USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people, Vol. I > Part 46
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RECEPTION BY WEBB CITY LODGE, No. 115, K. P.
Perhaps the most brilliant lodge affair of the early nineties was the reception and bnaquet tendered to the Knights of Jasper and Barton Counties and Galena, Kansas, by the Webb City Lodge, No. 115, K. P .. August 29, 1891.
At 8 o'clock in the evening the visiting delegation, eighty strong, and representing visitors from the lodges at Lamar, Carthage, Carterville, Oronogo, Carl Junetion, Joplin, Galena and Ft. Scott, Kansas, assembled at the lodge room, where a general good time was had and everybody made acquainted by the reception committee, after which the lodge was duly opened and the three ranks conferred on a class of candidates. At 12 o'clock the lodge, with their guests, took up their march to the Newland hotel, where they were most royally entertained. Here a seene of gay festivity presented itself. The banquet room was beautifully decorated with the colors of the order and the red, white and blue of the nation. The tables were ornamented with potted plants and eut flowers and half hidden from view in a grotto of flowers and plants, an orchestra played inspiring musie. After the banquet a six-course spread was served, after which short talks were made by the follow- ing Pythians, Chancellor Commander, T. H. Goodwin, acting as toast master; "Lodge Decorum," G. K. Davidson, Joplin; "The Knights of the Sunflower State," P. C. Loomis, Ft. Seott; "One of the Boys," Dr. Merrison, Ft. Scott ; "That Friendly Feeling," Joel T. Livingston, Ft. Seott; "What Pythianism Means to a Traveling Man," L. B. Cook, Carl Function : "Justin N. Rathbone, " Judge Sapp. Galena ; "The Webb
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City Knight, " J. P. Willett; "Pythian Patriotism," F. E. Williams, Joplin ; "The Golden Chain of Friendship," H. Conley, Lamar. It was two o'clock when the assemblage arose from the table, and as the jolly crowd of Knights departed from the hotel they voted the meeting one of "the best ever."
WEBB CITY DIVISION, No. 11, U. R. K. P.
In 1892, the Webb City Division, No. 11, of the U. R. K. P., was or- ganized, with Henry Wormer, chief of the Webb City fire department, as captain. The company was composed of the best men of the city and at once became one of the erack semi-military organizations of the county. At Monett, on July 4, 1892, this company captured first prize in the drill contest of the companies of the third regiment, six companies being present and taking part in the contest. At Kansas City it won especial mention from Colonel Gray for its military bearing and deeorum. Jock Chamberlain, a Bostonian, who had been a former Massachusetts guardsman and club man, was the right guide of this division, and much of its excellence-that is, so far as the little detail work of formation, etc .. is concerned-was due to this genial and soldierly easterner.
THE EBERTS-WRIGHT STAG PARTY
In 1896, Charles Ebert and Will H. Wright, both royal entertainers and princes of good fellows, gave to a select few of their friends a stag party. The evening was spent in story telling, cards, etc., every guest being required to tell a story, sing a song, or recite a selection for the entertainment of the assemblage. The stag party was so much en- joyed that it was annually repeated for many years.
A Webb City paper gives the following description of the 1899 gathering which closed the social season of the nineteenth century from Webb City, the party occurring on December 29:
THE STAG PARTY A SWELL AFFAIR.
One of the most thoroughly enjoyable and altogether unique social events of the year took place at the private apartments of Will H. Wright and Charles Ebert, on December 29th. It was the fourth annual "stag" party with which these gentlemen delight their friends. About twenty guests had been invited and responded to the invitation. At the entrance door hung a buge Japanese lantern and thither swarmed the gentlemen of the city. Each guest on enter- ing the room was presented with a boutonniere of pinks and given a guess on a conundrum, which when solved was found to tell the tale of Republicanism in a representation of "sound money, protection and good times."
Once within all were made to feel the generous hospitality of two of Webb City's most princely entertainers. The walls were covered with picture groups, quaint and unique, displaying a wealth of the esthetic sense that evidently pre- dominates in their minds. In ample profusion were upholstery and tables for the assembled guests.
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Here hilarity and social converse mingled with innocent games and colloquial diversion converted the rendezvous into a babel of many tongues. The genial hosts, assisted by Bert Wright, received the visitors and dispensed cigars and punch with lavish prodigality. There was no cessation of lavish hospitality until the midnight hour when Joe West, the popular caterer and commissariat appeared with an immense supply of edibles, consisting of excellent coffee. labeled packages of cheese bricks, sandwiches, pickles and other relishes which were served in approved style. Around the freighted festal boards the happy guests lingered until the full limits of their gastronomical capacity had been reached.
During the lunch hour a sort of experience meeting served to enliven all and there was a world of cheer and good stories passed around, one of the most enjoyable features of which was the singing by Mr. Muratta whose rich tenor voice filled the bachelor parlors of Messrs. Ebert and Wright with a wealth of song.
It was one of those social functions that brings man in closer touch with his fellowman cementing the ties of friendship and stamping on memory's tablet a page of pleasant remembrance.
The following were present : B. C. Wanglin, Theodore Rinehart. F. Riley, W. A. Snodgrass, James Muratta, S. S. Spracklin, C. B. and Dr. Chenoweth, R. M. Jones, G. B. Lowery, Walt Spurgin, Bert Wright, Chet Fishburn, J. A. Zook of Joplin, T. C. Hayden, W. W. Keys, Jas. Stewart, Joe West and J. W. Kieff.
CHAPTER XXXVIII
CARTERVILLE AND OTHER POINTS
NEWSPAPERS-THE CARTERVILLE BANK-PUBLIC SCHOOLS-CHURCHES- AMONG THE LODGES-CARTERVILLE BANDS-CARL JUNCTION-SAR- COXIE-ORONOGO-ASBURY.
Much of Carterville's mining and business industries has been men- tioned in our county chapter and need not be reprinted here. The nineties in Carterville represented a great period of activity, and the period was rather noted for its home-making and business improve- ments.
We present here a few of the social and local business happenings, to the end that the reader may realize the importance of the city and its people and, in doing so beg to say that the newspaper files of the Car- terville papers were not obtainable for this period and the 'stories' here presented were secured by personal interviews, or from newspaper elip- pings saved by the people of the city and kindly loaned the editor for use in compiling the data for this work.
NEWSPAPERS
Carterville was very fortunate, during this decade, in having two well edited newspapers, the Mining News and the Carterville Journal, the latter having the financial support of W. B. Kane, of the First Na- tional Bank.
E. W. Carlton, late of the Joplin Daily Herald, was the first editor of the paper and ably did he set out the richness and value of the Car- terville distriet.
W. D. Sallie, the editor of the Mining News, was also a forceful writer and with his pen exerted no small influence in shaping the political destinies of Carterville. It was he who first mentioned S. H. Claycomb as a suitable representative to the state senate and it was this paper also which ably presented his claims on the party for the nomina- tion of lientenant-governor.
BUSINESS AND MINING
We include business and mining under the same head. for the reason that it would be a hard matter to separate the two in speaking of Car-
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terville commercially. The mines of the Carterville distriet were the best producers of the nineties and made fortunes for many men. The predominence of the mining interests brought out many manufacturing industries, such as foundries and machine shops.
THIE CARTERVILLE BANK
The vast amount of money changing hands in Carterville called for. the organization of a bank and in December, 1890, W. B. Kane, with Henry Weyman, W. A. Daugherty and others, organized the Carter- ville Bank, which at once became a strong financial institution. In 1895 the owners of this bank purchased the stoek of the Webb City National Bank and moved it to Carterville, the name being changed to the First National Bank of Carterville, with W. A. Daugherty as president and W. B. Kane as cashier. The Bank of Carterville now surrendered its charter and its depositors were taken over by the First National Bank of Carterville.
Many new stores were established, and among the business houses whose influence was county wide was the Weeks hardware store, which during the latter nineties was the largest retail hardware and imple- ment house in the county.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
During the nineties Carterville maintained a good school system. In 189] Professor Frank Magoon, who had made a splendid supervisor, removed to St. Louis, and Prof. A. A. Antles was chosen superintendent and held this post for nine years, which of itself attests to his worth as an organizer, and an instructor. During this decade two new school houses were built and various improvements made. The teaching force was strengthened and the high school course made equal to other schools of the county.
IN THE OLDER DAYS
In 1904 Carterville school district erected a modern up-to-date high school building which was dedicated January 13. 1905. At the dedi- catory exercises the following excellent paper was read, and we repro- duce it here on acount of its historie value. It is entitled "Remin- iscenees of Older Days in Carterville Schools; Growth and Progress of Education."
"Now many generations ago where you now sit cireled with all that exalts and embellishes civilized life," says the paper. " 'the rank thistle nodded in the wind and the wild fox dug his hole unscared.'
"The above expression is true in a literal sense of the city of Car- terville only a few years ago; indeed, within the memory of some older citizens now living in this seetion.
"The progress and growth of Carterville's education and the advance of civilized life through the medium of her schools is the indication the writer will endeavor to show in this article.
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"In 1875 and 1876, where Carterville now stands, was a field. Corn was grown on the western territory now covered by business houses, res- idence houses and mines. The field extended to the present line of Davy street. East of this was a wheat field which reached to Fountain street. During these years several families were attracted to this ter- ritory by the discovery of lead on the Webb farm and other discoveries which followed in close succession. The children of these families went. to school to what was then known as the Washington school, which was located on the hill near where the North Heights building now stands. The exact location is yet discernable, as some of the old foundation roeks are yet visible on the lots owned by C. H. Lillibridge which join the Aylor residenee lots. Carterville having received its name it may now be said that the first Carterville boys and girls attended school in the old Washington building, their teaeher being Mr. Bean. Dr. Jaeks, known at that time as John Jaeks, who later became postmaster of Carterville, was followed by Mr. Bean. The third term was taught by William Thompson, now an attorney of Carthage. After the end of this term the Carterville children came to town to school, but the children from the country still continued in the old building.
"Dr. W. H. Price erected a building on the lot opposite that now occupied by the E. S. Casner residence, at the corner of Allen and Lewis streets, and taught several terms of seleet sehool.
"The first school house for Carterville was provided by the moving of an old brick store building from Medoe to the lot now ocenpied by Frank Briggs' residence, on West Main street. This building was only rented by the school district. The building was a two-story and was used for all kinds of publie meetings. It was also used as a lodge room and the Blue Ribbon society held meetings there. The older pupils went down stairs to Mr. Thompson, who had in the meantime taken into himself a wife. Mrs. Thompson taught the smaller children in the upper room. They probably taught two terms in this building.
"The next year the Washington school was moved to a position in the prairie which is now between the Stalter meat market and the Thornton residence. The schoolhouse was considered away out of town at this location. The nearest house to the school was the residenee of Gus Jordon, at the corner of Fountain and Main streets. An addi- tion the same size of the old building was added to the old building and Frank Genliek and Mrs. Thompson were employed as teachers. (Mr. Thompson had gone to St. Louis to study law.)
"The next term was begun by Lee Kost in charge of the older pupils and Mrs. Kost having charge of the primary students. (Mr. Kost is now (1911) a Joplin druggist.)* Mr. Kost resigned, after teaching about two months, and his place was filled by Miss Edith Johnston. She was the danghter of a Carthage doctor and afterward became the wife of Hank Gray. The remaining terms taught in this building were taught by Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Spencer.
*Now county superintendent of schools.
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"When the Oronogo cyclone passed through this country, in 1883, this building with many others was blown away. Work was begun im- mediately toward the building of the old Central school, which has just been replaced by the new brick (1905). It was not completed until the middle of October. 1883. C. F. Cox, with three assistants, namely, Helen Jones, Allie Blackwell and Clara Byers. (During the term Miss Jones and Mr. Cox were married.)
"Henry Phelps and wife, who now live in Joplin, assisted by Allie Blackwell and Clara Byers, taught two more terms following. Mr. Davis and wife and Miss Riekman and Miss Nannie Woodward (now Mrs. Nannie Brown) taught the next year. J. C. Turk was principal during the next terni. (Mr. Turk is now an attorney of Kansas City.) W. F. Bray was the next superintendent and it was under his administration that the school was graded. He taught two years. Miss Jennie Woods (now Mrs. Will Crenshaw) graduated under Mr. Bray and taught un- der him the second year of his stay. During the summer following Mr. Bray's teaching (1889) two rooms were added to the Central building. This addition was not completed until November. During this term the intermediate and graduating classes had half-day sessions only.
"Frank Magoon was the next superintendent and had five assistants -Lewis Daugherty, Jennie Woods, Allie Lillibridge, Kate Jackson (now Mrs. M. C. Terry) and May Underwood (now Mrs. Tom Burch, of Chandler, Oklahoma).
"During the summer following this term the North Heights, four- room brick building was ereeted, and C. B. Davis was elected superin- tendent of both schools. Mr. Davis was assisted in the first term in the new building by S. B. Garvey, Jennie Woods. Hester Gray (now Mrs. J. C. Lovell). In the spring of 1891 Arbor day was celebrated by the planting of shade trees at the Central, and also at the North Heights building appropriate exercises were held. John Gray was the superin- tendent of the Central building this year. Superintendent Davis taught two years in the High school and dismissed his classes at 3 o'clock eaeli afternoon, devoting the other hour to visiting the other rooms. During the summer of 1893, the Johnstown building of four rooms was con- structed.
"A. A. Antles was elected superintendent, after having been su- perintendent of the Prosperity school for a time. Professor Antles served as superintendent of the city schools from 1893-4 to 1902-3, being nine years of continuous service. During the first two years of Mr. Antles' service Professor L. G. Knight was principal of the Central school. He was succeeded by his brother, Charles Knight, who served only a short time and disappeared and for a time his whereabouts were unknown. Miss May Tyler was then promoted to his position and held the principalship of the Central building until 1903, when the building was sold and moved away.
"The Johnstown building was completed in the fall of 1893, and Professor J. W. Beddingfield was the first principal. Mr. Beddingfield has been for several years deputy county assessor.
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"Superintendent Antles taught the High School for five years in the North Heights building after which it was moved to the Johnstown build- ing, and Mrs. Ella Seeley placed in the Iligh school and also of the build- ing. She held this position for two years and was succeeded by Professor O. N. Waltz, who also held the position for two years. J. R. Simonson (two years), Miss Ella Booher (one year) and Miss Esther Thorsell (one year) were the succeeding principals of the Johnstown building, during Superintendent Antles' administration. In 1896 Prosperity was in- cluded in the Carterville school district and remained a part of it for two years. During the first year J. M. MeCullough was the principal and the second year, C. L. Morgan. During the four years the High school was held at the Johnstown building, the North Heights building was under the principalship of Ellis Hummel for two years. In 1903 Professor O. N. Waltz was elected superintendent and is still holding the position. The Johnstown building was under the principalship of Miss Mamie Dodson during the first year, and the next year was placed in charge of Miss Pearl Mericle, who is at present the principal. The elec- tion of Professor Waltz to the position of superintendent vacated the principalship of the High school and Professor William H. Bishop was elected to this position and Miss Ella Boohler became assistant.
"During the first part of the school year 1904, the children who had formerly attended school in the old Central frame building were ac- commodated the best way possible in the same building which now ocen- pies two lots owned by Dr. Clark at the east end of Wilson street. There was no principal during this part of the year, each teacher managing her own part of the pupils.
"In the early part of 1904 the work of constructing the present new Central building was begun and continued until now. School adjourn- ing for two weeks on Friday before Christmas, it reconvened in the new building on Monday morning, January 9, 1905.
"Having now reviewed the teachers and principals up-to-date, it is desired that the public know what the new Central building at Carter- ville is. It is a modern two-story, sixteen-room building, constructed of good brick with pressed brick facing. It is heated with hot air furnace and furnished with a dry closet apparatus. There are only ten reeita- tion rooms. There is not a finer auditorium anywhere in this section in a school building than is found in this building. It was the intention of the board in having such a room to hold public meetings and enter- tainments in it. Heretofore all graduating exercises have been held either at a church or a hall in some business block. Elmer Boyd, a Car- terville contractor, has had charge of the entire construction of the build- ing. It cost the people about $26,000. It is by far the most convenient and best equipped building in Jasper county.
"The first pupils to finish the graded course after it was established by Professor Bray were Sadie Gray ( Fishburn), Allie Lillibridge, Carrie Jones (Fountain), and Hattie Byers (Hagaman). Owing to some class trouble they did not have any class entertainments.
"The first graduating exercises were held in the M. E. church seven-
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teen years ago. The class ineluded Quincy Sherman, Harley Nichols; Maude Fountain (Hummel), Mittee Helin (Southern) and Lilly Under- wood (Cody). This elass graduated under Frank Magoon. (The two boys died the following summer.)
"Some other matters may be interestingly continued as part of Car- terville school history which have not been touched upon. When Pro- fessor C. B. Davis, now a citizen and business man at Carthage, took charge of Carterville and organized the High school, the course at first ineluded two years' work. When Professor Antles assumed charge an- other year was added and still another year was added when Professor Waltz assumed the superintendency. Thus Carterville graduates now have a four-years' course to complete. To the first superintendent, Charles B. Davis, should be given the credit for mapping out ten years' work for the Carterville schools. This work which was just begun by Professor Davis was carried out very effectively and in excellent man- ner by his successor, Professor Antles.
"Some graduates who have been associated with the Carterville schools in the capacity of teachers are deserving of espeeial mention. Prof. Will Bishop, now principal of the High School, is one of these. Sterling Worth is also recognized in the nine years' serviee as teacher by each of the following ladies who were also graduates: Miss May Tyler, Miss May Hedges and Miss Tresa Daugherty. Mrs. Ella Seeley, although not a graduate of the Carterville schools, has perhaps served longer time in the teacher's position than any other person. She has done service among Carterville boys and girls for twelve years.
"It is a matter of regret on the part of the writer that the names of Carterville's first school directors could not be secured. It seems that no one knows anything about the old records. They do not seem to have been handed down from one clerk to another in succession, as the pres- ent elerk, C. L. Gray, has no knowledge about them. He has some of the records of later years, but none of the first records.
"Carterville does not take a back seat for any city of its size for a school record. The city is now finely equipped with ample room for growth for several years to come. The people now receiving the bene- fits will no doubt feel very grateful for years to come toward the present board which is composed of M. C. Terry, president ; C. L. Gray, secretary ; John B. Boyd, treasurer; L. Pitman, J. R. Leathers and W. L. Hodson. J. B. Gilbreath has served as director on the Carterville school board for about twenty years.
CHURCHES
During the nineties, five churches labored for the betterment of Car- terville socially and the upbuilding of the kingdom of the Master. They were especially strong in their efforts along the line of civic righteous- ness and at the eity election of 1893 elected a strong official board pledged to the enforcement of the law. The successful candidates at this eleetion were called the Law and Order party. At this election C. B. Davis was elected mayor and W. Brown, marshal.
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AMONG THE LODGES
Progress Lodge No. 216, Knights of Pythias, was organized August 26, 1891, by R. M. Stultz of Webb City, then grand master-at-arms of the order. The following were the first officers: Chancellor commander, J. D. Rogers; vice commander, W. E. Poundstone ; prelate, T. C. Hen- drieks ; master of finance, M. Leon; K. of R. and S., F. P. Blair; master- at-arms, A. E. Blackwell; inside guard, Sidney Byers. At the conclu- sion of the installation ceremonies a banquet was served to the visiting Knights who assisted the instituting officers in initiating the class.
THE ODD FELLOWS
The three-linked fraternity had a great boom at Carterville during the early nineties and was a most influential order. On March 25, 1890. the Carterville Odd Fellows held a great meeting initiating a large class and coneluding with a supper which was served at Unele Billy Pound- stone's. We speak of him as " Uncle Billy" because he was so well-liked by the boys that they delighted to call him "uncle" as a mark of their love for him.
The Rebekah Lodge also came into great prominence, the degree team being one of the best in the state. At the meeting of the State Grand Lodge, at Sedalia, on May 22, 1892, the Carterville Rebekahis carried off all the honors and won the first prize offered by the state authorities for the best exemplification of the work. At this same meeting Mrs. Alle Poundstone was elected state vice president and in 1893 passed the chair, making a most popular and efficient presiding officer.
The Ancient Order of United Workmen continued during the nineties to be the popular fraternal insurance order and sociability was a great factor in Carterville all during the decade. On October 27, 1891, Car- terville Lodge conducted a largely attended public meeting, commemorat- ing the twenty-third anniversary of the founding of the order. Four hundred members of the order from all over Jasper county were present. Speeches were made by Phil Hannum, S. A. Underwood, Joseph Blair and others, after which a much enjoyed lunch was served by the ladies' auxiliary.
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