USA > Kansas > Marshall County > Blue Rapids > Blue Rapids centennial, 1870-1970 > Part 2
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And I do further order that the first clec- tion in said city for clty officers shall be held at "('olonial Hall" (so called) within said metes and bounds on Tuesday the second (2d) day of April. A. P. 1872. And I do designate J. L Freeland, J. S. Fisher and Gideon Fitzgerald as Judges of auid election, and also J. A. Loban and Frank Hall as Clerks of said election. and also T. F. Hall, S. HI. Parmelee and Au- gustne Arnold as a board of canvassere, all of the aforesnid Judges. Clerks and Can- raamera to be qualified electors of said city.
Given under my hand ut Chambers this March 20th, A. D. 1872.
A. S. WILSON,
Judge of the 12th Judicial District of the State of Kansne.
Warranty Deed.
PROM Blue Rapids Town Company : TO
1 4 Andrew Estine.
STATE OF KANSAS, ) MARSHALL COUNTY .S.S.
Office of
Register of Deeds.
This Instrument was filed for
record on the .. 187 . day of
.. A. D. 1872. Var 1 o'clock A. M., and duly recorded in Vol. . of Deeds, at page 490
REGISTER OF DEEDS. *10" Saia "Recorder" Print, Irving, Kansas.
Joli. MSuciu Reg, Needs
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Thi
Indenture, Made this 12 day of Janna
in the year of our Lord ouc thousand eight hundred and 72 between the BLUE RAPIDS TOWN COM- P.ANY, of the County of Marshall, and State of Kansas, of the first part, and Andrew Helline
of the County of Marshall and State of Kansas
of the second part. :
Witnesseth, that the party of the first part, in consideration of the sum of Quethundred dollars, to it duly paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, and the further consideration of the sand Andrews Fastine Lis _heirs or assigns abstaining from and prohibiting the sale of all spirituons liquors as a beverage upon the premises, doth hereby scil and convey unto the said party of the second part his heirs or assigns, the following described property, situated in the town of Blue Rapids, County of Marshall, and State of Kansas, to wit : Lot to. Twintig Seven (37) Lincoln Street as her heart of Blue Rapids recorded in the cleve's office of Marshall County Kamers ..
and all the estate title, and interest of the said party of the first part therein excepting the privilege of selling or manu- facturing spirituons liqnors. This sale and conveyance being made with the distinct understanding that the provision in relation to the sale of spirituous liquors, hecomes, at the delivery hereof, an entailment upon the said property ; and in case said party of the second part heirs or assigns, or any tenant or lessec holding thereunder, shall violate said provision, then the title in fec simple of the property shall revert to the party of the first part, unless the Blue Rapids Town Company shall have ceased to exist, in which case it shall become the property of the school district in which the lot may then be situated. And the Blue Rapids Town Company doth hereby covenant and agree that it is lawfully seized of the above described premises, that it has good right and lawful authority to sell and convey the same, and that it will warrant and defend said premises against the lawful claims of all persons whosoever, excepting in cases where the party of the second part, heirs or assigns, or any lessee hokling thereunder violates the above stipulation in relation to the sale ot spirituous liquors as a beverage on said premises herein described.
In Witness Whereof, The said party of the first part has hereunto set its seal the day and year above written.
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of
C. F. Massey . President FEAT? o. B. Haynaut Deez deals
50
THE STATE OF KANSAS, SS. COUNTY OF MARSHALL. On this 12 day of
A. D. 1872 before a bustico of the Prace in and for said County came 6.7. Muessen Pack, Aux 6 Banans Ley, of ARY, 6°
to me personally known to be the identical personsauthorized to affix the corporate seal of the Blue Rapids Town Com- pany, and acknowledged that he affixed the corporate seal of said Company to the above conveyance, and that the same was his own voluntary act and deed.
In Testimony Whereat, I have herennto subscribed my name, and affixed my official seal on the day and year last above written.
SEAL. & LArecsando Function of the Grass
CITY OFFICIALS (Mayors)
1872 - C. E. Olmstead
1919 - A. R. Dean
1873 - C. E. Olmstead
1921 - F. A. Train
1874 - John McPherson
1923 - A. R. Dean
1875 - John McPherson 1925 - F. A. Train
1876 - A. E. Sweetland 1877 - A. E. Sweetland
1927 - R. G. Baldwin 1929 - R. G. Baldwin
1878 - W. A. Briggs
1879 - W. A. Briggs
1880 - John McPherson
1881 - A. J. Loomis
1882 - A. J. Loomis
1883 - Wm. Burr, Sr.
1941 - W. A. Younquist
1884 - Wm. Burr, Sr.
1943 - W. A. Younquist 1945 - W. A. Younquist
1886 - John V. Coon
1947 - G. Van Valkenburgh
1887 - Fred Stocks
1948 - G. Van Valkenburgh
1888 - A. J. Loomis
1949 - G. Van Valkenburgh
1889 - E. M. Brice
1890 - M. L. Duncan
1891 - Jason Yurann
1952 - Edwin Hnizda
1892 - J. B. Miller
1953 - Edwin Hnizda
1893 - Jason Yurann
1954 - Edwin Hnizda
1894 - John V. Coon
1955 - Herbert Hickman
1895 - I. S. Taber
1956 - Herbert Hickman
1896 - A. E. Winter
1957 - Kenneth W. Brown
1897 - A. E. Winter
1958 - John Kotapish
1898 - C. Coulter
1959 - Ora Persell
1899 - C. Coulter
1960 - Ora Persell
1900 - W. P. Brown
1961 - Edwin Kittner and Harold Osborne
1901 - W. P. Brown
1962 - Harold Osborne
1902 - W. P. Brown
1963 - Harold Osborne
1903 - L. B. Tibbetts
1964 - Harold Osborne
1905 - G. W. Fairbanks
1965 - Arthur L. Roy
1907 - F. A. Train
1966 - Arthur L. Roy
1909 - C. E. Cummings
1967 - Robert Walsh and Harry Dunmire
1911 - Frank Marvin
1968 - Harry Dunmire
1913 - J. N. Wanamaker
1969 - Harold L. Lawless
1915 - A. R. Dean
1970 - Harold L. Lawless
ITEMS OF INTEREST
DOCTORS
DENTISTS
Dr. Sam Gilson
Dr. Rufus Craft, M. D.
Dr. Shearer
Dr. William Hunter, M. D.
Dr. Marker
Dr. Rollin Fillmore, M. D.
Dr. William McCormick
Dr. W. W. Reed, M. D.
Dr. C. R. McFarland, M. D.
Dr. W. L. Wilmoth, M. D.
Dr. E. Schumaun, M. D.
Dr. Harold Lawless, M. D.
Dr. A. B. Magill
Dr. Stewart Dr. Roy Baldwin
Dr. H. A. Steinfort
Dr. Halsteadt
Dr. Simmons
Dr. Riche
Dr. Lynn Walker
CHURCHES
BLUE RAPIDS METHODIST CHURCH
The first church services to be held in this vicinity consisted of a Methodist class organized by Mrs. Eliza Paul in 1858, soon after coming to Marshall County. Meetings were held at her home for several years.
Steps were taken in late 1870 to organize a Methodist Church. Sixteen charter members were present at this organizational meeting. Church services were then held in Colonial Hall and sometimes in the homes for the next five years. In 1876 a church was built of native limestone at a cost of $2,200. It was dedicated September 24, 1876. In 1908, the remodeled and enlarged church was dedicated. During later years the basement has been enlarged to provide more classrooms, social rooms and a well equipped kitchen.
Gifts and memorials have added to the beauty of the altar and sanctuary. The ever-working ladies' organizations have assisted greatly in much of the redecorating, recently adding the carpet and drapes when the church office was redecorated.
The churches of the conferences united with the Evangelical United Brethern churches in 1968 and since then they have the name of United Methodist Church. The Blue Rapids United Methodist Church is a member of the East Kansas Conference, Topeka District.
The Rev. William H. Winter became the church pastor in June, 1969.
UNITED METHODIST
SAINT MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
This was organized as a mission church in 1871. At its initial organization, St. Mark's underwent many of the tribula- tions of small churches. No rector was available and no definite records were kept but services were held periodically in available public halls. In the early years, apparently it became inactive, but in 1888, the mission was revived and occasional services were held.
In 1901, the Reverend H. C. Attwater came as pastor. Services were held in Olmstead Hall (over the library). The Congregational Church which was located at Sixth and Lincoln was built in 1882 was no longer in use. The members of St.
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CHIROPRACTORS
Drs. Cauble and Cauble
Dr. Fred Weyh
Dr. Donald Botkin
VETERINARIANS
1917 - A. R. Dean
1931 - C. W. Moser
1933 - A. R. Dean
1935 - Frank Griffee
1937 - Frank Griffee
1939 - Frank Griffee
1885 - John V. Coon
1950 - Wm. E. Glynn
1951 - Edwin Hnizda
Dr. R. A. Wells M. D.
Mark's rented that for a time and in 1904 purchased the build- ing and this has been their church home since that time. Many improvements have been added to the church during the years. In 1953, the Parish Hall was built and has been of great value to the church and to the community.
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St Mark's Chavek
ST. MARKS EPISCOPAL
TRINITY CHURCH, IRVING
The church at Irving was organized in 1874 and the building erected in 1879, through the efforts of the Dolan family from New York City. One of the Dolans, Mrs. Frances DeForest gave $3,000 to the Diocese of Kansas as a trust fund, the interest from this fund, being used to pay the salaries of the clergy in and around Irving.
The membership has been small and they weathered many lean years. The Woman's Auxiliary remained active through the years and it was through this organization that restoration of the church to its original prominence and beauty was accomplished, after a lapse of activity for many years. Through the contributions of materials, time and talent the project was completed by summer, 1956. On Christmas Eve, 1957, services by a priest were resumed. The first class in thirty-five years was confirmed by Bishop Turner in Trinity Church, May 7, 1958.
Then came the time when Tuttle Creek Reservoir forced people from the area. Members of the church affiliated with other churches where they went to make their homes. Many families moved to Blue Rapids and were welcomed to St. Mark's. This became their church home, made more so by some of the Trinity Church furnishings being added to St. Mark's.
The Rev. Don Barton has served this church as vicar from June 1967 to April 1970.
BLUE RAPIDS BAPTIST CHURCH
The First Baptist Church was organized December 1, 1872, under the guidance of Rev. G. Gates, with 23 members, In 1873 the construction of the first church building was completed. This was a small structure that stood just west of the present building. This building was the first house of worship erected in Blue Rapids. The present brick structure was built in 1911 when Rev. J. P. Henson was pastor. Seven beautiful Memorial windows add to the beauty and distinction of the sanctuary.
On a Sunday morning September 16, 1934, the Baptist Church building caught fire and was badly damaged. Just three months to the day, a rededication of the church was held. During the rebuilding, services were held in the second story of the Variety Store building. It was indeed a happy day, December 16, 1934, when they could worship in their lovely church again.
Upon dissolvement of the Midwest Association of Regular Baptist Churches in 1969, the church joined the Mid-Continen- tal Association of Regular Baptist Churches.
Through gifts of friends, and Memorial gifts, addition of pulpit furniture and other supplies add much to the services. A Baldwin piano was added in 1966.
The Reverend Lyle Ahrenholtz came in March 1968 to serve the Baptist Church.
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BLUE RAPIDS BAPTIST CHURCH
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH
In the mid-eighties there were about 75 colored residents who wanted a church of their own. About 1900, the Second Baptist Church was established. A popular subscription was started to provide funds to build a church and "white folks" liberally contributed. The plain little chapel was put up at the corner of 11th and Main.
Here the Rev. Isaiah Walker, a stone mason by trade, held the Sabbath services for many years. A daughter, Mrs. W. H. Frances, very capably led the services when no one else was available.
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The march of time caused the church congregation to dwindle as death claimed many and others moved to the cities for more opportunities. The church was closed and later became the property of the flour mill which used it as a warehouse. Eventually it was demolished.
SAINT ELIZABETH'S CHURCH, IRVING -- BLUE RAPIDS
This church was built in 1913 to provide for the needs of its congregation after the St. Winceclaus parish, eight miles southwest of Irving voted to disband, and also to unite the Catholics at Springside and those around Irving. When it was voted in October 1912 to build a new church at Irving, four lots were donated, two by James Denton and two by Mrs. De- Forest. The church, a frame structure 36 feet by 75 feet was built early in 1913 and dedicated June 5, 1913, by the Most Reverend Bishop Ward assisted by fifteen priests. The church
SAINT ELIZABETH'S CHURCH
was named Saint Elizabeth in compliment to Herman Feigner's mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Feigner. This privilege was given Mr. Feigner as the largest donor to the new church. Gertrude Forst Protiva was the Church's first organist. Mrs. Kate Bornhorst, now a resident of Blue Rapids, was church organist for over 40 years.
St. Elizabeth's Church was moved from Irving to Blue Rapids in 1961 due to Tuttle Creek Reservoir. It is located at the southern end of East Avenue. Building changes and im- provements were made providing kitchen and social rooms in the basement. Dedication ceremonies were held June 25, 1961, with Archbishop Hunkeler presiding.
Father James Wright, the pastor at the present time, began serving this church in 1967.
BLUE RAPIDS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The First Presbyterian Church of Blue Rapids was organized on May 1, 1870, by the Rev. C. F. Mussey, the first pastor. There were twenty-four charter members. Meetings were held in Colonial Hall and other public buildings until 1875, when a church was erected at a cost of $4,000. The native stone structure was dedicated October 14, 1875. Improvements through the years have provided more rooms for classes, social activities, and a modern kitchen in the basement. The enlarging of the sanctuary and addition of the pastor's study have enhanced the churches use and beauty. A Hammond organ, a public address system, and a church radio broad- casting system add much to the worship service.
BLUE RAPIDS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
On October 26, 1862, the First Presbyterian Church of Irving was organized by the Rev. Charles Parker. In 1869, a church was erected at a cost of $5,000. It was dedicated November 30, 1871. In 1879 this church was destroyed by a cyclone. The members rebuilt the church the same vear. Throughout the years the church continued to grow in member- ship and service. On July 1, 1958, due to Irving disbanding because of Tuttle Creek Reservoir, the Irving Church merged with the Blue Rapids Presbyterian Church to make one of the strongest churches in our community. The native stone and the Stained glass windows from the Irving Church were used to
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enlarge the First Presbyterian Church, making it truly a church merger, in structure, in membership, and in faith.
In August, 1969, the Rev. Ralph Davis came to serve as pastor of the Blue Rapids Presbyterian Church and to the Czech Presbyterian Church south of Blue Rapids.
CZECH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The Czech community was first settled between 1865 and 1870 by decendents of the inhabitants of the small countries known as Bohemia and Moravia, now known as Czechoslovakia. Religious reformation and restrictions prompted the movement to other lands. Many of these people settled in Riley and Marshall counties in hopes of less strife, better homes, and religious freedom. Early Czech families were the Smerchek, Moses, Hula, Sedivy, Pishny and Musil families. A religious people, they held worship services in the different homes.
On September 10, 1893, the Czech Presbyterian Church was organized, with meetings held in the Swede Creek Schoolhouse, and members of the congregation leading the service when a regular minister was not available. Money and labor brought about the building of a church. It was hardly finished when on May 2, 1894, lightning struck it and the church was completely destroyed. They felt that the building again was impossible, but encouragement and money from many sources soon made rebuilding a reality and work was started that summer.
Mr. Scheller, who did so much to encourage and lead these people in establishing their church, served two summers as student pastor and two years as its pastor.
In 1905 the church was moved to its present location to better serve the people of the community. Second and third generations of the founders of the church are now active members.
The Rev. Ralph Davis began his pastorate here in August, 1969.
CZECH PRESBYTERIAN
LATTER DAY SAINTS CHURCH
The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was organized in 1898. About 1903 they built the neat little chapel at the corner of 4th and Genesee Streets. This group is a branch of the Mormon Church. At one time, Hale Smith, grandson of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon church, conducted services at this place.
In the present day, guest speakers serve the church regularly. Mission pastor is Benjamin F. Shriner.
LATTER DAY SAINTS
INDUSTRIES OF BLUE RAPIDS
By the end of 1871 the professions were represented in Blue Rapids by: Rev. Mussey and Rev. Benjamin Franklin Smith (Methodist minister), Dr. R. A. Wells, a physician from New York state had opened an office in the second story of the bank building. Judge W. H. Goodwin, was first attorney, also had an office in the bank building.
In addition the town had: 4 general stores, 2 hotels, 2 lumber yards, hardware store, drug store, furniture store, blacksmith shop, carpenter shop, Post office, Bank and a weekly paper.
GYPSUM INDUSTRY BEGAN WITH TOWN
P
BIT
The great Western Plaster Mill, one of four gypsum indus- tries in Blue Rapids when it began a 100 years ago. The depos- its of pure, white gypsum rock at this point were, and still are, extensive and apparently inexhaustable. The four mills produced stucco, plaster board, hollow blocks and other items of building material and employed an average of 250 men with
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a monthly payroll of $15,000 at that time. This is part of the industry that made Blue Rapids grow. The picture is thought to have been taken in about 1906.
INTERIOR ELECTRIC MINER6
The Night Shift taken in 1906 at U. S. G. Blue Valley west of Blue Rapids. Two that are identified are Cyrus Morrow and Anton Musil, both standing behind the truck loaded with plaster.
In 1871 Blue Rapids was visited by Judge John V. Coon of Elyria, Ohio. He was a native of Weolern, N. Y. and somewhat acquainted with the uses of gypsum. He took samples of the rock in it's natural state and also "burned" rock back with him and submitted them to experts at Cleveland, Ohio, who pro- nounced the material suitable for the manufacture of plaster of paris.
The judge and his brother who was experienced in manufac- turing plaster of paris, returned the next year and began operations by erecting a shed on the east bank of the river below the dam, calcening the product in a large kettle heated by a stove.
In 1874 they erected a stone building on the west side of the river. The machinery, as far as can be ascertained con- sisted of a jaw crusher, a crude form of nipper and a run of buhrs to reduce the pebble gypsum to raw plaster. Calcining was done by a dry kiln and then the product was run through
a reel clothed with a wire cloth of fine mesh. What dusted through was collected and sold for dental or molded plaster and the remainder for use as wall plaster. Overhead expenses were heavy.
Rock was teamed from a quarry northwest of Blue Rapids, then teamed to Missouri Pacific for shipment.
Interior of mine at Great Western Gypsum Co. and later known as Certain-Teed, Bestwall and Georgia Pacific. The picture was taken when the mill was located just north of the Blue River. Men are identified as follows: Roof man - Clarence (Bud) Houser; Pointing - Jeb Jenkins; Standing near track on right side - Charles (Colonel) Davis; On drill in background - Amon Reedy.
GYP
To many people of the Blue Rapids Community and other Marshall Countians the "gyp mill" is a symbol of early pioneering and industrial ambitions seldom equalled in this state.
Along in the middle 90's when most communities were still in "short pants" as far as permanent industries were con- cerned, four business-minded men of Blue Rapids and neigh- boring areas were organizing a company to mine gypsum, an undertaking which has proven to be an industrial mainstay of the Community.
The mill was first opened under the name of The Great Western Plaster Mill, a corporation under the guidance of Frank Paul and Jessie Axtell, Blue Rapids and Perry Dodge, Fort Dodge, Iowa and Dr. Bull of Oketo.
They operated the mill 7 years until it was sold to the American Plaster Mill which operated the mill for 17 years then sold it to Beaver Products Co. New York who in turn sold it to Certain-Teed Mills Corp. of Chicago in 1928. It was rather remarkable that the company of settlers that established Blue Rapids came from Genesee County, N. Y. in which Oakfield is located, and where gypsum and its uses were known, to a locality where there are large deposits of this material:
It is not impossible that the committee that located the town knew of the presence of gypsum in this vicinity.
In the summer of 1857, Thomas C. Palmer gathered together some greyish-whitish rocks to surround a camp fire that he had built on the east side of the Big Blue River about 3 miles northwest of Blue Rapids. After the fire burned, he noticed
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that the rocks had turned to powder. He made some use of it in plastering a cabin.
In 1858 General Frank J. Marshall after whom the county is named, investigated the matter. He was a college graduate with considerable knowledge of mineralology and rightly classi- fied the rock that "burned" as gypsum. Heprocured a quantity of it and "burned" it in log heaps and used the product to plaster a house he was building in Marysville, (between Caubles and Firestone). It was the earliest known utilization of gypsum for plaster in this vicinity.
During the history of Blue Rapids, several Plaster Mills were erected. The Electric Plaster Mill was located North of Blue Rapids, West of the present mill. It was torn down in 1914.
ELECTRIC PLASTER COMPANY'S MILL
The present mill was originally the Great Western Plaster Company and was sold to Beaver Products in 1920. Later it was sold to Certain-Teed Products Corporation which is the present owner. It was known as Certain-Teed No. 1. Certain- Teed No. 2 was located North of Dean's property on the old river road. At this site there was at one time a plaster and board mill.
AMERICAN CEMENT PLASTER CO.
On what is now Dolans farm, there was the Fowler Brothers Mine. The rock from this mine was brought down the river on barges from the mine to the old plaster mill at the dam.
The United States Gypsum Co, operated a mill on the Little Blue River, west of Blue Rapids and later moved to Morgans Ranch south of town.
Certain-Teed bought out all the other mills and tore them down.
The hills north of Blue Rapids are honey-combed with the
UNITED STATES GYPSUM CO.
gypsum mines. The best gypsum in the world is mined here. Plaster-of-paris and dental plaster is made in the mill and shipped to all parts of the world. The mill is the major source of employment in Blue Rapids.
11.
The only remaining gypsum mine and mill in the Blue Rapids vicinity in operation is the one owned by Georgia Pacific. This mine was opened in 1896 by the Great Western Plaster Mill, under the guidance of four business men, Frank Paul and Jessie Axtell from Blue Rapids, Perry Dodge of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Dr. Bull of Oketo. They employed seven or eight men and turned out about 50 tons of rock per day. It was processed into several kinds of plaster, one, Sunflower modeling plaster is still being produced under the same name after 58 years. It was all mined and crushed by manual opera- tion. Mules were used to power the railroad.
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