USA > Kansas > Wyandotte County > History of Wyandotte County, Kansas, and its people, Vol. I > Part 43
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OFFICIAL DOG ENUMERATOR.
"Call me the official dog enumerator," she replied. "The Federa- tion of Clubs ean stand it if their president ean."
The day of the dog revenue is past and gone and the old ordin- ance, which stands on the books today, serves only to remind us of the many noble acts of this woman.
During the latter years of her life Mrs. Riehart, always careful in the expenditure of her income, was particularly so in order that she might leave to the library a sum of money sufficient to purchase some of the reference books that were so much needed. This she aecom- plished and several thousand volumes have been placed on the library shelves, the result of her effort.
Mrs. Richart is specially remembered by those who knew her for her quick sympathies, her sincere enthusiasm, her devotion to the cause of education, her ability to carry out her convictions and her charity for others. There was an atmosphere of earnestness throughout her work. The lesson of this life is for all.
To show other women that a woman may have business ability and yet be gentle, refined and warm-hearted, that she can be accurate, prompt and thorough, and yet think out beyond the thousand details of every-day life, reaching for all the true and beautiful, these are lessons of life and character worthy of study by our noblest girls.
THE GROWTH OF THE LIBRARY.
The publie library has been a free institution sinee the completion of the Carnegie building in the spring of 1904 and from the few hands- ful of volumes at the start many thousands have been added through the gift of Mrs. Richart, Mr. O. D. Burt, the Rev. Clarence W. Backus and others, besides purchases made by the Board of Education. The
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report of the librarian, Mrs. Sara Judd Greenman, who has been at the head of the institution sinee it was opened in 1904 as a free eir- culating library, showed that there were added in the fiscal year end- ing June 30, 1910, a total of 2,062 volumes in that one year, bringing the total number of volumes in the library to 16,167. In the year that followed, the number of new volumes added exceeded that of the pre- vious year and the total now is about 20,000. More than 10,000 bor -. rowers' cards have been issued and the circulation in one year ex- ceeds 120,000 volumes, while there is no way of determining accurately how many thousands of persons have in any one year made use of the referenee department, or how many have visited the reading room which is supplied with nearly one hundred magazines, besides the daily and weekly newspapers, for no record of this patronage is kept.
THE USES OF THE LIBRARY.
The library has many uses that make it valuable both as an anxiliary to school work and as a conservator of literature. The eir- culation department and the reading and reference rooms are open every day except Sundays and legal holidays from 9 A. M. to 9 P. M., and the reading room is open on Sundays from 2 to 5 P. M. No fee of any kind is charged for the use of books, whether for circulation or for reference, the only money collected being a fine of two cents for each day a book is kept over-time and a fair payment for books de- stroved or injured. The shelves of the library are entirely open, and the utmost freedom, consistent with the eare of the books, is allowed to patrons.
While the fundamental idea of a circulating library is to supply literature for home reading, and in this the library fulfills that mis- sion acceptably, there is also a large demand for reference works. In this the librarian is enabled to broaden the use of the library by sup- plying information on almost any subject desired. In fact, the whole library is organized for the purpose of reference work, as the shelves are all open and the catalogue conveniently arranged for the patrons. The chief growth in the past year has been in the line of information on technical subjects. An increasing amount of work has been done in looking up subjeets for club programs. Material has been prepared for debates in several of the near-by colleges and written requests for lists of references on many varied topies have been received and answered.
BOOKS IN THE SCHOOLS.
The event of greatest importance during the year was the estab- lishing of collections of books in a few of the more remote school build- ings. Although this work was not begun until very near the elose of
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the school year, much satisfaction is expressed by the teachers and pupils, and it is expected that a material inerease in circulation from this extension work will be shown in the next library report. The need for this work in the schools is very great and opportunity is limited only by ability to supply the demand. The addition of new territory to the city brings new problems in library extension and it seems necessary that collections of books be placed in all remote school buildings for use by the pupils.
BOYS' AND GIRLS' DEPARTMENT.
The work of the year in the boys' and girls' department is grati- fying. The cireulation from this department of 31,544 books, or thirty-six per cent of the whole library circulation, is a gain over last year of 2,084 books.
Notwithstanding the fact that the management is constantly add- ing new books and replacing those worn out. many empty shelves speak eloquently of the use of the library by the boys and girls of the eity More books are needed for this department. It has been interesting to both parents and children for the library to exhibit on its bulletin boards. in the room devoted to the purpose, the work done by the grade pupils in sewing, drawing and water color.
The children are using more intelligently the reference books in their school work and there are daily calls for help on the many differ- ent topics assigned them by their teachers. Some of the teachers are requiring a certain amount of supplementary reading and giving the pupil credit for doing this extra school work, and the library gladly furnishes the books for this outside reading.
The mounted stereoptieon pictures are a source of daily interest to the patrons of this room. New subjects are frequently displayed and enjoyed, and it is the wish of the librarian to be able, in the near future, to circulate some of these pictures.
STORY HOUR.
A most interesting branch of the work is the story-hour. The library is fortunate in securing as story-teller for the children, Miss Mary L. Dougherty, a teacher of the Longfellow school, whose work in this line is becoming well known to edueators everywhere. The story hour is given in the auditorium of the library, and the attendance has ranged from forty-five, on a stormy day, to two hundred and seventy- five, when Christmas stories were the special attractions.
During the month following the elose of the schools the Board of Education arranged for the story-hour in each of the school buildings where special work was being given the children, and the attendance
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proved that the pupils appreciated this opportunity. The stories told have been mainly classies, although a very general program is followed because of the varying ages of those attending story-hour. Myths, legends, folk-lore and fairy tales have all been given, and Miss Dougherty succeeds in holding the interest of the very little folks as well as the older children. The story-hour has undoubtedly been instrumental in creating a liking for good reading and interesting children in the library.
THE STAFF.
The librarian, Mrs. Sara Judd Greenman, is a member of the Amer- ican Library Association. She is also president of the Kansas Library Association and a member of the Kansas Traveling Libraries Commis- sion. She is assisted by the following. as members of her staff: Mary Neale Mills, children's librarian; Ida Buchan, cataloguer; Mabel Wil- liams, superintendent of cireulation ; Bessie Seward, desk attendant; and James Fee, custodian.
CHAPTER XXXII.
UNIVERSITIES AND SEMINARIES.
KANSAS CITY UNIVERSITY-DR. MATHERS' OFFER ACCEPTED- DEATII OF THE FOUNDER-THE CORNER STONE LAYING-TO BECOME A GREAT UNIVERSITY-DESCENDANT OF THE PURITANS-A JOURNEY TO THE WEST-GIFTS TO THE YOUNG-KANSAS CITY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY-ITS COURSES-WESTERN UNIVERSITY AND INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL- TEACHING THE NEGROES TRADES-FRUGALITY THE CHIEF AIM- EFFECT OF SCHOOL TRAINING-THOROUGHNESS IN TIIE COURSES-THE KANSAS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND.
Kansas City, Kansas, and the state at large prove their advaneed position intellectually, as well as their fine sympathies and practical Christianity, by firmly and successfully supporting a number of splen- did institutions of higher learning. common sense education and broad helpfulness. The following are representative of this worthy phase of higher life.
KANSAS CITY UNIVERSITY.
The Kansas City University, located in the western suburbs of Kansas City, Kansas, is an institution that had its origin in the phil- anthropie purpose of Dr. Samuel F. Mather. Doctor Mather was for many years a practicing physician of that city. He was a descendant of Cotton Mather, the famous New England divine.
In a letter to Dr. D. S. Stephens, now chancellor of the Kansas ('ity University, written from Kansas City, Kansas, December 15, 1894, Doctor Mather said : "Many years ago, before leaving Troy, New York, for Chicago, I resolved, if ever able to do so, to establish or endow an institution of learning, to educate young women for the duties and responsibilities of domestic life-renewed it when I left Michigan for Kansas, and again after I came here." No step was taken to carry out this purpose (which was resolved upon about 1845) until some time in 1887. The plan then decided upon by Doetor Mather, who had associated with himself Mr. S. N. Simpson and Mr. Chester Bullock, both of Kansas City, Kansas, was to dispose of real estate which Doetor Mather owned and of which they had secured control and
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from the proceeds build and endow an institution of learning. It was intended that all of the proceeds from the sale of Doctor Mather's lands should be devoted to this purpose. Two-thirds of the amount received from the sale of lands upon which the syndicate hield an option and owned, were to be devoted to the same purpose. At that time Kansas City, Kansas, was growing with phenomenal rapidity. There appeared to be no difficulty in the way of realizing the plan proposed. Two or three years were required to mature the plan and get control of the property necessary to carry it out. Before matters had reached the point where they were ready to market the property, a great financial depression swept over the country. The two Kansas Cities had been over-developed and demand for property suddenly ceased. Values of real estate diminished, and no purchasers for property at any figure were to be found. As a consequence the original plan for establishing this institution of learning collapsed.
Doctor Mather, however, was not disposed to change his life-long purpose. Hle sought, therefore, to find some other way by which to establish an educational enterprise. In the meantime he had become acquainted with Dr. D. S. Stephens, who was then editor of the Metho- dist Recorder, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He was acquainted with the fact that Doetor Stephens was a member of a board of commissioners of trustees that had been appointed by the General Conference of the Methodist Protestant church in 1892, to establish an institution of learn- ing in some city of the west. In 1894 Doctor Mather wrote to Doctor Stephens that he would like to have this board co-operate with him in the realization of his purpose. He made a proposition to contribute toward the establishment of such an institution several tracts of land, aggregating one hundred and twenty-two acres, located in the suburbs of Kansas City, Kansas, provided that at least $25,000 should be ex- pended in buildings within two years.
DOCTOR MATHER'S OFFER ACCEPTED.
This board, of which Mr. II. J. Heinz, the great food products manufacturer of Pittsburg, was president, met in Kansas City in Oeto- ber, 1894, to consider Doctor Mather's offer. It was decided to accept his offer, in case funds sufficient could be secured to erect a building. In order to ascertain what support the denomination would give to this enterprise, the Board of Trustees asked for six months' time to eanvass the church. A contraet was entered into between the board and Dr. Mather, extending to May 1, 1895, the time for final decision on this proposition.
The board again assembled two or three days prior to that date, pledges and funds having been secured for building purposes amount- ing to more than $50,000. After a careful consideration of all the
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interests involved in the enterprise, the board, by unanimous vote, de- cided to accept Doctor Mather's offer, and undertake the work of build- ing and conducting the institution. This final vote was taken late on the evening of April 30, 1895, the temporary contract which had been entered into expiring on that date. Doctor Mather was not present at the meeting of the board when this action was passed as he was not in very good health. Next morning, the committee, for the board, notified him that it had accepted his offer and had determined to go on with the enterprise. Doctor Mather expressed himself as greatly gratified with the course taken by the board, adding that his advanced years and feeble health made it an unwelcome thought for him to contemplate starting out anew to negotiate with some other organization, to help him realize his purpose. He was then in his eighty-fourth year.
DEATH OF THE FOUNDER.
Not more than one or two hours after his interview with this com- mittee, strange to say, Doctor Mather passed away in death. No one anticipated that his illness was of such a serious character. It is difficult to account for the event on any other supposition than that the reaction, following relief from the strain and anxiety due to sus- pense while awaiting the decision of the board, was too much for his enfeebled condition. It would seem as though Providence permitted him to remain on earth just long enough to know that his life purpose was about to be realized, and then took him away.
Much concern existed in the minds of members of the board as to whether the contract which had been made would be valid under exist- ing conditions. It was decided, however, to go on with the work just the same as though Doctor Mather had lived. Some days after Doctor Mather's funeral, his will was opened. It was found that he had made provision that this board of trustees should inherit the residue of his property, provided they should decide to go on with the enterprise, as contemplated in the contract. The property conveyed to the board by will was about as much as the property that had previously been covered by contract. Perhaps, altogether, the value of this property at that time would have been something near $150,000.
Doctor Mather had no children and his wife had died some years previous to his own death. Nevertheless the Board of Trustees thought it possible that they might not be able to come into undisputed posses- sion of the property, as indicated by the will, but Doctor Mather had carefully considered this contingency. He left small legacies to all his heirs, the most of whom were nephews and nieces and more distant relatives. He prepared a form of receipt which each relative should sign, in case the legacy was accepted. This receipt bound the signer
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under no circumstance to contest the will. When the estate was set- tled, all of the heirs thus remembered accepted these legacies and signed the receipts which Dr. Mather had prepared. But some months after the legacies had been distributed some of the heirs conceived the idea that they had not been sufficiently remembered and songht to break the will. When the case was called before the court, the attorney for the estate arose and read the receipts which had been signed by the parties who sought to break the will. Upon being assured that these documents were genuine, the court at once dismissed the case. This was the only effort made to prevent the university from coming into the possession of the property left by Doctor Mather.
THE CORNER STONE LAYING.
Another evidence of Dr. Mather's foresight and careful planning was the fact that he had made a provision by which the ownership of the property received by the university, should not become absolute until the institution had been successfully carried on for a period of ten years. In case the enterprise should not prove to be permanent, it was his intention that the property should revert to his heirs.
The General Conference of the Methodist Protestant church was held in Kansas City, Kansas, in the month of May, 1896. Dur- ing the session of this body, the corner stone of the building to be known as "Mather Hall" was laid. This building cost about $40,000. When an auditorium, which is part of the plan of the building, is added, it will probably cost about $60,000.
On the 23rd of September, 1896, the institution was opened for work, and has been used for that purpose from that to the present time.
Wilson Ilall was erected in 1907, and was opened for occupancy by the Wilson High School in September, 1908. The building has a large room used as a gymnasium, in the basement, with lockers, bath-rooms, ete. The building has cost about $35,000. The late Mr. W. S. Wilson, for a number of years president of the Board of Trustees, contributed largely to its erection.
ITS SEVEN DEPARTMENTS.
In the corporation known as "The Kansas City University," are seven departments. The Collegiate department is known as "Mather College." Students for the ministry are prepared in the School of Theology. The Wilson High School, with a four year course of instruc- tion, serves as a preparatory school to the college. The Normal School prepares teachers for their work. In addition to these departments which are conducted on the University grounds, the University is affiliated with the Kansas City Hahnemann Medical College, the Dillen-
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beck School of Oratory and the College of Music. These last three departments are conducted in Kansas City, Missouri. The business affairs of the university are in the hands of a board of twenty-four trustees, twelve of whom are held quadrenially for a season of eight years.
While the university is known as a denominational institution, yet it is different from most institutions of this kind. Doctor Mather, who was the founder of the institution, was a Congregationalist. Mr. H. J. Heinz, for many years president of the board of trustees and one of the most liberal supporters of the institution, is a Presbyterian. Mr. C. L. Brokaw, treasurer of the university at the present time, is also a Presbyterian. Members of several other denominations are on the board of trustees. The broad and liberal policy of the institution is such as to commend it to the support of all the better elements in the community.
The value of the property owned by the Kansas City University is estimated to be over $500,000. This ineludes the real estate left by Doctor Mather, the building, appliances and equipments, and the lega- cies and bequests left to the institution, by various persons.
TO BECOME A GREAT UNIVERSITY.
While the institution has not yet developed to a point where its facilities are equal to the educational demands of the two Kansas Cities, yet it is the purpose of those in control of the institution to make it, in time, such a university as will be adequate to the demands of the community in which it is located. The total attendance of students for the year ending in June, 1910, was 445. This ineludes the attendance in the affiliated professional schools; the attendanee in Mather College and Wilson High School was 179.
The poliey of the Board of Trustees has been to hold the real estate owned by the institution until its maximum value, resulting from the growth of the eity, should be reached. When this property is con- verted into produetive funds, it is hoped that it will produce an endow- ment that will support the work of the institution.
For a number of years the university was handicapped for the want of transportation facilities. Some years ago the completion of the Kansas City Western Electric Railway, which passes in front of the institution, made it possible to get direet communication with the two Kansas Cities. An extension of the Metropolitan Street Railway, in Kansas City, is now being made that will bring the university in direct connection with all parts of the two cities, for one street car fare. This undoubtedly will prove to be a great advantage to the institution.
It is the purpose of the Board of Trustees to increase the facilities of the university and add to the number of buildings as rapidly as con- Vol. I-26
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ditions will permit. The progress so far made by the institution will compare favorably with that in the early history of other institutions generally. Those who have its interests in charge look forward with confidenee to the time when it will be ranked among the great ednea- tional institutions of the country.
A DESCENDANT OF THE PURITANS.
Dr. Samuel F. Mather, whose benefactions made possible the Kansas City University, was born at Woodstock, Vermont, in the year 1811. IIis father was of Puritan stoek, and only three generations later, directly in line of descent, and related to the last eminent Puritan divine and sermon writer, Cotton Mather, who following his father, Inerease, and with his grandfather, Richard, the pilgrim, form an illustrious trio in early American history. This fact is recorded in an old epitaph written for its founder :
"Under this stone lies Richard Mather, Who had a son greater than his father, And eke a grandson greater than either."
Samuel Mather was one of seven brothers and sisters. His father, for some years, operated a woolen factory at Woodstock. The child- hood and youth of Samuel was spent upon a farm and in the factory, and attending school and academy at Woodstock, until, when about thirteen or fourteen years of age, he left home and parents, going to Berkshire in the northern part of his native state, and joined himself to an apotheeary. At the age of twenty, having gained a thorough knowledge of the drug business and medieine, he formed a partnership with the oldest physician in the place in the practice of medicine. After three years, desiring to enter a larger field of operation, he removed to Troy, New York, and there engaged in the dry-goods business-at first, for a time, as a salesman. It was during this time that he married Miss Mary A. Reed, a very estimable young lady of Chester, Massa- chusetts. Soon going into business for himself, he continued at Troy in the wholesale and retail dry-goods business for about fourteen vears, extending his trade as far west as the Mississippi river, during which time the financial depression of 1836 and 1837, with careful manage- ment, was safely weathered.
A JOURNEY TO THE WEST.
In 1848 he packed his stoek of goods and started for Chicago. Being late in the season, upon reaching the end of the railroad then at Marshall, Michigan, and the lake freezing up, he was compelled to stop. So he opened up his stock of goods and engaged in business,
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remaining in Marshall until 1858. £ In that year he removed to Wyan- dotte, now Kansas City, Kansas. Again he engaged in the drug busi- ness, continuing thus to October, 1888, practicing medicine only in connection with his drug business.
During the thirty years of his business life in Kansas City Dr. Mather kept investing his savings in real estate. The development of and care of the same made it necessary for him to retire from business in 1888, and he afterwards devoted his time to his property interests.
Before leaving New York state Dr. Mather's wife became an inva- lid, and for many of the later years was helpless. All that could be done was done for her comfort, but she finally died in 1889, leaving no children behind to comfort home and husband. It was this phase of Dr. Mather's domestic life that first suggested to him the idea of found- ing an educational institution. The difficulty of getting good domes- tic help and housekeepers led him to determine, if possible, to be the means of furnishing to some of the young American women the means of procuring an education in practical domestic home-life.
HIS GIFTS TO THE YOUNG.
In after years, through frugal management coming into possession of valuable lands adjoining the growing city, he proposed to parties interested with him that the best of the lands should be occupied by and dedicated to an institution of learning. One pleasant day in the autumn of 1887 the most prominent outlook on the land was selected ; and. looking down upon the two cities near by, at the junction of the two rivers-the Kansas and Missouri-the exclamation was made, "Here is the spot that shall be used for this purpose." So earnest were they that, kneeling down upon the hilltop, they lifted their voices and hearts to God in prayer that the ground should be consecrated to the one pur- pose in view. That ground is the present site of the Kansas City University.
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