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Gc 978.101 Lllca 1606078
IVI. L ...
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01103 1751
HISTORY
-OF-
LABETTE COUNTY, KANSAS,
-AND-
REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
EDITED AND COMPILED BY HON. NELSON CASE.
"History is Philosophy Teaching by Examples." 1865-1900.
PUBLISHED BY BIOGRAPHICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, GEORGE RICHMOND, PRES .; S. HARMER NEFF, SECY; C. R. ARNOLD, TREAS. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. 1901.
1606078
-NOTE-
All the biographical sketches published in this volume were submitted to their respective subjects, or to the subscribers, from whom the facts were primarily obtained, for their approval or correction before going to press; and a reasonable time was allowed in each case for the return of the type-written copies. Most of them were returned to us within the time allotted, or before the work was printed, after being corrected or revised; and these may therefore be regarded as reasonably accurate.
A few, however, were not returned to us; and, as we have no means of knowing whether they contain errors or not, we cannot vouch for their accuracy. In justice to our readers, and to render this work more valuable for reference purposes, we have indicated these uncorrected sketches by a small asterisk (*), placed immediately after the name of the subject. They will all be found on the last pages of the book.
BIOGRAPHICAL PUBLISHING CO.
SURNAME FILE
5
Preface
HE aim of the publishers of this volume has been to secure for the historic portion thereof full and accurate information respecting all subjects therein treated, and to present the data thus gathered in a clear and impartial manner. If, asis their hope, they have succeeded in this endeavor, the credit is mainly due to the diligent and exhaustive research of that eminent pioneer resident of Labette county, Hon. Nelson Case, of Oswego, whose high character and profound erudition are recognized throughout the State of Kansas. His patient and conscientious labor in the compilation and the presentation of facts is shown in the historical portion of the volume. This record gives a comprehensive account of the organization of the county, and of the leading events in the stages of its development from 1865 to the present time, as set forth in the table of contents. Certain subjects which Judge Case hoped to introduce have been omitted for lack of requisite data, but all topics and occurrences are included which are essential to the usefulness of the history. Although the purpose of the author was to limit the narrative to the close of 1900, he has deemed it proper to touch on some matters overlapping that period. For any possible errors that may occur in the work, the indulgence of our readers is asked.
The reviews of resolute and strenuous lives, which make up the biographical depart- ment of the volume, and whose authorship is entirely independent of that of the history, are admirably adapted to foster local ties, to inculcate patriotism and to emphasize the rewards of industry, dominated by intelligent purpose. They constitute a most appropriate medium of perpetuating personal annals and will be of incalculable value to the descendants of those therein commemorated. They bring into bold relief careers of enterprise and thrift and make manifest valid claims to honorable distinction. If "Biography is the only true History," it is obviously the duty of men of the present time to preserve in this enduring form the story of their lives in order that their posterity may dwell on the successful strug- gles thus recorded, and profit by their example. These sketches, replete with stirring inci- dents and intense experiences, will naturally prove to most of the readers of this book its most attractive feature.
4
PREFACE.
In the aggregate of personal memoirs, thus collated, will be found a vivid epitome of the growth of Labette county, which will fitly supplement the historic statement; for the development of the county is identified with that of the men and women to whom it is attributable. The publishers have endeavored in the preparation of the work to pass over no feature of it slightingly, but give heed to the minutest details, and thus to invest it with a substantial accuracy which no other treatment would afford. The result has amply justi- fied the care thus exercised, for in our belief no more reliable production, under the circum- stances, could be laid before its readers.
We have given special prominence to the portraits of representative citizens, which appear throughout this volume, and believe they will prove a most interesting feature of the work. We have sought to illustrate the different spheres of industrial and professional achievement as conspicuously as possible. To those who have kindly interested themselves in the successful preparation of this work, and who have voluntarily contributed most useful information and data, we herewith tender our grateful acknowledgment.
CHICAGO, ILL., August, 1901.
THE PUBLISHERS.
Contents
EARLY HISTORY
Origin of our Laws and the Sources of Titles to our Homes-Discoveries-Charters-Treaties-Terri- torial Government-The Osages-Survey of Reservation-Schools-Chiefs-Towns-Battle-The Two Bands-Character-Burying Grounds-Treaties with the Osages-John Mathews-Early Expeditions- Early Settlements-Surveys-Labette-Boundary.
PERMANENT SETTLEMENT, ORGANIZATION, AND GROWTH. 27 Organization of the County-Land Titles-Hardships -- First Administration-Marriages-County-Seat and County-Seat Contests-County Buildings-Furnishing County Offices-Self-Organized Courts-Dis- trict Court-Home for the Poor-List of Superintendents of Poor-Farm-Bridges-U. S. Census-As- sessment for 1867-Tax Sales-County Expenses-Colored People --- Athletics -Official Delinquencies- Reception of President Hayes.
INDUSTRIAL-COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS 48 First Wheat Crops-Castor Beans-Tame Grass Cotton Industry-Grasshoppers -Fish and Game- Bounty-Dehorning Stock-Texas Fever-Hedge and Weed Law-Natural Gas-Tables showing Acre- age, Product and Value of Field Crops-Farmers' Organizations (Grange, Alliance, &c.)-Fair Associa- tions-Agricultural and Horticultural Societies-Labette County Historical Society- Other Local Organ- izations-G. A. R.
CRIMINAL MATTERS. 68 Assassination, &c., &c .- The Bender Slaughter-Pen-Vigilance Committee-Citizens' Protective Asso- ciation.
MISHAPS. 78
Drownings-Conflagrations-Boiler Explosions-Deaths by Fire, &c., &c.
METEOROLOGICAL 8
The Weather, embracing the period from 1865 to 1900.
STORMS .. 92
MUNICIPAL TOWNSHIPS. 94
A condensed History of all the Townships in the County from the Date of the Organization of each Township up to the Present Time.
TOWNS AND CITIES. 118
Proposed Towns (containing some account of the various towns which at one time had an actual or " paper " existence, but are now dead)-The Cities, Towns and Stations in Lahette County as existing at present.
EDUCATIONAL. 166
Public Schools- - The First Schools in the County-Detailed History of each School District-Grading Country Schools-Teachers' Institutes-County Teachers' Association-Private Schools-County High School -- Hobson Normal Institute-Oswego College-Osage College for Young Ladies Literary Circles.
8
CONTENTS.
RAILROADS. 203 Roads Attempted to be secured-Roads Constructed-Railroad Strikes.
POLITICAL
212
Brief Account of all the Conventions of the Various Political Parties, beginning with those of 1866-Can- didates for Judicial Honors-Elections-Commissioner Districts-Legislative Apportionment-List of Officers-List and Terms of Chairmen of Board of County Commissioners-List of Official Papers.
THE STRUGGLE FOR TEMPERANCE, 245
The First Licensed Saloon-The Crusade Spirit-Reform Club-Breweries-Murphy Meetings-Dispens- ing with Petition-Temperance Organizations-The Prohibition Canvass-First Anniversary of Prohibi- tion-Organizations for Enforcing the Law-Druggists' Reports-"Original Package" Houses.
POSTOFFICES AND POSTMASTERS. 260 .
A Complete List of the Postoffices and Postmasters of Labette County, from 1865 to the Present.
THE PRESS. 264
Brief account of each Newspaper and Periodical which has been Published in the County.
BENCH AND BAR 281
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
297
History of every Religious Organization (embracing Churches, Sabbath Schools, Bible Societies, Y. M. C. A., &c., &c.) which has existed in the County.
THE SETTLERS' CONTEST FOR THEIR HOMES .. 359 Preliminary Steps in the Contest-Settlers' Meetings-Basis for their Claims-Action of Congress and of the Land Department-Attitude of the Local Press-Settlers' Protective Association-Its Constitution- Legal Measures-Further Legislation-Final Victory.
HON. NELSON CASE.
history of Labette County
EARLY HISTORY
The English claim to this continent, like that of all the European governments which made claim thereto, was based on discovery. In 1496 King Henry VII granted a commission to John Cabot to discover countries then un- known to Christian people, and to take pos- session of them in the name of the King of England. Under this commission Cabot and his son Sebastian the following year discovered the continent of North America, and setting up the English standard, took possession of the same in the name of the King of England some fourteen months prior to the discovery of the main land of America by Columbus. In 1498, John Cabot having in the meantime died. Sebastian made another voyage and ex- plored the coast as far south as Virginia. From these discoveries England dates her claim to this continent.
In 1606 James I granted a charter to Sir Thomas Gates and others, authorizing them to colonize the New World. Under this charter two companies were formed. One, called the London Company, was to send out the "First Colony of Virginia," who were to settle be- tween the 34th and 38th degrees of north lati-
tude, and whose possessions were to extend inland without bound; under this grant the: first permanent English settlement in America was made, at Jamestown, in 1607. The other company under this charter, called the Western Company, was to send out the "Second Col- ony of Virginia," who were to settle between the +Ist and 45th degrees of north latitude. This county is embraced within the first of these grants.
On May 23, 1609, the London Company was granted a new charter by King James, under letters patent running to Robert, Earl of Salisbury, and others, constituting them a body corporate under the style of "The Treas- urer and Company of Adventurers and Plant- ers of the City of London for the First Colony of Virginia." By this patent the company was granted "All the lands, countries and ter- ritories situate, lying and being in that part of North America called Virginia, from the point of land called Cape or Point Comfort all along the seacoast to the northward two hundred miles; and from said Cape or Point Comfort all along the seacoast to the south- ward two hundred miles, and all that space and
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HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY
circuit of land lying from the seacoast of the precinct aforesaid up into the land throughout from the sea, west and northwest; and also all the islands lying within one hundred miles along the coast of both seas of the precinct aforesaid, with all the soil, grounds, rights, privileges and appurtenances to these territor- ies belonging, and in the letters patent particu- larly enumerated."
In March, 1612, a third charter was granted this London company, but without changing the boundaries of its grant from what they were under its prior charter.
By the terms of the first charter of which I have spoken, the superior council of the com- pany were appointed by the king; and under the king's advice and direction this company was to ordain and remove the resident council. The king retained the supreme legislative au- thority in himself. Emigrants were promised that they and their children should continue Englishmen. The state religion of England was established here, and capital punishment was prescribed for several offenses. Lands were to descend according to the laws of Eng- land.
By the second charter the powers reserved to the king in the first were given to the com- pany. The council were to be elected by the shareholders, and they might endow emigrants with the rights of Englishmen. Colonists were given a few acres of ground, and the right of private property was firmly estab- lished. By the third charter, power was trans- ferred from the council to the company. through which the colonists might be granted all the rights belonging to the people of Eng- land. Under this charter the first American representative legislature assembled at James- town on July 30, 1619. In 1624, in an action of quo warranto, this corporation was dissolved
by judgment of the court of King's Bench, and its rights reverted to the crown of Eng- land.
By the treaty of Paris, signed on Febru- ary 10, 1763, entered into between Great Brit- ain, Spain and France, the latter released to the former all claim to the territory east of the Mississippi except New Orleans, while all the territory west of that river was ceded to France. From this time we ceased to be a dependency of the English and became at- tached to the French crown.
In 1762, by the secret treaty of Fontain- bleau, France ceded upper Louisiana, embrac- ing the territory we now occupy, to Spain, though the latter did not take possession of the same till 1770.
On October 1, 1800, by the treaty of St. Ildefonso, Spain retroceded Louisiana to France. Those who lived here from 1770 to 1800 were therefore under Spanish rule, and all changes of title during that time must have been by Spanish laws.
On April 30, 1803. the treaty of Paris was concluded, by the provisions of which the French Republic sold the entire province of Louisiana to the United States, since which time we have been a part of her territory and subject to her laws.
LAWS PRIOR TO THE ORGANIZATION OF KANSAS TERRITORY.
On October 31, 1803. the law was approved authorizing the President to take possession of the French ( Louisiana) purchase, and to pro- vide for its government until a government should be provided by Congress.
On March 26, 1804. the President approved the act dividing the French purchase into two districts, viz. : the Territory of Orleans, to em-
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
brace all the purchase lying south of the 33d degree of latitude, for which a territorial gov- ernment was provided; and all the purchase lying north of that line was designated the Dis- trict of Louisiana, the government of which was placed under the governor and judges of the Indiana Territory, and these officers were authorized to exercise legislative as well as ex- ecutive and judicial functions over the district.
In pursuance of the authority conferred by this act of Congress, the governor and judges of the Indiana Territory ordained and promul- gated a body of laws, most of which went into operation October 1, 1804. Various crimes were defined and punishments therefor pro- vided ; courts were established ; slavery was rec- ognized throughout the territory, and minute regulations were prescribed for the conduct and government of negroes; provision was made for recording legal instruments, for licensing at- torneys, for practice in court, and for mar- riage.
By act of Congress of March 3. 1805. the District of Louisiana was changed to the Terri- tory of Louisiana, and a territorial government provided, consisting of a governor and three judges, who were also to exercise legislative functions.
By act of Congress approved June 4. 1812, and which went into operation on the first Mon- day of December, 1812, the name of the Terri- tory was changed from Louisiana to Missouri, and a legislative assembly was added to the ex- ecutive and judicial departments of govern- ment.
By a law of the General Assembly of the Territory of Missouri, approved January 19. 1816, the common law of England, so far as not inconsistent with the laws of the United States, was declared to be in force, but the
doctrine of survivorship in case of joint ten- ancy, it was expressly declared, should never be in force.
On March 6, 1820, the famous compromise measure of Henry Clay became a law by the approval of the President, whereby that portion of the Territory of Missouri embraced within the bounds of the present State of Missouri was authorized to form a constitution and be admitted into the Union as a State, and from all the remainder of said Territory, lying north of 36 degrees 30 minutes, slavery and invol- untary servitude were forever excluded. In pursuance of this authority a constitution was adopted and Missouri was fully admitted into the Union by proclamation of the President, dated August 10, 1821.
In 1850 the slavery agitation was reopened in Congress, and several acts passed as another compromise, among them the establishment of territorial government for New Mexico and Utah, with provisions in each for their admis- sion "into the Union with or without slavery, as their constitutions may prescribe at the time of their admission;" and an act making more stringent provisions for the apprehension and return of fugitive slaves.
By "An act to regulate trade and inter- course with the Indian tribes, and to preserve peace on the frontiers," approved June 30, 1834. Congress declared all the territory west of Missouri and Arkansas "Indian Country," and attached, among others, the Osage coun- try to the Territory of Arkansas, and declared the laws of the United States providing for the punishment of crimes committed in ter- ritory under the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States to be in force in such Indian Country. This arrangement continued to the formation of the territorial government.
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HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY
TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.
By "An act to organize the Territories of Nebraska and Kansas," approved May 30. 1854, Congress organized the territory now forming the State of Kansas into a Territory, and provided for it a government consisting of executive, legislative and judicial depart- ments. By Sec. 27, writs of error were to be allowed from the Supreme Court of the Ter- ritory to the Supreme Court of the United States "in all cases involving title to slaves," without regard to the amount in controversy ; and provision was made for enforcing the Fu- gitive Slave act of 1850.
In July, 1855, the first territorial leg sla- ture met, and enacted what were popularly known as the "Bogus Laws." They were al- most a transcript of the laws of Missouri. Some recognition seems to have been given them in one or two of the succeeding sessions of the legislature, by way of amendment, and yet when the people had obtained control of matters and had taken them from the hands of the "border ruffians," no one ever paid any at- tention to the provisions of these statutes, when they conflicted with their convictions of right; and, on February 11, 1859. the whole body of the enactmnts of 1855 were repealed by a single sentence. The most objectionable feature of these old laws was the one relat- ing to slavery.
By chapter 151 of this enactment, slavery was recognized as an existing institution, and severe penalties were enforced for any inter- ference therewith. By this law it was made a felony to deny the right of property in slaves, or to print or circulate any book, pamphlet or paper denying such right. But this chapter was repealed on February 9, 1858.
The only other provision particularly
affecting the people of this county was the cre- ation of the county of Dorn, embracing what is now Neosho and Labette counties.
On January 29, 1861, Kansas was admit- ted into the Union under the Wyandotte Con- stitution. Under this constitution and the laws made by authority thereof most of us have lived since our residence in this county.
THE OSAGES.
Whether or not the Osages were the aut- ochthones of this county, I leave for the anti- quarians to determine, but for the purpose of this work I shall not go back of their settle- ment here to inquire who, if anyone, preceded them to this country. The Government's in- tercourse with this tribe seems to have com- menced in 1808, when on November 10, 1808, a treaty was concluded at Fort Clark, on the Missouri River, by the terms of which the United States received the tribe into its fellow- ship and under its protection, and the Osages ceded to the United States all their territory lying east of a line running south from Fort Clark to the Arkansas River. The next im- portant treaty with this tribe was made June 2, 1825, at St. Louis. By the provisions of this treaty the Osages relinquished to the Government all their land lying south of the Kansas River and north and west of the Red River, east of a line drawn south from the sources of the Kansas through Rock Saline, excepting a strip 50 miles wide extending from a line 25 miles west of the Missouri State line to the west line of the ceded territory. The southern part of Allen, together with Neosho and Labette counties, formed the territory on the east line of this reservation, which extend- ed west nearly across the State.
Soon after the conclusion of this treaty, the
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
Osages moved to Kansas, and began settling along the Neosho and Verdigris rivers; these settlements commenced as early as 1827. Prior to this their home had been farther east, and this had formed their hunting-ground. Here they were when our people commenced settling this county, in 1865.
SURVEY OF RESERVATION.
The northeast corner of this reservation was established by Major Angus Langham, in 1827, and the east and south lines as far west as the Arkansas River were surveyed and established by him that year. It was not until 1836 that the north line was definitely sur- veyed and established by John C. McCoy.
SCHOOLS.
About 1826 the Presbyterians established . a school on the left bank of the Marais des Cygnes, near the present site of Pappinsville, Bates county, Missouri, called Harmony Mis- sion. A year later they established another school, at Saline, in the Cherokee Nation. These schools did not prosper, and after they were broken up the Presbyterians erected a large house on the east bank of Four-Mile Creek, in Neosho county, just above its junc- tion with the Neosho. Father John Schoen- maker started the Catholic Mission in the spring of 1847.
CHIEFS.
Parties who have long been acquainted with the Osages tell me that to entitle a party to the position of civil chief, he had to have a mother of a chief bearing family. The Beaver family, if not the only, was the principal one
from whom the women came whose children were entitled to obtain the position of civil chief. There was not only a principal civil chief, but also the chiefs who led the bands in war; to this latter class Chetopa belonged. It is said he could not become a civil chief, not having a mother who produced a candidate for that position; but he was the principal war chief, and when on the war-path outranked the civil chief. He was a great friend of Dr. Lisle. It was for him that the town of Che- topa was named. White Hair, who was the principal chief on the arrival of the first white settlers, was a man of great torce and author- ity. He was born in Neosho county, about 1834. and died of consumption, at his camp on the Verdigris, December 24, 1869.
TOWNS.
The position of the chief's town, as that of the towns of the others, varied from time to time. Their improvements were not such as to make it impossible to change location when circumstances seemed to demand it. On a map of the Osage country, made in 1836 by John C. McCoy, who surveyed and ran the north line of the reservation, "White Hair Town" was located on the west side of the Neosho River, about one-fourth of the way from the north to the south boundary of the reservation. A copy of this map, which was furnished to the St. Louis office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, is now in our State Histori- cal Society. Subsequently we find White Hair Town at a point farther down the river, but probably all the time it was somewhere in Neosho county. At the foot of the bluff north and east of Oswego, as well as at other points within a few miles of Oswego, are still to be found unmistakable evidences of the sites
1
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HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY
of their towns, which must have been inhab- ited for very many years. Dr. W. S. Newlon has made something of a study of the subject of their villages, implements, etc.
BATTLE.
About 1837 there was a bloody encounter between a band of Cherokees under the com- mand of Captain Rogers, who lived at the salt works on Grand River, and who was an uncle of Lewis Rogers, of Chetopa, and the Little Town band of Osages, in a grove a few miles south of Oswego. About 100 of the Osages, embracing nearly all of the band, were killed. White Hair, who was then a small boy, and who afterward became the principal chief, was away from the band at the time, and was thus spared. The Osages were all drunk, and were butchered-men, women and children alike. This butchery was in revenge for an expedi- tion that they had made down in the Cherokee country a short time before. Dr. Lisle has told me he got this information direct from White Hair himself, and also the same from a man by the name of Etter, who was with Captain Rogers on the Cherokee side.
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