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 70
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The first white man to settle in the county was Samuel Dyer of Ten- nessee, who operated a government ferry at Juniata on the Big Blue river, a few miles above the present city of Manhattan, in the latter part of 1853. The next year Rev. Charles E. Blood of New Hampshire came to Juniata and began his missionary labors. In the same year Thomas Reynolds settled in what is now Ogden township. His house was used as a polling place for the first election, which was held in that year, when 40 votes were polled for delegate to Congress, the majority of them for the free-state candidate. Among those who came that year were: John, James, Patrick and Thomas Dixon, in Ogden township; John M. McCormick, C. P. and John McDonald and William Wiley, in Zeandale township. The settlers of 1855 included N. B. White, Dr. E. L. Patee, William Stone and E. L. Foster, in Ashland township; C. M. Dyche, S. B. White, Jacob Thierer, John M. Morris, Daniel Mitchell and D. L. Chandler, in Ogden township; Daniel S. Bates, a Mr. Morse, John C. Mossman, J. M. Burleigh and J. H. Pillsbury, in Zeandale township; Henry Coudray and family, S. D. Houston and a man named Eubanks, in Grant township; Gardner Randolph and sons in Jackson township; J. P., Jonas, and T. R. Hair, Maj. Abram Barry, Marshall Barry and George Taylor, in Madison township; and the delegation which com- prised the Manhattan town association, in Manhattan township.
A number of historic roads came through Riley county. Col. John C. Fremont on his second expedition in 1843 followed the water courses to the present site of Ft. Riley. The Leavenworth and Pike's Peak express crossed the county by way of the fort, which was also a station on the Butterfield Overland Despatch route, and the south branch of the Cali- fornia trail ran through by Manhattan.
The county derived its name from Fort Riley (q. v.), and the first capital of the territory was at Pawnee, just east of the military reserva- tion 2 miles from the fort, where the old building used as the first capitol still stands. Dr. William A. Hammond, Capt. Nathaniel Lyon, Robert Klotz, Robert Wilson, and several others had settled there before the legislature met on July 2, 1855. (See Reeder's Administration.)
On the organization of the county the legislature elected the following officers : John T. Price, sheriff ; Clay Thomson, probate judge ; Thomas Reynolds and William Cuddy commissioners. When the court con- vened John S. Reynolds was made clerk. The county seat was at Ogden, where a provisional court-house was rented. Preparatory to the election to choose a permanent county seat four precincts were established in Sept., 1857-Randolph, Manhattan, Ogden and Montague. The contest-
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ing towns were Ogden and Manhattan, the former receiving a majority of 31 votes. Later fraud was proven and Manhattan became the county seat. The next legislature passed an act making Manhattan the per- manent county seat and authorizing and requiring the county officers to move the county records to that place before the first Monday in Feb- ruary following the passage of the act. At first there were but four townships, Manhattan, Ogden, Pierce and Dyer. Numerous changes occurred until the county assumed its present form in 1873, when there were nine townships-Jackson, May Day, Bala, Madison, Grant, Ogden, Manhattan, Ashland and Zeandale. At present there are fourteen townships, Center, Fancy Creek, Sherman, Swede Creek and Wild Cat having been added.
Some of the first postoffices in the county were Ashland, established in 1853, M. D. Fisher postmaster; one in Zeandale township, about 1857, D. M. Adams postmaster ; Stanton, in May Day township, 1869; Ogden and Riley Center. Among the early marriages were those between C. P. McDonald and Mary McCurdy of Zeandale township; Thomas Dixon and Mary Hoffman in Ogden township; James Johnson and Mary A. Hair in Madison township; Lewis Baldwin and Matilda Randolph of Jackson township; William Frake and Catherine Condray of Grant township, all in 1856. The first births were those of Ernest McCurdy in Zeandale township and Alla Mobley in Ogden township the same year, and the first death was that of John Dixon of Ogden township in Aug., 1855. The same summer a number of deaths from cholera occurred at Fort Riley. (See Cholera). The first schools in the county were at Manhattan and in Ashland township in 1857, Miss Marcia Woodward teaching the latter. The next year a school was opened in Zeandale township, Grant and Ogden townships following in 1859.
The area of the county is 617 square miles, or 394,880 acres. The surface is generally undulating, except for the limestone bluffs along the Blue and Kansas rivers, which form the eastern and southeastern boundaries. There are several smaller streams, of which Fancy creek flowing from west to east across the north, and Wild Cat creek flowing southeast across the central portion are the most important. The bottom lands along the streams constitute about 20 per cent. of the total area. Magnesian limestone, cement rock and potter's clay are found in paying quantities. The principal farm products are corn, oats, hay, wheat, Irish potatoes, rye, alfalfa, live stock and fruits. The total value of farm products in 1910 was $3,761,102, of which corn amounted to $1,107,348 and live stock to $1,699,666.
The county is well supplied with railroads. The Union Pacific, which was the first line built, follows the Kansas river to Manhattan, where it crosses the Big Blue and runs southwest into Geary county. The Blue Valley branch of the same road diverges at Manhattan and follows the Big Blue, running first northwest, then northeast into Marshall county. The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific enters south of the Kansas river and goes west to Manhattan, therice northwest into Clay county.
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The Leavenworth, Kansas & Western branch of the Union Pacific crosses east and west near the center. The population of the county in 1910 was 15,783, a gain of 1,955 during the preceding decade.
River Brethren .- About the middle of the 18th century, a few Men- nonite families in Switzerland decided to emigrate, in order to escape persecution. They first went to England and in 1851 came to America. Twenty years later differences arose which resulted in the establish- ment of separate brotherhoods. The brotherhood "down by the river"- the southern part of Lancaster county, Pa .- became particularly strong and the name River Brethren was adopted. John Engle, who had come from Switzerland with them, was the first minister. In faith and practice the River Brethren resemble the Mennonites, and in some respects the Dunkards. The faith was brought to Kansas by emigrants from Penn- sylvania in the early '8os and in 1890 there were nine congregations-one each in Brown, Clay, Harvey, Rooks and McPherson counties and four in Dickinson county. The total membership at that time was 588. Dur- ing the next fifteen years little increase was made, and after the open- ing of Oklahoma the church lost by emigration to that state. In 1906 the total membership in Kansas was 450.
Riverdale, a hamlet of Sunmer county, is located on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific and the Missouri Pacific railroads, 8 miles north of Wellington, the county seat. It has telegraph and express offices, a local retail trade, and a money order postoffice. The population according to the census of 1910 was 50.
Riverside, a country hamlet in Ness county, is located in Highpoint township on the Pawnee river, about 15 miles southeast of Ness city, the county seat, and 13 miles from Hanston, the nearest shipping point. It has a money order postoffice. The population in 1910 was 40.
Roads .- From time to time the legislature has made provisions for highways in Kansas and at the present time the state has quite an elaborate system of highways, most of which run along section lines. Prior to the organization of the territory there were a few well traveled roads, notably the Santa Fe, Oregon, California, Salt Lake and Mormon trails (q. v.). By order of Col. Zachary Taylor, in 1837, a commission consisting of Col. S. W. Kearney and Capt. Nathan Boone was appointed for the purpose of locating a military road from Fort Leaven- worth to Fort Coffey in western Arkansas. This road as laid out was 286 miles long and among the more important streams crossed were Spring river, Pomme de Terre, Wildcat, Marmaton, Little Osage, Cot- tonwood creek, Marais des Cygnes, Blue and Kansas rivers. Fort Scott was located on this highway at a point about midway between Forts Leavenworth and Coffey.
On May 10, 1849, Capt. Howard Stansbury started from Fort Leaven- worth and laid out the military road to Fort Kearney, which for some distance followed the California road from St. Joseph, Mo., by way of the Blue river. Shortly after the establishment of Fort Riley a line of communication was established between Fort Leavenworth and that post, which later was extended to Fort Larned. (See Stage Routes.)
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The legislature of 1855 passed an act prescribing certain regulations concerning territorial roads, and in a number of separate acts provided for no less than 56 territorial roads, prominent among which were the following: Fort Scott to the Missouri line at or near Phillips' crossing of the Upper Drywood creek; from a point opposite St. Joseph, Mo., to Fort Riley, via Pawnee; from Fort Scott to the Catholic Osage mission ; from Osawkee to Grasshopper Falls; from Leavenworth to M. P. Rively's store on Salt creek, via the United States farm; from the Mis- souri state line through Cofachiqui city, thence across the Neosho river and by best route to Fort Atkinson; from the Shawnee mission church to Tecumseh; from St. Joseph to Marysville; the Santa Fe road between the east line of Kansas and Council Grove; the Santa Fe road between Fort Atkinson and Bent's old fort; a road from Delaware on the Missouri river to Calhoun on the Kansas river, where it divided, the left fork crossing and terminating at Topeka and the right fork intersecting the military road from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Riley.
In 1857 the legislature repealed a portion of the road law of 1855 and provided that roads migh be viewed, surveyed, established and returns made at any time within two years from the passage of the several acts by which they might be authorized, etc. Thirty-eight territorial roads were provided for by this sesion, among which were a road from Fort Riley to the Nebraska line ; a road from Lecompton to the county seat of Allen county ; the military road from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Lara- mie and the military road from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Riley.
In 1859 the "Parallel Road," also known as the "Great Central Route" along the Ist standard parallel to western Kansas and the gold regions of the Rocky mountains, was laid out. This highway to the Cherry creek diggings was 469 miles long, 641 miles to Denver, and boasted an abundance of wood and water all the way. It was laid out by E. D. Boyd, a civil engineer, in anticipation of a heavy travel from the Mis- souri river to the new "diggings."
The legislature of 1859 enacted a law providing for the locating and working of highways and for the collection of a road tax, etc. Seven acts relating to roads were passed by this session, one of which declared all military roads within the limits of Kansas territorial roads. Seven- teen new roads were provided for by the other acts.
In 1860 the legislature passed acts of incorporation of the "Denver, Auraria and Colorado Wagon Road company," the "Denver City and Beaver Creek Wagon Road and Bridge company," and the "Pike's Peak and South Park Wagon Road company," a general law defining the mode of laying out and establishing roads, and an act providing that all section lines in Brown county be declared the center of all public high- ways, etc. This act was the first legislation providing for roads on section lines in Kansas.
The territorial legislature of 1861 passed an act declaring the military road from Fort Riley to Fort Larned a territorial road, and the session of the first state legislature the same year passed five acts relating to highways and created 45 state roads.
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In 1863 the legislature passed two joint resolutions, one of which me- morialized Congress to make a military road from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Scott, alleging that there were no suitable bridges, culverts or other necessary improvements by which to transport such military sup- plies, and believing that the safety and well being of this branch of the military required this line of communication. The other resolution memorialized Congress to make provisions for bridging and improving the road from Fort Leavenworth via Fort Riley to Fort Larned. The road at that time was said to be without bridges, culverts or other nec- essary improvements and at some seasons of the year entirely impassable for heavy transportation, causing delay, expense and danger to the mili- tary service of the United States.
The legislature in 1864 passed three acts, one of which created sixty- four state roads, and in 1871 eight laws were passed relating to roads and highways, providing that all section lines of Jefferson, Cloud, Mc- Pherson, Davis, Montgomery, Chase. Morris, Mitchell, Wilson, Neosho, Anderson, Shawnee, Dickinson, and Morris counties be public highways, excepting three townships in Jefferson county.
At almost every session of the legislature from territorial days to the present time there has been some legislation affecting roads and high- ways, and only in rare instances are any of the original territorial or state roads left, except such as followed section lines.
With the advent of the automobile and motor cycle a wide spread movement was started looking to the improvement of the road system of the country. This movement is meeting with much encouragement in Kansas, where plans have been perfected to have the "ocean to ocean highway" follow the line of the old Santa Fe trail across the state as closely as possible. On Dec. 1, 1911, more than 2,000 delegates from various towns in central Kansas met at Osage City to attend the meet- ing of the Santa Fe trail and Pan American Highway association. to decide upon the route connecting the trail between Osage City and Kan- sas City. A special train bearing representatives from Topeka, Law- rence, Burlingame and intervening points, all of whom favored the route from Kansas City, by way of Lawrence, Topeka and Burlingame, were in attendance, while over 1,000 from Olathe, Ottawa and interme- diate points represented those in favor of the route by their towns. A committee composed of one member from each of the interested towns was selected to frame resolutions voicing the sentiment of the conven- tion, their report to the convention being in favor of both routes. (See Trails.)
Roanoke, a country postoffice in Stanton county, is located in the township of the same name 12 miles south of Johnson, the county seat, and about 40 miles south of Syracuse, the nearest shipping point. The population in 1910 was 27.
Roberts, a country hamlet in Russell county, is located 15 miles south of Russell, the county seat, and 12 miles from Bunker Hill, the postoffice from which it receives mail. The population in 1910 was 25.
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Robinson, an incorporated town in Brown county, is located on the St. Joseph & Grand Island R. R., 10 miles southeast of Hiawatha, the county seat. It has a bank, 4 churches, about 75 business establish- ments, express and telegraph offices, a money order postoffice with three rural routes, and there is a weekly newspaper (the Index). The popula- tion, according to the census of 1910, was 492. Robinson was founded at the time the railroad was built in 1871. Before that date a town of the same name had grown up on the California trail which ran half a mile to the south. This was moved to the new site, which was platted in 1872. The postoffice was established in 1871, with S. Morehead as post- master. The whole business part of the town was destroyed by fire in 1882, the total loss being $31,000.
Robinson, Charles, physician, and first governor of the State of Kan- sas after its admission into the Union, was born at Hardwick, Mass., July 21, 1818. His elementary education was obtained in the local schools, and at the age of eighteen years he entered Amherst College, where he spent two years, when an affection of the eyes compelled him to leave school. He walked 40 miles to Keene, N. H., to con- sult a physician, and while under treatment decided to study medi- cine. He began his studies at Woodstock, Vt., and in 1843 graduated with honors at the medical school at Pittsfield, Mass. Shortly after receiving his degree he commenced practice at Belchertown, Mass., but in 1845 removed to Springfield, where he became a partner of Dr. Holland (Timothy Titcomb), who had been a classmate at Pitts- field. Here Dr. Robinson won a widespread reputation as a specialist in the treatment of chronic diseases. In 1847 he removed to Fitch- burg, Mass., and practiced there for two years. When gold was dis- covered in California in 1849 he set out for the Pacific coast as a sur- geon to one of the pioneer parties of gold-seekers. While on the over- land trip the party encamped near the site of the present city of Law- rence, and Dr. Robinson climbed to the summit of Mount Oread, where the University of Kansas is now located. Upon arriving in California he spent some time in prospecting and mining, after which he opened an eating house in Sacramento. While he was thus employed a con- troversy arose between the squatters, who held lands under the United States preëmption laws, and some land speculators who claimed title by purchase of Capt. Sutter, who held some 99,000 acres under a Mexican-Spanish grant. A love of fair play seems to have been an inherent trait of Dr. Robinson's nature, and with characteristic prompti- tude he espoused the cause of the squatters, with whom he soon became one of their most trusted advisers and leaders. Several conflicts between the two factions ensued, in one of which the mayor of Sacra- mento was killed and Dr. Robinson was seriously wounded. Before he recovered he was indicted for conspiracy, assault with intent to kill, and murder, and for ten weeks was confined on board a prison ship, at the end of which time he was tried and acquitted. While a prisoner awaiting trial, he was elected to the California legislature, and
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as a member of that body he supported Gen. John C. Fremont, who was elected United States senator. For a time Dr. Robinson pub- lished a Free-soil paper at Sacramento, but about the first of July, 1851, he started via the isthmus for Massachusetts. The vessel on which he embarked was wrecked off the Mexican coast, and he shipped as surgeon on a vessel from Panama to Cuba, carrying a number of sick men who had been employed in the construction of the Panama railroad. On Sept. 9, 1851; he arrived at Fitchburg, much improved in health, and immediately resumed the practice of his profession. On Oct. 30, 1851, he married Sara T. D. Lawrence, daughter of Myron A. Lawrence. Miss Lawrence had been under his professional care before he went to California, and their wedding had been postponed on account of his western trip. In addition to his practice of medicine Dr. Robin- son assumed the editorship of the Fitchburg News. About this time the attention of the country was attracted to Kansas, and he wrote and published several letters concerning the region through which he had passed on his journey to the coast. These letters aroused wide- spread interest in the subject, and, as they were written by one who had seen the country, were rightfully regarded as authentic. Imme- diately following the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska bill societies were organized in the East for the purpose of assisting those who might desire to seek their fortunes in the "Far West." At a meeting in Chap- man's Hall, Boston, Eli Thayer delivered an address, and at the close inquired if anyone present was willing to go to Kansas. Dr. Robin- son promptly walked up and signed the roll, and on June 28, 1854, left Fitchburg for Kansas. On Sept. 6, following, he and his young wife reached the foot of Mount Oread, which he climbed five years before, and here they established their home. He soon became an active fac- tor in locating emigrants sent out by the Aid society, and was recog- nized as a leader by the free-state men. His home was destroyed in the sack of 1856; he suffered calumny and imprisonment; and was otherwise persecuted on account of his opinions. Douglass Brewer- ton, correspondent of the New York Herald, wrote of Dr. Robinson in 1856 as follows :
"He may be regarded as the real head-the thinking one we mean -and the mainspring of the free-state party; or, to speak more cor- rectly, of all that party who are worth anything. We believe him to be a keen, shrewd, far-seeing man, who would permit nothing to stand in the way of the end he desired to gain. He is, moreover, cool and determined, and appears to be endowed with immense firmness; we should call him a conservative man now; but conservative rather from policy than principle. He seems to have strong common sense, but no briliancy of talent. In fact, to sum Gov. Robinson up in a single sentence, we consider him the most dangerous enemy which the pro- slavery party has to encounter in Kansas."
Dr. Robinson was elected the first governor under the Topeka con- stitution, and he was the first commander of the free-state militia. The
KANSAS HISTORY
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Wyandotte constitution was ratified by vote of the people on Oct. 4, 1859, and on the 6th of December following he was elected gov- ernor, though he did not assume the duties of the office until after the admission of the state in 1861. He had his enemies and critics-men of positive natures always do-but after a lapse of fifty years the impartial student of Kansas history will recognize the fact that his virtues far outweighed his faults. His patriotism was unrivaled and he did the best he knew-or at least the best that circumstances would permit-for the people of the state for which he was elected the first chief executive. Upon retiring from the office of governor Dr. Robin- son also retired from public life, though he never failed to take an interest in matters pertaining to the welfare of his adopted state, and
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ROBINSON HALL, STATE UNIVERSITY.
especially was he a friend to education. "Robinson Hall." one of the buildings of the State University, was donated by his estate and named in his honor. At 3:15 a. m. Aug. 17, 1894, Gov. Robinson laid down the burden of life and joined the silent majority. He had often faced death in the course of his career, and when the end finally came he met his fate like a hero. His loss was keenly felt by the people of the state, and four ex-governors came to pay tribute of respect to the man whose course in earlier years has left a lasting impression upon Kan- sas and her institutions. The funeral sermon was preached by Dr. C. G. Howland, who closed his address as follows: "Much of Gov. Robinson's life was tempestuous, but the close was as gentle as the fading light of day. With a tender yet speechless touch of a dear hand, and without the slightest concern, he went to meet 'what the future hath of marvel or surprise.'"
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Robinson's Administration .- In anticipation of a speedy admission into the Union, the Wyandotte constitution provided that, in case it was ratified by the people, an election for state officers should be held on the first Tuesday in Dec., 1859. An election was accordingly held at the specified time and the following state officers were chosen : Dr. Charles Robinson, governor; Joseph P. Root, lieutenant-governor ; John W. Robinson, secretary of state; George S. Hillyer, auditor ; William Tholen, treasurer; Benjamin F. Simpson, attorney-general ; William R. Griffith, superintendent of public instruction; Thomas Ewing, Jr., chief justice of the supreme court; Samuel A. Kingman, associate justice for four years; Lawrence D. Bailey, associate justice for two years; Martin F. Conway, representative in Congress.
The expectations of the framers of the constitution were not real- ized, for a number of vexatious delays occurred, and it was not until Jan. 29, 1861, that President Buchanan signed the bill admitting Kan- sas into the Union as a state. Gov. Robinson took the oath of office on Feb. 9, 1861- the same day that Jefferson Davis and Alexander H. Stephens were elected provisional president and vice-president of the Southern Confederacy by the convention at Montgomery, Ala. The other state officers elected in 1859, with the exception of William Tholen, treasurer of state, were also sworn into office and the new state government was duly inaugurated. Mr. Tholen had entered the volunteer service, the governor refused to accept his bond, and appointed H. R. Dutton to the vacancy on March 26.
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