USA > Kansas > Wabaunsee County > Early history of Wabaunsee County, Kansas, with stories of pioneer days and glimpses of our western border.. > Part 22
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But the result with reference to acquiring a knowledge of the language was very satisfactory. The fact that the phrase, "chili-con- carne" referred to a conglomerate mass of meat, gravy, and red pep- per, with the latter ingredient largely in the majority, was learned at an early stage of the lingual development.
The words almuerzo, comida, and cena (breakfast, dinner, and supper) were learned by their association with the several occasions when all met around the family board to discuss the superiority of "chili-con-carne" over the commonplace American dish of ham and eggs.
But in the discussion let us not forget the more practical side of our subject lest by our digression our readers lose all interest in the Old Trail.
A government train consisted of 26 wagons, drawn by six mules each. The train was in charge of a wagon-master, and an assistant, with a cook and one or two extra hands-usually 30 men to a train. Each wagon was drawn by six mules or six yoke (12) of oxen. Wagons of private freighters were drawn by 10 or 12 mules each, or by from four to six yoke of cattle to the wagon.
Government mule trains made but one drive of from 25 to 30 miles a day-breaking camp at daylight and going into camp about 10 o'clock in the summer and about 4 o'clock in winter. With ox trains two drives were made-early in the morning and late in the afternoon- often extending far into the night. Winter trips were seldom made with government trains drawn by oxen, but contractors paid but little heed to the weather or season.
The animals were guarded day and night by from two to six men- more if a dry camp* was made, or stormy weather, or the presence of Indians deemed extreme caution necessary.
*In 1862, our train lost 50 head of cattle, while making a dry camp in the Cheyenne bottoms. Moving the wagons to Cow creek we spent
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While passing through the Indian country-when attacks from the hostiles were feared the animals were kept in a corral formed by the wagons-in a circle-or were securely tied with halters or lariats.
To outfit a government mule train 160 mules were required, but for a train drawn by oxen there were 312 oxen and four mules.
Guards were detailed by the assistant wagon-master. It was also his duty to draw and distribute rations, assist in repairing such parts of wagons as might be broken through careless driving, stampedes, or imperfect timbers. Extra timbers and full kits of tools and a medi- cine chest formed a necessary auxiliary to every outlit.
However inclement the weather men on the plains were seldom sick from exposure. To be warmly clad was the rule and to be pre- pared to endure the hardships incident to a trip across the plains was one of the pre-requisites to employment. Though rough fare and a hard life were the rule there was a fascination about the Old Trail that tended to obliterate from memory's tablet the pleasures of the home fire-side-it requiring years of time to enable the victim of the hallucination to realize that that fascination was but a glittering bauble.
Though the Old Santa Fe Trail is of the past, the memories clus- tered about it are not all unpleasant. Let us cherish these as we would the many kind acts and pleasant incidents that cheer us on as we wend our way over that other Trail that leads to the Great Beyond.
three days looking for the strays. The few water holes along the creek were filled with turtles and while encamped here a band of twenty Cheyenne Indians came along and went prospecting for meat. In half an hour there were twenty pony loads of turtles on the banks of Cow creek but not a single turtle in that hole of water. The
Indians would dive for the turtles and seldom missed. Failure to secure a turtle brought shouts of derision from the other Indians that induced renewed exertion and better luck-but not to the turtle. The Indians requesting permission for the use of our camp-fire to cook a terrapin found on the prairie we were treated to our first lesson in the preparation of terrapin a la Cheyenne. The terrapin was placed on its back before the fire and roasted alive. Without pepper or salt for seasoning the meal was devoured with seeming relish and the meat was so tender that neither knife nor fork was needed in the serving. Their hunger appeased the Cheyenne braves wrapped their catch of turtles in their blankets and, happy and contented, departed for their camp on the Arkansas.
NOTE. Among the incidents of our visit to the Kiowa camp, near the mouth of the Pawnee (see page 207) was a sick call that was unique in our experience. Lying under a canopy of green boughs was the worst used up specimen of the Lo family I ever saw. The Indian had been gored by a wounded buffalo and if that Kiowa ever went on another hunt the medicine man that patched him up ought to be interviewed and the case reported in full for the benefit of the medical profession.
EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
REV. W. S. CROUCH, Pastor Congregational Church, Maple Hill.
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THE ELIOT CHURCH (CONGREGATIONAL), MAPLE HILL.
EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
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REV. GEORGE KETTERING.
REV. R. M. TUNNELL.
REV. D. R. STEINER.
REV. JOHN SCOTT.
FORMER MINISTERS OF THE CONGREGATIONL CHURCH, ALMA.
EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
A BUNCH OF PRETTY SUNFLOWERS. Grown at Alta Vista - 1901.
EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
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AT THE GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH DEDICATION, ALTA VISTA, 1901.
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REV. FATHER KAMP'S CONFIRMATION CLASS, 1899.
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REV. FATHER WIENER'S CONFIRMATION CLASS. Paxico, 1899.
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FLORAL SCENE AT THE HOME OF MR. S. H. FAIRFIELD, Alma.
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REVEREND SCHMID'S CONFIRMATION CLASS, Lutheran Church, Alma.
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TEACHERS' INSTITUTE OF 1896, Alma. Mr. C. C. Carter, County Superintendent.
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EARLY HISTORY OF WABAUNSEE COUNTY, KAN.
TEACHERS' INSTITUTE OF 1897, ALMA. Mr. Dow Busenbark, County Superintendent.
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TEACHERS' INSTITUTE OF 1901, ALMA. Mr. T. J.[Perry, County Superintendent.
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MR. A. S. ALLENDORPH
Was born in Booneville, Mo., Oct. 17, 1867, coming to Kansas when a boy of ten years, his parents locating at Lawrence. Here he was educated-at the city High School and at the Kansas State University, taking a special course in civil engineering. Mr. Allendorph demon- strated his fitness for this position by two years of practical work on the Wyandotte & Northwestern, the terminal point at that time being Hastings, Neb.
Seeing a more inviting field in the cattle business Mr. Allendorph came to Wabaunsee county in 1888, leasing a large body of pasture lands, the lease to run five years and the stipulated price being the tax on the lands for that period.
By agreeing to drive the cattle from Douglas county and return- ing them in the fall 2,000 head at $1.50 per head for the season were secured. The land was all open prairie but the second year seven sections were fenced and 4,000 head secured at $1.75, the cattle being from the A. L. C. ranch, the property of the Acoma Land & Cattle Co., of New Mexico.
In 1890, the increase in the business necessitated the leasing of more pasture land and so great was the demand for pasturage that the firm of Allendorph & Co. found themselves compelled to provide for 16,000 head during a single pasturage season.
The fourth year others embarked in the business, renting lands at $200 per section. In addition to being called the Switzerland of Kan- sas our county has gained a reputation throughout Western Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona for furnishing the best summer pasturage to be found anywhere-the best evidence being found in the fact that the price has advanced to the present average of $3.50 per head for the season. When it is considered that but a few years ago these same lands would have been thought dear at $3.00 per acre the magnitude of the cattle business of today may be readily sur- mnised. So great has been the change that lands which a few years ago were considered valueless except for pasturage are now sought after for farming purposes at twenty five dollars per acre.
Mr. Allendorph having traveled extensively through the cattle ranges of the West and being thoroughly conversant with the condi- tions as they exist should be competent authority on questions affect- ing our county as a desirable range for the vast herds of cattle that are annualy pastured within our limits. Mr. Allendorph's opinion is that Wabaunsee county is the garden spot of the world so far as cattle range is concerned.
That Mr. Allendorph's judgment is not at fault is in evidence in two notable instances; the first in fixing upon our county as a place of
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residence and, second, in the choice of a helpmeet-Miss Mame I. Flintom, to whom he was happily married on June 18, 1891. Mr. Allendorph besides owning 5,080 acres of good land resides in one of the most pleasant homes in Alma. Coming here with nothing he has proven by his works that which he professes to believe-that Wabaun- see county, as a place of residence has no superior on earth.
MR. GEORGE W. THOMPSON (Dec'd)
Was born in Clark county, Ohio, Dec. 17, 1831, and in Feb., 1853, was joined in wedlock with Miss Sarah Herriott, of Union county, Ohio. To this union three children were born-Charles H., who so creditably filled the office of register of deeds, Mary, now Mrs. Josiah Hiner, and Elmer, now a resident of Manhattan.
For nearly a third of a century Mr. Thompson was a resident of Wabannsee county, coming to Kansas in 1866, settling on the farm where he died on Tuesday morning, Oct. 18, 1898.
With an unsullied reputation, of sterling integrity and prompted by the purest and noblest impulses, no man enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his acquaintance to a greater degree than did the sub- ject of this sketch.
With him the ties of kinship were sacred and the love of home and family were attributes that challenged comparison and com- manded that admiration that invariably ripened into the warmest friendships that even that grim monster, Death, cannot sever.
Though not a politician, for more than twenty years the name of Mr. Geo. W. Thompson, as chairman of the democratic county com- mittee, was familiar to the people of Wabaunsee county. And yet he was not a politician. No man would spurn the appellation more than he. With him it was: "Not as I desire, but as my party wills."
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. E Richards, for four years pastor at Wabaunsee, assisted by Rev. S. H. Woodhull, the then resident minister.
Characteristic sentences that went home to the heart were: "Man lives to labor and dies to rest;" "We grieve because of the cruel hand of Death, but with God it is the coming home of his children."
MR. W. A. DOOLITTLE.
The subject of the following sketch is a native of New York but removed at an early age with his parents to the far west-settling in Illinois, removing thence to Wisconsin and afterwards to Iowa, acquir- ing such rudiments of an education as the scanty opportunities of the frontier afforded, going sometimes as far as six miles on foot to the
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district school. On the breaking out of the war he enlisted and was mustered into Company K, 5th Iowa Infantry, July 15, 1861, and served with his regiment in the south and southwest, participating in the various battles and sieges in which his regiment was engaged until August 9, 1864, when he was mustered out at Chattanooga, Tennessee. Upon his return home he began the study of law with Blair & Braw- son, attorneys, of Manchester, Iowa. In 1868 he came to Kansas, settling in this county, and was admitted to the bar in 1870, when court was held in the upper part of what is now known as the old Kaufman building. John T. Morton was the judge of the district court at that time, and Samuel R. Weed, clerk.
Mr. Doolittle held several positions of trust in Wabaunsee county, among others that of county attorney, to which he was several times elected. He was for years identified with the public schools, teaching at Alma, but the greater portion of the time he chose to teach in the country districts, where he could the better prepare himself for his chosen profession-that of the law.
By close study and constant application Mr. Doolittle became a. thoroughly educated, well informed man, possessing the confidence and esteem of the people.
Although now a resident of Iowa, the greater part of his life was spent in Wabaunsee county, where Mr. Doolittle has left a host of friends and a record of which he may well be proud.
MR. B. BUCHLI, SR. (Dec'd)
Was born and raised in Switzerland. In his early days he received a thorough training in the excellent system of common schools in his native country, and afterwards took a full course of instruction in the higher branches and among others that of trigonometry and surveying at Schiers Seminary, graduating with honors. This is a school where normal methods are taught and the fact that Mr. Buchli held a life certificate to teach was an evidence that he was assiduous in his efforts to gain the topmost round of the ladder. According to national cus- tom, Mr. Buchli served his allotted time in the Swiss army, holding, when his services were concluded, the rank of first lieutenant. In 1870 he came to Kansas: and after having lived five years on a home- stead in Riley county, moved to Wabaunsee county. After coming to America Mr. Buchli resumed his former occupation of teaching and taught successfully some of the best schools in the county, among others. the schools at Halifax and Alma.
Mr. Buchli was elected county surveyor in 1891 and re-elected in 1893, dying in office but a few days prior to the close of his second term -leaving to an estimable family, as an heritage, a life spent in honest and conscientious endeavor-looking to the attainment of the highest ideals in the life here, and a peaceful haven of rest, beyond the grave, in the hereafter.
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SAMUEL WELFELT
In 1892 was city marshal of Alma. Sam, besides upholding the dignity of the law, was the first incumbent in that office to wear a uniform of metropolitan pattern. Sam was also skilled in the art of woodcraft, furnishing proof of his prowess in the number of beaver and otter pelts, mink hides and skins of other wild animals, the pres- ence of which in our county was hardly suspected until ocular proof rendered a denial out of the question. After a few months sojourn in the wilds of the Indian Territory, Sam moved with his family to the Pacific coast, where as captain and owner of the "Katie Thomas," he is making a fortune in the fishing industry.
H. J. PALENSKE
Was born September 10, 1860, in Richardson county, Kansas, now known as Wabaunsee county. Received a common school education. Was raised on a farm till he was 17 years old, He then came to Alma and worked a year for Kinne & Kerans, again returning to the farm for one year, after which he returned to town and held a position in the store of F. C. Simon, dealer in general merchandise, for two years. On March 20, 1891, Herman again returned to the farm. The follow- ing fall Mr. Palenske was elected sheriff of Wabaunsee county, enter- ing upon the duties of this office January 11, 1902. At the close of his term he was re-elected, giving the people four years of honest and efficient service as sheriff.
Mr. Palenske was united in marriage to Miss Marion Ross, of Mis- sion creek, on February 3, 1892.
Since the close of his second term of office as sheriff, Mr. Palenske has resided on his farm, one mile south of Alma, where contentment reigns in a happy home.
HIRAM WARD
Was born in Grayson county, Virginia, January 27, 1837. He was brought up on a farm, and in his early life had but few educational privileges, having attended school not to exceed 18 months altogether. There was no system of common schools in Virginia and subscription schools during the winters supplied but meagerly the wants of the people.
In the fall of 1857 Mr. Ward removed to Benton county, Arkansas, where he married and lived until November, 1862, when he came to
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Kansas, locating at Tecumseh, Shawnee county. At that time his worldly possessions consisted of a horse and fifty cents in money. The condition of his finances compelled him to work on the farm or in the quarries as a day laborer.
When Lawrence was burned and her loyal citizens murdered he took an active part in organizing the Second Regiment of Kansas Re- serves, being elected second lieutenant of Company C, and when called into service took an active part in the campaign on the border in 1864. He was a participant in the battle of the Blue under Curtis and Blunt.
In 1864, Mr. Ward moved to Osage county and engaged in stock raising, establishing the School Creek herd of Shorthorns.
For three years he was president of the Osage County Fair Associa- tion. For ten years he was engaged in the mercantile business, at Harveyville, where he died Nov 10, 1895, highly respected by all.
Mr. Ward was a liberal contributor to church organizations and all charitable enterprises. He was frank and courageons in his con- victions and an earnest advocate of what he considered just and right.
J. H. JONES
Was born in Washington county, Virginia, February 27, 1828. Attended the common schools of the country until able to do farm work, when he was kept from school to work upon the farm, having mastered Websters's Elementary spelling book to the word immate- riality Could read by stopping to spell many of the words, could not write or compute with figures, beyond simple addition, subtraction and multiplication. At the age of 18 he prevailed on his father to send him to school. He went to a high school six months, and was again put to work on the farm and denied further school privileges. All his leisure moments on the farm were devoted to study in which he made such proficiency that at the age of 20 by permission of his father he taught public school. Before he arrived at the age of 21 was appointed deputy county surveyor of Smyth county, Virginia, and soon thereafter was elected county surveyor of the same county for a term of seven years.
During this time he devoted his spare hours to the study of law, his hours for study being from 9 p. m. to 3 a. m. He was admitted to the bar in 1855, coming to Kansas the same year.
The following year Mr. Jones was married. He was twice elected to the legislature, being a member of the House in 1863 and of the state Senate in 1865-6. In 1864 he was captain of a company of state militia, participating in the battle of the Blue, near Wesport, Mis- souri, in October.
From 1865 to 1868 Mr. Jones was engaged as civil engineer in the
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location and construction of the U. P. Railway. In 1882 he was re-engaged in railway construction for the Union Pacific.
Mr. Jones became a resident of Wabaunsce county in 1880 and engaged in farming until 1890 when he was elected county attorney, being re-elected two years later, and elected county surveyor in 1897, in every case running ahead of his ticket and elected by good majori- ties.
Mr. Jones occupies an enviable place in the hearts of the people irrespective of party affiliations, and he has a host of warm friends who hope that he will again consent to serve them in the capacity of a public official.
D. U. MILLISON
Was born Nov. 10, 1862, at Council Grove, where his parents had lived for many years, his father being employed by the Government as blacksmith for the Kaw Indians.
The subject of this sketch was educated at the Council Grove High School, being a graduate of that institution. On Sept. 3, 1891, Mr. Millison was married to Miss Ida B. Wibert, of Andover, Ohio. Two children, David Oren, and Nellie Avilda, twins, were born to this union.
Mr. Millison is a school teacher by profession, having taught 15 terms in Wabaunsee county, 6 terms in Nebraska, and I term in West Virginia, while there on a visit. In 1898 he was elected trustee of Rock creek township and in Nov., 1899, register of deeds of Wabaun- see county, a position he now holds, the term being extended one year by legislative enactment.
When a child of six years, on July 3, 1868, Mr. Millison distinctly remembers being hustled into a large building with all the women and children, while all the available men of Council Grove and vicinity were in arms to repel a threatened attack fron the Cheyenne Indians.
A painstaking official and an excellent penman, Mr. Millison bids fair to become his own successor in the office of register of deeds for Wabaunsee county.
T. S. SPIELMAN
Was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 22, 1844, and was edu- cated in the public schools of that city. In 1860, removed to Washing- ton county, Maryland. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union army, having joined the Baltimore battery of Light Artillery, under command of Captain Fred. W. Alexander, a prominent citizen of Baltimore.
He was discharged from the army on June 17, 1865, and was en-
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gaged during his term of service mostly in the Shenandoah Valley and on the borders of Western Maryland. His battery was with Milroy at the battle of Winchester and with Wallace at the battle of Monocacy, and in several minor engagements in Virginia. After the close of the war he taught a public school near the Antietam battle ground, at Keedysville, Maryland.
In 1866 he returned to his native city, St. Louis, and in 1867 was appointed a messenger in the office of the assistant treasurer, U. S., remaining in that office until the summer of 1876, when he came to Wabaunsee, Kansas.
On July 1, 1884, he was appointed clerk of the district court by Hon. Judge John Martin to fill an unexpired term in said office. At the regular elections held in 1884, 1886 and 1888 he was elected on the Republican ticket clerk of the district court. In 1890 he was a candi- date for re-election but was defeated together with all the nominees on the Republican ticket.
In October, 1892, he was appointed deputy county treasurer and served in the treasurer's office six years. At the regular elections in 1898 and 1900 he was elected probate judge.
Judge Spielman has been a member of the Congregational church for over twenty five years. As a public servant of the people he has performed the duties in a manner generally with satisfaction to the people. He has honestly endeavored to perform the trusts confided to him by the people in such a manner as to gain their confidence and support, and he has the friendship and good will of the people irre- spective of political affiliations as their faithful and respected public servant.
C. M. ROSE
Was born in Onondaga county, New York, June 10, 1839, remov- ing with his parents to Michigan when but four years of age. Came to Kansas in 1858, going to Eldorado where he worked in a saw mill, helping to saw the first boards and assisting in building the first house built of boards in Butler county.
Mr. Rose participated in some of the buffalo hunts of that season (1858) after which he returned to his home at Mendon, Mich., where he remained until August 5, 1863, when he enlisted in Co. K, 19th Michigan Infantry.
While serving with his regiment Mr. Rose was in some hot chases after Morgan; was at Fort Donaldson, Nashville, and Franklin; with Rosecranz at Chattanooga and Sherman at Atlanta. Was twice wounded-at Spring Hills, Tenn., and at Dallas, Ga., the wound he received at Dallas preventing his being with Sherman in his march to
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the sea. Surrendered with his regiment, Col. Coburn, commanding, at Spring Hills, and sent to Libby prison, where, after 30 days, he was paroled and sent North. After recovering from wounds received at Dallas, he was on detached service, till the close of the war.
General Shafter was major of the regiment in which Mr. Rose en- listed-surrendering at Spring Hills to General Wheeler-who fought under Shafter at Santiago.
In 1873 Mr. Rose came to Alma, where he has since made his home, doing a thriving business in pumps and windmills, unusually hale and hearty at the age of 63 years.
FRED A. SEAMAN
Was born at Elmore, Portage county, Ohio, on August 16, 1866. He attended the Greenspring, Ohio, public schools for six years, gradu- ating in May, 1884. After an attendance of two years at the Green- spring Academy Mr. Seaman came to Kansas, locating in Wabaunsec county, where he has since resided.
After teaching the Keene schools for three years, Mr. Seaman came to Alma, where he tanght three terms, being principal of the Alma City schools two years. After another year as principal of the Eskridge schools, Mr. Seaman taught the home school on Mission creek (Dist. No. 4) for five consecutive years.
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