USA > Kansas > Cloud County > Biographical history of Cloud County, Kansas: biographies of representative citizens. Illustrated with portraits of prominent people, cuts of homes, stock, etc > Part 16
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7, Floyd Eugene Woodworth, 77th dist., Miltonvale.
S, Annie Senett Carr, 19th dist., Cou- cordia.
9, Harry Christ Hanson, 19th dist., Con- cordia.
10. Grace Hauck, 97th dist., Miltonvale.
11, Koscie Perry, 97th dist., Miltonvale.
12, Jane Louise Bevan, Sith dist., Con- cordia.
..
25, Cora Aletha Anderson, 47th dist., Glasco.
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43, Josie McMillan, 93d dist., Jamestown.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
No. 13, William Benson Morgan, 40th dist., Ames.
.. 14, Gertrude Wall, 65th dist., Jamestown.
15, Loretto Murray, 32d dist., Jamestown.
16. Lenna Perry, 97th dist., Miltonvale.
17, Lulu Price, 80th dist., Hollis.
.. 18, Nora Bennett, 66ith dist., Macyville.
.. 19, Rachael Ellen Rogers, 4th dist., Con- cordia.
.. 20, Florence Covey, 24th dist., Miltonvale.
21, Etta Mann, 32d dist .. Jamestown.
22, Estella Fry, 26th dist., Miltonvale.
23, Vera Spahr, 32d dist., Jamestown.
24, Mary Myrtle Montgomery, 32d dist., Jamestown.
25, Anna Robinson, 33d dist., Jamestown.
26, Carl Francis Cutshaw, 25th dist., Jamestown.
Those making the three highest averages were as follows:
Lulu Jordan, 87 8-9 per cent.
Roy Hauck, 87 5-9 per cent.
Jacob Hyson Moore, 87 per cent.
CLASS OF 1898.
No. ], Ludwig Erwin Katterfeld, 15th dist .. Delphos.
.. 2, Winfred Henry Ansdell, 32d dist .. Jamestown.
.. 3, Dillie Gertrude Park, 77th dist., Mer- edith.
4, Flora Bray, 32d dist., Jamestown.
5, Mary Etta Mcclellan, 68th dist., Glasco.
6, Lizzie Ferguson, 18th dist., Milton- vale.
7. Emma McCall, 32d dist., Jamestown.
8, Della Brooks, 32d dist., Jamestown.
9, Mary Josephine Mahon, 27th dist., Hollis.
..
10, Eva Eliza Fletcher, 43d dist., Glasco.
.. 1], Arthur Lewis Gates, 73d dist., Scotts- ville.
.. 12, Wiliam Arthur Ion, 32d dist., James- town.
13, Alice Ainsworth, 5th dist., Glasco.
.. 14, Lillie Coombs, 23d dist., Heber.
15, James Mahon, 27th dist., Hollis. .. 16i, Alice Coombs, 23d dist., Heber.
.. 17, Florence Fulmer, 33d dist., James- town.
18, Gny Thaddeus Morris, 45th dist .. Glasco.
..
19, Frederick Augustus Thompson, 56th dist., Aurora. 20, Lela Mose Austin, 24th dist., Milton- vale. 21, Ina Ellen Fry, 26th dist., Miltonvale. 22, Charles Jenson, 93d dist., Concordia. 23, Ellen Virginia Hare, 45th dist., Del- phos.
Those making the three highest averages Were as follows:
Ludwig Erwin Katterfield, 89 8-9 per cent. Winfred Henry Ansdell, 89 4-9 per cent. Della Gertrude Park, 85 6-9 per cent.
CLASS OF 1899.
Two days' time are now given to the ex- amination in place of one. First day's work includes orthography, reading, writing, geog- raphy and physiology: second day's work, arithmetic, grammar, government and history.
No. 1, Delbert Rasmussen, 29th dist., Ames.
.. 2, John Doyen, 8th dist., Rice.
3, Dencie French, 65th dist., Jamestown.
4, James Garlow, 21st dist., Rice.
5, Floyd John. 46th dist., Glasco.
.. 6, Agnes Burbank, 92d dist., Miltonvale.
..
", Alice Christenson, 65th dist., James- town.
S. Grace Lepley, 23d dist., Heber.
9, Mamie Brown, 2Ith dist., Miltonvale.
10, Mabel Swift, 97th dist., Miltonvale.
= 11, Clara Newland, 91st dist., Miltonvale.
12, Clara Campbell, 87th dist., Concordia.
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13, Lizzie Fry, 26th dist., Miltonvale.
14. Arden Halderson, 5th dist., Glasco.
15, Kate Bevan, 87th dist., Concordia.
16, Mary Anderson, 93d dist., Jamestown.
17, Ella Koster. 97th dist .. Miltonvale.
18, George Stoner, 76th dist., Rice.
19, Margaret Bevan, 87th dist., Concordia.
20, Carrie Smith, 97th dist,, Miltonvale.
21, Ethel Holton, 97th dist., Miltonvale.
22, Hugh Jordan, 9th dist., Meredith.
23, Stella Jordan, 9th dist., Meredith.
24, Benjamin Halderman, 63d dist .. Mer- edith.
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25, Oscar Pfeiffer, 29th dist., Ames.
26, Fred Bumgardner, Cith dist., Mer- edith.
27. Myrtle Axley, 5th dist., Glasco.
.. 28, Fay French, 65th dist., Jamestown.
.. 29, Belva Jordan, "th dist., Meredith.
11 30, Lottie Bramwell, 21st dist., Rice.
31, Golden Everley, 46th dist., Glasco.
.. 32, Archie Rice, 45th dist., Delphos.
33, Frank Pilcher, 45th dist., Delphos. 34, George Minard, 64th dist., Halfway.
35, Josie Austin, 21th dist., Miltonvale.
.. 36, Mary Robinson, 33d dist,, Jamestown.
37, Ralph Avery, 16th dist., Concordia.
38, Letitia Marshall, Ist dist., Ames.
Those making the three highest averages were as follows:
Delbert Rasmussen, 92 2-9 per cent.
John Doyen, 92 per cent.
Dencie French, 90 7-9 per cent.
CLASS OF 1900.
No. 1, Electa Rasmussen, 29th dist., Ames.
2. Margaret Shrader, 87th dist., Con- cordia.
1 1 3, John Lewis, 9th dist., Meredith.
4, Mabel Jones, 9th dist., Meredith.
5. Emery Thomas, 56th dist., Aurora.
6, Gertrude Jones, 99th dist., Concordia.
7. Bert Barber, 97th dist., Miltonvale.
.. S, Ad Rogers, G8th dist., Glasco.
9, Florence McCall, 19th dist., Concordia.
10, Howard Everley, 46th dist., Glasco.
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1 39
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
No. 11, Fay Day, 95th dist., Concordia.
12, Bessie Peet, 63d dist., Delphos.
‹‹ 13, Mena Benoit, 97th dist., Miltonvale.
14, Ida Rasmussen, 29th dist., Ames.
15, Rollo Rogers, 68th dist., Glasco.
16, Roy Barnum, 63d dist., Delphos. 17, James Freeborn, 40th dist., Ames.
18, Emma Hanson, 19th dist., Concordia. 19, Anna Buckley, 97th dist., Miltonvale.
20, Rolland Jones, 9th dist., Meredith.
21, Pansy Gray, 12d dist., Glasco. 22, Cora Cummings, 29th dist., Ames. 23, Grace Wade, 97th dist., Miltonvale.
24, James Forshee, 75th dist., Concordia.
25. Lessie Dutton, 7th dist., Miltonvale.
.. 26, Clara Bogue, 33d dist., Jamestown.
27, Louie Buckland, 63d dist., Meredith. 28, Edgar Rice, 45th dist., Delphos. 29, George Hussey, 5th dist,, Glasco. 30, Frank Hanson, 19th dist., Concordia. 31, Guy Harrington, 79th dist., Concordia. 32, John Brooks, 83d dist., Graves.
33, Homer McCowen, 99th dist., Con- cordia.
34, Gordon Bourne, 63d dist., Delphos. 35, Charles Winters, 83d dist., Graves. 36, Roy Townsdin, Sth dist., Concordia.
37, Blanche Christenson, 65th dist., James- town.
38, George Czapanskiy, 1st dist., Ames. 39, Clarence Chritton, 38th dist., Graves. 40, Francis Anderson, 4th dist., Concordia.
4], Maude Hussey, 5th dist., Glasco. 42, Lewis Munger, 10th dist., Hollis. 43, Maude Cunningham, 43d dist., Glasco.
44, Nellie Cooper, 75th dist., Concordia.
45, Frank Sorgatz, 75th dist., Concordia. .. 46, Robert Jones, 99th dist., Concordia.
47, Fred Dutton, 1 C. & R. dist., Con- cordia.
48, Arthur Gould, 32d dist., Concordia. 49, Genevieve Murray, 32d dist., James- town.
50, Ollie Mckellar, 32d dist., Jamestown. 51, Ada Dwyer, 32d dist., Jamestown.
" 52, Florence Nelson, 32d dist., Jamestown.
53, Clarence Hartwell, 32d dist., James- town.
Those making the three highest averages were as follows:
Electa Rasmussen, 92 1-9 per cent.
Margaret Shrader, 91 7-9 per cent. John Lewis, 90 4-9 per cent.
CLASS OF 1901.
By reason of some schools closing earlier than others, two dates were given this year.
No. 1, Clara Butler, 47th dist., Glasco. 2, Daisy Duff, 75th dist., Concordia.
3, Eva Jordan, 22d dist., Glasco.
4, Charles Park, 77th dist., Heber.
.. 5, Lena Ledig, 56th dist., Aurora.
6, Edward Finley, 10th dist., Hollis.
.. 7, Raymond Yount, 77th dist., Meredith.
16 8, Frank Ijames, 37th dist., Aurora.
9, Ona Stone, 5th dist., Glasco.
No. 10, Olive P. Sims, 16th dist., Concordia. 11, Sarah Boyer, 50th dist., Concordia.
12, Welborn Pitner, 47th dist., Glasco.
13, Vernon Thurston, 63d dist., Delphos.
.. 14, Ella Everley, 45th dist., Delphos.
15, Charles Shelton, 10th dist .. Aurora.
16, Helen Wade, 59th dist., Ames.
.. 17, Dora Shell, 100th dist., Glasco.
18, Neal Sage, 47th dist., Delphos.
19, Clara King, 46th dist., Glasco. 20, Roy Phelps, 62d dist., Miltonvale.
..
21, James A. Latham, 63d dist., Delphos.
.. 22, Harry Ijames, 37th disl., Aurora.
23, Charles Funk, 32d dist., Jamestown.
24, Julia Dutton, J. 1 C. & R. dist .. Con- cordia.
25, Cecil Barnum, 63d dist., Delphos.
26, Raymond Acton, 79th dist., Concordia.
.. 27, Willie Pilcher, 46th dist., Glasco.
28, Claude Moore, 45th dist., Delphos.
29, Mabel Hedges, 32d dist., Jamestown.
30, Maud Bell, 46th dist., Glasco.
31, Ida Smith, 40th dist., Ames.
..
32, Anna Amspacker, SIst dist .. James- town.
.. 33, Florence Smith, 7th dist., Miltonvale.
34, Lizzie Swartz, 16th dist., Concordia.
35, Grace Saline, 94th dist., Concordia.
36, Fred Kasl, J. 1 dist., Concordia.
" 37, Donald Wade, 59th dist., Ames.
Those making the three highest averages were as follows:
Clara Butler, 92 2-9 per cent. Daisy Duff, 92 2-9 per cent. Eva Jordan, 89 1-3 per cent. Charles Park, SS 1-2 per cent.
No. 1, Amelia Folkers, 97th dist., Miltonvale.
2, Minnie Baldwain, 34th dist., James- town.
3, Eva Gould, 34th dist., Jamestown.
4, Mary Lyne, 97th dist., Miltonvale.
.. 5, Ethel Mckee, 32d dist., Jamestown.
6, Winnie Carpenter, 32d dist., James- town.
7, Mabel Clemons, 32d dist., Jamestown. 8, May McBride, 32d dist., Jamestown. 9, Louella Peaney, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 10, Ivor Ion, 32d dist .. Jamestown.
.. 11, Addie Ramsey, 32d dist., Jamestown.
12, Mamie Linton, 32d dist., Jamestown.
13, Dello Minor, 32d dist., Jamestown.
14, Joseph Anderson, 97th dist., Milton- vale.
.. 15, Elmer Myers, 80th dist., Hollis.
16, Lizzie Bogue, 32d dist., Jamestown.
.. 17, Carrie Strain, 32d dist., Jamestown.
.. 18, Mabel Garlow, 21st dist., Rice. 19, Richard Ansdell, 32d dist., Jamestown.
20, Olive Nixon, 33d dist., Jamestown.
21, Charles Adams, 97th dist., Miltonvale.
22, M. Elsie Hall, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 23, Ivy Chartier, 29th dist., Ames,
21, Lillie Eye, 97th dist., Miltonvale.
25, Grace Hedges, 32d dist., Jamestown.
26, Homer Robinson, 33d dist., James- town.
27, Harry Neill, 97th dist., Miltonvale.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
No. 28, John McKelvey, 36th dist., Miltonvale.
Those making the three highest averages were as follows:
Amelia Folkers, 91 6-8 per cent. Minnie Baldwin, 92 2-9 per cent. Eva Gould, 90 4-8 per cent.
CLASS OF 1902.
No. I. Lucy Dutton, 1 C. & R. dist., Con- cordia.
2, Frank Neel, 1 C. & R. dist., Con- cordia.
3, Morris Rogers, 3d dist., Clyde.
4, Ferd Prince, 5th dist .. Glasco.
5, Anna Henning, 5th dist., Glasco.
6, Frank Olson, 5th dist., Glasco.
.. 7. Lois Baker, 5th dist., Glasco. », Cedric Converse, 5th dist., Glasco. 9. John Emick, 7th dist., Miltonvale.
..
10. Marion Dutton, 7th dist., Miltonvale.
.. 11. John Hayden, 8th dist., Concordia.
12, George Savage, 9th dist., Meredith. 13, Willie Goernandt, 13th dist., Ames. 14, Frank Shaffer, 16th dist., Concordia. 15. Anne McLean, 16th dist., Concordia. 16, Joseph Cool, 16th dist., Concordia.
17, Ruby Clark, 16th dist., Concordia, ..
18, Hattie Hughes, 16th dist., Concordia.
19, Della Brownell, 19th dist., Concordia. 20, Grace Fry, 29th dist., Miltonvale,
21, Daniel Mahou, 27th dist., Clyde. ..
22, Irene Brennan, 27th dist., Jamestown.
23, Maggie McBride, 32d dist., Jamestown.
24, Elsie Mann, 32d dist., Jamestown.
25. Carrie Montgomery, 32d dist., James- town. 26, Frances Owen, 32d dist., Jamestown. ..
27. Florence Gould, 32d dist., Jamestown. ..
2. Leota Williams, 32d dist .. Jamestown.
29, Blanche Cutshaw, 32d dist., James- town. 30, Captolia Fell, 32d dist., Jamestown.
31, Gloria McBride, 32d dist., Jamestown.
32, Frances Williams, 32d dist., James- town.
No. 33, Seamon Skoglund, 33d dist., James- town.
..
34, Harriet Kocher, 38th dist., Graves.
35, Viola Ward, 10th dist., Ames.
36, Annie Olson. 12d dist., Glasco.
" 3% Anton Sparwasser, 12d dist., Glasco.
38, Frank Harper, 43d dist., Glasco.
14 39, Francis Hurley, 17th dist., Glasco.
..
11, Agnes Dillon, 47th dist., Glasco.
42. Madge Boyer, 50th dist., Concordia.
43, Clarence Watson, 55th dist., Milton- vale.
14, Bessie Franks, 58th dist., Glasco.
15, Nellie Goff. 58th dist., Glasco.
46, Margaret Cunningham, 68th dist., Glasco.
..
47, Bessie Bishop, 68th dist., Glasco.
18, Marie Stein, 77th dist., Meredith.
49, Laura Jones, SOth dist. flollis.
. . 50, Percy Petitt, 80th dist., Hollis.
.. 51. Ruth Petitt, 80th dist., ffollis.
52, Cyrus Anderson, 80th dist., Hollis.
53. Rosa Speer, 80th dist., Hollis.
54, Frances Dewell, SIst dist., Concordia.
55, Lulu Campbell, 87th dist., Concordia.
56, Verna Brooks, 91st dist., Miltonvale.
57. Birdie Smith, 97th dist., Miltonvale.
58, Genevieve Moses, 97th dist., Milton- vale. 59, Katie Barber, 97th dist., Miltonvale. 60, Winnie Young, 97th dist., Miltonvale.
.. 61, Mabel Evans, 97th dist., Miltonvale.
62, Lloyd Hunt, 97th dist., Miltonvale.
" 63, George Shay, 9)7th dist., Miltonvale.
61, Mande Gilchrist, 97th dist., Milton- vale.
".
65, Abbie Merrill, 103d dist., Meredith.
66, John Springsted, 104th dist., Aurora.
Those making the three highest averages were as follows:
Frank Neel, 92 2-9 per cent.
Anne McLean, 90 2-9 per cent.
John Hayden, 89 2-3 per cent.
Willie Goernandt, 89 2-3 per cen1.
PHENOMENA AND IDIOSYNCRACIES.
Phenomena and idiosyncracies of Kansas, as furnished by the various old settlers, is of more than passing interest.
In 1869, the eastern part of Cloud county changed from buffalo grass to blue joint and sage grass. These new grasses marched forward each succeeding year, the buffalo grass disappearing as they advanced, but it was observed if the blue joint pastures were over-stocked the land would go back to buffalo grass again and presumably would stay there for all time if sufficiently pastured and tramped.
In 1870 Doctor Laughlin's (Clyde) farm was covered with buffalo grass, with no other kind of vegetation to be found. A black-glove could have been seen from the western line on any part of his land. The follow- ing year. 1871, a thousand sheep could have been hidden from view on the
40, Rose Butler, 17th dist., Glasco.
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 141
same ground by the heavy growth of blue joint. Buffalo grass will stand more drouth than any of the grasses and its very existence seems to depend upon abuse, over-taxation and tramping. When the millions of buffalo were driven back it sickened and died. other grasses taking its place. It seems to flourish under oppression, to wither and perish under civilization. Most of the old settlers of Cloud county have observed another strange freak: in the pastures which succeeded the buffalo grass. If the prairie were burned over in February or March, it would be covered with sage grass. if burned in May it would be covered with blue joint. no difference which grass covered the prairie the previous year. If ground covered with sage grass were burned over in May it would be covered with blue joint, but if burned in March it would be covered with the same kind of grass burned -- sage grass. This phenomena is most remarkable when we consider that the two grasses are entirely different species.
In 1870, there was a well dug on Doctor Laughlin's farm fifty-four feet deep. This year his land was covered with buffalo grass and scarcely any other kind of plant growth could be found. The following year thirty four distinct varieties were found upon the excavated dirt from the well. This vegetation was minature, four to six inches in length. mostly vines covered with small blossoms from one-sixteenth to one-fourth of an inch in diameter, white and blue being the only colors represented. Earth exhumed from a great depth will grow the same differentiated varieties now as then.
It was also observed in the early settlement of the country that lands of the same fertility and inspiring would vary in production from six to twelve bushels per acre, depending upon the time and depth of breaking. Deep breaking would fall short in production from twelve to fifteen bushels, and no one seems to know why a few days difference in plowing will make quite a difference in the yield per acre.
Mr. Payer states that his boy stopped plowing on account of an approaching storm and resumed plowing the next day. The difference in the yield could be seen to the very furrow where he stopped before the storm. Almost every farmer has noticed that a very few days difference in planting his erop will make a great difference in the yield.
Doctor Laughlin experimented with dynamite in the interest of horti- culture in 1887. It was thought when the ground was frozen to its greatest depth would be the best time for the experiment, hence the last of Febru- ary was chosen. Holes were bored from two to eight feet deep and from two to eight ounces of dynamite was used in each, one ounce to the foot being the rule. It was discovered that a hole three feet deep ( just under the frozen ground) with three ounces of dynamite immediately after explo- sion would take in over one hundred gallons of water, the ground being broken up from five to eight feet in every direction. For many miles around the farmers came to see the experiment, and from among them was chosen a committee, which reported favorably, stating in their report there was no
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142
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
doubt but that dynamiting of the ground would be of immense value in tree planting, and if applied when frozen to the depth of two feet it would be of still greater value in agriculture, the cost being about fourteen dollars per acre, using one charge to a red square. But for orchard planting the ground should be frozen to its greatest depth and the cost per tree of dyna- miting would be from two and one-half to four cents,
PETRIFIED TURTLES.
During the carly settlement of the country "Greenback" Williams, of Buffalo township, operated a stone quarry in Jewell county and burned lime for the settlers. Imbedded among the stone were numerous petrified turtles of various sizes, often times aggregating a wagon load in enough material to barn a kiln of lime. They seemed to have gathered in that particular locality in schools, for there were hundreds of them. They had been deposited there in another era, for the ground is high and remote from any stream
BONES IN A STRATA OF ROCK.
When digging a well on the original homestead of a niece of William 11. Page, the farm now known as the Richardson place, they found at a depth of about nine feet below the surface in a strata of soft sandstone the short rib bones of what was supposed to be those of an animal imbedded in the rock.
PETRIFIED FISIL.
In the latter part of July, 1872, W. Day, who lived ten miles north- west of Concordia, and some hired assistants were digging a cistern, when they came in contact with a large rock, which. being a hindrance to the proceeding of their work, they attempted to remove it. Failing to loosen or make any impression upon the stone they examined it more closely, when they discovered the quality of rock was of a different character from what they had previously found, and proceeded to break it in pieces in order to remove it more easily. A moment later one of the workmen gave vent to an exclamation of surprise, which brought the others to his side, whereupon was clearly outlined the petrified fins of a fish on the side of the rock. After displacing the stone they fitted the pieces together and found the matter to be a huge fish that measured eight feet in length and six feet around the lunly.
THE SIROCCO, OR HOT WINGS.
A remarkable phenomena is connected with the hot winds of Kansas, sometimes designated electrical storms, which no scientist has ever been able to explain. In a field of corn that is practically of the same level, and the plant uniform in growth, alternate rows of ten or fifteen will be blasted.
143
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
burned beyond recovery, while the intervening tract will be unharmed. Nicholas French and his son Markel were plowing one windy day when an irregular tract was mown to the earth by one of the so-called electrical winds, while other parts of the field were not affected whatever.
WALNUT LOG FOUND AT A DEPTH OF TWENTY-EIGHT FEET.
A company was formed in the 'seventies for the purpose of investigat- ing the salt veins in the marsh. When down at a depth of about twenty- eight feet they struck a walnut log in a good state of preservation. The circumstance is more peculiar because of the fact there was not a walnut tree within a radius of several miles from this point. When down about sixty-seven feet they encountered a strong flowing vein which was too salty for drinking, but would not yield a large enough per cent for manufactur- ing purposes. The water continues to flow. The well is on the farm of C. N. Baldwin, who dug a well about thirty rods from the one mentioned and found an excellent quality of fresh water at a depth of ten feet. In the early days of Kansas the settlers' wives cured their cucumbers for table use in the brine from the salt marsh.
DROUTH OF 1870.
During the summer of 1870, when not a ton of hay could be cut in a whole township on the uplands, although not accompanied with hot winds, the cattle, what few there were, comparatively speaking, were never fatter. The dry grass was full of nutriment and the stock preferred it to the new grasses just coming up out of the earth or that which was three to five inches high in the sloughs.
RAGWEED.
The perennial ragweed is a native of Kansas and grows rampantly everywhere but the annual plant was not known in this locality until about ten years ago. It was in all probability brought into the country with other seeds or cereals. The dandelion and other plants were introduced in a similar manner.
CLOUD COUNTY PIONEER ASSOCIATION.
This association was organized in 1895. In the beginning the intention was to include the old timers of the townships of Aurora, Colfax, Oakland and Nelson. They held several reunions, which were very enjoyable and served to keep fresh in the memory and keep alive the ties of friendship formed when the country was new and sparsely settled, and when all were neighbors within a radius of many miles.
The board of officials were W. M. Durkee, of Aurora; W. C. Campbell. Colfax township: H. R. Honey, Concordia, and Mrs. Evelyn Bradford. The
144
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
last meeting was held in Oakland township on Pipe creek, in 1900, at Cable's grove, one and one-half miles south of Aurora. The grove was decorated' with patriotic symbols, mottoes and antique furniture. The address of wel- come was delivered by that old veteran and pioneer, J. E. Burkhart. Will- iam Durkee was elected president for the ensuing year, and J. E. Burkhart, secretary.
In 1885 J. M. Hagaman took initiatory measures in moving for an old settlers' reunion and suggested they celebrate July 3rd of that year as it beginning of a permanent organization. None of these organizations were of permanent duration.
It was for several years a custom prevalent over the state to prepare a local history of the county to be read on July 4, and published in various newspapers, and upon an occasion of this kind, July 4. 1876, Eugene Ware (the well known Kansas poet ) read the following poem :
"He who lived in Kansas, though he roam, Can find no other spot and call it home. As Ingalls says, the Kansas man may stray, May live, perchance depart or go away. In short, may roam, but be it anywhere, He must return if he can raise the fare.
On July Fourth we always float the flag, And push the old bald eagle from the crag; Fly him the length and breadth of this fair land,
From the Penobscot to the Rio Grand. Then without rest we quickly start him on A trip from Florida to Oregon. Then bring him back and boost him to the sky, And let him stay there till the next July.
O, grand old bird! o'er many a weary mile They've made you sail in oratoric style, While fledgling speakers in refulgant prose Capped many a gorgeous climax as you arose. To-day our choicest colors are unfurled ; Soar up, proud bird, and circle round the world, And we predict that nowhere will you find A place like Kansas, that you left behind."
THE YOUNG MEN'S REPUBLICAN CLUB OF CLOUD COUNTY.
Cloud county has a miniature "Kansas Day Club," with headquarters in Concordia. It is along the same lines as the state organization. It is a young men's Republican club. Sidney H. Knapp has reason to be proud
145
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
of the fact that he is the instigator and organizer of this club. F. W. Sturges, son of Judge Sturges, of Concordia, is president, and Sidney H. Knapp, of Clyde, secretary and treasurer.
They arrange that the principal speakers at their banquets shall be natives of the county. There is a similar club in Dickinson county : this and the one in Cloud county are the only organizations of this kind at present, but it is presumed others will follow.
They gave a banquet March 26, 1902, to about four hundred people. which was one of the most elaborate functions ever given in Concordia, and in fact few functions excel it in the state. Fred Sturges, Jr., was toast- master and to his untiring efforts and good management credit is due for the success of the banquet. The speeches made were as follows: "A Few Remarks." Governor Stanley; "The Young Man in Politics," Charles A. Case; "Our Sister County," C. A. Kimball; "Concerning Cloud County," Albert T. Reid: The Concordia Male Quartet; "The Backbone of the Nation," O. E. Hardesty ; "Why Should a Young Man Be in Politics," Doctor J. L. Kirby : "Political Manhood," J. B. Wood : "Kansas," Senator Burton, the latter coming all the way from Washington, District of Columbia, to attend this occasion.
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