USA > Kansas > Labette County > History of Labette County, Kansas, from the first settlement to the close of 1892 > Part 31
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Pleasant Hill District, No. 77 .- A Sunday school was organized in the new school-house in this district in the spring of 1873, which was main- tained in the place till the completion of
Bethel Chapel, on southeast quarter of section 30, in township 31, range 19 ( Walton township), in 1889, when it was removed to that place. It has always been recognized as a Methodist school. George W. Blake, James Woodyard and a Mr. Brown were early superintendents.
Muddy Corner District, No. 76 .- A little box school-house stood on the southwest corner of section 24, township 31, range 17, in which a Sunday school was organized in 1872. A new school-house was there- after built on the southeast quarter of section 35, and named
St. John's, in which a Sunday school has been maintained ever since. Israel Foster, J. B. Swart and Adam Funk were earnest workers in this school.
Twin Mound District, No. 93 .- J. R. Douglas, John Carson and others were leading workers in a Sunday school organized in this district in 1873. It did well for several years, but after that was maintained only at irregular times.
Osage Township Sunday School Association .- This association has been maintained the longest and has been conducted with the most en- thusiasm of any of the various township associations in the county. During 1871 a picnic was held on section 7, in township 32, range 18. In 1872 an organization was formed and a picnic held on the old camp- ground on the Leroy Dick farm, in section 29, township 31, range 18. When the county association commenced to organize township associa- tions for the purpose of holding conventions to discuss Sunday school topics, this was one of the first townships to respond. Contrary to the wish of the county officers, however, the local workers insisted on keep- ing the picnic idea in the foreground, and it has ever maintained the ascendency which it early acquired. In 1878 the ground near the north- east corner of section 20, on William Dick's farm, was secured as per- manent picnic grounds, and there every summer large crowds, frequently reaching into thousands, congregate and spend a day in the woods. This gathering has proved to be a favorite resort for local politicians, giving
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them, as it does, a fine opportunity to meet many whose support they think it expedient to secure. The picnic is held regularly on the last Wednesday in. July, and the association holds its meeting for the dis- cussion of Sunday-school interests at Harmony Grove school-house each spring, on the call of the president. The association is chartered, and has its grounds nicely improved. Some eighteen schools, a part of which are situated in Montgomery and Neosho counties, are connected with this association.
MOUND VALLEY TOWNSHIP.
Bell Mound District, No. 99 .- A Sunday school was organized here in 1879, with M. F. Wakefield superintendent. It has ever since maintained its existence.
Mound Valley District, No. 40 .- A Sunday school was organized at this place in the summer of 1870, with Joseph Wilmoth as its first super- intendent. It was kept up during the summer of each year, and some- times during the winter, until the organization of the denominational schools, about 1880. J. H. Tibbits, H. W. Savage, the Coleman families and others were active workers in the school.
Mc Cormick District, No. 19 .- A Sunday school was organized in this district in the spring of 1870, with John Claspill superintendent, and has been kept up with a good degree of regularity since then.
Mount Triumph District, No. 63 .- A Sunday school was organized in this district in 1883, with Mr. Robinson superintendent. Sometimes run as a union, sometimes as a Methodist Episcopal, sometimes as a United Brethren, but several years ago was reorganized as a Protestant Metho- dist school.
LABETTE TOWNSHIP.
Caldwell District, No. 82 .- Organized in 1882. Among its superin- tendents have been David Caldwell, J. B. Cosatt, J. Covalt, J. J. Decker, and Mrs. McIntosh.
Hiatt District, No. 47 .- Organized in the spring of 1874. Superin- tendents : R. Birt, Mr. Baker, and Wm. Campbell.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
Pleasant Valley District, No. 48 .- Organized in 1871. Superintend- ents : Tobe H. Taylor, James Morning, A. Gager, Frank Crawford, Lon Kiter, John Smith, Anna Arnold, David Beyle.
Labette District, No. 10 .- Organized January 15, 1871. Superintend- ents : R. Baker, G. K. Sipple, C. Fentress.
Liberty District, No. 17 .- Organized in 1870. Superintendents : Mr. McIntosh, G. K. Sipple, Silas Fentress, G. L. Whitnah, G. W. Giton, E. L. Pugh, J. C. Christian, R. H. Thresher.
MONTANA TOWNSHIP.
Montana District, No. 13 .- The first school in Montana township was
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HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY.
in Montana district, No. 13. The first school organized in this district was in 1868 ; H. M. Minor was its superintendent. It was reorganized in the spring of 1869, with Charles Gray superintendent. Its sessions were held in an old store building a part of the time, and when they had preaching the Sunday-school services were held in the same building where the preaching took place. The location was changed from time to time, according to their opportunity to secure room. Mr. Gray re- mained superintendent for a number of years. A. Gager was one of the early workers in the school. Since Mr. Gray's time, among the superin- tendents the following have served the school : Thomas Clark, Rev. S. W. Griffin, W. F. Schoch, B. Lanham, D. Beyle, O. E. Woods, Wm. Woods.
Shiloh District, No. 8 .- Organized 1870. Superintendents : Geo. Fa- gan, Andy Livesay, Nathaniel Woods, Lewis Crain, W. J. Webb, J. R. Youmans, Thos. Clinton, Z. Atchinson, S. D. Holmes, Mrs. Elnor E. Pierce.
OSWEGO TOWNSIIIP.
Oak Grove District, No. 24 .- This school was organized in the log church in the spring of 1871, with Wm. Herbaugh superintendent. The following year Mr. Bagby acted as superintendent. In 1876 it was or- ganized in the new stone school-house, with A. Brown superintendent. Since then the superintendents have been P. S. Hughart, J. W. Brown, J. M. Ricker, and J. W. Park.
Stice District, No. 2 .- A Sunday school was organized in this district in 1877; A. Kaho, superintendent. It has had but an irregular existence.
Clover District, No. 23 .- A Sunday school has been kept in this district at intervals for quite a number of years, but it has not been continuous enough to be of great force.
Campbell District, No. 57 .- A Sunday school was held in this school- house during the summer months during a part of the seventies, but in later years no attempt has been made to keep it up.
Woodruff District, No. 101 .- Soon after the building of the school- house in this district a Sunday school was organized, with S. N. Wood- ruff superintendent, but it was maintained only a year or two.
FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP.
Stover District, No. 29 .- In the summer of 1870 a Sunday school was organized in a small house on the southeast quarter of section 17, but re- moved to the school-house as soon as it was built, and with more or less regularity has been maintained nearly ever since. It has generally been known as a union school, although the Methodists, as a rule, have fur- nished the larger part of the force that has done the work. Among its superintendents have been I. W. Patrick, George Pfaff, John and Jerry Winbigler. The Seventh-Day Adventists have also maintained a school at this point a part of the time.
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Newell District, No. 71 .- The first Sunday school in this vicinity was organized in the McIntosh house, in the spring of 1870. A lady rode on horseback to Chetopa and secured Bibles and song-books for the school. During its stay in this place it had no regular superintendent, but differ- ent members were appointed from Sunday to Sunday to take charge. The school was taken to the school-house as soon as it was completed, where it has been maintained for the most of the time since. It has had for superintendents among others the following : A. B. Hammer, Josiah Rayburn, G. D. Fellows, Mr. Young, James Paxton, and J. M. Magee.
Bowman District, No. 12 .- Organized in 1872, and maintained only a part of the time since.
Maple Grove District, No. 54 .- This school has had an existence more or less of the time since 1873, and has had among its superintendents Joseph Scott, Sallie Bottenfield, J. L. Williams, and John Richardson.
MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.
Pioneer District, No. 59 .- The Sunday school in this district was or- ganized in May, 1871, with B. F. Jones superintendent. Among other superintendents were S. M. Canaday, Joseph Vance, and George Geer.
Rayburn District, No. 52 .- The Sunday school in this district was first organized in May, 1871, in the claim cabin of D. S. Morrison, on the southeast quarter of section 14, and was moved to the school-house when it was built. It was maintained for several years. Among its early su- perintendents were Jacob Hagerman, Henry Story, George Hildreth.
Noble District, No. 89 .- This Sunday school was organized in April. 1874. Josiah Rayburn, Michael Noel, George Hildreth and Henry Sleath successively superintended it.
Bell District, No. 91 .- A Sunday school was organized in this school- house in the spring of 1875. B. Johnson, J. Bell sr. and J. Williams were early superintendents.
Janes District, No. 95 .- This school was organized in April, 1879. Homer Hulse, Milo Hildreth and James Curnutt superintended it.
Altamont District, No. 43 .- A Sunday school was organized in a store building in Elston in 1870, with Martin Gore as superintendent. At the same time a school was conducted in Major Hokes's house, on the south- east quarter of section 36, Labette township, with Thomas D. Bickerman as superintendent. The workers connected with these schools went to make up the union school which was organized at Altamont in 1871. It was maintained until the organization of the various denominational schools, when the union schools ceased. Among those who superin- tended the school were A. B. Hammer, James Perry, William Thomp- son, I. N. Hamilton, Perry Daniels, S. J. Hershbarger, Daniel Ferrier.
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HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY.
CANADA TOWNSHIP.
Richland District, No. 94 .- In 1874 a Sunday school was organized in a log house on Ola Olson's claim, by J. H. Tibbits, and he was elected superintendent. The cabin being very small and uncomfortable, an ar- bor of poles and brush was made, in which the school was held during the summer. A school-house was built the next winter, and in the spring the Sunday school was reorganized in it, with J. H. Tibbits superintendent.
Emmons District, No. 84 .- This Sunday school was organized in May, 1871, at the house of James Sweet, where it was kept till the spring of 1873, when it was organized at the school-house, where it has been held ever since. Buel Crone was the first superintendent, and B. H. Sharp has been superintendent several years since. James Sweet and Joseph Kearns have been active and efficient workers.
HOWARD TOWNSHIP.
Dresser District, No. 51 .- Organized in 1876, with James Bennett su- perintendent, and maintained up to the time of the organization of the Congregationalists and Methodists.
Mc Kennan District, No. 97 .- R. V. Shipp, Mrs. McKennan and James Hunt were associated with others in the organization of the school in this district, in 1877. Among the superintendents of this school have been R. V. Shipp, Mr. Mills, Ella Hunt, James Hunt, Mrs. Mary McKennan.
Trenton District, No. 67 .- In the spring of 1871 a Sunday school was organized in the house of John McClintick, where it was maintained until the erection of the school-house in this district, when it was removed to that place. J. M. Hart, Jacob French, W. J. Millikin and E. B. Bald- win have superintended it at different times.
Snow Hill District, No. 35 .- A school was maintained at this point for a number of years, commencing in 1870. W. J. Herrod was at one time superintendent and an active worker in the school.
Blackford District, No. 6 .- As early as 1874 a school was organized at this point, and maintained thereafter with a fair degree of regularity. Mr. Geyer was its first superintendent ; W. J. Millikin and George Ash have also superintended.
Valeda .- A union school was organized in the Congregational church, in the spring of 1887, since which time it has been regularly maintained during the summer. W. J. Millikin was its first superintendent; follow- ing him there have been William Preston, V. Wallingford, Samuel Nel- son, and Mrs. McKennan.
Lieb District, No. 85 .- Organized in the spring of 1873. George H. Goodwin and W. J. Millikin were early superintendents.
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ELM GROVE TOWNSIIIP.
Ripon District, No. 49 .- A Sunday school was organized in March, 1870, in the house of Dr. D. P. Lucas, on the northwest quarter of sec- tion 12, township 35, with Rachel Lucas superintendent, and afterward was held in a house belonging to Robert Marrs, standing on the south- west quarter of section 10; and was also held a part of the time in J. H. Jones's house, on the northeast quarter of section 11. Thos. Summerfield followed Mrs. Lucas as superintendent. In 1872 it was reorganized in the school-house, and Thomas H. Bruner was superintendent; other superin- tendents, T. D. Bickham, Mrs. Cook, Henry Faurot, and Mrs. B. M. Smith.
Starr District, No. 50 .- Organized in 1871. Wesley Faurot has been one of the leading workers in the Sunday school since its organization.
Ellis District, No. 45 .- In 1870 a Sunday school was taught in Simon Bradfield's house, on section 4, and a part of the time in Thomas Dow- ell's, on the southwest quarter of section 24. From the time the school- house was built a school has been maintained most of the time during the summer months. J. B. Ellis and Timothy Kay have superintended a good share of the time.
Rose Hill District, No. 109 .- Organized in 1885. Mrs. Lyda Edmund- son, Jesse Edmundson, Mrs. Anna Bickham, Rev. A. Allison, and Mrs. I. C. Wall, have successively superintended.
Edna District, No. 73 .- In 1872 a Sunday school was held in Peter Goodwin's granary, on the northwest quarter of section 21, with George Goodwin superintendent. In April, 1873, the school was reorganized in the new school-house, with J. W Millikin superintendent; he was fol- lowed by W. R. Lackey, Owen Wimmer, and Mr. Mills. The school was always a prosperous one, and continued in active existence until the or- ganization of the denominational schools.
Valley District, No. 72 .- A prosperous Sunday school has been main- tained in this district a good portion of the time for a number of years. Mrs. C. W. Gray has been a faithful worker, and has superintended the school a part of the time.
HACKBERRY TOWNSHIP.
Foland District, No. 70 .- A Sunday school was organized in this school-house in 1873. Chandler Stevenson, Samuel C. Coulter, Mrs. G. W. Leap, J. F. Holman, John Foland and Samuel Mccullough are among the number closely identified with the school's growth. Samuel C. Coulter, A. H. Mickey, G. W. Jenkins and J. F. Holman have been some of the superintendents. The school has not been kept up since 1888.
Baylor District, No. 98 .- As early as 1870 Samuel Coulter, T. J. Cal- vin, Mr. and Mrs. S. Lyon, E. G. Eggers and other workers organized a -20
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HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY.
Sunday school at the house of S. Lyon, and elected him superintendent. It continued during that year, but was not reorganized again until the school-house was completed. In 1874 it was again organized, and held in the school-house. Its superintendents have been W. G. Baylor, Samuel Coulter, T. J. Calvin, G. W. Jenkins, E. G. Eggers, Mrs. S. Lyon, and Dr. Owens. With 1884 the school ceased as a union school, and was merged in the school organized by the Baptists in their new church, and known as the Pleasant Hill Sunday school.
Liggett District, No. 87 .- This school was originally a part of the one organized in Dr. Lucas's house, in Elm Grove township, and which there- after became the Ripon school. When the school-houses were built two Sunday schools were formed, one in the Ripon school-house and one in the Liggett school-house. Among the early superintendents of the latter school were Ephraim Welch, Mr. Hoy, and Wm. Liggett. This was maintained as a union school until the erection of the Cecil church, when it was merged in the Methodist school organized in that building.
Bishop District, No. 7 .- This school was organized May 1, 1871. Ab- ner DeCou, William Newcomb, H. G. Pore, Alexander Bishop, H. W. Sandusky and G. A. Cooper were among those most prominently identi- fied with its organization and early management. Mr. H. W. Sandusky was its first superintendent, and he was followed by G. W. Jenkins, G. A. Cooper, W. S. Bishop, Alexander Bishop, Miss Rose Dorland, W. W. Bradbury, A. M. Newman, and Mrs. Catharine Miller.
Lockard District, No. 28 .- The Sunday school in this district was or- ganized in the spring of 1873, by many earnest workers, among whom may be named George Tilton and wife, Thomas Sharp, S. L. Whiting, H. J. Reece, W. F. Legg, Mrs. Flora B. Illingsworth, and Mrs. Clara Wimmer. Its superintendents have been A. B. Hammer, Thomas Sharp, S. L. Whiting, W. F. Legg, W. G. Faurot, and Mrs. F. B. Illingsworth.
Bartlett District, No. 110 .- This school was organized May 1, 1887, with S. L. Whitney superintendent. He has served as such since its organization, excepting in 1891, when Mrs. Allie Crane superintended.
Lake Creek Sunday School, District No. 60 .- In the spring of 1872, Mrs. Julia Knight, G. W. Jenkins, W. W. Baty, A. D. Robinson, Mrs. Warren Chamberlain, and several others, feeling the need of religious services, organized a Sunday school at the home of H. D. Knight, with Mrs. Julia Knight as superintendent. The next year the school was moved to the Lake Creek school-house, District No. 60, and Mrs. Knight was again elected superintendent. Those who succeeded her as superin- tendent while it remained a union school in the school-house were: G. W. Jenkins, W. W. Baty, William Priest, Mrs. Warren Chamberlain, J. N. Allison, and W. F. Legg.
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RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
Gore District, No. 3 .- In the fall of 1866 a few of the settlers in that neighborhood organized a Sunday school in James Rice's cabin, with Mrs. Rice as superintendent. The next summer it was reorganized, with the same superintendent, and maintained during the summer. In the spring of 1868 it was reorganized in Orville Thompson's store building, with Thompson Palmer superintendent. After this it was held in the school-house in that district. Benjamin A. Rice was superintendent in 1869. Other superintendents have been John F. Hill, Solomon Pierson. and L. Baker. It was merged in the Methodist Sunday school at Fletcher Chapel on the organization of the latter.
Watson District, No. 5 .- In the spring of 1870 a school was organized in a claim cabin on J. C. McKnight's place on the southeast quarter of section 20, with T. J. Calvin superintendent. A part of the time it was held in a log cabin on R. T. Goudy's place. It was reorganized in the school-house upon its completion, with Samuel F. Doolen superintendent. From 1872 till his death, in 1878, James C. Watson superintended, and through his energy and devotion to the school it always did effective work. J. M. Morgan superintended for a time after Mr. Watson's death.
Breese District, No. 25 .- A school has been maintained during the summer months in this district most of the time from 1872, until the erection of Fletcher Chapel. A. J. Swagerty and Mr. Hardaway were early superintendents.
Closser District, No. 61 .- Organized 1875. Superintendents : F. M. Mendenhall, Samuel Wade, D. M. Closser, and H. W. Cook.
Piety Hill District, No. 100 .- Organized 1875, and maintained a good portion of the time since. W. G. Hoover has been one of the workers in this school.
Cook District, No. 103 .- A school has been kept up in this district a part of the time of late years. H. W. Cook has been one of the workers.
COLORED SCHOOLS.
OSWEGO.
In April, 1871, Dr. D. B. Crouse, with several teachers from the Meth- odist Sunday school, got quite a number of colored people together in the Congregational church, and organized them into a Sunday school. which was conducted the most of the time during that summer. During a part of the next year Rev. F. A. Armstrong got a few of the colored people together on Sundays and taught them from the Bible.
The African Methodist Episcopal Sunday School was organized in July, 1877, by Nelson Case and Alexander Mackie, who superintended
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HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY.
it alternately for about three years, after which Nelson Case superin- tended alone till 1886. It was entirely conducted by white officers and teachers till about 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Case, Dr. Newlon, Mr. Mackie, and one or two other white teachers, assisted in the school till the colored people had learned to read and were able, in a measure, to teach. At the request of Mr. Case, the school at one time, before Mr. Nelson took charge of it, elected John Boka superintendent; nevertheless the man- agement of the school remained in the hands of the white teachers. Since 1886 Edward Nelson has superintended most of the time, up to 1891.
The Second Baptist Sunday School .- As soon as this denomination inclosed their church, in 1882, they organized a Sunday school, and have maintained it, with few interruptions, since. Mrs. Mary E. Case and Miss Sarah Crane assisted them in their work for several years. The school has had the following superintendents: A. J. Harper, G. W. Parks, M. A. Sumner, Thomas Scott.
Second Methodist Episcopal .- This school was organized in 1880. Henry Smiley has been superintendent ever since its organization, with the exception of 1877-78, when George W. Winn superintended. Mrs. Mary E. Case and Miss Sarah Crane taught in this school for a number of years.
MONTANA.
June 20, 1880, a Sunday school was organized in the Presbyterian church for the colored people, of which the officers of the Presbyterian Sunday school were in charge. It was maintained during that summer only.
CHETOPA.
In the fall of 1873 the Sunday-school workers of Chetopa organized a school among the colored people. It met from time to time in nearly all the churches in town. It was conducted entirely by white officers and teachers. Dr. C. Humble superintended until he went away, in 1877; after that John A. Lough and Mrs. Julia A. Knight superintended. After the organization of the denominational schools in the colored churches this school was given up.
Second M. E .- Rev. Robert Rector, pastor, secured the organization of this school in 1881. Its superintendents have been George Winn, Mr. Faghem, and Mrs. Frances Wilson.
African M. E .- Organized about 1881-perhaps a few years later. Superintendents : Harrison McMillan and Nelson Williamson.
Baptist .- Organized in 1882. Superintendents: Jerry Houston, Shack Porter, S. Gilmore.
PARSONS.
African M. E .- Soon after the organization of the A. M. E. church in Parsons, the pastor, Rev. J. H. Daniels, also secured the organization of
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the Sunday school. The school dates from May, 1876. I have not been furnished with a list of its superintendents, nor an account of its work.
New Hope, Baptist .- On May 28, 1876, Rev. Thomas Wilson secured the organization of a Sunday school in connection with this church. I have no account of its work or officers.
DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOLS.
BAPTISTS.
Labette .- The school was organized in the spring of 1875, and has had the following superintendents : R. K. Jones, John Richardson, William E. Crawford, J. P. Christy, W. V. McDonell, T. J. Reel, J. S. McLain, Elisha Richardson, E. L. Christy. W. E. Crawford is now superintendent.
Chetopa .- Prior to 1881 the Baptists and Christians had maintained a union Sunday school. In 1881, with the assistance of Rev. J. P. Ash, a Baptist Sunday school was organized, with J. C. Witt superintendent. Following Mr. Witt as superintendent there have been F. M. Smith, Mrs. M. E. Stevens, Miss Eva Merrill, and Robert Williams.
Oswego .- Organized January 1, 1871, in an old store building on the west side of block 39, with D. E. Bent superintendent. Other superin- tendents have been : Dr. J. Spruill, Henry Glitz, J. N. Miles, Z. Eaton, Merritt Read, A. C. Baker, N. A. Douglas, Porter Sawyer, William P. Steel, Nellie Harrison, Rev. C. N. H. Moore.
Altamont .- Organized in the spring of 1883. Superintendents : Mor- ris Bayless, E. Estes, Geo. Hildreth, A. I. Ross, J. Self, and Cyrus Baker.
Dennis .- The Baptist Sunday school in Dennis was organized April 2, 1883, and came almost entirely from the Baptist union school, which was transferred from the country to town. William Scott, John Garrison, Mr. Payne, and G. W. Everhart have been faithful workers in this school.
Barton .- This school has existed since the erection of the church. in 1885. J. H. Tibbets and family have been among its best workers.
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