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, Volume II > Part 44
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Nicodemus, a hamlet in Nicodemus township, Graham county, is located near the mouth of Spring creek, 12 miles northeast of Hill City, the county seat, and 6 miles in the same direction from Bogue, the near- est shipping point. It is on the daily stage line between Stockton and Bogue; has a money order postoffice, and in 1910 reported a population of 73. This was the location of one of the negro colonies established at
(II-24)
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the time of the exodus, and Nicodemus was the name of an ex-slave who purchased his liberty before the war.
Niles, one of the thriving litttle towns of Ottawa county, is located on the Union Pacific R. R. in Lincoln township near the county line, 18 miles southeast of Minneapolis, the county seat. It has a bank, tele- graph and express offices, and a money order postoffice with one rural route. All the main lines of business activity are represented. The population in 1910 was 200.
Ninnescah River, an important stream of southern Kansas, is com- posed of two branches. The north fork rises in the southern part of Stafford county and flows northeastwardly to Plevna, Reno county, where the course changes to southeast. The south fork has its source in the western part of Pratt county. Its course is almost due east through Pratt and Kingman counties until it unites with the north fork in the southwest corner of Sedgwick county. The main stream then flows southeast and empties its waters into the Arkansas river near the town of Oxford, Sumner county.
Niotaze, one of the smaller incorporated towns of Chautauqua county, is at the junction of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and the Missouri Pacific railroads on the North Caney river, in Little Caney township, II miles from Sedan, the county seat. It is a shipping point for grain, live stock and produce from a large and prosperous farming district. It has excellent schools, all the leading denominations of churches, telegraph and express offices, and a money order postoffice with one rural route. The population in 1910 was 317.
Noble, a hamlet in Rice county, is a station on the Missouri Pacific R. R. 7 miles north of Lyons, the county seat, from which postoffice its mail is distributed by rural routes.
Noll, a small settlement in Atchison county, is situated on the Mis- souri river, about 5 miles below Atchison. Mail is received through the office at Oak Mills.
No Man's Land .- This name was given to a tract of land three degrees in length from east to west, lying between the 100th and 103d degree of longitude, and one-half a degree in width from north to south, extend- ing from 36° 30' to 37º north latitude. It was a part of the lands ceded to the United States by Texas in 1850, and was never attached to any state or territory until 1890, when it became a part of Oklahoma. Hav- ing no government it became a sort of rendezvous for outlaws and des- perate characters. In 1885 and 1886, during the heavy immigration into southwestern Kansas and southeastern Colorado, many settlers located in No Man's Land, and in the spring of 1887 it was estimated that there was a population of at least 6,000 people within its borders. Many of these settlers had made improvements, but as there were no land offices the matter of titles became of so much moment that the matter was brought before the Kansas legislature at its session in 1887, when a house concurrent resolution relating to the opening of No Man's Land was introduced and passed, as follows :
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"Whereas, The public strip in the Indian territory known as No Man's Land has been settled by a thrifty and enterprising people, with the view of acquiring the rights of settlers under the homestead law ; and
"Whereas, They are without the protection of courts of justice, and unable to perfect title or acquire rights therein to lands upon which they have settled and made lasting improvements: therefore, be it resolved by the house of representatives of the State of Kansas, the senate concurring therein :
"That our members of Congress and United States senators be and they are hereby requested to use their influence in behalf of such set- tlers; and that a copy of these resolutions be by the secretary of state forwarded to each of our national representatives."
As no one had title to his property, claim jumping became such a reg- ular business that the settlers organized vigilance committees to deal with the desperadoes, and claim boards whose business it was to pass on all land disputes. Order was soon restored by these agencies.
Nonchalanta, a postoffice and trading point in Ness county, is located 15 miles southwest of Ness City, the county seat, and 10 miles south of Laird, on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R., the nearest shipping point. The population in 1910 was 69.
Nonsectarian Churches of the Bible Faith .- This denomination or confederation of churches arose as the result of the preaching of Lyman H. Johnson, who from childhood had been impressed by the evils of sectarianism. He believed that the form of organization of the different denominations tended to gain for them temporal power and earthly success rather than to do any great amount of Christian work. He sup- ported his belief by the history of a number of religious communities such as the Albigenses, Quakers and others, who had protested against the rigidity of church organization. While a minister of the Presby- terian church he preached against the evils of denominationalism, and after 1865 he preached as an independent minister. Gradually his views found acceptance and after some time an association of mutual fellow- ship was formed with headquarters at Boston, Mass. In the basis of this association lies what the members believe the correct interpretation of the term church. They hold that churches of Christ exist outside of all sectarian systems. To members of this faith the word ecclesia, has the meaning called out "or converted out of the world by a change of heart into the assembly of Christians on earth." Hence, they hold that the church exists where one person is thus called out from the world. They can find no account in the Bible for any Christian joining the church when he is already a member of Christ by faith and they believe that the descriptions of a church in the Bible means one or more Christians liv- ing together.
In doctrine the churches agree with the orthodox evangelical churches. They believe that the Bible was divinely inspired, accept it as the only rule of faith and practice, but reject all creeds and forms of discipline, No general ecclesiastical organization exists and no head over the mem-
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bers is recognized but Christ. The elders of the church are regarded merely as teachers and have no ecclesiastical authority. The only authority they regard is that of "truth," which is the authority of God to all who are convinced of the truth. The ministers of the church receives no salary and all necessary expenses connected with the church are met by voluntary contributions. This church has had a gradual growth, being especially strong in the southwestern states. In 1906 there were 204 organizations, located in 28 states. There are 15 organizations in Kansas with a total membership of 331.
Nora, a discontinued postoffice in Pratt county, is located 20 miles northwest of Pratt, the county seat, 10 miles south of Macksville in Stafford county, its nearest shipping point, and 12 miles north of Havi- land, Kiowa county, the postoffice from which it receives mail by rural route.
Norcatur, an incorporated town in Decatur county, is located near the east line on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R. R., 18 miles east of Oberlin, the county seat. It has 2 banks, a weekly newspaper (the Dis- patch), a number of retail stores, telegraph and express offices, and an international money order postoffice with three rural routes. The pop- ulation according to the census of 1910 was 482.
Norfolk, a hamlet in Ellis county, is located in Freedom township 16 miles southeast of Hays, the county seat, and 8 miles south of Walker, the nearest shipping point. It receives its mail from Gorham in Russell county, I0 miles to the north.
Normal Institutes .- In 1876 the legislature of the state passed a law relating to county normal institutes, which law was supplemented in 1877. This law made it the duty of the county superintendents of public instruction to hold annually in their respective counties a normal insti- tute of not less than four weeks. To defray the expenses of such insti- tutes the county superintendents were directed to charge each person making application for a teacher's certificate a fee of $1 and $1 for every person enrolling as a member of the institute. Also it was made the duty of the state to pay $50 for the support of each county normal insti- tute in which there should be an enrollment of not less than 50 members, and the board of county commissioners was empowered to aid by any sum not to exceed $100 annually.
The county superintendent of public instruction, who has the primary responsibility of holding the institute "for the instruction of teachers and those desiring to teach," employs, with the advice and consent of the state superintendent of public instruction, the conductors and instructors of the institute. He makes selections from those persons holding certificates authorizing them to conduct or instruct in county normal institutes. These certificates are granted by the state board of education to persons passing high qualifications for normal institute work, only successful teachers of large experience being considered efficient enough to hold a certificate. By virtue of its authority, the state board of education requires the holder of a certificate to base his instruc-
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tion upon a course of study prepared by the board for the use of insti- tutes. The course of study is printed and revised from year to year as the board deems wise. It is also graded and each day's work is outlined in each of the several branches for the entire month. This method of systematizing the work of the county institutes is of highest value, as the majority of teachers obtain their inspiration and training in the institute.
These institutes are steadily improving in attendance and in the quality of work done by both instructor and student. They are held dur- ing the summer months. The subjects taught are reading, grammar, mental and written arithmetic, physiology, geography, penmanship, cal- isthenics, school management, methods of teaching, civil government, bookkeeping, natural philosophy, botany and didactics. Hazelrigg gives the number of institutes in 1878 as 68. McDonald says that in 1892 there were 106 institutes, 105 of which enrolled not less than 50 mem- bers and were entitled to state aid. The expenditures for the institutes was $33,876.71 and the total enrollment 11,918. In 1908 E. T. Fairchild, state superintendent of public instruction, showed an attendance of 11,243, with the salaries of the conductors as $7,410, and of the instruc- tors $26,706.
Normal School .- (See State Normal School.)
North Branch, a village of Jewell county, is located in Highland town- ship 21 miles northwest of Mankato, the county seat. It has a postoffice with one rural route and is a trading center for the neighborhood. The population of 1910 was 125.
North Cedar, a hamlet of Jefferson county, is located on the Missouri Pacific R. R. in Delaware township, 16 miles northwest of Oskaloosa, the county seat, and 6 miles from Valley Falls. It has express and tele- graph offices and a money order postoffice.
Northcott, a station on the Missouri Pacific R. R. in Anderson county, is located in Indian Creek township 20 miles southwest of Garnett. the county seat, and 7 from Colony, whence it receives mail by rural route. There is one general store. The population in 1910 was 37.
Northfield, a hamlet in Sherman county, is located about 20 miles north of Brewster, Thomas county, the postoffice from which it receives mail by rural delivery.
North Lawrence .- The first settlement on the north bank of the Kan- sas river, connected with the main city of Lawrence, was begun about 1860. Previous to that time the Delaware Indians had erected some cabins there, but the first whites were John Moorehead, G. J. Tallman, Thomas McGee and T. S. Murphy. John Baldwin built a house on the north bank of the river and operated the first ferry for a number of years, until the bridge was built. John Moorehead opened the first store. The postoffice was established in 1865 under the name of Jefferson, with G. J. Tallman as the first postmaster. The following year 320 acres were platted as a town site by S. N. Simpson and settlement rapidly followed. At the first election G. J. Tallman was elected president of the board of
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trustees ; H. M. Berry, T. McCage, A. C. Miller and James Franklin were elected trustees, and H. H. Howard, attorney. In 1867 it was incorpo- rated as a city of the second class under a charter secured from the leg- islature. At the first election under the new form of government G. J. Tallman was elected mayor ; A. R. Smith, treasurer ; A. Hoysradt, clerk ; T. Beasler, marshal; and H. H. Howard, police judge. The city was divided into three wards and three councilmen elected from each ward. In 1869 the residents recognized the advantages to be gained by annex- ation to the city lying south of the river and an attempt was made to consolidate the two settlements, but it failed. The next year (1870) the legislature passed an act by which North Lawrence surrendered its charter and united with Lawrence.
North Wichita, in Sedgwick county, is located on the Athison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R. 5 miles north of Wichita, whence it receives its mail. (See Wichita.)
Norton, the county seat of Norton county, is an incorporated city of the third class, located north of the center of the county, on the Prairie Dog creek and on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroads. It has four newspapers (the Telegram, a daily and weekly, the Courier, the Champion and the Norton County News, weeklies), an opera house, waterworks, an electric light plant, an ice plant, flour mill, grain elevators, fire department, brick and tile works, 2 banks, telegraph and express offices, and an international money order postoffice with five rural routes. This is the seat of the county high school. The population according to the census of 1910 was 1,787.
Norton was founded in 1872. The first hotel was built of logs in 1873. This building was bought by George Griffin in 1884 and in 1904 he pre- sented it to the Norton women's clubs, who moved it to their park (Elm- wood) and it is now used as a place to hold social and literary meetings.
Norton County, one of the northern tier, is the fourth from Colorado. It is bounded on the north by the State of Nebraska; on the east by Phillips county ; on the south by Graham, and on the west by Decatur. It was created in 1867 and named for Orloff Norton, captain of Com- pany L. Fifteenth Kansas cavalry. The boundaries were defined as follows: "Commencing where the east line of range 21 west inter- sects the 40th degree of north latitude ; thence south to the Ist standard parallel ; thence west to the east line of range 26 west; thence north to the 40th degree of north latitude; thence east to the place of beginning."
It is 30 miles square. The county was prematurely organized in 1872. The prime mover in the event brought about the organization for the purpose of exploitation. He disappeared from the county in June and went to Topeka, where he prepared a forged petition and presented it to Gov. Harvey. It contained but 8 names of residents of the county. The governor refused to act upon it. Immediately he prepared an affidavit stating that there were not less than 600 inhabitants in Norton county. This was sent to the governor and a second petition stating
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that there were at least 600 inhabitants in the county followed. It asked for organization, made recommendation for officers and asked that Billingsville be declared the temporary county seat. Although this petition did not contain the name of a single resident of Norton county . the governor acted upon it and appointed Richard M. John- son to take the census. As Johnson was a fictitious character, Billings had things his own way in regard to the census, and a bogus census was gotten up in short order. It was presented to the governor on Aug. 22 and the same day the proclamation of organization was issued declaring Billingsville the temporary county seat and appointing the following officers: Clerk, David C. Coleman; commissioners, J. W. Vance, S. D. Reed and James Hall.
The commissioners met and appointed Sept. 24 as the day for the first election. Forty-one votes were cast. Norton received 38 for county seat and the following officers were elected: Treasurer, Henry Oliver ; sheriff, James Hall; clerk of the district court, S. Marsh; surveyor, D. W. Mills; probate judge, Edward Newell; register of deeds, Samuel Newell; coroner, William Gibbon ; commissioners, W. J. Vance, Abram Louk and Peter Hansen. N. H. Billings was elected county attorney, superintendent of public instruction and representative. He succeeded in having school bonds voted, which carried by only one vote, that of his wife's sister, a minor. When he took his seat in the legislature he had the rights of majority conferred upon her, hoping by that means to make the election legal. During that session a measure was introduced in the house of representatives as a joke to change the name of Norton county to Billings to tickle the vanity of that member whom his fellow law makers had dubbed in jest "the fiery untamed Demosthenes of Norton." C. C. Vance represented the county at the next session and the name was changed back to Norton. Another county seat election was held in 1874 and Norton was again victorious.
The first settlers came in 1871, and the first homestead was taken by George Cole in September of that year. In November James Hall, D. C. Coleman, Charles Brazee and Fred Hyde settled in the county. In the spring of 1872 a party composed of S. Marsh, Charles Hill- singer, Mott Wood, Henry Oliver and Thomas Brown came from New York to the Prairie Dog valley. The immigration was heavy that year. The Indians had not abandoned this part of the country yet and several "Indian scares" occurred. At one time a band of Sioux just return- ing from a battle with the Pawnees, and with the bloody scalps of the latter dangling from their belts, visited the settlers and indulged in a war dance, but did no serious damage.
The first school was taught by J. H. Simmons in 1873 with 16 pupils in attendance. The first physician was Mrs. P. A. O. Briggs. She would often go 50 miles in the worst weather to see patients when she knew they were unable to pay her a cent. The menu at the first wedding was coffee, ham and corn bread. The first postoffices were at West Union and Port Landis in 1874. Alfred Coleman and John
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Landis were the first postmasters. The first general merchandise store was established at Norton in 1873 by Newell Bros. The first term of court was held by Judge A. J. Banta in the fall of the same year. It occupied 20 minutes.
According to the bogus census of 1872 there were 636 people in the county, though the real number probably did not exceed one-third of those figures. Ten years later the population was a trifle under 6,000. The number of acres under cultivation was 205,921, having increased from 3,156 in 1874. The value of agricultural implements in use was $23,000, the number of fruit trees about 25,000.
The population in 1890 was 10,617, that of 1900 was 11,325, that of 1910, 11,614. These figures do not indicate a depression such as occurred in many Kansas counties, especially in the early 'gos. The assessed valuation of property in 1910 was $18,242,467. The total value of farm products that year was $2,527,204. Wheat, the prin- cipal crop, was worth $647,519; corn, $307,633 ; tame grasses, $271,430; prairie grass, $136,432; oats, $135,522; sorghum, $88,000; Kafir corn, $68,000. Animals sold for slaughter brought $531,501; poultry and eggs, $103,978; dairy products, $147,593. There were more than $2,500,- 000 worth of live stock in the county and 85,000 bearing fruit trees.
The county is divided into 23 townships-Aldine, Almelo, Almena, Belle Plaine, Center, Clayton, Crystal, Emmett, Garfield, Grant, Har- rison, Highland, Lenora, Leota, Lincoln, Modell, Noble, Orange, Rock Branch, Rockwell, Sand Creek, Solomon and West Union. The post- offices in 1910 were Almena, Calvert, Clayton, Dellville, Densmore, Devizes, Edmond, Lenora, Norton and Oronoque.
The surface is prairie, bottom lands comprising 15 per cent. The principal streams are: Sappa creek in the northwest, Prairie Dog through the center, and the north fork of the Solomon in the south. They are lined by thin belts of native timber. Limestone, sandstone and potter's clay are found. A branch of the Missouri Pacific R. R. enters in the south from Phillips county, runs west and terminates at Lenora. A branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy enters in the northeast, runs southwest to Norton and west into Decatur county. The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific enters in the northeast and crosses southwest through Norton into Decatur county.
Nortonville, an incorporated town in Jefferson county, is located on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R. in Norton township, 16 miles north of Oskaloosa, the county seat. All lines of business are repre- sented, including 2 banks and a weekly newspaper (the News). There are express and telegraph offices and a money order postoffice with three rural routes. Nortonville was platted in 1873 by the Arkansas Valley town company. The first settler was John Taggert, who opened a store in that year, was appointed postmaster, and also ticket agent for the railroad company. A $1,500 school house was built and Miss Lucy Gale was the first teacher. The first birth was that of Clarence Cummings, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Cummings, born on Oct. 8,
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1873. The first death was the wife of Dr. R. D. Webb. The first mar- riage took place in the fall of 1875 between John W. Davis and Miss Rebecca Taylor.
Norway, located on the Republican river and on the Missouri Pacific R. R. in Norway township of Republic county, is 16 miles southwest of Belleville, the county seat, and 7 miles from Scandis. It has a money order postoffice, express and telegraph offices, and a local retail trade. The population in 1910 was 150.
Norwich, one of the incorporated cities of Kingman county, is located in Bennett township on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and the Missouri Pacific railroads, 21 miles southeast of Kingman, the county seat. There are over 20 retail establishments, a flour mill, a news- paper (the Herald), a bank and 3 churches. The principal shipments are live stock, produce and grain. There are telegraph and express offices and a money order postoffice with one rural route. The popula- tion in 1910 was 392.
Norwood, a village in the northern part of Franklin county, is situated on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R. 7 miles north of Ottawa, the county seat. It has several stores, a money order post- office, telegraph and express facilities, a few stores and is the shipping and supply point of the rich agricultural district by which it is sur- rounded. In 1910 the population was 37.
Notts, a country postoffice in Morton county, is located on the north fork of the Cimarron river near the west line of the state, 12 miles southwest of Richfield, the county seat.
Numa, a hamlet in Butler county, is located 18 miles south of Eldorado, the county seat, 5 miles east of Gordon, the nearest shipping point, and 6 miles northeast of Douglass, the postoffice from which it receives mail.
Nuñez, Alvarez, Spanish sailor and explorer, surnamed Cabeça de Vaca, was born about 1490. He was second in command of the ill- fated expedition under Narvaez to Florida in 1527. At that time Florida included all the unexplored region of the Mississippi valley. When Narvaez was lost at sea Nuñez, with a few of the survivors, continued westward along the gulf coast until they were cast ashore on an island, presumably near the present boundary between Louisiana and Texas. They succeeded in reaching the mainland, and for six years were prisoners among the Indians. In the spring of 1536 Nuñez and three of his companions arrived in the Spanish settlements in the west- ern part of Mexico. Soon after that he returned to Spain, and in 1540 was made governor of the Rio de la Plata. He explored the valley of the La Plata and conquered several Indian tribes, but upon charges preferred by his lieutenant, de Irala, he was summoned to Spain, tried, found guilty and banished to Africa. Eight years later he was recalled by the king and appointed judge of the court at Seville, where he died in 1564. Some twenty years before his death there was pub- lished at Valladolid an account of "the Shipwrecks of Alvarez Nuñez,"
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