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 7
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In a letter from N. E. Eslinger is established another well grounded claim. Ile writes :
"I came to Parsons creek July 1;, 1859, and Peter Adams, who is now (lead, with myself helped the Fowlers, Brown and Seymour to raise what is now known as the Conklin House. N. E. ESLINGER."
With the next settlers others followed but when the Fowlers came, not a single human habitation was to be found. They erected the first cabin, the first furrow of sod was turned by them and the first well was begun. They came in July. 1858, and through the summer months dwelt in a tent ; winter came on and they were compelled to abandon their little canvas house and seek shelter in the warmer quarters of a dugout which they built on the banks of Elk creek. In the autumn of 1859. they erected their cabin and wintered there, making their second winter and still no other settlers.
Is an evidence of their abiding faith in the country, they laid out and regularly platted a town site. Sylvanus Furrows and one Starr were the surveyors; but misfortune overtook these early settlers and they were com- pelled to seek other employment. They left with the intention of returning and finally joined a Kansas regiment, Lew Fowler enlisting as a veteran.
Is evidence of their intention to return, John Fowler and James Will- iamson, a brother-in-law, came back immediately after the war, in the autumn of 1865, and located, but their claims had been taken by other parties. Lew Fowler was detained in the service. Soon as necessary preparations could be made they settled in Cloud county again in the spring of 1866.
Others who followed these bold adventurers carly in the spring of 1860.
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were Parks, Kearney. Thomas Heffington, who subsequently moved to Elk creek. Philip .A. Kizer, Joseph Finney, John Allen, and John Sheets. Allen and Kizer were located near Lake Silhey, John Sheets on Elm creek and the others on Elk creek. Heffington died some time during the year 1862 or '63 and his remains lie buried in the cemetery near Clyde.
They had been in the country six months and were voters-a voter is undoubtedly a settler. Parks sold his claim to Moses Heller and his son David for a yoke of steers. This claim is the old Heller farm, the one on which the Pomeroy house was built. Parks was living on this claim at the time. consequently he exercised one of the rights that belonged to a settler. This transaction took place in April. 1860. Parks then moved on to a claim. the farm now owned by the Turners. Although his reputation was bad, Parks must have had intentions of becoming a regular settler.
When Parks left this vicinity he went to Manhatten. During the sum- mer of 1861, while trying to cross the Republican river enroute to Elk creek, he was drowned. His body was found just across the river where Fred llerman's barn was located, and buried near there, by David Heller and one of the Scribner boys. When discovered his body was so nearly devoured by birds and wolves as to be scarcely recognizable. No lumber being obtainable, they were obliged to bury the body in an old tool chest.
Jacob Heller settled on Elk creek, June 20, 1860, on the claim after- ward taken by his brother. Israel Heller. preceding his father and brothers, Israel and David, from June until August of the same year. Jacob was - accidentally killed while pulling a loaded gun from a wagon. He had just returned from Salt creek with "shakes" intended for his new house. His is the first death recorded in the county.
When the Fowlers and Browns settled west of the 6th principal meridan, they were the only white settlers in this part of Kansas, marked by that line. It was then thought by the people of the eastern part of the state, scarcely necessary to give these counties boundary lines, much less organization : the country being thought desirable for no other purpose than grazing of the buffalo and the hunting grounds of the red man-a part of the great American desert.
ELM CREEK SETTLEMENT.
While the Elm creek settlement could not date its birth back so far at this time it was in a more prosperous condition. The people seemed to be favored with better opportunities for improvement, generally were men with families, more determined in the purpose of making their final homes. The settlers with their families who established their homes on Elm creek. July 15. 1860, were J. M. Hagaman, wife and one child; J. M. Thorp. wife and six children: August Fenskie, wife and one child.
The result was they immediately went to work and within a short time made more substantial improvements and were soon hauling their
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
surplus farm products to market. Among the settlers of this locality who followed the ensuing year were William and Fred Czapanski, with their fam- ilies, a Mr. Webber and George Wilson. In 1862 Zachariah Swearingen, Richard Coughlen. John David Robertson, Joseph Berry and their families joined the frontier settlement. From among this number the ranks of the Union army were swelled by the enlistment of Fred Czapanski, Jacob and Caleb ( sons of J. M. Thorp). David Robertson and Joseph Berry.
Some of these settlers had farms under a fair state of cultivation. These people are entitled to great credit for building a school house as carly as 1864 or 1865, and a term of school was taught the same year. Miss Rosella Honey, a daughter of Randal Honey and now the wife of Matt Wilcox, was the teacher. To her fell the honor of having taught the first school in Cloud county, and one among the very first in the Republican valley, and this settlement may claim the honor of building the first school house : not of the most approved style, perhaps, being built of round cotton- wood logs about fourteen by sixteen feet in dimensions, dirt roof and terra firma floor, yet it was an acquisition in those days to the frontier. Rude as it was J. M. Thorpe is said to have declared he would not take $500 for what his children had learned in this humble seat of learning-a compli- ment to Miss Honey.
It was in this community the first voting precinct was established which then consisted of the whole county. These enterprises were indicative of thrift and determination well worthy of compliment. The dividing line be- tween these two settlements was the Republican river, hence we have "North side of the river" and "South side of the river." There were advantages enjoyed by the north side over the south as they had the military road lead- ing from Fort Riley to Fort Kearney. The government had built bridges over the principal streams and creeks which confined the public travel mainly to the north side.
The mail route, the mills and the postoffices being on the north side. country stores would naturally follow in their wake. To avail themselves of these advantages the people of the south side were often put to the incon- venience and at times great annoyance of crossing and recrossing the river, which had to be done by fording. As an illustration, J. M. Thorpe and J. M. Hagaman were enroute to mill and with their loaded teams had the misfortune to get one of them "stuck" in the mud. With water up to their waists and large cakes of ice floating down the river they unloaded their sacks of grain and carried them to land on their shoulders.
They were a hardy people and endeavored to build up their locality, making it inviting with those conveniences necessary to permanent growth. . This made them to a certain extent competitors to the north side of the river, which gave rise to jealousy between the two settlements, and the race between the two in the acquisition of political power was the cause of con- siderable crookedness in the affairs of the county during its organization.
While the people of Elk Creek had the conveniences on their side, those
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
on Elm had the largest population and the most wealth. From the con- dition of the county lines the prospective future county seat was bound to be located on their side of the river. These petty jealousies have long since died out, but these matters are referred to as a part of the history of the county.
It will probably be of interest to all the old settlers to know that John D. Robertson, once the pioneer merchant of Sibley. is now president of the Interstate Bank of Kansas City. the only banking house in the locality of the stockyards.
SOCIETY ON THE FRONTIER. AS SEEN BY J. B. RUPE.
Some time in the latter part of June, 1865, after having been discharged from the service of "Uncle Sam." Mr. Rupe visited this somewhat historic country and expressed surprise at the apparent simplicity of its inhabitants. It had the appearance of beginning the world anew. Old and stiff formal- ities and fashionable society had not yet crept in. Strangers and every- body seemed welcome with that familiarity that made people feel their lot was cast in pleasant places. That state of feeling grew partially out of the fact that "Uncle Sam" had the kindness to make the proposition that by merely paying a stipend and living on a quarter section for five years, we should receive a title in fee simple for the same and thus become one of the freeholders to these magnificent lands, had much to do with buoying new hopes that here one might settle down and grow up with the country.
The people were intelligent and those who came from the east expect- ing to build themselves up in public life on account of their superior intelli- gence. found themselves much mistaken and left in the background. When Mr. Rupe arrived in Clay Center, his first trip up the Republican valley. he heard some talk about celebrating the coming fourth of July. He was astonished that a country so thinly populated should observe that day, and secondly that a man among them capable of making a speech could be found. Considering it an impossibility, he resolved to see the result.
He learned that Mr. Huntress, of Clay Center, was to be the orator of the day. Mr. Huntress was not an orator and Mr. Rupe wondered to him- self why he should undertake to deliver an address. The celebration took place near the residence of J. C. Chester, on Petes creek. A crowd to the number of two hundred or more were gathered and after the usual exchange of pleasantries common to such occasions, the meeting was called to order, and Mr. Huntress proceeded with his address, which was read from a carefully prepared manuscript. The production, manner, style, and delivery would have done honor to more pretentious lecturers. The crowd was orderly and well behaved, and all listened with marked attention. Mr. Huntress demonstrated the fact that talent was to be found even among frontiersmen.
After this address a sumptious feast was prepared. A long table had
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
been previously arranged and all partook of the refreshments that were palatable enough to satisfy the most epicurean taste. After the inner man had been faithfully served and order again restored, one Mr. Bosman, was intro- duced by Mr. Huntress, who then addressed the people. It was not an elo- quent speech. neither was it fluent, but his happy style of illustration made it exceedingly interesting. His speech was rembered for years afterward and its illustrations and hints commented upon, which tell of its impression.
Lastly, though far from being the least, the Reverend R. P. West delivered an oration. This affair must have a final, and none could render it more effectually; the cap sheaf was laid on by this somewhat eccentric man. This anniversary, following closely after the war, his theme was more on its causes and results. After paying a glowing tribute to our heroes and administering a severe rebuke to those who rebelled against the "dear old flag." he showed the tyranny of the Jeff Davis crew, by reading a poem purporting to have been written by one of our starving soldiers in a rebel prison to his mother.
Being all of one political faith, much of these speeches were given to hurling anathemas at what was then called "copper heads." A Democrat at this time among them would have fared badly, so in this matter they had no feelings to save.
After this very enjoyable fete, enroute back to Clay Center, Mr. Rupe spent the night at the home of Mr. Huntress, who expressed himself as being much elated over the success felt, congratulating upon the size of the crowd and boasted of how well the valley was beginning to be settled, inci- dentally remarking, "neither were they all ont." With this he began count- ing the families who remained at home, beginning with Republic and Shirley counties, then including Clay and a large part of Washington counties. The impression received was that it was a large neighborhood, and yet he talked of these families just as if they all lived around and about him. This was not the first celebration held in the valley, for there had been one the year before on Salt creek, in which R. P. West held forth as the orator of the day.
THE CONKLINS.
The citizens in a newly settled country are often compelled to resort to strenuous measures in order to protect themselver from lawlessness. This is exemplified in the event that razed to the ground the Conklin house, whose inmates were supposed to be. beyond a doubt, horse thieves and necessitated being dealt with accordingly. The county was yet unorganized and the one to which it was annexed was in poor condition for prosecuting crimi- nals, hence the settlers took the law into their own hands.
Charles and Peter Conklin, with two sisters, during the year 1862, were living in their cabin on the old town site of Eaton city, afterward owned by Daniel McIntosh. They were known to be regular horse thieves con-
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
nected with an organized band operating in a line, with Fort Kearney as the probable terminus. One of their stations was said to be a point on Wetheral's creek, and another at the "big bend" of the river. The horses stolen were generally supposed to have been taken from Missouri, rather than from the people along the border. but the settlers from Washington. Clay and Republic counties were generally aroused.
That there were exaggerated reports there can be no doubt, one of which was that they were guerrillas. The latter was not generally believed. but in all probability was put in circulation by a few of the leading spirits in order to increase the feeling: the most prominent of whom was a man by the name of Rose, who lived on Wild Cat creek, and Fox. the founder of Clifton. The latter felt a little interested for suspicions were being formed that he was a man not without a blemish. The Conklins had it in their power to unveil the villiany of Fox, and such a man under existing circumstances would be unrelenting in his persecutions and yet he seemed to have much influence.
The number of citizens that gathered together with the determination to make short work of these boys was thirty. Luckily for them. however, a rumor of this affair reached them and they escaped, thus averting a crime. A majority of the mob were bent on vengeance and determined that this house should be pulled down, and the two sisters with an orphan child living with them were left homeless. In justice to the settlers of this county, it can be said they voted against this last shameful act.
While the house was being torn down, Peter and Charlie Conklin were lying concealed a short distance away and witnessed the whole perform- ance. The next thing was the search for the fugitives, but after scouring the country about. the exploration proved a failure. Had they been dis- covered there might have been several lives forfeited. One of the Conklins afterward reported that during this search one of the number was within a few yards of them. Upon being asked what he would have done had he been found, replied that he did not know exactly, but in all probability would have lived, inasmuch as he had two loaded revolvers.
In order to escape punishment, they repaired to Leavenworth, where they enlisted in the United States service. They were followed to Leaven- worth and were demanded of the military authorities, but their persecutors were told they would not be surrendered under any charges short of blood. so this ended the affray and a safe asylum had been found. The cabin pulled down over their heads, they were left with nothing to shelter them from the inclemencyof the weather but a sheet stretched over a pole with no one to befriend them, no kindly hand to administer comfort, but were compelled to endure the frowns of an excited and prejudiced public, and pointed out as being the sisters of horse theives. During this time they were drenched by a severe rain storm. They were shown no mercy under the pretext that the brothers, out of sympathy, would come to their relief, thus making an opportunity to prosecute the intentions of the mob.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
In order to show up the character of one of these "ring leaders," the substance of a speech delivered by Delilah, one of these unfortunate women, is given This was probably the first public speech delivered in the county. After the house was torn down this woman, naturally feeling indignant and wishing to unburden her mind, and knowing the character of one of the mob. addressed something like the following language to James Fox: "You old thief, I will give you a piece of my mind. You are too cowardly to do any stealing for yourself, but want others to do it for you and then divide the spoils. Because my brothers would not go into any such arrangement with you, and fearing you might be caught in your thieving inclinations, you have incited this crowd against them. They are much better than you are and the sooner the people find it out the better."
This was rather a short address, but much too pointed for Fox. Ile hung his head, his countenance bearing the impress of conviction. To show how prophetic she was, this same Fox after leaving the county toured the state of Missouri in the cowardly profession of a bushwhacker. One of the Kansas militia. with whom Fox had been the means of stirring up unfriendly family relations, says the last he saw of him was his body shot full of bullet holes.
These two unfortunate victims. the Conklin sisters, were turned out of doors to suffer indefinitely. No one must be allowed to move them to their friends, for the decree of the mob was, "lynch anyone that attempts it." The agony of mind and body must have been intense, not knowing what future was in store for them, perhaps starvation. This fearful sus- pense was continued for about two weeks: finally the sympathy of J. M. llagaman, who denounced the outrage of tearing down the house, became aronsed to the extent that he yoked up his cattle and took them to a place of safety among their friends. This act of courage on the part of Mr. Hagaman should always redound to his credit.
The Conklin affair was one of the most outrageous that ever took place in the county, and that good men had a hand in it has its excuse in the statement made in the beginning of this article. This house was the first built on the town site of Eaton city ; was a good hewed log building covered with shakes and considered at the time a very good one, as the most of them were covered with dirt. If this first house was standing great importance would be attached to it.
A part of the history connected with this affair partakes of a romantic nature. As usual in such incidents, a woman was connected with the case. Had it not been for a little love affair these boys would have met a tragical death. While the bob was in course of preparation great effort was made to prevent the Conklins from knowing anything about their movements. The whole success depended upon this and various opinions were given as to the mystery of their notification. Some accused Uncle Heller of having delivered it. Had he done so it would have been a good deed, but had it been known it is hard telling what his fate might have been.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
Pete Conklin was paying his attentions to a young girl in the settle- ment. though under a strong protest by her parents. She served him well at this important stage of the game, and could claim the indebtedness of prolonging two lives. At the time of the disclosure, she. with the two Conklin boys and Emanuel Cline were at Uncle Heller's, when Mr. Cline observed the following. The girl remarked: "Pete, come here, I want to tell you something." Pete obeyed, after which he remarked in an excited manner, "Charlie, come here, I want to tell you something." Soon after- ward one of the boys with a revolver in hand approached Mr. Cline in an excited way, so much so that he began to fear that he was doomed, and remarked,“ the first d-d man that passes that bridge is a dead man."
So this little episode shows how they got their information. Mr. Cline. fearing that they might put the threat into execution, stationed himself near the bridge to warn the mob of danger. When they approached and saw him standing by himself, and not knowing his business, for about all they could think of at that time was horse thieves, they arrested him; but after a brief explanation he was released and the project of giving fight at the bridge was given up.
EXIT OF THE SETTLERS IN 1864.
The year 1864 was one of the most eventful in Cloud county's history. The savages were making war on the whites in Minnesota and thousands of men and their families of innocent women and children were being murdered. There had been depredations committed in the southwestern part of Nebraska, and many of the ranchmen fell victims to the murderons tomahawk. The carnage was carried on, on this side of Fort Kearney the enemy consisting of forces, that had they been so disposed, might have wiped the settlements out of existence within sight of Fort Riley, before they could have been checked ; the settlers being so few and in such defenceless condition, it struck terror to the hearts of the people along the border of the frontier. Consequently the appearance of Indians in August of 1804. was followed by great fear and consternation, and a general flight or con- centrating of the few settlers scattered along the creeks. These facts staring them in the face, it is no wonder they should become alarmed.
They could do nothing better than to congregate at Clay Center. All the settlers in the county, with the exception of Moses Heller, Israel Heller. Abram Cole, Andrew Smith, and possibly J. D. Robertson, left for this purpose. Conrad Myers, of Republic county, refused to go. R. P. West was at this time enroute to Fort Kearney and was not among the number. These are perhaps the only parties who remained at home. Before R. P. West started for Fort Kearney he induced Miss Mary Morley (now Mrs. John B. Rupe) to stay with Mrs. West during his absence. Late in the afternoon they received a message from Captain Schooley to be in readiness to start with him and his family to Clay Center. They took a different view
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
of the situation. and after consulting together concluded to risk their chances at home. About midnight they received another message without option. They were told if they did not go willingly they would be taken by force, consequently they joined the party at Captain Schooley's and they started with about all of the Salt creek settlers before daylight for Clay Center.
G. W. Glover, at that time living on letes creek, could not for some reason get started with the rest, and remained one night longer. The next morning he yoked up his cattle and started, but while on the way, leisurely driving along eating melons, they were met by a dozen or fifteen men who had started to look for them, under the false alarm that they were murdered and their house burned; a rumor started by Mr. Crop and family, who had passed the day previous, and possibly imagined they saw a smoke and as they said smelled burning feathers. Mr. Crop was too much alarmed to stop, but went hastily on to Manhattan.
After remaining a while at Clay Center, the settlers fell back to Clifton. Fear were entertained for R. 1. West's safety, but he escaped unharmed. Returning home he found no one there and as the next Sabbath was his day for preaching at Clifton, he hastily repaired to that point, where he found Mrs. West. This was a joyful occasion, pleasing to Mr. West for two reasons. first. the meeting of his wife: second, he had the fugitives to preach to, which occasion he gladly improved, taking for his text the appro- priate passage found in Isaiah 1:19. which reads as follows: "If ye be willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the land."
After discoursing from this text to the very best of his ability, he concluded with the following remarks: "And now my friends let me say this is our land and if we are obedient we shall eat the fat of the land, but you must quit stealing the Indians' traps and ponies and quit poisoning their dogs. Do this and my word for it, and 1 am sure I am backed by the word of God. there is not enough thieving, murderous red skins in the western world to run us away from our homesteads. So now my suffering fellow frontiersmen let me say my faith is in God and my home is on Salt creek, they will find us there."
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