USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people > Part 60
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
The beautiful home of the M. E. Church South, situated at the south- east corner of Joplin street and Pennsylvania avenue, was built during the summer of 1909 and was dedicated November 29th of the same year. It is considered that this church is complete in its equipment. Every department of the church work is amply provided for in its arrange- ment. On the ground floor are the primary Sunday school rooms; a large banquet room and kitchen which is fully equipped with all con- veniences for the preparing of any meals; a library and a living room for the custodian of the church ; ladies' parlors and three separate toilet rooms. On the main floor of the church are the auditorium with a large seating capacity, and the adult Sunday school room with fourteen sepa- rate class rooms and pastor's study. This church contains in all thirty separate rooms, besides the vestibules. Ben C. Aylor and his sister, Mrs. S. Nilson, presented the church with the handsome pipe organ as a memorial to their mother. The cost of the organ was $3,500. The opera chairs with which it is seated were given by Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Chinn and cost $2,500. Mrs. E. T. Webb provided the fixtures for the lighting of the church. Rev. Thomas J. Norsworthy has been pastor now for fifteen months and at the request of the official board was re- appointed by the bishop to serve for another year. The church has just completed one of the most successful years of its long career.
The Presbyterian church in Webb City is not large, but is well fur- nished, and is certainly carrying on a great work. The Presbyterian Aid Society has semi-monthly meetings on the first and third Fridays. They carry on a great amount of charity work, besides promoting the general well-being and good fellowship of the congregation. The Broth-
Digitized by Google
559
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
erhood, an organization for the men, is steadily growing. F. E. Fitner is president of this society. The Christian Endeavor of this church is as popular with the young people as the other societies are with the older members. A Home and Foreign Missionary Society has been or- ganized, who have taken in hand besides the regular missionary work, local charity, and it is done so quietly that only those in charge of the work know anything about it. Rev. James H. Spear is the pastor and it may be due to the energetic work of the leader that all of the members and officers are so faithful.
St. Paul's Episcopal church was organized in 1899, under the com- bined ministrations of the rectors of Christ church, of Carthage, and St. Phillips church, of Joplin. It is under the supervision of the South- ern deanery of the diocese of Kansas City, of which Dean Weed, of Joplin, is the head, and Henry Irving Batcheller is his assistant, not only here in Webb City but all over this part of the deanery. St. Paul's is the especial charge, though, of Rev. Batchellor, and services are held every Sunday morning at 11 o'clock. The Sunday school work is well founded and the teachers are energetic workers. Mrs. J. J. McClellan has the kindergarten class and is especially prepared for this work. There are four other classes. Mrs. Fred Kellogg teaches the women's class; Rev. Batchellor, the men's class; Mr. Waring, the boys', and J. E. Cobb, the girls' class. It was a long time before the present little church was owned, the society being organized in the parlor of one of the members, and then when the parlor was outgrown a hall was rented. But a church can do better work in its own building, although it is small ; so the present church building was bought of another organization which had outgrown its home and was moved on the lot which had also been purchased. So the St. Paul's church, from a small beginning, is steadily growing and the future will tell how far its influence may reach.
The First Baptist church of Webb City is being remodeled and greatly enlarged to meet the requirements of its increasing congregation. It is said that when it is completed none in the county will be better. During the present disturbed condition services are held regu- larly in the basement. One of the energetic societies is furnishing its own class room. Rev. R. B. Kinell is the pastor and is a very interest- ing speaker, but is very quiet about his method of carrying on his work. Outside of the church, the public knows very little of his great work. " This church has now been organized eighteen years and is stead- ily growing.
The Christian church was without a pastor for several months, but the place is now filled by C. E. Wagner, of Hannibal, Missouri, and a new interest has been already awakened in the congregation. Great things are expected of this church in the near future. The Christian Endeavor society has been a strong factor in the church life. The Dor- cas Circle and the Missionary Society for Home and Foreign work also have taken a prominent part in its activities. This church has the dis- tinction of having the largest Sunday school in the city.
Webb City has three other churches. The Catholic church has the
Digitized by Google
560
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
largest edifice and membership of any church in the city. Rev. Father Curran is in charge of this church.
The Christian Scientists have not built a church home yet, but they hold their meetings in the Odd Fellows hall every Wednesday night and on Sundays. These meetings are largely attended.
The Reorganized Church of the Latter Day Saints is rapidly grow- ing and great interest is now taken in its work.
JANE CHINN HOSPITAL
In 1910 Mr. and Mrs. Chas. R. Chinn, of Webb City, realized the need of a hospital in their home city. Jane Chinn Hospital is the name by which it is known and it is situated at the corner of Rose and Austin streets. It is not the largest hospital in the southwest, but is considered one of the best equipped. The cost of this hospital (which was the mag- nificent gift of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. R. Chinn) was $60,000, which in- cluded not only the site, but the building and equipment. There were arrangements made for the future support of the hospital. The first board of managers selected were Dr. C. E. McBride, president; Dr. L. C. Chenoweth, first vice president; E. T. Webb, second vice president; Ben C. Aylor, third vice president; C. R. Chinn, Jr., treasurer; T. J. Roney, secretary.
Directors: George W. Ball, T. F. Coyne, A. D. Hatton, F. C. Wal- lower and T. F. Lennan.
Building commitee: Dr. C. E. McBride, chairman; T. J. Roney, secretary ; E. T. Webb, B. C. Aylor, F. C. Wallower. These men were familiar with every step of the hospital work and especially with Mr. and Mrs. Chinn's plans for the hospital work.
The plans were drawn by Frank W. Caulkins, of Webb City; John R. Thomas, of Joplin, was general contractor; John R. Schwartz, of Webb City, contractor for plumbing and heating; Fred H. Nesbitt, of Webb City, contractor for masonry work. The stone used in this build- ing came from the Carthage Stone Company. The hospital has a front of 200 feet on Austin street and 1421/2 on Rose street. Its dimensions are 48 by 80 feet. It contains wards for the accommodation of twenty- three patients and ten other rooms for private cases; chemical laboratory, laundry, dining rooms for nurses, offices for doctors and nurses, steriliz- ing and anaesthetic rooms, morgue, retiring rooms for doctors, operating rooms, diet kitchens on both the first and second floors and every pos- sible accessory used in a first-class hospital. It has an elevator from basement to third story. It also has a spacious sun parlor from which one can view the whole of Webb City and Carterville and the nearby mines, and on a bright day a glimpse of the tall buildings in Joplin. The hospital is perfect in its ventilation; each partition has its own ventilating ducts, connected with a vacuum fan in the attic, discharging 300,000 cubic feet of air per hour. Until the opening of the Jane Chinn Hospital there was an organization known as the Webb City Hospital Association, the members of which were: President, T. F.
Digitized by Google
561
IIISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
Coyne; vice president, George H. Fullerton; secretary and treasurer, F. C. Wallower; directors-A. D. Hatten, J. J. Mclellan, George H. Fullerton, T. F. Coyne, T. F. Lennan, F. C. Wallower and C. R. Chinn, Sr. This board, or association, had on hand close to $2,000 and it was turned over to the Jane Chinn Hospital as a beginning of the fund for the support of the institution. There is one thing that should be mentioned about the operating room, which is lighted at night from the ceiling by eight Mazda tolophane lights, producing 1,000 candle power light. It is so arranged by cross lighting that is impossible for shadows to be thrown in any direction; so in an emergency case the room can be used at night as well as by day. Subscriptions of twenty-five cents per month are taken from the miners, and the mine operators pay five dol-
JANE CHINN HOSPITAL, WEBB CITY
lars per month, which is enough for the running expenses of the hospital.
Miss Houser is the present superintendent of the hospital and is assisted by three nurses. There is one room in the hospital that is not used and that is the morgue, for, instead of keeping the dead at the hospital they are removed to a downtown morgue. The Chinns have made their money from Jasper county mines and the hospital is a monu- ment to their generosity.
SALVATION ARMY HOSPITAL
Webb City enjoys the distinction of being one of the first cities in the west to establish a hospital to be maintained and operated by the Salvation Army. It is a matter of common knowledge-the many acts of kindness that are done by the Salvation Army-their Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners to the poor of the city and their work among the sick and distressed standing out prominently. In 1905 one of Webb Vol. 1-86
Digitized by Google
562
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
City's big hearted men suggested the building of a hospital to be con- ducted by these good people, and money was quickly raised to build and equip a modern two-story hospital, which has since been conducted by the Salvation Army and much suffering has been relieved by them.
THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
The Young Men's Christian Association of Webb City has been very progressive since its organization in 1900 by a few business men. The present building was put up one year after its organization for the work of the association, but for the past few years it has been found en- tirely too small. The scope of work carried on by this organization are three Bible classes at the Sunday afternoon services for men and boys. They use a first class moving picture machine. There are the Boy Scouts who hold their meetings once a week; the Boys' Congress Em- ployment Bureau; and the gymnasium classes which are under the super- vision of J. Gilbert Cox and have a membership of 100. There are, in the building, the bath rooms, library, public reading, rest and game rooms. The association has the honor of having sent one man to the training school for the association workers, and he is now in the field in active work. Several others are planning to take some of the work at the Young Men's Christian Association training camp at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, this summer. A debating club is about to be organized. A series of lectures and talks are given at regular intervals on vital subjects.
As stated, the Young Men's Christian Association has been a great power in Webb City since its organization and, in addition to having maintained its elegant gymnasium and reading room, has provided, through its Sunday meetings and occasional receptions, very excellent religious and moral training for the young men. To give an idea of the character of the literary spirit we note the following which was one of many meetings which helped to mould the characters of the members. In 1903 Secretary Knox arranged a series of meetings for the purpose of creating a sentiment of loyalty, and for eight consecutive Sundays the theme discussed was "Loyalty." The Rev. J. L. Sullivan spoke on "Loyalty to Your Church;" C. T. Orr on "Loyalty to Your Busi- ness;" Rev. W. P. Buckner, of Joplin, on "Loyalty to Manhood;" Rev. C. B. Boving on "Loyalty to the Home;" and Judge H. L. Bright, of Carthage, on "Loyalty to Our Country." Rev. Hall was assigned the topic "Loyalty to the Book and Church," and Secretary Knox concluded this series of talks with a telling address on "Loyalty to the Y. M. C. A."
THE ODD FELLOWS
The Odd Fellows lodge at Webb City during the past ten years has been one of the strongest lodges of the city and has attained distinction on account of the great proficiency and excellent manner in which the team work in the several degrees has been exemplified. In 1903 the Degree team of the Webb City lodge received the high honor of being in- vited by the officers of the Grand Lodge of this state to exemplify the
Digitized by Google
.
563
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
work before the grand body at the annual meeting at Pertle Springs. The invitation was accepted and the manner in which the Degree work was performed reflected great credit on the Webb City lodge and did much toward favorably advertising the literary character of the mining district of southwestern Missouri.
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION IN 1904
America's natal day was duly celebrated in Webb City in 1904, and was thoroughly enjoyed by the thousands of people who came to take part in the festivities. The program was opened at 10:30 o'clock in the morning by a monster parade which was participated in by nearly all the fraternal orders of the place, as well as by a number of visiting socie- ties from neighboring towns.
Prominent in the parade was a battalion of the Second Regiment, U. R. K. P., commanded by Colonel Henry Warner and the then cele- brated W. O. W. drill team, under command of Captain, now Colonel. E. E. Spracklin. At sundown there was a dress parade of the several semi-military societies and this feature of the day's exercises was greatly enjoyed. The celebration was concluded at night by a pyrotechnic display.
GREAT WESTERN BUSINESS COLLEGE AND NORMAL SCHOOL
In the spring of 1904, Prof. W. T. Larrimore, a teacher of note, se- cured possession of the old Baptist College and started the Great West- ern Normal and Business College which flourished for a short time. In June, 1904, the school began its session with an approved summer school for teachers, the course of study having been mapped by the state superintendent and the faculty as at the Joplin Summer School the year before articulating with the state institutions, the students receiving the same credit for their work as if they had been attending one of the State Normals. The Summer School was well attended. On July 6th, the citizens of Webb City tendered to the students of the school a mag- nificent reception, Frank Farlow acting as master of ceremonies on the occasion of this social gathering. The college has recently been con- verted into a Children's Home.
BAND TOURNAMENT
In August, 1904, Webb City entertained the Southwestern Band Tournament. This occasion brought to the city 200 musicians and their three days' stay was a continuous round of pleasure, both to themselves and the citizens of Webb City, who turned out en masse to listen to the band concerts and witness the contests between the several organizations.
WEBB CITY CENTENARIAN
Among the old and highly respected citizens of Webb City, who came there during its early days, was Thomas Sauls, who lived to the ripe
Digitized by Google
564
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
old age of one hundred and three years and who until the last few years of his life had been a very active man. He was a veteran of two wars, having served in both the Mexican and Civil wars. Previous to the breaking out of the War between the States he had worked in the old air smelter at Oronogo; went with the Union citizens of Jasper county to Kansas to join the United States volunteers from the Jay Hawker state and was a member of the Sixth Kansas Cavalry.
.
On his one hundredth birthday, which occurred September 18, 1903, his friends and old comrades of the Sixth Kansas, eight of whom were residents of Jasper county, gave an elaborate luncheon at the Middle West Hotel in his honor. On behalf of his friends, J. C. Harrison pre- sented to the old veteran an enlarged picture of himself, together with a silver loving cup. In addition to this little testimonial, his friends compiled an interesting biography of the distingushed guest, and after having it bound, presented it to him to hand down to posterity. Mr. Sauls had the proud distinction of having personally met and shaken hands with every president of the United States excepting Washington and Roosevelt. He had been identified with the mining interests of southwest Missouri since 1853, during which year he constructed for the Granby Company at Granby the first lead smelter that was ever built in southwest Missouri and personally smeltered the first pail of lead that was turned out from this once famous furnace.
A REMINISCENCE PARTY
One of the most delightful, as well as novel, events of the decade was a reminiscence party which occurred at the home of Mrs. J. C. Stewart. Mesdames J. C. Stewart and W. C. Stewart conceived the idea of en- tertaining the early residents of Webb City and spending an afternoon living over the early days of the city. The party was unique in this- that the guests invited were the original settlers of Webb City; those who had lived there for twenty years or more; those who came in the first hard days when Webb City was but a mining camp. The afternoon was devoted to reminiscences, each lady adding to what others told until five o'clock, when the guests were invited into the spacious dining room where a delicious luncheon was served. On returning to the parlors, old songs were sung, a Virginia reel was indulged in, and the readings and conundrums which had been in popular favor in the seventies and early eighties, were retold.
In the reminiscences the special subjeets touched upon by the dif- ferent ladies were as follows: Mrs. Gaston told how she came to Webb City, driving from Oronogo to that place, then a little camp and not known ten miles away. "It was not a very attractive looking place, but my husband was there and I was determined to be content; and it was not long before I learned to love Webb City and her splendid people."
Mrs. Houser reviewed the Blunt riot. Mrs. Overstreet told of the early settlers, among whom were Prof. Dicky, superintendent of schools,
Digitized by Google
565
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
Mrs. J. C. Stewart teaching in same. Mrs. Henderson had the only millinery store and her home was the headquarters for all the social life of the town.
Mr. Wheatley had the lumber yard. Among other old citizens men- tioned were: Mr. John C. Webb and family, Mr. Ed Hall and family, Judge Robinson, Chas. Metcalf, Paul Grove, Jas. Campbell, Volney Moon, A. A. Hulett and family, A. W. McCorkle and family, and many others so numerous that space forbids mention.
Mrs. Wright told of the stores she remembered, among which were Mr. Manker's grocery store, Hall's drug store, Lowe's furniture store, Mansfield grocery store, and Chris and Charlie Columbia's grocery store.
Mrs. McBride, in speaking of the schools, said the school house of four rooms stood on the site of the High school.
Mrs. Thomas, in speaking of the hotels, mentioned the Pacific, the Transit House and the Buffalo Hotel. Mrs. Henderson had an excellent boarding house and also Mrs. Miller.
Mrs. Murray told of the churches. She said the first services were in the Webb Hall which stood where the Webb City bank now stands. Union services these were. The Presbyterians then bought a store build- ing which was the first church in the city.
Rev. D. K. Campbell was the first preacher. The M. E. church South was erected twenty-two years ago, and was given by Mr. John C. Webb, the father of our present townsman.
Mrs. Mock spoke of the newspapers of that day. Mrs. Chinn, in her inimitable manner, told of the parties. Mrs. Wheatley told of the music and brought in some interesting and amusing incidents of the Steven- son-Wheatley quartette.
Mrs. S. L. Manker spoke of the babies and children of those early settlers most entertainingly. Mrs. Spurgin gave a well written paper on the mines.
This was the first of a series of receptions to be given by the hostesses.
COMPANY I, SECOND REGIMENT, N. G. M.
Company I was organized in 1908. Its first captain was Charles F. Chenoweth, who had seen service in the Spanish-American war and who during his long residence in Webb City had been a most popular young man. Mr. Chenoweth's military knowledge and popularity built up a large company composed of the best young men in Webb City and, by careful attention and constant drill, the company soon attained a high state of proficiency. In 1910, Captain Chenoweth retired from the company and was succeeded by Charles D. Smith. The following are the present officers of the command: Captain, Charles D. Smith; first lieutenant, Fred Nesbitt; second lieutenant, Chas. R. Chinn. Dr. Law- rence F. Cooke, formerly of Company -, was appointed by Colonel Raup in 1910 to be major-surgeon of the Second Regiment.
Digitized by Google
566
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
NEWSPAPERS OF WEBB CITY
Webb City has been very fortunate during the past decade in the matter of newspapers. Both the Record and the Sentinel being thor- oughly up-to-date newspapers. They have been ably edited and, in addi- tion to having chronicled the news of the day, have editorially cham- pioned and advocated a larger, a better and a more beautiful Webb City. The many modern business blocks which have been built during the past five years are tributes to the agitation of these two papers for a bigger Webb City.
THE "CARTERVILLE RECORD"
The Carterville Record, edited by B. Shelton, was founded January 25, 1900, and has had a successful career, both financially and in the matter of popularity. The paper has given a newsy account of the hap- penings of this important mining town and has advocated a great many public improvements. Largely on account of the editorials in this paper advocating city improvements and out-of-door beautification, the city of Carterville built ten miles of sidewalks and otherwise made exten- sive improvements, not only for the comfort of the citizens but to the beauty of the city.
Digitized by Google
HISTORY OF JASPER COUNTY
567
COMPARATIVE POPULATION FOR TWENTY YEARS.
Minor Civil Division
1910
1900
1890
Jasper County
89,673
84,018
50,500
Duval township, including part of Neck City
1,026
1,092
970
Neck City (part of) .
157
Totul for Neck City. in Duval and Mineral townships ..
528
374
Galena township, including Joplin city
.34,694
32,976
4,360
Joplin city
32,073
26,023
9,943
Ward 1
4,225
Ward 2
6,069
Ward 3
2,795
Ward 4
6,144
Ward 5
3,187
......
Ward 6
4.294
Ward 7
3,643
Ward 8
1,716
...
Jackson township
1,489
1,678
1,315
Jasper township
982
1,175
955
Joplin township,
including Carterville city and Webb City . 21,867
18,499
9,731
Carterville city
4,539
4,445
2,884
Ward 1
1,318
Ward 2
2,136
Ward 3
1,085
Webb City
11,817
9,201
5,043
Ward 1
1,713
Ward 2
1,860
Ward 3
1,801
Ward 4
2,505
Ward 5
2,240
Ward 6
1,698
Lincoln township
665
721
821
McDonald township
1,156
1,203
1,205
Madison township
1,066
1,184
1,248
Marion township, including Carthage city.
11,483
11,056
9,323
Carthage city
9,483
9,416
7,981
Ward 1
1,417
Ward 2
1,714
Ward 3
2,221
Ward 4
2,122
Ward 5
2,009
Mineral township, including Oronogo and Purcell cities and
.part of Neck City
5,946
4,646
2,145
Neck City (part of)
371
374
Oronogo city
1,912
2,073
Ward 1
1,109
Ward 2
803
Purcell city
994
Preston township, including Jasper city
1,518
1,597
1,365
Jasper city
664
627
400
Sarcoxie township, including Larussel, Reeds, and Sarcoxie cities
3,245
3,335
2,532
Larussell city
261
Reeds uit)
298
Sarcoxie city
1,311
1,126
1,172
Sheridan township
819
851
955
Twin Groves township, including Carl Junction city Carl Junction city
1,115
1,177
699
Ward 1
416
...
Ward 2
699
Union township
1,238
1,377
1,309
..
...
. ..
...
Digitized by
...
. .
....
2,479
2,628
2,323
.
:
:
Digitized by
1 1 ! :
. .
Digitized by
- ----
----
-
1™
L
Digitized by
Digitized by
Digitized by
Digitized by
Digitized by
i i
- !
JAN 2 7 1941
.
.
Digitized by
Digitized by
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.