USA > Kansas > Fifty years in the Kansas Conference, 1864-1914 : a record of the origin and development of the work of the Evangelical Association in the territory covered by the Kansas Conference > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34
In 1885 Halstead was recorded as a mission for the first time. It was served in connection with Newton Mission and supplied with M. C. Platz, who served the work two years. During the first year an extensive revival occurred at the West Emmet ap- pointment, in which a number of heads of families were converted and united with the church, so that at once steps were taken to build a church in the community. By Conference time $900.00 had been secured on subscription and the following summer the building was erected at a cost of $1,200.00, and dedicated by Rev.
181
1886
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
H. Mattill, Oct. 31, 1886. During the summer months an appoint- ment was served at McPherson every two weeks on Sunday after- noon, with an audience of 20-40. This appointment was suspended when the winter revival meeting campaign approached on ac- count of lack of time.
In order to fill the above appointment long and hard drives were necessary. A twenty mile drive was made between the morn- ing and afternoon services regularly. On Sunday, Sept. 20, 1885, service was held in the Schlender school house in the morning, at McPherson, 20 miles north, in the Presbyterian Church in the afternoon, and at Conway, in the evening. At the latter place there was no church building in the village, but the school house, where the services were held, was crowded.
An appointment was taken up in Halstead in the summer of 1885. At first the meetings were held in the old Mennonite church, which was used at the time for school purposes. Later the serv- ices were changed from English to German, and the meetings held in the rear upstairs room of Brother C. Kauth's store, where a class was organized with the following members: Christian Kauth and wife, Emma Kauth, Mother Hux, Katie Hux, Mrs. Mary Gru- ler, and M. Bierschbach and wife. In 1886 Halstead was sepa- rated from Newton.
The following experiences are related by the pastor during his pastorate on Halstead Mission :
"The hardships incident to pioneer life had not altogether disappeared at this time. The people were poor and lived in very small houses, so that in many instances the children would sleep in the stable or granary. Under these circumstances it was almost impossible to think of furnishing a home for a young preacher. Because of these conditions I was necessitated to move my trunk four times during the first year of my pastorate in order that this article might not become too burdensome to the family. I would get to see my trunk about every two weeks, when I would come around to exchange books and a few articles of clothing, and then start out again on my round over the work which numbered nine appointments.
In order to enjoy a summer luxury I rented a room in Hal- stead a few months where I placed my trunk, while the kind friends arranged a bed, table, lamp and chair for me. It was indeed a treat to be able to live so royally at the end of a two weeks' round when
182
1886
EXTENDING THE BORDERS
I got home. But, alas! at the end of the second month I was out of funds and barely succeeded in gathering enough money with which to pay the rent due. I then had to give up my pleas- ant resort in exchange for the life of an itinerant. To make matters worse, a young fellow whom I had befriended by permit- ting him to sleep in my room several nights when I was at home, procured a key when I was away, entered the room and carried away some of my clothing, which I, of course, needed myself. I received only $150.00 salary the first year I preached, with which I laid the foundation for future wealth.
In order to serve the appointments regularly on my mission, which extended from the northern part of Sedgwick County on the south to within a few miles of Saline County on the north, like the forefathers I had to make some long drives. While holding a protracted meeting at the Sand Creek appointment, nine miles south of Newton, I did not wish to break into the interest of the meeting, which was just at a crisis when the latter part of the week arrived. So I held services on Saturday night, then on Sun- day morning I drove 20 miles to the Schlender school house for morning service, after dinner I went seven miles further with another horse to the Frey school house for a three o'clock service, and then back 27 miles to the Sand Creek appointment for the evening. Of course I had no time to eat supper and when I reached the school house it was so packed with people that I could hardly find entrance. Now came a long, hard evening service, in which the preacher must do the preaching, most of the singing and praying, since this was a rural district and a very irreligious neighborhood. We had a good many seekers at the altar, who must have help. Late at night the meeting closed with a preacher so tired that he refused to eat supper and spent an almost sleepless night tossing with nervousness, caused by a little over-exertion.
I would frequently drive 40 miles on Sunday and preach two to three times. The severest test during the year was the absence of time and opportunity for study. During the summer months I would occasionally, in order to be alone for meditation, drive to some secluded spot, where I would stake out my pony while I would spend the day in reading and study. Of course that meant a fast for me, but it was such a treat to be alone for meditation that I did not think much about eating dinner. 1 seldom spent two nights in succession at the same place, for my work kept me on the go. I would do most of my reading in the buggy, since
183
1887
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
the people would insist on visiting when I would enter the home. I had a very gentle horse who would keep the road whether I ob- served him or not, and would turn out for a passing team whether I held the lines or not. If there were a horse heaven I am sure my "Selim" would be found there.
1887
TWENTY-THIRD SESSION
March the 17th, 1887, Conference met at Jewell City, Kansas, to hold her twenty-third session with Bishop R. Dubs in the chair and C. Berner secretary for the twentieth time.
It was ordered in the future there should also be an English record of Conference kept, and in accordance with this action J. H. Kiplinger and C. F. Erffmeyer were chosen as English as- sistants. An unusually large number of visiting brethren were present, namely, W. Yost, Junior Publishing Agent, S. Heininger, Corresponding Secretary of the Missionary Society, W. M. Stan- ford, assistant editor of the "Evangelical Messenger," U. F. Swen- gel, assistant editor of the English Sunday-school literature, L. W. Anthony, presiding elder of the Platte River Conference, and F. C. Yenny and M. Inhelder, of the Nebraska Conference.
M. Alsbach, W. Elmer, J. Kramer and Mrs. P. Schumann died during the past year.
J. W. Lowe, G. W. Bugh, F. L. Fierce, F. Lantz and G. Wilson, local preachers, withdrew from the church during the year. G. W. Bugh was the only one who had served in the active ranks. There is no reason assigned in the Conference records why so large a number of local preachers should leave the ministry and church in one year.
P. Fricker, E. Evans and C. Linge located on account of physical infirmity.
H. Koepsel received credentials and C. Berner, E. J. Troyer, J. H. Kiplinger, L. Wenger and J. W. Keiser were retained in the itinerancy without appointment.
H. J. Bowman of the Ohio Conference, formerly editor of the English Sunday-school literature, and M. W. Harris, a local elder of the East Pennsylvania Conference, were received.
184
1887
EXTENDING THE BORDERS
E. Brown, C. W. Stauffer, A. Ernst, W. F. Schuerman, M. C. Platz, J. K. Young, M. Walter and J. K. Elmer received deacons' orders, and T. R. Nanninga and L. E. Becher elders' orders.
C. W. Stauffer, J. K. Elmer, M. Walter, G. J. Schumacher, S. J. Luehring, F. M. Peek and L. E. Becher were received into the itinerancy.
J. Wuerth was re-elected presiding elder, and the districts were supplied as follows : Kansas City District, J. Wuerth ; Holton District, H. Mattill; Newton District, J. H. Tobias.
The brethren J. Wuerth, C. Berner, H. Mattill, J. F. Schrei- ber and J. H. Tobias were elected delegates to General Confer- ence, to be held at Buffalo, N. Y., in October of this year.
Conference for the first time elected a statistical secretary, the choice falling upon E. J. Troyer.
The publication of a little monthly missionary magazine, in the interest of the Woman's Missionary Society of the Evangeli- cal Association, called the "Missionary Messenger," was approved, and Conference pledged herself to work for its circulation.
DISTRICT HOUSE
It was resolved to build a district house in Kansas City, Mo., on the lots of the Highland Avenue Church, for which the trustees of the congregation would give a lease for 99 years. The building, however, should not cost over $2,000.00.
H. Mattill was elected trustee of Northwestern College for three years.
J. Wuerth was elected Conference trustee for five years, and C. Berner Conferenec treasurer.
It was ordered that the Conference secretary and treasurer C. Berner shall have his traveling expenses to and from Conference paid, besides $10.00 extra for his service.
Again we find Conference wrestling with the numerous re- quests coming before that body from needy congregations through the hard-worked Ways and Means Committee. In some instances limited assistance was rendered, while in other cases the requests were refused because of lack of funds.
The presiding elders were appointed a committee to publish a Conference journal, which, however, failed to materialize.
EXAMINATION
A Board of Examiners for junior preachers was founded on the following plan :
185
1887
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
a. The Board shall annually elect a president, vice-president and secretary.
b. The secretary shall keep an exact record of all the junior classes, the individual members of the classes, and the examiners.
c. Each examiner shall report the standing of each member of his class to the secretary.
d. The secretary shall submit to Conference a report of each class, and this report shall be entered in the Conference journal.
e. The Board shall report any vacancy to Conference with a recommendation of two candidates for each vacancy, from which Conference shall elect one to fill the position.
f. The Board shall appoint an examiner for applicants for the ministry.
BOUNDARIES
Holton District
a. Falls City shall be taken from Preston and constitute Falls City Mission to be served with Preston.
b. Red Vermillion shall be called Westmoreland Mission.
c. Hartford Mission shall be called Americus Mission.
d. Osage Mission shall be consolidated with Deer Creek Mis- sion.
Kansas City District
a. East Lynn appointment shall be taken from Clinton Mis- sion and with adjoining territory form East Lynn Mission.
Newton District
a. Potwin shall be taken from Eldorado and added to Pea- body.
b. Cambridge shall be taken from Derby and added to El- dorado Mission.
c. Battle Hill shall be taken from Halstead and added to Salina Mission.
d. Hartland Mission shall be called La Porte Mission.
e. Abilene shall be taken up as a mission.
f. A new mission shall be taken up in Gove County and be called Gove Mission.
g. Pueblo Mission shall be discontinued.
DISTRICT BOUNDARIES
a. Carthage, Parsons, Humboldt, Golden Valley, and Yates Center shall be taken from Newton District and be added to Kan- sas City District. 186
1887
EXTENDING THE BORDERS
b. Emporia, Americus, and Hartford shall be taken from Newton District, and with Osage and Deer Creek, be added to Holton District.
c. Jewell City, Downs, Osborne and Stockton shall be taken from Holton District, and be added to Newton District.
d. Emporia District shall be discontinued.
MISSIONS
The amount of $4,039.91 was raised for missions in the Kan- sas Conference the past year, and $7,295.00 was appropriated for the coming year. J. Wuerth was elected delegate to the Board of Missions, and the Missionary Society was reorganized by electing H. Mattill president, P. Schumann secretary, and J. Schmidli treasurer.
STATISTICS
Conversions, 717; accessions, 1,286; membership, 4,878; itin- erant preachers, 58; local preachers, 30; churches, 55; parsonages, 30; Sunday-schools, 86; officers and teachers, 839; scholars, 4,189; catechetical classes, 22; catechumens, 390; Botschafters, 905; Mes- sengers, 546; Magazins, 446; Epistles, 80; total for missions, $6,951.70.
APPOINTMENTS
Holton District-H. Mattill, P. E.
Leavenworth, J. Neuffer.
Atchison, C. Brandt.
Washington, W. Daeschner and sup- ply.
Leonardville, T. R. Nanninga.
Emporia, A. Brunner.
Americus (Hartford), F. Shafer.
Deer Creek, M. Walter.
Westmoreland, R. R. Brand under presiding elder.
Atchison Circuit, A. Yockel and Otto Rohrig.
Holton Station, S. Mueller.
Preston and Falls City, F. Harder and J. Erich under presiding el- der.
Hiawatha, A. W. Platt.
Spring Creek, L. E. Becher.
Swede Creek, J. F. Schreiber.
Kansas City District-J. Wuerth, P. E.
Kansas City, Oak St., C. F. Erffmeyer.
Kansas City, Highland Ave., W. F. Wolthausen.
St. Joseph, J. Kurtz.
Glasgow, S. J. Luehring. Denver, to be supplied.
Winston, W. F. Schuerman under pre- siding elder.
Golden Valley, C. Lindner.
Parsons, A. E. Flickinger under pre- siding elder.
East Lynn, supplied by D. R. Zellner.
Eudora, J. Schmidli.
Oregon, A. J. Voegelein.
Platte River, G. Sorg.
Yates Center, P. Schumann.
Humboldt, A. Ernst under presiding elder.
Carthage, M. W. Harris under pre- siding elder.
Bloomington, H. Holzgrafe under pre- siding elder.
Warrensburg, D. R. Zellner.
Newton District-J. H. Tobias, P. E.
Newton, J. J. Kliphardt under presid- ing elder. Halstead, C. W. Snyder.
187
1887
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
Marion, D. F. Honstedt and supply.
Salina, M. Manshardt under presid- ing elder.
Abilene, M. C. Platz.
Peabody, J. K. Young.
Eldorado, D. E. Hoover under presid- ing elder.
Derby, H. S. Bower.
Kingman, E. Brown under presiding elder.
Pawnee Rock, to be supplied.
Offerle, H. Toedman.
La Porte (Hartland), S. H. Dunkel- berger.
Rice, J. H. Keeler.
Wilson, D. G. Rinehold.
Lincoln Center, G. J. Schumacher and F. M. Peek.
Stockton, to be served with Lincoln. Gove County, to be supplied.
Downs and Osborne, J. H. Kiplinger.
Jewell Station, H. J. Bowman.
Canada Station, C. W. Stauffer. Alida, H. W. Hartman.
MEMORIAL
Death demanded a heavy tribute the past year, calling from our ranks three ministers and one minister's wife.
M. Alsbach
M. Alsbach entered the Conference in the spring of 1869 and was assigned to Glasgow Mission, which he served one year when he was transferred to Warrensburg. In 1878 he located on ac- count of failing health and was not permitted to enter the active ranks again. Brother Alsbach was a true father in Israel, in whom the brethren had great confidence. He was a faithful worker, with a desire to do all the good possible in the world and to glorify his Maker and Redeemer. He rendered valuable service to the Con- ference during the eight years of his activity in her ranks.
W. Elmer
Brother W. Elmer was called away as he was approaching the prime of life, when the future seemed to hold so much in store for him. He spent but three years in the service of the Conference. Accepting an appointment in the spring of 1884, he was assigned to Burlington Mission, where he served one year, after which he was transferred to Glasgow, and the following year to Clinton, where his brief ministerial career so early terminated.
John Kramer
Father John Kramer spent a series of years in the East Penn- sylvania Conference, where he labored very successfully, leading many souls to Christ and building up the church committed to his care. In 1884 he transferred to the Kansas Conference and ac- cepted Canada as his field of labor, which he served very acceptably for a little over two years, when the Lord called him home.
188
1887
EXTENDING THE BORDERS
Brother Kramer was sound in doctrine and pure in life. With him the doctrine of salvation from all sin had a deep meaning, and with this theme he often lifted his congregations into the presence of the living Saviour, while the living waters flowed bountifully into the hearts of thirsty souls. He was a camp-meeting advocate, and was permitted to pass from a camp-meeting held on his work into the celestial city above, saved by the blood of the Lamb. On the Sunday of his camp-meeting, though feeble in body, yet able to look after the details of his meeting, no one supposing his end so near, remarked to a company of brethren in the preacher's tent : "Brethren, I believe my dying day will be the happiest of all my life." Little did the brethren think before another week would pass his testimony would be tried out. The following Saturday, as he was passing away, he threw out his arm, exclaiming, "Let me go," as the friends were singing "Joyfully, joyfully, onward I go." His life was an inspiration to young ministers, and by his fatherly counsel he helped them to overcome many trials and discourage- ments.
Mrs. P. Schumann
Sister Schumann, the wife of Rev. P. Schumann, was a re- served and consecrated wife and mother. In 1878, when her hus- band accepted his first appointment in the Kansas Conference, and was sent to the Western frontier on Rice Mission, she accom- panied him cheerfully and proved a true heroine during the years of privation and hardship as a pioneer preacher's wife. She was a true helpmeet to her companion and a tender mother to the little flock of children committed to her care.
She shared the trials and victories of a minister's wife for eight years when the Lord called her to the ranks of the redeemed to reap the reward for faithful service and fellowship here below.
THE KANSAS BOOM
The year 1886 associates the history of Kansas with the sad misfortune of an abnormal financial boom, which, a few years later, left the state in a most deplorable and wretched condition, affecting every part and phase of business enterprise, from which it required many years to recover. During the year 1886 towns sprang up in what had hitherto been desolate regions, which did not warrant such procedure. Towns extended their borders in a
189
1887
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
fabulous manner. From villages grew towns, and from towns cities in a very short time. Eastern capital poured into the state by the millions, incited by real estate men, the railroads and the newspapers, who seemed to vie with one another to create the greatest degree of enthusiasm, not to say insanity. Real estate was inflated from three to four times its real value, while factories and industries were opened where there was no reasonable ground for success.
Two years later the boom broke, and the reaction set in, which condition was augmented by shortage of crops for several years, creating want and poverty, and paralyzing business. Thousands of people deserted the state, going elsewhere to find employment and homes. Farms which had sold for $1,000.00 or even $1,500.00 could now be purchased for $300.00, but no one wanted to make the investment even at those figures. Whole towns were so reduced in population that more than half of the houses were vacant. Many of the shops and factories built in the larger towns and cities were never operated, the crash coming before work began, in some instances before the machinery was installed.
It was during these years of inflated prosperity that thousands of people occupied homesteads in Western Kansas, among them many Evangelical families. Because of this missions were located in the South and West during the past two years, as the Confer- ence endeavored to keep in touch with her sons and daughters who were flocking westward. This was undoubtedly the only reasonable thing to do under the existing conditions, but when the reaction set in it also seriously affected the interests of the Conference. The appropriations had been increased materially in order to comply with the demands, and now with a failure of crops, and a shortage of finances, as well as a large exodus of peo- ple from the state, the Conference, too, was brought face to face with a crisis which crippled her enterprises for a number of years.
Only such as have passed through the dark years of affliction which came upon the state, as well as the Conference, can appreci- ate the prosperity which returned in later years to cheer and re- ward the faithful perseverance of her tried patriots and loyal church members.
CAMP-MEETING
J. H. Tobias reports in the following words a camp-meeting held at Kill Creek, on Osborne Circuit, the past summer :
190
1887
EXTENDING THE BORDERS
"One afternoon the altar was filled with seekers when a re- markable lull came over the meeting. I urged the Christian peo- ple to pray for power. I asked for a few moments of silent prayer for the penitents who must be converted this afternoon. While the congregation was engaged in prayer a man rose in the rear of the tabernacle and began to read from a Bible which he held in his hand, endeavoring to disturb the meeting. I then called upon the people to pray mightily to God for help, since the devil was on the camp-ground with a Bible in his hands. Intense sup- plication ascended to the throne of grace, while the souls at the altar began to agonize in prayer, when suddenly the power of God swept down upon the seekers as they sprang to their feet, shout- ing, 'I am saved.' God's people began to leap for joy and praised God with a loud voice, shouting : 'The devil is defeated.' The three men sat mute as if petrified, not a word came from their lips. Several of the brethren led them from the camp, advising them not to return on such a mission again. These men were 'come- outers' who came there for the purpose of disturbing the meeting, propagating their cause, and confusing God's people."
"At the Rosette camp-meeting a lady was brought to the meet- ing in a chair, being unable to walk save with crutches, and then with difficulty. During the altar service she sat in the chair with her crutches lying at her side, when suddenly she sprang to her feet, shouting, 'I am healed.' She proved her testimony by the fact that she leaped for joy in the presence of all in the meeting. She never used her crutches again."
REV. M. MANSHARDT
Rev. M. Manshardt, who came to Kansas from the State of Pennsylvania in the year 1885, and took up work in the western part of the state, gives us the following thrilling account of his experience as a pioneer preacher in the "eighties":
"On New Year's Day I closed a protracted meeting which was held in the home of Brother H. Steenbock in Ellsworth Co., Kansas. Brother and Sister Radke from Ellsworth attended the meeting, and at its close I accompanied them to their home from where I intended the following day (Friday) to travel to Wilson to reach my Sunday appointment.
"On our way from Brother Steenbock's a blizzard broke in upon us from the Northwest with considerable force. We reached the home safely, however, not without considerable anxiety. That
191
1887 FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
night I slept in an upstairs room which had a small window fac- ing a steep bluff close to the house, which the next morning was covered with snow. At 9 o'clock the next morning every one in the house seemed to be sleeping, yet when I arose to go to the stable to feed my pony, attempting to open the door I discovered that we were buried in the snow. The family was soon up, and we were shoveling our way to the stable to find and care for the stock.
"The stable was covered with snow, and the horses and cattle were buried under the drifts. I found my black pony standing in the snow up to his ears. The cattle which were left in the corral could not be found at all. They were all buried in the drifts. All day Saturday and Sunday we searched for them with poles, and where we could locate one we would dig it out and supply it with feed. We finally succeeded in finishing this task, and saving the last one on the evening of the second day.
"By Monday the weather had moderated, but I was snow- bound until Thursday, when I endeavored to pursue my course to Wilson. With the greatest difficulty I succeeded in traveling six miles through deep snow, leading my pony as I broke a path for both of us. It was already dark when I reached the home of Brother Andrew Kipp, where I stopped for the night. At 11:00 o'clock in the night we heard a loud rumbling noise in the North- west, and soon discovered that it was the approach of another blizzard, which was attended with severe temperature, so that it was impossible to face it. For three days and nights this storm continued during which man and beast suffered and in various in- stances both perished. When we ventured to the stable to pro- vide for the stock we found chickens and pigeons frozen to death, and the cattle covered with ice and almost dead with cold.
"After several weeks of confinement we were reminded that the supply of bread and flour was exhausted. We now endeavored to reach our neighbors and either buy or borrow flour from them, but found them unable to render any assistance ,so the next move was to make a trip to town, through the deep snow on foot, to pur- chase provisions. This was a long and tedious trip of six miles, and of course we could not carry many supplies. After five weeks' confinement with Brother Kipp I succeeded in getting to Wilson, and from there to Rosettte, where I had my home with Brother A. Schanz, since my family were yet in Pennsylvania. We were all glad to meet again, as they were not a little concerned about my safety during the severe weather."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.