Allen County
KSGenWeb
Part 1 originally published in the Humboldt Union, Humboldt, Allen County, Kansas, 07-Mar-1918
Part 2 originally published in the Humboldt Union, Humboldt, Allen County, Kansas, 14-Mar-1918
Part 3 originally published in the Humboldt Union, Humboldt, Allen County, Kansas, 21-Mar-1918
Part 4 originally published in the Humboldt Union, Humboldt, Allen County, Kansas, 28-Mar-1918
Part 5 originally published in the Humboldt Union, Humboldt, Allen County, Kansas, 04-Apr-1918
Part 6 originally published in the Humboldt Union, Humboldt, Allen County, Kansas, 11-Apr-1918
Transcribed and contributed in 2000 by J. Richardson, 04-July-2000
Mr. Watson Stewart, one of the earlier pioneers of this region, who passed away a
few years ago, read the following paper at the celebration in Humboldt July 4,
1876. The Union published the address on the 15th of July in the same year.
Knowing that it will be read with much interest by many of the older residents
of the community and that the boys and girls of this generation will find in it
historical facts of value that are not recorded in their school books, we are
publishing the address in full, as a continued story, which will run through
several issues in this month:
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The history of the
settlement of Kansas possesses peculiar interest, not attaching to that of any
other state in the union.
Congress in May, 1854, passed the
"Kansas-Nebraska Bill," in which the principle of "Squatter Sovereignty" was
adopted and the old Missouri compromise of 1820, restricting slavery to
territory south of latitude 33-30 was repealed -- leaving the people of these
territories free to establish or exclude slavery.
The field being thus
open, the south determined to establish the "peculiar institution" on Kansas
soil; the people of the northern states as persistently determined to dedicate
Kansas to freedom.
And thus the "irrepressibile conflict" was INTENSIFIED
on Kansas soil.
The slave power relied upon being able to settle Kansas
from the contiguous slave states of Missouri and Arkansas. And in 1855 large
numbers came into the territory from those states, and by carrying the
elections, obtained possession of the government of the territory.
To
counteract this movement measures were adopted in several of the New England
state to organize companies for settlement in the new territory. Aid societies
were formed, and those desiring to emigrate to Kansas were aided to reach their
destination.
The stimulus thus given to northern emigration began to give
the Free State party of the territory the ascendency in power. To prevent this
emigration, efforts were made in Missouri, and along the Kansas border, to turn
it back, or drive it from the territory; and this led to bloody conflicts in
different parts of the territory.
Allen county, however, was settled
without any of those armed collisions so common in some other parts of the
territory.
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Early Settlements.
The first white
settlement was made in Allen county in the spring of 1855.
On the 24th of
April of that years H.H. Hayward, with his family, reached the Neosho and camped
that night near a spring, on the land where he now resides, some four miles
north of Humboldt.
At that time there was not a house in the county. B.W.
Cowden and H.D. Parsons were in camp a short distance above, and Barnett Owen
and Gaston Reeves, with their families were below.
During that summer and
fall other families settled in the county, among whom in the north part of the
county were the Fuquas Anderson Wray, A.W.J. Brown, Henry and Giles Sator, Jas.
S. Barbee, Jas. Johnson, Charles Passmore, Jas Gillraith, Dunban, Hurtston. In
this part of the country cam Dr. Burgess, David Dotson, E.H. Young, Elias
Copelin and Henry Bennet.
The only persons named who are now living in
the county are H.D. Parsons, H.H. Hayward and family and E.H. Young. Mrs.
Hayward has resided in Allen county longer than any other white woman in it.
The territorial legislature of 1855 designated the boundaries of the county,
and provided for its organization by appointed B.M. Cowden and Barnett Owen as
commissioners, who with Charles Passmoer, probate judge, constituted the board
for the transaction of county business.
Wm. Godfrey was appointed
sheriff. He was a trader with the Osage Indians near the mouth of Big creek, and
had for a wife a full blood Osage Indian woman.
Cofachiqui was designated
as the county seat; it was the first town laid out in the county. Its location
was about two miles south of where Iola now is. It was authorized, under its
charter, to lay out as a town site a tract of land not exceeding 900 acres. But
it never had use for near so much land. Nothing now remains to show the
location.
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Vegetarian Settlement.
In 1855 a
company of vegetarians was organized in several of the northern states, with the
purpose of settling a colony at some point in Kansas. C.H. DeWolfe of
Philadelphia was its president, Dr. McLauren, treasurer, and H.S. Clubb of New
York, secretary.
The distinctive features of this organization were
abstinence from the use of a flesh diet, intoxicating drink and tobacco. It was
co-operative to a certain extent -- yet each member held his own property in
severalty.
In the fall of 1855, this company sent out its agent (Dr.
McLauren) who selected a location in Allen county about six miles south from the
present site of Humboldt.
In the spring of 1856, the secretary with a
considerable number of the company came on, arriving on the ground during the
months of April, May and June.
The writer with his family and brother,
S.J. Stewart, were members of this company, and reached the Neosho on the 19th
of May, 1856, camping that night on the edge of the timber, near where Col.
Smith now lives, and on land now owned by Capt. O.S. Coffin. On the next day we
joined our company, finding them mostly in tents.
There were probably
nearly one hundred persons upon the ground, representing many nationalities and
occupations. The greater part of them were from the eastern cities and
manufactories, and but few had any conception of frontier life. We were not
pleased with the prospects of the colony, and in a few days bought a claim
outside their settlement and moved upon it. It is the place now occupied by S.J.
Stewart.
The summer and fall of 1856 was very sickly -- the streams had
all overflowed the bottom lands, and fevers and ague prevailed, sickness was the
rule, health the exception. The new settlers were not acclimated, and badly
housed, so that many died, and many more became discouraged and left the
country; by fall but few of the company remained, and all the remain in the
country now are Z.J. Wisner on Deer creek, Charles Baland, S.J. Stewart, myself
and family.
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Other Settlements.
In this year,
also, considerable settlement was made in the north part of the county. Along
down the river came Z.F.l DeMoss, S.F. Hubbard, Isaac Tibbetts, Wm. Mayberry,
Thos. J. Bashaw and son, James, with Wm. Campbell, and a Mr. McElroy, James
Brady and sons, G.A. Winborn and the Morris boys.
In April of this year a
company of Georgians, twenty-sever in number, came and went into camp near
Cofachiqui. They were said to be a company of Buford's men; they had no families
and were well armed.
During the trouble about Lawrence that spring, word
came that these men were called upon to join the pro-slavery friends about
Lawrence.
A meeting of the Free State men of the county was called and
after consultation these men were waited upon and informed that if they wished
to take claims and become citizens, they would be welcome, but that if they
proposed to join their armed friends north, they would not be permitted to do
so. They remained for a time, but during the summer quietly left the country,
not one of them becoming a settler.
On the 7th of May, 1856, B.W. Cowden
and Barnett Owen, county commissioners, met at Cofachiqui. The probate judge,
Passmore, had left the county and was reported dead.
They made the
following record: Know all men by these presents. That in pursuance of an Act
passed by the Legislature of the Territory of Kansas, B.W. Cowden and Barnett
Owen, two members of the Board of County Commissioners appointed by the said
Legislature in and for the County of Allen, in said Territory, met and after
having been duly sworn proceeded to organize and open court.
They appoint
Jas. S. Barbee clerk. At a meeting in June, Jas. Johnston was appointed sheriff,
H.D. Parsons, corner; H.H. Hayward, treasurer, and A.W.J. Brown probate judge.
Hayward was a Free State man and would not qualify. Brown was also a Free State
man, and would not accept the position until after consultation with the leading
Free State men in the county. It was though advisable to do so, from the fact
that the probate court under the law was clothed with about the same judicial
powers as our district courts now are in civil cases; and it was believed better
to have that power vested in a friend. Brown was appointed to fill the vacancy
of Charles Passmore, deceased. But one of our oldest citizens has seen Mr.
Passmore alive and well in southern Illinois within the past three years.
At the commissioners meeting in August it was ordered "that there be a court
house erected in the town of Cofachique, 18 feet wide, 20 feet long, 11 feet
high, 7 feet between the floor and joists for lower room, etc., etc." Two
hundred and ten dollars were appropriated for the building.
But as
Cofachiqui was intensely pro-slavery, the Free State element of the county was
getting to strong to permit such an expenditure from the public funds for the
benefit of Cofachiqui; the order for the building was revoged (sic) by the board
at their session in January, 1857.
In the meantime the surrounding country was settling up. In 1857 T.H. Glidden made
the first settlement on Big creek, soon followed by the families of the Haddens, Anrds
and Moore.
Some settlement was made on Owl creek, among the first was A.N.
Foster, where he still resides.
Dr. I.N. Phillips settled three miles
south of Humboldt. In the same neighborhood were Eli Fleming, Jacksons, and
further east were the Kerns, Rapps, Stohl, Burkle and Riley, Germans.
In
the north part of the county a settlement was made about Geneva, by the "Union
Settlement Company." Among these settlers were Dr. Stone, J.C. Redfield, Geo. W.
Stevens. J.M. Mattoon, A.G. Carpenter and Ephram Fisk. The colony numbered about
seventy-five persons.
North of town were Henry Schmidt, Vosbinder, C.
O'Brien, W.C. O'brien, Moses Neal, and W.m Osborn. A.L. Dornbergh settled the
place where he now resides in 1859.
In the spring of 1858 O'Brien's mill
was built. It was hauled over the country from Jefferson City, Mo., requiring in
its removal nine yoke of oxen and one span of horses, occupying fifty-four days
in making the trip and return. It was in operation about the first of May; it
had one run of burrs, which were the first burrs for grinding in the county.
In 1858 Humboldt became the county seat of Allen county by act of the
Legislature.
In 1858 there came to Humboldt a young lawyer of pleasing
address. He came with the intention of becoming one of its citizens and "growing
up with the place." He was genial, whole-souled, a ready and a pleasant speaker.
He soon became to be the spokesman for the people on all important occasions. He
has been placed in many position of honor and trust, and today he represents the
Second Congressional District of Kansas in the Congress of the United States.
His name was John R. Goodin.
In the spring of 1859, in the south part of
the county, an event happened which, while not being in accordance with law, yet
had a wholesome effect on the community, and serves to illustrate a certain
phase of frontier society.
There was in the neighborhood a band of men
whose principal business was to steal Indian ponies and run them off to Missouri
and elsewhere and dispose of them. This was on what was then the Indians' own
reservation.
The business had been carried on for about a year, and the
band were getting so numerous and bold that honest men found it a pretty
disagreeable place to live.
One night a part of Indians made a raid on
them, and succeeded in capturing three of the band -- others being away from
home, escaped capture. They were taken down near the mouth of Big creek, to
Godfrey's trading post. What would have been their fate no one can tell; by
chance Dr. Phillips and S.J. Steward were passing, and learning the condition of
things, called in.
It was finally agreed by the Indians that if the men
would divulge the names of their accomplices and themselves leave the country
within three days, they would release them. This they agreed to do, after some
demonstrations were made toward hanging. They kept their word, leaving the
country on time. However, before releasing them, the Indians shaved one side of
their heads. Three others implicated in the neighborhood as members of the band
were waited upon by a committee from a large meeting of the citizens of the
county, with a request to take the same road as their friends had taken. The
request being complied with, honest men breathed more freely.
The first
practicing physician in the county was Dr. Burgess -- in 1855. He resided on the
place now owned by Mr. Speakman, two miles north of Humboldt. He left in 1856.
We then had a Dr. After, at Cofachiqui. Dr. I.N. Phillips cam in the spring of
1857.
Humboldt's first physician was Dr. Geo. A. Miller, who came here in
the summer of 1857. He established an office in a tent, a little east of W.C.
O'Brien's present residence. His shingle was nailed to a small jack oak tree in
front of the tent, and on it was inscribed "Geo. A. Miller, Physician and
Surgeon".
Dr. Miller was a citizen of Humboldt until his death in 1867,
and during all that time Humboldt had no more earnest worker for the best
interests than he. He did not possess the elements of popularity with the
people; but those who knew him best recognized in him all that goes to make a
true man. He was a good citizen and a true Christian.
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The Drouth of 1860.
1860 is remembered as the year of the drouth. In
fact, the fall and winter preceding were very dry, and during the spring of 1860
we failed to get the usual rain fall. During the summer we had frequent showers,
but the ground was so thoroughly dried out that showers did no good.
Crops were almost a perfect failure. When it became evident that nothing would
be raised, many left the country discourage. Some sought relief by a temporary
removal to neighboring state, where provisions could be obtained. Others again
were unable to get away. It became evident that unless outside help could be
obtained much suffering would result before another crop could be raised.
During the fall, Thadeus Hyatt, with S.C. Pomeroy and W.F.N. Arny, visited
Humboldt in their tour through the Territory, and consulted with the people as
to their condition and wants. Committees were apppointed, and through them much
of the general aid furnished to Kansas was distributed.
This county
finally sent S.J. Stewart east as a special agent. He went to Illinois, Indiana
and Ohio, and was successful in procuring much needed aid.
Every old
Kansan will remember gratefully the friends in the east who contributed so
generously in that time of need.
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Iola.
The Iola
Town Company was organized in 1859; its first president was Dr. J.W. Scott; its
first president was Dr. J.W. Scott. Its members number nearly forty person,
distributed over the north half of the county. Its purpose was to make a county
seat town. Its originators claimed that Humboldt was not CENTRAL, that it was
built upon a ROCK where no water could be obtained for either man or beast, and
that no town could ever be built on such a site.
They selected a site for
Iola where water could be obtained in abundance by digging wells but a few feet,
and established public wells where ass were invited to stop and water both
themselves and teams.
Each member of the company was obligated to at once
build a certain kind of house, so that Iola soon began to assume considerable
proportions, and at once became a most formidable rival to Humboldt.
The
first contest for the county seat was in May, 1860, when under an act of
Legislature a vote was taken. Humboldt, however, by dint of doing some good
voting came out of the contest as victor.
It was never quite clear as to
where ass the voters came from. Some of the Iola folks suggested that the
Cincinnati Directory had been consulted for names. However, no question as to
the validity of the vote was ever raised. The next move of Iola was to give a
strip off the south end of the county to Neosho -- which having been
accomplished by act of the Legislature of 1865, at an election on May 10 of that
year the county seat was removed from Humboldt to Iola. But little interest was
taken in the election by the people of Humboldt, a very light vote being cast.
It was thought to be very unfair to submit the question at that time, when
most of the citizens of this end of the county were away in the military
service.
Iola still retains the prize but Humboldt has not accepted the
situation as FINAL, but it is watching and waiting.
Land Office.
The Land Office for this district was opened at Fort Scott, but
on survey of the lands west, it became evident that the office would be removed
further west. Humboldt, Iola and LeRoy were the places aspiring for the
location. Humboldt easily put forth the best efforts in that direction.
The administration and the Land officers were Democratic. The Humboldt men were
mostly Republican; Coffey was the only administration man in the Town Company.
When, therefore, efforts were made to secure the influence of the officers at
Fort Scott, Glanton, Coffey or Signor would always take along such men as Dr.
Phillips or Col. Thurston to work with them.
The Office was not, however,
removed when the Republican administration came into power in 1861. Kansas was
admitted as a state, with two United States senators to elect. Blanton was just
in a place where it was thought he could "do the most good" for Humboldt. He was
a member of the first state legislature. Blanton determined to know nothing else
in this matter, but the interest of Humboldt.
Offices were in the hands
of the successful candidates with which to reward their friends. Blanton sought
for no office. He only asked that the Land Office be removed to Humboldt -- the
most central, and ONLY suitable place for it in the district, looking to the
convenience of the people. He was fortunate in his support of both J.H. Lane and
S.C. Pomeroy, who were elected senators.
The location of the Office was
secured -- in the language of Mr. Blanton himself: "They promised me that they
would move the office to Humboldt just as soon as they got to Washington, but
instead of attending to the matter the first thing, as promised, they left it to
the last; and after the new Register, J.C. Burnett, and Receiver, Charley Adams,
Lane's son-in-law, were appointed and Lane having control of the patronage of
Southern Kansas -- as he claimed -- he sent Burnett and Adams to select the
point to move the office to: Lane writing me that if Burnett and Adams
recommended Humboldt, he would move the office to that place.: But Mr. Blanton
says that the removal of the Office was secured "without Lane's aid and in spite
of him".
The Humboldt Town Association contributed two hundred lots in
aid of the removal of the Office to Humboldt. The Office was opened for business
in Humboldt, September 23, 1861.
The Humboldt Town Company, prior to
1860, held all its meetings in Lawrence; a consideralbe number of its members
failed to come to the site, or make such improvements as were comtemplated in
its organization. No title had yet been acquired to the land on which the town
was built.
On the 20th of June, this year, a re-organization of the
company was effected, dropping out the absent members, with Geo. A. Miller
added. W.C. O'Brien was afterward made a member, making the company consist of
N.B. Blanton, J.A. Coffey, J.H. Signor, W.H. Signor, Geo. A. Miller and W.C.
O'Brien. This company was organized as the "Humboldt Town Association."
The town site was entered November 16, 1860, by J.G. Rickard, probate judge, for
the Town Association.
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Military Period.
I name the
period from the spring of 1861 to the spring of 1865 the military period, for
both Allen county and Humboldt. But few men lived in the county at that time,
but what took some interest in military matters. Early in the summer a company
was organized in Humboldt for the volunteer service. N.B. Blanton was captain,
S.J. Stewart, 1st lieutenant. J.H. Signor became 2nd lieutenant afterward. This
company was mustered into the service at Fort Leavenworth August 7, 1861.
They were mustered in as a part of the 4th Kansas, under Colonel Weir;
afterward they were mustered into the 10th upon the consolidation of the 3rd and
4th regiments.
The names of those enlisted at Humboldt were: B.H. Witlow,
Benj. H. Witten, David H. Nichols, Philip Beck, Wm. Burgeous, N.D. Bingham, Geo.
Cole, Thos. R. Morris, John E. Stewart, Calvin Webb, D.R. Webb, Davis W. Webb,
James C. Woodward and Hiram K. Loomis.
This company participated in a
number of battles, among which were those at Osceola, Mo., Locust Grove,
Cherokee Nation, and Prairier Grove, Arkansas.
The only persons enlisting
at that time in the company, now residing near Humboldt, are S.J. Stewart,
Philip Beck and J.E. Stewart. Lieutenant Stewart became captain before coming
out of the service.
Humboldt was considered greatly exposed to rebel
invaions from Missouri or the Indian country.
The militia were pretty
thoroughly organized. Captain Isaac Tibbetts had a company of infantry; Captain
I.N. Phillips, one of cavalry. They with other companies in this and Woodson
counties were organized into a regiment, Orlin Thurston, colonel; James Kennar,
lieutenant colonel, and N.S. Goss, major.
General James H. Lane was
during the latter part of the summer busy organizing the militia forces of
Kansas, and this regiment was tendered to him as the 7th Kansas regiment for the
defense of Kansas.
About the first of September, a fight occurred on the
Drywood, below Fort Scott, between Lane's forces and General Rains. Fort Scott
was in danger, and Colonel Thurston's command was ordered over there. Before
reaching Fort Scott, the order was countermanded, and they were ordered to
Barnsville, where the command occupied a position as picket guards, while the
main force fortified a point about si miles back, which was called Fort Lincoln.
This point Lane designated as the "Key to Kansas".
Here most of the men
of Humboldt were holding this key, while a band of rebels came in by another
door and sacked the town.
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Raid on Humboldt.
It
was on the afternoon of September 8, 1861, that about 150 men under Captain
Livingston of Missouri and Captain Mathews of the Osage Indian country, came
dashing into town. These men were Missourians and Cherokee Indians, with a few
Osage half breed Indians.
They found but few men in the place, met with
no resistance, and at once proceeded to rob stores and houses of whatever they
found of value, and that they could carry away with them. They remained but a
short time, hurrying off south the same evening, taking from settlers on their
route, horses and articles of value as they could find.
Dr. Miller was at
the time away seeking authority from Lane to raise two companies of "Home
Guards" for the protection of Humboldt. He came back with authority, and
immediately two companies were organized, one of infantry under Geo. A. Miller,
the other cavalry under Captain Henry Dudley.
Such force as could be
raised started in pursuit of the rebels. We were joined on Lightning creek by
Colonel Blunt (after ward major general). Captain Mathews was killed, and two or
three prisoners were taken. Mathews was a trader among the Indians, had been
with the Indians for a number of years, and had great influence with them. He
lived on the west side of the Neosho river, just where Oswego now stands.
Those two companies of Home Guards were now put into active service. The
cavalry were kept out on the south as scouts, while the infantry were fortifying
O'Brien's mill and guarding as best they could the town.
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Humboldt Burned.
On the evening of October 14, 1861, Humboldt was
again visited by a rebel force of between three and four hundred, under the
command of Colonel Talbott of the Confederate army. Captain Livingston was with
the command.
The Home Guards were taken completely by surprise and the
greater part of them, with the citizens of the town, were taken prisoners. A
detachment of cavalry had been as far south as Lightning creek on a scout, and
had just returned about noon that day, reporting no sign of rebels in all that
country. Our men felt quite secure and were off their guard. Only one man lost
his life from this raid, a Mr. Secrest; when he saw themcoming, he attempted to
run off a span of mules which he owned. On being ordered to halt, and refusing
to do so, he was shot, from which wound he died.
The rebels, having
secured their prisoners by placing them under a heavy guard in the ravine just
south of town, proceeded to rob and burn, entering nearly every house and settin
fire to it; a few houses were saved from the fact that women were sick in them,
a few were saved by having the fire extinguished after the rebels had left. They
did not set fire to the churches, nor to the building in which the Masonic Hall
was. It was said that a posse broke open the door of the hall, but went no
further; whether they saw something at the threshold that awakened their better
feeling, I know not; but the house saved.
The Land Office had only been
removed to this place a few days; many land warrants were there with other
valuable papers. Miss Kate Burnett, a sister of the Register of the Office,
obtained permission from the cammander to go into the Office for a candle. She
gathered a large number of land warrants and other valuable papers, which she
succeeded in saving. Fire was set to the building and some of the records were
destroyed, but many of the books were only scorched and not destroyed. Mr.
Burnett succeeded in reaching the office before the fire had got well under way
and put it out.
O'Brien's mill was burned, thus making two mills burned
for him in Humboldt.
Thurston's mill escaped. There were probably fifty
building in Humboldt before the raid, and not more than a dozen remained.
Having accomplished their purpose, the rebels released their prisoners and
marched back to Southwest Missouri, from whence they came.
It was a sad
day for Humboldt. Many were ready to give up in despair. They had spent their
all in making a home or in starting in some business in the new country, and now
only ashes remained. But Humboldt, phoenix-like, will arise from its ashes. So
thought some of its leading citizens, and in that faith they continued to WORK
and WAIT.
But little was done to rebuild Humboldt during
the war. The Government established a military post here and kept more or less
force until the end of the war.
In 1864 the first brick house was built
in Humboldt. It is the "Red Store" on the corner of Bridge and 8th streets. The
lower story was built by Col. W. Doudna and the second story was put on by the
Masonic fraternity.
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The Price Raid.
In the
summer of 1864, the militia of the county were formed into a battalion of six
companies, called the Allen County Battalion. Three companies were in the north
part of the county, two at Humboldt, and one in the south part of the county.
C.P. Twiss was the colonel and the writer was major. The three companies in this
part of the county were commanded respectively by Captains J.M. Moore, G. DeWitt
and D.C. Newman.
In the latter part of September Gen. Price, having made
his celebrated raid through Missouri, on his was south was threatening an
invasion of Kansas. General Curtis, being in command of the Department, issued
an order for all male persons over the age of 16 and under 60, in Kansas, to be
mustered into the service for the protection of the state from invasion.
A small force was left here of the 11th Kansas.
All the militia of the
Neosho valley were under command of Maj. Gen. J.B. Scott of LeRoy. The Allen
county battalion was ordered to Fort Scott, but in view of the defenseless
condition of Humboldt, the companies of Captains Moore, DeWitt and Newman were
left here under the command of the writer. All able to bear arms were ordered
into camp and where persons failed to come in promptly they were sent for and
brought into camp.
It was sometimes amusing to see some become suddenly
sick and unable, in their minds, to perform military service, but no excuse was
taken; all were brought in, and if claiming to be sice, were turned over to Dr.
Scott, who was post surgeon, for examination; when in most cases the doctore
decided that the exercises and diet incident to the service would prove
beneficial to their health.
The Government had erected a block house, but
which was never completed, in the southwest part of the town and near G.Y.
Smith's present residence, and there was our headquarters.
The company of
Captain Newman was placed down on Big Creek to act as scouts in that direction.
Major Haas, in command of the post, was ordered to issue rations to us. This he
did for a while, but finally refused to issue to Captain Newman's company unless
it was brought to Humboldt. In fact he wished to take command of the militia,
while the militia claimed to be under command of its own officer.
The
commissary stores were kept in the German church on Bridge street, east of the
public square, with a sergeant in charge. The major of militia, feeling that he
was in the right and knowing that he possessed the might, determined to help
himself. He therefore made a requisition for five days rations for Captain
Newman's company; on the major's refusal to honor it, Captain Newman was
directed to help himself, which he did, taking only the amount needed, and
receipting for it to the sergeant. The major ordered both Captain Newman and
myself under but fortunately he had no power to enforce his order; and so it was
decided that a militia major outranked a major of volunteers.
After the
militia were disbanded, the major sent a force of men down to Captain Newman's
home and brought him to Humboldt under arrest. They kept him over night and let
him go. After remaining here in camp some three weeks we were ordered to Fort
Scott with two companies. Captain Newman's company was left here with a few
colored men under Captain E. Gilbert. We left Humboldt about sundown and reached
the Marmaton creek about midnight; there we received orders to go to Fort
Lincoln. That night the rebels burned Marmaton, a few miles down the creek.
In the morning we moved in the direction of Fort Lincoln, but on reaching
Raysville we were ordered to Fort Scott; arived there about 11 o'clock at night.
Colonel Thurston was on General Scott's staff. He met us and led us out
northeast to a position occupied by Colonel Twiss. Soon it began to rain and we
were in a sorry plight to meet the enemy, which were expected at any moment.
An incident occurred that night showing how abject fear will control a good
man. One of our men contended from the start that it would be of no use to take
him along, as he knew he could not fight, etc., but we took him along; he had no
horse, and was taken with others in a wagon. As we were moving out to take our
position a signal gun was fired at the fort, when he jumped from the wagon into
the brush and was seen no more that night. The next evening he returned to
Humboldt, having walked all the way.
The next day Price's army, hard
pressed, passed south along the Missouri line east of Fort Scott. We did not see
them but could hear the guns as the battle waged.
The only feat our men
performed worthy of note during that day was what we called then a grand flank
movement of 5 or 6 miles up the Marmaton. The men were not to blame, and I do
not know if officers were to blame. It was reported that the forces in Fort
Scott had concluded to abandon the place and fall back to Marmaton, some 9
miles. A body of men were seen moving south in the direction of Fort Scott and
were supposed to be Price's men. We were ordered to retreat in the direction of
Marmaton, which we did on the double quick, major general leading.
The
forces seen were friends under Colonel Moonlight. We learned our mistake,
however, before reaching Marmaton, and took the back track for Scott, which we
reached in the night, and found it full of soldiers. General Pleasanton was
there, the rebel general, Marmaduke, and Cabel with six hundred men were
prisoners.
We returned home, were soon mustered out and this was
substantially the end of the war with us.
In 1866 Humboldt began to
revive, and some good buildings were put up, among which were the school house,
Catholic church, the brick block on west side of the square, now used as a hotel
-- Monre House -- built by Wakefield, Neal, Long and others.
In the three
following years substantial improvements were made, but the years of 1870 and
1871 may be called the period of greatest improvement for Humboldt. During those
years were built the Presbyterian and Methodist churches, the stone block on the
east side of the square, Long's Hall, Curdy's and Wakefield's block on Bridge
street, also the Landreth House and the stone mill on Coal creek, known as
"Union Mills," built by Torbert, Dickinson & Co. The iron bridge across the
Neosho was built in 1870 by the Humboldt Bridge Co.
And during this year
two railroads were completed to Humboldt.
The Star Grocery on the corner
of Bridge and 7th, and Mrs. Fussman's fine building on the corner of Bridge and
8th streets were built in 1872.
O'brien rebuilt his mill as a saw and
grist mill, on the old site in 1866; in 1875 a dam was constructed across the
Neosho; and the mill converted into a water mill, owned and run by O'brien and
Lindsay.
Mail Facilities.
The settlers of 1855
generally obtained their mail at Osawatomie; in 1856 we went to Fort Scott. We
made arrangements for some one to go each week and bring over the mail for all
the settlers in the county. Three days were usually taken to go to the
postoffice and return. In the fall of 1856 a postoffice was established at
Cofachiqui, but no service was put on the route for about a year, but
arrangements were continued by the settlers for carrying the mail over once a
week. S.J. Stewart made frequent trips for the mail, and a young Dotson carried
it for some time.
A postoffice was established in Humboldt some time in
1858. A. Irwin was the first postmaster. A weekly service was put on the route
from Lawrence to Humboldt. Zack Squires had the contract for carrying the mail;
it was let as a horseback route, but he put on a hack and did a considerable
business in carrying passengers and parcels for persons on the route. He was a
very accommodating, gentlemanly man.
Our mail was weekly until in 1865,
when we had tri-weekly a few months, then daily. After Squires, Reynolds and
Hard carried the mail, then Tisdale, until we had railroads. R.T. Thompson was
the second post master, then H.W. Signor and Eli Gilbert. In 1865, Charles
Baland, to 1870, from then to the present, J.W. Patterson. The office was
established as a money order office Oct. 1, 1868.
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Schools.
The first school taught in Humboldt was by S.W. Clark, in 1858.
Prof. Hand followed, and in 1859-60 commenced the building of an academy. e had
the building under, on the ground where Wm. Lassman resides, but I think the
drouth of 1860 caused his abandonment of the enterprise. Miss Mira Pilcher
taught in 1860; Wm. Hart in 1861; afterward, probably in 1862, Miss Kate
Burnett. In 1865 Miss Nellie McCullough, now Mrs. W.C. O'Brien, Taught. Prof. J.
Bryson Torbert, in 1866; then we had Mrs. Newton, Mr. and Mrs Hurd. From 1869 to
1871 H.J. Sampson was principal of the schoold, now having four departments. In
1872 Prof. J.B. Smith was principal, and during the past three years Prof. L.
Van Fossen has been principal.
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Churches and
Ministers.
Among our earliest ministers was C.R. Rice of the M.E. Church,
South. He preached through this county in 1856; probably the next year a Rev.
Thompson of the same church. Prof. Serenbets, of the Humboldt Town Company,
preached the first sermon in Humboldt; he preached in both German and English.
In the south part of the county we had Woodward, of the Cumberland Presbyterian
church. He lived on Village creek, near where Chanute not is, and preached
through the county.
Also at Osage City was Rev. John Russill, of the
Protestant Methodist Church.
In 1859-60 the father of J.A. Coffey, Edd A.
Coffey, preached through the county. He was what was called a Hard Shell
Baptist, and was a man of more than ordinary talent.
Old Father Garrison
of the United Brethren used to preach here -- also Father Cabal, a Baptist
minister. S.M. Webb, an old settler on Owl creek, a Baptist, was also an early
preacher; also, I. Knott and W.W. Witten were local Methodist ministers.
Father Witten was from Arkansas, and was said to be rather fond of his dram.
During war times he used to always carry a soldier's canteen, tied on his saddle
-- it might have been used to carry water -- but some of the boys were
uncharitable enought to suggest something stronger. It was said of him, in
remarking of the relative advantages of this state and Arkansas, that "it
required more stimulants here than in Arkansaw".
The first church
building erected was what was known as the United Brethren church, now occupied
by the colored friends. It was commenced in 1859 and finished in 1860. N.B.
Blanton and family and Evert DeWitt and family were leading members.
This
building was used by all religious denominations, as well as for other public
meeting, and also for a school room until other buildings were put up.
The first Sunday School was organized in this house on the 13th of May, 1860. It
was a Union School, organized by S.M. Webb and I. Knott. Dr. Wm. Wakefield was
its first superintendent. It was kept up during the summer seasons, except in
1862, until 1867.
In April, 1867, a Methodist Sunday School was
organized, with Dr. Wm. Wakefield as the first superintendent. It has been kept
up since, and at present has for its superintendent, Mrs. W.C. O'Brien, with
sever teachers and eighty-one scholars.
The first organization of the
M.E. Church was in the summer of 1860, John Tripp, Class leader. Mr. Bukey was
the minister. Its church building, on New York street, was built in 1870. The
present minister is D.H. Snowden.
The Germans built the house on Bridge
street, east of the public square, in 1860. It was built under the ministerial
charge of Rev. ---- Dubbs. Title afterward was made to the Evangelical
Association. This being against the wishes of many of the Germans, in 1863 the
brick, with stone front, was built for the Evangelical Lutherans. Wm. Lange was
thier first minister.
In 1865 Colonel Thurston led in the erection of the
Catholic church, in the north part of town. Other citizens contributed liberally
-- with a view to give an impetus to building -- and indeed this was about the
beginning of building in Humboldt after the fire.
The Presbyterian Church
was organized July 12, 1868, by Rev. A. T. Norton and Rev. James Lewis, with six
members -- Mrs. Eliza Savercool, Emma Wakefield, Naomi Goodin, H.A. Curdy, Mr.
C.P. Ives and James Blyth. James Lewis, pastor, from organization until July 1,
1875. Present pastor, Rev. A.G. Daniels. Membership, 127. Sunday School
organized in 1868; first superintendent, Rev. James Lewis. Present
superintendent, J.W. Risley.
The Baptist Church had an organization here
in 1864-65 wtih Elder H.K. Stimson as pastor. Dr. Miller and wife and A.L.
Dornbergh and wife were prominent members. Since that time until 1870 they had
only occasional preaching. The church was re-organized Jan. 30, 18780, with
eleven members. Rev. A. Hitchcock was pastor. Present pastor, Rev. J.K. Dixon.
The church on Ninth street, north of the square, was erected in 1872, dedicated
May 19. Sunday School was organized in 1872. Present superintendent, N.B. Rouse.
The Christian (or Campbellite) Church at one time had an organization here,
and I remember several ministers as having preached here at different times,
among whom may be mentioned Elders Brown and Shaw. E.H. Young and wife, J.B.
Yound and wife and Phineas Cox and family were members. I think no organization
exists at this time.
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Business Men of Humboldt.
In the early days, as merchants, we had J.A. Coffey, W.C. O'Brien, Moses Neal,
Marsh & Coffey, Neal & Signor, Scott and O'Brien; later we had Young & Wakefield
and E.C. Amsden in 1865. In the spring of 1866 Young & Wakefield sold to W.W.
Curdy, and the fall of that year Amsden sold to Smith & Fisk. Then we had the
hardware store of J.C. Redfield & Co.
Charles Fussman was in the tin,
hardware and grocery business until his death in 1871.
For several years
Hysinger & Rosenthal have been in the dry goods business.
Wright &
Walker, then W.A. & O.S. Redfield, in the hardware; also Lewis Haines and Davis
& Co. in the same business now.
E. Hewett, and then Hewett & Edwards, and
now W.I. Edward, in the Star Grocery. C. Lehmann in the same business; and now,
Eldridge & Moss, O.M. Dye and P.S. Shelley.
N. Kemmerer is one of our
oldest saddle and harness makers. J.P. Degenhart and C. Geissler are in the same
business.
James Blyth was in the boot and shoe business for several
years, and afterward in the grocery line.
In 1869 Pratt and Ten Eyck were
the bankers. In 1870 Pratt & Dayton associated in the Humboldt Bank. And Bacon &
Ten Eyck started the Allen County Bank, which failed in January, 1871. In 1875,
Dayton, Barber & Co. became the successors of Pratt & Dayton.
Amos & Bro.
opened a lumber yard in the spring of 1871; also Eldred & Co. S.H. Stevens & Co.
oopened a yard in the fall of the same year. S.H. Stevens sold out to S.A. Brown
& Co., iin 1874. And in 1876 was opened the yard of the Humboldt Lumber Co.
John Record burned the first brick in 1859, on the land adjoining town --
now owned by Capt. O.S. Coffin -- and built the house he lives in.
Professional Men.
Col. Thurston was the first attorney in the county;
he settled in Humboldt in 1857. R. T. Thompson came soon after. Of those who
came after and remained any length of time may be mentioned John R. Goodin, Eli
Gilbert, T.L. Byrne, H.M. Burleigh, J.B.F. Cates, L.W. Keplinger; E.A. Barber,
Geo. A. Amos and W.J. Larimer.
Of physician who have been most prominent,
I may mention Geo. A. Miller, who came in 1857; Dr. Zimmerman, 1858; Wm.
Wakefield, 1860; Dr. J.B. Torbert, 1861. At present: Drs. E.R. Russell, Wm.
Wakefield, W.A. Beardsley and A.L. Dornbergh.
Newspapers.
I am
indebted to the Humboldt Union for the following with reference to the
newspapers of Humboldt.
The first paper printed in the place was called
the Humboldt Herald. It was started by Major Joseph Bond; its first appearance
being about the 16th of November, 1864. Soon after its establishment, J.H.
Young, a printer from Lawrence, was taken in as a partner. Hon. J.R. Goodin was
local editor. The Herald was published nearly a near.
The Humboldt Union
began an existence Wednesday, April 18, 1866. Col. Orlin Thurston was editor;
W.T. McElroy, published. The paper espoused the cause of Andrew Johnson and was
in sympathy with the National Union party. January 1, 1867, Col. Thurston
retired. Needham and McElroy purchased the material, changing the politics of
the paper to that of the Republican party. W.T. McElroy purchased Mr. Needham's
interest August 1, 1868. April 1, 1870, T.C. Sherman was taken in as a partner.
October 1, the same year, W.R. Spooner purchased a third interest. This
gentleman sold his interest to Hon. D.B. Emmert, April 1, 1872. Mr. Emmert lived
with us just one year. June 1, 1874, Mr. Sherman retired, leaving the present
proprietor to "go it alone". The Union commenced its career as a sever-column
paper. June 26, 1869, it was enlarged to eight columns to the page. It was
enlarged to nine column Nov. 19, 1870. January 30, 1875; it was reduced to eight
columns.
The Southen Kansas Statesman was started October 27, 1870 by
Berry & Campbell. The Statesman ceased to exist the latter part of May 1872.
The first copy of the Southwest appeared June 13, 1872. Col. G.P. Smith and
his son, Byron C., were editors. This paper lasted till the close of the
Presidential campaign.
The Real Estate Reporter was started in 1870, by
emmert & McCullock. It was published for one year.
The Rural Kansan was a
monthly publication, started by D.B. Emmert. The first number appeared in
November, 1873. After running the Kansan for eleven months, Mr. Emmert sold the
material to his brother in Fort Scott, who completed the volume. It had an
existence for one year.
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Politics and Politicians.
In our earlly history we divided politically into Free State and Pro-Slavery
parties, but in the history of Humboldt -- and especially its early history --
our politics were largely local.
We were in the habit of electing men to
the Legislature who were thought to be best able to represent the interest of
Humboldt.
In 1855-56 the Pro-Slavery party had control; yet in the latter
yeat, no doubt; there were a majority of Free State men in the county, but they
refused to recognize the laws of what was commonly known as the "Bogus
Legislature" of 1855.
In 1857, however, having the assurance of the
Governor of the Territory that the election should be conducted fairly, the Free
state men determined to secure the control of the Government by the election of
its officers. The result was all that could have been desired. The entire Free
State ticket was elected in Allen County and in the Territory.
S.J.
Stewart was elected to the legislature; J.D. Passmore, probate judge; H.H.
Hayward, treasurer; Jess E. Moris, sheriff; each receiving about 65 votes to
about 17 folr the opposing candidates.
In the sessions of 1860 and 1861,
the writer was a member of the upper house or council, of the Territorial
Legislature.
N.B. Blanton was a member of the first legislature under
tlhe State organization, in 1861.
Col. Orlin Thurston was in the Senate
in 1863 and 1864.
The writer was a member of the House of Representatives
in 1865.
Joseph Bond represented us in the session of 1866; John R.
Goodin the next year.
N.B. Blanton again in 1868. J. Q. Porter in 1869.
He was a young attorney who, after the adjournment of the legislature, left the
state, not returning to the county at all.
J.C. Redfield was our
representative for 1870 and 1871. Col. G.P. Smith in 1872; Dr. Wm. Wakefield in
1873; Eli Gilbert in 18784; R.V. Blair in 1875; Col. S.H. Stevens in 1876.
J.H. Signor was a member of the Constitutional Convention which met at
Wyandotte, July 5, 1869, and framed the constitution under which we were
admitted as a state.
Our citizens who have been honored with positions on
the state tickets, have not been successful:
Col. Thurston was defeated
in 1860 as a candidate of Adjutant General.
Joseph Bond, in 1866, was an
unsuccessful candidate for state superintendent of public instruction.
C.H. Pratt ran with like result in 1872, for state treasurer.
And Col.
G.P. Smith, in 1874, for auditor of state.
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Benevolent Institutions.
Pacific Lodge No. 29, A.F. & A.M., organized
under a charter from Grand Lodge of the state, dated Oct. 17, 1860. The charter
members were I.N. Phillips, A.W.J. Brown, A.G. Carpenter, Drury Tye and J. R.
Frost. I.N. Phillips was the first W.M.; A.W.J. Brown, S.W.; A.G. Carpenter,
J.W.
Its present membership is fifty-six. Officer: T.S. Stover, W.M.;
Watson Stewart, S.W.; and Geo. A. Amos,J.W.
Humboldt Lodge No. 30,
I.O.O.F., was organized under a charter from the Grand Lodge, dated June 24,
1867. Its charter members were Peter Long, J.L. Sansom, J.C. Chambers, G. Wilson
and I.N. Phillips. Its present officers are: E.N. Wert, N.G.; P. Pickarts,
V.G.;and J. Hafer, Secretary.
A lodge of Good Templars was organized in
1862 or 1863. Suspended work for some time. Was revived five or six years ago;
but I believe are not in working order now.
--------------
Municipal Organizations.
Humboldt was organized as a municipal town under
an order from the probate court, A.L. Dornbergh, judge, April 6, 1866; and the
following persons were appointed as trustees, viz: Orlin Thurston, W. Doudna,
J.C. Redfield, Geo. A. Miller and N. Kemmerer. Orlin Thurston was elected
chairman, and Charles Baland, clerk.
In the spring of 1870, Humboldt was
organized as a city of the third class. W.W. Curdy was elected its first mayor.
The council men were Moses Neal, Charles Fussman, Wm. Rath, W.H. Andrews and N.
Kemmerer. T.L. Byrne was Clerk, and J.C. Redfield, treasurer.
The mayors
since have been, for 1871, C.H. Pratt; for 1872, D.B. Emmert; for three
succeeding years, Col. S.H. Stevens, and for the present year, W.C. O'Brien.
---------------
Railroads.
Humboldt secured thef irst railroad
advantages in the completion of the M.K.& T. Ry. to the town site, april 2,
1870. On the 20th of the same month she celebrated the event in a becoming
manner.
To secure the road the city voted the company its bonds for
$75,000 and a few of its citizens bought for $13,000, 160 acres of land, of
which 10 acres were given to depot ground, right of was through the tract, and
one-half the balance.
On the 22nd of November, 1870, the city celetrated
the completion of the L.L. & G. Railroad to the place. This road cost the city
no bonds. The county gave it $125,000 in bonds.
Our efforts thus far to
secure an east and west road have not been successful. But in due time we shall
reap that harvest -- "if we faint not."
-------------
Conclusion.
In conclusion, I will remark that Humboldt in its early history was blessed
with men who had faith in her, and who were willing to exhibit their fiath by
works. Men who worked together as one man for the building up of the town. Men
who knew how to bury all political and personal differences for the good of
Humboldt.
Such men were: Coffey, Blanton, Dr. Miller, the two Signors and
Charles Fussman, and in later days, J.C. Redfield, John R. Goodin, Peter Long,
Dr. Wakefield, W.W. Curdy, Moses Neal, C.H. Pratt and other -- for I cannot name
them all.
If Humboldt in the future becomes the city that its railroad
advantages, with its location in the midst of a fine agricultural country
entitles it, it will be by a like united effort of Humboldt men for the interest
of Humboldt.
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