USA > Kansas > Sedgwick County > History of Wichita and Sedgwick County, Kansas, past and present, including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county, Vol. I > Part 33
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June, 1898, the college graduated its first class-a class of nine-and had an enrollment of 179, and a spirit of strong hope- fulness cheered everyone.
The next years were marked by steady advance in the num- ber of students, in the size of the faculty, in improvement in the main building, by fitting up additional rooms, and by many hard- ships regarding street car connection with the city. At one time it was even necessary to run a hack line between Fairmount and the corner of Hillside and Douglas, but finally the old mule cars gave way to the splendid and efficient electric service of the present time. Through these pioneer years the faculty were loyal and self-sacrificing to an extent little known by the general public, and there began to develop the Fairmount spirit among them and the students that has characterized the institution ever since.
Theodore H. Morrison, a son of President Morrison, was appointed assistant librarian June 24, 1898, and has been con- nected with the library ever since, much of its splendid efficiency being due to him. In January, 1900, D. K. Pearsons, the million- aire college builder of Chicago, offered $50,000 if the friends of the college would raise $150,000. The attempt to raise this amount failed in part, but sufficient was collected to induce Dr. Pearsons to give $25,000. Rugby Hall, the two-story brick build- ing now occupied by a grocery store on Vassar avenue, was sold after having been used for several years as a boys' residence.
April 8, 1903, Prof. Roulet died. He was a native of French Switzerland, coming to Fairmount with Dr. Morrison. His long and successful experience as a teacher and his training as a busi- ness man greatly helped in building up Fairmount, and especially the library, of which he was the first librarian. His picture hangs in the main hall of the Fairmount College library. Prof. A. P. Solandt succeeded him the same year.
In order to bring the college and its claims before the people of Wichita and vicinity, E. M. Leach was appointed field secre-
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tary, in 1904. Through his energy the college was widely adver- tised, especially through the Arkansas Valley Interscholastic Meet, of which he was the founder. To this gathering all high schools for miles around are invited annually to send their best athletes, orators and readers, Fairmount College being host, its students not competing, but helping in every way to make the gathering a success. It meets annually in May and the attend- ance several times has been two thousand.
The Fiske family of Boston for years had been firm friends and supporters of Fairmount. In 1904 Mrs. Fiske gave $2,500 to start a fund to build a boys' dormitory. Other friends con- tributed and the trustees erected the present splendid building, said to be the finest dormitory in the state. Two years after- wards it was completed and opened for use, and very appro- priately named Fiske Hall.
This same year the trustees applied to Andrew Carnegie, of New York, for money with which to build a library building. After due consideration and arrangement of terms he granted $40,000 with which to erect the beautiful building now standing on the college grounds.
Several years of steady progress followed until 1907. In April of that year, after a short illness, President N. J. Morrison died. As a college builder he will long be remembered as one of the founders of Olivet College, in Michigan. After leaving there, in 1873, he founded Drury College, at Springfield, Mo., of which he was for fourteen years president, leaving it with many splen- did buildings and a large endowment. Later he was professor of philosophy in Marietta College, in Ohio. From there he came to Fairmount, where he worked with devotion and success until his death.
In August of the same year Fairmount suffered another serious loss in the death of its dean, W. H. Isely, called away in the prime of life. He left a record of self-sacrificing industry not easily surpassed. As a teacher, member of the city govern- ment of Wichita, official in the Wichita Chamber of Commerce and the Kansas National Guard, his loss was widely and keenly felt.
After careful consideration and extensive correspondence the trustees invited Rev. Henry E. Thayer, D. D., of Topeka, Kan., to become president. He accepted, and at once entered upon
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his duties with energy and success, bringing to bear on every question the ability of a man of wide vision and long experience in public affairs.
January, 1910, the new library was formally dedicated and opened to use. The furniture, through the generosity of Mrs. L. S. Carter, was all in place and the main floor presented a beau- tiful and appropriate appearance. This floor contains reading rooms and office and delivery desk. On the second floor are found the Carter memorial room, all within it being furnished by Mrs. L. S. Carter, and contains, besides the splendid library furniture, a large number of sumptuously bound books; the Library Club room, the meeting place of the Fairmount Ladies' Library Club, which for many years had worked faithfully and successfully in forwarding the interests of the library; another room is occupied by the Daughters of the American Revolution, and now contains many articles illustrating the early history of the country. Still another room contains the beginnings of a college museum. At present it is mainly occupied by a large number of articles from Palestine illustrating the life and cus- toms of the people of that country. Dr. Selah Merrill, a friend of the late President Morrison, made the collection while United States minister at Jerusalem.
The college gymnasium, a modest but commodious building, was erected recently on the campus through the efforts of the student body, and serves as headquarters for the athletic interests of the college. For a number of years Fairmount has had a regu- lar coach, and their teams in football, basketball, track and baseball have been conspicuously successful in standing for clean athletics and winning many honors, considering the size of the college.
Efficient and prosperous literary societies are maintained by the students, doing much to advance the interest in public speak- ing and sociability. Among the ladies are Sorosis and Alpha Tau Sigma for the college girls, and Philomathean for those of the academy, and among the men Webster and the Counsel societies.
Such is the story, in part, of these years of sacrifice, struggle and achievement, and the college is proud to think that with each succeeding year it is sending an increasing band of young people into the world, who bring to all the duties of life, the ability of a trained mind and the devotion of a Christian conscience.
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Proud on thy mountain, sunlight gleaming from thy tower, Pure Wisdom's fountain, truth and honors bower. While our boundless prairies yield their fruits from year to year, May thy thousands ever hold thy name more dear.
Fairmount forever; here we raise a song of praise, Fairmount, blest Fairmount, to eternal days.
FAIRMOUNT COLLEGE.
One of the strongest Congregational schools in the West is Fairmount College. It commenced the school year of 1910-11 with an enrollment of more than 300 students. It is noted for its broad democratic tone and character building environment. The college buildings are located on Fairmount in the eastern part of the city. A college building erected at a cost of $60,000, a library building costing $25,000, a men's dormitory costing $15,000, a gymnasium and other buildings compose the college. Fairmount is one of the highly accredited colleges of the state and has always enjoyed a good reputation.
The president of Fairmount College is H. E. Thayer, one of the broadminded college presidents of the West. He is a thorough scholar and is full of rugged western progressive ideas. He took the school at the death of Dr. Morrison, one of the most beloved college presidents in the state and the father of Fairmount academy and college. The dean of the college of liberal arts is S. S. Kingsbury, a professor of broad culture and much executive ability. A complete college training is given in Fairmount. The science faculty is unusually well equipped with strong men. The laboratories are complete and up to the minute. A classical element pervades the school and strong philosophy courses can be given. Considerable special work is done in the college. Prowess in athletics has always been a characteristic of Fairmount College. The gymnasium is well equipped to take care of the training of the men and all athletics is under the supervision of a competent coach. All students entering Fair- mount are compelled to take a certain amount of exercise and their development is noted carefully. A rule was adopted last year compelling all those who desired to enter the more violent form of athletics, such as football and basketball, to pass a heart examination. The faculty did this in order that no student should be seriously injured in these games because of physical
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unfitness. That is the way the Fairmount officials look after the students; they are always on the alert to help them or advise.
A feature of Fairmount College, which is almost as famous as Wichita itself, is the Fairmount library. This is one of the largest college libraries in the state. The new Carnegie library building was first occupied in 1909. The library comprises 3,100 bound volumes and 50,000 pamphlets and papers. The library is in charge of a skillful librarian and assistants and the books are carefully catalogued. The library is used not only by the students of the college but is open to the residents of Wichita. The history of Fairmount College is one of disappointment and discouragement and yet one of great achievement as well. The academy was opened in 1892. In 1895 the idea of a college, advanced in the previous year, took root, and the college was established. In 1899 the first degrees from the college of liberal arts were given. Ever since its genesis Fairmount seems to have had debt shadowing and hindering it on every side. But in spite of it remarkable progress has been made. Through endowments from friends of the college in the East the indebtedness has been cut down and now Fairmount sees a dawn of new things. A great future is in store for the college and all the troubles and worries of the strong, zealons, early day men, Dr. Morrison, Prof. Isley and others, will be recompensed when Fairmount stands free and clear-a democratic school where young men and young women are taught that education should be means to a good end.
MOUNT CARMEL ACADEMY.
Mount Carmel Academy, one of the best known and most popular institutions in the Southwest, is situated two and one- half miles west of Wichita, in a campus covering fifty or sixty , acres. The buildings are elegant and commodious and equipped with everything that lends itself to the cultivation of taste and refinement. The academy has an interesting history. It was opened in 1887 by five Sisters of Charity, who came from their mother house in Dubuque, Ia., at the invitation of the Rev. Father Casey. The ability of these sisters to conduct a successful school soon made itself felt, and the best citizens of Wichita, irrespect- ive of religious convictions, sent their daughters to the academy. It must be said that the people of Wichita have always shown the
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keenest appreciation of the work done at the academy. They have encouraged its growth in every possible way and are justly proud of its present high standing. In 1900 an addition to the original "All Hallows" became necessary and the south wing was put up at a cost of about $60,000. In this addition are the chapel, the auditorium, the music studios, the reception rooms and the dining halls.
So great prosperity did the academy enjoy at that period that it was necessary to build again in 1906. This latest and chief addition is in perfect architectural harmony with the former wing and no expense was spared in the furnishing of the various apartments. These comprise the study halls, dormitories, recrea- tion parlors, art studios, private rooms and observatory. On every floor of the building are bathing apartments supplied with hot and cold water. The building is heated with hot water and perfect ventilation is secured by a system installed in the con- struction. Every room is so situated as to admit an abundance of air and sunshine. No history of Mount Carmel, however brief, would be complete without the name of the Rt. Rev. J. J. Hen- nessy, who since his advent to the city has watched over the academy with fostering care. Notwithstanding the numerous demands on his attention as bishop of a large and prosperous diocese, he has given the interests of Mount Carmel his personal attention, has often sacrificed his time and comfort for its benefit, and many of the most beautiful ornaments in and around the building are the effects of his princely generosity.
CHAPTER XXXI.
THE PIONEER CHURCHES OF WICHITA, KAN.
By C. S. CALDWELL.
I have been asked to prepare a short article giving the date of organization, the early history and experience of the pioneer churches of Wichita. This may seem at first thought to be an easy problem, but when we consider that there are more than forty churches in the city and twenty-five in the other towns and outlying districts of Sedgwick county, all of which are, in a sense, pioneer churches, the problem grows.
Another difficulty confronts the historian: The shifting popu- lation, the push and hurry incident to the opening of a new country, and building new cities produces an atmosphere that is not very favorable to the organization of churches and religious institutions, and many of them have failed to make and preserve a permanent record of their birth and early life, and before they are aware of it the early members and promoters have passed away, and their whole history becomes largely a matter of tradition only.
While the early history of these sixty-five churches would be very interesting, and would be in a permanent form for ref- erence in years to come, it would not only extend this article beyond a reasonable limit, but would involve more time and labor . than the writer has at his disposal, so this article will cover only the genesis of four or five parent churches of Wichita, whose organization dates prior to 1873.
When the writer saw Wichita for the first time, October 1, 1871, it was a very small Western cattle town, with Newton, the nearest railroad station, thirty miles away.
The few people that were here were chiefly young, unmarried men, or men who had left their families in the East and had
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come West to take claims and prepare homes for those who were to follow.
We found that some settlement had been made as early as 1868. The city was platted in 1870, but it was still the uttermost ends of the earth-a hundred miles or more to the nearest railroad.
Devoted missionaries to the Indians and to the hardy pioneer settler had found their way to Wichita, and religious services were held as early as 1868, but no record can be found of any effort toward the organization of churches until 1870. Late in 1871 we found two organized churches-St. John's Episcopal and the First Presbyterian. These had been holding services more or less regularly for a year or more. The Methodist Episcopal and the Baptists had held religious services at irregular periods during this time, but had done much toward gathering up those who were the "lost sheep" of their house of Israel, and were favorably inclined toward these churches.
So far as is now known the first sermon preached in Wichita was by a Baptist minister by the name of Saxby, in the fall of 1868, at Durfee's ranch, on North Waco avenue, a short distance north of Murdock avenue. It was listened to with respectful attention by the motley little company that had come together to hear it, as many of them had not attended a religious service or heard a sermon for many years. As hymn books were exceed- ingly scarce in those days, the minister, at the close of the sermon, asked some one to start a familiar hymn. Some one started "John Brown's Body Lies a-Mouldering in the Grave." The hymn was sung lustily throughout and closed the services.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
An Episcopal clergyman by the name of John P. Hilton came some time in the fall of 1869 and filed upon a claim, now in the central part of the city, and began at once to gather material for the organization of a church, which was accom- plished some time in the early spring of 1870; the exact date the writer has been unable to learn. The first services were held in the Munger Hotel, which subsequently became the home of Com. W. C. Woodman, and now the property of Mr. P. J. Conklin, on North Waco avenue, one block north of Murdock avenue.
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In a short time, however, a rude chapel was constructed of cotton-wood logs, split and set in the ground after the fashion of a stockade and covered with logs and earth. This chapel was located on Market street, near where the courthouse now stands, and served as a place of worship for about two years. Photo- graphs of this rude chapel may be seen today in many of the homes of the city. From this humble beginning St. John's Epis- copal church has grown to a large and influential parish, occupy- ing a fine stone church on the corner of Topeka and Third streets, and has organized several missions and churches in other parts of the city. Dr. P. J. Fenn is the present popular and efficient pastor.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN.
In October, 1869, W. K. Boggs, a Presbyterian minister, ap- peared upon the field and preached his first sermon in a dugout on North Waco avenue, near where Finlay Ross now resides. Services were held quite regularly all winter, and on the 13th of March, 1870, a church was organized with thirteen members, none of whom reside here now; most of them have passed away. Two or three are living somewhere in Oklahoma.
Robert E. Lawrence, residing on North Topeka avenue, attended a midweek prayer meeting in this dugout in the early spring of 1870. He was driving through this country in a carriage and had encamped for the night on the banks of the Little Arkansas river. He heard singing not far away, and, fol- lowing the sound, soon found the little church, and spent a pleasant evening with them.
In the summer of 1870 the little band hauled green cotton- wood lumber from Emporia and erected a neat little frame chapel on the corner of Second and Wichita streets, which was a com- fortable little church home for two years.
Dr. Boggs remained in charge of the work until late in the autumn of 1871, when he was succeeded by Rev. John P. Harsen as its first pastor. In the fall of 1872 this little chapel was sold to the Catholic church and moved to the corner of St. Francis and Second streets and used by them for chapel and school pur- poses for several years, when it was sold and moved to the sixth block on North Main street, where it now stands.
After selling their church the Presbyterians rented old Eagle Hall, and services were held there until 1877, when a small brick
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church was completed and occupied, at the corner of First street and Lawrence avenue. This building was enlarged in 1883, and served as their church home for more than thirty years, Mr. Harsen remaining its pastor until 1879, and was succeeded by Rev. John D. Hewett.
This church has also prospered and taken a prominent posi- tion among the churches of Kansas, and has been instrumental in establishing and maturing to self support five other Presby- terian churches in the city, and is now engaged in the erection of a fine church building on the corner of Lawrence avenue and Elm street.
THE M. E. CHURCH.
The M. E. church had occasional services during 1871 by visiting clergymen. A class was formed and preparation made for the organization of a church as soon as the way would be open. This, however, was not accomplished until the early spring of 1872, when Rev. John F. Nessly became their first pastor. A Sunday school was organized and ex-Gov. W. E. Stanley was chosen as its first superintendent. A small church building was erected at once on the ground where the first church now stands, and until it was ready for occupancy their services were held in a frame schoolhouse, on the corner of Emporia avenue and Third street, where the new high school building is now being erected. Mr. Stanley remained at the head of this school for a score of years, and placed it among the largest Sunday schools of the state. With a long line of able and popular pastors the church grew apace, establishing several churches and missions in various parts of the city, some of them (St. Paul and Trinity) almost rivaling in strength and influence the parent church.
The present pastor, Dr. W. H. Heppe, is leading them out in a vigorous preparation for building a new house of worship where the old one now stands, to cost $100,000, which will be pushed to completion in the near future.
THE FIRST BAPTIST.
While the Baptist church has the honor of being the first to proclaim the Gospel within the limits of the city of Wichita, they did not secure the organization of a working church until some
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time in the spring of 1872. A Baptist layman, by name Sturgis, organized a Union Sunday school in the summer of 1871, and conducted it successfully until the spring of 1872, when Rev. John C. Post came and took charge of the work, organized a church and became their first pastor, and remained in charge of the church for several years.
This church has also taken its place among the leading churches of the city and state, a positive force for good in the city, its acts being known and read of all men who have kept pace with the religious growth and development of the city, and have just completed a new house of worship on the corner of Lawrence avenue and Second street, costing about $75,000.
It may be an item of interest to those who knew and remember Father Post to learn that when a young man he was in the mili- tary service (Texas Rangers), and was in the army of Gen. Sam Houston when it marched to the relief of the little garrison in the besieged castle of The Alamo in 1836, but were too late to rescue them; but they completely routed the Mexican army that had murdered in detail the little band that had so heroically defended it.
These four pioneer pastors, all of them by the name of John, builded greater than they knew, laid foundations broad and deep. Others have entered upon their labors, have built and are continuing to build what will be monuments to them and the faithful few who stood with them in these days of trial and of small beginnings.
It was eight or ten years after this before the Reformed Church, the Central Christian, the Plymouth Congregational, the Friends and other churches were established. All of these and many others stand prominently among the churches of the city and deserve more than a passing notice, and if written up as they ought to be would make a large volume of very interesting ยท history. I hope some capable pen will take it up and place the record where it will be preserved. The present generation, which has been so instrumental in establishing these churches amid the whirl and excitement of a busy commercial life, would very much enjoy sitting down in the evening of life and carefully perusing the record and handing it on down to coming generations.
Will not some one take it up before the records of these churches are lost or destroyed ? I sincerely hope it will be done.
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MONUMENTS TO THE PAST.
By CLARENCE J. MARTIN.
1 1;
The church steeple is a monument to the memory of the de- parted who have lived lives of truth, and a skyward pointed fin- ger to those that yet live and are prone to go astray.
Every note of the ringing bell is a voice of approval to those who do right and a hammer-stroke of rebuke upon the heart of those that do wrong.
The American home is built in the shadow of the cathedral and felicity and love walk from the chancel rail hand in hand to bless the world. Childhood learns to pray in the pews and youth to love the truth. Old age lays down its burdens at the altar rail, lets go of fear and makes ready to depart.
The secular business of a city can be put upon a commercial basis and considered solely from the view-point of dollars and cents without the necessity of including any moral issue in the consideration. It is not so with a church or a religious society. While the money value of a church or parsonage is a valuable asset to any city, the uplifting moral effect upon a community produced by the presence of the chapel and the rectory cannot be computed by any system of finance.
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