USA > Missouri > Vernon County > History of Vernon County, Missouri : past and present, including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county Vol. I > Part 40
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
the city, which is used as a permanent State encampment grounds and rifle range. The court house is another architectural adorn- ment of the city which deserves special mention. This was com- pleted in 1907 at a cost of $85,000.
Nevada's growth is not the result of a boom but is the out- come of natural advantages. The homeseeker can find employ- ment in almost any line with the assurance that he is growing up with one of the best towns in the country. The city has a popu- lation of close to 12,000, handsome residences and private grounds, beautiful parks, and all else that goes to make up a metropolitan city. Its police force is wide-awake and up-to-date in every par- ticular. The fire department is fully manned with skilled and experienced fire fighters, and is equipped with the most modern apparatus.
Industry, enterprise and wealth combined make Nevada's growth and importance established facts. One of the assuring signs is the spread of the city-notably in the new manufactur- ing interests, permanent graded streets, water mains, street car service; fine dwellings, excellent schools and churches in the suburban localities, that give families the advantage of enjoying country life in the city.
NEVADA HAS
Three Banks-The Bank of Nevada, First National Bank, Thornton National Bank, and a Farm and Home Saving and Loan Association.
One Mortgage Company-The Shartel Co.
The W. F. Norman Sheet Metal Manufacturing Company.
Brick Manufacturer-J. A. Daly.
Canning Factory-Stowe & Johnson.
Cider Mill-H. M. Cox.
Cigar Manufacturer-G. R. Nave.
Bottling Works-Joseph Fryer.
Candy Manufacturers-McElwain Candy Company, the Ne- vada Candy Company.
Bakers-H. G. Davis, J. S. Davis, Fred Dilgert, Ellis & Taylor. Fishing Reel Manufacturers-Wm. H. Taylor Reel Company. Florists-Kaupp & Sons, Weltmer Green House.
Ice Factories-Crystal Ice Company, the Nevada Pure Ice Company.
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF NEVADA
Harness Manufacturers-C. Kickert, the Nevada Harness Com- pany.
Hoop Manufacturers-Gordon & Wert Hoop Company.
Laundries-The Nevada Steam Laundry, the Taylor Laundry.
Machine Shops-Hunter Bros., Jesse Osborn, W. B. Schnat- terly.
Marble and Granite Works-The Nevada Marble and Granite Works, J. T. Smith.
Pump Manufacturers-Evans & Evans.
Roofing Manufacturers-J. P. Eppenauer.
Nevada Wholesale Grocery Company.
Nevada Light, Water and Traction Company.
Building Material and Lumber-Clark & Bates Lumber Com- pany, the Home Lumber Company, Logan Moore Lumber Com- pany.
Kraft Fruit and Produce Company.
Coal and Wood Dealers-Fred A. Dalton, the Frazier Coal Company, T. G. Huston, the Nevada Fuel Company, T. C. Sowers Coal Company.
Flour and Feed Mills-S. E. Eddleman, Hall & Co.
Flour and Feed Dealers-A. D. Cox, Daughin Bros., J. M. Denman, the Mead Grain Company, B. J. Mosier, Moos & Co., S. W. Palmer.
Wholesale Fruit-Henry Kraft.
Express Companies-American, Wells-Fargo.
Contractors-Edward Anderson, Ashbrook & Holmes, paint- ing; J. L. Beagles, carpenter ; J. H. Berry, W. C. Brown, concrete ; John Cohenvyr, Earl Frizell, carpenters ; J. L. Cummings, painter ; Henry Daley, concrete ; F. M. Daley, J. A. Daley, general; Joseph Goodnaugh, brick; C. L. Graves, cement; W. B. Homer, carpen- ter; Homer & White, sign and carriage painting; King Bros., painting; Charles C. Kling, stone; Carl Leslie, carpenter; Lentz & Hunter, electrical; John Lims, brick; John Lovell, concrete; G. M. Mabry, carpenter ; Philip Morgan, cement; Howard Mosely, painter ; W. T. Neel, carpenter ; Nevada Electric and Auto Works; R. E. Nolan, carpenter ; S. P. Plunkett, carpenter; J. B. Reed, carpenter ; T. J. Rice & Son, carpenters ; Thomas Imer, carpenter ; Kenney & Momtrief, painters ; J. E. Robins, brick ; Schmidt & Son, painters ; William M. Sears, carpenter ; H. Spohrer, cement; A. N.
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
Steel, painter; H. Swarington, carpenter; H. L. Thomas, car- penter ; H. Weidner, sewer; J. A. Wilson, concrete.
Garages-The Ford Garage, J. H. Taylor, Nevada Electric and Auto Works.
Wholesale Meats-J. K. Hill Packing Company.
Wholesale Poultry-W. B. Jacobs, O. E. Reed & Co., Swift Packing Company, United States Packing Company.
Plumbing and Heating-C. M. Ewing, D. E. Fluke, W. C. Schwenk.
Job Printers-C. M. Bryson, Commercial Printing Company, L. H. McDaniel Printing Company.
Newspapers-"The Daily Mail," "Evening Post," "Nevada Herald," "Southwest Mail."
Nursery-W. H. Litson.
Oil Companies-The Independent, and Standard.
Wholesale Paper-U. S. G. Prowell.
Wholesale Liquor Dealers-Robert Brocker, J. A. Fryer.
Livery, Feed and Sale Stables-S. L. Carter, W. S. Creel, A. E. Harger, John Henry, W. A. Mason, M. V. Ott, S. W. Palmer and George Wilson.
Cab Line-Janes Bros.
Transfer and Baggage Lines-F. O. Campbell, T. D. Cramer, T. C. Duncan, James Ferguson, A. E. Harger, Jones Bros., George Schwenk, Esall Smith, J. D. Spencer and Jack Wright.
Undertakers and Embalmers-The Turpin Furniture Com- pany, Wainscott Furniture Company.
Telephone Companies-Missouri and Kansas Phone Company, Nevada Home Telephone Company.
Merchant Tailors-Thomas Dygard, R. L. Ellis, J. Lewine, A. Morningstar, A. Stewart, Weber Bros., William Zacheis.
Tin and Metal Shops-J. P. Eppenauer, Spilman & Tow.
Wholesale Tobacco-J. W. Wray.
Photographers-C. E. Keeling, Mrs. Estelle Whipple, G. S. Allsup.
Abstractors and Titles-Birdseye & Son, A. B. Davis, Charles H. Prewitt, Williams & Pottorf.
Dealers in Musical Merchandise-J. H. Kaylor & Son, J. E. Roberts, H. R. Stevens & Co.
Hotels-Arcade Hotel, Farmers' Home, M. Fuks, Hotel Healey,
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF NEVADA
James House, Midway Hotel, Hotel Mitchell, M., K. & T. Hotel, Palace Hotel, Torbet Hotel, Richardson Hotel.
Grocers-Bishop & Reser, W. R. Braham, W. L. Bridwell, A. T. Curtis, Dean, Autenreith & Son, Golden Rule, L. L. Jones, Jones & McCune, W. T. Martin & Co., J. H. Medford Moss & Co., Pryor & Co., S. C. Roberts, W. L. Samuel, Willis R. Samuel, and Smith's Clean Grocery.
Hardware Dealers-Q. T. Moore, Emmitt Parish, J. B. Robin- son & Son, N. Polmnes & Sons.
Jewelers-C. O. Chapman, H. R. Stephens & Co., J. W. Talbot, T. S. Terry, O. H. Woodfill.
Men's Furnishings-Famous Clothing Company, Goss & Glenn Co., Harper's, Moore-Babbitt Co.
Notions, etc .- John A. Tyler, Phil Sea Schultz.
Shoes-George Center, Clark & Teel, Will Davis, Goss & Glenn, Harper's, W. M. King, Stump & Son, Joe Wall, Golden Rule.
Dry Goods-Harry C. Moore, Cole Bros. & Wood, Clack & Teel, Golden Rule, Sturges Jackson Dry Goods Company, Chris Gosh, Payne & Co., Phil Seaschultz.
Five and Ten Cent Stores-Goley & Robinson.
Drug Stores-Ballagh's, Miller & Hopkins, Clay Tucker, F. W. VanAuken, Wardin & Wardin.
Furniture-Turpin Furniture Company, Wainscott Furniture Company, W. H. Reddick & Son, B. J. Moncrief, H. W. Horning, Evans & Mulhern.
STATE HOSPITAL No. 3.
State Hospital No. 3 is located in Vernon county one mile north of the city of Nevada, on 520 acres of land donated by the citizens of Nevada, for the purpose of building this institution. This act was created by the Thirty-third General Assembly and approved March 19, 1885, John S. Marmaduke being governor.
There was appropriated for this purpose $200,000, after which a commission of five men was appointed by the governor, namely : Dr. T. R. H. Smith, C. L. Dobson, Hon. P. McGrath, Hon. Ed- ward W. Stephens and Hon. W. P. Munro, to select a location. The commissioners selected the present site, which at that time was a cornfield. It was considered an ideal location, being one of the highest points in Vernon county.
The original building consisted of the center building, one
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
wing on the west and two on the east, also rear building, con- sisting of sleeping rooms and chapel, which is in use at the pres- ent time, also a kitchen and boiler room was erected.
The building was started and finished as soon as possible, work being done under Fred M. Bell, architect, and Mr. Theodore Lacoff, builder.
The governor appointed as the first board: Harry C. Moore, Nevada; J. F. Robinson, M. D. Windsor, Daniel C. Kennedy, Springfield; J. K. Cole, Lamar, and William M. Bunce, Shel- don, who met for the first time June 16th, 1887, and organized, selecting Harry C. Moore president, J. K. Cole secretary. The second meeting was held June 28, 1887, at which time officers of the institution were elected and took charge October 1, 1887. The first patient was admitted October 17, same year. These buildings were found to be inadequate and the Thirty-fourth Gen- eral Assembly appropriated $149,000 to build two more wings on the west and one on the east, also other buildings that were badly needed, such as laundry, bakery, carpenter shop, etc.
The institution has been gradually growing and there has been added since this time one more wing of wards on the east and one on the west side, also two tubercular cottages. The popula- tion of the institution at the present time is over 1,200 under supervision and over 1,100 actually in the institution.
The medical staff of the institution is composed of a superin- tendent and three assistant physicians.
The superintendent is the chief executive officer, both as re- gards medical and business affairs. He has general supervision over the welfare of all patients, as well as all industries, construc- tion, repair and farm work.
In his business affairs he is assisted not only by his physicians, but also by steward, matron, treasurer, secretary and engineer.
By this division of labor he is enabled to visit wards fre- quently, and by constant contact to become familiar with the patients.
Of the assistant physicians, one has charge of the women's wards, the second of the male patients and the third of the lab- oratory and microscopical work.
Staff meetings are held regularly Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week-oftener if necessary. New, acute, and physically sick patients are examined thoroughly by the staff,
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF NEVADA
after which the cases are considered at the meetings when diagnosis prognosis, and treatment are decided upon.
Our cases are followed closely and modern methods of treat. ment applied whenever our somewhat limited facilities will permit.
The following appropriations were made by our legislature for the years 1911 and 1912 :
For salaries of officers.
$ 21,060.00
For furnishing new tubercular building. 2,000.00
For completion of electric wiring and buying fixtures
1,500.00
For repairs of laundry building and new machinery . 2,000.00
For new steam heating plant throughout building ..
35,000.00
For replacing old floors throughout main building ..
5,000.00
For replacing present ceiling in main building
5,000.00
For repairing of side walls of main building.
700.00
For renewal of hot and cold water pipes throughout building
5,500.00
For new steel water tower (100,000 gallons)
5,000.00
For new dairy barn, wagon shed and equipment 3,500.00
For new bake ovens
3,000.00
For new additional pumps.
1,000.00
For machine shop tools and machinery
1,500.00
For tin shop tools and machinery.
500.00
For replacing old furniture in center building
10,000.00
For painting walls and ceilings of main building and outside of building.
5,000.00
For equipment of new industrial building
1,971.00
For repairing main roof and painting gutters
1,000.00
For general repairs and extra equipment.
17,000.00
For new hennery buildings
500.00
Total .$127,731.00
A number of the above repairs and improvements have been made during the past year. A new steam heating plant through- out the entire building, at a cost of about $30,000, has been installed during the summer season and will be ready for opera- tion in a short time.
A large amount of various products are derived from the farm, garden, poultry yard, orchards, dairy and creamery every
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
year, which supplies are used for maintenance of patients and for officers and employees of the institution.
The present officers of the hospital: M. P. Overholser, M. D., superintendent; J. G. Love, assistant physician; O. R. Rooks, assistant physician; William Price, steward; Mrs. Katherine Hare, matron; W. H. Hallett, treasurer, and Fred George, secretary. Board of managers: W. E. Clark, president, Nevada, Mo .; H. W. Meuscke, Sedalia, Mo .; G. M. Smith, Kansas City, Mo .; Dr. C. P. Bowden, Appleton City, Mo .; W. E. Sewel, Carthage, Mo.
LAKE SPRINGS PARK.
Lake Springs Park, one of Nevada's pleasure resorts, is becoming well known as one of the greatest health and pleasure resorts of the middle West. It is one of the most beautiful and picturesque spots in the country. The park contains 132 acres of park, lakes, shady groves, walks, flowers, driveways and five great medical springs, which eminent physicians claim to produce abundant quantities of water unsurpassed in the world for their curative properties. Thousands of people who use this water freely are entirely cured or greatly benefited in health. Frequenters of this beautiful park find boating, fishing and bathing an enjoyable pastime. Those in search of health and happiness come to Nevada and to Lake Springs Park, where both happiness and health prevail.
To Harry C. Moore, one of the originators and late owner of this park, is largely due the honor for the development of this widely known and delightful health resort.
On September 25, 1910, Lake Park was purchased by a Mr. West from Bloomington, Ill., who was a patient at the Weltmer Institute and very much interested in its work, and by him deeded to the institute and the name changed to "Radio Springs Park."
CHAPTER XXXIII.
CHURCHES.
THE CENTENARY M. E. CHURCH SOUTH.
It is not practicable to give the details of the original organ- ization of the M. E. Church South at Nevada. The records of the church go back only to 1870, at which time it was a fully equipped station, and in which year the first church building, a frame, was erected. During the years 1884-85, a splendid brick struc- ture, the best at the time in Vernon county, was erected on lots 2 and 3, in block 12, of Austin's addition, costing when com- pleted about $12,500; it was dedicated August 23, 1885, by Bishop John C. Granbery. The pastors of the church since 1870 have been as follows: 1870-73. James A. Murphy ; 1873-74, J. J. Hill ; 1874-75, J. F. Hogan; 1875-77, L. P. Siceloff; 1877-78, D. M. Proctor; 1878-79, A. P. Linn; 1879-81, R. W. Reynolds; 1881-82, R. S. Hunter; 1882-86, W. T. McClure, who was followed by Dr. C. C. Woods, who served the church until the fall of 1888, when Rev. J. M. Boone was appointed. Rev. Boone served the church until the fall of 1890, when he was succeeded by Rev. Dr. C. H. Briggs. Dr. Briggs remained one year, when Rev. J. W. Howell became the pastor and remained two years. During the year 1892, Austin Mission was organized by Rev. W. C. Hill, and the present Austin Chapel, located at the corner of Lee and Linn streets, was erected at a cost of $2,500.00. The building of Austin Chapel was made possible through the liberality of Mrs. Thomas Austin, familiarly known as "Aunt Lou," from whom it takes its name. From the last mentioned date to the present, the Meth- odist Church South has maintained two separate charges in Ne- vada, known as "Centenary" and "Austin Chapel." In 1893, Rev. W. J. Carpenter became pastor of "Centenary" and Rev. A. P. Caton pastor of "Austin Chapel." No further change of pastors was made until the fall of 1895, when Rev. Carpenter transferred to Florida and Rev. J. M. Clark took his place, while
457
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
Rev. G. L. Taylor took charge of "Austin Chapel." During this year, Austin Chapel congregation secured a parsonage located at the corner of Linn and Oak streets.
In 1896 Dr. A. G. Dinwiddie became pastor of "Centenary" and Rev. Taylor continued with the Austin congregation. In 1897 Dr. Dinwiddie continued with the Centenary and Rev. W. D. Matthews took charge of Austin Chapel. In 1898, Dr. C. M. Bishop became pastor of Centenary. At this date the West Arch street congregation was organized and the two congregations, Austin Chapel and West Arch street became one pastoral charge under the pastorate of Rev. A. N. James, who served both churches, and the charge has since been known by the name, "Austin and Arch Street." The year 1899 shows no change in the pastors for Nevada. In 1900 Dr. Bishop continues as pastor of Centenary, while Jacob Shook took charge of Austin and Arch Street.
In 1901 Rev. A. R. Fanis became pastor of Centenary and Rev. Jacob Shook continued with Austin and Arch. Dr. Fanis served Centenary for four consecutive years, while in 1902 Rev. Joseph King took charge of Austin and Arch Street, and no further change was made in either pastorate until 1905, when Rev. W. G. Beasley became pastor of Centenary and Rev. J. K. Beery came to Austin and Arch. In 1906 Rev. W. T. McClure again became pastor of Centenary after a lapse of twenty years, and Rev. J. G. Haynes went to Austin and Arch. Dr. McClure continued with Centenary until the fall of 1909, during which time the present pastor's study and organ room were added to the church prop- erty. In 1907 Rev. J. R. Scott took charge of Austin and Arch, and in the fall of 1908 the present incumbent, Rev. J. R. Hargis, took the charge. During the pastorate of Rev. Hargis the old parsonage at the corner of Linn and Oak streets was disposed of, and the present elegant eight-room parsonage at the corner of Arch and Chestnut streets has been erected.
In 1909 Rev. J. W. Caskey became pastor of Centenary and while he remained but one year, the present elegant parsonage and other improvements to the church property is largely the result of his labors. The present incumbent, Rev. L. F. Shook. found an elegant home, and a splendid congregation to greet his arrival.
The present membership of Centenary is 470 and of Austin and
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CHURCHES
Arch 182, making a total of 652. The value of the church prop- erty is, Centenary Church $16,500.00, Centenary parsonage $8,- 080.00, Austin Chapel $3,000.00, Arch Street Chapel $2,600.00, par- sonage $2,500.00, making a total valuation of church property, $32,680.00.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church, of Nevada, Mo., was formally organized on May 21, 1888, by the pastor of "Schell City and Nevada Circuit," Rev. W. P. Armstrong, and the presiding elder of the Sedalia district, Rev. W. K. Collins. Services had been held for some time previously by the pastor, but the organi- zation occurred as above. The first services were held in the old Cumberland Presbyterian Church, which stood on the northeast corner of Main and Austin streets. During that year the build- ing was sold and from that time until their present building was completed, December 8, 1889, the congregation worshipped in the opera house.
At the end of the first year fifty-seven members were reported. Of that list there remain on the membership rolls at present the following named persons: Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Abercrombie, Mrs. Charity Gamble, Mrs. Louella Eastland, Miss Lizzie Bennett, Mrs. Alice Goodin, Mrs. W. A. Bates, and Mrs. M. J. Atherton. From this humble beginning twenty-three years ago, the church has grown into a well-organized, self-sustaining body with 365 mem- bers, owning property valued at $9,000 and free of debt, with an annual budget of $3,000, about $500 of which is missionary and benevolent offerings. Included in the present organization of the church is a flourishing Sunday school of 286 members, well organized senior and junior chapters of the Epworth League, an auxiliary of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, and a live, active Ladies' Aid Society.
The following named pastors have served the church in the order given : 1888, W. P. Armstrong, 1889-90-91, S. B. Campbell ; 1892, I. J. K. Lunbeck; 1893, W. S. Courtney ; 1894-95-96, W. K. Collins ; 1897-98-99, E. P. Anderson ; 1900-01, B. F. Thomas; 1902- 03, S. F. Stevens ; 1904-05-06-07, G. H. Cosper; 1908-09-10, J. W. Caughlan; 1911, the present incumbent, W. P. Jinnett.
The present church edifice was erected and dedicated during the pastorate of Rev. S. B. Campbell. Under his ministry also occurred one of the most extensive revivals in the history of the church. More than 100 were received into the membership as a
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
result of that meeting. Gracious revivals occurred during the pastorates of Rev. W. S. Courtney and Rev. W. K. Collins also. But the growth of the church has been steady and slow rather than spasmodic. W. P. JINNETT.
August 1, 1911.
Prairie Dell M. E. Church, South. In 1886 this church was organized and services were held for two years in the Lake schoolhouse. In 1888, during the pastorate of Rev. A. B. Donald- son, a new church edifice was erected at a cost of $1,400, Rev. Joe King being presiding elder of the district. The following composed the committee on building: James O. Kelley. J. B. Houser, John Dean and Charles P. Lovell. The dedicatory ser- mon was preached by Rev. William Prattman, at which time the entire cost of the church building was provided for. The present pastor is Rev. W. B. Bull:
Prairie Dell church has had some struggles, having lost many members by death and removal, but she has ever had a pastor and an evergreen Sunday school, and still God is with us .- Mrs. F. R. Strole.
THE EARLY DAYS OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH AND SOME REMINISCENCES.
By MRS. H. H. BOWMAN.
In the spring of 1866, soon after the close of the Civil War, some Wights, Pitchers, Graves and Bowman families left their homes in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties and came to Ne- vada, Mo., to make new homes and where they have since lived. Quite a contrast between the Nevada of that time and the Ne- vada of today. We now have fine public buildings, beautiful lawns, public water works and a lovely park, while then our city was only a little hamlet of homes of one or two rooms each. No water except from a public well at the southwest corner of the courthouse yard, and so hard and so strong of mineral that it was like medicine. There were some cisterns that had been filled up during the war, which some of the men cleaned out. and hauled water from Birch Branch and put in for drinking.
ALL SAINTS' EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
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CHURCHES
It was a great treat to get a drink of water from one of these cisterns. We could only come by rail as far as Pleasant Hill and the rest of the way in wagons. All our supplies for a long time came from Pleasant Hill in wagons. On the trip we had quite a quantity of flour spoiled by getting coal oil spilled on it. Some of it we had to eat to keep us from starving. I shall never for- get the combination. There were seventeen in our party, and we found much to interest and amuse us. To the younger ones everything looked bright and promising, while the older ones took things more seriously. A few miles out from Pleasant Hill some one had killed a monstrous black snake and hung it on the fence, and near sundown when the shadows were deepening a loud voiced jack pealed forth on the hillside, his melodious lay. I will never forget the look on my mother's face; she had never heard one before, as she looked up at my brother and said, "Charles Graves, what kind of a country have you brought us to?" The only public building in Nevada at that time was an old school building very much out of repair, standing in the schoolhouse yard a little west and south of where Central school now is. A sad incident in connection with the repairing of this building was the drowning of one of the school board, a Mr. Williams, and his promising son and two teams of horses in at- tempting to ford a stream between here and Fort Scott, where they were going to get lumber to repair the schoolhouse.
In this old schoolhouse a union meeting was held once a month, by a Presbyterian minister from Deerfield by the name of Hogan in which the people became actively interested. Soon other de- nominations held meetings there and a union Sunday school was organized. The Methodists were the first to build a church edi- fice, but the Baptists had the first denominational service in 1868 in the new courthouse, they having organized a church a short time before. They also organized a Sunday school, which has been an ever-increasing power for good since that time.
Tom Farmer was the first superintendent and Mrs. Tilotson was for many years the faithful and efficient teacher of the pri- mary class, and there are those scattered over the earth nearly everywhere who date their first impressions of religious life from her teaching and example. In the fall of 1868 the Home Mis- sion Society of New York sent Rev. A. F. Randall to work as state evangelist in this part of the country, and a good meeting
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
was held by him in the old schoolhouse, which added much to the strength of the church spiritually and financially. A good meeting was also held there by an evangelist from Pennsylvania by the name of Hurlburt, which was of more than usual interest. About this time there was talk of building and a new brick house was built in 1872 on East Walnut street in which we were soon worshiping before it was plastered or seated. Our first choir was seated on boards laid on nail kegs. Deacon Brown and Mr. Bowman took care of the house and the women helped keep it clean, and gradually improvements were made.
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