USA > Kansas > Doniphan County > Doniphan County, Kansas, history and directory for 1868-9 > Part 22
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The St. Joseph and Denver City Railroad passes through this place forming a junction here. This gives us superior advantages as we are surrounded by an unsurpassed farming country, and will soon have an outlet for all our products, which will give us the additional advantages of a good market for all kinds of farm products.
The first house was erected on the town site in 1855, since which time the town has been constantly improving, and a person who has invested in property here can always realize an advance on their prop- erty.
We have four large dry-goods and grocery stores ; one grocery store exclusive ; one drug store ; one stove and tinware store; one bakery and confectionery ; one saddle and harness store and manufactory ; one boot and shoe store; one large steam flouring and grist mill ; one large woolen factory in process of construction ; one job printing-office ; two large fine churches ; two school-houses ; three hotels ; one livery and feed stable; a large nursery, and a large proportion of all other branches of trade and profession ; and funds have been provided to erect a large brick house for a high school. The improvements of the city are of a permanent and ereditable character. We have more brick buildings than any other town in the county.
We are so centrally located as to remain an all-important town in the county, which is destined to be one of the leading points in northern Kansas.
SAM S. McGIBBONS & CO., Dealers in Boots and Shoes, Mar- ket Square, St. Joseph, Missouri, Sign of the Elephant.
DONIPHAN COUNTY, KANSAS.
289
CHRISTIAN MOYER,
O
LASH ROR IIng
Wathena, Kansas.
Our population is estimated at about eight hundred.
There is a magnificent publie square located in the center of the city which is filled with shrubbery and trees, and is a great ornament to the city, and our inhabitants are of a go-ahead, enterprising class, and business is at all times good at this point.
WATHENA (WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP).
WATHIENA is situated near the mouth of the fertile valley of Peter's Creek, where the creek makes its way through the Missouri River bluffs, and at the western terminus of the St. Joseph, Wathena, and Troy macadamized road. The Missouri River here makes a great horseshoe bend, coming within one and one-fourth miles of the town on the south, and one mile in a northeasterly direction, while it is four miles to the river in a direct east line. We are distant from St. Joseph, Missouri, four miles west ; eight miles east of Troy, the county seat ; twenty-eight miles southeast. of White Cloud ; twenty- two miles east of north from Atchison ; fifty-one miles east of north from Leavenworth, and seventy-five miles northeast from Topeka, the State capital. Situated as it is at the edge of the bluff's, where the extensive (Elwood) bottoms intersect the high rolling prairie, and being within good shipping distance on the north and south, we have built up a very pretty and enterprising commercial village, sur- rounded by every thing to make a large city at no distant day. We have easy of access all the materials for building, such as rock and timber, all within our own little domain, while the extensive 19
290
Agents, Principal Office, cor. 2d and Francis Streets, St. Joseph, Missouri.
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF
river bottom supplies us with abundance of fuel and lumber at a very low price. Surrounded as we are by as good a farming country as the world can produce; we have here a self-sustaining city of upward. o 1,400 inhabitants.
The town site was originally occupied by Peter Caddri, with .. Kickapoo (Indian) wife, who cultivated a small field and acted as interpreter for the Kickapoo tribe of Indians up to the year 1847, at which time he removed to Petersburg (about six miles south from this place).
In 1852 the site was again occupied by Wathena (chief of a small body of Kickapoos)_who cultivated a small field, raising an abundance of corn and vegetables. In 1854 the Kickapoo Indians, by treaty, ceded their lands to the United States, and the country was opened for settlement by pre-emption. Wathena, however, subsequently sold his improvements to Mr. M. E. Bryan (still living here), who obtained possession of the " claim " on which it was situated.
Wathena's wigwam was at that time situated a few rods north of the place now occupied by the large steam flouring-mill. It was built with a frame-work of poles tied together with hickory bark, and covered with elm bark, and after his removal was used for a church for some time.
The town, comprising the southeast quarter of section twenty-eight, township three, range twenty-two, was laid off in 1856, by Mr. M. E. Bryan and others, and the first (store) house was built and oc- cupied by Thompson Kemper in 1856, and the same year Albert Heed built the hotel now known as the Wathena House.
The town progressed very slowly from 1856 up to 1859, after which all enterprise seemed to have died out, and we were at a stand still, barely retaining our quota of inhabitants until the autumn of 1864; at which time the spirit of enterprise was again revived, and the lots so long vacant and unimproved gradually began to show the spirit of improvement ; and in 1865 emigration began to settle rapidly among us, and the noise and bustle of building, the incessant pounding and raking of saw and hammer were music to our ears. Houses 'were began and finished in the same week. We would see the emigrant as he entered with his white covered wagon, noting our excellent nat. ural advantages, and ere long he would be seen accumulating the material for building a house and becoming "one of us," and the covered wagon would assume the character of the lumberman's dray, and but few days would elapse ere we would see him comfortably " housed ;" and thus it has grown up to the present time (March 1868), and now occupies, in addition to the original site, North Wa-
USE ELFRED'S BAKING POWDER.
291
DONIPHAN COUNTY, KANSAS.
War. HETHERINGTON.
A. BYRAM.
EXCHANGE BANK OF
WM. HETHERINGTON CO., Atchison, Kansas,
Dents in Exchange, Gold Dust, and Coin.
PAYS INTEREST ON TIME DEPOSITS.
Collections Made and Promptly Remitted.
Drafts for Sale on all Eastern and Western Cities, and all parts of the Continent of Europe and Canada.
thena, Constantinople, Wilson's addition, Seaman's addition, and Small- wood's addition, and enterprising inhabitants numbering upward of 1,400. We have five dry-goods stores, four grocery stores, two drug stores, one hardware store, one tin and stove store, two harness and saddle shops, two meat markets, one steam flouring mill, one water grist-mill, one steam saw-mill, two brick-yards, one large steam woolen manufactory, two boot and shoe stores, two jewelry stores, one cabinet and furniture store, one weekly news- . paper (the Wathena Reporter), two livery and feed stables, two hotels, one photograph gallery, one brewery, one bakery, one paint shop, four blacksmith shops, two wagon shops, one omnibus line, and a liberal supply of all professions and mechanics; besides school-houses, one large brick church. The Presbyterian, Episcopal, Methodist, Christian, Universalist, Baptist, and Lutheran denomina- tions have each an organized congregation ; and not many months will pass before each of these denominations will have a church erected for their worship.
The surrounding country has a soil of unsurpassed fertility, and with a very little labor will produce bountifully nearly any product of the temperate zone, and ready sale is always found in our market for all products of the farm or garden, at prices which will soon enrich the producer.
A large amount of pork is annually packed, and farmers al- ways, find ready sale for their hogs.
The Denver and St. Joseph Railroad is completed to this place
For Steel Pens, Lead Pencils, &e., go to E. B. MOCLEERY and CO., 103 Felix Street.
292
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF
and we will in a short time hear the whistle of the locomotive among us.
The surrounding country is settling up very rapidly, and every man of ordinary talent ean, by close application, accumulate means to live upon the best the country produces.
Few locations in the great. West offer better advantages to the new comer than Wathena, which is the outlet for a great portion of the immense agricultural products of our magnificent county.
HIGHLAND UNIVERSITY.
Highland, Doniphan County, Kansas.
The origin and progress of this institution has been so connected with what was long known as the Iowa and Sae Mission, that an intelli- gent notice of the former requires us to commence with the latter.
In the spring of the year 1837 (thirty-one years ago), the Presby- terian Board of Foreign Missions commenced a mission among the Iowa and Sac Indians, then the owners and occupants of what is now the larger part of Doniphan and Brown counties. This mission was continued as long as the Indians remained within reach of it.
In the year 1854, the United States Government made a treaty with these tribes removing their claims from this part of their lands ; and the country was thrown open for settlement.
The mission was a point of attraction especially for persons favor- able to education and moral and religious improvement, which seeured at an early day that for which it is now noted, an intelligent, industrious and moral community. And this is one of the fundamental and essen- tial elements for the foundation of a successful institution of learning.
It is difficult to say when the inception of this institution com- menced in the minds of those engaged in its foundation. It was known to be thought of, and talked of, long before the claims of the aborigines were removed, or the country thrown open to the whites. It required no great foresight to see that a country so fertile and invi- ting as this would not remain long in the hands of a people who had neither the ability or the will to improve it, and that it must soon fall into the hands of those who seem to be willing and able at all haz- ards to elbow every thing out of their way.
However, to prepare the way for the coming race became an object of interest to the missionaries, and the early and thoughtful inhabi- tants.
SAM S. MeGIBBONS & CO., Dealers in Boots and Shoes, Mar- ket Square, St. Joseph, Missouri. Sign of the Elephant.
293
DONIPHAN COUNTY, KANSAS.
M. D. NOBLE,
White Cloud, Kansas,
DEALER IN
ALL KINDS OF STOCK, &c.
Is also Interested in the White Cloud Steam Ferry.
Soon after the enterprising whites took possession of the country (in 1855), the village of Ilighland was laid out. This village is two . miles west from where the old mission stands.
This was thought to be a suitable place for the contemplated high school, and on the first lithographed chart of the town it is stated to be
"INTENDED AS A SEAT OF LEARNING."
As early as the year 1856, a school was commenced in a "log- cabin " (the first house built on the premises, and had been occupied for a time as a " pre-emption house ").
This school was commenced by a pious clergyman in prayer and faith, though with but a few scholars, and it is gratifying to know that for twelve years, including the years of war and conflict in our nation, this school has been constantly kept up, except the usual vacations.
Through the energy and industry of the friends of the school, the first log-cabin gave way to a neat frame building, and at the request of the friends and patrons of the school, its management was trans- ferred to the "Highland Presbytery " (old school), and that body took control of it under the title of the " Highland Presbyterian Academy." In November, 1857, the Ilighland Presbytery appointed a board of nine trustees to take charge of the affairs of this institution, with a request that they should apply to the Legislature for a charter, by which the property could be held, and the business managed as a body corporate.
In obedience to this request, a liberal charter was obtained from the Territorial Legislature in the winter of 1857-S, under the title of " The Highland University."
The original charter gives the control of the institution to the Presbytery, but a supplemental act of the Legislature, passed in the winter of 1865-6, transfers the control from the Presbytery of High- land, to the Synod of Kansas.
Empire Sewing Machine, WELLS & RICHMOND, Gen'l Western Agents, Principal Office, cor. 2d and Francis Streets, St. Joseph, Missouri.
294
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF
The charter places the institution under the immediate control of nine trustees, who hold their office three years each; these trustees are divided into three classes, of three each, three of whom go out of office each year, and their places filled by appointment of the Synod of Kansas. By the terms of the charter the institution is secured to the Presbyterian church.
It has all the privileges and advantages usually conferred upon the highest institutions, and by the constitution of the State, as well as by statuary provisions, its property is exempt from taxation.
Its present condition and prospects are satisfactory, and as prosper- ous as could be expected for a country so new.
The present building is of brick, 40 by 60 feet, and walls twenty- five feet high, and so constructed as to be one wing of a main building yet to be erected.
It is divided into a large chapel room, 40 by 40 ; two school-rooms 20 by 40 each ; two recitation rooms, a room for apparatus, one room for a library, and an entrance hall.
It stands on the most eligible grounds in the village, and is en- dowed with four blocks, or about eight acres of ground; besides this, the institution owns nearly two hundred lots scattered promiscuously through the village.
The apparatus is in good condition, and used to advantage in the school ; its estimated value is between one thousand and twelve hun- dred dollars.
A respectable nucleus for a library is now on hand ; the books are not yet numbered, and no catalogue made out, but the value can not be less than $1500 (fifteen hundred dollars).
The entire property, with books and apparatus, has been estimated by a committee appointed for the purpose by the Synod, at $15,000 (fifteen thousand dollars).
The number of students now (March, 1868) upon the rolls is one hundred and sixteen, with an average attendance of one hundred.
At present it is a mixed school, including both sexes. All the high- er branches of the English and the Classics are taught, and the school contains a strictly primary department for those in the elementary studies. The aim of the institution is to reach the point indicated by the name of " University," where all the departments of learning may be reached.
This Institute is located in the northwestern part of the county and State, four miles from the Missouri River, and about ten miles south of the northern line of the State, and in one of the most fertile and productive regions; from its cupola may be seen the States of
295
DONIPHAN COUNTY, KANSAS.
PARKER & SPALDING,
nsurance gents,
REPRESENTING
ÆTNA, PHOENIX, LORILLARD, AND UNDERWRITERS, Aggregate Capital, - - over $10,000,000, ATCHISON, KANSAS.
Nebraska and Missouri, and, indistinctly, Iowa. In these adjacent States there is no such institution near, and in our own State there is no attempt of the same kind nearer than sixty miles ; our county has, therefore, the advantage of a good start in the right direction, and can furnish to surrounding counties and States the means of educa- tion.
An endowment of one hundred thousand dollars should be secured to this young institution, and we can see no reason why our State Legislature, who have been so liberal to more central and southern institutions, might not be expected to do something for this part of our State.
The history and present condition of our young institution ought to commend it to every one. Its foundation was laid in the bloody and eventful struggles of our infant State, and thus far a watchful Providence has guarded it, and now, more than ever, the friends of ed- ncation, religion, and order, should rally around it; and Eastern friends, who long and prayerfully contributed to the Iowa and Sac missions, should look upon it with interest and favor, as an outgrowth from the missionary work, and a living exemplification of the reflux influence of a good and generous Christian work.
ELWOOD (WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP).
Elwood is situated at the eastern extremity of Doniphan County, on the western bank of the Missouri River, where the river makes a sharp bend, washing the city upon the north, east, and south.
This point was first occupied by Thompson, in the fall of 1852, and soon after the village of Rose Port occupied a small portion of the ground known now as Elwood, and retained the name of Rose Port until the summer of 1857, at which time a company was organized,
For School Books go to J. B. MOCLEERY & CO., 103 Felix Street.
296
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF
known as the " Elwood Town Company." This company purchased the land around Rose Port, and during the same season, purchased Rose Port, and surveyed and entered the city of Elwood, under a charter granted by the Kansas Territorial Legislature, and commenced her career as one of our Kansas cities.
During this season, a newspaper was started, called " The Elwood Advertiser," which sent forth its weekly issues to herald the progress of our young State. The growth of the city was almost incredible, and in 1858, we had ten stores. three good livery and sale stables, a good steam ferry, three good hotels (one of them the "Great Western, " the largest hotel in the State, being 200 by 40 feet, and three stories high), all professional and mechanical branches were proportionally repre- sented. During this season the Elwood Advertiser changed its name, and came out as "The Kansas Weekly Press," and was published until June, 1859, when it again changed its name, to appear as " The Elwood Free Press." Elwood continued to grow rapidly up to this time, and in July, 1859, boasted upward of 2,000 inhabitants.
In the spring of 1859, when the river was at its highest, the banks being very sandy, began to cave and fall into the river, and, in one month, the river had made sneh inroads into the treacherous soil, that many people were compelled to move their houses to save them. This, however, did not impede the growth of the town, and it continued to grow rapidly, until the spring of 1860, during this spring the river again commenced sapping the foundation of our city, this time carry- ing away acres of the best and thickest populated portion of the city, threatening to carry us away altogether.
This frightened the inhabitants, and Elwood began to show signs of going down, and the tide of emigration sought a more permanent investment for their means. And in 1861, Elwood was but a shadow of its former self.
The newspaper was discontinued, and nearly all branches of trade were brought to a stand-still, buildings were sold at one-half the origi- nal cost, and removed, some into the country for farm-houses, and many helped to build up other towns in the county.
This was a heavy blow to Elwood, and one from which she has not yet recovered ; but at the present time (April, 1863), there are good signs of improvement. This is the starting point for the St. Joseph and Denver Railroad, upon which work is going on rapidly. We have now in operation three stores, two livery and sale stables, one hotel, one steam ferry, and a proportional amount of mechanical branches of trade, a good macadamized road runs west four miles, and a gradually increasing population.
297
DONIPHAN COUNTY, KANSAS.
BAILEY & NOYES,
DEALERS IN
Staple & Fancy Dry-Goods,
AND GROCERIES.
WHITE CLOUD, - . .
ALSO KANSAS.
Gents' Furnishing Goods, Notions, Trimmings, Queensware, Hardware, and Woodenware.
We are distant from St. Joseph, Missouri, three-quarters of a mile ; from Wathena, four miles; and from Troy, the county seat of Doni- phan County, twelve miles. We have a rich country surrounding us, and good opportunities are afforded to make a good grain and produce market here.
DONIPHAN (WAYNE TOWNSHIP).
Doniphan is situated in the extreme southeasterly portion of the county, on the Missouri River, in a wide, fertile valley, extending back from the river nearly two miles.
This town is one of the most important in the county, being the most extensive grain market in northern Kansas. This, like most other towns in the county, is an outgrowth of the "Indian trading - post," which was first established at this point, in the year 1853, and in the year 1855, a "Town Company" was organized, and, upon ap- ' plication, received a city charter. Soon following, city officers were elected, and our career as a city begun and a bright future opened up before us; and, like all cities of those days, property changed hands readily at extraordinary high prices, and our growth was very rapid- the demand for "corner lots " far exceeding the capacity of our young city. Our streets were graded, and every thing put in the best order possible. In the year 1857, the land office was located at this place, bringing with it a great number of speculators, who, being moneyed men, put their funds in circulation in our midst. As a necessity in
Empire Sewing Machine, WELLS & RICHMOND, Gen' Western Agents, Principal Office, cor. 2d and Francis Streets, St. Joseph, Missouri.
298
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF
connection with the land office, lawyers and real estate agents were numerous, and our streets were bordered with their offices. Our growth continued for several years, and we were looking forward to the time when Doniphan should occupy the first place in the State as a city.
The " Constitutionalist" was the first newspaper established, and became the leading institution of the city, as through its columns we could tell the world at large, the great advantages of our country. This enterprise could not exist, however, and soon ceased its issues and was finally removed from our city.
The next was " The Crusader of Freedom," which was published weekly, for a short period of time, when it, too, took up the line of march, and was removed from our city. "The Doniphan Post" was the next newspaper to establish among us, and this one promised to be a living institution, but with all the energy that could be put into it, it was destined to sink, and, about the year 1860, also followed the others to some other point. Our city, like our newspapers, was des- tined to go down, and began her retrogressive movement, in the year 1858, at which time the land office was removed, followed by the law- yers, &c., and we came to a stand-still, all branches of business sudden- ly became dull, and we were destined to retire into the shades of the more fortunate cities. Honses were removed to other parts of the county, and but a short time elapsed ere we were classed among the cities of the past.
During the last two years, however, we have been gradually im- proving, and up to the present time (1868) boast the best grain market in Kansas. We have a good proportion of all branches of trade and manufactories, and our population is continually increasing. We are the outlet for the products of nearly one-half the county.
299
DONIPHAN COUNTY, KANSAS.
THE DAILY, TRI-WEEKLY, AND WEEKLY FREE PRESS.
F. A. ROOT & CO., Proprietors,
Atchison, - - KANSAS.
THE FREE PRESS IS THE LARGEST NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN NORTHERN KANSAS.
TERMS:
Daily per year, by Mail, -
-
-
-
- $8 00
Tri-Weekly per year, by Mail, -
-
4 00
Weekly,
-
-
- 2 00
TO ADVERTISERS.
The circulation of the "Free Press" is now larger than that of any other newspaper in Northern Kansas, and is rapidly increasing.
Our Weekly Paper commends itself to the attention of the Farmers of the State, because of the full and accurate Market Reports which it furnishes, as well as because of the general information on Agricultural and Miscellaneous topics given in its columns. It is emphatically a paper for the Farmer and for the home circle.
BOOK AND JOB PRINTING.
HAVING RECENTLY PURCHASED A
SUPERIOR CYLINDER POWER PRINTING PRESS,
We are prepared to do all kinds of Job Work, whether
Books, Pamphlets, Posters, Circulars, OR FINE
Card Printing, On very short notice and at low rates.
Particular attention paid to Ornamental Printing. Printing in German executed on short notice.
Address, - - - F. A. ROOT & CO., ATCHISON, KANSAS,
J. B. MCCLEERY & CO., Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Books, Stationery, &c., 103 Felix Street, St. Joseph, Mo.
300
HISTORY AND DIRECTORY OF
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
PREAMBLE.
WE the People of the United States, in order to form a more per- fect nnion, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and es- ablish this CONSTITUTION for the United States of America.
ARTICLE I.
SECTION I .- All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
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