USA > Kansas > Labette County > History of Labette County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 16
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The important events of 1868 were the se- curing of a title to the town-site, the organiza- tion of the town company, and the definite survey and laying out of the town. As several of the then residents of Chetopa had settled there before the war, they were able to enter their lands under the 4th article of the treaty
with the Osages of September 29, 1865. On January 21, 1868, Dr. George Lisle entered the southeast quarter of section 34, Willoughby Doudna and George Hanson part of section 35. The lands thus entered embraced the site of Chetopa, and so much as was within the limits of what was intended for the town was deeded to the town company. Thus, while her neigh- bors had to make their improvements on Gov- ernment land, Chetopa could offer homes to which a perfect title could be secured. This was an important item in her favor.
IMPROVEMENTS.
In the spring of this year the California House was erected, on the northeast corner of Maple and Third streets. In the latter part of the summer Spaulding's Hall, on the corner of Fourth and Maple streets, was erected; it was a good-sized two-story building, and fur- nished the first place in town suitable for hold- ing religious and public meetings. Another enterprise started this year, and one destined to add as much to the development of the town as almost any that was started in an early day, was the planing mill, sash and furniture fac- tory of Taft, Brown & Co. This was built in the fall, and ready for operation the first of December. They sent out a large amount of house-furnishing material and furniture to ad- jacent counties and neighboring towns. Dur- ing the fall of this year Oliver Marsh cpened a large dry-goods store, and Dr. M. H. Dur- sham started a drug store, which he conducted in connection with his professional practice. On April 4th James H. Crichton walked into town as the vanguard of a long line of attor- neys who were to grace the bar at that place, and during the early summer he put up a two- story frame building on the north side of Maple
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street, and had it plastered; this was the first plastered house in town. At the close of 1868 there was quite a large settlement of industri- ous and enterprising people who were success- fully conducting various lines of business, and the town presented the appearance of a thriv- ing and progressive village.
THE TOWN COMPANY.
Dr. Lisle had from the first intended the location of a town upon the land on which he settled, and early in 1868 he arranged with in- fluential men for the organization of a town company. It was not, however, until March 30 of this year that the town company was incorporated. The charter members consisted of George Lisle, George Hanson, Willoughby Doudna, N. S. Goss, John Secrest, J. D. Tor- bert, and Watson Stewart. The company or- ganized by the election of George Lisle presi- dent and Willoughby Doudna secretary. The town was located and laid off upon sections 34 and 35. Liberal donations were made to the various church organizations, and to such enterprises as it was thought would tend to up- build the town.
IMPROVEMENTS IN 1869.
I shall not attempt to describe the contin- ued multiplication of new buildings, both busi- ness houses and private residences, as they ap- pear during this and succeeding years. The two important features of the town's history in 1869 were the establishment of the Advance and the incorporation of the town. By dona- tion of lots made by the town company and the securing of a fair limit of paid subscribers, John W. Horner and A. S. Cory had been in- duced in the latter part of 1868 to bring a
printing press from Baldwin City, Douglas county, to Chetopa, and in the first week of 1869 they gave to the public the first issue of the Advance. It is not likely that any dona- tion ever made by its citizens did more for the upbuilding of Chetopa than that which se- cured them this paper. Its publishers displayed a wonderful amount of enterprise in the gath- ering of news and extending the circulation of their paper. The' advantages which the town offered were thus made known to all who had any disposition to learn.
In March W. A. Hodges brought quite a large nursery stock, which was the first to be brought to this part of the county. The first flouring-mill in town was erected in the fall of this year, and in October commenced its opera- tion. Gilbert Martin was the proprietor.
AN IMPORTANT YEAR.
The year 1870 was an important one in the history of Chetopa. The fact that every one confidently anticipated the completion of the railroad some time during the early part of the year, gave a great impetus to business, and speculations ran high. A large number of new buildings were erected, and large num- bers of new firms opened up in business.
BRICK BUILDINGS .- Up to 1870 there had been nothing but wooden structures in town, but early this summer several brick business houses were erected. Among the bricks erect- ed were one by F. A. Drake, one by Dr. Hal- derman, and one by Hornby & Lewis; others were also arranged for and built the following year. In June of this year the cars were run- ning into Chetopa, and the fact that it was the end of the line brought there a large number of emigrants-not only those who were intend- ing to stop here, but also those who were antici-
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HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY
pating going farther south and southwest. From this point travelers laid in their supplies, and the merchants of Chetopa conducted al- most a wholesale business.
FOUNDRY .- In the latter part of 1870, John Torrance located his foundry at this point. This was a valuable addition to the business of the town, bringing to it an element of trade which before that had been compelled to go to Fort Scott and other points north.
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
In January, 1880, a branch of the State Freedman's Aid Society was organized for the purpose of furnishing aid to the destitute refugees who had settled here. C. H. Mc- Creery was president and J. D. Graham sec- retary.
ORPHANS' HOME SOCIETY .- A Number of years ago this society was formed in aid to the State Home for Orphans. The ladies met regularly, and worked on articles either to be used in the Home itself, or to be sold and the proceeds applied to the aid of the Home. Through their exertions a number of orphans were provided with homes.
A. F. & A. M .- On November 5, 1868, a Masonic lodge was organized, with J. H. Crich- ton, W. M.
I. O. O. F .- August 10, 1869, a lodge of the Odd Fellows was organized.
A. O. U. W .- A lodge of the United Work- men was organized December 17, 1879, with J. B. Cook, M. W.
K. of P .- A lodge of this order was or- ganized May 9, 1883.
OAK HILL CEMETERY.
On September 13, 1869, a meeting was held in Spaulding's Hall to consider the matter of
a cemetery. Jonas Clark, W. B. Gregory and T. B. Lake were appointed a committee to select a site. In October the committee selected 20 acres on the east side of Mr. Hard's farm, southeast of town. No title could be procured to this ground for some years; nevertheless, the burying proceeded. The Legislature auth- orized the trustee of Richland township to ap- propriate money to help pay for this cemetery ground; the township and city thereupon ap- propriating enough money to purchase and pro- cure title to the land. The cemetery associa- tion was incorporated in June, 1883, with L. M. Bedell president, and George Eddington secretary and superintendent.
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
On April 12, 1869, on petition of her citi- zens, the probate judge made an order incor- porating the town of Chetopa, and appointed William Gage, Leander Brown, M. G. Pratt. A. S. Cory and Henry Lisle as its board of trustees. On April 14, 1869, these trustees met, and organized by electing William Gage chairman, and appointing W. H. Fisher clerk. On June 28th Mr. Fisher resigned as clerk, and C. F. Webster was appointed to fill the vacancy. Some time between August 16th and December 8th, 1869, H. R. Dobyns was ap- pointed clerk.
On March 9, 1870, an ordinance which had just been passed was published, declaring Chetopa a city of the third class, and on April 4th the first city election was held. A Republi- can caucus had previously been held, and nom- inated S. A. Marsh for mayor, W. B. Gregory, C. H. Dudlow, Wm. Nix, C. A. Degraff, and Dr. L. P. Patty for councilmen. The opposition concentrated their strength upon the office of mayor, and, many Republicans joining,
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brought out F. M. Graham for that office, who. after a spirited contest, was elected, with all the above-named candidates for council. Upon organizing, the new government continued Mr. Dobyns as city clerk till May, 1870, when he was succeeded by N. S. Storrs.
In March, 1871, the city was by ordinance declared a city of the second class under the special act of the Legislature providing for its organization as such, along with Oswego. There was a lively contest for the city officers at the April election that year. George W. Fox was supported by those generally desig- nated as the "bummer element." by the Ad- vance, and of course by many good citizens. C. F. Smith was supported by the Mechanics' Association, which had recently been organ- ized, and by the more conservative class of citizens. Mr. Fox was elected. On April 12. 1871, the new city council organized, and the following officers were appointed: Clerk, J. M. Cavaness; treasurer, Hiram Butterworth; assessor, C. P. Spaulding : street commissioner, R. G. Tileston ; attorney, J. J. Long. On Sep- tember Ist Mr. Cavaness resigned as city clerk, G. W. Houston filling the place temporarily till October, when I. R. Minor was appointed. and was succeeded by Leroy Neale in No- vember.
The city government was characterized by a spirit of profligacy in the expenditure of money and the incurring of debt which soon brought it into disrepute with nearly all of the business part of the place. The mayor claimed high prerogatives unknown to the law. The saloons were the most powerful features in the local administration. During the fall and win- ter the Advance, which had favored their election, opened a war on the city adminis- tration. It said, "The rogues are having their own way to their hearts' content." For weeks
before the next election both sides-the ad- ministration and the reformers-conducted an active canvass. But when the election came off, in April, 1872, those in favor of changing the administration made a clean sweep and . elected their full ticket.
For a second time F. M. Graham became mayor. C. F. Smith was soon appointed clerk, and in June was succeeded by M. S. Parker. The old debt was bonded, the expensive con- tracts for street improvements were modified as far as possible in the interest of economy, and a feeling of financial security began again to inspire the people. It was evident that a new order of things had been inaugurated. Mayors: 1870, F. M. Graham; 1871, G. W. Fox: 1872, F. M. Graham; 1873, George Lisle ; 1874, N. Elliott; 1875, Alfred Large: 1876, S. B. Fisher ; 1877. L. M. Bedell; 1878, S. B. Fisher; 1879, J. H. Chrichton; 1881-87, J. B. Cook ; 1888, James Brown ; 1889, George Eddington : 1891-92. C. Cranwell : 1893-94, A. B. Temple: 1895-96, J. W. Columbia; 1897- 98, E. WV. Bedell; in April, 1899. C. Cranwell was again elected, but died a year thereafter. and S. T. Herman was then elected to fill out his term. Clerks: 1869. W. F. Fisher, C. F. Webster. H. R. Dobyns; 1870, N. S. Storrs; 1871, J. M. Cavaness, G. WV. Houston, I. R. Minor, Leroy Neale; 1872, C. F. Smith, M. S. Parker; 1873, G. M. Caldwell; 1874-7, Henry Frye; 1878-87, John W. Breidenthal; 1887. A. F. Sloane, J. B. Sneely; 1888-9. I. H. Frye; 1890, A. R. Bell; 1891. J. M. Cav- aness : 1892-96, E. W. Minturn: 1897-1899. Carl J. Simons ; 1900. A. R. Bell.
BANKS.
Near the close of 1868 C. P. Spaulding started the first bank in the town. He had
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very little capital, and attempted a much larger business than he was able to conduct. He con- tinued to operate this bank until the spring of 1870, when, unable to meet his obligations, a number of suits were commenced against him and he was forced to quit business.
W. B. Ketcham and F. H. Ketcham opened a bank about July 1, 1870, which they con- ducted until the fall of the following year.
NATIONAL BANK .- The First National Bank was the successor of Ketcham Brothers. It was opened for business December 4, 1871, with James E. Marsh, of Kansas City, presi- dent: E. J. Stewart (then postmaster), vice- president ; F. H. Ketcham, cashier; Lee Clark, assistant cashier. Some time thereafter R. W. Officer succeeded Mr. Marsh as president. The bank had an authorized capital of $50,000, and a paid-up capital of $25,000. In March, 1873, the bank moved into its fine brick building, which it had just completed on the northwest corner of Third and Maple streets. In Sep- tember, 1873, the stringency of the money market caused this bank to temporarily sus- pend payment. On July, 19, 1875, the bank decided to go into liquidation, and Lee Clark was put in charge and settled up its affairs.
SAVINGS BANK .- The Chetopa Savings Bank was organized July 1, 1871, with a paid up capital of $30,000. Charles H. Safford was president, L. F. Fisher, secretary, and George S. Newman, cashier.
PRIVATE BANKS .- January 1, 1876, F. H. Ketcham, R. W. Officer and Lee Clark com- menced business as Ketcham & Co., and suc- ceeded to the business of the First National Bank. Lee Clark bought out the interest of his partners in June, 1876, and in August fol- lowing associated with him Arthur D. Sturgis under the firm name of Clark & Sturgis. Jan- uary 1, 1879, Lee Clark went to Parsons to
become cashier of the First National Bank of that place, and later in the year Mr. Sturgis removed to Mansfield, Ohio, leaving Edgar W. Clark in charge of the bank. August I, 1879, Lee Clark purchased Mr. Sturgis' in- terest and soon thereafter sold a half interest to George H. Bates. Clark & Bates as thus constituted continued in business till the death of Mr. Bates, in February, 1883, when Flor- ence E. Bates succeeded to the interest of her husband. Afterward Lee Clark sold his in- terest in the bank to Edgar W. Clark, who, with Mrs. Bates, continued to conduct it for some time.
STATE BANKS .- The Citizens State Bank, of which J. P. McEwen is president and J. F. McEwen is cashier, succeeded to the business of Clark & Bates. The Neosho Valley Bank was an adjunct of the Neosho Valley Invest- ment Company, and when the latter failed, the bank changed management and became the Farmers and Merchants State Bank, of which W. G. Hoover is president and H. W. Bedell, cashier.
LOAN AND INVESTMENT COMPANY.
Col. J. B. Cook in 1875 opened a real estate and loan business, and during the next few years did an extensive business, both in the way of selling real estate and making real estate loans. January I, 1884, L. M. Bedell and J. IV. Breidenthal became associated with him in the loan business the firm being known as J. B. Cook & Co.
By March 1, 1885, the Neosho Valley In- vestment Company was formed as the suc- cessor to the business of J. B. Cook & Co. J. B. Cook was president; J. W. Breidenthal, secretary ; L. M. Bedell, treasurer. Subse- quently R. Haines Passmore succeeded Mr.
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Cook as president, and subsequently still other changes were made in its officers. In Septem- ber, 1898, this company went into the hands of a receiver, and its business is now in process of settlement through the courts.
MILLS.
October, 1869, Gilbert Martin commenced operating a flouring-mill, which he had just finished on the Neoslio.
July 1, 1871, Hunter & Williams' flour- mill, which had been erected during the early part of the year, was finished and opened for business. Since then other mills have been es- tablished.
MECHANICS' ASSOCIATION.
On March 3, 1871, the mechanics of the town organized an association for mutual help and protection, of which J. M. Bannan was secretary and the controlling spirit. This or- ganization sought to unite the mechanics' in- terest in the town by an effort to control the work of that locality to those residing therein rather than allowing it to be done by persons brought there from abroad, and also to secure a fair remuneration to all who were engaged in mechanical pursuits.
OPERA HOUSE.
In December, 1882, the opera house com- pany was organized, with G. H. Bates, presi- dent; B. S. Edwards, vice-president; William Lehman, secretary, and E. W. Clark, treasurer, and the following year the opera house was constructed and opened.
FIRES.
On September 17, 1871, a big fire broke out, and nearly one block, known as the Sturgis
block, was burned. August 14, 1882, a great fire took place, starting in G. A. Luman's hard- ware store on the south side of Maple street, and consuming 19 buildings before its force could be arrested. On May 3, 1884, Marsh's block was burned. Several other fires of more or less note have occurred; one of these was on February 12, 1899, when the Presbyterian church was burned.
SIDEWALKS.
During the past few years a very great improvement has been made in the walks of the city. Wide brick sidewalks have been laid, on both sides of the street, the whole length of Maple street, from the business portion to the M. K. & T. Ry. depot. In other parts of the town the walks have also been improved.
NATURAL GAS.
Not a large amount of this article has yet been found, but sufficient to be utilized to a cer- tain extent in heating and lighting the business houses. Farther developments are hoped for.
LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
On February 18, 1875, the Ladies' Library Association of Chetopa was organized, with a- membership of 81. Mrs. M. A. Shilds, Mrs. J. F. Hunter, and Mrs. H. Butterworth, by the payment of $10 each, were made life men- bers of the association. The following officers were elected : President, Mrs. M. A. Aldrich ; secretary, Mrs. B. S. Edwards ; treasurer, Mrs. M. A. Shilds; librarian, Miss Fannie Shilds. On May 14, 1875, the library was formally opened, with 116 volumes on the shelves. In February, 1882, the association disbanded, and
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did nothing for three years. On March 7, 1885, it was reorganized as the City Library Association, with a membership of 90. The payment of $I a year entitled one to the use of a book each week. The association now has 582 books in the library.
LITERARY.
A number of winters, more especially in her early history, Chetopa has maintained a good literary society ; frequently the business men have been among the leading spirits in it. In 1870 C. H. Ludlow was president, and that year, as well as in 1872-73, most of the lead- ing men took part in the debates. In 1873 a temperance literary society was organized, of which Dr. C. Humble was president.
An organization of the Chautauqua Liter- ary and Scientific Circle was effected here in I884.
CHINAMEN.
In 1884 a couple of Chinamen came to town and opened up a laundry. Some of the citi- zens conceived a great antipathy to these work- men, and concluded that the proper thing to do was to dispense with their presence. The Chinamen were informed that they would do well to take their departure from town, but not heeding the request, other measures were taken to induce them to find a more congenial home. The authorities, ascertaining what was going on, took steps to interfere; the result was the. arrest of some two dozen men engaged in the attempt to depopulate, and after a protracted and hotly-contested suit four of the parties were convicted and fined $25 each.
CELEBRATIONS.
Chetopa has ever taken a pride in getting up fine celebrations. The first one was held
on July 4, 1867, in an arbor provided for the occasion north of Maple and east of Third streets, at which the Declaration of Inde- pendence was read by Harry Shannon, of La Porte, Indiana. Speeches were made by Cap- tain Secrest and others, and in this arbor in the afternoon of that day Rev. Mr. Cox, from Indiana, preached the first sermon of which we have any account since the breaking up of the settlement in 1863. At the same place in the evening a dance was held, and those participat- ing therein took their refreshments at Barnes' Hotel, which had just been opened across the street to the south. The next celebration of note was on July 4, 1869 at which Congress- man Sidney Clarke and Colonel Hoyt made speeches to a large crowd of people. Another important celebration was held July 4, 1875, when George T. Anthony spoke to a large crowd of people.
Not every year, but frequently, since then, the city has observed the day of national in- dependence in a similar way. In recent years there have been held annually reunions of the old soldiers, which have brought large num- bers of people to the city.
OSWEGO.
I865.
Of the settlement of Mathews upon the present site of the city of Oswego, I have spoken in another part of this work. The first settlement of the town aside from the Mathews settlement dates from the fall of 1865. In the latter part of October of that year Clinton Rex- ford and N. P. Elsbree located, the former on the southeast quarter of section 16, and the latter upon the southwest quarter of section 15, township 33, range 21, and were the first white men to make their homes upon the present site
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of Oswego after the death of Mathews. Messrs. Rexford and Elsbree were directed to this site by A. T. Dickerman and Jabez Zink, who had a short time before that located upon the Labette, and who found them encamped near the mouth of that stream in search for a location and contesting with the Bakers for claims taken by them. They had not much more than gotten fairly located upon their claim until other parties came into the neigh- borhood. But as the location of these new set- tlements were outside of the limits of what be- came the town, and have been spoken of in treating of the settlement of the township, I will not repeat it here. Late in 1865, Rex -- ford and Elsbree brought on a small stock of provisions and opened up the first store or trading-post in the town, and in fact the first in this part of the county. Their store build- ing was a rough log shanty, and stood near the center of what is now block 66. In the street near the northwest corner of this block is a spring from which all the early settlers were supplied with water. The old Govern- ment road, coming from a northwesterly di- rection, passed between what is now blocks 61 and 66.
I866.
The first hotel in the place was started in the spring of this year by Wm. A. Hogaboom. It was a log cabin, and stood on what is now the east part of block 61. While it was not a very commodious affair, it served the purpose of furnishing entertainment to the few new settlers who commenced coming early that sea- son. Among those who came this year were the following: Dr. John F. Newlon, C. H. Talbott, Andy Kaho, the Sloane family, Thos. J. Buntain, Hiram Hollingsworth,; Thos. J. Flouronoy, J. Q. Cowell, H. C. Bridgman, Jas. |
Jones, H. W. Thompson, Nelson F. Carr, and C. H. Bent. Carr and Bridgman bought from Rexford and Elsbree the small stock of gro- ceries which they had put in the fall previous, and added somewhat thereto; and during that year J. Q. Cowell put up a small addition to the Carr and Bridgman store, in which he opened up a small stock of groceries and drugs. This was the first drug store in the county.
I867.
The treaty with the Osages having been ratified and proclaimed by the President, set- tlers came in this year in greater numbers, and with more assurance of finding here a home than had those who had previously come. D. W. Clover had come into the vicinity the July previous, and had stopped with his sons down on the bank of the river. Directly after com- ing he had gone into the organization of the town company, making preparations for help- ing build up the town. During the winter he had gotten out logs, and in the spring of this year erected on the southeast corner of block 25 a hewed-log house in which he at once opened a hotel, naming it the Oswego House; ever since which time the principal hotel in the place has been maintained on that corner under the same name as first started.
The principal new business firms that were started this year were A. Waskey & Sons, Dr. R. W. Wright, and H. L. Woodford. All of these came here during the summer and got their business houses open in the fall. J. F. and T. P. Waskey conducted the business for their house, opening first in the Buntain build- ing and the next season erecting their own building, in block 33, into which they moved.
Prior to this year there had been no saw- mills in the county, and all of the buildings had been built of logs-some of them rough log
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HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY
houses, and some hewed. Those who built this year were able to get boards, and several frame houses were erected. Thomas J. Buntain put up a two-story frame about 20 by 40 feet, on the southwest corner of block 25; Dr. R. W. Wright put up a one-story frame on the northwest corner of block 31, in which he there- after put his drug store; Dr. W. S. Newlon built a frame residence on the lots ever since occupied by him. Several other smaller frame houses, either for business or residence, were also built. In addition to Dr. Wright, Dr. Newlon, and the Waskey brothers, whom I have mentioned as having come this year, I may name A. L. Austin, Rev. Thomas H. Canfield, Jerry D. McCue, and Walter P. Bishop. At the close of 1867 there were in Oswego 10 frame buildings and II log houses, with a population of 16 families, numbering about 100 individuals. There were in all five stores, two of which were kept on the site first occupied. on the edge of the bluff, one by Carr & Bridg- man and one by J. Q. Cowell. H. L. Wood- ford had a small feed store in the same vicinity. The other two stores were within the present business site-one by the Waskeys in the Bun- tain building, and the other by Dr. Wright in his own building, as above described. In ad- dition to these there was one blacksmith shop and one hotel.
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