USA > Kansas > Labette County > History of Labette County, Kansas, from the first settlement to the close of 1892 > Part 16
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short space by turning the channel down this cut-off. In 1871 a survey was made, and a report published that 19 feet of fall could thus be secured. But no steps were ever taken to make available this apparently wasting power, farther than to organize a company and make plans on paper. In January, 1874, W. T. Cunningham and others obtained a char- ter for the Oswego Canal and Manufacturing Company.
STORMS.
On the night of April 5, 1873, a severe hail-storm came from the south- west, and broke nearly every pane of glass on the south and west sides in very nearly all the houses in town. The following day was Sunday, and the town had a forlorn appearance. Not enough glass could be found in town to replace those broken, and for several days bed quilts and other garments furnished a conspicuous protection from the weather.
September 29, 1881, a wind-storm in the nature of a cyclone passed over Oswego, scattering the lumber of Sharp's lumber yard, blowing down the porch at Mr. Tuttle's house, north of the Congregational church, and doing some other damage.
FIRES.
The following fires occurred according to their respective dates : Jen- nings's packing establishment, on July 2, 1879; the south end of the frame row on the west side of Commercial street, March 8, 1880; Grant's livery barn, with thirteen horses, February 18, 1882; Frisco depot, De- cember 11, 1882; Miller's mill, February 21, 1884; the row of buildings opposite the Oswego House, February 10, 1886 ; Shotliff's wagon factory, April 27, 1885; Hall's flour- mill, January 14, 1886; Judge Barnes's dwelling-house took fire and burned July 4, 1874. The Champion fire extinguisher, which had recently been purchased, had been taken that day to the celebration at Montana, and the fire company were much an- noyed on reaching home and learning that in their absence this fire had taken place.
POSTOFFICE ELECTION.
November 28, 1870, a vacancy existing on account of J. D. Coulter, the postmaster, absconding, and there being several applicants for the position, an election was held to determine who should be appointed. A. W. Pickering, who had been Coulter's deputy and who had charge of the office, was chosen over E. O. Kimball, J. W. Minturn, J. A. Miller, R. J. Elliott, and C. M. Gilkey. These were not the days when the spirit of civil-service reform predominated, and the election cut no figure in the matter of the appointment.
LITERARY AND MUSICAL.
In the fall of 1870 Nelson Case, B. W. Perkins, H. C. Hall and some other parties organized for the purpose of securing lectures and aiding in
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literary enterprises, and on October 6th of that year obtained a charter for the Oswego Library and Lecture Association. Under its auspices Henry Clay Dean delivered his lecture on "The Old Senate." This was about the extent of the work of this association.
On July 19, 1870, a musical association was formed, with E. W. Davis as president. They at once arranged to give a concert on September 9th. This concert proved to be a great success, and on October 24th and 26th they rendered the cantata of Queen Esther. February 27, 1871, a brass band was organized, under the leadership of William Wells. In Janu- ary, 1872, Mr. Wells organized a ladies' cornet band, which soon became quite proficient, and was in favor at public entertainments. In January, 1873, Prof. Perkins held a musical institute. In May, 1874, a new musical institute was formed, of which J. A. Gates was president. On October 15, 1877, a musical institute commenced, under the direction of Prof. Teats, of New York. F. B. McGill, H. S. Coley, E. W. Ross, F. Beal and L. C. Howard worked hard for its success, and it proved a great benefit in developing the musical talent of the town.
WORKMEN'S ASSOCIATION.
April 27, 1872, the mechanics and workmen of Oswego formed an as- sociation for their mental as well as financial improvement. J. A. Miller was elected president and George C. Sarvis secretary. F. B. McGill, David Branson and James T. Pierson were appointed a committee on lectures and educational matters. A reading-room was opened, and sup- plied with reading-matter by the members bringing books and periodicals, so that each had the advantages of what all controlled. It was not a very long - lived institution ; its history, like that of so many undertakings, shows that it is easy to start almost any kind of an enterprise for the public welfare, but that if it is to be made permanent and to be a lasting benefit, some one must be willing to sacrifice himself for the good of others : such a person is not always to be found.
MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETY.
About the last of January, 1874, a society was formed by those who had been inclined to dissipation, to assist in at least a partial reformation. They agreed not to drink, either not at all for a certain length of time, or to abstain from drinking under certain circumstances. It was said to have had quite a perceptible influence on its members, and, at least for a time, to have seriously affected the receipts of the saloons. William Wells was president and L. C. Howard secretary of the organization. A charter was obtained January 28, 1874.
THE AGGASSIAN SOCIETY.
In 1873 a number of Oswego citizens who were somewhat inclined to -11
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literary and scientific studies organized a society for the purpose of study, and the discussion of subjects in which they were interested and which might be deemed beneficial and of practical importance. Meetings were usually held weekly, at the residence of some of the members of the soci- ety. Some one was appointed to prepare a paper to be read at a subse- quent meeting, and the paper thus presented formed a basis for discussion. This society was kept up for several years, and proved to be of very great interest and benefit. Among those who were prominently connected with the work were C. O. Perkins, Dr. W. S. Newlon, Mary A. Higby, Ferd. Beyle, F. B. McGill, together with many others who were less conspicu- ous in its workings.
OSWEGO LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
The Murphy temperance meetings which had been held during the fall of 1877 resulted in the organization of a society for the purpose of open- ing a reading-room. A donation of a few books and periodicals was se- cured, and a subscription was taken to raise money to pay the necessary expenses of opening the room. Nelson Case wrote an article which ap- peared in the Independent in October, 1887, urging that steps be taken to make this reading-room, for which a start had been made, a permanent institution. His suggestion met with favor, and a committee was ap- pointed to secure a charter. The charter having been prepared and properly signed and acknowledged, it was filed in the office of the Sec- retary of State on December 24, 1877. A board of thirteen directors was appointed. On January 5, 1878, the directors met and organized, electing the following officers : President, C. O. Perkins; secretary, C. L. Wyman ; treasurer, B. F. Hobart; executive committee, Nelson Case, chairman, Merrit Read, F. H. Atchinson. Mr. Perkins remained presi- dent as long as he lived. F. H. Atchinson before the close of the first year succeeded Mr. Wyman as secretary, and continued to fill that posi- tion during the next nine years. Mr. Case remained chairman of the executive committee during its first ten years. Upon the death of Mr. Perkins, on April 30, 1887, the duties of the president were performed by the chairman of the executive committee until the annual meeting in December of that year, when Nelson Case was elected president, J. R. Hill secretary, C. M. Condon treasurer, F. H. Atchinson, E. P. Sawyer and R. L. Sharp executive committee. The following year Mr. Hill was made chairman of the executive committee in place of Mr. Atchinson, the other officers remaining as last announced, all of whom have held the same positions to the present. The association has maintained a free reading-room, kept open daily with very slight exceptions, from the time of its organization to the present. It has never invested very largely in books, but has acquired quite a fair library. Its tables have constantly
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been kept supplied with the best periodicals. For a number of years the association had its reading-room in the city building, but during the past two or three years it has maintained its reading-room, in connection with the Y. M. C. A. rooms, in the center of the business part of town. The association has provided a course of literary entertainments, consisting of lectures and concerts, nearly every season since its organization. A number of the best lecturers on the platform have been secured, as well as first-class musical talent. In more recent years the policy of home lectures has been inaugurated, and some of the leading men of the State have been secured to give lectures in these courses. By this means the people have been furnished with a class of entertainments of high stand- ard, and the association has reaped something of a revenue to assist in maintaining its reading-room.
GOVERNMENT.
On February 8, 1870, a majority of the residents having petitioned therefor, the Probate Judge made an order incorporating Oswego as a town, and appointed R. W. Wright, J. F. Waskey, Merrit Read, John F. Newlon and W. M. Johnson trustees. The trustees met February 23d, and organized by electing W. M. Johnson chairman, and appointed John D. Coulter clerk. Nelson Case was employed by the trustees as counsel, and assisted them in preparing ordinances.
On March 21, 1870, a census was taken, which showed more than 1,000 inhabitants in the town. An ordinance was passed declaring Oswego or- ganized as a city of the third class. The first election was held April 4th, at which the following officers were elected : Mayor, J. F. Newlon ; councilmen, D. W. Clover, R. W. Wright. William Wells, J. T. Pierson, and E. R. Trask. On April 6th the mayor and councilmen organized, and held their first meeting. J. D. Coulter was appointed clerk, James R. Morrison marshal, and F. A. Bettis attorney. On March 16, 1871, an ordinance was passed declaring Oswego a city of the second class by vir- tue of chapter 59 of the laws of 1871, permitting certain cities therein named to organize as cities of the second class. The city has continued to act as a city of the second class from that time to the present. How- ever, in 1890, in a case wherein Oswego township was plaintiff and Jo- seph Anderson was defendant, the Supreme Court decided that the act above referred to was unconstitutional, and therefore the organization as a city of the second class thereunder was illegal. In fact, it was al- ways considered doubtful whether or not this act had any validity, and in 1880 the necessary steps were taken to secure an organization as a city of the second class under the general laws. On June 18, 1880, the Gov- ernor issued a proclamation declaring Oswego a city of the second class.
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MAYORS.
1870, J. F. Newlon ; 1871, Merrit Read; 1872, J. F. Waskey; 1873-76, R. W. Wright; 1876-87, C. M. Condon; 1887-89, H. C. Cook; 1889-91, J. W. Marley; 1891-93, J. M. Grant.
CLERKS.
February 23d to August 15, 1870, J. D. Coulter; August 15, 1870, to February 6, 1871, J. B. Zeigler ; E. E. Hastings was appointed, but did not qualify ; March 10, 1871, to April 10, 1871, H. E. Porter; April 10, 1871, to May 16, 1872, C. F. Winton; May 16, 1872, to April 30, 1878, Nelson Case ; May 6, 1878, to January 3, 1890, Thomas Bulwer; January 3, 1890, to April 10, 1891, J. D. H. Reed ; April 10, 1891, to -, W. K. Orr.
BUSINESS ENTERPRISES.
POTTERY .- In 1868 Mr. Shanks operated a pottery, and turned out several kilns of stone-ware. In the spring of 1870, D. and C. E. Watts established a pottery in the east part of town, from which they sent out quite an amount of stone-ware that season.
PORK-PACKING .- Mr. Jennings was the first to start this enterprise. He erected a stone building in the southwest part of the town, in which, in 1878, he commenced the slaughter and packing of hogs. Edgar Leon- ard and George Schwartz succeeded Mr. Jennings in the business. The establishment having been mostly destroyed by fire, the business was discontinued after having been conducted with a fair degree of success for two or three years.
WAGON FACTORY .- In June, 1882, J. Shotliff commenced work on his wagon factory in the south part of town, which was put in operation before the close of the year. Mr. Shotliff operated this until it was de- stroyed by fire, in 1885. On account of the loss then sustained, he was unable to again commence business. During the time he was running his factory he turned out a large number of wagons, and did a good business.
TILE FACTORY .- In June, 1885, H. C. Draper moved his tile factory to Oswego from across the river, where he had operated it for several years.
COTTON GIN .- In November, 1888, D. S. and J. C. Romine and A. Chambers purchased machinery and commenced the operation of a cotton gin. On December 11,.1888, they shipped six bales of cotton over the Frisco to St. Louis, which was the first shipment from this point. The gin was run several years, but was finally moved to Chetopa. C. A. Wilkin was interested in its operation a part of the time.
A CHEESE FACTORY was started on the south side of Fourth avenue
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near the M. K. & T. depot, in 1892, which it is hoped will prove suc- cessful.
While no one else has ever carried on the manufacture of wagons at this place on such an extensive scale as did Mr. Shotliff while he con- ducted the business, there have been others who have done a good busi- ness in a smaller way. During the lifetime of David Branson, he and Mr. Marsh made wagons. J. C. Patterson has been engaged in the business almost from the start of the town. Mr. Gordon and Mr. Peters have likewise been in the business, and W. K. Orr has conducted a car- riage-trimming shop for many years.
EVAPORATOR .- Two or three parties have for a time conducted the business of drying and evaporating fruit. In 1892 a small plant was put in with the expectation of enlarging it and adding a canning factory.
MILLS.
In September, 1870, Macon, Krell & Cowell commenced the operation of their steam mill, the erection of which had been in progress for about a year. This firm were not able to continue the operation of their mill a great length of time, owing to financial embarrassment, and it was for a while in 1871 in the hands of Mr. Ross as receiver. The mortgage on the property was foreclosed, and the sale had through court. In October, 1873, R. S. Mathews became the owner of this mill.
In October, 1870, Howell & Rathburn commenced the foundation of a three-and-one-half story frame flouring-mill on the bank of the river north of Oswego, which was run by water except when the river was low.
In June, 1881, Mr. Eickerman arranged for the erection of the brick mill in the west part of town, the walls of which were put up during the sum- mer, and at the close of the year it was ready for business. Mr. Eicker- man and G. W. Bird were the original proprietors. There have been several different ownerships of the mill.
In the summer of 1892 Kiddoo, Black & Co. erected a new mill south of the Frisco road, between Illinois and Michigan streets.
BANKS.
THE FIRST BANK .- The first bank in the county was started in Os- wego, by W. M. Johnson, in October, 1868. During that year and the fore part of 1869 it was conducted on the north side of Fourth avenue. In the summer of 1869 he erected a small frame building on the northeast corner of block 38, in which he thereafter conducted the business. For a short time only A. L. Austin was associated with Mr. Johnson in the banking business. This bank continued to do business until the spring of 1870, when Mr. Johnson was forced to make an assignment. His failure was caused by attempting to build a town instead of confining
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himself to conducting a bank. He had great confidence in the outcome of the county and of the town, and expected to realize very large profits from the money he could invest in real estate. He secured two corners, viz., the southwest corner of block 32 and the northeast corner of block 38, and on these intended to erect, for the time, very fine buildings. He went far enough to get the walls completed for the building on the south- west corner of block 32, now owned by Mr. Perkins; in doing so he had used more money than he was able to control belonging to himself, and during the spring of 1870, when depositors were wanting their money, he found himself unable to cash their checks. Every dollar of his prop- erty was consumed, and still his creditors were far from being paid. What might have been a very profitable business proved his financial ruin, simply because he indulged in a spirit of speculation.
About the middle of July, 1870, B. F. Hobart and H. L. Taylor came to Oswego and opened the next bank that was started in the town. About July 1, 1871, Mr. Taylor retired from the business, and was succeeded by J. C. Longwell, Mr. Hobart's father-in-law. Mr. Longwell having died, the business came under the management of B. F. Hobart. On July 1, 1877, C. M. Condon became a partner of Mr. Hobart, and thereafter the firm of Hobart & Condon conducted the business until the summer of 1882, when Mr. Hobart sold his interest to Mr. Condon, who has since had entire control thereof. He has a very extensive business.
STATE BANK OF OSWEGO .- On August 18, 1870, the State Bank of Oswego, with a paid-up capital of $25,000, M. S. Adams being president and J. H. Folks cashier, commenced business. It only continued in business a few months, however, not finding a sufficient amount of busi- ness for two banks.
The next bank to open its doors to the public was that conducted by George Brockway and H. C. Draper. It commenced business March 2, 1874. Mr. Draper desiring to retire, in 1876 C. F. Smith, upon the close of his official term as treasurer, became associated with Mr. Brockway in this bank, and afterwards, in March, 1877, the sole manager of the same. This bank discontinued business September 1, 1877.
In 1880 H. A. Marley and his son J. W. Marley opened a bank and loan office, which business they conducted until April 11, 1887, when they were succeeded by the First State Bank, which in turn was succeeded by
THE OSWEGO STATE BANK, on May 5, 1888. This bank has a paid- up capital of $50,000, and has done a profitable business for a number of years. Its board of directors have been J. W. Marley, E. T. Reed, H. C. Cook, John M. Grant, Lee Williams, H. A. Marley, Fred Perkins ; in 1891 Scott Taylor succeeded Mr. Cook.
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THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK was chartered in July and opened its doors for business the last of August, 1883. Its first officers were R. P. Clement, president; J. B. Montgomery, vice-president ; F. C. Wheeler, cashier; C. F. Winton, assistant cashier. In January, 1885, C. Abbey succeeded Mr. Clement as president. The last of 1886, Mr. Wheeler re- signed, and was succeeded by H. C. Cook as cashier. On April 1, 1887, F. W. Keller became cashier, and served until September 16, 1890, when he was succeeded by J. M. Berry. On October 26, 1888, R. O. Deming was elected president, since which time he has continued in that posi- tion. The bank has a capital of $60,000, and does a large and profitable business.
LOAN AND INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
THE OSWEGO BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATION .- This institution was organized in June, 1884, with an authorized capital of $50,000. H.C. Draper was president, L. C. Howard secretary, and E. T. Reed treasurer.
THE DEMING INVESTMENT Co .- On the last of December, 1887, the Deming Investment Company was organized, and opened business on the first of January, 1888, with a paid-up capital of $50,000, since which time it has been increased, and is now $60,000. The firm of Winton & Deming had been in the loan business previous to this time for a number of years, and upon the organization of this company it succeeded to the business of said firm. Nelson Case has been president, and R. O. Dem- ing treasurer and manager of this company from its organization.
THE EASTERN KANSAS INVESTMENT CO. - About the first of 1889, Fred Perkins, C. F. Winton, C. A. Wilkin, M. E. Williams, and a few other parties organized the Eastern Kansas Investment Co. for the pur- pose of conducting a loan business. The company has done a good busi- ness.
PARKS.
Upon laying out the town, the town company designated block 52 as the city park. For a number of years it remained entirely unimproved. A few years ago a number of the citizens undertook the work of its im- provement, and set it out to trees. It begins now to present quite an attractive appearance.
LADIES' ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY.
On February 12, 1887, about forty ladies of the city formed themselves into a ladies' entertainment society, with the following officers : Mrs. Mary E. Perkins, president; Mrs. Hettie C. Hall, vice-president; Mrs. Franc Wilkin, secretary ; and Mrs. Anna Sharp, treasurer. The purpose of the organization was to secure a site for and to improve a park. A number of entertainments were held, by means of which some money was raised, and in addition to this quite a sum was raised by subscription. A tract of ground was selected and purchased lying on the bluff of the
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river north of the city and east of the water-works engine-house. This is about as far as the society has ever gone in its work of providing a park. There are a number of locations near the city with sufficient nat- ural advantages to make a delightful resort, were a reasonable amount of money expended upon the improvements.
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS.
For several years the only sidewalks in town consisted of platforms in front of the stores and public buildings. As the space between these buildings grew less by the erection of other new buildings, the platforms were connected and planks put down, so that there was a continuous sidewalk on the principal street so far as the stores extended.
As early as July 21, 1870, notice was given by direction of the council for the construction of certain sidewalks, but no further action was ever taken thereunder. The first sidewalk constructed outside the business part of town, and the first one built by direction of the city council, was on Illinois street, extending from block 9 in Johnson & Folks's addi- tion, to the Methodist church. This was built in pursuance of an order made by the council on March 6, 1874, on the petition of the requisite number of property-holders along the line. From this time on, sidewalks began to be gradually petitioned for and to be built over the residence part of town, and for several years past nearly all streets of the city that are thickly inhabited have been supplied with good sidewalks.
During the summer of 1878 Commercial street was graded from Fourth avenue to the Frisco depot, and put in good condition for travel. It was not until June, 1885, that a good plank sidewalk was laid on the south side of Fourth avenue from Commercial street to the M. K. & T. depot.
TREES.
Few cities are better supplied with shade trees than is Oswego. All of the principal streets were at an early day set out with lines of trees, which have made a good growth, and now furnish abundant shade. The yards are also supplied with beautiful shade and ornamental trees, and in the summer the place presents almost the appearance of a city built in a forest.
TELEPHONE.
Early in 1882 a telephone plant was put in operation, connecting many of the business and dwelling - houses, and was quite extensively used. During the summer a line was put in connecting Oswego with Parsons, which was completed July 20th. This plant was only used for a few months to any great extent, and after a time all of the instruments were taken out.
WATER-WORKS.
During 1887 a system of water-works was constructed, supplying the city with water from the Neosho river north of town. They were put in
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operation in the fall, and were accepted by the city about the last of No- vember.
ELECTRIC LIGHTS.
An electric light plant was put in during the spring and summer of 1888. On July 12th of that year the lights were first turned on. After being run a few months, its operation was for a time suspended. A change of ownership, however, was had, and the lights were soon again turned on, and have been in operation ever since. The streets are lighted with arc lights, and many dwellings and business houses with incan- descent.
PARSONS.
THE COMMENCEMENT.
On June 19, 1869, W. K. Hayes located on the north half of the south- west quarter of section 19, North township, and in connection with Mil- ton W. Eves opened a small stock of general merchandise. Mr. Hayes was on September 25, 1869, appointed postmaster of a new postoffice established at that point and named Mendota-"the place of meeting." Whether it was the place of meeting of the two branches of the Labette, or of the two branches of the M. K. & T., neither of the latter of which was then located, or of the traveling public, perhaps it is too early to write with interest. When a hundred years of tradition and myth shall have gathered round it, the future historian can write a chapter upon the founding of the office which will be read with delight. But as a sober, historical fact, and to somewhat curtail the wings of mythology, it may be recorded that it was because of the proximity of the site to the conflu- ence of the Big and Little Labette that the name Mendota was chosen. In the winter of 1869 Mr. Hayes took his goods to a house he had built farther south, near Steel's mill, at the junction of the two Labettes ; but in the spring he removed back to his old stand.
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