USA > Kansas > Anderson County > The history of Anderson County, Kansas, from its first settlement to the Fourth of July, 1876. > Part 12
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Each time they appear with greater numbers than on the preceding one. Their first invasions were in small, detached divisions, in different portions of the country ; but the latter inroads have covered hun- dreds of miles in breadth. Should they continue to return, increasing in the same proportion, for a few years, with that of the last twenty years, it will be difficult to subsist them west of the Mississippi river,
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and they will probably visit the fertile fields of Illi- nois. Michigan and other States further east.
SYNOPSIS OF THE SEASONS.
1854: Beautiful spring and mild summer, but rather dry ; fair crop of corn raised for the amount planted.
1855 : Severe and cold winter; pleasant spring ; warm summer: good crops of all kinds ; prairie grass luxuriant.
1856: Cold winter ; early spring ; dry summer ; short crops ; fine growth of prairie grass.
1857 : Mild winter ; early spring ; warm summer. with but little rain ; fair crops.
1858 : Warm, wet winter ; spring early ; good crops of all kinds ; extraordinary growth of prairie grass ; heavy rains.
1859: Winter warm and dry ; early spring ; rainy summer ; heavy rains in June ; high rise of water, the streams being the highest since the settlement of the country ; great damage done by the overflow of the bottoms along the streams ; fine crop of corn raised ; luxuriant growth of prairie grass.
1860: Cold winter ; early spring ; dry summer ; but little rain from August, 1859, to October, 1860 ; streams dry ; crops almost an entire failure ; grass too short to mow for hay.
1861 : Mild winter ; pleasant spring and summer, and abundance of rain ; good crops of all kinds.
1862 : Cold winter ; early spring ; summer dry ;
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crops poor ; chinch bugs made first appearance, do- ing great damage to corn and spring wheat.
1863 : Mild winter ; wet spring and summer ; good crops ; a frost in August did some damage.
1864: Severe winter ; pleasant spring and sum- mer ; fair average crops.
1865 : Mild winter ; early spring : rainy season ; high water ; good crops.
1866 : Warm and wet winter and spring ; summer wet ; average crops.
1867 : Cold winter ; pleasant spring : warm sum- mer ; good crops.
1868 : Mild winter ; dry spring and summer ; short crop, being seriously injured by chinch bugs.
1869 : Mild winter ; wet spring and summer ; high waters ; good crops.
1870 : Cold winter ; early spring .; mild summer ; poor crops.
1871 : Cold winter ; early spring ; mild summer ; average crops.
1872 : Mild winter and spring : wet summer ; high water ; good crops.
1873: Cold winter ; heavy snow ; early spring ; warm summer ; average crops.
IS74: Mild winter ; dry spring and summer ; crops seriously injured by chinch bugs and dry weather.
1875 : Cold winter ; early spring ; wet summer and fall ; finest crops that had been produced for several years.
CHAPTER XX.
Religious Zeal of the Early Scttlers-Churches -Educational Interests-Formation of School Dis- tricts-Building School Houses-Value of School Buildings, etc.
THE early settlers of Anderson county, like the Pilgrim Fathers, were imbued with a religious zeal ; for no sooner was a small settlement made in any locality than a religious society was organized and preparations made for religious services, notwith- standing the Territory was overrun by ruffians and semi-barbarians, intent on establishing slavery in Kansas. The settlers would, each Sabbath, meet for divine worship in their rude cabins, or in the beautiful groves, "God's first temples," in the sum- mer time. The many church edifices in the county attest their steadfast devotion to the cardinal prin- ciples of true faith handed down to them from the primitive days of the church.
"Saint Boniface" Catholic church, in Putnam township, on the North Pottowatomie, was the first church building erected in the county, in 1858. Un- der the charge of Father Albert Heinmann, in I87I this society built a college building in the same neighborhood, and called it "Mount Carmel," and
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has maintained a fine school therein for the educa- tion of the youth.
The United Brethren denomination have an or- ganization and church building in the town of Gree- ley. The building was commenced in 1859.
The Methodist Episcopal church has a good sub- stantial church building at Garnett ; also a large membership.
The United Presbyterians, in 1860, erected a good and substantial church edifice in Garnett. The membership of this church, at Garnett, is the strongest in the county, and also the largest in the State.
The First Baptist church in Garnett was organ- ized in 1860, and has a new church edifice, with a good membership.
The First Presbyterian church in Garnett was or- ganized in 1868, and in 1870 built a neat, substan- tial building, and has a good living membership.
In 1871 the Catholics of Garnett erected a neat stone church building, and have a respectable mem- bership in their organization.
The Catholics have a large membership and good church building at Emerald. Also, on the North Pottowatomie, near the west line of the county, they have a small church.
The Christian church of Garnett have a neat lit- tle church building, and a small membership. The building was erected in 1872.
The African Methodist Episcopal church of Gar-
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nett have a small stone church building, called Quinn Chapel, erected in 1874. The membership is small.
The Second Baptist church of Garnett ( colored) have a small church building and small membership.
The Presbyterians have a good church and build- ing at Central City.
The Free Methodists have a church organization in the county, but no church building ; and there are other church denominations in the county that have no buildings for worship. They usually hold their services in the school houses in their vicinity, or in private dwellings of their people.
The education of the youth received the early at- tention of the settlers in the county. The formation of school districts and the erection of school houses were first attended to, after necessaries for susten- ance were procured. As soon as children enough in number could be collected in the neighborhood to commence a school, a school house was built and a teacher employed to instruct them. The people regarded the common schools as the palladium of liberty, which the schools and school houses of the county attest. The facilities for an education are far greater in the county than in many of the States who have the age of half a century. Eighteen years ago not a school house in the county, which now can boast of sixty-two good substantial school houses, of the value of sixty-two thousand dollars, with furniture of the value of forty thousand dollars,
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as shown by the report of the superintendent of public instruction for 1875, with sixty-five school districts organized.
John R. Slentz was the first superintendent of public instruction of Anderson county, appointed by Hugh S. Walsh, Secretary and acting Governor, on the 16th day of December, 1858.
The first school district was organized soon after, in Putnam township, and Alexander Garrett, James Farrah and Wm. Puett were elected the first school board.
The following districts were also formed the same year: No. 2. Officers : Wm. Smith, Chas. Hid- den and D. W. Houston. No. 3. Officers : C. W. Fraker, Wm. L. Webster and D. D. Judy. No. 4. Officers : James E. White, Richard Robinson and Isaac Hiner. No. 5. Officers : Wm. Rison, Wm. Lampman and Geo. W. Simons. No. 6. Officers : Rufus Gilpatrick, J. T. Lanter and B. F. Smith. No. 7. Officers : Francis A. Hart, A. W. Jones and John B. Dilday. No. S. Officers : Henry Williams, Anson Rudd and Wm. Agnew. No. 9. Officers : James Farrah, Benoni Brown and Thos. G. Head- ley. No. 10. Officers : Stephen Marsh, C. C. Haskins and Oliver Marsh. No. II. Officers : Wm. Dennis, Wm. R. Vanscoyoc and Jeptha Lawellin.
Six districts were organized in 1859, two in 1860, two in 1861, one in 1862, one in 1863, four in 1864, ยท one in 1865, three in 1866, one in 1867, one in 1868, two in 1869, eight in 1870, eight in 1871, two in
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1872, seven in 1873. four in 1874, and one in 1875. making 65 in all.
The number of children of school age in 1858 was 435 ; in 1876, 2,096.
The amount of State and county school funds dis- bursed among the several districts in 1858 was $297.55 ; in 1876. $3,379.82.
CHAPTER XXI.
Prominent Men of Anderson County.
DR. RUFUS GILPATRICK came to the Territory of Kansas in the spring of 1855, and settled in the northeastern part of the county. He was one of the most active and energetic men of the Territory. He was a physician by profession, a Republican in poli- tics, an active leader in the Free State cause ; a man of sound judgment, large experience, and well-in- formed in political tactics ; was often consulted as to the best means of securing the rights of Free State men against the Pro-Slavery party. He was always ready when needed to defend the cause of free- dom, and did valuable service in behalf of his
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country. He was an object of hatred to the Pro- Slavery party : and when a marauding party of the Ruffians visited Kansas, in this portion of the coun- try, it would make an effort to capture him, but he always succeeded in evading them. He filled prom-
inent positions in the county and Territory.
He
was one of the delegates from the county to the convention that assembled at Osawatomie on the ISth day of May, 1859, that organized the Republi- can party in the Territory ; was on the committee on platform, and took an active part in preparing the same, and in the debates of that body. He was elected superintendent of public instruction of the county in 1859 ; was elected to the House of Repre- sentatives in 1860, and was in the Legislature at the time Kansas was admitted into the Union. He was as earnest a worker in the Legislature as this county has ever had. He was the author of the resolution for the appointment of a "committee to investigate the claims issued under 'An act to provide for the adjustment and payment of claims,' and supplemen- tal thereto, passed February 7, 1859, and to inquire what attempts, if any, have been made to foist a portion of said claims as a debt on the Territory, and to inquire what attempt has been made to' es- tablish banking institutions upon said claims, so attempted to be foisted upon the Territory, and to inquire into all matters connected with or growing out of said claims under said act, with full power to send for persons and papers," &c. He was made
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chairman of the committee, and the report that he made on the matter to the House proves that he was able to cope with the most difficult questions. It is one of the most complete investigations and reports that could be made, which developed one of the most stupendous frauds that was ever attempted to be put into operation against the public, and to force upon the Territory and new State to pay, which was refuted by the sagacity of such men as Gilpatrick. He returned from the Legislature, after the admis- sion of Kansas as a State, and resumed his duties as superintendent of public instruction. At the out- break of the rebellion he entered the service as a secret detective on the border (a most difficult and hazardous service), and continued in this service until the 25th day of April, 1863, when, at the battle of Webber's Falls, in the Indian Territory, he went outside the lines to attend some wounded rebel soldiers, and, while dressing their wounds, a squad of rebels rode up and called him out and shot him dead. His body fell, pierced by a dozen bullets. He was buried at Fort Gibson. In his death the army lost a brave soldier, and the country a true patriot.
Among the noted settlers in the northeastern por- tion of the county, of 1855, was W. C. McDow, of Mississippi. He settled near Greeley, on the farm now owned by Reuben Lowry. He was anti-slavery in politics. He was, in 1856, appointed justice of the peace, and elected to that office for a number of
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years thereafter. He was a preacher, and held the first quarterly meeting in the county, in the fall of 1856. He has lived a consistent christian life, re- spected in his neighborhood.
Among the early settlers of the county Alanson Simons is worthy of notice. He came from the State of Ohio, and settled on the Pottowatomie, two miles east of Garnett, in May, 1856, and was a reliable Free State man. He took an active part in that cause in the early struggles in the Territory. He was a member of the Pottowatomie guards, and did valuable service therein. He selected a claim, im- proved and pre-empted it, and has made of it a fine and valuable farm. No man in the county has been more highly and repeatedly honored than he, which is shown by the number of positions of trust which he has held. He discharged the duties of these offices with satisfaction to the people and credit to himself. He went into the army in 1862, and served until the close of the war. He now resides on his farm, deservedly enjoying the fruits of his labors.
On the 15th of March, IS57, a colony of about fifty persons left Scipio, Jennings county, Indiana, for Southern Kansas. William Spriggs, George S. King, Sarah Spriggs, J. M. Johnson, Benjamin Spriggs, Tobias May, Morgan Heflin, James Spriggs, Riley Spriggs and B. P. Brown, and each of their families, and J. C. Johnson, Hiram Spriggs and A. Heflin belonged to the colony. On the 20th day of April following the colony arrived in Anderson
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county, and settled in the neighborhood of Scipio. They at once selected claims and commenced erec- ting cabins, breaking prairie and opening farms. By the first of September they had some ten houses built, and families living in them. William Spriggs and Morgan Heflin opened a store at a little town selected by them, called Fairview, where they kept such articles as were most needed by the colonists.
During that spring a number of settlers located in the neighborhood, among whom were Leander Put- nam, Cornelius Anderson, H. Cavender, John H. Best, Jackson Reed, Nathaniel Cottle, B. F. King, Thomas G. Headley, Rev. Hugh Reed, Chester Cummings, G. W. Flint, A. D. Jones, B. L. Ad- ington and John S. Jones. On the arrival of the colony they found Rezin Porter, James Black, Jack- son Black, Mrs. Totton, E. P. Bangus, G. W. Yan- dall, William Tull, William Puett, John H. Wolken, Henry Feuerborn and Christian Feuerborn. The colony settled in what is now Putnam township. In the summer of 1858 the colony laid out a town and called it Scipio, which never had any existence ex- cept on paper. The neighborhood where the col- ony settled is one of the most beautiful and well- improved portions of the county.
William Spriggs was the leading man of the col- ony. He was a lawyer by profession, had been an Old Line Whig, was a radical Republican when he came to the Territory, and has held many responsi- ble positions and offices. He was elected delegate
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to the constitutional convention, known as the Leav- enworth convention, and served with distinction in that body. He was elected judge of the Fourth judicial district in October, 1858. He was elected to the Territorial Legislature, where he did good service on the judiciary committee.
The White Cloud Chief, published by Sol. Miller, in its issue of March 4, 1859, in speaking of the Legislature that had just adjourned, speaks in the following complimentary terms of the Hon. W. Spriggs, of Anderson county :
" Among the members worthy of thanks from their con- stituents, and from the citizens of the Territory generally, I would mention Lewis and Larzelere, of Doniphan county ; Vail, of Marshall county, and Spriggs, of Anderson county. Lewis and Spriggs, of the judiciary committee, worked faithfully and earnestly in committee room and in the House, and no two others of that body did half so much to perfect the business in a manner satisfactorially to all. A few more such men as I have mentioned, and Kansas would have a Legislature not far in the rear of the Eastern States."
In December, 1859, he was elected senator from this district, under the Wyandotte constitution, and was in the first Legislature of the State ; was a mem- ber of the court of impeachment that tried Gov. Charles Robinson for high crimes and misdemean- ors in office. In 1862 he was elected Treasurer of State, and re-elected in 1864, which office he filled with entire satisfaction to the people, and credit to himself and the State. In March, 1867, he was ap- pointed judge of the Seventh judicial district, and
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served in that capacity until January, 1868. He has been one of the most active men that ever came to the State. He was one of the projectors of the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston railroad ; spent more money and time that was never repaid in procuring it than any other man. He paid for the survey of the road from Lawrence to Garnett , out of his own money, and has never received any- thing for his time and money. He was one of the originators of the Paola & Fall River railroad, and has given his time and money to secure its construc- tion, with some prospect of success. While he is entitled to more credit for the improvements in the county than any other man, he has received more abuse and condemnation than all other men in the county ; but, to his credit, the abuse came from a class of persons always opposed to public enter- prise and improvement ; a class of chronic grum- blers and defunct politicians. His labors will re- dound to the benefit of the country, and his name be honored long after his traducers have been for- gotten.
Henderson Cavender, another prominent settler near Scipio, came to the county in 1857. He has held several prominent positions. He was twice elected county treasurer ; three times to the Legis- lature ; and three times as county commissioner. He has held other positions. He was an active, energetic man, and entitled to great credit for his labors in behalf of the county. He, like many
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others, made some mistakes in judgment, which embarrassed him financially. He sold his property and removed to Johnson county, Kansas, and now resides at Shawnee Mission.
Thomas G. Headley was a noted settler, near Scipio, of 1857. He was twice elected county treasurer, twice county commissioner, and once a member of the Legislature. He never acquired much property, his liberality and charity being too great for him to become wealthy. He died, in Gar- nett, in 1870, a good citizen, highly respected, a member of both fraternities, the Masons and Odd Fellows.
Leander Putnam is among the noted settlers in the Scipio neighborhood of 1857. He has been elected to many offices of his township. He was elected justice of the peace in 1859, and held that office for several years. He has been elected trustee and as- sessor several times. Is a good, quiet, respectable citizen.
Dr. Thomas Lindsay located in Garnett in 1857. He came from Iowa, is a native of Ohio, had been engaged in his profession several years prior to his coming to Kansas. He was a prominent Free State man, participated in most of the political discussions during the early settlement, and has since held sev- eral prominent positions. In 1859 he was elected to the House of Representatives, and was an earnest worker in that body. In 1862 he was commissioned surgeon in the Twelfth regiment of Kansas volun-
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teers, and served as such until the close of the war. when he returned and was again elected to the Leg- islature in 1866. He was a member of the Legisla- ture when Pomeroy and Ross were elected to the United States Senate. He is now enjoying a large practice in his profession, having principally retired from political life.
G. A. Cook, of Sandusky county, Ohio, in March, 1857. settled three miles northeast of Garnett, took a claim and opened a fine farm. In 1857 he was appointed sheriff, and subsequently was elected and held the office until January, 1861. In 1862 he was elected justice of the peace, and held that office until January, 1870, when he again resumed the duties of sheriff, having been elected to that office in November, 1869. He was again elected justice of the peace in 1873, which position he still occu- pies. He has been a faithful officer. He was a re- liable Free State man of public spirit, and ready at all times to assist public enterprises.
Samuel S. Tipton came to the county in 1857 : settled in the west part of the county, at the place known as Mineral Point. He was one of the most prominent Free State men in the western part of the county. He took an active part in most of the po- litical meetings in the county. He was the president of the convention that organized the Republican party in the county. He brought with him to Kan- sas a lot of forty-five thoroughbred cattle, and was considered for a number of years the first cattle
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man in the State. He has dealt extensively in blooded cattle, and remains in that lucrative business.
William Dennis came to the county in 1857, from Indiana. He has been a prominent man in his town- ship, a radical Republican, and leader in his party. He has been elected justice of the peace and trustee several times, filling the offices with satisfaction to all.
James G. Blunt settled on a claim northwest of Greeley, in the forks of Pottowatomie, in the winter of 1856. He came from Ohio ; was a doctor by profession : a Republican in politics. He practiced his profession until the breaking out of the rebel- lion. In 1859 he was a member of the Wyandotte constitutional convention, and participated in most of the debates in that body. In 1861 he entered the army as lieutenant colonel, was soon thereafter promoted to the rank of brigadier general, and for meritorious service, in 1863, was promoted to major general. He was the only officer of that rank from Kansas. He distinguished himself as a soldier in many important battles during the rebellion. He was a good officer. After the close of the war he removed with his family to Leavenworth, where he now re- sides. His name is familiar in national history as General Blunt, and will live as long as our nation's history of the rebellion exists.
,
D. W. Houston, of Pennsylvania, came to Kan- sas in 1858 : a lawyer, a Republican, an active man in politics. He succeeded in his practice of the
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ANDERSON COUNTY.
law, had a good practice in this and other counties. and did much to develop the county. He entered the army in 1861 as a first lieutenant in the Seventh Kansas cavalry volunteers ; was soon promoted to captain, and then to lieutenant colonel ; but failing health compelled him to resign in 1864, when he was elected to the State Senate. In 1869 he was appointed United States marshal for the district of Kansas, and soon thereafter his family removed to Leavenworth, where he now resides.
Preston Bowen came to Garnett in 1857, from the State of Illinois. He was a physician. a Democrat in politics, and has been a prominent man in the county. He opened the first dry goods store in the county, in May, 1857, in a log cabin in Garnett. He soon thereafter removed his store to Shannon. where the county seat then was located. He has been elected county commissioner twice, and made an efficient officer. He still resides on his farm, on the old townsite of Shannon.
A. G. West settled on the Osage, a small stream in the southeastern part of the county, in 1857. He was from Ohio, a Free State man, a Republican, and participated in the many difficulties of the early settlement of the county. He was one of Mont- gomery's men. Has held several prominent posi- tions. He was once treasurer of the county, and brought order out of chaos. He served as an efficient member, one term, in the Legislature. He
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is a successful farmer, and owns one of the finest farms in the county.
Joseph Price, a native of North Carolina, came from Illinois to the southern part of the county in 1858. He was one of the proprietors of Elizabeth- town, a prominent man, and held several township offices.
Thomas J. Day was the first settler on Deer creek. He came there in 1855. He was one of the first commissioners of Allen county ; and was one of the proprietors of Elizabethtown. He is a practical farmer, a good citizen, and owns a good farm in the southern part of the county, where he resides.
Among the early settlers in the western portion of the county none deserves mention more than Solomon Kauffman, who came to the county in May, 1856, and settled on a quarter-section of land, built a cabin and made other improvements, and finally pre-empted it. He came from Iowa to Kan- sas, when a young man, full of energy and resolute in purpose. He took an active part in the affairs and difficulties in the county and Territory. When serious troubles arose in the summer of 1856, he enlisted in the Free State volunteer service, under Gen. J. H. Lane, and afterwards joined the Free State militia, under Captain Samuel Walker, of Law- rence, and served in his company until the close of the troubles, in December, 1856. He was present at Topeka at the meeting of the Free State Legisla-
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