USA > Kansas > Smith County > History of Smith County, Kansas to 1960 > Part 14
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Melva Z. Livermore of Smith Center did missionary work in India under the Methodist Foreign Missionary Board for more than forty years. Melva was born in Chariton County, Missouri, April 19, 1867, and when a small child came with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel E. Livermore, to live on a farm four miles north of Smith Canter for several years, then moved to Smith Center where she attended school. She taught at Cedar and Lebanon and was county superintendent. She decided to be a missionary and in November 1897 sailed from the east coast for Meeriet, India, where she served through the years
80 Oscar Crouse, op. cit.
189
until her retirement in 1937. During her forty years of foreign service shs was home on furloughs several timse and she was always in constant demand for speaking engagements. The Women's Foreign Missionary Society members of Smith County raised the fund of $70.00 to present Melva an honorary anniversary men- bership in the National Women's Foreign Missionary Society. The citizens of Smith Center had a Ford car sent from the factory to India when it was learned how much Melva needed a conveyance over the territory where she worked. After har retirement, in 1937, she and a missionary friend, Anna Lawson, lived at Pacific Palisades, California, where she died July 1941.8
Wilbur Matson, a graduate of Smith Center High School in 1911, taught in the government schools for four years in China, in Singapore and in Ipali. Hs has been a merchant in Smith Center ever since his return.
Rev. S. H. Patterson, a native of Cedar vicinity, became president of the Radio Prayer League, Inc. and was instrumental in organizing the school lunch program. He went to Denver in 1928 and began radio preaching over KVOD. It was here he organized the Radio Prayer League. When the depression struck in Denver in the 1930's, he sponsored the feeding of 400 school children from five public schools for 42 years. His applied to President Roosevelt for a WPA program for school lunches. Harry Hopkins was sent to Denver to survey what was being done. His reaction was that it should be all over the United States, and in a short time the project was in operation and still is (1960).82
The Faurots, Ruth, Jean, and Albert, moved to Smith Center when their father became pastor of the Presbyterian Church and still consider Smith Center as "home" as they all graduated from school there and the family lived
8 Mrs. Hattie Baker Collection, op. cit.
82 Smith County Pionser, March 29, 1956.
190
there for ebout thirty-five yeers. Jaan graduated from Park College and has eince received degreee from Westminster Seminary, Philadelphia; McGill Uni- versity, Montreal, Canada; and a Doctorate from Toronto University. He taught Bible and Philosophy at Missouri Valley College four years and ie now Head of the Department of Humanities et Sacramento Collega, Sacramento, California. Albert graduated from Smith Center High School in 1932, then Park College, end wae eppointed Missionary of Music at Foochou College in Foochou, China. He served there through the Chinese-Japanese War and also during World War II. When the Communiets took over, he was ordered to leave and was transferred to Kobe College, Japan for ons year, then to Silliman University at Dumaguette, P. I. He has since etudiod piano with Mattey in London, and Richard Cantebury at Kanees City, Missouri and received hie M.A. from Park Collage. Ruth Marie, after graduating from Park Collage, received her M.A. from Kansas University end studied at McGill University, Montreal, Canada. She taught et Smith Center, followed by three yeare at Scotsbluff Junior College, then received an appoint- ment to the Polytechnical Institute et San German, Puerto Rico. Later che took e leave end received her Ph.D. in English from the University of North Carolina, then returned to Puerto Rico.83
James C. Putman, reared on a farm in Smith County and graduated from the Smith Center schools, was one of the founders of the Veterane of Foreign Ware and wee the first national commander of that organization. He was the oldest son of Mr. and re. William k. Futman who lived on their homestead two milee weet of Smith Center. James Putman'e colorful cereer included participa- tion in three Indian wars, service under Gen. John Pershing in 1890-91 when the latter mae an officer in the Sixth Cavalry, service in the Spanish American
83 Letter interview with Dr. Ira N. Faurot, now retired, Nortonville, Kancae.
191
War, and a worker on the Panama Canal. He also served eix yeare in the Missouri Legislature. The American Veterans of Foreign Service joined with several other veterans' groups to form the V.F.W. at Columbus, Ohio, in 1899. Mr. Putman died at Fayetteville, Arkansas, on October 11, 1956, at the age of 88 years.84
Norman Whiting was a name that not many knew except the residents of Lebanon, but come historic words that he used became the basis of a hymn that the famous evangelist, Dwight L. Moody, used in hie meetings in the decades around 1900. Judge C. Myers who recounted the story, wae sure that Moody and Sankey, his song leader, never knew they were talking of a Lebanon man when they epoke the line and drew a religious truth from the words, "Ilold the Fort for I am Coming." A Mr. Blise did not know he was writing of a Lebanon man when he wrote the religious eong of this title. Judge Nyers quotes the story of the song from an old volume copyrighted in 1895 that contained a collection of excerpts from the sermons of Moody thue:
"Hold the Fort, for I am Coming !" -- When General Sharman went from Atlanta to the sea through the Southern Statee - he left in the fort in the Kenesaw Mountains a little handful of men to guard some rations that he had brought there. And General Hood got into the outer rear and attacked the Fort, drove the men from the outer works into the inner works, and for a long time the battle raged fearfully. Half the men were either killed or wounded; the general who was in command wae wounded seven different times; and when they were about ready to run up the white flag and eur- render the Fort, Sherman got within fifteen miles, and through eignal corpe in the mountains he sent the message, "Hold the fort; I am coming. W. T. Sherman." That message fired up their hearte and they held the fort until reinforcemente came. Our friend, Mr. Blise, has written a hymn of this name ... Let ue take up the chorus.
84 Mrs. Hattie Baker Collection, op. cit.
192
Hol My comrades, see the signal Waving in the sky! Reinforcemente now appearing, Victory is nigh! Hold the fort, for I am coming, Jesus eignals still, have the answer back to heaven By thy grace we will.
Judge Myers says that Norman Whiting was a quiet, dignified "Old Soldier", a slim, kindly person with a white Van Dyke beard who lived with his wife quietly and at peace with the world. Shortly before his death, it was die- covered that Whiting, while a signal man with General Sherman, was the young signal corps man who wig-wagged the message to the beleagued fort in the mountains. He spent hie remaining years in Lebanon so unobtrusively that it was hard to realize that he could have been the person that sent the message, "Hold the fort; I am coming! W. T. Sherman."85
In the field of education the names are legion, from the first pioneer teachers that put up with hardships untold to many who are yet in the work after nearly a lifetime of service. Not being able to give due honor to all of them, this work will compromise by mentioning four who, while they perhaps have not contributed more, have done so in a wider area and are known to more people.
Ida Margaret Ahlborn, Smith Center High School clase of 1900, was Profes- sor of Home Economics and Assistant Dean of Women at Kansas State College (University) before her marriage to Dr. Royal J. Montgomery in 1937. She com- piled a text book titled Nutrition that is widely used in colleges both in the United States and overeeas. A building on the campus at Manhattan, "The Margaret Ahlborn Lodge," was named in her honor. She and her husband both
85 Judge Clyde Myers, op. cit.
193
came from their home in Grinnell, Iowa, for the Golden Jubilee of Smith Center High School. While there Royal Montgomery, class of 1897, gave the commence- ment address to the clase of 1940. Mra. Montgomery died October 15, 1957. 86
Clarence Farick, who graduated from the Smith Center High School in 1895, was on the faculty of Kansas State College of Hays from 1919-1941. He was born at Glen Elder, Mitchell County, March 1879. The family came to Smith Center while the father, Rev. G. L. Rarick, was minister of the Meth- odist Church. He was superintendent of schools at Plainville, Rooke County, Stockton, and Osborne from 1904 to 1919. Clarence received his A.B. from Kansas Wesleyan University, 1904, and i'd. D. in 1928. Rarick became Pro- fessor of Rural Education and Director of the Extension Service at Fort Hays Kansas State College, Hays, 1919-1934, acting president 1933-1934, and presi- dent from 1934 until his death August, 1941.87
Frank K. Simmonds was born in a dugout on his father's homestead north of Cedarville, Harvey Township. llere he attended school in a sod schoolhouse with forty or fifty other pupils. During the winter of 1892-93 he worked for hie board and attended Smith Center High School where J. N. Nosher, the principal, taught all the high school classes. He secured a county teacher's certificate in the fall of 1893 and taught rural school for three years, then was principal of Cedarville and Gaylord schools for five years. He graduated from the Salina Normal University in 1902 and wae superintendent of Mankato schools for eleven years. During this time he served on the Kansas State Board of Education, the county board for teacher's examinations, conducted county teachers' institutes and Summer Chautauquae throughout northwestern
86 yrs. Ilattie Baker Collection, op. cit.
87 Who Was who in America, Vol. 2, (1945-1950), p. 438; Mrs. Hattie Baker Collection, op. cit.
194
Kansas, and was president of the Northwest Kansas Teachers' Association. In 1913 he became president of the Lewiston, Idaho, schools where he remained seven yeare and organized one of the first junior-senior high school systems in the country. During World War I he was a "dollar-a-year" man as U. S. Food Administrator. In 1920 Frank became manager of the New York office of the U. S. Chamber of Commerce. Hle resigned that position in 1923 to become Deputy Manager of the American Bankers Association in New York and was still in that work in 1932. In 1940 he compiled and published the book, "John and Suean Simmonds and Their Descendants," a story of the geneology of his family and of Smith County. 88
Basil Cole graduated from the Lebanon High School and taught school for a few years. lle then got his college degree at Hays. His wife, Ruth, worked in a beauty shop to assist in the expenses while he studied. He is now Personnel Director of Menninger's Foundation at Topeka and travels for them a great deal.89
Carl Cannon, only son of Dr. and Mrs. Willis Cannon, was born in Smith Center and graduated from high school with the class of 1907. His father owned and operated a drug store in the early days and also practiced medicine. Later he purchased an interest in the Smith County State Bank and became vice- president. Carl went Eaet where he was employed in several clerical jobs, first in Pennsylvania and then New York. He became Head Librarian at the City Library of New York City and continued in that position until his health failed about 1955. For his work he received recognition in the Who's Who in America. 90
88 Frank We Simmonds, op. cit., p. 46-49.
89 Ray Myers, letter to author.
90 Letter interview with Mra. Hattie Baker.
195
Another person indirectly in educational work ie Dr. Fred H. Hull, a native of Smith County and son of Mr. and Mrs. E. T. Hull of Portie vicinity. He has been on the etaff of the Agricultural Experiment Station eince 1927 and department head eince 1952 at the Florida University. His main work has been in plant breeding. He first succeeded in artificially croseing peanute and later worked on hybrid corn. The Southern Seedmen'e Association named him "man of the year," and he is one of twelve in the United States to be made a fellow of the American Society of Agronomy. He has been a member eince 1927, served as secretary, vice-president, and president of the South- ern Branch of the Society. 91
A name familiar to thousands of people who have never heard of Smith County is the Miller Brothers Circus. It is owned and operated by Obert Miller and his eons, Kelly and Dores, all three of whom with their wives are natives of Smith County. Obert started with a small tent show in 1924 and by 1927 wae traveling through Kansas and the surrounding states with a "Dog and Pony Show." By 1957 he had organized a regular circus. With him in the business were his two sons, Kelly and Dores, and they continued to ex- pand until in 1957 they had the second largest circue in America and the largest tent show on tour. with the chow were 218 animals including a herd of giraffes which otherwise are exhibited in only seven zoological institutione.
Obert Miller was born at Harlan. Hie father came to the Solomon Valley in 1873 and hie mother's family, Buntin, came in 1878. The Millers moved to Smith Center when Obert was four. He grew to manhood there and married Jennie Serena of the Cora vicinity. Kelly's wife was Dale Stevens, a niece of Eva
91 Smith County Pioneer, February 14, 1957.
196
Stevens Harlan whose husband was one of the first settlers at Harlan in 1871. For several yeare Mr. and I'rs. Walter Stevens treveled with the circus, Walter as band leader and his wife, Edna, a buyer of supplies. Walter was the son of Ed Stevens who came to Smith County with his parents in 1872. 92
Two men by the name of "Wally" made Smith Center known "from Mains to California" September 22, 1946. One was wally Boren, the author of the syndi- cated column, ""'ally's Wagon," carried by twenty-five of the largest news- papere in the United States. The other was Waldene (Wally) Ogle, who runs a popcorn stand called ""ally's Wagon" right out in the paved street on the busiest corner in Smith Center. Waldene Ogle was born October 3, 1915 in Smith Center. Ho weighed but three pounds and contacted spaetic paralysis. He never took a step until eix years old; he started to school when eight and was hauled back and forth in a cosstor wagon until in the fifth grado. He tried a paper route while still in high school (his father died while he was small; he lived with his mother, Mrs. Lottie Ogle, and sister, Melba) then in 1936 got a popcorn machine. He got a little eight by twelve house on wheels that could be pulled to the fair grounde or athletic fields for special events; otherwise it stoud on a vacant lot on Main Street between the First National Bank and Center Cafe. In 1937 Wally graduated from high school; also hie lot was sold. The city mayor, councilmen and townspeople became concerned and de- cided to locate his wagon on a good foundation right in the street across the sidewalk from the Pioneer office and acroce the street from the banks. Homer Croy, famous author, was in Smith Center checking on "Home on the Range" song end sent a card to Wally Boren containing the picture, "The Heart of Uncle Sam", and told him there existed a real "Wally's Wagon." Boren wrote to Ogle,
92 Mrs. Hattie Baker Collection, op. cit.
197
and after getting his story, decided to writs a column on him and his wagon. This was published on September 22, 1946. In the meantime his editor suy- gested that he visit Smith Center for Wally's birthday, October 3, when the Chamber of Commerce was planning a big party. This he and Mrs. Boren did, and in later articles he described his visit as "having a funny feeling to be right in the middle of the country. Whatever way you turn, thers is the same amount of the U. S. in front of you as in the back." He had asked his readers to send Wally birthday greetings, and over 5,000 arrived. A "thank you" from Wally Ogle was later published in Boren's column. And so the heart of the nation has not lost all of its pioneer spirit of friendliness in its near century of growth. 93
93 From newspaper clippings of the Smith County Pioneer which contained reprints of Wally Boren's column from syndicated newspapers and This Wesk Magazine, 1946; Wirs. Hattie Baker Collection.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE IV
Fig. 1. Early picture of Smith Center, county seat, Smith County, Kan sas. (Courtesy of Mrs. Hattie Baker.)
Fig. 2. Main street, Kensington, Kansas, about 1895. (Courtesy of Mrs. Lula Crosby. )
Fig. 3. Smith Center's only sod house, 1889. (Courtesy of Mrs. Hattie Baker.)
Fig. 4. Building sod post office at Womer, 1892. Men in the picture were John Williamson, Ted Williamson, Charles Davis, William Sroffer, Mel Womer, Frank Henderson, John Williams, Wes Womer, David Watson, Emmet Womer. (Courtesy of Emmet Womer. )
Fig. 5. Main street, Lebanon, Kansas, about 1889. (Courtesy of L. G. Johnson. )
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PLATE IV
Fig. 1
Smith Conver- only Soit House
1889
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
EXPLANATION OF PLATE V
Fig. 1. Community Hall, Smith Center, built 1922, cost $36,000. (Courtesy of Mrs. Hattie Baker.)
Fig. 2. Smith Center High School, built 1918. (Courtesy of Mrs. Hattie Baker.)
Fig. 3. Smith Center Ladies Band, early 1900's.
Fig. 4. Second Smith Center Band, 1880. (Both band pictures courtesy of Mrs. Hattie Baker.)
Fig. 5. First school building, Smith Center, 1874. (Courtesy of Mrs. Hattie Baker.)
Fig. 6. G. A. R. Monument at Cedar, Kansas, erected in 1921. (Courtesy of Mirs. Lula Crosby.)
Fig. 7. Hyde Elevator at Lebanon, Kansas. (Courtesy of W. E. Les, Smith County Pioneer.)
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PLATE V
Fig. 1
¢
E
Fig. 2
Fig. 5
GENZ
LADIES TE
BAND
Fig. 3
Fig. 6
Fig. 4
Fig. 7
EXPLANATION OF PIATE VI
Fig. 1. L. T. Reese, homesteaded near Smith Center, 1872.
Fig. 2. Mrs. L. T. Reese, who came to the county with her parenta in 1877. (Courtesy of Mirs. Hattie Baker.)
Fig. 3. J. R. Durrow, homesteaded adjoining Smith Center, 1873. Later president of First National Bank of Smith Center and Central National Bank of Topeka.
Fig. 4. L. C. Uhl, Sr., homesteaded in Center Township, 1872.
Fig. 5. D. Il. Crosby, homesteaded adjoining Cedar, 1871. One of the incorporators of Cedarville.
Fig. 6. Mrs. D. H. Crosby, came to the county with her parents in 1876. (Courtesy of Mrs. Lula Crosby.)
Fig. 7. V. J. Bottomly, homesteaded in Harvey township. One of incorporators of Cedarville.
Fig. 8. Major J. T. Morrison and wife, pioneers in Cedarville.
Fig. 9. J. H. Johnston, had first store in Cedarville. One of the incorporators of Cedarville.
Fig.10. George C. McNiece, homesteader in White Rock township and early newspaper editor.
Fig.11. H. H. Grauerhols and wife, homesteaders in Cedar township in 1871.
Fig.12. A group of old timers taken in 1903. Identified: E. D. Cooke, H. R. Stone, D. Weltmer, I. A. Mullen, W. R. Putman, H. H. Reed, John T. Iden, A. J. Watson, T. C. Wince, W. H. Thompson, F. M. Carson. (Courtesy of Smith County Pioneer.)
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PLATE VI
L. T. P .... Fig. 1
Mrs. L. T. Noesa Fig. 2
Fig. 4
Fig. 3
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
V. I' BOTTOMLY. Early setler of Hacvay Lowtutup.
MAJOR J I MORRISON. dermek, sed vele, pioneer of Colarulle
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
1 H1 JOHNSTON, Nute of Topraa, que ct the jHutIT!
GŁO : MAKE
H. H CRAI FRIOL / M W IFF who landed - Codes anche 1071 The wide and wortes
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
EXPLANATION OF PLATE VII
Rice Brothers, early Cedar township homesteaders along with their mother. They arrived in the county in 1873.
Fig. 1. William Rice.
Fig. 2. Mad Rice
Fig. 3. miot Rice
Fig. 4. Harve Rice
Fig. 5. Scott Rice
Fig. 6, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence (Cal) Harlan who sang the song, and 7 "Home on the Range" for the recording used as part proof that it was written in Smith County.
Fig. 8.
Mrs. Nettie Smith Chubb, Smith Center artist who has
illustrated a number of articles and pamphlets on Smith
County and the song "Home on the Range." (Courtesy of
Smith County Pioneer.)
Fig. 9.
Bernard Frazier, native of Athol, Smith County, Kansas,
who made the sculptures of pioneer subjects on the State
Office Building, Topaka, 1956. (Courtesy of Topeka
Capital-Journal.)
Fig. 10. Mrs. Hattie Baker, pioneer in the publishing field in Smith County.
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PLATE VII
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
CHAPTER VII
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
In each town, city, or state there are objects or incidents that make such deep impressions in the culture of the people that a knowledge of them is extensively found many decades or even centuries later. Thus the Liberty Bell and the Declaration of Independence have become symbols of freedom, the covered wagon and log cabin have become symbole of the pioneer on the frontier. Six developments of the past have become symbols of pride in Smith County and have welded a people of different social backgrounds into one. Although each individual or his family may not have had personal contact with these "Histor- ical Highlights," they are a part of the history of the county and are a part of each individual's heritage.
It is particularly appropriate that each of these eix "Highlights" be- longed to different areas in the county: the Geographic Center of the United States located in the caet area near Lebanon, the Dutch lill built in the northern part at Reamsville, the place of the origin of the song "Home on the Range" in the northwest corner, the Naval Band from the extreme western area at Kensington, the Memorial Hospital, while a county project, located in the exact center at Smith Center, and the Smith County Historical Society coordin- ating the whole with a representative in each township. It is also fitting that the time span should extend from the beginning of the county with the first settlement -- through the years of development - to the period nine decade later when the present generation began the attempt to record the his- tory of the past. Ninety years is not a long time in the centuries of civili- zation, but miraculous changes have been wrought in this thirty mile square
206
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labeled "Smith County." A trackless prairie country crossed with some lazily meandering streams and used by the Indians for a hunting ground has been trans- formed into a rich farming area with comfortable homes, excellent schools and churches, and progressive, industrious people. Ruts of winding trails can occasionally be seen near the oilsd highways, but no traces remain of the sod schoolhouses and sod homes that have been replaced by modern buildings. Mem- ories seldom are called to mind of the oxteams and wagons that once traversed these prairies. Electric lights gleam brightly on the most isolated farma; tractors with many horse power skim over the ground where the oxen with the breaking plow once plodded. These and a thousand other marks of progress have spelled the advance of civilization, and Smith County has kept pace with that progress!
Smith County Memorial Hospital
The Smith County Memorial Hospital, located on South Main Street in Smith Center is ths proud possession of everyone in the county. The hospital was built mainly by tax funds voted by the people of Smith County in a bond election held April 16, 1946. The contract for the new building was signed February 15, 1950 and it was finished at a total cost of $351,328.53 with $200,000 from tax levy, $140,000 from federal aid, and $11,328 from gifts of individuals and organizations. The building is 228 feet long and an 84 foot east wing. It is a twenty-six bed hospital, completely modern with radiant heating, air conditioning, oxygen piped to each room, and all other conveni- ences for patients, nurses, and doctors. A county Hospital Association was organized and the man appointed to serve as members of the first hospital board were: Glenn M. Stoops, Smith Center, chairman; Pev. A. Eggerling, Kensington,
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pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church, secretary; James Roush, Lebanon, treasurer; Harry Lloyd, Gaylord, and Fred Simmons, Smith Center.
The Memorial Hospital wae dedicated on Sunday afternoon, June 3, 1951. It was named as a memorial to the Smith County Veterans of World War II who made the supreme sacrifice and their names (see Appendix) were inscribed on a plaque at the north end of the building. Hundrede of people from this and surround- ing counties stood in respectful silence while membere of the American Legion Posts and Veterans of Foreign Wars in the county dedicated the plaque. The high school band provided music, and Dr. J. L. Lattimore, Topeka, President of the Kansus Blue Cross, gave the addrese. Dr. B. Hardman, President of the Smith County Medical Association, John Shaver, architect, and others also spoke. The hospital contract for operation was given to the Great Plains Lutheran Hos- pital Association. Medical doctors at the time of dedication were Hector Nor- rison, F. H. Relihan, Victor Watte, Lafe Bauer, Robert Sheppard, D. A. Hardman, I. E. Nickell, and R. C. Windscheffel, dentist, and J. J. Patzel, optometrist. The death of Dr. Morrison June 6, three days after he had attended the dedica- tion ceremonies, brought sadnese to the county. He had been a physician in the county for fifty years, first practicing at Womer. 1
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