USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people > Part 40
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The vote to determine who should get the potatoes was not quite so spirited, being: Rit Myers, 30; A. W. St. John, 24; Dr. King, 10.
The barrel of apples and the bushel of potatoes netted $112, which made a nice little nucleus for the monument fund, which was added to from time to time. The monument is a beautiful memorial pillar, at- testing the valor of the boys in blue. The State Camp, Sons of Vet- erans, met in Carthage, May 17-18, 1892, and Oglesby Camp did itself proud in the matter of entertainment.
THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
The G. A. R. posts of Jasper county on the invitation of Stanton Post, No. 16, participated in a three days' reunion at the Fair grounds July 4-6, 1890, Hon. Leo. Reassieur, of St. Louis, being the principal orator. One of the features of this reunion was a flag-raising at each of the public schools of Carthage on July 4th, when Old Glory was flung to the breeze and floated proudly over the schools. A mention of the meeting of the Missouri Department, G. A. R., is made elsewhere.'
ASCENSION DAY, 1891
Ascension Day, May 7, 1891, was duly celebrated by the Knights Templar of Jasper and Barton counties, Jasper Commandery, of Car- thage, being the hosts and the Knights of Ascension Commandery of Joplin, and Mount Olive Commandery, of Lamar, with their ladies, being the guests. Two hundred Knights were present and the parade was a most beautiful sight.
The services were held in the First Methodist church and were con- cluded by the entire assemblage repeating the Apostle's Creed; the white plumed champions of the Christian religeon, after the ancient custom of the feudal times, placed their right hands on their partially drawn swords, as they repeated the vow. After the services the Knights and their ladies were escorted to the beautiful homes of W. E. Hall and W. T. Tuttle where, while the Carthage Light Guard band, then second to no musical organization in the state, discoursed the sweetest music, light refreshments were freely dispensed.
In the evening, at Armory Hall, a sumptuous banquet was served and was thoroughly enjoyed by the Knights and their ladies. The fol- lowing after-dinner speeches rounded off the day's pleasure and sent every one who sat at the festive board home with the kindliest feelings for Carthage and her splendid people :
"The Grand Commandery," Rev. Dr. C. L. Woods, of Neosho.
"Ascension Commandery," Sir F. E. Williams, Joplin.
"Mount Olive Commandery," Eminent Sir G. B. Thurman, Lamar.
"The Eastern Star," Sir J. M. Stevenson, Carthage.
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"The Ladies," Sir J. Y. Leeming, Webb City.
"The Day We Celebrate," Sir Allen Ward, Carthage.
"The Knights of Southwestern Missouri," Sir S. A. Underwood, Joplin.
"The Knights of Southeastern Kansas," Sir W. B. Stone, Galena.
THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF BLUE LODGE
January 13, 1897, rounded out thirty years of Masonic influences in Carthage and the event was duly celebrated by the blue lodges of the county. A delegation from Joplin, Webb City, Earlville, Oronogo and Sarcoxie being present at the meeting of the Carthage lodge. E. B. Jacobs, master, presided. Past Master Robinson, who, was the first presiding officer of the lodge, was present, was escorted to a seat at the right of the chair and given an ovation. At the close of the lodge the ladies of the Eastern Star served a supper to the craft.
DEPARTMENT ENCAMPMENT, GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
The Seventh Annual meeting of the Missouri department, G. A. R., was held in Carthage, May 19-21, 1898, and was a great event in G. A. R. and Sons of Veterans circles at the county seat. Stanton Post No. 16, of Carthage, was a strong one and composed of some of the best business men of the city, and the department was entertained in a most excellent manner. The city was profusely decorated with flags and the grand opera house, where the meetings were held, was exceptionally well ornamented with the national colors.
Among the pictures which graced the walls of the building were the familiar faces of the great soldiers of the Civil war and the new heroes of the day-Roosevelt, Dewey, Sampson, Schley, and Fitzhugh Lee, who, in the Spanish-American war, were winning new laurels for the nation.
The meetings of the department were presided over by John R. Platt, of Kingston, department commander. Senior Department Com- mander Col. Chas. H. Morgan, of Lamar, was the only state officer not answering to roll call, but when his name was called the department adjutant made the announcement that he was with the boys of the Fifth Missouri, fighting for Cuban independence and this announcement was greeted with a round of applause.
Over six hundred veterans registered at headquarters. The vet- erans were from the troops of twenty-two different states. Among those who registered was H. B. Kramer, of St. Louis, who was in Carthage with Sigel and, as a member of Essy's famous battery, participated in the battle of July 5, 1861. A severe rain storm spoiled the parade and this was a great disappointment to the people.
In the election of officers, Capt. T. B. Tuttle, of Carthage, was chosen junior vice department commander, as a mark of token of regard
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for the splendid work he had done as chairman of the committee of arrangements.
At the close of the session Captain Tuttle, on behalf of the Carthage veterans, presented each of the delegates with a beautiful G. A. R. badge, made in blue and gold, as a pendant, which hung from a tiny silk United States flag.
The encampment closed with a basket picnic at Lake Side Park, which was a very enjoyable affair.
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CHAPTER XXXIII
JOPLIN IN THE 'NINETIES
LOCAL POLITICS AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS-THE OPENING OF WALL STREET-OPENING AND BUILDING OF EAST SEVENTH STREET-BUILD- ING OF THE CITY LIGHT PLANT-BANKS AND BANKING JOPLIN RE- COVERS FROM THE PANIC OF '93-SOUTH JOLPIN-JOPLIN SPECIAL ROAD DISTRICT-JOPLIN ELECTRIC RAILWAY-CUNNINGHAM'S GROVE BECOMES A CITY PARK-THE "JOPLIN DAILY GLOBE"-JOPLIN TELEPHONE COMPANY-REDELL'S DEEP WELL-VOLUNTEER FIRE- MEN'S TOURNAMENTS-THE PAID DEPARTMENT.
The early 'nineties in Joplin's growth and development may be com- pared to that period in life when the school boy changes into a man.
The surrendering of the old charter, in 1888, may properly be styled the commencement exercise, or Joplin's graduation from the overgrown, awkward, town-like period, and the 'nineties the vigorous activities of a growing city.
During the 'nineties Joplin increased in population 161 per cent. It established a public sewer system, built some fifty miles of macadam- ized streets and thirty miles of sidewalk. Numerous additions were laid out and annexed to the city and the municipal limits were extended, adding considerably to its area. A general boom air pervaded Joplin, especially during the early part of the decade, and a considerable eastern capital sought investment. Although the new-comers were from every section of the country, perhaps the greatest number were from the Sunflower state and from the great city on the Kaw, Kansas City.
Following the general plan of this book, as in the seventies and 'eighties we shall, in this chapter, group the important happenings of the municipal, school, business, church, and social life, presenting, as space will allow, a sufficient number of incidents to give a correct idea of the decade.
LOCAL POLITICS AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
As mentioned before, a general air of progress seemed to take hold of the people and the City Council, early in 1891, began to plan for a city beautiful. On April 8, 1891, the council held an all-afternoon ses- sion for the discussion of ways and means, what to do, and how to do the many things which were needed to make Joplin an up-to-date city.
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Many good thoughts were presented and in time the plan for public improvement worked out.
City clerks : D. K. Wenrich, 1890-2; Jno. Cavanaugh, 1892-3; R. A. Spears, 1893-7; E. C. H. Squire, 1897-1908.
The election of April, 1891, was hotly contested and resulted in a mixed ticket being elected, as follows: Mayor, R. B. Tyler; marshal, J. J. Cofer; recorder, police judge, George Orear; city attorney, Jno. C. Trigg; collector, J. W. Calvin; treasurer, Geo. W. Gore. The following gentlemen came into the council: P. L. Crossman, F. L. Yale, Z. A. Norris, Thomas Field and Henry Sapp.
CITY LIMITS EXTENDED
At this election the corporate limits were extended and a considerable area added to the city.
At the election in April, 1892, six councilmen were elected-one for each of the four old wards and two for the new fifth ward. The suc- cessful candidates were: First Ward, D. M. Page; Second Ward, John George; Third Ward, Frank Stoher; Fourth Ward, Henry Sapp; Fifth Ward, J. M. McAdams and S. H. Crane.
City election of 1893: Mayor, W. B. Halyard; police judge, Z. A. Norris; marshal, Jno. A. McManany; city attorney, John C. Trigg; col- lector, J. W. Calvin; treasurer, G. K. Davidson; assessor, D. K. Wenrich.
Council : First Ward, Harmon Cline; Second Ward, Charles O. Frye; Third Ward, W. R. Brown; Fourth Ward, D. W. K. Henly; Fifth Ward, James A. Graves; city clerk, R. A. Spear.
Election of 1894: Council-First Ward, D. M. Page; Second Ward, J. C. Miller; Third Ward, J. M. McCollough; Fourth Ward, J. W. Moore; Fifth Ward, J. M. McAdams.
Election of 1895 : Mayor, E. D. Porter; police judge, Z. A. Norris; marshal, Jno. A. McManany; city attorney, J. H. Spurgeon; collector, Luther McGehee; treasurer, G. K. Davidson ; assessor, E. B. Dennison.
Council : First Ward, H. Cline; Second Ward, H. L. Chickering; Third Ward, Frank Stoher; Fourth Ward, D. W. Henley; Fifth Ward, T. W. Cunningham.
Election of 1896: Council-First Ward, T. B. Minor; Second Ward, G. R. Lavery ; Third Ward, W. H. Warren; Fourth Ward, J .W. Moore; Fifth Ward, A. P. Mason.
City election, 1897: Mayor, T. W. Cunningham; police judge, J. C. Gaston; marshal, W. E. Morgan; city attorney, Joel T. Livingston; col- lector, Robt. A. Wilson; treasurer, Hugh J. Raible; assessor, M. W. Clark.
Council-First Ward, C. G. Swanford; Second Ward, G. A. Wad- leigh ; Third Ward, J. H. Spencer; Fourth Ward, Jas. M. Thurman; Fifth Ward, Grant Davis; City Clerk, E. C. H. Squire.
City election, 1898: Council-First Ward, F. B. Minor; Second Ward, Walter Scott; Third Ward, Chas. Shannon; Fourth Ward, G. R. Lavery ; Fifth Ward, Jno A. Nichols.
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City election, 1899. The city election of 1899 resulted in a mixed ticket, the following being the successful candidates: Mayor, J. H. Spencer; Marshal, Jno. A. McManany; police judge, W. M. Daurety ; city attorney, Joel T. Livingston; treasurer, Jos. B. Glover; collector, R. A. Wilson ; assessor, G. R. B. Roe; council, First Ward, H. B. Cross- man; Second Ward, R. A. Loomis; Third Ward, C. W. McAbee; Fourth Ward, Ralph Danford; Fifth Ward, Grant Davis.
Each of the several administrations gave to the city some new im- provement, and was marked by some features original, distinct and dif- ferent from the preceding one. During Dr. Tyler's term of office a sewer system was built and something like fifteen miles of sidewalk were constructed in the residence portion of the city.
Previous to 1889 no provision was made for sidewalk construction, excepting as the people, through civic pride, built their own, but after the adoption of the new charter laws were enacted by the council mak- ing provision for all kinds of street and sidewalk improvement.
While Mayor Halyard was in the chair the paid fire department was organized. Mayor Porter encouraged the bringing to the city of various industries and in every possible way helped the investors to secure loca- tions and concessions that would be conducive to the building of manu- factories.
During Mr. Cunningham's administration, aside from the usual routine of work in the way of policing the city, street improvements, etc., several out-of-the-ordinary things occurred which we deem of sufficient interest to warrant special mention.
THE OPENING OF WALL STREET
In 1890 when the Missouri Pacific Railway extended its yards and built the present passenger depot at Tenth and Main street. The city council, at a special meeting, vacated all of the thoroughfares from Jop- lin to Moffet and at this time, when but little building had been done south of the railway tracks, no great inconvenience was experienced, but as the city spread to the south there was a great clamor for an additional outlet leading from the main part of the city to the south and Council- man James Thurman of the Fourth Ward introduced an ordinance pro- viding for the reopening of Wall street across the railway tracks. This brought on a contest between the city and the railway company which lasted for over a year.
The railway company refused to recognize the city's right to reopen the street and contended that the ordinance providing for the reopening was void and with a view of maintaining their position, kept a number of empty cars over the old roadway. The police, however, as they made their beats during the night, went at stated intervals to Wall street, and one night found that the switching crew had left the street open. It was then 2 o'clock in the morning. The street commissioner was notified and he at once 'phoned to his crew of street workers, and they arose from their slumber, went to the place where the city desired to
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build the street and put in a street crossing. They then graveled the roadway across the track, and on the morrow the railway officials were astonished to find a well-built street across their tracks.
The fight now began in real earnest. The city put on an extra police force to guard the city street and as soon as a car was shoved over the track the train crew were arrested and taken to the city jail, where they, of course, gave bond for appearance in court and at that time were fined. The road next sought to enjoin the city from using the street and sued out an injunction, which was fought through the courts and resulted in a victory for the city.
OPENING AND BUILDING OF EAST SEVENTH STREET
Up to 1898 there were but two streets in the city leading to the east- Broadway and Fifth street-but neither of the roadways were well built and there was a clamor for a good county road giving an inlet to the rich farming and mining district to the east. G. A. Wadleigh, the chair- man of the city council committee on streets and roads, proposed the ex- tension of Seventh street from Kentucky avenue east across the Norton- Porter & Bankers lands, so as to make an eastern outlet. This seemed a herculean task. The right-of-way over the land having been acquired, another great task confronted the city-the building of the road bed. As it had been agreed in securing the right-of-way that the property owners should not be taxed to build the road, other means must be provided, and as a six and eight foot cut must be made in Swindle Hill and a six to ten foot fill across the Norton land, it required close figur- ing. At each council meeting Mr. Wadleigh moved that fifty dollars be spent in building the road (this was all that could be spent without advertising for the bids) and in due time the road was completed. It has since been a much traveled street and has opened to the city the farming district to the east.
BUILDING OF THE CITY LIGHT PLANT
Mayor Spencer's administration was marked by the building of a city electric light plant. The following gentlemen served as the first board of public improvement : L. A. Fillmore, John C. Trigg and G. A. Wadleigh-all of whom gave much time to the supervision of the in- stallation of the service. The original expenditure for the plant was $30,000. The city purchased the old power house of the electric rail- way as a home for the plant, and work on the plant was pushed. J. A. McDonald was the first superintendent of the light plant. Lights were first turned on and the city lighted by its own current February 16, 1900.
Too much cannot be said of the personal supervision and the time given to the city by the first light board. It was a great experiment for the city to make and these gentlemen realized that careful, painstaking and businesslike methods must be pursued, and gave to the matter of construction almost all of their time, making at their own expense trips
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to other cities while inspecting the different systems and methods. Their work gave to Joplin a splendidly managed and successful lighting system.
BANKS AND BANKING
Two banks were organized in Joplin during the 'nineties, the Joplin State and the Interstate, the first named is still one of the great factors in Joplin's business world, its head, A. H. Waite, being at this writing the president of the Missouri Bankers' Association.
The Joplin National Bank was organized in 1890, Henry Newman, late of St. Louis, being its first president and A. H. Waite, late of the Miners' Bank, its cashier. The bank opened its doors October 1, 1890, and its first day's business was a good index of the popularity of its offi- cers. Its deposits on the first day footed up $56,783.74. On December 31, 1899, they had increased to $148,394.42.
To give an idea of Joplin's growth, in a financial way, during the decade we cite the following: On December 31, 1889, the three banks of Joplin had on deposit $375,320.68; the last offered statement for 1899 showed that the six banks had on hand, $2,307,384.18.
Joplin's financial institutions were well managed and although many banks all over the country failed during the panic of 1893, no Joplin depositor lost a penny and the four banks then doing business in the city grew and prospered. The Interstate Bank, organized by George A. Case, formerly of the Bank of Joplin, was organized in 1898 and enjoyed a good patronage.
One of the notable features of the Joplin banks was the manner in which they handled the several issues of city and school bonds. In the issue of bonds it is customary to specify in the bond some time after which the paper may be redeemed by the city or school district. The usual time is ten years and bonds that are put on the market and thus sold, cannot be taken up until the option mentioned expires. As soon as bonds are issued, a tax levy is made to redeem them. This accumu- lates until the time they can be taken up, and the fund thus lies idle in the treasury. The Joplin bank began in the 'nineties the custom of buy- ing these several city issues at par and giving the city or school district the right to redeem them at will, and as soon as enough money was in the treasury to pay one of the bonds it was paid off and the interest stopped. In this way the banks of Joplin saved the taxpayer thousands of dollars in interest and at the same time strengthened the credit of the city.
JOPLIN RECOVERS FROM THE PANIC OF '93
By 1895 Joplin had fully recovered from the effects of the panic of '93 and began to take on signs of renewed activity, and on January 1, 1896, there was not a single vacant business house from First to Four- teenth streets on Main. The year 1897 was exceptionally good, in a busi- ness way, and in 1898 jack began to rise and as it steadily advanced in price a boom came on with all of its fury. From January 1, 1898, to
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January 1, 1900, fully ten thousand people came to Joplin and the scenes of the early 'seventies were repeated-that is, in the shortage of houses for the rapidly increasing population. Real estate doubled in value and houses were built and put on the market with great rapidity. The houses were, however, good substantial buildings and modern and up-to-date, save a few hastily constructed buildings, which were used as rooming houses.
SOUTH JOPLIN
South Joplin grew very rapidly during the early part of the decade and many improvements were made, prominent among them being the building of Freeman's foundry and the Inland Lead & Zinc Factory. This section of the city in a most amazingly short time became not only a busy mart, but one of the most beautiful parts of the city. The corn fields and prairies which but a few years before had met the traveler's eye gave way to graveled streets, sidewalks, trees, flower beds, pleasant homes and beautiful lawns.
Much of these improvements were due to the efforts of the South Jop- lin Improvement Club, organized in February, 1892, with J. W. Free- man as president and Lambert Wilstead as secretary. This club had a membership of fifty and its meetings were both interesting and instruct- ive. Public questions of interest were discussed and plans for the improvement of South Joplin were considered. Every man was a booster and a firm confidence in the future of the South Town was the most con- spicuous feature of his conversation. The people were urged to own their homes, and it might be added as an item of interest that in 1893 the deputy county assessor who made the lists for Joplin reported that 65 per cent of the people of South Joplin were actual owners of their homesteads.
JOPLIN SPECIAL ROAD DISTRICT
At the session of the legislature of 1895 there was passed an act which is commonly called the Hudson law, which provided a means of building a system of roads and highways. The main provisions of this law are that any district having within it a city of the second or third class, eight miles square, may by vote of the people form a special road district to be managed by three commissioners appointed by the council and county judges, and to serve without pay. Such board has full control over the public roads in the district and can build roads outside within a limit of fifteen miles, provided liberal donations for this work are offered.
The revenue is derived from saloon licenses, one-half of the county and one-fourth of the city saloon license going into the road fund; from a poll tax levied on the able bodied citizens living in the district, but outside the city limits, and from donations. The total revenue of the Joplin special road district received up to August 1, 1911, totaled $450,423.89.
This sum has been spent in building and keeping in repair the roads in the district and those leading into Joplin. The road material, or
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macadam, consists of the tailings from the lead and zinc mines of the district, and costs from two hundred dollars to six hundred dollars per mile according to the distance of the haul. Of total expenditures eighty-eight per cent went for labor, nine per cent for material bought, tools, tiling, etc., including $1,000 for oiling some of the leading roads during 1909 and 1910, and only three per cent for administration, in- cluding supervisors' wages, surveying, stationery, clerical help, etc. For repair and maintenance, $87,000 was paid out. The oiling, it is expected, will cut down this expense materially. Total expenses per
COUNTRY ROAD NORTH OF JOPLIN. BUILT BY THE JOPLIN SPECIAL ROAD DISTRICT
mile, including everything, $3,177: first cost, leaving out maintenance, $2,555.
At a special election held May 5, 1896, the old Galena township road district was disorganized and the Joplin special road district created. The following were named as the first commissioners: President, Jas. A. Turk; secretary, Chris. Guengerich and treasurer, T. W. Cunningham. Messrs. Guengerich and Cunningham have been connected with the road board from its organization until the present. Mr. Turk resigned from the board in 1896 and was succeeded by A. J. Vanal, who served as presi- dent in 1899. Mr. Vanal was succeeded in that year by Allen Dixon, now associate justice of the county court. Charles Schifferdicker, the present president of the road commission, was appointed in 1902 and has served the district continuously from then to now.
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The first road built by the road district was an extension of West Thirteenth street to Central City, then a mining camp of a thousand people in all of its glory. During the fifteen years the district has been organized the commission has built one hundred and forty miles of splendid macadamized road, besides keeping the old road beds in re- pair. In construction, the county roads leading into Joplin are second to none in the state.
Rice Hunt, the superintendent of construction, is one of the busiest men in the county, employing from twenty to fifty men at road build- ing and repairing those already built, and at short intervals going over the entire system to note where repairs are needed; also to observe which materials make the best and most durable roads.
The three commissioners have given much of their valuable time to the city and have built up a most excellent system of roads. These three men take as much pride in the road construction as they do in their private affairs, and frequently go out on the county thoroughfares, in- specting the work of construction and noting the general condition of the system. The public generally, who are not acquainted with the private lives of these three men, cannot appreciate the amount of time and the money that they have expended in building up and keeping in condition, the highways leading into Joplin. The road commissioners hold a weekly meeting each Monday afternoon.
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