USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people, Vol. I > Part 45
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Next to Commander-in-chief Weissert, Past State Commander Warner is one of the youngest looking men in the encampment. National Commander Weissert marched in line with the boys and it is the first time that the commander-in-chief has ever marehed on foot in a parade. He marched with Department Commander Whitehead, Post Commander Warner, and Assistant Adjutant General Rogers, and they were as youthful appearing a quartette as could be found in the column.
James Hire, of the Joplin Post, beat the army record for lung power by blowing the street electric wagon machine up to 2200.
J. E. McNair, ex-postmaster of Webb City, searched the register care- fully for a familiar name amongst the Lawrence veterans.
Chaplain Haggerty, who has served several terms, wears his hair, which is as white as the snow flakes, a la Andrew Jackson.
Captain Teets, who was a member of the first Ohio Infantry, looked in vain on the register for the name of a member of his regiment.
The fine appearance of the delegations from the several St. Louis posts excited frequent favorable comments along the line of parade.
George H. McCann, of the Old Coon Tobacco works, at Springfield, sent the boys a barrel of smoking tobacco and a supply of pipes.
Hon. W. S. Norton, of Scammonville, Kansas, attends the encampment and renewed acquaintance with his former Joplin neighbors. He was marshal here during the exciting time of the Lupton riot.
McConey & Son and T. W. Cunningham will be kindly remembered by the delegates for a bountiful supply of ice water conveniently placed for their use on the sidewalk in front of the Bank of Joplin.
Colonel J. P. Tracey, United States marshal for the western district of Missouri, is a member of the Springfield delegation. Colonel Tracey can laugh just as loudly as when he was the modest editor of the Car- thage Banner.
Past Commander Warner evidently enjoys good digestion and an easy conscience. Ile left his uniform at home because the pantaloons lacked four inches of being sufficient for his equatorial expansion.
The United chorus by the entire department which accompanied Commander Whitehead's solo "Marching Through Georgia" at the afternoon session, fairly made the Club Theatre building tremble with the immense volume of patriotic melody.
When the encampment adjourned at noon it marched to the Frisco depot and escorted National Commander Weissert to his hotel. At the afternoon session a committee was appointed to escort him to the Club Theatre. Ile was there formally introduced to the encampment and delivered an address.
THE CAMP FIRE
The camp fire at the Club Theater was the crowning event of the ses- sion, and long before the hour for opening the building was packed to its capacity. Mayor R. B. Tyler for the city ; president F. E. Williams, of the Joplin Club, both delivered addresses of welcome and Past Depart-
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ment Commander Rassieur and Major William Warner responded on behalf of the old soldiers.
Rev. J. J. Martin of the First M. E. church and at that day one of Joplin's most entertaining talkers and Judge Charles G. Burton, depart- ment commander-elect, were called for and made pleasing talks. In- spector General Henry was called and responded with a patriotie song which set the audience wild with excitement.
Miss Nellie Bartlett, now Mrs. Snyder, of Kansas City, then one of Joplin's most charming elocutionists, gave a reading which was the hit of the evening. The Carthage Mandolin Club and the G. A. R. Glee Club, of Kansas City, interspered the speeches with musical hits and patriotie airs.
The evening's entertainment was closed with a drill by sixteen pretty high school girls, under the command of "Col." V. Letta Speaks, then one of Joplin's popular lady teachers.
ELECTION
It is always customary to elect the junior department commander from the city where the encampment is held and Past Commander Henry Phelps was honored by the G. A. R. for this important post.
At the next annual encampment Post Commander J. L. Briggs, who perhaps more than any other one man had made the Joplin meeting a success, was selected as Missouri's representative on the National Council of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was three suc- cessive times reelected. At the meeting of the Woman's Relief Corps Mrs. J. L. Briggs was chosen department vice president and at the next meet- ing passed to the chair.
SOUTH WEST MISSOURI PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION PICNIC
During the spring of 1891 a strong society was founded, composed largely of farmers. and known as the South West Missouri Protective Association, its objects being to capture and bring to speedy justice all evil doers, especially horse thieves.
Three lodges or companies were formed in the territory contiguous to Joplin, and these three joined in a pienie and celebrated at ('unning- ham's Grove. on June 1, 1891. At about eleven o'clock the members of the organization gathered in the Kansas City bottoms and rode 200 strong through Main street in JJoplin to the grove. The parade was an imposing spectacle and was a great object lesson. T. W. Cunningham was the marshal of the day and handled the horsemen like a veteran cavalry commander. After dinner at the grove speeches were had, Wilbur, Hanghawout, of Tower of Light Lodge, being the principal speaker.
THE JOPLIN CYCLE CLUB
The bicycle was as popular among the smart set in the nineties as the automobile is now, and Joplin had several hundred wheelmen who organized in 1897, the Joplin Cycle Club with 200 members. W. P. Cleavland as captain.
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The first one of the notable events given by this club was a ten mile county cross-road raee, on June 19, 1897. The start and finish were witnessed by thousands of people, Joplin street from Third to Sixth being literally packed; Fourth and Joplin was the starting point. Forty-two wheelmen took part in the raee, which was won by W. P. Cleavland with Robert Holmes, second; W. C. Trautman, third; and Harry Rogers, fourth.
The road-raee was so popular that the club took a lease on Cox Park and constructed a splendid race course. On September 9, 1897, a racing meet was had which brought to Joplin many wheehnen from abroad. In the morning a parade was participated in by the two hundred mem- bers of the club and perhaps fifty out-of-town eyele enthusiasts. This parade was one of the interesting features of the meet, many of the riders costuming themselves in grotesque and fancy costume, and the line of march resembled very much a mardi gras parade.
Seven great racing events were had, as follows: Event No. 1-Inter- state championship, eleven starters, was won by Robert Holmes, with Joe Stebbins, of Carthage, second and Geo. F. Haskins. of Webb City, third.
Event No. 2-Trick and fancy riding; won by Murray Williams.
Event No. 3-Open-mile amateur; ten starters; F. B. Hatterley, of St. Louis, winner; time, 2:30.
Event No. 4-Half-mile professional; five starters; Bert Halker, Kansas City, winner; time, 1:13.
Event No. 5-Exhibition in track riding: winner, Geo. H. Powell, Ft. Seott.
Event No. 6-Two-mile amateurs; seven starters: Dan Daugherty, of St. Lonis, winner; time, 5:38.
The elosing event was a one-mile professional, a most exciting eon- test, which, on account of a dispute as to the rules of the raee, was twice run. Sam Coburn was the winner, making the mile in 2:05.
After this event quite a number of interesting exhibitions were given by professional wheelmen in attendance and the day went down in the history of Joplin as a great event, as far as sport was concerned.
A number of eyele meets were had, all of which excited great inter- est. The Cycle Club was exceedingly popular until, in the last deeade, when the automobile has taken its place.
CHAPTER XXXVII
WEBB CITY
POLITICAL HISTORY DURING THE 'NINETIES-SCHOOL SYSTEM FOR TWENTY-
FIVE YEARS-THE WEBB CITY COLLEGE-NEWSPAPERS-BUILDING OF THE NEWLAND HOTEL-RECEPTION BY WEBB CITY LODGE, No. 115, K. P .- WEBB CITY DIVISION, No. 11, U. R. K. P .- THE EBERTS- WRIGHT STAG PARTY.
During the nineties, Webb City almost doubled its population. It. spread out to the south and west and became not only a most busy mart, in a business way, but a eity beautiful.
We mention here a score or more of incidents which represent the life, thought and activities of the people.
POLITICAL HISTORY DURING THE NINETIES
The first election held under the new charter in April, 1890, was hotly contested and resulted as follows: T. J. Harrington, mayor; John Brown, marshal; August Brewster, city attorney; A. C. Crandall, collector; E. T. Webb, treasurer, and John J. Corbill, recorder (police judge).
City Council-First ward, C. P. Hendrickson and Paul Maron; sec- ond ward, Walter Tholburn and William Helburn; third ward, W. W. Greenlee and W. C. Reed; fourth ward, John J. Craig and E. Swartz.
At the off-year election, 1891, the following gentlemen came into the council : John Martsolf, N. N. Burkhead and John Dunlap.
1892: Mayor, C. S. Manker; marshal, H. W. Piatt; assessor, J. M. Magill ; treasurer, E. T. Webb; attorney, W. M. Robinson ; reeorder, G. WV. Phillips; collector, S. B. Wells.
City Council-W. W. Wampler, Louis Helm, W. E. Reed and E. E. Brandsbury, together with the hold-over members elected in 1891. heavy vote was polled at this elcetion.
At the spring eleetion of 1893, the following members came into the couneil : O. P. Sutherland. C. J. McClelland, L. O. Walker and II. E. Hateher.
1894: Mayor, J. J. Funk; marshal, Il. W. Piatt ; city attorney, E. C. Crow; police judge, A. M. Whitworth ; assessor, L. E. Albright and treasurer, E. T. Webb.
Couneil-David Baeon, George E. Quinby, A. B. Smith and F. M. King, together with the hold-over members eleeted in 1893.
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At the spring election, 1895 the following gentlemen came on the council : L. D. Hare, Jerry Clark, J. C. Abbott and L. R. Reed.
At the fall election of 1894 Judge William Robinson was elected to the supreme court of the state and E. C. Crow, city attorney of Webb City, was appointed by the governor to fill out the vacancy. This was quite a coincident, the city attorneyship of Webb City being the step- ping stone to the circuit court in both incidents. Judge Crow later be- came attorney of the state. W. J. Owen filled out Judge Crow's term as city attorney.
1896: Mayor, F. M. King; marshal, Calvin Fox: police judge, A. M. Whiteworth ; city attorney, W. J. Owen ; treasurer, H. B. Hulett ; col- lector, J. B. Overstreet and assessor, J. S. Harrison.
Council-J. M. Lenesta, Ab Rich, W. C. Pugh, William James, and Adam Lagle, with the hold-over members elected in 1895.
Mr. King resigned at the close of his first year and J. W. Frye was elected to fill out the unexpired ierm.
1898 : Mayor, E. E. Spracklin ; marshal, J. A. Brown : city attorney, A. M. Whitworth ; police judge, J. Rooney ; assessor. P. L. Martin ; col .. W. E. Reed; treasurer, H. B. Hulett.
Council-J. E. Locke, D. L. Mosier, W. H. Shelton and T. J. Harring- ton, together with the hold-over members elected 1897.
During this administration the city limits were extended south to Oakland but were contested in court and declared void.
In 1899 the following gentlemen came into the council: J. M. Linerba, A. D. Hatton, John Quary and W. L. Howard.
SCHOOL SYSTEM FOR TWENTY-FIVE YEARS
We are indebted to Miss Ella Helm, teacher of history in the Webb City High School, for the following review of the Webb City sehools covering the later 'eighties, the 'nineties and the first ten years of the present century.
The perpetuity of the free institutions of our country depends upon the intelligence and patriotism of her eitizens. The public school is the medium by which the proper preparation for good citizenship may be aceomplished, and we feel a just pride in what has been and is being done along these lines. Today it is my pleasure to tell you about the development and growth of the publie schools since I came here.
Seventeen years ago an eight-room frame sehool house stood where the Central High School building stands today. It had no library, no laboratory-in fact, no conveniences like the modern sehool building of this city today, and was the only structure of the kind in the town.
The enrolment at that time was between four and five hundred. The directors were W. E. Foster, Josiah Van Buskirk and John Jancoek. The corps of teachers were: Principal, Theodrie Axline; V. Letta Speaks, Ella Helm, Ella Walker, M. J. Weatherford, Willie E. Franklin, Ruby Robinson and Rose Fishburn.
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Owing to the floating population and overcrowded condition of the schools, they were not well graded. I remember distinctly a fad grew among the students to let the "big geography" be a basis for classifica- tion, and, without regard to intellectual attainments, the big, the little, the wise, the unwise, came to my department and said in an assured tone: "I am classified, for I have the 'big geography.' "
The first morning of the session, the High School pupils were per- mitted to select their own course of study, for it would have been dif- fieult to have done otherwise with this motley crowd-representatives from so many different schools and so many different states. By careful study of the advancement of the pupils, Professor Axline made the following High School course of study, suited to the needs of the times : Physical geography, higher arithmetic, algebra, plane geometry, botany, zoology, physics, rhetoric, general history and English literature.
There were no graduates the first year and, instead of having the regular graduating exercises, we had a "strawberry festival" in which the entire community took part. The proceeds of the evening were ninety-four dollars, and the money was applied for the purchase of the organ now in use in Room 6, West Side. The following year, the Web- ster, a four-room building, was completed and ready for occupancy ; and hence four more teachers were required.
In March, 1890, Webb City was reorganized into a city district and elected six directors, viz: G. F. C. Corl, C. E. McBride, A. A. Hulett, W. E. Foster and George Robinson; H. C. Gaston, clerk, and J. P. Stewart, treasurer. During that year the event that most seriously affected the routine of school work was the "small-pox scare." There were only fourteen pupils who continued in school, with a force of seven teachers. One teacher had only one pupil, but the bells rang and the children congregated around the "red flag." afraid to come to school, but they came to rehearsals of drills after school, and gave a glow- ing report of increase of cases, number of new flags, etc.
Under Professor Axline's supervision, we had the following gradu- ates of 1890; Plum Edwards, C. W. Fishburn, Minnie Hancock, W. II. Mc Aboy, Ada Stockston and Lucy Wolfe.
This was their program rendered at the Morris Opera House May 15, 1890:
Motto: "Not Finished, Only Begun."
Music.
Prayer by Rev. Dunlap.
Essay : "Meditation," by Minnie Hancock.
Essay : "Caesar," by Claude Fishburn.
Music.
Essay : "Over the Alps Lies Italy," by Lucy Wolfe.
Essay : -, by W. H. McAboy.
Essay : "Class Prophecy," by Ada Stockston.
Class Song.
Presentation of Diplomas, by Professor Axline. Vol. 1-27
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In two years' service Professor Axline did effective work, weeding out and grading the pupils, systematizing an elementary course of study, and laying the foundation for substantial development and growth in the future.
In 1890 Professor Stevens was employed as superintendent, with a force of twelve teachers. The highest room was No. 7, at the Central and included seventh and eighth grades and High School. The superin- tendent heard recitations in a little cloak room at the foot of the east stairway. There was no departmental work in the High School. Each teacher taught all the subjects in the grade assigned her. The schools were overcrowded. In the early spring school started in little Mineral Ridge school and continued until the opening of the West Side in 1892, with Miss Lucy Wolfe in charge.
In 1892, the West Side building was completed and the High School was changed to the West Side, occupying one room. The superintendent used the basement for his recitations. The course was extended to four years, in order to complete either Latin or scientifie course of study.
In 1892 and 1893, in addition to the old Central, Webster and West Side, school was opened in the Holiness church in the southeast part of town and also in the old Mormon church on Allen street. The follow- ing year No. 5, West Side, was to include High work with Miss Wampler in charge. The new Central was completed and ready for ocenpaney December 1, 1894. The High School then occupied three rooms.
Professor Stevens' efficient and permanent serviee rendered the pub- lic schools inestimable. His organization, his raising the standard of the High School, and his progressive spirit as an educator, have left a favorable imprint on the minds and hearts of the Webb City people. He strengthened and evened the grades by placing stress on weak work in contests in parallel grades. This was especially admirable in arith- metic, reading, phonetics and spelling.
Professor Stevens also introduced into our schools drawing, musie and nature study and fostered democratie ideas of government. His laudable means to direct and control public sentiment by public school entertainments, by public school street parade, by art exhibit and by com- parisons of grade work, were highly commendable. His wisdom in making changes without any break in the work and his worthy incentives to induce students to adopt the new, and discard the old, received the universal support of the people.
I recall the proposition offered by Professor Stevens to the effect that any room where pupils should supply themselves with the new music book should be given a free ear ride to the State Teachers' Asso- ciation at Lamar, and represent the music as taught by Professor Why- bark in the Webb City schools. There was universal interest, but my room was the fortunate one, and all had books but one; but the pupils soon took a collection and purchased another music reader.
The unique way in which "Arbor day exercises" was observed ap- pealed to each home. Each pupil was requested to clean his home yard and pile rocks up in some convenient place, and a drayman free of
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charge would call and haul them off. So you can plainly see Professor Stevens lived up to his motto: "To make the best possible of ourselves, our homes, our city."
The following are the names of the graduates during his supervision : Class of 1893-Bernice Ashcraft, Georgia Frey, Anna Julian, Frank MePherson, Nellie Redding, Mary Richards, Onie Van Ilorn and Ida Weatherford.
Class of 1894-May Ashcraft, Pauline Baum, Ella Booher, Roxie Clark, Florence Glenn, Flora Graham, Anna Hardy, Allen Hardy, Cor- dell Humphreys, Bertha Ihumphreys, Will Lane, Will Shelton, Mamie Tarrant, Nellie Tibbs and Agnes Wolfe.
Class of 1895-Anna Cabaniss, Clara Clark, Jean Clark, Harry Casner, Mamie De Lawter, Minnie Dunlap, Towle Ifall, Choteau Gar- rison, Belle Hoff, Ella Thompson, Bert Johnson, Elenora MeClelland, Fred Nesbit, Ernest Robinson, Thomas Roney, Edna Sands, Fred Barbee, Blanch Shelton, Ida Tarrant and Lulu Lane.
Professor A. G. Young, Professor Stevens' successor, was a thorough scholar, a leading educator and a worthy eitizen. In a practical busi- ness manner he sought to introduce departmental work in the High School. In its infancy Professor Young taught physics and Miss Wamp- ler, Latin. The next year he changed the course of study, and adopted the departmental plan in full. He also had Room 12 fitted up for a laboratory and introduced the laboratory method in the High School. Previous to that time, a little laboratory work had been done in ehem- istry. It was done by the teacher, however, no opportunity being af- forded for individual work. The next year he organized a teachers' library. It was first started by each teacher contributing a dollar. On leaving school, the contributors were to receive back the money donated, less ten eents for each year they had had the use of the library. This laudable seheme encouraged professional reading and study on the part of the teachers and led to the organization of a Teachers' Improvement Club which has directed the teachers to better scholarship and higher ideals.
As soon as the departmental plan was in use, Professor Young began to purchase special works of reference for each department, and also to purchase pietures appropriate to each department of a general nature.
I believe the greatest revolution in the High School was wrought by doing away with formal examinations, and making the class work the basis for promotion.
Miss Holmes, a teacher of reading, was added to the faculty during Professor Young's superintendeney and has won many laurels by her faultless interpretation of thought, by her ability to aronse pupil's originality, and by her teaching them to think for themselves and then give expression.
In 1900, the Franklin building and an addition to the Webster were built.
During the six years Professor Young was superintendent, we are
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pleased to note improvement all along the lines and a recognition of good work by the University.
The following classes graduated :
Class of 1896-Lydia Anderson, Claude Ball, Maud Barnes, Kate Capp, Deane Comer, Clarenec Foster, May Fishburn, Annie Gallienne, Jennie Hoff, Emma Johnson, Clara Long, Mary Mountjoy, Olive Nelson, Emma McAboy, Myrtle Morton, Mary Magruder, Effie Owings, James Richards, Lillie Ramsey, Mabel Radley, Myrtle Stogsdill, Katie Winter, Lottie Munson, Frank Magruder and Hubbe Wallace.
Class of 1897-Belle Dermott, Frank Funk, Alice Roney, Edna Robin- son, Dan Roe, Lulu Stinnett, Anna Tibbs and Claude Watson.
Class of 1898-Flora Hixson, Alma Jones, Wallie Jameson, Percy Morton, Bessie Munson, Ida Roney and Ernest Smith.
Class of 1899-Pearl Corl, Nellie Stewart, Roy Havens, Clare Robin- son, Fanny Margrave, Ollie Bradford, Jessie Cary, Ethel Spurgin, Flora Mason, Tinsy Cowan, Goldie Byrd and Nannie Thompson.
THE WEBB CITY COLLEGE
In 1893 the Baptists of Webb City began to agitate the question of founding a college for the higher education of the young men ond women of the county. After much hard work money was subscribed and the college founded. The laying of the corner stone in 1894 was a most imposing spectacle, all of the societies of the county assisting the Masons in the ceremonies and the parade was almost a mile long. Dr. Cook was the first president of the college and mapped out an up- to-date college course of study.
The first graduating exercises occurred May 23, 1896, twenty-three students completing the course of study. Dr. Cook was an eminent edu- cator and his personality greatly added to the popularity of the college, which continued as a Baptist school until 1905. Further mention of the college will be made in the section covering the next decade.
NEWSPAPERS
Webb City had, during the deeade, four papers which at different times influenced the life of the city and chronicled its daily happenings. The old Webb City Times, the Webb City Star, the Record and the Webb City Register, the last two still the two leading papers of the city. For a portion of the time Jesse Zook was the editor of the Register and his long editorial experience and his expert knowledge of mines and mining made this a most valuable paper.
WEBB CITY COMMERCIAL CLUB
In 1890 the Webb City Commercial Club was organized and has since been an important part of the Webb City commercial life. The charter membership of the Club was one hundred and forty, and the following were its first officers: President, J. T. James; secretary, Ted Molyneaux.
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BUILDING OF THE NEWLAND HOTEL
Among the many improvements of the nineties which helped to up- build Webb City was the erection of the Newland Hotel, which was com- meneed in 1890 and completed in January, 1891. The hotel was formally opened in February, with a sumptuous banquet which was attended by prominent business men not only from Webb City, but from all over the county. The dining room was profusely decorated with potted plants and ent flowers.
The following toasts were proposed and responded to :
"Poor Old Missouri-Moss may grow on her baek, but unlimited wealth lies hidden beneath her bosom;" by Dr. Reecer.
"Jasper County-Rich in agricultural wealth, rieher in literary at- tainments and supreme in its mineral holdings ;" by J. M. Rice, Sareoxie.
"Joplin, the metropolis of the county ;" by A. W. Newman, President Joplin National Bank.
"Oronogo, the historic old town ;"' by C. W. Elliott.
"Carterville, our twin sister ;" by J. J. Nelson.
"Webb City-Its past, present and future;" by C. L. Manker.
"Carthage, the city beautiful ;" by A. W. John.
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