USA > Kansas > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery County, Kansas > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95
Elk City, in common with all Kansas towns, was ambitious to become metropolitan and her citizens began to importune the different railroad companies, pointing in this direction, to extend their road to the town.
After much solicitation by some of the citizens they succeeded in getting a proposition from General Nettleton and Col. Valiet, of Cin- cinnati, Ohio, and the owners of the stub railroad from Cherryvale to In- dependence by which they pledged themselves individually, together with the earnings of the above railroad, to extend that road to Elk City making a terminus there, in consideration of which they asked Louisburg town- ship to subscribe to the capital stock of the company in the sum of twen- ty-two thousand dollars. This was during the year 1876. Here was the opportunity for Elk City to place herself in the front ranks of all the towns in the country, and the promoters felt that they had accomplished something that would benefit the citizens of Elk City and Louisburg township. that would meet with the hearty co-operation of the citizens generally, as it would have made Elk City the nearest railroad point for all the country west of it for one hundred miles. Independence was awake to the danger that threatened ber commercial interests, and united in a desperate effort to defeat the bonds at the election called to vote on the proposition. Of course Independence was justified in any legitimate ef- fort to hold the road at their town. but where so much was at stake it was hardly to be expected that the advantage which money and influence gave them over Elk City would not be pushed to the limit ; but if some of the citizens of Elk City, who had labored to bring about the proposition felt a little hard toward the citizens of Independence, what was their sur- prise and disgust to find some of their own prominent citizens arrayed
144
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
against the bonds, and inaugurating a fight against them that ended in their defeat by a majority of two votes. What the township lost in tax- able property and the advantage of a railroad terminating in the town- ship will never be known. Elk City experienced in this defeat the hardest blow it ever sustained. Several prominent business men left the town, many houses were hauled off into the country for dwellings and barns, and its population decreased one-fourth.
Three years thereafter, in 1879, after the A. T. & S. F. had acquired the old L. L. & G. R. R. and its branches, that company sent Mayor Gunn, of Independence. to Elk City, and in behalf of the A. T. & S. F. R. R., pro- posed that if Louisburg township would vote bonds in aid of that road they would extend from Independence west through Elk City. While this proposition offered far less advantages than the first one, in that it simply made a way station in the township, giving it local advantages, whereas, the terminus for three years would have given it the trade of three coun- ties, to the west of it, but little opposition was offered and the bonds ear- ried by a large majority. All of which proves the wisdom of the old chest- nut. "that white man is mighty uncertain."
The advent of a railroad instilled new life into the town which grad- ually increased in wealth and importance though but little in population for several years. In the mean time the very rich and productive soil around Elk City, which produced large and successive crops of wheat, corn and other crops, enabled the farmers in the township to surround themselves with all the comforts and luxuries that wealth ean purchase. Their daughters were garbed in the latest styles and their sons robed in tailor made snits and laundered shirts. They came to town in their top- bnggies and carriages and purchased of the merchants all that heart could desire, and thus dawned an era of prosperity for the City at the month of Duck Creek.
During the winter of 1901-2 a company was organized in Elk City and capitalized at $10.000 for the purpose of prospecting for gas and oil. After several failures the company was finally successful in striking several fine gas wells, and also good oil producing wells.
Several companies are now in the field and in the course of a few months this will undoubtedly prove to be the peer of other remarkable gas tields of Montgomery County.
There is a bright future for Elk City and Lonisburg Township. The price of land of every description is advancing rapidly. Buildings of per- manent character are taking the place of old frame store rooms in the town, which is growing rapidly. The City is heated and lighted with natural gas. Nearly all the streets are lighted with the same material. It has a splendid telephone system, and all these conveniences make it a good place to live. it has five good church buildings and strong church organizations, while its schools are the best in the County.
145
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Elk City has no system of water works as yet, but its close proxim- ity to abundance of water and the ease with which it can be introduced into the town, insures at no distant date, this additional luxury, to this otherwise greatly favored little City.
The immense amount of wheat and corn, cattle and hogs being ship- ped from this place over its two railroads, the A. T. & S. F. and the Mis- souri Pacific, and the fine store rooms and increasing mereantile busi- ness are evidences of the prosperity of the town and its surrounding country.
It has at this time a population of about 800 people, but we prediet that no distant date will see not less than 2000 happy, contented and prosperous citizens of Montgomery County making their home in Elk City and enjoying its natural and acquired advantages, and each doing their part in making Montgomery County the best County,, in the best State, in the grandest Republic on the face of the earth.
Cherryvale
BY JOSIE II. CARL.
Cherryvale is situated in the North-eastern part of the County, on section 9, township 32, range 17.
It has had three distinct periods of growth, viz: early beginnings, the coming of the railroads and the discovery of gas and oil.
Early Beginnings
The first white settler within the corporate limits, of whom I have any account, was Mr. Ab Eaton who, with a married brother, emigrated from Hickory Grove, Ill., to this place. The brother having died, his widow sold her claim to Thomas Whelan. This claim is now incorpor- ated as the Whelan addition. In 1869 Joseph Wise and Bill Paxson vamped on Drum Creek, and soon afterward bought Eaton's title to his claim for $250. In May 1871, Mr. Wise sold his rights to the L. L. & G. R. R. Company for a good round price which I believe he never got, as the Company soon changed, and the Supreme Court decided against the R. R.'s ownership of the Osage Ceded Lands. The story of the early set- tlers' contest for titles to their homes has doubtless been told in other parts of this work, and will not be dwelt upon further here.
On the 3rd day of May, 1871, the first sod of the L. L. & G. R. R. was broken on the T. Whelan claim. This point became the terminus of the road for some time, and headquarters for supplies. The R. R. company laid off a townsite. The location was a happy one; the nearest towns ten and twenty miles distant, a broad valley of wonderful fertility stretching miles to the north and south, a gentle sloping ridge. giving al- most perfeet drainage and the whole area of country. which would, in time. be tributary, rapidly filling up with settlers.
The following seems to be abont the order in which the first business
146
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
firms were established : The first house erected was the Union Hotel, proprietor. General Darr. The first store was kept by J. R. Baldwin and C. A. ('lotfelter, followed by Seth Paxson and N. B. Thorpe.
O. F. Carson located here in 1871, and for three years, kept the only drug store in the place. Later he entered into a partnership with J. R. Baldwin in the implement and hardware trade .- Two of the additions of the city are known by their names .- C. C. Kincaid came in 1874, and has been in the mercantile business here ever since. He and O. F. Carson erected the first brick block at the corner of Main and Depot streets. Charles Booth moved to town in 1871. and engaged in the livery and feed trade. In 1873, he formed a partnership with C. A. Clotfelter and for many years they kept the only livery barn in the town. E. B. Clark came to Montgomery county in 1869. His land adjoining the town site is now known as Clark's addition. He kept the first store of general mer- chandise near one of the mounds, where the earliest settlers traded. R. F. Richart came in 1878. and engaged in the drug business. He soon took E. S. MacDonald into partnership. In 1882, Mr. MacDonald sold his in- terest to J. C. Hockett. John M. Courtney come to Southern Kansas in 1866. He moved to Cherryvale soon after the town site was laid off. The first lawyers were Hastings and Hinkle. Among the physicians of this period may be mentioned Drs. Hyde. Lykins, Campbell. Adams and Bradbury. Dr. O. H. P. Fall located here in November 1877. The first celebration was held Inly 4, 1872. near Main and Depot streets; canvas and arbors provided shade. Dr. Hyde was one of the speakers. The growth of the town for several years was slow. The population in 1879. was only 250.
The Coming of the Railroads
In 1879 the second period of prosperity began. The Frisco R. R. was built, crossing the Santa Fe at this point. The Memphis R. R. Com- pany extended its road from Parsons here. The Santa Fe was extended westward, and its branch sonth to Coffeyville operated. This railroad activity gave a great impetus to business and building. The town grew rapidly until 1888, when a reaction having set in from the general depres- sion of business and the bursting of real estate booms over the west. the population fell from 4000 to 2500. However, some of our solid business men who are here yet, and have ever been alert to the best interests of the town; came during this period. C. A. Mitchell and C. C. Thompson came in 1880; Revilo Newton and J. H. Butler in 1882; A. G. McCormick. Fred Leatherock and the Dieus Brothers. The W. W. Brown brick block was built in 1887. The physicians were, Drs. Taylor, Warren, Hopkins, Hutchison. Kesler, Sloan, Gard and Cormack. A. L. Wilson, a native son of the state, came in 1881. He was admitted to the bar September 1882, and still has a law office here, though, since 1902, his main office has
147
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
been at Kansas City. A sugar factory and creamery were built during this period and operated successfully for a time.
Discovery of Gas and Oil
In 1889 bonds to the amount of $5000 were voted to be used in pros- pecting for coal. At the depth of 600 feet, gas was found instead of coal. This is said to have been the first gasser of importance struck in Kansas. Further developments only increased the richness of the find. Later, oil was discovered, and the capitalist and manufacturer have been on the ground ever since and thus the corner stone of "Greater Cherryvale" was laid.
The Edgar Zinc Company
In 1898, S. C. Edgar built his famous zinc smelters, at an original cost of $350.000. Of all the enterprises which have contributed to the town's prosperity, none had approached this. "Smelter Town" with its up to date cottages, broad streets and lawns, is a village in itself.
Brick Plants and Factories
For many years the mounds in the vicinity, while adding to the picturesqueness of the scenery, were not supposed to enhance the value of the farms around them, unless as windbreaks against the occasional cyclone that skipped across their path; but about the time that oil and gas were discovered, the knowledge came that the best brick in the world could be made from the shale of these mounds. In 1897, F. G. Lotterer erected a Brick Plant on Corbin's mound. It is now owned by the Cof- feyville Virtified Brick and Tile Company. Corbin City, a suburb of Cherryvale, is built on Corbin's mound and is a result of this company's success. Six brick companies are operating in this field. Other factories are: The Iron Works, consisting of Foundry, Machine and Pattern mak- ing departments, representing an investment of $50.000. The Glass Com- pany, Engine Co., Barrel Factory, Bicycle and Machine Shops, Plaining Mills, Tannehill Manufacturing Co., Marble Works and two Elevators. The first mill was built by Mr. Dodd in 1873. Mr. A. Busch afterward become its owner. It finally came into the hands of C. A. Black who im- proved it. In 1902 the Sauer-Stephens Milling Company purchased it of Mr Black. They have rebuilt the mill and have put in the latest mod- ern milling machinery with a capacity of 400 barrels per day. In 1881, the Dobson's came from Minonk, Il .. and built a large stone mill on Main street. It was burned in 1900 and never rebuilt.
Banks
There are two banks. The Peoples' Bank is an outgrowth of the old Exchange Bank founded by C. T. Ewing in 1880. Its present officers are, 1: 0. Wright, President, B. F. Moore, Vice-President, and C A. Mitchell, Cashier. The Montgomery County National Bank was founded in 1882.
148
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
The present officers are, C. C. Kincaid, President, John Courtney, Vice- President, Revilo Newton, Cashier.
Schools
The first school house was built in 1872. The first school was taught by Miss Mary Greenfield, the summer of 1873. In the fall of 1882 a two- story brick structure was erected. G. B. Leslie was the principal, assist- ed by four teachers. Now there are two large brick school houses. The East-side building has 9 rooms and the West-side 6 rooms. In 1902 $17.000 bonds were voted to build two ward school houses. These are under construction and will be ready for occupancy in September, 1903. Number of pupils enrolled. 1902, about 1,000. The course of study runs through eleven grades. Graduates from the High School are entitled to enter the State University and high institutions of learning in the state without examination. The following superintendents have had charge of the schools since Mr. Leslie's time : Mosier, Crane, Dana, Harris, Taylor, Richardson, Myers, Herod, Moore and Lovett. The first High School graduates of the class of '83 were Minnie Newton, Janie Fall, Mertie Shannon and Rose Blair.
Churches
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1871. The first services were held in the school house. Rev. Moffat was the first pastor. In 1880 a brick church was commenced under the pastorate of Wm. Shambangh and completed under that of James Muray. It was improved and enlarged during Robert MacLean's time. A commodious parsonage adjoins the church. Membership in 1903, 600. Pastors have been Rever- ends Moffat, Lampman. Shambaugh. Murray, Durboraw, Pattee, Hark- nes, Creager, Rice, MacLean. Bailey. Roberts, Ross.
The Presbyterian Church was organized December 11, 1881. Meet- ings were first held in the opera house, until 1883, when a church was built. This has been improved from time to time. In 1901 a commodious manse was built on the church lots. The first pastor was Rev. W. B. Truax Subsequent pastors have been Revs. S. W. Griffin, Phileo and A. E. Vanorden. Original membership, 26; present membership, 250.
The Baptist Society was established by Rev. J. R. Baldwin May 18. 1883; original membership, 8. The first services were held in the school house and opera house. A frame church was built in 1884. This was de- stroved by lightning in 1900. It was replaced by a splendid brick structure in 1901. The present pastor is Rev. Eaton. Other pastors have been, Revs. J. R. Baldwin, Essex, Coulter, and King. Present member- ship. 500.
The Christian Church was organized in the spring of 1884. First pastor, Benjamin Smith. A church was built in 1886, burned December 14, 1888-rebuilt 1892. Subsequent pastors have been J M. Ferrel, T. W.
149
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Cottingham, William Flower. C. C. Atwood, E. F. Taylor, D. D. Boyle, J. R. Charlton. C. C. Deweese, George Willis. Present pastor, C. Shive. Present membership. 200.
The Catholic Society was organized in 1875. Mass was said at the honse of John Coyle until 1877, when the first church was erected by Rev. Ponziglioni. In 1900 the ground was broken for a new edifice which was finished in 1901 at a cost of $12.000. The building is 42 feet wide by 100 feet long and 24 feet high. The tower is 110 feet high, surmounted by a large golden cross. The church is called St. Francis Xaviers Church. The first pastor was Father Scholls of fudependence. The present pastor is Rev John Sullivan.
Telephone
In 1900 a telephone was put in operation, connecting many of the business and dwelling houses and affording telephonic communication with all the surrounding cities.
Water-Works
The city was first supplied with water from Lake Tanko, a large arti- ficial lake south of the city, by the Cherryvale Water and Manufacturing Co. The bonds were sold to New York capitalists in 1885. A new com- pany was organized, called the Cherryvale Water Co., Mr. MacMurray of New York City. President. John Courtney, Superintendent. Since June 15, 1903, the city has had control of the system and important improve- ments are contemplated.
Park and Auditorium
Logan Park was originally the gift of Geo. R. Peek, soon after the town site was laid off. The gratitude of the citizens for this beneficient gift increases with the years, and they have taken great pride in beauti- fying it. It is well supplied with seats, lighted by its own gas and well shaded with old trees carefully trained. In 1902 the city erected an aud- itorium in the park. It has a seating capacity of 1,200. The district Grand Army encampment is held annually in August, in this Park.
Lodges and Associations
Cherryvale Lodge No. 137 A. F. & A. M. was instituted Oct. 16, 1873. with thirteen charter members. O. F. Carson, W. M .; M. L. Crowl, S. W .; William Hummel, Junior Warden.
Cherryvale Lodge No. 142 1. O. O. F. was organized Oct. 10, 1877, with five charter members. This Lodge owns an elegant hall on Neosho street.
The A. O. C. W. was instituted in February 1882.
The Lodge directory of the city includes sixteen lodges. Hackleman Post is strongly organized in a fine hall and the W. R. C. owns a beauti- ful building in Logan Park. For several years a Library Association maintained a reading room and acquired a fair library, but it is now dis-
150
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
organized. At present there is a public reading room in connection with the Baptist Church, where the best periodicals are found upon the tables. The Eastern Star ladies have organized themselves into a Reading Club which has proved to be of interest and benefit. There is an organization of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientfic Circle. The first officers were Mrs. Dr. Seacat. Etta Hughbanks, Josie Carl and Martha Witham.
Fairview Cemetery
P. C. Bowen first set off 10 acres of his farm northeast of town for a cemetery. Five years later fifteen of the citizens formed a Cemetery As- sociation and bought this land with the expectation that the city would in time take it off its hands. Nothing was done in the way of improve- ment until about six years ago, when Mrs. Ada Newton rallied ten or twelve of the ladies around her in a Ladies' Cemetery Association for the sole purpose of improving and beautifying the cemetery. The result has been marvelous. Over $1,000 in funds raised, 300 elm trees planted, streets graded 10 feet wide, alleys 4 feet wide, eulverts built, tiling laid, the land thoroughly drained, a sexton's house and eistern built, and a sexton hired by the year to care for the grounds. Fairview Cemetery will always be a monument to Mrs. Newton's broad spirit and executive ability.
Fires
In 1873 the main business part of town was destroyed by fire. In 1879 the stone business house of Jasper Gordon was burned and three young men sleeping in a rear room lost their lives. In 1885 all the buildings on the north side of Neosho and Depot streets were destroyed by fire including Clotfelter & Booth's livery barn, with 32 horses and G. B. Shaw's Inmber yard. About 1891 the Frisco depot was struck by lightning and burned. About 1901 the Opera House Block was wiped out by fire.
Hotels
The earliest hotels were the Union Honse, Commercial, Buckeye. Leland, etc. The Axtell was originally built by J. A. Handley and called by his name. For a good maany years it was a losing investment to every one connected with it but the city has finally caught up with it.
Municipal Government
In March. 1880, pursuant to a petition signed by the citizens and pre- sented to the court by E. D. Hastings, Cherryvale was duly incorporated as a city of the third class. On the first Tuesday of April, city officers were elected. C. C. Kincaid was the first mayor. Jan. 21, 1885, by proc- lamation of Gov. John A. Martin, it became a city of the second class. The following men have served as mayors : C. C. Kincaid, A. Phalp, O. F. Carson. J. W. Willis, M. B. Sonle, A. S. Duley, C. A. Mitchell, John Cald-
I51
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
well, Mr. Shanton, Revilo Newton, and E. S. MacDonald who is now serv- ing his second term.
Postmasters
N B. Thorpe was the first postmaster. The office has since been held by the following citizens: Wm. Parks, Major Lyons, C. E. Moore, T. An- derson, Leo Veeder and T. H. Ernest.
CHAPTER VIL. The Medical Profession
BY T. F. ANDRESS, M. D.
To write even a sketch of a history of the times and places one has been a part of is difficult ; to be preserved from the everlasting egotism that exalts the "I" in everything. and at the same time to preserve the verity of history is still more difficult; but hardest of all is. to "naught extenuate, nor set down aught in malice." To this task we devote these pages, and if we shall throw the recollection backward, and help in any slight degree, even to present a picture of the early days of the county -- "all of which I saw and a part of which I was"-then our purpose will be served and, as the lamented Ward would say, "We have accomplished all we expected, and more too."
Early in March 1870. the writer first saw the mounds, the valleys, the forests (for there were forests then) and the ever-varying and, to ns, the always beautiful scenery of this Montgomery County. When one looked around, the first thing that enlisted the attention of the "tender- foot" was the Indians. They were certainly a picturesque feature and more interesting at some distance than in closer contact. The Osages, at that time, owned and occupied the land. They numbered about three thousand and there were. perhaps, about five thousand emigrants in the county, all fired with the ambition and desire to possess the soil, and, as it were. devour the country in search of claims.
The Indians looked on with evident hostility, at this sudden and overpowering coming of the "Pale Face." But the Osages were no more a brave and war-like people, which fact assured the safety of our sealps. If the Comanche, the Sioux or the Blackfeet tribes had occupied the place of the Osage this history would very probably, read differently. The Arappahoes had conquered the Osages and. it seems, extinguished, at the same time, their courage and martial spirit.
The white people were scattered everywhere and, even at that early date, towns and cities were being staked out and started in the race for population and wealth. Independence had some shanties covered with hay; Liberty-at that time the county seat, it having been moved over from Verdigris City-gave promise of becoming the metropolis; Parker,
152
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
down near the nation line. on the east bank of the Verdigris river, had some pretentious buildings ; Elk City and Louisburg were rivals, side by side. with two or three houses each. At all these places there were mem- bers of the medical profession. generally trying to combine the business of the physician with that of the squatter on land.
The doctors exercised and held a large influence in their several communities and used it, in the main, for the public good, and to build up society. As in all frontier settlements we find the most enterprising and wide-awake coming in the lead, and so it was here; the more digni- tied followed after. At that early date some very bright followers of Esculapius were here-and some not so young-but, taken altogether, a good and talented representation of the medical profession. One would frequently find the graduate of Jefferson, Ann Arbor, or Rush in a board shanty frying "slap jacks" or "lady hog's bosom," while a few vol- umes of standard works rested on a shelf near by and a few bottles of old stand-by drugs that shared the shelf gave out an intimation of the trade of the settler.
The well-worn saddle-bags and the ever-present lariat completed the picture. In some of these rude and temporary surroundings one would often find the studions and competent man of medicine filling his mis- sion of alleviating suffering and healing the siek. Owing to the mode of life, shelter, food and water, there was a vast amount of malarial trouble, and the varied types of intermittent, remittent and bilious fevers made themselves familiar in almost every home. Everybody knew the doctor then and welcomed his visits, but some, unfortunately, had short mem- ories and forgot the doctor before the bill was paid.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.