1901 History of Republic County Kansas

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republican paper by Nutter & Novak; is a bright and newsy local paper and well patronized.

THE WHITE ROCK INDEPENDENT.

The White Rock Independent, a weekly newspaper, was published at White Rock for about a year in 1877 and 78, by Harlan Taylor, a brother of the late A. E. Taylor, and was what its name indicated, independent in politics.

THE WEEKLY RECORD.

The Weekly Record, an independent paper was published at Belleville for a few months in 1883 and '84 by J. M. McAfee.

THE REPUBLIC COUNTY CHIEF.

The Republic County Chief, a republican paper was published at Scandia in 1884, A. E. Blank, editor and pubusher.

THE WAYNE REGISTER.

The Wayne Register, republican in politics, was published at Wayne in 1885 and '86, by B. W. Curtis, editor and proprietor.

THE CUBAN.

The first newspaper at Cuba was The Cuban, published in the summer of 1885, by John D. Bennett.

THE REPUBLIC COUNTY PILOT.

The Republic County Pilot was published at Cuba in 1886 and '87 by W. S. Elliott. Republican in politics.

THE COURTLAND REGISTER.

The Cortland Register, (now Courtland) was established by F. M. Coffey and the first issue published Febuary 2nd, 1889. After about six months J. A. Litsinger was pen pusher. About 1893 H. A. Hoyt came into possession of the paper and continued to publish it for five years. On the 1st of May 1898 it came under its present management. This paper has seen its ups and downs.

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Twice its suspension has been announced but both times it failed to suspend and now is a money maker. It has had almost as many changes of politics as of editors but is now straight republican.

THE CUBA ADVOCATE.

The Cuba Advocate, a People's party paper is published weekly at Cuba, John Brown, editor, proprietor and publisher. It is ably edited, has a large circulation and good advertising patronage.

THE INDEPENDENT.

The Independent, a four page paper, in size about 7x9, possibly a little larger, greenback in politics, was published in 1875 in the rear of Hart's furniture store in Belleville, by W. C. Thornton, commonly known as "Dirty Shirt Thornton," and this paper was pretty nearly, if not quite as dirty as its editor.

THE SCANDIA INDEPENDENT.

The Scandia Independent, a Democrat newspaper, was published at Scandia in 1888 by Newton and Scott.

CHAPTER XX.

CENSUS STATISTICS AND ASSESSED VALUATION FOR 1901.

The population of the county was, in

1860	00		1876	8758		1885,	17540		1894	16771
1861	5		1877*			1886	18070		1895	16676
1862	13		1878	10132		1887	17539		1896	15658
1863	47		1879	12193		1888	17575		1897	16059
1868	630		1880	14913		1889	17539		1898	17161
1870	1281		1881	13117		1890	19002		1899	17925
1873	7055		1882	14057		1891	17018		1900	18248
1874	8020		1883	14897		1892	16933		1901	18562
1875	8048		1884	16237		1893	17047

* No report for 1877.

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In 1880 about 1500 laborers employed in building the B. & M. railroad were enumerated by the United States census takers in the townships of Big Bend and Rose Creek, which accounts for the large increase from 1878 to 1880, and the falling off from 1880 to 1881.

Census of Republic county by townships and cities for 1900 and 1901:

 

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Abstract of the Assessment Roll of Republic county, 1901.

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CHAPTER XXI.

SOLDIERS REUNION, ORGANIZATION, ETC.

A public meeting was held in Belleville November 29th, 1878, for the purpose of making arrangements for holding a reunion of the ex-soldiers of the county, at which time a committee of arrangements was appointed, with instructions to report program, time and place of holding the meeting, etc.

The committee reported on the 7th of December, naming December 13th as the time and Belleville the place for holding the same, which report was accepted and adopted.

Friday, the 13th, the day set for the reunion, turned out to be the stormiest of the season thus far; the wind being one of those peculiar Kansas zephyrs which, farther east, would be called a high wind, blowing at its best gait all day, and the snow flying so as to render traveling well nigh impossible. Notwithstanding all this, some 200 of the "boys," fired by the patriotism still so fresh in their bosoms, managed to be present, besides quite a number of citizens, including many ladies, who so kindly furnished the most bountiful supply of luscious rations, of which there was a large quantity left over. The day was passed in exercises, in drill, speaking, story telling, and drinking genuine soldiers' coffee, etc., all within doors, the weather being too inclement for outdoor exercises.

The welcome address was delivered by Mayor Woodward, who was followed by Mr. Ed. Knowles, H. G. Dow and others. Hon. E. J. Jenkins, of Concordia, who had been expected to speak, expressed his inability to be present in the following sympathetic and patriotic letter:

CONCORDIA, December 11th, 1878.

W. H. Woodward, Mayor, Belleville, Kan.:

Dear Sir: Yours of the 7th has just been received. The time between this and the day of your reunion is so

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short that it will be impossible for me to arrange to be present. Nothing would afford me more pleasure than to be present at a reunion of the soldiers who defended the republic. During my official career in the Republican land district I have met many gallant fellows among the homestead settlers who, having done gallant and noble service in the defense of their country, in time of peace exhibit the best evidence of good citizenship by improving and developing the prairies of the west, thus aiding the nation by advancing civilization westward, into the hitherto wild waste of wilderness.

Many of them carry as many scars as were upon the person of Coriolanus of old, and I have frequently thought that our government, in the disposition of public lands, has not done as much for the honorably discharged soldiers as they deserve for their services. I believe every honorably discharged soldier, who fought for the defense of the Union, should have a quarter section of land, free of charge, to be selected from the public lands belonging to the government. If the odd-numbered sections within the limits of grants to the railroad companies, that have been granted to such companies since the close of the war, and during that struggle, had been reserved for and given to the honorably discharged soldiers, their widows and orphans, the government would have done a noble work as a partial compensation to the men whose patriotism and valor saved the government and the nation as a unit, with its escutcheon untarnished.

A feeling of sadness comes o'er my mind as I contemplate the remembrance of the departed who fell in battle, while there is one thought that is consoling,—that they are not forgotten by the true patriots living, while the mystic chord of memory stretches from every battle field and soldier's grave to every hamlet and dwelling place throughout the land.
Very Respectfully,
E. J. JENKINS.

No steps were taken at this time to effect a permanent

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organization, but on the 9th day of August, 1879, in pursuance of previous notice a meeting was held for that purpose, at the court-house in Belleville, and a permanent organization effected by the election of the following officers for the ensuing year: President, J. G. McCathron; vice-president, S. A. McKay; secretary, P. F. Grant; treasurer H. G. Wallin.

A committee of arrangements was then appointed, viz., J. H. Crane, George Lembke, S. A. McKay, E. C. Baker, Capt. W. W. Wait, and H. C. Swartz. At this meeting, it was decided to hold the annual reunion on the public square in Belleville, on September 18th. The following persons were announced as speakers: E. J. Jenkins, Concordia; Hon. I. O. Savage, Freedom township; Dr. W. H. Woodward, Belleville; L. C. Hanson, Scandia.

The Second annual reunion was held at Belleville, September 18th, 1879, and proved to be a perfect success, a more enjoyable affair having never before taken place in Republic county. From 7 A. M. until nearly noon, crowds flocked in from all parts of the county, until the number reached the neighborhood of 2,000. They were about 500 soldiers present, who were formed into companies, and, under the command of Col. D. C. Gamble and their respective captains, they were drilled add marched, marched and drilled, until some of the boys cried, "Give us a rest."

After dinner, the assembly repaired to the grove on the public square, which had been neatly seated, and where a stand had been erected for the speakers, so as to listen to eloquent and patriotic addresses by Mayor Woodward and others, all of whom were attentively listened to and loudly applauded. The music and singing, by the choir, was excellent; also, the martial music to the White Rock and Cuba martial bands did much to enliven the occasion. Great credit is due Messrs. J. E. Hallowell, J. H. Crane, S. A. McKay, and others of the committee of arrangements, for the zealous and earnest manner in which they

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worked to make the second soldiers' reunion a grand success.

It was decided to hold the third annual reunion at Belleville on the first Thursday and Friday of September, 1880. The third annual reunion was held on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 14th and 15th, 1880. Gov. St. John and Senator Plumb were advertised to address the meeting, but, failing to attend, their places were filled by Colonel Gamble, Dr. W. H. Woodward, Hon. R. P. West, and others. There were fully 400 soldiers in attendance, and the best of feeling prevailed. The weather was fine, the attendance of citizens large, and everything passed off in a most harmonious and satisfactory manner.

The fourth annual reunion was held at Belleville, September 9th and 10th, 1881. The crowd the second day exceeded by far that of any former gathering in Republic county, and the programme was carried out to the letter. Not less than 3,000 people were in attendance.

The fifth annual reunion took place at BelIeville, September 1st, 1882, and was well attended by the old soldier boys, as well as by citizens generally throughout the county. Dr. Griffith made the address of welcome to the boys, Thursday forenoon, which was able, interesting and well delivered. The oration delivered by Col. M. M. Miller was a masterly effort, and was listened to with the greatest interest and attention by all present. Captain Dixon was officer of the day, and acquitted himself nobly in the discharge of his duties. This occasion was one long to be remembered by all present.

The sixth reunion was held at Belleville September 6th and 7th, 1883. Music was furnished by the K. of P. cornet band from Washington, the band from Republic City and two martial bands.

Hon. Wm. Glasgow was president of the day. One of the leading features was the parade of Co. "E," composed of soldiers from Freedom and Liberty townships under command of Capt. B. Dutton.

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The principal addresses were made by Col. Dan L. Brown, of Concordia, Hon. David Heron, of Mankato, and Col. David C. Gamble, of Seapo.

The "Virginia Veteran" was played to crowded houses both evenings and everybody voted the sixth reunion a decided success.

The seventh reunion was held at Belleville September 25th and 26th, 1884. Col. D. C. Gamble, president, and Capt. Adam Dixon, officer of the day. Music by the Belleville cornet band, Walker's martial band of Freedom, Mosher's, of Scandia, and Wagener's, of Cuba.

Hon. John A. Anderson, our member of congress, was the orator of the day, delivering a very able address, which was followed by a short address by John M. Lawrence.

SECOND DAY.

Speaking by Rev. R. A. Hoffman, T. M. Noble, E. B. Towle, J. F. Close and others interspersed with music. A recitation by Miss M. O. Davies, entitled "The Irish Veteran's Wife," rendered with pathos and feeling, was warmly applauded by her appreciative hearers. Much credit was due to Colonel Gamble and Captain Dixon for the very able and efficient manner in which they discharged their duties on this occasion.

The eighth reunion was held at Scandia August 6th and 7th, 1885, and was one of the largest ever held in Republic county. Although the weather was exceedingly warm, the exercises were highly enjoyed by all. The citizens of Scandia acquitted themselves nobly, doing everything in their power for the comfort and enjoyment of the vast number of veterans in attendance.

The inter-state reunion at Beatrice was held the second week in September, 1885. Republic county was represented there by about 200 veterans, John Brown Post attending practically in a body, carrying the new banner received by the Post September 3d, 1885. This banner

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was made of dark blue silk, surrounded by a heavy gold fringe, hung by a gold cord. The front contained a large painting of old John Brown, after whom the Post was named and the finest likeness of him I ever saw, and the lettering John Brown Post, No. 44, Belleville, Kansas, and the letters G. A. R. On the reverse side the grand army badge and the words "Mustered in March 25th, 1882, Department of Kansas."

This was the finest banner in the parade, admired by all and of which the Post justly felt proud. It was destroyed by fire November 4th, 1890, when the G. A. R. hall and all its contents were swept away. The sickness and sudden death of Comrade John M. Thompson while at this reunion cast a gloom over what otherwise would have been a most enjoyable occasion. The boys returned home one day earlier than they had intended on that account.

The eight annual reunion, September 9th and 10th, 1887. Weather unfavorable and the attendance light. All the exercises were held in doors, owing to the inclement weather. Addresses by Rev. Geo. W. Wood in the court room, on Friday forenoon, and Gen. J. C. Caldwell in the afternoon. Ex-Governor Geo. T. Anthony spoke on Saturday. Music of a high class was furnished by the Belleville Cornet band and Walker's martial band of Freedom.

A broom brigade from Republic City, was also in attendance, composed of young ladies in uniform, under command of Thomas F. Marlatt. Their drill was very fine, and had the weather been pleasant, they could have given a very interesting exhibition. The addresses of General Caldwell and Governor Anthony, on this occasion, were very able, and pleased the soldier boys so well a committee of three were appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the association. The resolutions were as follows:

RESOLVED—First, that our asssociation has been very highly favored during the reunion, just held, by having the

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