REEL F607/KSHS Microfilm Collection

Bourbon County’s Fulton Independent was a weekly newspaper. The first issue, dated August 8, 1884, was published on a Friday; beginning August 30, 1884, issues were published on Saturdays. A. W. Felter was Editor/Publisher. These extracts have been copied as accurately as possible, but errors may still occur. Minor printing errors have been corrected, but otherwise the information is presented as it originally appeared. Please consult the individual reels to verify an item. I do not have any further information about these individuals or families. Contributed by Ellen Bisson (thebissons@worldnet.att.net)

Oct 5, 1889, pg 2, col 2

Family Reunion - MARTIN: Last Sunday, September 29^th, will be a memorable day in the annals of the Martin family. Mrs. Sophia Martin is now in her 80^th year. She came to Kansas and settled on the site of her present home in 1858. Her husband, Melker Martin, died in the spring of 1874, at the advanced age of 74 years. There were ten children of this family - eight girls and two boys - all of whom are living and all were present at the reunion at Mrs. Martin’s residence, about three miles east of this city, last Sunday. Mrs. Martin has 94 children, grand and great-grandchildren, and 44 of these were present. The name and residence of each of her children we give below: Mrs. John Burton, Iowa; Mrs. Charles Phelps, Iowa; Mrs. Geo. Hanway, Bourbon Co.; Mrs. Silas Wright, Bourbon Co.; Mrs. Samuel Miller, Missouri; Mr. Henry Martin, Linn Co.; Mrs. E. Hanway, Linn Co.; Miss M. Martin, Bourbon Co.; Mr. John Martin, Bourbon Co.; Mrs. C.D. Burkholder, Bourbon Co. According to the subdivisions of the family, those present and absent were as follows: Present- Her own children, 10; grandchildren, 17; great-grandchildren, 3; sons-in-law, 7; daughters-in-law, 2. Absent: grand and great-grandchildren, 55. An artist was engaged for the occasion and photographed two groups: first, Mrs. Martin and her ten children, and then the whole assembly was taken in one picture. A splendid dinner was spread before the guests and a happy time was enjoyed by all. As it was in all human probability the last meeting of the kind that will ever occur on earth, the farewells were sad and affecting. Everyone in this vicinity knows "Grandma" Martin and all unite in hoping that she may be spared for many more years to enjoy the society of her children and friends.

Married: At the M.E. parsonage by Rev. J. E. Whitehead, on Wednesday, Oct. 2^nd, Mr. Henry C. Abbey, of Devon, Kas., and Miss Alice C. Ange of Mapleton, Kas.

Married: At the M.E. parsonage in this city, Thursday evening, Sept. 26^th, Amos E. Pennell and Miss Mary E. Hefley, both of Fort Scott, Rev. J. E. Whitehead officiating.

Oct 5, 1889, pg 3, col 2

Died: The son of C.W. Stroud died at 5 a.m. Sunday morning, last and was buried with Masonic honors, so we are informed by the Mapleton Lodge.

Oct 19, 1889

pg 2, col 2

Died: At her residence in Mill Creek township on Monday, Oct. 14^th, at one o’clock p.m., Mrs. Anna Kennedy, aged 66 years. Funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon at the residence.

pg 2, col 3

Born: On the [Oct] 16^th, to the wife of Geo. Wright, a daughter.

Married: In Pendleton, Or., Sunday, October 6, 1889, at the residence of the bride’s parents, W.C. Kugel and Miss Kate McLaughlin, Rev. P.J. Gleeson officiating. [This notice] was clipped from the East Oregonian. Mr. Kugel is known to a large number of our readers in this vicinity, all of whom will doubtless feel like congratulating him upon his marriage. The Independent wishes the young couple happiness.

Married: At the residence of the bride’s parents in this city, on Wednesday evening, October 16^th, at 7:30 o’clock, Mr. Benjamin G. Iliff and Miss Julia E. Gilbert, both of Fulton. Only a few invited guests beside the members of the families were present. The ceremony was performed by Rev. J. M. Iliff, father of the bridegroom. Quite a number of costly and handsome presents were made by the young friends of the happy couple. A bountiful share of the nuptial cake somehow found its way to our table and was duly appreciated. The young couple start out in life under favorable circumstances and with good prospects of worldly success. Their many friends here all wish them happiness and prosperity, in which wish the Independent heartily joins and tenders a cordial handshake by way of congratulation.

Oct 26, 1889

pg 2, col 3

Born: On the 15^th [of Oct], to the wife of Jacob Masterson of Harding, a son.

Died: Mr. P. T. Bledsoe died at his late residence, four miles south of Bronson, on Tuesday, Oct. 15, of heart disease. Mr. Bledsoe was one of the oldest settlers of this vicinity, and was universally respected by all who knew him. His remains were followed to the Bronson Cemetery on Wednesday by a very large procession of sorrowing relatives and sympathizing friends. He leaves a wife and several grown children.

Pg 2, col 4

Born: To Mr. and Mrs. Dr. L. Sellers, [Oct] 11^th, a boy.

Born: To Mr. and Mrs. P.M. Lane, [Oct] 15^th, a boy.

Nov 2, 1889

pg 2, col 4

Married: Mr. James Morris and Miss Rosa McGuire, daughter of John McGuire, living seven miles north of Bronson, were married by Probate Judge Waters, in this city, on Wednesday [Oct 30].

pg 2, col 5

Died: The Monitor is pained to record the death of a citizen, who has for twenty years been a resident of Bourbon county. On Friday, October 25^th, the spirit of John Orr, of Hammond, took its flight to a better world. The deceased was a native of Tennessee and first saw the light of day 73 years ago. After leaving his native state he settled in Johnson county, Mo. In 1869 he settled in this county and pursued the vocation of a farmer all his life. During his residence in Missouri he was a recognized leader among the union men of his locality and became quite prominent among his neighbors who regarded him as a man of strict integrity and honesty of purpose. During his residence in Bourbon county he was indeed highly respected as a man and upright citizen. As a Christian gentleman his life gave the most convincing evidence. He was a consistent and honored member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and served in the capacity of an elder in that church almost all his life. He leaves behind him a large family who bear his honored name and mourn his loss deeply. The family is well and favorably known in the county and all of them are highly respected. [Fort Scott Monitor] The funeral took place from the Hammond church at 11 o’clock a.m., Sunday, Rev. Mr. Saddler, of Fort Scott, officiating, assisted by Rev. Mr. Baker, of Missouri, who was the old pastor of the deceased.

Nov 9, 1889

pg 2, col 3

Born: To Mrs. and Mr. C. A. Nickerson, one day last week, I believe, a girl. The mother and child are doing well, and Amos wears a veritable two story smile with his sparsely set manilla beard.

pg 3, col 2

Born: On Thursday, Nov. 7^th, to Mrs. and Mr. S. D. Osborn, corner 4^th and Osage Streets, a son. Mrs. O. and the baby are doing nicely, but Dad - well, the papa has a brand new 12 pound boy. [Note from Ellen Bisson This son was Delbert E. Osborn; the child died two years later, on Nov 5, 1891.]

Nov 16, 1889

pg 3, col 2

Married: At Hammond, Kan., Sunday, Nov. 10, ‘89, Joseph Cartwright and Sarah L. Ferguson were united in marriage by Rev. J. E. Whitehead. The Independent extends congratulations.

pg 3, col 3

Born: To the wife of John Lewis, on Monday [Nov] 11^th, a daughter.

Died: On Nov. 12^th, at the family residence Milissa M., infant daughter of Dr. and Mrs. S. Cole. The Independent tenders them its sympathy in their sad bereavement.

Died: Of consumption, at the residence of her father-in-law, Dr. J. W. Reynolds, of this city, Nov. 9^th, 1889, at 6 o’clock a.m., Mrs. Alwilda Dyson Reynolds, aged 33 years, 3 months, 12 days. The funeral services were held at the M.E. church, Rev. Keys officiating, assisted by Rev. Talbot. The remains were followed by a large concourse of friends and neighbors to the Wright cemetery, where she was laid to rest by the side of her husband, who was killed in a railroad accident four and a half years ago. Deceased leaves a family of four children and many relatives and friends to mourn her untimely death. [Poem follows]

Nov 30. 1889

pg 2, col 3

Married: A long looked for event came to pass last Thursday, [Nov] 14^th. Mr. J. P. Decker, Xenia’s popular young merchant, took unto himself a helpmeet. The bride is the accomplished Miss Nellie Stephenson. The happy couple started at once for Leavenworth to spend a few days with the groom’s relatives, before beginning the mysteries of housekeeping. May blessings attend them is the wish of your scribe. [Xenia news from Fort Scott Monitor]

pg 3, col 4

Married: At the residence of the bride’s father in Fulton, on Thursday, Nov. 28, by Rev. J. E. Whitehead, Mr. Albert Hayes and Miss Grace Newman, both of this city. The Independent joins the many friends of the young couple in congratulations and best wishes.

Engaged: Miss Mattie Walker of Kansas has resigned a $1,000 clerkship in the pension office, Washington, D.C., to become the wife of a young lawyer of Seattle, W.T. She has been a department clerk for eight years. [Evening News]

Dec 7, 1889, pg 2, col 2

Married: At the church in Devon, Kansas, Wednesday, Dec. 4^th, Mr. William J. Killion and Miss Ella C. Harrington, both of Bourbon county, Rev. L. W. Stone, of this city, officiating.

Died: At Garden City, Kas., Thursday, Dec. 5^th, in the 35^th year of his age, after a very brief illness, Thomas Morgan. A telegram received just as we are ready to go to press announces that the body will reach Fulton this Friday morning by express. Full particulars next week. [See below for obituary @ Dec 14, pg 2, col 4]

Dec 14, pg 2, col 4

Died: At San Antonio, Texas, Tuesday, December 3, 1889, of consumption. Walter H. Britton, in the 24^th year of his age. The deceased was a son of Dr. J. Britton, deceased, who was a prominent physician at Mapleton, Kas. Walter was for a time connected with the Topeka Commonwealth and later with both the Republic and Globe-Democrat of St. Louis. He was a graduate of the State University at Lawrence. The remains were interred at Mapleton last Thursday.

Died: "Obituary" - Thomas A. Morgan was born on the 8^th day of June, 1853, at Deer Creek, Miami, Indiana. He came with his father’s family to Kansas in 1867; was married to Miss Addie Joslin at Devon, Bourbon county, Kas., September 20^th, 1885. On the 2d day of April, 1886, he removed to Garden City, Kas., where, with the exception of about six months spent in Colorado, he remained until the time of his death, which occurred on [Dec] 5^th. He embraced Christianity in 1879 and united with the Lathrop, Mo., Baptist church. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, in which he held a life insurance policy of $2,000. The funeral was conducted by the Modern Woodmen, on Saturday afternoon, [Dec] 7^th, assisted by Rev. S. Keyes, and the remains were calmly laid to rest in Zion cemetery. The deceased was a kind and faithful husband, a fond and indulgent parent, a dutiful son, an affectionate brother, an excellent citizen, a good neighbor and a true friend. The Independent joins the many friends of the family in expressions of genuine sympathy and sorry at this sad bereavement.

@ pg 2, col 4 a Card of Thanks signed by Mrs. T.A. Morgan, Mrs. C.W. Morgan, Leonard Morgan, Ella Morgan, and Mrs. P.I. Post.

Dec 21, pg 2, col 3

Died: At his home east of Prescott, Kansas, on Tuesday morning, [Dec] 17^th, at 1 a.m., Anson Dolen, aged 84 years. The deceased was among the very early settlers of Linn county, and was a man respected by all his neighbors.

Died: On Thursday, December 12^th, 1889, at 9:45 o’clock p.m., Hannah, wife of George Sheeler, of Freedom Township, aged 81 years, 7 months and 4 days. The deceased was born and lived in Morgantown, Pa., until April, 1882, when she removed to her present home. Some years before her marriage, she unite with the Episcopalian church, of which she was a member at her death. Her children down to the fourth generation were present at her burial.

Died: At the home of her parents in this city, at 2 o’clock p.m., Sunday, December 15^th, 1889, after a brief illness of typhoid fever, Orion C., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R.C. Burcham, aged 18 years, 2 months and 12 days. The funeral took place from the M. E. church on Monday, [Dec] 16^th, at 2 p.m., Rev. J. E. Whitehead officiating, assisted by Rev. L. W. Stone. The remains were interred at Fairview cemetery, one mile north of this city. [Poem follows] The life of the deceased was remarkably pure and holy, according to the testimony of friends who have known her from earliest infancy and her first seventeen years were spent upon the farm west of this place, amid her books and flowers and happy family associations. Her first appearance in society dates from the removal of the family to town, about one year ago. She was ever a kind, affectionate and dutiful child, modest and unassuming, yet winful withal, in her ways. In her dying moments she was permitted, it seems, to catch a glimpse of the glory world in the great beyond, and begged to be permitted to join the glad throng that was waiting just beyond the river of death to receive her. Her pleasant smile, her courteous greeting and her ever kind and thoughtful interest in others, endeared her to all with whom she came in contact, while among her young associates there remains an aching void in every heart. The Independent joins the friends and acquaintances in tendering earnest sympathy to the greatly bereaved parents who have so lately buried their daughter and who are anxiously watching beside the form of a dearly beloved son who is languishing upon a bed of sickness and is just now at death’s door. [Poem follows]. [An "In Memoriam" poem appears on Feb 1, 1890, @ pg 2, col 3.]

Dec 28, 1889, pg 2, col 3

Married: At the residence of the bride’s parents, two miles southwest of Fulton, on Tuesday, Dec. 24^th, Mr. James H. F. Hill and Miss Ida C. Nelson, both of Fulton, Rev. J.E. Whitehead officiating.

Married: At the residence of Dennis Meach, in Linn county, on Wednesday, Dec. 25^th, Dennis Meach, Jr., and Miss Nora Johnston, of Fulton.

Married: At the residence of William Beth, three miles southeast of Fulton, on Wednesday, [Dec] 25^th, Albert Beth and Miss Lizzie Hale, both of Bourbon county.

January 1890 through December 1890

KSGenWeb Archives

Return to Bourbon County