USA > Kansas > Crawford County > A Twentieth century history and biographical record of Crawford County, Kansas > Part 10
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J. T. Leonard, cashier of the First National Bank, Girard, was born in Cass county, Illinois, in 1854. Educated in the common schools of luis native state, he migrated to Kansas in 1872, and was employed in a general merchandise store as clerk, in Girard, Kansas, for five years. He accepted the position of cashier of the Merchants and Farmers Bank in 1877, resigning in 1878 to engage in the general mercantile business, under the firm name of Kincaid and Leonard. In 1881 he purchased his partner's interest and conducted the business in his own name for ten days, when a fire, starting in an adjoining building, destroyed his stock, causing almost a total loss, only partially covered by insurance. Five years of hard work found him with his fire losses all paid in full, and once more free from debt. In 1882 he was elected cashier of the
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Citizens Bank. To Mr. Leonard belongs the honor of being the oldest cashier in the county, in point of service. Notwithstanding the vexa- tions and anxieties constantly arising in the line of his duty, he always has a pleasant greeting for every one, making all feel it a pleasure to transact business with such a gentleman. For nearly a quarter of a cen- tury he has held this important and responsible position and today (1904) his familiar form may still be seen at the cashier's desk.
John E. Raymond, president of the First National Bank of Girard, and also of the Girard Building and Loan Association, was born at Raymond, Union county, Ohio, attended preparatory school at Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio; for two years in the college course at Lombard University, Galesburg, Illinois, and two years' course of lec- tures in the law department of the University of Michigan. Migrated to Kansas in 1868, making the journey from Olathe, Kansas, to Craw- ford county, on horseback, a pair of saddlebags, thrown over the pony's back, containing his entire wardrobe. In 1868 and 1869 he assisted his uncle, R. B. Raymond, in collecting the first taxes ever assessed in Craw- ford county. In the fall of 1869 he entered into partnership with J. W. Officer, in the hardware business, and for twenty years the name of Raymond & Officer was well and favorably known throughout the country. They conducted the largest hardware and implement business in the county. J. E. Raymond was mayor of Girard in the early seven- ties. He retired from mercantile business in 1895.
CHEROKEE.
In the winter of 1875, Franklin Playter opened the first bank in Cherokee, under the name of F. Playter & Brother, Joseph H. Playter having charge of the same. In 1877 the bank was discontinued, J. H. Playter taking the position of assistant cashier of the Merchants and Farmers Bank of Girard. October 1, 1881, George W. Pye opened a
THE NATIONAL BANK OF PITTSBURG
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private bank called "The Cherokee Bank," proprietors. G. W. Pye and Company. In 1898 it was incorporated as a state bank, with A. C. Graves president, George W. Pye, cashier. July, 1900, it was organized as a national bank, with $25,000 capital stock, and same officers. February I, 1904, G. W. Pye retired on account of ill health, R. . \. Bolick suc- ceeding him.
PITTSBURG.
August, 1882, Chapman and Adams of Girard, opened a bank in Pittsburg, this being the first bank in that town. It was known as the Bank of Pittsburg, Mr. Chapman having charge. July, 1884, the Bank of Pittsburg was purchased and continued as a private bank with the following officers: President, S. H. Lanyon; vice president. H. C. Willard; cashier, James Patmore ; assistant cashier, F. W. Lanyon. Paid up capital. $20.000. In 1886 the bank was merged into the Na- tional Bank of Pittsburg, paid up capital of $50.000. President, S. H. Lanyon ; vice-president, James Patmore : cashier, F. W. Lanyon; assist- ant cashier, A. K. Lanyon. A few years afterward the capital stock was increased to $100,000. In 1892, on the death of F. W. Lanyon, H. C. Willard was elected vice-president, and James Patmore cashier. In the fall of 1898 Josiah Lanyon was elected president in the place of S. H. Lanyon, deceased. November, 1903. James Patmore severed his connection with the bank, and .A. K. Lanyon succeeded him as cashier. The bank officers at present are: President, E. V. Lanyon: vice-presi- dent, H. C. Willard : cashier, A. K. Lanyon. Board of directors : E. V. Lanyon. A. K. Lanyon. H. C. Willard, Josiah Lanyon, A. H. Lanyon, William Lanyon, Jr .. H. C. B. Flack.
March 16, 1886, the First National Bank of Pittsburg was organ- ized, capital stock, $50,000. The following officers were elected: Presi- dent. T. Judson Hale : vice-president. John R. Lindburg : cashier, C. P.
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Hale; assistant cashier, William Babcock, Jr. February 10, 1888, John R. Lindburg was elected president and J. W. Brewer vice president. On the death of J. W. Brewer, in 1903, R. E. Carlton was elected vice- president. The present officers are : President, John R. Lindburg ; vice- president, R. E. Carlton ; cashier, James L. Rogers ; assistant cashier, A. E. Maxwell. The present board of directors are: S. J. Parry, M. Schaen, R. E. Carlton, A. E. Maxwell, James L. Rogers, John R. Lind- burg, E. J. Lindburg.
John R. Lindburg, in point of service, is the oldest bank president in the county. For sixteen consecutive years he has filled that position. He was born in Wimmerby, Sweden, educated at Wimmerby College, where he graduated in 1866. Came to this county in 1868, and located in Pittsburg in 1877. Was in the drug business until the organization of the First National Bank of Pittsburg, 1886. He has always been an active and energetic worker for the upbuilding of his adopted town and country.
January 7, 1904, the First State Bank of Pittsburg was organized with a paid up capital of $25,000, and opened for business January 25, 1904. The officers are: President. James Patmore; vice-president. E. B. Hoyt : cashier, Jay N. Patmore. Board of directors : James Pat- more, A. J. Curran, J. N. Patmore, E. B. Hoyt, E. H. Klock, J. H. Beasley, A. H. Schlauger, H C. Willard, George W. Smith.
James Patmore, the oldest cashier in Pittsburg, in point of service, was born and educated in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. At the age of eighteen he engaged in railroading, construction department. Com- ing to Crawford county, Kansas, in the spring of 1877, he engaged in the coal and mercantile business until 1884, when he was elected cashier of the Bank of Pittsburg. For twenty years Mr. Patmore has been identified with the banking business of Crawford county. He has an extended acquaintance, and is a popular and successful business man.
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MC CUNE.
The McCune City Bank was first opened as a private bank in 1883, J. L. Ward, proprietor. Capital stock, $15,000. On June 5. 1902, it was organized as a state bank, and called McCune City State Bank. Capital stock. $10,000. Officers: Mrs. E. Ward, president : J. W. Peak, vice-president : J. W. Martin, second vice-president, afterward succeeded by E. C. Hood. and E. S. Dolson, cashier. The present officers are: President. J. W. Martin : vice-president, J. W. Peak : sec- ond vice-president, Mrs. E. Ward Brink: cashier, E. S. Dolson. 1902 showed deposits amounting to $29.000. 1904 showed deposits amounting to $68,000.
December 13, 1899. the McCune State Bank was chartered with capital stock $6,000. Officers: President, W. E. Gregg: cashier, John Gregg. Board of directors: N. M. Smith, C. M. Wilson. W. E. Gregg. John Gregg, Sever Wilson. Opened for business February II. 1900. The capital stock was increased to $10,000 January I, 1904.
W. E. Gregg, president of the McCune State Bank, was born in Madison county, Ohio, in 1858. Moved with parents to Crawford county, Kansas, in 1871. Was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools of Osage township. In 1883 engaged in the furniture business, and has since added hardware, and is still conducting a large and successful business.
WALNUT.
The Walnut Bank was opened by J. V. Pierce about the year 1887 and was discontinued in 1888 or 1889. In April, 1889. the State Bank of Walnut was organized with a paid up capital of $12,500, with J. A. Wood as cashier. January, 1890. J. M. Goff was elected cashier. The capital stock was reduced to $5,000 in July, 1891. July. 1895. J. M. Goff acquired all the stock and continued the business until October,
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1897. On September 5, 1898, the Walnut State Bank was opened for business, with capital stock $6,000; president, W. M. Holeman; cashier, J. H. Holeman, and is still under the same management. April 6, 1904, the Farmers State Bank was organized, with capital stock $10,000. Officers are: James A. Carlton, president; D. B. Gregory, vice-presi- dent ; George Goff, cashier. The board of directors are: James A. Carl- ton, D. B. Gregory, B. E. Carlos, W. W. Hess, George Goff.
ARCADIA.
On June 4, 1889, the Bank of Arcadia was organized, with capital stock $5.000. President, T. H. Condon; cashier, C. P. Anderson. A state charter was.taken out October 30, 1891, with $8,000 capital. Janu- ary 1, 1900, Mr. Condon severed his connection with the bank, and C. P. Anderson was elected president. and E. L. Wiert cashier. On January 1, 1902, Mr. Anderson sold his stock to D. B. Horton, who was elected president.
MULBERRY.
The Citizens State Bank of Mulberry was organized October 13, 1903, under the state laws, with capital stock $10,000. Board of di- rectors consisted of J. C. Brown, J. T. Long, John Honstead, T. J. Shaw, J. W. Clarkson, B. L. Venable, H. C. Vaughn. Officers : President, J. C. Brown : vice-president, J. T. Long ; cashier, W. H. Tharp.
FRONTENAC.
The Frontenac State Bank opened for business April 9, 1904. Cap- ital stock, $10,000. President, Jacob Dittman ; vice-president, George W. Shelly: cashier, R. W. Gudgen.
HEPLER.
On June 1, 1904, the Hepler State Bank opened for business. Cap- ital stock, $10,000. President. G. E. Whitnah ; vice-president, P. Y. Lewis : cashier, William Winn.
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Thus has the banking business grown in Crawford county in the past thirty-three years. Starting in 1871 with one small bank and a nominal capital and a few hundred dollars' deposits, it has increased to fourteen active, prosperous banks in 1904, consisting of four national and ten state banks, with an aggregate of over $400,000 capital and more than $3,000,000 in deposits.
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CHAPTER V I. THE PRESS OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. (By Frank Laughlin.)
The history of the various newspapers that have existed in Craw- ford county since its organization is as varied as the colors of the flowers on a Kansas prairie. . \ few of them, perhaps, are paying their owners at the present time a little over a living, while one, the Pittsburg Daily Headlight is really a paying investment. There is only one paper in the county that can boast of retaining any one of its owners that gave it life: that paper is the Girard Press. E. A. Wasser, the present senior proprietor, was one of the founders of the Press, and has retained his connection therewith continually for a period of thirty-five years and has been reasonably successful in a financial way. However, while Mr. Wasser and the Press have enjoyed a permanency seldom seen, there have been a large list of papers that have sprung into existence and after a fitful career expired on the altar of their founders' mistakes. There now exists in every town in the county one or more newspapers, and all are very good specimens of their owners' labors.
The first newspaper published in the county was in Girard, the county seat. It was called the Crawford County Times, and was estab- lished April 16, 1869, by Scott & Cole. Only one number was issued, as the object of the issue was accomplished, viz. : the bringing of the Osage Mission people to time.
The Girard Press was moved by William Warner and E. A. Wasser from Fort Scott to Girard in November, 1869, the first issue
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appearing at the latter place the 11th of the month. The paper took a strong stand in favor of the validity of Mr. Jay's title to the neutral lands, and on this account its office and material were set on fire July 14, 1871, and destroyed. The loss was $4,000. New material was obtained and the paper enlarged and improved, reappearing August 13th, and has never missed an issue since. When Horace Greeley became candidate for the presidency, Warner, the senior editor, supported his candidacy, much to the dissatisfaction and disappointment of the junior and present editor, E. A. Wasser. In consequence of this disagree- ment of the two proprietors in regard to politics, Warner sold his interest June 16, 1873, to A. P. Riddle, afterwards lieutenant governor of the state. This partnership existed for a period of about twelve years, when Riddle sold his interest to D. C. Flint, and a few years later the latter sold out to Wasser, who then took his son into partnership. and the firm name is now Wasser & Son. The Press was fortunate for a number of years in being the official paper of the county, and it was owing to this that it is one of the best weekly papers in the county.
The People's T'indicator was started in Girard July 28. 1870, by P. R. Crisp and C. R. Lindsey, but discontinued in November in the same year. Its only object was to act as the campaign organ for the Democrats that year.
The Girard Pharos was started March 12, 1873. by W. K. Goode. It was not a success in Girard and was moved to Cherokee, where it existed after a manner for a short time, when E. W. Majors, then county treasurer, who had a mortgage upon the plant, heard that the proprietor was preparing to spirit away, and foreclosed the mortgage in 1874 and sold the plant to J. F. McDowell, and it was by him moved to Columbus.
The Crawford County News was started August 6, 1875, by T. P.
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Fulton and C. C. Covill, and after passing through several hands was finally discontinued November 21. 1878.
The Girard Herald was started July 26. 1878, by J. W. Womack. It was an eight-column folio and perfect both typographically and mechanically. It was Democratic in politics and bid fair to have a successful career, when Womack, who did not pretend to be a newspaper man, got tired of it and sold to G. W. B. Hoffman and Hank Brandon. The partnership was of short duration, and Hoffman became the sole owner. He was not a manager, and after a precarious existence, death relieved him of the strain and the Herald fell into the hands of A. C. Swartz, a civil engineer, who had a mistaken idea that he was intended for an editor. He soon discovered the mistake, but clung to the paper for about a year, when he was glad to dispose of it to Frank Laughlin and T. J. Anderson, two practical printers and newspaper men. They kept it for two years and placed it on a solid financial basis, and sold it to E. R. Ridgley, now an ex-congressman, and W. J. Bailey, who made an extravagant advance in its price. Its career after that was down- ward at a rapid rate, and after passing through several hands finally succumbed to the inevitable. The plant was afterwards revived as the Independent News, which will be mentioned later on.
The Girard Newe's was started December 13. 1878, by J. K. Black and Frank Laughlin. They conducted it about three months and sold it to E. P. Hinman and J. L. Eaton, in whose hands it expired after a fitful existence of about nine months.
The Girard World, daily and weekly, was started in 1895 by Abe Steinberger. Its existence was not over a year, however, when it was forced to suspend, and the material was sold to A. G. Lucas, who started the Independent News. Mr. Lucas also purchased the plant of the dlefunct Herald. The News was sold by Lucas to the Derry Brothers,
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and later it was purchased by the firm of King & Newkirk, who started a daily in connection with the weekly called the Evening News. The News, both weekly and daily, is among the best in the county.
The above gives a complete history of the papers in Girard. and while the newspaper cemetery of the county has been materially fattened. the founders of the papers have learned something.
PITTSBURG NEWSPAPERS.
Taken in a class, the newspaper business in Pittsburg has not been strewn with flowers and ease. In only one case is the founder yet with any of them.
The first paper to circulate in Pittsburg was the Independent, pub- lished by J. M. Walker. He owned no plant and his paper was printed in Carthage, Missouri, and brought to Pittsburg for distribution. Its time was short, however, and quit putting in an appearance after about three months.
The People's Exponent was the first paper to really exist in Pitts- burg with its plant. No one seemed to father it, however, and it man- aged to live about a year, when Thomas P. Montfort purchased the plant and started the Pittsburg Democrat, which flourished for a few years and then merged into the Headlight.
The Pittsburg Smelter was started in 1880 by D. C. and Fay G. Flint. Its promise for a bright future was excellent. They disposed of the Smelter to O. E. Munsell, who conducted it until his health failed, when it went into the hands of John P. Morris, who was of broad-gauge ideas, and while the paper was a money-maker he ran it into the shoals of ruin and was forced to finally suspend. It was finally revived as the Pittsburg Sunday Mail, but this lived only about two months.
The Pittsburg Headlight, daily and weekly, was founded in 1885 in September, and is now one of the leading papers of the state. Its
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founder was M. F. Sears, who in less than a year's time took in C. W. Moore, a practical printer and newspaper man. In the course of a year Moore purchased the interest of Sears, and the father of Moore came from Americus, Kansas, and entered into partnership with his son, under the firm name of William Moore & Son. This partnership continued until the death of the senior member a few years ago, and now the firm name is Moore Brothers. The Headlight occupies its own building and is equipped with all the modern presses and other machinery with one of the best job departments and book binderies in the west. It is Republican in politics, but pays more attention to furnishing its patrons a first-class newspaper with all the news.
The Pittsburg Kansan was started in 1889 by J. C. Buchanan. It began its career as a Democratic organ, but at the beginning of the Populist craze turned over and took up with the rabble. It waved the banner of populism until the craze began to wane, when it flew back to the Democratic camp and is there now.
The Miner's Echo was started by Thomas B. McGregor during the strike of the coal ininers in this district in 1893. Its mission was exclusively to hold up for the cause of the strike and when that died the paper suspended. T. P. Fulton purchased the plant and founded the Pittsburg Messenger, a Democratic organ. It lived about a year.
In 1890 Pittsburg experienced a boom, of the kind that paralyzed many Kansas towns in those days. With Pittsburg's boom came, among other things, W. C. L. Beard, a young man with but little money and no newspaper ability. He started the Pittsburg World upon the broad- gauge plan. His career was short, however, and the plant fell into the hands of Abe Steinberger and W. H. Doud. He originated the Pitts- burg Daily World. Doud remained only a short time with the paper before he turned over his interest for a small consideration to Stein-
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berger. The paper took a stand against the strike in '93 and after being hanged in effigy two or three times by the enraged miners over his vitriolic writings he moved the plant to Girard. His experience there is mentioned in another part of this history.
J. R. McKim, an inexperienced man in the business, in search of glory and notoriety, founded the Pittsburg Tribune in 1898. After an uncertain existence of a year or more he sold his interest, which was merely a small equity in the plant, to D. C. Flint & Sons, who conducted it until in 1902 and sold it to a syndicate of young printers who changed its name to the Pittsburg Journal. The Journal's career was extremely short, extending over a period of about six weeks.
ARCADIA.
This little town, one of the best in the county for its size, has prac- tically consigned none of its papers to the newspaper cemetery of the county. It has had really only one newspaper, but it has changed its name quite often. The Arcadia Reporter was started September 21, 1882, by O. Dieffenbach and L. R. Jewell, and they conducted it until 1888, when the name was changed to the Arcadia Democrat. In 1894 it was purchased by Ben J. Gunn, and the name changed to the Arcadia. In 1896 he again changed the name to the Crawford County Times, and January Ist he changed the name to the Arcadia Times, under which it is now known
CHEROKEE.
The first paper published in Cherokee was the Pharos in 1874, by Mary A. Spring and H. C. Brandon. Hoffman & Metcalf bought it in 1875 and changed the name to the Index. It died in a year or two. In 1876 Harry H. Webb founded the Young Cherokee, which he removed to Galena when the lead discovery was made there in 1877. He was in Galena about a year when he returned to Cherokee under the name of
4
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the Banner. In 1878 C. M. Lucas started the Cherokee Sentinel on the border, which is yet in existence, under the name of the Cherokee Sentinel. In 1886 Lucas sold the paper to Willis Swank. He lasted about a year, when the paper became the property of the present pro- prietor, J. F. Price.
The Cherokee Cyclone was founded by George G. Hamilton in 1885. When about a year old it was destroyed by fire and was never revived. The Cherokee Enterprise was founded by a young man named Davis in 1899, but it lasted only about a year.
MC CUNE.
For its size this little town of about one thousand inhabitants has had more newspaper experience than any town in the county. Its first paper was the McCune Standard, founded in 1880 by D. A. Burton & Son. It lived about three years. W. F. Liggett bought the plant in 1883 and changed the name to the McCune Times. It continued until 1892, when it was absorbed by the Democrat.
The Crawford County Democrat of McCune was started July 12, 1889. by J. M. Mahr, W. D. Bevans, H. S. Cannon & Co. Mahr suc- ceeded the others in 1893. He continued it until July 1, 1902, when the name was changed to the Times-Democrat. A. G. Lucas purchased the paper October 1, 1902, and published it until July 1, 1903, when Tom Darlington took charge. March 1, 1904. W. T. Willey became its owner and is continuing the paper.
In the 'So's a small paper called the Brick was published for a short time. AAlong about the same time the McCune Leader was established by Rogers & Son, and later conducted by M. F. Sears. The Transcript was published a few months in the '90's by H. B. Lucas.
Two small papers of little consequence are being published in Walnut. One is called the Advance, which was started by H. Quick
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in the '80's and the other is the Eagle, by L. Martin. Walnut is ni small town and while the support of the two papers is not heavy for the size of the town they make a good showing.
The oldest newspaper men for continuous work in the county are E. A. Wasser, with a record of thirty-five years : Frank Laughlin, twenty- five years : J. T., G. A. and C. W. Moore, of the Pittsburg Headlight. about nineteen years : and J. C. Buchanan, of the Kansan, fifteen years. All of the above named saw service in the newspaper field and printing before coming to Crawford county.
A small miscellaneous list of papers are here mentioned, whose lives were short. as an ending to this newspaper history :
The Frontenac Journal was started by Carl Andrews in 1897 and existed about three months. The Pittsburg Penny Post, a small daily. with W. H. Henney as editor, in 1893, lived only a short time. The Afro-American, for the benefit of the colored population of Pittsburg and vicinity, was given life by A. J. Lee in 1903, but after a couple of months suspended. It was resuscitated in January, 1904. by Lee, but it was only for a month, and the material is now in the hands of a German syndicate who will bring out the German Free Press about April Ist of this year ( 1904).
In the early '90's Behrens & Burkhart started the Pittsburg Tolk Freund, but its career was only for about a year.
The German population of Pittsburg and surrounding country is large enough to support a German paper and the Free Press will start out under bright prospects. Dr. Deitrich conducted the Frontenac T'in- dicator from January 1, 1902, to October of the same year, wlien he suspended it for want of support.
The "Appeal to Reason," while belonging to the history of Craw- ford county newspapers, is in no way identified with them. This paper
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