USA > Kansas > Phillips County > Kirwin > Saga of old fort Kirwin 1869, and history of the Kirwin Kansas community, 1869-1969 > Part 5
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larger water course in those days.
The eventual herd of Shorthorn cattle, some of them pedigreed, were, with his fine orchard, his hobby during his active years.
Sarah Hinds was born at Flushing, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1848 and died near Kirwin, Kans., June 28, 1918.
In 1869 she went to Ottumwa, Ia., to make her home with an aunt. Here on Mar. 17, 1874, William Wyrill married Sarah Hinds, his Iowa sweetheart, a teacher, whom he had met in Ohio.
A week later they came by train, to Fair- bury, Neb., bringing a Conestoga wagon, a team of horses and a Hambletonian mare. They also brought an adequate supply of household goods including a weed sewing machine, and berry bushes, small apple and peach trees, a lilac bush and two rose- bushes.
After a day of driving in their wagon, through hot, dusty, March winds, they ar- rived in the evening at the little one room log house on their claim. Now pioneer life began for them in earnest.
William and Sarah had seven children. Two died in infancy and Albert Edward, age seven was a victim of the diphtheria epi- demic in 1885. The others, Alice, Olive, Pearl and John survived with their parents, the hardships of the earlier years in Kansas, and lived to see many wonderful changes come to the Kirwin area.
William and Sarah respected law and or- der, and valued many of the formalities. They appreciated the refinements of better living, and sought to achieve them for them- selves and for their children.
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William kept in his old sea chest, per- haps a status symbol, a Prince Albert frock coat and a pair of striped trousers.
He wore these garments to his last earthly assignment.
PLATT FAMILY
Ferry L. Platt, Sr., born in 1872, and his wife Nelle Campbell, born in 1873, moved to Kirwin in 1902 where, in partnership with Jas. F. Gray, Mr. Platt began publishing the " Kirwin Kansan". Mr. Platt bought out his partner after a few years; and was helped in the office by his wife and two growing sons, Ferry L. Platt, Jr., and Paul C. Platt. Af- ter Mr. Platt died in 1926, Mrs. Platt con- tinued to publish the Kansan for a few years and then sold it to Carl Gray. Mrs. Platt lived on in Kirwin until 1958, rounding out more than half a century in the family house east of the square.
The Platts were lifelong members of the Congregational Church. Mr. Platt was a dea- con, Sunday School Superintendent and trus- tee at various times. Mrs. Platt, in addition to teaching the young women's class in the Sunday School, was a member of the M.S. 12 club.
Ferry, Jr., graduated from the Kirwin high school in 1920 and Paul in 1922; the former to take higher education and become a minister, the latter to study and practice medicine.
There are today descendents carrying on the Platt heritage; but all four of those men- tioned above have died and their remains lie buried in a common lot in the Kirwin cemetery. Mrs. Platt passed on only last January at the age of 95.
JOHNSON FAMILY
J. P. Johnson, born in 1871, and his wife, Marie, born in 1873, moved from Illinois to a farm one mile east of the Kirwin-Agra road in 1905. They owned this property un- til 1942, living on it those 37 years with the exception of three short absences in nearby localities -- the last of which was in the Dr. Trusdale house in Kirwin during 1914-16. (The Dr. Trusdale house is the stucco build- ing where the Nazarene Church now holds some of its meetings.)
They joined the Congregational Church in their early years, where Mrs. Johnson was Primary Superintendent in the Sunday School during the '30's and J. P. Johnson served
variously as deacon, trustee and Sunday School Superintendent. Mr. Johnson taught in the Agra high school 1910-14 and was Superintendent of Schools in Kirwin 1914- 16. Previous to this he did some teaching in the district nearest his farm and in Glade (then called Marvin).
Mrs. Johnson's other interests included the L.L.C. Club and Mr. Johnson was active in Farmer's Union projects. Their chil- dren (Herman, Raymond and Donald) all graduated from the Kirwin high school in 1921, 1922 and 1928 respectively.
STONERS
Harvey Brewster Stoner was born near Smith Center, Kans., Aug. 12, 1875, to David Samuel Stoner and Udevella Kiser Stoner. The physician was Dr. Brewster Highley (composer of the words of "My Western Home." Later this song was renamed " Home on the Range," and became our state song.) Harvey was named after the physician.
· Udevella Kiser was stolen by a tribe of Indians when she was between two and three years old. Her father learned much later that there was a white child with some In- dians,Mr. Kiser set out on foot which was the only way of travel at that time, (1853). It took about eleven months to catch up with the Indians, but he found his little daughter. Udevella had been with the Indians for a year and a half.
Harvey Brewster Stoner married Anna Mabel Butler (daughter of John and Eliza- beth Butler) on Feb. 26, 1896. Six children came to the Stoner family. The first child was still born. The second, Milton Joseph, the third son, Loyd LaVern, the fourth son, Millard Lafayette. The fifth child, a daugh- ter, Hilda Afferetta and the sixth child another daughter Gladys Myrtle.
Mr. Stoner spent most of his life in and around Kirwin doing cement work. Mabel Stoner died May 28, 1948. Harvey Stoner died July 20, 1960.
>monte Amicho qq la. on his fathers suele mr Depter Visor was Monter qg grandfather
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THE DEUEL FAMILY
George D. Deuel, son of Allen and Mary Deuel was born Aug. 7, 1845 in Ohio. His wife Caroline Graham Deuel was born Feb. 6, 1854 in Starke County, Indiana. They were married in Otoe County, Nebraska Dec. 9, 1869. A son was born before they came to the Kirwin area, William A. born Dec. 20, 1871.
They came to settle near Kirwin in 1872 living first in a dugout 1 mile west 1/2 mile south of town, later moving to a sodhouse 2 miles south 1 mile west.
After coming to Kirwin 9 more children were born: Barbara Ellen born Aug. 27, 1872, married Issac Harlan Guthrie; Martha L.
born Dec. 20, 1875 married Daniel W. Fisk; Ida Bell born Dec. 16, 1877 married Clar- ence Cales; Chauncy Albert born Nov. 2, 1880 married Lena Pfost; Mary Evaline born Sept. 18, 1883 married Charles Wolcott; Benjamin T. born Aug. 14, 1888; Charles H. born July 10, 1890 married Mable Mc- Queen; Leonard L. born June 25, 1892 married Deliha Hoack; Hazel C. born June 11, 1896 married Will F. H. Gray.
Their grandchildren, Walt and Everett Guthrie and Velma Stoner and many great- grandchildren and great great-grandchildren still live in and around Kirwin and are very proud of their heritage.
THE BUTLER FAMILY
John Butler and Elizabeth Cox were mar- ried in Iowa in 1870 and the next year in company with her father and brother, Tom, joined a wagon train for Kansas. When they reached this fertile valley they decided to homestead here. Trees were felled and a log cabin built. The three families moved in before the chinks were filled.
They were hardly settled when two men rode up saying they had been chased by In- dians and that hundreds of them were coming. John Butler was sent to Hays to bring the soldiers. The men started building a breast- work. Other settlers joined them. Some were assigned to the breastwork and some were to shoot through the cracks in the house. The
women were to supply the ammunition.
Nearly five-hundred Indians gathered on the hill to the west. They told the settlers to leave as they owned all the land to the Great Spirit Spring. The settlers refused. The Indians camped that night on the south side of the Solomon and the next day moved east. Thus ended the Indian scare of 1871. The men then built a stockade enclosing the cabin.
The town of Kirwin was founded in 1872 and John Butler drove the oxen team which plowed out the townsite. The town square was located three blocks west of the stock- ade.
John Butler was a homesteader, a guide
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for the buffalo hunters, a railroad pumper to fill the water tank, the windmill man to the farmers and a source of information to the younger generation in writing the history of the area.
Nine children came to the Butler home. Frank, the eldest, was the first white child born in Phillips county. Two are still living, Harry at Stockton, Kans., and Myrtle in
Longmont, Colo.
Mrs. Butler in spite of her large family, always had time to help a neighbor in sick- ness or death and to cheer the lonely and dis- couraged. She was a faithful member of the Christian Church and a regular attendant un- til failing health prevented it.
John Butler died Sept. 20, 1925 and Eliza- beth Cox Butler died Aug. 2, 1942.
THE ATCHISON FAMILY
James and Harriet Atchison came to Kan- sas by covered wagon in 1878, and settled on a farm located on the Solomon River, di- rectly south of the present Fish and Wildlife headquarters. Mr. Atchison was an excellent carpenter and helped build many of the houses in the area.
They had a large family consisting of eight sons (Chalmers, Francis, Walter, Ed- gar, Curtis, Albert, Harvey and Ira) and five daughters (Emma, Jennie, May, Mary and Violet).
Harvey taught school several years in the old stone school house, the ruins of which are still to be seen north of the Fish and Wild- life office and many an early day child learned the three R's under his tutorage. In 1906 he married Lena Palmer, daughter of a former Union Cavalryman and moved his bride to the old home place located at the corner of old K-9 highway and the old Bow Creek road about a mile and a half west of Kirwin. This area is now covered by the Kirwin lake.
*When we tell of the marriage of Lena Palmer to Harvey Atchison, our thoughts turn to later years, when Lena, who had reached the age of eighty - was Nellie, the queen of the prairie, the leading role in the pageant, "The Covered Wagon" presented at the old Kirwin Opera House for the Old Settlers' Day program.)
The Atchison girls were all very popular and the old home was a favorite gathering place for the young people of the time. Emma (Mrs. Matt Van Allen) was a very ef- ficient clerk in the various business places in Kirwin - and many middle aged Kir- winites will remember getting a stick of candy from Aunt Emma, when she clerked in George Simmon's store; Viola (Mrs. Hugh Duff) and Maggie taught school around Kir-
win; Jennie (Mrs. Will Thomson) operated the telephone exchange in Kirwin for a number of years. She never failed to come to Kir- win every year to visit with her sister and brother. Her daughter Elma now lives in Kansas City.
The Atchisons are still well represented in Phillips county by Darrel and Gill, grand- sons of Albert; Duane, the son of Harvey of Kirwin; until his recent death, the late Sam Atchison of Agra, son of Curtis.
The accompanying poem was written by Mrs. Lena Atchison on the occasion of leav- ing the farm in 1940.
THE OLD PLACE
We soon must be leaving the old place -- Our home for so many years --
The old house with the big bay window, We bid it good-by thru our tears.
The pear tree that stood in the dooryard -- How we loved its fruit and its shade; But it drooped and died in the drouth-time Like our hopes and the plans that we made.
The cottonwoods out by the roadside,
That flung their green heads to the sky -- How we thrilled at the roar of their branches When the storm king went riding by!
Such happy times in the old house
Where each child saw the light of day, Tho our hearts never ceased their longing For the one who was taken away.
Still the fields will be green in the springtime And the river will flow on the same, But soon the old house will crumble,
And Naught but the dear memories remain!
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THE LEWIS RIGG FAMILY
Lewis Baker Rigg was born June 19, 1839 at East Bethelem, Washington County, Pa. He attended and taught school for many years. He was rejected for service in the Civil War because of a heart condition, how- ever, he was able to start a very profitable business. Washington county was the banner sheep county in the United States so Mr. Rigg and a friend started a Livestock Brokerage business and bought and sold sheep.
Mr. Rigg went from Pennsylvania to Illinois where he met Sarah Elizabeth Upp. They were married Dec. 6, 1866. He taught school and continued farming for eight years. At this time the St. Joe and Hannibal Rail- road was selling some government grants in Missouri for $5.00 to $10.00 per acre. Mr. Rigg then went to Breckenridge, Mo., and bought 80 acres for $10.00 per acre.
He and his wife then moved to Missouri, sawed lumber to build a house but moved in before it was completed. The sheep busi- ness was good so they remained here ten years.
The Adams family, who had been neigh- bors of the Riggs in Missouri, now living in
Kansas, asked Mr. Rigg to come to Kansas. This he did. He bought land from Thomas Cox, Sr., who had homesteaded and built a stone house on this place. So in 1883 Mr. Rigg moved his family to one of the finest farm locations in this part of Kansas five and one half miles straight west of Kirwin.
Mr. and Mrs. Rigg had four daughters and three sons, a twin to Leroy died at the age of 12 hours. His children: Anna Steenrod and her husband moved away in 1888. Alta lived with her parents and cared for them until their deaths 1924 and 1940 respective- ly. Eva became a deaconess and served in that capacity until retirement. After grad- uation from Manhattan, Leroy became a partner with his father, was married, built a house and added many improvements to the farm until his death in 1924. John lived a few years on his father's farm before settling with his family in Norton county until his death in 1943. Estella was mar- ried in 1913 and continued with the farming occupation until her retirement in 1969.
Mr. Rigg saw over 101 years of the cross section of American life. He was rich in experience and observation. He passed from this life December 1940 leaving many rela- tives and friends with memories that will never be forgotten.
Best Wishes To Kirwin During Their Centennial!
We pledge to continue provid- ing this area with Groceries, Meats, and Locker Ser- vice.
People's Store And Locker
Irwin "Shorty" Simms Ph. 638-2875 Agra, Kansas
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KIRWIN BUSINESSES - CONTINUED
H. Moulton -- druggist
The Drug Store -- W. H. Spangenberg R. H. Trus -- drug store
George W. White -- drug store also ice cold soda water
Ice Cream Parlor -- E. F. Gilbert 'lemonade and cider'
Skinner -- flour mill
1884 Harry Bartlett -- dray and trans-
fer wagon
Lozier and Parsons -- lumber yard and saw mill
1878 Jacob Nipps -- mechanic
C. S. Knight and Dr. A. DeArmond -- physicians and surgeons
Wand, Lingle and Fuller -- "land"
Dodge and Chapin -- attorneys specialized in Land Office practice
C. E. Monnell, W. H. McBride and Sons, May and McBride and Don Carlos and son -- Attorneys and real estate
Farmers Shipping Association -- S. F. Brigham Belford Brothers cattle and hogs
Cain Brothers -- bought grain and hogs The Kirwin Stock Farm -- H. R. Hull and Co. bred "Standard bred trotters and road- sters"
Kirwin Elevator -- O. B. Moore
James H. Clark -- pioneer blacksmith Kincaid Brothers -- horseshoeing
Eagle Blacksmith Shop with wagon shop
J. R. Hackley
Miss Dora Lindsey -- milliner
Robert Locke -- jewelry
Mrs. L. E. Edwards -- cut and fit dresses
Kirwin Home Park Nursery
Palmer and Broadsword
Kirwin Marble Works -- J. M. Tinney Factor No. 115 first grade cigars -- H. Bringman
E. Bradley -- photographer
Troup's Novelty Store -- special prices on tinware
Lew Hays -- Monarch Billiard Hall
1872 Wetherilt shoes
John Abrams -- custom threshing
Alexander Boller -- harness maker
1883-85 Ingersoll and Sampson -- pack- ing house
"Where oh where have these businesses gone; What ever happened to the pioneer town of Kirwin; If only things had gone dif- ferent what would we be today?"
"We are still a special breed and some will still move along, but all and all we are mighty proud of our town, KIRWIN and we are prospering from each contributing Kir- winite." .
BOGART FAMILY - CONTINUED
When he went to school for the first time he knew no one so he went to one of the rear desks and crouched down in hopes of being hidden from sight. At school he noticed some odd things, like nineteen year old boys in his first grade reading class and a mother with " chaw" of tobacco learning to read with her small son.
At the age of seven he distinctly saw his face for the first time. A neighbor had given him a mirror and he chuckles now as he tells us he looked at himself all the way home.
Grandfather has a remarkable memory and it is very interesting to hear him tell of first seeing a horseless carriage, rail- road train, telephone, electric lights, air- plane and other modern inventions. In his life time he has observed with interest all
major technological developments of mankind and little did he dream as he looked at the moon through the dugout window that he would see man make his first step on its surface.
He lives less than a mile from the site of the dugout and has lived there seventy years. He keeps well informed on all events, local and national and international. He en- joys a good game of bridge anytime we can get together a foursome, keeps a good set of books and still maintains a daily record book which he has done for over seventy years. He enjoys visits with his children, . grandchildren, relatives and friends and we enjoy immensely our visits with him.
Joan Vivian Wareing, Wichita, Kansas
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Seated - Mr. and Mrs. James Scott. (father and mother)
Standing left to right - Talitha (Mrs. G. W. Trull) John A. Scott, Caroline (Mrs. Myron Cushman), David Scott, Elmer Scott, James A. Scott, Sarah (Mrs. A. M. Campbell), Richard K. Scott. James Scott Sr., and David Scott came to Kirwin in the fall of 1893. The rest of the family came in the spring of 1394. It was during this time that Grandfather Scott home- steaded the land which is now the home of Harriet and Winnie Scott. The same year John, David and William each also homesteaded land close to Kirwin.
HISTORY OF THE GRAYS
W. H. H. Gray having served four years in the Civil war, was engaged in many of the large battles, but came out unscratched. He returned to his home in Mt. Carroll, Ill., where he was united in marriage to Mary Atchison. Jim, John, Elmer and Charlie were born there.
In the early spring of 1873, Father Gray heeded the advice of Horace Greely, who said "Go west young man" and came west to Fort Kirwin. In the fall of that year he re- turned and brought his family to the home- stead which he had taken three miles west of Kirwin.
They first had a home at the north end of the farm where No. 9 highway is now, then they lived in a dugout just east of the present house. That draw was so deepthat a team on the road would go out of sight. We of today can see what erosion has done.
Father and Mother Gray endured the hardships of the grasshoppers, drouth, and fear of Indians. Father Gray would tell how they could hear the buffalo coming because of the rumble they made. There was a buffalo wallow in the present pasture. Mother Gray would relate how she'd cover the windows when she knew the Indians were nearby and would gather her children close to her and pray they wouldn't make a sound. One time they came in the house and took what food they could find but did them no harm.
The relatives in Illinois would send flour and other foods to them and one year they had just received it when it was stolen and they had to sell their only cow to buy food.
Mother Gray's father, Mr. Atchison, who was a carpenter, came out to settle here, and he built the stone house now on the farm. Each stone block was planed and beveled as the walls were built. This house was built before the Railroad went through. In 1875 Mabel was born and in 1883, Will was born.
The Grays had been faithful members of the Congregational Church since 1887. Fath- er Gray, as well as John and Elmer, were stock holders in the Kirwin State Bank. Father Gray attended every board meeting for thirty years. All the children attended school in the old stone school house a mile west of the home. Jim, John and Elmer went to the Stockton Academy. John helped to pay his expenses by turning the press of the Stockton Record. All three boys taught in many of the schools surrounding Kirwin. The
older boys and Mr. Gray did partnership farming until each boy owned a farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Gray and Mabel moved into Kirwin in 1909. Will bought the present home when only 18. Jim married Edna Robinson, to whom four sons were born: Dwight, Frank, William and Ted. John was wed to Minnie Stagg. They had two sons, Carl and Hugh. From this union originated the traditional "Gray and Stag" Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. Elmer married Alice Fiske and to them was born a daugh- ter, Marie, (Mrs. O. K. McQueen) and Har- old. Charley married Olive Wyrill. They had a son Arthur and two daughters, Esther and Marjory, (Mrs. Jones). Will married Angie Jones and they had a daughter, Iva Lee (Mrs. Jack Bennett.)
Father Gray's celebrated their golden wedding in 1915, with Marie as bridesmaid and Carl as best man. The privilege of ob- serving golden weddings was also given to John, Elmer and Will. Father Gray passed away in 1923 and Mother Gray in 1925. Jim became a lawyer and had a real estate and insurance business in Kirwin. John started his public career by being a county sur- veyor, mayor of Kirwin, co-owner of the Gray and Stag store. He was a newspaper publisher and served as State Representative from this district and also served as State Senator for 11 years. He was chairman of the Kansas Reclamation Commission from 1940 to 45. To him goes our thanks for founding "Kirwin Old Settler's Day". Every- one knew this day would carry on when it was printed in the Kirwin Kansan as front page news.
Elmer farmed, raising registered Poland China hogs, had a meat market and was mayor. Charlie was mail carrier out of Kirwin for many years. Mabel cared for her parents until their death.
Will also raised Poland China hogs and Hereford cattle. He lived on the home place from the time of his birth in 1883 until his health failed and he and Angie moved to Stockton in 1967 to be near their daughter. Will passed away in May 1969.
The Grays contributed much to the growth and development of the Kirwin community, backing and boosting the very best of acti- vities. With Will's passing the last of the Gray children are gone. Mrs. Marjory Jones is the only Gray descendent living in the Kirwin community. The old stone house still stands three miles west of Kirwin, echoing with many memories of this family.
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GENERAL MERCHANDISE
STOCKMANN®
August Stockmann was a pioneer merchant and started his store in Kirwin in 1872. Aug- ust and Dina Bierman both came from Ger- many. He met her and they married in New Orleans, as soon as the Civil War let them they traveled up the Mississippi River and headed west. To this union ten children were born, five died in infancy.
William was born Aug. 1, 1872, shortly after the Town Company laid out the streets and established the town's name. He claim- ed to be the first white male born in Phillips county.
August boasted he never had to close out an account as means to pay his creditors. In 1880, he built a new brick building of na- tive brick. This building was on the east side of the square. Fire destroyed this building in 1888. This he replaced with the building with a glass front which still stands. The Odd Fellows Hall is in the upstairs of this building. August Stockmann (being a charter member) gave the Odd Fellows a 99 years lease to this hall. At this time the lease still stands.
In the early years in the store, Indians brought in buffalo hides in exchange for mer- chandise. At times buffalo hides were plenti- ful and the store would get so many hides in exchange that they would be unable to sell them all. Even then there was a reason to keep on good terms with the Indians.
After the railroad came to Kirwin, Aug- ust Stockmann made a trip to St. Louis twice a year to purchase a year's supply of gro- ceries, dry goods, boots, shoes and clothing. His son William managed his store for sev- eral years, and only when his health failed did he decide to trade his store for land south of town. William then took on the man- aging of the farm which is still in the Stock- mann family.
In remembrance of August Stockmann by grandsons James and Warren Stockman.
It Has Been A Pleasure
to serve the people of this area during most of Kirwin's his- tory.
OUR 80TH YEAR
Hardware, Paints, Appliances, and Supplies
UNDERWOOD HARDWARE Guy Underwood Agra, Kan.
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THE SPAULDING PIONEER CARAVAN
MATILDA AND AUSTIN
Austin Spaulding homesteaded five miles northwest of Kirwin in 1872. Three covered wagons, and one of the first buggies seen in Western Kansas brought his family group from Johnstown, Wis. to Kirwin. The party included Austin and his wife, Matilda Wells Spaulding, with their daughters Elsie and Ida and son Homer with his wife Alice Cole Spaulding, Alice's brother Harrison Cole with his wife Ella, and a chore-boy Eddie Taylor, and the Spaulding dog Fred, and eight horses.
Evenings on the journey the family gath- ered round their campfire, as the girls played their melodeon and sang, and In-
ELSIE AND IDA SPAULDING
dians listened in the background. Their household goods was freighted by team from the railroad's end at Waterville.
Austin's and Homer's both homesteaded about 5 miles northwest of Kirwin on Deer Creek. Often Indians came to their dugouts to visit and to beg food.
Austin's wife Matilda and their school- teacher daughter Elsie died of typhoid fever in 1872. The daughter Ida married Eugene Germain and had a son Jay. After Mr. Ger- main's death she married J. F. Morse of Phillipsburg. Their children were Alice, Herbert, Chester, and Hazel.
In 1875 Homer was postmaster at Mt. Zion, 4 miles up Deer Creek from Kirwin. 1879-90 he was Postmaster and had a store in Phillipsburg. He helped found the Phil- lips County Bank, was part owner of the Phillipsburg Herald Newspaper and was Pro- bate Judge for many years. His wife, Alice, and his father, Austin, both died in 1890, and Homer died in 1892, leaving his son Mel- vin an orphan.
Melvin married Edith Skelton of Long Island in 1898. Her family came direct to Phillips county from England in 1879 when she was three (four brothers Matthew, Tom, Joseph and John Skelton with their fami- lies). Melvin was well known in Phillips county through his work as funeral director from 1907 until his death in 1935. Edith died in 1948. Their daughter, Marjorie Good, lives in Phillipsburg.
On the Spaulding lot in Phillipsburg are the graves of Austin and Matilda, Elsie,
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HOMER. AND AUSTIN SPAULDING
Homer and Alice, Melvin and Edith, with Ida's grave in the Morse lot - a pioneer family who lived and died, happy to be residents of Phillips County, Kansas.
WITH DEEP APPRECIATION
We sincerely thank those who have pro- vided pictures and historical material for the Kirwin Centennial booklet. Without your help, this project would have been impossible.
KIRWIN LIBRARY BOARD
Memorial To John Gray
On October 24, 1935 there was an Old Settler's Day in Kirwin. It was sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, with one of Kirwin's leading Citizens as chairman .. This was the beginning, and every year there- after, Kirwin and all the community knew there would be an Old Settler's day, along about the 1st Tuesday in October, for this man wouldn't let it die, as his heart was all wrapped up in the memories of the pioneers and the purple prairies.
He had a Heritage, not only did he carry the torch for this day, but he was back of everything he thought was for the good of Kirwin. This was his town. Today we lift our hearts in gratitude and thanks to the memory of Sen. John Gray, who was state Representative and State Senator from Kansas, Mayor of Kirwin -- and numerous other offices of importance and trust.
We will carry on. If this be the hour in which we lift our lantern, it is not our flame that shall burn therein, but the guardian of the past, Mr. Gray, who has filled with oil and lighted it. In the dew of service, his heartfound its morning and was refreshed. "He always said that Death was but the winds Blowing across the hills and the purple prairie lands,
He said it would beckon him some day .-- Death is the final blowing of the wind, He always said, then chose a winter day -- To start his journey down the silent way." D.W. Y.
WE'RE MIGHTY PROUD OF KIRWIN! Best wishes during the next 100 years !!
* Choice Steaks * Home Cooking
* Homemade Pies & Rolls * Excellent Service
OPEN 6 A. M. TO
Smith's Steak House
Formerly Lake Cafe - Charles Smith, Owner
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ESTATE
S.DUNDON.
RESTAURANT OYSTERS
EARLY KIRWIN STREET-SOUTH SIDE OF SQUARE
KIRWIN CENTENNIAL
Sod house and dug-out, log and stone,
Built by men who wanted houses of their own. Pioneers whose visions gave grace and benison
To the sturdy little settlement on the Solo- mon.
They were glad to have their river Since it was logic still That you had to have a river If you had a flour mill.
Then there must be oats for horses And corn for stall and sty
And crops will strive on bottom lands With running stream hard by.
They ploughed and planted with great care And made provision for
A tidy clump of lilacs Beside the kitchen door.
They cut and stored the little stacks Of fragrant prairie hay.
They builded churches, started schools, They'd come and meant to stay.
And when they went on journeys, neigh- bor-way or town,
They traveled as the crow flies, over ups and downs,
Wagon wheel and work team, and with blithe accord
Crossed the little crooked creeks where there was a ford.
L' ENVOI
100 years of memories with gladness cher- ished still,
100 years of memories and graves on Sun- set Hill,
Kirwin, waiting patiently, like a lady old and gray.
But she will rouse and bid you come On a bright October Day.
And you will go back gladly, once more to hear and see
The treasures that the old folks keep From days that used to be.
Written August 1969 by Mrs. Alice Willis A pioneer of 92 years
THREE CHEERS FOR KIRWIN !!
SEE US FOR:
* Fishing and Hunting Supplies
* Icc
* Ice Cream Bars * Candy
Minnows * Night Crawlers
* Pop * Conoco Service
Pats Bait Shop Kirwin, Kansas
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FROM
1869
TO
1969
We salute the many generations of "tillers of the soil" and others who have made Kirwin's first 100 years so prosperous!
Vogel Implement Co.
Howard Vogel, Owner Phillipsburg, Kansas
Citizens of Kirwin:
Here's Wishing You. .
BRIGHT
FUTURE
An important milestone has been reached at Kirwin . . . and we're mighty proud to be part of it.
We hope to continue to serve your growing needs!
Lumpkin's Super IGA
Phillipsburg, Kansas
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