USA > Kansas > Labette County > History of Labette County, Kansas, from the first settlement to the close of 1892 > Part 14
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Soon after the town was started, cemetery grounds were selected north of town. Mrs. Sarah Cooper was the first person whose body was inter- red therein.
ALTAMONT.
I. N. Hamilton, Henry G. Hamman, J. J. Miles, and others were mem- bers of the town company which was chartered February 4, 1875, for the purpose of laying out a town on the south half of section 2 and the north half of section 11, township 33, range 19. This company does not seem to have accomplished its purpose, and on September 5, 1879, a new char- ter was filed, by I. N. Hamilton, S. O. Noble and others, for the purpose of locating a town on the northeast quarter of section 11, township 33, range 19. This land the company purchased from William Miller. The town plat was acknowledged by J. B. Jones, president, and S. O. Noble, secretary, and was filed January 21, 1880. I. N. Hamilton was first president, but was soon succeeded by J. B. Jones as president and Scott
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O. Noble as secretary. The first house erected on the town-site was the residence of Scott O. Noble ; this was built in October, 1879. In Decem- ber of the same year J. B. Jones put up the next building, in which, about the first of January, 1880, James Hershberger opened the first store in town.
MILLS.
In 1875, before there seemed any prospect of building a town near there, E. C. Gordon and A. B. Hammer erected a frame building on the northwest quarter of section 2, belonging to I. N. Hamilton. The ma- chinery for a grist-mill was put in the next season, and a custom flouring- mill was conducted quite successfully for several years. In 1878 J. W. Giles erected a small mill on the southwest quarter of section 2. This was not operated very long. Mr. Giles afterwards moved the building onto the town-site, and out of it constructed a hotel. The mill now in operation was built in 1881, by Martin A. Renner and Daniel Reid. The town company donated the land, constructed the pond, and gave them $75 in money, in order to secure the mill.
HOTEL.
The first hotel was built in the spring of 1880, by Samuel Sharp. Afterwards J. W. Giles moved his mill building on the town-site, and out of it constructed quite a good hotel building.
GOVERNMENT.
September 29, 1884, the town was incorporated, and on October 14. 1884, the first election was held, which resulted in electing H. C. Blanch- ard mayor, L. W. Crain police judge, and the following councilmen : R. B. Gregg, W. M. McCoid, D. Reid, C. S. Newlon, A. J. Garst. W. F. Hamman was elected city clerk. Mr. Blanchard was elected mayor by two majority over J. B. Jones.
MAYORS.
1884, H. C. Blanchard ; 1885, C. S. Newlon ; 1886, W. P. Wilson ; 1887, A. W. Mackie; 1888-89, J. B. Jones; 1890, R. B. Gay ; 1891, A. W. Mackie ; 1892, C. S. Newlon.
CLERKS.
1884, W. F. Hamman; 1885, A. A. Farmer; 1886, B. F. Godfrey ; 1887-88, C. M. Pool; 1889, J. B. Libbey ; 1890, W. S. Haughton ; 1891. Harry Mills; 1892, W. F. Hamman.
BRICK BUILDINGS.
In 1886 P. Lane erected a substantial two-story brick business house. Prior to this all the buildings had been frame. The only other brick building in town is the school-house, erected in 1891.
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HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY.
BANK.
February 1, 1886, J. H. Macon and S. A. Duval opened a bank, which was run some time, but finally the management was such that it was found to be unprofitable, and it was closed.
CHURCHES.
The Presbyterians put up a church building in the spring of 1881; the Methodists in 1882; the Baptists finished their house in June, 1884; and in 1892 the Christians purchased the old frame school-house and moved it onto their lots for a church.
MOUND VALLEY.
J. P. Allen, W. A. Lewis, Charles Beggs, N. L. Hibbard, Chas. Lierly, C. H. Lewis and others became incorporated July 13, 1868, with the au- thority to locate a town on section 2, township 33, range 18. The first building on the town-site was put up in the summer of 1869, by the town company in connection with Alexander Honrath and Henry Rohr, the upper story of which was to be used as the town company's office and the public hall, and the lower story by Honrath & Rohr for a general store. Among those who followed Messrs. Honrath & Rohr were L. F. Nicholas, who put in a stock of drugs ; J. B. Kremer, who had a grocery and hard- ware store ; and E. H. Stevens, the postoffice.
No title to the land on which the town was located was obtained from the Government until the passage of the act of 1876. In February, 1877, the occupants petitioned the Probate Judge to enter the town-site as he was authorized to do under the law. This he did, and in July, 1878, a certificate of entry was issued to him for the benefit of the occupants of the said town-site.
PROFESSIONAL MEN.
Several parties who had been or claimed to be lawyers have had their office in this town. W. M. Rogers was the first of this class to locate here. Without attempting to mention a number of those who subse- quently attempted to practice in justice court, some of whom were and some of whom were not admitted to the bar, I may mention W. F. Schoch, who for several years was located at this point, and did a good business. The first doctor to locate in this vicinity was Charles H. Lewis, who settled here in 1869. He had a claim on which he lived ; he had quite a good practice. E. Tanner came in February, 1870, and N. M. Miller later in that year. Doctors Pattie, Woods, Towel, Wenner, Tustison, Stansbury, McEwen, Sanders, Allen, Lemon, Lake and Strother have offered their services to the public, and severel of them have done a good business and made a good reputation.
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TOWNS AND CITIES.
BANKS.
On October 7, 1883, C. M. Condon and W. H. Gandy opened a bank, which they continued to run until September, 1889, when they dissolved, since which time the bank has been conducted by Mr. Condon.
GAS.
In 1883 an effort was made to sink an artesian well for the purpose of supplying the town with water, and with the hope of finding coal. After drilling to a depth of over 750 feet, the parties became doubtful of ob- taining the object sought ; it was, however, discovered that the well con- tained a large amount of gas, and in 1884 tubing was put in with the view of utilizing the gas.
SANITARIUM.
The gas well above referred to was found to afford water highly im- pregnated with minerals which it was believed would be good for medici- nal purposes. Authority was obtained from the Legislature to use the proceeds of the sale of the township railroad stock in the erection of a large house, which was done, and it has become quite a resort for inva- lids. It is lighted and heated by natural gas from the well already spoken of.
MILL.
In 1881 W. C. O'Brien and W. W. Harper erected a mill on the bank of the Labette, which proved to be a very good institution for the place, but not always a profitable investment to the owners. The mill was en- tirely consumed by fire on November 23, 1892.
STONE AND BRICK BUILDINGS.
There is one stone and one brick building in town. The first was built by Joseph Riff, in 1883 ; the latter, a very fine structure, was built by F. P. Dicus & Co., in 1890.
FIRES.
The first fire in town was on October 6, 1872, when the town company building with the stock of Honrath & Rohr was entirely consumed. This was probably as heavy a loss to the town as the great fire which occurred in 1889, when a whole block of buildings was consumed with the greater part of the stocks in it. The grist-mill was burned on November 23, 1892.
GOVERNMENT.
On August 2, 1871, on petition of Alexander Honrath and others, an order of the Probate Court was made for the incorporation of the town, and the following persons were appointed trustees : Alexander Honrath, Wm. M. Rogers. John B. Campbell, E. Tanner, and Alexander McBride.
On January 9, 1884, an order of the Judge of the District Court was made incorporating the town as a city of the third class. The first elec- tion was held January 24th.
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HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY.
MAYORS AND CLERKS.
MAYORS-E. Tanner, W. W. Harper, E. Tanner, William Clark, Josephus Moore, W. W. McEwen, and F. E. West.
CLERKS-W. N. McCoid, J. M. Smith, N. M. Miller, S. B. Richard- son, Isaac Hill, Rufus Thrall, and W. N. McCoid.
CHETOPA.
Of the early settlement of this part of the county I have spoken in other parts of this work. The first white settler within the present cor- porate limits of Chetopa of whom I have any account, was John McMur- try, who lived at a point on the Neosho river at or near where the west end of the Neosho river bridge is now located. When the settlement was destroyed in 1863, his house was torn down. I have not been able to learn at what date he settled here, but Dr. Lisle found him there when he came, and he continued to reside there up to the breaking-up of the settlement in 1863. Dr. Lisle made his settlement upon a piece of ground ever since by him claimed as his home, on April 18, 1857. That summer he erected his house and shops on what is now a part of block 24. In August he went back to Ohio and brought his family with him, arriving in Chetopa in November. From that time to the present his absence from Chetopa has been but temporary.
Willoughby Doudna came to see Dr. Lisle in fall of 1857 and stayed with him some time. The next year he went back to Ohio and married. In the fall he and his wife came to Chetopa, but in the spring of 1859 they located near Baxter Springs, and did not come back to Chetopa until after the war.
The early settlement at and around Chetopa was broken up November 19, 1863, by a force of United States troops numbering probably some two or three hundred, under the command of Captain Willits, Adjutant Ahle and Lieutenant Josylen. All of the buildings in the vicinity were burned or otherwise destroyed and all the settlers were driven away. This was done, as the officers claimed, by command of their superior offi- cers to prevent the property falling into the hands of the rebels. Dr. Lisle and family went to Council Grove. They remained until Septem- ber, 1865, when he came down and looked over the ground, and in No- vember of that year brought his family back to Chetopa.
PERMANENT SETTLEMENT.
The permanent settlement of Chetopa really commences with the year 1866. In the spring of that year Ephraim Doudna and Dr. George Lisle built the first house upon the town-site. It was a "shake" house, and stood on the west side of what is now Third street, and north of Maple street, near the alley. In this house Ephraim Doudna opened the first
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store in town. He had a small stock of goods consisting of dry goods, groceries, and provisions. Soon after this a man by the name of Hoff- man built a cabin and blacksmith shop south of where Maple street now is, and between Second and Third streets. These were the only build- ings in town at the close of 1866 of which I have been able to learn, although it is probable there were two or three more log houses built that year. Perry Barnes moved into town on election day, in November of that year, and was allowed to vote ; it was considered that everybody who was here with the intention of settling had a right to express his prefer- ence at the first election. D. U. Watson and Wm. Shay were two of the judges of this election, and S. R. Southwick was one of the clerks.
In February of 1867 Willoughby Doudna, who had a saw-mill on the east side of the Neosho river just above the mouth of Canville creek, in Neosho county, moved it to Chetopa and located it on the west side of the Neosho near the foot of Maple street as afterwards located. He began sawing on February 20th, and had a buhr for grinding corn in operation the fore part of May. The only other mills at this time in the county were in Neosho and Montana townships. W. H. Reed operated this mill, sawed the first tree made into boards in Chetopa, and during the spring built the first frame house that was erected in town. It stood at the northwest corner of block 60. From this time on frame houses made of native lumber began to be built where before either the log or "shake" shanties had been made to answer. In the early summer of this year a rough survey for the town-site was made by S. R. Southwick, and Maple and Third streets were located. In June, Perry Barnes built a house on the southeast corner of Third and Maple streets, designed for a hotel and store. In this, about the first of July, he opened a stock of groceries and a hotel : this was the first hotel in town, and the second store. About the same time a small cabin was erected on the southwest corner of First and Maple streets and called "Bachelors' Hall," or the "Cabinet Shop." That summer Z. A. Woodard bought out Mr. Doudna, and in the build- ing by him occupied put in a general stock of goods. In this store, from the first, was kept the postoffice. Thus the first building erected upon the town-site contained not only the first store, but also the first post- office. William Craft and family came in October of that year, and at once commenced the erection of a hotel on the northwest corner of Third and Maple streets. It was a frame building, 24 by 26 feet, two stories high. It was completed and opened for guests that fall, under the name of the Chetopa House, and was the first building erected exclusively for a hotel. In the "Bachelors' Hall" or "Cabinet Shop" above referred to, in September of this year, was opened the first Sunday school in
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HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY.
town, with G. H. Hard as superintendent. Occasionally preaching ser- vices were also had. On October 23d, this year, Emma Reed was born to Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Reed. This was the first birth in town.
The important events of 1868 were the securing of a title to the town- site, the organization 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 neighbors had to make their im- provements on Government 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 furnished the first place in town suitable for holding religious and public meetings. An- other 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 factory of Taft, Brown & Co. This was built in the fall, and ready for operation the first of De- cember. They sent out a large amount of house-furnishing material and furniture to adjacent counties and neighboring towns. During the fall of this year Oliver Marsh opened a large dry-goods store, and Dr. M. H. Dursham 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 attorneys 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 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 industrious and enterprising people who were suc- cessfully conducting various lines of business, and the town presented the appearance of a thriving 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 influential men for the organization of a town company. It was not, however, until
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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. Torbert, and Watson Stewart. The company. organized by the election of George Lisle president 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 upbuild the town.
IMPROVEMENTS IN 1869.
I shall not attempt to describe the continued multiplication of new buildings, both business houses and private residences, as they appear 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 donation of lots made by the town com- pany and the securing of a fair limit of paid subscribers, John W. Horner and A. S. Cory had been induced 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 donation ever made by its citizens did more for the upbuilding of Chetopa than that which secured them this paper. Its publishers displayed a wonderful amount of enterprise in the gathering of news and extending the circulation of their paper. The advantages which the town offered were thus made known to all who had any dispo- sition 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 com- menced its operation. 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 sometime during the early part of the year, gave a great impetus to busi- ness, and speculations ran high. A large number of new buildings were erected, and large numbers 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 erected were one by F. A. Drake, one by Dr. Halderman, and one by Hornby & Lewis; others were also ar- ranged for and built the following year. In June of this year the cars were running 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 intending to stop here, but also those who were anticipating going farther
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HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY.
south and southwest. From this point travelers laid in their supplies, and the merchants of Chetopa conducted almost 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. McCreery 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 exer- tions a number of orphans were provided with homes.
A. F. & A. M .- On November 5, 1868, a Masonic lodge was organized, with J. H. Crichton, W. M.
I. O. O. F .- August 10, 1869, a lodge of the Odd Fellows was organ- ized.
A. O. U. W .- A lodge of the United Workmen was organized Decem- ber 17, 1879, with J. B. Cook, M. W.
K. of P .- A lodge of this order was organized May 9, 1883.
OAK HILL CEMETERY.
On September 13, 1869, a meeting was held in Spaulding's Hall to con- sider 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 com- mittee selected twenty acres on the east side of Mr. Hard's farm, south- east of town. No title could be procured to this ground for some years ; nevertheless, the burying proceeded. The Legislature authorized the trustee of Richland township to appropriate money to help pay for this cemetery ground ; the township and city thereupon appropriating enough money to purchase and procure 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 citizens, the Probate Judge made an order incorporating 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.
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TOWNS AND CITIES.
On June 28th Mr. Fisher resigned as clerk, and C. F. Webster was ap- pointed to fill the vacancy. Sometime between August 16th and December 8th, 1869, H. R. Dobyns was appointed clerk.
On March 9, 1870, an ordinance which had just been passed was pub- lished, declaring Chetopa a city of the third class; and on April 4th the first city election was held. A Republican caucus had previously been held, and nominated S. A. Marsh for mayor, W. B. Gregory, C. H. Lud- low, 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, 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 organi- zation as such, along with Oswego. There was a lively contest for the city officers at the April election that year. George W. Fox was sup- ported by those generally designated as the "bummer element," by the Advance, and of course by many good citizens. C. F. Smith was supported by the Mechanics' Association which had recently been organized, 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 September 1st Mr. Cavaness resigned as city clerk, G. W. Houston filling the place temporarily till October, when I. R. Minor was appointed, and was succeded by Leroy Neale in November.
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 winter the Advance, which had favored their election, opened a war on the city administration. It said, "The rogues are having their own way to their hearts' content." For weeks before the next election both sides - the administration and the reformers-conducted an active can- vass. 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 contracts for street improvements
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HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY.
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. Crichton ; 1881-7, J. B. Cook; 1888, James Brown ; 1889, George Eddington ; 1891-2, C. Cranwell.
CLERKS.
1869, W. F. Fisher, C. F. Webster, H. R. Dobyns; 1870, N. S. Storrs : 1871, J. M. Cavaness, G. W. 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. Snevely ; 1888-9, I. H. Frye; 1890, A. R. Bell; 1891, J. M. Cavaness ; 1892, E. W. Min- turn.
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