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 76
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ted as gracefully as possible, and offered the name of "People's party," which was adopted by the conference.
With the transfer of political power to the People's party organiza- tion the Farmers' Alliance began to wane. Members neglected to attend the meetings of the sub-alliances; many were displeased at the idea of "dragging the alliance into politics;" others were disappointed at not receiving the political recognition to which they felt they were entitled ; politicians took advantage of the situation to sow the seeds of discord, and the Farmers' Alliance, once such a promising factor in the settlement of questions affecting the agricultural classes, met the fate that seems to be the common lot of all suchi organizations.
Farmersburg, a little village in the northern part of Chautauqua county, is located about 11 miles from Sedan, the county seat, and about 9 from Longton in Elk county, whence it receives its mail by rural route. The nearest railroad station is Hale, 5 miles east on the Missouri Pacific.
Farmers' Cooperative Association .- On Jan. 23, 1873, the Farmers' Institute at Manhattan, Kan., passed a resolution recommending the farmers of the state to organize into clubs and place themselves in correspondence with the secretary of the state board of agriculture. The resolution further provided that whenever a sufficient number of such clubs had reported to the secretary, that official be requested to call a state convention, each county agricultural or horticultural society and each township farmers' club to be entitled to one delegate.
Pursuant to this arrangement Alfred Gray, secretary of the state board of agriculture, on Feb. 10, 1873, issued a call for a state con- vention of farmers to assemble at Topeka on March 26. The conven- tion was in session for two days, and on the 27th a Farmers' Coopera- tive Association was organized with the following officers: President, John Davis; vice-president, Joseph K. Hudson; secretary, Alfred Gray ; treasurer, Henry Bronson; directors, T. B. Smith, John Mings, O. W. Bill, A. H. Grass and J. S. Van Winkle.
A constitution was adopted, article 2 of which declared: "The objects of this association shall be the collection of statistics relative to the products of the state, and their amount, cost and value, to assist the farmers in procuring just compensation for their labor; to cooperate with similar organizations in other states in procuring cheap trans- portation, and remunerative prices for surplus products, and act gen- erally in the interest of the producing class."
In a long preamble to a series of resolutions, the purposes of the organization were further defined as being for the purpose of showing that farmers can come together and cooperate like other folks for the common good ; to control the prices of their products through their own boards of trade or their appointed agents, so that nothing should be thrown' on the market for less than the cost of production and a rea- sonable profit ; to secure a reduction in railroad freight rates ; to enable them to purchase their supplies at lower prices; to secure tax reform,
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the abolition of sinecure offices, the reduction of salaries and a rigid economy in public expenditures; to encourage home manufactures, so that the money paid for agricultural implements, etc., might be kept in the state, and to use all honorable means to prevent the remainder of the public domain from falling into the "hands of railroad monopolies and land sharks."
The resolutions following this preamble are given in full, for the reason that they show the state of the farmers' minds at that time, their views on questions of public policy, their grievances, etc. The resolutions were as follows:
"I-That organization is the great want of the producing classes at the present time, and we recommend every farmer in the state to become a member of some farmers' club, grange of the Patrons of Husbandry, or other local organization.
"2-That the taxes assessed and charged upon the people, by the national, state and local governments, are oppressive and unjust, and vast sums of money are collected, far beyond the needs of an economic administration of government.
"3-That we respectfully request our senators and members of Con- gress to vote for and secure an amendment to the tariff laws of the United States, so that salt and lumber shall be placed on the free list, and that there shall be made a material reduction in the duty on iron, and that such articles as do not pay the cost of collection be also placed on the free list.
"4-That we earnestly request the legislature of our state, at its next session, to enact a law regulating freights and fares on our rail- roads, upon a basis of justice, and that we further request our mem- bers of Congress to urge the favorable action of that body, where the full power exists beyond all doubt, to the same end; and, if need be, to construct national highways at the expense of the government. .
"5-That the act passed by the legislature, exempting bonds, notes, mortgages and judgments from taxation, is unjust, oppressive, and a palpable violation of our state constitution, and we call upon all asses- sors and the county boards to see that said securities are taxed at their. fair value.
"6-That the practice of voting municipal bonds is pernicious in its effect, and will inevitably bring bankruptcy and ruin on the people, and we therefore are opposed to all laws allowing the issuance of such bonds.
"7-That giving banks a monopoly of the nation's currency, thereby compelling the people to pay them such interest therefor as they may choose to impose, seven-tenths of which interest we believe is col- lected from the farmers, is but little less than legalized .robbery of the agricultural classes.
"8-That for the speedy and thorough accomplishment of all this we pledge each other to ignore all political preferences and prejudices that have swayed us hitherto to our hurt, and support only such men
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for office as are known to be true to our interests, and in whose intreg- rity and honesty we have the most implicit confidence."
The proceedings of the convention, accompanied by an address to the farmers of Kansas, were printed and distributed over the state, with the result that a number of local cooperative associations were formed in different localities, all of which took pattern from the parent or state organization. In time most of these associations wound up their affairs and went out of existence, the Farmers' Alliance (q. v.) extending its operations in such a way as to absorb practically all kin- dred organizations.
Farmers' Institutes .- The development of the farmers' institute is due in a great measure to the Morrill land grant bill of 1862, though the foundation had been laid in the various agricultural societies that had been organized prior to the passage of the bill. Little was accom- plished, however, until after the Civil war. The object of the institute is to bring together the workers and investigators in the science of agriculture on the one hand, and the actual farmers on the other, in order that the practical knowledge gained by the former may be im- parted to and applied by the latter. Farmers' institutes are generally held in connection with or under the auspices of the state agricultural college or some experiment station.
Kansas was one of the first states to hold a farmers' institute in .connection with the agricultural college. That was in the winter of 1869, and the institute was attended by about 40 persons. The follow- ing year about 400 were in attendance. For several years the progress in organizing county and district institutes was comparatively slow, but in time the progressive element among the farmers learned that much useful and valuable information could be gained by association with those who studied agriculture from a scientific point of view. The act of March 13, 1903, provided that "whenever any county farmers' institute shall have elected a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer and adopted a constitution and by-laws for its government, it shall be the duty of the county commissioners of such county to appropriate annually the sum of $50, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to defray the expenses of a two-days institute," etc.
This gave an impetus to the movement, and within a few years insti- tutes were organized in all parts of the state. On March 4, 1909, Gov. Stubbs approved an act limiting the appropriation to one dollar for each bona fide member who is a resident farmer, and authorized the com- missioners to appropriate $15 for a one-day institute (not a county institute), not more than six such institutes to be held in any one. county. This act repealed the law of 1903. All county institutes are required by law to hold a two-day meeting each year, while local insti- tutes are required to hold only a one-day meeting. Fall circuits are established, and no county institutes are held until after the local insti- tutes. At the institutes-both local and county-exhibits of bread, canned fruit and agricultural products are generally made, and sub-
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jects relating to farming are discussed. In Aug., 1910, there were 282 farmers' institute organizations in the state, with a membership of over 10,000. A year later there were 340 organizations-more than were reported in any other state-with 680 active officers, and a correspond- ing increase in the general membership.
Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association .- This association was formed in Johnson county, Ill., in the fall of 1882 or 1883, and had its origin in the following incident: Five farmers each happened to take a load of wheat to town on the same day, but were informed by the local buyer that, owing to the uncertainties of the market, it was considered unwise to purchase any more wheat at that time. A telegram to grain dealers in Chicago brought the information that the price of wheat was actually rising, and the five farmers concluded that the local buyers were in a conspiracy to force them to sell their grain for less than it was actually worth. An empty box car was standing on the side track, and in a short time it was secured, the wheat was loaded into it and sent to Chicago, where the farmers received the market price without trouble or delay.
News of the transaction soon spread, cooperative shipping clubs were organized, and these clubs were ultimately consolidated into the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association, the objects of which were to market farm produce by the cooperative method to better advantage than by selling in the open market, and to render mutual assistance along other lines.
As soon as the benefits of the association were made manifest through its operations, it took on a comparatively rapid growth and extended to several states, including Kansas, where a number of local or county associations were formed, the members acting together in the sale of their products and the purchase of implements, household supplies, etc. At a general meeting of the asociation, held at Springfield, Ill., in Nov., 1890, it was decided to send delegates to the Farmers' Alliance convention at Ocala, Fla., the following month. Delegates were accord- ingly selected, and although the asociation maintained for some time afterward a separate existence as an organization, it really became a part of the Farmers' Alliance movement, the effects of which were felt all over the country. (See Farmers' Alliance.)
Farmington, a village of Atchison county, is located in the central portion on the Missouri Pacific R. R., 12 miles southwest of Atchison, the county seat. It was one of the towns laid out soon after the build- ing of the Central Branch. A school was soon built and a church was organized by Pardee Butler (q. v.) in 1867. It has a general store, blacksmith shop, money order postoffice, telegraph and express facilities, and in 1910 the population was 46.
Farnsworth, a money order post-hamlet of Cheyenne township, Lane county, is about 15 miles northwest of Dighton, the county seat, and 7 miles from Healy, which is the most convenient railroad station.
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Faulkner, a village of Cherokee county, is situated in Neosho town- ship, and is a station on the Missouri Pacific R. R. about II miles southwest of Columbus, the county seat. It has a money order post- office with one rural route, telegraph and express service, telephone connections, some good general stores, and is a trading and shipping point for that portion of the county. The population in 1910 was 75.
Fay, a small settlement of Paradise township, Russell county, is located in the Solomon valley, about 10 miles northwest of Russell, the county seat, from which place mail is received by rural carrier.
Fayetteville Emigrant Trail .- This trail ran northwest and south- east from the Arkansas Post, located on the Arkansas river, in the state of Arkansas, to its junction with the Santa Fe trail at Turkey creek in McPherson county, Kan. Leaving Arkansas Post or Ozark, the trail bore northwest, passing through the town of Austin, a few miles northeast of Little Rock; thence northwest between the Arkansas and White rivers, being joined at Fayetteville by a road from Fort Smith on the Arkansas river; thence it crossed the northeast corner of Oklahoma, crossed the Neosho river and entered the state of Kan- sas in township 35 south, range 17 east, in what is now Montgomery county ; thence it crossed the Verdigris about 2 miles north of the state line, traversed the site of Coffeyville and continued along the north- east side of Onion creek; thence in a northwesterly direction to its junction with the Santa Fe trail. In Kansas the trail crossed the coun- ties of Montgomery, Chautauqua, Elk, Butler, Harvey, Marion and McPherson, intersecting the Santa Fe road in township 20 south, range 2 east.
This trail was of Indian origin and from the advent of the white man in that section was much used. During the Oregon and California travel it was a busy thoroughfare and the travel was only checked by the outbreak of the Civil war. When the Osage lands in southern Kansas were thrown open for settlement, the old trail was soon obliterated and abandoned, and now the only traces of it to be seen are upon prairie lands not yet broken by the plow.
Federal, a rural postoffice in the northeastern part of Hamilton county, is located in Richland township, about 18 miles from Syracuse, the county seat, and most convenient railroad station. The population in 1910 was 28.
Federal Prison .- (See U. S. Penitentiary.)
Federation of Labor .- The American Federation of Labor was organ- ized in 1881. It was the outgrowth of the old National Labor Union, which nominated David Davis for president in 1872, and by this political action lost its power and prestige as a labor organization. On Aug. 2, 1881, a convention met at Terre Haute, Ind., to reorganize the old union or establish a new one which should be national in its scope. Nothing was accomplished at that convention, but at another, held in Pittsburgh, Pa., in November following, the "Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions" in the United States and Canada
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was affected. On Dec. 8, 1886, the name was changed to the "Ameri- can Federation of Labor." The organization consists of four depart- ments; 120 national and international unions, representing about 27,000 local unions; 39 state federations, and over 600 city central unions, the total membership in 1910 being about 2,000,000. At that time Samuel Gompers was president of the national organization, and Frank Morrison, secretary, with headquarters in Washington, D. C.
On Aug. 12, 1907, delegates from a number of labor organizations in Kansas met at Topeka for the purpose of forming a branch of the federation. The convention lasted until the 15th, when the state federa- tion was formed, with the following officers: President, S. A. Bram- lette ; vice-presidents, H. W. Coburn, Grant Parker, Lee Gunnison, C. A. Tygart, J. Hansel, Pratt Williamson, E. E. Brunk, G. L. Callard, J. E. Palmer, J. J. Jones and Frank Curry ; secretary and treasurer, W. E. Bryan. A constitution was adopted, in which the objects of the federation were stated to be "to promote the industrial interests of the members and of wage-earners generally ; to collect and publish facts regarding the injustices practiced upon individuals and collective work- ers; to assist and encourage the formation of unions; to urge upon laboring people the importance of buying only union made goods; and to collect statistics relating to the labor problem," etc. The member- ship in the state in 1910 was a little over 42,500, being weaker then than it was twelve months after it was organized.
Federation of Women's Clubs .- (See Women's Clubs.)
Feeble-Minded, State Home For .- For centuries after the beginning of the Christian era, the idiot, the imbecile or the person of weak mind was regarded as a useless member of society, and was looked upon with pity or loathing. It was not until 1838 that Dr. Edward Sequin of Paris, France, organized a school for the purpose of developing what little intellect unfortunates of this character possessed. His under- taking was successful beyond his anticipations, and ten years later schools for the feeble-minded were established in Massachusetts and New York, the first in the United States. Pennsylvania established such a school in 1853. Other states followed, and although Kansas is younger than any of the states east of the Mississippi, she was the eleventh state to found such an institution as one of the public charities.
According to the returns made to the state board of agriculture on March 1, 1881, there were at that time 167 idiotic or weak-minded persons in the state, of whom 48 were under 15 years of age. To pro- vide proper care and instruction for these deficient children the legis- lature, by the act of March 5, 1881, established the "Kansas state asylum for idiotic and imbecile youth," the object of which, as stated in the act, "is to train and educate those received, so as to render them more comfortable, happy, and better fitted to care for and support themselves." To accomplish this object, the trustees of the state char- itable institutions, under whose control the new asylum was placed,
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were ordered to provide "such agricultural and mechanical training as they were capable of receiving, and as the facilities furnished by the state will allow, including shops, and employment of teachers of trades," etc.
The board of trustees were authorized to take possession of the first state university building at Lawrence for the temporary use of
STATE HOME FOR FEEBLE-MINDED.
the asylum, and appropriations amounting to $16,080 were made to carry out the provisions of the act. The board took possession of the old university building in June, 1881, and after spending $1,200 in necessary repairs, the institution was opened on Sept. I, with H. M. Greene as superintendent; Mrs. M. M. Greene as matron, and Mrs. Mate Stowe as teacher, and during the first year twenty pupils were enrolled. The work of the asylum commended it to the parents of feeble-minded children, and within three years the attendance was larger than the building could comfortably accommodate. To provide better opportunities, the legislature of 1885 appropriated $25,000 for the erection and equipment of a suitable building, to be located within 2 miles of the city of Winfield, on condition that the people of that city would donate a site of not less than 40 or more than 80 acres of land within the prescribed limit. The condition was complied with, and on March 22, 1887, the new building was ready for occupancy, when the entire outfit at Lawrence was removed to Winfield. Between that time and the close of the fiscal year ending on June 30, 1888, nearly 70 new pupils were admitted.
Without going into details regarding the appropriations for addi- tional improvements, it is sufficient to say that the institution has been liberally supported by the state, and in 1910 possessed property, the estimated value of which was $500,000. By the act of March 12, 1909, the name of the institution was changed to the "State home for feeble- minded."
The course of study is adapted to the mental conditions of the pupils.
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Girls are taught sewing and simple domestic work, and the boys are instructed in farm work. or such manual labor as they are competent to perform. All are taught to take care of their bodies, and many children who would otherwise go through life practically helpless leave the school able to care for themselves and to engage in some kind of useful employment.
The superintendents of the school since its organization have been as follows: H. M. Greene, 1881-89; C. K. Wiles, 1889-93 ; F. H. Pilcher, 1893-95; C. S. Newlon, 1895-97; F. H. Pilcher, 1897-99; C. S. Newlon, 1899-1905; I. W. Clark, 1905-
Fellsburg, a rural money .order postoffice of Edwards county, is located about 16 miles southeast of Kinsley, the county seat, and 9 miles south of Lewis, which is the nearest railroad station.
Ferguson, a station on the Kansas City, Mexico & Orient R. R. in Harper county, is located in Eagle township, 12 miles southwest of Anthony, the county seat. It is a market for live stock and grain and has a postoffice. The population in 1910 was 40.
Ferries .- One of the problems that confronted the early settlers of Kansas was to provide some means of crossing the streams. Roads had not yet been opened, and bridges were therefore out of the ques- tion. The first territorial legislature passed more than a score of acts granting to individuals the privilege of operating ferries. Twelve of these acts related to ferries across the Missouri river at Leavenworth, Atchison, Delaware, Doniphan, Kickapoo, Boston, Iowa Point, Palermo, Iatan, Whitehead, opposite St. Joseph, and at Thompson's ferry. Four ferries were authorized across the Kansas-at Lecompton, Douglas, Tecumseh and the mouth of the river-and one across the Big Blue on the road leading from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Kearney. Doubt- less the tide of emigration westward justified the establishment of more ferries across the Missouri than the other streams, but when it is remembered that the first legislature was composed chiefly of Mis- sourians who were interested in making Kansas slave territory, it is obvious that numerous ferries over the boundary stream would enable the pro-slavery forces of Missouri to find easy crossings into the ter- ritory in order to control the early elections.
The legislature of 1857 authorized two ferries across the Missouri -one at Wyandotte and the other at Quindaro; one across the Marias des Cygnes at the mouth of Big Sugar creek, and five across the Kan- sas, to-wit: one at Calhoun, one on the road from Bernard's store to Leavenworth, one on the Leavenworth and Peoria road, one at Ogden, and Hugh Cameron was granted the privilege of operating a ferry in section 14, township 12, range 19, near the city of Lawrence.
By 1859 western travel had become so great as to demand ferries over some of the other Kansas rivers, and the legislature of that year passed some thirty acts providing for the necessary crossings. Among the ferries thus established were those over the Solomon, Smoky Hill and Republican on the road leading from Fort Leavenworth to Bent's
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fort, across the Kansas at Manhattan, the Saline at Salina, the Re- publican at Bacheller. the Big Blue at Oketo and near the present town of Irving, the Neosho at Humboldt and Neosho Falls, and a steam ferry was established across the Missouri at Iowa Point. Ferry privileges were also granted over the Arkansas river near the mouth of the Fontaine Que Bouille in Arapahoe county, now in the State of Colorado.
The old-fashioned ferry usually consisted of a flat-bottomed scow, at each end of which was fastened a short rope with a loop or iron ring at the outer end. Through these loops or rings ran a rope stretched across the stream and fastened securely at either end. The motive power was the ferryman, who, by pulling upon the rope, dragged the boat slowly across the river. Ferry charges were often as high as $1 for a two-horse team and wagon, or 25 cents for a footman, and the man who held the exclusive privilege of conducting a ferry on a road where there was much travel often had a sinecure. A few ferries were established by the later territorial and early state legislatures, but as roads were opened upon fixed lines bridges were built and the ferry fell into disuse. After the Civil war came the railroad which changed the whole method of travel by displacing the stage coach, etc., and one of the old flat-bottomed ferry boats would be a curiosity to many people of the present generation, although a few primitive ferries are still operated in out-of-the-way districts.
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