USA > Kansas > Republic County > A history of Republic County, Kansas, embracing a full and complete account of all the leading events in its history, from its first settlement down to June 1, '01 > Part 19
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A. B. KIMBALL, Editor Scandia Journal and Post- master, Seandia, Kansas.
235
History of Republic County.
of his brother, Dr. Wm. H. Woodward. On April 29th, 1882, Mr. Wilder again came into possession and continued to wield the editorial pencil until January 1st, 1887. During the month of August, 1885, the Journal was published as a daily, the only daily paper ever published in Republic county. On the first day of January, 1882, Mr. Woodward changed the name from Republic County Journal to Scan- dia Journal, which name it has since borne. From January 1st to October 7th, 1887, George F. Page was editor. On May 18th, 1888, Mr. Wilder sold the Journal to Stoy E. and I. C. Ware and finally severed his connection with news- paper work. The paper was published by Ware & Co., until September, 1890, when Stoy E. Ware was appointed postmaster. and I. C. Ware continued the publication alone. In August 1889 the Journal absorbed the good will and subscription accounts of the Scandia Independent, de- ceased, since which time it has been the only newspaper in Scandia.
Mr. Ware retired from the newspaper work December 1st, 1891, being succeeded by George F. Page as editor and proprietor. In September 1892 the plant was burned and was a total loss, there being no insurance. Through the generosity of friends Mr. Page was put on his feet and not an issue was missed. Entirely new equipment was put in and the paper became a five-column quarto and one of the handsomest in the state. This form has been re- tained and the paper is now issued with from eight to twelve pages as the business requires. In 1895 Mr. Page contracted the California fever and on March 1st sold the plant to Albert B. Kimball, who has conducted the busi- ness ever since. In his hands the paper has been more of a success, financially than ever before. From time to time material additions have been made to the office, until at this time it is probably the best equipped newspaper and job office, size of town considered, in the state of Kansas. In July 1900, the proprietor bought as a home for it, the two story stone building it now occupies, and last spring
236
History of Republic County.
put in an engine so that all the machinery is run by power. Mr. Kimball has been postmaster at Scandia for the past four years and has the postoffice in the same room as the Journal.
SCANDIA SENTINEL AND REPUBLIC CITY NEWS.
The Scandia Sentinel was established at Scandia by William H. Ketchum early in the year 1881. In May of that year Mr. Ketchum found that it would be to his advantage to move his plant to Republic City, which was done, and the name of the paper changed to the Republic County Sentinel. Ketchum was a practical printer and a newspaper man with more than the average ability. His editorials possessed a vigor which made the Sentinel a popular country newspaper. He was a staunch republican and was fearless in his advocacy of republican principles. But like many another-liquor and convivial habits got the better of him and in May 1882 he was forced to suspend publication. He next moved his plant to Table Rock, Ne- braska.
The place of publication at the time the Sentinel was first issued in Republic City, was in the top story of a large frame building known as the "Garside Block." Later it was moved into a building which yet remains on the town- . site, and on the front of which may be seen to this day the sign "The Repubic County Sentinel." It may be of inter- est to say something of the building itself. It was first built on Rose Creek, for a store, 15 or 16 miles east of where now stands Republic City. Along about 1879 or 1880 it was moved to a site on Otter Creek, on the farm where Mr. John Sumbler now lives, where it contained "a large and complete stock of general merchandise,"-it having the prodigous dimensions of 16x24, with a Boston front. Shortly thereafter, when it was determined to have a town on the site of Republic City, the building was once more put on to a truck and moved to "the city," and set down on the corner of Broadway and Republic avenue.
237
History of Republic County.
There it was occupied as a drug store where behind its capacious prescription case the early denizens of "the city" were wont to slack their thirst with liberal libations of "squirrel whiskey"-"squirrel,"because as soon as two or three drinks were imbeded in a man's frame he wanted to climb a tree, or a telegraph pole, for a lack of a single tree on the townsite. A Kansas zephyr came along one day and blowed the shack down and the badly fractured remains were gathered together and moved "up the avenue" a bit further, to its present site. The Sentinel was moved into the building in the new location and remained there until its early demise, which incident happened, as near as I can remember from the hearsay evidence, before it was yet a year old. The editor and proprietor might have done well, in fact did do well, if he had devoted his time to his business, but he had very little time for that, as he was very busy most of the time "looking for another drink." The town was for some time without a paper.
In March, 1883, one Charles H. Wolfe, learning the necessity of a newspaper at Republic launched the News. He was lacking in all the essential traits and qualifications of a newspaper man, and after six months' experience sold the venture to Gomer T. Davies, a native of Wales, the pur- chase price being $150. Gomer developed into a practical and fearless newspaper man, possessing rare qualifications for the work in which he was about to engage, and who made for Republic City, through the medium of the News, a reputation that will live for many years to come. Gomer T. Davies is one of the few men who have in Kansas made a success of a country newspaper. While editor of the News he was twice elected as a republican to represent his district, comprising the north half of Republic county, in the state legislature, sessions of 1887 and 1889. Later he became an earnest advocate of the principles of the popu- list party, and is at the present time the editor and pro- prietor of the Kansan, a paper of state reputation. D. A. Davies, a brother of Gomer, succeeded to the proprietor-
ยท
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History of Republic County.
ship of the News in 1897 with George H. Litsinger as edi- tor. After a few months Litsinger severed his connection with the paper to take a course in medicine, and in 1900 graduated at the head of his class of 125, from the Univer- sity Medical college of Kansas City, Missouri. He is now engaged in a successful and lucrative practice at Riley, Kansas. Following D. A. Davies, Tom Charles, a half- brother, became editor and proprietor of the News in 1898. He was ably assisted in the editorial work by his mother, Mrs. Lydia Charles, a woman of rare attainments, and a vigorous writer. Under the management of D. A. Davies and Tom Charles the paper remained populist in principle. In 1900 the paper again changed hands and political policy. It is now owned and edited by Don Patterson who is keep- ing the paper up to the demands of the times and the sat- isfaction of its patrons. Tom Charles has taken charge of the Belleville Freeman and is running a paper of which a much larger town might feel justly proud. In conclusion it is but fair and just to say that the Republic City News has not been at any period of its history altogether obscure in the newspaper world of Kansas, nor is it now.
THE BELLEVILLE DEMOCRAT.
The Belleville Democrat was established at Belleville, August 1st, 1885, by J. and C. M. McLaury and was pub- lished as a democratic paper for about ten years. Its pub lication was suspended for about one year, while John, the senior member of the firm, was postmaster at Belle- ville. The paper came from Chester, Nebraska, where it had been published about seven months. It was a reliable newspaper, always taking a lively interest in all measures calculated to promote the best interests of the city and county.
THE BELLEVILLE ASTONISHER.
The Belleville Astonisher was first issued as a weekly November 24th, 1886. The prospectus stating the objects and giving subscription rates was as follows: "The As-
239
History of Republic County.
tonisher is published for the social and financial benefit of the residents of Republic county, Kansas, and also for the benefit of the editor. With the latter object in view the price is six dollars per year. If you do not think it is worth that amount please leave your name with the editor and you will receive it free. W. A. Godard, Editor and Proprietor." Under the last clause of the prospectus quite a large number of our best citizens were induced to become subscribers. This paper was published for some time as a weekly and afterwards as a monthly. It was neutral in politics.
REPUBLIC COUNTY FREEMAN.
This paper was established in June, 1880, by H. N. Boyd, as a greenback paper, at Logan, Phillips county, Kansas. In October, 1890, at the solicitation of the Re- public County Alliance it was moved to Belleville. During the period from 1880 the paper supported for President, General Weaver twice, Mr. Streeter once, and Mr. Bryan twice. In January 1889 he sold it to the Kimball Publish- ing Company, which again sold it in 1900 to Tom Charles, who is now publishing it as a populist paper and which has the largest circulation of any paper in Republic county. Mr. Boyd mentioned with some pride the fact that during his nineteen years ownership of the paper there were births, deaths and marriages in the family and the paper was moved 120. miles without missing an issue.
THE NARKA NEWS.
This paper was established by James A. Harris, edi- itor and publisher, the first issue being on June 22nd, 1893. Mr. Harris published the paper about one year when he sold to J. L. Addington, editor and publisher, who made it a spicy and readable paper, weilding considerable influence. During most of the time that it was published by Mr. Addington it was a Peoples party organ. After bout six years proprietorship he sold to H. E. Moore, who a
240
History of Republic County.
took charge in September, 1900, and who published the same until August, 1901, when he sold to W. H. McCurdy, who is now publishing it as a republican paper. The News during its entire history has been ably edited, its columns always bright and newsy, and a credit to the town in which it has been published.
THE TALMO ENTERPRISE.
The Talmo Enterprise, a six column weekly, V. D. Bullen, editor and proprietor, was published at Talmo, the first issue being September 22nd, 1887. This was quite a breezy paper, republican in politics, devoted to the interest of Talmo and vicinity, had quite a liberal advertising pat- ronage, but like many other ventures of a similar charac- ter, died young.
THE WARWICK LEADER.
The Warwick Leader, republican in politics, was pub- lished at Warwick by J. H. Price in 1885 or 86.
THE ADVANCED LEADER.
The Advanced Leader also republican, was published at Warwick in 1888. Peter McHutcheon being editor, pub- lisher and proprietor. This paper like many others did not live to an advanced age.
THE CUBAN RECORD.
The Cuban Record was published at Cuba, commenc- ing in August, 1900 till March, 1901, by L. L. Moon. Re- publican in politics.
THE CUBAN UNION.
The Cuban Union, a republican paper, was published for a short time at Cuba by T. A. Cordry in 1887 or 1888.
THE UNION AND PILOT.
The Union and Pilot were merged and formed the Cuba Daylight, which is now being published weekly as a
241
History of Republic County.
republican paper by Nutter & Novak; is a bright and newsy local paper and well patronized.
THE WHITE ROCK INDEPENDENT.
The White Rock Independent, a weekly newspaper, was published at White Rock for about a year in 1877 and 78, by Harlan Taylor, a brother of the late A. E. Taylor, and was what its name indicated, independent in politics.
THE WEEKLY RECORD.
The Weekly Record, an independent paper was pub- lished at Belleville for a few months in 1883 and '84 by J. M. McAfee.
THE REPUBLIC COUNTY CHIEF.
The Republic County Chief, a republican paper was published at Scandia in 1884, A. E. Blank, editor and pub- lisher.
THE WAYNE REGISTER.
The Wayne Register, republican in politics, was pub- lished at Wayne in 1885 and '86, by B. W. Curtis, editor and proprietor.
THE CUBAN.
The first newspaper at Cuba was The Cuban, pub- lished in the summer of 1885, by John D. Bennett.
THE REPUBLIC COUNTY PILOT.
The Republic County Pilot was published at Cuba in 1886 and '87 by W. S. Elliott. Republican in politics.
THE COURTLAND REGISTER.
The Cortland Register, (now Courtland) was estab- lished by F. M. Coffey and the first issue published Feb- uary 2nd, 1889. After about six months J. A. Litsinger was pen pusher. About 1893 H. A. Hoyt came into pos- session of the paper and continued to publish it for five years. On the 1st of May 1898 it came under its present management. This paper has seen its ups and downs.
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History of Republic County.
Twice its suspension has been announced but both times it failed to suspend and now is a money maker. It has had almost as many changes of politics as of editors but is now straight republican.
THE CUBA ADVOCATE.
The Cuba Advocate, a People's party paper is published weekly at Cuba, John Brown, editor, proprietor and pub- lisher. It is ably edited, has a large circulation and good advertising patronage.
THE INDEPENDENT.
The Independent, a four page paper, in size about 7x9, possibly a little larger, greenback in politics, was pub- lished in 1875 in the rear of Hart's furniture store in Belle- ville, by W. C. Thornton, commonly known as "Dirty Shirt Thornton," and this paper was pretty nearly, if not quite as dirty as its editor.
THE SCANDIA INDEPENDENT.
The Scandia Independent, a Democrat newspaper, was published at Scandia in 1888 by Newton and Scott.
CHAPTER XX.
CENSUS STATISTICS AND ASSESSED VALUATION FOR 1901.
The population of the county was, in
1860
00
1876
8758
1885
17540
1894
16771
1861
5
1877*
1886
18070
1895
16676
1862
13
1878
10132
1887
17539
1896
15658
1863
47
1879
12193
1888
17575
1897
16059
1868
630
1880
14913
1889
17539
1898
17161
1870
1281
1881
13117
1890
19002
1899
17925
1873
7055
1882
14057
1891
17048
1900
18248
1874
8020
1883
14897
1892
16933
1901
18562
1875
8048
1884
16237
1893
17047
No report for 1877.
243
History of Republic County.
In 1880 about 1500 laborers employed in building the B. & M. railroad were enumerated by the United States census takers in the townships of Big Bend and Rose Creek, which accounts for the large increase from 1878 to 1880, and the falling off from 1880 to 1881.
Census of Republic county by townships and cities for 1900 and 1901:
Assessors
Government.
Townships
1901
1900
Albion
725
707
Beaver
625
612
Belleville
663
658
Big Bend
772
772
Courtland
724
704
Elk Creek
757
757
Fairview .
915
894
Farmington
763
753
Freedom
667
667
Grant
804
800
Jefferson
649
649
Liberty
752
747
Lincoln
709
709
Norway
724
726
Richland
881
877
Rose Creek
742
738
Scandia .
701
699
Union
740
740
Washington
776
776
White Rock
602
602
Belleville City
1984
1833
Scandia City.
601
598
Cuba City. 476
445
Courtland City
287
286
Narka City .
275
258
Republic City
248
241
Total.
18562
18248
244
Abstract of the Assessment Roll of Republic County. 1901.
Name of Township or . Incorporated City.
No. acres taxable lands un- der culti- vation.
No. acres taxable lands not under cul- tivation.
Total No. acres of taxable land.
Average value per acre.
Aggregate Aggregate value of all lands value of all town lots. taxable.
Aggregate value of all person- al prop- erty.
Aggregate valuc of all railroad property.
Total val- ue of all taxable property
Albion
17050
5851
22901
$4 699
$106620
" ....
$23750
$42894
$173264
Beaver ..
15890
6979
22869
3 333
76220
536
19540
29964
126260
Belleville
12790
9160
21950
3 965
87035
24160
50731
161926
Big Bend.
16874
5361
22235
4 421
98310
1183
40300
73639
223432
Courtland.
17470
5403
22873
4 508
103120
..
20370
67654
191144
Elk Creek ..
18820
4074
22894
3 769
86295
828
21120
43818
152061
Fairview
15580
7294
22829
4 452
101635
2082
26270
73131
203118
Farmington
14470
8435
22905
3 385
77600
256
20350
15526
113732
Freedom
16380
5690
22070
4 550
100420
20660
15763
136843
Grant ...
12060
10593
22653
3 302
74810
3874
21810
60719
161243
Jefferson
13990
8938
22928
3 430
78555
21555
37103
137213
Liberty ..
18060
4924
22984
4 242
98510
29350
117860
Lincoln ..
12910
10098
23008
3 618
83250
14850
3066
101166
Norway.
12940
9486
22426
4 041
90630
690
29650
31896
152866
Richland.
12740
9828
22568
3 609
81455
19870
58516
159841
Rose Creek.
17510
5588
23098
4 170
96340
24540
60061
180941
Scandia.
14210
8009
22217
4 429
98420
35320
73191
206931
Union.
18330
7877
26207
4 463
116970
642
21050
16568
137195
White Rock.
13260
6179
19439
4 495
87405
274
23900
9635
14830
7035
31500
Cuba City.
20541
14570
4278
39389
Belleville City B T
334
334
9 715
3245
78180
53020
14636
149081
Belleville City F T.
380
45
415
6 941
2950
15074
5880
36411
60315
Scandia City.
18
... .
...
82
9 146
750
10375
17030
10411
38566
Total
311126
143801
454927
4 066
1849800
170055
644985
865224
3530064
...
25210
27152
169332
Washington.
18990
4024
23014
4 299
98935
Narka City
..
..
18
16 111
290
15400
40040
8583
64313
Republic City.
10485
15990
2478
28953
Courtland City
TO
12
History of Republic County.
111579
....
245
History of Republic County.
CHAPTER XXI.
SOLDIERS' REUNION. ORGANIZATION, ETC.
A public meeting was held in Belleville November 29th, 1878, for the purpose of making arrangements for holding a reunion of the ex-soldiers of the county, at which time a committee of arrangements was appointed, with instructions to report program, time and place of holding the meeting, etc.
The committee reported on the 7th of December, nam- ing December 13th as the time and Belleville the place for holding the same, which report was accepted and adopted.
Friday, the 13th, the day set for the reunion, turned out to be the stormiest of the season thus far; the wind being one of those peculiar Kansas zephyrs which, farther east, would be called a high wind, blowing at its best gait all day, and the snow flying so as to render travel- ing well nigh impossible. Notwithstanding all this, some 200 of the "boys," fired by the patriotism still so fresh in their bosoms, managed to be present, besides quite a number of citizens, including many ladies, who so kindly furnished the most bountiful supply of luscious rations, of which there was a large quantity left over. The day was passed in exercises, in drill, speaking, story telling, and drinking genuine soldiers' coffee, etc., all within doors, the weather being too inclement for outdoor exer- cises.
The welcome address was delivered by Mayor Wood- ward, who was followed by Mr. Ed. Knowles, H. G. Dow and others. Hon. E. J. Jenkins, of Concordia, who had been expected to speak, expressed his inability to be present in the following sympathetic and patriotic letter:
CONCORDIA, December 11th, 1878. W. H. Woodward, Mayor, Belleville, Kan .:
Dear Sir: Yours of the 7th has just been received. The time between this and the day of your reunion is so
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History of Republic County.
short that it will be impossible for me to arrange to be present. Nothing would afford me more pleasure than to be present at a reunion of the soldiers who defended the republic. During my official career in the Republican land district I have met many gallant fellows among the home- stead settlers who, having done gallant and noble service in the defense of their country, in time of peace exhibit the best evidence of good citizenship by improving and developing the prairies of the west, thus aiding the nation by advancing civilization westward, into the hitherto wild waste of wilderness.
Many of them carry as many scars as were upon the person of Coriolanus of old, and I have frequently thought that our government, in the disposition of public lands, has not done as much for the honorably discharged sol- diers as they deserve for their services. I believe every honorably discharged soldier, who fought for the defense of the Union, should have a quarter section of land, free of charge, to be selected from the public lands belonging to the government. If the odd-numbered sections within the limits of grants to the railroad companies, that have been granted to such companies since the close of the war, and during that struggle, had been reserved for and given to the honorably discharged soldiers, their widows and orphans, the government would have done a noble work as a partial compensation to the men whose patriotism and valor saved the government and the nation as a unit, with its escutcheon untarnished.
A feeling of sadness comes o'er my mind as I contem- plate the remembrance of the departed who fell in battle, while there is one thought that is consoling,-that they are not forgotten by the true patriots living, while the mystic chord of memory stretches from every battle field and soldier's grave to every hamlet and dwelling place through- out the land.
Very Respectfully, E. J. JENKINS.
No steps were taken at this time to effect a permanent
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History of Republic County.
organization, but on the 9th day of August, 1879, in pur- suance of previous notice a meeting was held for that pur- pose, at the court-house in Belleville, and a permanent or- ganization effected by the election of the following officers for the ensuing year: President, J. G. McCathron; vice- president. S. A. Mckay; secretary, P. F. Grant; treasurer H. G. Wallin.
A committee of arrangements was then appointed, viz., J. H. Crane, George Lembke, S. A. Mckay, E. C. Baker, Capt. W. W. Wait, and H. C. Swartz. At this meet- ing, it was decided to hold the annual reunion on the public square in Belleville, on September 18th. The following persons were announced as speakers: E. J. Jenkins, Con- cordia; Hon. I. O. Savage, Freedom township; Dr. W. H. Woodward, Belleville; L. C. Hanson, Scandia.
The Second annual reunion was held at Belleville, Sep- tember 18th, 1879, and proved to be a perfect success, a more enjoyable affair having never before taken place in Republic county. From 7 A. M. until nearly noon, crowds flocked in from all parts of the county, until the number reached the neighborhood of 2,000. They were about 500 soldiers present, who were formed into companies, and, under the command of Col. D. C. Gamble and their respec- tive captains, they were drilled add marched, marched and drilled; until some of the boys cried, "Give us a rest."
After dinner, the assembly repaired to the grove on the public square, which had been neatly seated, and where a stand had been erected for the speakers, so as to listen to eloquent and patriotic addresses by Mayor Woodward and others, all of whom were attentively listened to and loudly applauded. The music and singing, by the choir, was excellent; also, the martial music to the White Rock and Cuba martial bands did much to enliven the occasion. Great credit is due Messrs. J. E. Hallowell, J. H. Crane, S. A. McKay, and others of the committee of arrange- ments, for the zealous and earnest manner in which they
248
History of Republic County.
worked to make the second soldiers' reunion a grand suc- cess.
It was decided to hold the third annual reunion at Belleville on the first Thursday and Friday of September, 1880. The third annual reunion was held on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 14th and 15th, 1880. Gov. St. John and Senator Plumb were advertised to address the meet- ing, but, failing to attend, their places were filled by Col- onel Gamble, Dr. W. H. Woodward, Hon. R. P. West, and others. There were fully 400 soldiers in attendance, and the best of feeling prevailed. The weather was fine, the at- tendance of citizens large, and everything passed off in a most harmonious and satisfactory manner.
The fourth annual reunion was held at Belleville, Sep- tember 9th and 10th, 1881. The crowd the second day ex- ceeded by far that of any former gathering in Republic county, and the programme was carried out to the letter. Not less than 3,000 people were in attendance.
The fifth annual reunion took place at Belleville, Sep- tember 1st, 1882, and was well attended by the old soldier boys, as well as by citizens generally throughout the coun- ty. Dr. Griffith made the address of welcome to the boys, Thursday forenoon, which was able, interesting and well delivered. The oration delivered by Col. M. M. Miller was a masterly effort, and was listened to with the great- est interest and attention by all present. Captain Dixon was officer of the day, and acquitted himself nobly in the discharge of his duties. This occasion was one long to be remembered by all present.
The sixth reunion was held at Belleville September 6th and 7th, 1883. Music was furnished by the K. of P. cornet band from Washington, the band from Republic City and two martial bands.
Hon. Wm. Glasgow was president of the day. One of the leading features was the parade of Co. "E," com- posed of soldiers from Freedom and Liberty townships under command of Capt. B. Dutton.
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