USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people > Part 39
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John LaFever, Co. C, 11 Mo. Infy.
B. M. Wilson, Co. A, 11 Mo. Infy.
L. B. Stevens, Co. A, 11 Mo. Infy. Lee Taylor, Co. A, Brook's Regt., Fagan's Brig. Richard D. Fallis, Co. B, 2 Mo. Infy.
J. A. Broadhurst, Co. F, 2 Mo. Cav.
W. E. Reynolds, Co. A, Stone's Cav., Cabelle Brig.
T. W. Irwin, Griffins Revir's Regt., Clark's Brig.
O. F. Arnold, Co. I, 4 Mo. Cav.
A. W. Carmen, Co. I, Green's Infy Mo.
J. M. Johnson, Co. I, 2 Mo. Cav.
A. H. McCune, Co. E, McGowan's Regt.
E. L. Howard, Co. A, Todd's Regt.
G. R. Hill, Co. B, 31 Mo. Cav.
A. P. Lomax, Co. E, 39 N. C. Infy.
David Allen, 3 Mo. Battery.
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Name Rank and Command
W. R. Calfee, Co. E, 17 Va. Cav. T. W. Cunningham, Co. I, 6 Mo. Infy. J. E. Spiva, Co. I, 3 Mo. Cav.
W. P. Phelps, 8 Ky. Cav.
M. A. Waldron, Co. D, 28 Va., Garnett's Brig. Jas. O. N. Gilbert, Co. B, 7 Ark. Infy., Harden's Brig. S. S. Nix, Co. G, 7 Ky. Infy.
W. D. Boggs, Co. H, 13 Va. Infy.
William Seaton, Co. D, 17 Tenn. Infy. Fred A. Smith, Co. E, Williams' Regt., Shelby's Brig. John D. James, Gun's Regt., Adams Brig.
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CHAPTER XXXI
CARTHAGE IN THE 'NINETIES
LOCAL POLITICS AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS BUILDING OF THE CITY LIGHT PLANT-CITY PARK-NEWSPAPERS-BANKS AND BANKING ORATOR- ICAL AND DECLAMATORY CONTESTS-CARTHAGE FEDERATION OF WO- MEN'S CLUBS-WHIST CONTESTS-REUNION OF THE SIXTH KANSAS CAVALRY, U. S. V.
This decade was distinctively a home-building period, and during the nineties many beautiful residences were erected, adding still more to the beauty and fame of the Queen City. Three more churches were built, and the teaching force of the public schools was almost doubled. As mentioned before, much of the history of Carthage had a country- wide influence-and appears in our chapter on the county at large-we regret that several of the articles which are purely local and are pre- sented here are partially incomplete on account of our inability to secure some of the data which was desired to complete the stories.
LOCAL POLITICS AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
In 1890 Carthage surrendered its charter as a city of the fourth class and organized as a city of the third class. This was a most im- portant change, as it enabled the city to provide for a more complete system of streets and other municipal improvements; also to raise a sufficient revenue to carry on, in a proper way, the several depart- ments of the city government. Naturally, there was great interest manifested in the city election for 1890, as there would devolve on the officers elected at this time a complete revision of the city ordinances and the enactment of the many important laws necessary to put in operation the machinery of a third class city. Both parties put into the field a ticket which contained men of splendid business ability, and the contest was warm. The Republicans, being in the majority, won most of the offices. The first officers of the city, under the new char- ter, were as follows: Mayor, W. B. Myers; marshal, Asa Hurst; city attorney, Howard Gray; recorder, E. J. Montague; collector, Edward Garland, and treasurer, E. B. Jacobs.
City Council: First ward, Wm. R. Logan two years, and Geo. W. Koontz one year; second ward, M. Edstorm two years, and Geo. C. Howanstein one year .; third ward, Jasper J. Smith two years, and Jno. W. Henderson one year; fourth ward, W. H. Black two years, and H. F. Beebe one year.
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Among the first enactments passed by the new administration was an ordinance providing for better equipment for the fire department, $1,500 being appropriated to purchase hose wagons and a hook and ladder truck.
It will be noted that a full complement of officers are elected every two years, and as the organization occurred in 1890 the general elections occur in the even years-in the odd years only one half council being elected.
Election in 1891 :- Council members-Geo. W. Koontz, D. A. Innes, C. E. Turner and H. F. Beebe.
General election 1892 :- Mayor, W. W. Calhoun; marshal, D. M. Stafford; city attorney, Charles Farrow; recorder, (police judge) Thos. Buckbee; collector, Edward Garland; treasurer, E. B. Jacobs; assessor, Frank Griscomb; councilmen: W. R. Logan, J. R. Freed, J. P. Coulter and E. A. Bissell.
Councilmen elected in 1893 :- First ward, W. H. Black; second ward, James D. Eagan; third ward, Isaac Perkins; fourth ward, J. G. Hankla; fifth ward, L. M. Murphy and W. W. Sewell.
General election in 1894 :- Mayor, E. B. Jacobs; marshal, D. M. Stafford; police judge, Thos. Buckbee; city attorney, Chas. Farrow; collector, Homar D. Smith; treasurer, Albert Rogers; assessor, Horace B. Martin.
Council-First ward, Michael Torphy; second ward, James Ross; third ward, Thos. Freed; fourth ward, George Brown; fifth ward, I. C. Hodson.
Councilmen elected in 1895 :- W. H. Black, M. Edstrom, Isaac Perkins, B. J. Gladden and L. M. Murphy.
General election in 1896 :- Mayor, George C. Howanstein; mar- shal, D. M. Stafford; police judge, Thos. Buckbee; city attorney, Harry Green; collector, Homar D. Smith; treasurer, Albert Rogers; assessor, W. H. Rhodes.
Council :- W. J. Porter, James Ross, George Brown, William Perry and I. C. Hodson.
Councilmen elected in 1897 :- First ward, Michael Torphy; second ward, M. Edstrom; third ward, J. J. Wells; fourth ward, Andrew Zane; fifth ward, John A. McMillen.
General election in 1898 :- Mayor, C. O. Harrington; marshal, D. W. Bruffett; police judge, Thos. Buckbee; city attorney, Harry Green ; collector, Homar D. Smith; treasurer, Albert Rogers, and assessor, D. H. Paulding.
Council :- First ward, W. T. Porter, G. B. Light (unexpired term) ; second ward, James S. Ross; third ward, Charles A. Dumars; fourth ward, G. D. Wells; fifth ward, Joseph P. Eiffer.
Councilmen elected in 1899 :- F. G. Lanbolk, W. W. Brunkley, J. B. Chaffey and J. A. McLean.
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As will be noted, the officers of Carthage have all been men of high integrity and business standing, and have all, regardless of political faith, worked for the betterment of the city.
BUILDING OF THE CITY LIGHT PLANT
In April, 1897, the City of Carthage voted $32,800 in bonds for the purpose of building a city light plant. The vote on the question was: For the city light plant, 624; against, 518. E. J. Lentz was appointed city electrician and superintendent of construction and personally su- pervised the building of the plant, which was constructed in a satis- factory manner.
CITY PARK
In 1893 the panic which swept the country did much damage to the business of Carthage, and many people were out of employment during the winter of 1893-4. To provide employment for these the city voted a considerable sum for the improvement of the city park, and many changes were made which added to its beauty and usefulness.
NEWSPAPERS
The Carthage Press and the Carthage Democrat were the leading newspapers of the city during this decade. The Democrat, which was purchased by Cornelius Roach, now secretary of state, had a large country circulation and molded very largely the public sentiment of the Democratic party. The Press, which during the early days was a Greenback paper, during the later eighties espoused the cause of a high tariff: and in 1890 became a straight-out Republican paper. C. Conrad who, with A. W. St. John, had jointly published the Press, retired from the editorial staff in January, 1890, and W. J. Sewell, now the editor-in-chief, became a half owner and took charge of the city and county news department. The Press is now the oldest paper in the county.
The Silver Review, published in 1896-8 by M. Mehan, was a spicy and well edited paper devoted to the cause of bimetalism and the official sheet of the Silver Republican party.
BANKS AND BANKING
The Central National Bank was chartered in July, 1890, with a capital of $100,000. The following were its first officers: President, A. H. Caffee; vice-president, J. P. Newell; cashier, J. E. Lang.
In January, 1891, the Bank of Carthage increased its capital to $100,000 and G. A. Cassel, its founder, was again called to the execu- tive chair.
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The reorganized First National Bank succeeded the Drovers. In January, 1890, the following were the officers: President, W. E. Brinkerhoffer; cashier, A. V. Wallace. These banks, since their organ- ization, have been strong financial institutions. During the panic of 1893, not a single depositor lost a dollar; by their wise management they kept the business of Carthage on a firm basis, and by the liberality of their policy they tided many of the business men of the county seat over a rough sea of financial perils.
ORATORICAL AND DECLAMATORY CONTESTS
With the view of encouraging oratory and expression, W. H. John, of Carthage, offered for competition, at an annual contest at the Colle- giate Institute, two medals-one for oratory and one for declamation. These medals created great interest among the students, and the annual contests were events which brought out some splendid orations.
The first contest for the John medal occurred at the close of school in 1890, the following students participating in the oratorical contest :
"Great Men of the Century," L. E. Brous.
"The Present Age of Woman's Opportunity," Hattie M. Means.
"Young American Citizenship," James Potter.
Mr. Potter won the gold medal for oratory.
The following entered the declamatory contest :
"The Golden Arm," Miss C. O. Luscom.
"The First and Last Defeat of Black Hawk," C. B. Malsenger.
"Ode to the Fallen," Miss M. P. John.
The first named speaker carried off the honors in this contest.
CARTHAGE FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS
As mentioned in a former article devoted to the Queen City, Car- thage has always been a literary city and, like Old Boston, intellect and moral worth have been the measures by which social standing was rated rather than wealth. The women's club movement all over the state came into great prominence during the middle nineties and found Carthage with seven women's literary clubs, and these, in 1897, formed a federation of women's clubs with the following officers: President, Mrs. T. B. Hobbs; vice-presidents, Mrs. I. C. Hodson and Mrs. Samuel McReynolds; secretary, Miss Daisy Reed; corresponding secretary, Miss Matilda Wright; auditor, Mrs. V. A. Wallace; treasurer, Mrs. E. B. Jacobs.
With the view of bringing about a more complete organization and for the mutual benefit of the club women of southwestern Missouri, the Carthage Federation of Women's Clubs invited the club women of the several southwestern Missouri cities to attend a reception at the residence of President Mrs. T. B. Hobbs on November 9, 1897. Two hundred invitations were sent out and there was an almost unanimous VOL 1-28
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acceptance, eighty-one out-of-town club women being present, a repre- sentative being present from the following: The Century, the Emer- son, and the Unity Literary clubs of Joplin; the Woman's Study Club of Webb City; Pierce City Reading Club, and the Friends in Council, of Springfield. The reception was a most elegant affair, the following ladies assisting President Hobbs: Mrs. R. E. McCarty, President Local C. L. S. C., Carthage; Mrs. I. C. Hodson, President Vincent Club, C. L. S. C., Carthage; Mrs S. S. Riley, President Iantha Club, C. L. S. C., Carthage; Mrs. C. A. Turner, President Stratford Shakespeare Club, Carthage; Mrs. May Brader, President, Fifth Section Century Club, Carthage; Mrs. Geo. Stebbins, President E. H. Section Century Club, Carthage; Mrs. C. A. Blair, President Tourist Club, Carthage.
After everybody was acquainted, an excellent program was ren- dered, after which a dainty luncheon was served. This reception was the beginning of a series of highly enjoyable literary and social meet- ings of the club women of southwestern Missouri. It is with a touch of pride that we refer to the fact that it was Jasper county women who took the initiative in this very laudable work of spreading the higher thought among the women of the southwest.
WHIST CONTESTS
During the early nineties whist came into great popularity in Carthage and it was quite a popular pastime for the crack players of the county seat to meet the strong players of other cities in friendly contest; and these championship games always attracted much interest. Col. W. K. Caffee, Paul Davay, A. B. Deutsch and C. O. Harrington were among the best whist players of Carthage, and during the month of February, 1890, they were challenged by the crack team of Colum- bus, Kansas, to play a game.
The Columbus team consisted of Judge Cheshire, W. T. Timberlake, J. B. Henderson and Mr. Chamberlain. The game was played at Co- lumbus and occupied an entire afternoon. The score at the close stood : Carthage, 245 points; Columbus, 192.
REUNION OF THE SIXTH KANSAS CAVALRY, U. S. V.
As mentioned in our war chapter, many of the Jasper county citi- zens who were loyal to the government went to Kansas and enlisted with the troops of that state. After the war they returned home and many of their comrades, who had been attracted by the native beauty of Jasper county (the regiment passed through Southwest Missouri many times during the progress of hostilities), came here to make their homes when the great unpleasantness was over, among them being Col. Wm. Clome, the old commander.
From October 15-17, 1890, the Sixth Kansas Cavalry Veteran Association held its annual reunion at Carthage and was attended by 198 survivors of that famous regiment. Chas. W. Elliott of Oronogo
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was the president of the association and spared no pains to make the gathering the most enjoyable one ever had. At the close of the reunion a sumptuous banquet was served by the citizens of Carthage and much enjoyed-a number of the men who wore the gray attending the gath- ering, at the request and invitation of President Elliott, and assisting in the entertainment. The supper was served in Armory Hall, and six long tables were spread for the guests.
The following toasts were proposed and responded to: "The Vet- erans of the Sixth Kansas Cavalry," Geo. E. Emery; "The Flag," Jno. W. Halliburton (who wore the gray) ; "The Volunteer Soldier," Maj. Harding; "The Girl I Left Behind Me," Al Cahn; "The Ladies of the Sixth," A. W. St. John; "Our Government," Major Kender- dine; "The Sons of Veterans," Colonel Klein.
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CHAPTER XXXII
LODGE AND SOCIAL EVENTS
Y. M. C. A. PERMANENTLY ORGANIZED-CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH CAL- ENDAR FAIR-I. O. O. F. NATAL DAY-THE UNIFORM RANK, KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS-KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS DECORATION DAY-KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS COLUMBIAN BALL-OGLESBY CAMP, SONS OF VETERANS, MEMORIAL MONUMENT-THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC- ASCENSION DAY, 1891-THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF BLUE LODGE- DEPARTMENT ENCAMPMENT, G. A. R.
A Young Men's Christian Association had been organized in Car- thage in 1881, although its meetings had not been kept up regularly, and in January, 1890, a meeting was called to reorganize the associa- tion and to take steps to provide permanent quarters for meetings, reading rooms, etc. Professor Wardel was chairman of the meeting and E. E. Branden, secretary. Eighteen men signed the roll at this meeting, an adjournment was taken to a future date and an invitation extended to T. S. McPheeters, of St. Louis, chairman of the Y. M. C. A. State Board, to be present and address the members.
Y. M. C. A. PERMANENTLY ORGANIZED
At this meeting, January 29, 1890, thirty-five more names were added to the roster and the organization was perfected.
The officers elected for 1890 were as follows: Dr. L. I. Matthews, president; Hall Warden, secretary. Executive committee :- President Matthews, W. W. Calhoun, C. T. McElroy, F. D. Porter, Dr. L. E. Whitney, George Chilcote, W. E. Hall, G. Drekens, S. W. Driesback, E. E. Gard and H. L. Baker.
From that day to now the Young Men's Christian Association has been a fixture in Carthage and has exerted a great influence for good in the community. Its attractive reading rooms and gymnasium feat- ures have provided splendid social and club advantages to its members.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH CALENDAR FAIR
One of the most enjoyable and also novel church entertainments given in Carthage during the nineties occurred April 2, 1890, at Ar- mory Hall, and was known as the Calendar Fair. The entertainment -
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was given by the ladies of the Congregational church. The twelve months of the year were represented by twelve booths appropriately decorated and either by the entertainment furnished, or the articles sold, typifying the month or season.
The booth January was appropriately decorated to represent a winter scene and here, emblematic of New Year's day, refreshments were served free, new acquaintances were made and old time friend- ships renewed. This was really a splendid thought, because every one was put in a happy frame of mind at this first booth and at the visita- tion of the other eleven stations enjoyed themselves to the highest de- gree and, incidentally, spent their money more freely.
February was an old-fashioned New England kitchen. Yankee dishes were served and valentines and hatchets were offered for sale.
March, as a rule, is a windy month and while here in southwestern Missouri there is an occasional warm spell, still the frosty nights and cutting northeast winds remind us of the old fable-picture of Winter sitting in the lap of Spring, and so during these changeable days and blustering nights a sack of pop corn, or a bag of hot peanuts, is just the thing to drive away the cold-or punctuate a lagging conversation on the way home from singing school or the literary. March was a candy store and here tempting confections, peanuts and pop corn were sold.
In April when the city folks long for the first country air and hike to the woods for a scent of green, there it is that the happy lovers stroll along the long woody lanes to visit the fortune teller. The April booth was a veritable country bower, where the traveler found a lively gypsy camp-tents, camp fire and all-where one of the most bewitch- ing Carthage ladies, dressed as "Wild Zenguralia," read palms at twenty-five cents per. It might be added that the readings were highly satisfactory and very comforting. Business men were told that they would prosper, politicians that they would be elected and every swain was as ardent a lover as Leander and the object of his affection as true as Hero.
May was the fancy bazaar where all kinds of scarfs, doilies, pretty neckwear and fancy work generally was offered for sale.
June was the flower booth and here cut flowers and potted plants were sold.
July, the natal month, was represented by the toy store, flags and fireworks being the stock principally featured.
August, the hottest month, led the sight-seers to the ice cream parlor and here they refreshed themselves on ices, cold drinks and cream.
At the next booth the little red schoolhouse and the ringing of the school bell announced that September had come, and with it the de- mand for books, tablets, slates, pencils, etc., which were sold to the needy.
October was typified by a picture gallery and very properly so. In October, when the harvest is gathered, the falling leaves tell the story of the departing glory of the summer. The rich beauty of the fields,
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the grandeur of the forest, would be lost in winter if it were not for the magic touch of the painter who transcribes the glories of nature to the canvas and keeps before us the memories of the past.
November again brought out the skill of the New England house- wife and set before the visitor at the inn a tempting Thanksgiving dinner.
It is needless to say that in December Christmas and the holiday season was the paramount idea brought out, and the toys and Christmas cheer made old and young be children again and sent them home in the happiest possible frame of mind.
I. O. O. F. NATAL DAY
The Odd Fellows of Jasper county celebrated the natal day April 26, 1890, at Carthage and, although the day was exceedingly disagreea- ble, a heavy downpour of rain marring the pleasure of the celebration, the exercises were attended by five hundred members of the fraternity. The Patriarchs Militant made a most imposing appearance, the canton from Lamar being voted the "cake" for general appearance and mili- tary bearing, every man in the company measuring six feet or more and not a single one weighing less than one hundred and eighty pounds. Rev. H. M. Hackney, of Joplin, was the orator of the day and delivered a pleasing address on the "Foundation Stone of Odd Fellowship."
In the evening the assemblage sat down to a banquet and the follow- ing toasts were proposed and responded to, the speaker being intro- duced in a happy vein by Al Cahn, who presided as toastmaster:
"Friendship," Rev. Pine, Carterville.
"Our Country," J. W. Halliburton, Carthage.
"The World, Our Field," Jno. B. Cole, Lamar.
"The Canton," Capt. Ira Creech, Joplin.
THE UNIFORM RANK, KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS
What Knights Templarism is to Masonry and the Patriarchs Mili- tant are to Odd Fellowship, the Uniform Rank is to Pythianism. The military branch of the Knights of Pythias is so called because it car- ries out the chivalric idea of the several ranks of knighthood, the mili- tary branch, of course, being the Uniform Rank.
The U. R. K. P. came into great prominence in southwestern Mis- souri during the early nineties and Carl Gray, of Carthage, then di- vision freight agent of the Frisco System being the father of the move- ment. Carthage division No. 34 won for itself, and the county seat, great fame, and for a number of years was a great factor in the fra- ternal life of the city. More extended mention of the Carthage Company Uniform Rank has been made in our notes of the semi-military societies in the county-at-large.
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KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS DECORATION DAY
The third Sunday in June of 1890 was set apart as Knights of Pythias Memorial Day and, beginning with June 18th of that year, Fraternal Lodge No. 14 of Carthage has since appropriately observed that day. The first Decoration Day ceremonies were largely attended, A. R. Crane, of Lamar, being the orator of the occasion. The graves of the several departed Knights were decorated with flowers and the tender and comforting address of the speaker gave to the large gather- ing of Pythians a new inspiration, pointing the way to a nobler, grander and better life.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS COLUMBIAN BALL
The Knights of Pythias is purely an American institution, having been organized in Washington, D. C., and among its fundamental prin- ciples is the inculcation of patriotism and love of country.
One of the most enjoyable social events in Carthage during the early nineties was the K. P. Columbian ball, given December 21, 1892. The ball room was most beautifully decorated with the colors of the order and the flags of the nation. One hundred couples, most of them wearing the uniform of the order, participated in the dance, while many more witnessed the splendid pageant and lent eclat to the occa- sion by their presence. Quite a number of Knights from the surround- ing cities were in attendance.
OGLESBY CAMP, SONS OF VETERANS, MEMORIAL MONUMENT
Oglesby Camp, Sons of Veterans, was, during the nineties, a pop- ular organization. It was strong numerically and played an important part in lodge circles. One of the most important things accomplished by the camp during the decade was the launching and carrying to a successful completion, a movement to build a monument in Central Park which would commemorate the deeds of the Jasper county Union veterans.
The movement was begun Lincoln's birthday, February 12, 1890, when the organization conducted a public camp fire, at which Dr. Reecer, of the Collegiate Institute, and Hon. Jno. H. Flannigan, de- livered addresses. Following the memorial in honor of the great libera- tor, a fair was had, numerous articles were disposed of, and the money raised was placed in a fund to be used in building the monument. Al Cahn was the master of ceremonies and created much merriment by his announcements. His witty sayings and droll stories told in presenting the several articles for sale, put the audience in a happy frame of mind and made their bazaar a success.
Among the articles offered were a barrel of apples, which was to be voted to the handsomest man in the audience, and a barrel of pota- toes to the homeliest in the house. In his offering Mr. Cahn closed his remarks by stating, in his inimicable way, that they had plenty of potatoes at his home, but were short on apples.
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The vote to determine who was the handsomest man was as follows: Al Cahn, 100; Major Beeby, 93; Captain Buckbee, 12; Frank Hill, 4.
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