USA > Kansas > Kansas; a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence, Voilume I > Part 63
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114
The plaintiff in an action for divorce must have been an actual resi- dent in good faith of the state for one year next preceding the filing of
522
CYCLOPEDIA OF
the petition, and a resident of the county in which the action is brought at the time the petition is filed, unless the action is brought in the county where the defendant resides or may be summoned. A wife who resides in the state at the time of applying for a divorce is considered a resident of the state although her husband resides elsewhere. When parties applying for a divorce appear to be "in equal wrong the court may in its discretion refuse to grant a divorce, and in any such case, or in any other case where a divorce is refused, the court may make, for good cause shown, such order as may be proper for the custody, maintenance and education of the children, and for the control and equitable division and disposition of the property of the parents, or of either of them, as may be proper, equitable and just, having due regard to the time and manner of such property, whether the title thereto be in either or both of said parties, and in such case the order of the court shall vest in the parties a fee-simple title to the property so set apart or de- creed to them, and each party shall have the right to convey, devise and dispose of the same without the consent of the other." (G. S. 1909.)
After a petition has been filed for divorce and alimony, or for alimony alone, the court may make, without bond, and enforce by attachment, such order to restrain the disposition of the property of the parties or either of them, or for the use, management and control thereof, or for control of the children and support of wife, and for expense of the suit. Parties applying for divorce must have reliable competent witnesses and good proof. "When a divorce is granted the court shall make pro- vision for the guardianship, custody, support and education of minor children of the marriage, and may modify or change any order whenever circumstances render such change proper." (G. S. 1901.)
The laws further provide for the restoration of the wife's maiden name and property, if she possessed any before marriage, and also for the division of property acquired by both parties after marriage. Par- ties having been granted a divorce cannot marry for six months, or until after final judgment or appeal. Any person violating this law is deemed guilty of bigamy and if convicted may be punished by impris- onment in a penitentiary for a term of not less than one year nor more than three years. Furthermore, marriage by incapables may be annulled and the children be deemed legitimate. Also, a wife may obtain ali- mony from the husband without divorce, for any of the causes for which a divorce may be granted. The husband may make the same defense to such action as he might to an action for divorce, and may, for suffi- cient cause, obtain a divorce from the wife in such action.
In 1907 the legislature passed an act in regard to foreign judgments of divorce as follows: "Any judgment or decree of divorce rendered upon service by publication in any state of the U. S. in conformity with the law thereof, shall be given full faith and credit in this state, and shall have the same force with regard to persons now or heretofore resi- dent or hereafter to become a resident of this state as if said judgment had been rendered by a court of this state, and shall, as to the status
523
KANSAS HISTORY
of all persons, be treated and considered and given force the same as a judgment of the courts of this state of the date which said judgment bears."
Doby, a rural postoffice of Grant county, is located on the south fork of the Cimarron river about 4 miles above its mouth and 15 miles south- east of Ulysses, the county seat. Arkalon, on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, in Seward county, is the nearest railroad station.
Dodge City, the county seat of Ford county and one of the important cities of southwestern Kansas, is situated a few miles west of the cen- ter of the county on the Arkansas river and the main line of the Atchi- son, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R. It is also the terminus of a division of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific that connects with one of the main lines of that system at Bucklin, in the southeastern part of Ford county. The city takes its name from old Fort Dodge (q. v.), which was located about 4 miles below on the same side of the river.
The history of Dodge City begins with the completion of the Atchi- son, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad to that point in Sept., 1872. About a month before the railroad reached the Arkansas river, the tide of emigra- tion turned toward Dodge City. Buffalo hunters found in the vicinity a profitable field, and in the fall and winter of 1872 thousands of hides were shipped eastward over the new line of road. Other branches of industry were introduced, and the saloon-that apparently inevitable concomitant of a frontier civilization-flourished in all its pristine glory. Among the early comers was a large class of adventurers who had lit- tle regard for human life and less for "the majesty of the law." This class was increased in numbers when Dodge City became the objective point of the Texas cattle trade. In fact, within a year or two conditions became so bad that on May 13, 1874, the commissioners of Ford county adopted a resolution to the effect "That any person who is not engaged in any legitimate business, and any person under the influence of intoxi- cating drinks, and any person who has ever borne arms against the government of the United States, who shall be found within the limits of the town of Dodge City, bearing on his person a pistol, bowie knife, dirk, or other deadly weapon, shall be subject to arrest upon charge of misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be fined in a sum not exceed- ing $100, or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding three months, or both, at the discretion of the court, and same to take effect from date."
The adoption of this resolution and its enforcement had a tendency to purify the civic atmosphere, but it was several years before Dodge City was entirely purged of its undesirable population. When Presi- dent Hayes passed through the place in 1879 he declined to leave his coach because of the turbulent crowd on the outside. As late as 1883, a gambler named Short committed some offense against the public wel- fare and was threatened with lynching. Matters assumed such a serious aspect that Gov. Glick sent Adjt .- Gen. Moonlight to Dodge City and a company of militia was held in readiness at Great Bend to move on short
524
CYCLOPEDIA OF
notice to the scene of the trouble, but the adjutant-general succeeded in securing promises to let Short be tried by the courts.
The Dodge City of the present day is as orderly a city as any in the state. It has 3 banks, 2 weekly newspapers (the Globe-Republican and the Journal-Democrat), electric lights, waterworks, a fire department. a fine sewer system, good public schools, an opera house, and its inter- national money order postoffice has one rural route that supplies daily
TE
SIGNAL SERVICE ON WEATHER BUILDING, DODGE CITY.
mail to the inhabitants in a large section of the adjacent country. Its. manufacturing industries include flour mills, machine shops, an ice plant, etc. The city has a telephone exchange, telegraph and express offices, hotels, and a number of well appointed mercantile houses. A United States land office was established at Dodge City in Feb., 1894; one of the state forestry stations and the state soldiers' home are located in the vicinity, and in 1911 Dodge City was designated by the national government as the site of a postal savings bank. The population in 1910 was 3,214, a gain of 687 during the preceding decade.
Dodge, Henry, soldier, was born at Vincennes, Ind., Oct. 12, 1782, the son of Israel Dodge, who served in the Continental army during the. Revolutionary war. In the war of 1812 Henry Dodge commanded a mounted company of volunteer riflemen and became major of a Louisiana regiment of militia under Gen. Howard. He was major in:
525
KANSAS HISTORY
McNair's regiment of Missouri militia and commanded a battalion of Missouri mounted infantry, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, from Aug. to Oct., 1814. He served as colonel of Michigan volunteers during the Black Hawk war, and was commissioned major of the United States rangers in 1832. On March 4, 1833, he became colonel of the First United States dragoons and the following year was successful in making peace with the frontier Indians. On May 29, 1835, he left Fort Leaven- worth in command of an expedition to the Rocky mountains. (See Dodge Expedition.) He resigned from the army in 1836 to become governor of Wisconsin territory and subsequently of the state. Col. Dodge died at Burlington, Ia., June 19, 1867.
Dodge's Expedition .- A squadron of dragoons, consisting of 37 men under Capt. Ford, 40 men under Capt. Duncan, and 40 men under Lieut. Lupton, all commanded by Col. Henry Dodge, was sent to the Rocky mountains in 1835 to hold councils with the Indian tribes and to look after the interests of the United States on what .was then the Mexican border. A large supply train of wagons was taken along, and in addition two swivels with which to impress the savages. Capt. Gantt was guide to the expedition. They left Fort Leavenworth on May 29, 1835, accompanied by Maj. Dougherty, Indian agent to the Pawnees, and marched up the valley of the Missouri. The route through Kansas can best be described by quoting from Col. Dodge's journal of the expedition :
"Commenced the march in a direction N. W. over a high rolling prairie, with frequent ravines, skirted with timber. Marched 15 miles, and encamped on a small creek. Commenced raining during the night, and continued during the whole of the next day, so as to prevent our marching. May 31-Commenced the march in a direction N. 20 degrees W. over a rough, broken country; crossed several small creeks skirted with timber, with flats or bottoms of considerable extent, the soil of which was very fertile. March 17 miles and encamped on Independence creek. June 1-Marched 25 miles, and June 2d, 12 miles, in a direction N. 30 degrees W. and arrived at the Big Nemahaw. The general face of the country passed over was that of a high rolling prairie, in some places rough and hilly, with numerous small creeks and ravines, most of which were skirted with timber of a low growth; the soil generally fertile, especially in the valleys of the small creeks. . .. The country between Fort Leavenworth and the Big Nemahaw belongs to the Kickapoo Indians; it is sufficiently large and well adapted to afford them all the necessities, and many of the luxuries of life. There is a sufficient quantity of timber for fuel and for building purposes. The soil is fertile, and will produce all sorts of grain; the pasturage good, and large numbers of cattle could be raised with but little labor. As the game is becoming very scarce they will necessarily be obliged to depend upon the cultivation of the soil for their future sustenance."
The expedition reached a point a few miles from the mouth of the Platte river of Nebraska on June 9. A march of 7 or 8 miles further
526
CYCLOPEDIA OF
brought the party to the Otoe Indian village, where, on June II, was beld a council with the Otoes, of whom Ju-tan, or I-e-tan, was head chief. Here, also, the Omahas were brought by messengers, and a council was held with them on the 17th, Big Elk being the principal chief present. At all the councils presents were distributed. The expe- dition then marched up the Platte to the Pawnee villages about 80 miles distant, where another council was held the 23d, Angry Man being principal chief of the Grand Pawnees, Axe of the Pawnee Loups, Little Chief of the Pawnee Tappeiges, and Mole on the Face of the Republican Pawnees. Departing on the 24th, the expedition reached the lower extremity of Grand Island the following day. When well up the Platte a council was held on July 5 with the Arickarees, the chiefs present being Bloody Hand, Two Bulls and Star or Big Head. This council was held near the falls of the Platte. At this time, immense herds of Buffalo surrounded the expedition.
On the 15th the Rocky mountains were seen for the first time by the expedition, which was now well up the south fork. On the 18th they passed the mouth of Cache de la Poudre river, and on the 24th reached the point where the Platte emerges from the mountatins. After this date the expedition marched southeast, and on July 26, arrived at the divide between the Platte and the Arkansas. Passing down Boiling Springs creek and the Arkansas, they reached Bent's fort on Aug. 6. Near this noted place, councils were held with the Arapahoes, Chey- ennes, Blackfeet, Gros Ventres and others. Leaving Bent's fort on Aug. 12, they moved down the Arkansas, holding councils with the Comanches, Kiowas and others, arriving on the 17th at Chouteau's island. On the 23d they arrived at the point where the Santa Fe trail crossed the Arkansas river, and upon the following day they took up their line of march along this trail.
Quoting again from the journal of the expedition: "On the IIth [of September] a man of Company 'A' died, the first death that has occurred on our whole march, and the only severe sickness. The colonel directed him to be buried on a high prairie ridge, and a stone placed at the head of the grave, with his name and regiment engraved thereon. Continued the march; crossed the Hundred-and-ten-mile creek, and entered upon the dividing ridge between the Kansas and Osage rivers; passed Round and Elm groves, and arrived at the crossing of the Kanzas, at Dunlap's ferry, on the 15th; crossed the river, and, on the 16th, arrived at Fort Leavenworth. Since leaving the fort, the com- mand had marched upwards of 1,600 miles, over an interesting country ; had visited all the Indians between the Arkansas and Platte, as far west as the mountains; had made peace between several tribes, and established friendly relations with them all, and returned to Fort Leavenworth in a perfect state of health, with the loss of but one man. Our provisions lasted until the day of our arrival; and our horses, most of them, returned in good order. The expedition had exceeded, in inter- est and success, the most sanguine anticipations."
527
KANSAS HISTORY
Dog Soldiers .- Among the western Indian tribes there were a num- ber of military societies, most of them of a secret character. To illus- trate: The Kiowas had six warrior societies, viz: the Rabbits, the Young Mountain Sheep, the Black Legs, the Horse Caps, the Skunk- berry People (also called Crazy Horses), and the Chief Dogs. The first was composed of boys from ten to fourteen years of age, who, as they grew older were eligible into some of the other societies, determined by their skill in the use of arms, their bravery, etc. The Chief Dogs were limited to ten picked men, selected for their known courage, their fortitude, and their power of endurance. At the time of initiation each member was invested with a sash and took a solemn oath never to turn back in the face of a foe while wearing it, unless it was the unani- mous decision of the Dog Chiefs that a retreat was necessary. The leader wore a long black sash around his neck when about to go into battle, and was expected to take his place in front of the charge, pin the end of this sash to the ground by driving his lance through it, from which position he could exhort his men to deeds of valor. After the fight, if he was still alive, he was released by his men pulling out the lance. It is worthy of note, however, that the black sash was not worn unless the battle was to be one of extermination.
The Cheyennes had their "Ho-ta-mit-a-neo" or dog men, an organ- ization similar in character to the Dog Chiefs of the Kiowas. They were leaders, but the name "Dog Soldiers" was frequently used to designate all under their command. The Cheyenne chiefs White Horse and Bad Face were dog men. The initiation into the Ho-ta-mit-a-neo was one calculated to test thoroughly the bravery of the candidate and his ability to withstand punishment. For three days before the actual ceremony of initiation, the candidate is not permitted to eat, drink or sleep. The initiation was generally observed in the spring of the year, and was the occasion of a tribal holiday, the festivities lasting a week or ten days. It was considered an honor among the young men to serve under a chief who had been accepted by the society as worthy of becom- ing a member, and some of the worst atrocities on the western frontier were committed by the dog soldiers. They were at the battle of Aric- karee in force, where their vindictiveness toward the whites was dis- played in the most cruel and brutal manner. The leading chiefs of the Cheyenne, Arapahoe, Comanche and Kiowa tribes disclaimed all respon- sibility for the depredations of the dog soldiers, but a large number of the young braves of these tribes followed the leadership of the Dog Chiefs in preference to following that of the recognized war chiefs of the tribe to which they belonged.
Dolespark, a country postoffice of Canton township, McPherson county, is located near the eastern boundary, 15 miles from McPherson, the county seat, and about 4 miles from Canton, which is the most con- venient railroad station.
Donalson, Israel B., the first United States marshal of Kansas Terri- tory, was born in Bourbon county, Ky., Jan. 12, 1797. His parents
528
CYCLOPEDIA OF
removed to Ohio soon after his birth, but at the age of sixteen years he returned to Kentucky, and in 1835 was elected to the legislature as a Democrat. In 1839 he removed to Pike county, Ill., where he was elected probate judge and took part in the "Mormon war." He raised a company in 1847 for service in the war with Mexico, was made major of his regiment, and was voted a sword by the legislature of Illinois for his services. Upon the discovery of gold in California, he went there and remained for two years. In 1854 he was appointed United States marshal for Kansas by President Pierce and served through the administrations of the first four territorial governors, when he resigned and removed to Canton, Mo. He was a strong pro-slavery man. At the beginning of the Civil war he removed to Hays county, Tex., and died at San Marcos, the county seat of that county, Oct. 27, 1895.
Donegal, an inland village of Dickinson county, is situated in the Turkey creek valley, about 12 miles south of Abilene, the county seat, and 8 miles northwest of Hope, whence mail is received by rural deliv- ery. Navarre is the nearest railroad station. The population in 1910 was 70.
Doniphan, one of the older villages of Doniphan county, is located in Wayne township on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R. R., 10 miles south of Troy, the county seat, and 7 miles from Atchison. It has express and telegraph offices and a money order postoffice with one rural route. The town is on the old site of the Kansas Indian village where Bourgmont established his headquarters in 1724. The Doniphan town company was organized in 1854, with T. H. Christopher as presi- dent; J. W. Foreman, treasurer; Dr. J. H. Crane, secretary ; and S. K. Miller, G. W. H. Langdon, J. F. Foreman, Dr. L. A. Chambers and Felix Robidoux, trustees. The survey was made by J. F. Foreman in 1855 and the lots were put on sale. Previous to this a trading post under Joseph Utt had been maintained. The first building erected in the new town was the dwelling of James F. Foreman, the second a hotel known as the Doniphan House, kept by B. O'Driscoll. The first general store was opened by the Foreman Bros., the first drug store by Bowdell & Drury. George A. Cutler was the first physician and Col. D. M. Johnson the first lawyer. The postoffice was established in 1855 and at the first election, which was held that year, J. A. Vanarsdale and William Shaw were elected justices, and Joshua Saunders was elected constable. Samuel Collins, who set up the first sawmill in the spring of 1855, was killed that fall in a political quarrel by Patrick Laughlin.
In 1857 James H. Lane was made the president of the Doniphan town company. The government land office was located here in that year, but was subsequently taken to Kickapoo. At this time there were about 1,000 inhabitants in the town and it was an important political and commercial center.
The town was incorporated in 1869, and the following trustees appointed by the probate judge of the county: E. W. Stratton, I. N.
-
529
KANSAS HISTORY
Smallwood, Thomas H. Franklin, Adam Brenner and A. C. Low. The first council was organized with E. W. Stratton as presiding officer, L. A. Hoffman, town clerk, and T. H. Franklin, treasurer. The first school was taught in 1856 by Mrs. D. Frank. The population in 1910 was only 178.
Doniphan, Alexander W., soldier and statesman, was born in Mason county, Ky., July 9, 1808. Both of his parents were Virginians. When eight years of age, he was placed under the instruction of Richard Keene of Augusta, Ky., a well educated Irishman, and at the age of fourteen entered Augusta College at Bracken, Ky. After leaving col- lege he read law with Martin & Marshall of Augusta, and in 1829 was admitted to the bar. The next year he located in Lexington, Mo., and in 1833 removed to Liberty, Mo., where he continued the active practice of his profession until 1860, gaining great fame as a criminal lawyer. During the Mormon war of 1838, Col. Doniphan was in command of a brigade of state militia. When the Mexican war began in 1846 he enlisted as a private but was at once elected colonel of the regiment. With his command he was sent on an expedition against the Navajo Indians in the Rocky mountains. (See Doniphan's Expedition.) On his return to Liberty at the close of the war, Col. Doniphan resumed his law practice. In 1853 he was appointed commissioner of schools and organized the first teachers' institute in Missouri. He took an active part in politics and in the legislature of 1854 was the Whig nominee for United States senator. In 1861 he was appointed a member of the peace commission that met at Washington, D. C., to try to avert Civil war. During the war he removed to St. Louis, and in 1868 to Rich- mond, Mo., where he resided until his death on Aug. 8, 1887.
Doniphan County, one of the 33 original counties formed by the first territorial legislature and one of the first counties to be organized, is located in the extreme northeastern part of the state. It is small in area, but important historically. The Missouri river forms its northern, eastern and a part of its southern boundary making 90 miles of river front, Atchison county on the south and Brown on the west form its complete boundaries. The white man's era in Doniphan county began with Bourgmont' the French explorer and embassador to the Indians. (See Bourgmont's Expedition.) The earliest settlement was effected in 1837, under the auspices of the American Board of Foreign Missions, which sent out Rev. S. M. Irvin and wife as pioneer missionaries. Six months later Rev. William Hamilton joined them. The Iowa and Sac mission was established and the two men wrote and printed a number of text books to be used by the Indians. The first mission school was taught by Rev. William Hamilton, Rev. S. M. Irvin, Miss Walton and Miss Fullerton. Lumber was brought all the way from Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1845 to construct a mission building.
The California road ran through Doniphan county and was used as early as 1847 by emigrants to the Pacific coast, but occasional emi- grants passed through the county before that time, as is attested by the
(I-34)
530
CYCLOPEDIA OF
fact that Mrs. Comstock, the wife of an emigrant, died on the Oregon trail near the mission in 1842. This was the first death in the county. The first birth was Elliott Irvin, son of the missionary, in 1837. The first marriage in the county and probably the first in the state occurred cn July 3, 1845, between Silas Pierce and Mary Shook. The ceremony was performed by Rev. William Hamilton. The first emigrant train of any consequence came through the county in 1842. It was led by Peter Burnett and was made up of 25 wagons. This was the beginning of the north branch of the California and Oregon trail.
"Squatter Sovereignty" had its birth in Doniphan county in 1854 immediately after the treaty with the Kickapoos. The first meeting of "The Squatter Association of Kansas" was held at the home of J. R. Whitehead on June 24 of that year. A. M. Mitchell of St. Joseph, Mo., was chairman; J. R. Whitehead, secretary; and the executive com- mittee consisted of John H. Whitehead, H. Smallwood, J. B. O'Toole, J. W. Smith, Sr., Sam Montgomery, B. Harding, J. W. Smith, Jr., J. J. Keaton, T. W. Waterson, C. B. Whithead, Anderson Cox and Joseph Sicliff. Vigilance committees to guard the rights of settlers and claim owners against loss of their property by claim jumpers were appointed and the members paid 50 cents for each service. The county was organized in 1855 and named after Alexander W. Doniphan (q. v.), an ardent partisan in the slavery agitation. It was surveyed by John Calhoun, who in 1854 was appointed surveyor-general of the twin terri- tories of Kansas and Nebraska. The first officer in the county was James R. Whitehead, who was commissioned constable of the district in 1854 after the state had been districted, and Doniphan, Wolf Creek and Burr Oak were named as voting precincts. The first commissioners were Joel P. Blair, Alexander Dunning and E. V. B. Rodgers. They held their first meeting on Sept. 18, 1855, and elected Mr. Whitehead county clerk, ex-officio clerk of the probate court, and register of deeds. The commissioners appointed by the legislature to locate a county seat staked off the site of Troy in October of that year. In the state election held in March, 1855, the polling places were controlled by armed Mis- sourians. About fifteen minutes before the polls opened in the morning Maj. Fee, a free-state candidate, announced from the stump that the ticket of his faction would be withdrawn and the pro-slavery men would be allowed a clear field. Notwithstanding this armed men guarded the polls until they were closed.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.