USA > Kansas > Stafford County > Stafford > A brief historical statement of the founding and development of the First Christian Church and Stafford, Kansas with illustrations > Part 3
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DAN SMITH
Rev. Smith came to Stafford from Augusta, Kansas, via Lamar, Colorado, where he helped in some brief erec- tion plans, landing here in February, 1925. Brother Dan's congenial personality won for him many friends and his effective preaching won for the Kingdom many souls. The breaking up of the Ku Klux Klan was an annoying problem here as elsewhere but it was accomplished expertly and without any lasting effects. Those who were the young people of this period remember the fine Christian Endeavor meetings they had during Brother Smith's ministry here. After an eighteen month's ministry he decided to reenter Phillips Uiversity which he did in September, 1926. Brother Smith recently was called to the Quindaro Avenue Chris- tian Church in Kansas City, Kansas.
P. O. DAVIS
These last pastorates are so close upon us that it is difficult to write about them in terms of history since the events are so familiar to us all. Rev. Davis began his ministry here on December 5, 1926, coming from Belleville, Kansas.
37
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
In his second year Brother Davis held a meeting for the Church with Ted Jones as singing evangelist. Later another meeting was held with Evangelist E. H. Given do- ing the preaching. In both meetings there was a good spirit and a few additions. The Minister's civic and club contacts carried the message of the church into these circles whose influence was in turn brought to the Church. Plans were drawn for an educational plant to be built on the west side of the church but in that same year, 1930, the depression hit hard with failing banks, poor crops, frozen commerce and smashed markets and it was deemed advisable to drop the plans.
After nearly four years Brother Davis was in 1930 called back to Belleville, Kansas, where his work has for the second time richly blessed and is continuing to bless that congregation.
HAROLD D. COMBS
Rev. Combs and Mrs. Combs came to Stafford from Oxford, Kansas, January 1, 1931, to begin his second pas- torate after completing his work at Phillips University. A three weeks revival meeting was held preceeding Easter of that year with Mr. Combs doing the preaching and Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Jacks serving as singers and helpers. The meet- ing was regarded as one of the most successful in several years both in numbers of additions and spirit manifested. There were 59 added to the church, 38 coming by confession and baptism. The next year arrangements were made for an exchange meeting with Arthur A. Hedges, Pastor of the Liberal Church. Mr. Combs held the three weeks revival at Liberal just before Easter and went directly from its close to the hospital at Stafford for an appendicitis operation. Mr. Hedges returned however and began the Stafford meeting on schedule the next day with Mr. and Mrs. Harry Thomas as Singing Evangelists. It was another successful meeting with 24 additions to the Church. A total of 175 persons were brought into the Church during his ministry. They closed their Stafford work four years to a day from its beginning, and on January 1, 1935, accepted the call to the Church in Abilene, Kansas, where his fruitful ministry continues to bless.
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GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
OUR PRESENT MINISTER
Rev. and Mrs. Groves came to us from Fletcher, Oklahoma, on April 1, 1935. Their two years' ministry is so close upon us it would be difficult if not impossible to narrate the events or ap- praise the value of the pro- gram during these years.
The Church has made of these years a period of re- pairing and building, physi- cally and spiritually. The parsonage has been refin- ished from new hardwood floors to a new roof, includ- ing refinishing all the wood- work, considerable remod- eling, papering, and paint- ing both inside and out. The garage which had burned to the ground the previous year has been rebuilt. The church has been repaired. An unfin- ished corner in the basement has been finished into a lovely new 12x12 class room and prayer-meeting room. The en- tire roof of the church was reshingled at considerable ex- pense. Besides all of this the people have maintained a siz- able working budget including a worthy missionary pro- gram, and have cared for their indebtedness of several years' accumulation amounting to over $1,600.00. There is only $850 of it left and this is in an orderly arrangement with the Building and Loan and being paid off each month. The ladies have been a great factor in this program.
The Young Peoples work with a large enrollment and several in Conference at Camp Carlile each year; the mis- sionary work with four active societies and six missionary projects; and a program of family spirit and cooperation for more efficient Kingdom service have been points of em- phasis during the past two years.
The church paper, "Our Church," which has been published during the greater part of these two years and mailed by a government permit, will suggest other items of the Church's program as "posted" on page 55.
Neifie Newell
Mr. and Mrs. Groves
The Combs Family
Mrs. Zollars 1903
Mr. and Mrs. Geo. W. Walters
Junior Class Project Jan 1936 by Mrs Mccombs
SUPERINTENDANTS
Chas. Milton
Arthur Asher
Will Millon
Robb. Milton
A.W. Spickard
Mrs. Nate Reece
Bart Jenkins
Guy Walker R.P. Krum
Rev. Macy
Jeff Wilhite
Mrs. Carl Carey
SUPERINTENDANTS
Alice Simonson
P. B. Ardrey
Rex Lear
C.C.Zollars
Percy Lott
Glessie Blackburn
Oad Essex
Mrs. John Jimison
Mrs. Earl Kelly
Roy Kelly
Henry Knoche
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GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
CRADLE ROLL
First row at top, left to right-Nancy Ellen and Mrs. S. Blackburn, LeRoy and Mrs. R. Meyer, Elton and Mrs. T. Meireis, Herman and Mrs. H. Knoche Jr., Marvin and Mrs. H. Doughty, Patricia and Mrs. C. Hanger.
Second row-Norman and Mrs. L. Suedekum, Dorothy and Mrs. H. Blevins, Marlyn and Mrs. O. Reiter, James and Mrs. R. Mayo, Deeva and Mrs. C. Oleman, Maxine and Mrs. E. Sillin.
Third row-Terry Rex and Mrs. Henry Knoche, Robert and Mrs. F. Irwin, Carrol Ann and Mrs. W. Bird, Donald and Mrs. N: Hall.
Fourth row-Henry and Mrs. H. Doughty, Rodney and Mrs. A. Byer Jr., Sherrilyn and Mrs. A. Sell, Hazel Beth and Mrs. T. Wright.
Fifth row-Robert and Mrs. N. Hall, Ronald, son of Mrs. J. Byer, , Carolyn, daughter of Mrs. C. Fields, Carrol Ann, daughter of Mrs. M. Mather, Lee Eldon, son of Mrs. T. Meireis, Harvey and Mrs. A. Allshouse.
Sixth row-Conchita and Mrs. F. Brown, Donna Joyce and Mrs. H. Knoche Jr., Carl, son of Mrs. Wilma Taylor, Mary Ellen, daugh- ter of Mrs. G. Mckibben, Tommy, son of Mrs. F. Brown, Wayne and Mrs. V. George.
Seventh row-Lona Lou and Mrs. S. Logue, Ronald and Mrs. G. Reed, Emma Lou and Mrs. P. Steele, Billy and Mrs. M. Hall, Ann and Mrs. J. Hunter, Darrel and Mrs. P. Steele.
Mrs. Harry Meyer-Superintendent of department.
CRADLE ROLL SUPERINTENDENTS
Mrs. Laura Zollars, Mrs. Carl Carey, Mrs. Della McMillan, Mrs. John Kueck, Mrs. Harry Blevins, Mrs. Ollie Knoche, Mrs. Harry Meyer.
PRIMARY SUPERINTENDENTS
Mrs. Carl Carey, Mrs. E. B. Weir, Gussie Newman, Ollie Bell, Gladys Ferris Hunter, Glessie Blackburn.
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GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
LADIES AID
The Ladies Aid was organized sometime before 1900. These ladies rented land, sowed wheat, planted broom corn, gave dinners, tied comforts, etc., in order to assist the church to pay off its debt to the Board of Church Exten- sion. After the debt was paid the organization became less active until Rev. Alford came when it was revived and a Constitution and By-laws were written. In serving church dinners, etc., it was necessary to borrow or rent dishes from Geo. Fort's Mercantile store and later Brown's store. Mrs. A. Carey gave the first dollar into a fund to purchase dishes. They were purchased from Mr. Fort. The Aid has always been a willing helper to the church. They gave $800.00 to- ward the present building, $200.00 to the pipe organ fund, continually finding things that need to be done about the church or parsonage then finding a way to do them. They took the leadership in refinishing the parsonage and re- roofing the church and the Board has come to look to them as a man looks to a woman about the house, to keep things neat, orderly and homelike.
MISSIONARY SOCIETIES
The first missionary society was organized in 1903 when State Secretary Mrs. McDaniels came from Topeka and met with Mrs. Alford, Mrs. Robert Milton, Mrs. Asher, and Mrs. Rose. The organization was known as the C. W. B. M. or Christian Woman's Board of Missions, later changed to the Woman's Missionary Society. From their interest there grew the Guild, then the Circle, which was organ- ized in 1913 with Mrs. Gus Mikesell as sponsor. Members were Lucille Skinner, Vivian Crawford Brock, Nell Lowe Weir, Mary McPheeters Ardrey, Alta Skinner Williams, Venita Rose Wesley, Alice Simonson. At a special luncheon in the basement of the church on September 2, 1920, the Junior Circle was organized with Mattie Maiden Snod- grass, Vera Shinkle, Wilma Carey, Vada Davidson Meireis, and Eva Davidson Gere as members with some boys as hon- orary members. These two circles later united into our present Guild. At present we have four societies, the Tri- angle and the I-Tri having been organized last fall.
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GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
MUSIC
Religion has always been closely associated with mu- sic. From the golden throated David with his harp and psalter to our finest choirs and sweetest organs the soul of religion has found expression in music, and the finest music has flowed from the soul most sensitive to the Divine.
At the completion of the first church Rev. Seavy and Mrs. John McComb presented the church with its first organ. Old timers tell us that that early singing by shaped notes was something fine. Mr. Arthur Asher was the cap- able song leader with Gertie Asher at the organ. . Rev. Parker in 1901 gave considerable attention to the music of the church, developing some very fine talent. However, it was in 1911 that the choir really entered into its finest service.
Mrs. Nellie Newell took charge of the choir and for eleven years, serving as organist or chorister, lead them in the production of fine music. Perhaps the greatest thrill that ever came to the choir was at the presentation of the pipe organ on November 20, 1916, when they accompanied Dr. Roberts in his organ recital with such renditions as Unfold Ye Portals and the Song of the Viking. During this period there was much talent consecrated to the church and the value of the inspiration they furnished in worship can by no means be estimated. The choir was a very con- genial group without any trace of faction or jealousy that church choirs are generally credited with, and during this period was regarded as one of the finest assets of the wor- ship service.
ORGANISTS WHO HAVE SERVED SINCE 1916
Mrs. Jerry Wilson, Mrs. Nellie Newell, Wilma Carey, Pearl Stone Johnson, Euleta Hirsch Lewis, Lois Bonner Gas- ton, Fanny Brown Richardson, Miss Kleiwer, Adabelle Bonner, Harold Brown, Josephine Pullis, Charlotte Kelly Byer, and our present faithful and accomplished musician, Mrs. Pearl Hewitt Buckbee.
1
47
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
OFFICIAL BOARD
Front row-F. L. Irwin, R. P. Krum, W. W. Bird, M. H. Groves, Elders. Second row-Herman Knoche, Earl Kelly, E. J. Gray, Trustees; and F. C. Verning.
Third row-Henry Knoche, Earl Weir, Frank McComb, Deacons.
Others on the Board but not in the picture are: Elder R. C. Ardrey, Deacons Plumb Ardrey, Fred Heyen, Roy Meyer, Harry Meyer, and Sanford Logue.
BEGINNERS
Front row-Jimmy Hanger, Aldean Knoche, Dorothy Blevins, Jimmy Mayo, LeRoy Meyer and Lee Meireis.
Second row-Diane Blackburn, Frederick Richardson, Myrl Meireis and Truman McMillan.
Third row-Marilyn Bell, Lloyd Lutz, Eunice Heyen and Evelyn Meyer. Mrs. Walter Dale, Mrs. John Heyen and Mrs. Roy Meyer.
CHILDREN'S CHURCH
First row-Geneva Taylor, Donald Richardson, Irian Sell, Marion Sell, Thad McCune, Geneva Meireis, and Ellis Blevins.
Second row-Mary Lou Hanger, Keith Hall, Bobby McMillan, Char- lotte Young, Helen McComb, Truman Lutz, Lawrence Bell and Ronald Mayo.
Third row-Mrs. Frank Gere, Mrs. Richardson, Mrs. Meyer, Barbara Bird, Peggy Portlock, Dolores Knoche, Lavon Gere, Clifford Meireis, Richard Doering, and Mrs. Harry Blevins.
Fourth row-Marjory Bell, Marie Nichols, Billy Richardson, Musetta Yingst, Helen Louise Kuntz, a visitor, Rosalene Heyen, Mrs. Frank McComb.
Fifth row-Ozelle Gere, Ona Belle Rundell, Nadine Carson, Leonard Lemon, Herbert Doering, Vera Jean Meyer, and Mrs. Plumb Ardrey.
Sixth row-Joan McCune, Carol Knoche, Celia Taylor, Mary Ann Ar- drey, Joyce Dale, Barbara Jones, Raymond Portlock.
Seventh row-Reams Bird, Mrs. Clifford Bell, Okemah Richardson, Nadine Hall, Ella Mae Kuntz, Natalie Knoche, Frank Irwin, Miss Blackburn, Richard Steele, and Harry Blevins Jr.
STIAN
CH
*
CHURC
--
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GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
INTERMEDIATES
Front row-Rex Milton, Lee McComb, John Young, Jimmy Walker, Kenneth Hoover, Frances Jones, Betty Patterson, Jr. Doering.
Second row-Lloyd Petering, Daniel Doering, Mary Taylor, Helen Dale, Jeanette Bird, Jess Tate.
Third row-Virginia Ruggles, Marjory Young, Patty Batten, Avola Jones, and Mrs. Clola Milton.
Fourth row-Mrs. Pearl Buckbee, Richard Milton, Verner Steele, and Wayne Davidson.
SENIORS
Front row-Willa Yingst, Eunice Reed, Lena Doris Kuntz, Doris Jen- kins, Betty Bird, Lydia Hewitt.
Second row-Harold Blackburn, Wanda Steele, Zola Daniels, Neva Belle Irwin, Wanda Krey, Mrs. Groves.
Third row-Walter Dowell, Dorothy Young, Marjorie Kelly, Hazel Moelling.
Fourth row-Reuben Daniels, Clinton Davidson, Bennet Hoover, Dick Biege, Billy Wilson and Jim Kelly.
Fifth row-Joe Young, Calvin Rosacker, Jack Sanders, James Tolls, Joe Hoover, Elmer Lough and LeRoy Kelly.
YOUNG PEOPLE
Front row-Lena Knoche, Florence Krum, Blanche Dowell and Mary Lucille Reed.
Second row-Helen Newman, Naomi Broker, Mrs. Pearl Buckbee.
Third row-Harold Blackburn, Walter Dowell and James Tolls.
NOTE
It is fitting to insert a note at this place concerning a class, now dissolved, that would come between the above and the following class. It was known as the Young Mar- ried Woman's class, organized shortly after the dedication of the present building. Later the older members moved on into the Delhpian class and the younger ones continued as Young Married Woman's class. Mrs. Geo. Figgers taught the class until her health failed, then Mrs. J. H. Jimison taught it for ten years until, outgrowing the name, they dissolved themselves into the other women's classes.
AN
あり ME
51
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
WOMEN'S DEPARTMENT
Front row-Alta Lutz, Mrs. C. G. Wadsack, Mrs. Ray McComb, Mrs. Della McMillan, Mrs. Anna Heyen, Mrs. Jennie Scott.
Second row-Mrs. Maude Jenkins, Mrs. O. P. Lemmon, Mrs. Ben Thompson, Mrs. Orpha Davidson, Mrs. Hirsch.
Third row-Mrs. Herman Knoche, Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Elmer Lough, Mrs. Ronald Mayo, Mrs. Frank Irwin and Mrs. Lizzie Ruggles.
Fourth row-Mrs. Frederick Brown, Mrs. Oad Essex, Mrs. Victor Mc- Millan, Mrs. Earl Weir, Mrs. Clayton Richardson, Mrs. Anna Petering.
Fifth row-Mrs. Walker Bird, Mrs. Henry Knoche, Mrs. Stanton Blackburn, Mrs. Ted Meireis, and Miss Alice Simonson.
MEN'S CLASS
Front row-Frank Irwin, Rev. Groves, Henry Knoche, Frank McComb. Second row-Junior Weir, Ray Davison, Herman Knoche, Harry Meyer.
Third row-Earl Weir, Ted Meireis, Walter Dale, Roy Kelly, and Roy Meyer.
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETY, 1910
First row-Edward Crawford, White, Clyde Rutan, Floyd Nel- son, Clyde Lutz, Floyd Lutz and Glenn Moore.
Second row-Juanita Johnson, Martha Moore, Bertha Weir, Aletha Crawford, Fern Smiley, Alberta Mayer, Angelia Mayer, Alma Brinkman, Edna Gallagher, Ruth Gay, - Gay, Irene Brink- man, Gladys Durham, (unknown), Leona Nelson.
Third row-Frankie Jenkins, White, Mattie Maiden, Wilma Carey, Valetta Hill, Ellen Gay, Alice Smiley, White, Alemita Rutan, Violet Morelan, Ruth Marriott, Rev. Goff, Dr. White, Mrs. White and baby.
FIRST BUILDING
CHRISTTAK
PRESENT BUILDING
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GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
CONSECRATED WORKERS, 1924
Having finished their labors, all but a very few of these consecrated workers shown on the other side have gone on to receive their reward. The class, organized in 1908, has had three teachers in its time : W. H. Milton, Mrs. Fanny Buckle, and Mrs. L. G. Scott. The class was cele- brating the 86th birthday of one of its members when this picture was taken in 1924 and boasted of three others past the 80 mark. With deepest reverence we publish this pic- ture and the names of those in it.
Seated, left to right-Mrs. McGee, Mrs. Garvin, Mrs. Hartnett, Mrs. Bonner, Mrs. Susan Clothier, Mrs. Lydia Bowman, Mrs. L. G. Scott, teacher 1919-1936.
Standing, left to right-Mrs. Jennie Beatty, Mrs. Wentworth, Mrs. T. W. Gentry, Mrs. Fanny Buckle, Mrs. Lydia Hewitt, Mrs. Lizzie Osborn, Mrs. Clara Knoche, Mrs. Anna Heyen, Mrs. Nancy Biege.
MIZPAH CLASS, 1916
Front row-Mae Sanders, Nellie Newell, Della McMillan, Callie Reece, Alta Skinner and Lucille Skinner.
Second row-Grace Vermillion, Mrs. Smitson, Margaret Allen, Daisy Darr, Amanda Fort, Mary Estes, Mrs. Bart Jenkins and Mrs. David Gay.
Third row-Alice Simonson, Bessie Fuller, Clara Due, Rose Beckett and Vivian Crawford.
Fourth row-Pearl Walker, Pauline Brown, Eva Krum, Mrs. Charles, Elsa Crawford and Inza Milton.
Fifth row-Sadie Gallagher, Rosa Buckle, Mrs. Newell, Kate Crawford, Ida Sims, Mrs. White, Pearl Spickard and Mrs. McMardie.
MENS RALLY CLASS, 1932
Front row-S. T. Bonner, F. L. Irwin, W. W. Bird, Harold Combs, M. J. Stone.
Second row-Walter Harden, Clifford Bell, Harry Meyer, G. Heinze, Eddie Allmon, Harry Blevins, O. W. Seright, A. D. McFadden, R. P. Krum, Herman Knoche Jr., Ray Biege.
Third row-O. W. Hearn, Russel Richardson, Clayton Richardson, Ray Pierson, Roy Kelly, Fred Verning, Albert Kueck, Andy Alls- house, Lance Bloomer.
Fourth row-Andrew Hartnett, Charles Priess, Frank McComb, Carl Suedekum, Roy Meyer, Ira Amend, John Heyen, Ray McCune, Arthur Noggle, John Kueck.
CONSECRATED WORKERS
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STAFFORD'S FIRST CITY OFFICIALS
The first city election was held council; Ren Vickers, councilman. Sep. 29, 1885, at which a mayor, a police judge and five councilmen were chosen. Other officials were appointed. This picture includes all officials.
Top row, standing, left to right: Lee Jolley, clerk; Geo. Walker, police judge; Hardy Sayer, at- torney; Geo. Bousman, marshal; First row, sitting, left to right: Robt. Blair, mayor; Frank Cox, Frank Gish, councilman; Cal Bid- dle, councilman; Alva Peacock, treasurer; John Cline, president of | councilman.
Stafford, Kansas the first few un. Mrs. Walter Dale is
CeChristian Endeavorers were hosts t
Entered as second-class matter Septem
425 .at the post office at Staf- Act of March 3, fever. The Dales wer a
quarantine and looks
Be
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PAYING OFF DEBT
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xy $600.00
HAPPY HOME SERVICE
ROOM DEDICATED Completed and paid for, the love- It now room in the mouth ment cor-
the last b will b
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Della Mc-
BAPTISMAL SERVICE Sptisme be administered 1
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w ho
ir Lor
SHOUT PRAISE BEYOND QUES the Sunday-
centive
Plan Int.
Intermediate wor o day retreat f to be heid . Miss V
OUR CHURCH
tant St Jean
To Landscape (
Another spring will s effect on the corner Instead of the + now, it will be of the mos- Manha*
Our Wheatiry Abroad
the
rton, Ex-O
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OLKS & FRIENDS
"' mother, Mrs. Map les to improve in as been there for fiv ·oken hip and shour at her home in St. John.
gain in full swing and al following precautions to Scarlet fever. Health offic? thorities say there have L ind gives us ~
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CONFERENCE DELEGATES
The Bible School will last year's play in sending people to conference at C: lisle this year; viz: each & naying one-half ($5.50) - expences. Other ( ~ir efforts. large
At the Board Meeting Sunday it w at the parsonage should be nting rather badly
t dangerous
MONEY RAISED
All but sixty dollars ($60.00) has been raised to cancel our note Henpa the First State Bank for imately $600.00. R. Penn Krum and ttoe withi
BEAUTIFUL PAGEANT ified Gifts" with twenty-thr
The beautiful pageant entitle
'ers in their oriental costur 's day will be given Sun 'des these character ler special Chri. ageant close ·Il the cha Angel re 11,
gthe audi ange
gift ANCE of a familia- .
10,000 INN LASI FUKUM
Dr. P.C. Hiebert will lead the last of the series of twelve forums his Sunday night on What About Pacifism. Dr. Hiebert is peculiariy quipped for this topic. He was elief Administrator in Russia iring the revolution there. He has 'aveled extensively thruout Europe e is an accomplished writer; his tstanding work being "Feeding The ngrv". Ho :-
sonven
FRIST CHESSBAN CHURCH
MARION H, GROVES, Pets
Parsonage To Paint Up
ot att
NTNAT'L CON ast one and p
igh
gram co.
GROVESES SHOWERED
A very pleasant surprise was had Rev. and Mrs. Groves Monday t. The basement had been res-
Travel the INFALLIBLY SAFE
GO TO CHIURO
people will ovention ext M dy 0)
YOUTH TO KINGMAN sar-loads of our young people with are planning to attend the World ret at Kingman this Saturday Sach year the World Fellow- "become more po ular with pople until this year sever- rranged in order to
Hanna Concert Com
urches.
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Beginning this Sunday we will have special programs each Sun & 8:30 built al
OUR CHURCH
am
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"ASKETS FOR NEEDY
Our Fellowship Dinner and re. Chers will be combined and o held Sunday, Novem
Thes an
visitors from Grea
PERSONAL DEVOTION Myriads of Christian people forward to the Lenten Som regard it as the
subr
Sod House After 50 Years First Brick School house
Street Scene - Carey Home 1886 First Train in Stafford, Kansas
SOURCES OF "DAILY BREAD" THROUGH THE YEARS Sheep Raising
AJ. Knollin Place, 1899
Ranching
Farming
Parish & Co."' Aberdeen Angus Ranch
Lem Sullon's Farm 1913 Oil Industry
Business
Jones Bros. 1890 now TanTop Cafe
Richardson Field
City Owned Hospital
"Feldhut Memorial" -Photo
City Owned Library
-Photo "Nora E. Larabee Memorial" .
First Christian Church
Stafford Power Plant
Stafford High School
59
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
*HISTORY OF STAFFORD
The first building on the land which now is a part of Stafford was the Vickers sod house, later known as the sod hotel, built in the fall of 1876. The following spring E. B. Crawford built his home on the cornering quarter sec- tion and with a partition he set apart the front end of it for a small store. Thus was laid the nucleus for the coming town. "Ghost towns," several with postoffices, sprang up and died down but here was a place for the traveler to stay and a place the family could rely upon to secure food, although it had to be hauled from Hutchinson or Sterling in wagons. There was nearly always a supply of fresh antelope meat at the store, especially during the first year. Mr. Crawford had the mail of various individuals sent to him from Hutchinson and delivered to them upon arrival. However the first official postoffice in this vicinity was not in Stafford but was located about where the city water wells stand, due west of the Santa Fe depot. Mr. Chas. Johnson who owned the land secured an appointment as postmaster and authority to establish an office which he did, naming it Lulu Valley in honor of his daughter.
Settlers poured into Stafford vicinity and adjacent territory and in a year or two Mr. E. S. Hadlock had Mr. Asa Gere, as contractor, erect him a two-story building. This was one of five brick buildings built by Mr. Gere with bricks from his machines, before discontinuing the plant in 1886. Four of these buildings still stand, housing the firms of Jenkins Bros., Hartnett and Evans, Smart Drug Store, and the Tan Top Cafe. The upper story of Mr. Had- lock's building was opened for the services of small church congregations and this played an important part not only in attracting attention to Stafford but in influencing those already here to hold to worthy ideals.
When the railroad came to Stafford in 1886 it was an event. The future of the town seemed certain with good
*We acknowledge with gratitude the much helpful material taken from the Stafford Courier of September 5, 1935, which was our main source of information.
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GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
mail service, quick arrival of groceries, lumber and other necessities. The first train pulled in over the Chicago, Kansas and Western road, later the Santa Fe, in June of 1886 and a few months later a second line, the Denver, Memphis and Atlantic, later the Missouri Pacific, com- pleted its line through here from Wichita toward Larned. This second line through here established Stafford as an important point on the map.
In 1887 a brick school house was erected to replace the frame building. It was located just west of the present high school building. Stafford had become a city by reason of a court order the 10th day of September, A. D., 1885. At least three church groups were established by now. Stafford merchants were satisfactorily meeting the de- mands and needs of the people. Two trains gave assurance to the people. And now mothers and fathers could be sure that children would receive an education. These hastened the development of Stafford.
The rest of Stafford's history falls into a natural se- quence of development for a small city. Following the brick-making industry came the milling industry in the way of the Larabee Mill, one of the largest in this part of the country until burned out the second time in 1907. It was in the mills that Stafford had its first electricity in 1899. It was used only in the mill for some time until some of the business houses arranged for its use in their stores and some even dared suggest its use in their homes. As a result transmission lines were built and a number of build- ings were wired and the current was turned on March 7, 1904. However the then mounting "fuss" between two factions of long standing prohibited its wide use.
The Chamber of Commerce was organized in May, 1905, and immediately began working on this and the problem of a water system The problem of the water sys- tem was ironed out first and on May 14, 1907, arrange- ments were completed for a system with a limited number of mains. Then on November 15, 1910, an election was held to vote on the question of issuing bonds for a municipal electric system. At the same time the citizens voted on an- other bond issue for extending the water system. Both is- sues carried. These bonds amounted to $25,000.00 and were
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GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
dated December 1, 1910. The contract was let in January, 1911, covering both the electrical system and the extension of the water system. On September 24, 1911, the street lights were turned on with 12 large lights and 69 tungsten bulbs strategically located throughout the town. The ser- vice of the plant now extends to Sylvia, Hudson, the com- munity southwest of Stafford, and the community south- east of here.
The Nora E. Larabee Memorial Library was given to the city of Stafford by Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Larabee. The memorial windows were purchased by the two brothers, Frank and Fred Larabee. The construction work was start- ed in the spring of 1906 and at a cost of around $5,000.00 was completed. The proposal to give the library to the city was submitted to the mayor and council May 14, 1907, but due to friction, formal acceptance was delayed until Sep- tember 10, 1907.
Street sprinkling was begun in the summer of 1908 by W. H. Sandmyer, whose equipment and labor was paid for by the merchants agreeing to pay a certain amount each month. This was continued until 1929 when the pav- ing was built, which necessitated the outlay of more public funds in Stafford than any other improvement.
In 1912 the city park and the sewer system were add- ed to Stafford's improvements. On July 25, 1912, an ordin- ance was published ordering a sanitary sewer system for the city. Under the laws of that time, no election was neces- sary, the city authorities having power to order such a sys- tem "for the purpose of placing the city in a sanitary con- dition." The contract was let July 29, 1912, for a total amount of a little more than $39,000.00. The park was es- tablished by means of a bond issue voted on August 5, 1912. The property was purchased from Rev. S. W. Woodburn for $3,000.00.
Fire has been a horror of Stafford people ever since the town was started. In the early days without means of combating conflagrations the town was nearly wiped out twice by fire. The first was on Saturday, November 9, 1900, when the west side fire laid low almost the whole west side of main street.
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GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
On Sunday, October 26, 1902, the famous old land- mark, the Grand Central hotel, standing where the old Vickers house stood and where the Tretbar clinic now stands, was burned.
Following close on the heels of this tragedy the John Garvin Hardware Company burned on the morning of December 15, 1902.
On February 1, 1905, Stafford had another of its worst fires, when the whole east side of Main street burned. Frozen pumps kept anyone from having a chance to fight it.
July 4, 1907, the Larabee Mill burned. This being their second fire, the first occuring August 21, 1898, they there- after moved their interests to Hutchinson.
The northeast corner of the intersection of Main and Broadway has had its share of bad fires. On February 23, 1913, the large building housing the C. E. Stone Mercantile Company was burned. With it went the Masonic Hall on the second floor. This was the second time the lodge had lost its hall through fire.
More recently, the Brown Bros. Mercantile store was burned on the night of February 3, 1932. Then came the explosion of the Mccullough Cleaning Co., March 15, 1933, and with it went the Tan Top Cafe.
The last fire was that of the Nueva Theatre which burned in the early morning of Monday, March 15, 1937, destroying much of the building and all of its furnishings.
There have been many other tragic fires in Stafford and community, but only those which occured within the business district and which resulted in heavy loss to busi- ness have been mentioned.
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Keep working! 'Tis wiser than sitting aside And dreaming and sighing and waiting the tide; In life's lowly battle we only prevail
And daily march onward and never say fail. -Mrs. Jennie Scott
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GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We wish to acknowledge with gratitude the cooperative help received from the Stafford Courier and the Elite Print Shop of Stafford and the Mutual Press of Hutchinson, Kansas in pub- lishing this booklet; and the source materials received by the City Historian from the Stafford Courier and Mrs. J. P. Richard- son.
We also acknowledge with deep appreciation the service of the Durham Studio in taking many of the pictures. The depart- ment pictures are pictures of enrolled members. They were taken in the midst of winter and part of them during an epidemic; this accounts for the absence of some of our faithful ones not found in the pictures.
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64 GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
CONCLUSION
The illustrious record of the past fifty years stands for itself, nothing can change it, but what of the future?
Certainly this glorious past cannot give rise to vain boast- ing as if from the work of men's hands. God has led us in the past and God will lead us in the future if we but serve him in the same spirit as these devoted first disciples.
They started with nothing fifty years ago; now behold their gift to us. Today we start on another fifty years, blessed with the heritage of their labors and manifold opportunities unknown to them. What will we hand to our posterity at the century mark? This is God's challenge! Let us accept it in humble trust and confidence, and set its message ringing in our Soul: "Lead on O King Eternal."
Marion H. Groves
March 23, 1937
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GOLDEN £ ANNIVERSARY
ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE
Henry Knoche Chairman
Mrs. Carl Carey Church Historian
Taylor Powelson, President, C. of C. City Historian
Mrs. Nell Weir Finance
Mrs. Frank McCombs and
Mrs. Ode Essex Historical Pageant
Mrs. John Garvin and
Ruth Merriot Invitations and Entertainment
Walker Bird, Jr. and Henry Knoche Program
Mrs. Pearl Buckbee Music
Roy Kelly General
Marion H. Groves Member Ex-officio
Memories of Anniversary Day
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