USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 71
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 71
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652
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
NOVEMBER, 1863.
A. W. Pickering was elected representative ; J. P. Tucker, clerk district Point; 4. L. Wait. county clerk; D. H. Miller, sheriff: H. J. Gregory. voroner; Wm. Phillips, Thos Sirid and J. Foster, commissioners ; J. Baetie treasurer : John Woolman, surveyor; J. D. Coulter, register of deeds and D. Askien, county assessor.
NOVEMBER, 1864.
The total number of votes cast for president was 102. Lincoln and Johnson securing 67 and MeClelland and Pendleton 35 votes. Saml. J. Crawford carried the county for governor and John Nathan Foster elected repre entative ; Thos. Arnold. county attorney ; Pusey Graves. probate judge N. Keller, clerk distriet court: J. D. Coulter, treasurer; Enoch Fencler, county assessor ; W. B. Stines, superintendent public instruction and J. S. Lobough, commissioner.
NOVEMBER, 1865.
I. W. Dow was elected representative; Pusey Graves, clerk district court ; Geo. L. Wait, county clerk ; David H. Faler, sheriff ; David Reynolds, treasurer ; W. B. Stines. county surveyor : Geo. L. Wait, register of deeds ; O. P. Hanghowont, county assessor: J. D. Coutler, county attorney; Chas. Ostermeier, coroner and Jno. S. Lobough, Michael Reedy and H. J. Gregory, commissioners.
NOVEMBER, 1866.
Again Gov. Crawford carried the county for governor. H. J. Gregory. Republican, was elected representative : Jas. Crane, probate judge ; Pusey Graves, elerk district ourt; S. J. Williams, superintendent public instruc- tion : A. K. Philon, treasurer ; D. Reynolds, commissioner; O. P. Hougha- wout. democrat. county assessor and M. V. B. Pearsall for coroner.
NOVEMBER, 1867.
The Republicans were successful and eleeted D. W. Finney representa- tive. Thos. A. Blanchard, sheriff and treasurer; W. B. Stines, county at- torney and surveyor ; W. W. Sain county elerk and register of deeds; C. B Graves, county assessor : A. Brush. coroner and J. L. Lobough, D. Reynolds and H. J. Gregory, commissioners. D. W. Finney, W. W. Sain and W. B. Stines are still citizens of the county and have from that time been active i the political field. The vote on the constitutional amendment to strike out the word white stood 149 against, and 88 for.
NOVEMBER, 1868.
Jas. M. Harvey carried the county for governor by 183 majority over G. W. Glick ; B. F. Johnson was elected representative ; Pusey Graves, probate judge ; S. J. Williams, superintendent publie instruction; W. E. Graves, county attorney and E. Fender, coroner.
NOVEMBER, 1869.
HI. J. Gregory was elected representative over C. B. Graves : I. W. Dow, treasurer; W. W. Sain, county clerk and register of deeds; D. Reynolds,
603
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
sheriff ; J. M. Leach, coroner : D. V. Dow, surveyor and J. W. Jewitt, P. W. Yohon and H. C. Leonard, commissioners.
NOVEMBER, 1870.
Again Gov. Harvey carried the county for governor. G. A. Bogart was elected representative ; W. E. Graves, county attorney ; Pnsey Graves, probate judge, and J. S. Gilbert .superintendent public instruction.
NOVEMBER, 1871.
B. F. Everett, republican, was elected representative; J. A. Bur- dett, county clerk ; W. J. Honghawout, democrat, county treasurer ; Samuel Cook, register of deeds; D. V. Dow, surveyor; E. Fender, coroner and A. Hamilton, democrat, sheriff.
NOVEMBER, 1872.
Gen. U. S. Grant received 782 votes for president and Horace Greeley received 247; Wm. Peck republican, was elected representative ; I. S. Jones probate judge: T. J. Petit, county attorney ; Dan Tollner, clerk district court and J. L. Gilbert, county superintendent. Although the Republicans scemed at this time to have a large majority, in November, 1873, so the story goes, an independent ticket was selected the night before election known as "the Midnight ticket" and was in a measure successful. Those elected were : Frank Butler, democrat, representative; Wm. Cozine, sheriff ; W. J. Houghawout, democrat, treasurer; I. N. Holloway, republican, county clerk ; I. S. Jones, republican, register of deeds ; J. W. Driscoll, coroner and S. Michner, W. P. Stephenson and L. G. Porter, commissioners.
NOVEMBER, 1874.
J. C. Cusey, democrat, carried the county for governor ; A. B. Mann, (R) was elected representative; I. S. Jones (R) probate judge; G. I. Car- penter (R) clerk district court ; W. H. Stares (R) county attorney ; A. F. Palmer (D) superintendent public instruction and D. M. Ray, county surveyor.
SEPTEMBER 12, 1875.
Yates Center was selected as the county seat and for a number of years afterward the prejudice aroused during the county seat contest was a factor in the county polities.
NOVEMBER, 1875.
H. D. Dickson, democrat, was elected representative; I. N. Holloway, (R) county clerk ; R. A. Hurt, (R) treasurer ; I. S. Jones, register of deeds and A. Smith, coroner.
NOVEMBER, 1876.
For president, R. B. Hays received 673 votes in the county and Saml J. Tilden 306; Geo. T. Anthony carried the county for governor ; S. R. Kel- logg (R) was elected representative; J. E. Pickett, (R) county attorney ; Geo D. Carpenter, clerk district court ; I. S. Jones, (R) probate judge and A. F. Palmer, (D) superintendent of instruction.
NOVEMBER, 1877.
Complete Republican ticket elected. R. A. Hurt, treasurer; I. N. IIollo-
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HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
way, county clerk ; I. S. Jones, register of deeds; A. Smith, shriff; Jos. Webb, surveyor ; E. Fender, coroner and S. Michner, T. J. Eagle and J. H. Bayer, commissioners.
NOVEMBER, 1878.
Jno. P. St. John carried the county for governor; Gen. D. E. Clapp, (R) elected representative ; Geo. D. Carpenter, (R) clerk district court ; I. S. Jones, (R) probate judge ; H. D. Dickson, (D) county attorney ; A. F. Palmer, (D) superintendent public instruction and G. C. Snow, (R) com- missioner.
NOVEMBER, 1879.
Full Republican ticket elected. J. W. Depew, county treasurer; H. S. Trueblood, county clerk; I. S. Jones, register of deeds; Geo. W. Davis, sheriff ; Jos. Webb, surveyor; J. L. Jones, coroner and J. H. Bayer, com- missioner.
NOVEMBER, 1880.
County gave a majority for Jas. A. Garfield for president, John P. St. John for governor and D. W. Finney for lieutenant-governor. D. E. Clapp was elected representative ; I. S. Jones, probate judge ; W. E. Hogueland (R) clerk district court; J. W. Richardson, superintendent public instruc- tion and Levi Robbins, commissioner.
NOVEMBER, 1881.
H. S. Trueblood (R) elected county clerk and J. W. Depew (R) treasurer, with no oppositon; G. W. Davis, sheriff; W. A. Bailey, Inde- pendent candidate elected register of deeds; Jos. Webb, surveyor and G. C. Snow, commissioner.
NOVEMBER, 1882-
Gov. St. John again carried the county for governor; E. V. Wharton (D) was elected representative: I. S. Jones, (R) probate judge; W. E. Hogueland, (R) clerk district court ; J. E. Pickett, (R) county attorney ; Miss L. J. Stephenson, (R) superintendent public instruction and R. D. Webster, (R) commissioner.
NOVEMBER, 1883.
Those elected were J. W. Turner, (Ind.) county treasurer; I. M Jewett, (R) county clerk; W. A. Bailey, register of deeds; D. M. Ray, (R) surveyor ; G. H. Phillips, (R) coroner; Jas Cannady, (Ind.) sheriff and J. ". Puckett, commissioner.
NOVEMBER, 1884.
For president, Jas. G. Blaine, received 1,143 votes, Grover Cleveland, 635 votes, Benj. F. Butler, 135 votes and Jno. P. St. John, 51 votes. For governor Jno. A. Martin carried the county by a large majority. W. H. Slavens (R) was elected representative; I. S. Jones, (R) probate judge; W. E. Hogueland , (R) clerk district court; G. R. Stephenson, (R) county attorney ; Lizzie Stephenson, (R) superintendent public instruction and C. C. Mills and W. D. Windgrave, commissioners, making the board Demo- cratic.
605
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
NOVEMBER, 1885.
I. M. Jewett (R) elected county clerk ; Fred Stewart, (D) treasurer ; Jos. Cannady, (R) sheriff ; P. H. How, (R) register of deeds ; D. M. Ray, (R) surveyor ; C. R. Jones, (R) coroner and C. C. Mills, (D) county com- missioner.
NOVEMBER, 1886.
Gov. John A. Martin again carried the county for governor; W. H. Slavens. (R) elected representative: C. C. Clevenger, (R) probate judge; W. E. Hogueland, (R) clerk of district court; G. R. Stephenson, (R) county attorney ; Kate Rhea, (D) superintendent public instruction and A C. Gordy, (R) commissioner.
NOVEMBER, 1887.
M. F. Stewart. (D) elected county treasurer ; R. M. Phillips, (R) county clerk ; A. A. Keck, (R) sheriff; H. B. McHugh, (R) register of deeds : G. E. Carpenter, (R) surveyor ; A. H. Mann, (R) coroner and J. W. Quick, commissioner.
NOVEMBER, 1888.
For president, Benj. Harrison received 1,148 votes; Grover Cleveland, 595 votes; A. J. Streetor, 363 votes and C. B. Fish, 104 votes. L. U. Humphrey carried the county for governor and J. H. Hale (R) was elected representative ; C. C. Clevenger, (R) probate judge ; J. H. Sticher, (R) county attorney ; W. P. Dickerson, (R) clerk district court ; J. C. Cul- ver. (R) superintendent public instruction and Win. K. Rogers, (R) commis- sioner.
NOVEMBER, 1889.
W. C. Wille. (R) elected county treasurer ; R. M. Phillips, (R) county clerk; A. A. Keek, (R) sheriff: Geo. E. Carpenter, (R) surveyor; A. H. Mann, (R) coroner; H. A. Nichols, (R) commissioner and H. B. Mc- HIngh. (R) register of deeds.
NOVEMBER, 1890.
L. U. Humphrey again carried the county for governor ; J. H. Bayer, (R) elected representative ; A. J. Jones, (R) probate judge ; W. P. Gregory, ( Peoples' party) county attorney: W. P. Dickerson, (R) clerk district court ; Kate Rhea, (D) superintendent public instruction and Wm. Moore- head, (Peoples' party) commissioner.
NOVEMBER, 1891.
Officer elected were: H. H. McCormick, county clerk; W. C. Wille, treasurer ; F. L. Stephenson, register of deeds; T. L. Reid, sheriff; O. P. Augustine, coroner : Arthur Moffat, surveyor and Henry Ashley, commis- sioner of 2d district, all Republicans but Henry Ashley.
NOVEMBER, 1892.
This county gave Benj. Harrison a majority of 40 votes over Weaver for president and A. W. Smith a majority of 49 over Lewelling for governor. Chas. F. Scott received a majority of 42 for state senator. J. H. Bayer was elected representative; A. J. Jones, probate judge and Wm. Reedy.
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HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
clerk district court ; A. M. Kannard, (R) superintendent public instruc- tion ; G. H. Lamb, county attorney ; H. A. Nichols, commissioner of third district. All Republicans except Wm. Reeay.
NOVEMBER, 1893.
Those elected were R. D. Webster, treasurer; H. H. McCormick, county clerk; T. L. Reid, sheriff; F. L. Stephenson, register of deeds; O. P. Augustine, coroner; Arthur Moffat, surveyor, and Wm. Moorehead, com- missioner of 1st district : all republicans except Wm. Moorehead.
NOVEMBER. 1894.
For governor, E. N. Morrill received a majority of 55 votes in the county. The suffrage amendment was defeated by 175 votes. Wm. Stockebrand was elected representative; James Dutro, probate judge; G. H. Lamb, county attorney ; A. M. Kannard, superintendent public instruction and Wm. Reedy, clerk district court ; all Republicans except Wm. Reedy and W. P. Lytle who was elected commissioner of second district.
NOVEMBER, 1895.
There was only one vote against Judge Stillwell in the county for district judge. R. D. Webster, elected treasurer; J. L. Martin, register of deeds : W. O. Eades, county clerk ; M. E. Hunt, sheriff; D. M. Ray, surveyor ; O. P. Augustine, coroner and Henry Peter, commissioner of 3d district ; all Republicans except M. E. Hunt .
NOVEMBER, 1896.
For president, Wm. Mckinley received 1,288 votes and W. J. Bryan, 1.189 votes. E. N. Morrill carried the county by 135 majority. W. W. Finney was elected representative ; James Dutro, probate judge; A. J. Huff, clerk district court ; Lucy Ellis, superintendent public instruction. G. W. Cox, commissioner 3d district and J. R. Vice, commissioner 1st district; all Republicans except Lucy Ellis and J. R. Vice. A. J. Jones elected county attorney.
NOVEMBER, 1897-
J. C. Culver, elected treasurer ; W. O. Eades, county clerk ; M. E. Hunt, sheriff; J. L. Martin, register of deeds; L. N. Tallman, surveyor; Otis Orendorff, coroner, and S. C. Gustin, commissioner 3d district.
NOVEMBER, 1898.
W. E. Stanley carried the county for governor by 123 votes. H. A. Nichols was elected representative; S. C. Holcomb, county attorney ; W. L. Parsons, probate judge; E. E. Kelley, superintendent public instruction ; A. J. Huff, clerk district court, and G. W. Cox, commissioner of 3d district; all Republicans except S. C. Holcomb.
NOVEMBER, 1899.
J. P. Kelley, elected county clerk; J. C. Culver, treasurer; Silas Nay- lor, register of deeds; S. L| Patterson, sheriff; L. N. Tallman, surveyor; Otis Orendorff, coroner and J. W. Quick, commissioner of 1st district; all Republicans except L. N. Tallman.
607
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
NOVEMBER, 1900.
For president, Wm. Mckinley received 300 majority in the county. W. E. Stanley received a majority of 290 for governor and Chas. F. Scott's majority in the county was 295 for congressman-at-large. H. A. Nichols was elected representative : W. L. Parsons, probate judge : A. C. Woodruff, clerk district court ; S. C. Holcomb, county attorney ; E. E. Kelley, superin- vendent public instruction and S. G. Paris, commissioner 2d district ; all Republicans except S. C. Holcomb.
608
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
Toronto
BY MRS. M. M. BUCK.
Toronto is a thriving and progressive town of nearly 800 population, situated in the southwest corner of Woodson county, on the Verdigris river. It was laid out in 1869 by the Toronto Town company. The town did not grow much until the Missouri Pacific railroad entered its domain in 1882 and a few years later the Santa Fe.
Toronto's leading enterprise is the roller mills which was erected in 1894 by its present owner, W. P. Dickerson, and is the best equipped flour mill in this section. having a capacity of 50 barrels per day and a grinding capacity of 400 sacks daily. The brands of flour turned out are the Gem Patent, Pride of Toronto and Wild Rose, and all give general satisfaction. Mr. Dickerson is also an extensive stock feeder, and uses the surplus mill stuff to good advantage as some of the finest cattle ever shipped from this section were fed on the ontput of this mill.
Another industry is the Broom factory which has been in operation since 1885 and is owned and operated by a practical broom maker, C. B. Stuart, and places a broom on the market which for neatness and durability cannot be improved on by any of the larger factories.
The various business and professional lines are represented as follows : 'Two dry goods stores, four general merchandise stores, three hardware stores, one meat market, two furniture stores, two grocery stores, two har- ness shops, three millinery stores, six restaurants, two druggists, one jew- eler, two hotels, four blacksmith shops, three painters and paper hangers, several carpenters, one undertaking establishment, four doctors, one news- paper, two lawyers, one dentist, two real estate agents, one bank, two bar- bers, three livery barns and one lumber yard. A public school building was erected in the 80's, two stories high and containing four rooms. In 1899 two additional rooms were built but only one of them was finished. It is expected the upper room will be finished this year, 1901, in time for the fall term, which will necessitate the hiring of another teacher making six in all.
Toronto people are alive to their spiritual needs and requirements and have three church buildings. Methodist, Presbyterian and United Brethren. The Methodist made Toronto a station at the last annual conference held in Enreka, March, 1901, which gives them a pastor who preaches every Sunday, morning and night. Rev. W. Emerson is the present pastor. They also have a good parsonage of six rooms.
The Presbyterians have not had a pastor for two years, but expect one this year.
WOUDSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
The United Brethren is the newest of the three churches having been Mailt in 1890. There is preaching every Sunday night and alternate Sun- xlays in the morning. Also a good Sunday school is held every Sunday morning. A parsonage was bought in 1898 about two blocks from the church. The present pastor, Rev. T. A. Darling, is young, and active in the Master's canse.
Toronto has eleven secret societies. fraternal and beneficiary, each hav- ing elaims to the individual seeking protection for the home, or for social and pleasant intercourse with each other. and by that means, help relieve the dreary vicissitudes of life in which so many of us conte in contact.
Another great factor in Toronto's business circles is its bank, with a capital of $5.000. organized in 1892. The arrangement of the counting room is in accordance with the ideas of metropolitan banks having fire and burglar proof steel vault and safe with time work. The funds and valuable docu- men's are further protected against loss by a policy in the Bankers' Mutual Insurance company.
The progressive business men and citizens formed a company in 1899 for the purpose of drilling for gas. Three wells have been sunk at an ex- pense of about $1,000 for each well and the results are far from satisfactory. "The first well was abandoned after going down 942 feet as the conditions would not justify them in going to any greater expense, but gas and salt water is still running from the pipes and is being drank by some of our rheumatic citizens with beneficial results. Gas well No. 2 was sunk 792 feet and the conditions were almost similar to No. 1. The last well, or No. 3 was sunk 1,000 feet with better results than the other two, and it was town. Pipes were accordingly laid, and most of the business men had it put elaimed by some experts that we had enough gas in that one well to run the in their stores, but the flow was not what was expected as lamps had to be ed in addition to the gas to make good lights. At present there is some talk of raising funds to sink another well. and as the citizens have already sunk over $3.000 in the bowels of the earth it will take a good deal of argu- ment to get them to invest in another hole.
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HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
neosho falls
(BY MISS FLORENCE L. SNOW.)
When strangers come into the town of Neosho Falls, they notice first the broad, smooth graveled streets and the beautiful embrasure of the river. and then they invariably put the question, "Where are the falls?" The changing flow of water over the mill dam is most disappointing and the explanation that the riffle above the town site is responsible for the name is always met with dissatisfaction. But this gradual fall in the deliberate stream, just nine feet in two miles, was the determining factor in the genesis of the place and because the men who founded it had the sense of eu- phony, Neosho Falls is a matter of natural right as well as verbal beauty.
It was in the spring of '57 that this riffle in the Neosho river gladdened the eyes of these pioneers. They had come from Iowa in an open buggy, two young comrades, full of the life that belongs to new countries and fresh enterprises, and they were looking for a suitable place to build a saw mill. and to push their fortunes.
One of them was a practical mill wright, Isaac W. Dow, a native of Maine, of strong well-bred universalist stock, lithe and active, clear-sighted generous-hearted and ready for whatever might come. The other was N. S. Goss, Stickney Goss, as many who knew him in the early days still affec- tionately call him. He was a little older than his friend, and had recently sustained the loss that shadowed all his life-the death of his beautiful young wife. The descendant of an old Puritan family, he had passed his later boyhood in Wisconsin whither his father had emigrated from Lan- caster, New Hampshire. He made the best of scant educational advantages, cultivated a natural fondness for all sorts of bird life, and began the busit ness activities which had prepared him for the Kansas venture. Of nervous temperament and a rather delicate but elastic physique, he had a great ca- pacity for patient, persistent work, and with a kindly, genial spirit and various other qualities of leadership, he was especially well fitted to become the main stay of an infant town as well as the "Father of the Neosho Valley."
After carefully inspecting the banks of the river and calculating the water power, the friends decided that the mill should be built, and Mr. Dow remained in camp "with the Indians," as he himself puts it, on what afterwards became the Reuben Slavers farm, while Mr. Goss went to St. Louis for the lumber and machinery.
There were only two settlers in the vicinity. John Woolman, three miles west of the chosen site, and John Chapman who had a cabin near Spring
611
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
Creek, though to these might be added the Indian agent who was located three and a half miles east-the Leonard Fuqua who still lives near Kansas C'ity. The east bank of the river was thickly wooded for a prairie country, but to the west of it the level ground stretched away without even the shadow of a rock to the low bluffs that mark the ancient boundary of the water. Yet it seemed a promising country, and it was highly probable that it would appeal to many of the families who were seeking new homes in the famous territory. The mill was built, the people eame, and lumber was made for their cabins.
The first of these rude dwellings belonged to Enoch Fender, and his wife, who has recently followed her husband to the undiscovered country. was the first white woman in the settlement. Then Stevens and Ruggles put up a grocery store and the original Falls House. Mr. Ruggles was the son of one of the first missionaries to the Sandwich Islands: had been named for one of the native chiefs, and in his utter disregard of his parents' traching, gave additional emphasis to a most original and interesting character.
With this beginning the two initial nestors secured the necessary land and laid out the proportions of the future town, and a postoffice having been granted to the ambitious settlement, Mr. Goss was appointed post- master. He also carried on considerable business with the Indians, and a grist mill was added to the original industry.
When the war came on the village contained some very strong effective factors. Robert Mowry had come from Lawrence to assist in the building of the mill, and the great water-wheel that he created was a nine day's wonder. An ardent abolitionist, he had been in the thickest of some of the Lawrence troubles, and an equally devoted Methodist, he began the religious service in the new home that resulted in course of time in the organization of the Methodist church. He was, to the last of his days, which were all spent in Neosho Falls, a seer of visions and a dreamer of intense religious dreams, yet he always stood for practical righteousness, and strove with all his power to forward the common ambition of making a good, clean, enter- prising town.
Another notable addition was James Crane and his family. He had been a pioneer in Wiseonsin, and was accompanied by Dr. Whitney and his wife and their daughter, and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Hurd. The party had taken adjacent claims near Ioła, but being dissatisfied, had moved into the Falls where Willis Hurd, the first child born to the community made his advent early in '60-
Mr. Crane had a tough moral fibre and indomitable energy, and his wife was made of the same sterling stuff. They subscribed to the Con- gregationalist creed, and for many years abounded in good works. During the hard times of '60 he was sent to Wisconsin and Illinois to solicit aid for the settlers who felt that they must have help or abandon the country. He succeeded in getting an appropriation from the Wisconsin legislature for a
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HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
quantity of wheat, and Pusey Graves, who was one of the most interesting characters the town has ever known, assisted very largely in the work of systematic relief.
B. F. Goss, who organized the company we sent to the war, had joined his brother and built the first frame dwelling house in the settlement, and Dr. Allen McCartney who had a superior education and a great fund of dry humor had opened a drug store and begun a successful practice. Dr. S. J. Williams, an equally entertaining humorist, had also entered upon a similar avocation, and his eldest daughter, who still resides here, was the first female child born within our limits.
With such a nucleus for greater things the matter of education could not be neglected, and in the summer of '58 the first school was organized by a Miss Emma Coulter, of whom no record remains but that she was "pretty and stylish and well liked," and she was followed the next winter by Mr Ebenezer Curtis who "had good advantages and attracted many pupils from the country." He went to the war and became a colonel, sharing in the promotion that was quite common among the men we supplied. The response to the call to arms had been so general that the little community was left at one time with only four men, O. P. Honghawont who carried the mail, Mr. Mowry, whose religions convictions kept him at home. Dr. McCart- ney whose practice made a stronger claim, and Major Snow, who came to the place early in '62 to take charge of the Indians who made up the Neosho agency. The neighborhood of the Indians made a good market for all sorts of produce, but it also added to the apprehension of the time and the temper of the women who held the homes remained firm and true. It was during this period that the Widow Brengle who had force and courage enough for a much larger sphere, made a memorable ride to Iola to carry a message in regard to a threatened raid. As soon as it appeared that no one else could undertake the errand she saddled her fleet little pony and hurried away over the wide lonely prairie, stayed all night with some friends and was back again next day as if nothing unusual had occurred.
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