USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people, Vol. I > Part 31
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
The first commencement exercises of the convent occurred in May, 1887, and the following pupils received honorable mention for exeellenee during the school year: Ida Murphy, Tillie Collins, Tamson Workizer, John Workizer, Maggie Shelhan, Maggie Ryan, Maggie Furgison, Helen Spencer, Annie Furgison, Carrie Crane, Maude Vangrundy, Belle Staf- ford and Belle Gillis.
The convent has always been a most excellently condueted school and has sent into the world graduates well-grounded in mental attainments and with a special training in good morals and gentle manners which makes them honorable as well as usefnl members of society.
JOPLIN COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS
In 1880 Dr. J. C. Petit conceived the idea of organizing a medical college for southwestern Missouri and interested in the seheme a number of the best edneators and business men of the city, among them S. A. Underwood, county superintendent of schools; Prof. J. T. Martin, later
272
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
principal of the West Joplin school; C. H. Montgomery and others. On September 20th a charter for the school was issued by the secretary of state.
J. F. Martin was chosen president of the college and the institution was opened with a faculty which contained a number of men high up in the medieal world. The college building was located on the East Joplin hill, at the corner of Broadway and John streets, an old hotel building being fitted up for the purpose. This building was burned in March, 1884.
CHAPTER XXIV
JOPLIN, RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL
FIRST M. E. CHURCHI-METHODIST CHURCHI SOUTH-TEMPERANCE RE- VIVAL-FIRST SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR-YOUNG MEN'S CHRIS- TIAN ASSOCIATION-MITE SOCIETIES-AMONG THIE LODGES-O. P. MORTON POST, No. 14, G. A. R .- KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN EAGLE --- ODD FELLOWS' ANNIVERSARY DAY-SOUTHEAST KANSAS PYTHIAN EX- CURSION-GERMANIA SOCIETY-FIRST OBSERVANCE OF LABOR DAY- KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS BALL, 1889-CHAUTAUQUA SOCIETIES-FOUND- ERS' DAY-JOPLIN'S SOCIETY-IN HONOR OF EX-MAYOR WILLIAMS' BRIDE-VISIT OF GENERAL SHERMAN.
In our chapter of the 'seventies we treated at length the organization of the churches and their early work. In this and succeeding chapters we will treat the church as a whole, mentioning only the more important happenings of the several congregations and noting, from time to time, the organization of other denominations and the extension of the church work.
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
In 1880 a very eloquent man, Rev. Philip Krohn from New York, was sent to the Joplin field and during his pastorate a new church was built at Fourth and Wall streets. The building was for its day a hand- some edifice and was furnished with modern church furniture.
METHODIST CHURCH SOUTII
In 1882 Rev. Campbell of Neosho came to Joplin and took charge of the Joplin church. During his pastorate the church in East Joplin was sold to the Baptists and a neat frame chapel built on West Fourth street, just across the alley from the North church. This building was, during the early 'nineties sold to the Colored Methodists and a pretty frame church built at the corner of Seventh and Moffet.
The old East Joplin church was sold by the Baptists to the Christian congregation at Diamond Grove and in 1885 torn down and rebuilt in that historie grove, which, during the war and early 'seventies, was the scene of great activity.
TEMPERANCE REVIVAL IN 1884
In the fall of 1884 there was inaugurated in Joplin a temperance revival by Messrs. Joseph Critchfield and Chas. J. Holt. The move- Vol. 1-18
273
274
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
ment gained a strong foothold in Joplin and like the campaign of '77-8 when the Red Ribbon movement swept the county, created great excitement. The renewal of. 1884 was under the auspices of the State Christian Temperance Union and had for its emblem the blue ribbon, denoting loyalty. The movement resulted in the organization of the Joplin Temperance I'nion (non-sectarian). The Woman's Christian Union and the Temperance Cadets, an organization of boys and girls pledged to the cultivation of good manners and good morals.
The officers of the Joplin Temperance Union were as follows: Presi- dent, A. B. Furgison; vice president, J. E. Sackett : secretary. Jennie Broadley ; treasurer, Mrs. J. B. Sergeant.
FIRST SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR
The Christian Endeavor movement, which was popularized during the later 'eighties and early 'nineties was first organized in Joplin by the Rev. J. Wesley Johnson of the Congregational church. The society, which at first was a Union Endeavor, included the young people of all churches and was fully organized February 26, 1886, with the following officers: President, Rev. J. Wesley Johnson; vice president, Emma Sellars ; secretary, C. P. Johnson ; treasurer, Grant Jones ; organist, Miss Frances Blair, and editors of the Y. P. S. C. E. Advocate, Thomas Dolan and Mamie MeClaren.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
This popular and useful organization, like the Endeavor, had its birth in the old Tabernacle. A preliminary meeting leading to the organiza- tion was held at the Tabernacle December 1, 1888, and well attended by the young men of the city. At this meeting a membership committee was appointed and arrangements made for the perpetuation of a young men's organization. The society did not at first maintain a reading room, but later a meeting was ealled at the residence of A. II. Waite, where some fifty or more men met Geo. T. Coxhead, who explained the system and workings of a Young Men's Christian Association, and here the permanent organization was planned. The real work of the Young Men's Christian Association may be said to date from this meeting.
UNION SUNDAY SCHOOL PICNIC
One of the most delightful Sunday School gatherings occurred August 18, 1885, when the Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist and Con- gregational Sunday schools joined in a visit to the Sunday schools of Baxter Springs, Kansas. Five extra coaches were put on the regular morning "Memphis" train, making eight in all, and these were loaded to the guards with Sunday school children and workers. The exeur- sionists were royally treated by the Baxter people and the day was spent on the banks of Spring river where, after an exchange of welcomes and
275
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
the usual response, a basket lunch was enjoyed. The remainder of the day was spent in boating, swimming and the playing of various games.
MITE SOCIETIES
During the entire 'eighties the Christian and Congregational churches had among their auxiliaries a mite society that provided most excellent social entertainment for the members, and also were the means of bring- ing a considerable sum of money into the church treasuries. The plan of the mite society was as follows: The society met once a week either in the church parlors, or at the residence of some one of the members. At these meetings the ehnrch members, with their friends, gathered for a literary and social session. A program, consisting of recitation, de- bates and vocal and instrumental music from the best local talent, was carried out, after which the plate was passed and each put in his "mite" -so called in commemoration of the "widow's mite." After the program and collection, games and other amusements were indulged in. These mite societies were exceedingly popular, brought the church people closer together and materially strengthened their friendships.
The Christian Mite Society was the first one formed, being organized at the residence of W. B. Lamkin, on November 7, 1879, with the follow- ing officers for the winter of 1879-80: Dr. E. A. Wills, president; Mrs. L. Z. Burr, vice president; Emma Shorters, secretary and Mrs. Susie Blakey, treasurer.
The Congregational Mite Society was organized November 12, 1879, in the church parlors, seventy-five people attending the initial meeting.
The following were its first officers: President, J. F. Martin; vice president, Mrs. O. H. Bender; secretary, Olio Harrington ; program com- mittee-Clara Craycraft, Anna Young and Janette Houghton; editor literary paper, Col. D. A. Preston.
AMONG THIE LODGES
The fraternal field was extended in Joplin during the 'eighties by the organization of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Patriotic Order Sons of America, Sons of Veterans, Woman's Relief Corps, Knights of the Golden Eagle, Knights and Ladies of Honor and the American Legion of Honor-the last two insurance societies. The Masonic field was enlarged by the organization of the Royal Arch Chapter and Ascen- sion Commandery No. 39, Knights Templar. Odd Fellowship was strengthened by the mustering of Canton Lincoln No. 16, Patriarchs militant, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen by the organiza- tion of a Legion of Select Knights.
We mention here a few of the fraternal happenings of the 'eighties with the view of showing the extent and nature of the operations of the several orders.
276
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
O. P. MORTON POST No. 14, G. A. R.
The Grand Army of the Republic brought together in a closer bond of comradeship the Union veterans of the Civil war. It inaugurated in Joplin the publie observance of Memorial day and by its exercises on flag day and other patriotic demonstrations taught a truer love of country.
O. P. Morton Post No. 14, G. A. R., took a prominent part in the planning and carrying to a successful end the celebration of the 4th of July, 1885. It entertained General Sherman, on the occasion of his visit to Joplin, in 1883. and on the day when the great soldier, U. S. Grant, was laid to rest the post conducted in Joplin a special memorial which was participated in by patriotic and military societies of Joplin and by the great majority of the people.
The following were the charter members of O. P. Morton Post No. 14: Post commander, W. H. Fairbanks; senior viee commander, F. M. Red- burn : junior vice commander, Jno. C. Barley ; adjutant, J. W. Lupton ; quartermaster, S. B. Williams; chaplain, C. J. G. Workizer; officer of the day, C. G. Wheeler; officer of the guard, II. C. Combs, B. F. Joslin, F. E. Eberhart, J. H. Minton, W. E. O. Rush, W. S. Leatt, Ira Creech, Peter Bitner, W. B. Adair, A. F. Cloud, F. P. Hyde, W. W. Pate, William Sergeant, W. G. Williams, Edwin Whipple, J. H. Shoat, M. F. Down- ing, Samuel Lake, F. D. Owen, M. L. Barner, E. W. Beach, G. O. Boucher, J. T. Evert. J. Lurwick, Samuel Ramsey, M. W. Stafford and Ira W. Gilbert.
The following were the Post Commanders during the 'eighties: W. H. Fairbanks, W. W. Pate, Galen Spencer, E. W. Beach, F. M. Red- burn. Henry Phelps and J. L. Briggs.
ASCENSION COMMANDERY No. 39, K. T.
Ascension Commandery made its first trip to a biennial conclave of the Knights Templar in 1886, when it went to St. Louis, seventy strong, to participate in the parade and exercises of that great gathering. John Gillis, then captain general of Ascension Commandery and later grand commander of the state, drilled the organization for the conclave and the white plumed knights made a most excellent appearance as they marched down main street en route to the railway station. A heavy downpour of rain at St. Louis, on the day of the grand parade, greatly marred the exercises and the pleasure of the trip.
JOPLIN LEGION NO. 2. SELECT KNIGHTS, A. O. U. W.
The Joplin Legion of Select Knights, Ancient Order of United Wood- men, won many laurels during the 'eighties on account of their splendid drilling. At the Sarcoxie fair in October, 1886, the Twelfth regiment of Select Knights held its annual encampment and in the drill contests Joplin Legion No. 2 won the first prize. The following were the mem- bers of the vietorions team : Captain, A. P. HIoyt; Ira Creech, John C.
277
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
Faulkender, 1. Zamboni, J. L. Davenport, A. L. Fairbrother, H. C. Sut- ton, S. A. Underwood, John Bauer, Charles Dorrize, H. H. Jennings, H. L. Chiekering and I. M. Dennis.
At the meeting of the grand lodge, A. O. U. W., February, 1888, S. A. Underwood of Joplin Lodge No. 34 was elected to the office of grand foreman and two years later Philip Arnold of the same body was sim- ilarly honored, the eity having been thus twice distinguished in a deeade by the five hundred delegates who annually attend these state conventions.
KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN EAGLE
The Knights of the Golden Eagle, a fraternal society having for its ohjeet the teaching and praetieing of friendship and loyalty, was or- ganized in Joplin in February, 1886, with George W. Payton as the exe- eutive officer. This society became very popular and numbered in Joplin more than two hundred members. In 1887 representatives of the order from Carthage, Webb City and Joplin (the order in the state was first founded at Carthage) met in Joplin and organized a grand lodge. Geo. W. Payton was the first presiding officer of that body and as the repre- sentative of the supreme commander visited New Orleans and intro- duced the order there.
At the meeting of the grand lodge, April 18, 1888, now having ex- tended to some twenty southwestern Missouri eities, the following grand officers were elected, Jasper county being greatly honored upon the oc- casion : John Foster, Carthage, grand commander; C. W. Evans, Webb City, viee commander; Herman Eeart, Joplin, representative to the supreme lodge.
CANTON LINCOLN No. 16, PATRIARCHIS MILITANT, I. O. O. F.
This eamp was formally mustered January 20, 1888, with the follow- ing officers: Ira Creech, captain; John II. Enrichs, lieutenant ; N. J. Street, ensign. Eighteen members were present at the muster-in. G. W. Koehler of Joplin was honored by the lieutenant general command- ing by an appointment as major and adjutant general on the general staff.
ODD FELLOWS' ANNIVERSARY DAY
On April 26, 1888, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Joplin and vieinity celebrated the sixty-ninth anniversary of the founding of the order.
A parade participated in by three hundred Odd Fellows was a fea- ture of the day. The Carthage Light Guard band, the Joplin Military band and the Galena Fireman's band enlivened the line of march, on which oeeasion Canton Lineoln made its first publie appearance and by its splendid manœuvres won the applause of the spectators. Hon. J. W. Halliburton of Carthage and Hon. J. W. MeAntire of Joplin were the orators of the occasion. The celebration was coneluded by a ball at
278
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
Ilarvin Opera House at night and went down in the history of Odd Fellowship as a gala day in Joplin.
THE SOUTHEAST KANSAS PYTHIAN EXCURSION
During the summer of 1887 the Knights of Pythias of Parsons, Kan- sas, eoneeived the idea of an excursion to Joplin, having in mind the strengthening of the bond of friendship between the members of the order of southwest Missouri and southeast Kansas. The Ancient Order of the United Workmen lodge of that city was invited to join in the outing and when the joint committee of the two lodges met to discuss arrangements it was reported that other lodges in southeastern Kansas would like to go; and so it was determined to make the exeursion a south- eastern Kansas affair and extend an invitation to all of the lodges of Knights of Pythias and Ancient Order of United Workmen in the six southeastern counties of that state.
August 15, 1887, was the day chosen and it was a red-letter day for Joplin, for the City of Lead was fairly alive with brave men who wore the red, yellow and blue and with the members of the then great fraternal insurance society.
The Joplin lodge of Knights of Pythias and Ancient Order of United Workmen had invited the members of the two fraternities of Jasper county to help entertain and make Jasper county the hosts of the day. The Kansas special of ten eoaeles was literally jammed with men, women and children. They brought with them two fine brass bands, which with the Joplin band furnished plenty of musie during the day. In uniform from Kansas were the Seleet Knights, A. O. U. W., of Parsons, number- ing thirty men; the Erie Division Knights of Pythias, twenty men; and the Parsons Division Knights of Phythias, thirty men. These with the different uniformed orders of Joplin formed a handsome procession. Mr. Frank Williams delivered an address of welcome at Fairbanks hall after which everybody "struck out" for dinner. The afternoon was spent as the visitors saw fit. At two o'clock the Erie Division K. of P. gave a drill on the street in front of the Joplin hotel, which was one of the finest drills ever put up by a eivie order in the southwest. It was the admiration of every one. After this the ball game between Webb City and Joplin was the center of attraction. At six o'eloek Main street was again a lively scene. The bieyele eontest and tournament, in which some twenty expert wheelmen of Joplin and Galena, among whom was the famous Tom Hardwick, gave exhibitions of faney riding and hill elimb- ing. The Henderson and Lewis hose companies made three runs of a hundred yards each and gave very good exhibitions of their skill. Then the Joplin Zouaves gave one of their splendid drills, which was a most pleasing close to the day's sports. The captain of the company was out of town and the boys had not intended drilling, but Lieutenant Lowder- baek got eight men together and put up a drill that captivated the vast crowd. About three o'clock something like one hundred and fifty ladies and gentlemen had assembled in the lodge room of the two orders,
279
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
and were having a delightful time in conversation and musie, when the assemblage was called to order and Mr. John Gillies, on behalf of the Select Knights of Joplin, presented to the Sigel Legion No. 36 of Parsons, a most elegantly arranged and designed cross, emblematic of the order, made entirely of specimens of Joplin lead and zinc ore.
JOPLIN RETURNS THE FRATERNAL VISIT
The fraternal visit of the Kansas Ancient Order of United Work- men and Knights of Pythias was returned by Joplin August 23, 1888, when 575 Joplinites reinforced by some 200 citizens of Galena visited Parsons, Kansas. The excursion was under the auspices of the Ancient Order of United Workmen lodge of Joplin and was managed by the fol- lowing committee : S. A. Underwood, O. B. Hamlin and H. C. Sutton. A round-trip fare of one dollar to Parsons and return was seeured and a special train of nine coaches left Joplin at 7:30 A. M., returning at midnight.
The following organizations with their wives, daughters and sweet- hearts, participated in the day's pleasures: The A. O. U. W. lodges of Joplin; Joplin Legion Select Knights; Canton Lincoln, I. O. O. F .; Patriotie Order Sons of America; Knights of the Golden Eagle; Joplin Zonaves; the Joplin Fire department and the Joplin Military Band, together with the A. O. U. W. lodge of Galena and the celebrated Galena Boom Brigade, a most excellently drilled organization of Galena belles under the command of the prince of drill masters, Col. L. C. Weldy.
At Parsons the guests were welcomed by the Rev. Elerby, in behalf of the citizens and lodge men of that city, and after dinner exhibition drills were given by the Seleet Knights, Canton Lincoln, and the Zouaves, the last one of which brought from the Kansans round after round of applause.
A contest between the hose companies of Joplin and Parsons resulted in a vietory for Joplin-the time of the two companies on a 200-yard run, laying 100 feet of hose and throwing water, being: Joplin 1:30, Parsons 2:02.
GERMANIA SOCIETY
The Joplin Germania Society has sinee its organization given an an- nual ball to which the friends who are not members of the organization are invited.
The annual ball of 1887 was given on Valentine's day and the guests and dancers appeared in faney dress and masks. Two hundred and fifty daneers were on the floor for the grand march and the immense throng thoroughly enjoyed the evening, the famous Carthage Light Guard band furnishing the musie.
FIRST OBSERVANCE OF LABOR DAY
Labor day was first observed in Joplin Monday, September 6, 1886, under the auspices of the Knights of Labor which, in the middle 'eighties was a strong organization in Joplin and Jasper county.
280
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
At 10 o'clock in the morning a parade was had and participated in by the following organizations : J. C. Petitt, grand marshal, and staff ; Joplin Military Band ; fire department ; drum corps; Knights of Labor; earriages with orator of the day; reception committee and city officials.
The exercises were held at Castle Rock, and after dinner G. P. Gar- land, chairman of the day, introduced the orator of the occasion, Hon. Jesse Harper, of Danville, Illinois.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS BALL, 1889
We clip the following from the Herald of February 26, 1889. as it will give an idea of the character and popularity of the annual Knights of Pythias ball, which oeeurred on the natal day of the order, Febru- ary 19: "The annual ball of the Knights of Pythias, an event that is always a central point of interest in society circles for weeks, came off last night at the Havin Opera House. The present ball, like its pre- decessors, was a realization of all that was anticipated by the most san- guine notaries of social pleasure. The attendance was large and com- prised the creme de la creme of Joplin society, with a generous repre- sentation from neighboring towns.
"The hall was elaborately and tastily decorated with the emblems of the order. Eighty couples participated in the dance. Among the ladies who graeed the ball the Herald reporter noted the following: The Misses May Hunt, Helen Rauschenbach, Florence Fillmore, Corinne Allington, Mattie Campbell, Stella Thurman, Kate Roberts and Ella Lamb, of Carthage; Ida Babst and Dottie Williams, of Neosho; Libbie Palmer and Amy Warren, of Baxter Springs; Laura Cooper, also of Baxter Springs ; Frank Broadley, Cora Flenniken and Mina Roberts, of Neosho; Addie Ellison and Kate Conard, of Carthage; Martha Roberson and Mamie Roberson, of Des Moines, Iowa ; Delia Sapp and Jennie Lauder- bach ; also the Mesdames J. A. Cragin, G. B. Young, Eva Richardson. J. W. Calvin, J. F. Wise, C. W. Witman, L. C. Hamilton, E. D. Porter, F. E. Williams, Elmer Webster, L C. McCarty, V. L. Petraeus (of Phil- adelphia, Pa.), II. Weymann, A. Weymann, L. C. Clark, J. G. Huher, E. P. Swift, Laura Reifsueder, D. A. Preston, H. P. Campbell, Dr. Snyder, Will Moore, A. G. Cook (of Oswego, N. Y.), W. S. Paul, Simon Schwartz, Clarence Lambert, J. B. Sherman, HI. D. Chiekering, H. HI. Gregg, Wm. Henrichs, Lewis James, Harry Crittenden (of Fredonia. Kansas). Levi Stauffer, Dila Miteh, D. K. Wenrich, S. C. Hendersen.
THE CHAUTAUQUA SOCIETIES
The Chautauqua movement, which has of late years become so popul- lar and which annually brought together thousands of the literary and musie-loving people in the 'eighties, had its beginning at Chautauqua lake, New York, and thenee spread out over the county, first by the organization of many literary clubs formed for home culture.
281
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
Joplin had two such circles and the meetings of these clubs formed a great factor in literary and social circles.
The unity Chantanqua Literary and Scientific Circle included some twenty members.
The regular Chantanqua Course of Home Reading was carried out and the essays and discussions which covered a wide range, kept its mem- bers in toneh with the great thinkers of the day.
This society was the first woman's elub in Joplin, and, after com- pleting the regular four years' and post-graduate Chautauqua courses, maintained its organization and, until the later 'nineties, held most delightful and profitable sessions. The Unity Cirele changed its name later to the Unity CInb and still holds most delightful and helpful literary sessions.
The Prospectors' Chautanqua Literary and Scientific Circle or- ganized in 1887 among the younger set, was a mixed elub and had for its leader W. P. Roberts, then principal of the high school, and later R. D. Shanmon. superintendent of schools.
FOUNDERS' DAY
On February 22, 1888, the Unity and Prospectors' circles joined in a celebration commemorating the names and deeds of the great ehar- aeters who figured prominently in the founding and building of the na- tion. The celebration was called Fonnders' day.
In carrying out the program, the different members impersonated the nation's heroes in costumes, telling the stories of their lives and ex- ploits.
The following program was carried out.
Medley of National Airs: Chorus.
Roll Call.
Quotations about America.
Address by the president of the Unity Club, Mrs. L. C. McCarty, on "The Mound Builders and the Indian Tribes."
Minnehaha, represented by Emma V. Shortess: In this representation Mrs. Shortess recited an original poem which described beautifully the history of the Indian tribes. This recitation was greatly enjoyed.
Solo : "The Death of Minnehaha," by Mrs. J. A. Fox.
Story of His Explorations: Leif Ericson, represented by Jas. B. Hogan. Narrative of His Great Discovery : Columbus represented by Joel T. Livingston.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.