Wilkes succeeded him. In January, 1873, E. B. Stevens was elected superin- tendent; M. G. Brown was elected in 1873, and M. Wallace in 1874. During a part of this time some schools which had started as denomina- tional were merged with the union. On the organization of the denomi- national schools this school ceased. OSWEGO. The Sunday-school work in Oswego dates from the early spring of 1867, when a Sunday school was organized in the log cabin owned and then occupied by Dr. J. F. Newlon. It stood at the northeast corner of block 26, ]ust south of where he afterwards made his home. William Herbaugh was elected superintendent. It was kept open only during the summer, and was reorganized the following spring. It met in such vacant houses as could be secured, holding scarcely more than two or three Sundays consecutively in any one place. In the fall of 1868, when the building was erected which was afterwards donated to the county for a court-house, the Sunday school found therein a somewhat permanent home. From this school the denominational schools were established as follow^s : The Methodist in 1868, the Congregational and Presbyterian in 1870, and the Baptist in 1871. NEOSHO TOWNSHir. Concord District, No. 16. — The school-house in this district is now in North township, but when first built was in Neosho. In the summer of 1867 Mrs. Owens organized a Sunday school in their house on the northeast quarter of section 5, which was maintained during that sum- mer, and when the school-house was built a reorganization was had, locating it in that building, where it was continued for a number of years. New Hope District. No. 15. — In 1869 there was a log cabin about half a mile north of where Matthewsou now stands, known as the Sweet school-house. Rev. R. P. Bukey preached there frequently. In that house was started the first Sunday school in that part of the county. Wm. McDown was its superintendent. It was not long until the new 298 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. school-house was built. A Sunday school was conducted in this district during the summer months for a number of years, commencing with 1869. It was generally conducted as a Methodist Episcopal school. W. D. Bevans superintended most of the time. W. T. Carter was superintend- ent at one time. Rev. J. A. Harvey is the present superintendent. Hopkins District, No. 63.—Fvom 1875 to 1882 a prosperous Sunday school was conducted in this district. W. D. Bevans was one of Its prin- cipal workers, and a part of the time its superintendent. Lone Elm District, No. ^i,— Sunday school has been started here oc- casionally, but has not been regularly maintained. ILard Scrabble District, No. 46\— The effort to maintain a Sunday school in this district was not so persistent as to meet with good success. NORTH TOAVNSHIP. TownsJiip Association.— In 1876 an association was formed in this township, but was not effective the following year, and the various schools In the township met and reorganized a township association on April 7, 1878, electing J. M. C. Reed president and S. L. Obenchain sec- retary. Since then the association has held annual meetings, sometimes more frequently. Woods District, No. i<9.— Organized in 1878. Superintendents: S. Stephenson, N. T. Chambers, T. J. Van Horn, F. A. Edwards. Spring Hill District, No. ^^.— Organized in 1874. Superintendents: Samuel Cherry, J. W. Scott, Messrs. Milligan, Wilson, Chambers, Millard. Heacock District No. ^^.— Organized in 1875. Mrs. Anna Heacock was superintendent for several years; afterward I. P. Merrill. Franklin District, No. ,55.— Organized May, 1870, and maintained during the summer months every year since. Superintendents : G. W. Goodman, J. Harlan, E. H. Taylor, Brandon, H. Mcintosh, E. H. Wells, S. L. Obenchain, T. J. Van Horn, and Robert Toles. Prairie Valley District, No. 31. — Organized in May, 1871, and main- tained since. Superintendents: Philip La Cornu, William Burdit, J. G. Duval, J. M. C. Reed, R. Brown, E. C. Barker, W. B. Truax, and J. N. Hardman. For two or three years two schools were maintained at this place — one a union and one a Methodist South ; one met in the forenoon and one in the afternoon. WALTON TOWNSHIP. Salem District, No. If.2. — School was organized in this district in 1871, and has been kept open every summer since. Alex. Abies was its first superintendent. James Venable and Amos Welch have been effective workers, and frequently have superintended. Charles Birt is now super- intendent. RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 299 Bradford District, No. 39.— A school was organized id this district m the house of Merit MasoD, iu 1870, and has since been maintained nearly every year during the summer months. Among its superintendents have been J. C. Bradford, Frank J. Smith, and T. J. Rich. OSAGE TOWNSHIP. Mount Zion District, No. 36.— In the fall of 1867 the neighbors got together and built a log house on the northwest quarter of section 5, in township 33 of range 18, in which to hold religious services and other meetings of a public character. A Sunday school was organized in this house in the spring of 1868. This was the first Sunday school in the township. Harry Beggs was superintendent. The school has been maintained ever since. In the spring of 1871 it was reorganized as a Methodist Episcopal school, which relationship has continued, that dis- trict being one of the points where that denomination has regularly held services. Rev. E. M. Bussart, William Johns, C. L. Darling, S. C. Hocket, Phelix Oliphant and Perry Nixon are some of those who have been prominent workers in this school. Four-Mile District, No. 38.— The, first school-house in this district was a little log building which stood in the middle of the road at the north- west corner of section 22. From this it was known as "the little log school-house in the lane." In this a Sunday school was organized in 1870, with J. M. Armstrong superintendent ; it was reorganized iu the spring of 1871, with Jacob Masters superintendent. The school was maintained till 1883. Harmony Grove District, No. 30.— A Sunday school was organized in this district in the spring of 1870, with Mr. Pierce superintendent, which has continued until the present — a part of the time running all the year, and a part of the time closing in the winter. It was first held in Mr. Gibson's dwelling-house on the northwest quarter of section 30. William Dick, F. H. Dienst and D. D. Lindsey were early and efficient workers here. Tiinber Hill District, No. 37.— This Sunday school was organized in a log school-house on the southeast corner of the Timber Hill town-site, in the spring of 1870, with Mr. Baker superintendent. Some years ago it was organized as a German Methodist school, and as such still maintains its existence and does good work. The Hookey, Breshler and Schrader families have been efficient workers. Maple Grove District, No. lOe.— This Sunday school was organized on February .5, 1882, with J. T. McKee superintendent, and George W. Hierronymus assistant. It has not had a continuous existence — some years kept up, and at other times has remained dormant. Miss Blauk- enship and J. R. Duncan have been recent superintendents. 300 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. Baptist Union Sunday school was organized in tlie Baptist church on section 23, in 1877, and was maintaiued there as a union school until the church was removed to Dennis. Sylvan Dale District, No. 70. — A school was organized in this district in 1873, with George Anderson superintendent. The next spring it was reorganized, with J. D. McKeever superintendent, which position he held for a number of years. S. M. Bailey was an active worker in this school while he lived in the neighborhood. The school moved to Dennis in 1883. Pleasant Hill District, No. 77. — A Sunday school was organized in the new school-house in this district in the spring of 1873, which was main- tained in the place till the completion of Bethel Chapel, on southeast quarter of section 30, in township 31, range 19 (Walton township), in 1889, when it was removed to that place. It has always been recognized as a Methodist school. George W. Blake, James Woody ard and a Mr. Brown were early superintendents. Muddy Corner District, No. 76. — A little box school-house stood on the southwest corner of section 24, township 31, range 17, in which a Sunday school was organized in 1872. A new school-house was there- after built on the southeast quarter of section 35, and named St. John^s, in which a Sunday school has been maintained ever since. Israel Foster, J. B, Swart and Adam Funk were earnest workers in this school. Tici?i Mound District, No. 93. — J. R. Douglas, John Carson and others were leading workers in a Sunday school organized in this district in 1873. It did well for several years, but after that was maintained only at irregular times. Osage Toamshij) Sunday School Association. — This association has been maintained the longest and has been conducted with the most en- thusiasm of any of the various township associations in the county. During 1871 a picnic was held on section 7, in township 32, rauge 18. In 1872 an organization was formed and a picnic held on the old camp- ground on the Leroy Dick farm, in section 29, township 31, range 18. When the county association commenced to organize township associa- tions for the purpose of holding conventions to discuss Sunday school topics, this was one of the first townships to respond. Contrary to the wish of the county officers, however, the local workers insisted on keep- ing the picnic idea in the foreground, and it has ever maintained the ascendency which it early acquired. In 1878 the ground near the north- east corner of section 20, on William Dick's farm, was secured as per- manent picnic grounds, and there every summer large crowds, frequently reaching into thousands, congregate and spend a day in the woods. This gathering has proved to be a favorite resort for local politicians, giving RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 301 them, as it does, a fiue opportunity to meet many whose support they think it expedient to secure. The picnic is held regularly on the last Wednesday in. July, and the association holds its meeting for the dis- cussion of Sunday-school interests at Harmony Grove school-house each spring, on the call of the president. The association is chartered, and has its grounds nicely improved. Some eighteen schools, a part of which are situated in Montgomery and Neosho counties, are connected with this association. mound valley township. Bell Mound District, No. 99. — A Sunday school was organized here in 1879, with M. F. Wakefield superintendent. It has ever since maintained its existence. Mound Valley District, No. 40. — A Sunday school was organized at this place in the summer of 1870, with Joseph Wilmoth as its first super- intendent. It was kept up during the summer of each year, and some- times during the winter, until the organization of the denominational schools, about 1880. J. H. Tibbits, H. W. Savage, the Coleman families and others were active workers in the school. McCormick District, No. 19. — A Sunday school was organized in this district in the spring of 1870, with John Claspill superintendent, and has been kept up with a good degree of regularity since then. Mount Triumph District, No. 63. — A Sunday school was organized in this district in 1883, with Mr. Robinson superintendent. Sometimes run as a union, sometimes as a Methodist Episcopal, sometimes as a United Brethren, but several years ago was reorganized as a Protestant Metho- dist school. LAUETTE TOWNSHIP. Caldicell District, No. S2. — Organized in 1883. Among its superin- tendents have been David Caldwell, J. B. Cosatt, J. Covalt, J. J. Decker, and Mrs. Mcintosh. Hiatt District, No. J^l. — Organized in the spring of 1874. Superin- tendents : R. Birt, Mr. Baker, and Wm. Campbell. IJBERTY TOWNSHIP. Pleasant Valley District, No. 48. — Organized in 1871. Superintend- ents : Tobe H. Taylor, James Morning, A. Gager, Frank Crawford, Lon Kiter, John Smith, Anna Arnold, David Beyle. Labette District, No. 10. — Organized January 1.5, 1871. Superinteud- ents : R. Baker, G. K. Sipple, C. Fentress. Liberty District, No. 17. — Organized in 1870. Superintendents : Mr. Mcintosh, G. K. Sipple, Silas Fentress, G. L. Whitnah, G. W. Giton, E. L. Pugh, J. C. Christian, R. H. Thresher. MONTANA TOWNSHIP. Montana District, No. iJ.— The first school in Montana township was 302 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. iu Montana district, No. 13. The first school organized in this district was in 1868; H. M. Minor was its superintendent. It was reorganized in the spring of 1869, with Charles Gray superintendent. Its sessions were held in an old store building a part of the time, and when they had preaching the Sunday-scliool services were held in the same building where the preaching took place. The location was changed from time to time, according to their opportunity to secure room. Mr. Gray re- mained superintendent for a number of years. A. Gager was one of the early workers in the school. Since Mr. Gray's time, among the superin- tendents the following have served the school : Thomas Clark, Rev. S. W. Griffin, W. F. Schoch, B. Lanham, D. Beyle, O. E. Woods, Wm. Woods. Sliiloh District, No. 8. — Organized 1870. Superintendents: Geo. Fa- gan, Andy Livesay, Nathaniel Woods, Lewis Grain, W. J. Webb, J. R. Youmans,Thos. Clinton, Z. Atchiuson, S. D. Holmes, Mrs. ElnorE. Pierce. OSWEGO TOW^NSHIP. Oak Orove District, No. 2If.. — This school was organized in the log church in the spring of 1871, with Wm. Herbaugh superintendent. The following year Mr. Bagby acted as superintendent. In 1876 it was or- ganized in the new stone school-house, with A. Brown superintendent. Since then the superintendents have been P. S. Hughart, J. W. Brown, J. M. Ricker, and J. W. Park. 8tice District, No. 2. — A Sunday school was organized in this district in 1877; A. Kaho, superintendent. It has had but an irregular existence. Clover District, No. 23. — A Sunday school has been kept in this district at intervals for quite a number of years, but it has not been continuous enough to be of great force. Campbell District, No. 57.— A. Sunday school was held in this school- house during the summer months during a part of the seventies, but in later years no attempt has been made to keep it up. Woodruff District, No. 101.— ^oow after the building of the school- house in this district a Sunday school was organized, with S. N. Wood- ruff superintendent, but it was maintained only a year or two. FATKVIEAV TOAVNSHIP. Stover District, No. 29.— In the summer of 1870 a Sunday school was organized in a small house on the southeast quarter of section 17, but re- moved to the school-house as soon as it was built, and with more or less regularity has been maintained nearly ever since. It has generally been known as a union school, although the Methodists, as a rule, have fur- nished the larger part of the force that has done the work. Among its superintendents have been I. W. Patrick, George Pfaff, John and Jerry Winbigler. The Seventh-Day Adventists have also maintained a school at this point a part of the time. RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 303 Newell District, No. 71. — The first Sunday school iu this vicinity was organized in the Mcintosh house, iu the spring of 1870. A lady rode on horseback to Chetopa and secured Bibles and song-books for the school. During its stay in this place it had no regular superintendent, but differ- ent members were appointed from Sunday to Sunday to take charge. The school was taken to the school-house as soon as it was completed, where it has been maintained for the most of the time since. It has had for superintendents among others the following : A. B. Hammer, Josiah Rayburn, G. D. Fellows, Mr. Young, James Paxton, and J. INI. Magee. Bowman District, No. 12. — Organized in 1872, and maintained only a part of the time since. Maple Orove District, No. 54- — This school has had an existence more or less of the time since 1873, and has had among its superintendents Joseph Scott, Sallie Bottenfield, J. L. Williams, and John Richardson. MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. Pioneer District, No. 59. — The Sunday school iu this district was or- ganized in May, 1871, with B. F. Jones superintendent. Among other superintendents were S. M. Canaday, Joseph Yance, and George Geer. Rayburn District, No. 52. — The Sunday school in this district was first organized In May, 1871, iu the claim cabin of D. S. Morrison, on the southeast quarter of section 14, and was moved to the school-house when it was built. It was maintained for several years. Among its early su- perintendents were Jacob Hagermau, Henry Story, George Hildreth. Nohle District, No. 89. — This Sunday school was organized in April. 1874. Josiah Rayburn, Michael Noel, George Hildreth and Henry Sleath successively superintended it. Bell District, No. 91. — A Sunday school was organized iu this school- house in the spring of 1875. B. Johnson, J. Bell sr. and J. Williams were early superintendents. Janes District, No. 95. — This school was organized in April, 1879. Homer Hulse, Milo Hildreth and James Curnutt superintended it. Altamont District, No. 43. — A Sunday school was organized in a store building iu Elston in 1870, with Martin Gore as superintendent. At the same time a school was conducted in Major Hokes's house, on the south- east quarter of section 36, Labette township, with Thomas D. Bickerman as superintendent. The workers connected with these schools went to make up the union school which was organized at Altamont in 1871. It was maintained until the organization of the various denominational schools, when the union schools ceased. Among those who superin- tended the school were A. B. Hammer, James Perry, William Thomp- son, I. N. Hamilton, Perry Daniels, S. J. Hershbarger, Daniel Ferrier. 304 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. CANADA TOWNSHIP. liichlancl District, No. 94- — In 1874 a Sunday school was organized iu a log house on Ola Olson's claim, by J. H. Tibbits, and he was elected superintendent. The cabin being very small and uncomfortable, an ar- bor of poles aud brush was made, in which the school was held during the summer. A school-house was built the next winter, and in the spring the Sunday school was reorganized in it, with J. H. Tibbits superintendent. Emmons District, No. 84. — This Sunday school was organized in May, 1871, at the house of James Sweet, where it was kept till the spriug of 1873, when it was organized at the school-house, where it has been held ever since. Buel Crone was the first superintendent, and B. H. Sharp has been superintendent several years since. James Sweet and Joseph Kearns have been active and efficient workers. HOWARD TOWNSHIP. Dresser District, No. 51. — Organized in 1876, with James Bennett su- perintendent, and maintained up to the time of the organization of the Cougregationalists and Methodists. McKennaii District, No. 97. — K. V. Shipp, Mrs. McKenuau and James Hunt were associated with others in the organization of the school in this district, in 1877. Among the superintendents of this school have been R. V. Shipp, Mr. Mills, Ella Hunt, James Hunt, Mrs. Mary McKennan. Trenton District, No. 67. — In the spring of 1871 a Sunday school was organized in the house of John McClintick, where it was maintained until the erection of the school-house in this district, when it was removed to that place. J. M. Hart, Jacob French, W. J. Millikin and E. B. Bald- win have superintended it at different times. Snow Hill District, No. 35. — A school was maintained at this point for a number of years, commencing iu 1870. W. J. Herrod was at one time superintendent and an active worker in the school. Blackford District, No. 6. — As early as 1874 a school was organized at this point, and maintained thereafter with a fair degree of regularity. Mr. Geyer was its first superintendent ; W. J. Millikin and George Ash have also superintended. Valeda. — A union school was organized in the Congregational church, in the spring of 1887, since which time it has been regularly maintained during the summer. W. J. Millikin was its first superintendent: follow- ing him there have been William Preston, V. Walliugford, Samuel Nel- son, and Mrs. McKennan. Lieb Distinct, No. 5.5.— Organized in the spring of 1873. George H. Goodwin and W. J. Millikin were early superintendents. RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 305 ET.M GROVE TOWNSHIP. Ripoa District, No. 49. — A Sunday school was organized in March, 1870, in the house of Dr. D. P. Lucas, on the northwest quarter of sec- tion 13, township 35, with Rachel Lucas superintendent, and afterward was held in a house belonging to Robert Marrs, standing on the south- west quarter of section 10 ; and was also held a part of the time in J. H. Jones's house, on the northeast quarter of section 11. Thos. Summerfield followed Mrs. Lucas as superintendent. In 1873 it was reorganized in the school-house, and Thomas H. Bruner was superintendent; other superin- tendents, T. D. Bickham, Mrs. Cook, Henry Faurot, and Mrs. B. M. Smith. Star?' District, No. 50. — Organized in 1871. Wesley Faurot has been one of the leading workers in the Sunday school since its organization. Ellis District, No. 4-5. — In 1870 a Sunday school was taught in Simon Bradfield's house, on section 4, and a part of the time in Thomas Dow- ell's, on the southwest quarter of section 34. From the time the school- house was built a school has been maintained most of the time during the summer months. J. B. Ellis and Timothy Kay have superintended a good share of the time. Rose Hill District, No. 109. — Organized in 1885. Mrs. Lyda Edmund- son, Jesse Edmundsou, Mrs. Anna Bickham, Rev. A. Allison, and Mrs. I. C. Wall, have successively superintended. Edna District, No. 73. — In 1873 a Sunday school was held in Peter Goodwin's granary, on the northwest quarter of section 31, with George Goodwin superintendent. In April, 1873, the school was reorganized in the new school-house, with J. W Millikin superintendent ; he was fol- lowed by W. R. Lackey, Owen Wimmer, and Mr. Mills. The school was always a prosperous one, and continued in active existence until the or- ganization of the denominational schools. Valley District, No. 72. — A prosperous Sunday school has been main- tained in this district a good portion of the time for a number of years. Mrs. C. W. Gray has been a faithful worker, and has superintended the school a part of the time. HACKBEKRY TOWNSHIP. Foland District, No. 70. — A Sunday school was organized in this school-house in 1873. Chandler Stevenson, Samuel C. Coulter, Mrs. G. W. Leap, J. F. Holmau, John Foland and Samuel McCullough are among the number closely identified with the school's growth. Samuel C. Coulter, A. H. Mickey, G. W. Jenkins and J. F. Holman have been some of the superintendents. The school has not been kept up since 1888. Baylor District, No. 55.— As early as 1870 Samuel Coulter, T. J. Cal- vin, Mr. and Mrs. S. Lyon, E. G. Eggers and other workers organized a -20 306 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. Suuday school at the house of S. Lyon, and elected him superintendent. It continued during that year, but was not reorganized again until the school-house was completed. In 1874 it was again organized, and held in the sQjiool-house. Its superintendents have been W. G. Baylor, Samuel Coulter, T. J. Calvin, G. W. Jenkins, E. G. Eggers, Mrs. S. Lyon, and Dr. Owens. With 1884 the school ceased as a union school, and was merged in the school organized by the Baptists in their new church, and known as the Pleasant Hill Sunday school. Liggett District, No. 57.— This school was originally a part of the one organized in Dr. Lucas's house, in Elm Grove township, and which there- after became the Ripon school. When the school-houses were built two Sunday schools were formed, one in the Ripon school-house and one in the Liggett school-house. Among the early superintendents of the latter school were Ephraim Welch, Mr. Hoy, and Wm. Liggett. This was maintained as a union school until the erection of the Cecil church, when it was merged in the Methodist school organized in that building. BisJiop District, No. 7. — This school w^as organized May 1, 1871. Ab- ner DeCou, William Newcomb, H. G. Pore, Alexander Bishop, H. W. Sandusky and G. A. Cooper were among those most prominently identi- fied with its organization and early management. Mr. H. W. Sandusky was its first superintendent, and he was followed by G. W. Jenkins, G. A. Cooper, W. S. Bishop, Alexander Bishop, Miss Rose Dorland, W. W. Bradbury, A. M. Newman, and Mrs. Catharine Miller. Lockard District, No. ^^.— Organized in 1883. Superintendents : Jerry Houston, Shack Porter, S. Gilmore. parsons. African M. ^.— Soon after the organization of the A. M. E. church in Parsons, the pastor, Rev. J. H. Daniels, also secured the organization of RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 309 the Sunday school. The school dates from May, 1876. I have not been furnished with a list of its superintendents, nor an account of its work. New Hope, Baptist. — On May 38, 1870, Rev. Thomas Wilson secured the organization of a Sunday school in connection with this church. I have no a2count of its work or officers. DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOLS. BAPTISTS. Labette. — The school was organized in the spring of 1875, and lias had the following superintendents : R. K. Jones, John Richardson, William E. Crawford, J. P. Christy, W. V. McDonell, T. J. Reel, J. S. McLain, Elisha Richardson, E. L. Christy. W. E. Crawford is now superintendent. Chetopa. — Prior to 1881 the Baptists and Christians had maintained a union Sunday school. In 1881, with the assistance of Rev. J. P. Ash, a Baptist Sunday school was organized, with J. C. Witt superintendent. Following Mr. Witt as superintendent there have been F. M. Smith, Mrs. M. E. Stevens, Miss Eva Merrill, and Robert Williams. Oswego. — Organized January 1, 1871, in an old store building on the west side of block 39, with D. E. Bent superintendent. Other superin- tendents have been : Dr. J. Spruill, Henry Glitz, J. N. Miles, Z. Eaton, Merritt Read, A. C. Baker, N. A. Douglas, Porter Sawyer, William P. Steel, Nellie Harrison, Rev. C. N. H. Moore. Altamont. — Organized in the spring of 1883. Superintendents: Mor- ris Bayless, E. Estes, Geo. Hildreth, A. I. Ross, J. Self, and Cyrus Baker. Dennis. — The Baptisu Sunday school in Dennis was organized April 2, 1883, and came almost entirely from the Baptist union school, which was transferred from the country to town. William Scott, John Garrison, Mr. Payne, and G. W. Everhart have been faithful workers in this school. Barton. — This school has existed since the erection of the church, in 1885. J. H, Tibbets and family have been among its best workers. Pleasant Hill Sunday School. — The Baptists having completed their church building, in 1885 they organized a Sunday school with Rev. C. T. Floyd as superintendent. He has been followed in the superintendency by W. W. Lewellen, Witt, H. J. Schock, and Mrs. A. Austin. Parsons. — This school was first organized in the city hall in 1871, with J. B. Stilwell superintendent, and an attendance of about ten scholars. During the year it disbanded, and was not reorganized till about 1878, when J. W. Fee was elected superintendent. The school at this time numbered about 50. W. W. Neighbour succeeded Mr. Fee, and was suc- ceeded by C. F. Hodgman, and he by I. J. Uzzell. W. C. Main has su- perintended since Sept. 1 88(3. The average attendance is now about 140. 310 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. Mound Valley. — The Baptists of Mound Valley worked in the union school until the erection of the church, in 1883, since which time they have had a school of their own. Among the superintendents have been H. W. Savage, P. G. Shanklin, J. H. Elmore, William Wilson. Edna. — In the spring of 1883 the Baptists organized a Sunday school at the Hawkins school-house, in District No. 92, where it was conducted until their church building was erected at Kingston, when it was removed to that place. In 1887 the church was moved to Edna, and of course the Sunday school with it. The school has had the following superintend- ents : J. Keasor, Rev. G. H. Goodwin, Julius Goodwin, J. W. Reasor, J. Reasor, Rev. T. M. Cooper, G. W. Reasor, and Lewis Goodwin. The last report showed 4 officers, 5 teachers, 55 scholars, average attendance 30. CHRISTIANS. Chetopa. — Until 1883 the Christians had united with the Baptists in holding a Sunday school. In March, 1883, a Christian school was or- ganized, with W. J. Latta superintendent. Parsons. — Organized 1879, with C. R. Millard superintendent. Central— \J^o\\ the organization of the Central Christian Church in Parsons, in 1890, a Sunday school was also formed, which has been maintained ever since. Osicego.—T\\Q Christian Sunday school was organized in the court- house, in the spring of 1876. Superintendents : 1876-77, John Overdeer ; 1878-81, D. H. May; 1882-85, H. C. Draper; 1886-93, David Jennings. Mound Valley. — The Christians have had a Sunday school for several years, but I have been unable to learn any particulars of its work. CONGKKGATIONAL. Os?/v^o.— Organized January 23, 1870, and maintained most of the time since. However, there have been two or three occasions when for several months at a time no school has been maintained. The school has no continuous record, and I find no one who remembers definitely who its officers have been, but the following list of superintendents is proba- bly nearly complete : Dr. W. S. Newlon, Dr. W. E. Austin, W. M. John- sou, Dr. W. S. Newlon, Dr. H. J. Martin, O. Whitney, C. U. Dorman, Mrs. Louise Morrison, Burton Thorpe, J. D. H. Reed, Rev. Park A. Bradford and wife, C. E. Coleman. P«rso;?«.— Organized July 30, 1873. Superintendents : P. M. Griffin,. A. H. Ayers, I. Dickson, A. P. Wilson, E. C. Ward, J. H. Mosic, G. W. Ragland. Deerton.—On the completion of the church, in 1880, a Sunday school was organized, which was maintained until the church was moved to Valeda, in 1886. Rev. James Cooper superintended it while he was pastor. RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 311 UNIVERSAT.IST. During the time the Uuiversalists had an orgauization and sustained preaching services in Oswego, they also maintained a Sunday school, of which John F. Hill was superintendent. UNITED BRETHREN. Parsons. — Organized 1876, with Abraham Gary superintendent. Since that, W.F. Grierson, Butler, A.B. Hacker, and Mrs. Sandercook, Union District, No. 69. — Organized in 1870, with Joseph Vance super- intendent, and maintained until 1874. Dennis. — The United Brethren Sunday school was organized in 1882, and came mainly from the Sylvan Dale and Four-Mile schools ; Alvin Miller was its first superintendent. It is maintained with a fair degree of prosperity. J. D. McKeever and Noah Huff are reported as having superintended since Mr. Miller. EVANGELICAL. A Sunday school was organized by this denomination in the spring of 1886, in its church in Dennis. W. W. Blake was superintendent for sev- eral years. William Dick was one of the workers as long as he was able to be around. Jacob Eisenhood and B. F. Dienst have also superin- tended. METHODIST EPISCOPAL. Oswego. — The first denominational Sunday school to be organized in the county was the First Methodist Episcopal Sunday School of Oswego. In the summer of 1868 the Methodists first organized a school, of which Ansel Gridley sr. w^as superintendent. This, like all the other Sunday schools of that time, was run only during the warm weather; it closed before the cold weather of winter came on. This school as now conducted claims an existence only from Sunday, April 9, 1869, when it was again organized, since which time it has had an uninterrupted existence, and since the time when Mr. Case took the snperintendency the school has not missed a single session. It is by over a year the oldest school that now has an existence in the county. At the organization of the school, on April 19, 1869, Ansel Gridley sr. was again elected superintendent; lie served as such till September 18, 1870, when Nelson Case, having been elected superintendent, first took charge of the school. Mr. Case then served continuously a little over fifteen years; he tendered his res- ignation on September 28, 1885, and it was accepted on October 5. The pastor, Rev. J. A. Hyden, superintended from this time till the close of the year. W. F. Thorne superintended during 1886, and Rev. J. B. Ford, the pastor, during 1887. At the close of 1887 Nelson Case was again elected superintendent, and since January 1, 1888, has continued in that position. — The school was organized in Crouse's Hall, on lot 5 in 312 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. block 39, where it held its sessions during the summer of 1869; the fol- lowing winter it met in two or three different places — a part of the time in Wells's Hall. In the summer of 1870 the new church building was erected, and as soon as it was inclosed the school commenced meeting iu it. In the fall of 1870 the superintendent instituted a teachers' meeting, which has been maintained weekly since. Normal classes have also been conducted in connection with the school work for several years. Chetopa. — Organized July 17, 1870, with J. M. Cavaness superintend- ent, who served until Julj-, 1873, when W. W. Sweet was elected super- intendent. In January, 1873, L. J. Van Landingham was elected, and served three years; he was followed by S. B. Sloan. In 1877 Mr. Cav- aness was elected, and served, with the exception of a year or two when D. O. Ditzler superintended, till 1886, when he went into the ministry. Following him B. S. Edwards superintended until 1889, when Mr. Cav- aness was again placed in charge, since which time he has held the position. Montana. — The Presbyterians having organized their school upon the completion of their church, in 1878, the Methodists then organized a de- nominational school, the two having theretofore been conducted as a union school in the school-house. AUamont. — Organized in 1884. Superintendents: O. P. Van Slyke, J. O. King, Arthur J. Rust, W. J. Lough, P. H. Riepie, E. D. Keinze. Parsons. — In the summer of 1873 a Methodist Sunday school was or- ganized, with the pastor, Rev. C. R. Rice, superintendent. Owing to the straitened circumstances and unorganized condition of the work, the school did not maintain a continuous existence, but part of the time united with other workers iu carrying on a union school. Besides Rev. C. R. Rice, the early superintendents were: M. Wallace, M. G. Brown, and J. W. Cowles. In January, 1876, T. H. Cunningham was elected superintendent, and continued to act as such until the close of 1890. In January, 1891, J. L. Kennerer was elected superintendent, and in Janu- ary, 1892, M. E. Wolf was elected, and is now serving. Center Chapel. — Upon the completion of this church building, iu the spring of 1887, a Sunday school was at once organized therein. It was conducted as a union school until the close of 1890, with the following superintendents: Mrs. M. E. Casky, A. W. Meador, and F. M. Morrison. In January, 1891, it was organized as a Methodist school, with F. M. Morrison superintendent ; in January, 1892, W. E. Snyder succeeded him. Labette. — Organized in 1876. Superintendents: 1875, J. K. Sipple; 1877-84, J. B. Payne; 1885, J. E. Williams; 1886, J. B. Payne; 1887-92, A. C. Lamm. Dresser District, No. 5i.— The Methodist school at this point was or- ganized in the spring of 1883, and was maintained until the fall of 1886, RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 313 at which time the class was changed from this to Valeda. W. J. Mil- likiii was superintendent the first two years, after which a man with the same name, excepting that his name is spelled with an "e" instead of an "i" in the last syllable (W. J. Milliken), superintended. Mound T'a^fey.— Organized in the fall of 1880, by E. A. Graham. Superintendents: J. J. Decker, A. B. Hammer, R. W. Simpson, O. B. Moore, Isaac Hill, Alexander Moore, and E. A. Graham. Fletcher Chapel. — When this church was inclosed, in the fall of 1883, the Sunday school was moved from the Breese school-house to it. Solo- mon Pearson was first superintendent. Of those who have succeeded him I have not been furnished a list, but understand that among them have been Fannie Kirby and R. A. Hill. Hopewell. — This school has ever been known as the "Evergreen," from the fact that while most of the schools in the country closed during the winter months, this was kept running the year round, from its first or- ganization. It was organized in April, 1871, in a granary on the place of James Beggs, and was afterward held in a dwelling-house until the Henderson school-house was completed, when it was removed to that building, where it was held until Hopewell church was completed, since which time its home has been in that structure. From its organization until 1884, James Beggs was its superintendent, with the exception of one year, when George McDole filled that place. Since 1884 it has had several superintendents, among whom have been L. C. Masters, W. T. Beggs, M. Daniels, and James Monroe. Pleasant Hill. — Organized in 1890, and has had for superintendents James Woodyard, Mrs. Barker, and James Tenable. Excelsior. — Organized in 189:2. Edna. — Almost from the first organization of Sunday-school work in Edna it was largely under the control of the Methodists ; but it was not till they went into the new church, in the spring of 1883, that the Meth- odists organized a distinctively denominational school. The following persons have superintended the school : E. B. Baldwin, L. Powell, H. S. Wimmer, Charles Long. Cecil. — As soon as the Methodist church at Cecil was inclosed, the Sunday school which had been previously conducted at the Liggett school-house was moved to the church ; this was done in March, 1883. J. N. Thompson was its first superintendent, and since then there have been J. D. Lombard, J. P. Lewman, Lydia A. Owens, Noah E. Barrick, Elizabeth Laman. pkesbyteriax. Mound Valley. — Organized December 7, 1884; Dr. L. D. Strother, .superintendent; 48 scholars, divided into eight classes. The school has been maintained ever since. C. M. Brown superintended for a year or two. 314 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. CJietopa. — Organized July 17, 1870, with C. S. Moutagiie superinteud- ent, and on August 25, 1872, Dr. C. Humble was elected superintendent. He continued to serve till he went away, in 1877. Following him the school has been superintended by C. H. McCreery, S. O. Barnes, Fred. Allen, Jesse M. Morgan, Julia R. Knight, and Arnold D. Kobisou. Parsons. — Organized in December, 1872, witli Harry L. Gosling super- intendent. Succeeding him there have been the following superintend- ents: M. B. Park, I. N. McCreery, G. C. Hitchcock, S. M. Cambern, Frank Mulford, S. A. Scott, F. L. Schaub, W. H. Martin, J. L. Morrison. Osicego.—OYg^mzQA in May, 1870, with Cornelius V. Monfort superin- tendent. He was followed by J. J. Browne, J. W. Monfort, E. B. New- ton, Alexander Mackie, Chas. Coit, Andrew Mackie, Albert A. Smith, R. P. Carpenter, Fred. C. Wheeler, Henry L. McCune, Fred. W. Keller, E. P. Mossman, and J. M. Berry. Montana. — When the Presbyterian church was built at Montana, in 1878, the Sunday school was at once organized therein, with James Morning superintendent, since when it has been maintained only a part of the time. Lake Creek. — The Lake Creek Presbyterian church having been built, the Sunday school which had been maintained at the school-house was removed to it, in 1884, where it was opened as a Presbyterian school, and the union school was discontinued. Since removing to the church, its^ superintendents have been: A. D. Robison, Thomas E. Baty, Mrs. J. H. Sellers, Irwin A. Robinson, and again Thomas E. Baty. Edna. — This school was organized in their church in Kingston, in 1879, where it was continued until the church was moved to Edna, in 1887. John T. Watt was superintendent while the school remained at Kingston and for a year after it was moved to Edna. In 1889 H. Allen was superintendent. No school was maintained during 1890 and 1891. It was reorganized in January, 1892, with J. T. Watt as superintendent. The Chetopa United Presbyterian Sunday School was organized in Thomas's Hall in May, 1871, and on the completion of the church build- ing in the fall of that year, the Sunday school there found its home, where it has had a continuous existence to the present time, meeting in the morning before preaching, except for a short time, when it was held immediately after preaching. Two features of this school are worthy of special commendation, the first being the fact that nearly all the congre- gation is in the Sunday school, thus giving it probably the largest per cent, of adult attendance of any school in the county ; the other item re- ferred to is a mission collection on nearly every Sunday. Rev. J. C. McKnight has continuously served as Bible-class teacher from the organ- RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 315- ization of the school. John Torrence aud William Wade have been suc- cessful teachers respectively of the classes for young men and young women. T. J. Calvin was the first superintendent, and held the position for ten years, from 1871 to 1881. Succeeding him were the following parties: Samuel Wade six months, I. N. Anderson three years, John Torrauce five years, David Burnside one year, Mrs. Robert McCaw one year, and Mrs. R. J. Stewart is the present superintendent. COU^^TY SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION. In the spring of 1873 several of the Sunday-school workers of Chetopa joined in issuing a call for a meeting to form a county Sunday school as- sociation. Pursuant to this call, quite a number met in the Presbyterian church in Chetopa, on March 21, 1873, and effected a temporary organiza- tion by electing J. M. Cavaness temporary president and C. S. Montague temporary secretary. A constitution was adopted, and the following officers elected : President, I. W. Patrick ; secretary, C. S. Montague ; treasurer, T. J. Calvin ; executive committee, J. M. Cavaness, Nelson Case, J. F. Hill, Amy B. Howard. Meetings have been held annually, with two exceptions, and several years two or more meetings have been held. No meeting was held in either 1888 or 1890. The annual meet- ings have been held as follows: Oct. 15, 1873, Oswego; Oct. 31, 1873, Chetopa; Sept. 23, 1874, Oswego; Sept. 36, 1875, Chetopa; Sept. 37, 1876, Parsons; Sept. 19, 1877, Oswego; Sept.18, 1878, Mound Valley; Sept. 23, 1879, Labette; Sept. 21, 1880, Montana; Oct. 6, 1881, Oswego; March 31, 1882, Chetopa; May 3, 1883, Mound Valley; May 7, 1884, Altamont; May 21, 1885, Labette; May 12, 1886, Altamont; Oct. 5, 1887, Mound Valley ; Jan. 3, 1889, Edna; March 17, 1891, Oswego; Feb. 29, 1892, Mound Val- ley ; Dec. 13, 1893, Chetopa. Presidents : March 21, 1872, to Oct. 22, 1873, I. W. Patrick; 1873-77, Nelson Case; 1877-79, Rev. F. L. Walker; 1879, D. G. Brown; 1880, Rev. R. M. Scott; 1881-83, Rev. C. H. McCreery ;. 1883-86, J. M. Cavaness; 1886, Rev. J. B. Ford; 1887-88, J. H. Elmore; 1889, John Slaughter; 1890-92, F. L. Schaub; 1892-93, Agnes Baty. Secretaries: 1872, C. S. Montague; 1872-73, Rev. J. H. Metier; 1873-77, C. Humble; 1877, Nelson Case; 1878, L. J. Van Landingham ; 1879, G. K. Sipple; 1880-85, Charles T. Carpenter; 1885-87, William Paramore ; 1887-88, Hattie Beggs; 1889-92, Agnes Baty ; 1892-93, Nellie Harrison. TOWNSHIP ASSOCIATIONS. Before even the county association had been formed, the Sunday- school workers in Oswego met on September 26, 1869, and formed a local organization, of which Nelson Case was elected president. This was the first association organized in the county. After the formation of the 216 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. €Ounty association, the cities organized or reorganized their associations on a basis uniform with the township associations. At the annual con- vention of the county association in October, 1875, it was resolved to try and secure the organization of the several townships as fast as possible, and within the next two years an organization was effected in each town- ship and city in the county. Many of these associations, however, were short-lived. Their original organization was the result of visits and work by one or more of the officers of the county association, and when these visits ceased most of the township associations ceased to hold meetings. Two or three townships have maintained their organizations, and have regularly held conventions, among them North and Osage ; and in all of the townships quite an amount of local work has been done. CHUKCH ORGANIZATIONS. SEVENTH-DAY ADVEXTISTS. A few families holding the belief of this denomination early settled in Osage township, and soon commenced to hold meetings in private houses, occasionally going to the different school-houses to hold their services. About 1880 they bought from the Christians the church building the latter had erected on section 26, in which they have since continued to hold meetings. In the fall of 1869 John Madison commenced preaching in William Logan's log house on section 9, in Fairview township, and ever since that time they have maintained regular services in the Stover school-house. J. H. Cook, H. C. Blanchard and L. D. Santee have been among those who have preached at this point. For some ten years past services have been held with a good deal of regularity in the southwest part of the county : Valeda is now the center of that work. Services are held occasionally at Chetopa, Parsons, Oswego, and probably other points. CHURCH OF GOD. Zion Hill. — This church was organized in the fall of 1883, by Mrs. €lara Utsey, with 15 members. Services were conducted by her in the Stover school-house until the completion of their church building. The church was erected in the fall of 18S4, on the northwest corner of section 10, in Fairview township. Besides Mrs. Utsey, Rev. Mr. Barterbaugh and Rev. Mr. Cross have preached for this congregation. It has for some time been without a pastor. Center Bethel was organized about the same time as Zion Hill. A church house was erected in the spring of 1884, on the northwest corner of section 21, in Liberty township. The same ministers who have sup- plied Zion Hill have also preached for this congregation. RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 317 Janes.— A.W organizatiou of this church was etfected at the Janes school- house, in District No. 95, in the fall of 1884. It has had the same minis- ters as Zion Hill church. MORMONS, OR LATTI:R-DAY SAINTS. Quite a number of this persuasion were among the first settlers along- Pumpkin creek, in the southern part of Mound Valley and Canada town- ships. Among those who were prominent were the families of Hart, Eichard and Benjamin Davis, Phineas and Charles Fultz. There were several among them who were recognized as preachers. Services were held from house to house quite regularly. When the school-house was built, in 1877, in District No. 9 4, they organized, and removed their ser- vices to that place, where they have since been regularly continued. UXIVERSALISTS. In January, 1883, an organization of this denomination was effected at the home of Rev. J. Davis, in Oswego. Meetings were conducted in the court-house, and part of the time in Liggett's Hall. Rev. J. Davis was elected pastor, and continued to serve as such till about the middle of April, 1885, when the organization was practically disbanded. Services were not maintained regularly, however, during all of that time. BROTHERHOOD OF HUMANITARIANS. ^ January 13, 1881, an organization taking this title was formed in Lig- gett's Hall, in Oswego, as follows: Mrs. E. Smith, president; Mrs. I. C. Pierce, vice-president ; Mrs. M. A. Hurlbut, secretary ; Dr. R. W. Wright, treasurer. I do not know to what extent they maintained meetings. THE SALVATION CHURCH OF CHRIST Was formed by Thomas D. Bickham as a new religious organization, in Chautauqua county, in 1880, and the following year a class was organized at Rose Hill school-house, in District No. 91, which has been maintained since then. This is the only class in the county belonging to this organ- ization. Since the death of Thomas D. Bickham, in 1889, his son, Ezra E. Bickham, has been the leading spirit in this church. NEOSHO VALLEY CHURCH. The southwest corner of section 33, township 32, range 21, was deeded to F. Swanwick and Randall Bagby, for the use of all religious denomi- nations. The neighbors contributed work and logs, and in January, 1870, a log church was erected upon this ground, and a cemetery was also started thereon. Xearly all denominations at one time or another held services here : possibly the preachers of the Methodist Church South used it as much as any other. The building was used for both school and church purposes until the new school-house was built in District 24, after which the building was torn down. The burying-ground is still used. -■318 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. CHUECII OF AVILSONTON. This church professed to be organized on the plan of the old apostles, of having one church in a place. The first meeting lookiug toward its organization was held October 27, 1889, in the hall at Wilsonton. Rev. George E. Thrall was elected chairman and Mrs. Ella B. Wilson secre- tary. A constitution was adopted and officers elected. THE CATHOLIC CHUKCH. Chetopa. — Father Schoenmaker and other priests had visited along the Neosho as soon as settlers had commenced to arrive, and had done con- siderable religious work; but no church was organized by them till 1871. On July 16, 1871, Father Dougherty took charge of the work, and began holding services in Drake's Hall. A building was erected, and on May 31, 1874, dedicated by Rev. E. Bononcini, pastor, and Rev. F. Swemberg, of Emporia. Father Bononcini had charge of the work for some time prior to December, 1880, when he was succeeded by C. Haspenthal. Ostcego. — Priests from neighboring parishes visited Oswego from time to time and held services. In 1878, largely through the Instrumentality of F. Beyle, a building was erected, which was dedicated October 13th of that year, by Rev. Paul M. Ponziglioni. A priest has supplied this in connection with other points. Parsons. — St. Patrick's congregation was organized by Father Philip G. Calloten, in the summer of 1872, and lots 1 and 2 in block 122 were secured on which to commence the erection of a frame church. In De- cember, 1876, he was succeeded by Father Joseph Dreason, w^ho served till August, 1881, when Father Rose took charge. Under his direction the property at the head of Central avenue was secured and converted into a convent. Five sisters from St. Agnes convent at Osage Mission were secured to conduct the school. Changes w^ere also made in the church building and grounds. Fathers Hodgden, Reil, and Ward, the latter now in charge, have been successors of Father Rose. Under the management of Father Ward work has commenced on a large new cathe- dral, which will be a fine building when completed. PIIOTESTANT EPISCOPAL. Oswego. — In 1870, and for a year or two thereafter, Episcopal services were held now and then at Oswego, and some steps were taken towards organizing a parish. If it was accomplished at all, it did not live long nor show many signs of life. Chetopa. — During 1871 the Episcopalians held occasional services in some of the churches in Chetopa, and gathered together some strength that naturally tended to that body. In May, 1872, St. Paul's parish was formed, with Rev. Thomas L. Smith as rector. The church never devel- oped much strength. RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 319 Parsons. — St. John's Memorial Church was organized in June, 1874, as a memorial to Ezra Williams Howard, of Providence, R. I., whose widow, through Bishop Vail, gave 82,000 towards its erection. The first board of trustees consisted of Angell Matthewson, W. C. Holmes, J. R. Brown, James Barton, George Thornton, S. O. Fletcher, and Wil- liam Horsefall. Dr. J. B. Lamb was the first senior warden. Rev. Benjamin Mower was at once secured as the first rector, and he continued to act as such for something over a jear. He immediately commenced raising money for the erection of a church. On Sunday, September 27, 1874, the corner-stone was laid, under the direction of the Masons and Odd Fellows, and on April 4, 1875, the church was opened by Bishop Tail. Prior to the completion of their own church they had held ser- vices in the Methodist tabernacle. Mr. Gay, D. W. Cox, Mr. Talbot, W. T. Bowen and C. W. Harris are among those who have served as rectors. CHRISTIAX CHUKCIIES. [It is probable that some of the organizations which I have grouped under this head might be more properly designated, according to their own claim, by some other name, but I have no information by which I can make any better classification than this.-N. C] Concord. — Soon after the completion of Concord school-house, in Dis- trict No. 16, in the fall of 1868, Rev. Jackson Statton commenced hold- ing services In it. He and other ministers frequently preached there during the next year. In 1874 Rev. J. S. Masters began preaching here, and organized a church, which was maintained for some five years. Franklin was organized at Center school-house. District No. 14, in 1869, by Peterson Cherry and AVilliam Mcintosh. Some two years later it was moved to the Liberty school-house. In District No. 17, and some three or four years later to the Franklin school-house, in District No. 55, where it has since been maintained. It has had for its pastors Elders Berry, Randall, Murray, and Cole. Pleasant Hill. — A church was organized in the log school-house in District No. 38, in April, 1871, by Rev. Jacob S. Masters, who preached for them a number of years. In 1878 they built a frame church on the northeast quarter of section 26, township 31, range 18. After Mr. Mas- ters moved away the organization ceased, and the church building was sold to the Seventh-Day Adventists. Lockard. — An organization was formed at the Lockard school-house, in District No. 28, by Rev. J. N. Allison, who has preached there for some time. Star. — Rev. J. S. Masters organized a church in the Star school-house, in District No. 50, in 1874, and preached there several years. It was then consolidated with the South Hackberry church. 320 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. South Hackherry {now Elm City). — This church was organized at the Valley school-house, District No. 73, by Rev. J. S. Masters aucl Rev. G. W. Goodman, April 6, 1873, and has maintained services ever since. Rev. J. S. Masters and his brother Rev. J. L. Masters have preached for the church the greater part of the time, but it has also had other preachers. The services were changed in 1887 from the Valley school- house to Rose Hill school-house, in District No. 109. The church in the summer of 1893 erected a house of worship at Elm City, which was dedi- cated Oct. 9, 1893, by Rev. J. S. Masters. Philander Davis, A. Humphries, J. Allison, and F. Fallie, besides the Masters brothers, have been pastors. Emmons District, No. 84.. — In 1877 Rev. Skelton Riley, a preacher in the Christian denomination, commenced preaching in this school-house, and as there were several in the neighborhood who wanted to have a church connection, he soon succeeded in forming quite an organization of those who had belonged to various denominations. The understanding was that no particular denominational creed should be preached. Every- thing went off smoothly for about a year, but finally the preacher mixed in his sermons quite a large amount of his peculiar denominational views, which was distasteful to a large proportion of his members. The mem- bership gradually decreased, and after an existence of something like two years the organization became entirely disbanded. Bell Mound District, No. 99. — A Christian church was organized at this point several years ago, which has since been maintained. A. D. Skaggs and Job Padget have done considerable preaching for them. Chetopa. — On September 11, 1870, Rev. Allen Crocker, of Burlington, preached at Spaulding's Hall. This was the first service held by this de- nomination in Chetopa. This church was organized with 36 members, in January, 1876, by Benjamin H. Smith, who served it as pastor for about eighteen mouths, preaching for them once a month. In 1878 Elder M. J. Jenkins held a series of meetings, the use of the Baptist church being secured for that purpose. For the next three years the church was occasionally served by Prof. Robert Hay. The church then became disbanded, partially for want of a place to meet. In 1883 a room in the California House was secured as a place for meeting, and F. S. Young and P. A. Millard were secured to hold a series of meetings in April. These resulted in a reorganization of the church, with 34 members. A Sunday school had been organized by them a few weeks before. P. A. Millard served them as pastor for a year or more, after which they had preaching occasionally till the spring of 1886, when M. J. Jenkins be- came pastor, giving them half of his time for some six months. In 1884 a frame church 33x44 feet was erected, at a cost of about $1,400, and RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 321 dedicated December 14, 1884, by W. C. Pool. On April 30, 1889, the church traded this house of worship with the Baptist denomination for its bnilding, and thereupon the two denominations exchanged places of meeting. In 1888 Elder M. Ingles preached one-half the time, and G. W. Leonard once a month in 1891. A. J. Garrison was pastor in 1892, preaching two Sundays each mouth, until November, when he resigned. Labette. — This church was first organized at Liberty school-house, Dis- trict Xo. 17, in 1871, by William Mcintosh, who preached to them most of the time for several years. In September, 1877, the organization was removed to the town of Labette, where it has since been maintained. They have not had regular pastors much of the time, but have had occa- sional preaching by Peter Shick, Frank Harmau, Elder Jenkins, A. D. Skaggs, Thomas Cole, and others. Montana. — This church was organized at the residence of Dr. R. M. Taylor, December 3, 1886, at which time J. J. Freeman, Crowell Cook and R. H. Gaston were elected trustees. Lots 7 and 8 in block 14 were secured, and a church building was erected thereon in 1887, at a cost of about ^(500. The church has beeu supplied with regular preaching but a small portion of the time. Rev. A. D. Skaggs preached for them some time in connection with his work at other points in the county. In 1893 they sold their church building to the Methodists. Parsons. — The First Christian Church of Parsons was first organized in 1873, with 13 members, and was reorganized in 1875, with 35 mem- bers. A brick church building was completed in 1879. Its first elders were Phineas Davis and John Leonard ; its first deacons, J. F. Van Meter and W. L Daily ; J. B. Graves was first pastor ; following him there have been C. C. Cline, C. O. McKiuney, O. E. Ebert, Thomas, J. P. Witt, J. T. Tucker. Central. — In May, 1890, J. P. Witt, who had been preaching for the First church, organized the Central Christian church of Parsons, with a membership of about forty, and became its first pastor. He was suc- ceeded by D. M. Harris, and he by Brown. The church has as yet erected no building. Attamont. — This church was organized in March, 1877, by Elder Frank Harmon, with thirteen members. James Perry and William P. Daniel were its first elders, and F. L. Hamilton and James Daniel its deacons. It has been served by the following ministers : Frank Harmon, J. Padget, P. W. Shick, John Owen, B. F. Lucas. In 1893 this church purchased the frame building which had previously beeu the public school building, which they have removed and repaired for use as a church. Oswego. — The Oswego Christian church was organized in May, 1875, — •21 322 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY by Rev. J. W. Randall, with a membership of about twenty soon after completing the organization. For a time they held services in the Bap- tist church, and afterwards in the court-house. In 1879 they erected a house of worship, which was dedicated January 25, 1880, by Rev. Kirk Baxter. The pastors have been as follows: J. W. Randall, M. J. Jenkens, Kirk Baxter, H. S. Kline, Thomas E. Shepherd, D. R. De Schullie, A. H. Mulkey, R. A. Thompson, J. W. Ferrell, M. Ingels, J. H. Blake, and E. N. Tucker. — An organization of the Y. P. S. C. E. was effected October 12, 1890, and has done a good line of work in Bible study. David Jennings has been its president since its inception. Mound Valley. — An organization was effected at the residence of E. Stapleton, in May, 1871, by Rev. J. W. Randall. This organization, however, only lasted for a short time. In March, 1882, Rev. J. Padget conducted a series of meetings in a school-house, and a reorganization was formed. A house of worship was erected that summer. COXGREGATIOXAI. CHURCHES. Oswego. — The Congregational church of Oswego was the first church to be organized In the county. The meeting at which it was organized was held in the building at the northeast corner of block 33, then used for school and church purposes, Jan. 9, 1868. There were present Rev. T. H. Can field. Dr. W. S. Newlon, Mrs. M.W. Newlon, Mrs. LucindaNewlou, William Herbaugh, Augusta Herbaugh, and A. L. Austin. W. S. New- lon was elected clerk, A. L. Austin and William Herbaugh deacons. On the following Sunday, January 12th, the public organization of the church took place. Rev. Thomas H. Canfield was sent out by the Board of Home Missions in the fall of 1867, and soon commenced preaching. He was the first regular preacher on the ground who came more as a preacher than as a settler, although the Methodists had several local preachers here before he came. Early in 1869 they connnenced the erec- tion of a stone church, which was inclosed about the last of the year, and cost some $2,000. The church was first occupied on January 23, 1870, although it was not yet completed. Mr. Canfield resigned in 1870, aud was succeeded for a few mouths by Rev. J. F. Morgan, who was followed by Rev. F. A. Armstrong — a man with a large amount of wisdom and goodness, but with less 'practical sense. As a consequence, he aud his members did not see things alike, and he was finally left as pastor of a church almost without a membership. The church remained closed for a number of months, but finally A. Bixby was employed, and preached most of the time for some two or three years — from 1876 to 1879. John F. Flint served a few months in 1880. E. F, Smith was called in the spring of 1881, and served until the summer of 1882. J. N. Branch RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 323 ii reached for them the last half of 1883. O. M. Vau Sweariiigen came in the spring of 18S4, and stayed a little more than a year. P'rom the fall of 1886 to the spring of 1887 Wm. T. Blenkarn supplied the pulpit; it then remained vacant till the spring of 1891, when Park A. Bradford was employed, and remained most of that year. In the summer of 1892 Chas. H. Currans filled the pulpit. The church is now without a pastor. Pa?-«6>M*.— Early in 1872 several citizens of Parsons who leaned toward Congregationalism, after consulting some of the officers of the Home Missionary Society decided to organize, and secured the incorporation of "'The First Congregational Church Society of Parsons," with E. C. Ward, E. S. Stevens and C. L. Whitney as trustees. Hew^es's Hall was rented, and Rev. Mr. Storrs and other ministers promised to preach till the arrival of the Rev. P. M. Grilfin, who was to be sent out by the Home Missionary Society as soon as he finished his course at Andover. As the Methodists and Presbyterians were already occupying this hall on alter- nate Sabbaths, the Congregationalists could only hold services occa- sionally. This hastened their action in building a church. The town company donated lots 1 and 2 in block 49, and the church purchased lots 3 and 4 adjoining. Mr. Griffin arrived on the ground and commenced work September 1, 1872. A brick building 27x65 was constructed as rapidly as could be done, and was completed in the following July. On July 12, 1873, Edmund S. Stevens, Mrs. Elizabeth Stevens, Mrs. Emily Fellows, Rev. Presley M. Griffin and Mrs. E. J. Griffin formed them- selves into and organized the First Congregational Church of Parsons. On the following day, Sundaj^ July 13, 1873, the church building was dedicated by Dr. P. McVicar; the church was reorganized, and the pas- tor was ordained and installed by an ecclesiastical council. Mr. Griffin remained pastor till August 19, 1879, when he resigned, and was duly dismissed by the council. During Mr. Griffin's pastorate the church membership w^as increased from five to sixty-two, and the entire church indebtedness was canceled. Mr. Griffin was succeeded by Rev. H. M. Burr, who came in November, and continued till May, 1880, when he was compelled by ill-health to resign. From this time till September 1, 1881, the church was without a pastor; at that time Rev. C. Hartley came and stayed till June, 1882, w^hen he resigned. In December, 1882, Rev. W. H. Utley became pastor, and continued till February 1, 1886. In May of that year Rev. C. L. McKesson accepted a call, and remained some tw^o years. The church was then closed till the summer of 1890, during wdiich time it seemed that the life of the church had entirely fled : but the membership again rallied, repaired the church, and extended a call to their first pastor, Rev. P. M. Griffin, who accepted, and began work September 1, 1890, and continued till sometime in 1892. During 324 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNIY. his last pastorate a Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was formed, and new vitality was put in the church in many ways. The Deerton Congregational Church was organized in the Dresser school-house, District No. 51, July 23, 1877, by Kev. S. D. Storrs, with seven members. Rev. Alanson Bixby, of Oswego, w^as chairman of the meeting, and after the organization of the church he was at once chosen pastor; he served this church in connection with the church at Oswego. There were seventeen accessions during the year. At the close of that year Rev. Uriel Farmer was chosen pastor, and during the year steps were taken to erect a church and parsonage. George E. Wiley donated three acres of land on the northwest (luarier of section 21, township 34, range 18, near the north line of Howard township, for church and par- sonage. The parsonage was built during 1878. The church building was erected in the fall of 1879, and was dedicated January 34, 1880, the corner-stone having been laid October 18, 1879. Mr. Farmer having served two years, he retired, and Rev. Mr. Flint temporarily supplied the pulpit. Early in 1883 Rev. James Cooper became pastor, and served to the close of 1883. During his pastorate about fifty names were added to the list of members. With the opening of 1884 Rev. Howard Gilchrist entered on his pastorate, which continued till near the close of 1885, when Rev. Park A. Bradford preached for a time. This closed the work while the building remained at Deerton. Valeda. — In the fall of 1886 the church building was removed from Deerton to Valeda. No services were held by the church until the fall of 1891. On Sept. 37, 1891, the church was reorganized, with 33 mem- bers. Rev. S. B. Dyckman was chosen pastor, and has continued since to serve in that capacity. The parsonage still remains at Deerton. BAPTISTS. Altamont. — On June 18, 1883, a few families, — viz. : of the Bonebrake families, Frank, May, S. M., Ezra, Amanda J., Luella; of the Baker family, 'Isaac, Aseneth, Thomas L,, May C, Allen T., Melvina; George and Margaret Chapman, Jonathan and Sarah Self, and Adeline Burns — presented letters from other churches, and organized the Altamont Bap- tist church. Rev. T. C. Daniels was chosen as the first pastor ; he only served till Nov. 19, 1883, when he was followed by J. M. C. Reed, who served for three years. E. Estes, W. G. Slinker and W. T. Jackson have been the subsequent pastors. In 1883 a building costing about $1,500 was completed, and dedicated Jan. 39, 1884, by Rev. A. S. Merri- field. The church has a membership of about fifty. Osicego. — The First Baptist Church of Oswego was organized at the court-house April 38, 1869, with the following members : Rev. Thomas RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 325 Clark and wife D. Clark, Rev. Zacliariah Harris and wife Anna J. Harris, Rev. T. J. Flouronoy and wife Virginia Flouronoj', and mother Nancy P. Flouronoy, John S. Read and wife E. C. Read, Elijah Read and wife Sarah "Read, Sarah N. Carr, Anna M. Bridgman, Jeriisha P. Smith, John Garrett, Jemima Garrett, and George W. Kingsbury. Rev. M. A. Clark, home missionary, was present, and acted as clerk. Rev. C. A. Batemau, of Chetopa, was also present, and gave the right hand of fellowship. Rev. Thomas Clark acted as moderator. John S. Read was elected clerk, Thomas J. Flouronoy deacon, John S. Read, T. J. Flouro- noy and G. W. Kingsbury trustees.— On May 8, 1869, a meeting was held, at which it was voted, on motion of Mr. Flouronoy, to proceed to build a house of worship. Subscription papers were put in circulation and reference is made to the matter at several meetings during the year, but no results are reported. — On June 9, 1869, "the subject of foot- washing in connection with the supper was introduced by Bro. Flouro- noy. There being no second to his motion, there was no action had upon the subject." There seems to have been no employment of a pastor dur- ing 1869 or 1870, but Rev. Thomas Clark preached quite regularly the first year. — On May 20, 1870, Rev. F. L. Walker arrived in Oswego, and at once took charge of the church, and to his faithful labors during the next twelve years, more than to any other human agency, are the Baptists indebted for the privileges they enjoy to-day. In September of that year a building committee was appointed, lots on which to build were selected and donated by the town company, and preparations were commenced in earnest to have a church building. The foundation was laid early in the spring of 1871, and was inclosed by midsummer of the following year. Though not finished, the church held their first services in the new house on July 13, 1873, with thirteen persons present, only eight of whom were members. Services continued to be held there till winter, when other quarters had to be secured. The next year the church was plastered and seated. Mr. Walker continued as pastor of the church till the close of 1881, when he severed his relation and went further west.— In April, 1882, Rev, C. T. Daniel accepted a call, and at once entered upon his pastorate, which w^as continued till March, 1883, when he resigned, and the church remained without a pastor until April, 1884, when Rev. J. M. Lackey accepted a call, and remained only till September. During the summer of 1883 the church was re-furnished in- side and re-seated. — In February, 1885, Rev. Chas. J. Bowles accepted a call, and served the church until close of 1886.— In March, 1889. Rev. Robert Smith became pastor, and continued as such to July, 1890. The church was then without a regular pastor until April, 1891, when Rev. C. N. H. More commenced his services as pastor, which he still contin- 326 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNl^Y. lies. — B. Y. P. U. was organized iu April, 1891, with Miss Nellie Harri- son as president. Since then it has had for presidents T. F. Kaho and Fluta Owens. The Second Baptist Church of Oswego was organized by the colored people, iu 1880. Cornelius Johnson secured its organization, and became its first pastor. Since then the church has had the following pastors : A. W. Green, J. J. Johnson, J. R. White, T. T. Ward, D. T. Carriway, N. C. Robinson. In 1883 the church pat up quite a good frame building on the southwest corner of block 2, iu which they held services till Sep- tember, 1884, when it was burned. Services were then conducted iu the A. M. E. church for some time. In July, 1885, they commenced the- erection of a new church on the site of the old one, and got it inclosed that fall, although it was not completed till the next year. Mound Valley Township. — A Baptist church was organized in the fall of 1871, at the home of J. G. Phenix, in the west part of Mound Valley township, by Rev. N. L. Davis. This organization was maintained some three or four years, when it was disbanded on account of other churches- being organized, which drew away the members. Wllsonton. — The AVilsonton Baptist church was organized June 5, 1892,. with Rev. J. D. Hopper as pastor, and a membership of seven or eight. Hackherry church was organized November 26, 1870, iu the residence- of Mr. DeGraw, In Hackberry township, by Rev. F. L. Walker. J. B. Ellis and Isaac Strickland were elected deacons. Services have ever since been maiutaiued iu the Ellis school-house, in District No. 45. Its pastors have been F. L. Walker, George Richardsou, William Richard- son, C. T. Floyd, George Goodwin, and W. G. Slinker. Pleasant Hill church is located on the northwest corner of section 12,. in the southeast corner of Hackberry township. It was organized in the spring of 1885, by Rev. C. T. Floyd, the membership coming princi- pally from the Chetopa church. On May 25, 1885, work commenced ou a church building, which was completed, and on Sept. 6 of that year was dedicated, by Rev. J. P. Ash. Dennis. — In the fall of 1877 Rev. Mr. Garrison held a protracted meet- ing iu the school-house in District No. 38, and organized a church. In 1878 they built a small frame church on the northeast corner of section 23, but after a time moved it to the southwest quarter of section 24. After Dennis was started they moved this building there, where they still use it as their house of worship. Mound Valley. — J. H. Tibbits, Sarah Tibbits, Milo Hildreth, Samuel Guthrey, Judson Wilson, H. W. Savage and Allison Savage constituted the first membership of the first Baptist church of Mound Valley, which was organized at the home of J. H. Tibbits, three miles south of Mound RELIGIOUS ORG.-LVIZATIOiVS. 327 Vallej', on April 1, 1S71, by Rev. F. L. Walker. On the following day, Sunday, Mr. Walker preached at the school-house in the town of Mound Valley, at which place services were thereafter held till the completion of their church building in 1882. In January, 1880, lots were procured ; in February a building committee was appointed, and in September the work of building was begun. As the building was mostly erected by volunteer work, it was some time in course of construction. It was dedi- cated, free of debt, on October 29, 1882. Mr. Walker remained in charge of the church for seven years, and was succeeded by Rev. George Good- win, who remained about a year, when Rev. G. W. Slinker was called, and continued as pastor for seven years, at the close of which Rev. C. T. Floyd became pastor. R. R. Coleman, who died in January, 1882, was one of tlie efficient workers of the church. In January, 1885, this church joined with the Methodists in their building in holding a revival meeting under the leadership of Rev. W. H. Hulbert, an evangelist. This was one of the most remarkable revivals ever held in the place. The Bap- tists realized from it an addition of 52 members. The present member- ship of the church is about 60. Parsons. — First Baptist Church : In the summer of 1871 Rev. F. L. Walker, of Oswego, visited Parsons and held some meetings. Perhaps other ministers may also have rendered them some services. A few Baptists in that vicinity got together, and even went so far as to com- mence the foundation for a church, but they were so few in number and so scattered that the enterprise was for a time abandoned. On March 2, 1873, Rev. Robert Atkinson preached in the Methodist church, and took the first steps toward organizing a church at that place. The organiza- tion was perfected March 30, 1873, with a membership of twelve, com- posed of George, Susan and Emma Everhart, Lettia Rockhold, Isaac Neptune, Benjamin F., Martin W., Mary B. and Lizzie Elliott, Ella Hall, Alice Scholl, and R. M. Donley. The following officers were then elected: Rev. Robert Atkinson, pastor and moderator; R. M. Donley, clerk; Mrs. Lettia Rockhold, treasurer; W. P. Scholl, J. B. Stilwell, J. R. Bennett, Mrs. Lettia Rockhold, trustees ; J. W. Fee, W. P. Scholl, J. B. Stilwell, deacons.— F. L. Walker and Thomas W. Green served as pastors till 1874; during that year Elihu Gunu preached for them a while, after which the church was inactive till September 1, 1877, when it was reorganized by Rev. Mr. Garrison, and a room secured on Forest avenue in which meetings were held till the church was erected. — In October, 1879, the foundation for the new church was laid, and on Janu- ary 31, 1880, the building was occupied. In 1887 the building was en- larged and improved, at a cost of over ^3,000, and on February 5, 1888, was dedicated by Rev. Robert Atkinson, — The church has had two quite 328 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. marked revivals, one iu 1884 and the other in 1887. — The following have served as pastors: F. M. lams, H. M. Carr, W. H. Irwin, L. J. Dyke, A. J. Essex, W. C. Harvey, J. T. Haye, H. M. Carr, C. H. De Wolfe.— Several years ago (about 1877 ) a Young People's Society of Christian Workers was organized in this church, of which H. F. Hixon \vas elected president; Eev. J. T. Hoye, G. H. L. Copeland and T. W. Flitton also served as presidents. The name was changed to that of the Baptist Young People's Union, and of this Ray L. Hudson is now president. Second {or New Hope) Baptist Church.— This church was organized by the colored people April 29, 1876, with 13 members. Pvev. Thomas Wilson, of Ottawa, and Rev. David Payne, of Humboldt, were the min- isters who effected the organization, and Mr. Payne became the first pas- tor. A building was erected during the summer of 1876. 3It. Pleasant BajHist Church is located in Parsons, and is also com- posed of colored members. It was organized May 27, 1886, Rev. G. W. Parks, of Oswego, acting as moderator, and J. W. Brown secretary. W. A. Walton was its first pastor. Richland. — A Baptist church was organized in the Richland school- house, in District No. 94, in May, 1877. Rev. F. L, Walker preached the organization sermon, and Rev. J. L. D. Williams gave the charge to the church. Mr. Williams was the first pastor, and served one year. Following him the church has been served by George Goodwin, Mr. Merry, C. A. Daniels, J. S. Johnson, and W. G. Slinker. — In 1885 a new church building was erected on the northwest quartei' of section 26 in Canada township. The first service was held therein on November 1, 1885, and the house was dedicated on December 6, 1885, by Rev. E. Estes, of Altamont. Edna.— On Feb. 2, 1872, Rev. F. L. Walker, of Oswego, assisted in organizing what was then called the Mount Zion Baptist Church. Ser- vices were held in the Lieb school-house, in District No. 85, and also in other of the school-houses in that part of the county. In the fall of 1883 work was commenced on a church building in Kingston ; the following summer it was finished and dedicated. The town of Kingston having been abandoned and the business consolidated with Edna on the comple- tion of the railroad, in 1886, this church building was removed to Edna. Labette. — Rev. G. W. Richardson commenced preaching in a log cabin on section 27, belonging to A. W. Richardson's estate, in the fall of 1867. He continued to preach at intervals in that vicinity until the church was organized. The organization of the Labette Baptist church took place on (or about) July 25, 1870, at the residence of R. K. Jones, with the following members : Elder, G. W. Richardson ; R. K. Jones, Martha Jones, Victoria Jones, and John Richardson. It was not until 1877 that RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 329 a house was erected bj' the church. Before that, meetings were held in various places, but principally in the hall or school-house. Quite a por- tion of the time the church has been without a i)astor. The following is a list of those who have served as pastors: G. W. Richardson till 1879, J. W. Sage two years, C. T. Floyd six mouths, F. M. Bowman sixteen months, C. J. Bowles one year, E. Estes one year, J. T. Crawford two months in his vacation. J. W. Jones one year, W. T. Jackson since Feb- ruary, 1892. Chetopa. — Of the work of the Baptists before the war, Dr. Lisle says: "The Baptists had preaching at our school-house occasionally, but had no organized church in the neighborhood ; there were several respectable members of that church here." The first service of the Baptist denomi- nation in Chetopa after the war of which 1 have learned was a sermon by Rev. C. A. Bateman, on April 18, 1869; a preliminary meeting of those desirous of organizing having been held on April 10, 1869. The First Baptist church of Chetopa w^as organized on April 24, 1869, by W. A. Clarke, who was Sunday-school missionary of the Baptist Publication Society, and C. A. Bateman, the latter of whom at once became its pas- tor, in which capacity he served the church till after the dedication of its l)uildiug. To his enthusiasm was largely due the rapidity with which their building was pushed forward. On February 9, 1870, they com- menced work, and on August 14, 1870, their house was dedicated, the sermon being preached by Rev. F. M. Ellis, of Lawrence. In Novem- ber, 1870, Rev. A. L. Rigby accepted a call to the pastorate of the church, and remained two years, during which time the chairs with which the church was first seated were removed and good pews put in their place, the grounds were fenced, and other improvements made. From the close of 1872 on for several years the church was without any regular pastor, and consequently suffered very materially in its strength. Mr. Walker, of Oswego, gave them some help; in 1874 Rev. W. W. Kane, of Tennes- see, preached for them a few^ months, and other ministers occasionally gave them some service. In July, 1879, Rev. C. T. Floyd became pas- tor, and remained in charge till 18S2. In January, 1883, Rev. William Wilbur accepted the pastoral call tendered him, and continued as such till September, 1885. In 1887 the church called Elder Knapp, who served them one year. Rev. D, AV. Harvey became pastor in 1888, and remained two years; Elder AVhite followed him, and is still pastor. The Second Baptist Church of Chetopa is composed of colored mem- bers. It was organized in 1882, and has a building free from debt. ]t has had the following pastors: Jerry Houston, P. Botts, C. T. Tillman, A. W. Green, R. Cartwright, J. R. White, Steward, J. A. D. Jen- kins, M. C. Cox. S. S. Alexander. 330 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. German Baptists. — An organization of German Baptists, or Dunkards, was formed in the latter part of 1878, at the I.ockard school-house, in District No. 28, with a membership of about 125. Meetings since that time have been held in various school-houses. Altamont has been rather headquarters for the brethren. Among those who have ministered to this people have been J. W. Eikenbury, Samuel Renger, Nicholas Trapp, J. B. Lear, Simon Long, C. H. Keingley. Sidney Hodgden and Samuel Edgcomb have been elders. In November, 1881, Elders Sidney Hodgden and Martin Nehr formed an organization in the school-house in District No. 21, in Neosho township. In the fall of 1882 some twenty members from this organization withdrew and formed a new organization called the Brethren. They organized at Pleasant Valley school-house, in District No. 48, where they have since been ministered to by Rev. A. J. Hixon. The Predestination Bcqjtist Church. — An organization of this denomi- nation was formed at the Hawkins school-house, in District 92, about 1875, by Noah Showalters, who became its pastor, and continued as such for several years. T. B. Lee and Isaac McCarty have also been pastors of this chnrch presbyteriax. In 1873 Rev. J. W. Alexander organized a Cumberland Presbyterian church in Harmony Grove school-house, in District No. 30, to which he preached for some time, but after a few years it was allowed to lapse. Chetopa. — Rev. J. A. Adair was the first United Presbyterian minister to preach in the county. He visited Chetopa and vicinity, and preached several times in the spring and summer of 18(38. On May 4, 1869, the United Presbyterian congregation was organized, with a membership of 10, Rev. E, C. Cooper preaching, and presiding at the organization. Cranston Taylor, J. A. Eudsley and Edwin Johnson were elected elders, and were ordained on May 10, 18(59. Mr. Cooper supplied the church for some months, and on September 12th held the first communion ser- vice. On March 28, 1870, a church meeting was held, and a constitution and b5--laws adopted. William Liggett, Robert Phillips, John Haughey, Edwin Johnson and T. J. Calvin were elected trustees. On July IS, 1870, a congregational meeting was held, and action taken looking toward the building of a church ; and on Sept. 24, 1870, at another congrega- tional meeting, it was resolved to erect a brick building, 36x40 feet. A building committee was appointed, and the work commenced at once. The building was completed in the spring of 1871, and on October 29, 1871, it was dedicated, Rev. J. A. Heron preaching the dedicatory ser- mon. Before the building was completed the south wall was blown down, which added to the cost and extended the time required for com- pleting the building. The lots for the church and parsonage were donated RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 331 by the town company; $1,500 was furnished by the Church Extension Society. The church cost about S5,000. — Previous to securing a regular pastor, Rev. J. C. McKnight did considerable preaching for the church. On January 4, 1871, a call was extended to Rev. W. A. Findley to be- come pastor, which he accepted, and continued to serve in that capacity till the close of 1873. Some two or three calls for a pastor were extended and declined. P'inally, on Dec. 22, 1875, a call was made to Rev. J. D. Graham, which was accepted, and he faithfully served the church during the next ten years, demitting his charge January 19, 1886. Rev. J. A. Thompson was the next pastor called, and he was installed April 27, 1S86. Rev. J. A. Thompson was the next pastor called, and he was in- stalled x\pril 27, 1887, but was released on July 14th following, to accept the presidency of a college. Rev. J. P. Gibson, having accepted a call, entered upon his pastoral duties in December, 1887, and closed them in October, 1889. During his pastorate, in 1888, a parsonage was erected^ at a cost of about SI, 300. In 1890 Rev. L. W. Williams became pastor, which relation he still holds. The membership of the church is 120 ; the total membership since its organization being 274. Montana.— ^^\\ Seth T. Smalley, ^Netu School P?-eshi/terian mmister, commenced preaching in Montana in 1869, and possibly as early as 1868,. and served that people more or less for some time thereafter. In May, 1869, Rev. D. P. Emerson preached for them, and the next Sunday Rev. C. V. Monfort, of Oswego, preached. These were the only Presbyterian services at Montana of which I learn, prior to the arrival of Mr. Griffin. The Presbyterians in all of this part of the county seem to have been in- terested in, if not members of, the church which was formed at Dayton- ville, on Willow Branch. In March, 1870, Mr. Monfort commenced preaching at the residence of Mr. Martin, west of Labette creek, and continued his appointments during the next few weeks. On June 25, 1870, the Daytonville church was organized, with G. W. AVhite, Margaret Ellen White, Margaret Jane White, Jane Amanda White, George Cubbi- son, Alexander Cubbisou, Rachel Cubbison, Martha Lewis, James Morn- ing, Caroline Morning, members received by letter, and Sarah Ellen Hartin, John Henry Hartin, Nancy Shelady, and Louisa Cubbisou, re- ceived an examination as members. George Cubbison was chosen chair- man, G. W. White and Alexander Cubbison were elected ruling elders, and George Cubbison and J. H. Hartin deacons. Their first communion service was held November 27, 1870. On May 7, 1871, Mr. Monfort preached at the town of Labette, after which a church was organized by a union of the Daytonville church and the Presbyterians living around Labette and Montana. Mr. Monfort remained pastor of this Labette church till his death, on Aug. 10, 1872, at which time the church had 1& 332 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. members. There seem to have beeu no regular services held after Mr. Moufort's death. On March 15, 1874, Rev. C. H. McCreery, of Chetopa, and H. W. Strattoii, of Oswego, who had been appointed a committee by the presbytery, visited the Piper school-house, in District No. 17. Mr. McCreery preached, after which the Labette Presbyterian church w^as organized, or, perhaps more properly, reorganized, with the following members: James Morning, Charles Morning, John H. Hartin, Matthew Lewis, George Morning, George Cubbisou, Louisa Cubbison, Margaret Hawkins, Jane Shelady, J. F. Piper, Mrs. E. Piper, Miss P. Piper, Lina Piper, Miriam Piper, A. B. Piper, Ray Piper, and Mrs. Mary Bennet. James Morning and Ray Piper were elected elders. The place of meet- ing w^as then changed to the Morning school-house, in District No. 48, where services continued to be held until the erection of the Montana church. Evening services were also held at Labette and Montana. At the time of organizing above referred to. Rev. S. W. Griffin was elected pastor, in which relation he continued till about the close of 1882. Fol- lowing him, S. W. LaGrange and W. Price filled the pulpit. For several years past the church has been without a pastor. Occasionally the min- ister at Oswego or some one else has preached for them. In 1878 a church building was erected in Montana, at a cost of about ^1,500. Osicego. — Rev. Cornelius V. Monfort was the first Presbyterian minis- ter to locate in this county. He came to Oswego in March, 1868, and on April 26 preached the first Presbyterian sermon in the place. On June 30 a meeting was held at his house, at wiiich eight were present, to con- sider the organization of a church, and on Sunday, July 25, 1868, an or- ganization was effected, with the following eleven members: Cornelius V. Monfort and wife S. E. Monfort, Dr. C. M. Gilkey and wife S. M. Gilkey and daughter Mary Gilkey, Mrs. R. A. Botsford, John Hutchin- i?on, Mary Gaston. Alexander Cubbison and wife Rachel Cubbison, and Francis Swanwick. F. Swanwick, C. M. Gilkey and John Hutchinson •were elected trustees, and Dr. C. M. Gilkey and Alexander Cubbison were elected elders. On Nov. 15, 1868, Dr. Gilkey was ordained elder. The church records say the church was organized July 28, 1868, but this record as it now exists was probably copied some time after the occur- rence, and the party who did it has evidently made a mistake and writ- ten the date the 28th instead of the 25th. Col. Swanwick kept a diary, which I now have, and under date of July 25, 1868, he says : "Went to town to assist in organizing First Presbyterian Church, Old School, of Oswego; eleven members present: Dr. Gilkey and Mr. t^ubbison elected aiders." On Jan. 31, 1860, Rev. C. H. McCreery was present, and with Mr. Monfort held the first communion service. In August Mr. INIonfort began taking subscriptions for a church. In July, 1870, I. C. McGinnis RELIGIO I 'S OA' GAX/ZA TIOXS. 333 and Alexander Mackie were made elders and T. N. Sickles and D. Mc- Arthur deacons. Mr. Monfort resigned, and preached his farewell ser- mon on October 9, 1S70. Kev. S. N. D. Martin supplied the pulpit the next year, preaching his first sermon June 4, 1871 ; and he was succeeded during the spring or sunmfer of 1873 by Rev. X. A. Rankin. Rev. H. W. Siratton filled the pulpit from April, 1873, to January, 1875. Dur- ing his pastorate the church erected Its house of worship, at a cost of about S4,000, which was dedicated Dec. 28, 1873, by Rev. S. A. Stoddard. On June 27, 1879, the house was struck by lightning and one end some- what shattered, but still not seriously damaged. A. F. Hale, A. Bixby (a Congregationalist), A. A. Trimper (a Lutheran), J. G. Venable, Wil- liam Coleman, John Elliott, A. C. Junkin, A. G. Evans, and J. X. Mc- Clung, have been its pastors since Mr. Stratton left. Y. P. S. C. E. — In the fall of 1886 the young people started a prayer meeting, which was kept up until February, 1891, when it was organized into the Westminster League, with a membership of 16, and the follow- ing officers : President, Margaret Carpenter ; vice-president, Blanche Waskey ; secretary and treasurer, Myrtle Stonecipher ; organist, Marie Park. On April 7, 1892, this league was changed to a Young People's Christian Endeavor, with 18 members, and officers as follows: Lincoln J. Allen, president; Belle Holenberg, vice-president; recording secretary, Blanche Waskey, corresponding secretary and treasurer, James McClung. Edna. — Originally this church was organized as the Ripou Presbyterian church. Rev. C. H. McCreery preached at the Ripon school-house, in District No. 49. during the summer of 1874, where, ou Nov. 8 of that year, assisted by Rev. H. W. Stratton, he organized the church, with a membership of 12, of whom James Scott and Thomas H. Bruner were elected ruling elders. Mr. McCreery supplied the pulpit till 1881, since which time J. N. Young, J. M. Crawford, and J. S. McClung have been its pastors. Mr. Crawford served either as pastor or supply from April 1, 1883, to November, 1889, and again took charge March 1, 1892. In the fall of 1878 preparations were made for a church building at the town of Kingston, which was erected the following spring, and on June 8, 1879, was dedicated by Rev. Timothy Hill. In one week thereafter a cyclone partly removed the church from its foundation. In 1884 the pres- bytery changed the name from Ripon to Kingston. In 1887 the building was removed to Edna, and the name changed from Kingston to Edna. Altamont. — Rev. C. H. McCreery commenced preaching at the resi- dence of D. C. Constant, in Hackberry township, as early as 1870, and on June 9, 1871, at that place, assisted by Elam S. Hitchcock and Samuel Cellars, organized the Hackberry Presbyterian church, with the follow- ing members : Nancy A. Dougham, Margaret S. Blyner, James Emory, .334 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. Mary Emory, Jennie Fellows, Michael Noel, Mary Noel, David C. Con- stant, Antoinette C. Constant, Josiah Raybourn, Lucretia Kaybourn, Mary J. Hannigan. Michael Noel and David C. Constant were elected ruling elders. The place of meeting was afterwards changed to the Newell school-house, in District No. 71. This church was ministered to by C. H. McCreery, C. Y. Monfort, and H. W. Strattou. In April, 1S79, the name of Hackberry church was ordered stricken from the roll, and a •committee was appointed to organize a new church. The Elston church, as successor of the Hackberry church, was organized at the Elston school-house, in District No. 80, on June 29, 1879, by Rev. S. W. Griffin and Rev. C. H. McCreery. James Paxton and Martin Reamer were elected ruling elders. The following year the name was changed to Altamont. A church building was erected in Altamont in 1880, Rev. S. W. Griffin preaching the first sermon therein on May 16th. It has had these pastors: S. W. Griffin, J. N. Young, J. D. Todd, S. W. LeGrange. For some years the church has had no pastor, and only supplied irregularly. Lake Creek. — Eighteen members of the church at Chetopa took letters and united in forming the Lake Creek Presbyterian church, which was organized Jan. 6, 1884, by Rev. C. H. McCreery, assisted by E. S. Hitch- cock. Arthur Baty w^as elected ruling elder. A church building was erected the following spring, at a cost of about ^1,200, which was dedi- cated in April, by W. S. H. Keyes. Mr. McCreery had preached at the Baty school-house, in District No. (30, for several years before the organ- ization of the church. After its organization Rev. J. M. Crawford be- came pastor, in April, 1884, and served until November, 1889. From April 1, 1890, to April 1, 1891, Rev. J. S. McClung was stated supply. Rev. J. S. Griffes supplied the church a part of the time during 1891. Rev. J. M. Crawford came March 1, 1892, and is now pastor. Its elders are Samuel Cellars, William Buckley, J. L. Goldsmith, and Thomas E. Baty. Bartlett. — The first Presbyterian sermon in Bartlett was preached in the school-house, Nov. 3, 1889, by Rev. J. M. Crawford. Rev. J. S. McCluug preached there occasionally while he had charge of the Lake Creek church, and Rev. J. M. Crawford has preached there every two weeks since March 1, 1892. As yet the Presbyterians have effected no ■organization at this point. Chetopa. — The First Presbyterian Church of Chetopa was organized on Sept. 20, 1868, by Rev. C. H. McCreery, assisted by Rev. James Lewis, with the following members : Samuel Cellars, Mrs. Martha Cellars, Mrs. Margaret J. Leuhart, Samuel H. Carr, George F. Smith, and Lorenzo Billington. Of these, Samuel Cellars and Samuel H. Carr were installed as ruling elders. The first trustees were W. Doudna, S. H. Carr, Sanmel -Cellars, C. P. Spaulding, and C. P. Smith. For the first two years the RELIGIOUS ORGAMZATIONS. 335 services of the church were held in Spaiilcliiig's Hall, over a saloon, on the southeast corner of Third and Walnut streets. The town company having donated a number of lots to the church, a part were sold, and about $1,000 realized therefrom. Generous subscriptions were also made by the citizens, and in the fall of 1869 preparations were made for erect- ing a l)uilding, and the work was commenced. On Dec. 1 of that year the frame of the building was raised, and by August, 1870, it was entirely finished, at a cost of about $4,500. Quite a feature of the financial his- tory of this church, as it was more or less of that of many of the churches in the county, especially during the early years of their work, was that of raising money by festivals. In July, 18G9, this church held one of its most successful festivals, at which over $300 was cleared. The church was dedicated, free of debt, Aug. 28, 1870, by Rev. Timothy Hill, D.D.— One of the noteworthy events in connection with this church is the long- continued pastorate of Mr. McCreery, extending from its organization, in 1808, to May 1, 1886. No other church in the county has had such an experience. Before the close of Mr. McCreery's pastorate, his health becoming impaired, he took a vacation for a year, during which time the pulpit was supplied by Rev. V. M. King. Mr. McCreery was followed in July, 1886, by Rev. Isaac Brundage, who served until his death. Since then J. L. Griffes has been pastor. — For some time past there has been a Y. P. S. C. E., in which the young people have been at work. Bethel. — S. W. Griffin and W. B. Truax, being directed by the presby- tery so to do, organized a Presbyterian church in the school-house in Dis- trict No. — , on Nov. 29, 1892. S. E. W. Brown, James Tenable and J. S. Gulick were elected ruling elders, and L. T. McElroy and Monroe Mathers deacons. S. W. Griffin acted as pastor till June, 1885, when he was succeeded by A. S. Sharpless. Mound Valley.— In November, 1879, Rev. C. H. McCreery and S. W. Griffin organized a Presbyterian church at Mound Valley, with 10 mem- bers. Wm. D. Allen and AVm. Culp were elected ruling elders. S. W. Griffin and J. N. Young preached for them. The members having mostly moved away in the spring of 1883, the presbytery disorganized the church and struck the same from the roll. Rev. J. D. Todd, who had been em- ployed by the synod to preach at different points and look after the church's interest in vacant fields, came to Mound Yalley and talked with several who then or who had formerly held church relations with the Presbyterian church, and at his solicitation a meeting w^as held at the Methodist church, on March 30, 1884, at which some eight or ten were present ; J. C. McEwen presided and Dr. J. Lemon acted as clerk. It was there resolved to organize a Presbyterian church at that point as soon as arrangements could be made to do so. They adjourned to meet 336 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. in four weeks, aud on April 37, 1884, Rev. J. D. Todd preached a ser- mon ; after wliich Mrs. E. A. Copelantz, Eliza Copelautz, J. C. McEweu, Mrs. Olive McEwen, James W. Evans and wife, H. K. Baker, Mrs. Myra J. Baker, E. M. Bell, Mrs. J. T. Bell, Dr. J. Lemon, Mrs. A. Lemon, Henry Allen, Mrs. Jane Allen, Josie Allen, Mary B. Allen, Robert A. Foresmau, Mrs. Jane Forseman, Mrs. Henrietta Foresman, Mrs. Roxanna Savage, and Joseph Crawford, presented their credentials, which were approved. A third meeting was held at the same place on May 10, 1884, at which H. K. Baker was chairman and Henry Allen clerk; whereupon it was resolved to proceed with the organization of a church by the elec- tion of two ruling elders and two deacons. J. C. McEwen aud Henry Allen were chosen as elders and Dr. J. Lemon and H. K. Baker as dea- cons. On May 25, 1884, the church was duly organized, by Rev. S. W. Griffin, of Cherry vale ; C. H. McCreery, of Chetopa ; and J. D. Todd, of Independence, who were sent there as a committee of the Neosho pres- bytery. Mr. Griffin preached the sermon, after which the elders and deacons were ordained. Arrangements were made for holding services in the Baptist church, and Rev. J. D. Todd was employed to preach every other Sabbath, in the afternoon. In August, 1884, the church bought a building known as Pattison's Hall, which had been built by the Methodists as their first house of worship; after they sold it, it was re- moved to its present location, in block 23. That fall aud winter the building was occupied by a department of the public schools, and by the church only on Sunday. In April, 1885, this building was suitably fitted up as a place of worship. Mr. Todd closed his labors as pastor on May 31, 1885, aud was followed on June 7th by Rev. A. S. Sharpless, who stayed till July, 1886. The pulpit remained vacant till October of that year, when Rev. J. M. Crawford was employed to preach every two weeks in connection with his work at Edna. This continued till March, 1888, when Mr. Todd again took charge, and continued till Oct. 1 of the same year. Little religious life was manifested from this time till April, 1889, when Rev. J. S. McClung was called to the work, where he re- mained till September, 1891. October 15, 1891, Rev. James H. Clark took took charge and is still ministering to them. On June 10, 1885, the church was incorporated. In 1890 it finished paying for its building aud stood clear of debt. From its organization up to the fall of 1891 the church had had 86 different communicants, of whom 44 still remained. Emmons. — On Jan. 8, 1873, Rev. Mr. Lackey, of Illinois, organized a Presbyterian church at the Emmons school-house, in District No. 84. James Sweet, Joseph Kearns and Jacob Crane were elected and ordained elders, and Alexander Duncan aud Otto Wilson deacons. On March 5, 1873, Rev. Sidney Allen was installed as pastor. Rev. S. A. Stoddard RE Lie, 10 US OR GA NIZA TIONS. preaching the iustaHmeut sermou. After an existence of some two years the organization was abandoned. Parsons. — While a Methodist preacher who came of his own accord preceded them, the Presbyterians claim to have sent the first preacher to hold services in Parsons. Piev. H. H. Cambern, under the direction of the Board of Home Missions, came to Parsons in February, 1871, and commenced preaching in a saloon. Mr. Cambern held services fre- quently during the spring and summer. The First Presbyterian Church of Parsons was organized Sept. 24, 1S71, by H. H. Cambern as moderator. J. Y. Thornton, J. E. Wilkins and J. J. Blause were elected elders. The membership at organization was sixteen. In December, 1871, they commenced to take subscription for a church building, but ground was not broken till August, 1872. The church was completed and dedicated Aug. 2, 1874, by Rev. C. H. McCreery. In the meantime Rev. S. F. Farmer was installed as pastor. An addition was made to the church in 1882, another one in 1883, and a third in 1891. In May, 1872, Rev. J. H. Metier was employed to suc- ceed Mr. Cambern as pastor. Since then the following have supplied the pulpit, some as supply and others as pastor: Joel Kelsey, S. F. Farmer, H. G. Miller, F. R. Morton, W. S. H. Keyes, J. K. Fowler, Shields, W. S. Davis, Edward F. Walker, and J. M. Wright. At present the church has a membership of about 400. In 1882 a Yoimg People's Society was organized for the purpose of holding devotional meetings. At different times it had for its president Miss Montgomery, E. H. McCreery, F. H. Shaub, AV. H. Martin, Lena Yenable, W. J. McKnight, George B. Comings. On September 8, 1892, a reorganization of the Young People's Society was had, and formed into the Y. P. S. C. E. with George B. Comings as president. UNITED BRETHKEN. Parsons.— \\\ February, 1868, a class of about ten members was formed at the house of James Beaver, some few miles from the present site of Parsons, by J. Buckmaster as pastor, James Beaver as class-leader. Rea- son Tippie steward, and P. M. Grant elder. Those comprising this class were Reason Tippie, Rachel Tippie, N. M. Portrum, C. Portrum, J. Bea- ver, J. L. Beaver, A. Pringle, G. Sheckell, G. Botsford, and C. Billings. This class was maintained in that part of the county with more or less cohesiveness for several years, and formed the basis of the class at Parsons, which was organized in February, 1875, with a membership of about fifteen, including Abraham Cary and wife, James Beaver and wife, N. M. Portrum and wife, Seth Fisher and wife, Lizzie Kellogg, and hav- ing J. AV. Gossett for pastor. Jan. 3, 1877, the church provided a lot and 338 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. moved thereon the tabernacle which they had purchased from the M. E. church. They have used it as a house of worship ever since. The church flourished quite well until the great division of the church throughout the country, in 1885, which has ever since continued to cripple her work. Dennis. — In the winter of 1870-71, Rev. Mr. Goodwin, of the United Brethren church, held protracted meetings in the log school-house in District No. 38, which resulted in several conversions and accessions to that denomination. Among these probably the most active in his after- work was J. H. Beatty. A church was then organized, which has main- tained its work ever since. In the spring of 1883 they built a church at Dennis, and in the fall of 1884 the conference of the State held its session there. Among its pastors have been Revs. Messrs. Evans, Stallard, Ham- mers, Winrick, Gossett, Himer, Chambers, French, Rice, Hammell, Shope. AUarnont. — A class was formed in a school house near the southeast corner of Labette township, in 1872, which was moved to Altamont in 1874. It has been maintained but a part of the time. Trenton. — A class was organized at the school-house in District No. 67, in Howard township, March 31, 1885, with A. Bessy as leader. Services continue to be held there. Mortimer. — Almost from the first settlement of the county, religious services have been held in the Carpenter school-house, in District No. 30 — sometimes by one denomination and sometimes by another. Of late years preaching has occasionally been conducted by ministers of the United Brethren church. In the spring of 1891, Rev. Mr. Hammel, of this denomination, held a protracted meeting which resulted in the or- ganization of quite a strong class. It was soon felt that a church build- ing was needed, and the Mortimer family were active in securing its erection at the Mortimer station. Its first board of trustees consisted of Emanuel Mortimer, James T. Mortimer, J. K. Duncan, T. E. Killian, and G. A. Waid. The church cost about $1,000, and was dedicated June 5, 1892, by Bishop Castle. Hackberry.—lu the fall of 1881 Rev. J. M. Magie, assisted by Rev. T. D. Bickham, held a protracted meeting at the Hiatt school-house, in District No. 26, and at its close organized a United Brethren class. A part of the time since then the preachers who have supplied this class, among other appointments, have preached at Pleasant View, Bowman and Trenton school-houses; also at Altamont and Parsons. Pastors: 1883, J. A. Evert; 1884, W. H. Sapp; 1885, S. W. Redman; 1886, Mrs. J. M. Magie and J. A. Evert; 1887, D. B. Finch; 1888-89, F. M. Gillett; 1890, Rev. Mr. Huffman; 1892, D. W. Juday. The following persons have served as presiding elders: B. A. Spring, J. R. Chambers, G. H. Hinton, C. H. Jones, J. K. Spencer. The following liave been secre- RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 339 taries of the quarterly couference, each one or more terms : J. M. Magie, E. S. Bessy, Anna Riddick, A. H. Mickey. At the last quarterly cou- ference in 1891, John Riddick, Christian Helwig, David Romine, Louis Zink and A. H. Mickey were elected trustees, and directed to take steps to secure the erection of a church building, whicli has since been erected on the northwest quarter of section 1 in Hackberry township, at a cost of about S800. METHODIST PKOTESTAXT CHUKCH. Sometime in the seventies a class of this denomination was formed at Parsons, and during its existence had N. K. Shimp and McKesson among its ministers. After doing some work, the class became entirely disorganized. In 1880 Rev. J. H. Luse held a protracted meeting in the southwestern portion of the county, and formed a class or two. A church has been erected at Morton station, in the edge of Montgomery county. A class has also been organized at Mt. Triumph school-house, in District No. G3, in Mound Valley township. Rev. A. Slater and Rev. Abner Green, with others, have preached in several places in the county. THE METHODIST CHURCH. A class of this branch of the great Methodist family was organized at the Emmons school-house, in District No. 84, as early as 1873, and was maintained for several years, but finally abandoned. The only two min- isters they had, so far as I have learned, were Revs. Messrs. VanCleve and Wayland. evangelical, church. In the winter of 1870-71 Rev. Mr. Mathill held meetings, principally in the dwelling-houses of J. H. Dienst and William Dick, in Osage town- ship, and organized a church. They continued to have preaching in the school-houses in Districts 30 and 79 until 1887, when they erected a frame church in Dennis, and all the classes united there. William Dick was one of the active workers in this denomination. It has had for pas- tors Revs. Messrs. Keiser, Flickinger, Bowers, Fannel, and Stinemitz. FIIEE METHODISTS. A few classes of this branch of the church have existed in the county for quite a number of years. They have been somewhat few in number, and have never attempted the erection of any church building, so far as I have learned. They have held meetings at various points in school- houses. At one time Rev. Thomas D. Bickham, before he started the Salvation Church of Christ, was a preacher in this denomination, and some time prior to 1880 O. P. Lineback had ministerial oversight for the county. AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. Farsons.—^^y. A. H. Daniels, of the A. M. E. church, came to La- bette county in the spring of 1876, and organized classes at Oswego and Parsons. In June of that year he commenced to raise funds with which 340 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. to build a church at Parsons. Lot 17 iu block 17 was secured as a site in July, 187<), and soon thereafter a building was commenced. Messrs. French, Cavauaugh and Miller were the first trustees. This and the Os- wego church were jointly served by the same pastors for several years. Oswego. — The class at this place was organized in the spring of 1S76» about the same time as the one at Parsons. The organization was effected by Rev. A. H. Daniels, who acted as pastor that year. During the year a neat frame church was erected on lot 3, in block 16. A few years thereafter a dwelling-house was purchased and moved onto lots 1 and 2 just north of the church, to be nsed for a parsonage. The pastors of the church have been : A. H. Daniels, W. F. Hedgman, L. W. McCor- mick, J. W. Walton, J. E. Weir, John Brewer, J. L. Hatton, W. F. Hedgman, A. M. Ward, Thomas Mudd, Pompey Johnson, John Boyd, J. E. Bricus, S. H. Baker, A. J. King. Their church building has been rented by the board of education for several years, in which to hold one department of the colored school. Chetojm.—ThQ class at this place dates from 1881, and has not main- tained services all the time since then. It has a church building. Its pastors have been those who were at the same time serving the Oswego church, and who are named iu connection with that work. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL, CHURCH SOUTH Was the first Protestant denomination to hold religious services in this county. Dr. Lisle says : "The first preaching in Chetopa was by an old missionary of the Methodist Church South, on or about the first of De- cember, 1857, and once every four weeks until spring." The name of this preacher was J. P. Barnaby. He was succeeded in October, 1858, by Rev. J. E. Bryan, who preached every three weeks during the next two years, when he was sent to Council Grove. In the fall of 1860 Mr. Foresman succeeded Mr. Bryan and remained a year, when Mr. Bobbins was sent to the charge. The latter was in sympathy with the Rebellion, and was about to be hung by some Kausas soldiers who caught him in Cherokee county. He was let go on condition that he would leave the country, which he did, going directly to Texas. This closed the work of the church till after the war. Of these services Dr. Lisle says: "The preaching was in some settler's house until the school-house was built, iu the spring of 1858, when it was in that regularly. ]t being about the center of the settlement, gave all parties a chance to attend, which they did pretty generally." When the county commenced to settle after the war, there were quite a number came who had been members of this church in their former homes, but scarcely enough in any one settlement to form and maintain a class. In fact, I do not know of the formation RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 341 of a class at anj- place in the coimty, although there maj- have been some formed. However, preachers of that denomination, either local or those in charge of work in adjacent territory, occasionally preached at a few places in the county. Among the places where they sometimes held ser- vices was the log church, between Oswego and Montana. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHUKCH. Several local preachers of this denomination settled in the county and commenced preaching and holding services in their respective localities as early as the fall of 1867, and perhaps even earlier in the year. Os- wego was the only point at which a class was formed prior to the meet- ing of conference on March 30, 1868. At that conference the Oswego circuit was formed, embracing all of Labette county, and included in the Emporia district, of which Rev. C. R. Rice was presiding elder. The work remained a part of the Emporia district the following year also, under the charge of Mr. Rice. In March, 1870, the Oswego district was organized, including within its limits all of the county, with Rev. C. E. Lewis, P. E. The work remained in the Oswego district with the same presiding elder until April 1, 1873, when it was placed in the Humboldt district, in charge of Rev. A. K. Johnson, P. E. This arrangement con- tinued two years. In March, 1875, Parsons was placed in the Fort Scott district, where it has ever since remained. At the same time, the Inde- pendence district was formed, and all the county except Parsons has ever since been in that district. The presiding elders of the Fort Scott district have been : 1875-77, D. P. Mitchell ; 1877-81, B. Kelley ; 1881-85, E. C. Boaz ; 1885-91, A. G. Robb ; 1891-92, J. E. Brant. The presiding elders of the Independence district have been : 1875-79, S. E. Pendleton : 1879, D. P. Mitchell; 1880-82, A. T. Burris: 1882-86, Ananias CuUison ; 1886-90, J. A. Hyden ; 1890-92, S. S. Murphy. Oerman. — While there may have been occasional preaching prior to that time, the Methodist Episcopal German work was regularly started in this county in the spring of 1892, by Rev. John Koehler, who com- menced preaching at the Timber Hill appointment. In July, 1892, work was commenced on a new church three and a half miles south of Dennis. It was finished, and on August 28th was dedicated by their presiding «lder, Rev. C. Harriman. At their conference the last of August the work in the county was organized into the Parsons circuit, a:nd put in charge of John Koehler again. A class was to be formed at Parsons at once. Osicego.— i:\ie, First Methodist Episcopal Church of Oswego was organ- ized March 1, 1868, in the little frame building that then stood at the northeast corner of block 33. John Mark, a local preacher living in the 342 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. township, effected the organization, with 13 members, including himself^ as follows : John Mark, wife and daughter, Elisha Hammer and wife, John Logan and wife, William Logan and wife, Job Beal and wife^ Eliza Elliott, and Marj^ A. Cowell. Mr. Mark had been preaching \\\ town for some weeks previous, alternating with Mr. Canfield, Congrega- tionalist, Messrs. Richardson and Flourouoy, Baptists, and perhaps others. But one service was held in town at a time, all meeting in the room above referred to. At the ensuing conference, which convened on March 30, 1868, a young man living in what was then known as the Labette City settlement, near the mouth of Labette creek, named John S. Harryman, was admitted into the conference on trial. All of Labette county was formed into the Oswego circuit, and Mr. Harryman was sent to it as its first pastor. At the first quarterly conference, which was held June 6, 1868, in Read Brothers' hardware store, which was then just inclosed, but into which they had not yet moved. Elder Rice ap- pointed David Stanfield, a local preacher, as assistant to Mr. Harryman, and during the balance of the year the two occupied the field as best they could. Since the first year the pastors have been as follows, com- mencing after conference in March or April of the year named : 1869, Patterson McNutt; 1870, H. W. Conley; 1871, J. E. Bryan; 1872-73, J. B. Orwig; 1874, B. C. Swarts ; 1875-76, P. T. Rhodes; 1877, M. L. Gates; 1878-79, D. T. Summerville; 1880-81, T. S. Hunt; 1882-84, H. McBirney; 1885, J. A. Hyden; 1886-87, J. B. Ford; 1888-90, R. P. Hammons ; 1891-92, Ananias Cullison. There have been no records preserved of the first year's work, and I have not been able to learn who were the officers for that year. J. F. Molesworth was elected recording steward for the ensuing year at the fourth quarterly conference, Feb. 6, 1869. When conference met, the north part of the county in which he lived was put into another work ; so that he never served. At the first quarterly conference for 1869 A. S. Cory was elected recording steward, but only served for that session, and at the second quarterly conference the office was declared vacant, and J. Q. Cowell was elected and served out the balance of that year. At the fourth quarterly conference for that year, held on Dec. 29, 1869, Nelson Case was elected recording steward, and by reelections continued to serve till conference in March, 1879. The following year I. W. Patrick served in that position. At the close of that year David Zimmerman was elected, but declined to serve ; and at the first quarterly conference for the following year, held May 3, 1880, Nelson Case was again elected recording steward, which position he has held, by annual reelections, since. — At the close of the first year the quarterly conference asked the presiding elder to secure a division of the work. This was done, and during 1869-70 Oswego and Chetopa, RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 343 with the iDterveuing territory, coustituted a circuit. This arrangement lasted but a year, for at the conference in March, 1870, both Chetopa and Oswego were substantially made stations ; each had, a part of the time after that, one or two appointments in the county attached to them, in which the ministers at these points would preach Sunday afternoons. — At the close of the first year the presiding elder reported that a sub- scription of 31,500 had been secured with which to build a church at Oswego. However, little or nothing came of this subscription. Before the close of Mr. McNutt's pastorate he had secured rock to be placed on the ground for a foundation, he and Mr. Mark doing a large part of the work themselves. When Mr. Conley came, all felt that the first thing to do was to secure the erection of a church. During Mr. McNutt's pas- torate services were held in Dr. Grouse's building on lot 5 in block 39, which was now found inadequate to the demands, and Wells's Hall, near the northeast corner of block 32, was rented. Work was commenced on the church building early in the summer, and by the middle of summer it was inclosed. Services were then held in it in its unfinished condition. In the fall the spire was built, the house plastered and seated, and on Dec. 18, 1870, it was dedicated by Dr. W. R. Davis. The parsonage was built during Mr. Orwig's pastorate. Epworth League : On July 24, 1889, an Epworth League was organized in connection with this church, with Blanche Case president and Cloe McLane secretary. The League has been maintained with a good degree of prosperity up to the present. The Second M. E. Church is composed of colored members. It was organized in April, 1879, and has had the following pastors: Robert Rector, W. B. Avery, Daniel Ross, Thomas Allen, M. Bell, J. A. Lee, E. Q. Plummer, C. P. Thompson, James J. Cable. Soon after organiz- ing, the members bought a two-story store building and moved it to lot 12 in block 15, the lower room of which they used for a church, and the upper part for a parsonage. The building becoming somewhat racked, they caused it to be cut down to a one-story building, which they still occupy for church purposes. Neosho Township. — More or less preachiug in various parts of the county was undoubtedly done by the Methodist local preachers who settled in the county, of which no account has been preserved. Rev. Joseph Rogers was a local preacher who settled in Neosho township in the spring of 1867. Very soon after his settlement there, it is said, he commenced preaching in private houses in several places. This was the first preaching they had in that township. After the school-houses were built, more regular services were held in them. Classes were formed at the Hopkins school-house, in District No. 62 ; at the New Hope school- 344 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. house, in District No. 15; at the Lone Elm school-house, in District No. 21; and perhaps at other points. But in few, if any, of these points were permanent classes formed or services held regularly, for many years. It may be said that Center Chapel is an outcome of some of this work. Center Chapel. — About the year 1878 Rev. C. A. King preached at the Franklin school-house, in District No. 55, and organized a class. Soon after this it was put with the Labette and Montana work, where it has been since. In 1887, under the charge of Rev. J. S. Budd, the chapel was built, on the northwest corner of section 19, in Neosho township, and dedicated by Rev. Allen Buckner. The building w^as erected on mortgaged land, and the mortgagor failing to pay, the mortgage was foreclosed, and the land, together with the church, was sold in the sum- mer of 1892. It cost the church nearly $500 to redeem their property. Montana. — As early as 1868 a class seems to have been formed at Montana, with James I^ivesay as class-leader. Preaching was had oc- casionally by ministers in charge of neighboring work. In 1871 the Montana circuit was formed, and placed in charge of Rev. T. B. Pal- mer. From that time on to the present it has been united with Labette and has been served by the same ministers, a list of whom is given under that head. The church was incorporated Jan. 23, 1892, and soon there- after purchased from the Ciiristiau church their house of worship, which the Methodists now own and occupy. Labette. — The Methodist class at Labette was organized in the spring or. summer of 1871, by Rev. T. B. Palmer, who was in charge of the Montana circuit. Services were held in the school-house. The next year it formed a part of the Parsons circuit, in charge of Rev. J. W. Fox. In 1873 this, with Montana, was supplied by Rev. H. W. Conley, and the same arrangement continued during 1874. In March, 1875, Rev. J. W. Mcintosh was appointed to the Montana and Labette circuit. In 1876 Rev. P. A. Pearson was appointed, but failed to take charge of the work, and it was supplied a part of the year by Rev. Jesse Williams, who was again appointed to the work in March, 1877. In March, 1878, the South Parsons circuit was organized, and included Labette. Rev. W. B. Poin- sett and Rev. A, S. Freed had charge of the work, the former living north of Mound Valley and the latter at Montana. In March, 1879, La- bette and Montana were cut oft' from the South Parsons circuit and put in charge of W. B. Poinsett, who got the people at Labette to purchase a house and put on the church lots, which had been donated, for a par- sonage, and moved into it, and stayed there for three years. The school- house having been blown down, Mr. Poinsett preached for a time in the depot, and afterwards in the Baptist church. The same year the church was built, and on Oct. 5, 1879, was dedicated by Rev. D. P. Mitchell. RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 345 During the winter a protracted meeting was held, resulting in quite a large number of conversions. In March, 1881, Rev. 1). F. Holtz was sent to Labette, and the following year Rev. William Shambaiigh. He was followed in 1883 by Rev. C. W. Swarts. The next year Rev. H. J. "Walker was appointed, but failed to come ; Rev. J. S. Budd was then ap- pointed, and remained for three years from March, 1885. In March, 1888, Rev. Salem Hedges was put in charge of the work, and served as pastor till March, 1893, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. D. Skaggs. Spring Valley. — About 1869 or 1870 an acre of ground was purchased on the northwest corner of section 32, in Liberty township, w^hich was set out to trees and a cemetery laid out thereon. About 1871 a frame store building was purchased and removed to it from Elston. This was remodeled into a church. This has formed one of the regular appoint- ments of the Labette circuit almost from its organization, although at that time it belonged to the Elston circuit and the next year to the Timber Hill circuit, both of which were in charge of Rev. R. P. Bukey. Stover. — In the fall of 1869 a class w\is formed on Deer creek, in the west part of Fairview township, with I. W. Patrick leader, and was ad- mitted into the Oswego w^ork. Rev. P. McNutt, pastor, went out there occasionally and preached for them. Services were held in a private house or a vacant claim house. When the school-house was built in Dis- trict No. 29, the class moved to that point, where it has since been main- tained. The class was organized at the Stover school-house about the last of December, 1869, or first of January, 1870, by Rev. R. P. Bukey. E. B. Wheeler was the first to hand in his letter, and George Pfaff was the second. For a number of years it was attached to Oswego, but in 1880 it was made a part of the Labette work. Dennis. — This circuit was formed at the conference held in March, 1885, and J. W. D. Anderson was appointed to the work. However, he never took charge of the work, and M. U. Ramsburg was appointed in his place. During the year a parsonage w^as secured in the town of Den- nis. In March, 1886, P, H. Fisk was placed in charge of the circuit. During the next two years the work was divided, a part being united with the Galesburg circuit, under the charge of Rev. R. M. Cullison. In March, 1889, the Dennis circuit was re-formed, and placed in charge of Rev. W. T. York. The work embraced the classes at St. Johns, Mt. Zion, Excel- sior, Pleasant Hill, Dennis, Moorhead; also, Shiloh, in Neosho county. The following year Rev. H. M. Hughes became pastor, but after six months' service was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Deaton. Rev. S. W. Gamble became pastor in March, 1891, and is still in charge. Excelsior. — At an early day a class was formed at the Mt. Triumph school-house, in District No. 63. Some few years ago this class was 34:6 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. moved to the Excelsior scliool-house, iu District No. 88. Here services were couducted till about the fall of 1891, when, under the pastorate of Kev. S. W. Gamble, a nice frame church 26x48 feet was erected on the southwest quarter of section 21, in north Mound Valley township. It was dedicated January 17, 1892, by Rev. B. Kelley. During the year the oiganization of a Y. P. S. C. E. has been effected. Pleasant Hill. — A class was formed a number of years ago at the Pleas- ant Hill school-house, in District No. 77, where services were regularly held till 1889, when a new church was built, under the pastorate of Rev. W. T. York, on the southwest corner of section 30, in Walton township^ at a cost of about $!1,200. It was dedicated, free of debt, on Dec. 15, 1889, by Rev. J. E. Brant. MooreJiead. — A new church was built at this place, just in the edge of Neosho county, in 1891. Quite a large portion of the membership lives iu Labette county. Fletcher Chapel. — This class succeeds one of the oldest classes in the county. There were a number of Methodist families among the early settlers in the northeast part of Richland township, among them the Rice families, the Greens, and Rev. David Stanfield. A class was or- ganized, probably as early as April or May, 1868. Arrangements were soon made for erecting a building; a site was selected on the east side of the east road leading from Oswego to Chetopa, near the northwest cor- ner of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 10, and a foundation laid that spring. L. D. Bovee had the contract for putting up the building, and had it inclosed that season. A store building at old Labette, on section 14, was torn down, and out of the material the church was partially constructed; but it was never finished, and the class weak- ened rather than gained in strength. However, services were kept up and meetings were held in the school-house in District No. 3. The class was attached a part of the time to Oswego and a part of the time to Chetopa. It was decided to make another attempt to secure a building, and in the summer of 1883 a church was commenced, and by fall it was inclosed, and so far completed that services were held in it in wn'nter. It is located on section 4, in Richland township. It was completed dur- ing the spring, and dedicated June 22, 1884, by Rev. F. M. Sisson. Chetopa. — This church shares the misfortune of many early enter- prises, of having no record of its organization. It is said the first Meth- odist sermon in Chetopa, aside from the preaching before the war by ministers of the M. E. Church South, was preached in September, 1867, in W. H. Reid's home, by Thomas B. Palmer, who carried the mail from Osage Mission to Chetopa, and who was also a local preacher. No regu- lar preaching was had and no organization was effected till after the RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 347 appointment of the preacher in 1868. Tradition says the church was organized in June, 1868, with thirteen members. Soon after the organ- ization a building committee, consisting of James C. Watson, G. W. Hoover and D. J. Doolen, was appointed, and had charge of the erection of the church building, which was commenced in November, 1868, and finished in 1870, the dedication sermon being preached by Rev. Thomas Bowman, D.D., on Sept. 4, 1870. In 1868 the church was under the charge of Rev. John S. Harryman, of Oswego, who had all of Labette county for his circuit. In the spring of 1869 Rev. Patterson McNutt was appointed to the joint work of Oswego and Chetopa. In 1870 Chetopa was made a station, with Rev. J. W. Lowry as pastor ; he was returned in 1871, and was succeeded in the spring of 1872 by Rev. G. W. Pye, who also continued two years. The next two years Rev. John Paulson was pastor. In March, 1876, Rev. Hugh McBirney became pastor, and continued in charge till March, 1879, when Rev. R. M. Scott was ap- pointed to the work, and remained till March, 1881. Rev. J. W. Fox was then in charge of the work for a year. Rev. A. P. George came in March, 1883, and remained till August, 1883. In the following month Rev. W. W. Curnutt became pastor, and continued as such till March, 1886, when he was succeeded by Rev. C. T. Durboraw, who remained three years, and was succeeded May 1, 1890, by Rev. W. H. Mulvaney, in place of Rev. N. B. Johnson, who had been appointed to the church but failed to come. Mr. Mulvaney is still the pastor. — In the fall of 1870 a parsonage was built on a part of the church lots. In 1886 this parson- age was removed, and a new parsonage built in the north part of the city. The church was built of stone, and at the time of its dedication was considered the finest in the county, it having cost some 86,700. — The church has had a number of revivals of marked power. In January, 1875, November and December, 1884, and the winter of 1885-86, the re- vival meetings resulted in large accessions to the church. — Nov. 4, 1889, an Epworth League was organized, with J. M. Cavaness as president. Second M. E. Church: This organization was formed in 1881, and is- composed of colored members. Some few years ago they built a church, and have maintained regular services most of the time. Robert Rector, W. B. Avery, Andrew Riley, Marion Bell, Thomas Allen, A. J. Lee, E. Q. Plummer, C. P. Thompson and A. R. Clarady have served as pastors. On Easter Sunday, 1892, a Y. P. S. C. E. was organized by Anna House- holder and Ella Higby. The members of the other two colored churches in town join in maintaining this society. Timber Hill Circuit. — Methodism was organized in the west part of the county nearly as soon as there were any settlers there. Joseph Mc- Cormick, the first settler in Mound Valley township, was a Methodist,. 3 J: 8 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. aud his home became the place around which Methodism cUistered. As early as 1867 a local preacher by the name of Spaugh preached at Mc- Cormick's house. Mr. Claspell writes me that ''this was the first preach- ing I heard on Big Hill." In 1868 all of Labette county was embraced in the Oswego circuit, in charge of Eev. J. S. Harryman, with Rev. David Stanfield as an assistant, the former having been admitted into the conference on trial that spring, and the latter being a local preacher. Mr. Stanfield moved out into the western part of the county, and preached there. In March, 1869, the Westralia circuit was organized, embracing parts of Labette and Montgomery counties, and put in charge of Kev. J. S. Harryman and Kev. Sheldon Parker. In 1870 the Timber Hill circuit was formed, and put in charge of Rev. Sheldon Parker. It em- braced all of the western part of Labette county and the eastern part of Montgomery. In 1871 Rev. K. P. Bukey was put in charge of this work, and stayed two years. Rev. E, M. Bussert, a local preacher, about this time commenced to render efficient aid, which has been kept up much of the time since. — During these early years (but I have found no one who Is able to fix even the year) classes were formed at a number of school- houses in Osage and Mound Valley townships, several of which became permanent Methodist centers. Of these I may mention Mt. Ziou, in Dis- trict No. 36 ; Mt. Triumph, in District No. 63 ; St. John, in District No. 76; Harmony Grove, in District No. 30; Pleasant Hill, in District No. 77; Maple Grove, in District No. 102. In April, 1873, Rev. J. P. Hight was placed on the Timber Hill circuit, and sent back the following year. In March, 1875, Rev. W. B. Poinsett was appointed, but on account of sickness failed to go, and the charge was united for that year with La- bette, under Rev. J. W. Mcintosh. The next two years Rev. W. B. Poinsett was in charge, at the end of which time the Timber Hill circuit ceased to exist, the most of the appointments being merged in The SoutJi Parsons Circuit. — This circuit was formed in March, 1878, and put in charge of Rev. W. B. Poinsett and Rev. A . S. Freed. In March, 1879, this work was reduced in size and put in charge of Rev. S. F. Harriman, who formed some new classes, among them one at Mound Valley, and at the end of this year the charge ceased to exist under that name. From this time on the classes in the extreme western part of the county have generally been in charge of a minister at Cherry- vale. In the spring of 1886 a parsonage was built in the Mt. Zion dis- trict, and it became the head of the Cherry vale circuit. In 1892 this parsonage was sold, and the proceeds are to be applied toward the erec- tion of a new church in the near future. 3Iound Valley. — The Methodist class at Mound Valley was organized in the simimer of 1879, bv Rev. S. F. Harriman, who was then in charge RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 349 of the South Parsons circuit. About ten members composed the class at the time of its organization. In March, 1880, the Mound Valley circuit was organized, and put in charge of Rev. E. A. Graham, who continued on the work for three years. He in that time built three churches, doing a large part of the work with his own hands. The parsonage was bnilt, and occupied in the fall of 1879 by Mr. Harryman. In the spring of 1880 a small church was completed on the southeast corner of block 15, and dedicated, free from debt, by Kev. A. T. Burris, at a cost of about $1,200. In March, 1883, Mr. Graham was succeeded by Rev. Isaac Hill, who was followed the next spring by Rev. C. E. Creager; he remained two years. The first year of his pastorate the old church property was sold, and other lots secured in block 10, lying just south of the railroad track, and on these a fine new church was erected, and on Oct. 13, 1884, was dedicated by Rev. J. B. Ford. During the following winter union meetiugs were held, under the direction of W. H. Hurlbut, an evangelist, and resulted in a great revival. W. T. Freeland was appointed to the work in March, 1886, and stayed two years, during which time the old parsonage was sold, and a new one built by the side of the new church, and accepted Jiily 6, 1887. In March, 1888, Rev. W. W. Curnutt was sent to the work, and died just at the close of his first year's services there. The next year Rev. J. B. Gibson came ; and the next, Rev. W. T. York. The latter did the church a good service in raising the money to pay off the indebtedness, which had been a great burden to it. In March, 1891, Rev. "R. M. Cullison was put in charge of the work, and returned to it in March, 1893. — An Epworth League was organized about Nov. 1, 1891, with Rev. R. M. Cullison president, Minnie Wallis fir^t vice-president, William Cruzan second vice-president, Xellie O'Brien third vice-president, Eva Sanders secretary, Edgar Simpson treasurer. Bell Mound. — An M. E. class has been maintained at the school-house in District No. 99 for several years, and has usually been supplied wiih preaching by the ministers in charge of the Liberty work. Hopeicell. — In December, 1871, Rev. J. P. Hight, a local preacher, held a protracted meeting in the dwelling-house of James Beggs, which re- sulted in several conversions, and at its close, on January 5, 1873, a class was formed, which thereafter took the name of Hopewell. Meetings were held in private houses till the completion of the Henderson school- house, in District No. 83, in the fall of that year, where the meetiugs were thereafter held till the completion of their church. This class formed a part of the Timber Hill and South Parsons circuits, and was ministered to by the preachers in charge of those works, till the forma- tion of the Mound Valley circuit, in the spring of 1880, when it was put into that circuit. Since then it has formed a part of either that or the 350 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. Altamont circuit, most of the time, however, with Moimd Valley. In 1882, under charge of Rev. E. A. Graham, a neat church was built on the south- east corner of section 18, township 33, range 19. There were several other classes in the neighborhood, which now form a part of this church. Altamont. — The town of Elston having been started in the summer of 1869, a Methodist class was formed there in the fall of that year, and ad- mitted into the Oswego work in charge of Rev. P. McNutt, pastor. H. N. Brooks, a local preacher, and E. M. Bussart, an exhorter, were mem- bers of this class. At the conference in March, 1870, the Elston circuit was formed and put in charge of Rev. R. P. Bukey, who formed classes at a number of places in the central part of the county. At the end of one year this circuit was broken up and the work combined with other circuits. Classes were maintained most of the time in several school- houses in Labette and Mount Pleasant townships. This work preceded the organization of the class at Altamont when that town started. Prior to 1885 Altamont formed a part of the Mound Valley circuit. The class at this place was organized with ten members, on June 19, 1881, in the Presbyterian church, by Rev. E. A. Graham, who on that occasion preached the first Methodist sermon in the place. In the fall of 1882 and spring of 1883, Mr. Graham built, largely with his own hands, the church, which, on July 15, 1883, was dedicated, by Rev. H. McBirney, free of debt with the exception of a small loan obtained from the Church Extension Society. Rev. Isaac Hill, in 1883, and Rev. C. E. Creager, in 1884, being in charge of the Mound Valley circuit, also preached here. At the conference in March, 1885, the Altamont circuit was formed and placed in charge of Rev. H. R. Volmer ; he was reappointed the next year, but his health failed, and he resigned in December, 1886. In 1885 a parsonage was built, at a cost of about $400. In January and Febru- ary, 1886, a revival meeting resulted in the church receiving about 75 ac- cessions to its membership. Rev. A. C. Bennett was appointed in 1887, Rev. W. H. McVeigh in 1888, and Rev. John P. Slaughter in 1889. The latter, desiring to go to school, resigned the work. In March, 1890, Rev. J. D. Skaggs was appointed to the circuit, and reappointed the following year. Rev. W. T. York has been serving the church since March, 1892. Connected with this work are appointments at several school-houses in the adjoining townships. — An Epworth League was organized April 26, 1893, of which the pastor has been president all of the time. Angola. — A church at this point was incorporated in December, 1892, and work was commenced on the foundation for a new building. The class to be formed at this point w' ill be composed of two or three classes heretofore located in neighboring school-houses. Elm Orove Circuit. — In 1872 the southwest part of the county had RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 35 1 settled to such au extent, and there was such a call for preaching and the organization of Methodist classes, that the presiding elder appointed Thomas Siimmerfield, a local preacher living in Elm Grove township, to supply these points with preaching. During this time a number of classes were formed. In March, 1873, the southwest part of the county was organized into a work called the Elm Grove circuit, and Rev. Thomas Moffat was appointed preacher in charge ; the next year he was also sent as a supply on the same work. During his ministry there was au exten- sive revival. In 1875 Rev. George W. Rigby was sent to the work, and stayed two j^ears. In March, 1877, Rev. J. M. Boon took charge of the work, and was returned again the next year, but got into trouble during the year and was suspended. He held protracted meetings at several points, which resulted in many conversions. In September, 1878, Rev. Z. B. Hitchcock had charge of the circuit, and was returned in the spring of 1879. At the next conference, in 18 SO, the name was changed to that of The Edna Circuit, and Rev. C. W. Swartz was put in charge. In March, 1881, Rev. Azor McDole was sent here, and continued to August, 1883, when he started to E^'anston to school, and was succeeded by Rev. Salem Hedges, who stayed till March, 1885, at which time Rev. A. S. Freed was appointed, and stayed two years. The two years following. Rev. E. A. Grabeal was in charge. In March, 1889, Rev. Henry Carlyon was appointed, and the next spring Rev. L. N. B. Anderson. He re- mained but part of the year, and was succeeded by Rev. H. V. Spears, who was in March, 1891, again sent to the work, and was followed by Rev. J. H. Hubbard, in March, 1892. In the fall of 1882 a building was begun, and inclosed so that services were held in it that winter. It was not com- pleted until 1883, and was dedicated about Nov. 1 by Rev. A. Cullison. Vakda. — Methodist classes had been organized and maintained for sev- eral years in the "seventies" in a number of the school-houses in the southwestern part of the county, among them the Blackford school-house. District No. 6 ; in the Trenton school-house. District No. 67 : and in the Snow Hill school-house, District No. 35 ; and perhaps in one or two more. A class was formed in the Dresser school-house. District No. 51, in 1878, and kept up there until the town of Valeda was started and the Congre- gational church moved there, in the fall of 1886. The class was then re- moved to Valeda, and the services held in the Congregational church. All the classes that had been held in that vicinity were now united in this one appointment. This class belongs to the Edna work, and a list of the pastors will be found given under that church. Cecil. — In the summer of 1882 Rev. A. P. George, then in charge of the Methodist church at Chetopa, commenced preaching at the Liggett school-house, in District No. 87. and soon formed a Methodist class. Ar- 352 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. rangements were made with J. L. Joues to secure ground on the north- west corner of section 5, township 35, Hacl^:berry township, for a church and cemetery. On October 11, 1883, the ground was formally accepted. On November 18, 1882, the corner-stone was laid, the address being made by Nelson Case. The work on the building, which was of stone, was pushed as rapidly as those interested could get the material upon the ground, so that by April 24, 1883, it was inclosed, and on that day Mr. George preached the first sermon within its walls. At the conference in March, 1883, the Cecil work was formed, and placed in charge of Rev. H. R. Yolmer, who was reappointed to the charge in 1884. On May 13, 1883, just after the services had closed and the people had reached home, a cyclone came up from the southwest, and blew the church to atoms. The roof was carried about half a mile, the organ and table were crushed to splinters; the Bible lay upon a box which had been used for a pulpit, and after the storm was found just as it had been left, entirely unharmed. Steps were at once taken to rebuild; this time, however, a frame instead of a stone building. On August 19, 1883, the first sermon was preached in this new structure, by the pastor. It was dedicated (about September 1, 1883) by Rev. A. Cullison. On July 2, 1884, another storm passed over that section ; the church was struck by lightning, and also torn to atoms by the wind. Some money was realized from insurance, and the brethren for a third time started to erect a church edifice. It was com- menced in October, 1884, and finished during the winter, and on Feb. 22. 1885, was dedicated by the presiding elder, Rev. A. Cullison. At the conference the following month Rev. J. B. Seiss was appointed to suc- ceed Mr. Volmer on this work. Since then this point has formed a part of the Edna circuit, and has been supplied with preaching from the niin- ters in charge, a list of whom will be found in connection with that work. Bartlett. — The class at this place, while one of the newest in the county, may still, not inappropriately, be said to be one of the oldest. In the report of Rev. P. McNutt, pastor at Oswego, to the quarterly con- ference held at Oswego, May 15, 1869, I find the following : " On May 9th I organized another [class] at Hackberry." "I have been on Hackberry but once; found a very intelligent, wide-awake people there. I organ- ized a class of 10, with Bro. William Payne as leader, and have great hopes of soon seeing a flourishing society there." I learn that this class was organized at the house of Mr. Horace Horton, on the southeast quar- ter of section 27, in Hackberry township. Among the 10 members who were taken into the class at its organization were Wm. H. Payne and wife Louisa, Samuel McMillen and wife Margaret, Thomas F. Weaver, George W. Jenkins. Mr. McXutt preached frequently during the year, and Thomas Summerfield, a local preacher, also preached for them more RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 353 or less during the next j-ear or two. Preaching, prayer meetings and class meetings were held in a number of houses in the neighborhood — at the home of H. D. Knight, on section 33, as much, perhaps, as at any place. This class became a part of the Elm Grove circuit when it was organized. The class met for a time at the Lockard school-house, in District No. 28, and then at the Bishop school-house, in District No. 7. Preaching and class services were maintained at both of these places, sometimes at one and sometimes at the other, with a good degree of reg- ularity, until the spring or summer of 1888, when regular services were abandoned at these points and the class was removed to Bartlett, where services were held in the school-house, and Edith Dorland was appointed class-leader. Sept. 1, 1892, work began on a new church building, which is now being erected. So far, no denominational Sunday school has been started at this place : all have taken part in the union school. Parsons. — First Methodist Episcopal Church of Parsons : Methodism in Parsons does not know the date of its birth. The first religious ser- vices on the present site of Parsons were held in the summer of 1870, in Abraham Gary's log house on the northwest quarter of section 18, by A. W. King, a local preacher from Osage township. Mr. King continued to preach there every two or three weeks during the summer and fall. The town having been started in November, a number of buildings were on the ground by December. Among these was a two-story frame stand- ing on lot 32, block 25, next to the southeast corner of the block, the lower part of which was occupied by Charles Hazard with a saloon. In the room over this saloon, on the evening of Dec. 1.5, 1870, Mr. King preached the first Methodist sermon that was delivered in the town of Parsons ; it was also the first sermon preached in Parsons by any minis- ter. In March, 1871, Rev. G. W. Pye was appointed to the New Chicago (now Chanute) work, with the understanding that he should also visit Parsons and preach occasionally. During the spring he visited Parsons, preached, organized a class, and commenced the first regular Methodist work done at this point. During the year he came about every two weeks. Services w^ere first held in w^hat was known as Hewes's Ilall, on Forest avenue. During the spring Cary's Hall, on the nortliwest corner of block 42, where the opera house now stands, w-as built, and the upper story seated by the Methodists and Presbyterians, in which to hold ser- vices. In this room, in the month of May, 1871, the Methodist class was organized. Adam Gebert was the first to give his name and his hand to the pastor, Kev. G. W. Pye, and Abraham Gary was the second. At the conference in March, 1872, Rev. J. W. Fox was sent to the Parsons cir- cuit, which included, besides Parsons, Montana, Spring Valley and La- — 23 354 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. bette City appointments. His salary was estimated at $800, and he was paid about $600, At the first quarterly conference, on April 6, 1872, a building committee was appointed; which committee, on April 27th, adopted plans and specifications for a church building, and at once ad- vertised for bids. On May 8th the bids w^ere opened, and the contract awarded at $4,753. But, owing to the pressing needs of the settlers and the financial distress generally prevailing, a meeting of the committee was held on June 10th, and it was decided to indefinitely postpone the project of building. In the fall of 1873 a small building denominated a "tabernacle" was erected on the site of the present church, at a cost of about $700. These lots were donated to the church by the town com- pany. The tabernacle was dedicated Nov, 3, 1872, by Rev. H. D. Fisher. In this building the church services were conducted until the fall of 1876, when it was sold to the United Brethren and removed from the lots on which it was built. In March, 1873, Rev. C. R. Rice was sent to the w^ork, and early in the year built a small parsonage in block 47, at a cost of about $300, Services were held quite irregularly, on account of the inability of the church to support the pastor, and in December he re- moved his family to Emporia and supported them with his own labors, having received less tlian $200 from the church during the year. Not- withstanding all this, Mr. Rice did some very efficient work. Rev, Peter DeClark was the next pastor. He arrived from the East in April, 1874. Small-pox, grasshoppers and hard times were too much for him, and in July he resigned the work. He was followed in November by Rev. Boyd Lowe, who was returned to the work in 1875, and for his services re- ceived all that was promised, viz., $500 — the first experience of the kind the church had had. In 1876 Rev. J, F, Boone was in charge of the work, and in March, 1877, Rev. C. A, King came, and remained three years. The tabernacle having been sold the previous fall, services had to be held in halls, vacant store-rooms, and such places as could be se- cured. This made the church see the importance of building a house, and the pastor proceeded at once to take steps for its accomplishment. On Nov. 5, 1877, the corner-stone of the present church edifice, on the southeast corner of block 42, was laid by the Masons. The foundation was completed, and covered during the winter, and work resumed in the spring. In the fall of 1878 the church was inclosed, and opened for ser- vices by Bishop Bowman. An extensive revival followed. In March, 1880, Rev. M. H, Wilson was appointed to the work. His ways were not congenial to the membership, and after six months' trial he was allowed to depart, and was followed for the balance of the year by Rev. C. E. McClintock. In 1881 Rev. G. W. Pye was returned to the work, and in March, 1882, Rev, H. W. Chaffee came. The church and pastor RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 355 were mutually satisfied with each other, and he remained till 1885, when, under the limitation, a change was required. During his pastorate the church, which since its erection had been occupied in an unfurnished •condition, was completed and furnished, and on Feb. 22, 1885, dedicated by Rev. E. C. Boaz. In March, 1885, Rev. H. A. Tucker became pastor, and continued as such for three years. The following three years, com- mencing with March, 1888, Rev. J. E. Brant was pastor. Rev. R. P. Ham- mons, the present pastor, was appointed to the charge in March, 1891. Young People's Societies : In the fall of 1881 the young people of the church organized the Aftermath Society, and elected as its officers Mrs. Frank Curtis president, Bell Letton secretary, and Thomas Clark treas- urer. Under its management the first young people's prayer meeting of the church was organized. It did much toward encouraging the social life of the church, and was also of material assistance in its financial management. This society was succeeded by the Adelphian Society, which was organized March 1, 1887, with W. J. Wirt president, Miss Frankie Reed and Miss Bertha Kaysing vice-presidents, Mertie Shannon secretary, Chas. Nordyke treasurer. This society did much toward help- ing in literary and normal work. In the spring of 1889 it reorganized as the Young People's M. E. Union, with Maggie Elliott president, P. W. Blake vice-president, Jennie Martin secretary, A. D. Lucas treasurer. Epworth League : Haven Chapter of Ep worth League was organized Dec. 10, 1889, with Rev. J. E. Brant president, T. R. Breese, Will J. Wirt, Miss Jennie S. Martin, J. T. Tendrum. vice-presidents, Maggie S. Elliott secretary, John W. Sleigley treasurer, and a membership of 17; this has now increased to a membership of 140. All departments of the work are well in charge, and it has been a great help in the general work of the church. THE SETTLEES' CONTEST FOE THEIE HOMES. The coDtest of the settlers on the Osage Ceded Lauds to secure titles to their homes was one of the most heroic struggles that has ever been made. Considering the number of parties interested, the extent and value of the subject-matter of the contest, the apparently grossly dis- proportionate strength of the two contestants, the length of time to which the contest was protracted before a final decision was reached, one will scarcely find In the annals of history an instance where the de- votion to the principle involved, the ability displayed in working up and managing the contest, the victory achieved, was as marked as was that of the settlers on the Osage Ceded Lauds in contesting with the railroad companies the right to secure from the Government a title to their homes. At the outset everything seemed to be in favor of the railroad companies — at the close they had not as much as a solitary thread left to fling forth as a banner denoting their success in the fight. When the contest com- menced, on the side of the corporations we find the Secretary of the Interior, standing as head of the Land Department of the General Gov- ernment ; coming to his aid a little later the Attorney General of the United States ; through their decision, patents from the United States signed by President Grant, conveying the legal title to all these lands to the corporations; the open treasury of two powerful corporations, by means of which they were enabled to command the best legal talent of the country, and whatever else they needed that could be procured by money; the prospect of securing 800,000 acres of land through the nego- tiation of the infamous Sturges treaty, by means of which it was hoped that unscrupulous legislators and Government officials could be corrupted to support the common cause of the several companies to secure from the General Government a recognition of the claims of each in these trust and ceded lands, to the robbery alike of the school fund and the actual settlers; almost the entire press of the country; and, what may possibly be regarded as one of their strongest supports, a very general local feel- ing that it was inexpedient to do anything that looked unfriendly to the railroads, the speedy construction of which into each community they especially desired, and the general favor of which they eagerly courted. (356) THE SETTLERS' CONTEST. 357 As opposed to this there were several hundred settlers scattered over two counties 25 by 50 miles in extent, most of whom had scarcely enough means to furnish their homes with anything like the comforts of life and provide sufficieiit teams and tools to cultivate their farms. They had come here from nearly every State in the Union; had no acquaintance with each other; were unfamiliar with public business; were distrustful of themselves, and more so of those in whose hands they were asked to place their interests ; were slow to take the little means they had, all of which was needed to procure the actual necessities of life, and put it into a general fund to fee lawyers to prosecute a case which they heard on every hand was a hopeless one. With these surroundings and these prospects before the parties respectively, the settlers' contest opened. The corporations looked out upon a prospect full of sunlight and cheer: the settlers' vision was obscured by clouds, and mist, and apparently ap- proaching disaster. PRELIMINARY STEPS IN THE CONTEST. In the negotiation of the treaty wiih the Osages, on Sept. 29, 1865, the settlers then on the lands for the purchase of which provision was made in the treaty felt sure of being able to purchase their lands at 81.25 per acre. The news of the negotiation of the treaty was spread through the country, and largely on the strength of it settlers came upon these lands very rapidly. The failure to secure the ratification of the treaty for so long a time, and after its negotiation the further failure of Congress to make any provision for obtaining title, caused the settlers to become un- easy. Their rights on the land were much discussed among themselves during 1866 and 1867. It was not, however, until August, 1867, that any definite action was taken by them to induce legislation looking toward granting them relief. A few parties residing in Neosho county conceived the idea of making some demonstration, and got together as many of the settlers as they could at Canville trading-post, in August, 1867. At this meeting it was decided to petition Congress to pass a bill to secure the Tights of the settlers, and to allow them to purchase their lands. A com- mittee consisting of J. M. Bemis, T. C. Cory, D. T. Mitchell and John Johnson was appointed to prepare a petition, get signatures thereto, and forward to Congress. Immediately upon the adjournment of the meet- ing the committee prepared the petition, and, deeming it unnecessary to travel all over the country to secure the signatures of men who were known to be in favor of what they were asking, the committee took the liberty to attach to it the names of all the settlers on these lauds, so far as they were known or could be ascertained. Most of the night having been spent in that work, they had by morning a petition of quite consid- 358 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. erable length, which was at once forwarded to Congressman George W. Julian, of Indiana, who was a personal friend of Colonel Mitchell, of the committee. Subsequently other meetings were held, and it was decided to send delegates to Washington to influence Congressional action in be- half of the settlers. Some money was raised, and Hon. Solomon Markham was sent to represent the settlers' interest. In the spring and early sum- mer of 1868, a newspaper having been established in each of the two- counties, the settlers' cause began to be discussed through the press. Id the summer of 1868 conventions were held in Labette and Neosho coun- ties, at which delegates were elected to a joint convention to be held at Fort Roach, or Ladore, on September 14th. This meeting organized by electing Joseph McCormick of Labette county chairman, and J. H. Scott secretary. Owing to a misunderstanding as to the time of meeting, it was voted to adjourn to the 36th inst. On the day last named the meet- ing was held, with a full attendance from both counties. In the mean- time steps had been taken to secure funds to carry on the work, and reports of success were made at this meeting. It was decided to again send a delegate to Washington, and Judge Solomon Markham, who had represented them at the previous session, was again selected as their agent. This selection was not entirely satisfactory to all of the settlers,^ and especially to those in Labette county, and a convention was held at Oswego, December 26th, at which Col. Willoughby Doudna was selected as the special agent of the settlers of this county to go to Washington. Both Judge Markham and Col. Doudna spent the winter in Washington,, and helped to secure the passage of the law giving the settlers the right to purchase their homes. The treaty provided that those who were already upon the land should have a right to purchase a quarter-section at SI. 35 an acre. Under this provision it is said that 143 settlers in the two counties took title to their homes. All of those who went on the land subsequent to Sept. 29, 1865, were dependent upon future litigation for their rights to secure title. The settlers' efforts were first directed to securing the attention of Congress, but their most serious contest was in procuring a construction of the law by the courts in opposition to the construction that had been placed upon it by the Land Department of the General Government. SETTLERS' MEETINGS. A notable feature of the contest carried on by the settlers was the im- mense meetings which they held in various parts of the two counties for the purpose of awakening an interest and creating enthusiasm in the members. The first of these meetings which may be called their great ones was held at Jacksonville, on July 28th and 29th, 1869. This meet- THE SETTLERS' CONTEST. iug was really called in the interest of the settlers on the Cherokee Neu- tral Lands to protest against the Joy purchase and in favor of the rights of the settlers on those lands to purchase them from the Government ; but it was attended as largely by the citizens on the Osage Ceded Lands as by those on the Joy lands, and was turned into a meeting in the in- terest of both. The Oswego brass band was present and furnished the music. Congressman Sidney Clarke and John Speer made a trip from Lawrence in a lumber wagon, taking in Major H. C. Whitney at Hum- boldt; they were of course doing a great deal of political work as well as looking after the settlers' interests ; all of them made speeches. Fully 3,000 people from the four counties were present, and were electrified as only such a crowd can be when their homes are in peril and measures for their security are being discussed. Two sets of resolutions were adopted : one by the settlers on the Joy lands, and another by the settlers on the Osage Ceded Lands. At night Senator Pomeroy was hung in effigy, and his actions, which were believed to be inimical to the settlers' interests, were severely denounced. From this time on, the cause of the settlers on the Osage Ceded Lands had a popularity which it had not before that enjoyed. Another meet- ing was called, to be held at Jacksonville, on Sept. 15, 1869. This was very much less satisfactory in its results ; but seven persons were pres- ent; one of these was Major Whitney. The report of this meeting which went out did not give the numbers attending, and it had in the eye of the public an air of respectability. Nothing was accomplished excepting the call for a series of meetings to be held the first two weeks in October throughout Neosho and Labette counties, and the appointment of a committee, consisting of H. C. Whitney, T. C. Cory, and J. S. Waters, to prepare an address to be published not later than October 1st. If any of the meetings provided for at this time were held they were but small affairs, and made little impression. The next great meeting of the settlers was at Ladore on July 4, 1870. J. F. Bellamy, H. C. Whitney and John Speer made speeches. On the following day the settlers formed their protective association. On Sept. 26, 1870, in com- pliance with an appointment made by the association on August 26th, a convention of the settlers was held at Prairie du Chien for the purpose of nominating a Senator for the Sixteenth Senatorial district. Major H. C. Whitney was unanimously nominated for the position. Provision was at the same time made for holding meetings at Ladore on Sept. 6th, at Jacksonville on the 9th, and at Erie on the 10th. At the Ladore meet- ing, after addresses by Major Whitney and Judge Markham, the follow- ing platform was adopted : "Whereas, We, the settlers on the Osage Ceded Lands, in the State of 360 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. Kansas, believe that imder the treatj^ by which the said lands were ceded to the United States, and under the joint resolutions of Congress, April 10, 1S69, actual settlers were entitled to purchase any part of said lands in tracts not to exceed 160 acres, at $1.25 per acre, and that no corporation has acquired any vested rights therein ; and whereas, certain railroad corporations are claiming certain portions of said lands : now, therefore, ''Resolved, 1. That we will proceed at once to test the validity of said claims, by instituting legal proceedings in the proper courts. "2. That we respectfully request the Governor of our State to with- hold all patents from said corporations for said lands until the termina- tion of said proceedings. "3. That we will support no candidate for county and legislative offices who is not thoroughly identified with the settlers and in sympathy with their cause." At the Erie meeting G. W. McMillen was chairman, and M. H. Sheldon secretary ; and in addition to hearing speeches, nominations were made for nearly a full set of officers for Neosho county. On May 1, 1871, a meeting was held at Oswego, at which Hon. William Lawrence spoke and gave an exhaustive legal discussion of the settlers" rights. On July 12, 1873, the largest meeting which had ever then been held by the settlers was had at Thayer. There were 765 wagons filled with people in the procession, and a vast number on horseback. It was estimated that from eight to ten thousand persons were in attendance. Speeches were made by Gov. Shannon, Congressman Clarke, Judge Mc- Comas, Milton W. Reynolds, W. L. Simons, and others. This was fol- lowed on October 1st by another immense meeting at Osage Mission, at which Gov. Osborn, Sidney Clarke, Stephen A. Cobb, D. R. Anthony, M. J. Salter, Judge McComas and J. H. Crichton spoke. On May 27, 1874, another great gathering \vas had, at Parsons. M. J. Salter was chairman, and F. B. McGill secretary. Gov. Osborn, George R. Peck, Sidney Clarke and Judge McComas spoke. Besides these great meetings which I have named, during these years innumerable local meetings were held, some of them of scarcely less importance than those named. Their effect was to keep the settlers' interest at fever heat, and to cause them to demand of their officials the exertion of every effort in their power to secure their rights. BASIS FOR THEIR CLAIMS. The claim of the two parties, in brief, was this: These lands were re- served to the Osage Indians by the treaty proclaimed June 2, 1825, soon after the conclusion of which the Indians moved upon and occupied them up to 1869. On March 3, 1863, an act of Congress was approved, grant- ing land to the State of Kansas to aid in the construction of certain rail- roads, and among them the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston. On July 26, 1866, another land grant was made to the State of Kansas, to THE SETTLERS' CONTEST. 361 aid, among other roads, the buildiug of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas. By virtue of their grants these two companies claimed alternate sections ten miles wide on each side of their respective lines of road, as finally lo- cated, through- the Osage Ceded Lauds. On Sept. 29, 1865, a treaty was concluded between the United States and the Osage Indians, whereby the latter sold to the United States all the land comprising Neosho and Labette counties, to be by the (iovern- ment "surveyed and sold under the direction of the Secretary of the In- terior on the most advantageous terms for cash, as public lands are surveyed and sold under existing laws." On June 26, 1866, the Senate amended this treaty by adding to the above provision the following: "Including an act granting lands to the said State of Kansas in aid of the construction of a railroad through said lands." This amendment was accepted by the Indians on Sept. 21, 1866, and the treaty as amended was proclaimed by the President on Jan. 21, 1SG7. It was claimed that the above Senate amendment to the treaty recognized the grant already made, if it did not in itself amount to a grant to the railroad companies. On behalf of the settlers it was contended that the Congressional grants in aid of the construction of railroads were grants in prmenti, and could not apply to these lands, because, by the treaty of 1825, they were ' ' reserved lands." It was further contended that the treaty contemplates the survey and sale of these lands to actual settlers at ^1.25 per acre. The railroad companies applied to the Commissioner of the General Land Office for a withdrawal of the lands they claimed under their re- spective grams from market. The Commissioner, Hon. Joseph Wilson, refused their request on April 26, 1867, and on a renewal of the applica- tion again ruled against them on May 17, 1867. From this decision the companies appealed to the Secretary of the Interior. On November 8, 1867, the Secretary, Hon. O. H. Browning, made his decision reversing Commissioner Wilson, and aw^arding to the railroad companies all the land by them claimed under the grants. The line of the M. K. & T. Rly. was definitely made Jan. 7, 1868 : and maps showing the definite location of the lines of the two roads having been filed with the Commissioner, an order was made on Jan. 21, 1868, withdrawing the lands from market, which was forwarded to the land office at Humboldt, where it was re- ceived on Feb. 4, 1868, from which time the rights of the companies as against the settlers dated. Those who had settled on these lands pre- vious to the last-named date were allowed to enter the same after the passage of the joint resolution of April 10, 1869. All odd sections not then settled on, and all even sections falling within the indemnity limit not then settled on, were awarded to the railroad companies. 362 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. Early in January, 1868, Congressman Clarke introduced a joint resolu- tion for the sale of these lauds to actual settlers ; and all during that year efforts were made by friends of the settlers to secure legislation in their interest, but without success. The Forty-first Congress assembled on March 4, 18G9. On the 15th of that month Congressman Clarke again introduced a joint resolution for the disposal of the Osage Ceded Lands, which passed the House on April 5th, the Sen.ate on the 9th, and received the President's approval on April 10, 1869. The passage of this resolu- tion was hailed with delight, and it was generally thought that it was so worded as to entitle settlers on any portion of the lands to enter the same at $1.35 per acre. But when, on June 19, 1869, the Register and Receiver of the Land Office gave notice that filings would be received on and after July 20th, and proof of settlement and purchase-money on and after Sept. 3, 1869, they further stated that, under Instructions from the General Land Office, under date of June 3, 1869, the right of the railroad companies to these lands under the terms of the land grants would be respected. Consternation and indignation now prevailed among the set- tlers, and continued to increase in proportion as the repeated rulings of the Government officials, as they were called on from time to time to further construe the law, seemed to show a disposition to ignore the set- tlers' rights and to place their homes more firmly within the grasp of the railroads. In different ways the question was brought before the vari- ous officers connected with the land department of the Government from time to time, and efforts were made to secure a reversal of Secretary Browning's ruling, but all to no purpose. When brought before him. Secretary Cox sustained the ruling of his predecessor, and of course the Commissioner and the land office officers were bound by the decision of their superiors. Finally, in 1871, the Settlers' Association having employed Judge Law- rence, it was hoped to get a final decision in their favor. On an appeal taken from the decision of the Humboldt land office the question of the rights of the settlers and of the railroads was fully argued, first before Hon. William Drummoud, Commissioner of the General Land Office, and then, on an appeal from his decision, before Hon. Columbus Delano, Sec- retary of the Interior, who called to his aid the Assistant Attorney Gen- eral, Hon. W. H. Smith. The settlers' cause was argued by Hon. Wm. Lawrence, and the railroads' claims were presented by B. R. Curtis. On Jan. 26, 1872, Secretary Delano announced his decision, fully sus- taining the railroad companies' claims, and in support of his conclusion said: "If I were in doubt about it, yet in view of the former decision of my predecessor, Secretary Browning, in favor of the validity of the grants, and the refusal of Secretary Cox to reverse that decision, and the THE SETTLERS' CONTEST. 363: action of the companies under it, I should hesitate long before I would disturb rights acquired under that decision." He also gave the lengthy opinion of Assistant Attorney General Smith concurring in the opinion he had reached. FollowiDg this decision, on Feb. 19, 1S72, President Grant issued a patent to the M. K. & T. Rly. Co. for so much of its land as it had then selected. THE ATTITUDE OF THE PRESS. The positions assumed by the local press toward the settlers' cause varied at different times during the struggle. Of course different papers assumed different positions, and the same papers sometimes changed sides — at one time advising resistance to the railroad companies' claim, and again counseling compliance. I can only give two or three extracts to show these varied sentiments, but anyone who has any desire to see the many changes that took place can be gratified by consulting the files of the various papers of the two counties. On Jan. 37, 1870, the Osage Mission Jo?^?virt^ says : "We think it would be folly for the settlers to spend their time and money in trying to beat the railroads out of their lands at this late day."' In its issue of Feb. 7, 1873, the Chetopa Ad- nance, after announcing the decision of the Secretary of the Interior in favor of the railroad companies, says: "While we could wish that the decision might have been different, we cannot say that we are disap- pointed in the result. Without claiming to comprehend the case fully in all its legal bearings, we have always held and expressed the opinion that the railroad title to the lands would be confirmed." And again, on Feb. 31, 1872, in a leading editorial headed "Better Compromise," the same paper says: "In the contest between the railroad and the settlers on the Osage Ceded Lands, our readers will remember that we have never encouraged them in their efforts to contest the title with the rail- roads. We appeal to the settlers and to the railroads to let us have peace. The former cannot afford to spend any more money in futile liti- gation. Whatever they so spend will be taxed back upon them when the title is finally confirmed, with interest to boot." In announcing the decision of the Secretary of the Interior the Parsons Sun in its issue of Feb. 3, 1873, says: "We are well aware that the above news will fall like a thunder-clap on many of the settlers whose expectations have been recently raised to the utmost by the favorable reports and opinions from Judge Lawrence ; but we have endeavored to prepare them, from time to time, to expect the worst, and we now hope that the majority will bow to the decision of the Secretary of the Interior and immediately make the most favorable terms possible with the railroad companies." Most of the papers in both counties, even those most entirely devoted 364 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. to the settlers' cause, were somewhat waveriug at times in their support. In justification of their course, the papers which counseled surrender to the railroad companies and compromise with them, pointed out the delay and expense attending litigation even in the event of final success, and the damage tliat would necessarily result, not only to the contestants, but to all the settlers alike, In retarding immigration, preventing improve- ment, and embittering the feeling by a contest in the courts. So far as the metropolitan press had discussed the matter at all, it had been, as the settlers believed, from the standpoint of the railroad companies' position. To counteract such influence, and to give the public an understanding of their position, the Grand Council appointed a committee, of which T. P. Leech was one of the members, (the other names I have not been able to get,) to prepare an address to the public setting forth the settlers' cause, together with their determination to obtain a decision in the highest court of the country upon its merits, with a willingness on their part to abide by such judgment. They caused this address to be published in leading papers in Eastern cities, and thereby brought their cause into more prom- inence than it had hitherto attained. SETTLERS' PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION. Most of the settlers who attended the great meeting at Ladore on July 4, 1870, remained over until the 5th, when another meeting was held, to more practically discuss the rights and prospects of the settlers. Major H. C. Whitney and John Speer, who had been the principal ora- tors the day previous, made speeches. Major Whitney more particularly discussed the legal aspect of the matter, and advised united action on the part of the settlers. At the conclusion of the address the following was unanimously adopted by the settlers : "•Whereas, By a treaty with the Osages, proclaimed in January, 1867, it was provided that the lands since known as the Osage Ceded Lands should be sold for cash, which treaty the Commissioner of the General Laud Office authoritatively decided did not vest any title to lands therein in land monopolies ; and whereas, a joint resolution of April 10, 1869, provided for the sale of all said lauds to actual settlers at ^1.25 per acre ; and whereas, said treaty and decision of the Conmiissiouer of the Gen- eral Land Office and joint resolutions have been set at naught by a mere arbitrary ruling of a late Secretary, made upon an ex, 'parte application of the land monopolies, and based upon a mistaken precedent; and whereas, our right to our homes and our all is menaced by said monopo- lies : now, therefore, be it '■'■ Resolved, That we will contest for our titles under the joint resolution aforesaid to the extreme limit of the law ; and to secure this end we will organize thoroughly and with discipline so as to bring the entire material and moral force of the whole array of settlers to bear throughout the whole contest. THE SETTLERS' CONTEST. 3^5 ''Resolved, That the settlers are hereby soleniDly warned uot to squan- der their means in the attempted purchase of an illeaal and void monop- oly title to their homes, which title must sooner or later be overthrown ; but they each and all are earnestly entreated to join the settlers' organi- zation and obtain a title direct from the Geueial Government, which shall be cheap, staunch, and unmistakable. ''Resolved, That we hereby appoint the followina: temporary executive committee, viz.: Col. W. H. Carpenter, George T. Walton, \Vm. S. Irwin, Lewis A. Keese, Van Heuderletter, Peter Collins, M. H. .Sheldon, A. S. Spaulding, and J. M. Richardson ; and they are heieby requested to form and promulgate to the settlers for their consideration, a plan of perma- nent executive committee; to adopt such measures as may be essential to promote the interests of the settlers ; and that said executive committee is requested to prepare an address to the settlers, and to publish the same immediately. "Resolved, That the settlers are hereby requested immediately to as- semble in neighborhood meetings, each neighborhood to select a good and true man competent to serve as a member of the permanent execu- tive committee. The executive committee are requested to select from said list nine members, in such manner as that all localities on the Ceded Lands shall be represented, and said selection shall be the permanent ex- ecutive committee for one year from date of organization. "Resolved, That from this time henceforth we mean business, and upon our efforts to save our homes we invoke the just consideration of all true men and the gracious favor of Almighty God." The committee appointed by the foregoing resolutions at once took steps to perfect the organization, and W. S. Irwin was elected its presi- dent. On Oct. 1.5, 1870, a charter for the purpose of incorporating the "Settlers' Protective Association of the Osage Ceded Lands" was pre- pared, and signed by William Irwin, David C. Hutchinson, George W. McMillen, J. M. Richardson, and others, which was filed in the office of the Secretary of State Oct. 1, 1870. The charter states the object of the corporation as follows: "The purpose for which this corporation is formed is the promotion of immigration to said lands, and the legal inves- tigation and proper adjustment of the title thereto." In the fall of 1870 sub- ordinate councils were organized in nearly every part of the two counties. The first regular meeting of the Grand Council after its formal organ- ization was held at the town of Labette, on Dec. 17, 1870. At this meeting the following officers w^ere elected for the ensuing year : Presi- dent, J. J. Woods; secretary-, Samuel R. Luke; executive committee, D. C. Hutchinson, G. ^Y. McMillen, J. J. AVoods, A. J. Campbell, J. B. Swart, J. C. Bundy, J. M. Gaston, M. H. Sheldon, James Martin. D. C. Hutchinson and G. W. McMillen were appointed financial agents, and directed to canvass both counties for funds. Early in January, 1871, the executive committee published a long and carefully prepared address to the settlers, setting forth the necessity for their standing together and 366 HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY. contributing of their means to a common fund in order to reach an end by all alike desired ; it set forth that Major Whitney had been employed as attorney to conduct a contested case through the court, and that the case of J. M. Richardson against the railroad company had been insti- tuted for the purpose of contesting the question of title. The association proceeded to spread itself over the two counties, and to do much good work in the shape of enlisting the settlers in the united action for their homes. As the work progressed it became evident that a knowledge of their action on the part of the public interfered with the accomplishment of their plans, and so it was decided to form a secret organization retaining the main features of the old association, but add- ing to it a secret obligation and some ritualistic work. Of the introduction of this feature into the association, I will let those speak who were con- nected with it. Hon. T. P. Leech, of Thayer, writes me as follows: "My individual experience and knowledge of facts connected wath the Osage Ceded Lands contest involved in the history and transactions of the Settlers' Protective Association began in 1871, when William Dick (well known and recognized all over the Ceded Lands as 'Father Dick') organized a subordinate council of the S. P. A. of O. C. L., in the school- house near my place. He informed us that there had been a number of old settlers' meetings held at different places on the Ceded Lands in the past, for the purpose of organizing a legal contest with the railroad com- panies to test the validity of their claim to these lands, but that the work had been openly and voluntarily done, and only a portion of the old set- tlers had taken interest in the matter; and that at a meeting held at La- hore— earlier known as Fort Roach — it had been decided to regularly organize (as a secret organization) the Osage Ceded Land Settlers' Pro- tective Association, and enlist, if possible, all those whose homes were involved in the controversy, and all others w^ho were in sympathy with them. Many subordinate councils had been formed before our neighbor- hood had been reached, and the work of organization was going on rap- idly. And so Father Dick read to us the printed declaration of purposes, the constitution and by-laws that were to govern the association ; and as it was clearly set forth that the purpose was to secure concerted action in making the strongest possible legal contest for our rights, I cast my lot with my neighbors (although my individual home was not in contro- versy, and neither was Father Dick's), and I shall probably never forget the concluding paragraph of the obligation given us by Father Dick in his most impressive manner, and which was repeated by all the candi- dates, as follows : " 'All of this I most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I will keep and perform, without any equivocation or mental reservation whatever; binding myself under no less a penaitv than that of having a rope looped round my neck and I be swung in the air till life become extinct. So help me God, and keep me steadfast.' " The followiug letter will give further information on this same subject : "Parsons, Kas., Sept. 1, 1892. ''Hon. Nelson Case, Oswego, 7ta«.— Dear Sir: In response to your re- " • ♦ ^ \ N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962