USA > Kansas > Nemaha County > History of Nemaha County, Kansas > Part 10
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
So Corning is designated as the town of solid foundation of Nemaha county. At the time this history was written a neighboring newspaper, the Troy "Chief," was running a sixty years ago column. A timely quo- tation from this column was to the effect that "Nemaha county is making a large and desirable accession to her population. A company from the vicinity of Galesburg, Ill., has recently located an entire town- ship of land in that county, every quarter section of which is to be speed- ily enclosed and occupied by a settler. They also contemplate laying off a town. That is the way to come. Take up land by the township and cultivate it and speculators will find their occupation gone."
The man who brought this delegation from Galesburg, Ill., was Dr. N. B. McKay, a practicing physician of the Illinois city. Dr. Mckay and two other men came to Nemaha county to locate a site for a colony. This is the expedition referred to in the quotation above. The result was the Home Association which was established in June, 1858, and became a noted organization which had nothing to blush for in their accomplish- ments, more than can be said for many early day similar organizations. The settlers were given their quarter sections of land and the village es- tablished was America City, which has grown but little from that day to this.
But Dr. Mckay, not content with establishing happy settlers on fine land and starting one village, must needs build another, which is a more lasting monument to his genius, in numbers at least.
II2
II3
HISTORY OF NEMAHA COUNTY
Before Dr. Mckay left New York for Illinois, he was in partnership with Erasmus Corning. Dr. Mckay named his second town in the coun- ty of the "No Papoose" in honor of Mr. Corning. He did not desert America City, however, for the newer and more prosperous town. For years Dr. Mckay remained the beloved country doctor of America City, filling in spare moments as postmaster of the town.
Corning was established as a postoffice in 1867 with Dr. Mckay, at the helm, or grated window rather. A small frame building was erect- ed and a line of merchandise installed. Later W. H. Dixon erected an- other building and started a second store. This was about all there was to the original Corning. When the Central Branch of the Missouri Pa- cific railroad was extended through Nemaha county, Corning too, had to move to the railroad. Dr. Mckay owned school land, one half of which he gave to the railway company for locating a station thereon.
So in 1870 Dr. Mckay moved his store from the Old Corning to the
-
MAIN STREET, CORNING, KANS., A THRIVING AND PROSPEROUS TOWN.
new site and the thriving town was the third to be started by the enter- prising M. D. J. S. Henry built the first dwelling in the new town. Dr. McKay built a frame hotel which he conducted for two or three years and which has passed through various hands. Three years later another building was erected, and sundry buildings were added from time to time which were largely moved into the settlement from neighboring set- tlements anxious to be near the railroad, or from farms. As the eighties advanced, Corning progressed and acquired a fine line of citizens, most of them being men of brains and genius and a few blue blooded aristocrats, whose lines extended back to the English nobility
Jacob Jacobia was one of the early day Corning men who helped to build up the community and strengthen it. His life was one of activity (8)
II4
HISTORY OF NEMAHA COUNTY
and interest. He settled in America City in 1857, and was one of the original pioneers of the county. He was mail carrier from Atchison to Louisville in Pottawatomie county and through his own district for years. Then he freighted across the plains to Denver with his own train. Mr. Jacobia's stories of those days were always thrilling. Once. he said, he encountered a herd of buffalo, which covered the country in a solid mass so the ground was invisible for thirty miles. Once his train was attacked by the Indians, and 100 men, 300 head of cattle and fifty teams were corralled. Finally the men managed to collect under. the leadership of Captain Jacobia, surprised their captors in a night attack and made their.escape. Mr. Jacobia bought the Corning Hotel, where he was for several years the entertaining host to the increasing trade Corn- ing was drawing. He was the father of "Billy" Jacobia, who for several years was the banker of Corning, as well as mayor of the town, while his wife was bank cashier and town treasurer. Billy Jacobia's death by sui- cide, after they removed to Kansas City in 1905, was one of the rare trag- edies that have shocked the county.
The first school of Corning was especially distinguished. It was not simply started in any old room but a building was erected for the sole purpose. It is doubtful if many pioneer villages can make this boast. In 1872 a small district school house was erected, with Miss Min- nie Bracken as the teacher. Six years later $800 was expended to im- prove the school house and N. H. Walters, who was in charge, had six- ty pupils beneath his watchful and experienced eye. Mr. Walters was a teacher of twenty years' experience before he came to Kansas. For over ten years directly following he was head of the Corning school. Now there are over 200 pupils enrolled in Corning's graded school. The school is divided into primary, intermediate, grammar and high school depart- ments, with F. J. Whittaker at the head as superintendent, Miss Etta Burdette as principal, William Newlove in the grammar department. Miss Edna Baldwin, the intermediate, and Miss Sybil Robinson, primary teacher. Corning has a splendid high school with the full course. The building cost over $8,000 and has been standing over twenty years, giv- ing satisfactory service. It was built to endure. Some one with rare perspicacity must have planned the building, for its lighting is remark- able for that period of architecture. The windows alone comprise most of the frame work. Four and five windows are connected on one wall space, a method that is ordinarily followed today, but twenty years ago was neglected.
A resident of Corning who has done much for its furtherance should be mentioned, although his health is keeping him now in San Diego. Dr. Isaac Magill was one of Nemaha county's first born citizens. He grew up on the farm of his father, Samuel Magill, in the Capioma neighbor- hood, one of the first farms preempted in Nemaha county. Dr. Magill still votes in Corning. He owned the telephone company there and erected the attractive building which is its home. He always promoted
115
HISTORY OF NEMAHA COUNTY
baseball and all other healthful sports, and was invariably depended upon to push every movement for the good of the town. When Dr. Magill was mayor of Corning he ding-donged at his fellow citizens until every board or worthless, brick sidewalk was removed and cement walks put in their places. Corning considers her cement walks a monument to Dr. Magill. A memorial to O. W. Ort, E. S. Vernon and V. Broadbent, other pro- gressive citizens, Corning states, is the sidewalk laid from the city to the cemetery. The new electric lights Corning regards as a monument to her present mayor, C. L. Payne.
Corning has still another distinction. It is the highest point in Nemaha county.
Nathan Ford, whose death occurred recently at his farm near Corn- ing, was one of the pioneers of Kansas. The famous drouth of 1860 was well remembered by Mr. Ford as he had to drive twice to Atchison for supplies for the poor in his vicinity. One of the trips required twenty- seven days. He was snow bound. Mrs. Ford took care of the farm dur- ing these trips. He went to Nemaha county in 1859, and had lived there ever since.
Corning with a population of one hundred people and eight business houses in 1882, has, in 1916, multiplied these figures by seven and is a most prosperous, contented country town, with an honorable past and a pleasing future.
CHAPTER XII.
-
BERN.
TOWN FOUNDED IN 1886-CONTROVERSY OVER NAME-ALTITUDE-NAT- URAL ADVANTAGES -STATISTICS - CHURCHES -SOCIETIES AND LODGES-BUSINESS ENTERPRISES-MINERAL SPRINGS-AS A TRADING POINT-ABOVE THE AVERAGE-BUSINESS MEN.
By Mrs. V. A. Bird.
The town was founded in 1886 with the advent of the Rock Island railway. It was then called Lehman, in honor of Christian Lehman. However, the name was soon changed to Basel, pronounced with the "a" sounded as in ball. Attempts were soon made to change it again. and the postoffice authorities, at the suggestion of some influential men, gave it the name of Collins, but so many protested that the name Bern was suggested and adopted. It may be well to note that Congressman Burnes, of Missouri, interceded for the Bern advocates. The name is appropriate on account of so many Swiss settlers who are from Berne, Switzerland. Bern is 1,600 feet above the sea level and is one of the most healthful locations in the world. The drainage is good. There is no sickness arising from the surroundings. The springs north of town contain medicinal waters and would be a good location for a health re- sort. The mercantile business is well represented in all lines ordi- narily found in country towns. Manufacturing is represented by the Bern flouring mill, whose flour has a good reputation. There are four dry goods and grocery stores, one harness shop, two blacksmith shops, three drug stores, one meat market, one dressmaking parlor, two hotels, two restaurants, two doctors, two elevators, two hardware stores, one rusty calaboose, one depot, one barber shop, one hall, one flouring mill, one Turner hall, one printing office, one armful of pretty girls, one basketful of pretty boys, thirty dogs, 213 cats, thirteen bachelors, ten widows, twenty old maids, 300 good citizens, one lumber yard, one car- penter shop, one windmill and pump store, one millinery store, one bank, one furniture store, one jewelry and music store, best surrounding farms and best farmers.
Under the heading, "Directory of Churches, Societies," etc., we find: Bern Evangelical church, Rev. H. W. Hartman, pastor; Lutheran, two
II6
117
HISTORY OF NEMAHA COUNTY
miles southwest of Bern, Rev. D. A. Timm, pastor; Apostolic, south of Bern, John Plattner, pastor; Children's Home Society, Rev. J. M. Dreis- bach, president ; Mrs. E. M. Mckinney, secretary ; Bern Lodge, No. 319. Ancient Order United Workmen, J. J. Koehler, M. W .; D. D. Cunning- ham, secretary ; Sunlight Lodge, Knights of Pythias, D. D. Cunningham,
1
TURNER HALL, BERN, KANS.
C. G .; A. J. Clyman, K. R. and S .; Turnverein, Jacob Spring, pres- ident ; Charles Cassman, secretary ; Bern Gun Club, T. B. Newton, sec- retary.
118
HISTORY OF NEMAHA COUNTY
Among the advertisers we find F. G. Minger, the Bern jeweler ; Olinghouse & Nusbaum, meat market and ice; Bern Cash Store, P. J. Firstenberger, proprietor; Jacob Schober, harness, saddles, etc .; I. G. Hamman, dry goods, clothing, shoes, etc .; D. D. Cunningham, M. D., office over Minger's hardware store; Joel Strahm, breeder of pure Po- land China swine and Langshan chickens; James McKinney, contractor and builder; William Scott & Son, lumber, coal, etc .; G. M. Kinyon, druggist ; John A. Minger, hardware; Otto Parr, drugs and chemicals ; Newton Brothers, hardware and implements; J. J. Koehler, windmills and pumps; John Reinhart, furniture ; The State Bank of Bern, capital, $35,000, George A. Guild, president ; Julius Hill, vice president ; H. R. Guild, cashier ; W. J. McLanghlin, real estate dealer; Jacob Ramsey Schweitze, lunch; Minger's Clamping Saw Set, John A. Minger, in- ventor, patented in the United States and Canada, December 4, 1894.
We copy in part the advertisement of the "Bern Mineral Springs." "These springs are situated two miles north of Bern at the base of Min- eral Hill, on the farm of C. O. Minger, where the old Indian trail crossed Silver creek. Before this country was settled some white men traveling along the trail found, near where the trail crosses the creek, a quality of mineral which they thought was silver. When they sent some of the mineral to the East to be analyzed, the analysis proved the mineral to contain iron, manganese, aluminum, sulphur and several other minerals, but no silver. The old Indian springs issued low down in the bed of the creek. Recently wells have been sunk near the bank of the creek, and the mineral water of the Indian springs found."
Did you ever stop to think of Bern as a trading point and its value to the surrounding country as such? Did you ever contrast it with other towns of its size, and if you did would you find any point in which Bern suffered in the comparison? Where. in this or adjoining States can you find a town of its size that has as many substantial brick busi- ness houses as has Bern? Where will you find a town with so many beautiful and well kept houses? Where can another be found that has no hovels or shacks or objectionable buildings? Where is another that can boast of an opera house or hall such as we have? Where can you find another of its size that has an electric light plant, or a better tele- phone system? Where can one be found with any better schools and churches? Where can you find a more enterprising, up-to-date accom- modating class of business men, or a more intelligent, warm-hearted and sociable people than is found in Bern and surrounding country. "Well," you say, "what has all that to do with Bern as a trading point?" We answer: "Not very much. These are only symptoms-the external evidence-that Bern is above the average." In fact it not only excells as a business point, but is quite an ideal residence point. Among the best evidence we have, especially in comparison with other towns, are the impressions gained by traveling men and strangers who visit our town. They invariably rate us with a population twice our actual numbers after
119
HISTORY OF NEMAHA COUNTY
viewing our business houses. No one is in a better position to judge the business of a town than the trainmen on the local freight trains that serve the towns along the line. Recently the conductor on the local freight, running from Horton to Fairbury, was asked at what town on his run he unloaded the most merchandise, and in reply the names of two towns were given. One of them was Bern.
The merchants of Bern all carry good stocks and are prepared to supply any merchandise desired by their customers upon very short notice. As a rule our farmers appreciate the fact that their property values are affected by the value of their trading point as a farmer and business man to develop the market, and are loyal to their own interests.
Like the omnibus, Bern has always room for more and will extend a hearty welcome to all new comers who desire to cast their lot with us for legitimate ends. We still have more vacant lots and room for more residents and more business. The commercial club will take pleasure in answering any questions and giving information to any one who desires to promote any enterprise in our city. V. A. Bird is president of the club. I. J. Kinyon is the mayor of Bern.
The following are the business men of Bern: A. H. and N. Nus- baum, H. G. Whittle, R. Hatch, L. Garber, J. A. Minger, V. A. Bird, J. S. Wittwer, H. L. Guild, E. Brien, C. Cowan, W. W. Driggs and W. W. Driggs, Jr., C. W. Walker, J. Emert, F. J. Wittwer, C. A. Poppe, M. Dennis, E. Brown, E. Cox, W. Graham, W. H. Harrison, J. Hilt and William Hilt, I. J. Kinyon, C. Puff, Dr. Meyer, A. Reinhart, E. Whis- sler, G. Nusbaum, Bauman & Nusbaum.
The residents, old and new, enjoy taking a glance backward on old Father Time, quietly turning back the ledger and taking a look at the first pages of past history. Now let us look at our little city at the pres- ent time. A few days ago a Mr. Hendee of Sloan, Iowa, who was travel- ing for his health via auto, stopped over night in Bern. The next morn- ing, after visiting Nusbaum, Hatch, and Whittle, merchants of our stores, he remarked that he had traveled over the country a great deal and had seen a great many towns, but Bern was the best little town he had ever seen, judging from the stocks of goods that were carried by the mer- chants and the way they kept them up. He said Bern had stores that a town of 10,000 people might well be proud of. The above opinion is from a disinterested business man who is in every way competent to judge, but what is your opinion? Do you realize that Bern has twenty-eight brick buildings and more in contemplation? That Bern has more resi- dences costing from two to six thousand dollars than any town in the county of its size? That it has a fine electric light plant that is housed in a concrete building? That it has the finest little opera house found in any town of its size? That it has more grades in its schools than any town of its size? That it has fine churches and a fine class of refined, cultured people? It is also a demonstration of two facts : First, that our
I20
HISTORY OF NEMAHA COUNTY
farmers are energetic, thrifty, progressive and prosperous people; and, second, that our business men possess the energy, push and business acumen necessary to make Bern an ideal town. Bern has twenty-seven business houses, viz: Two elevators, three general merchandise, three hardware, two implements, pump and windmills, two drug stores, two millinery stores, one blacksmith shop, one furniture store, one lumber yard, one harness shop, one meat market, one wagon shop, one jewelry store, one shoe shop, one bank, one restaurant, two hotels, one livery, one printing office and one barber shop. The professions are represented by two physicians, one dentist, and the trades by several carpenters, masons, painters, plasterers and decorators. A lawyer once tried to exist in Bern, but he gave it up as a bad job, thus proving that this is more than ordinar- ily a peaceable and law-abiding settlement.
As a rule our farmers appreciate the fact their property values are affected by the value of their trading point as a market for their prod- uct, also that it takes the combined effort of the farmer and business man to develop the market, and are loyal to their own interests.
The business men of Bern appreciate the fact that their home paper (edited by W. W. Driggs & Son) is the connecting link between them and their patrons. The efficient editors are dropping "hot lead" here and there, and their comments, both in their local and editorial columns, cause readers to look for the next issue.
CAAPTER XIII
WETMORE.
A SHIPPING POINT-A RAILROAD TOWN-NAMED FOR W. T. WETMORE - POSTOFFICE ESTABLISHED IN 1867-EARLY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES- FIRST EVENTS-A HANGING-EARLIEST CITIZEN-PONY EXPRESS AND OVERLAND STAGE-SCHOOLS-A JESSE JAMES INCIDENT-PIONEERS AND THEIR DESCENDANTS-FIRST SETTLER IN TOWNSHIP-PROSPECT- ING FOR COAL, BANCROFT-W. F. TURRENTINE-CARDINAL POINTS OF COMPASS DISREGARDED.
Seneca, Sabetha, Centralia and Corning are the four towns of the county, the direct outcome of hopeful pioneers who staked out the vil- lages of their hopes and fought for their existence and welfare. The oth- er towns of the county are the outcome of necessary shipping points, or the result of railroad traffic. Wetmore, the first and oldest of these, is the halfway town between pioneer hopes and shipping necessities, mak- ing the necessary link to harmoniously join the chain. Wetmore is lo- cated four miles north of the line separating Jackson from Nemaha coun- ty and within a couple of miles of the eastern border of Nemaha county. The Central Branch railroad surveyed ground between Atchison and Centralia as early as 1866.
A quarter section of ground was platted, a section house and station erected, a dwelling house constructed, a hotel built, on the promise that trains should stop there for meals, and Wetmore was finally launched as an embryo railroad town, the first established for such a purpose in Nemaha county. The town went further than that and named itself after W. T. Wetmore, vice president of the railroad at that time. In 1867 the town was given a postoffice, and business buildings slowly fol- lowed by a lumber yard, and later a grain elevator. In 1869 the De- Forest Brothers put in a general store, as did the Rising Brothers, all of whom, or their descendants, have been the loyal upbuilders of their little town and clung to it tenaciously. The Wetmore House was built by Peter Shumaker, who long remained a widely known host. Later a second hotel was built, called the Overland House, which was not used as a hostelry until four years later.
Wetmore's first born child was a daughter, Mary Cassity, who lived only a couple of years. The first death was an infant child, Nellie
I2I
I22
HISTORY OF NEMAHA COUNTY
Rising, a descendant of one of the families who have made Wetmore known. Wetmore, being younger and more thoroughly organized than her sister towns, kept her statistics fairly better than most. There is no quarreling there over first happenings. Honor for the first marriage has never been denied Miss Mary Wolfley and M. Morris, who were wedded in 1870. The Wetmore school was first taught in 1868 with A. S. Kenoyer as schoolmaster.
The village was incorporated in 1882 and the first election resulted in J. W. Graham's election as mayor and William Morris, E. H. Chap- man, William Bazan, Joseph Haigh, E. F. Vilott as councilmen and M. P. M. Cassity, police judge. These men for most part have remained identified with Wetmore and its progress.
AUTOMOBILES ON THE MAIN STREET OF WETMORE, KANS.
Wetmore's greatest venture on the road to fame came from its mineral springs, which in the eighties were found to be of medicinal value and water was bottled and shipped far and wide. The springs were not made a health resort, but for years the waters were sent abroad to heal the ailing.
Another venture in the world of notoriety drifted Wetmore's way when a hanging for horse thievery occurred near there. The alleged horse thief hid in his sister's house, which was attacked by a mob. The mob dragged the wretched boy forth, hanged him to a tree and went away leaving the ghastly picture a blot on the landscape and on the memory of Nemaha county's fair history. The occurrence was not in Wetmore's limits, rather nearer to Granada, a settlement now erased.
123
HISTORY OF NEMAHA COUNTY
The earliest citizen of Wetmore might be said to have been M. Callahan, a native of Limerick, Ireland. Mr. Callahan was employed by the Central Branch railroad. He pumped water and lived in a box car where Wetmore now stands. Later he left the railroad and settled in Wetmore. Before coming to Kansas Mr. Callahan had helped in- stall machinery in the famous war steamers, the "Roanoke" and the "Jamestown," familiar to any child who knows his United States history.
It is only natural that Wetmore should have been a railroad town, for many of Wetmore's early day citizens freighted overland or were pony riders in the famous pony express. Ham Lynn's story is told else- where. He was an express rider. Don C. Rising rode the pony for the express company from 1860 to 1862, and was later made assistant wagon master in the United States service. N. H. Rising, his father, conducted a station, Log Chain farm, in Granada, where overland travel made him well-to-do. Robert Sewell, of Wetmore, drove an overland stage in Iowa and later in Kansas, with headquarters in Leavenworth. For ten years he was in the employ of the Overland Stage Company. He named the Overland Hotel of Wetmore in its honor. It is doubtful if the rail- road kept its promise that Wetmore should be the eating headquarters of the line in spite of all this.
Wetmore seems to have solved the school question in a satisfactory manner. A frame school house was erected on the highest point in the city and well away from noise and disturbance. The school building is lighted from all sides. It is in excellent condition, so well kept up that it looks like new, although the inscription tells the passerby that it was built in 1892. The building is surrounded by an immense yard, well sodded and filled with handsome shade trees. A perfectly trimmed cedar hedge surrounds the grounds. The building cost $11,000, and the high school gives the complete course.
This is the building which was mothered by the first school build- ing in .Wetmore, which was the third building in the town. Jacob Guyer, M. M. Cassity and William Morris constituted the first school board, and the building opened with twenty-two pupils. So Wetmore, by reason of its speedily erected pioneer school building, lays good claim to intellectuality. Mr. Cassity was a lawyer, one of the first in the county. He was also a Kentuckian, and before coming to Nemaha county had taught school in Missouri. Immediately after his arrival in Nemaha county, in the late fifties, he taught school in the old log school house in Granada. Mr. Cassity was one of the interesting pioneers. He stuck to Granada as long as there was anything there. He was jus- tice of the peace, town clerk, deputy assessor and general factotum. He was one of the pioneer travelers for the St. Joseph Gazette. The story goes that when he lived in Plattsburg, Mo., he defended and cleared a man by the name of Samuels, a half brother of Jesse James.
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.