USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people > Part 27
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The first session of the County Normal was begun July 29, 1887, at the high school building in Carthage, and was attended by 220 teachers and students. Among the instructors were Superintendent Stevenson, Superintendent Hawkins of Nevada, E. E. Dodd of Carthage, Superin- tendent Bray of Clarence. Mo .. V. L. Vawter of Medoc, and J. E.
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Locke of Smithfield. The Normal lasted four weeks, and at the close of the term the examinations showed a marked improvement.
One of the features of the Normal was its Literary Society. At the first Normal Literary in 1887 J. E. Locke, then principal of the Smith- field school, was chosen its president, and set the pace for a high stand- ard. At the 1888 meeting Miss Izora Scott, teacher of elocution at Fort Scott, who was one of the instructors, was the president of the society, and in 1889 W. M. Wharton, afterward county superintendent, guided the destinies of the literary. The Normal News, a weekly paper read before the Society, was one of the most enjoyable features of the pro- gram. Its editorials on school management and its local witicisms were much enjoyed.
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CHAPTER XXII
CITY OF CARTHAGE
OFFICERS AND CITY POLITICS-TEMPERANCE AND LOCAL OPTION-THE HARRINGTON HOTEL-CARTHAGE WOOLEN MILL-WHITE MARBLE AND LIME-VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT-SCHOOLS-THE ALLEN ORA- TORICAL CONTEST-CARTHAGE COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE-M. E. CHURCH -MAJOR COLE'S REVIVAL-CARTHAGE LIGHT GUARD-CHRISTMAS POSTOFFICE SURPRISES-FIREMEN'S TOURNAMENT, JUNE 12-14, 1888- ENTERTAINS THE GRAND LODGE, K. OF P .- JASPER COMMANDERY NO. 31, K. T .- THE SKATING RINK-CARTHAGE CITY HALL.
Carthage during the 'eighties made the greatest gain, in point of numbers, of any of the cities of the county, growing from 5,316 in 1880, to 9,323 in 1890. This decade was a great period of activity in a business way and each of the ten years saw many building improvements. Many of the old landmarks were torn down, and new and modern residences and business blocks erected. In short, so many improvements were made, and the business activities were so great that in the limited scope of this chapter mention of all could not be made. We will, however, give a few of the important transactions and happenings of a general nature, to the end that the reader may form a correct estimate of the people and their business pursuits during this ten years of its important history.
OFFICERS AND CITY POLITICS
Below is a list of officers who served the city of Carthage during the 'eighties : Mayors-A. H. Caffee (two terms), E. W. Harper, T. T. Lus- comb, J. L. Moore, Eugene O'Keif, J. W. Sennett (two terms), B. F. Thomas, and W. B. Myers.
City Council-1880 : A. G. Milless, Charles J. Pool, I. F. Garner and Henry Haut.
1881 : C. F. Hedreick, George W. Stebbins, A. W. Rogers and T. B. Tuttle.
1882: John Dermott, R. C. Friend, W. E. Hall and John H. Taylor. 1883 : J. W. Miller, D. A. Smith, H. M. Gray, and John D. McCullis.
1884: I. W. Wheeler, H. C. Cogill, Frank Harrison and B. Heald.
1885 : T. Wood, J. M. Nanson, George W. Payne and Reubin Kocssber.
1886 : H. C. Warner, William B. Myers, M. J. Jenkins and William H. Black.
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1887 : I. C. Hodson, W. L. Norris, W. B. Myers, and L. E. Steinmetz. 1888: G. B. Wood, Martin Leidy, Jasper Smith and S. O. Morrow. 1889: C. O. Harrington, F. B. Houston, J. W. Henderson and H. F. Beebe.
Marshals-James Flannigan (two terms), James Dragoon (two terms), James Deagan (two terms), D. M. Stafford (two terms), and J. G. Aehuff.
Recorders (Police Judges)-Daniel Brown, C. B. Stickney, S. G. William (two terms), B. F. Hackney, J. J. Higgins, Thomas Buckbee (two terms), B. F. Faught.
City Attorneys-M. G. McGregor, R. F. Butler, J. W. Hallburton, John H. Flannigan, E. C. De Vore, J. K. Shields, William La Force, J. D. Perkins, and Howard Gray.
Treasurers J. J. Wells, L. F. Brown, James Spence (three terms), Edward Cassel, Lyman F. Brown (two terms), and E. B. Jacobs.
City Collectors-Fred Crocker (three terms), Thomas M. Garland, Jesse Rhodes (two terms), Fred Crocker (two terms), and Thomas M. Garland.
In 1882 Carthage, by an almost unanimous vote, granted a franchise for the building of a city water works plant, and thus took a great step forward.
TEMPERANCE AND LOCAL OPTION
In 1884, when the Blue Ribbon movement was at its height, the tem- pearance people put out a city ticket and won by a handsome majority. In 1887, after the passage of the local option law by the state legislature, Carthage voted on the question of shutting out the saloons and the Pro- hibitionists won by a majority of 354, thus, for a second time in the decade, showing that the temperance sentiment at the county seat was in the majority.
THE HARRINGTON HOTEL
In 1882 C. O. Harrington, owner of the Aetna House (formerly the Carthage House and, by the way, the first hotel built in Carthage after the war at the northeast corner of the square) tore the building down and erected on the site of the old hostelry a magnificent up-to-date four- story brick hotel, modern and well appointed in every way. The build- ing, still the leading hotel of the county seat, was opened in September, 1882, with a reception and banquet which pleasantly lingers in the minds of the guests who still survive. During the now almost thirty years of its catering to the traveling public the Harrington has made good, C. O. Harrington, its proprietor, having always had the active management of the house.
CARTHAGE WOOLEN MILL
On January 28, 1882. the Carthage Woolen Mill was burned; loss $50,000, insurance $35,000. The Company was at once reorganized and
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a larger factory built than the first one, both being operated during the 'eighties. The importance of this industry cannot be overestimated, for its products were noted all over this and adjoining states and found their way to the wholesale houses of both Kansas City and St. Louis. This same year W. B. Myers, one of the original owners of the Carthage Woolen Mill, built the Missouri Woolen Mill and operated it with a high degree of success.
CARTHAGE WHITE MARBLE AND LIME
The Carthage White Marble, now so much used and far-famed, came into prominent notice in 1880. C. W. Fisher, a stone cutter in facing a piece of stone for a base to a monument noted that the white lime from the Carthage Stone Quarry was of an exceptionally high grade and, as an experiment, polished with great success a stone block and placed it on exhibition. From this small beginning the stone industry grew. W. B. Myers, late of the Carthage Woolen Mill, became interested in the stone industry and in 1885 shipped the first car of Carthage marble be- yond the confines of the county.
VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
When the Carthage Water Works were completed in 1882 the fire department was reorganized and three volunteer companies enlisted and equipped with hose carts and modern fire-fighting apparatus. Charles O. Harrington was the first chief of the reorganized department and in- augurated a system of drills and discipline which brought it up to a high standard of proficiency. The press of business, however, caused Mr. Harrington to resign after a year's service and J. B. Buchanan was elected chief and made a good officer. At the annual meeting of the department in 1887 Mr. Buchanan retired from the department on account of a press of business, which had prevented his punctual at- tendance of meetings as in the past, and George H. Thomas was chosen as chief. James Deagan was also elected assistant chief. The promotion of Messrs. Thomas and Deagan caused a murmur all along the line and the companies elected the following officers :
President-Jas. M. Nanson.
Vice-president-H. V. Philips.
Secretary-Ben Strauss.
Treasurer-James Deagan.
Chief-Geo. H. Thomas.
Assistant Chief-Jas. Deagan.
Foreman Hose Co. No. 1-H. H. Burge; assistant, C. W. Stephenson. Foreman Hose Company No. 2-H. V. Philips; assistant, Chas. Daily.
Foreman Hook and Ladder Company-J. B. Buchanan; assistant, Charles Tobias.
Trustees-Moses Block, H. V. Phillips and M. H. Clark.
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During Mr. Harrington's administration as chief of the department a fatal accident occurred which brought sorrow to the members of the fire-fighting brigade.
On the evening of July 3, 1884, when Hose Company No. 1 was making a practice run, David Holt stumbled and fell and was struck on the right temple by the cart. His skull was cut and the scalp badly lacerated. Dr. Brooks was immediately called, but found that the un- fortunate fireman was beyond human aid, and he died in a few hours. The funeral was largely attended and was under the auspices of the fire department and Knights of Pythias.
SCHOOLS
During the 'eighties Carthage doubled in size and her school system kept pace with the times and likewise expanded. $25,000 was spent in school improvements in 1886. Two very able educators guided the destinies of the public school system during this decade, Prof. Dan Mathews, during the first half, and Prof. J. M. White during the last half of the period. Prof. E. E. Dodd, late of Cornell University, came as principal of the high school in 1886 and made for the citizens a strong head of the institution. To illustrate his popularity, we recall the fol- lowing little incident. At the commencement exercises of 1887, over the stage was the following class motto: "In Dodd we trust."
In our school story of the last decade will be found a list of the graduates from 1878 to date.
THE ALLEN ORATORICAL CONTEST
In 1882 Col. C. C. Allen of Carthage offered a handsome gold medal to be contested for by the young men of southwest Missouri.
The first contest was, from a literary standpoint, a complete success, as it brought to Carthage a number of young men who were the best debaters of their respective towns.
A. L. Sherman, a law student in the office of L. P. Cunningham at Joplin, won the medal at the first contest. In 1884 the medal was again contested, but in 1885, on account of the lack of interest, the offer was withdrawn.
THE CARTHAGE COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE
During September, 1883, just at the time when the young people of the county were going away to attend the State University, the Normal schools, and other higher institutions of learning, Rev. Dr. Knight of the First Presbyterian church of Carthage, called the attention of his congregation to some fifty or more young ladies and gentlemen of Car- thage and immediate vicinity who had gone that month to one of the several educational institutions of the state and suggested that it would have been a great saving of money to the community if these students, who annually go abroad for an education, could be schooled at home.
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After an earnest plea for a higher education he closed his remarks with the suggestion that a college be built by the Presbyterians of the county and located at Carthage.
A meeting was called for December 17, 1883, and was largely at- tended by the Presbyterians of Carthage. Rev. Dr. J. S. Reeser, of St. Louis, an educator of ability, was invited to attend the meeting and in a convincing talk pointed out the need of a college for the Empire county. A committee of ways and means was appointed and a considerable sum was pledged during the spring and summer of 1884. Rev. Dr. H. D. Ganse, of Chicago, secretary of the Presbyterian Board of College Aid, now visited Carthage and guaranteed $1,000 annually toward the sup- port of the school. On December 23rd, the formal organization of the school was perfected and the name Carthage Collegiate Institute chosen.
The following gentlemen were chosen for the first board of trustees : W. S. Knight, H. C. Cowgill, M. G. McGregor, F. C. McElroy, J. L. Moore, I. C. Campbell, A. H. Caffee, W. W. Calhoon, W. H. Crothers, J. W. Burch, R. L. Galbreath, J. G. Irvin, W. A. Wheatley, A. L. Thomas, D. Matthews, Thomas E. Gray, Wm. McMillen and E. W. Baines.
The charter for the school was issued on February 2, 1885, and on May 18th a beautiful site was selected on South Main street and work began in real earnest to finance the project.
The grounds were purchased at a cost of $3,100 and the contract price for the college was, in round numbers, $14,000. While the build- ing was being erected the annex of the First Presbyterian church of Carthage was used temporarily for a school and there the Collegiate In- stitute opened its doors.
In November, 1886, Rev. Dr. J. G. Reeser of Westminster College, 1 Fulton, Missouri, accepted the presidency of the new college. On June 6, 1887, the corner-stone was formally laid, and we reprint here the re- port of the ceremonies published in the Carthage Banner.
THE CORNER STONE
OF THE CARTHAGE COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE LAID THIS AFTERNOON-WITH ALL THE POMP AND PAGEANTBY KNOWN TO MODERN TIMES.
No event has ever before transpired in the city of Carthage, of a like charac- ter, that has attracted so large a crowd of people from all parts of the south- west as has the laying of the corner stone of the Carthage Collegiate Institute, which took place this afternoon ; nor has this ceremony, which marks the literal foundation of a grand educational institution of the future for all this section of the Great West, ever been accorded in so royal a manner to any other like institution in the state of Missouri. Such an outpouring of people as has been seen on our streets today was not called together for the purpose of pleasure- seeking or in commemoration of any national jubilee. To-day men turned their backs upon the harvest fields ripe with golden grain, merchants closed their stores in the faces of clamoring customers, the miner left his drill and the lawyer his desk-all stopped suddenly in the greedy rush for the sordid gains of this world, to do honor to that greatest ard grandest of American institutions- education. What more positive sign of an intelligent, prosperous and advanced
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people could Le shown in any section of the inhabited globe, than has been wit- nessed here to-day? Thousands of people, who, aside from this common interest in education, have no interest in particular with Carthage, came from the sur- rounding counties and towns. They came as individuals and societies all classes and all orders-to show their devotion to this great cause. Carthage is proud of this recognition of her enterprise and is also proud of the country in which she is built; proud of the position her schools, private and public, bold in the state; proud that this great school has been founded in her midst; proud of the distinction awarded her to-day; proud of the grand old fraternity and brotherhood that officiated in this ceremony; proud of all the benevolent and civic orders that honor her this day. This occasion will link bonds of friendship between our people and our neighbors that time will never sever.
The early morning trains were well filled with visitors and long before noon the streets were crowded. Joplin, Webb City, Carterville, Oronogo, Cherryvale, Oswego, Columbus and delegations from other towns arrived at nine o'clock on the Frisco. In uniform were the Knights Templar, Grand Army, A. O. U. W., Knights of the Golden Eagle, Select Knights and others. At 9:30 the train came loaded with the same orders from Sarcoxie, Peirce City. Springfield and other eastern points. The Missouri Pacific brought in the visitors from Lamar, Nevada and Clinton.
The Light Guard Band and a delegation of Knights Templar met the in- coming trains on the Frisco and escorted the visiting orders to their various headquarters. At 1:30 the procession formed on Fourth street and marched around the square and south on Main street to the college grounds in the fol- lowing order, under command of S. E. Wetzel, marshal of the day :
Carthage Band.
Board of trustees in carriages.
Officers and speakers in carriages.
Mayor and city council in carriages.
County officials in carriages.
Members of the press In carriages.
Fire Department.
Knights of the Golden Eagle.
Members Grand Army Republic.
Select Knights A. O. U. W.
Ancient Order United Workmen.
Light Guard Band.
Knights Templar.
Members of A. F. & A. Masons.
Officers of Grand Lodge Masons.
Citizens in carriages.
At the grounds Rev. W. S. Knight acted as president of the day, and the following is the order of the ceremonies :
Music-Carthage Band.
Address of Welcome-Mayor J. W. Sennet.
Deposit of relics.
Ceremony. Placing of corner stone by Masonic Fraternity.
Music-Light Guard Band.
Address-P. G. M., J. D. Vincil.
Music-Carthage Band.
Historical Address-Rev. W. S. Knight.
Music-Light Guard Band.
Address-Rev. A. G. Hibbard.
Closing Prayer-Rev. J. T. Chambers.
The box deposited in the corner stone contained the following: A Bible.
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Articles of association of the Institute.
Minutes of the first meeting of the Board.
A copy of each of the following newspapers: Church at Home and Abroad, Presbyterian Banner, St. Louis Evangelist. Interior, Carthage Daily and Weekly BANNER, Press, Patriot, Democrat, and Feathered Home; list of subscribers to the building fund; report of Carthage public schools for 1885-86; copy of the immigration pamphlet ; a piece of continental money dated December 7, 1775. and another dated April 10, 1777; drafts for one dollar from each of the city banks; coins and fractional currency ; catalogue of the Carthage Business Col- lege.
The corner stone ceremonies were in charge of the Masonic fraternity of this city and were carried out according to the ritual of the order. The manage- ment of the occasion have been successful in carrying out the day's program in good style and are to be congratulated on the great success of the entire affair.
The following are the addresses delivered this afternoon, except that of Past Grand Master Vincil, which it was impossible to obtain in time for this issue :
WELCOME ADDRESS-MAYOR SENNET.
FELLOW CITIZENS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :
We are present to-day on no ordinary occasion and you have placed before me no ordinary task.
In the name of the people of Carthage, and on behalf of her citizens, I most cheerfully welcome you to the work and labor of laying the foundations of an Institution in our midst, which we hope and believe will be. not only the pride and ornament of our city, but which will in time. send forth its repre- sentatives from our midst to advance the civilization of the world.
We hope and trust that here, no dread edict "Carthago delenda est," will ever go forth to blight this fair spot and to send the ploughshare of ruin to obliterate and wipe out the place we now dedicate and set apart to become the pride and glory of our name and enterprise.
It is difficult to over estimate the importance of the work you are now beginning.
While we admire self made men, and hold them up with pride as examples before our country of what personal energy and character may accomplish, yet as our great leaders, both in church and state, and in every department of literary and scientific enterprise lay aside their worldly honors and cares, and close their lives full of worldly greatness you will almost invariably see, in that short summary which foots up so concisely the record of a well spent life. "He graduated at Yale College, or Harvard, or Andover, or Dartsmouth, or Co- lumbia, or Athens, or Kenyon, and so on down through the bright and shining list of our Public Institutions, which so adorn this enlightened age. established and built up in every state in this free country.
And all along the pathway of that great man's career, where ever he cast his lot and influence in life, the classic shades of his cherished "Alma Mater" were never forgotten.
In long years to come, in the stormy conflicts of life; on every battle field of human progress and reform, this Institution will send her champions to the conflict and when the battle of life is fought and won and the summary is made up, the proud record before the world will be, as to many you shall send forth, "He graduated at Carthage." Guard well then, and cherish tenderly fellow citizens, the interests this day committed to your charge. May they be in your midst; what they are worthy to become; more cherished than the Sacred Penates of Ancient Mythology, more honored than the Star and Garter, or the Roman Eagles of ancient pride and glory, more durable than the monuments of ancient Power and Grandeur.
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For this, we invoke with humble benediction, that Overruling Power, which directs the destinies of man, of nations, and of the world.
REV. HIBBARD'S REMARKS.
MR. PRESIDENT AND FELLOW CITIZENS: While I fully appreciate the kindly consideration which has asked me to address you to-day, I also understand that it will not be becoming that I trespass long on your time nor exhaust the patience which has already been drawn upon by services and words that must pertain to such an occasion.
It has occurred to me that some of you may be asking, Why this outlay of money, of care, of anxious interest, to provide such an institution in a state that makes complete provision for the education of her sons and daughters, and especially in a community remarkable for the excellence of its schools, and where fitting preparation may be had for higher grades of culture? I have not the time, nor is this the place to give careful answer to this honest query. But I would suggest that the very system upon which our public education is based is the reason why this institution is demanded. Instruction provided by the commonwealth must be adapted in its methods and in its rate of progress to the average ability of those whom it seeks to educate. The problem which our pub- lic school educators have sought to solve is something like this: Given, the average child, having the average constitution, the average natural ability to study and learn, the average opportunities, how may I do the most for, and make the most of that child with the money and time at my command?"
The problem is a great one, and it requires a process of induction extend- ing through generations in order to answer it wisely and well. Meanwhile, our systems are largely experimental, and it is their glory that they are going on from good to better, and, as we hope, to best.
But, pertaining necessarily to such a system, there must be an inflexibility which is a constant repression upon the scholar of ability above the average, and of wearying and perhaps exhausting strain upon those below it. The boy or girl coming from a home which is itself a school and which represents genera- tions of culture cannot do their best when held back to accommodate the slow progress of those who represent homes and families of precisely the opposite character. The active intellect will find vent somewhere, and the necessities of the system may explain that not infrequent expression of our teachers, "our brightest scholars make us the most trouble."
Hence the academy, and never was it more needed than to-day. Its power to adapt itself to all grades of ability; its longer period in the class room; the tenure by which it holds its pupils; the esprit de corps which it ordinarily arouses, the closer contact between teacher and pupil-each and all of these things call it into being, and so far from making it a rival of the public school, in any rivalry which can be injurious, it gives the latter the relief that is needed in order that its greatest efficiency may be secured and its highest usefulness pro- moted. It takes each class of ability and attainment and grades it where it may do its best work, with as little repression or strain as possible. The experi- ence of centuries has demonstrated its usefulness, and, unlike our public schools, which are the outgrowth of present necessities, has proven the wisdom and utility of its methods. Our older states point with conscious pride to their acad- emies, and it is a glory to this new west that she is emulating the acquisitions of the older east, and will soon stand abreast of her in all that pertains to the best and highest intellectual culture.
But we cannot pause here in our statement of reasons for the foundation of such an institution as this. The inception of this enterprise was in the minds of those who believe that in Jesus Christ and his religion is the most enduring foundation and the most powerful motive and active stimulant for intellectual growth and mental culture. The active promoters of this work are men and
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women who believe not only in the doctrine of mens sana in corpore sano, but also in that grander, more far-reaching truth, omnia ad Dei gloriam. They rec- ollect that the glory of our land to-day and the hope of its future is largely in those institutions where both precepts of the Divine maxim are taught which enjoins that we "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's." It will be fostered by the gifts and embraced in the prayers of fathers and mothers who live as seeing those things which are invisible, and who would have the culture of their children reach upward beyond the intellect and beyond the purest morality, to the highest part of our human nature-the spiritual-which not only allies us with God but the culture of which shall prepare for Divine companionship when these objects about us shall have passed away. So they come here to-day with glad and trusting hearts, inter- ested in this institution because it is likely to become the crowning glory of our beautiful Queen City ; interested in it because it is likely to exert a power which shall attract hither men of means who shall help forward all our enterprises; men who love learning and purity, whose presence shall exalt the moral tone about us and clarify the moral atmosphere we breathe; interested in it, because here their sons shall be made strong to sustain and active to carry forward all that is good, and "their daughters may be as corner-stones, polished after the similitude of a palace."
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