Histories

1885-1910 Newspaper Tidbits

Wayne Register, June 13, 1885
Hanson & Campbell shipped 42 head of fine hogs to Kansas City Wednesday.

Wayne Register, July 11, 1885
Campbell & Hanson shipped two cars of hogs to Kansas City this week. One car brought the highest price of any that came in this week.
We now have an Atlas of Republic County, showing the entire county in Townships, sections, half and quarter sections. Giving the name of every man owning a foot of land in the County, and where his land is situated. All the Railroad, towns, rivers, creeks, etc. We deem it a great benefit to our business.
Mr. O. England, another of our energetic farmers, brought us a sample of his new crop of Timothy and clover. It was sown in the early part of March. The timothy is now waist high and the clover about 12 to 14 inches, and a thick heavy growth of both. Another evidence that Kansas soil is rich and strong. Next season Mr. England will have an abundance of hay and tame grass pastures.
Campbell & Hanson are the stock buyers of Wayne. They pay the highest prices and this is one great advantage to Wayne.

Wayne Register, August 1, 1885
What kinds of a snake tale was that we heard the other day? Something about Mr. Engstrom killing a timber rattlesnake that had twenty-five rattles. He must have been a whopper.
Victor Alquist of Clay Center, Kansas, made us a pleasant call while here with Mr. H. England's family and other friends. Mr. Alquist says crops look better here than where he lives. Says rains seem to be more frequent here than there.

Wayne Register, Sep 26, 1885
Notice: We wish is strictly understood that we want no hunting on our premises at any time, as we have stock that hunters are liable to injure. O & H England

Wayne Register, February 20, 1886
Mr. H. Hanson, dealer in coal, is always on hand and ready to receive orders for coal. He handles several kinds of coal, different grades and different prices to suit his custom. If you go to his coal bin and borrow coal, he never says a word (if he don't find it out). Mr. Hanson is honest and straightforward with all his customers, and is as willing to accommodate you as any man.

Wayne Register, Dec 23, 1886
E. Holmberg is prepared to mend your rubber boots or your harness on short notice. Shop at McDonald's store.

Wayne Register, February 17, 1887
H. Hanson shipped one car of hogs on Friday, and will ship another tomorrow. Hogs are the highest they have been in this market for over two years.

Wayne Register, March 10, 1887
H. Hanson shipped a car of hogs on Tuesday to Neb. City.
The Ladies' Aid Society, of the M. E. Church will give an Oyster Supper, on Tuesday evening, March 16th at Campbell's Hall, for the benefit of Rev. Geo. H. Cheney. General Committee: Mrs. Eldridge, Mrs. Hanson, Mrs. Racey, Mrs. Olna Morley, Mrs. Charles and Miss Mary Smith.

Wayne Register, March 17, 1887
Dr. Axelson will be at Wayne the 23 and 24 of this month.
H. Hanson shipped a car of hogs to Nebraska City, on Wednesday.

Wayne Register, March 31, 1887
Eric Holmberg who has been working on the section here for the last two years has been promoted to section foreman at Wymore.

Wayne Register, April 7, 1887
Mr. P. Hanson, of Hooper, Neb., is visiting with his brother, H. Hanson, of Wayne. Both gentlemen made us a pleasant call this morning.

Wayne Register, May 19, 1887
Rev. Johnson of Scandia, and wife, Rev. Ekstrom and wife, and Hans England and wife, are arranging to go to Minneapolis next month to spend a month in Minnesota.

Wayne Register, June 2, 1887
Stock shipments this week: C. A. Campbell, one car to Kansas City. H. Hanson, one car to same place. In the car Mr. Hanson shipped were 14, average weight 341 pounds, bought of ex-county clerk Parks. Mr. Parks knows where the best hog market of the country is and drew them 16 miles.

Wayne Register, Sep 29, 1887
We learn that Mr. Olif England has bought Mr. Nyberger's farm, southwest of town. Consideration $1500.

Wayne Journal, Dec 17, 1909
Mrs. C. League spent Sunday with her sister, Mrs. Hans Englund.
Minnie League and John Abraham called at the Hans Englund home Sunday evening.
Chas. Holmberg and wife and Winnie Cousins spent Sunday with his mother, Mrs. C. Holmberg and family.
At the court house in Concorida, on Wednesday, Dec 15, 1909, Hans Nelson and Ida M. Holmberg, both of Wayne. The bride is a daughter of Mrs. C. Holmberg, who lives near this place, and the family is well known and highly respected. The groom is a son of Andrew Nelson, Sr., a prosperous farmer near here, and a modal young man. This couple are among the most popular of our young people, and we join their many friends in wishing them a long and happy life together.
Hans Nelson had a fine lot of furniture shipped in last week, and they started housekeeping in one of Olof Englund's houses.

Wayne Journal, Dec 24, 1909
Mrs. Hans Englund spent Friday afternoon with Mrs. Charles Holmberg.
Chas. Holmberg spent Sunday afternoon with Mr. and Mrs. Ed Johnson.
Mr. and Mrs. Holmberg called on Mr. and Mrs. Hans Nelson Sunday evening.
Mrs. Hans Englund called on her sister, Mrs. Carrie League Sunday evening.

Wayne Journal, Dec 31, 1909
Minnie Englund spent Friday night at Henry Englund's.
Henry Englund took dinner with Mr. and Mrs. O. Englund Sunday.
Mrs. Christina Holmberg called on Mrs. Hans Englund Saturday.
Mrs. J. Ekstrom spent Tuesday with her daughter, Mrs. Ed Johnson.
Mrs. Hans Englund spent Monday afternoon with Mrs. J. Ekstrom.
Art Campbell and family spent Sunday with Mrs. A. McKenzie and family.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Ekstrom took dinner at the Ed Johnson home last Thursday.
J. B. Abraham and wife called at the home of Olof Englund Saturday afternoon.
Mrs. Erick Erickson, Sr., visited with Mrs. Geo. Knowlton Christmas day.
Dan Lingren and wife of Hollis spent Tuesday with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Lingren.
Minnie Englund came home from Clay Center Wednesday and returned Saturday.
Mr. and Mrs. John Abraham called at Hans Nelson's and Olof Englund's Saturday afternoon.
Herbert Christensen or Norway, a brother to Mrs. Chas. Kellogg, is spending the holidays with friends and relatives here.
Mabel Englund and pupils gave a Christmas program at their school Thursday afternoon, which was very interesting.
Mrs. Olof Englund and Mrs. Dan Erickson visited with Mrs. Peter Olson Monday.
Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Holmberg, Mr. and Mrs. Hans Nelson and Mr. and Mrs. Hans Abraham and son, Milton, ate Christmas dinner at the Olof Englund home.
Henry Englund and family spent Christmas in Clay Center with Mrs. Englund's mother, Mrs. A. Brodeen. Mr. Englund returned Saturday evening and the rest of the family will remain several days with relatives.
MARRIED: A pretty weeding took place on Friday, Dec 24th, at the home of the bride's mother, Mrs. Carrie League, when her daughter, Minnie, was married to Mr. J. B. Abrahams, of this place. At eleven o'clock Miss Sara Reeder played the wedding march and the couple marched in, attended by the maid of honor, Miss Minnie Englund. Rev. J. M. Barnes, of Talmo, performed the marriage ceremony, after which a sumptuous dinner was served to a house full of friends and relatives. The bride is one of our highly esteemed young ladies, and the groum is a respected young man, and a son of Mrs. Carrie Abrahams. The out of town guests were: Olof Abrahams, of Manhattan; Grandma League, of Granada; Mr. and Mrs. Dan League, of Wetmore; Ed League, of Republic; Mr. and Mrs. Pelstrom, of Bird City; Minnie Englund, of Clay Center; P. C. Anderson, of Talmo; Peter Schoning, of Belleville; Elmer Null and Alex Johnson, of Crete, Nebr.
The Wayne Telephone Company met Monday afternoon and re-elected all the old officers except Geo. Marley for vice president and Henry Englund as director of A. D. Roszell, who resigned. The Directors will meet the last of the week and consider the applications to attend Central.

Wayne Journal, January 28, 1910
Mrs. Hans Abraham called on Mrs. Hans Englund Monday.
Harry and Jim McKenzie bailed hay for Bill Plevsky Monday.
Martin Powell spent Sunday with his cousin, Loren Smith.
Denzell Campbell spent Sunday with Willie Campbell.
Bert Anthony and family took Sunday dinner with Stokes Smith and family.
Mrs. C. F. Roszell and children spent Sunday at the Z. Reeder home.
Mrs. C. League took dinner with Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Abraham Sunday.
Ladies and Gents fine Gold Watches. "Guaranteed". Now at Corner Store.
Mrs. Henry Cousins has been quite sick the past week but is improving now.
Mrs. Arthur Miller came up from Hollis to stay a few days with her mother.
Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Martin were married 26 years, the 26th of this month.
Mrs. Arthur Miller, of Hollis, called on Mrs. Geo. McClure Wednesday evening.
Ed Mcdonald bought a young mule team this week to take north in the spring.
Rev. P. J. Berg and Rev. Carl Froman of Clay Center, and Hans Englund called at the Ed Johnson home last Thursday.e
Olof and Henry England bought a manure spreader of Riepen & Son this week. They are doing the right thing at the right time.
Mr. and Mrs. John Brightop and Mrs. and Mrs. John Wheeland, of Hollis, took dinner at McClure's Tuesday.
John Ekstrom and wife took dinner with their daughter, Mrs. J. E. Johnson and family, Saturday.
Hans Abraham, wife and son, Milton, and Mary Abraham ate Sunday dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Holmberg.
Little Ava Kellogg spent Sunday night and Monday with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. E. Kellogg.
Rev. Carl Fromen was taken sick Sunday at the home of Olof Englund. Dr. McLaughlin, of Hollis, was called.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Englund and daughter, Anna, Nellie George and Adelaide McClure, called on Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Abraham Sunday afternoon.

Wayne Journal, February 18, 1910
Mrs. C. League called at the J. B. Abraham home Sunday evening.
E. A. Campbell and wife took Sunday dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Orville McKenzie.
Ruby Lilly and Nellie George spent Sunday with Bessie Way.
Mrs. Chas. Holmberg and Mrs. Hans Englund went to Concordia Friday.
Henry Englund and family and E. K. Erickson took Sunday dinner at the Olof Englund home.
Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Nossaman spent Sunday afternoon at the home of Stolics Smith.
Albert Johnson and wife, Mrs. Carrie League and Roy Nall visited at the Hans Englund home Sunday.
Mrs. J. Ekstrom called on Mrs. Hans and Olof Englund last Thursday.
Leonard Ekstrom and family took dinner with Mr. and Mrs. J. Ekstrom Sunday.
Hans Nelson and wife and Chas. Holmberg and wife spent Sunday with Mrs. Christina Holmberg.
Mrs. Henry Englund and daughter, Anna, took supper with Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Holmberg Saturday.
Dan Erickson and wife visited with Mr. and Mrs. Peter Lingren Monday.
Mrs. Lars Newman and Mrs. Anna Holmberg called on Mrs. Carrie League Monday afternoon.
Hans Abraham, wife and baby, took dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Otto Gomer Sunday.

Wayne Journal, March 10, 1910
Mary and Ida Abraham spent Friday afternoon with Mrs. Hans Englund.
Minnie and Mabel Holmberg spent Sunday with Winnie Cousins.
Chas. Holmberg and wife took supper with Mr. and Mrs. Hans Englund Sunday.
Earl League took supper Sunday with his cousin, Chester Johnson.
J. H. Hardin and family, of Clyde, spent Sunday at the home of Leonard Ekstrom.
Abel Edling and Wm. Bjurk, of Clay Center, have been visiting with families and relatives here.
Francis Englund was absent from school a few days last week on account of sickness.

Wayne Journal, April 8, 1910
Henry Englund sawed wood for J. E. Johnson Friday.
Mrs. Henry Englund went to Belleville Friday.
Mrs. League spent Friday night with Mrs. Hans Englund.
Hans Englund and wife went to Concordia Monday.
Mrs. League spent Thursday night with Mrs. Chas Holmberg.
Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Campbell were Belleville visitors Tuesday.
John Ekstrom and wife spent Sunday at the home of J. E. Johnson.
Erick Erickson, Sr. and wife spent Sunday at the home of Olof Bergstrom.
Erick Holmberg spent Sunday night at the home of his brother, Charles.
Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Christiana Holmberg called on Mrs. Carrie League Monday evening.
Mrs. Olof Englund spent Sunday evening with Mrs. Hans Englund.
Henry Englund and family visited with Mr. and Mrs. Dan Danielson Sunday.
Mrs. Hans Englund helped Mrs. Chas. Holmberg paper Thursday.
Mrs. Ad Dulin spent last Thursday with her sister, Mrs. Lars Newman.
Peter Norlund and wife spent last Thursday at the home of Alfred Forhney.
Mrs. Hans Englund and Mrs. Carrie League spent Tuesday afternoon with Mrs. J. E. Johnson.
Chas. Holmberg called at the Hans Englund home Monday.
Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Holmberg entertained Mr. and Mrs. Olof Englund, Mr. and Mrs. Hans Englund, Dan Erickson and family and Erick Erickson, Jr. Sunday.

Wayne Journal, May 10, 1910
Mrs. Chas. Holmberg visited with Mrs. Hans Englund Friday.

Wayne Journal, June 17, 1910
Renewals and New Subscribers
P. J. Springsteen
Mrs. G. V. Moorfoot
Olof Englund
Henry Englund
C. M. Way
Geo. McClure
E. J. Englund, Kansas City
E. A. Nossaman, Cheney, Ks.
Minnie Englund, Clay Center
G. W. Whiffin, DeWitt, Nebr.
Mrs. Charlotte McClure, Galesburg, Ills.

1912 History of Republic County

Republic County, located in the northern tier of counties with the 6th principal meridian forming the eastern boundary, has 20 civil townships, viz: Albion, Beaver, Belleville, Big Bend, Courtland, Elk Creek, Fairview, Farmington, Freedom, Grant, Jefferson, Liberty, Lincoln, Norway, Richland, Rose Creek, Scandia, Union, Washington and White Rock. The towns are Agenda, Belleville, Courtland, Cuba Haworth, Kackley, Munden, Narka, Norway, Republic, Rydal, Scandia, Sherdahl, Talmo, Warwick, Wayne and White Rock.

There are five railroads with an aggregate of 140 miles—the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, the Missouri Pacific, the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and the Union Pacific.

The surface is rolling prairie with 10 per cent. bottom and 90 per cent. upland. The Republican river enters the county in the northwestern corner and traverses its entire width in a southerly direction; Mill and Rose creeks flow east into the Little Blue; White Rock creek flows northeast, and Beaver creek southeast into the Republican; West and Elk creeks flow south. The county is watered by numerous natural springs. The mineral products are coal, limestone and salt, and the principal farm products are corn, wheat and oats.

The early history of Republic county is interesting through the fact that it contained the site of the famous Pawnee Republic (q. v.), and that Capt. Pike raised the first American flag within its borders. (See Pike's Expedition.) In 1857 the government opened a military road through this county, anticipating the building of which the wagon trains bound for California began to take this route before the bridges were built. One train with 8 wagons, 25 people and 400 head of stock came to grief in that year near Republic City. Their trail was dogged by the Indians from the settlements, and when 90 miles from the western outpost they were attacked early in the morning, the train destroyed, 4 men killed and the remnant, including several wounded persons and some women and children, made their way to the settlements, reaching help half dead and crazed from suffering.

Some time before the first settlement in the county a company of twenty Mormons bound for Salt Lake City was attacked near the site of the present town of Scandia and all but one were murdered. The dead were buried on a high bluff by the soldiers and triangular flagstones put up to mark the spot.

The legislature of 1860 defined the boundaries of the county and gave it its name, taken from the Republican river, which was named from Pawnee Republic. The first settlement was made on Feb. 28, 1861, by Daniel and Conrad Myers, in Lincoln township. It is said that Daniel Myers often left his claim during times of Indian alarms but that Conrad stayed on his claim, making the first settlement permanent. The first dwelling house was that of Daniel Myers, built in Sept., 1861.

The next settlement was made by James F. Van Natta and David and John Cory early in 1862. No more permanent settlements were made until 1866, when James G. Tuthill settled near the present town of Seapo. In the same year J. C. Riley and family settled near Belleville; D. N. Davis near Republic City, and Thomas Lovewell crossed the Republican and settled on White Rock creek. The settlers who had come into the county during the intervening years had been driven out by Indians. The first organized resistance was made in 1864, when the settlers of Clay, Cloud and Republic counties formed a company under the captaincy of Isaac M. Schooly, who was commissioned by the government. The first militia, composed entirely of Republic county men, was the "Independent Company of Salt Creek Militia," organized in 1868 with W. P. Peake as first lieutenant. He was subsequently made captain and W. H. H. Riley was commissioned first lieutenant. There were 50 men in the company. Arms and ammunition were furnished by the state, but the men furnished their own horses, saddles and bridles. In the summer of 1868 another company of 6 men was recruited in the northern part of the county under Capt. R. T. Stanfield, with Peter Johnson as first lieutenant. A log fort was built by this company in Belleville township, in which were stationed the following men from July to Oct. 18: Noah Thompson, corporal in command, George Mathews, William Little, Oliver Gross, Samuel Darling and Ephraim H. Wilcox. The company made several expeditions into the Indian country. In August Gordon Winbigler, who was harvesting with several other men, was killed by the Indians not far from the fort.

The next year there was a great influx of settlers, principally Scandanavians, a colony of 300 settling on White Rock creek. The Arapahoes and Cheyennes came that year as usual into the Republican valley. The settlers fortified their dugouts and kept guards on the bluffs until they supposed the Indians gone. As soon as the guards were removed the Indians came over the bluff, drove away 7 horses and killed a young son of F. E. Granstadt who was watching them. That year Capt. Stanfield, A. Davis, W. P. Phillips and Clarke Tenike were besieged in the blockhouse by over 100 Indians. A message was sent out tied to a cow's tail. The cow reached Scandia the next day, but the Scandanavians were afraid to go to the rescue. In May a party of 7 hunters with J. McChesney as guide was attacked on White Rock creek and all but McChesney were killed. This was the last of the fatalities from Indian attacks. In the next two years immigration was heavy.

Republic county was organized in 1868 by proclamation of Gov. Harvey, who fixed the county seat at Pleasant Hill. The election of 1869 located it temporarily at Belleville, and the next year it was permanently located at that place. The first election was held in March, 1868, the whole county being one precinct, and only 13 votes were cast. J. C. Riley was chosen trustee; J. E. Van Natta, justice; and J. H. Frint constable.

The first postoffice was at Marsh Creek, Grant township, with James G. Tuthill as postmaster. The first lawsuit was tried before Justice Van Natta in 1869, when Henry Mead sued Conrad Myers for breach of contract, each acting as his own lawyer, as there was no attorney nearer than Manhattan. The law library of the county at that time consisted of the "Territorial Laws" of 1859, the session laws of 1865, the Testament and Psalms and the Blue Laws of Connecticut.

The first marriage was between Thomas C. Riley and Nancy Campbell on June 7, 1867. The first birth was that of Lincoln Myers on Sept. 15, 1861. The first death was that of John Myers in April, 1861. The first school was opened in 1867, with 13 pupils and Mrs. Margaret Tate as teacher. The building was a log house 18 by 20 feet, built by Peter Moe.

In 1873 bonds were voted for the extension of the Central Branch railroad into the county. They were never issued as the railroad company failed to keep its part of the agreement. Another attempt was made in 1878 to get a road, this time with the Kansas Pacific. The proposal to issue bonds for $4,000 per mile was lost at the election. On Dec. 24 of that year the Missouri Pacific ran its first train to Scandia over a line extended from Concordia. In 1880 a branch of the Burlington was extended through the eastern portion of the county. Four years later the Union Pacific was extended from Junction City to Belleville, and a branch of the Burlington & Missouri River was extended through the county 18 miles. In 1887 the Rock Island built 54 miles of track, and the next year the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe built 13 miles.

The first agricultural society in Republic county, which was also the first west of the 6th principal meridian, was organized on Feb. 20, 1871, with the following officers: Albert Odell, president; R. P. West, vice president; I. O. Savage, secretary; John M. Ryan, treasurer. The county horticultural society was organized in 1879, the first officers of which were, O. A. A. Gardner, president; J. A. Mosher, vice president: W. P. Peake, secretary; Ezra Powell, treasurer; N. T. Van Natta, Adam Dixon and Dr. Henry Patrick, trustees.

About thirty newspapers have been established in the county from time to time, nine of which still exist. The oldest is the Belleville Telescope, established in Sept., 1870, by James C. Humphrey. The Scandia Journal was established on Feb. 7, 1872, in Belleville, under the name of the Belleville Republic, by A. B. Wilder. The Republic City News was started in 1881, by William Ketchum; the Courtland Register in 1889, by F. M. Coffey; and the Narka News in 1893, by James A. Harris The other papers in the county are, the Republic County Democrat at Belleville, God's Missionary Record (quarterly) at Belleville, the Cuban Daylight, Cuba, and the Comet at Courtland.

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 574-577.