USA > Kansas > Butler County > History of Butler County Kansas > Part 8
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
graph proposed building east and west. This proposition was considered favorably by the townships interested, the vote being 322 to 128. But the matter was dropped and the road not built.
February 21, 1880, the townships of Douglass and Walnut voted aid to the St. Louis, Wichita & Western. This also was dropped and the road never built. In 1879 was the second actual railroad building in Butler. The St. Louis, Fort Scott & Wichita began building a line east and west. Work was begun in 1879, though bonds were not voted by the county in behalf of the prospect until 1880. Bonds voted by the townships interested were as follows : Rosalia. $10,000; Prospect $18,500; and B'enton, $11,000, the payment being subject to the actual building of the roads. The railroad for many years called the "Sunflower Road," is now a part of the Missouri Pacific system.
The next railroad to enter the county was the Frisco, built in 1879. Butler county now has four lines and 212.48 miles of railroad to enter and pass through the county. The Florence, El Dorado & Walnut Valley, 73.56 miles, a branch of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, tra- verses the county from north to south, passing through Burns, DeGraff, El Dorado. Augusta, Gordon and Douglass. This line branches at Augusta, passing through Rose Hill to Mulvane. The Missouri Pacific, 64.79 miles, crossing the county east to west, passes through Rosalia, Pontiac. El Dorado, Towanda and Benton. A branch from El Dorado passes through Potwin, Brainard and Whitewater. The Frisco railroad, 64.08 miles, also crosses the county east to west, passing through Beau- mont. Keighley, Leon, Haverhill. Augusta and Andover. This road, branching at Beaumont, runs through Latham and Atlanta. The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific. 10.05 miles, crosses the county in the northwest corner, passing through Whitewater and Elbing.
Communication-When the early settlers came into the county, they isolated themselves in deed and in truth from relatives left behind and from news of the outside world. The nearest postoffice was at Lawrence. There a box-"Box 400"-was rented by the residents of Butler. All mail thus addressed was sent down to Emporia by hack. From Emporia the mail was sent down into this county as anyone chanced to be passing this way. Think of it. We, with our free de- liveries and parcel post and the five or six daily papers that each needs must have.
In 1858 Chelsea was made a regular distributing station for mail, and in 1860 a postoffice was established at El Dorado. In 1863 a regu- lar mail line was established. running from Cottonwood Falls, through Butler county, to Wichita. These mail lines thus established were called star routes. The places on these routes were commonly designated in the books of the postoffice with an asterisk or "star." Contracts were let by the government for the carrying of the mail in this manner.
A mail carrier remembered is Frank Harrison, who carried all the mail for Butler county in 1866. Mr. Harrison made the trips on horse-
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
back, taking three days for the round trip from Cottonwood Falls, and delivering the mail once a week. There were three postoffices in the county at that time, Chelsea, El Dorado and Towanda. L. M. Pratt was postmaster at Chelsea, Henry Martin at El Dorado and Sam Fulton at Towanda. Mr. Harrison received $450 for carrying the mail. Gilbert Green of Towanda had the contract for carrying the mail on the route through the early seventies. This time a spring wagon or buckboard was used. Mr. Green and his sons were all fearless horsemen and hard drivers, and one of the memories of that period is the familiar sight of one of the Green boys flying across the country with a galloping horse and rattling, bounding, bouncing old buckboard.
One star route remains in Butler county today, a line running from El Dorado to Cassoday. The present driver is W. H. McCraner, who uses a Ford car, and makes the trip daily.
Automobiles-The automobile, which came seemingly to play, has remained to work. Such a short season since the first appearance, and how swift the increase. Automobiles have passed from being a curiosity ; have gone beyond being a luxury. They are a material feature of the great operating force which turns the great wheel of Butler county life and fortune today. The first automobile was brought into the county about 1903 by Warren E. Brown, of Augusta. The second one was owned by Dr. Richardson, then of Augusta, and the third one by Dr. F. E. Garvin, also of Augusta. Thus, Augusta had three the head start of the county. The first automobile in El Dorado was owned by Dr. J. A. McKinzie. Dr. McKinzie, while trying to ascend a hill in Riverside, lost control of his machine. It turned off the embankment, pinning him underneath, which accident resulted in his death some days later. In the county now. 1916, there are about 1,150 automobiles and eighty-five motorcycles. Also may be found twenty-eight dealers in automobiles and three dealers in motorcycles.
CHAPTER VIII.
TOWNSHIPS, CITIES AND TOWNS.
AUGUSTA TOWNSHIP-BENTON TOWNSHIP-BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP- BRUNO TOWNSHIP-CHELSEA TOWNSHIP-CLAY TOWNSHIP-CLIF- FORD TOWNSHIP-DOUGLASS TOWNSHIP.
AUGUSTA TOWNSHIP. By N. A. Yeager.
Augusta township was organized April 4. 1870, by the board of county commissioners, on petition of C. N. James and others. It in- cluded the present territory of Augusta, Bruno, Spring and the north halves of Pleasant, Walnut and Bloomington townships. The following township officers were appointed until the regular election: Daniel Stine, trustee ; A. Palmer, treasurer, and C. N. James, clerk. The first election was held at Augusta, May 14, 1870, which was a special election called to vote on the proposition to move the county seat from El Dorado to Chelsea. The vote was 119 for and 9 against. . The next elec- tion was a special election on June 27, 1870, to vote $25,000 bonds for county buildings at El Dorado. The vote was 253 against and none for the proposition.
At the first general election the following officers were elected : Daniel Stine, trustee; E. R. Powell, treasurer; II. M. Winger, clerk ; William Treweeke and W. D. Mead, justices of the peace. At this elec- tion the county herd law was also voted upon. The present boundaries of Augusta township were established by the county commissioners April 4, 1870. The town of Augusta was incorporated February 8, 1871, upon the petition 'of C. N. James and eighty other taxpayers of the town. C. N. James, Thomas H. Baker, W. A. Shannon, G. W. Brown and J. R. Nixon were appointed board of trustees. At the first regular election C. N. James was elected mayor. In 1868, Shamleffer and James opened the first store near the corner of Third and State streets, in a log build- ing, which has since been weather-boarded and is now used as a resi- dence. It is now known as No. 309 State street.
On January 2, 1869, the postoffice was established with Mr. James as postmaster, and the postoffice and the town were given the name of Augusta, in honor of his wife, Augusta James. Immediately across the
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
street from the postoffice the first hotel was built and operated by Mr. Mitchell, and is now known as No. 308 State street.
Prior to this time the adventurers and explorers of this region recognized the commercial importance of this location for a city, and two town companies were formed and platted this location in 1857 and 1858, and its natural advantages were advertised and exploited by the respective promoters in the east. One of these towns was named Ari- zonia and the other Fontanelle. They were both located on the present
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STATE STREET, AUGUSTA, KANS.
townsite. About this time an investigation was had by some of the purchasers of lots, and a survey was made which started from a known boundary line stone on the Neosho river, near Humboldt, and was run due west through this county. It was discovered that the townsites were on the Osage Indian tract and were not subject to sale. and these towns died, as did also the hopes of their founders and the eastern in- vestors to make fortunes. It is said that C. N. James, in 1868, pur- chased the relinquishment on which the original townsite is located for $40. Daniel Stine is recognized as being the oldest permanent white settler of this township. He came to Butler county in 1858. A man named Hilderbrand had preceded him to this county and took a claim east of El Dorado on what is now the county farm. A few years after- ward it is said that Hilderbrand was suspected of conducting some deal- ings in horses at night which made him unpopular, and he received an urgent invitation to emigrate. There is no record of how or when he departed.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
In 1868, the government concluded a treaty with the Indians where- by they relinquished their claim to a strip twenty miles wide on the north side of their reservation. This is known as the Osage Indian trust land, the northern boundary of which is about six miles north of Augusta. In 1869 A. Palmer brought in a saw mill which was located on the west banks of the Walnut river, immediately north of the present residence of Mrs. M. J. Loy. The first residence of the town was erected in 1869, on the corner of State street and Fourth avenue. This building is now occupied and owned by G. W. Ohmart, and was built almost en- tirely of native lumber from the Palmer mill. October 1, 1870, the United States land office was located at Augusta. This was largely due to the influence and energy of Thomas H. Baker, who afterward served n the State legislature. Andrew Akin was registrar and W. A. Shan- non, receiver. The land office brought with it a large influx of immi- gration to this county, and Augusta experienced its first boom. The county settled rapidly, and the flood of immigrants pouring down the valley were enraptured by the broad fertile valleys, the beautiful streams and abundance of walnut and other valuable timber fringing them.
Augusta was especially favored by being in the center from which these fertile valleys radiated. The Whitewater river from the north, the Walnut from the northeast, Indianola creek from the northwest. centered at this point; and Four-Mile creek, a few miles to the southwest, and the Little Walnut river and Hickory creek, to the southeast, made an ideal location for the central point of a rich agricultural community. About this time the Santa Fe Railroad Company, recognizing the com- mercial importance of this point, made a survey from Emporia, with a view to extending its line from that place, but either from lack or grasp of the importance and advantage of this move by the citizens of Augusta, or from some reasons which are not now definitely ascertain- able, the railroad company abandoned the project and extended its line west to Newton, and afterward to Wichita, and the land office was moved to the latter place. It is generally conceded by the old-time resi- dents that Augusta failed to avail itself of an opportunity which might have changed the map of this part of the state, and in which they were assisted by some of the old-time residents of El Dorado.
In September, 1870, The Augusta "Crescent." the first newspaper, was established by A. A. Putnam and L. J. Perry. These editors were succeeded by J. B. Davis, who changed its name to The Augusta "Re- publican." He was succeeded by U. A. Albin, who in 1874 discontinued the publication with this short valedictory: "The patronage we have received will not justify us in risking a continuance. 'Since self-preser- vation is the first law of nature,' we will endeavor to locate where we can do best." Afterward The Southern Kansas "Gazette" was estab- lished by the late Charles H. Kurtz, and in 1880 Mr. Albin repented. returned and established the "Republican."
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
In 1872 a county seat election was held, in which Augusta received a majority of 206 over El Dorado. The removal of the county seat was contested by El Dorado and the matter was taken into the courts and decided against Augusta on a techincality. This county seat agitation continued for a number of years, to the detriment of both places, and greatly retarded the development of the county. The same year the land office was moved to Wichita. With the loss of the land office and the county seat, the population of Augusta decreased and the specu- lators, who are the mainsprings in townsite promotion, lost heart and abandoned Augusta for more promising fields. In 1880 the Frisco rail- road was completed and Augusta took on new life. In 1881, the Santa Fe extended its line through Augusta to Douglass. Within six months
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HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING. AUGUSTA, KANS.
the population doubled and continued to increase steadily for several years. Stone quarries were opened up in this vicinity and good building stone was quarried for local use and for shipment. From 1888 to 1898 the financial stringency over the entire country retarded the progress of Augusta, as well as all the towns in the State, but Augusta still main- tained its reputation of being one of the best towns of its size in Kansas . because of its favored natural resources.
In 1906, the city (largely upon the advice and earnest solicitation of Mr. Yeager, the writer of this article-Editor), took up the develop- ment of gas for municipal purposes and commenced to furnish its citi- zens with gas at a low rate, and now has a gas plant which is estimated to be worth $100,000. paid for out of the proceeds of the gas. In 1908, the city put in a water system. In 1913. an electric light system was in-
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
stalled, largely paid for out of the gas receipts. In 1916 the city com- pleted a sanitary sewer system. From the development of the oil field. the growth of Augusta has been very rapid ; the census shows for 1915 a population of 1,400, and for 1916, 3,575, and is still increasing in the same ratio. Its future growth and importance will be determined largely by circumstances and the wisdom and energy of its citizens.
To the archaeologist Augusta presents an interesting field. Across the Walnut river from the present city are to be found ruins of an an- cient city covering many times the territory now covered by Augusta. Here is to be found the evidences of very ancient races of people, and
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WATERWORKS DAM, AUGUSTA, KANS.
fragments of pottery as ancient as the pyramids of Egypt. Fragments of rock used in the manufacture of tools, which are not found this side of Lake Superior or the Rocky Mountains; hand mills for the grinding of grain, manufactured from stone not found in this vicinity ; small mounds extending from section 4 in Walnut township to section 26, Augusta township, representing the accumulations, perhaps, of centuries. In these are the fragmentary evidence that delights the antiquarian and appeals to our imagination and fancy. Here is represented an age in which all implements and cutlery were manufactured of stone. The process of the manufacture of implements and knives and weapons is unknown today, and must have represented the highest skill, evi- dencing a civilization far above the American Indian.
This location was selected, doubtless, for its commercial advantages
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
as well as from strategic reasons. The three sides of this-to the east, north and west, defines a wall almost perpendicular, ranging from twenty-five to fifty feet high, at the foot of which runs the deep chan- nel of the Walnut, making an attack from this direction, with ancient weapons, almost impossible. Here large springs furnish ample water supply of the best character. The Inidan has it that many bloody battles were fought to gain and hold this important point. Doubtless this was the best hunting ground in the mid-continent. Here we find the first timbered protection and the first permanent water for the game and animal life which necessarily must have sought shelter from the bliz- zards and winter storms which swept the plains, and the drought which parched the great American desert. Here the rich valleys afforded game for the primeval inhabitants.
According to Indian tradition, the last great battle was fought in the low grounds between the present site of Augusta and the White- water and Walnut rivers. If Indian tradition can be relied upon, many thousand braves in hand encounter battled and perished in this last great struggle for this stronghold, and that several thousands of braves perished in this battle. Whatever may have transpired before the pres- ent civilization conquered this territory is largely a matter of con- jecture. One civilization succeeding another of different type, one race of people succeeding another different in character, has been the history of all time, doubtless true of this locality. And the importance of this location was recognized and built upon in the histories of all these tribes and races.
BENTON TOWNSHIP.
By J. C. Henrie and Elmer Dickerson.
Benton township was named after or for the late Thomas Benton Murdock, using his middle name. It was organized in February, 1872, out of the territory comprising Congressional township 26, range 3, and an election ordered held at the general election in April for the election of township officers, at or near the residence of M. T. Wallace. The officers elected at that time were as follows: John Mendenhall, trustee ; L. A. Harper, clerk; W. H. Litson, treasurer ; W. J. Estes and Charles Hazelhurst, justices of the peace. The assessed valuation of the town- ship for 1872 was $20,296, and for 1915. $1.311,059. The township is adapted to agriculture and stock raising. All kinds of cereals and grasses, tame and native, grow and flourish. There are five school dis- tricts in the township, and about seven miles of the Missouri Pacific railway.
The town of Benton was platted in 1883 and now contains a high school, two churches, one grain elevator, five general stores, two hard- ware stores, one drug store, one bank, one hotel, two garages, two physi- cians, two blacksmith shops, the orders of the K. of P. and I. O. O. F.,
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
each having their own halls, and are in a flourishing condition ; one lum- ber yard, coal yard and numerous other lines of business are represented. The town is lighted by electricity. Benton has also one newspaper, The Benton "Bulletin," published by John W. Milsap, and enjoys a good circulation and liberal patronage of its advertising columns.
Amog the early settlers were J. P. J. Nelson, J. Edmiston, W. H. Litson, E. E. Armstrong, Noah Siders, William Coverdale, R. C. Spauld- ing, R. F. Moore, W. A. Aikman, John H. Clark, S. H. Dickerson, Robert Dodge, M. T. Wallace, J. C. Henrie, Ed. Harding, M. Gidly, E. H. Stod- dard, S. Shafer, I. W. Maple, E. W. Rollings, M. W. Priest, John Im-
PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING, BENTON, KANS.
man, Andrew Duffey, L. A. Harper, H. W. Beck, E. Durley, Eli Lytle, A. Melrose, D. Barnett, George Medworth, W. M. Mathers, W. M. Mc- Cune, J. L. McCune, Charles Hazelhurst and many others. Practically every quarter section was occupied by the claimant or owner at the time the township was organized, a majority of whom have gone from among us never more to return; others moved away and a few still own their original homesteads, while others are occupied by the descendants of the homesteader.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP.
On April 1, 1872, a petition was presented to the board of county commissioners asking that a new township, described as follows : Begin- ning at the northeast corner of section 4, in township 28, south of range 6, east ; thence running west nine miles; thence south six miles ; thence east nine miles ; thence north six miles to the place of beginning, to be called Bloomington township, and Fields' shop was recommended as the voting place. The petition was granted and an election of township officers ordered held on April 20, 1872. The election resulted as follows : I. N. Crawford, trustee ; H. H. Fowler, treasurer ; Samuel Major, clerk.
The first settler or squatter in what is now Bloomington township was Samuel Rankin, who attempted to locate on a quarter section of land in 1867. What became of him is among the things that are not known. Among the early settlers of the township as now described are D. S. Yates, Daniel Franklin, Fred and W. A. Ward, W. H. Allen, Alex Covert. Richard Padgham, J. B. Seaman, N. M. A. Whitrow, H. H. Fowler, Chris Wirth, William Schoeb, John Riffe, J. P. Bogle, T. C. Crowley, Sam Major, Gid Stevens and many others. Very few, if any, now own their original claim, and as nearly as can be ascertained, none are now living thereon.
This is a well watered township, and had at one time a good grist mill for grinding wheat, etc., by water power. Much live stock is raised, handled and fed from the products of the farms.
BRUNO TOWNSHIP. By A. M. Wolf.
Application for a new township in Congressional township 27. range 3. east of the sixth principal meridian, to be called Highland township. and to include all of township 27 and the north half of township 28, the election to be held at the school house in district 61. The application was presented to the board of county commissioners and granted, and the election was to be held on April 20, 1872. On April 9, 1872, a petition was presented, and granted. for changing the name of Highland town- ship to Bruno township. The election on April 20, 1872, the first officers elected were as follows : N. B. Daniels, trustee ; Jacob Brown, treasurer ; D. J. Reber, clerk; Isaac Newland and Samuel Reed, justices of the peace ; William Riser and Isaac Stroup, constables.
The first settlement of Bruno township was commenced in Febru- ary, 1869, by Vincent Smith, being the first settler arriving on section 3 on Dry Creek. Upon his arrival, and to his surprise, he found about 500 Indians, and he traveled on horseback up this creek from Augusta to its beginning in Sedgwick county. He then went south across the prairie on to what is called Four-Mile creek. Traveling down this creek he
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
came to a large spring of water now known as Seltzer Springs, just over the line in Sedgwick county. He continued to follow this creek, and as he came within about three miles of the Walnut River, he saw what looked to him to be a dugout, and upon examining it found it inhabited by a white man, and interrogating the old gentleman, found that he had been a sailor on the high seas and that his name was Franklin. Smith then proceeded down the creek to the Walnut river and on down to where Winfield now stands. His intentions were on starting a town site for a county seat, and upon his arrival the first night, he again found himself among Indians, and they, stealing his horse, told him that "white man was too fresh." Finding that the land had not been surveyed, he then traveled on foot to Cottonwood Falls and then came back in the early spring. about the tenth of May, 1869, and filed on the southwest quarter of section 3. the land office at that time being at Humboldt, Kan .. Noth- ing much was done during the year 1869 until the early spring of 1870, when the early settlers began to arrive, a man by the name of Champion, a blacksmith ; Harry and Frank Kelley, C. A. Glancey and Mr. Graham taking up claims along Dry creek. About October 1, 1870, a few more settlers began to arrive, of whom some are still remembered, being Mr. Wolf. F. A. James and James Collison ; and then no further settlement until the spring of 1871, when settlers began to arrive from the East, settling up the township, and, in fact, every quarter section was taken, and improvements began at once and have continued to improve until this spring. The citizens of Bruno township can proudly say that we rank among the foremost in Butler county, having a fine high school. elevators, churches and well improved farms; also able business men and an excellent set of farmers. In the early spring of 1870, a few settlers that were here got together and names were suggested for the township, and it was finally agreed to delegate Mr. Graham to name it, and he suggested the name and called it Bruno. The first railroad through Bruno township was built in 1880. Bonds to the amount of $18,000 for the extension of the Frisco railway were voted and the road was completed through the township in May, 1880.
Andover, the county seat of Bruno township, was platted by Charley A. Glancey in 1880. It is a thriving little village on the Frisco railroad. It has one general store, owned by W. E. Peacock ; bank, Earl J. Fanner, cashier ; lumber yard, S. B. McClaren ; millinery, barber and blacksmith shops, postoffice and other lines represented and all doing a good busi- ness.
CHELSEA TOWNSHIP.
By Martin Vaught.
In August, 1857, George T. Donaldson, J. C. Lambdin, his son Ralph. and myself, camped at Emporia, at that time a village of less than a dozen houses. We were looking for homes and others joined us, among
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