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 8
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At the conclusion of these earnest and practical remarks. Captain Sshooley came out of his tent and begged permission to say a few words. Leave being granted by the preacher, the captain spoke as follows: "Ladies and gentlemen, 1 want every man and boy that belongs to my company te come in tomorrow morning at nine o'clock and get a gun and ammunition, for 1 believe in fighting Indians with lead and not with prayers." Then Reverend West said : "That's right, captain, keep your powder dry, but trust the Lord." And then the congregation was dismissed. Reverend West then proceeded to Clyde, where he ministered to a few kindred spirits. then accompanied by his devoted wife started for their home on Salt creek, singing as they went : "There is a spot to me more dear than native dale or mountain, etc." They arrived safely home, where through all the trials of the settlement of this country they could be found ready at all times to feed
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
the hungry, spiritually or materially, clothe the naked or give chase to the red man.
i consultation was held at Clifton and a location decided upon for building a fort. They chose a place near G. D. Brooks' claim. This fort or block house, was called by way of derision, Fort Skedaddle number three, Clay Center being number one and Clifton number two. In the meantime a scouting party under command of Captain Schooley, went out as far as White Rock, but finding no Indians, the majority of them returned, thus making good the celebrated words of Mrs. Schooley to the wives of those who went : "You needn't be alarmed, the captain won't take them into danger." G. D. Brooks. J. M. Hagaman. J. C. Chester and others, wen' much farther and satisfied themselves there need be no further immediate fears in regard to Indians, so things gradually quieted down and for a time went on peaceably.
ORGANIZATION OF THE MILITI.I.
Company C, Seventeenth Regiment, Kansas State Militia, was organized early in 1864. Of this Colonel J. M. Schooley was captain ; J. M. Hagaman, first lieutenant : J. C. Chester, second lieutenant: Daniel Myers, third lieu- tenant and G. D. Brooks, ensign. In commenting upon this militia. Mr. Rupe says: "As is stated there were thirty privates in this company. He thinks they were heavily officered, if Mr. Brooks was considered a com- missioned officer, there would be one to every six men. Who ever heard of a third lieutenant? And for ensign, would have to go to the unabridged dictionary to find it, 'an old extinct commissioned office that required the carrying of the flag.' now performed by the color bearer." He further says, "so far as numbers were considered, no fault could be found. but the man- ner in which this militia was composed made it very inefficient. How they happened to choose such a man as Schooley for captain can only be accounted for on the ground that he was a braggart bombast, and fooled the people. His remarks after the sermon of R. P. West revealed his character. He should have been elected ensign and left at home for the want of a flag to. carry. The old settlers all seemed to regard him as a coward."
Had G. D. Brooks been commissioned captain, the result would have been different, as all who knew him could well attest his great courage : but he was given a mere nominal position. Mr. Hagaman and J. C. Chester were also men to be relied upon, in times of danger none were braver, and the same might be said of Daniel Myers.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.
October 4. 1866, there were five municipal townships created as fol- lows: Elk. Sibley. Shirley. Buffalo and Solomon. On September 6, 1871, petitions were presented and the township of Plainfield, which included that 5
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANS.A.S.
part of range 2, south of the Republican river and north of the center of town ; and the township of Lincoln, which included that part of range 3 and 4 south of the Republican, north of the center of the town 7. and cast of the center line of range 4. were organized.
During the interim from 1866 to 1871 the line between Elk and Sibley townships was changed to the line between range- 2 and 3.
ELK TOWNSHIP.
Elk township is located in the northeast corner of the county and is bounded on the south by the Republican river, which formshes excellent water power. In this locality an abundance of red sandstone is found with- in a short distance of Clyde. The land consists of a rich sandy loam, which yields immense crops of grain and melons; the latter growing to gigantic proportions. (See Clyde's Carnival. ) Elk creek intersects this township from north to south; its confluence with the Republican being in the vicinity of Clyde. This is one of the best watered localities in the county. Good water can be found at a depth of from eighteen to fifty feet. Clyde, one of the most flourishing little cities in northwest Kansas, is situated principally on the west side of Elk creek and just north of the Republican river, which touches near the city limits. The original township of Elk comprised all the territory north of the Republican river and west to range 2. The town- ship was settled in 1859 by John and Lew Fowler, one Brown and Harlow Seymour.
SOLOMON TOWNSHIP.
Solomon comprises 34.560 acres of land and is one of the most pros- perous townships in the county. . The Solomon river enter- from near the center of the west boundary line and winds through the township to the southeast corner, furnishing fine water power. One of the best mill sites in the county is at Brittsville. on the Solomon river, owned and operated by long Brothers. (See sketch. ) About fifty per cent of the ground is bottom land, and about ten per cent is forest timber. This is also a fine stock raising country and one of the most prosperous farming districts in the state of Kansas. Solomon township originally extended across the entire southern part of the county and was thirty miles in length by nine to twelve miles in width. The first settlers were John Hillhouse, Robert Smith and James Hendershot, in January. 1865. In April of the same year H. H. Spaulding and M. D. Teasley came, while others followed closely during the first and second years following.
SIBLEY TOWNSHIP.
Sibley being bounded on the south and west by the serpentine course of the Republican river, is very irregular in outline. It has an area of thirty-
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
five square miles; is ten miles long east and west, with a breadth of from little more than one to five miles. Its greatest breadth is across the center and nearly opposite the city of Concordia. It is bounded by the Republican county line on the north. About one-fifth of the surface is bottom land. one-fifth hills or spurs of the divide and the remaining three-fifths second bottom. Lake Sibley, a description of which is given elsewhere, is situated in this township. All the territory north of the Republican river to the Republie county line, and west from range 2 to the west line of the conuty, was included in the first creation of the township.
SI1IRLEY TOWNSHIP.
Shirley township originally extended from the county's east line, west to the center of range 3, and south to the center of town 7. Shirley is bounded on the north by the Republican river, on the east by Clay county and extends south of Colfax and west to the lines of Nelson and Lawrence townships. Elin creek intersects its southwest corner and flows in a northery direction through the entire length of the township, and empties into the Republican a short distance north of the little town of Ames. Beaver and Dry ereeks run through the eastern part of the township. The inhabitants are composed almost entirely of French people, most of whom are from Canada and Kankakee, Illinois. St. Joseph, the Catholic town, founded by Father Mollier, is situated one mile east and one mile south of the center of the township.
BUFFALO TOWNSHIP.
.As an original township. Buffalo comprises all the land west of Shirley township and north of the line between towns 6 and 7. It was reorganized July 2, 1872, and some of its former territory left unorganized. But during the same session Summit township was created and included the part left out by Buffalo. Dr. D. B. Moore was appointed its first trustee. Buffalo township is partially bounded on the north by the Republican river, and is very irregular in outline. Buffalo creek enters the township from the west and flows almost due east across the township into the Republican river. The southern part is drained by White's creek; a tributary of Buffalo, and Wolf creek. of the Republican river. This is one of the most extensive wheat growing townships in the county, and the farmers are almost univers- ally prosperous.
MEREDITH TOWNSHIP.
On January 2. 1872. this part of Solomon situated east of the line between ranges 3 and 4, was organized into a new township and given the name of Meredith. George W. Carver was appointed the first trustee. It
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
is located in the center of the southern tier of townships, and the land is watered by First Pipe creek, which runs the entire length of the township from north to south. A more beautiful country or more prosperous people than the inhabitants in this locality does not exist in this part of the state. John Murphy was the first white child born in the township.
GRANT TOWNSHIP.
When the new board of county commissioners assumed their duties on January 8. 1872, the first petition for new townships that came up before them was town 5. range 5, which was organized and named Grant, for General Grant, then President of the United States. J. F. MeCracken was the first trustee. G. W. Johnson and Reginald Reed were the first to take up claims in this township. Three valleys center near the middle of Grant township, which lie in the northeast corner of the county. Buffalo creek. Salt Marsh and the Big Cheyenne, and consequently has but a small per cent of upland. The great salt marsh of four thousand acres, lies partly in the northern portion of the township. There are many Danes in this vicinity, all of them prosperous and well-to-do citizens. This township has the largest per cent of wheat of any in the county.
COLFAX TOWNSHIP.
The second petition, and following that of Grant, was town 7, range 1, which became Colfax township, named in honor of the vice-president of the United States, then in office. W. E. Campbell was the first trustee. George Ginter was the first settler. Colfax is situated in the southern part of the county and is bounded on the west by Aurora and on the south by Starr. Both Grant and Colfax townships were organized April tr. 1872. The surface of the country in Colfax township, is the finest in the county; a beautiful undulating prairie. Mulberry. the principle stream, runs diagonally through the township. It is a small creek, but affords water very nearly all the year, and along its banks are numerous springs.
ARION TOWNSHIP.
The following autumn after Grant and Colfax were organized, Arion township was inaugurated. Its poetical name is significant of "Evening Star." Aurora township was admitted at the same time and was given the musical name of Aurora, which means "Morning Star." Arion is the township west of the center of the county. It is nine miles square. The greater part of the land is rolling prairie. The small valleys are along the creeks and extending back and away from them, is considerable tableland. Wolf and Coal creeks intersect Arion on the east, the west branch of Wolf creek on the west, and all furnish considerable timber. William Gilmore was the first trustee.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
NELSON TOWNSHIP.
On October 25, 1872, the Nelson township organization was effected by the people of town 6, range 2, who presented a petition. This left only that portion of town 5, range 2, south of the Republican river in Plainfield township, and as that did not constitute the legal apportionment required it was attached to Elk, and the township "Plainfield" was extinguished. The surface of Nelson is drained by Elk creek.
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP.
On October 25. 1872, the citizens of town 5 and range 2, petitioned for separation from Elk township and was organized as a township called "Lawrence," in honor of L. D. Lawrence. its earliest settler, who came there in 1864. R. F. Clarke was the first trustee. It is one of the northern tier of townships and is bounded on the east by Elk, on the south by Nelson. and on the west by Sibley. The surface is composed of about three-fourths river and creek bottom land. There is but a small per cent of upland and all the ground is tillable. The Republican river runs through the town- ship and is fed from the south by Plum and Oak creeks and on the north by Salt. Upton and Little Upton creeks, and all find their confluence with the Republican river in Lawrence township. The largest of these streams, Salt creek, is fed by numerous springs and furnishes living water the entire year. It is spanned by a one hundred foot bridge. The coal fields adjacent to Minersville, lie in the northwestern portion of Lawrence township, and just over the line of Sibley. The inhabitants in this vicinity are composed of a large portion of Danes and Swedes, who are thrifty. enterprising citiz zens and have made for themselves good homes.
LYON TOWNSIIIP.
This township, originally a part of Solomon, was detached April 7. 1872, and organized under the name of Fowler, in honor of its earliest set- tler ; but a month later, was changed to Lyon, in honor of General Nathaniel Lyon. J H. Neal was the first trustee. It includes town 8 and the south half of town 7, in range 4. It is nine miles in length north and south, by six miles in width, and contains fifty-four square miles. It is bounded on the north by Arion, on the east by Center and Meredith. Ottawa county on the south and Solomon township on the west. The larger part of the township lies in the fruitful Solomon valley and the remainder on the divide between the Solomon and Republican river valleys. This is one of the leading live stock growing townships in the county. Chris creek drains the western part. Mortimer the central, and Yockey the eastern portion ; all tributaries of the Solomon, which intersect the southwest corner of the township. Magnesia limestone in inexhaustible quantities is found in this locality, and is used extensively for building purposes.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
CENTER TOWNSHIP.
The name is suggestive of its location and the geographical center of the county is very near that of the township. It was organized May 23 1873. Zacariah Swearinger was its first settler. The long divide between the Solomon and Republican of this highland is a plateau ranging from one to three miles in width, and numerous fine farms are found there. South of this upland the country is quite hilly and broken, as is also the western portion ; however a rich limestone loam prevails throughout and yields a bountiful crop of grain. The whole surface of these highlands is under- laid with magnesia limestone. Bituminons coal has also been discovered, but not extensively mined. Both branches of Oak creek take their rise in this township: there is also what is termed the "Middle Branch."
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP.
Lincoln township, wherein the city of Concordia is situated, was organ- ized January 3, 1873, and contains twenty-four square miles of land. It comprises the north half of town six and south half of range three west, and all that part of town five lying south of the Republican river. About one-half of its surface is rich bottom land. The eastern part is drained by Oak creek and the western by Lost creek. both traversing the township north to the Republican river. The Republican river forms the boundary line on the north, between Lyon and Sibley townships. It is bounded on the cast by Lyon and Nelson, on the south by Center, and on the west by Buffalo.
STARR TOWNSHIP.
Starr township includes town eight. range one, and is the extreme south- eastern township of the county. Its creation was effected October 6, 1873. James T. Brook was elected trustee. The township is drained by Chapman creek and its tributaries which flow in a southwesterly direction. Chapman creek is fed by many springs, affords water the year around. and is also skirted by timber.
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP.
Oakland was organized July 10, 1874, and completed the present list of townships in Cloud county. It occupies town eight, range two west. By the division, J. L. B. Stanton, who had been elected trustee of Meredith, was taken into the new township and became its first trustee. The first families to settle in this township were J. E. Burkhart, Isaac Smith and _\. J. Mc- Allister. It is located in the southern tier of townships and is second in number from the east line of the county. The surface is drained by the east branch and middle branch, tributaries of Pipe creek. The people of Oak-
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
land township are well-to-do and rank with the most prosperous of the county. As the undulating prairie sweeps away from some of the high elevations in Oakland township. a fine view of the Solomon valley is given, presenting one of the finest landscapes of the entire country.
An extended history of Aurora township appears in another part of this history.
Prior to 1866, the towns of Clyde, Concordia, Jamestown, Glasco and Miltonville were unknow and where they now stand, the lithe-limbed deer and antelope gamboled, herds of buffalo tramped and the red man reveled in wild freedom, while the prairie grass rolled and tossed in the breezes like a vast green sea.
The early settlers of Cloud county evinced confidence in its future and backed their belief with evident sincerity, looking forward with an eye of hope and faith to building homes for themselves in the new western country. The vast sums of money that have been expended to build schools, the erec- tion of their beautiful court house, the expenditure for pavements and beauti- fying the cities, all evidence the fact that her citizens possess high moral stamina. The many charming residences with their beautiful green lawns and shade trees exhibit a pride that is highly gratifying, and even the lowli- est homes are not without these luxuries.
1866 A NEW ERA IN KANSAS.
The year 1866, following the close of the Rebellion left many sokliers foot loose, many of whom were discharged in this state and naturally sought the broad prairies of Kansas. Among this number are a few of the old settlers at the present time, and some others who date their coming during this year. In 1866 the county was organized and the original town com- pany of Clyde formed, making this an interesting period in the history of Cloud county.
The country at this time was in a crude state. Where Clyde now stands, "Uncle Heller" and his son David lived in a crude log house. They had built a new one which was required as a store-room for the few goods of Chauncey Cowell and Charles Davis, which had just been brought into the country. The next house was erected on the west side of the creek-a cabin built of round logs with a dirt roof occupied by Joseph Berry. The next building was similar in architecture and occupied by Tom Hay. The next house was built by J. B. Rupe and occupied by Andrew W. Smith. Still further west. on what is known as the William Crammer farm, lived Ed Neely. The Cline residence stood on the Kennedy farm, later owned by Reverend Corn- forth. Israel Heller lived in a cabin adjoining his father's on the east. This was the extent of what might be termed the Elk Creek settlement.
All the land under cultivation at that time in this community was ten acres on the Heller farm, about the same amount on the Donald McIntosh claim, which was probably broken by the Conklins, and five acres on the
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. KANSAS.
claim of Ed Neely. This may seem a poor exhibit for a settlement which had been in existence six years, but there were continual drawbacks to its advancement, constant exposure to the outbreaks of the savages and the great drouth of 1860. Notwithstanding the small population three of their number enlisted in the army : Joseph Berry, Emanuel Cline and David llel- ler. and nothing was done by way of improvement on their claims. Cline, while in the army, had his cabin torn down and burned for camp fire by a portion of the Eleventh Kansas, who were passing through this section.
These drawbacks had a discouraging effect on new comers, who, finding innumerable obstacles to surmount, would become disheartened and leave, consequently let no one be hasty in condemning the sturdy okl pioneers who bravely withstood the trials and hardships of frontier life for this seemingly poor showing, but rather wonder why they did not all return to the land of their nativity, where a substantial existence could be obtained without the dangers incident to the frontier.
The early settlers were neighbors even when thirty, forty or fifty miles apart. For several years in this small neighborhood there was but one mowing machine, and that did duty for all. John Cory was the lucky owner, and usually had to go about thirty miles from home to some of his nearest neighbors to mow. Among these were the Clovers and Nyes. on Petes creek; Corys, Van Nattas, Myers and Wests, on Salt creek; Haga- mans, Thorpes and Randal Honey, on Elm creek: Ilellers, Neelys, Morleys, B. V. Honey. Coopers, Seaburys and Chesters, on Elk creek. Even some could be mentioned who lived at Sibley and White Rock that helped to con- stitute the settlement. These are what might be called the primitive settlers of the Republican valley. Of these John Cory has been the most successful so far as this world's goods is concerned.
SCHOOLS IN 1866.
During the year 1866. the Elk creek settlers began agitating the im- portant subject of establishing schools. It was no uncommon thing at that time to hear the old bachelors denounced as a perfect nuisance, for next to the Indians they seemed the most despised, and when he came and took up a claim, they rightfully considered his action as so much against the prospect of schools, and an injury to the growth and prosperity of the coun- try; but emigration was coming in and some action in regard to schools must be had. Early in the spring of that year a meeting was called at "Uncle" Heller's for the purpose of divising means for building a school house. "Uncle" ITeller was chairman and Joseph Berry secretary.
Believing that Elk Creek would become an important point eventually, they decided to build a "good one." the size to be sixteen by twenty-two fect: material, hewed logs, dirt roof and cottonwood floor. Each settler signed four dollars apiece, which was to be paid in work and the meeting was adjourned. To the people of Cloud county to-day it might seem a house
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
of such dimensions and material could soon be built ; but much hard strug- gling and parleying ensued before this house was completed. There were more vexations connected with it than the present magnificent building that graces the city of Clyde to-day.
The building was commenced with the expectation of having it ready for school in the early summer months, but the 14th of July had arrived before they were ready for the "raising." The question was, how this latter event could be brought about. A plan was happily hit upon by F. B. Rupe. The settlers all turned out, and connected with the raising, a picnic at "Uncle" Heller's : an enjoyable affair, attended with a feast. consisting of all the luxuries the country afforded. but the house still lacked much of being completed. It was necessary to have a roof, floor and paint. These seemingly insurmountable difficulties were eventually overcome, but not until some time in the winter.
A Doctor Rogers was employed to teach the first school, whose services as an instructor amounted to nothing. Sometimes he would be in the room during school hours, again he would not. He would tell his pupils to re- main and study while he went over to the store and read the newspaper. talked politics, or discussed the ordinary topics of the day. The result can be imagined; romp and play the order of exercise. Nevertheless, to this man must be given the credit of being their first school teacher. though by many he was thought to be unequally balanced. The school was taught by subscription.
This building served not only as a school house, but as a public meet- ing house for all other occasions, even court business for the county, the commissioners meeting in it to transact their business. Dirt would often come rattling down through the roof in piles upon the writing desk, yet it was the best in the county, and continued to be until their frame school house was built. It was in this cabin that Clyde's gifted and witty Judge Borton made his first law speech to the "unsophisticated natives." before a board of county commissioners, where a man had been arraigned on a charge of having made his listment of taxable property to the assessor too small. The judge defended and cleared him.
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