USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > Kansas City, Missouri : its history and its people 1808-1908 > Part 22
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The supporters of the bill knew that the information "in full" concern- ing any one candidate would be absurdly voluminous, and that the publica- tion of such a report on 50 to 150 candidates would be a physical impossi- bility; besides, no one would read such a report if it should be published.
The league ignored the bill, believing it to be unconstitutional. The first chance the league had to test the constitutionality of the law was at the special election for Sheriff Baldwin in the autumn of 1907. The league issued a report on the two candidates in violation of the law. A. O. Harrison, secretary of the league, submitted to arrest, March 11, 1908, for violating this law. His case was taken at once to the Supreme court of Missouri on a writ of habeas corpus, the unconstitutionality of the law being pleaded. The Supreme court made a decision May 19, 1908, holding that the law was unconstitutional and utterly void, and discharged the prisoner. The Civic league is a member of the National Municipal league which has headquarters in Philadelphia, Pa. Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte is president and the Honorable Clinton Rogers Woodruff is secretary of the National league. The National league is composed of a number of leagues throughout the country similar to the Civic league in Kansas City.
The presidents of the Kansas City Civic league have been Judge H. L. McCune, I. N. Watson, L. A. Laughlin, Judge J. McD. Trimble and George W. Tourtelot. A. O. Harrison was secretary of the league from its organiza- iton until May, 1908, when he declined re-election and Francis E. House was chosen.
The revenues of the league are derived from the voluntary contributions of the business men of Kansas City. These contributions vary from $5.00 to $25.00. A total of about $2,000.00 is subscribed each year for the running expenses of the league.
The Civic league exists upon the theory that representative government will not prove a failure so long as the representatives of the people in fact and in truth represent the majority of the people. But in order for the people to elect representatives who will reflect the real sentiments of the people, the people must know for whom they are voting. A part of the people may desire unscrupulous men to represent them and a part of the people doubtless desire competent men to represent them. This being true, both classes should be willing to be informed as to the character of the men for whom they vote. It may be argued that it is the province of political parties to set forth the qualifications of candidates, but experience teaches that in large cities political leaders have betrayed this trust. They have set forth dishonest and ineom- petent candidates as possessing merit equal to honest and competent candi- dates. It is impractical and impossible to expect the great masses of the voters to investigate and ascertain for themselves the true merits of all the
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candidates. Hence the need of some reliable, unbiased body of citizens to investigate and ascertain the truth regarding candidates, and to fearlessly publish their findings to all voters.
In order that the league may be free from bias in making its estimate of candidates, it never accepts contributions from candidates or from any one known to represent a candidate. The constitution of the league provides that when any member of the league becomes a candidate or accepts a public office, he must resign from the league. This rule does not apply to those who hold positions in the public service without compensation.
Kansas City has been widely advertised in its tributary territory by the Priests of Pallas, an organization that gives an annual fall festival. The mem- bership of the association includes many of the most active and progressive business men of the city. The work of providing an annual festival called for the maximum amount of work with the minimum of reward, and that the onerous task was not shirked is a high tribute to the public spirit of the city. Busy men have been willing to give their time to the work of the Priests of Pallas because it annually attracts thousands of visitors to Kansas City who may see and be convinced of Kansas City's advantages.
The Priest of Pallas festivities originated with the Flambeau club, a public spirited organization of the early '80s. It was composed of the leading young business men of the town, and, while it was organized as a political club, it was non-partisan in its efforts to advance the interests of Kansas City. The Flambeau club went to Chicago in 1884 to participate in the national Republican convention in the interest of James G. Blaine. The club paraded both day and night and attracted an unusual amount of attention. The organization from Kansas City appeared in the parades and gave exhibitions two nights on the Lake front. The Chicago newspapers exploited the Flam- beau club, gave accounts of the individual members and mentioned its home town. This was valuable advertising for Kansas City.
When the Flambeau club returned to Kansas City, it received numerous invitations to participate in entertainments in neighboring towns. Then the idea came to the club-why not stay at home and give a big celebration? A meeting was held September 29, 1886, in old Turner hall, to discuss plans for an annual fall festival. These men were present at the meeting: L. E. Irwin, J. E. Herrick, E. M. Clendenning, F. B. Ray, R. H. Hunt, W. D. Charde, W. H. Miller, J. C. Cameron, C. D. Axman, J. B. White, F. W. Butterfield, S. W. Gregory, E. E. Menges, M. J. Payne, L. F. Williamson and Isaac Whitaker.
As a result of the meeting a parade of the civic and military organiza- tions of the city was given that fall, 1886. Crowds came from nearby towns and seemed to be entertained. The results convinced the business men that
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they were working in the right direction and encouraged them to make greater efforts. In the winter of 1886-87 a committee composed of three, L. E. Irwin, J. E. Herrick and E. M. Clendenning, was appointed to visit the Mardi Gras and get suggestions for a more ambitious parade. After much research and thought the Goddess Pallas Athene was selected to reign over the city on these occasions and to be the city's patron divinity. So in 1887 the first Priests of Pallas parade was given. Crowds surged up and down Main street all day and night. Boys went through the crowds selling folders printed in gorgeous colors, and portraying the wonders of the coming parade. And more won- derful still-the President of the United States, Grover Cleveland, came bringing with him his lovely young wife, and together they stood on the steps of the old postoffice at Ninth and Walnut streets and greeted the populace. Great crowds stood in front of the Coates House where the President and Mrs. Cleveland were entertained and waited for a glimpse of them. They were rewarded in the evening, for Mr. Cleveland and his wife occupied seats on the balcony on the Broadway side and viewed the parade from there.
As compared with the later pageants, the first parade of the Priests of Pallas was crude and inartistic in many ways, but the crowds were pleased. First in line, with a flare of light and a thunder of sound came the Flambeau club, announced by its own drum corps. Rockets burst from the moving ranks in a continuous roar and flash. The members of the organization were uniformed in white, and wore helmets of burnished metal. Next in line came the Craig Rifles, then the Kansas City light cavalry, and then the floats. The floats were drawn by four horses, handsomely caparisoned. At the head of each leader was a groom in domino and cowl, with two more at the brake in the rear, similarly gowned. Out-riders in gorgeous velvet and satin suits dashed back and forth, giving orders, and a double row of mounted priests guarded Pallas and her float. The characters on the floats were assumed by prominent business men. The floats were lighted by torches upheld by men who also were disguised.
In 1895 another organization came in for a share of public attention during the Carnival season. This was the Kansas City Karnival Krewe, which proved very popular for a number of years. The originators were J. C. Schmel- zer, E. G. E. Jaccard, John S. Clark, William E. Benson, William A. Lawton, Emil Scharnagel, A. S. Woolf, Dent Yates, A. D. L. Hamilton, Frank Cooper, John Sullivan and M. V. Watson. The "K.K.K."originated the masked ball, which proved one of the big attractions of Carnival week. The K. K. K. gave a street parade in the day time. But with the passing of the old-style parade, the usefulness of the K. K. K. began to wane. There had also crept into these carnival nights an element of roughness, contrary to law and order.
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In 1903 the Priests of Pallas absorbed the charter of the K. K. K. and this marked the end of the riotous carnival night in Kansas City.
The change in " parade styles " brought about in 1902, was decided upon after much discussion, because it was the prevalent opinion that an electric pageant was impossible. George Myers, president of the P. O. P. in 1908, was given the credit of having first suggested the use of electricity in connection with the parade. At first it was thought of only as a means of illumination, a way to abolish the flaring smoking torches. Fred Doggett was at that time president of the Priests of Pallas, and with Mr. Myers he sent for Fawcett Robinson, the association's artist and float designer. They presented the subject to him and he said that an electrical parade was impossible. He finally was persuaded to try it. Mr Doggett furnished him a room and told him to stay there as long as he liked, and Mr. Robinson went to work. For models he took four pasteboard suit boxes, such as tailors use, and painted them in different colors and designs, and fitted wiring into them. The result was four miniature floats, representing a pond lily, a chrysanthemum, American beauty rose and a sunflower. The small models were complete in each detail, had " high points " like big floats and were peopled with tiny dolls, daintily dressed. The miniature flowers opened and closed their petals. The tiny toys were fitted with the tiniest of incandescent bulbs, and a border outlined the sides and clusters were placed to illuminate and further decorate them. Mr. Robinson sent word to the Priests of Pallas that he was ready to receive them. They went in a body and were ushered into a room which was immediately darkened. Then Mr. Robinson turned the current on his tiny floats and the greatest excitement manifested itself. The men were delighted with what had been accomplished. It was decided that electrical parades could be made a success, and they were. From the first president, Colonel L. E. Irwin, to W. H. Winants, president in 1908, the Priests of Pallas were fortunate in having capable men to manage the affairs of the association.
It was a bit of homely sentiment, a desire to get better acquainted with each other. that inspired those, who helped make Kansas City, who came here in the early days, to formulate the organization now known as the Kansas City Historical Society.
In pursuance of this action on December 15 and 16th, 1895, the fol- lowing notice appeared in the daily papers of Kansas City:
"We the undersigned citizens of Kansas City, Missouri, since the year 1865, herewith call on all those who resided in Kansas City, Missouri, at that time to meet with the society on Tuesday, Dec. 17th, 1895, at Turner Hall, at 3 o'clock p. m. Having lived in Kansas City these thirty years past, it is the purpose of the undersigned to become better acquainted at
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this meeting and to take steps to further this purpose. Signed-Henry C. Kumpf, Dr. Joseph Feld, J. F. Spaulding, John H. Ramsey, William Warner, L. E. Prindle, G. W. Lovejoy, Henry N. Ess, Henry T. Wright, Dr. S. S. Todd, Frank Hudson, A. A. Tomlinson, James Smith, D. Ellison, Dr. D. R. Porter, C. O. Tichenor, M. B. Wright, S. P. Twiss, J. V. C. Karnes, D. S. Twitchell, Louis Dragon, W. H. Winants."
Pursuant to the above notice a large number of Pioneers and Old Set- tlers assembled at Turner Hall, 12th and Oak streets, Dec. 17, 1895.
The meeting was called to order by Hon. Henry C. Kumpf and on mo- tion duly seconded Col. Daniel S. Twitchell was made chairman and E. R. Hunter, secretary. The chairman delivered an address and remarks were also made by Col. Charles E. Kearney and M. J. Payne.
On motion duly seconded it was resolved that a committee of 10 be appointed by the chair whose duty it should be to formulate a plan of or- ganization by which the Old Settlers and Pioneers in Kansas City and vicinity should be organized into a society. The above committee was also authorized to draw up a constitution and by-laws by which the organization should be governed, and to present the same at a future meeting of the Old Settlers and Pioneers to be called at Turner Hall by the chairman, Daniel S. Twitchell. The chair appointed on said committee-Henry C. Kumpf, Charles E. Kearney, J. V. C. Karnes, J. A. Bachman, M. J. Payne, Joseph S. Chick, Dr. S. S. Todd, Robert Salisbury, J. F. Spaulding and Peter Reinhart. On motion duly seconded the chairman and secretary were added to the committee.
The committee held a number of meetings in the Temple Block, in the office of Daniel S. Twitchell. The work assigned to the committee was subdivided among its members; the chairman and secretary corresponded with the secretary of the Kansas Historical Society and the Society of Pioneers of 1849, in San Francisco.
A constitution and by-laws were drawn up, and the chairman, by notice, published in the Kansas City daily papers, called on all Old Settlers and Pioneers to meet at Turner Hall to hear the report of the committee.
After the adoption of the constitution and by-laws, a committee of three was appointed by the chair to propose the names of ninety-nine persons as directors, thirty-three to serve for three years, thirty-three for two years, and thirty-three to serve for a term of one year.
The directors elected met in February, 1896, officially organized the society to be known as the "Early Settlers of Kansas City and Vicinity," and elected the following officers and committee: Daniel S. Twitchell, president; Henry C. Kumpf, 1st vice-president; Col. Charles E. Kearney, 2d vice-presi-
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dent; Hon. M. J. Payne, 3d vice-president; E. R. Hunter, secretary ; Frank Muehlschuster, corresponding secretary; and J. A. Bachman, treasurer. The executive committee: H. W. Cooper, Joseph Lorie, R. C. Crowell, Samuel Bales, Daniel O'Flaherty, Peter Reinhart and M. D. Trefren.
The "Old Settlers' Association" after carrying out its purpose of be- coming a united body, did little active work the first year of its existence. That the members of the association had done some thinking, however, was evidenced by the fact that on the first anniversary of this organization, Jan- uary 5, 1897, an amendment to the constitution was proposed that "This as- sociation shall, hereafter, be known as The Early Settlers and Historical So- ciety of Kansas City, Missouri." This amendment was accepted.
Finally on February 9, 1906, the society became known as "The Kansas City Historical Society of Kansas City, Missouri." The first three years of the existence of the society saw many changes in meeting places; however, in 1898 the society secured a permanent place of meeting in the Free Public Library building of Kansas City, Missouri.
The present officers, 1908, are: Dr. W. L. Campbell, president; Frank Titus, vice-president; Mrs. Carrie Westlake Whitney, corresponding secre- tary; William H. H. Tainter, secretary; and J. A. Bachman, treasurer.
On August 5, 1898, at a regular meeting of the society, Mr. William H. H. Tainter was elected secretary. Since its organization the collections of the society have not been published. There are, however, in the valuable records kept by Mr. Tainter, and the number of general, historical and biographical papers read before the society at various times, a sufficient num- ber of documents to make a volume of historical collections which is now in course of preparation.
CHAPTER XV.
EDUCATION.
Missouri was practically without an efficient public school system until 1868. Private schools and colleges that had flourished in other years for the most part had been abandoned or turned into hospitals during the Civil war. Even the State university scarcely had sufficient life to open its hall doors for the admission of students. In the strife, which had been waged for four years in all parts of the state, the minds of the people had been diverted from all peaceful and ennobling pursuits; their affections alien-
OLD HUMBOLDT SCHOOL, 1868.
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NEW HUMBOLDT SCHOOL, 1905.
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ated, so that neighbor, not infrequently, regarded neighbor with feelings of suspicion or distrust, and at times with intense hatred. Society was torn asunder, and amid this general convulsion the education of the youth had been entirely neglected. The children were growing up illiterates, and un- less something could be done, and that speedily, a cloud of ignorance soon would overshadow the whole state. Immediately following this crisis, laws were enacted specifying how to organize country, village, town and city schools; also the mode of levying taxes for buildings and other school pur- poses. The duties and qualifications of school officers and teachers were clearly set forth in a statutory enactment.
The idea of a public school system was new in Missouri, and the meas- ure met with violent opposition in many parts of the state. Missouri always had had a system of schools, partly public and partly private, but now the conflict raged in town and country. In some localities the residents positively refused to organize for school purposes, and displayed their hos- tility to the measure in various ways.
The press, the public educator, in some counties fell in with the oppo- sition or maintained a " lofty silence." Kansas City did not fare much bet- ter than some other localities. Public opinion was divided here as else- where in the state. Business interests and industries of the West, East and South soon drew people here from all parts of the Union. The rankling pas- sions that other and bitter years had produced, soon were extinguished or silenced. Reason, parental love and philanthropy prevailed. That schools must be established and the children educated was the decision of the majority here as elsewhere in Missouri.
The Kansas City school district was organized under a law entitled, " An act authorizing any city, town or village to organize for school pur- poses, with special privileges," approved March 15, 1866; also a measure entitled "An act authorizing any city, town or village to organize for school purposes with special privileges," approved March 19, 1866.
Under the authority of this act the Board of Education of Kansas City was organized August 1, 1867, composed of the following: W. E. Sheffield, president; H. C. Kumpf, secretary; J. A. Bachman, treasurer ; E. H. Allen, T. B. Lester and E. H. Spalding. J. B. Bradley was elected superintendent and teacher in the Central school.
Immediately after the organization of the board, Mr. Kumpf retired, and A. A. Bainbridge was chosen to fill the vacancy. There were at that time 2,150 children of school age living within the limits of the school dis- trict. There was not a public school building in the city. The city was destitute of school accommodations, and there was not a dollar available
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for school expenses. The buildings that could be rented for school pur- poses were old, deserted dwellings, unoccupied storerooms and damp, gloomy basements in some of the churches. But the board was in earnest, and every effort was made to place the schools in operation. The schools were formerly opened in October, 1867, in rented rooms that had been hastily and scantily furnished. Into the unattractive buildings the children were huddled to- gether to receive instruction. A superintendent and sixteen teachers were employed the first year. While the work in the schools was unsatisfactory, the energy of the board was unabated. Preparations for a larger work oc- cupied the attention of the board. Sites were purchased, bonds issued, and school houses erected. The rapid and marvelous growth of the city brought a large influx of school population, but did not produce a corresponding in- crease in the valuation of the taxable property in the district.
Of the school year of 1868-69, with the exception of the improvements of buildings and the proceedings of a purely business character, there is scarcely a trace of statistical information. Enough is preserved to show that the schools were taught, but the Superintendent made no report to the Board of Education. One change was made in the board. Patrick Shannon was chosen the successor of Mr. Spalding. Professor E. P. Tucke was elected superintendent, holding the position for one year. There also was a tre- mendous increase in the number of school children. The number reported was 3,287, a gain of 53 per cent over the previous year. At the close of the year twelve rooms belonged to the district and twenty-one teachers had been employed.
The Washington school at the southwest corner of Independence avenue and Cherry street was the first of the school buildings. It was opened in April, 1868, and enlarged in 1869. The building had eight rooms and a seating capacity of 500. The Humboldt school at the northwest corner of Twelfth and Locust streets was opened in November, 1868. The building had six rooms. A branch with three rooms was established at Eleventh and Locust streets in 1875, giving the school a seating capacity of 540. Addi- tions were made to the Humboldt school from time to time until it was sold in 1903, and a site purchased at Eleventh and Holmes streets, where a beau- tiful modern structure of sixteen rooms, with a seating capacity of 900 pupils, was erected. The new school was opened in September, 1904. On Sep- tember 17, 1867, Central High school was opened in the lower floor of Starke's building at Eleventh and Locust streets. January 6, 1868, this property was purchased by the Board of Education. In 1883 a new build- ing was erected south of the old building and the building abandoned. In 1892 this old building was torn down and in its place the present building
WASHINGTON SCHOOL, EIGHTH AND CHERRY STREETS. FIRST SCHOOLHOUSE BUILT IN KANSAS CITY.
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was erected. The south part, built in 1883, was remodeled and connected with the main building. In September, 1908, the old buildings were again remodelled and another addition built on the east, making the present com- modious building of 62 rooms. The Franklin school at the northeast cor- ner of Fourteenth and Jefferson streets was opened in October, 1868, with seven rooms and a seating capacity of 420. Joseph L. Norman, president of the Board of Education, gave this history of the Franklin school in an address, May 25, 1898:
"The 'Kansas City Board of Public Schools' was incorporated by an act of the legislature, approved March 28, 1861. On September 5, 1865, Dr. Johnston Lykins, for a consideration of $700, deeded to the 'Kansas City Board of Public Schools,' its successors and assigns forever, lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in block 3 of Robert's addition to the city of Kansas, being the land on which this schoolhouse now stands. All this was before the adoption of the free school system of today, and this is the only school site remaining in Kansas City which was purchased at so early a day; the site of the Humboldt was purchased on September 1, 1867, and that of the Washington on September 30, 1867, both under the free school law, and two years after the Franklin.
" On April 8, 1865, representatives of the people of the state then in convention assembled, at the city of St. Louis, ordained and established a constitution of the state of Missouri, commonly known as the 'Drake con- stitution ' because the Honorable Charles D. Drake was the leading spirit of the convention. Article 9, section 1, of this constitution reads: 'A gen- eral diffusion of knowledge and intelligence being essential to the preserva- tion of the rights and liberties of the people, the General Assembly shall establish and maintain free schools for the gratuitous instruction of all per- sons in this state between the ages of 5 and 21 years.' The present consti- tution reads, 'between the ages of 6 and 20 years.'
" The General Statutes of Missouri, enacted March 20, 1866, and amended March 13, 1867, provide for the organization of any incorporated city into a single school district under the corporate name of Board of Edu- cation of the city, and for the erection of primary school buildings and other school buildings of higher grade in such city, and for the main- tenance of schools therein; and further provide that the admission to the schools be free to the children, wards and apprentices of all actual residents of the school district. That constitution and that statute were the beginning of the free schools of Kansas City.
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