USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people, Vol. I > Part 52
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The male quartet rendered Giebel's southern plantation lullaby, "Sleep Kentucky Babe," with much pleasing effect.
President C. S. Poole, of the board of education, closed the scheduled toasts with "A Few Remarks" for the good of those who spoke before him and for the good of the school.
Following Mr. Poole Rev. Paul Brown made a stirring speech in compliment to the Joplin High school and those who have watched over and in great measure shaped its destiny, the teachers, and bespoke for the future Joplin a keener awakening of the public spirit to a con- stant demand for improved facilities and accommodations in every phase of school life.
President Lichliter closed the evening by extending the thanks of the association to those present and repeated a welcome to the class of 1903, in whose honor the banquet was given.
The rain was coming down in torrents as the assemblage was dis- missed and the street carriages reaped a harvest in four-bit pieces. It was past midnight before all the evening's participants were in their homes.
SCHOOL OFFICIALS
The following is a list of the superintendents of High school, prin- cipals and members of the Board of Education who have served the people of Joplin during the present century :
1900-2: Superintendent, J. D. Elliff; principal of high school, J. M. Gwinn.
1903: Superintendent, J. M. Gwinn ; principal of high school, L. L. Lichliter.
1904: Superintendent, W. P. Roberts; principal of high school, L. L. Lichliter.
1905: Superintendent, W. P. Roberts; principal of high school, S. A. Baker.
1906: Superintendent, L. J. Hall; principal of high school, S. A. Baker.
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
1907 : Superintendent, Edmund J. Vert; principal of high school, S. A. Baker.
1908-9 : Superintendent, Geo. V. Buchanan ; principal of high school, S. A. Baker.
1910-11 : Superintendent, Geo. V. Buchanan; principal of high school, F. H. Barber.
Members of Board of Education: C. S. Poole, Al Reynolds, T. A. Cunningham, C. A. Lyon, C. M. De Graff, Joel T. Livingston, L. W. Kost, R. A. Wilson, Dr. A. Burson Clark, A. J. Shockley, S. C. Fones, Dr. M. T. Balsley, W. H. Warren, J. W. Boyd and A. Houghton.
STATE UNIVERSITY SUMMER NORMAL
In 1903, largely through the instrumentality of J. D. Elliff, the superintendent of schools, who had just returned from Columbia where he had taken a post-graduate course in the Missouri State University, and the Board of Regents and faculty of that great school, there was established in Joplin a Summer Normal which was conducted partly by members of the faculty from the University and from supply teach- ers in and around Joplin. The grades made at this Summer Normal were entered on the records at the State University, and the students were given credit for the work done at Joplin, the same as if they were in Columbia. The school lasted for seven weeks, six days in the week. The following was the faculty: R. H. Jesse, president of State Uni- versity ; J. D. Elliff, superintendent of Joplin school; W. J. Hawkins, superintendent of Nevada schools; J. M. Gwinn, principal of Joplin High School; Luther Hardaway, superintendent of Jasper county, and R. R. Ramsay, W. L. Howard and William Westmoreland, of the faculty of the University. This school was a great benefit, especially to the teachers of southwestern Missouri, and was largely attended by students from all over that vicinity.
THE JOPLIN PUBLIC LIBRARY
As mentioned before, a movement was started in the 'nineties to found a public library, and something like $1,000' was collected from various sources for the purpose of starting a public reading room, but it became apparent that to be a success the fund for maintenance must be of a permanent character and during the winter of 1900-1 a cam- paign of education was carried on by the various literary clubs of the city looking to the establishment by the city of a public library. The city, at the general election of 1901, by a very large majority voted an annual tax of ten cents on the one hundred dollars valuation for the maintenance of a free public library and reading room.
The law creating the library provided for the appointment of a non-partisan board of directors to manage the affairs of the library, and the Mayor named as the first board the following persons, all of whom are great lovers of good reading and who had taken a lively interest
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
in seeuring the passage of the law and its approval at the polls by the people : J. D. Elliff, president ; Rev. Paul Brown, O. H. Pieher, Henry Kost, E. L. Anderson, William N. Carter, H. H. Gregg, and Mrs. Ada Goss Briggs, Mrs. Emma Liehliter and Mrs. Hattie Ruddy Riee. The board organized by seleeting superintendent J. D. Elliff, of the publie schools, as president and Mrs. Rice as seeretary.
About this time Andrew Carnegie announeed his intention of donat- ing $10,000,000 toward the founding of free public libraries and the Joplin library board made application to the philanthropist for a dona- tion for the ereetion of the Joplin library building and in July re- eeived the following letter relative to the same:
SKIBO CASTLE. ARDGAR. N. B .. July 16, 1901. M. J. D. Elliff, Pres't Library Board, Joplin, Mo.
DEAR SIR :- Responding to your letter of May 6th-if the city of Joplin will furnish a suitable site and pledge itself to maintain the library at a cost of not less than $4.000 a year. Mr. Carnegie will be glad to provide $40.000 for a suit- able building.
Very Respectfully. JAMES BERTRAM. Prirate Sec'y.
As the eity, at the general election, had voted the library tax and the amount to be derived from the same would exceed the $4,000, noth-
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CARNEGIE LIBRARY, JOPLIN
ing remained excepting to seeure a site, and at once a number of well ap- pointed building lots were offered by individuals and committees rep- resenting property owners in various parts of the city. After mueh consultation and careful deliberation the board, after having taken many ballots, seleeted the northwest corner of Ninth and Wall, and there the library, which is the pride of all Joplin, was built. The cor- ner stone was laid with appropriate ceremones in October, 1902. The Jasper county white limestone was used in the superstructure and the roof was very appropriately covered with zine shingles, a gift from the Illinois Zine Company.
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
While the library building was in course of erection the library was placed temporarily in the High school. Mrs. Baker (Beekie Sharp) being the first librarian.
In 1905 Miss Mary B. Swanwick, the present librarian, was placed in charge of the reading rooms and she, together with Miss Blanch Trigg, Mrs. A. D. Scott (nee Mary Barr) and Mrs. Hattie Ruddy Rice, assistant librarians, have most thoroughly classified and catalogued the books and periodicals.
In order that the reader may have an idea of the workings of the library we append herewith a few extracts from the annual report of the president and librarian for 1911 :
No. books purchased 1910 1,902
No. books lost or worn out 552
No. books in library Jan. 1, 1911 15,737
No. books, magazines and periodicals
18,380
No. books circulated during the year 64,542
No. of people using library during year 10,814
Active holders of library cards 6,814
Twenty-one thousand five hundred and fourteen books were fur- nished to the public schools and circulated among the publie school children under the direction of the superintendent of schools. Each of these 4,634 books was read on an average by five pupils; or in other words, each pupil in the schools (grammar grades) read five books in addition to the regular studies during the year.
The following constitute the present officials of the Library : Pres- ident, Clark Craycroft; vice president, Hugh MeIndoe; Thomas Do- lan, C. W. Wescott, August Junge, W. A. Niekell, Dr. M. C. Shelton, Miss W. B. Myers and Mrs. Emma Lichliter.
THE CHURCHES OF JOPLIN
Religious work kept pace with the business activity during the last decade and was manifested by the organization of nine new churches and the reorganization of the old Congregational church, which had fallen into torpor during the latter 'nineties. Six of the older con- gregations built new and more commodious church edifices and three of them enlarged their old buildings to accommodate the new and en- larged demands. At each of these churches the building of the new church was a memorable event and was attended with impressive cere- monies.
The following are among the church improvements.
First Presbyterian church building erected, costing $30,000.
Brethren Presbyterian church enlarged and remodeled at a cost of $3,000.
North Heights Presbyterian chapel built. On this building the pas- tor labored, with other volunteer help, to complete the edifice. The
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
congregation, now a power, was at first few in numbers and the build- ing was almost wholly erected by volunteer help.
Second Baptist and Calvary Baptist churches erected, each at a cost of $10,000.
The First Methodist and Byers Avenue churches were built, at a cost respectively of $35,000 and $20,000, and the First Christian church for $25,000. The Second Christian church was also enlarged.
The new East Joplin Congregational church cost $5,000; St. Peters Catholic, $40,000, and St. Philips Episcopal, $20,000. The building of this ehureh also was an example of perseverance worthy of emulation. In 1903 the foundation of the church was built. This was added to, little by little, until 1911, when the beautiful edifice was completed and dedicated.
The Central Christian church has completed the basement of a $25,000 building which is in course of construction.
The First and Second Churches of Christ Scientist, erected new temples in Carthage.
THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
The First Congregational church built two churches, or rather erected one new edifice and then were forced to rebuild it; and, on account of these peculiar circumstances, we speak more at length of the matter.
In 1900 the reorganized Congregational church called to the pas- torate the Rev. Paul Brown of Kansas City. Mr. Brown was an ex- ceptionally strong pastor; being not only highly cultured and a widely read man, but an orator of great ability. He at once became very popular and built up a large congregation of literary people, and money was quickly raised for a new church home which was built at the southwest corner of Second and Pearl streets. The building cost $10,500, and when it was dedicated was entirely paid for. After a few months of occupancy, however, it was discovered that the walls were sinking and an investigation disclosed the fact that a drift in an old shaft, which had been worked away back in the early 'seventies, abandoned and filled up, had begun to cave.
Mr. Brown was a man of great action and, like Napoleon, was quiek to see the time for action. A church meeting was ealled and it was de- termined to purchase a new lot, tear down the beautiful little church and rebuild. The lot at the northeast corner of Fifth and Pearl was purchased and the church rebuilt in 1902. The drift under the old building lot was filled and the lot sold.
The Congregational church has been a strong factor in the city dur- ing the past ten years. Rev. C. L. Parker is the present pastor.
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
THREE COLORED CHURCHES BUILT
In 1903 Joplin was visited by a small cyclone, which did great dam- age to certain parts of the city, destroying two of the churches occu- pied by the colored people.
Thomas Connor, one of the city's millionaires, came to the front and donated $5,000 to each of the three colored church organizations for the purpose of reerecting the buildings destroyed. This splendid gift was a great boon to the colored people and was much appreciated by them.
BILLY SUNDAY
In the fall of 1909 Rev. William A. Sunday was induced by the church people to come to Joplin and hold a series of meetings. To accommodate the vast throngs who nightly came to hear the evangelist a tabernacle was constructed on vaeant lots south of the Christman Annex on Virginia avenue. The Tabernacle, as it was called, was 150 by 120 feet and seated 5,000 people.
The meetings continued for six weeks and 3,000 conversions were made. As a testimonial of their appreciation of Mr. Sunday's labors, the church people of Joplin raised at the final collection $5,500 which was given to the evangelist.
As one of the results of these meetings Jasper county voted on local option in February, 1910, and excepting Joplin, went dry.
THE BROTHERHOOD MOVEMENT
In February, 1910, largely through the instrumentality of the Rev. W. M. Cleaveland, of the First Presbyterian church, a men's society was organized and was called the Brotherhood of the First Presbyterian Church of Joplin. The Brotherhood movement, which originated in the east, is an organization of the men of the church, and its purpose is threefold-first, to aid in spreading the Gospel; secondly, to bring the men of the church closer together in a social way and, thirdly, to strengthen the bonds of friendship.
F. E. Butcher was the first president of the Brotherhood and J. M. Evans has occupied the chair during the past year. The Brotherhood has held a monthly business and social session in the parlors of the church since its organization. The plan of these monthly meetings is as follows: On the night of the meeting, the members of the Brother- hood come directly from their work, or places of business, to the church parlors, and at 6:30 sit down to supper in the spacious dining room of the church and here partake of their evening meal which is served by one of the ladies' societies of the church. After the meal is concluded and as they sit around the table, a literary program is carried out, the exercise differing at each meeting; sometimes it is a lecture, sometimes a discussion of some of the great topies that are before the people, and sometimes a number of short recitations, readings and songs.
The Brotherhood of the First Presbyterian Church has entertained
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
as its guests quite a number of distinguished men, and is a great fac- tor in the life of the church. The Brotherhood movement spread from the First Presbyterian church to quite a number of the other church organizations, similar societies having been formed in the North Heights Presbyterian, First Christian and the South Joplin Christian churches.
THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
The ten years of the decade ushered in with 1900 represent ten busy, active and productive years for the Young Men's Christian As- soeiation. The year 1900 saw plans consummated for a new and com- modions building; 1901 saw the magnificent structure completed, and the remaining years have seen its scope of usefulness enlarged. In order that the reader may have an idea of the influenee it exerted we give here space for the mention of a few of its important doings.
When J. E. Coulter took charge of the Young Men's Christian As- sociation he introduced the custom of asking some one of the several churches to have charge of the New Year's day reception and so the Methodists, Congregationalists, Christians, Presbyterians, the Baptists and others took turns in entertaining the young men of the city on that anniversary, each vying with the other in conducting the most bril- liant and pleasant New Year's day entertainments.
On January 1, 1900, it was the turn of the First Presbyterian church to entertain and Mrs. J. E. Coulter, the genial wife of the secretary and a past worthy matron in the art of entertainment, was appointed to preside over the annual New Year's day reception. Mrs. Coulter called to her assistance twenty-four of the most charming young ladies of the church to assist her. The entertainment given and the good cheer that prevailed eclipsed all previous receptions. The rooms were most beautifully decorated and the general air of brilliancy was heightened with a liberal array of potted plants and cut flowers. All formality was waved aside and the committee of twenty-five saw that everybody got acquainted and had a good time.
During the evening an informal program was rendered and there was just enough of music and literary entertainment to add spice to the social conversation; and, to cap it all off, there was a superb abun- dance of cakes and pies "just like mother used to make," and other edibles, which were served by the good women and rounded ont the evening's pleasure.
Ground for the Y. M. C. A. building was broken June 1, 1900, and the elegant new home was completed in February, 1901. The building has been liberally patronized and well supported by the young men of the city.
JOPLIN CHURCHIES IN BRIEF
The following church statistics, published January 1, 1910, will give an idea of the church population of Joplin :
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
Churches
Pastors No. Members
First Presbyterian
Rev. W. M. Cleaveland 488
Bethany Presbyterian
Rev. G. W. Williamson 185
North Heights Presbyterian
152
First Baptist
Rev. Il. A. Smoot 800
Second Baptist
Rev. J. W. T. Givens 325
113
Calvary Baptist
Rev. S. F. Taylor 73
First Methodist
Rev. Frank Neff
500
Byers Avenue Methodist
Rev. E. W. Elayer 498
Central Avenue Methodist
Rev. M. V. Heidelbaugh
151
Epworth Methodist
Rev. E. H. Sapp
75
First M. E., South
Rev. C. H. Briggs
400
Blendville M. E., South
Rev. T. H. Clayton
70
First Christian
Rev. G. L. Chapman
900
Second Christian
Rev. J. R. Bhint
750
Central Christian
Rev. A. K. Williams
153
Villa Heights Christian
Rev. J. W. Famuliner
206
First Congregational
Rev. C. L. Parker 192
East Joplin Congregational
Rev. S. A. Willard
120
St. Peter's Catholic
Father Meany
700
Lutheran
Rev Louis Seidel
242
First Christian Science
Ernest C. Price, Reader
275
Second Christian Science
Mrs. Will Porter, Reader 115
Salvation Army
Ensign Edgar Harris
48
Unity Baptist (colored)
Rev. C. C. Calhoun 50
M. E. (colored)
Rev. C. F. Webster 64
A. M. E. (colored )
Rev. C. W. Newton 72
Total membership
7,892
To this number add 7,200 Sunday School children and you have a correct idea of the church-going people of Joplin.
THE CHILDREN'S HOME
The Children's Home of Joplin originated with the Woman's Christian Temperance Union which organization, realizing the neees- sity of a place where the friendless and homeless children could be cared for, started in June, 1900, the W. C. T. U. Home. The home was first housed in a four room cottage at 708 Pearl street. In 1901 Gilbert Barbee donated the use of a twelve-room building, at the cor- ner of Twelfth and Virginia avenue, and suggested that the home be incorporated and plans laid for making it a permanent institution. Articles for incorporation were drawn up and, for the purpose of widening its scope of usefulness, the name was changed to the Joplin Children's Home. Among the W. C. T. U. women who were prom-
St. Philip's Episcopal
Rev. C. A. Weed
175
Empire Street Baptist
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
inent in founding the Children's Home were Mrs. S. A. Phelps, Mrs. L. Gould, and Mrs. Dr. Willim. The first matron of the home was Mrs. C. E. Barr.
In 1904 John H. Taylor donated a five-aere tract of land in East Joplin for a building site, and the good women of the city raised $10,- 000 to build and equip a home. In 1905 Mrs. Barr moved to Kansas City and was succeeded as matron by Mrs. Dona C. Daniels, who has proven a most excellent officer. During the twelve years that this home has been in operation the officers have found permanent homes for two hundred and four children. Last year one hundred and seven homeless or friendless children were cared for, sixty-five of whom have been provided with permanent homes.
The Home has been supported almost entirely by private subserip- tions, which have been made by the charitably inelined people. One of the important plans for making money is the annual event known as "Tag Day," which was first introduced in 1907 and has sinee been observed with great success. The Tag Day plan is so fresh in the minds of the people that it is hardly necessary to deseribe it here, except to say that too much praise cannot be given to the splendid women of Joplin for the manner in which they have rallied to the support of the Home and to their untiring efforts for its welfare. The follow- ing are the present officers of the Home: President, Mrs. C. M. Spring; vice president, C. C. Spencer; secretary, Mrs. J. W. Willim; treas- urer, Mrs. J. W. B. Amsden.
The following interesting story which describes the manner in which the Home was first started was told the author by Mrs. S. A. Phelps, one of its founders. In the spring of 1900 a girl eame to Joplin seeking employment and in wandering about the city from place to place, in search of work, she came to the home of Mrs. C. E. Barr. It was then almost night time and the girl, who was tired and hungry, asked to remain with Mrs. Barr until she could find some- thing to do and the good woman, realizing the temptations that would come to a homeless girl, took her in and eared for her until she found work in a private home. The girl told the ineident to one or two other young women out of employment and they too eame to Mrs. Barr for assistance. At a meeting of the W. C. T. U. Mrs. Barr related the in- eident and asked the Union to help her provide for these young women, and thus guide them over the pitfalls and dangers that would beset them. The Union with one voice voted "aye." and from this little beginning a Children's Ilome movement took root and grew to the splendid institution which is today Joplin's generously supported charity.
YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
The Young Women's Christian Association was organized in 1905, largely through the efforts of Mrs. J. W. Bell, who became its first president. The objects of the "Y. W.," as it has been popularly ealled.
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HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
were threefold-first, to bring the Christian young women of the eity in eloser touch with one another; second, to strengthen the bond of friendship, and third, to provide a Christian home for the young women who are temporarily in the city and away from the home life and influenee. The home has done a splendid work for the young women of the city. From 1906 to 1911 it maintained a home in the John Taylor's old property, corner of Seventh and Joplin.
ST. JOHN'S HOSPITAL
In 1900 the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy Convent launched a pro- jeet to build a hospital-an institution mueh needed in a mining eom- munity. The citizens generally endorsed the plan and assisted the good women in colleeting the funds necessary to build the same. Many wealthy men also contributed to the building fund and quite a num- ber of lodges gave entertainments for the benefit of the hospital.
T. C. Malloy, couneilman from the third ward, has perhaps more than any other one man pushed the matter of publie contributions and has, as chairman of the elub hospital committee, given much of his time to this worthy charity.
BALL GAME FOR HOSPITAL FUND
One of the first and most enjoyable of a hundred or more enter- tainments given for the hospital was a ball game played by a pieked team of ball enthusiasts from the Elks Lodge and the Joplin Club and we print here the News-Herald account of the great game, which oc- eurred July 31, 1901: "The great game of ball is over at last. And St. John's hospital won a large sum of money. With the weather as fine as one could wish for, the grand stand packed with the most en- thusiastie audienee that ever witnessed a game, besides, fifty vehicles filled with the elite of Joplin's smart set, the best amateur event in the history of Joplin ball playing began.
"Everybody was there.
"The orange and black of the Joplin club were also conspicuously displayed all through the audience and was waved frantically when- ever the favorites performed noteworthily.
"The purple and white of the Elks was in evidence in parasols, streamers, neekties, etc., by those who 'rooted' the 'best on earth.'
"As for the quality of ball the two teams put up, the universal comment expressed great surprise at the professional manner in which the game was carried out, many expecting to see merely a laughable burlesque of a ball game; but instead it was faster and more spirited than many of the so called professional games. To see business men, whose work is in offiee away from the out door air and not enlivened by out door exercise, play such a game as yesterday's shows that there is ability in the physical line aecompanying the more active mental exertion.
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IIISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
"When the two teams got themselves together yesterday afternoon, arrayed in striking uniforms of black for the Elks and white for Jop- lin club, they had their pictures taken separately-that is, the two teams. The patrol wagon in charge of Officer Tom Brower was in wait- ing for the Elks and they were immediately taken in. The Joplin Club was more stylish but less amusing, as they rode in two open cabs. The band which was to have headed the procession did not materialize. However, that was no obstacle, and soon the patrol wagon had hur- ried to the park where it unloaded its freight in front of the grand stand, while a cheer went up from the purple and white. Rubber tired cabs are not so slow, however, and in a minute another cheer went up for the Joplin Club, as its members filed out of the carriages.
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