USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people, Vol. I > Part 16
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At the first eleetion the following officers were chosen: Mayor, Peter Hill; eity eouneil, D. L. Thomas, II. C. Henney, J. W. Young and T. B. Tuttle.
FIRST OFFICAL DOCUMENT
The following message of the mayor is the first official document of the new government.
CARTHAOE, MO., APRIL S, 1873.
To the Honorable City Council of the City of Carthage :
GENTLEMEN .- I congratulate you on our prosperity and growth, as evinced by our change from a village to an Incorporated City. In this our ability to still further and more rapid progress is increased.
This brings with it increased responsibilities to those who the citizens have
120
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
entrusted with the management of our Municipal affairs, so much is needed to be done in the way of public improvements, and our means so limited, that it is only by a careful and impartial course, that the best interest of all will be pro- moted. The greatest amount of improvements should be made that will not work a hardship to our industrial and commercial interest.
The taxation of the many, for the building up of the few, should be held in its true light, as a wrong against the people.
No revenue should be raised except for the public benefit, our expenditures should be limited to our means of paying.
It is not my purpose to point out especially the objects that will demand your attention, but it is well to bear in mind that our treasury is empty, that our present debt is between four and five thousand dollars, nearly all of which is to be paid out of our next taxes.
Knowing the energy and enterprise of our people, and our great natural ad- vantages, I have an abiding faith in the future of the Queen City of the South- west, which is entrusted to our government.
Yours respectfully, PETER HILL.
The following appointments were made and the city was fully organized : Clerk, M. M. James ; treasurer, Peter Myers; marshal, W. W. Thornburg; assessor, M. M. James; collector, A. B. Parkell; supervisor of streets, J. W. HIart.
Couneilman T. B. Tuttle was elected president pro tem.
The new couneil was confronted with a great work. Carthage was at this time a city of at least five thousand people and was growing rap- idly, and the council at once passed laws to regulate building, establish the grade of streets and provide better police and fire protection for the eity.
CITY OFFICERS, 1873-9
The following is a list of the city officers of Carthage from the date of organization until Deeember, 1879.
1873-Mayors, Peter Hill, T. Regan; aldermen, Thomas B. Tuttle, D. L. Thomas, J. W. Young, H. C. Henney ; elerk, M. M. James; eity treasurer, Peter Myers, marshal, W. W. Thornburg; assessor, M. M. James ; collector, A. B. Parkell ; street commissioner, J. W. Hart.
1874-Mayor, Timothy Regan; aldermen, J. E. Moberly, J. W. Young, E. Sherman, J. P. Betts; elerk, D. G. White; city treasurer, E. W. Hlarper; marshal, W. W. Thornburg; assessor, D. T. White; street commissioner, J. W. Hart.
1875 .- Mayor, H. H. Harding; aldermen, F. T. Weleh, William B. Myers, C. C. Allen, Ezra Huntly ; city clerk, F. A. Beebe ; city treasurer, A. M. Drake; marshal, M. Mix; assessor, D. G. White; street commis- sioner, J. W. Hart; eity attorney, B. F. Garrison.
1876 .- Mayors. J. W. Sennet, Josiah Lane; aldermen, William Motherspaw, J. W. Sennet, G. B. MeMerrick, M. L. Reid ; elerk, F. A. Beebe; eity reeorder, G. M. Robinson; eity treasurer, J. T. Ruffin ; mar- shal, W. W. Thornburg ; assessor, J. H. Grubb; collector, W. Woodward ; street commissioner, J. W. Hart; eity attorney, D. A. Harrison.
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
1877 .- Mayor, John T. Ruffin ; aldermen, M. Block, G. W. Stebbins, I. Perkins, Enos Myers ; elerk, Jesse Rhoads ; city recorder, G. M. Robin- son ; treasurer, J. L. Bottenfield ; marshal, B. F. Thomas ; assessor, Jesse Rhoads, collector, W. Woodward; street commissioner, J. W. Hart; en- gineer, M. N. Randall ; city attorney, W. H. MeCown.
1878 .- Mayor, John T. Ruffin; aldermen, W. H. Smith, George W. Stebbins, W. S. Bower, A. E. Gregory ; elerk, Jesse Rhoads; city rec- corder, W. W. Thornburg; treasurer, John L. Bottenfield ; marshal, B. F. Thomas ; assessor, Jesse Rhoads ; collector, W. Woodward ; street com- missioner, J. W. Hart; engineer, H. H. Cloud; city attorney, T. B. Hanghawout.
1879 .- Mayor, George Rader ; aldermen, J. W. Sennet, Charles Kes- weter, John F. Hampton, W. T. Somers; clerk, Jesse Rhoads; city recorder, Daniel W. Brown; city treasurer, T. M. Garland; marshal, J. B. Buchanan; assessor, Jesse Rhoads; collector, Fred Crocker; street commissioner, J. W. Hart ; engineer, H. M. L. Innes; city attorney, F. S. Yager.
ORGANIZATION OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Carthage fire department was organized in December, 1872, by the formation of Fire King Hose Company. The following were its first officers : Foreman, C. O. Harrington ; assistant foreman, C. B. Woods.
The first fire apparatus was a Babcock engine and a hook and ladder truek. The fire company was composed of the best citizens of Carthage and for many years gave an annual ball on January 1st, which event was always popular and largely attended.
INDUSTRIES OF THE 'SEVENTIES
The Carthage Woolen Mills, for twenty years one of the most im- portant industries of Carthage, was organized July 21, 1870, and made into yarn and cloth the wool of Jasper and neighboring counties. The company was organized with a capital stock of $20,000. William B. Myers & Son were the organizers of the company, who conducted the business very successfully during the 'seventies. The mill was located on north Main street and some forty hands were employed. It turned out a fine grade of yarn, woolen blankets and high grade jeans-cloth. At the St. Louis Fair in October, 1872, the products from this mill took first prize.
On November 24, 1870, Thomas & Company completed the Globe Mill, a four-story frame. The mill had they a capacity of fifty pounds per day and made a high-grade flour.
In May, 1873, a company was organized to build and operate a foundry at Carthage. The promoters were: J. W. Young, president ; J. Brownsell, vice president; C. C. Allen, secretary ; T. N. Davey, late of Louisville, Kentucky, superintendent. The works were situated on Garrison avenue, three blocks west of the square. At the close of the 'seventies the stock of this company was quoted at 260.
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
HARDWARE
NAR, STOVES AMIS
HOTELLT SAMFUN
BUSINESS STREETS IN THE EARLY 'SEVENTIES
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IHISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
On August 7, 1874, the Brownsell wagon factory was established and a two-story briek factory at No. 2 Main street was built. In connection with the wagon factory was also operated the Eagle Machine Works, where farm implements of all kinds were made. Messrs. A. T. Wheeler, Charles Weed, A. H. Merriss, H. J. Hervin and George Keib were as- sociated with Mr. Brownsell in the factory.
In 1875 the company filled a large contract for wagons at Spring- field, showing that its reputation had gone beyond the confines of the county.
The Cowgill and Hill Mill was built during the fall of 1874, and as the years went by grew to be a four-story six-burr plant. When first built it was a small structure twenty-six by forty-eight feet. In the later part of the decade the mill was enlarged and new machinery put in, the cost of the expanded plant being $35,000.
Platts Plow Worke were established in 1875 and enjoyed a large busi- ness. The company was chartered with $20,000 capital and brought to Carthage large plow works from Des Moines, Iowa.
THIE CARTHAGE GAS WORKS
On August 7, 1877, a proposition was made to the city council of Carthage for the construction of gas works by Messrs. Gray, Bowman & Lewis and at a special election, on the 16th of that month, a twenty- years' franchise was granted the company by a vote of 240 to 48. The plant was built at a cost of $40,000, July 3, 1878. The city was lighted for the first time with gas and the illumination presented a great con- trast with the old kerosene lamps. W. L. Carver, of Joplin was made superintendent of the company and managed its affairs for many years.
NEWSPAPERS
The People's Press, independent in politics, was founded in the spring of 1872, its first issue appearing April 13th. J. A. Bodinhammer was the editor. The paper advocated reform in finance and also was the cx- ponent of the Grange movement.
On December 18, 1873, the office and fixtures of the Carthage Patriot was burned, the destruction of building, press, type and paper in stock causing a loss to Mr. Carpenter of $3,500. The Carthage Banner, with true courtesy, tendered the use of its press to the Patriot until its build- ing could be rebuilt and the Patriot came out at the usual time of publication.
In July. 1877. Thomas H. Garland. the Founder of the Carthage Ban- ner and for eleven years its editor, retired from the staff of that paper. Mr. Garland was succeeded by A. F. Lewis. The Banner was now in- corporated and issued stock for $6,000. The paper was enlarged and an- other column of telegraphie news added to its reading matter.
The Carthage Adranec, a religious paper, was established by Rev.
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
J. W. Jacobs on July 12, 1877. Mr. Jacobs retired and was succeeded by Rev. Dodge as editor.
BANKS AND BANKING
During the 'seventies three new banks were organized in Carthage and one failed, making a total of five banks which figured in the history of Carthage during the carly day.
Early in the 'seventies Al Cahn bought the interest of E. W. Harper in the old Bank of Carthage and was connected with the institution until 1880. Its deposits ranged close to the $200,000 mark all during the decade.
The pioneer National bank to be established in the county was the First National bank of Carthage, which opened its doors July 6, 1872, with the following officers and directors: President, Jesse Thacker ; vice
2
MAASUCAHN
RANK
ORY GOODS
CARTHAGE IN THE EARLY 'SEVENTIES
president, J. W. Jacob; cashier, D. L. Thomas, and Jolm A. Carter and Eugene O'Keif, directors.
In 1878 the First National Bank surrendered its charter and reor- ganized as the Traders Bank, with a capital of $30,000, preferring to operate as a state rather than a national institution.
The Farmers and Drovers Bank was chartered and commenced busi- ness in 1875. Levi Star was its first manager. In 1877 the controling stoek was bought by Messrs. Goncher and Moore and the following of- ficers were elected to manage its affairs: D. R. Goucher president and J. L. Moore cashier. Mr. Moore was a very courteous gentleman and soon made the Farmers and Drovers as popular as any financial institu- tion and greatly increased its deposits.
The Jasper County Bank was also organized during the year 1875. M. L. Reed was its president and Fred Crocker, cashier. The bank had
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111STORY OF JASPER COUNTY
a capital of $10,000 and did a niee business, its deposits reaching nearly $75,000.
In February, 1876, after successfully having passed through the panic of 1873, and having maintained a most excellent reputation in a financial way, the banking house of Peter Myers and Company, which had been in existenee since 1868, failed, and with its failure brought mueh finan- eial embarrassment to the business men of Carthage.
The following were the principal losers: J. D. MeCrillis, $5,000; Frank MeCrillis, $1,000; Chaffee & MeCrillis, $1,100; John Onstott, $3,100; John Gumbro, $3,000; F. M. Chaffee; $1,000; T. B. Tuttle, $2,200; W. C. Betts, $800; A. Seholwell, $2,000; C. W. Platt, $1,800; U. Hendrickson, $1,500; W. P. Miller, $1,000; Ruffin & MeDaniel, $1,000; S. B. Griswold, $700; Dr. Burns, $700; Thos. E. Gray, $900; T. C. Canaday, $200: Miss Brooks, $700; Mr. Countryman, $400; Mrs. O. S. Picher, $700; Mrs. Briggs, $200; Mrs. Ragsdale, $300; Mrs. Mastin, of Arkansas, $6,000.
THE KAPR HOTEL
The Karr Hotel, southwest corner of Main street and Central avenue, was built in 1878 by J. C. Karr of Parsons, Kansas. The popular hos- telry was a three-story structure thirty-six by eighty feet. It was form- ally opened Thanksgiving day, 1878, with a ball and banquet which was attended by the leading people of Carthage. George W. Rose was its first proprietor.
The year 1879 saw another new and well-equipped hotel opened in Carthage. On March 10th the City Hotel, under the management of Warner & South. threw open its doors to the public. The building was a three-story brick thirty-five by seventy feet and contained a parlor, office and commodions dining room. It was a popular and well patronized dollar-a-day house.
THE CARTHAGE OPERA HOUSE
During the winter of 1877-8 the Carthage Opera House was built by Messrs. Burlingame & Chaffee at a cost of $10,000. The Opera House occupied the second story of a business block on the south side of the square and was fifty-five by one hundred feet with 18-foot ceiling. It had a seating capacity of 900 and was for its day finely appointed. It was opened February 28, 1878, with a grand ball given by the manage- ment complimentary to the Carthage Light Guard. The ball was at- tended by 100 couples and the affair went down in history as the society event of the season.
Some of the best traveling companies of the day appeared in this popular play-house, which was used as a hall until 1889.
CARTHAGE BOARD OF TRADE
In 1876 the merchants and business men of Carthage organized a board of trade and the following were elected officers: Amos H. Coffee,
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
president; S. B. Griswold, vice president; Julins Cahn, secretary and treasurer ; A. B. Parkell, J. G. Leidy, J. T. Ruffin, Frank Hill and J. E. Mobley, executive committee.
RAILROAD RATES
One of the first important actions taken by the board of trade was the appointment of a railroad committee, which, in August, 1877, made a pilgrimage to North Carolina for the purpose of interviewing the of- ficers of the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf Railway relating to a re- duction of freight rates and better connection with the Western at Columbus, Kansas.
No definite promise was secured from the railway officials and on October 4th, with the view of forcing the railroads to a compliance with the laws, Galen Spencer, proseenting attorney, was asked to file proceed-
CARTHAGE CENTRAL SCHOOL
ings against the agent at Carthage, which he did. After a brief legal battle the roads made some slight concessions to the merchants, and Jasper county profited as a result of the vigorous action of the Carthage Board of Trade. The board also accomplished much good for the com- munity and was a great help to the entire business community.
BUILDING OF THE FIRST SCHOOL
On March 9. 1870, a mass meeting was held at Carthage to diseuss the subject of building a publie school. The meeting was presided over
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
by Judge O. H. Pieher and a number of ringing speeches were made favoring the building of a schoolhouse in keeping with the growing needs of the Queen City. It was decided to ask the school board to submit the question to the people of voting $30,000 for the building of the new school, and the question carried by a large majority. At the succeeding spring election the following gentlemen were elected members of the board and looked after the details of the building : Jacob W. Young, D. S. Thomas, W. H. Phelps, C. C. Colby, S. B. MeMerriek and J. Brownsell. The building was erected on a site containing two and one half aeres of land and was patterned after the High School of Richmond, Indiana.
The school was ready for ocenpancy for the fall term. The following were the teachers who first occupied this building and mapped out the course of study first pursued : S. M. Dickey, principal; S. B. Ormsby, N. L. Boyden, S. E. Brooks, L. C. Merwin, Jennie Herrington, Leba C. Stephenson and .J. W. Wilson, teachers.
It will be noted that six of the eight teachers were men. J. C. Mason of Vermont became principal of the Carthage schools in 1875 and served two years. Professor Mason greatly strengthened the seliools, but re- signed in 1877 to accept the superintendency of the school at Joplin. He was succeeded by L. Willson, principal of the high school.
HIGH SCHOOL COURSE OF STUDY
Under the superintendency of Mr. Willson a course of study for the high school was adopted and the pupils classified accordingly. The fol- lowing is the course of study adopted Angust 30, 1877 :
FIRST YEAR
LATIN
ENGLISH!
Latin. (Grammar and Reader. ) Algebra. Arithmetic.
Algebra. Arithmetic. Physical Geography.
Latin (ut supra). AAlgebra. Rhetoric.
AAlgebra. Physical Geography. Rhetoric.
Latin (ut supra). Algebra. Rhetoric.
AAlgebra. Physical Geography. Rhetoric.
SECOND YEAR
Latin, ((':sar). AAlgebra.
('ivil Government.
Algebra. Civil Government. I'niversal History.
Latin (ut supra). Natural Philosophy. Civil Government.
Natural Philosophy. I'niversal Ilistory. ('ivil Government.
Latin (ut supra). Natural Philosophy. Physiology.
Natural Philosophy. I'niversal History. Physiology.
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
THIRD YEAR
Latin (Virgil).
Geometry.
English Literature. Geometry.
English Literature of Mental Science. Chemistry.
Latin (ut supra).
Geometry.
English Literature. Geometry.
English Literature or Mental Science. Astronomy or Geology.
Latin (ut supra).
English Literature.
Geometry.
Geometry.
English Literature or Mental Science. Botany or Zoology.
FIRST PUPILS
The following monthly report shows the standing of the pupils of the school at the end of the first year of Prof. Willson's administration; 100 signifies perfeet, 90 very good, 80 good and 50 indifferent.
Scholarship
Attendance
Punctuality
Deportment
Names of Pupils.
BOYS.
Buttler, G. O.
96
95
98
93
Crow, Ed.
94
100
95
90
Houghawout, A. R.
95
98
100
90
Jacobs, Jay
94
100
100
93
Jacobs, E. B.
97
95
98
90
Pixlee, R. O.
SS
95
100
90
Pixlee, Wm. E.
93
95
60
55
Pinney, John
82
93
98
90
Pierce, Burt
95
100
100
98
Dickey, Charles
95
90
9S
95
Gibson, G. M.
79
90
98
94
Case, C. J.
79
85
95
80
Dickey, Frank
94
100
9S
100
Pierce, Frank
97
95
100
95
Woodmansee, M.
96
98
95
90
Miles, Charles
95
93
100
65
Miles, E. O.
93
95
100
95
Chaffee, Frank
89
93
93
S5
Corwin, Miles
94
100
9S
95
James, Willie
97
100
100
100
GIRLS.
Brown, Lonie.
SO
SO
100
S5
Beasley, Nettie
100
100
90
Chandler, Miriam
97
100
100
95
Conwell, Edith
79
98
100
90
Chase, May E.
87
90
90
90
Funk. Minnie
94
65
95
95
Feathers, Clara
96
100
93
95
Fisher, Katie
91
100
95
95
Fogerson, Adda
SS
9S
73
90
Vol. I-9
100
98
93
Harrison, H. F.
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
.larrison, Ella
SS
100
9S
95
Jenkyn, Annie
92
100
100
Long, Mollie
95
100
100
95
Millow, Amy
$3
98
100
100
Peterson, Alice
02
100
95
95
Parkell, Florence
00
100
90
Prigmore, Mattie
00
100
90
Steinmetz, Laura
SS
75
95
90
Stockton, Ella
92
98
95
Young, Emma
97
100
100
95
Chaffee, Anna
82
98
95
95
Fenner, Lizzie
84
95
100
98
Rawson, Wellie
92
100
100
9S
M. WILSON, Teacher.
This class contains the names of several who have won state-wide reputation. Ed Crow was cirenit judge in 1894 and was elected at- torney-general of Missouri in 1896. R. O. Pixley was grand chancellor of the Knights of Pythias in 1909 and E. B. Jacobs, cashier of the First National Bank of Carthage and president of the Jasper County Bankers Association is one of the shrewdest financiers of the county.
The first class from the high school was graduated May, 1878, and contained the following names: Frank Pierce, Ed C. Crow, Lonie Brown, Ira I. McConnell, Florence C. Parkell, Nettie Beasley and Fannie West.
The class of 1879 had five graduates-Charles L. Diekey, Ora M. Brummet, Nanie Dinsmore, Anna B. Spice and Ellen M. Chase.
THE CARTHAGE LITERARY SOCIETY
One of the most popular literary societies at Carthage during the early 'seventies was the Carthage Literary Society, which was organized during the fall of 1870 and which, for several winters afterwards, held most interesting meetings. The officers for the season of 1870-1 were W. A. Glassford, president, and A. C. Spencer, secretary.
We note among the Carthagenians who have achieved success in life, the following prominent members of the society: E. Jacobs, George A. Case, and F. M. Harrison.
In 1872 this association was instrumental in securing a lecture course at Carthage which included among others the following noted platform orators: Ilon. John Monteith, John Baker, of Chicago, and Prof. Win- chell of the Michigan University.
THE CARTHAGE LIBRARY
Carthage is often referred to as the Queen City and well deserves the compliment, not only on account of her many beautiful homes, but be- cause of the high moral tone and literary tendencies of its people.
The first publie library in the county was founded at Carthage in January, 1870. A number of literary and book-loving people met for the purpose of talking over plans for the establishment of a reading room. Judge O. II. Picher was called to the chair and H. C. Henney
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
acted as secretary. After a discussion of the matter it was decided to found a library, and the literary-loving people were asked to donate books and subscribe money for its benefit. On February 22nd the society event of the season, a grand ball, was given at Regan's Hall for the benefit of the library and a neat sum was netted. This was the beginning of a series of entertainment given for the library and by June 1st enough money had been raised with which to buy the first instalment of books and magazines.
O. H. Picher and H. C. Henney and Mesdames Tower, Mitchell and Griffith were appointed a committee to select the same. The library at first was placed in the Banner Office and II. C. Henney, eity editor of that paper, was made librarian. Wednesday and Saturday of each week were library days and the books were widely read. At the end of the first year of the association, four hundred and thirty-seven books were in the library .
This collection continued to grow and later formed the nucleus for the public school library.
CHAPTER XVI
CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH-THE METHODIST CHURCH (SOUTH) -GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH-THE SWEDISHI CHURCH-COLORED CHURCHES-THE METHODIST CHURCH (NORTH)-PRESBYTERIAN AND BAPTIST CHURCHES-RED RIBBON MOVEMENT-KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS -THE 1. O. O. F. LODGES-THE MASONS-CARTHAGE LIGHT GUARD- THE CARTHAGE PIONEER CLUB.
The year 1870 found Carthage with four organized churches-the Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist and Episcopalian. During the next decade five more churches were established and one more was in course of formation. We present here a sketch, of the religious work of Car- thage during the decade of the 'seventies.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCII
On the first Wednesday in January, 1870, twelve people met in coun- eil in one of the churches of Carthage. When a company of Christians desire to form a Congregational church they adopt their constitution and send invitations to two or more of the nearest Congregational churches which elect a delegate who, with the pastor, responds to the invitation. When the delegation meet they examine the articles of faith the church has prepared and, if found consistent with the Word of God and the Congregational usuage, they are, by vote of this couneil, declared a Con- gregational church. The council called to meet at Carthage was com- posed of a delegate from the church at Neosho, Rev. C. C. Caldwell, and one from the church at Lamar, these being the only Congregational churches then organized in the southwest. This eouneil examined the constitution and decided that the society should be known as a Congre- gational church. II. B. Fry, a graduate of Oberlin College and then the agent of the American Home Missionary Society, was chosen pastor and duly ordained, Rev. C. C. Caldwell of Lamar preaching the ordination sermon.
The sermon of the Rev. Caldwell was the last he ever delivered, hav- ing exposed himself by the long drive from Lamar to Carthage in a severe storm and dying a few days after his return home from a siekness brought on by this exposure.
The congregation rented the Methodist church for afternoon services where they worshiped for thirteen months, when they went to the Baptist
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
church by invitation of that denomination which were then without a pastor. After occupying this building until the society secured a regular pastor they moved to the Presbyterian church, in response to an invita- tion published by the session of that church inviting the newly organized Episcopal and Congregational churches to worship with them until a house of worship was secured.
In January, 1872, just two years after the organization of the church work was commenced on a chapel. Rev. Fry labored the entire year with the workmen helping to build the church, writing his sermons and mak- ing his pastoral calls at night. On November 24th the church was oc- enpied for the first time. A Sunday school was organized on December Ist and had at its first meeting on attendance of forty-one.
The congregation continued to worship in the unfinished building until 1874, when it was completed, the cost up to that time being $3,600 -$600 for the lot and $3,000 for the building.
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