USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people > Part 17
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The first class from the high school was graduated May, 1878, and contained the following names: Frank Pierce, Ed C. Crow, Louie Brown, Ira I. McConnell, Florence C. Parkell, Nettie Beasley and Fannie West.
The class of 1879 had five graduates-Charles L. Dickey, Ora M. Brummet, Nanie Dinsmore, Anna B. Spice and Ellen M. Chase.
THE CARTHAGE LITERARY SOCIETY
One of the most popular literary societies at Carthage during the early 'seventies was the Carthage Literary Society, which was organized during the fall of 1870 and which, for several winters afterwards, held most interesting meetings. The officers for the season of 1870-1 were W. A. Glassford, president, and A. C. Spencer, secretary.
We note among the Carthagenians who have achieved success in life, the following prominent members of the society : E. Jacobs, George A. Case, and F. M. Harrison.
In 1872 this association was instrumental in securing a lecture course at Carthage which included among others the following noted platform orators: Hon. John Monteith, John Baker, of Chicago, and Prof. Win- chell of the Michigan University.
THE CARTHAGE LIBRARY
Carthage is often referred to as the Queen City and well deserves the compliment, not only on account of her many beautiful homes, but be- cause of the high moral tone and literary tendencies of its people.
The first public library in the county was founded at Carthage in January, 1870. A number of literary and book-loving people met for the purpose of talking over plans for the establishment of a reading room. Judge O. H. Picher was called to the chair and H. C. Henney
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acted as secretary. After a discussion of the matter it was decided to found a library, and the literary-loving people were asked to donate books and subscribe money for its benefit. On February 22nd the society event of the season, a grand ball, was given at Regan's Hall for the benefit of the library and a neat sum was netted. This was the beginning of a series of entertainment given for the library and by June 1st enough money had been raised with which to buy the first instalment of books and magazines.
O. H. Picher and H. C. Henney and Mesdames Tower, Mitchell and Griffith were appointed a committee to select the same. The library at first was placed in the Banner Office and H. C. Henney, city editor of that paper, was made librarian. Wednesday and Saturday of each week were library days and the books were widely read. At the end of the first year of the association, four hundred and thirty-seven books were in the library .
This collection continued to grow and later formed the nucleus for the public school library.
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CHAPTER XVI CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH-THE METHODIST CHURCH (SOUTH) -GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH-THE SWEDISH CHURCH-COLORED CHURCHES-THE METHODIST CHURCH (NORTH)-PRESBYTERIAN AND BAPTIST CHURCHES-RED RIBBON MOVEMENT-KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS -THE I. O. O. F. LODGES-THE MASONS-CARTHAGE LIGHT GUARD- THE CARTHAGE PIONEER CLUB.
The year 1870 found Carthage with four organized churches-the Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist and Episcopalian. During the next decade five more churches were established and one more was in course of formation. We present here a sketch, of the religious work of Car- thage during the decade of the 'seventies.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
On the first Wednesday in January, 1870, twelve people met in coun- cil in one of the churches of Carthage. When a company of Christians desire to form a Congregational church they adopt their constitution and send invitations to two or more of the nearest Congregational churches which elect a delegate who, with the pastor, responds to the invitation. When the delegation meet they examine the articles of faith the church has prepared and, if found consistent with the Word of God and the Congregational usuage, they are, by vote of this council, declared a Con- gregational church. The council called to meet at Carthage was com- posed of a delegate from the church at Neosho, Rev. C. C. Caldwell, and one from the church at Lamar, these being the only Congregational churches then organized in the southwest. This council examined the constitution and decided that the society should be known as a Congre- gational church. H. B. Fry, a graduate of Oberlin College and then the agent of the American Home Missionary Society, was chosen pastor and duly ordained, Rev. C. C. Caldwell of Lamar preaching the ordination sermon.
The sermon of the Rev. Caldwell was the last he ever delivered, hav- ing exposed himself by the long drive from Lamar to Carthage in a severe storm and dying a few days after his return home from a sickness brought on by this exposure.
The congregation rented the Methodist church for afternoon services where they worshiped for thirteen months, when they went to the Baptist
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church by invitation of that denomination which were then without a pastor. After occupying this building until the society secured a regular pastor they moved to the Presbyterian church, in response to an invita- tion published by the session of that church inviting the newly organized Episcopal and Congregational churches to worship with them until a house of worship was secured.
In January, 1872, just two years after the organization of the church work was commenced on a chapel. Rev. Fry labored the entire year with the workmen helping to build the church, writing his sermons and mak- ing his pastoral calls at night. On November 24th the church was oc- cupied for the first time. A Sunday school was organized on December 1st and had at its first meeting on attendance of forty-one.
The congregation continued to worship in the unfinished building until 1874, when it was completed, the cost up to that time being $3,600 $600 for the lot and $3,000 for the building.
Rev. Mr. Fry resigned the pastorate in July, 1873, and for the next six months the pulpit was filled by J. H. Harwood, special agent of the Home Missionary Society, and Prof. G. H. Ashley of Drury College. In 1874 E. F. Fales from Andover Seminary was called to fill the pastorate and during his service the membership was greatly increased. An ad- ditional room called the Tabernacle was built and at the annual meeting of 1879 the church-roll showed one hundred members.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (SOUTH)
During the spring of 1874 I. F. Gardner and family, of St. Louis, located in Carthage. Mr. Gardner was a member of the South Church having been one of the prominent workers of the Centenary church in that city. On arriving in Carthage he set about to organize a church of Southern Methodists and by his ceaseless labor got together a congrega- tion of thirty-one who called, as their pastor, the Rev. W. Harris of Denver, Colorado. The date of formal organization was October 21, 1877.
Rev. Harris died after a year and a half of work and for a short time Rev. W. S. Woodward and Rev. J. B. Landreth filled the pulpit as sup- ply, when Rev. Geo. H. Williamson was called and took regular charge of the church.
Mr. Williamson was a most zealous worker and a splendid Christian gentleman and soon drew about him a large congregation. The Carthage Patriot, in speaking of him, says: "Mr. Williamson is a man of far more than passing power. His experience is wide, his sympathies true, his emotions deep, his diction pure, his voice cultivated, his Biblical study profound, and his thought clear. His utterance is unusually rapid, but his enunciation distinct. He speaks not to a class, but takes it for granted that, as Mark Twain says, 'there is a common chord of human nature running through the lives of all men, and that which is beneficial to one will not prove injurious to another.' He recognizes no classes in his work, but considers the whole earthly family as the children of God. Mr.
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Williamson is too broad for a creed and too independent to be a hired man. He looks upon every man as his brother, the philosophy of his Christianity would swing inward the door of eternal felicity to all, and he speaks as one having authority and not as one who in a spirit of doubt- ing begs permission. He deals not in pyrotechnics of oratory, and labors not even by innuendo to make himself greater than the cause he pleads for or the Master he serves. He is one in life past the mile-stone labelled 'popularity and notoriety,' but his pathetic earnestness and zeal will un- consciously win for him what is sought for by others less gifted, in vain."
GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
On Easter Monday, 1870, the members of the Episcopal church met at the residence of W. S. Tower and organized the parish in due form. The vestry consisted of the following: William S. Judd, senior warden; Thos. B. Martin, junior warden; Thomas M. Garland, clerk, and Amos H. Caffee, treasurer. Rev. D. Estang Jennings, the missionary who had temporarily served the church, was elected rector. On the 12th of the year the church building which was being erected was used for the first time, although not then completed. During the next decade the follow- ing reverend gentlemen served the church as rectors: Rev. John Serbold, S. Locke and Rev. Robert Wall.
THE SWEDISH CHURCH
The Swedish church was organized in June, 1877, the original mem- bers being John Carlson, Harland Peterson, August Modice, O. B. John- son and Christian Olson. A neat little frame church was built on Mound street costing $1,100. Charles Roos was the first pastor and increased its membership to thirty-five.
COLORED CHURCHES
The first colored church to be organized in Carthage was the Second Baptist Colored. An organization was effected during 1873. J. T. Thompson was the leading spirit in the organization. A church build- ing was erected at a cost of $700 and the congregation at the close of the 'seventies numbered thirty-four.
Wesley Chapel M. E. (Colored) was organized in May, 1878, with twenty-five members. A. Colman was its first pastor and so zealously did he labor that $1,000 was raised for a church building.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (NORTH)
The Methodists opened the year 1870 with the most promising fu- ture. Their new church which had just been dedicated was the best re- ligious edifice in the city. During this year a parsonage was also built. The following pastors served the congregation during the 'seventies:
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1870, Rev. E. P. F. Wells; 1871-4, Rev. O. M. Stewart; 1875, Rev. H. R. Miller; 1876-7, Rev. J. N. Pierce; 1878-9, Rev. Jesse L. Walker.
In March, 1875, this church entertained the annual conference of the denomination. During the 'seventies the Methodists was in point of numbers the strongest church in the city.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
In August, 1872, Rev. John W. Pinkerton, after five years' service as pastor of the first Presbyterian church, resigned and accepted a call at Iola, Kansas. During his pastorate, ninety-eight new members had been brought into the church. Rev. Hiram Hill succeeded Rev. Pinkerton as supply until October, 1873, when Rev. T. O. Rice of Des Moines was in- stalled as pastor and remained with the church for two years, when in May, 1875, he was obliged to resign on account of ill health.
Rev. W. S. Knight was invited to the pastorate and accepted, serv- ing for ten years. He was greatly interested in education and was a literary power in the city.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH
In 1872 the Baptists sold their church edifice to the county for $8,000 and a new church was then commenced on a lot which had been donated to them by the North Carthage Land Company. The church at this time under the direction of Elder Cruther. In 1877 Rev. J. M. Smith was called to the pastorate and during his administration the church was completed and the society greatly increased in membership. Rev. Smith remained with the church for three years.
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THE RED RIBBON MOVEMENT
During the winter of 1877-8 a great temperance wave swept over Carthage and a society, known as the Red Ribbon Club, was organized. The club was so called in honor of Francis Murphy, the great temperance evangelist, who designated his crusades as the Red Ribbon Movement, his followers all wearing a little red ribbon as significant of their zeal for the temperance cause.
Sixteen hundred men joined the Red Ribbon Club at Carthage. The following were the first officers of the club: President, D. A. Morrison; vice presidents, R. A. Cameron, J. R. Smith and M. H. Clark; secretary, Jesse Rhodes; financial secretary, A. W. St. John; treasurer, W. H. Smith ; executive committee-J. W. Campbell, W. H. Stewart, J. W. Miles, A. E. Gregory and John N. Wilson.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS
The Knights of Pythias constituted the third great fraternal society to be organized in Jasper county. This fraternity has for its cardinal
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virtue, friendship, and in its initiatory ceremonies teaches the lesson by an exemplification of the beautiful story of Damon and Pythias. Justin H. Rathbone, the founder of the order, conceived the idea of forming this society while a country school teacher during the winter of 1859, and on February 19, 1864, while employed in the war department at Washington, called together a few of his intimate friends and read to them a ritual he had prepared and proposed the organization, hoping, through its medium, to help reunite in the bonds of friendship, the north and the south. After the close of the war the order grew rapidly and in 1871 was established in Missouri. Fraternal Lodge No. 14 of Carthage, being organized early in 1872, with W. H. Picher as its chancellor commander.
THE INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOW LODGES
April 26th is the natal day of Odd Fellowship in America, and in 1873 was appropriately celebrated in Carthage by the members of the
CARTHAGE IN THE EARLY 'SEVENTIES-REGAN'S HALL
order. Lodges from Neosho, Granby, Newtonia, Pierce City, Sarcoxie. Lamar, Midway (Jasper). Avilla and Joplin participated in the parade and there were more than four hundred Odd Fellows in line. Al Cahn was grand marshal and O. H. Travis of Springfield, orator of the day.
After the parade dinner was served in the Grove by the Carthage ladies to the visiting hosts and the following toasts were proposed and responded to: "Our Order," Peter Myers; "The Day We Celebrated," L. I. Matthews; "The Sisters of Rebecca," R. Thornton ; "Friendship, Love and Truth," Al Cahn; "Our Invited Brothers," R. F. Brooks.
After supper a dance and general good time were enjoyed at Regan's Hall and prizes were voted to the most beautiful woman, the homeliest man and the most popular Odd Fellow. Mrs. T. A. Wakefield was voted the most beautiful woman and Al Cahn captured the booby prize.
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In 1876 Capt. T. B. Tuttle was elected to represent the Southwestern Missouri district in the Supreme Lodge of the order.
On December 18, 1871, the Carthage Encampment of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows was organized, with seven charter members. During the first decade the lodge membership was increased fifty, mak- ing its membership at the close of the 'seventies, fifty-seven.
THE MASONS
Carthage Lodge, No. 197, A. F. & A. M., continued to prosper during the 'seventies and contained upon its rolls some of the most substantial citizens. The following gentlemen served the lodge as masters during the decade : Peter Beard, 1870; A. H. Caffee, 1871-2; Lyman J. Burch, 1873; Josiah Lane, 1874; John T. Ruffin, 1875-6; Charles C. Allen, 1877; Julius Cahn, 1878; Thomas Buckbee, 1879.
Meridian Sun Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, was organized in 1870 with Lyman Burch as high priest.
THE CARTHAGE LIGHT GUARD
The patriotism of our country is symbolized by the citizen soldiery. It was the colonial volunteers in the French and Indian War who made freedom a possibility and it was the volunteer patriot of the Revolution who made it a reality. It was the American volunteers in the War of 1812 who made the United States Navy the mistress of the seas and de- feated the British veteran who at Waterloo had crushed the greatest military genius of his day, "Napoleon The Great." It was the Missouri volunteers under the gallant Doniphan who in the Mexican war marched eleven hundred miles across the almost uninhabited country of the south- west and gave to the United States a territory whose richness has added luster to the nation's greatness. It was the volunteers of both the north and the south who made the campaigns of the Civil war the most bril- liant military achievements of modern times.
As the volunteers in our several wars have reflected the national spirit, so in the state does the organized militia stand for the highest type of citizenship and keeps alive the glorious memories of our military achievements.
The Carthage Light Guard was organized January 3, 1876, and for years typified the flower and chivalry of the city. The following is a list of the original members, who composed this once famous military organi- zation : Captain, Benjamin F. Garrison; first lieutenant, Albert Cahn; second lieutenant, John A. Hardin; first sergeant, James Degan; second sergeant, W. K. Caffee; third sergeant, M. Lawrence; fourth sergeant, T. B. Tulle; fifth sergeant, Eber Budlong; corporals, L. M. Miller, C. H. Murry, W. B. Myers, Jesse Rhodes, W. B. Brobect, Chas. Brown, T. B. Haughawout, E. P. Cassell; privates, Miles Mix, C. P. Ball, Joseph W. Hall, J. B. LaForce, C. E. Mathews, Julius Mass, W. B. Farewell, R. P. Cassell, M. P. Keem, B. F. Gunneson, T. Wakefield, Warren Woodward,
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Frank Chaffee, John F. Grubb, John N. Wilson, Robert Mitchell, R. C .. Friend, Chas. O .. Harrington, Frank Beebe, M. Wilson, C. C. Crippen, W. H. Smith, A. W. Onstott, A. T. Setterley, F. S. Yeager, Edward Mil- lard, Chas. Hubb, A. M. Hurty and James A. Bolen.
Until the 'nineties there was no prescribed uniform for the State Militia and each organization chose and paid for its own equipment, ex- cept the rifles which were furnished by the state and were of the same pattern as the United States army used.
The Carthage Light Guard uniform was of cadet gray and the com- pany presented a neat appearance. Capt. Garrison was a good drill master and the company attained a high state of proficiency under his captaincy.
On July 6, 1876, a beautiful silk flag was presented to the Light Guard by the citizens of Carthage, A. L. Thomas making the presenta- tion speech. The company gave an annual military ball on the 22nd of February and it was always the social event of the year.
Captain Garrison resigned in 1878 and was succeeded by T. B. Tuttle, who after serving as captain about two years resigned, and W. K. Caffee was chosen his successor. Further members of the company will be made in our chapter on the 'eighties.
THE CARTHAGE PIONEER CLUB
On January 1, 1878, a number of old settlers of Carthage met at the residence of A. M. Drake and formed the Carthage Pioneer Club. The first reunion of this society was held January 5th at the residence of J. T. Ruffins and was a very pleasant affair.
According to the Constitution of the club those who had been resi- dents of Carthage for ten years were counted as pioneers and therefore included those who came to Carthage prior to January 1, 1868. The following were the members of the club who attended the first reunion : J. D. Kendrick, Elizabeth H. Kendrick, Emma E. Kendrick, Geo. Rader, Wm. Huffer, H. H. Stewart, A. M. Drake, Sarah M. Drake, Charlie E. Drake, Sherwood A. Drake, Harvey See, Chas. Weed, Cordelia Weed, Annie Weed, R. H. Rose, Doshea Rose, R. H. Rose, Jr., G. A. Rose, Bessie Rose, G. Blakeney, Kate Blakeney, Robert I. Blakeney, Emily F. Blak- eney, John T. Blakeney, John Easton, Caroline Easton, W. H. Phelps, Lois Phelps, Maud H. Phelps, Florence P. Phelps, M. Pearl Ruffin, Alta Ruffin, A. H. Caffee, Lacie A. Caffee, Wardie J. Caffee, Edna E. Caffee, Isaac N. Lamb, Sarah J. Lamb, Frank H. Lamb, Ettella Lamb, Thos. M. Garland, Alice V. Garland, Geo. E. Garland, Ada F. Garland. Willie W. Garland, Jeremiah Casey, Ellen Casey, Josiah Lane, Mary E. Lane, Leona B. Lane, Emma Lane, Joanna Lane, Jennie A. Lane, Thos. A. Wakefield, Carrie C. Wakefield. Wm. E. Wakefield, Charlie Wakefield, Fred Wake- field, G. A. Cassil, Emily Cassil, Lucy H. Cunningham, Birdie Cunning- ham, Esther Y. Hood, Amanda Glass, Sterling Glass, Elvira B. Kend- rick, Electra A. Kendrick, Ellen Stockton, Nannie Stockton, D. J. Bliss, Bettie Bliss and Joshua Bates.
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On the 11th day of December, 1878, in response to a call for a Jasper County Old Settlers Association, the following persons met at the court house for the purpose of organization : Enos Myers, 1868; John Ruffin, 1866; J. B. Buchanan, 1869; I. N. Lamb and wife, 1866; M. H. Clark, 1869; John Grubb, 1869; A. E. Gregory and wife, 1867; T. B. Tuttle, 1869; T. M. Garland, 1866; D. S. Thomas, 1867; D. E. W. Smith, 1869; James Pattison, 1868; John Easton, 1867; John Hampton, 1868; J. W. Hart, 1868; Bennett Hall, 1867; E. O'Keefe, 1867; S. B. Ormsby and wife, 1868; E. W. Harper, 1867; G. P. Hedge, 1866; M. G. McGregor, 1866; F. T. Welch, 1869; Mrs. F. T. Welch, 1863; A. M. Drake and wife, 1867; George Blakeney and wife, 1867; G. B. McMerrick and wife, 1868; W. Bendict, 1870; C. Keiser, 1870; Charles Gardner, 1868; E. P. Searle, 1867; Dr. Amos Caffee, 1866; Mrs. Mobley, 1868; Mrs. L. P. Cunning- ham, 1865; Josiah Lane and wife, 1866; T. A. Wakefield and wife, 1866; R. H. Rose, 1866; A. B. Parkell, 1867; Peter Hill, 1867; W. F. Cloud, 1868; J. B. Hodge, 1869; I. W. Driesbach, 1869; E. R. Wheeler, 1867; D. C. Forbes, 1869; Thomas Buckbee, 1866; John Brownsill, 1869; John Keller, 1868; J. W. Sennet, 1868.
M. C. McGregor was called to the chair and E. P. Searl was chosen temporary secretary. Upon taking the chair Mr. McGregor said it was with feelings of great pleasure and pride that he consented to preside over such a gathering as this, and to meet here so many of the early set- tlers of our beautiful city with whom he had lived from the first of the present growth of the place called back many fond associations of the past when they all used to live in tents upon the grounds now covered by the finest city in the southwest. He said his understanding of this meet- ing was that it was for the purpose of meeting to perfect an organiza- tion of the old settlers of this town.
D. S. Thomas and E. W. Harper made lengthy speeches, advocating the good of a permanent Old Settlers Association.
Judge Lane then stated that he was one of a committee from an or- ganization formed in January last for the same purpose as this meeting, appointed to confer with this meeting. He went on to state that the pioneer society which he represented was organized on January 1, 1878; that his opinion, and that of the first organization, was that there should be but one such society and that all should act in accord in this matter; the first organization was willing to consolidate with any organization that this meeting might perfect and adopt any suitable name, consti- tution and by-laws. He insisted upon but one such society.
After a lengthy discussion of this matter in which some feeling was shown, it looked as if the meeting would accomplish no good.
R. H. Rose in a happy little speech of conciliatory terms poured oil on the troubled waters, by moving that a committee of five be appointed by the chair to confer with the like committee already appointed by the first organization, to the end that these ten persons might amicably ad- just all differences and place matters in such a light that nothing would hinder the successful and harmonious forming of one genuine perma-
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nent organization of the early settlers. Mr. Rose's motion carried unanimously, and the chair appointed the following as the committee : E. W. Harper, Peter Hill, John Brownsill, Mrs. I. N. Lamb and A. B. Parkell. The committee from the prior organization consisted of Josiah Lane, R. H. Rose, Amos Caffee, M. M. James and W. H. Phelps.
At a meeting of the Pioneer Club held a few days later they unani- imously voted to accept the constitution of the Jasper County Pioneer Club provided that they accept the latter's name, which was done, and the two societies united in an annual reunion January 1, 1879. The meeting was held at Regan's Hall and was presided over by Col. W. H. Cloud who acted as toastmaster.
Addresses were made by O. H. Picher, W. H. Phelps and Col. J. M. Richardson.
The constitution was amended so as to admit to membership all who came to Carthage prior to January 1, 1870, and after electing officers the society adjourned to meet on July 4th, all having had a most ex- cellent time and having done ample justice to the supper.
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