USA > Kansas > Shawnee County > History of Shawnee County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 13
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Wilson, Anthony P., Kansas Collection Agency.
Wilder, E., Treasurer, Santa Fe.
Wolff, Chas., Packing Co.
Woolverton, L. S., Druggist.
Wright, John M., Deputy County Treasurer.
Warner & Potter, Agric. Implements, Car- riages and Wagons.
White Star Laundry.
Weber, W. F., Groceries.
Wood, C. L., Prop. National Hotel.
Waters, John C., Lawyer.
Webster-Tulloch Coal Co.
Willis Norton & Co., Inter-Ocean Mills.
Webb & Nichols, Real Estate, Insurance and Loans.
Wood, L. M., Architect.
Western Woolen Mill Co.
Wilson, Richard, Conductor, Santa Fe.
Whitcomb, Geo. H., Lawyer.
Wood, J. G., Receiver U. S. Land Office.
Wear, Norman S., Wear Coal Co.
Walker, Fred T., Drugs and Photo Sup- plies. Wilson, Carey J., Insurance.
Ware, E. F., Lawyer. Williams, A. F., Lawyer.
Young, Clarence, Drugs.
Zercher Book & Stationery Co. Zanditon Company, Men's and Women's Clothing. Zahner, A., Mortgage Loans. Zeis, Burg E., Retired Merchant.
CHAPTER XV.
The Decade from 1880 to 1890-Results of the Boom-Territory Added to the City-Population for Fifty Years-Immigration from the South- Prohibitory Liquor Laws and Their Enforcement-Early Work in Be- half of Temperance-Activity of Women in Civic Affairs.
From 1880 to 1890 was another very prosperous decade in the history of Topeka. During that period an era of unexampled activity in real estate transactions and all branches of business set in, culminating in the great boom of 1886-88. The boom proved to be a splendid thing for Topeka, but a very unfortunate one for the private fortunes of most of her citizens. Property values soared far beyond reasonable bounds, and the collapse of it all at the end not only caused the failure of many enterprising firms and indi- viduals but gave the city a temporary setback from which it was slow in recovering. In the year 1886 there were 23 new additions platted and thrown upon the market, some of them two miles distant from the former extreme limits of the city. The real estate transfers averaged $30,000 a day, or $600,000 a month, and were more than those of any other Western city. The bank clearings averaged more than $1,000,000 a month. This period of advancement continued through the years 1887 and 1888, with a steady increase. In the year 1888 it is estimated that 3,000 new buildings were erected, at a total cost of $3,000,000. One firm, Bartholomew & Norton, built 315 residences in the several additions which they laid out. Forty-five blocks of street pavement, equivalent to four miles, were laid in that year, at an expense of $375,000. Twelve miles of sewers and five miles of brick sidewalks were laid, a $35,000 viaduct built, and an electric light plant in- stalled, the total expenditure for public improvements being $598,000. The bank clearings for the year reached the high figure of $17,000,000 and the real estate transfers aggregated $7,879,569.
Some of the prominent buildings erected in that year were: The Joseph Black building (Oxford Hotel), electric power station, Hotel Throop, Para- more Block (North Topeka), Crawford's Flats, Clugston's residence block, George H. Evans' residence block, Sells Building, Chesterfield Hotel, Edison
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HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
electric light plant, Crawford office block, Columbian Building, Episcopal Guild Hall, First Presbyterian Manse, Hammatt Building, Thompson Block, Thatcher Building, and the private residences of Joseph C. Wilson, M. Snat- tinger, David L. Lakin, John Brier, J. W. Davis and John E. Frost. The cotton mill and the sugar works were also Topeka enterprises of 1888, and the Martin's Hill investment by Boston capitalists was made in the same year.
A GROWING CITY.
The number of city additions platted in that year was 69, most of which were rapidly settled. It was in that year that the greater part of the lots in Potwin Place and Oakland were disposed of. Potwin Place was bought in 1869 by Charles W. Potwin, of Zanesville, Ohio, for $14,400. It comprised a tract of 70 acres northwest from the central part of Topeka. He platted it into 80 lots, each 122 feet front by 205 feet deep, laid out beautiful drives with circular parks, and planted a large number of shade trees. In selling lots he made a condition that no residence should be built costing less than $2,000. Most of the lots were disposed of in 1888, and most of the resi- dences cost much more than the stipulated figure. It is estimated that Mr. Potwin made $140,000 profit on his investment. There are probably 600 persons living in Potwin Place at this time, and it is a most attractive and desirable suburb.
Oakland is in the northeastern part of the city, in the railroad shop district, and contains a population of 500, a majority of them owning their own houses, ranging in cost from $1,500 to $5,000. Oakland now has a separate municipal organization, having been incorporated as a city of the third class in 1903. The present city officers are: Mayor, F. A. Brigham; treasurer, F. E. Jordan; clerk, B. W. Steinhour ; police judge, B. P. Wil- liams; marshal, Egbert B. Wilson; street commissioner, C. G. Sherer ; assistant marshal, A. W. Sherer; councilmen,-G. H. Ensign, Charles M. Stockham, A. J. VanSant, Oscar W. Neil and N. E. Copeland.
Other additions which were active in the year 1887-88 were: Lowman Hill, Highland Park, Quinton Heights, Euclid Park, Ladies' Addition, Veal's Addition, Orchard Hill, College Hill, Martin & Dennis' Addition, West Side, Washburn Place, Cottage Grove, Auburndale, Knox' Addition, Fair View, Wilder's Addition, Boston Heights, Seabrook, Brooklyn Heights, Steele's Addition, Franklin Park, Orchard Highlands, Bell View, Crystal Springs, Deer Park, Brentwood, Kaw Reserve, East Hill, South Park and Chicago Heights-the last named "heights" being a flat piece of raw prairie, nine miles out. Some of these additions eventually came into neigh-
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borly affinity with the city of Topeka, but many of them lapsed with alacrity into aromatic clover beds and fields of forgiving daisies.
POPULATION BY YEARS.
Following the experience of boom days, Topeka settled down to legiti- mate business, and there has been no reverse or cessation of growth in any of the succeeding years. The population of the city is shown in the following statement covering a period of 50 years :
1855
408
1880
15,528
1856
432
1881
16,240
1857
507
1882
21,562
1858
512
1883
22,425
1859
700
1884
22,693
1860
759
1885
23,499
1861
600
1886
25,005
1862
670
1887
29,973
1863
865
1888
34,199
1864
990
1889
35,622
1865
1,310
1890
31,809
1866
2,020
1891
33,247
1867
2,810
1892
33,685
1868
3,120
1893
31,422
1869
3,465
1894
30,724
1870
5.790
1895
30,15I
1871
7,355
1896
31,612
1872
9,220
1897
31,842
1873
8,770
1898
32,651
1874
6,865
1899
35,365
1875
7,272
1900
36,782
1876
7,863
1901
38,067
1877
8,496
1902
38,809
1878
9,003
1903
38,952
1879
II,204
1904
39,149
The effect of the unhealthy boom to which reference has been made is shown in the loss of population in the year 1890. A partial recovery of this loss was made in the two succeeding years, when the depression of 1893 set in, and during the ensuing three years there was another slump in population. One of the principal causes of the decrease in the years 1893, 1894 and 1895 was the removal of several hundred of the citizens of Topeka to the new Territory of Oklahoma, then being thrown open to settlement. This new field was especially attractive to the colored people, who at that time constituted a large factor in the population of Topeka. In the year 1880 it was estimated
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that one-third of the population of the city was of the colored race, a propor- tion much larger than obtained in most of the leading cities of the South.
THE EXODUS.
In explanation of this fact, it should be stated that for many years various inducements had been held out to the negro of the South to find homes in Kansas. Conventions were held in different sections of the South in 1878 and 1879, at which the proposition of removal to the North and West was earnestly considered by the blacks. The result was a general hegira to Kansas. It started in April, 1879, and by August Ist fully 7,000 refugees had arrived in this State, many of them stopping at Topeka. It became necessary to establish barracks in North Topeka for the purpose of sheltering and caring for the refugees. To meet this condition the Kansas Freedmen's Relief Association was formed, composed of Governor John P. St. John, president ; John Francis, P. I. Bonebrake, Albert H. Horton, Cassius G. Foster, James Smith, J. C. Hebbard, Willard Davis, Noah C. McFarland, Thomas W. Henderson and A. B. Jetmore. Under the direction of this organization, colonies were located in Wabaunsee, Graham, Morris and Hodgeman counties, but at least 3,000 of the refugees remained in Topeka.
The exodus movement continued through the years 1879 and 1880, adding at least 40,000 men, women and children to the population of Kansas. During the first year of their residence the sum of $150,000 was contributed from different parts of the country for their support. The refugees came from Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Georgia and Alabama. Those who settled in Topeka were principally from Mississippi and Tennessee. Additional school buildings were constructed for the accommodation of the children, and night schools were established for the benefit of the adults. Most of them were field hands, but they adapted themselves to their new condition and found employment as mechanics, laborers, teamsters, and in various other branches of industry. A settlement was built up in the western part of the city called "Tennesseetown," where many of them continue to reside, although a considerable number emigrated to Oklahoma at the time of the opening.
PROHIBITION.
It is not an extravagant claim to make that there are young men in Topeka of voting age who can truthfully declare that they have never seen a saloon sign, a public bar or any other evidence of a place where intoxicating liquor is sold. There is not at this time, nor has there been since 1885, a single open saloon in the city of Topeka. The amendment to the State con-
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY
PIPE ORGAN IN CITY AUDITORIUM
11
CITY HALL AND AUDITORIUM
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
stitution prohibiting the manufacture and sale of liquor was submitted by the Legislature of 1879 to a vote of the people, which was had at the general election of 1880. It was adopted by a majority of 8,998, the vote for the amendment being 93,302, and against, 84.304. The amendment, as adopted, was written by a citizen of Topeka, Noah C. McFarland, at the request of a mass meeting of temperance workers held on February 7, 1879, in Topeka. Upon the adoption of the amendment, the Legislature of 1881 enacted a law making it effective May 1, 1881. There was considerable difficulty in enforc- ing the constitutional provision at first, and succeeding Legislatures enacted several laws to carry it into effect, notably the Murray drug-store law, the metropolitan police law and the Hurrell search and seizure law. The metro- politan police law was subsequently repealed. It is undeniable that there have been many infractions of the law throughout the State, and in some localities it is totally ignored, but in Topeka it has been as well enforced as most other statutes of restraint. It was not until 1885 that its strict enforcement was accomplished in Topeka. At the beginning of that year there were probably 100 saloons in the city. All were closed within 60 days, and since that time no open saloons have existed. The question of prohibition has been a source of endless contention and litigation, both in the city and the State, and several attempts have been made to have the amendment submitted, so that the people might have an opportunity to express themselves as to its wisdom, but all such efforts have thus far proved futile.
EARLY TEMPERANCE WORK.
Topeka was the foe of liquor from the very beginning. A majority of its founders were strong advocates of temperance. When the Topeka Town Association adopted its first code of by-laws, March 12, 1855, the following provision was incorporated therein :
"No member of this association shall be permitted to buy, sell or give away, where profit accrues, any intoxicating liquors of whatever kind, nor permit them to be bought, sold or given away, where profit accrues, upon his premises ; and the full force of this article shall attach in all its particulars to the entire shares which any member may sell, exchange, transfer, give away or make over by any process, to any other person whatever, and shall be so mentioned in any article or deed of sale which may hereafter be made in the exchange of city shares or parts of shares; and further, the full force of this article shall attach in all its particulars to the city lots to be donated to actual settlers, and also to any interest now held by the Emigrant Aid Company in this city property: Provided, That nothing in this article shall be con- strued to prevent the sale and use of such liquors for medical, mechanical or
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HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
sacramental purposes, under penalty of the forfeiture of the premises on which such sale, use or gift of liquors may be made, to the Topeka Associa- tion."
In violation of this agreement, and in defiance of the well-known senti- ment of the little community, a saloon was opened on lower Kansas avenue in the spring of 1857, with all the necessary goods and appurtenances and sales were made for several days to Indians and whites without interruption. Finally, a mass meeting was called, presided over by Dr. S. E. Martin, at which resolutions of protest were passed, and a committee appointed to wait upon the offender and request him to discontinue the dramshop. The resolu- tions failed to produce the desired result and more rigorous measures were resorted to. The committee seized the barrels and kegs of liquors and rolled them out into the street, where they were destroyed. Not satisfied with this, the committee and their abettors visited other places in the town where it was suspected that liquor was kept for sale, and a wholesale destruction of the inhibited article ensued. Liquors to the amount of $1,500 in value were disposed of in this way. The local paper, the Kansas Tribune, in commenting upon the affair, said: "The liquor spilling was participated in by a large number of our most prominent and highly respected citizens, and, what is equally important, with the entire approval of the ladies."
The above incident transpired July 11, 1857. On the occasion of the first picnic in Topeka, held May 17, 1855, when a number of toasts were given and responded to, this one is recorded: "The Maine Law-May it be to Topeka what the main pillar is to the Temple of Liberty; having its founda- tion in the hearts of the people; may the superstructure be such as shall with- stand the shafts of adversity until its topmost stone shall be laid in triumph, crying grace! grace! unto it !" Harking back to 1855 and 1857, it is easy to discover the source from which Topeka inherited its intense prohibitory proclivities and its zeal for "smashing".
Regular organizations are now maintained for the enforcement of the prohibitory liquor law, and to bring the offenders to punishment. Foremost in this movement is the Kansas State Temperance Union, which has its head- quarters in Topeka, and employs lecturers to stimulate the moral sentiment, and attorneys to conduct the militant campaign. The officers of this organiza- tion are: President, E. B. Cowgill; vice-president, A. C. Pearce; secretary, Rev. W. L. Dexter; treasurer, William Macferran.
HELP OF THE WOMEN.
The women of Topeka play an important part in supporting prohibition and advancing the cause of temperance. They have the privilege of voting
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
at municipal and school elections, and in most instances take an active interest in the campaigns for municipal officers, their influence often controlling the result. The women have always been a power in the governmental affairs of Topeka, and many of the local reforms and public improvements are due to their efforts. The beautifying and decorating of school rooms, the in- auguration of manual training, the preservation of historic landmarks, the promotion of the musical and artistic interests of the city, the establishing of traveling libraries and traveling art displays, and many kindred movements for civic betterment, are due to the wisdom and perseverance of the women of Topeka.
CHAPTER XVI.
Public Institutions and Buildings, Federal, State and Municipal-Post Office Locations and Postmasters-City Hall and Auditorium-Free Public Library-Charitable Associations and Hospitals-Halls and Opera Houses-Prominent Hotels and Their History-Political and Social Incidents-The Topeka Cemeteries.
Of the public buildings of Topeka, the State Capitol is the most extensive and conspicuous. The location is central, the grounds spacious and taste- fully adorned with trees, shrubbery and flower gardens, through which are wide and well-kept drives and walks. The lofty and graceful dome of the building, rising above all other spires and eminences within its radius, can be seen for many miles in either direction from the city, and forms an object from which local distances and directions are measured.
HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE.
Two miles from the city, near the Kansas River, are the buildings of the Kansas Hospital for the Insane. This institution was located here in 1877, and the first of the buildings erected in 1878, the citizens of Topeka and Shawnee County donating the site of 80 acres, to which the State subse- quently added other tracts by direct purchase. The hospital was opened to patients in 1879, under the superintendency of Dr. D. B. Eastman. Since that time the State has expended more than $800,000 in the erection of build- ings and the purchase of additional land. The site now covers 360 acres, comprising farm divisions, pastures, orchards and one of the finest lawns in the State. More than 1,000 patients are accommodated in the group of brick and stone buildings, where every attention and comfort are provided. The general management is in the hands of the State Board of Control, appointed by the Governor. Dr. T. C. Biddle is the present superintendent, and has been unusually successful in managing the institution and maintaining its high standard of efficiency.
175
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
REFORM SCHOOL.
The State Industrial School for Boys is located about three miles north from the Capitol, on a tract of 160 acres, purchased for that purpose by the city of Topeka and the county of Shawnee, and donated to the State. Build- ings were erected in 1880 and 1884, the first at a cost of $35,000 and the last at a cost of $43,000. The school was opened in 1881, with accommoda- tions for 100 boys. Additional buildings have increased the capacity of the institution to 350, the total expenditures being about $200,000. Since the school was established more than 2,000 boys have had the benefit of its train- ing and discipline. H. W. Charles is the present superintendent.
THE FEDERAL BUILDING.
The United States Custom House and Post Office was commenced under a contract awarded in January, 1879, for basement and area walls, and was completed and occupied March 1, 1884, the cost of the construction being $286,058.24. The first purchase of land on account of this building was made in September, 1878, when 100 feet of ground fronting on Kansas avenue at the northeast corner of Fifth avenue was secured for $20,000, one-half of which was contributed by the citizens of Topeka. The first appropriation for structural work was obtained by Congressman Thomas Ryan. Additional land on the north was purchased in 1897 by the government for $25,000. Under act of Congress, passed in March, 1899, through the influence of Con- gressman Charles Curtis, an enlargement of the building was provided for at an expenditure of $85,000. At the same session of Congress another act was passed making a further provision for enlargement at a cost of $71,394.73. The entire cost of building, grounds, furnishings, elevator, tower clock and repairs has been about $550,000. White stone was used in the construction, and the building is one of the best in Kansas. It accom- modates the Post Office, Pension Office, the United States Circuit and Dis- trict courts, the United States Land Office and other Federal offices.
Postmasters .- Thomas J. Anderson was the first postmaster to occupy the new building. Previous to that the office had been located in store build- ings in various parts of the city. In 1855 it was on Quincy street near Second, and later on the southeast corner of Kansas and Fifth avenues, directly across the street from its final location; in 1858 it was on the south- east corner of Kansas and Sixth avenues; in 1861-69 it occupied quarters at Nos. 147, 131 and 194 Kansas avenue, respectively, and at No. 104 East Sixth avenue-where it was burned out; in 1870 it was at No. 129 Kansas avenue, and again, in 1871, at No. 104 East Sixth avenue; in 1873 it was
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HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
moved to the Crawford Opera House Block, in 1878 to No. 117 East Fifth avenue, and in 1880 to No. 136 Kansas avenue. The postmasters of Topeka and their terms of service are shown in the following list: Fry W. Giles, 1855-57; E. C. K. Garvey, 1857-58; Charles C. Kellam, 1858-61; Samuel Fletcher, 1861-69; Hiram W. Farnsworth, 1869-73; Henry King, 1873-81 ; Thomas J. Anderson, 1881-85; John Mileham, 1885-89; James L. King, 1889-93; Frank S. Thomas, 1893; Andrew J. Arnold, 1893-97; John Guthrie, 1897-05.
CITY HALL AND AUDITORIUM.
A building in which the citizens of Topeka take great pride is the new City Hall and Auditorium, built in 1900 at a cost of $102,000. It is located on Quincy street, occupying a frontage of 300 feet between Seventh and Eighth streets. The City Hall and Fire Department are on the Seventh street corner, and the Auditorium connects on the south. In the Auditorium are held all the conventions that select Topeka as their meeting place, as well as all of the large local gatherings, lectures and concerts. For many years the city officers occupied leased quarters, generally the second floor of a store building, but in 1878 a City Hall was erected at the southwest corner of Kansas avenue and Seventh street, and the city became a landlord instead of a lessee, as the City Hall project included two business rooms on the first floor, which were readily rented at $1,000 each per annum. The total cost of the building and site was $38,000, and it was subsequently disposed of to the Knights and Ladies of Security for $40,000. The basement of the build- ing was fitted up as a city prison, but this plan was abandoned after three years trial and a new prison built at the northeast corner of Fifth and Jackson streets.
CITY LIBRARY.
In 1881 the Union Pacific and Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad companies joined in providing funds for the construction of the Topeka Free Public Library Building, stipulating that the location should be upon the block of ground known as Capitol Square. Permission was obtained from the Legislature to locate the library upon the State grounds, using a space 200 feet square in the northeast corner of the square. The two railroad com- panies contributed $12.500 each for the library, which was built in 1882, the total cost being $44,000, the excess above $25,000 being loaned to the Library Association by prominent citizens who were friendly to the enter- prise. Direct contributions, in various sums and for various purposes, have been made by James D. Burr, C. W. Potwin and John R. Mulvane, of
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RAILROAD YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION BUILDING
INGLESIDE HOME
THE JANE C. STORMONT HOSPITAL
CHRIST'S HOSPITAL
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
Topeka; C. C. Wheeler of Chicago, the late Barney Lantry of Cottonwood and others. The negotiations for the railroad donation were conducted by Edward Wilder, who has been president of the association since 1875. Mr. Wilder has also been a generous contributor to the artistic collections of the library, and has given time, money, labor, ability, patience and zeal to the upbuilding of all its departments.
Founders of the Library .- Topeka's Free Public Library was founded by the Ladies' Library Association, which was organized November 12, 1878, with the following members : Mesdames Daniel M. Adams, Floyd P. Baker, W. S. Baker, Marcus Bosworth, E. B. Clarkson, Clara M. Crane, William Carpenter, George W. Crane, E. Chrisman, James Douglas, WV. P. Douthitt, Esther F. Ekin, Hiram W. Farnsworth, John W. Farnsworth, George Geiger, Fry W. Giles, A. J. Huntoon, Benjamin Haywood, L. M. Higgins, C. H. Hayes, Joel Huntoon, Thomas L. King, Maria L. King, Ella King, Charles C. Kellam, S. S. Lawrence, F. A. Lighter, T. F. Leidigh, Thomas B. Mills, L. H. Merrill,, S. D. MacDonald, Noah C. McFarland, Francis S. McCabe, H. C. Price, C. Reed, L. A. Rudisill, W. S. Rankin, H. A. Rain, Thomas Ryan, Irene A. Safford, Emma Swallow, James M. Spencer, Ann Eliza Sheldon, M. V. Snyder, O. P. Smith, Mary C. Todd, J. B. Thompson, E. W. Tweeddale, Shipman Thompson, E. O. Taylor, James Veale, Edward Wilder, M. E. Whitton, George Work, W. E. Webb, A. P. Wilder, S. Walley, Margaret Walker, M. A. Winchip, Orrin T. Welch, and Misses Anna . Ekin, Mary Johnson, Jennie Kimber, Sarah Webb, Sara Petit, Sarah G. Wright, Nancy Smith, Harriet J. Wetmore and Fannie Woodard.
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