Histories

1912 History of Osage County

Osage County, created by the first territorial legislature in 1855 under the name of Weller county (q. v.), is the third county west of the Missouri line and centrally located between the Nebraska and Oklahoma state lines. It was not organized until 1859, when the name was changed to Osage. The next year a strip 9 miles wide from the southern part of Shawnee county was added to it, which gave it its present area of 720 square miles. It is bounded on the north by Shawnee county, on the east by Douglas and Franklin, on the south by Coffey and on the west by Logan and Wabaunsee.

The northern part of Osage county was formerly a part of the Shawnee reserve and the rest belonged to the Sac and Fox Indians. The main line of the Santa Fe trail crosses the county from east to west passing through the present city of Burlingame. The Leavenworth branch of this same road crossed the northern part. The only white men living in the county prior to 1854 were Gen. Whistler, an ex-army officer and Indian trader, and John Goodell, both of whom had married Indian wives and were living where the Santa Fe trail crossed 110 Mile creek, and a man by the name of Case, who kept a trading post at the Indian agency at Quenemo. On May 30, 1854, John Frele settled with his family near Burlingame, where he bought out a Shawnee Indian. His son, born shortly afterward, was the first white child born in the county outside of the agency. In August I. B. Titus, James and John Aiken, Alphonso Prentis and others settled on Switzler creek; John Skidmore, William Aiken, John Ward, Hollam Rice, Samuel Devany and Harry Harvey settled on Dragoon creek. About the same time the two McGee brothers, Fry P. and Mabillon, bought out the two early settlers at 110 Mile creek and established an inn. Moran McGee and C. N. Linkenauger took claims near the mouth of SwitzIer creek. In the fall agents of the American Settlement company (q. v.) selected a site for settlement not far from the present town of Burlingame. Among the colonists who came under the auspices of this company were George Bratton, Absalom W. Hoover, Joseph McDonald, James Bothel, William Cable, William Howard, Samuel Allison, J. R. Steward, Marcus J. Rose and Thomas Black. Only fourteen remained through the winter, the others, having no shelter or tools with which to build, returned east after staking their claims. In 1855 the population was increased by a large immigration, the greater number settling near Council City and the others locating along the creeks in various parts of the county.

The election troubles, common all over Kansas in 1855, were experienced in Osage county when the Missourians took the polls and elected their candidate, Mabillon McGee, to the legislature. Gov. Reeder ordered another election held, and a man by the name of Rice received every vote in his district. A certificate of election was issued to Rice by the governor, but the legislature refused him a seat and admitted McGee in his stead.

The first store in the county was opened at Council City in 1855 by Samuel Allison. The first postoffice was established about the same time with Loton Smith as postmaster and was kept at Allison's store. The first fourth of July celebration was held the same year. The first marriage of record took place in 1860 between John Riffenback and Hannah Thompson. The first school was supported by subscription and was taught in a tent in the spring of 1855 by Miss Louisa Todd. The year 1856 was a severe one for the settlers. Nearly every one was sick with malarial fever. Sufficient and suitable food was impossible to obtain and this, together with a lack of medical aid and proper care, resulted in many deaths, among which was that of Loton Smith.

Most of the claims were taken before the government surveys were made and each settler staked out as nearly as possible 240 acres. This gave rise to considerable trouble as only 160 acres were allowed by the government. When the surveys were completed farms were cut into all sorts of shapes and the ownership of the various pieces was a matter hard to determine. To add to the trouble many of the residents were unable to buy the lands they occupied when they were put up for sale by the government in 1859. They were obliged to borrow money, on which they were unable to pay interest, and finally lost their holdings. The drouth of 1860 reduced the settlers to starvation, and when they finally did raise crops there was no market for them. In 1859 and again in 1861 the county was swept by severe storms which destroyed considerable property, injured a number of people and caused a great deal of suffering. In common with the whole of the state Osage county suffered from the devastations of the grasshoppers in 1866 and in 1874.

The county seat contest, common to nearly all new counties, took on a serious aspect in Osage. Prior to the organization of the county the voting was done at Burlingame, no objections being raised. The first meeting of the county commissioners on April 27, 1859, was held at Superior. This board was appointed by the governor and was composed of V. R. Morrill, M. Rambo and A. T. Dutton. S. M. Perrin was clerk. An election on June 7 resulted as follows: J. L. Rooks, judge; D. B. Burdick, sheriff; J. Perrill, surveyor. At the first regular election in November the following officers were chosen: J. R. Carrier, superintendent of schools; M. Rambo, judge; C. C. Crumb, sheriff; A. N. Hulburd, register of deeds; W. O. Fisher, attorney; John Rambo, clerk; A. T. Dutton, treasurer; J. P. Perrill, surveyor, and A. Leonard, coroner. The legislature of 1860 appointed a commission composed of O. H. Sheldon, Philip C. Schuyler and James M. Winchell to select a location for the county seat. They selected a spot about midway between Superior and Burlingame, which they called Prescott. At the county seat election, held in April, Prescott was rejected and Superior continued as the county seat. The first term of the district court was held there in Oct., 1861, with R. M. Ruggles presiding judge. A county seat election was held in 1861, and another in 1862, and both resulted in the choice of Burlingame, where the county records remained for many years. When the Indians moved away and the whole of the county was opened to settlement Burlingame was not central enough, and another county seat election was called in Oct., 1870, which resulted in a victory for Lyndon. The Burlingame people immediately got out an injunction to prevent the removal of the county records, which was the beginning of a series of litigation and a strife which ended in 1875 in both sides resorting to the use of arms. The people of Lyndon, who had for five years been trying to get the county records, finally decided to resort to force and a small body of armed men with a team were sent to Burhingame to remove the records. On learning of their approach the men of Burlingame barricaded the court-house and prepared to defend it against the Lyndonites. Scouts were stationed along the road to guard it. The Lyndon men sent out scouts one or two at a time to reconnoiter, all of whom were captured and landed in jail. A force of about 400 from the southern part of the county was then raised at Lyndon and marched to Burlingame, determined to secure the records or burn the town. Scouts sent on ahead brought back the intelligence that the courthouse was filled with armed men ready to defend the records. For a time it appeared as though there would be a battle, as both sides were worked up to a fury. However, wiser counsel on both sides prevailed, and Burlingame gave up the records, believing that to be the only way to save the town from destruction. A short time after this the supreme court, in which the case was at that time pending, sustained the lower court in favor of Lyndon and the county seat has remained at that place ever since.

The first military company was organized in 1855 for the purpose of marching to the defense of Lawrence. It was called the "Old Free State Guards," and was officered as follows: Henry Todd, captain; William Toothman, first lieutenant; G. I. Drew, second lieutenant; and L. D. Joy, orderly sergeant. The next year border troubles began in Osage county, which did not end until after the Civil war. Another military company was organized by the free-soilers in June, 1856. A portion of Buford's company, which had been sent from the southern states to drive the anti-slavery men out of Kansas, camped on 110 Mile creek, where they remained all summer, making raids, robbing and committing various outrages. Travel on the Santa Fe trail was seriously impeded and it was impossible to get provisions into the free-state settlements unless the wagons were protected by an armed force. On July 4 nearly every man in the settlement went to Topeka to prevent the border ruffians from making an attack on the free-state legislature, which was to convene that day, but on its being dispersed by Col. Sumner, they returned home.

Most of the new immigration was free-state and by the time the Civil war broke out Osage county was overwhelmingly opposed to slavery. During that conflict Osage county furnished more than its share of soldiers for the Union army. The first enlistment was in May, 1861, when 25 men entered the Second Kansas infantry. A large number of Osage county men served in the Eleventh Kansas, and many joined the regiments of other states. During the Price raid every able-bodied man in Osage went to the defense of the border. They composed the Santa Fe road battalion and were commanded by Col. M. M. Murdock. The loss of life among Osage county men during that campaign was heavy.

In 1865 two bonding propositions far railroads were carried in Osage county—one for the Lawrence & Emporia, and the other far the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. The farmer was never built, but the latter was completed through the county in 1869, when $150,000 in bands were issued. The next year the Lawrence & Carbondale road was built. Various different roads were projected in the succeeding years but no more were built until 1879, when the Manhattan, Alma & Burlingame road was completed. At the present time there are 140 miles of railroad in the county.

Many of the early towns projected in the '50s have disappeared from the map, among them being: Council Grove, once the principal town of the county; Arvilla, on Switzler creek; Fremont, Prairie City, an the Santa Fe trail; Young America, on 110 Mile creek; Eureka, just east of Switzler creek; Havana, 4 miles west of Burlingame; Versailles, Washington, Indian City and Georgetown. The following are the towns and villages in the county at the present time: Lyndon, Barclay, Burlingame, Dragoon, Ellen, Maxson, Melvern, Michigan Valley, Olivet, Carbondale, Osage City, Overbrook, Peterton, Quenema, Ridgeway, Rosemont, Scranton, Union, Vassar. The county is divided into 16 townships, viz.: Agency, Arvonia, Barclay, Burlingame, Dragoon, Elk, Fairfax, Grant, Junction, Lincoln, Melvern, Olivet, Ridgeway, Scranton, Superior and Valley Brook.

The surface of Osage county is undulating prairie. Bottom lands average about three-fourths of a mile in width along the streams. The native timber belts along the rivers and creeks average less than one-half mile in width, and contain black walnut, cottonwood, elm, hickory, hackberry, pecan, oak, ash, wild cherry and sycamore. Coal of excellent variety, underlies a large portion of the county and has for years been mined at Osage City, Scranton, Carbondale, Burlingame and other points. Magnesian limestone is found in the east, blue and gray limestone in the west, and a superior quality of sandstone in the north. Some of the flagging stone quarried at Osage City has been used in paving Topeka and Emporia. A gray marble capable of taking a high polish has been found in the southern townships. Yellow ocher, used in mineral paint, is found at Osage City. Potter's clay is plentiful near Burlingame. There are salt springs in the south along Salt creek and a mineral spring near Carbondale is said to possess medicinal qualities.

The leading crops are: Corn, which is worth over $1,000,000 annually; oats, which brings $150,000 to $200,000 each year; Kafir corn, worth $100,000; tame grass, worth $200,000; prairie grass, which brought $230,000 in 1910; and wheat, worth $50,000. The total annual output of the farms was worth $3,500,000 in 1910, of which live stock contributed over $1,000,000.

The population, according to the census of 1910, is 19,905. The total assessed valuation of property in the same year was $31,677,000.

Contributed 2002 by Carolyn Ward, transcribed from Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ... / with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence. Standard Pub. Co. Chicago: 1912. 3 v. in 4.: front., ill., ports.; 28 cm. Vols. I-II edited by Frank W. Blackmar, Volume II, Pages 396-400.

1931 History of Burlingame Temperance Alliance 1877-1879

Enterprise-Chronicle, August 20, 1931.

Topeka W.C.T.U. last week celebrated fifty years of prohibition in Kansas. Con VanNatta was at the speakers' table and gave data from a book in his possession, containing the "minutes" of the Youths' Temperance Alliance, Burlingame, Kansas, from its organization, Sunday, June 24, 1877, to Sept. 28, 1879. Believing what he said will be of interest to our readers, the Enterprise-Chronicle prints his talk in full. The names herewith appended as signers of the Pledge will be recognized by many old timers, and is probably the most complete list extant of residents of that period in and around Burlingame. The speaker said:

My mother was a charter member of the Burlingame, Kansas, W.C.T.U. They still honor her memory down there. Records show I signed the pledge June 24, 1877 -- fifty-four years ago.

There are three things I like to talk about: Kansas history, Arthur Capper and crippled children. Notes on these subjects are scattered about. When I wanted some historical data recently, rummaging through a trunk in the attic where I keep old things, I found a book. In it is set down a diary of two or three years of my early life. The book was not bought originally for this purpose. It came into my possession at the demise of an organization, and when its use for record of proceedings or minutes was no longer needed by my sister who was then its secretary. Thinking it might hold something of interest at such a meeting as this I shall quote from the "Minutes of the Youths' Temperance Alliance" of Burlingame, Kansas, for the years 1877, '78 and '79. The first president was Mrs. O.D. Lee: Mrs. V.M. King, vice-president; with Geo. Drew, secretary-treasurer. The first entry was dated Sunday, June 24, 1877 and was as here set down: "A mass Temperance Meeting met at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Burlingame, Osage County, Kansas, called by Dr. King, State Temperance Lecturer, at which time a Society was organized to be known as the Youths' Temperance Alliance of Burlingame, Kansas. The following Constitution was adopted:

"Art. 1. This organization shall be known as the Youths' Temperance Alliance of Burlingame, Kansas.
"Art. 2. The officers of this Alliance shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, to be chosen quarterly.
"Art. 3. The Alliance shall choose an Executive Committee of three each month whose duty shall be to provide work, instruction and entertainment for the Alliance.
"Art. 4. The Alliance shall meet once a week at such time and place as the Executive Committee may determine.
"Art. 5. Any person may become a member of this Alliance by signing the following."

PLEDGE: "I hereby solemnly promise that I will never use intoxicating drinks and that I will do all in my power to prevent their use by others."

The first song mentioned in the minutes was "How Goes the Battle?" but "Hold the Fort" soon took precedence. "Yield Not to Temptation" as another favorite.

At the twelfth regular meeting, Sept. 9 of the same year, 1877, R.F. Playford made a motion "Resolved that we incorporate in the pledge and go on record against the use of tobacco." After spirited debate it was moved to lay such motion on the table, which on being put, was by the one-sided vote of 76 to 10, so ordered.

At the next meeting a committee was appointed to get in touch with Milt Reynolds and, if possible, have him address the Alliance. Old timers will remember Reynolds. He lived down in Chautauqua county at Sedan in the '70's. Rather peculiar in looks and action but a good talker, and writer under the pen name "Kicking Bird." At this meeting the Burlingame Chronicle was designated the official paper of the W.C.T.U. and a Temperance column requested.

At the meeting of Oct. 21, Playford gave notice that he would again take up the Tobacco Resolution. At the next meeting "Murphy" temperance cards were distributed. Motion to adopt the Murphy Pledge was laid on the table. The Tobacco Resolution was discussed and again lost. Evidently the old timers stuck to their "chewing" as close as the present generation does to its "smokes". A vote now would probably again lay such a motion on the table.

At the Sunday, March 24, '78 meeting, a committee was appointed to invite Gov. Geo. T. Anthony to, at some future date, address the Alliance, J.V. Admire, editor of the Osage City Free Press, addressed the meeting of April 7.

Dr. Still, the founder of the science of osteopathy, made a speech at the April 21 meeting. At this meeting Philetus Beverly made a motion to appoint a committee to visit and talk with liquor sellers and dealers, which was lost. An extra session of the Alliance was held at 8 o'clock on this date. Hon. O.H. Sheldon was elected chairman and introduced Gov. Anthony who made the speech of the evening. A rising vote of thanks was accorded the Governor.

At the meeting of April 28, Rev. Holmes of Topeka was the speaker. Rev. Holmes pleased his audience so well he was held over and the next evening delivered his lecture "Sowing Wild Oats". Mrs. Hodgkinson, Matron of Kansas State Orphans Home, was to be the speaker at the next meeting. This date seems not to have been filled.

A Temperance Camp Meeting was held in Lawrence in Sept. '78 and was attended by Mrs. H.W. Filley, Mrs. Adams and Messrs. Billings, Drew, Wright and Rambo of the Burlingame Youths' Alliance.

At the Sept. 30, 1878, meeting the lecture committee reported a communication from Luther Benson, a "reformed drunkard", who offered to speak in Burlingame. The minutes do not show that he ever filled the engagement, but along about that time everybody in town had a copy of his "Fifteen Years in Hell." That book and "Ten Nights in a Bar Room" certainly scared and made a prohibitionist of me. Then it was, as it is now, a matter of education more than it is laws and officials for successful enforcement. The minutes speak of the purchase of books entitled "The Alcoholic Catechism."

Jan. 9, 1879, the Burlingame Alliance received a letter which stated that the people of Scranton were having difficulty in suppressing the sale of intoxicating drinks in our neighbor town. A motion was made and passed, and a committee of 8 appointed with power to represent the people of Burlingame, in extending any necessary aid to Scranton. The committee was J.E. Rastall, A.O. Morgan, H.A. Billings, Mrs. Thos. Fenlon, Mrs. Ed. Fish, Mrs. L. Blanden, Mrs. H. Wilbur and S.D. Wright. Any subsequent report does not appear in the minutes.

At the meeting of the Alliance in the Presbyterian Church, Jan. 26, 1879, a motion was made by Mr. Ferguson and carried, that committee be appointed to confer with the Committee of the House on the question of temperance legislation. This committee consisted of Mrs. V.M. King, Geo. Drew, H.A. Billings, and Mrs. McCaslin. This committee reported at the Meeting of Feb. 9 and was discharged. The minutes do not say what was done.

There is more in these minutes than I have given you, and more doubtless followed, as is indicated by the fact that at the meeting of the Burlingame Youths' Temperance Alliance, held in the Presbyterian Church, Sept. 21, 1879, is noted "Will meet again Sept. 28, 1879." At the last meeting of which I have record, Vice-President H.A. Billings was in the chair. There was reading by Mrs. Billings, prayer by Geo. Drew, short speech by Philetus Beverly and reading by Mrs. E. Mercer. The secretary was Miss Lillian S. VanNatta.

The signers of the pledge were: Mrs. B.F. Empie, J.M. Chambers, S.D. Wright, Wm. Y. Drew, Mrs. E.P. Drew, Mrs. L.A. Drew, Mrs. C.A. Sheldon, Codrus Kirby, Henry Griswold, A. Adams, Alfred Hederstrom, D.R. Morgan, C.E. Kirby.

H.H. Warner, D.C. Beverly, Leet Beverly, E.S. Niles, John Clements, F.M. Nelson, Jessie King, Eunice Filley, Josie Niles, Gertie Niles, Ellen Jarbo, Cora Copper, Florence Bothel, Minnie L. Tabor, Eva E. Sheldon, Stella Schaffer, Tracy Miller, Zella Guizlo, Geo. Mercer, Charles Larson, Connie VanNatta, Rev. V.M. King, J.D. Bratton, Mrs. Belle Bratton, H.C. Sheldon, Mrs. Forsyth, Mrs. N.L. Reeder, F.A. Piper, A.L. Gowdy, Mrs. Reiser, Mrs. W.H. Ellis, Lottie J. Chambers, Clinton S. Scott, Rev. John Cook, R.F. Playford, Mrs. Siples, E. Mercer, C. Herbert Reeder, Mary Haller, O.D. Lee, Mrs. Lucy A. Playford.

C.V. King, Mrs. E.J. Wright, Mrs. Mary Adams, Freddie Adams, Eddie Adams, Ida Lee, John Schaal, Mary Griswold, Sophia Schaal, Lint Chapman, Milton Morrison, L.M. Cline, Jim Chalfant, E.A. Jarbo, Mrs. Filley, Villa Foster, Bessie Playford, Lottie Telford, Jennie Haller, Carrie Hederstrom, Alice Adams, Mattie Adams, Alvah Adams, Elmer Adams, F.M. Adams, Alice McCullough, Annie Griswold, O.L. Walter, Nora Sheldon, Della Kiser, Chauncey Rulison, Will Wood, Mrs. E.M. Jennings, Harry Copper, Virgie Sheldon, Katie Smith, Allie Fenlon, Amelia Pope, Mrs. L.A. Martin.

Minnie Dutton, Alice Dutton, Mary Gowdy, Minnie Schafer, Nellie Bush, Carrie Wood, Ada Nelson, David Burke, Clarence Hoover, John Jarbo, Celbe C. Cline, Geo. E. Penfield, Mrs. Vic Penfield, Jennie Siples, Mary Stimpson, Bertha Drew, Lizzie Morrison, Jennie Tabor, Ada Morrison, Arthur Arnold, Levi Gowdy, Frank Gowdy, H.A. McCaslin, Mrs. A. Fenlon, Mrs. P. Beverly, Mrs. C.C. Crumb, Mrs. L. Hart, Edith Hederstrom, Miss Laura Crumb, Cora Kirby, Stella Kirby, Lydia S. Jennings, Miss M.P. Marple, Cora Hover, Annie Smith, Gilbert Drew, Albert P. Drew, Ellen Ford, H.M. Billings, Mrs. E.M. Deming, Rev. P. Beverly.

M. Rambo, John Drew, Elisha Wood, Mrs. E. Wood, Mrs. Caruthers, J.B. Williams, Mrs. L.R. Williams, Mary K. Williams, Eddie Williams, Emma Rulison, Ellen Reagle, Eva Mings, Alice McDougall, Ida Mings, Mrs. L. Newton, Mrs. A. King, Gustie Lawson, Mrs. Lottie Reeder, Mrs. E. VanNatta, Sarah Jane Guise, Mrs. Murilla Bush, Mrs. E.D. McCaslin, E.M. McCaslin, Geo. Empie, Nellie F. Drew, Charles F. Drew, Mrs. Mary Pratt, Emma Leonard, H.B. Pratt, Laura B. Cline, Jennie Smith, Geo. J. Drew, O.H. Sheldon, R.L. Black, I.S. Playford, Cassie Daniels, C.D. Spangler, Bertie Searing, Derwert Huff, Edith Freeman, Mary Guizlo, Mary V. Erwin.

Lizzie Hills, Eva McDougall, Mary E. Stephenson, Mrs. Anna B. Lord, Lillie S. VanNatta, James Bothel, A.E. Wilson, Miss O.E. Smith, Miss S.E. Wilcox, Mrs. P.H. Richards, Ada May Richards, Freddie Richards, Mrs. M. A. Coon, Miss Ella Kiser, Jackson Wood, Mrs. Alice M. Nelson, W.H. Morgan, J.A. Morgan, Harry Baird, L.J. Ferguson, Frank Beeler, Emma Foster, Edith Ferguson, Mrs. Nettie Rambo, Mrs. Bella E. Mercer, Mrs. C.E. Bratton, Sarah Arnold, Clara Arnold, Mrs. M.E. Newman, Rebecca Pyle, Hattie Forsyth, Robt. J. Glass, John P. Hoover, Samuel Evans, Mrs. S.C. Evans, Miss Florence Ross, Mrs. Susan Dutton, Ezra Russel, Henry C. Scott, James Daniels, Samuel Hoover.

Cora Dodge, Miss A.A. Hoover, Mrs. Lydia Playford, Mrs. R.H. Baird, Miss Sabina M.Stowe, Leslie Wood, S.K. Freeman, Mrs. E.A. Friend, Carrie Dunmire, Rev. Wm. Friend, Mrs. O.H. Nelson, Mrs. Martha Morgan, Charles Horsfield, B.F. Hardenbrook, B.D. Kellogg, Mrs. L.H. Freeman, Laura Freeman, F.P. Gould, R.H. Ross, D.L. Lord, Mrs. Alice Heister, Harvey H. George, H.W. Filley, Mrs. Ella M. Playford, Mrs. A.E. Waldo, Mrs. Susan George, John Ferguson, Anna Chalfant (Challant?), Miss Geraldine Baird, Rose Ralph, Carlton Friend, Erie Siples, Wm. H. Todd, Sue Stuline, Ida Mercer, A.O. Morgan, Thomas Heath, C.E. Stimpson, Miss Addie E. Wood, Mrs. Etta Rulison, Mrs. Sarah E. Billings, Mary Gildey.

Mrs. Hannah Rambo, George Rambo, Ada Amalong, Mrs. M.E. Chalfant, Julie Adams, Laura Childs, Rev. H.C. Scotford, Mrs. B.O. Scotford, Merrit Wilcox, Jennie Erwin, Miss Etsie Stimpson, Alex Bailey, Mrs. L.R. Bailey, Mrs. Elizabeth Sheldon, R.Tabor, Mrs. M.E. Wood, Mabel Wood, Betta Gole (Cole?), Mary Evans, Miss S.H. Ball, Grace Chalfant, Mrs. M.S. Loucks, Mrs. H.A. Smith, Mrs. M. Julie Finch, Mrs. Ella C. Doty, Will F. Chalfant, Mrs. B.M. Shepard, Mrs. S.M. Lockhart, Maggie McCormick, Mrs. Sarah S. Jennings, Leola Hoover, Jennie B. VanNatta, Jennie A. Taylor, Mrs. Emma Niles, Miss Franc Stimpson, N.E. Danforth, Lew Jarbo, Harley Wood, Clayton G. Wood, Charles Kneeland, Mrs. Belle Finch, Rev. Geo. Bratton.

Katie Wilcox, Mrs. K.N.S. Newton, Mrs. D. Shepard, Mary Wilcox, Carrie Foster, Wm. P. Deming, Willie E. Bush, Robert Horsfield, E.H. VanNatta, Lizzie Miller, E.J. Porter, T.W. Mings, Ada Westerfield, Charlie Bush, Catharine Hoover, Harrison Dubois, Rev. R.W. Horsfield, Thomas Horsfield, Geo. H. Horsfield, D.G. Griswold.

1998 History of Stotler Covenant Church

Osage County Chronicle on Thursday, July 9, 1998

Stotler Covenant Church to celebrate 125 years

Stotler Covenant Church is making plans to celebrate their 125th anniversary on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 17-19. The Church is west of Osage City on Hwy. 56.
In the middle and late 19th century, thousands of Swedish immigrants came to the shores of America. Like so many other immigrants from Europe, they brought their faith and worship with them. The Evangelical Covenant Church of America was born of the spiritual revivals which swept Sweden in the middle and late 19th century. It emphasized the need of personal regeneration, personal commitment for Christ and living a holy life.

Throughout Sweden, people gathered into small groups in homes for the reading of the Bible, prayer and singing. Through these meetings many were converted to Christ. This revival was carried from home to home and town to town and to the provinces by simple lay preachers and religious booksellers called colpourtes.

In America in the beginning, many Swedish immigrants affiliated themselves with the Lutheran Church, then later formed mission synods.

It was on Feb. 20, 1885, in Chicago that the Swedish Evangelical Mission Covenant Church of America was organized. It was from this group that several families moved to Kansas and formed the Mission Covenant Church in Osage City. At first, the church was called the Swedish Mission Lutheran Church, and the group met in each others homes where they studied the Bible, sang and prayed together. Soon there became such a need for a church, that on July 18, 1873 a church was organized in the Gust Rudeen home in Osage City, at 315 Market. This church was known as the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Mission Church.

The church prospered spiritually for many years. A considerable number of the members lived in the Stotler community and in order to save the long trip to Osage City, meetings were soon held in area homes and at the Stotler School. More immigrants with Christian interests were settling in the Stotler neighborhood. In 1892, it was decided a new church building was needed. John Sutherland donated the land on which the church was built. The new church building was erected by Oscar Anderson, a carpenter from Osage City. Work on the church was finished on Oct. 29, 1892. The new church was 26x33x14 feet, and the cost was $708.73.

An addition was added to the original structure in 1904 and a basement was constructed in 1936. In 1949, another addition was built and the pipe organ was installed. This building served the Stotler congregation for 92 years.

After exploring various possibilities of dealing with the problem of a deteriorating building, a decision was made to purchase property and relocate the church to its present site. The new church was dedicated on July 22, 1984.

Visitors and pastors for the 125th celebration will be Rev. Vernon Lindbloom, Ken Rudeen, Rev. Glen Heikes, Rev. Lloyd Johnson and Rev. Dan Carl.

There will be an informal time of remembering and singing followed by refreshments on Friday. A light supper and fellowship and a program of music on Saturday and a catered anniversary dinner following the Sunday morning service and a reunion service on Sunday afternoon. For reservations for the catered dinner, please call 785-528-3970. The public is welcome to attend all of the services, whether they are a member of the church or not.