USA > Kansas > Meade County > A history of Meade County, Kansas > Part 3
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Clerk District Court .
Wm. F. Fee, D. ('laus Borger, R. John H. Ellis, R. Oliver Norman, D. John Elliott, D.t John O. Keith, R.
* In 1899 there were three tickets-Republican, Democratie, and Populist, but the nomi- nees of the last two were identical.
+ In August, 1899, the Clerk of the District Court, Effic Coon, resigned, and John O. Keith was appointed to fill the vacancy until the next general election. In this election he was de- feated by John Elliott, who was inducted into office on Nov. 14th, 1599, thus completing by more than one year the term for which Effie Coon had been elected in 1898.
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POLITICAL.
Commissioner Ist District John B. Innis, R. J. R. Keith, Pop. 1900 .*
Representative S. D. Adams, D. A. O. Edmunds, R. Probate Judge E. W. Jenkins, R. W. J. Woodard, D. Clerk District Court John Elliott, D. F. Sourbeer, R. Maggie Martin, D. J. A. Porterfield, R. John F. Conrad, D. W. C. Schmoker, R. Geo. S. Selvidge, D. F. M. Davis, R. 1901.+
Superintendent
Commissioner 2nd Distriet
County Attorney.
Commissioner 3rd District H. E. Hayden. Albert Hemple.
1902.
Representative R. B. Campbell. R. S. D. Adams, D. County Attorney Geo. S. Selvidge, D. A. T. Bodle, Sr .. R. Treasurer Moses Black, R. County Clerk D. P. Wysong, R.# Frank Wehrle, D.
* In 1900 there were three tickets -- Republican, Democratie, and People's Party, the last. two having the same nominees.
ยก The canvassing board found that the candidates for County Commissioner had each re- ceived 13 votes. Straws were drawn to decide the tie. Mr. Hayden, having drawn the long straw, was deelared the winner. Thereafter Mr. Hemple instituted a contest. lle was rep- resented by attorneys A. T. Bodle, Sr., R. W. Griggs, R. M. Painter, F. M. Davis, and E. D. Smith. Attorneys for Mr. Hayden were A. B. Reeves, A. T. Bodle, Jr., Geo. S. Selvidge, and Geo. B. Allen. The contest was heard by E. W. Jenkins, Probate Judge, with Darius Skinner and R. W. Campbell as associate judges. The contest board decided in favor of the eon- testee, Mr. Hayden, and assessed the costs, taxed at $165, against Mr. Hemple.
# Mr. Wehrle contested the election, alleging that the election boards had rejected numer - ous legal ballots, which, if counted, would have resulted in the election of Mr. Wehrle. The principal point of contention was as follows: The Democrats had failed to make nominations for some of the offices, and where this occurred there was printed in the space intended for the candidate's name the words, "No Nomination," followed by a voting square. Many who voted for Mr. Wehrle also placed a cross in the square opposite the "No Nomination." This was held to vitiate the whole ballot, and it was accordingly thrown out. Mr. Wehrle con- tended that these ballots were legal, and should have been eounted. Mr. Wehrle was rep- resented by attorneys F C. Price, A. T. Bodle, Sr., and A. T. Bodle, Jr. , Mr. Wysong by at- torneys R. W. Griggs, F. M. Davis, E. D. Smith, S. S. Ashbaugh, and R. M. Painter. The case was heard by E. W. Jenkins, Probate Judge, R. A. Harper and John W. Ellis, associate judges, and F. G. Hamilton, clerk. The contest board sustained the election boards, declared Mr. Wysong elected, and taxed the costs, $130.64, against Mr. Wehrle.
54
HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY.
Probate Judge
Clerk District Court
Sheriff
Register of Deeds
Superintendent
Surveyor
Coroner
Commissioner Ist District
E. W. Jenkins, R. John Elliott, D. J. I. Stamper, R. Samuel B. Givler, R. Samuel P. Bunch, D. Winnie Bonham, R. John W. Russell, D. Maggie Martin, D. Bertha Campbell, R. J. H. Ellis, R. C. B. Leslie, R. Wm. F. Fee, D. T. V. Pinniek, R. J. H. Randolph, D.
1904.
Representative Geo. B. Cones, R. H. E. Hayden, D. County Attorney Frank S. Sullivan, D. J. R. Griggs, R. Treasurer . Ormond Hamilton, D. County Clerk D. P. Wysong, R. Frank Wehrle, D. Probate Judge A. T. Bodle, Sr., R. William Jobling, D. Clerk District Court John Elliott, D. E. O. Palmer, R. Samuel B. Givler, R. Sam Conger, D. Florence Smith, R.
Sheriff
Register of Decds
Superintendent
Surveyor
Coroner.
Charles E. Tally, D. Ruth Bennett, D. Frilla DeCow, R. J. M. Robinson, D. J. H. Ellis, R. Wm. F. Fee, D. C. B. Leslie, R.
FARM SCENE.
56
HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY.
Commissioner 2nd District John F. Conrad, D. Geo. M. Edwards, R.
Commissioner 3rd District. J. W. King, D. B. H. Cordes, R.
1906.
Representative S. D. Adams, D. Geo. B. Cones, R.
County Attorney
Frank S. Sullivan, D.
Treasurer
F. P. Marshall, R. Ormond Hamilton, D. Edward Desmarias, R.
County Clerk W. W. Pressly, R. W. H. Dalgarn, D.
Probate Judge
J. H. Randolph, D.
Clerk District Court
S. O. Ball, R. John Elliott, D.
Sheriff
Ira Scott, R. J. S. Price, D.
J. F. Pinnick, R.
Register of Deeds
Florence Smith, R.
Charles E. Tally, D.
Superintendent.
Ruth Bennett, D.
E. B. Reay, R. Moses Black, R.
Surveyor
Coroner
Wm. F. Fee, D.
Geo. A. Nickelson, R.
Commissioner Ist District
William Jobling, D. T. V. Pinnick, R.
1908.
Representative J. E. MeNair, R. S. D. Adams, D. County Attorney D. P. Wysong, R. Geo. B. Allen, D. Treasurer Moses Black, R. J. C. Hall, D.
County Clerk
W. W. Pressly, R. W. J. Woodard, D.
57
POLITICAL.
Probate Judge. J. II. Randolph, D. J. H. Ellis, R. Clerk District Court. John Elliott, D .* Frank Ellis, R.
Sheriff
Register of Deeds.
Superintendent .
Surveyor
Coroner
Commissioner 2nd District
Commissioner 3rd District
J. S. Price, D. A. J. Byrns, R. W. T. Gray, R. C. H. Burford, D. Mattie Haigh, R. Lou MeCrellis, D. . N. C. Galway, R. G. W. Dalgarn, D. E. W. Fletcher, R. Wm. F. Fee, D. James Wilson, R. F. I. Bennett, D. F. M. Paul, Sr., R. T. B. Novinger, D.
1910.
Representative
County Attorney.
Treasurer
County Clerk
Probate Judge
Clerk District Court
Sheriff
Register of Deeds
Superintendent
Geo. B. C'ones, R. H. Llewellyn Jones, D. Frank S. Sullivan, D. D. P. Wysong, R. John F. Sweet, R. H. Albertson, D. W. W. Pressly, R. J. H. Randolph, D. M. S. Gillidett, R. John Elliott, D. John O. Keith, R. Thos. Martin, D. E. W. White, R. W. T. Gray, R. Mattie J. Haigh, R. Jessie M. Chase, D.
* In this election the two candidates for Clerk of the District Court cach received the same number of votes. The tie was decided by lot. At the suggestion of Mr. Ellis six straws, three long and three short, were placed in a book, the ends projecting, and the candidates drew alternately. Mr. Elliott drew two long straws and was declared eleeted.
58
HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY.
Surveyor. . N. C. Galway, R. George Hockaden, D.
Coroner
E. A. Twist, Ind.
Commissioner 1st District
A. B. Roberts, R. Wm. Jobling, D.
1912.
Representative E. L. Watt, R. H. J. Sloss, R. Isaac Covalt, So. Frank S. Sullivan, D.
County Attorney
Treasurer
J. F. Sweet, R.
J. D. Dalgarn, So.
Probate Judge
J. II. Randolph, D. A. J. Paden, R. Newton Snyder, So.
County Clerk
W. W. Pressly, R. J. D. Golliher, So. John Elliott, D.
Sheriff
Thos. Martin, D.
J. A. Spencer, R.
R. J. Walk, So.
W. T. Gray, R. Pearl Wood-Smith, D.
Frank Carlson, R.
Surveyor C'oroner
Moses Black, R. Wm. F. Fee, D.
G. A. Nickelson, So. John Cordes, D.
Commissioner 2nd District
H. N. Holderman, R.
Commissioner 3rd District
T. B. Novinger D. S. T. Frederick, R.
1914.
Representative
H. Llewellyn Jones, D. Geo. W. Day, R. (. B. Leslie, Progressive.
Clerk District Court
John Lusk, Jr., So.
Register of Deeds Superintendent
SHEEP YARD ON THE OLDHAM FARM.
60
HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY.
County Attorney
Treasurer
County Clerk
Probato Judge
('lerk District Court
Sheriff
Register of Deeds
H. E. Hoon, Prog. Ira Scott, R. W. H. Dalgarn, D. Jennie Crocker, Progressive.
Superintendent Surveyor
Pearl Wood-Smith, D.
C'oroner .
Commissioner 1st District .
Frank S. Sullivan, D. F. M. Davis, R. E. D. Smith, Prog. R. W. Campbell, R. Frank Wehrle, D. C. M. Gates, Prog. W. W. Pressly, R. F. W. Calvert, Prog. C. A. Marrs, R. J. H. Randolph, D. Blanche Love, Prog. John Elliott, D. Effie Sandusky, R. L. G. Krisle, D. Frank Ellis, R.
Moses Black, R. Chas. Havens, Prog. Wm. F. Fee, D. E. W. Fletcher, Prog. A. B. Roberts, R. John Staples, D. Charle : Haskins, Prog.
BANKS.
Meade County has not been lacking in financial in- stitutions. The first bank to incorporate was the Meade County Savings Bank, incorporated July 30th, 1885: Isaac N. Graves, R. R. Wells. H. H. Rogers, (. W. Adams. A. H. Heber, E. F. Seeberger, E. L. Mead, and L. E. Steele, Directors. This bank, however. never opened for business.
The first bank to do business in Meade County was The Meade Deposit Bank, a private bank, which com- menced business in Meade Center in the fall of 1885 : M. J. O'Meara, President ; B. F. Cox, Vice-President ; M. H. Ewart, Cashier. About a year later it national- ized, and became The First National Bank of Meade ('enter. It operated as a national bank for a couple of years, when it went into involuntary liquidation. with John C. Fry as receiver.
The Meade County Bank, Meade C'enter, was incor- porated Feb. 26th, 1886, with a capital stock of $50.000. Directors. A. H. Heber, M. Wightman, Ed. Dool, (. S. Rockey, and Chas. P. Woodbury. It afterwards nationalized under the name of The Meade County National Bank, but in 1890 it again became a State bank under its original name and with its original cap- ital stock; A. II. Heber, Geo. L. Stevens, E. F. Rie- man, E. T. Brawley, and Chas. P. Woodbury, Direct- ors. Soon afterwards it liquidated and went out of business, Geo. B. Cones winding up its affairs as trustee.
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HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY.
The Farmers and Stockgrowers Bank was incorpo- rated Nov. 20th, 1886, capital stock $50,000, and opened for business at Meade Center, with the following Di- rectors : Isaac N. Graves, Samuel Williams, Lewis K. McGuffin, Oscar B. Hamilton, and Ormond Hamilton. This bank was reincorporated August 31st, 1891, with a capital stock of $5,000, and with Ormond Hamilton, F. G. Hamilton, M. P. Hamilton, J. W. Hamilton and M. H. Tripod as Directors. At this time the mercury in the thermometer of business had reached to almost zero, and it continued to descend for some years. This bank was conservatively managed, but under the ad- verse conditions existing at that time success was ull- attainable, and the bank became insolvent. In 1896 Louis Boehler was appointed receiver, and remained in charge of the assets until the affairs were settled, and he was finally discharged in 1902. And it is to the credit of the receiver and of the officers and stock- holders of the bank, that after paying the expense of the receivership and the preferred claims, the general creditors realized more than seventy-eight cents on the dollar, a much higher rate than is usually paid by an insolvent.
The Citizens State Bank, Meade Center, was in- corporated Aug. 5th, 1887, with a capital stock of $100 .- 000; George C. Strong, E. G. Robertson, C. W. Adams, W. HI. Young, Wm. K. Palmer, Coleman Rogers, and A. J. MeCabe, Directors. This bank was reorganized Jan. 11th, 1889, under the name of The Citizens Bank of Meade Center ; capital stock, $50,000. Directors, E. G. Robertson, Coleman Rogers, Arthur J. MeCabe. C. W. Adams, and C. E. Cones. It soon thereafter liquidated.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME.
64
HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY.
The Bank of West Plains. West Plains, was incorpo- rated Jan. 11th, 1888 ; capital stock, $50,000. Direct- ors, B. B. Brown, W. C. Gould, C. Gould, H. B. Stone, and R. F. Crawford. This bank continued to do busi- ness until the general conditions of the country warned the Directors that a continuation would mean failure, when they closed their doors, paid depositors and creditors in full, and quit business. The officers, Brown, Gould and Stone, went to Colorado and en- gaged in the banking business at Lamar.
A private bank was also organized at Fowler, in the late 80's, of which Wm. Beaty was president, B. F. ('ox. Vice-President, O. S. Hurd, Cashier; capital stock, $5.000. It paid out in full and quit business in 1890.
Of the banks at present doing business in Meade County, The Meade State Bank was incorporated Aug. 22nd, 1899. Directors, C. Q. Chandler. W. S. Berryman, J. W. Berryman. N. A. Berryman, and Emily Berryman. Its capital stock was $5.000, which was increased to $10,OCC in 1900. In 1903 this bank was reorganized, under the same charter, with R. A. Harper, President, B. F. Cox, Vice-President. Louis Boehler. Cashier. In 1969 the capital stock was again increased. this time to $30,000. It now has a surplus, in round numbers, of $13,000, and deposits of $200,000. Its depositors are protected by the Bank Depositors' Guar- anty Fund of the State of Kansas.
The First National Bank of Meade opened for busi- ness on May 2nd, 1904, with the following officers : President, J. B. Buck; Vice-President, Geo. S. Sel- vidge ; Cashier. F. W. Curl. The Directors, in addition
65
BANKS.
to the President and Vice-President, were: E. A. Twist, Linn Frazier, B. F. Leach, J. R. Graves, and Geo. B. Cones. The present officers are: W. F. Casteen, President ; J. F. Conrad, Vice-President ; F. W. Curl, Cashier. Its capital stock is $25,000, and its surplus and deposits, in round numbers, are respectively $25,- 000 and $180,000. Its depositors are protected by bond in The Deposit Guaranty and Surety Co.
The Fowler State Bank, Fowler, was incorporated April 3rd, 1906, with a capital stock of $10,000, and with the following Directors : R. A. Harper, J. C. Hall, Leo P. McMeel, Louis Boehler, W. P. Bunyan, and F. D. Morrison. Its present officers are : R. A. Harper, President : T. V. Pinnick, Vice-President ; F. D. Morrison, Cashier ; John F. Sweet, Assistant Cashier. Its present capital stock, surplus and deposits are, respectively, $25,000, $12,500, and $100,000. It is under the protection of the Bank Depositors' Guar- anty Fund.
The First National Bank of Fowler commenced business Jan. 3rd, 1910, with the following officers : President, John F. Conrad ; Vice-President, J. C. Hall ; Cashier, D. B. Mitchell ; Directors, John F. Conrad, J. C. Hall, Linn Frazier, John Boucher, and J. M. Dowell. Its present officers are: Linn Frazier. President ; J. C. Hall, Vice-President ; Geo. D. Hall, C'ashier. Its capital stock, surplus and deposits are, respectively. $25,000, $15,000, and $115,000. Its de- positors are protected by surety bond.
The Plains State Bank, Plains, was incorporated July 7th, 1906, with the following Directors: J. A. Collingwood, D. A. Collingwood, Joe G. Collingwood,
66
HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY.
S. G. Demoret, Ella Demoret, and J. H. Collingwood, the last named of whom has been Cashier since the bank's organization. Its present capital stock and surplus are $35,000; its deposits are $150,000.
The American Mortgage Trust Company was char- tered August 15th, 1887, with an authorized capital stock of two hundred thousand dollars. Its purposes were to negotiate loans on farm and city property, to purchase securities, and to own and sell real estate. The Directors were: A. H. Heber, Willis G. Emerson. L. S. Sears, L. W. Brown, Edward Dool, R. P. Brown, Geo. L. Stevens, D. W. Highee, and L. D. Rogers, all of whom were residents of Meade County, save the last three. This company flourished for a time, but finally became involved. Geo. S. Selvidge was ap- pointed receiver, and at a receiver's sale in 1899 R. W. Griggs purchased the entire assets of the corporation for three hundred dollars.
ARTESIAN WELL ON THE B. F. LEACH FARM.
NEWSPAPERS.
Meade County is the rock that has wrecked the hopes and shattered the dreams of many newspaper- men. In the early days almost every boom town "sported" but did not "support" a newspaper. The result was that these papers were published with more or less regularity as long as the editor could get credit for white paper and printer's ink, and then died a natural death. I use the expression "natural death" advisedly, because it is but natural that these early- day newspapers, under the economic conditions that then existed, should come to an untimely end.
The first paper published in Meade County was The Pearlette Call, by Bennett & Lowery, the first edition appearing April 15th, 1879, and the last bearing date May 8th, 1880.
In May, 1885, C. K. Sourbeer issued the first num- ber of The Spring Lake Hornet, which continued to ap- pear monthly until the summer of 1889.
In June, 1885, E. E. Henley commenced publishing The Fowler Graphic, and continued until 1891.
The Carthage Times was published from June, 1885, to January, 1886.
In July, 1885, Cannon Bros. issued the first number of The Meade Center Press. In December of the same year this paper was sold to Mechler Bros., and the name changed to The Press Democrat. In March. 1886, Mechler Bros. sold to H. Wiltz Brown, and in 1890 Brown unloaded on Sam Lawrence, who published the
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69
NEWSPAPERS.
paper under the name of The Meade Democrat until 1894, when he sold to C. G. Allen, and publication was suspended in 1895.
In the spring of 1887 T. J. Palmer (referred to af- fectionately by his friends and derisively by his ene- mies, as "Toe-jam") issued The Meade Republican. which existed until 1894.
In the summer of 1887 H. L. Bishop published The Mertilla Times, but the times were too hard and this paper lived but a few months.
In 1887 Lon Whorton issued the first number of The Meade Center Telegram, and the last number was issued the following year.
The West Plains Guardian was published from 1887 to 1889.
The Fowler Advocate was published for about a year. commencing in 1887.
The Meade County Globe was established in July. 1885. by J. Malcolm Johnson. In August. 1886. this paper was purchased by Frank Fuhr, and by him published for twenty-seven years. Mr. Fuhr witnessed the rise and fall of practically all of the newspaper ventures, and it is chiefly from him that the information in this chapter is obtained. In November, 1913. Mr. Fuhr sold the Globe to W. S. Martin, who has since been its publisher.
In 1900 John Wehrle established The Meade County News, and continued to publish it until in 1909, when it was sold to The Meade Publishing Company, a col- poration organized by the business men of Meade. John Innis was placed in charge as business manager ard E. D. Smith as editor. After a few months Smith
70
HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY.
retired, and was succeeded by John Miller, who edited the News for about a year. Miller was succeeded as editor by Agnes Wehrle, who conducted the paper a while for the corporation, and in July, 1912, Miss Wehrle purchased the plant, and the corporation went out of existence.
In 1906 I. J. Stanton established The Fowler Gazette, and published it until 1914, when he sold out to W. R. Bond, who, after a brief experience, sold to Perry Bros., who changed the name of the paper to The Fowler News.
Maurice McDonald established The Plains Journal in 1907. After about a year he sold to E. B. MeCon- nell. Mr. McConnell published it for three or four years and then sold to F. W. Calvert, the present owner and editor.
In addition to the regular newspapers there is pub- lished during the school year The Tattler, published by the Meade High School students, and The High School Life, published by students of the Fowler High School.
It is not recorded that the publisher of any Meade County newspaper acquired great wealth by his enter- prise. But that is neither a reflection on, nor a criti- cism of, Meade County. For the most part these papers were established in the early days, the "boom" days, the promising days, and the newspaperman, like the merchant. the banker and others, simply followed the light that failed.
SOME WELL.
CHURCHES.
The history of civilization shows that the missionary followed closely the discoverer, and so we find the early settlers of Meade County active in the organization of religious societies, long before the organization of the county.
The first organized church in the county was the First Congregational Church of Crooked Creek, or- ganized in 1879. On October Ist, 1879, Geo. S. Emer- son deeded to Silas E. Ayres, W. D. Ayers and H. M. Fordes, Trustees of said church, a plot of ground in the southwest corner of the southwest quarter of Sec- tion 6. Township 30, Range 26, described in the deed as follows: "After allowing for the road on section line and extension four hundred feet, and three and a half feet east and west, and two hundred and sixteen and one quarter feet north and south."
A chuch building was erected on this grant ard a cemetery provided for, which cemetery still marks the spot. Rev. Mr. Feemster was the first pastor. This church was regularly organized, but was not incorpo- rated.
The first incorporated church was Pleasant Prairie Congregational Church, incorporated March 18th, 1881, more than four years prior to the organization of the county. with John Schmoker, Peter Blair and Chris- tian Schmoker as trustees. Services were held at the old Belle Meade schoolhouse.
Next to incorporate was the Meade Center Metho-
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CHURCHES.
dist Episcopal Church, incorporated March 26th, 1886, with George W. Evington, Samuel D. Huffman, David Truax. Sam Lawrence and Geo. Wallace as trustees. This church was organized by Rev. J. N. Stamper, who was its first minister, and, it is said, preached the first sermon in Meade.
Closely following this was the First Methodist Epis- copal Church of Fowler City, incorporated June 18th, 1886, with James B. Brewer, George Fowler. Smith S. Pine, Alfred V. Carpenter and Alexander A. Major as trustees.
Then came the Church of Christ of Meade C'enter. incorporated Aug. 9th. 1886, with F. P. Scott, A. D. Mc Daniel, A. J. Davis, M. B. Peede and C. G. Allen as trustees. This church prospered for a time, but later languished. and the church building was after- wards secured and used by the First Baptist Church. organized in 1899.
Next was the First United Presbyterian Church of Meade Center, incorporated Jan. 14th, 1887, with H. I. Stevens, Edward Tring. E. D. Smith. M. E. Huston and M. W. Milligen as trustees. As an organization this church never obtained a permanent foothold. and most of its members united with the First Presbyterian Church of Meade Center, which was incorporated Jan. 22nd, 1887, with Edward Dool, Edward P. Boyle and James A. Lynn as trustees.
On Feb. 22nd. 1887, the First Methodist Episcopal Church of West Plains was incorporated, with Benj. P. Bruce, Fred Baddeley, Thos. Beaty, Harry B. Stone and Ernest Russell as trustees. This church main- tained its organization until the city of West Plains was practically depopulated, when it lapsed.
74
HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY.
The Crooked Creek Methodist Episcopal Church was incorporated Oct. 6th, 1887, with J. W. Brock, Wm. J. Brown and John L. Smith as trustees.
The First Baptist Church of Meade was incorpo- rated Aug. 24th, 1899, with William T. Dick, Mrs. M. A. Williams, X. B. Sawyer, A. V. Angel and H. G. Yocum as trustees. The first pastor of this church was Rev. J. M. Robinson.
Then came the First Baptist Church of Plains, in- corporated Jan. 22nd, 1904, with Luellen Edwards, A. J. Parsons, J. W. King, G. W. Gillidett and J. B. Sullivan as trustees. Coincident with the organization of this church a building was erected by popular sub- scription, which building, while being primarily under the control of the Baptist Church, was to be opened freely to any other denomination desiring to use it.
April 7th, 1904, the Evangelical Lutheran St. Johan- nes Congregation or Society, Odee Township, was in- corporated, with Henry Borchers, Henry Winter and Henry Eckhoff as trustees.
The Free Methodist Church of Mertilla was incorpo- rated May 20th, 1908, with C. F. Bowyer, George W. Branstetter, J. S. Cornish, P. L. Triplett and Al- bertus Fry as trustees.
This was followed by the Methodist Episcopal Church of Plains, incorporated Aug. 19th, 1910; A. S. Prather, A. L. Driver, O. D. Overton, N. A. Geisinger and H. M. Wooten, trustees.
Next was the First Christian Church of Fowler, in- corporated Jan. 5th, 1911 ; J. G. Clark, J. L. Runyan, W. E. Carr, John W. Sims and George Lasater, trustees.
After this was the First Baptist Church of Fowler,
ANOTHER GUSHER.
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HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY.
incorporated June 21st, 1911 ; William T. Dick, Charles VanDoren and John Foster, trustees.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Uneda came last, incorporated March 24th, 1913; Geo. P. Gamble. H. H. Ford, J. W. Steele, O. J. Easton and P. J. Mitch- ell, trustees.
In addition to these churches there were, first and last, many others maintaining organizations that were not incorporated under the State laws, some of which are still active. Among the latter are the Roman Catholic Churches at Fowler, Plains, and Meade, the last named of which is among the oldest churches in the county. In October, 1888. this church purchased about a quarter of an acre of ground lying just north of Block 25. First Addition, and erected a building thereon, which was used until a few years ago, when. it being considered no longer fit, it was razed, and the present church built.
Then there is St. Augustine Protestant Episcopal Church of Meade, built in 1911, and the Christian Church, organized in February, 1916; the Friends, who have just completed in Fowler the most modern and beautiful church building in the county. The Mormons have an organization in the country south of Missler, and the Mennonite Church in what is known as " the Colony," south and east of Meade.
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