USA > Missouri > Buchanan County > St Joseph > The Daily news' history of Buchanan County and St. Joseph, Mo. From the time of the Platte purchase to the end of the year 1898. Preceded by a short history of Missouri. Supplemented by biographical sketches of noted citizens, living and dead > Part 17
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THE POSTOFFICE .- In 1840 a postoffice was established at Blacksnake Hills, with Jules C. Robidoux in charge. The office continued under this name until 1843, when it was changed to St. Joseph, the town having meanwhile been platted and christened. Robidoux, George Brubaker and Captain Frederick W. Smith were the postmasters under the old name, and Captain Smith was the first postmaster under the new name. The mails were not very heavy in those days, coming mostly by boat from the outer world and by pony and stage from neighboring points. Captain Smith wore an old-style, bell-crowned beaver hat, which he used as the repository of postal matter. He was personally acquainted with every inhabi- tant of the village and it was his custom to deliver mail to parties as he met them. Thus it will be seen that St. Joseph had free postal delivery long before many of the now populous cities of the West were even thought of.
William B. Almond succeeded Captain Smith in November of 1844, and served until September of 1845, when he was succeeded by William Irvin, who served until September, 1848. Joseph Wyatt then filled the office for one year, and was succeeded by Jesse Hol- laday, who served until September, 1849, when he was succeeded by Henry S. Creal in January of 1852. Charles Dutszchky was ap- pointed April, 1853. Henry Clark was appointed April, 1854, but did not take the office. Henry Slack was appointed in the same month and held the office until October, 1855, when William A. Davis was appointed. Mr. Davis invented the railway postal car. The office was made presidential in March of 1858 and Mr. Davis continued as postmaster until April of 1861. He was succeeded by John L. Bittinger, who served until March, 1865, and was succeeded by William Fowler.
In March of 1866 George H. Hall was appointed. This appoint- ment was rescinded and James M. Graham was appointed October 31, 1866. However, the friends of Colonel Hall prevailed at Wash- ington and he was given the office in the following month, holding
,
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it until April of 1867, when he was succeeded by Joseph J. Wyatt, who served until April of 1869. James M. Hunter served from that time until March of 1871 and was succeeded by Phillip Arnholdt, who served until February of 1875. John Severance held the office until May of 1876, and was succeeded by Dr. Robert P. Richardson, who served only a few months, however. He was succeeded in the fol- lowing August by James T. Beach, who served until December of 1877, and was succeeded by Francis M. Posegate, who served until June of 1881. Frank M. Tracy succeeded Captain Posegate and served until April of 1885, when he was succeeded by John S. Evans, who served four years and was succeeded by Charles F. Ernst. Cap- tain Ernst died August 2, 1892. From that time until September 30, the office was in charge of Deputy Postmaster Joseph S. Browne, when Frank M. Atkinson took charge, served four years, and was reappointed for another four-year term in April of 1897.
As long as the business of the city centered in the neighborhood of Market square the postoffice was located in close proximity to that point. For many years it was in the Beatty bank building, on the east side of Second street, north of Francis. Under Hunter and Arnholdt it was located in the Constable building, on Fourth street, south of Edmond, now occupied by Studebaker's. Under Severance, Richardson, Beach, Posegate and Tracy it was located at the south- cast corner of Second and Francis streets. Under Tracy, in 1881, the office was moved to a room under Tootle's opera house, the theater at that time occupying the upper floors only. The business of the office soon outgrew the accommodations here, and under Tracy, also, the first floor of the new Tootle building, east of the Opera house, was taken. The office remained there until January 26, 1891, when, under Postmaster Ernst, it was removed to its pres- ent permanent quarters in the Federal building.
An idea of the importance of the St. Joseph postoffice may be gathered from the volume of business. The estimate of stamp sales for this year (1898) will be $150,000, and the average money order business is nearly $1,500,000.
There are fifty-three employes of the St. Joseph postoffice, in- cluding twenty-four regular and four substitute carriers. The office force consists of assistant postmaster, superintendent of carriers, twenty-nine mail carriers, money order clerk and assistant, stamp clerk and assistant, registry clerk and assistant, general delivery clerk and assistant, three messengers, eleven mailing and distributing clerks. The annual pay roll is about $40,000.
FIRST POSTOFFICE.
FEDERAL BUILDING.
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THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE .- The St Joseph division of therailway mail service, which is embraced in the Seventh division of the service, has headquarters in the Federal building. There are sixty-five clerks employed under the direction of the chief clerk of the St. Joseph office, twenty-seven of whom live in this city. The lines under the jurisdiction of the St. Joseph office extend into Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, and many of the clerks em- ployed under the office here live in Quincy, Council Bluffs, Grand Island, Atchison, Leavenworth and other towns.
THE INTERNAL REVENUE OFFICE .- A branch of the Sixth Internal Revenue district of Missouri has been located in the Federal building since its completion. A deputy, appointed by the collector at Kansas City, is in charge, and his jurisdiction extends over seventeen counties : Buchanan, Atchison, Holt, Nodaway, An- drew, Clinton, DeKalb, Gentry, Worth, Harrison, Daviess, Caldwell, Linvingston, Grundy, Mercer, Putnam and Sullivan. There are in this division 700 retail liquor dealers, including druggists who have permits to sell whisky and alcohol. In addition there are thirty-two wholesale liquor dealers, three breweries, seven fruit distilleries, five grain distilleries and fifty-two cigar manufactories. The business of all these concerns with the internal revenue department is transacted through the St. Joseph office and consequently it makes a vast amount of work. The deputy has stamp clerk, guager and store- keeper to assist him.
In 1862 St. Joseph was headquarters of the Third Revenue dis- trict of Missouri, embracing all of the state lying north of the Mis- souri River, and including forty-four counties. The taxes collected amounted to about one million dollars per annum. Charles B. Wil- kinson was the first collector. In 1865 W. A. Price of Savannah was collector and A. N. Schuster was his deputy. In 1869 Mr. Schuster was appointed collector, the district then embracing twenty-five coun- ties. Schuster served until 1871. The boundaries of the district were subsequently changed and it was called the Sixth. Schuster was succeeded by General James Craig, and he by W. Z. Ransom. In 1875, when Charles B. Wilkinson was collector a second time, irregularities and complications were discovered in the office. Wil- kinson went to Australia and was brought back, tried and convicted of embezzlement on a technicality, the irregularities having been traced to some of his employes. Such was the nature of the case, however, that, after a careful examination of the same by the United
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States attorney-general and the President, a full pardon was granted Wilkinson.
R. T. Van Horn of Kansas City having meanwhile been ap- pointed collector, the principal office was moved to Kansas City, and Christ. Mast, deceased, was made deputy at St. Joseph. John G. Walker of Savannah followed Mast, and then came Charles Groscup, H. G. Getchell, John Harnois and John B. Rodgers. The latter was succeeded in November, 1898, by William M. Shepherd.
THE PORT OF ENTRY .- St. Joseph was made a port of entry January of 1883, through the efforts of Congressman James N. Burnes. Major James Hunter was the first surveyor and he had for his deputy James T. Beach. John Vanderlinde was appointed surveyor January 30, 1887, and was succeeded by James M. Limbird, who was appointed March 21, 1890. It was during his term, in Jan- uary, 1891, that the customs office, which has previously been quar- tered in store buildings, moved to the Federal building. President Cleveland appointed Clay C. MacDonald surveyor of the port in 1893, and Captain MacDonald was succeeded March 2, 1898, by William L. Buechle, the present incumbent. *
THE FEDERAL COURT .- Through the efforts of Congress- man James N. Burnes a branch of the western division of the United States circuit court was established at St. Joseph. The first session of this court was held at the court house on April 4, 1887, with the late Arnold S. Krekel as judge. Channing M. Dunham was appoint- ed clerk. Judge Krekel and Mr. Dunham both died in the summer of 1888. Judge John F. Philips, the present judge, was appointed to succeed Judge Krekel and appointed Charles M. Thompson as clerk. Mr. Thompson served until October of 1891, when he was succeeded by Charles S. Pollock, the present incumbent.
The office of United States commissioner had been held by vari- ous attorneys in the city. James T. Beach was also a commissioner and had an office in the Federal building up to November of 1891, when he was succeeded by Mr. Pollock, who is now commissioner as well as clerk. It is the province of the commissioner to give pre- liminary hearings in cases of violation of Federal laws and to certify to same to the circuit court if the investigation warrants.
Two terms of the United States court are held in St. Joseph every year. The first term convenes the first Monday in March and the second term the third Monday in September.
CHAPTER XVIII.
RELIGION IN BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH .-
THE FIRST PREACHERS AND THE FIRST CHURCHES .- A REVIEW OF THE PROGRESS OF THE VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS IN ST. JOSEPH .- HIS- TORY OF THE CONGREGATIONS AND THEIR CHURCH BUILDINGS.
During the first ten years of the county's history but few churches were erected. Public religious services were generally held in private houses, until school houses were built, after which these build- ings were used for religious purposes on Sundays. The log court house at Sparta was also used. One of the first sermons preached in the county was by the late Bishop Marvin of the Methodist Episco- pal church, in a log structure called "Wood's school house," located in what is now Agency Township. This was early in 1838. "Mount Moriah" was the name of log church located near Frazer. The "Witt Meeting House" was on the farm of Judge Nelson Witt in Platte Township, and was used by the Calvinistic Baptists. The Mis- sionary Baptists subsequently erected in the same township a frame edifice which was called "Hebron."
The Christians were also among the earliest denominations that organized in the Platte Purchase. Archibald Stewart formed a con- gregation three miles south of DeKalb, in 1839, and preached his first sermon under a buckeye tree. This denomination was known at that time as the "New Light." The Christians also established a church in Crawford Township, in 1842, which was called "Antioch." The Presbyterians organized a church called "Walnut Grove," and also built a church at Easton when that town was platted. The first camp meeting in the county was held in 1842 near Valley Chapel school house in 1842.
THE CATHOLICS .- In 1838, a wandering Jesuit priest visited the obscure and lonely trading post at Blacksnake Hills. Here, in a rude log house of Joseph Robidoux, a primitive altar was extem-
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porized from a common table, and, in the presence of the wondering. red man and the scarcely more cultivated pioncer, mass was cele- brated. This was the small beginning of the march of Christianity in our midst.
In 1840, another transient priest made his appearance at the settlement, who elicited no small degree of comment, from the sin- gular mark of a cross on the back of his coat. This was the Rev. Father Vogel. On the 17th of June, 1847, the foundation of the brick church on the corner of Felix and Fifth streets was laid. Ser- vices were held in this building before its completion, and in the same year, in September, the house was dedicated by Bishop Kenrick of St. Louis. In 1848, the two-story parsonage was erected (brick) and in 1853 an addition of twenty-two feet was made to the church. The lot was donated by Joseph Robidoux.
At the organization of the church there were about twenty fam- ilies, two of which were Irish and the others Canadian French. The first permanent pastor in the church was Rev. Thomas Scanlan, who began his labors in 1847. His first service was in a frame building, belonging to Joseph Robidoux, on Jule street, beyond the Black- snake. He was succeeded by the Rev. D. F. Healy. Rev. Francis Russie succeeded Father Healy, and, he, in turn, was succeeded by the Rev. S. A. Grugan.
In 1859, the Rev. James Powers assumed the duties of assistant pastor, which position he filled until the removal of Father Scan- lan, in 1860. In 1860, Rev. John Hennessey took charge and con- tinued the same until he was promoted to the See of Dubuque. He is now an archbishop. His successor in St. Joseph was the Rev. James Power. The church at Fifth and Felix streets was abandoned in 1871.
In 1868, the diocese of St. Joseph, comprising all of the territory north of the Missouri River and west of the Chariton River, was erected, and Rt. Rev. John Joseph Hogan consecrated as its bishop. In 1882 Bishop Hogan took charge of the diocese of Kansas City, but continued as administrator of the diocese of St. Joseph. In the fall of 1893 Bishop Maurice F. Burke, who had been stationed at Cheyenne, took charge of this diocese.
There are seven Catholic churches in St. Joseph. The Cathe- dral was erected in 1868 by Bishop Hogan. Father Ignatius Conrad, O. S. B., was in charge of the parish after Bishop Hogan's departure, until he was made abbot of Subiacco monastery in Arkansas, in 1890. He was succeeded by Father Andrew Newman, who is now Bishop Burke's assistant.
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The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Tenth and Ange- lique streets, was built in 1868, the first priest being Father Hart- man, who was succeeded by the present pastor, Father Linnenkamp. This parish is German.
St. Patrick's, Twelfth street and Doniphan avenue, was built in 1873 by Father Eugene Kenny, who remained as pastor until the close of the year 1879, when he died. He was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Walsh, who served about two years and died also. Rev. Francis F. Graham, the present pastor, then took charge.
The Polish Catholics organized a congregation in 1883, and purchased the old home of General Willard P. Hall, at Twentieth and Messanie streets, which was converted into a church called SS. Peter and Paul. Father Wenzeslaus Krzywonos was the first pastor. He was succeeded in 1894 by Father Moron, who served two years and was succeeded by Father Rejnert, the present pastor.
Holy Rosary congregation, at Sixth and Scott streets, was formed in 1888 by Rev. James Sheehan. The Floyd school was pur- chased from the school board and converted into a church. Father Sheehan died in 1892, and was succeeded by Rev. Richard J. Cullen. the present pastor.
St. Francis Xavier church, on Seneca street, near Twenty- seventh, in Wyatt Park, was built in the summer of 1891 by the con- fraternity of the Precious Blood. Rev. Seraphim Kunkler, who was placed in charge, has continued since that time as pastor.
St. Mary's church, at Main and Cherry streets, was built in the summer of 1891 by the Benedictine Monks of Conception, Mo. The property passed into the hands of the bishop, however, in 1895. Rev. Adolph Schaefer has been the pastor since that time.
There are several Catholic churches in the county-at Easton, at New Hurlingen, and at Saxton. Corby Chapel (St. John the Bap- tist church), north of the city, is seldom used for services and no con- gregation is attached to it. The remains of the late John Corby re- pose therein.
There was at one time a Catholic church in the French Bottom, known at St. Roche, but this has not been in existence since 1880.
PRESBYTERIANS .- The first Protestant minister to preacli the gospel in St. Joseph was Rev. T. S. Reeve, a New School Presby- terian. He held services at the tavern of Josiah Beattie, which stood on Main street, above Francis. In the spring of 1844 Rev. Reeves
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built the first church in St. Joseph. It was a log structure, 20x30 feet in dimensions, and stood near the corner of Third and Francis streets. Parson Reeve assisted in cutting the timber and erecting the building.
The log church was used by the Presbyterians until 1847, when a brick church was built at the northeast corner of Fourth and Francis streets. This structure stood on a hill, which was cut down when the Saxton bank building was erected. The log church was purchased by the First Missionary Baptist Society. It gave way many years ago to business houses.
In February of 1854 twenty-two people met in the old market house and, under the sanction of the Presbytery of Upper Missouri. organized what they called the First Presbyterian church. They were of the old school. Here they worshipped for some time, and various halls were occupied until 1858, when they commenced the erection of the Sixth Street church. They built the first story, cov- ered it and worshipped there until after the war. Then there was division in the church. One part of the membership built, in 1867, the present Seventh Street church, for their use, and the others re- mained in the Sixth Street church. The first minister was the Rev. A. V. C. Schenck, who remained with the church until 1858, when the Rev. J. G. Fackler became pastor. In 1864 Rev. Fackler resigned on account of ill health and the Rev. A. P. Foreman was called to the charge. He remained with the church six years, doing much good, and ministering well to the spiritual wants of his flock. In 1870 Rev. J. G. Fackler was again called to the charge and occupied the pulpit until 1874, when he was succeeded by the Rev. R. S. Campbell, who held the pastorate for fifteen years. The Rev. A. A. Pfanstiehl oc- cupied the pulpit as temporary supply minister after Rev. Campbell vacated it until the present pastor, Rev. George A. Trenholm, took charge, in November, 1891.
The Westminster Presbyterian church was organized on May 9, 1863, with twenty members. In May, 1864, Rev. B. B. Parsons of Illinois was installed as pastor. In October, 1866, the stone chapel, directly west of the Hughes building, on Felix street, was completed. This was intended as the wing of a greater church in contemplation. The chapel is a small but massive stone structure of the Gothic type, and had the edifice been completed as originally planned it would have been one of the most attractive architectural features of the city. In February, 1868, Rev. Henry Bullard, then pastor in Wayland, Mass., supplied the pulpit for two Sundays, and upon the Ist of May
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following, assumed full charge as pastor. In 1872, the plan of com- pleting the stone church was abandoned and the property of the Old School Presbyterians, at Sixth and Faraon streets, was purchased and completed. In 1892, a new church was erected at Twentieth and Faraon streets. The Sixth street property was sold and the site of the church is now occupied by modern dwellings.
The Third Street Presbyterian church grew out of a Sabbath school organized in 1869. The church, located on Third street at the junction of Savannah avenue, was built in 1889.
The Cumberland Presbyterian church had a congregation in the early fifties. They had a church at Sixth and Edmond streets, where the Hotel Donovan now stands. This was afterwards used as a Jew- ish synagogue and was destroyed by fire. The church edifice on the corner of Sixteenth and Edmond streets was erected in 1882 by the members and friends of the Platte Presbytery. Rev. W. B. Farr, D. D., was the first pastor, and the first congregation was organized November 16, 1883, with nineteen charter members, nine being of one family and three of the pastor's family.
The Second Presbyterian church is located at 1124 South Twelfth street, and Hope chapel on Thirteenth street and Highly streets.
THE METHODISTS-In the year 1843-44, Rev. Edwin Robin- son, preacher in charge of the St. Joseph (Savannah) circuit, Weston district, Missouri Annual Conference of the M. E. church, organized the first class in the town of St. Joseph. The leader of this class was John F. Carter; the other members were Rufus Patchen, Clara Patchen, Mrs. Jane Kemper and Mrs. Sarah Jeffries. At the time of the organization W. W. Redman was presiding elder of the dis- trict, which included St. Joseph. The first permanent organization of the church was effected during the early part of the year 1844, Edwin Robinson being preacher in charge. The building in which the con- gregation worshipped at that time was a small frame on Main street, used once by David J. Heaton as a furniture store and cabinet shop ; and for nearly two years they worshipped in this humble and primitive structure. The old log church was afterwards occupied one Sunday each month by courtesy of the Presbyterians.
This may be the proper place to state that the General Confer- ence of the M. E. Church, held in the city of New York in May, 1844, failing to harmonize the Northern and Southern sections of the coun- try in regard to the disciplinary legislation concerning "slavery,"
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provided a plan of peaceable separation, the important details of which need not be mentioned here; but under the provisions of which the charges and conferences within the territory of the slave holding states proceeded with great unanimity to adjust themselves and were by the delegated convention, held at Louisville, Ky., in May, 1845, organized into the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. So that after this transition period we are speaking of the M. E. Church, South, in St. Joseph.
In 1846, when the Rev. John A. Tutt was in charge, a brick church, 40x60 feet in dimensions, was erected at Third and Felix streets, where the National Bank of St. Joseph's building now stands. In 1857 this property was sold, and a new church built at Seventh and Francis streets. It is interesting to note that there was great objec- tion to the new location because it was considered too far out. Rev. Edwin Robinson was in charge in 1847-48, and was succeeded by Rev. Wm. M. Rush, who served until 1852 and was succeeded by Rev. Wm. Holmes. Mr. Holmes did not remain long, giving place to Rev. C. J. Vandeventer, who served two years. In 1854-55 the pul- pit was filled by Rev. B. A. Spencer, who was succeeded by Rev. Samuel W. Cape. From 1856 to 1858 Rev. E. R. Miller was pastor, and was succeeded by Rev. John Bull, and he in turn by Rev. E. G. Nicholson. Rev. George T. Hoagland supplied the pulpit also until the return of Rev Rush. In 1862, Rev. Rush was prohibited from preaching to his congregation by the military order of General Loan. From 1864 to 1865 Rev. Wm. H. Leftwich was pastor. In 1868 Rev. Vandeventer was again placed in charge, remaining until 1872, when he was succeeded by Rev. Eugene R. Hendrix, now bishop. Rev. Hendrix remained until 1876. Since then the following ministers have been in charge: 1876-78, Rev. G. T. Gooch ; 1878-82, Rev. E. K. Miller ; 1882-86, Rev. W. G. Miller; 1886-88, Rev. J. C. Brown; 1888-90, Rev. A. G. Dinwiddie ; 1892-94, Rev. J. A. Beagle ; 1894-97, Rev. Frank Siler; September, 1897; to date, Rev. W. T. Packard.
The Tenth Street M. E. Church, South, was completed in 1870. The building is at the northwest corner of Tenth and Patee streets. It has for some years been used by the Swedish Lutherans. The congregation now owns a commodious edifice at Fifteenth and Olive streets, built in 1894.
Hundley Church, South, at Twenty-second and Colhoun streets, grew out of a mission commenced by Rev. C. I. Vandeventer in 1872. A frame chapel stood on Union street until 1892, when the present building was erected.
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Centennary M. E. Church, South, dates back to 1883. The building is located on Tenth street, between Pacific and Sycamore streets.
Gooding chapel, in St. George, named in honor of John Good- ing, its principal benefactor, is also a branch of the M. E. Church, South.
The following relates to the Methodist Episcopal, or, as it is com- monly called, the North Methodist Church : In 1849 Rufus Patchen, John Brady, N. B. McCart and the Rev. A. J. Armstrong, local preacher, withdrew from the parent congregation and organized the "Methodist Episcopal Church," without any geographical distinction. They held meetings, sometimes at the house of Mr. McCart and sometimes at the log church. In 1852 a brick church was erected on Fifth street, below Sylvanie. In 1863 this property was sold for debt. Up to that time the following pastors were consecutively in charge: Revs. J. W. Taylor, J. M. Chivington, Walter Perry, M. T. Kleffer, D. H .May, A. C. Clemens, J. H. Hopkins, J. V. Caughlin, Wm. Han- ley, Richard Haney and Alpha Wright. A reorganization took place after the loss of the property. Quarters were fitted up in the Odd Fellows' building, then at Fifth and Felix streets, and Rev. T. H. Hagerty became pastor, remaining until 1865, when Rev. J. T. Boyle took charge. In 1866 their present house of worship, on Fifth street, between Jule and Francis streets, was built. Rev. W. G. Mattison succeeded Rev. Boyle, and was in turn succeeded by Rev. J. W. Flowers, who served until March of 1869, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. S. Barwick. In 1870 Rev. C. H. Stocking took the pastorate, served three years and was succeeded by Rev. D. J. Holmes. In 1875 Rev. S. W. Thornton took charge, served two years and was succeeded by Rev. John Wayman, who also served two years and was succeeded in 1880 by Rev. J. M. Greene, who was succeeded by Rev. J. J. Bentley. Following Rev. Bentley came Rev. Eli S. Brumbaugh, who remained until 1894, and was succeeded by Rev. C. H. Stocking, who remained until May of 1898, when he was succeeded by Rev. S. B. Campbell, the present pastor.
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