F 689 
 . F7 B5 
 Copy 1 
 
 ®I}? 3Ua£ 
 
 Full Particulars-- Addresses of 
 
 Cory> Biddle and McDonald* 
 
 History of the Forts by 
 
 8Mrs. Hugus, 
 
 Fort Scott, Kansas, 
 December 3, 1904 
 
 PRICE, TWENTY-FIVE CENTS 
 
\1\fc 
 
FULL PROCEEDINGS 
 
 AT THE- 
 
 FLAG RAISING 
 
 on dr. w. s. McDonalds lawn 
 
 FORT SCOTT, KANSAS 
 DECEMBER 3, J904 
 
 COMPILED BY W. R. B1DDLE, l^Oo 
 
 Published as a tribute to the early settlers of Fort Scott. 
 
 If history makes for man's renown, 
 Record all epochs of your toivn, 
 Its characters, whether grey or gay. 
 Gi<ve best that each may do or say. 
 
 !IS0 ■«» A--D M ST NS CO., FOKT ICOTT, KANS>I 
 

 RESIDENCE OF DR. W. S. McDONALD, SHOWING BLOCKHOUSE 
 
THE FLAG RAISING 
 
 HE raising of the American flag over the 
 Block House, December 3rd, 1904, was one of 
 the most impressive ceremonies ever witnessed 
 in the city. It was a pretty sight, too, one that 
 will be remembered by the citizens of Fort Scott 
 for many years. A program had been previous- 
 ly arranged for the occasion, and it was carried 
 out with not a single incident to mar the har- 
 mony of the proceedings. Long before 2 o'clock 
 people began to gather at the corner of First 
 street and National avenue. By 2 o'clock, the time set for the ser- 
 vices to begin, there were several hundred persons present, and had 
 it not been for the unpleasant weather the crowd would have been 
 very large. The procession, headed by the ladies of the Woman's 
 Belief Corps, reached the Block house at a very few minutes past 
 2 o'clock. The profession formed on Main street, as follows: 
 The Woman's Belief Corps. 
 The Grand Army of the Republic. 
 The Fort Scott Band. 
 
 Degree Teams of the Woodmen of the World. 
 Citizens in carriages. 
 
 The weather was unpleasantly cold, and for this reason the 
 ceremonies were curtailed slightly, but they were solemn and im- 
 pressive notwithstanding. Immediately upon the arrival at the 
 grounds, the Woman's Belief Corps turned the great flag over to 
 Mayor Congdon and he at once prepared it to be hoisted to the top 
 of the mast, which is more than sixty feet high. With the 
 Woman's Relief Corps, the Grand Army of the Republic circled 
 around the flag pole on trie east, north and west, and the band on 
 the south. Old Glory was raised on the signal of the report of the 
 cannon, amid the sweet strains of America by the Band. There 
 was just enough of a wind from the northwest to open the flag to 
 
its full beauty, and as ii opened up it received the hearty cheer.- of 
 the several hundred people gathered around it. The Grand Annv 
 gave it three cheer-. 
 
 JUDGE C. E. CORY'S ADDRESS 
 
 C. E. Cory then called the meeting to order and delivered the 
 following address. 
 Ladies and Gentlemen : 
 
 There be men who have no idea of a country other than as 
 a good place to make money in: who know nothing of the worth 
 
 of a nation other than as it 
 won Id protect their property; 
 who prefer town lots and mort- 
 gages to literary culture; who 
 know nothing about the flag, 
 and care nothing about the 
 bag. except that it stands for 
 the authority and power of the 
 nation which I have mention- 
 ed, an emblem of police pow- 
 er to protect them and their 
 property — a kind of a bit of 
 cloth to use as a guidon in 
 forming national alignments. 
 To such people, and there are 
 too many of them, this occa- 
 sion means nothing. T h i s 
 event is not for them. They 
 C. E. CORY are probably now hugging 
 
 their shekels and counting their profits. 
 
 But there are other people, thank God, who can not look 
 with attention upon the emblem that lias just been raised here this 
 day without a throb in their hearts at the thought of what it has 
 meant in the past, what it has cost in the past, wbat it is now, and 
 what it promises for the future. The emblem of some weakling 
 colonies who took it when it was small, and have held it up until 
 
C. F. DRAKE 
 
it is respected by every nation on earth. They do not revere that 
 flag simply because it is a piece of cloth, or that it is a handy sym- 
 bol to mark a fort or a custom house; but they look to it as the 
 emblem of the very heart and life of the nation, and the very shek- 
 inah of our national holies of holies. They look upon -that flag 1 , 
 not in a material way, but as emblematic purely of the great foun- 
 dations of civilization and religious freedom, which sprang into 
 being so vigorously at the time when this flag was born. It has 
 been carried, not in anger, but for the blessing of all peoples, and 
 for the spread of the most kindly spirit of decent self government 
 among men, until it is now the peculiar emblem of all that goes 
 for the uplifting of humanity. 
 
 To those people who feel this way this is a great day. The 
 old log building — the block house — speaks to us today, not of 
 blood-shed, not of carnage, not of destruction of homes, not of the 
 destruction of property, but it speaks to us in tender accents of 
 what our fathers did that the principle for which this piece of 
 bunting stands shall live and spread among men. It speaks of the 
 holy principles of fraternity, under which in recent years, and un- 
 der that flag for the first time in the history of this old world, a 
 victorious nation has seen fit to act the kind parent instead of the 
 rude master. You will observe that even the old cannon standing 
 there in front of the old block house, rotting on the lawn, as a me- 
 mento of the past, is plugged and spiked. Its tongue of fire is si- 
 lent. May it ever remain silent. 
 
 "Nobody can think but that the intelligent, part of the Cu- 
 bans are now thanking God for the blessing of having that flag 
 float over their cities. Where there was disease, and filth, and 
 contagion, there goes health, and sanitation, and comfort. Where 
 there was ignorance, and stupidity, and brutality, there comes 
 schools, and colleges, and everything that makes man better. No 
 other flag on earth can have that said of it. 
 
 When on a day in 1865 millions of misguided people saw 
 the last hope of what they were striving for vanish, and a victor- 
 ious army occupying their cities, the world was shocked and as- 
 tounded to see a nation, after five years of bloody war, release 
 their prisoners, treat the conquered opposing chieftans kindly, and 
 
do everything in their power to restore that peace which we all 
 hope may never be marred again on our soil. 
 
 War is something lurid and horrible even at its best, but it 
 is all the more horrible where brothers' arms are raised against 
 brothers, and, as I say, the nations of the world were astounded 
 that this country was big enough and wise enough at such a time, 
 when the passions of war had wrought up the hearts of men, to 
 extend the olive branch of peace, and immediately proceed to re- 
 store the ravages of war. 
 
 In the recent troubles in the Philippine Islands, men were 
 killed, property was destroyed, and damage w T as done. It was not 
 a severe war, but it was too great a war to receive the entire en- 
 dorsement of the heart of Christendom. There are indeed times 
 when it is necessary 'to be cruel to be kind.' 
 
 We hear thoughtless people talk foolishly, but where is the 
 American who respects freedom, and believes in enlightenment, be- 
 lieves in protecting the weak, who believes in the uplifting of hu- 
 manity, who does not know in his heart, and acknowledge, that the 
 visit of the stars and stripes to the Philippine Islands was a very 
 God-send to that country? 
 
 From the actions of our government in the past through 
 all its history, we must believe that in the future as in the past. 
 this flag shall be the emblem of all that is good and true and kind- 
 ly, for the upbuilding of the nation. 
 
 To Mrs. Hugus, Patriotic Instructor for the Woman's Ke- 
 lief Corps, too much credit cannot be given for arranging this oc- 
 casion of honoring the flag, and at the same time re-dedicating the 
 old building which stands before us as a memento of the brave 
 things of the past, the good and kindly things of the present, and 
 the hope of the future. 
 
 Dr. McDonald is to be commended for his patriotic senti- 
 ment in preserving this old block house and raising this flag in 
 memory of the old times, and in evidence of all Ave hold dear. 
 The block house is the last relic in Fort Scott of the Civil War. 
 May its like in grim action never be needed again. 
 
 Dr. Porter will now offor prayer. 
 
JUDGE W. R. BJDDLES ADDRESS. 
 
 After the invocation of the divine blessing by the Rev. Dr. W. 
 C. Porter, of the First Presbyterian church. W. R. Bid'dle was in- 
 troduced and made the address of the day, speaking as follows: 
 Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen: — 
 
 It would have been better to have selected some person to 
 deliver the address on this occasion who had been one of the early 
 
 settlers of this town and who 
 had been a participant in the 
 stirring times of its early 
 growth. He would have been 
 better fitted to enter into the 
 spirit of the urea-ion and have 
 been better able to give a clear 
 understanding of the struggles 
 incident to those early times. 
 
 However well informed a 
 person may be on the early his- 
 tory of Fort Scott from the 
 lips of others and from the his- 
 tory of those times, yet he can 
 never clearly set' nor disclose 
 the actual facts, the trials and 
 the work of those early settlers 
 w. r.. biddl ; as ft 1G r>11( , w i 10 was a party to 
 
 i hem and who was a part of them. 
 
 From 1843, when this point was established as a tort by 
 the United States Government, and named after Lieutenant Gen- 
 eral Winlield Scott, it was a. rendezvous tor [Jnited States troop- 
 Kept for the purpose of protecting the Missouri border. Kansas 
 was on the map as a part of the Great American Desert. 
 
 The climate and the fertility of the soil were practically un- 
 known. A few adventurers had passed across its broad prairies. 
 I'nt no settled habitation of the American people had been made 
 within its borders. 
 
 After the passage of the fvansas- Nebraska hill in 1854. cre- 
 ating Kansas and Nebraska territories and opening up the country 
 
T. \V. TALL.MAN 
 
for settlement, a few adventurous spirits immediately arrived in 
 Fort Scott and founded the town. 
 
 One of the first of these was Col. Hiero T. Wilson. He was 
 joined immediately thereafter by Gov. George A. Crawford. 
 
 Following him came Doc. Ransom, Judge Joe Williams, Sam 
 Williams, George W. Clark, C. H. Haynes, Judge William Mar- 
 grave, T. W. Tallman, Dr. Couch, B. F. Riggin, Blake Little, Dr. 
 Hill, Dr. Bills, old man Roach, Jack Harris, Squire Bullock, Wil- 
 liam Linn, J. S. Cawkins, Solomon P. Hall, Ed Wiggins, Charles 
 Osbun, George Daniels, A. F. Bicking, Dick Phillips, Alexander 
 McDonald, William Smith. Jack White, William Dennison, Sol 
 Eaton, C. F. Drake, E. L. Marble, William Gallaher, B. P. Mc- 
 Donald, A. H. Campbell, Charles Dimon, Jack Arnett, E. M. Hu- 
 lett, John Crow, John G. Stewart, Dr. Redfield, Isaac Stadden. 
 William Judson, C. W. Goodlander, Wiley Anderson, C. W. Blair, 
 A. R. Allison, John Miller, David Manlove, David Emmert, George 
 Dimon, Carter Wilder, J. R. Morley, George Clark, Thomas 
 Bridgen, Julius Neubauer, John Dillon, George Stockmeyer, Billy 
 Robinson, Ben Files, Mrs. Dr. Baldwin, Mrs. E. T. Dorey Mrs. 
 Coston Dr. J. S. Redfield C. T. Rucker and Rev. Austin Warner, 
 some of these bringing with them wives and families 
 
 The passage of the bill which opened Kansas to settlement 
 created great excitement throughout the entire country. By the 
 admission of Missouri in 1820, a compromise was made between 
 the opposing forces of the South and North whereby it was agreed 
 that slavery should never be established by law north of the south- 
 ern line of Kansas. And many good people of the North thought 
 that the passage of this bill was a violation of that compromise. 
 
 By the terms of this bill the slave holder was permitted to 
 bring his slaves into Kansas, and what was known as "Squatter 
 Sovereignty" was established. That is, the people were to inhabit 
 the territory and when a sufficient number of them had done so 
 they were to vote upon the proposition as to whether Kansas should 
 be a slave or a free state. 
 
 This created a conflict between two opposing forces of so- 
 ciety in the United States. One believed that slaver}' was a divine 
 
institution and that the negro was property. That he was of an 
 inferior race and by nature was intended to be a servant for the 
 white man. 
 
 The other believed that all men, without regard to color, 
 should be free. That slavery was inconsistent with the divine law. 
 was contrary to human justice and that it was a blight on civiliza- 
 tion. That it not only injured and degraded the colored man, but 
 that it had an injurious effect upon the white race. 
 
 The conflict was seen by the leaders of the South as well as 
 those of the North, and Kansas was made the battle ground. 
 
 The result was that those who came to Kansas came here 
 with a definite purpose which was to make Kansas a free or a slave 
 state. 
 
 We can scarcely realize how deep and strong the feeling was 
 on both sides. The early pioneer who came to Kansas to make it 
 his home had the courage of his convictions. The falterer, the com- 
 promiser, the timid and the coward, were not among these early 
 pioneers. They were men of courage and determination. I think 
 few of them 'thought at that time that the conflict would extend 
 beyond the Kansas territory. They evidently were aware of the 
 importance of the conflict, and that the entire people of the United 
 States were interested in its results. 
 
 Four miles east of the fort was the western line of Missouri. 
 No monument indicated where that line Avas, but east of it the 
 the country was inhabited by a people who were practically unani- 
 mously in favor of making Kansas a slave state. 
 
 Seventy-five miles east was Osceola, the head waters of navi- 
 gation on the Osage river. 100 miles north was Westport, the 
 nearest point of navigation on the Missouri river. Without railroads 
 and surrounded by an uninhabited prairie, these early pioneers 
 located their town upon the banks of the Marmaton and Buck Run. 
 Along these streams were scattered a few cotton wood trees. Their 
 banks were precipitate and the location of the town was upon a 
 rocky, hilly, broken surface. 
 
 Perhaps the location of the fort here caused the location of 
 
tlic (own. One by one the early pioneers dropped in from all 
 
 parts of the country. Some 
 from Kentucky, others from 
 Ohio. Pennsylvania. Indiana 
 and Illinois, some from New 
 England. They gathered 
 
 here on these stony hills and 
 founded the present city of 
 Fort Scott. 
 
 It was a very small begin- 
 ning, but it had within its lit- 
 tle boundaries an enterpris- 
 ing, audacious, courageous 
 and determined people. 
 
 It was true of the early 
 settlement of Fort Scott as <>| 
 ;ill early settlements that not 
 every one who came reniain- 
 C. H. HAVNES ed. Some went farther out on 
 
 the frontier. Others went back to their wife's people. Some 
 sought other locations, while others were stricken down in the con- 
 flict. And still others succumbed to the struggle and passed away 
 from disease and privation. The sturdiest alone remained. 
 
 There were some incidents characteristic of these early settlers 
 that should he noted. They were very hospitable. They were 
 always prepared for danger. They made it their Imsincss to know 
 every person, who settled in their midst, what his politics was and 
 where he was from, his ancestry, his religion, his beliefs upon 
 slavery and mi which side of the conflict he stood. Every man 
 was en one side or the other. There was no middle ground. 
 
 Again, there were no dudes among them. Calf skin was an 
 unknown leather. Boiled shirts wen 1 worn only on special occa- 
 sions. Stovepipe hats had a great struggle for existence. Linen 
 collars wciv not kept for sale in the country stores. Travel was on 
 looi, horseback, by wagon or by stage coach. Uoads were no! on 
 -eel ion line-, for there were none. 
 
 The early settlers were very fond of amusement. Fun and 
 
J. A. DURKEE 
 
 DR. SARAH C. HAL] 
 
music are as 
 
 inherent in man's nature as is his reverence for the 
 Deity, and the early settlers of 
 Fort Scott were up to frolics 
 of all kinds. Dancing and so- 
 cial parties were frequently 
 had. Horse racing, shooting 
 contests and athletic sports re- 
 ceived encouragement. The 
 mails were very slow. Letters 
 were few. And thus the set- 
 tlement began. 
 
 'Being a law unto them- 
 selves and punishing trans- 
 gressors in a summary way at 
 first, they soon established 
 courts , organized school dis- 
 tricts and were prepared for 
 every emergency. 
 
 Tn each emergency in hu- 
 man society the man for the 
 occasion comes forward and is selected. And the leading men in 
 Fort Scott soon came to the front. The success of a town depends 
 first upon capable, disinterested leaders in whom the people have 
 confidence and in the hearty co-operation of the people. This was 
 the case in Fort Scott. 
 
 Without trying to select those who should be mentioned as 
 leaders, I think none will question the fact that Col. Wilson, Gov. 
 Crawford, C. F. Drake, C. W. Goodlander, B. P. McDonald, Dr. 
 Redfield and C. H. Osbun can eacli well be mentioned in that con- 
 nection. The people were alive to the occasion. 
 
 Among the old settlers who still survive and are still residents 
 of Fort Scott, the following may be mentioned. 
 
 A. H. Campbell and wife, B. P. McDonald and wife, Mrs. C. 
 Ilavnes, Mrs. C. W. Goodlander, E. L. Marble, C. H. Osbun, T. 
 W. Tallman, Ben Piles, Mrs T. F. Robley, George Stockmeyer. 
 Mrs. Dr. Baldwin, Mrs. Eunice Dorey, Mrs. Coston, John Gardner, 
 
 john Mcdonald 
 
Mrs. Dr. Redfield, C. T. Rucker, Austin Warner, Ed Wiggins and 
 Mrs. John McDonald. 
 
 This old block house was built is 1863. It was made of hewed 
 logs sided with rough boards as you see it now. It was built by 
 the government on the corner of Scott Avenue and first street. It 
 possesses, as you see, no beauty, and has no architectural finish. In 
 fact, it is one of the crudest of buildings. But it was built for a 
 purpose, and was regarded in that early day as one of the essential 
 defenses of Fort Scott. Fortunately there was never any especial 
 necessity for its use. During the Price raid it would have been of 
 great utility had Price's army attacked Fort Scott. 
 
 One of our distinguished fellow citizens, who has perhaps 
 delved deeper into the sentiment that surrounds it, and has seen 
 more clearly the lessons its preservation will teach the future gen- 
 erations than others ; and through whose liberality it has been placed 
 upon this lot where we now stand, that no ruthless hand may here- 
 after desecrate it. That it may be preserved and observed by the 
 coming generations of men, and that it may teach them a lesson of 
 patriotism and loyalty. That it may remind them of the heroic days 
 of our early pioneers. Of their sacrifices, of their courage, and of 
 the privations they endured during their pioneer life. 
 
 Accompanying it is the beautiful flagstaff located by the same 
 patriotic citizen. All honor to Dr. W. S. McDonald. Some call his 
 efforts, expenses ami trouble in preserving the old block house and 
 locating this fine flag stall', as a mere sentiment. Truly it is not a 
 business venture. The nionej that he expended and the labor that 
 he has done in preserving this old relic will never cause him to clip 
 interest coupons becauseof his investment.There is no pecuniary 
 income from it, and it is true that these efforts on his behalf are 
 the results of patriotism and sentiment. 
 
 The man who sees nothing but gain in all of his efforts in life 
 can not appreciate ami never will appreciate the work Dr. McDon- 
 ald has done. 
 
 It is not by gaining wealth that character is builded. 
 "He who creates and perpetuates a noble sentiment and patri- 
 otic spirit and a love of country, and who can by such acts as these 
 
remind the coming youth of the heroic days of the early pioneers. 
 and the founders of our civilization, will long be remembered when 
 thos( who devote their energies to sordid gain are forgotten. 
 
 I admire the sentiment. 
 
 I love the act. and we should 
 all love and honer the man 
 who lias expended his time 
 and his means in the preserva- 
 tion of this old relic. 
 
 The public, and especially 
 the women of the Women's 
 Relief Corps, assisted by Mrs. 
 Laura V. Hugus, and the old 
 soldiers of the Grand Army of 
 the Republic, and J. P. Robens 
 who snggesti d i he idea, have 
 fully appreciated the efforts of 
 our distinguished fellow citi- 
 zen by eoni ributing to the pi; r- 
 chase of this flag which now 
 waves at the top of the flag 
 stall'. They understand the 
 motive. They realize the sac- 
 rifice of our early pioneers, and all honor to them. 
 
 May this old block house and this Sag staff continue to exist 
 and may this flag wave for alt time, so that the generations of men 
 who come hereafter may he remindied of the brave and heroic deed- 
 as well as the patriotism of our early pioneers, and also those now 
 here who seek to preserve these relics, and that a true sentiment of 
 patriotism ma\ he fully hereafter maintained. 
 
 I don't believe those old pioneers realized fully the civiliza- 
 tion they were creating. 1 don't believe they contemplated the fact 
 that they were the founders of a great state. They builded better than 
 they knew. Broadened in mind and in spirit by the \'wc air and: the 
 waving grass of the boundless prairies, they grew broader andbetter 
 each year. Like all of the Anglo-Saxon race they organized 1 towns, 
 counties, townships and school districts, and using a law of their 
 
 YV. H. STOUT 
 
own making, punished transgressors and evil-doers in a summary 
 way: hut soon established courts and recognized the force of Law, 
 and Kansas became one of the most Law-abiding places on the face 
 of the earth. 
 
 When we look m\<t this count? and over Eastern Kansas and 
 see the fine orchards, the waving grain, the fields of corn, the fine 
 
 residences, all the land in cul- 
 tivation, we can hardly 
 realize what a transformation 
 has been made. It is such a 
 trnsformation as is known only 
 in America. 
 
 ddic roundel's of Rome had 
 those qualities that made the 
 great Roman republic. Tin 
 Pilgrim fathers who landed at 
 Plymouth Rock stamped their 
 character forever upon the civ- 
 ilization, customs, laws and 
 society of the New England 
 state.-. Captain John Smith 
 and his cavaliers at James- 
 town have given strength and 
 direct ion to civilizat ion in Vir- 
 gina and Kentucky. 
 
 If we should go farther 
 hack we would find the sprit 
 of Moses and Joshua influen- 
 cing the destinies of the Jewish nation for centuries after they were 
 buried. The same can be said of Kansas. 
 
 These early pioneers gave and still give Kansas its civiliza- 
 tion, its morality, its education and its religion, their early strug- 
 gles purified. Their character gave strength and prominence to 
 their wisdom, and thus gave to themselves and their children those 
 qualities that have made Kansas so great. 
 
 While the preservation of this block house and this Hag staff 
 with the flag continually waving in the breeze from its highest point. 
 
 DNNIEL TODD 
 

 GEO. A. CRAWFORD 
 
 FORT CI. AIR 
 
is commendable, yet these are not the most enduring monuments 
 to our early pioneers. 
 
 If we look over Fort Scott and Bourbon county we will there 
 find a more enduring monument, These happy homes of prosper- 
 ous freemen: these churches; these schools; the care for the un- 
 fortunate and homeless: these institutions of education, religion 
 and humanity; these fine streets and fine shade trees; these rail- 
 roads: but greater by far (be strong energies they created by which 
 the resources of the future are to be developed. These are the 
 monuments of our early pioneers. 
 
 Their memorial is all over this city and (his county. Our 
 smallest streams; our beloved Marmaton roll mingling with their 
 fame forever." 
 
 dr. McDonalds response. 
 
 "Ladies of the Woman's Relief Corp.-. Gentlemen of the 
 Grand Army of the Republic, Gentlemen of the Union Veter- 
 ans' Legion, and Fellow Citi- 
 zens, one and all: It affords 
 me great pleasure to greet you 
 here this afternoon. I am not 
 vain enough to think for a 
 moment that your assembling 
 here is entirely in recognition 
 of anything I have done. But 
 I feel that you come to pay 
 homage to the flag, to see Old 
 Glory unfurled and to renew 
 your allegiance to it. It does 
 us good once in a while to 
 stand under the Stars and 
 Stripes, tc catch inspiration 
 from its glittering folds, and 
 to have it stir up our emotions 
 and pull our heart strings. It 
 helps us to feel that everything 
 in this life that is worth living for is centered in that flag. It is a 
 glad response to all our hopes, our fears, our joys and sorrows. It 
 
 dr. w. s. Mcdonald 
 
that it 
 
 (lutv 
 
 is the embodiment of all the best things that have happened in the 
 past. It is the promise of all the good that is yet to come. It 
 appeals to our best thoughts and purposes. It awakens new hopes 
 and aspirations and makes us thankful to God that we live under 
 its benign influence and power. Whether we behold it peacefully 
 waving over our lawn, from the stately ship or barren island — it 
 means the same to every true heart. Liberty — Fraternity — and 
 Equality. It is an incentive to every honorable deed and a rebuke 
 to unrigtheousness. It signals the victories of our fathers across 
 the continent, and heralds the glad shout of a free people from the 
 Atlantic to the Pacific; from the rocky headlands of Maine to the 
 land of the Montezumas. As another has said. "It is the symbol of 
 all that we are and of all that we hope tobe." It is the emblem of 
 equal rights. It means that this continent has been dedicated to 
 freedom; it means Universal Education — Light for every mind' — 
 Knowledge for every child. It means that the school house is the 
 fortress of our liberty. It means that governments derive 
 their just pow< rs from the consent of the governed. It 
 
 I' every citizen to bear his 
 part of the public burden — to 
 take part in the affairs of his 
 town — his county — bis state 
 and his country. It means 
 that all distinctions based on 
 birth or blood have perished 
 from our laws; that our Gov- 
 ernment shall stand between 
 labor and capital, between the 
 weak and the strong, between 
 the individual and the corpor- 
 ation, between want and 
 wealth, and give and guaran- 
 tee simple justice to each and 
 all. It is the emblem of the 
 supreme will of the nation — 
 beneath its folds the weakest 
 must be protected and the 
 strongest must obey. It rep- 
 
 D. C. C'ONGDON 
 
resents the sufferings of the past and the glories yet to be." 
 
 Many of yon gentlemen have followed it through rebellion's 
 darkest da.vs — at Bull Run, Manassas. Vieksburg, Ami. 'tain. Chan- 
 eellorsville and Gettysburg, and have seen the tide of battle ebb 
 and flow around if. and have risked your lives again and again in 
 its defense. To you this day we how out- heads in greatful recog- 
 nition of your noble sacrifice, and in return we pledge ourselves to 
 better citizenship and' to more faithfully shield the flag you have 
 preserved for us. 
 
 And to you ladies, who willingly gave up lives clearer to you 
 than your own life — to you who in the dark days were a living 
 sacrifice for our country, we offer words of hope and cheer — hopi 
 idiat as citizen.- we may live so loyal to truthful and righteous 
 that no dark hour will ever obscure its folds and that dawn's early 
 light will always reveal what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's 
 last, gleaming.' To you ladies, especially of the Relief Corps — to 
 you gentlemen of the Grand Army of the Republic — to you gentle- 
 men of the Union Veterans Legion, and to you Citizens one and all, 
 I cannot find words to properly express my appreciation for your 
 -iff. this beautiful flag. If I should attempt it. [ 
 would want to thank you not only for myself and wife, hut I would 
 want to thank you in behalf of every man. woman and child that 
 may behold it. For he assured as it fiats from yon height, it will 
 be an object of love to theveteran — an inspiration to our youth 
 and a lesson of patriotism to every child. 
 
 "'When freedom from her mountain height, 
 Unfurled her standard to the air. 
 
 She /arc the azure role of night. 
 
 And set l!ir slurs of glory there! 
 
 She mingled with its gorgeous dyes 
 
 'lite milky baldric of the slcies, 
 
 And striped it^ purr celest 'ml white 
 
 With streamings of the morning light; 
 
 Then from his mansion in the sun, 
 
 She rolled her einjle-beorer doivn, 
 And gave into his mighty hand 
 The symbol of her chosen land. 
 
"'Flag of the free, heart's hope and home, 
 
 By angel hands to valor given, 
 Thy stars have lit the welkin dome, 
 
 And all thy hues were bom in heaven. 
 Forever float that standard sheet, 
 
 Where breathes the foe but fails before us, 
 With Freedom's soil beneath, our feet, 
 
 And Freedom's banner streaming o'er us.' 
 
 And friends, as much as I feel complimented and honored, 
 here to-day by your presence : as much as I am delighted with your 
 beautiful gift, it pleases me more to feel that this flag raising is 
 not so much in honor of present achievement as it is of the past. 
 
 The thoughts and emo- 
 tions aroused in us this 
 afternoon by that grim, 
 sturdy pile of oak; the 
 block house, its rougb 
 hewn timbers; its yawn- 
 ing port holes; all carry 
 us in imagination back 
 to heroic days, and we 
 honor and revere nee 
 tbose men and women 
 who stamped their char- 
 acter on those rougft 
 logs; who poured their 
 hearts' blood into the 
 conflict. Many of the 
 hands that hewed these 
 timbers arc now motion- 
 less, the lips that gave 
 command arc hushed ; 
 but the silent grim struc- 
 ture stands there before 
 us — a symbol of those sanguinary times — a monument of the 
 past. 
 
 With a spirit of deep respect and love for the sturdy man- 
 hood and valor of our early pioneers, I have endeavored to place 
 
 REV 
 
 PORTER 
 
this crumbling, decaying structure on a sure foundation, where it 
 may rest for many years to come, that our children and 
 children's children may see in it a reminder of the trials and 
 heroism of their ancestry. Today, thank God, peace reigns over 
 the length and breadth of our land; and under its sunshine as we 
 raise this flag aloft, let us dedicate and consecrate it to the bravery 
 and valor of all our old citizens, living and dead, who followed the 
 flag through the dangers of pillage and war which devastated this 
 land, and who on this very ground on which we stand, fearlessly 
 led in the conflict and bared their breasts to every danger in de- 
 fense of their homes and their country— to the memory of those 
 heroes, let us raise this flag and may God grant that we may live 
 worthy of their memories and the grand inheritance they have left 
 us— a free and undivided country. 
 
 HISTORY OF BLOCK HOUSES. 
 
 When President Lincoln, in 1861, issued his first proclama- 
 tion for troops for three months' service, a battalion was raised in 
 
 Fort Scott and ordered to re- 
 port at Wyandotte, Kansas. 
 But before camp and garrison 
 equipage could be furnished, 
 the time for their enlistment 
 had expired, and they were 
 mustered out of service and re- 
 turned home. 
 
 Immediately after the 
 second call of President Lin- 
 coln for troops, recruiting of- 
 ficers were detailed, and the 
 Sixth Kansas Cavalry was 
 mustered into service with full 
 complement of officers and 
 men. This regiment, with 
 ether troops, remained on duty 
 at Fort Scott for the purpose 
 of guarding the large quanti- 
 MRS. LAURA E. HUGUS li<- of quartermaster, ordi- 
 
nance and hospital stores, which were placed at Fort Scott by the 
 government for supplying the troops south to the Red River. 
 
 In order to guard this large quantity of supplies, fortifica- 
 tions were ordered to be erected at Fort Scott, consisting of breast- 
 works, stockades and three lunettes (block houses), under the 
 supervision of ('apt. William Holcke, V. S. Army Engineer. This 
 was done under the direction of the Secretary of War. These 
 lunettes or block houses were constructed and named. One. Fort 
 Inslev, was located on the point of the mound near where the Plaza 
 School building now is. This was the largest and was used for 
 the purpose of storing ammunition. Fort Henning, another of 
 the block houses, w?. • located on the corner of First Street and 
 Scott Avenue, where the post office now stands. Fort Blair, an- 
 other of Tlie block houses, was located on the corner id' Second 
 Street and .National Avenue. Two large twenty-four pound 
 siege guns wire planted near Fort Blair. 
 
 The government failed to furnish any fixed ammunition for 
 the siege guns, and Peter Riley, a member id' the Sixth Kansas, 
 
 who is still living and en- 
 joying a heart old age. 
 and who was then clerk of the 
 ordinance department at Fort 
 Scott, made and tilled flannel 
 sacks with powder, with which 
 these siege guns were charged. 
 Air. Riley still preserves the 
 thimble he u>>h\ in making 
 these sacks. These siege guns 
 were moved to the point id' the 
 mound north of the Plaza dur- 
 ing the Price Paid and the 
 sight id' them indicated to 
 Price's army, a.- they came 
 north of the Marmaton. that 
 
 Fort Scott was well prepared 
 mary t!. Mcdonald. . , . . ,, , •i M+ i 1 . 
 
 to defend itself, and evidently 
 
 caused his army to move off easi into Missouri, thus leaving Fort 
 
Scott from being pillaged and burned. Fori Scotl was at that 
 nine defended by less than 400 men and Price's army was being 
 sorely pressed by Blair and Moonlight's men, who engaged the 
 rear guard of Price's army on Shilo Creek, about four miles east 
 of Fort Scott. The boom of the guns in this engagement was 
 sweet music to the then inhabitants of the Solid City. W. II. 
 Riley, son of Peter Riley, after the fight picked up on the battle- 
 field a bullet mould which his father still preserves. 
 
 All these dinettes have been destroyed or disappeared except 
 Fort Henning. It was first moved to the corner north and across 
 Second Street. Several years ago Dr. W. S. McDonald purchased, 
 removed and located ii on Lot 4. Block 101. being on the lawn im- 
 mediately south of his residence. He also erected a flag stall' in 
 front of it on the same let. and proposes to preserve it. In front 
 of it. on the same lot. is a cannon, an old one thai was captured 
 from Gen. Price. 
 
 Pursuant to an order of (Jen. Blunt, dated .March 6th, 1863, 
 Capt. Haines assisted in the erection of these fortifications. The 
 order is as follows : "'Headquarters, District of Kansas. 
 
 •fort Leavenworth, March 11. 1863. 
 'Special Order \o. I). 
 
 'First Lieut. ('. II. llaynes. 6th Reg. Ks. Vol. is hereby de- 
 tailed on Engineer duty and will repbrt to Capt. \V. Holcke A. I). 
 
 C, superintending civet ion of 
 fortifications at Fort Scott. 
 Kansas. 
 
 'By order of 
 
 Brig. ( ienl. Blunt. 
 'Moonlight, 
 
 •Lieut. Col. & chf. of Stall'." " 
 
 Lieutenant Haines also look 
 command of the fortifications, 
 pursuant to the following or- 
 der: 
 
 "'May 3rd, 1863. 
 'Lieutenant C. 11. Eaines, 
 Company K. Sixth Kansas 
 Cavalry, is hereby ordered to 
 assume command of fortifica- 
 tions now being erected at 
 Fort Seott. Kansas, under 
 plans and specifications fur- 
 
 MRS. C. H. HAYES. 
 
nished him with this order, consisting of breast works, stockades 
 and three lunettes, namely, Fort Insley, Fort Henry and Fort 
 Blair. And also to take charge of, and account for all government 
 stores now being used in said construction and turned over to him 
 at this time. 
 
 f Wm. Holcke, Capt and U. S. Army 
 Engineer in charge of erection of for- 
 tifications at Fort Scott, Kansas.' ,: 
 
 Lieutenant Haines became Captain of Company B, 14th 
 Kansas Cavalry, and his widow, now residing in Fort Scott, has 
 preserved these orders, and takes much pride in showing them to 
 her friends, as well she may, but has lately kindly presented them 
 framed to the Fort Scott Historical Society. 
 
 These forts, or lunettes, were built of sawed slabs or thick 
 boards thoroughly spiked, covered with shingles and weather-board- 
 ed with rough boards sawed from native lumber. They each had 
 openings for rifles and small cannon. 
 
OUR FLAG 
 
 By J. P. Eobexs. 
 
 /// the days of old, as we are told, 
 In history's Ira res of gold; 
 II e had no flag, as floats to-day 
 O'er land and islands far away. 
 
 On Mohawk's hunks, whose waters glide 
 'In Hudson's — thence to Ocean's tide; 
 .1 woman gave her flannel shirt. 
 An emblem true for Freedom's work. 
 
 That emblem waved (ill victory came, 
 Under Washington, who with acclaim 
 Drove Hritish back from Jersey's fields, 
 Where lordly Howe reluctant yields. 
 
The banner rose brace o'er the sea. 
 Where British pride would conquerors be — 
 Their hopes were dashed by the Chespeake 
 Whose glorious deeds. I need not speak. 
 
 Later this flag sire pi Mexico's plain. 
 Fearlessly leading for humanity's gain. 
 And under Dillingham's masterful sway, 
 A hand opened ports to commerce way. 
 
 And later, when the cry of i reason rang 
 For a disabled Union,— a divided land. 
 This flag waved out from sea to sea. 
 Protecting those who would be free. 
 
 And while the curse of Spain's proud hand 
 Fell gear by year on ('aba's land 
 Our flag with stars of heavenly Ugh I. 
 
 L' el eased the isle in Freedom's might. 
 
 This, the history of a gallant flag 
 Commencing as a dismal rag. 
 No nation feared; but in oar time, 
 Is loved and waved in every clime. 
 
 Thus float old flag! For evermore. 
 
 G ranch's! of all in histoids store, 
 
 Till men and Nations shall be no more. 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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