USA > Kansas > Crawford County > A Twentieth century history and biographical record of Crawford County, Kansas > Part 2
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On one occasion J. Ury, who resided at Fort Scott, in Bourbon coun- ty, had several colts that strayed away and came to the vicinity of Henry Schoen's farm, near Girard, and fed on the range with the latter's stock. As they were outside his enclosure Schoen paid little attention to them, so they grazed in the vicinity all summer and the following winter. When spring came and the fresh new grass made its appearance, they wandered off and were not seen again in the neighborhood. Some time afterward, Mr. Ury learned that a herd of horses had been grazing in the vicinity of Mr. Schoen's farm, and started out to find his colts. Going to the farm
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of Mr. Schoen and, upon inquiry, being told that a herd, bearing the de- scription given by Mr. Ury, had been in the neighborhood the summer and winter previous, he concluded that something was wrong. He pro- ceeded to swear out a warrant, and the constable. Mr. Byron. took Mr. Schoen into custody. The case was brought before Esquire Martin.
Now it happened that John T. Voss, one of the ablest attorneys of the county, was away in Neosho county, attending court; and as he was the legal adviser of the defendant, the case was continued until Mr. Voss could be brought. Accordingly, a messenger was dispatched to bring Mr. Voss forthwith, the defendant choosing to remain in custody rather than furnish bail. The next day about noon Mr. Voss arrived, and the case was opened without further delay. As no testimony was pro- duced showing that Mr. Schoen had the stock in his possession, the case was promptly dismissed, and the defendant discharged, the costs being assessed to the plaintiff.
But the end was not yet. Mr. Schoen had Esquire Martin and Con- stable Byron arrested for false imprisonment. This case was tried in the district court, before Judge D. P. Lowe, and a jury of twelve men, and a verdict rendered of not guilty.
One other case deserves mention. A suit for killing a yoke of cattle, and appropriating the beef to their own use, was begun against several citizens of Lincoln township. The suit was brought in the justice court of Esquire A. M. Brown of Mulberry Grove. On the day of trial a change of venue was asked and granted, the justice sending the case to Esquire Georgia of Baker township. It seemed as if nearly all the people of Lincoln township were interested in the case, for on the day of trial they came in droves, many with covered wagons, while more than fifty were on horseback. They camped about the log cabin of the squire, and picketed their horses on several acres of unbroken prairie. Some brought
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food for themselves and horses ; others, intending to return at night, came without food.
But the case could not proceed for the want of important witnesses who failed to appear, and the constable, a Mr. Wilson, was sent back with subpoenas to bring the derelicts. Near midnight he returned bringing O. F. Smiley, one of the absent witnesses. One man, named Radikin, he did not get. The constable had found him in bed and apparently very sick. But the plaintiff would not proceed without this witness, and the constable was ordered to bring him, or a certificate from a physician that he was unable to make the trip. About one o'clock in the morning the constable started back, arriving at Radikin's cabin just as the sun was gild- ing the tops of the trees along Coxe's creek, back of the house. He ex- pected to find Radikin in bed very sick, but was told by the wife that Mr. Radikin had just stepped out and would be in shortly, requesting the con- stable to take a seat and she would call her husband. But the sound of an axe, in measured strokes, down near the creek, aroused the suspicions of the officer, who went out to find his man. Following the sounds of chop- ping, he found Radikin lustily swinging his axe, with no indication of feebleness. They went to the house, had a breakfast of cornpone and sorghum molasses, and arrived at the cabin of the justice about eleven a. in.
But what were the conditions at the squire's house? As before de- scribed, the building was sixteen by eighteen feet, with a loft for sleeping. When bedtime came Mrs. Georgia and her little daughter (now Mrs. Edith Wood) climbed the ladder to the loft, while blankets and other bed- ding were spread upon the floor, and the guests sought rest for the night. Every available foot of space was occupied. For this purpose the table and other furniture were removed from the room. But the court, with the dignity becoming his exalted station, leaned against some sticks of wood in a corner, and watched the sleepers and longed for day.
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About II o'clock the case was called, and it was soon ascertained that no testimony could be presented to make a case. The attorneys for the plaintiff, therefore, entered a nolle and in a few minutes after one o'clock the cavalcade was wending its way northward and homeward.
Schools.
The first school in Crawford county was taught as early as 1858. and was a private affair. Other schools were held on Drywood creek in the north end of the county. In the spring of 1860 five men came from Osage Mission (now St. Paul) to a point near the present site of Pittsburg, and in connection with Frank Dosser, who lived on a claim now thickly covered with buildings and business houses in said city, pro- ceeded to lay out a town, on what is now section 33, township 30, range 25 east. The site of this town lies one and a half miles south and three- fourths mile east from the intersection of Fourth and Broadway in Pitts- burg. The town was named Pleasant Ridge. A schoolhouse was the only building erected, and in it one term of school was taught. But Pleasant Ridge was laid in ashes by the soldiers who were sent to drive out the set- tlers in that memorable autumn of 1860.
During the winter of 1866-7 a school was organized at Cato, on the north line of the county, and Dr. Charles H. Strong, who afterward be- came the first county superintendent of Crawford county, was the teacher. Upon the organization of the county, and the election of the county superintendent, schools sprang up in every neighborhood where a suffi- cient number of children could be brought together.
Dr. Strong, upon assuming the duties of the office to which he had been elected, exhibited rare faculties and most adequate knowledge of the business before him, and displayed untiring industry and undaunted per- severance in its execution. Before him lay Crawford county, without schools or school organizations. The settlements were mostly along the
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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
streams, and the present needs of the people were schools that would be easy of access to those already here. But Dr. Strong, with a prophetic view of the future, proceeded to lay out the county into school districts, as they should be when nearly every quarter section should become the home of happy children. Time has demonstrated the wisdom of his plan- ning, and now in his cheerful old age he lives to see the fruition of his thought and labor. He has lived to see men and women go out of the schoolhouses of Crawford county to fill places of honor and trust among the great and the wise of the nation.
The teachers' institute, an institution that has done more for the elevation of the schools of Kansas than any other one thing, had its incep- tion in Crawford county. It is true that under the statutes of Kansas it was required of the county superintendents to hold an institute of one or two days' duration annually in each county, but the law, in its present form, which requires a school to be held in each county in which teachers may learn all that is best in teaching, was first put into operation here. When in 1874 Rev. S. T. McClure was county superintendent, serving his last year, he was very much impressed with the necessity of providing in some way means to assist the teachers of the county to do more and better work in their schools. Accordingly, after thinking the matter over, he concluded to hold a teachers' school, as he styled it, of two weeks, dur- ing the summer of 1874. This school proved a decided success, and was attended by a large number of teachers.
In the following summer the successor to Mr. McClure held an in- stitute of five weeks, at which he had a general attendance of the teachers of Crawford county and several from adjoining counties. He had as his assistants Colonel Mckinney, then superintendent of the schools of Fort Scott, Rev. Warren Mayo, of Columbus, Kansas. A. F. Allen, superintendent of school at Girard, and others. During the sessions of
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this institute Generai Frazier, at the time state superintendent of schools, visited the institute and spent several days among Crawford county educa- tors. As he was about to depart for Topeka, his home, he was asked for an opinion as to the utility of such institutes. He replied that he was much impressed with the idea, and believed that each county in the state, where a sufficient number of schools existed, should have an institute. In the discussion that followed the county superintendent proposed that an effort be made in the legislature to secure the passage of a law requiring such institutes to be held. The outcome was the drawing up of a pro- posed bill which General Frazier carried with him to Topeka, and had introduced in the legislature the following winter, and which subsequently became a law. The above mentioned bill was prepared in General Fraz- ier's room at the Andrus House, now the St. James Hotel, in Girard. With a small beginning, but like the rivulet which starts on its journey to the sea, and is joined by others until it becomes a mighty stream, sweeping everything before it and carrying on its bosom the commerce of a na- tion, so this effort, to elevate the educational standard of Kansas, has grown and accumulated power until it has enabled Kansas to stand on an elevated plane of educational prosperity and progress.
In the early days of Crawford county, as towns were unknown and the nearest railroad was at Kansas City, and the nearest postoffice at Fort Scott, any kind of a gathering was welcomed by the people. Hence, spell- ing schools and religious meetings were hailed with delight, and attended by young and old.
The first teachers' institute was held at Iowa City schoolhouse, pre- sided over by Dr. Strong, county superintendent. It was held in the sum- mer of 1868, and the people of the vicinity turned out en masse to its sessions. Iowa City was only a postoffice, and was kept by George Hob- son, on his farm, two miles south of the present site of Pittsburg. The
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schoolhouse was built of logs, without floor. A log was sawed out of both north and south sides to let in light. The building was sixteen by eighteen feet, and about seven feet high at the eaves.
Dr. Strong had invited Colonel Mckinney of Fort Scott to attend the institute. At the time Rev. Dr. Beatty, of the Episcopal church, was at Girard, looking over the field with a view to church work, and he too was invited to go to Iowa City to the institute. A hack having been procured. the three set out, over the prairies, to Iowa City, distant about fourteen miles, where they arrived at two o'clock p. m., and were welcomed by the people assembled. As they crossed Cow creek, at the Mission ford, the cabin of Jolin Hobson, standing on the bank of the creek. was the first house seen since leaving Girard; and Dr. Strong announced that "this is Iowa City." To which Professor Mckinney replied, "this," pointing to the cabin, "must be the Lindell Hotel." After the evening session of the institute was over they became the guests of Mr. Hobson, and went home with him for the night. The cabin consisted of but one room, and as Mr. Hobson had a wife and grown daughter, the Rev. Dr. Beatty, who was a bashful man, was somewhat worried about his preparation for bed, but with the assistance of the professor they got in bed and slept soundly through the night. It was a new experience for the reverend gentleman. and one never by him forgotten. In the morning, on going out. they discovered that they had stayed at the Lindell Hotel.
The spelling school was a diversion in which young and old partici- pated, and it was no uncommon thing to get up a party and drive eight or ten miles to spell down some other school. The spelling book was studied more than any other book in the house. It was a frequent occur- rence, when calling upon a neighbor, to find the whole family, father. mother and children, engaged in a spelling match ; and often a man was seen studying his spelling lesson while driving along the road.
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I cannot dismiss the subject of schools without calling attention to the fact that two of the most important elements in the educational sys- tem of Kansas had their beginning in Crawford county. The first, the institute, I have previously referred to. The second is the system of manual training. To Professor R. S. Russ belongs the honor of having first established manual training in the schools of Pittsburg, and, in con- junction with Senator E. F. Porter and Dr. Charles A. Fisher, secured the establishment of a state normal manual training school in Pittsburg.
Land Claims and Local Legislation.
The American people are essentially a people of law, and this senti- ment finds expression in every community. The early settlers of Craw- ford county proved that they were no exception to the rule, for hardly had they stuck their stakes at the corners of their claims when a meeting was held to make some laws to govern the settlement of claims. The first meeting of the kind held in Crawford county was at the cabin of Mr. Daniels, which was one mile south of the present site of Pittsburg. There were present at that meeting Daniel Beecher, A. M., and George Ham- mond, Frank Dosser, S. S. Georgia, George and Isaac Hobson and many others. The mecting was organized into a legislative body, which pro- ceeded to pass laws, with penalties attached, for the protection of the settlers; and to prevent claim jumping and other crimes. The usual penalty for violation of said law was hanging to the nearest limb strong enough to hold the violator. It is needless to say that claim jumping, horse stealing and other like crimes were unknown.
In those days it did not take all winter to do a little wholesome legislating. All the laws necessary to govern the people and protect the weak as against the strong, were passed in one afternoon, and the law- making body adjourned in time for supper.
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Neutral Land Trouble.
In the winter of 1866-7 reports were rife that the Cherokee Neutral Lands were about to be sold in a body, to James F. Joy, of Detroit, Mich- igan. This was very unpleasant news to the settlers, who had been prom- ised by Andrew Johnson, then president of the United States, that they should have their lands under the homestead act. The effect of this report was to call the people together for mutual protection. No telephone, nor telegraph, nor even a mail route afforded means to spread the news of the proposed gathering ; but men on horseback rode up and down the creeks and notified the settlers to assemble on Cow creek near the Mission crossing, on a certain day at ten o'clock.
Long before the hour appointed, the people began to arrive. They came on foot, on horseback, in covered wagons drawn by oxen, mules or horses, and by the fixed time several hundred were on the ground. The meeting was called to order, and S. J. Langdon was made chairman, and Robert H. Barton was elected secretary. The chairman stated the object of the meeting to be to consult to the best means to secure the settlers' honies, and prevent their being sold to Mr. Joy. Many were the plans suggested, and finally a motion prevailed that money be raised and some one be sent to Washington to represent the interests of the settlers. A collection was taken, and netted $68.80.
Many gave their last cent, and would have given more if it had been possible, so anxious were they to secure a home on these lands. For weeks and months they had toiled through almost impassable roads, in many instances with ox teams, to bring wife and little ones to the land of promise, where they could build for themselves homes, and now, when the liope was almost realized to see the coveted prize snatched away to sat- isfy the greed of one man, was quite sufficient to arouse every man to do his best. 2
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W. R. Laughlin was selected as the man to go on the mission, and two days later was on his way, by stage to Kansas City and from there by rail, to the national capital.
This was the beginning of the Land League, and the land troubles, as they were usually called. Leagues sprang up in almost every neighbor- hood, and the members met to discuss ways and means to secure their homes. The delegate sent to Washington made favorable report, but as time wore on money must be raised to defray his expenses, and the mem- bers of the league found it a great burden. Finally when the land had been sold by the secretary of the interior and the sale confirmed by supple- mental treaty, the League was merged into a semi-military secret organi- zation, with signs, grips, and countersigns, prepared to resist eviction from their homes.
About this time a test case was made up and submitted to the supreme court of the United States. The suit was brought in the nature of eject- ment, S. J. Langdon being the defendant. The settlers employed as counsel Benjamin F. Butler, of Massachusetts, and Judge William Law- rence, of Ohio. These lawyers were to receive as compensation the sum of three thousand dollars. The decision was in favor of James F. Joy, and the legislature of the state of Kansas appropriated three thousand dollars to pay the settlers' attorneys. During the land troubles men became very intolerant, and many acts were committed which cannot be approved. Many people were driven from their homes because they expressed a be- lief that Mr. Joy would hold the lands. The surveyors who were engaged in locating the Kansas City, Fort Scott and Gulf Railroad were captured by a company of Leaguers, their wagons and other equipments, including surveying instruments, were burned, and the surveyors brutally treated and sent north.
As a result of such disorder the United States sent a company of
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soldiers to Crawford county. where they were quartered for several months : first on Cow creek, north of Girard, and then moved south to Limestone, west of what is now the town of Beulah. The Leaguers went so far as to declare that no political party, except the League, should put a ticket in the field to be voted upon at any election. In the fall of 1869 a call was made for a Republican county convention to meet at Girard. When the primaries met at Iowa City, and other places, they were taken possession of by the Leaguers, and the election of delegates prevented. At Iowa City the voters assembled to the number of nearly one hundred. Politically they were Democrats and Republicans, but they all claimed to be Republicans, and that they had met to elect delegates to the Repub- lican convention which should meet in Girard on Saturday. As no hall could be had they met outdoors, on the east side of a small store. In the crowd were six Republicans who were determined to exercise their rights as citizens. When therefore the chairman elect announced that the primary was now ready to elect delegates, one man. Job Taylor, arose and said "the real Republican convention will now meet on the other side of this building." He immediately started tor the other side, followed by the other five. The six organized and elected the six persons delegates, prepared credentials and adjourned. The crowd on the other side elected their entire number and ordered them to go to Girard and carry their guns, and not allow any "Joyites" (as they called all who did not sub- scribe to their ways) to hold a convention.
On Saturday at Girard they encamped in the public square, and pre- sented quite a warlike appearance. After dinner the convention assem- bled in a small room near the southwest corner of the public square. An American flag had been fastened to a strip, sawed from the edge of a board, and the staff stuck in a knothole in the board which was used as a counter. While getting ready for the work of the convention Col. C. G.
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Hawley, who had seen service in an Ohio regiment during the Civil war, was called upon for a speech. Responding to the call, he was standing upon the counter near the flag when one of the Leaguers seized the staff and attempted to take down the flag. Quick as a flash the colonel stuck a cocked revolver in the man's face, and with an oath told him to let the flag alone. It is needless to say that the fellow gave up the job quick, and the others, seeing that the members of the convention were in no mood to be trifled with, gave up their intentions and departed for their homes. So that, what at first appeared to be a cloud of war dissolved in the sun- shine of peace.
Towns.
The first town laid out in Crawford county was southeast of the pres- ent site of Pittsburg, about three miles. Only one house was built. This was in the spring of 1860. The one house built was a schoolhouse. The removal of the settlers from the Cherokee Neutral Lands, which occurred the next fall, required that all buildings should be burned, hence the only building in the town of Pleasant Ridge was consumed by fire, the torch having been applied by United States soldiers.
The town of Arcadia in Lincoln township was laid out on or near Coxe's creek, in the year 1860, on the military road which extended from Fort Scott to Fort Gibson in the Indian Territory, and was the second town laid out in the county. The town was then called Hathaway. As early as 1862 Hathaway boasted of a house, which consisted of two rooms, built of logs. Before and during the war this house was the thea- tre of many stirring scenes. It was a typical frontier town. Here was a stopping place for the weary traveler, and here many tarried a night to rest. It was a motley crowd that gathered there. United States troops, Indians, speculators, and seekers after fortune. Many were the nights that the house was incapable of sheltering all its guests, but if the weather .
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was warm beds were made on the ground, with the azure blue of a Kan- sas sky above for a covering, and here the weary traveler sought the arms of Morpheus, and dreamed of loved ones far away, or perchance, had the day been full of mishaps or dangers, he saw in his dreams such sights as did not contribute to his rest. Since the war the town has moved further south, and is now a thriving business place : with good business houses, fine residences, and all the elements that go to make up a thriving busi- ness town. Here is the junction of the old Fort Scott and Memphis Rail- road and the Arcadia and Cherryvale branch, all now operated by the Frisco.
After the war, in 1865. many of the families that were removed by United States soldiers in 1860 returned to the claims which they had pre- viously occupied. Among these were Franeis Dosser, whose original claim is the northwest part of Pittsburg, and all of which is laid out, and nearly all occupied by fine residences, Lincoln Park being a tract of thirty acres in the northwest corner of said claim. Three daughters who were born and grew to womanhood on this claim still live in Lincoln town- ship ; namely, Loretta Stotts. Terrace Stotts and Emma Hinkson. Willis Banks also returned to his claim, which was situated two miles east of Girard, and found his cabin still standing. He afterward sold it and moved farther down Cow ereek, and took a claim which he also sold. and went to Bakersfield, California. A Mr. Daniels also returned to his claim, two miles south of where Pittsburg now stands. It was at his eab- in that the first Neutral Land legislation was enacted.
First Shipment of Cattle from Crawford County and First Sawmill.
Among those who found their places occupied, when they returned from fighting the battle of their country in 1865. were two brothers, Cap- tain William C. Beck, of the Sixty-second Pennsylvania, and Captain Geo. Beck, of the Thirty-seventh Wisconsin Infantry. These brothers had a
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strenuous life as soldiers, the former in the Fifth Army Corps, and the latter in the Ninth (Burnside's) Corps. On the 4th of June, 1866, they arrived on the Neutral Lands, full of determination and grit. They had been to Texas, and returned with a herd of cattle which. the following autumn, they drove to Illinois, and then shipped to Chicago. After dis- posing of their cattle they visited their old home in Pennsylvania ; after which they returned to Crawford county, bringing with them a steam sawmill, the first that ever came to the county. The mill was shipped to Sedalia, Missouri, which town at that time was the terminus of railroad facilities. From Sedalia the mill was hauled to Crawford county, by Virgil and John Harrison, with a team of twenty-eight oxen. The roads were almost impassable, the streams without ferries or bridges, and oft- times a block and tackle had to be employed to pull the wagons out of the mud. It took eight weeks to make the trip, and men and teams were in a sorry plight when they reached Crawford county. The mill was set up four miles southeast of Iowa City postoffice, and served an excellent pur- pose, sawing lumber, and grinding corn for the settlers.
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