USA > Missouri > Jackson County > The History of Jackson county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens, Jackson county in the late warhistory of Missouri, map of Jackson county > Part 77
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THE GREAT FLOOD OF APRIL, 1881.
The chief event of interest since the close of 1880, except as already men- tioned, was the flood of April, 1881, which was the greatest rise in the river at Kansas City since 1844, and at points above was reported greater than that cele- brated flood. The winter preceding had been unusually long and cold, having begun at Kansas City about the 20th of November, nearly one month earlier than usual. There was also an unusual snowfall throughout the Missouri Valley. In the latter part of March the weather became as warm as was due to the season in a few days' time, and the snows in Kansas and Nebraska were converted into water, flooding some parts of the latter State and doing much damage. Early in April the water from this source reached the Missouri River and caused it to rise to within a few inches of the highest point reached since 1844, when the water subsided for a few days. It began to rise again in the upper river about the middle of April, flooding Omaha and other up-river places, and doing much damage. This rise soon reached Kansas City. On the 26th it broke over a levee that had been built to protect the bottom lands opposite the city, and the bottom
569
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY.
became flooded. At this time nearly all the bottom lands from Sioux City to Kansas City were under water, the river in most places presenting the appearance of a great lake from four to ten miles wide. There were many fine farms inun- dated, and thousands of people left their homes in boats where such water had never been known before, since the settlement of the country. About the 25th of April it began to threaten the western part of Kansas City, and parties went to work at low places throwing up embankments to prevent its breaking over into the streets. This work was ineffectual, however, for on the 28th it flooded a large part of the " bottoms," as it is called, surrounded the packing houses and disabled several elevators, among which were "A," Union, and State Line, in the west bottoms. At this time the river covered the entire bottom north of the city. Harlem was submerged, part of the houses washed away, and railroad operations on that side of the river suspended. Part of the embankment leading to the bridge was washed away, together with nearly three miles of the track of the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad, while the Hannibal and Wabash were much injured. The Hannibal and Rock Island roads, however, continued to operate to Randolph Bluffs, making the connection to Kansas City by steamboat, while the Wabash transferred its business to the Chicago & Alton. The Missouri Pacific was, for a time, unable to reach Kansas City with its trains, and the Union Pacific used the track of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe from Topeka, in consequence of the inundation of its track between Armstrong and the Kaw River. Armourdale, lying in the vicinity of this road on the west side of the Kaw River, was completely flooded. Still the water continued to rise and at its highest point, which it attained on the 30th of April, it stood twenty-seven feet above low water mark. The people from a large part of West Kansas, lying south of Ninth street and between Wood street, Kansas City, Kansas, and the bluff at the Advance Elevator, had to leave their homes, and for a time large numbers of them were quartered in the Exposition buildings. The destitution and suffering caused by this fact was very great, aside from the loss of prop- erty, and relief measures became necessary. About five thousand dollars were raised for this purpose. After the 30th of April the water subsided rapidly, and by the 3d of May had withdrawn from the lowest part of the city, and within ten days afterward the railroads were so far repaired that trains were resumed as usual. This flood has been suggestive of the necessity of preparing for the pro- tection of the lower part of the city, which subject was soon afterward brought to the attention of the council by a message from the mayor.
THE GROWTH OF THE CITY.
During 1880, and up to the present time in 1881, the growth of the city was as rapid as in 1878 and 1879. The United States census of 1880 accredited Missouri Valley cities with populations as follows :
Kansas City proper .
55,813
Kansas City and adjoining towns included in the same com- mercial city
62,977
Leavenworth
16,550
Atchison .
15,106
St. Joseph .
32,484
Council Bluffs
18,059 Omaha
30,518 Topeka .
15,451
The growth of business in Kansas City during 1880 is best shown in the clearing house statement, which, for 1879, was $68,280,251.55, and for 1880 $101,330,000.00. Real estate transfers this year were $5,467,900 as against
570
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY.
$3,604,072 for 1879, and the following new additions were added to the place during the year and the first three months of 188r :
January 6, '80-Armstrong's Addition. January 20, '80-J. L. Brown's Sub-division.
February 7, '80-Murdock's Addition. February 28, '80-Smart's Partition No. I.
February 28, '80-Smart's Partition No. 2.
February 28, '80-Smart's Partition No. 3. March 30, '80-P. S. Brown's Addition. March 3, '80-Loring's Sub-division.
March 12, '80-Hope & Twitchell's Sub-division.
March 18, '80-Aldine Place Sub-division.
March 18, '80-Adam's First Addition. June 1, '80-R. G. Estill's Re-survey. June 25, '80-Primrose Hill Sub-division.
March 22, '80-S. C. Moody's Sub-division.
March 22, '80-Whipple's First Addition.
March 30, '80-Bellmere Place Addition.
March 30, '80-Hazzard Place Sub-division.
April 1, '80-Austin's Addition.
April 2, '80-B. E. Dye's Sub-division.
April 28, '80-Wornall's Addition.
May 5, '80-Phelps Place Addition.
June 12, '80-P. S. Brown's Re-survey.
October 2, '80-City Park Addition.
October 5, '80-Dudley & Cook's Addition.
October 13, '80-Whipple's Second Addition.
December 29, '80-Clatanoff & Stowe's Re-survey.
December 13, '80-Brown & Brook's Sub-division.
January 19, '81-Winningham's Sub division.
January 20, '81-Ellison & Murdock's Addition.
January 20, '81-Murdock's Sub-division.
January 25, '81-Re-survey Payne's Addition.
February 1, '81-Cosby's Addition.
February 28, '81-Commissioner's Plat Payne's Addition.
March 7, '81-Amended Plat of Hyde & Foster's Addition.
March 14, '81-Forest Place Sub-division.
March 15, '81-William Askew's Sub-division.
March 15, '81-Haefner's Second Addition.
March 22, '81-Haefner's First Addition.
March 30, '81-Forest Home Addition.
A STATISTICAL EXHIBIT.
The following statistical exhibit will show at a glance the growth of Kansas City since its beginning :
POPULATION. STATEMENT showing the population of Kansas City at different periods.
1838.
300
1871 .
36,000
1846.
700
1872
40, 115
1855 .
300
1873 .
40,740
1857 .
2,000
1877 -
41,786
1858.
5,185
1878.
50, 126
1859 .
8,000
1879
60,372
1865.
5,000
1880 .
62,977
1870 .
32,260
571
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY.
WEALTH. STATEMENT showing the assessed valuation of Kansas City at different periods.
1846
$ 500,000
1870 .
$ 9,629,455
1858.
1,802,000
1871 .
10, 191,910
1861
1,814,320
1872 .
10,957,250
1862
1,448,284
1873 .
12,708,290
1863 .
1,313,790
1874
12,357.730
1864.
1,698,460
1875
11,728,750
1865.
1,922,670
1876
8,923,190
1866
3,587,875
1877
9,370,287
1868
5,978,068
1879
10,706,660
1869
8,408, III
1880
13,378,950
NOTE-The decline from 1873 to 1876 was due to changes in standard of valuation.
CLEARINGS. STATEMENT showing the clearings of the Kansas City Clearing House, by months, for a series of years.
1876.
1877.
1878.
1879.
1880.
January .
$ 5,156,094 03 $ 7,137,329 46 $ 5,971,704 01 $ 4,604,911 00 $
February.
4,566,721 09
4,704,922 97
1,471,811 18
4,286,200 13
6,285, 100 00
March
4,302,291 87
5,463,610 38
2,052,400 00
4,405,301 00
7,412,600 00
April
4,605,502 34
5,270,327 02
2,283,800 00
4,092, 101 10
7,116,600 00
May
4,664,984 17
5,206, 200 86
2,361,312 14
5,052,501 II
7,642,600 00
June
5,742,539 II
5,256,514 19
1,924,740 00
4,713,700 00
7,713,600 00
July
4,769,684 32
5, 112, 389 32
2,696, 111 34
4,696,901 21
7,780,400 00
August
4,448,729 19
5,548,123 17
2,235, 213 64
5,601,400 00
8,039,400 00
September .
5,504,501 35
6,337,525 72
3,390,711 .23
6,252,200 00
8,092,200 00
October
6,915,521 82
6,892,287 14
5,533,511 00
9,087,200 00
9,684,900 00
November
5,857,918 92
6,129,097 17
5,542,801 0I
7,215,700 00
11,772,900 00
December .
6,306,420 55
6, 154,684 II
5,236,201 0I
8,271,836 00
11,830,000 00
Total.
$62,840, 608 76 $69,213,011 51 $41,000, 317 56 $68, 280,251 55 $101,330, 000 00
INTERNAL REVENUE. STATEMENT showing the amount of Internal Revenue paid to the Government by Kas- sas City for a series of years.
On what Account.
1875.
1876.
1877.
1878.
1879.
1880.
Beer .
$ 9,114 10 $ 11, 642 50 $ 11, 598 00 $ 13,752 00 $ 14, 198 00 $ 16,742 00
Cigars .
11,717 00
16,365 60
16,911 65
16,107 50
21,922 00
26,530 60
Tobacco
28,877 09
22,054 56
11,954 13
5,010 82
6,252 40
5,357 32
Licenses
11,669 00
20,000 00
11, 384 00
11, 110 00
14, 264 16
17,789 42
Banks
3,708 66
5,524 31
5,524 II
6,935 20
12,444 00
28,712 14
Spirits .
7,059 20
14,155 10
4,740 00
6,600 00
7,200 00
Penalties
2,758 20
2,460 13
5,000 00
420 00
Total
$ 72, 144 95 $ 75,586 97 $ 74,285 19 $ 60, 115 65 $ 80,680 56 $102,751 48
TABLE SHOWING THE MOVEMENT OF FREIGHT FOR FOUR YEARS.
Years.
Received, Pounds.
Forwarded, Pounds.
1877 .
1, 852,900,694
1,621,900,538
1878
2,425,995,917
2,038,366,446
1879 .
3, 188, 710, 298
2,739,752,881
1880.
4, 629, 344, 019
2,911, 892, 163
1867
3,710,813
1878
9,092,320
8,009,700 00
THE POST-OFFICE.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT.
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
Receipts from general business, viz : sale of stamps, box rent, etc
$39,768 08 $52,000 90 $64,221 51
$77,241 53
$98,948 0I
$123,953 09
Total expenses of the office, including clerk hire, rent, postmaster's salary, etc.
16,756 83
17,558 19
17,201 04
17,790 46
19,051 37
22,463 96
Total expenses of the carrier system
9,057 02
8,888 32
8,525 87
8,272 44
10,470 85
14,397 97
Net profits of the office . .
13,954 23
25,544 38
38,495 60
51,178 63
69,425 82
87,091 16
Number of money orders issued
6,997
7,435
9, 198
12,317
14,532
16,174
Amount received for the same .
93,666 37
104,861 74 125,314 05 183,406 42 208,029 59
222,549 45
Number of money orders paid .
18,289
19, 133
24,986
35,167
44,598
58.059
Amount of the same. .
350,012 50 353,609 17 397,363 15 582 186 61 722,355 22
832,782 36
Registered letters received for city delivery
9,158
13,056
21,376
20,538
19,372
39,857
Registered letters sent from the city .
2,202
2,258
3,181
4,699
9 050
13,712
Total number of pieces delivered by carriers. .
2,262,620
2,558,963
3,006,704
3,486,530
4,626,317
5,758,016
Total number of pieces collected from the street letter boxes.
950,739
1,163,029
1,778,980
1,677,039
1,840,005
2,573,831
Total pieces handled by letter carriers. .
3,213,359
3,721,992
4,485,685
5, 161,821
6,466,322
8,331,347
REAL ESTATE. Statement showing the transfers of Real Estate in Kansas City for a series of years. - Furnished by Kelly & Burton's Abstract Office.
MONTH.
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
January.
$ 141,989
$ 149,175
$ 111,500
$ 190,238
$ 96, 190
$ 85,175!
$ 83,475 $ 167,824
$ 101,600
$ 364,650
February
146,616
228,884
173,225
159,245
129,440
90,200
86,050
151,728
128,400
553,800
March
175,040
191,108
145,427
182,160
121,585
109, 150
114,350
139,905
243,900
659,250
April .
211,745
162,728
186,025
257,033
204, 150
63, 125
181,350
176,914
1,843,828
518 000
May .
186,530
174,927
167,091.
241,704
113,450
109 475
93,350
161,470
285,700
354,600
June .
171,482
117,746
191,480
155,025
89,560
134,775
210,550
108, 180
200,000
574,900
July
164,932
147,117
137,626
177,020
170,600
108,650
103,350
110,514
178,400
311,850
August
148,065
104,978
177,096
170 275
105.125
94,535
112,300
124,542
236,700
293, 150
September
96,415
99,906
158,580
95,875
157,880
105,050
139,200
169,745
214,500
449,700
October .
163,709
208,860
93,035
125,780
243,575
91,825
133,250
141,3CO
359,600
397,000
November.
337,898
.182,063
136,970
136,950
116,475
77,175
137,600
110,200
295,000
420,850
December
236,013
49,995
131,000
87,350
84,800
57,200
151,150
98,400
275,000
563,300
Totals .
$2,080,434 $1,812,477
$1,809,058 $1,978,627 $1,632,330 $1, 126,335'
$1,545,975 $1,660,722
$3,604,072 $5,461,250
.
573
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY.
CHAPTER XVII.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF KANSAS CITY.
The History of the Press-Local Societies-Masons-Odd Fellows-Knights of Pythias-Other Secret Orders-The Churches, Schools and Social Institutions.
" THE JOURNAL."
The Journal was established by a stock company composed of William Gillis, W. S. Gregory, H. M. Northrup, J. S. Chick, M. J. Payne, Dr. B. Troost, E. M. McGee, Thompson McDaniels and Robt. Campbell, and made its first appear- ance in October, 1854, under the name of The Kansas City Enterprise, with D. K. Abeel, Esq., as printer and business manager, and William A. Strong, Esq., as editor. One previous attempt had been made by a Mr. Kennedy to establish a paper called the Public Ledger but it failed, and its failure led to the organization of the above named company. In October, 1855, Col. R. T. Van Horn pur- chased the paper and took editorial charge. In 1857 its name was changed to The Western Journal of Commerce. About this time Col. Van Horn took into co- partnership with him Mr. D. K. Abeel, who had remained with the paper from its first issue. In June, 1858, a telegraph line having been built from St. Louis to Boonville, Messrs. Van Horn & Abeel made arrangements for telegraphic reports, receiving them by express from Boonville, and established a daily edition, which made its first appearance on the 15th of June, 1858. In the summer of 1860 Col. Van Horn sold his interest in the paper to Mr. Abeel, but continued his editorial connection with it until the war broke out in 1861. Mr. Abeel con- tinued the publication of the paper as sole proprietor until June 14, 1863, when he sold it to T. Dwight Thacher, now editor of the Lawrence, Kansas, Journal. It was suspended, on account of the war, March 7th, 1861, and continued sus- pended for about a year, though it was issued as a daily news bulletin from May 16th to August 20th, 1861. March 23d, 1865, Mr. Thacher sold the paper, Col. Van Horn and A. H. Hallowell being the purchasers.
On the 2d of March, 1867, Col. Van Horn having been elected to Congress, retired from the paper, and on the 28th of April following, Mr. Hallowell sold it to Messrs. Foster, Wilder & Co. On the 9th of March, 1870, Col. Wilder was shot and killed by James Hutchinson, about a personal matter, and Mr. Abeel again became connected with the paper by the purchase of the interests held by
Col. Wilder and Smith Baker. On the 30th of August, 1871, Col. Van Horn purchased the interest of C. G. Foster, and on the 15th of February, 1872, the Journal Company was organized and incorporated under the State laws. Col. Van Horn continuing as editor, Mr. Abeel continued as business manager until August 9th, 1872, when he disposed of his stock in the company and was succeed- ed by Isaac P. Moore, Esq. Mr. Abeel, Chas. N. Brooks, M. H. Stevens and W. A. Bunker purchased a controlling interest in the paper and took charge of it August 8th, 1877, Col. Van Horn retaining his interest and continuing as editor- in-chief. On the 10th of January, 1881, Messrs. Abeel, Brooks and Bunker retired, and A. J. Blethen became business manager.
Since its first issue, under Col. Van Horn's management, in October, 1855, the Journal has been an able and influential paper. From that date it became thoroughly and fully devoted to Kansas City's commercial development, and has since been a most potent and watchful advocate. During the years interven- ing prior to the war its columns teemed with projects and schemes for the ad-
574
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY.
vancement of the city, and among these was outlined and developed every rail- road project which Kansas City has realized. And in subsequent years it has been none the less ardent and devoted in the development of other projects calculated to advance Kansas City's commercial welfare. At the same time it has always stood prominent as a newspaper, careful and consistent in its positions, and newsy, without being sensational. It was Democratic until the war, and sup- ported Douglas, in 1860, since which time it has been one of the leading Repub- lican papers of Missouri.
Its stock is now $40,000, and during the past year has sold at a high premi- um. It owns its own building, an elegant structure on the corner of Sixth and Delaware streets, worth probably $50,000. It is issued daily, tri-weekly, and weekly, and has a very large circulation, considering the population of the city in which it is published, the daily alone averaging nearly 10,000 per day. To print this large edition it now runs a Scott-Webb Perfecting press, the third of its kind set up in the United States. It receives the paper in a continuous roll, prints it on both sides from stereotyped plates at the rate of 15,000 per hour, and delivers it folded for the mail or carrier. The position of the Journal in public esteem is unsurpassed by any western paper, and in influence, character, and circulation, it stands at the head of Missouri Valley journals.
THE "KANSAS CITY TIMES."
On Tuesday morning, September 8, 1868, the first number of The Kansas City Times was issued. In starting the Times there was experienced that risk which every journalist that attempts to establish a new paper, encounters. For some time after its first issue the venture did not prove a succeess financially, but its later managers possessing a determination to succeed, in time placed it on a solid foundation.
The first paper was an eight-column folio, the size of the sheet being 2612x 44 inches. At its head it bore the national Democratic ticket for president and vice-president, and also for State officers. B. R. Drury & Co., were proprietors. On December 22, 1868, the paper changed hands, and a company was organized under the name of The Kansas City Times Publishing Company Messrs. Wm. E. Dunscombe, Chas. Durfee, J. D. Williams and R. B. Drury were elected directors. Mr. Williams served as business manager, and Messrs. John C. Moore and John N. Edwards, editors. In April of 1869, Mr. James E. Mc- Henry was installed business manager, and held the position until June 28th of the same year, when he was succed by C. E. Chichester. On September 29th, 1869, the office was removed to the corner of Fifth and Main streets, and on February 20th, 1870, the company was dissolved and the paper sold at public sale. Mr. Chas. Dougherty, of Independence, together with John C. Moore and John N. Edwards, were the purchasers. The paper moved along with vary- ing fortunes until the 20th of August, 1871, when it again changed hands, and passed under the management that has controlled it since that time. Amos Green was elected president; Thos H. Mastin, treasurer, and M. Munford, sec- retary and general manager of the new company. John N. Edwards was made editor-in-chief. In September of that year the Times removed to commodious quarters on Missouri avenue, betweeen Main and Delaware streets. On January 3d. 1872, the paper appeared in a new dress and enlarged to a nine-column folio. With that issue an extensive review of Kansas City was given in a supplement. The great panic of '73 was safely passed, and after the gloomy days the Times smiled happy and serenely. In April, 1872, Messrs. Mastin transferred their interests to Messrs. Green and M. Munford, and later Mr. J. E. Munford acquired an interest. In May of 1875, Mr. Green sold his interest to Messsrs. Munford. The "Old Times Publishing Company " was then dissolved, and on November 29, 1875, the property was transferred to the present organization,
575
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY.
"The Kansas City Times Company," which Messrs. Munford, in connection with Mr. Samuel Williams, had organized. Upon the retirement of the latter in 1878 his stock was purchase by the company. The directors of the company after Mr. Williams' retirement were James E. Munford, Morrison Munford and Chas. E. Hasbrook; and the officers were James E. Munford, President; M. Munford, Secretary and General Manager; and Chas. E. Hasbrook, Vice-President and Business Manager.
The enterprise of the Times has been marked. It was the originator of the great Oklahoma movement for the purpose of opening up the Indian Territory ; in 1876 it published a nine column twenty page review of Kansas City ; it con- trolled a special train carrying its own papers containing the proceedings of the Kansas Legislature, between Kansas City and Topeka ; on the 15th of Septem- ber, of the Centennial year, it established a branch office at Denver, Colorado, publishing a Colorado edition during the presidential campaign ; and previous to the nomination of a Democratic candidate for the Presidency 1876, it published an edition in St. Louis in opposition to the nomination of Samuel J. Tilden. These wonderful enterprises characterized the Times as the New York Herald of the west.
On the 20th of August of the present year, the Times will have been under the sole control and management of the present general manager for ten consec- utive years. From a mere shell of a newspaper when he took it in August 1871, it has grown and increased steadily, keeping pace with the growth of the city and section until now it is pre-eminently one of the "institutions " of Kansas City. It occupies its own building on Fifth street between Main and Delaware, where it has one of the finest counting-rooms in the city-and a thoroughly equipped outfit of machinery, presses, etc., required to publish its immense cir- culation. It is a newspaper establishment that any city of 100,000 inhabitants might well feel proud of.
THE KANSAS CITY "MAIL."
The Evening Mail Publishing Company was incorporated as a stock company May 4th, 1875, by a few prominent business men of Kansas City, with E. L. Martin as President and John C. Gage as Treasurer, having for its object the publication of a journal opposed to the movements of the water works clique as it then existed. Col. John C. Moore was acting editor-in-chief.
In April, 1876, Mr. E. L. Martin resigned his official connection with the company, M. James T. Kelley being elected to the vacancy. John C. Gage and T. V. Bryant also resigned as directors, their places being supplied respectively by Col. John C. Moore and Frank Grice. Messrs. Moore, Kelley and Grice, all practical newspaper men, having come into possession of the stock, were pub- lishers and proprietors of the Evening Mail.
On April 29th, 1876, a re-organization of the company was effected, and at a meeting of the directory John C. Moore was elected President, Frank Grice Secretary, while J. T. Kelley held as Director and Business Manager.
On the 7th of May, 1877, Joseph B. Strickland was admitted to the com- pany, and held the practical position of foreman of the mechanical department and was elected director. Meantime Mr. Grice had retired, his stock having passed through W. Scott Ford to Strickland. Col. Moore was yet president of the company, while the secretaryship had fallen to J. T. Kelley, upon the retirement of Frank Grice. On the above date the title of the company was changed to "The Mail Publishing Company," the word " Evening " at the same time disap- pearing from the title page of the paper. At a meeting held November 22d, 1877, Col. Moore resigned his connection and retired from the Mail, having assigned his stock to Messrs. Strickland & Kelley. Mr. J. B. Strickland was chosen president and Mr. A. D. Gerard secretary of the company. A new pro-
576
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY.
prietorship was effected December 3, 1877, by the purchase from Messrs. Kelley & Strickland of a controlling interest in the stock by Messrs. A. A. Whipple and T. Ambert Haley, the latter becoming president and Mr. Strickland, who still held an interest, being secretary. The organization took on a better working shape than it had presented since the first few months of its history, and the for- ward movement of the paper indicated the results .. Mr. Haley took active position as business manager, Mr. Whipple as treasurer, and Mr. Strickland as head of the typographical department.
On the 6th of May, 1878, A. A. Whipple transferred a portion of his stock to his brothers, B. F. and Wayne Whipple, after which the organizatian stood as follows :
Wayne Whipple, President.
B. F. Whipple, Secretary.
A. A. Whipple, Treasurer.
Directors-A. A. Whipple, T. A. Haley and J. B. Strickland.
Major W. W. Bloss was political editor, Wayne Whipple city editor and Mr. Haley, business manager.
September 4, 1878, Mr. T. A. Haley and Whipple Bros. having sold their interests in the Kansas City Mail to S. M. Ford and Samuel Williams, Mr. Haley tendered his resignation as director and business manager. Mr. Ford was elected to these vacancies and the secretaryship. Messrs. Whipple also retired. On the day following an election was held with the following result :
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