USA > Kansas > Lincoln County > A souvenir history of Lincoln County, Kansas > Part 6
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"David Metzgar ran first store in Barnard; kept a small stock of flour and feed in building now occupied by J. J. Preo's barber shop. The building then stood about where E. V. Wine's resi- dence is located. Doc Ballard opened up a small stock of groceries in the building now occupied by W. F. Burns and family. Barnard's first postoffice was established in the Ballard store, a man with the unusual name of Smith being the first postmaster.
"Wm. Gift, father of Mell Gift, built the corner store now occupied by C. Coffman. For a while he ran a restaurant and boarded the men who were building the railroad. He later put in a large stock of groceries and general merchandise. This was the first stock of goods of any importance that was put on sale in the new town. Wm. Gill is now located in Holly, Colo., and is still engaged in the same line of business.
"A man named Jim Hoffman built and operated the first hotel, the one now known as the Barnard hotel.
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History of Lincoln County
"J. T. Crowl built one of the first residences and still lives in the same building. Mr. Crowl's house and the hotel were built at about the same time, and by the same crew of men.
"All this time the railroad graders were hurrying toward Barnard as fast as they could, and on or about the fourth day of December, 1887, the track was completed. On January 15, 1888, the road was turned over to the operating department, and it is presumed that regular train service went into effect that day.
"But the Barnard of to-day is a busy, bustling reality, and once again we invite you to come and visit our little city, look over the beautiful, prolific Salt Creek Valley, and if you know a good thing when you see it you'll camp right here indefi- nitely."
The Barnard School.
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History of Lincoln County
FARMERS STATE BANK
CAPITAL, - $15,000
OFFICERS
JAMES WILD, Pres. FRANK COLE, Vice Pres. J. A. LOUNSBURY, Cashier W. S. SWANK, Asst. Cashier DIRECTORS
H. L. HINCKLEY JOHN VENARD JOHN JOHNSON WILLIAM WEST
ORGANIZED, 1904
The Business of Merchants and Farmers Solicited.
THE FARMERS STATE BANK, BARNARD, KANSAS.
Barnard Lumber Co.
DEALERS IN
Lumber, Coal, Lime, Cement,
Windows, Doors, Building Paper, Mixed Paints, White Lead, Linseed Oil, Alabastine, Wood Water Tanks and Smithing Coal
Come in and have us figure your bills.
Our motto is THE GOLDEN RULE.
A. M. GRIFFETH, Manager.
The above concern is made up strictly of home people busi- ness men and farmers of Barnard. They wish to thank their many friends for the good business they have enjoyed since buying out the Barker Bros. Lumber Co., in 1892.
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History of Lincoln County
JOHNSON BROS.,
BARNARD, KANSAS Dealers in
General Merchandise.
Our Motto: Honest Goods, Honest Dealings.
Messrs. Stephen J. and John W. Johnson of this firm were born in Hawkins County, Tennessee, in the foothills of the Cumber- land mountains. They moved with their parents to Appanoose county, Iowa, in the year 1868, and in the spring of 1874 removed from there to Mitchell county, Kansas, and located with their parents on a homestead about twelve miles west of Barnard. They started in the mercantile business in Barnard about seven years ago, and have enjoyed a splendid business and made many warm friends in and around town. They are well known throughout Lincoln and Mitchell counties through their long residence in both.
THE MODEL DRUG STORE,
GEO. W. HOLLAND, Proprietor.
Pure Drugs and Medicines
Toilet Articles, Wall Paper and Paint.
Barnard, - - Kansas.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK BARNARD, KANSAS
Capital, $25,000
Surplus, $12,500.
M. S. ATWOOD, Pres. J. W. BRIDENSTINE, Vice Pres. F. F. BRACKEN, Cashier, M. I. STAUFFEN, Asst. Cashier.
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History of Lincoln County
Beverly
Beverly is the successor and sole heir of the promising burg (in embryo) of Colorado, which gracefully gave up the ghost in 1886. The postoffice was moved in this year, and the town plotted. The land belonged to Volany Ball. The railroad came through about this time, and stores began to be built.
D. R. Kernohan, who built the first general merchandise es- tablishment, was succeeded by his son and daughter, who are still in business. A hotel was built and run by Mr. Tussel. The hardware store was owned by Welsh Bros.
C. M. Adamson, who was a doctor and was postmaster at Colorado, kept a drug store in Beverly in the same building with the postoffice.
The first people to settle on or near the site of Beverly was the Colorado boys, in the bend of the river. They have al- ready been mentioned in the county write-up. Anyway, they baffle description, so we will pass on. The next settlers were Smiths and Greens. Mrs. Skinner taught the first school which has been mentioned in the "School History." The next school near this place was taught in a dugout by Mattie Seger.
In 1905 the town was organized as a city of the third class. It is protected by a council of five wise men, and a big chief, whose name is T. F. Webb, Sr. Things have always run so smoothly in Beverly that there has never been a dog fight. much less a town row, or a killin'. So it is up to the big chief to furnish enough excitement to keep the people from getting too fat. Accordingly he went out one day and shot a rabbit. The council had the day before passed an ordinance against shoot- ing and the chief was fined $1.00. A little later he went out on the streets and hit a man. This cost him $5.00. His salary is $12.00 per year, but he was public spirited enough to return one-half of it to the treasury in fines.
Some of the early settlers are still here. Dick Clark, alias R. B. Clark, the only one of the Colorado boys still living, Chalzmerz Smith and J. J. Peate, two of Forsythe's scouts; and Waldo Hancock, a protege of the Colorado boys.
We know a little story about Jack Peate, and take this oppor- tunity to tell it. He came to Kansas at the tender age of sixteen. He was with a companion. When they got to the end of the railroad they bought a horse apiece, and started out to
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History of Lincoln County
ride across the country. In the vicinity of Cawker City, they were surprised and captured by a band of Indians, dog soldiers probably, because Roman Nose was the leader. They were not killed on the spot, as the band was taking a circuitous route to their camp up the Solomon. The captives looked forward with pleasure to the honor of being tortured to death at the camp of this famous Roman Nose. But when they came near the bluff of Wacoanda they ran into a party of buffalo-hunters. The captives escaped and went on their way rejoicing. They came down to Saline Valley and met some of the Colorado boys chasing some government mules and a beautiful little pony. Now this being Jack Peate's first experience on horseback he did not know how to capture a pony, though his intentions were good enough. So when his horse made a quick, vigorous turn, Mr. Peate went skyward. He landed near the town site of Beverly and has made it his headquarters ever since.
Then there is the Skinner family who were early settlers, and are still one of the most prominent families in the community, and own a large amount of property in and about Beverly. E. T. Skinner is our present legislator. He has shown great inter- est in preserving historical landmarks.
One of the Rude Dwellings of Our Forefathers.
History of Lincoln County
The Beverly State Bank, BEVERLY, - KANSAS,
BANK
J. J. PEATE, Pres. A. E. SKINNER, Vice Pres. E. T. SKINNER, Cashier A. E. SKINNER, Asst. Cashier.
A GENERAL BANKING BUSINESS.
We take Good Care of Money Deposited with Us
WE CARRY BURGLAR INSURANCE.
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History of Lincoln County
Waldo Hancock
has a large list of
Real Property For Sale Near Beverly, Ks.
Ask him for prices before buying, for he will try and save you money, and will guar- antee a perfect title.
Four of the Best Fire Tornado and Hail In- surance Companies car- ried, with rates the low- est.
A Matter of Interest to Those Who Wish to Sell or Buy Lands.
Mr. Waldo Hancock, of Beverly, Kansas, has secured a men- bership with the Central Real Estate Dealers Association, which has headquartere at Topeka, Kansas. By this member- ship Mr. Hancock has 1,000 Real Estate Firms representing him in different parts of the United States, and he is likewise repre- sentative for the same number. Farmers desiring to sell or buy lands should call on Mr. Hancock.
J. E. Gall Commission Co.
Receivers and Shippers of Grain, Seeds and Feeds Buyers and Sellers of R. R. Stocks and Grains on margin.
110 West Sixth St. Topeka, Kansas
If you've got it it, we want it If you want it, we've got it
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History of Lincoln County
Vesper
Settlement was begun in Vesper territory in 1869. It is a tradition that a battle occurred in 1868, at Lone Rock three miles south of Vesper between the Indians and some railroad employees, but it is impossible to find anyone who knew the particulars of the matter.
When the settlement was once started the country filled up rapidly, and by 1872 all the government land was taken. Wm. B. Cheney was the first settler. The Middlekauff family was the second, and they came when there was only one house be- tween Lincoln and Vesper. Other settlers were A. W. Lewis, H. S. Steele, Mr. Schofield, Troup Hickey, John Tool, Wm. Baird. Mr. Schofield's place was the objective point of all newcomers upon first reaching this part of the country. The first school was taught at H. S. Steele's. The Vesper postoffice was es- tablished in 1873 and moved around over the neighborhood for some years. It was first kept at H. S. Steele's farmhouse on section 10, Vesper Township, then in turn at the homes of the following people: Robert Lewis, John Stein, J. P. Harmon, Mrs. Robt. Lewis, whose husband had died in the meantime. While Mrs. Lewis was postmistress the railroad came through and the postoffice moved down near the station. A man by the name of Shoemaker kept the first shoe store. His building was burned later. Mr. Baird, who is a carpenter and architect, built the first wagon ever made in the county in 1873 for Martin Hendrichson. He also built the first windmill for a Mr. Davis. Simon Bough built a store building and kept a stock of mer- chandise. He sold out to George Elrod, who built an addition to it. Miss Lillie White bought out Elrod. Middlekauff & Gilpin bought out Miss White, and put up the building now occupied by Wick & Jepsen. This firm also built a hardware store. Wick bought out the merchandise part of the business. Thos. Gar- rity, who had been running a drug store, sold out, built a stone building, bought the stock of hardware. Wick took Mr. Jep- sen into partnership and about the same time Porter & Sons put a stock of merchandise in the old Bough building. Jobn Murphy, who bought ont Porter & Sons, has gone out of busi- ness. Thos. Garrity sold out early in 1908 to Mauris Cromwell.
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History of Lincoln County
Vesper now has a lumber yard, a blacksmith shop, a hotel, a restaurant, and a meat market, a hardware store and general store and three flourishing elevators. Pictures of two of them are given below.
There are two churches, Catholic and Presbyterian. The latter was built by a popular subscription, and is used by all denominations.
The Farmers Elevator, at Vesper, Lincoln Co., Kans.
([The above is a view of the Farmers' Elevator at Vesper, the largest in the county, (32000 bu. capacity. ) They handle all kinds of grain.
[Over one hundred stockholders. Organized in 1903.
J. A. Twibell, Pres. L. P. Larsen, Sec'y. G. A. Metzger, Mgr.
$10 OO Sweep Feed Grinder.
$14 Galvanized Steel Wind Mill.
CURRIE JUNIOR
We manufacture all sizes and styles. It will pay you to in- vestigate. Write for catalog and price list.
CURRIE WIND MILL CO., Seventh St., Topeka, Kansas
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History of Lincoln County
VESPER STATE BANK
Capital Stock $10,000
Surplus $2,000
W. B. MIDDLEKAUFF, Pres. A. F. MORGENSON, Cashier
DIRECTORS:
H. P. Jensen C. C. Nelson
A. V. Broberg W. H. Cheney C. H. Peckham
Our Motto: Absolute safety to our Depositors.
Our Policy is to insure our own stability and promote the highest interest of the community by confining our business to this immediate vicinity.
[[The following is some of the apparatus in our well equipped blacksmith shop: Trip Hammer, Drill Machine, Three Emery Wheels, Rip Saw, Band Saw, Two Forges with Blowers, Two Tire Shrinkers, Tire Bender, Tire Bolter, Shears which will out iron bar 1x4 in., Tool Grinder, Eight Horse Power Engine. We Are Equipped to Do Your Work.
Jensen & Guggesberg.
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History of Lincoln County
LEIDIGHAHAVEN LUMBER
LEIDIGH & HAVENS LUMBER YARD, Vesper, Kans.
We want your business. House bills our specialty. None too large or too small. Our stock includes Coal. American Fence, and Sherwin-Williams' Paints. LEX L. MORGAN, Manager
---
S. D. BRUMAUGH'S ELEVATOR, Vesper, Kans.
This Elevator was rebuilt from the Herman Bros. building, the first Elevator in Vesper. Established in 1896. Mr. Brumbangh is handling his share of the million and a half bushels of wheat raised in Lincoln County this year.
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History of Lincoln County
Denmark
One of the most important communities in Lincoln County history is the settlement of Danes on the Spillman. The first entry in this settlement was made on the southeast quarter of section 23 by Lorenzt Christensen in February, 1869. His broth- er homesteaded beside him at the same time. Eskild Lawritzen and wife Stine, Otto Peterson, John Maihoff, Mr. and Mrs. Wichel all came during the winter and lived near each other. Of course, they faced many hardships, especially those incident to pioneering in the winter. One instance of these must suffice.
One cold day in February Lorenzt Christiansen, while hueing logs for a dugout, some distance from any house, had the mis- fortune to cut his foot very severely with the axe. He was obliged to lay in the open without attention all day before help could arrive. His nephew, who was with him, kept up a fire. In the evening he was rescued by John S. Strange.
In the Indian raid which occurred the next May, all the Danes but Peter and Lorenzt Christiansen and their families were killed or captured. These two men fought the Indians all day, and at night made their way with their families, to Schemer- horn's ranch. From there they went to Fort Harker, and later to Junction City, where they remained until January 1, 1871.
When they returned they brought with them from Junction City John Larsen, N. Nielson, A. Rasmussen. The next April the ranks of Danish colonists were further swelled by James Morgeson, Peter Nielson, Peter Anderson, August Hansen, C. Bunk, C. Anderson, Mons Swenson, Olaf Holnberg, Ole Peterson, Peter Andreson, and Nels Peterson. All these people lived long, and were prosperous except Cris Anderson, who was killed in a runaway. Those who still remain at Denmark own beauti- ful and valuable homes. It took a long time in those days to subdue the wilderness and make it bloom as a rose and the pres- ont generation whose way is made casier in consequence can not be too grateful.
The first school, a log building, was erected in 1875. C. L. Jensen was the first postmaster and storekeeper in the settle- inent, and his location was next to the present school house site north of the road. Lorenzi Christiansen operated the first
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History of Lincoln County
blacksmith shop and did work for a very large scope of coun- try
Later settlers in the Danish colony were H. L. Hansen, L. P. Jensen, Henry Errebo, A. P. Jensen, C. Jensen, H. P. Bernhardt, C. Bernhardt, John Bernhardt, Christian Hendrickson, Mrs. Christiansen, Mattsen, and two Krieser families.
There was one Indian killing which occurred in Denmark neighborhood, which has not yet been recorded in history. Lorenzt Jonhson, which is the American name of Lorenzt Chris- tiansen (his father's name being Chris Johnson), saw some Indians on the Spillman (date uncertain) and noticed that one of them wore a pair of red-topped boots. He recognized the boots as those formerly worn by a friend and shot the Indian wearing them. The body was buried on a promitory near by.
School History
The horizon of intellectual progress in any community can be guaged by its educational system and the interest shown in edu- cation by the people generally. A history of Lincoln County not containing an account of its institutions of learning would, therefore, be misleading, as we have dealt to some length with the other side of the picture. We are fortunate in securing an article from Mr. A. T. Biggs whom every one will recognize as an authority on this subject. Believing our readers will enjoy this article better than anything the historian might write, it is given here with a few additions:
"Settled as Lincoln County was by pushing Western people, along with irish and Scandinavians, it is not strange that edu- cation occupied their first thoughts. As early as 1867 or 1868, while still keeping an eye open for indians, Mrs. Skinner gath- ered her own children, Everton, Alfred, and Bing, and two Zieg- ler boys, Eli and Frank, into her dugout and taught them 'with- out money and without price.' She afterwards taught district school. In 1868 Marion Ivy, one of Forsyth's famous scouts, taught a school in a dugout in Uncle Mart Hendrickson's door- yard.
"John Lyden, a bright, intelligent Irishman, who was mur- dered and thrown into a well four years later, was appointed Superintendent of Public Instruction, on the organization of the county. At the election in 1871 John Harshbarger was elected
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History of Lincoln County
superintendent, but refused to qualify. Washington Smith, a scholarly old gentleman, served till the election of 1872, being succeeded in 1874 by John P. Harmon. In 1876 A. T. Biggs was elected, and served six years. He was followed in 1882 by H. B. Harris, who served two years. In 1884 James H. Allsworth was elected, and served four years, being succeeded in 1888 by A. T. Biggs, who served till 1892. Horace Trueman, E. D. Smith, W. E. Lyon, and A. J. Stanley, the present incumbent, each served four years. The leading characteristic of each superintendent might be summed up in a single word. Washing ton Smith, oldest, Wright, handsomest, Harmon, hinest presence. Briggs, busiest, Harris, strictest, Allsworth, laziest, Trueman,
-
The Wait School House.
jolliest, Smith, most dignified Lyon, most scholarly, and Stan- ley most forceful. Brains and energy pervaded the office of superintendent for many years, until to-day the county stands without a peer.
But after all it is to the noble band of teachers, male and fe- mate, (particularly the latter) to which we owe the efficiency of our schools. For the last sixteen years every Superin- tendent has received the bulk of his training in the schools of the County. That there have been some "school keepers" in the great body of teachers cannot be denied. but the great mass have been conscientious God-fearing men and women. A personal mention of all the worthy ones would be impossible
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History of Lincoln County
but this history would be incomplete without the names of a few of the principal actors.
No one who knows the early history of the County will deny to Mrs. Anna C. Wait the honor of being dean of the faculty. Her influence more than that of any other person has shaped the course of educational thought. She taught the first school in Lincoln in the little old house next to the City Hotel. This little building 10 feet by 22 feet was kitchen, dining room, bed- room and parlor, as well as Captain Wait's law office, but by some sort of magic it was made to contain a school of thirty pupils.
This was in 1872, and there are middle aged men and wc- men in Lincoln today who were pupils in this school and who insist to this day that it was the "best ever." She taught many years in Lincoln as well as in Vesper, Lost Creek, Rocky Hill, and No. 63. Her influence in teacher's meetings, institutes and on examining boads was preeminent. It was she and Captain Wait who brought about the organization of the Normal Insti- tute in 1877 when there were only twenty-three "de-fact" teach- ers to attend. Without a paid enrollment of fifty no sate aid could be had, so by Captain Wait's advice the business men were enrolled.
Teaching seemed to run in families. There was the whole family of Skinners, Bing, Fred, Bert, Norah, and Calvin (Vinney ). They were educated in the Monroe School where Mrs. Skinner taught in 1870. and which maintained its preeminence as the Hub, educalicnally.
The Bakers, Florence, Ella, Ina, Lena, Meta, Edgar, and Eli, all taught acceptably and their father, Congressman Barker, himself a college graduate taught one term in Sunnyside.
The Smith family, Mrs. S. S. the mother, E. D., H. C., and Mabel, left a large impression for good in Lincoln County.
It was said by one who ought to know that Anna C. Wait, Hannah McCorkle and Susan Smith were the "first three," Mabel Smith was the champion maker of bricks without straw,. supplying the lack of apparatus by home made contrivances. The work of E. D. and H. C. Smith was good but no better than that of the inother and sister. The Stanley family, Dan, Nora, Sadie, Art, and Eunice all taught acceptably, but it has re- mained for Arthur to add lustre to the family name as well as. to Lincoln County. For Lincoln is known as one of the lead- ing counties in educational advancement owing to the pre- eminence of her superintendent in the work of School Law re- vision, and the more intelligent and practical study of agricul -.. ture in the schools.
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History of Lincoln County
Among the early teachers were John Stubbs, George Page, Viola Boutman, H. Hammer, Callie Scott, Ira W. Russell, Charley Price, William L. Barr, John O. Wilson, now a promi- nent lawyer of Salina, Sarah A. Cole a leading physician and head of the Sanitarium at Lincoln, Laura Page Peate, wife of J. J. Peate, of Beverly, W. T. Prescott, who secured a certificate and his wife taught the first school in District No. 23, F. F. Frans taught the second. Probably Hannah Mary Moss for so many years in charge of the primary department of the Lin- coln schools, started as many children right in her twenty- five years of experience as any other person.
A. A. Songer who has taught acceptably some twenty years in Lincoln County, and fifteen more in other places is a man who understands the se- cret of success in his profession. For the past five years he has been on the examining board, where he has acquitted himself with great credit. in point of service he is one of the "oldest" teach- ers in the County, and his characteristic zeal and energy increases with each year. His work in any given branch has always been complete and thorough. He is now willing and abundantly ·competent to be probate judge. In fact he is ex- fremely well equipped for .the duties of this office. .John A. Schofield who ·taught long and success- ·fully was a man of deep convictions, and strong prejudices. Few persons carried into their work a quicker, finer conscience. His only fault was a peppery temper. But being a very blonde- blonde he could not help being "red-headed." He is now clerk of Dewey County, Okla.
Probably the youngest teacher that ever taught in Lincoln or any other County was Carrie Matson, now Professor of Latin in Kansas University. About 1880 teachers were scarce, and Carrie who was thirteen but looked any age from eighteen to
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History of Lincoln County
twenty-five, was granted a certificate and taught successfully at Rocky Point. At Pottersburg her success was repeated but it leaked out that she was under age and the superintendent got the roast that was coming to him. A quarter of a century of successful work has justified the judgment of the examin- ing board.
The oldest person who ever taught in the County was Mr. Brown from Ottawa County, who taught in Distinct No. 54, Elm ('reek, in the early '90's.
James Dengate who taught in the schools of the County for a quarter of a century and was in active demand. He was a bundle of live wires and his clear megaphone tones penetrated not only the uttermost corner of the school room, but also the atmosphere for a quarter of a mile. Then there was Alice Reddingshaffer and Lillie Loy who spoke so low that, the pupils had to keep very still to hear them. All succeeded equally well.
John McBride is another example of the soft voice but only eternity can tell what an influence for good was in that soft voice and spotless character.
The earlier schools were taught in dugouts or vacant claim shanties, without desks, chairs, blackboards or other furniture. In District 21 Laura Peate taught in Rod Wilmarth's kitchen and in District 56 the first school was taught in Fouts cellar and it was out and beyond better than the average. In Dis- trict 22 Mrs. B. H. Ellsworth taught in the basement with earth floor and two small windows. The seats were blocks of stove- wood that could not be split. Large sheets of brown manilla paper were used for blackboards and to write lessons on to supplement the short supply of books.
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