https://s3.amazonaws.com/omeka-lplks/original/f380344bdd315fbd896bb119d7635d8f.pdf e142da47e831418b578fd8409ebc4f9a PDF Text Text .... •< . ".. i. .:: ~~, .~;. • " •• ,.~ . ! f,:" " . ':'-~:'. ,.i ·1 .' ... " :'r;:,::- ~ -" �. . . .. ' ", :- . . .. Volume 36, No 1-4 January - October, 2013 . 1'1)1 "':PI'" . ...... . :. .~' .:; . • ••• # . .' ". ' PubHshedQuarterly By: ..... . ilougtas Counts Genealogical.· Societg . . . P.o. BOX 36.64. . . • . '. LAWRENCE; KANSAS' 66046-0664 .... . ~• �THE PIONEER Published by the Douglas County, Kansas, Genealogical Society, Inc. 1329 Kasold G1 Lawrence, Kansas 66049-3426 January - December, 2013 Volume 36, no.1-4 Douglas County, Kansas, Genealogical Society ' 1329 Kasold Gl Lawrence, Kansas 66049-3426 Mary Burchill burchill@ku.edu President & Pioneer Vice-President & Programs Treasurer Shari M;ohr Smohr@kuendowment.org Genealogist Paul Jordan jordpc@brownchair Assis. Gen Richard Wellman 'rwwellman@Embarqmail.com Web Master Don Vaughn donwil468@earthlink.net The Douglas County Genealogical Society is a non-profit organization. Meetings are held at The Final Fridays at the Watkins Museum at 5:30 to 7pm. They\are announced by email. Membership fees are $15. Checks should be made payable to the Douglas County, Kansas, Genealogical Society (DCGS) and sent to the address above. The fiscal and membership year is from January 1 to December 31. Visitors are always welcome at meetings. 1 �Until the Lawrence Public Library is renovated the Family History books are in various places in the temporary location at 7th and New Hampshire in the old Borders store. Some titles are in storage and must be requested but the microfIlm and city directories are in the library. We will see what the new space will be like in summer of 2014. WEBPAGE http://skyways.lib.ks/genweb/douglas/dckgs.html This is not an easy decision for me, as editor, to make, but this will be my last issue as editor. I simply must have more time to do my own genealogy and other projects. If anyone is interested in taking over The Pioneer I will be eternally grateful. There are several members who will feed you articles but the editor has been the one who has to get most of the information together. Hopefully someone will volunteer. If not we will notify everyone that this is the last issue. Mary Burchill, burchill@ku.edu. Truths back 0/ the Uncle Jimmy Myth by Kate Stephens. c. 1924 The University of Kansas in the eighteen-seventies when General Fraser was Chancellor. When in the spring of 1861, President Lincoln issues the call for seventy-five thousand troops, my Father locked the door of his office, enlisted men in neighboring townships and took to Washington his Company of New York volunteers. His history, within a few months, was that of many a soldier afterwards;..--an invalid sent home from a Baltimore hospital. "Two years to live," the doctors said, and sentenced him to a climate in the 2 �South, and every day on horseback. The stimulating dryness of the plateau shelving east to the Mississippi, however - and the spirit of a people there-he found more agreeable to his needs. He bought a couple of hundred acres touching the city of Lawrence, Kansas, and set on foot their ordering. The beauty of this farm was great, as I have elsewhere told. Wooded ground which had never known the plough lay on its· southern border, along a little amber stream called "brewery brook," and on the north a band, half a mile long, of primeval forest stretched from highway to river. Nature had planted the woods after her fashion of making her garden, and in the shade of hickories and oaks wild geranium and columbine blossomed, and windflowers nodded, and purple violets carpeted the earth in spring. A most striking figure of the south woods, a black walnut, stood with the girth of more than twenty feet-.rising in majesty and aloofness so apart from its brothers, and their shade, that the sun had rounded its branches to an almost perfect globe. A little way off, intersecting this woodland, a ravine ran north and south, and a sycamore, laid low by some wind, had spanned it. Upon the sycamore's satiny bark we walked across then river-waters filled the ravine in time ofKaw flood. An upon this trunk, warm afternoons in spring, I say and studied while below frogs chorused and water-bugs skated. Of other symphonies of this farm I have told in my book, "Life at Laurel Town: In Anglo-Saxon Kansas." And also of Lawrence, its people, their characteristic spirit, and the beloved institution of their heirship. The Un~versity of Kansas-its ideals, its liberalisms, its conservatisms, its personnel-were then in their cotyledonous beginnings. Officers of the institution visited at our house, and my Father, watching seed-plantings and germinations often urged the foundation of a School of Law. A visit of General John Fraser my memory associates with crimson-tinted sunlight filtering down upon ripe fields, and stamps the day as the. latter part 3 �of August-the year 1872. General Fraser had, in 1868 become chancellor-an Aberdeenshire man, bred in Scotland even through his university studies, a true Scot, nervous, high-strung, temperamental, dour some days, and perhaps "captious" (captions was a favorite word of his ), more often the embodiment of amiability and intelligent kindness; at all times as refreshing and full of vitality as an east wind straight from the sea. That afternoon the Chancellor was at his best-buoyant with high spirits and a crackling fire of wit. His gaieties were so bountiful that they fell almost as commonplaces. Because oflater associations my memory retains one instance that I may be permitted to cite. He spoke of Scotland-as he did at times, I think with a shade of longing once more to see its romantic face-and then added, "God made Scotland." Whereupon I, favored youngster that I was, out with Dr. Johnson's retort, "If He did, He made it for Scotchmen." Chancellor Fraser caught up my quotation with a burst of laughter, and, in his full throaty voice, warm with human feeling, cried, "Pooh, pooh, Dr. Johnson was laid on a shelf long ago, von Moltke." In one of his sallies he had fixed the name "von Moltke" on me-after the general of the Franco-German war known, the Chancellor declared, "for his short and decisive campaigns." (Ed. Note. This is only a small portion of her book. She was the daughter of Judge Stephens and an outspoken woman on almost everything.) A LITTLE BLAZE The Baldwin Ledger, 4 Jan. 1907 Thursday morning about 7 :30 0' clock the fire bell rang, announcing that a fire was devouring the residence of Mr. T. B. Shore in West Baldwin. As usual the fire department made its spectacular run and arrived in time to see that the fIre had been extinguished. The cause of the fire was an explosion of gas which for a time seemed to be serious, but by prompt action in turning off the gas the fire was put out and only slight damage was done by burning some paper and slightly marring the appearance of the room where the explosion occurred. 4 �IT IS TIME TO HAVE TIME The Baldwin Ledger, 29 Nov. 1912 Last Sunday morning the services at the Methodist church was five minutes past correct time in starting. There seemed to be some confusion on the part of the officers of the Sunday School and of the church as to what actually was correct time. The incident was the occasion for the remark by the pastor that in Baldwin City we have many kinds oftime. Yes we have school time, college time, Yauslin time, railroad time, postoffice time, church time, Sunday School time, a good time, and behind time; many people being afflicted with the latter. In the minds of many people the only way in which this situation can be remedied is by having in the postoffice a regulator set hourly by the Western Union Telegraph Co. The charge made by the Telegraph Co. for this service is $25 per year for each clock. Before it will be possible for us to have this service, however, it will be necessary for the city to have a wire from the depot. The college has already agreed to install two of these clocks in the college buildings if the wire will be installed by the city. The city already has a line of poles to t~e depot on which the wire could be hung. It hardly seems that the city council could do better that to invest a little money in wire and give the town and college the advantage of standard time. WHAT A LITTLE TOWN HAS DONE The Baldwin Ledger, 15 Nov. 1912 [Reprinted from K. C. Times] This town has done wonders in the past ten years. Ten years ago there was no fine church, no big gymnasium, and not a single public improvement. We have passed through fire and much distress, not to say anything about bitter contests at the polls, but today's Baldwin City can show to the people of Kansas the greatest advancement and the largest liberality in proportion to the size of the town of any community in the state, and it is doubtful if there is any equal in the United States. [Quoted from an earlier issue of The Ledger.] 5 �Civic achievement is a mighty proud boast for a small town, and Baldwin has "the goods" to prove its right to boast. Ten years ago the stranger who visited Baldwin immediately set himself to the task of trying to solve the problems as to why the Methodists of Kansas selected that town as the location for their big Western school. In the first place he left the train at a place called Media, and found that in order actually to get to Baldwin he must either walk a mile over a country road lined on one side by an unsafe board walk or ride the distance in a lumbering old "bus" that could only make the trip when the weather was fair and the roads dry. A long "stretch" of "bottom land" that defined transportation or navigation during the· winter and spring months practically served communication between Baldwin and the railroad during the time of the year that anyone cared to visit the town. ANOTHER FORTY-NINER DEAD The Baldwin Ledger, 24 Jan. 1913 Baldwin is, in many respects, the "Concord of Kansas." Here was enacted some of the most stirring events of the West. Many of the few who took an active part in this winning of the West, still live; while many in the old burying grounds around B"aldwin City have found their last resting place. The past week one of these old pioneers,Samuel Gidion, died when nearly 83 years old, at the home of his nephew in Western Kansas, and was brought back to historical Baldwin City to be buried. "Gid" Mozingo *, as he was commonly known, came west in 1845 when 15 years of age, and crossed the Missouri river at Westport Landing with a government wagon train. His sister homesteaded **east ofBaldwin City near Black Jack, but "Gid" worked for the government as a blacksmith and crossed the great American desert many times. As a pony express rider across the wilds of the Kansas territory he had many thrilling experiences and hair-breadth escapes, and as a government scout helped fight Indians and other outlaws. He was a man of magnificent physique, being over six feet tall, and a man who knew no fear. He made a fortune almost in a day in the gold fields of California as a "forty-niner," and afterward dug gold in Nevada and in the Yukon. 6 �He was a typical westerner. Few of this day have seen as much western history in the making as he. Loyal to his friends, generous to a fault, rough and ready, he summed up the plains-man's virtues and vices. Only a few people of this day remember him and so when his body was shipped from the west, but a handful of folks gathered to pay their respects to the old pioneer and carry him to his last resting place. Rev. Meredith, of the Presbyterian church, at the request of friends conducted a simple service at the grave. Thus have many of the men of another day lingered in our midst almost strangers to us of another generation, and died without making hardly a ripple on the flood of modem life. Soon, with the, buffalo, the Indian and prairie schooner, the last ofthe pioneers will pass over the Great Divide and be known to us only through the histories of the West. NOTES: *Baldwin City Oakwood Cemetery records list him as SAMUEL MOZINGO, main section, row 12, lot 39. ** Probably means established a "homestead" as the Homestead Act of 1862 was not passed until after the land in Douglas Co. was already settled. LIFE A CENTURY AGO The Baldwin Ledger 1 February 190 I (Ed. Note. These are always fun.) Over one hundred years ago man could take a ride on a steam boat. He could not go from Washington to New York in a few hours. He had never seen an electric light nor dreamed of an electric car. He could not send a telegram. He couldn't talk through a telephone and he never heard ofthe Hello girl. He couldn't ride a bicycle. 7 �He could not call in a stenographer or dictate a letter. He had never received a typewritten communication. He had never heard of the germ theory or worried over bacilli and bacteria. He never looked pleasant before a photographer or had his picture taken. He never heard a phonograph talk or saw a kintescope tum out a prize fight. He never saw through a Webster' s Unabridged Dictionary with the aid of a Roentgen ray. He had never taken a ride in an elevator. He had never imagined such a thing as a type-setting machine or a ' typewriter. He hadn't used anything but a wood plow. He had never seen his wife using a sewing machine. He had never struck a match on his pants or anything else. He couldn't take an anesthetic and have his leg cut offwithout feeling it. He had never purchased a ten-cent magazine which would have been regarded as a miracle of art. He could not buy a paper for a cent and learn everything that had happened all over the world the day before. He had never seen a McCormick reaper or self-binding harvester. He had never crossed an iron bridge. There were several things he could not do and several things that he did not know. (Ed. Note. I wonder if anyone under 20 would even know what is being talked about on a lot of these.) SIX MONTHS OLDER The Baldwin Republican 24 October 1902. In last weeks Mail and Breeze an article appeared claiming that Wm. 8 ) �Britton of Alton, was the oldest living resident of Kansas which certainly is a mistake as palmyra township has a resident, in the person of R.H. Pearson, of Black Jack, who located his claim, now the Beeks farmju~t north of Baldwin, May 15th , 1854, while Mr. Brittian [note change of spelling] according to the Mail and Breeze did not locate until the fall of that year. R.H. Pearson was born in Yorkshire, England, April 1st, 1828 and with his parents, in 1832 emigrated to America, locating at Alleghaney City, PA, living there until the California gold fever swept over the United States, when he went to California, where he was in 1853 and early '54, when the bill was in Congress for the opening of Kansas and Nebraska. The talk among the California miners at that time was that Nebraska would be a free state and Kansas a slave state, and the emigration fever again entered Mr. Pearson's blood, and he left the gold fields for the new country of Nebraska and Kansas, going by the way of Panama and New York, and after a short visit with his parents in Pennsylvania came on west by steam boat to Kansas City, then a small town and only boasting one small hotel. There he met Joel K. Goodwin, (who was afterwards killed by Jim Lane) Gayes Jinkins and Henry Barricklow, Jr., who invited him to join their party and go with them to look for townsites in the new country, but they desired locating in Kansas in preference to Nebraska, claiming that Kansas never would be a slave state. The party first went to St. Joe, from there to Weston, opposite Ft. Leavenworth and then to the Fort to obtain news in regard to the opening of the new country. They were told if they located back thirty miles from the State Line the Government troops would not molest them. Leaving the Fort they returned to Kansas City where Pearson and Barricklow purchased, .each a pony, the rest of the party leasing a team and wagon, and early in May traveled west, leaving civilization behind, but passing many Indians with herds of ponies, crossing the Kaw river at where Lwrence now stands, then west to Big Springs, there the party turned back, returning as far as 9 �Mt. Dread, which the party decided was the best townsite location they had seen, they then turned south, keeping along the Government road until they came to what is now called Willow Springs, then east to Hickory point, there they saw a wagon about 200 yards from the road. Pearson and Barricklow decided on a visit to it and found a woman and three children, with about half a dozen Kaw Indians standing around which was causing the woman much uneasiness. She called Pearson to one side and asked him and his party to remain awhile until her husband who was away to purchase a cow should return. The party remained awhile, Barricklow stopped three days and Pearson is still remaining. The lady told them there were many good claims and that her husband, a Mr. Kibby would help them make a selection, and by the way this Kibby was the man who killed a pro-slavery man by the name ofDavis, at Lawrence, during an election, which is supposed to have been the first death in the cause which brought on the Civil War. A pro-slavery man was burning anti-slavery men's cabins and Kibby insisted that he stop, Davis took the matter up, and began stricking[sic] at Kibby with a knife. Kibby had a pistol loaded with eight shot, and capped with a cap furnished by Pearson and as Davis again advanced, shot him, the whole load of buckshot entering the man's stomach, killing him almost instantly. Mr. Pearson pre-empted his farm, and the next spring Barricklow returned, accompanied by Nehemia Green,(who was Lieut. Govemot) L.F. Green and Dan Johnson and wife who also settled near here. Mr. Pearson was all through the boarder[sic] warfare, being at the battle of Black Jack, Blanton's Bridge, Prices Raid at Kansas City, at Lawrence in 1855, at Bull Creek and East Tauy, besides helping to persuade many a pro-slavery men that Kansas did not desire to be a slave state, and received an honorable discharge from the U.S. government. He is now getting along in years, but is yet very active and energetic, and -owns a farm of 240 acres on which the battle of Black Jack was fought. 10 �We believe this gives Mr. Pearson the claim to being the oldest living settler of Kansas, having pre-empted what is now the Beeks farm in Palmyra township, Douglas County, Kans, May 15th, 1854, and is still a resident of the same township. This is from In the Beginning: Centennial History and Roster, Lawrence Lodge no. 6, AF and AM September 24, 1855 to September 24, 1955. It is probably not known to many that the site of the present Masonic" temple, at 1001 Massachusetts, was the scene of Masonic activities long before it was acquired for use as a Temple building spot. It was formerly owned by the Methodist Church, the records showing its purchase by that 'group on November, 1863. A meeting place for the church was erected here soon thereafter, and on July 4, 1864, the cornerstone was laid by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M of Kansas. Worshipful Brother O.W. McAllaster, Master of Lawrence Lodge No.6 at the time, represented the Most Worshipful Grand Master on this occasion. A further item of considerable interest will be found in the old minutes of the Lodge under date of December 27, 1864, which describes the public installations of the officers selected to serve during 1865. This public ceremony was held in the then new Methodist church. The minutes show the following as having been installed on the date on the very ground where the Temple now stands: Paul R. Brooks, Worshipful Master, Joseph Cracklin, Senior Warden, Richard A. Hayes, Junior Warden, E.W. Wood, Treasurer, E.B. Hayes, Secretary, Robert L. Gilbert, Senior Deacon, James M. Davis, Junior Deacon, Justus Assmann, Tyler, Solon O. Thacher, Orator, W.H. Fisher, Chaplain. The building and grounds owned by the Methodist Church at the spot Were transferred to J.B Watkins on July 5, 1890, and later acquired by the 11 �La~ence Masonic Temple Building Company in 1909. The Masonic Temple was erected and occupied by the various Masonic bodies in the year 1911. (Ed. Note The Temple has since been sold and the Masons m~ved to another location. The Temple is presently a nightclub.) (Ed. Note. I came across this article while doing research on Elizabeth Watkins) Lawrence Journal World 30 July 1923. Met sudden death in road accident Frank V. Miller instantly killed on Fort to Fort Highway. Stutz car was upset. Was nephew of Mrs. J.B. Watkins and Director of Bank. Frank V. Miller of2117 Massachusetts, nephew ofMrs. J.B. Watkins and a director in the Watkins· National Bank, was instantly killed early yesterday morning in a motor car accident on the fort to fort road in Shawnee County. With Maurice T. Benedict and Mrs. Earl Newcomer of Kansas City he was on the way to Topeka" when the Harry C. Stutz car in which they were driving got out of control, skidded and rolled completely over. Miller's skull was crushed when the car turned over. An approaching car with brilliant headlights is said to have blinded the driver, causing him to get off the road while attempting to drive as near the edge of the concrete pavement as possible. Maurice T. Benedict, insurance agent was driver of the car and Mrs. Earl T . Newcomer, whose husband is associated with D. W. Newcomer's sons, Kansas City, was a passenger. Benedict was uninjured. Mrs. Newcomer's 12 �collar bone was broken. The injury was dressed at the Simmons hospital after she was brought back to town and she left on an early train for Kansas City, where she was taken to St. Joseph hospital. Her condition is not serious it was said today. Miller, Benedict and Mrs. Newcomer had been attending a farewell party given for Dick Williams, assistant cashier of the Watkins Bank, who had resigned to take a position with the Newcomer ftrm in Kansas City. After dancing at the Sigma Nu house until about 11 :30 members of the party decided to go to Topeka for a ride and an early breakfast. The Harry C. Stutz car was the last of 4 cars which carried the party to Topeka. After the accident Mrs. Newcomer went to a farmhouse about 50 yards distant and called the Cremeric restaurant in Topeka, where she knew the party was going. Her call reached there at 20 minutes to 1, her husband Earl T. Newcomer, said today. Earl T. Newcomer was graduated from the School of Engineering at the University in 1915. His wife was Miss Gertrude Spect, a Kansas City girl. Mrs. Frank Miller was in Topeka when the news of the tragedy reached the remainder of the party, A.B. Mitchell and Dick Williams got a physician and hurried to the scene of the accident. Dr. H.L Clark, Shawnee County Coroner, was called to the scene. He said an inquest would be held Tuesday. Miller's body was bought to Lawrence and Mrs. Newcomer and Benedict were brought home by other members of the party. Those who were in the party were: Mr. And Mrs. Newcomer, Kansas City; Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Alexander, Kansas City; Gordon Saunders, Kansas City; Miss Margaret Graye, Lake Charles, Louisiana-half sister to Mr. Miller; Maurice T. Benedict, Lawrence; Mr. and Mrs. Miller; Mr. and 13 �Mrs. Dick Williams; W. T. Dinkins, Kansas City; and Miss Agnes DeMar Gossard of New York City-sister of Mrs. Dick Williams. Dr. H.L Clark, Shawnee County Coroner, told a Journal World reporter today that he had not yet fixed the hour at which the inquest would be held tomorrow. He also told of some of the conditions he had observed while at the scene of the accident. "The dirt shoulder was flush with the concrete at the place where the Stutz first left the road on the right hand side, and it was hard dirt," said Dr. Clark. "It appeared that the car had got a little off the road and that an attempt to get it back caused it to cross over to the left side of the road at a sharp angle. Then another effort to right the car caused the rear wheels to swing out into the ditch on the left side." "The car slid sidewise for a considerable distance until the rear wheels struck a small pile of stones in the ditch. Then it was overturned and rolled completely over fmally standing upright on the wheels." "The place where the car stopped was sixty feet from the place where it went off the left side of the road, and 175 feet from where the wheels first ran out on the shoulder on the right hand side of the concrete." "I was called about 20'clock. From what 1 had been able to learn, the accident happened a little before 10' clock." "The accident happened only a short distance from the farm home of Michael Werner, from which Mrs. Newcomer telephoned to Topeka." "Werner heard the smash and heard a woman scream. He rose and dressed and went out to help as quickly as possible. He found the car standing upright and Millers body in its place in the car. All of the 14 �occupants of the car remained in their seats when the car turned over." "From all I was able to observe, it was apparent that the car must have been going fast when the accident occurred." "When the rear wheels of the car went into the ditch, the understructure of the car dragged on the shoulder at the edge of the road until the car overturned. The car was damaged only slightly and was. driven back to Lawrence by Bennie Carman. The car is the property of Frank Benedict, brother of Maurice. Frank Miller had spent his early life in Lake Charles, Louisiana, but had come to Lawrence in about 1912 to attend the University and act as secretary to his uncle, J.B. Watkins. He attended th University for 3 years and left in 1917 to join the army. He served as 2nd Lieutenant of infantry overseas.. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Miller was believed to have been sole heir to the estate of Mrs. J.B. Watkins,.which is estimated at nearly 2 million dollars. He married Miss Louise Monday . ofLake Charles, Louisiana, a year and four months ago. He was 27 years old. The death of Frank Miller comes as a particular loss to scores of his personal friends about Lawrence. "Lugs" Miller was quiet and unassuming in his manner and a pleasant companion. In recent years he has assumed increasing business responsibilities in a creditable manner. Mrs. J.B. Watkins, who was spending the summer in Bay View, Michigan, left for Lawrence on receipt of word of the death of Mr. Miller and is expected to arrive late tonight or early tomorrow morning. Mr. Miller's mother, Mrs. J.A. Graye, his half-sister and Mrs. Miller's parents are on the way to Lawrence from Lake Charles. No arrangements will be made for the funeral services until after the relative have arrived. 15 �THE LOGO of the Douglas County Genealogy Society In the fall of 1982, after hearing many suggestions that the society needed a logo; Jean Snedeger and I sat in Perkins Restaurant discussing some of the things we thought should make up a suitable logo. One thought was a outline of Douglas County with footprints across it. Another idea was the county with a covered wagon in the middle. These and other ideas after some time evolved into the present Logo which is the cover from own magazine "The Pioneer" enlarged and cleaned up or simplified. At this time I was substitute editor of 'The Pioneer" (Judy Sweets the elected editor had went away to the east with her family) and I could see that I did not have the time, patience .or skill to fmish the Logo and present it to the society, so I called Cynthia Schott, a member of the society, who worked on enlarging and lettering for the emblem. John Banta then saw the unfmished work in my home and asked if he could work on it. He spent many hours cleaning up the logo, rearranging the letters, adding the dates and putting the whole thing in an acceptable form to present to the Board and to the membership. The Logo was voted on at the general meeting and accepted by the society. Later John had a rubber stamp made by Stanley Harris and presented it to the society. Sept. 6, 1983, about a year after the beginning of the logo Jean Snedeger took the hand colored emblem to Francis Sporting Goods to have patches made. Signed Grace Embers 16 �submitted by Don Vaughn MARGARET ROBBINS QUAYLE The Baldwin Ledger, 20 Feb. 1914 "There like an Eden blossoming in gladness Bloom the fair flowers the earth too rudely" Bessie Robbins we called her in those days not long ago. She had been born in Arizona where her father was Surveyor General for the State, but he ended his labors when she was a mere child and was brought to this historic town for Burial. Her mother then remained here and the little child learned to play at the knee of her grandfather, Dr.. Werter R. Davis, first president of Baker University, who was then pastor of the Methodist church in this city. A few years passed and William A. Quayle came into her life to be a real father. When he . became pastor of a large church in Kansas City she budded into young womanhood and made many friends. Here it was that a street car accident inflicted a wound that never healed. An every-day accident, you say, and yet it made a heroine of her life. For thirteen long years she has endured pain and suffered untold agony. Twenty-one distinct times has she placed her life in the hands of surgeons. But every time she would rally and smile into the face of the world. When Dr. Quayle was called to Chicago, she forgot her pain at times in her joy in studying art. She made many art sketches for the great Marshall Field store until she had not the physical strength to meet their demands. Most any of us can face death once when we think it is our only hope to live, but who of us could do so for two score times and some of those times when we looked down into the shadow without our friends knowing it, in order not to cause them anxiety. The radium treatment at Baltimore was finally sought but even this would not avail and yet with a brave face she turned her look westward to be with friends. In her last hours she counted her mercies, her many joys and sweet companionships and did all she could to comfort her mother in the trying hour. From the Chicago hospital, where she closed her eyes last Monday, she was brought to her father's cottage just recently erected for their vacation comfort. Flowers from many cities and from many friends perfumed the room where the family, many times scattered, spent a short hour with her. There was a sweet hymn and sweeter words, a prayer, a hush and a sob, but she who had braved it all smiled on. We have many heroes in our cemetery, men who have faced terrific battle and men who 17 �have faced many crises. But a hero in peace is no less a hero than a hero in time of war or great public catastrophe. Her grandfather was a hero in war and she was a heroine in peace. A rare flower crushed with drooping leaves but the fragrance will remain with us forever. We stand with uncovered head but with admiration in our eyes for the iron in the soul of a girl whose bravery is not surpassed. God took her, but her example remains as a sweet heritage to all who knew her STAND BY OLD TRAIL The Baldwin Ledger, 3 Apr. 1914 D.A.R. Address Calls for History of the Trail, and for Good Roads. Mrs. T. A. Cordry, of Parsons, historian of the D.A.R., gave the following address at a recent session at Ottawa which covers points of vita! interest to all people in this community. The address follows: During the summer and fall, I re~eived many requests for information regarding the Old Santa Fe Trail in Kansas and the way the Daughters marked it, from D.A.R's, and club women all over the United States. I finally made 15 typewritten copies, and they are gone. No one sent postage, and only one acknowledged my help with a thank you letter, and that was a lady in Brooklyn. I was particularly interested in the stand taken by Judge J.B. Lowe, president of the Old Trails movement, that the old trail should not be given up for the Golden Belt route. I wrote to hi~, and his reply I prize very highly. He said in part, "In an age of criticism, it is like a refreshing shower in a season of drought, to receive such a commendatory letter as yours." I also wrote to Senator Bristow and Senator Thompson asking them to use their influence against the Shackelford bill in Congress, which place all of the National road money in the hands of the governor to place as he pleases. Replies from both were pleasing. Before Christmas, when so much was being published on the proposed high school relay on the Old Santa Fe Trail, I had a friend figure on what it would cost to publish my story of the parking of the Santa Fe Trail in pamphlet form. Sickness stopped my work for awhile. Then I argued, if we should publish it, let it be in a handsome book form that we, -as Daughters of the American Revolution, can be proud of. With the consent of our State Regent, I got prices. This I will give to the Conference under the head of new business. The past two months I have carefully gone over my story, to see that it was absolutely correct. I have answered calls for the history of the Sons of the Revolution. Gave the tribute to the Mount Vernon Ladies Association and the D.A.R. at the Daughters Memorial service the 22ndof February in Parsons. Have added several biographies to my history. Have received two valuable 18 �papers, one from Mrs. T. E. Chandler of Ottawa on "The Old Indian Burying Ground," and the other from Mrs. R. R. Bittman of Independence on her research work in connection with the place where there was a massacre in 1863 on Rebel Creek in Montgomery county. I urge the Daughters to gather local history, especially from the old settlers who are so fast passing away. Have a file book and keep your findings, and have a scrap book and put the obituaries of these old timers. And another thing, make friends with these old people who have stories of history in their head we can never fmd in a book. Ihave made a State Historical's Scrap Book, with clippings that I found with Miss Meeker's secretary's books and those sent me from time to time by the chapters. Oneihing I wish that you would do - please put the date on your clipping, as "last Saturday" is not very defmite time to me. Our genealogist wishes the story of our Revolutionary ancestors, as what little we put on our application papers is not much. Ifwe have family traditions and stories about that ancestor, write it out. Then if you will send. this to me, I will put it in proper form to send the Historian general or the genealogist. May I ask this for your work this coming year? Kansas Daughters have had on their rolls seven real Daughters, four are dead, one in Lawrence, one in Kansas City, Mo., one in Topeka and one in Lebo. Another real Daughter but not a member of our society, is buried in Atchison. It would be a proper thing to properly mark these graves. Hey Bear sold The Baldwin Ledger, 12 Aug. 1932 The cilWatnOn bear, which Will Hey captured last April in Minnesota and has had at his home since, was sold to a Kansas City restauraI).t last week for advertising purposes. A man at the restaurant will give wrestling demonstrations with the bear in front of the establishment to attract crowds. The bear had become quite a favorite with the children in the north part of town, although it had not become thoroughly tamed. TAKES THE OLD NAME The Baldwin Ledger, 27 Sep. 1912 19 �Baldwin City Postoffice is Given Its Former Name _. Same as the Town - To Save Much Confusion. Beginning next Tuesday, Oct. 1, the name of the postoffice at this place will be Baldwin City. Ever since the organization of this town in 1855, the legal and corporate name of the town has been Baldwin City. From the beginning, and for some years the postoffice had the same name. Under a former administration, and for reasons not now apparent, the name of the postoffice was changed to Baldwin. As the years have passed this has led to much legal confusion. The city council has been compelled to re-publish city ordinances because they had the name of the town described as Baldwin instead of Baldwin City. Deeds have had to be re-written. You cannot give a deed for a town lot in Baldwin, Kansas, for there is no such town in Kansas. Look at your tax receipt or your deed to your cemetery lot and you will fmd that all property is vested in the name of Baldwin City. But this has not been the only difficulty. There are 19 towns in the United States having the name Baldwin. Their postoffices have the same name. The postoffice at this place is the only one of the 19 that is a second class office. Of the remaining 18 two are small third-class offices and the remainder are fourth class offices - conducted in connection with a country store and hence not given first consideration as at this place. The result of this is that much mail is missent and therefore delayed. One Baldwin City merchant told us the other day that he had a valuable package go to Baldwin, KY., and remain there for some days and it was with great difficulty that he was able to locate it. On the other hand, this office being the most prominent of its name in the United States, is constantly getting mail destined to other states. Postal clerks read the name Baldwin and take it for granted that it comes to Kansas. Our mail is now so large that postal clerks running out of Chicago and St. Louis and Denver make up sacks direct for this place. This is probably not the case with any of the other 18 offices having, the same name. There is hardly a day passes and never a week that mail intended for other offices having the same name does not come to this office. Some months since the attention of the Postoffice Department was called to this condition of things and it was suggested that probably the best way to remedy matters was to make the postoffice the same name as the town as it had formerly been. Following the usual routine, the Postoffice Department has ordered the old name restored and this order goes into effect next Tuesday. It is hoped that this will eliminate any legal confusion in the future and also make less frequent missent mail. NOTE FROM RICHARD (Richard Wellman who sends me all this Baldwin information. Thanks, Richard) According to Post Office official records, the name. "Baldwin City" was in effect from May 22, 20 �1862 until April 14, 1887. The shortened name "Baldwin" was in used from April 14, 1887 until Aug. 16, 1912. The actual date of transition in 1912 is even disputed. Since 1912, the Post Office and city name has been officially listed as Baldwin City. However, how many times has there been reference in conversation to our town of Baldwin? Do a "Google search" for Baldwin City and everything looks familiar, even down to the Maple Leaf Festival. Not quite so with a search only for Baldwin. The Baldwin Ledger, 10 Jan. 1919, page 8, col. 5 & 6 DEATH OF W. H . SWEET The news of the death of Dr. Wm. H. Sweet, Jan. 5th, at Centralia, Wash., comes as a sad message to many in Baldwin. While not known personally to a great number here at the present time, he will be recalled as a former president of Baker University, and one greatly beloved by all who knew him. W. H. Sweet was given the degree of A. B. by Ohio Wesleyan in 1872, and A. M. in 1875. From 1872 - 1877 he was professor of mathematics in Baker University and became her president in 1879 and his administration was continued until 1886, when he was succeeded by Dr. H. A. Goblin. He then served Kansas Wesleyan University as professor of Psychology and Ethics and later as field secretary, after which he held various pastorates in Kansas and was a member of General Conference, 1892 to 1896. He retired in 1915 from active service in the ch~ch having served faithfully for nearly a half century. J . ! Many things might be recalled relating to the presidency of Dr. Sweet and his connection with the town and school in those early days. Centenary Hall was built as the result of his untiring efforts. Science Hall being the only college building on the campus, and too much 21 �cannot be said of his undaunted zeal in the matter of fmancing the school and of inducing young people to attend Baker university. When he became president in 1879 there were 102 students enrolled and when he retired in 1886, the enrollment had reached 426, the increase being largely due to his personal efforts. At that time there were few trees, and fewer improvements. Pres. Sweet, with his own hands, planted many of the trees in and around the campus; was interested in the growth of the . town and built the house now owned by Mrs. J. H. Cundiff, which he occupied while he was president of Baker University. Our institution owes much to this man, to whose life and efforts we pause to pay tribute. SOME mSTORY OF THE MASONIC LODGE OF BALDWIN The Baldwin Ledger, 16 Oct. 1891 FIRE FIRE FIRE On last Monday night at about 11 o'clock Dan Briggs was riding down Main street when he discovered the building owned by the Mason's and occupied by A. Leake & Son with a harness shop to be on fire. He immediately gave the alarm and soon the streets were thronged with excited citizens and students. The fire company arrived before the fire had gotten wider good headway and by untiring work succeeded in extinguishing the flames before the building had entirely burned down. The building is so badly damaged however that it will be tom down probably to make room for a new one. The cause of the fire is unknown but is supposed to have caught from a match or cigar stub thrown down by someone, the G.A.R.'s having met in the hall above that evening. The insurance on the building was $600 while Mr. Leake only had $400 on his stock, but as most of the goods were saved his loss will be entirely covered. The building adjoining the one burned and occupied by R. W~ Bailey with a shoe shop was tom down in order to save the rest of the block. The next day our citizens made up money and gave him to partly compensate the loss he had sustained. FROM THE MAYOR In behalf of the citizens and property owners of Baldwin we desire to extend to the young men of the city and the students of the university our thanks for their activity and eI,lergy in extinguishing the fire on last Monday evening. The success in saving the property and stopping the fire was largely due to their bravery and energy and as citizens we feel under grant obligations to them for their kindness. James Murray, Mayor. 22 �NOTES: The wind favored us. Bob Bailey lost his awl. That little engine is the stuff. Several students were out after ten. Prof. Wood was among the hardest workers. Henry Humbert did a good business after the fire. The Masonic goat had his tail scorched,. R. W. Bailey has his shop in the Boyd room next to the book store. Dan Briggs received slight injuries while helping carry out the stock. Bet. Johnson and Davie Todd were fIrst to get out the fire engine. A. Leake & Son will occupy the Pittman & Thompson building. "The whole block will go some of these days" could be heard on every hand. Otsie Leake is a brave fireman and no mistake. He took big chances and did excellent work. The building would have burned in short order but for the way it is built and the hard oak material used in it. The town well is not nearly large enough in case of a big fire. As it was the well was exhausted before the fire was put out. The Masons have not decided where they will build but it will probably be on the same lot or on the Sullivan comer next to Schnebly's: . The Daily Journal, 3 December 1879 WESTERN NATIONAL FAIR The association incorporated and ready for work. The articles of incorporation for the great fair to be held at Bismarck Grove were filed with the Secretary of State on Monday. That our readers may have the benefit of the entire organization so far, we publish the document in full. Charter of the Western National Fair Association First-The name of the corporation is the "Western National Fair Association. " Second-It is formed for the purpose of holding annual fairs for the 23 �encouragement of agriculture, horticulture, mechanic, and the arts; the improvement of the breed of domestic animals, and the promotion of the general industrial interests of the country. Third-The places where the business is to be transacted are the city of Lawrence and Bismarck Grove, both in the county of Douglas and State of Kansas. F ourth-The time for which it is to exist is ten years. Fifth-The number of its directors is fifteen, and the directors appointed for the fIrst year are N.A. Adams, of Riley county; J.F. Keeney, of Trego county; Wm. Martindale of Greenwood county; Cyrus Leland, Jr., of Doniphan county; E.N. Morrill, of Brown county; John H. Rice, of Miami county; Geo. A. Crawford, of Bourbon county; L.C. Wasson, of Franklin county; L. Savory, of Lyon county; Levi Wilson, of Leavenworth county; and Gen. Lens, Isaac N. VanHoesen, J.D. Bowersock, and Samuel A. Riggs, of Douglas county, Kansas. Sixth-Its capital stock is $15,900, divided in 300 shares of$50 each. L.N.Van Housen S.A. Riggs H.J. Rushmer George Leis s. Steinberg C.C. Thacher J. S. Crew H.F. Canniff A.B. Warren George Innes A. Oliver J.D. Bowersock A.C. Dicker J.C. Wills T.D. Thacher H. Kesting W.J .R. Blackmar A. Katzenstein Geo. Y. Johnson J.A. Bliss G.W.Hume M. Summerfield W.A. Harris State of Kansas, Douglas County On this 29th day of November, A.D., 1879, before me, a notary public, in and for said county, came H.J. Canniff, H.J. Rushmer, J.S. Crew, George Y. Johnson, LH. Van Hoesen, George Leis, A.B. Warren, G.W. 24 �Hume, and S. Steinberg, to me personally known, who subscribed the foregoing instrument, and severally duly acknowledged the execution of the same. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed by name, and affixed my official seal, on the day and year last above written. J.A. Bliss, Notary Public I, James Smith, Secretary of State, of the the State of Kansas, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original instrument of writing filed to my office, November 29, 1879. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed y name and affixed my official seal. Done at Topeka the 1st day of December, A.D. 1879. James Smith, Secretary of State A meeting of the directors will be called as soon as possible, when officers for the ensuing year will be elected. In speaking of the fair Mr. Gould in his recent visit said: "This is the central point for all the thriving young cities of eastern Kansas, Leavenworth, Atchison, Topeka, 'Ottawa and others. It is accessible by rail for every section of this western county. Bismarck is the point of advantage, and the idea is a sound one. The fair ought to be more than State, it should be national in character. Kansas City, too, the business and railroad center of this country, would probably lend a hand, as Bismarck is almost within her suburbs." The project starts offwith a book, and it is difficult to conceive how anything but success can attend it. If our own people are only united, and all work together, there is little doubt but we shall have plenty of outside help. 25 �OLD FOLKS DAY The Baldwin Ledger, 8 Nov. 1912 The Epworth League Entertains 130 guests - 11 over 80 Years of Age Last Saturday, the Epworth League gave their annual dinner and entertainment to the old people of the community. The number of guests entertained this year was one hundred thirty, besides about thirty of the young people. This was the largest number ever entertained by the Epworth League. This has been an annual event since 1907 when the Fiftieth anniversary of the First Methodist class in Baldwin City was celebrated. The event grows in its interest every year and is a custom which is quite distinct from anything which is practiced in other places. Of the one hundred thirty guests oflast Saturday, eleven were over 80 years of age. Mr. Seth Sampson was the oldest, being 87. The others of this class were Dr. Osborn, Mr. Benedict, Mr. Green, Mrs. Lovejoy, Mrs. Eberhart, Mrs. Todd, Mrs. Overton, Mr. Lampman, Mrs. Graham, and Mrs. Tomilinson. The last named celebrated her 80th birthday on this occasion. Mr. W. T. Jones had lived the longest in Baldwin City having come here in 1854. Mrs. Burroughs had lived here fifty-five years and was a member of the first Methodist class in Baldwin City. Sixteen of the company had lived in Baldwin City for more that twenty-five years and eleven were the children of preachers. Dr. S. S. Murphy preached at the eleven o'clock hour. At noon a fine chicken dinner was served in the dining rooms of the church by the Epworth League. The dining room was decorated with autumn leaves and colors. Eac~ of the company wore his name on a paper which was in the shape of an Epworth League badge. At the dinner table, the following persons responded to the toasts proposed by Dr. Kester: Mr. Millikin on "The Happiest Event of My Life After Twenty-one Years of Age;" Seth Sampson on his "Experience at His first Campmeeting;" Mrs. Tomlonson on "The great inventions and improvements which she had observed during her life;" Dr. Osborn on "An old Maid's Paradise." To the toast, "Then and Now in church affiliations," Mrs. C. P. Ives responded to "then" and Mrs. Dillheimer to "now." Mrs. Lovejoy told of "The happiest experience of my life." These talks were all quite interesting and inspiring. Mrs. Dillheimer, who has but recently come to Baldwin City and enjoyed this occasion for the first time, is the daughter of a Bishop; was the wife of a minister and missionary to Africa, and is the mother of Mrs. Wright of this city whose husband is a brother of the Wrights of aeronautic fame. After rising from the table, there was an old fashioned·class meeting under the leadership of Mr. Lampman. This was very interesting to the old people. 26 �The entertainment this year had been carefully planned by Prof. Ebright and Parker Kittennan, the third vice-president of the League and was the most successful since the observation of the [event ?] has been begun. Below is the poem which was read by Dr. Osborn: With bowing head and trembling knee Once more we come, old friends to greet; To look around the room and see If there is something good to eat. Tho' wither'd hand and frosted head, Tho' falt'ring step and feeble trod, Our hearts are warm, our blood is read Our appetites are very good Since last we met the call has come For some dear loving one to go, And leave a vacant chair at home, With all affections here below. And ere another year shall pass, The fmal summons from on high May claim one or more of this class Will it be you? Will it be I? Prolong'd has been our span of life, Our work for good or bad is done. We can't recall the bub'ling strife, Nor retrace paths that we have gone 0, that each one might clearly see, In the change that soon must come, The passport to eternity A happier and blissful home. Now this we want to say in truth; The Epworth League, good and clever A noble band of earnest youth ---May it live and thrive forever THE CITY ELECTION The Baldwin Ledger, 5 April 1889 To say that the voters of Baldwin were taken completely by surprise in the result of the election Monday is to put it very mildly. It was an 27 �overwhelming defeat of the masculine power Yorktown fmale. . a Waterloo, with a The dissatisfaction expressed at the ticket was manifested early in the morning and a disposition shown by many voters to ignore it entirely and make the fight squarely as between it and the "woman's ticket." This movement gained ground rapidly and by noon it was manifest that the movement was not only becoming very popular but that it would carry everything before it and the broad grin of satisfaction worn all day by the managers of the affair showed how popular the new move had become. The following is a list of the officers-elected: Mayor, Mrs. J. M. Sullivan, members of the council, Mrs. Cornelia Kidder, Mrs. H. S. Stewart, Mrs. W. D. Martin, Mrs. W. A. Hyde and Mrs. Lillian Scott. Police Judge, E. H. Topping. A larger vote was cast than at any former election, the whole number being 220, of which about 100 were ladies. We are glad to see this manifestation of interest on the part of the ladies in the city government and congratulate them on the success of their ticket and have no doubt but they will give us an able and prosperous . administration. Miss Maud Leonard and Miss Julia Colburn were clerks at the election Monday and the prompt manner in which they discharged their duties and the neat and correct poll books attest their proficiency and fitness for the position. Our Old Crank Once More Editor Ledger: It has been a right smart spell since I bothered you, 28 �I Mister Editor, and I had about concluded that I wouldn't pester you with any more of my fault fmding, but if you won't feel too hard against an old fellow that does not have a great deal of fun in this world, I would like to take a little of your valuable space this week. I would like to say a few words if you will allow about the city election that took some people's breath away. Now, Mister Editor, I ain't going to express any opinions about women's suffrage. That is a matter of private opinion that every man (or woman) has a perfect right to think as they please about. I might not agree with you on this matter, but then you know I am just an old fashioned crank and nobody cares a straw what I think. But what I wanted to say was this. If a majority of the people want the women to run the city affairs, they ought to do it and I am dead certain there will be just as good a government in the future as we have had in the past. It is perfectly lawful for women to be mayors and councils if they want to be and the people are willing. No one with good sense would object to a woman singing bass if she could. It seems to me that it is a simple question of capability and in the present case no one has raised any such objections. But gracious alive, how mad some folks are!. I heard one man say he was going to sell out and leave, because he wouldn't live in a town that would do such a thing. Well, Mr. Editor, I heard a boy on the street the other day yell. "Let'er go Gallager." I expect that is slang but its plain English. It does seem to me that some of the men in this town who call themselves lords of creation are pretty small lords. It does seem to me that when they talk about "petticoat government" they are talking awful silly. Maybe it is because they are used to that kind of government at home that they object to it in city affairs. Anyhow we've got the women and what are we going-to do about it. I believe that some where in the Bible it says "Grin and bear it." I don't know whether that is in the Bible or not but its about what some of our good friends will have to do. So no more at present from your friend. Old Crank. 29 �REBECCA VanMETRE CARPENTER The Baldwin Ledger, 20 Feb. 1914 Rebecca VanMatre, daughter of Amosa and Elizabeth VanMatre, was born May 11, 1834, in Green County, Illinois, and died at her home in Baldwin City, Feb. 11, 1914. She was united in marriage to James E. Carpenter, January 14, 1853. To this union were born nine children, five of whom remain to mourn the departure from this life, of a faithful mother; Charles, James and Joh Carpenter, and Mrs. Florence Sprague and Mrs. Ella Beal. The family came to Kansas in the summer of 1854 and have continuously made their home near Baldwin City. Mrs. Carpenter became identified, in early life, with the United Brethren church and for many years held her membership at Black Jack. She was a firm believer in God, His goodness, purity and love, that in living right that religion pure and undefiled is to help some one in need, to make the pathway of life brighter and smoother for less fortunate ones. This principle she put in evidence not only in word but in a long heroic life of noble deeds. Coming to the territory of Kansas in 1854, she endured the hardships and helped solve the problems of those early days. There were only two buildings in Palmyra at the time and without modem conveniences of travel and communication, every pound of provisions and supply must be obtained from Kansas City. Owing to this fact, Mr. Carpenter later "freighted" by schooner and ox team from that place to the one store then beginning business in Palmyra, Mrs. Carpenter remaining at home with the little ones. The home was located on the farm south of town where Mr. Frank Lobingier now lives. The Santa Fe Trail and an old Indian path were the only public highways, the later crossing the Carpenter homestead. On one of his trips to Kansas City, Mr. Carpenter narrowly escaped the rebel soldiers, being compelled to leave his wagon and team, returning home on foot. Mr. Carpenter volunteered as a regular soldier in the trying times of the border trouble, and for three long years this noble woman bore the entire responsibilities of a family of small children and that in a war-ridded territory. Mrs. <;arpenter was well acquainted with John Brown, he having often visited in her home. In fact, she nursed his wounded son-in-law, applying the simple remedies to an ugly wound. It was a common thing for her to come to the store laboriously carrying a little child and a large bucket of eggs or other produce. In 1877 Mr. Carpenter died, and now, with a family of seven children she must fight life~s battles alone. By cheer and hard work she has fought and won. With limited means she reared the children, keeping them comfortably dressed and well fed and has given to each the invaluable gift of a good education. This has been accomplished by the invincible resources of her own life and an unfaltering trust in God. It is remarkable that she has thus lived and wrought without incurring debt and without the need of charitable assistance. A family of honorable men and women live to perpetuate her life and memory. Mrs. Carpenter was a doer of the word, as well as a hearer. None knew more perfectly the joy ----(line missing?) -- drouth or pestilence has she gone about in the community gathering food and supplies for suffering families. None knew better the truth of Jesus words, "It is better to give than to receive." She delighted to charm away pain and anxiety by a pleasant neighborly visit and when she was gone we were sure we had been in the presence of one "who walked with God." She lived on the old farm from 1854 till 1902, when she came to her home in Baldwin City 30 �where she died. With all the adversities and strenuous life she lived to be nearly 80 years old. Having done well her part to make the vicinity of Baldwin City what it is we have in her life a heritage invaluable that will not fade away. Ira Beamer conducted the funeral service. A prayer was offered in the home and sermon in the West Baldwin church. Interment in the west side cemetery. Mother has left us. With a fortitude that has graced none more fair, she took leave of life without a fear. Through weeks of silent suffering she looked calmly into the future and did not falter; with a heroism born of her supreme faith in Jesus, she approached the end, thrilling with her latest breath the note of exultation - as one who knocks at the gates of eternal morning Shrouded in her robes unmaculate, (sic) asleep beneath a wreath of flowers that fain would have kissed her eyelids to awakening, we laid her to rest beneath the pines. "We paused and breathed a prayer above the sod, And left her to her rest in God." The sympathy of a host of friends is extended to the bereaved ones From The Daily Tribune, Lawrence, Thursday, 28 March 1877. DEATH AND FUNERAL OF A GOOD PIONEER LADY The whole community have heard with feelings of sorrow of the death of Mrs. Elizabeth P. French, who expired on the evening of March 27th , 1877 of cancer. Mrs. French was the only daughter of Mr. Franklin Haskell, one o'rthe pioneer settlers of 1854, coming to Lawrence, we believe, with the "Second Party" of New England Immigrants, and the sister of John G and Dudley C. Haskell, the latter our present member of Congress. Miss Haskell, the subject of this sketch, remained behind the family in New England, and came to Kansas in March, 1857. She was born at Weathersfield, Vermont, on the 23 rd of April, 1836, and was therefore almost forty-one years old. The family were among the most respected and useful of the early pioneers. The father was a devoted Free State man, a just and upright citizen and a true Christian, his influence and example doing much to mould the character of the infant settlement at Lawrence. The mother, 31 �whose death preceded that of the daughter but a few months, was truly a pioneer mother to all who needed the good offices of a charitable, intelligent Christian woman. Miss Haskell was married to Mr. Charles D. French, at Springfield, Massachusetts on the 25 th day of February, 1865, where the mother and daughter were visiting relatives during that year. After marriage, they removed to Leavenworth, residing there two years, and then coming to a home on the well known Haskell homestead, adjQining Lawrence. This excellent lady united with the Congregational church in her New England home when a young girl, and has lived the life of a true Christian woman. For several years she beloriged to the choir of the Plymouth Congregational Church, the first organized church in Lawrence. She was one of the pioneer teachers in the free schools of Lawrence, taking charge of a school, more as a matter of duty' in the days when good teachers were wanted, than from pecuniary motives, and those who received the rudiments of an education in the Old Unitarian church on the hillside will long remember the amiable, kindhearted teacher, whose devotion to her duties laid deep the foundation of usefulness and virtue. Perhaps at that period, there could have been no person selected for such duties who was her superior in every respect, as added to her innate goodness of heart, she had all the elements of a studious character and a fmished education, having been well educated in the best institutions of learning in New England. In all the positions of neighbor, daughter sister and wife she fulfilled well her part~ and goes to rest with the pure in heart, who have the promise of the Everlasting Blessing, reversed, respected, and beloved as only the good daughter, sister, wife and friend can be. Among those who knew her, the tear will come unbidden at the news of the death of one whose life has been so blameless and so useful. The last sad rites were performed at the residence of her bereaved 32 �husband this afternoon, at which Rev. Mr. Spring, her last pastor, and Rev. Dr. Cordley, so long the pastor of her church, gave the last ministrations to the memory of a beloved sister. A large concourse of sympathising friends attended the funeral, the following pall-bearers officiating: Messrs. L. Bullene, H.W. Baker, Albert Allen, G. Grosvenor, O.A. Hanscomb, and S.A. Riggs. All that remains of the good woman were laid in a pleasant lot, beside the venerated father, mother and brother, but a few steps from the door of the pioneer cabin where she and they had so long been known for their kind hospitality in the "times that tried men's souls," to sleep the last sleep of the good and the just. "There shall the yew her sable branches spread, And mournful cypress rear her fringed head; From thence shall thyme and myrtle send perfume, Ans laurel evergroen o'ershade the tomb." The deceased was a long suffering in the insidious disease which resulted in death, being cancer of the breast. Nearly two years ago, she underwent a surgical operation and for a time believed that the cure was permanent. Mrs. French leaves behind her a husband universally respected, and three little children-a daughter and two sons- one of them an infant, too young to have any appreciation the loss of a mother, to them the whole community gives their sympathy for the irreparable loss. RAIL WAY TRAFFIC IN LAWRENCE, 1877 , [It is interesting and astounding to see how many trains came through Lawrence. If only it were true today.] 33 �Kansas Pacific Railway, both freight and passenger. Four trains going both east and west. St. Louis, Lawrence & Western. Mail, Freight and Passenger. Three trains both east and west. Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston, Passenger and Freight. Two trains, north and south. . Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, Express Passenger, Freight and Mail. Three trains, east and west. From Kansas Review: KeGS Kansas published by the Kansas Council of Genealogical Societies, Inc. Vol. 38, no.l, August, 2013. FREE DIGITAL GENEALOGY ONLINE MAGAZINE Dick Eastman recently reported in his online newsletter about a new online magazine that subscribers can sign up for and receive a free issue each month. You can then copy pages or download pages you want from each issue. Learn more at: http://www.theindepthgenealogist.coml?page_id-6086. The issue currently on there is 74 pages Ilong so there is a lot in it. (March, 2013) MHGS NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE Beginning with the April issue the Newsletter will be available to all . members at : http://www.skyways.org!genweb/mhgs. Check the "Calendar" tor all upcoming classes/programs/ 34 �NEWSPAPERS ONLINE Newspaper Abstracts is a free website where individuals submit articles from countries around the world, but the main focus is on the United States. With a URL., that matches its name, you can fmd this resource at: www.newspaperabstracts.com The home page contains 'a link to an explanation of how individuals may submit articles. The following articles are from the publication from The Point, Sesquicentennial Point at Clinton Lake. It is a walk through time/stories on the steps. Make a visit to The Point which is below the Clinton Dam on the road to the dog park. From: The Point: Walk through time/Stories of the steps. 1915 The University Women's Club est. 1900 Scholarships for KU women since 1915 In 1915, the University Women's Club at the University of Kansas began an annual scholarship donation project among the mebership to honor meritorious women students. The club was then known as the Ladies of the F acuity, having been formed in May of 1900. It was organized to help women take advantage of the educational, cultural and social heritage of KU. We have met continuously since 1900 for friendship and to be of service to the University. Since 1915, more than 280 outstanding women have been awarded a 35 �UWC scholarship. We are the oldest scholarship-granting org~ization at KU. In April 2005, the 90th year recipients shared in the pleasure of knowing our history will be at Sesquicentennial Point in meaningful ways. The history of Lawrence and its university speaks of dedication to worthy goals for town and gown alike. We believe our award recipients have been ambassadors on campus and for Lawrence itself, past and present. Sponsored by: The University Women's Club. 1921 Lawrence Memorial Hospital Lawrence Memorial Hospital was an idea that grew from a righteous cause. In the early 1900s, as story was told about a doctor who had been called to attend an old African American man who had fallen in a fit on the sidewalk near the Eldridge Hotel. At the time, Lawrence was served by three small private hospitals owned by physicians, but none of them had a charity bed available. The doctor tried to find someone who might know the man, but to no avail, before the man died. There was no publicly owned hospital in Lawrence, where needy poor could be taken for treatment in care. In 1919, the Social Service League bought a frame house at 3rd and Maine Sts., and through a trust agreement gave it to the city for a hospital. An appeal was made' for funds to repair and equip the building. About $10,000 was raised. Lawrence Memorial Hospital opened for business January 17, 1921. During the 1920s, the community increasingly depended upon LMH and the facilities became inadequate. Elizabeth Miller Watkins offered to give $200,000 to build a new hospital, and in 1929, a new brick 36 �building with 50 beds opened, becoming the pride of the community. Additions funded by Mrs. Watkins and federal programs expanded the hospital and added capacity over the years. In 2004, Lawrence Memorial Hospital serves Lawrence and surrounding communities, including practices in Eudora, Baldwin City and Tonganoxie. The hospital was named with a Kansas Excellence Award -for Quality in 2003. Today, LMH is a not-for-profit, city-owned hospital, which serves members of the community, regardless of an individual's ability to pay. LMH invests all excess revenues into services, equipment and facilities to further its mission to improve the health of the community. While buildings and equipment are necessary to the provision of quality medical care, it is the vision and foresight of good people like Mrs. Watkins and others who built the community foundation on which, LMH has grown. Their commitment serves today as an inspiration for the future. Sponsored by: Lawrence Memorial Hospital. 1925 Lawrence Flower Club "A shared interest in flowers and gardening drew together a group of people in February of 1925 for the purpose of forming a club which would provide mutual pleasure and instruction, and a vehicle for making Lawrence a city of flowers." Thus begins the History of the Lawrence Flower Club, 1925-1975, written by Mrs. Olie R. (Vivian) Parsons. Sixty-one people, men and women signed the club charter. The club joined the Kansas Associated Garden Clubs in 1929. 37 �Eighty years later, that same purpose drives the membership of the current Lawrence Flower Club, still composed of men and women. The fITst yearbook, started in 1927, was four pages long. Yearbooks now list officers, members, programs and speakers. Business is kept short and to-the-point. Meetings are held in a public building, so that the size of the meeting place does not dictate membership numbers. Civic projects have always been high on the list of priorities for the Lawrence Flower Club. In the 1925-1975 history, Mrs. Parsons tells of the Manley Memorial Rock Garden and Pool in Central Park (now Watson Park), dedicated in May 1934. The pool was later filled in at the request of the city when it became too much of an attraction to children. Plantings were also done in the parks, at the hospital, at some churches, one of the fITe stations, the county convalescent home and others. In 1938, members made 1,300 bouquets for decorating soldiers' graves. In 1997, a plan to renovate the dysfunctional "Teddy Roosevelt" fountain on the east side of South Park came from the Countryside Garden Club. At a city sponsored planning meeting, the suggestion to move the fountain close to the gazebo in South Park came from a Lawrence Flower Club member. A dedication ceremony on June 20, 2001, saw the fountain, with water flowing, located in the center of the beautiful flower beds. A flyer, written by a Lawrence Flower Club member, gives the history of the fountain and is available through the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department. In April 2001, the will of the late Marvin Selichnow, a Lawrence businessman, included a substantial bequest to the Lawrence Flower Club, honoring his wife, Alberta, a former member. This gift has enabled the club to give $2,000 toward a grant to enlarge the Sensory 38 �Gardens at the Audio Reader site near the University of Kansas campus. Prairie Acres Garden Club and the Lawrence Flower Club collaborated on a grant from the National Garden Clubs, Inc., for this project. And now we are able to sponsor a footstone for the pathway at Sesquicentennial Point. We are grateful t~ Mr. Selichnow for his generosity! Our members are proud of the history of the Lawrence Flower Club, one of the oldest garden clubs in Kansas. Other garden clubs in Lawrence are Prairie Acres, Green Thumb, Meadowlark, Designer's Guild and Countryside. History provided by Lois Harrell and Mary Y. Allen Sponsored by: The Lawrence Flower Club. ·1950 Charles and Tensie Oldfather The Oldfathers met at the University of Nebraska and were married in 1942. They came to Lawrence in 1950, where Charley became a professor of law at the University of Kansas. and Tensie raised a family of five boys and two girls. For the next half century, the Oldfathers became significant Lawrence citizens. Although they had a large family, they regularly opened their doors to troubled teens. For more than 20 years, they provided temporary housing for teenagers in emergency situations through the Volunteers in Court program. Tensie volunteered for many things in the community, including 4H and PTA. Through the years, Charley too became well-known in the community, appearing in community theater productions, films and a host of civic activities. The benevolent personalities ofTensie and Charley enriched the lives of many in Lawrence. They both gave generously of their spirits and _ . their resources to improve the lives of others and to create lasting 39 �legacies for Lawrence and its citizens. Through their years in Lawrence, they supported the Red Cross, the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, Inc., Head Start, The Villages, the Lawrence Community Theater, the University of Kansas, Haskell Indian Nations University, Kansas Public Radio and many others. When Tensie received a significant inheritance in the 1970s, their philanthropic nature was only increased with quiet humility. As one result, however, Charley was able to quit his job as law professor and take up acting, a natural gift. This also allowed him to become involved in many civic activities during the day, including serving on the school board, chairing the State Advisory Council on Aging, and helping restore Liberty Hall in the 1980s. After Charley died in 1996, Tensie continued the couple's commitment to Lawrence, steadfastly following her belief that sharing one's resources is the best way to both give and to receive. In 2000, Tensie gave $4 million to establish the Douglas County Community Foundation, which, in only five years, grew to assets of over $7 million, returning more that $1 million in grants to community nonprofits that promote education, health care, development, the environment and the arts. The quality of life for the citizens of Lawrence and the Oldfather's charitable legacy helped assure Lawrence's future. Tensie Oldfather died October 2,2007 . Sponsored by: Tensie Oldfather (Ed. Note. There are still opportunities to buy stepping stones at The Point. The cost is the year you want to commemorate. Contact Clenece Hills at fairplay@sunflower.com) Once again, I want to say this is my last issue. Hopefully someone will 40 �step forward to take over the publication of The Pioneer. It has been in publication for 36 years and itwould be a shame for it to lapse. Call me at 785-843-9199 or burchill@ku.edu. My thanks go to Richard Wellman and Don Vaughn, both of whom have furnished me with material over the years. 41 ) �THE PIONEER Douglas County Genealogical Society, Inc 1329 Kasold G 1 Lawrence, KS 66049 FORWARDING AND RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED- �1' ." ...... ... ·1'·'···1······· ... : ,... ':::" .. ,'" ...... . .•.. ..•.... LO!·i Volume 36, No 1-4 January - October, 2013 ~ -- ,~~-EiIitt.~ .".- .-'I: -.....- .. . .;-..~.~~ ,- .. . ~ ~.~ .• . •• • ~ ::.t o . . . ., ~ ~ ... , Pubiished Quarferly By.: 1:>ougtas Count8 Genealogical Societ9 P.o. BOX 3664 . LAWRENCE, KANSAS 66046-0664 • • ••• .# ',. �·THE PIONEER Published by the Douglas County, Kansas, Genealogical Society, Inc. 1329 Kasold Gl Lawrence, Kansas 66049-3426 Jaouary - December, 2013 Volume 36,00.1-4 Douglas County, Kansas, Genealogical Society 1329 Kasold G 1 Lawrence, Kansas 66049-3426 Mary Burchill burchill@ku.edu President & Pioneer Vice-President & Programs Treasurer Shari Mohr Smohr@kuendowment.org Genealogist Paul Jordan jordpc@brownchair Assis. Gen Richard WeUman rwweUman@Embarqmail.com Web Master Don Vaughn donwil468@earthlink.net The Douglas County Genealogical Society is a non-profit organization. Meetings are held at The Final Fridays at the Watkins Museum at 5:30 to 7pm. They\are announced by email. Membership fees are $15. Checks should be made payable to the Douglas County, Kansas, Genealogical Society (DCGS) and sent to the address above. The fiscal and membership year is from January 1 to December 31. Visitors are always welcome at meetings. 1 �Until the Lawrence Public Library is renovated the Family History books are in various places in the temporary location at 7th and New Hampshire in the old Borders store. Some titles are in storage and must be requested but the microfilm and city directories are in the library. We will see what the new space will be like in summer of 2014. WEBPAGE http://skyways.lib.ks/genweb/douglas/dckgs.html This is not an easy decision for me, as editor, to make, but this will be my last issue as editor. I simply must have more time to do my own genealogy and other projects. If anyone is interested in taking over The Pioneer I will be eternally grateful. There are several members who will feed you articles but the editor has been the one who hasto get most of the information together. Hopefully someone will volunteer. If not we will notify everyone that this is the last issue. Mary Burchill, burchill@ku.edu. Truths back of the Uncle Jimmy Myth by Kate Stephens. c. 1924 The University of Kansas in the eighteen-seventies when General Fraser was Chancellor. When in the spring of 1861, President Lincoln issues the call for seventy-five thousand troops, my Father locked the door of his office, enlisted men in neighboring townships and took to Washington his Company of New York volunteers. His history, within a few months, was that of many a soldier afterwards;.--an invalid sent home from a Baltimore hospital. "Two years to live," the doctors said, and sentenced him to a climate in the 2 �South, and every day on horseback. The stimulating dryness of the plateau shelving east to the Mississippi, however - and the spirit of a people there-he found more agreeable to his needs. He bought a couple of hundred acres touching the city of Lawrence, Kansas, and set on foot their ordering. The beauty of this farm was great, as I have elsewhere told. Wooded ground which had never known the plough lay on its southern border, along a little amber stream called "brewery brook," and on the north a band, half a mile long, of primeval forest stretched from highway to river. Nature had planted the woods after her fashion of making her garden, and in the shade of hickories and oaks wild geranium and columbine blossomed, and windflowers nodded, and purple violets carpeted the earth in spring. A most striking figure of the south woods, a black walnut, stood with the girth of more than twenty feet-rising in majesty and aloofness so apart from its brothers, and their shade, that the sun had rounded its branches to an almost perfect globe. A little way off, intersecting this woodland, a ravine ran north and south, and a sycamore, laid low by some wind, had spanned it. Upon the sycamore's satiny bark we walked across then river-waters filled the ravine in time ofKaw flood. An upon this trunk, warm afternoons in spring, I say and studied while below frogs chorused and water-bugs skated. Of other symphonies of this· farm I have told in my book, "Life at Laurel Town: In Anglo-Saxon Kansas." And also of Lawrence, its people, their characteristic spirit, and the beloved institution of their heirship. The University of Kansas-its ideals, its liberalisms, its conservatisms, its personnel-were then in their cotyledonous beginnings. Officers of the institution visited at our house, and my Father, watching seed-plantings and germinations often urged the foundation of a School of Law. A visit of General John Fraser my memory associates with crimson-tinted sunlight filtering down upon ripe fields, and stamps the day as the, latter part 3 �of August-the year 1872. General Fraser had, in 1868 become chancellor-an Aberdeenshire man, bred in Scotland even through his university studies, a true Scot, nervous, high-strung, temperamental, dour some days, and perhaps "captious" (captions was a favorite word of his ), more often the embodiment of amiability and intelligent kindness; at all times as refreshing and full of vitality as an east wind straight from the sea. That afternoon the Chancellor was at his best-buoyant with high spirits and a crackling fire of wit. Ris gaieties were so bountiful that they fell almost as commonplaces. Because oflater associations my memory retains one instance that I may be permitted to cite. He spoke of Scotland-as he did at times, I think with a shade of longing once more to see its romantic face-and then added, "God made Scotland." Whereupon I, favored youngster that I was, out with Dr. Johnson's retort, "lfRe did, He made it for Scotchmen." Chancellor Fraser caught up my quotation with a burst of laughter, and, in his full throaty voice, warm with human feeling, cried, "Pooh, pooh, Dr. Johnson was laid on a shelf long ago, von Moltke." In one of his sallies he haq fixed the name "von Moltke" on me-after the general of the Franco-German war known, the Chancellor declared, "for his short and decisive campaigns." (Ed. Note. This is only a small portion of her book. She was the daughter of Judge Stephens and an outspoken woman on almost everything.) A LITTLE BLAZE The Baldwin Ledger, 4 Jan. 1907 Thursday morning about 7:30 o'clock the fire bell rang, announcing that a fire was devouring the residence of Mr. T. B. Shore in West Baldwin. As usual the fire department made its spectacular run and arrived in time to see that the fire had been extinguished. The cause of the fire was an explosion of gas which for a time seemed to be serious, but by prompt action in turning off the gas the fire was put out and only slight damage was done by burning some paper and slightly marring the appearance of the room where the explosion occurred. 4 �IT IS TIME TO HAVE TIME The Baldwin Ledger, 29 Nov. 1912 Last Sunday morning the services at the Methodist church was five minutes past correct time in starting. There seemed to be some confusion on the part of the officers of the Sunday School and of the church as to what actually was correct time. The incident was the occasion for the remark by the pastor that in Baldwin City we have many kinds of time. Yes we have school time, college time, Yauslin time, railroad time, postoffice time, church time, Sunday School time, a good time, and behind time; many people being afflicted with the latter. In the 'minds of many people the only way in which this situation can be remedied is by having in the postoffice a regulator set hourly by the Western Union Telegraph Co. The charge made by the Telegraph Co. for this service is $25 per year for each clock. Before it will be possible for us to have this service, however, it will be necessary for the city to have a wire from the depot. The college has already agreed to install two of these clocks in the college buildings if the wire will be installed by the city. The city already has a line of poles to the depot on which the wire could be hung. It hardly seems that the city council could do better that to invest a little money in wire and give the town and college the advantage of standard time. . WHAT A LITTLE TOWN HAS DONE The Baldwin Ledger, 15 Nov. 1912 [Reprinted from K. C. Times] This town has done wonders in the past ten years. Ten years ago there was no fine church, no big gymnasium, and not a single public improvement. We have passed through fire and much distress, not to say anything about bitter contests at the polls, but today's Baldwin City can show to the people of Kansas the greatest advancement and the largest liberality in proportion to the size of the town of any community in the state, and it is doubtful if there is any equal in the United States. [Quoted from an earlier issue of The Ledger.] 5 �Civic achievement is a mighty proud boast for a small town, and Baldwin has "the goods" to prove its right to boast. Ten years ago the stranger who visited Baldwin immediately set himself to the task of trying to solve the problems as to why the Methodists of Kansas selected that town as the location for their big Western school. In the first place he left the train at a place called Media, and found that in order actually to get to Baldwin he must either walk a mile over a country road lined on one side by an unsafe board walk or ride the distance in a lumbering old "bus" that could only make the trip when the weather was fair and the roads dry. A long "stretch" of "bottom land" that defined transportation or navigation during the winter and spring months practically served communication between Baldwin and the railroad during the time of the year that anyone cared to visit the town. ANOTHER FORTY-NINER DEAD The Baldwin Ledger, 24 Jan. 1913 Baldwin is, in many respects, the "Concord of Kansas." Here was enacted some of the most stirring events of the West. Many of the few who took an active part in this winning of the West, still live; while many in the old burying grounds around Baldwin City have found their last resting place. The past week one of these old pioneers,'Samuel Gidion, died when nearly 83 years old, at the home of his nephew in Western Kansas, and was brought back to historical Baldwin City to be buried. "Gid" Mozingo *,as he was commonly known, came west in 1845 when 15 years of age, and crossed the Missouri river at Westport Landing with a government wagon train. His sister homesteaded **east of Baldwin City near Black Jack, but "Gid" worked for the government as a blacksmith and crossed the great American desert many times. As a pony express rider across the wilds of the Kansas territory he had many thrilling experiences and hair-breadth escapes, and as a government scout helped fight Indians and other outlaws. He was a man ofmagnificent physique, being over six feet tall, and a man who knew no fear. He made a fortune almost in a day in the gold fields of California as a "forty-niner," and afterward dug gold in Nevada and in the Yukon. 6 �He was a typical westerner. Few of this day have seen as much western history in the making as he. Loyal to his friends, generous to a fault, rough and ready, he summed up the plains-man's virtues and vices. Only a few people of this day remember him and so when his body was shipped from the west, but a handful of folks gathered to pay their respects to the old pioneer and carry him to his last resting place. Rev. Meredith, of the Presbyterian church, at the request offriends conducted a simple service at the grave. Thus have many of the men of another day lingered in our midst almost strangers to us of another generation, and died without making hardly a ripple on the flood of modern life. Soon, with the buffalo, the Indian and prairie schooner, the last ofthe pioneers will pass over the Great Divide and be known to us only through the histories of the West. NOTES: *Baldwin City Oakwood Cemetery records list him as SAMUEL MOZINGO, main section, row 12, lot 39. ** Probably means established a "homestead" as the Homestead Act of 1862 was not passed until after the land in Douglas Co. was already settled ..' LIFE A CENTURY AGO The Baldwin Ledger 1 February 1901 (Ed. Note. These are always fun.) Over one hundred years ago man could take a ride on a steam boat. He could not go from Washington to New York in a few hours. He had never seen an electric light nor dreamed of an electric car. He could not send a telegram. He couldn't talk through a telephone and he never heard ofthe Hello' girl. He couldn't ride a bicycle. 7 �He could not call in a stenographer or dictate a letter. He had never received a typewritten communication. He had never heard of the germ theory or worried over bacilli and bacteria. He never looked pleasant before a photographer or had his picture taken. He never heard a phonograph talk or saw a kintescope tum out a prize fight. ' He never saw through a Webster's Unabridged Dictionary with the aid of a Roentgen ray. He had never taken a ride in an elevator. He had never imagined such a thing as a type-setting machine or a typewriter. He hadn't used anything but a wood plow. He had never seen his wife using a sewing machine. He had never struck a match on his pants or anything else. He couldn't take an anesthetic and have his leg cut offwithout feeling it. He had never purchased a ten-cent magazine which would have been ' regarded as a miracle of art. He could not buy a paper for a cent and learn everything that had happened all over the world the day before. He had never seen a McCormick reaper or self-binding harvester. : He had never crossed an iron bridge. There were several things he could not do and several things that he did not know. (Ed. Note. I wonder if anyone under 20 would even know what is being talked about on a lot of these.) SIX MONTHS OLDER The Baldwin Republican 24 October 1902. In last weeks Mail and Breeze an article appeared claiming that Wm. 8 �v Britton of Alton, was the oldest living resident of Kansas which certainly is a mistake as palmyra township has a resident, in the person of R.H. Pearson, of Black Jack, who located his claim, now the Beeks farmjus,t north of Baldwin, May 15th , 1854, while Mr. Brittian [note change of spelling] according to the Mail and Breeze did not locate until the fall of that year. . R.H. Pearson was born in Yorkshire, England, April 1st, 1828 and with his parents, in 1832 emigrated to America, locating at Alleghaney City, P A, living there until the California gold fever swept over the United States, when he went to California, where he was in 1853 and early' 54, when the bill was in Congress for the opening of Kansas and Nebraska. The talk among the California miners at that time was that Nebraska would be a free state and Kansas a slave state, ~d the emigration fever again entered Mr. Pearson's blood, and he left the gold fields for the new country of Nebraska and Kansas, going by the way of Panama and New York, and after a short visit with his parents in Pennsylvania came on west by steam boat to Kansas City, then a small town and only boasting one small hotel. There he met Joel K. Goodwin, (who was afterwards killed by Jim Lane) Gayes Jinkins and Henry Barricklow, Jr., who invited him to join their party and go with them to look for townsites in the new country, but they desired locating in Kansas in preference to Nebraska, claiming that Kansas never would be a slave state. The party first went to St. Joe, from there to Weston, opposite Ft.'Leavenworth and then to the Fort to obtain news in regard to the opening of the new country. They were told if they located back thirty miles from the State Line the Government troops would not molest them. Leaving the Fort they returned to Kansas City where Pearson and Barricklow purchased, each a pony, the rest of the party leasing a team and wagon, and early in May traveled west, leaving civilization behind, but passing many Indians with herds of ponies, crossing the Kaw river at where Lwrence now stands, then west to Big Springs, there the party turned back, returning as far as 9 �Mt. Ore ad, which the party decided was the best townsite location they had seen, they then turned south, keeping along the Government road until they came to what is now called Willow Springs, then east to Hickory point, there they saw a wagon about 200 yards from the road. Pearson and Barricklow decided on a visit to it and found a woman and three children, with about half a dozen Kaw Indians standing around which was causing the woman much uneasiness. She called Pearson to one side and asked him and his party to remain awhile until her husband who was away to purchase a cow should return. The party remained awhile, Barricklow stopped three days and Pearson is still remaining. The lady told them there were many good claims and that her husband, a Mr. Kibby would help them make a selection, and by the way this Kibby was the man who killed a pro-slavery man by the name of Davis, at Lawrence, during an election, which is supposed to have been the first death in the cause which brought on the Civil War. A pro-slavery man was burning anti-slavery men's cabins and Kibby insisted that he stop, Davis took the matter up, and began stricking[ sic] at Kibby with a knife. Kibby had a pistol loaded with eight shot, and capped with a cap furnished by Pearson and as Davis again advanced, shot him, the whole load of buckshot entering the man's stomach, killing him almost instantly. Mr. Pearson pre-empted his farm, and the next spring Barricklow returned, accompanied by Nehemia Green,(who was Lieut. Governot) L.F. Green and Dan Johnson and wife who also settled near here. Mr. Pearson was all through the boarder[ sic] warfare, being at the battle of Black Jack, Blanton's Bridge, Prices Raid at Kansas City, at Lawrence in 1855, at Bull Creek and East Tauy, besides helping to persuade many a pro-slavery men that Kansas did not desire to be a slave state, and received an honorable discharge from the U.S. government. He is now getting along in years, but is yet very active and energetic, and owns a farm of240 acres on which the battle of Black Jack was fought. 10 �We believe this gives Mr. Pearson the claim to being the oldest living settler of Kansas, having pre-empted what is now the Beeks farm in Palmyra township, Douglas County, Kans, May 15th , 1854, and is still a resident of the same township. This is from In the Beginning: Centennial History and Roster, Lawrence Lodge no. 6, AF and AM September 24, 1855 to September 24, 1955. It is probably not known to many that the site of the present Masonic' temple, at 1001 Massachusetts, was the scene of Masonic activities long before it was acquired for use as a Temple building spot. It was formerly owned by the Methodist Church, the records showing its purchase by that 'group on November, 1863. A meeting place for the church was erected here soon thereafter, and on July 4, 1864, the cornerstone was laid by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M of Kansas. Worshipful ~rother O.W. McAllaster, Master of Lawrence Lodge No.6 at the time, represented the Most Worshipful Grand Master on this occasion. A further item of considerable interest will be found in the old minutes of the Lodge under date of December 27, 1864, which describes the public installations of the officers selected to serve during 1865. This public ceremony was held in the then new Methodist church. The minutes show the following as having been installed on the date on the very ground where the Temple now stands: Paul R. Brooks, Worshipful Master, Joseph Cracklin, Senior Warden, Richard A. Hayes, Junior Warden, E.W. Wood, Treasurer, E.B. Hayes, Secretary, Robert L. Gilbert, Senior Deacon, James M. Davis, Junior Deacon, Justus Assmann, Tyler, Solon O. Thacher, Orator, W.H. Fisher, Chaplain. The building and grounds owned by the Methodist Church at the. spot were transferred to J.B Watkins on July 5, 1890, and later acquired by the 11 �Lawrence Masoni'c Temple Building Company in 1909. The Masonic Temple was erected and occupied by the various Masonic bodies in the year 1911. (Ed. Note The Temple has since been sold and the Masons moved to another location. The Temple is presently a nightclub.) (Ed. Note. I came across this article while doing research on Elizabeth Watkins) Lawrence Journal World 30 July 1923. Met sudden death in road accident Frank V. Miller instantly killed on Fort to Fort Highway. Stutz car was upset. Was nephew of Mrs. lB. Watkins and Director of Bank. Frank V. Millerof2117 Massachusetts, nephew of Mrs. J.B. Watkins and a director in the Watkins National Bank, was instantly killed ,early yesterday morning in a motor car accident on the fort to fort road in Shawnee County. With Maurice T. Benedict and Mrs. Earl Newcomer of Kansas City he was on the way to Topeka" when the Harry C. Stutz car in which they were driving got out of control, skidded and rolled completely over. Miller's skull was crushed when the car turned over. ,An approaching car with brilliant headlights is said to have blinded the driver, causing him to get off the road while attempting to drive as near the edge of the concrete pavement as possible. Maurice T. Benedict, insurance agent was driver of the car and Mrs. Earl T. Newcomer, whose husband is associated with D. W. Newcomer's sons, Kansas City, was a passenger. Benedict was uninjured. Mrs. Newcomer's 12 �collar bone was broken. The injury was dressed at the Simmons hospital after she was brought back to town and she left on an early train for Kansas City, where she was taken to St. Joseph hospital. Her condition is not serious it was said today. Miller, Benedict and Mrs. Newcomer had been attending a farewell party given for Dick Williams, assistant cashier of the Watkins Bank, who had resigned to take a position with the Newcomer fmn in Kansas City. After dancing at the Sigma Nu house until about 11 :30 members of the party decided to go to Topeka for a ride and an early breakfast. The Harry C. Stutz car was the last of 4 cars which carried the party to Topeka.. After the accident Mrs. Newcomer went to a farmhouse about 50 yards distant and called the Cremeric restaurant in Topeka, where she knew the party was going. Her call reached there at 20 minutes to 1, her husband Earl T. Newcomer, said today. Earl T. Newcomer was graduated from the School of Engineering at the University in 1915. His wife was Miss Gertrude Spect, a Kansas City girl. Mrs. Frank Miller was in Topeka when the news of the tragedy reached the remainder of the party, A.B. Mitchell and Dick Williams got a physician and hurried to the scene of the accident. Dr. H.L Clark, Shawnee County Coroner, was called to the scene. He said an inquest would be held Tuesday. Miller's body was bought to Lawrence and Mrs. Newcomer and Benedict were brought home by other members of the party. Those who were in the party were: Mr. And Mrs. Newcomer, Kansas City; Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Alexander, Kansas City; Gordon Saunders, Kansas City; Miss Margaret Graye, Lake Charles, Louisiana-half sister to Mr. Miller; Maurice T. Benedict, Lawrence; Mr. and Mrs. Miller; Mr. and 13 �Mrs. Dick Williams; W. T. Dinkins, Kansas City; and Miss Agnes DeMar Gossard of New York City-sister of Mrs. Dick Williams. Dr. H.L Clark, Shawnee County Coroner, told a Journal World reporter today that he had not yet fixed the hour at which the inquest would be held tomorrow. He also told of some of the conditions he had observed while at the scene of the accident. "The dirt shoulder was flush with the concrete at the place where the Stutz fITst left the road on the right hand side, and it was hard dirt," said Dr. Clark. "It appeared that the car had got a little off the road and that an attempt to get it back caused it to cross over to the left side of the road at a sharp angle .. Then another effort to right the car caused the rear wheels to swing out into the ditch on the left side." "The car slid sidewise for a considerable distance until the rear wheels struck a small pile of stones in the ditch. Then it was overturned and rolled completely over finally standing upright on the wheels." "The place where the car stopped was sixty feet from the place where it went off the left side of the road, and 175 feet from where the wheels first ran out on the shoulder on the right hand side of the concrete." "I was called about 2o'c1ock. From what I had been able to learn, the accident happened a little before lo'c1ock." "The accident happened only a short distance from the farm home of Michael Werner, from which Mrs. Newcomer telephoned to Topeka." "Werner heard the smash and heard a woman scream. He rose and dressed and went out to help as quickly as possible. He found the car standing upright and Millers body in its place in the car. All of the 14 �occupants of the car remained in their seats when the car turned over." "From all I was able to observe, it was apparent that the car must have been going fast when the accident occurred." "When the rear wheels of the car went into the ditch, the understructure of the car dragged on the shoulder at the edge of the road until the car overturned. The car was damaged only slightly and was driven back to Lawrence by Bennie Carman. The car is the property of Frank Benedict, brother of Maurice. Frank Miller had spent his early life in Lake Charles, Louisiana, but had come to Lawrence, in about 1912 to attend the University and act as secretary to his uncle, J.B. Watkins. He attended th University for 3 years and left in 1917 to join the army. He served as 2nd Lieutenant of infantry overseas., He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Miller was believed to have been sole heir to the estate of Mrs. J.B. Watkins, which is estimated at nearly 2 million dollars. He married Miss Louise Monday of Lake Charles, Louisiana, a year and four months ago. He was 27years old. The death of Frank Miller comes as a particular loss to scores of his personal friends about Lawrence. "Lugs" Miller was quiet and unassuming in his manner and a pleasant companion. In recent years he has assumed increasing business responsibilities in a creditable manner. Mrs. J.B. Watkins, who was spending the summer in Bay View, Michigan, left for Lawrence on receipt of word of the death of Mr. Miller and is expected to arrive late tonight or early tomorrow morning. Mr. Miller's mother, Mrs. J.A. Graye, his half-sister and Mrs. Miller's parents are on the way to Lawrence from Lake Charles. No arrangements will be made for the funeral services until after the relative have arrived. 15 �THE LOGO of the Douglas County Genealogy Society In the fall of 1982, after hearing many suggestions that the society needed a logo; Jean Snedeger and I sat in Perkins Restaurant discussing some of the things we thought should make up a suitable, logo. One thought was a outline of Douglas County with footprints across it. Another idea was the county with a covered wagon in the middle. These and other ideas after some time evolved into the present Logo which is the cover from own magazine "The Pioneer" enlarged and cleaned up or simplified. At this time I was substitute editor of 'The Pioneer" (Judy Sweets the elected editor had went away to the east with her family) and I could see that I did not have the time, patience or skill to fmish the Logo and present it to the society, so I called Cynthia Schott, a member of the society, who wor~ed on enlarging and lettering for the emblem. John Banta then saw the unfinished work in my home and asked if he could work on it. He spent many hours cleaning up the logo, rearranging the letters, adding the dates and putting the whole thing in an acceptable form to present to the Board and to the membership. The Logo was voted on at the general meeting and accepted by the society. Later John had a rubber stamp made by Stanley Harris and presented it to the society. Sept. 6, 1983, about a year after the beginning of the logo Jean Snedeger took the hand colored emblem to Francis Sporting Goods to have patches made. ' Signed Grace Embers 16 / �submitted by Don Vaughn MARGARET ROBBINS QUAYLE The Baldwin Ledger, 20 Feb. 1914 "There like an Eden blossoming in gladness Bloom the fair flowers the earth too rudely" Bessie Robbins we called her in those days not long ago. She had been born in Arizona where her father was Surveyor General for the State, but he ended his labors when she was a mere child and was brought to this historic town for Burial. Her mother then remained here and the little child learned to play at the knee of her grandfather, Dr.. Werter R. Davis, first president of Baker University, who was then pastor of the Methodist church in this city. A few years passed and William A. Quayle came into her life to be a real father. When he became pastor of a large church in Kansas City she budded into young womanhood and made many friends. Here it was that a street car accident inflicted a wound that never healed. An every-day accident, you say, and yet it made a heroine of her life. For thirteen long years she has endured pain and suffered untold agony. Twenty-one distinct times has she placed her life in the hands of surgeons. But every time she would rally and smile into the face of the world. When Dr. Quayle was called to Chicago, she forgot her pain at times in her joy in studying art. She made many art sketches for the great Marshall Field store until she had not the physical strength to meet their demands. Most any of us can face death once when we think it is our only hope to live, but who of us could do so for two score times and some of those times when we looked down into the shadow without our friends knowing it, in order not to cause them anxiety. The radium treatment at Baltimore was finally sought but even this would not avail and yet with a brave face she turned her look westward to be with friends. In her last hours she counted her mercies, her many joys and sweet companionships and did all she could to comfort her mother in the trying hour. From the Chicago hospital, where she closed her eyes last Monday, she was brought to her father's cottage just recently erected for their vacation comfort. Flowers from many cities and from many friends perfumed the room where the family, many times scattered, spent a short hour with her. There was a sweet hymn and sweeter words, a prayer, a hush and a sob, but she who had braved it all smiled on. We have many heroes in our cemetery, men who have faced terrific battle and men who 17 �have faced many crises. But a hero in peace is no less a hero than a hero in time of war or great public catastrophe. Her grandfather was a hero in war and she was a heroine. in peace. A rare flower crushed with drooping leaves but the fragrance will remain with us forever. We stand with uncovered head but with admiration in our eyes for the iron in the soul of a girl whose bravery is not surpassed. God took her, but her example remains as a sweet heritage to all who knew her STAND BY OLD TRAIL The Baldwin Ledger, 3 Apr. 1914 D.A.R. Address Calls for History of the Trail, and for Good Roads. Mrs. T. A. Cordry, of Parsons, historian of the D.A.R., gave the following address at a recent session at Ottawa which covers points of vital interest to all people in this community. The address follows: During the summer and fall, I received many requests for information regarding the Old Santa Fe Trail in Kansas and the way the Daughters marked it, from D.A.R's, and club women all over the United States. I finally made 15 typewritten copies, and they are gone. No one sent postage, and only one acknowledged my help with a thank you letter, and that ~as a lady in Brooklyn. I was particularly interested in the stand taken by Judge J. H. Lowe, president of the Old Trails movement, that the old trail should not be given up for the Golden Belt route. I wrote to him, and his reply I prize very highly. He said in part, "In an age of criticism, it is like a refreshing shower in a season of drought, to receive such a commendatory letter as yours." I also wrote to Senator Bristow and Senator Thompson asking them to use their influence against the Shackelford bill in Congress, which place all of the National road money in the hands of the governor to place as he pleases. Replies from both were pleasing. , Before Christmas, when so much was being published on the proposed high school relay on the Old Santa Fe Trail, I had a friend figure on what it would cost to publish my story of the parking of the Santa Fe Trail in pamphlet form. Sickness stopped my work for awhile. Then I argued, if we should publish it, let it be in a handsome book form that we, as Daughters of the American Revolution, can be proud of With the consent of our State Regent, I got prices. This I will give to the Conference under the head of new business. The past two months I have carefully gone over my story, to see that it was absolutely correct. I have answered calls for the history of the Sons of the Revolution. Gave the tribute to the Mount Vernon Ladies Association and the D.A.R. at the Daughters Memorial service the 22ndof February in Parsons. Have added several biographies to my history. Have received two valuable 18 �papers, one from Mrs. T. E. Chandler of Ottawa on "The Old Indian Burying Ground," and the other from Mrs. R. R. Bittman of Independence on her research work in connection with the place where there was a massacre in 1863 on Rebel Creek in Montgomery county. I urge th~ Daughters to gather local history, especially from the old settlers who are so fast passing away. Have a file book and keep your findings, and have a scrap book and put the obituaries of these old timers. And another thing, make friends with these old people who have stories of history in their head we can never fmd in a book. I have made a State Historical's Scrap Book, with clippings that I found with Miss Meeker's secretary's books and those sent me from time to time by the chapters. One thing I wish that you would do - please put the date on your clipping, as "last Saturday" is riot very defmite time to me. Our genealogist wishes the story of our Revolutionary ancestors, as what little we put on our application papers is not much. If we have family traditions and stories about that ancestor, write it out. Then if you will send this to me, I will put it in proper form to send the Historian general or the genealogist. May I ask this for your work this coming year? Kansas Daughters have had on their rolls seven real Daughters, four are dead, one in Lawrence, one in Kansas City, Mo., one in Topeka and one in Lebo. Another real Daughter but not a member of our society, is buried in Atchison. It would be a proper thing to properly mark these graves. Hey Bear sold The Baldwin Ledger, 12 Aug. 1932 The cinnamon bear, which Will Hey captured last April in Minnesota and has had at his home since, was sold to a Kansas City restaurant last week for advertising purposes. A man at the restaurant will give wrestling demonstrations with the bear in front of the establishment to attract crowds. . The bear had become quite a favorite with the children in the north part of town, although it had not become thoroughly tamed. TAKES THE OLD NAME The Baldwin Ledger, 27 Sep. 1912 19 �Baldwin City Postoffice is Given Its Former Name - Same as the Town - To Save Much Confusion. Beginning next Tuesday, Oct. 1, the name of the postoffice at this place will be Baldwin City. Ever since the organization of this town in 1855, the legal and corporate name of the town has been Baldwin City. From the beginning, and for some years the postoffice had the same name. Under a former administration, and for reasons not now apparent, the name of the postoffice was changed to Baldwin. As the years have passed this has led to much legal confusion. The city council has been compelled to re-publish city ordinances because they had the name of the town described as Baldwin instead of Baldwin City. Deeds have had to be re-written. You cannot give a deed for a town lot in Baldwin, Kansas, for there is no such town in Kansas. Look at your tax receipt or your deed to your cemetery lot and you will find that all property is vested in the name of Baldwin City. But this has not been the only difficulty. There are 19 towns in the United States having the name Baldwin. Their postoffices have the same name. The postoffice at this place is the only one of the 19 that is a second class office. Of the remaining 18 two are small third-class offices and the remainder are fourth class offices - conducted in connection with a country store and hence not given first consideration as at this place. The result of this is that much mail is missent and therefore delayed. One Baldwin City merchant told us the other day that he had a valuable package go to Baldwin, KY., and remain there for some days and it was with great difficulty that he was able to locate it. ' On the other hand, this office being the most prominent of its name in the United States, is constantly getting mail destined to other states. Postal clerks read the name Baldwin and take it for granted that it comes to Kansas. Our mail is now so large that postal clerks running out of Chicago and St. Louis and Denver make up sacks direct for this place. This is probably not the case with any of the other 18 offices having the same name. There is hardly a day passes and never a week that mail intended for other offices having the same name does not come to this office. Some months since the attention of the Postoffice Department was called to this condition of things and it was suggested that probably the best way to remedy matters was to make the postoffice the same name as the town as it had formerly been. Following the usual routine, the Postoffice Department has ordered the old name restored and this order goes into effect next Tuesday. It is hoped that this will eliminate any legal confusion in the future and also make less frequent missent mail. NOTE FROM RICHARD(Richard Wellman who sends me all this Baldwin information. Thanks, Richard) According to Post Office official records, the name."Baldwin City" was in effect from May 22, 20 �1862 until April 14, 1887. The shortened name "Baldwin" was in used from April 14, 1887 until Aug. 16, 1912. The actual date of transition in 1912 is even disputed. Since 1912, the Post Office and city name has been officially listed as Baldwin City. However, how many times has there been reference in conversation to our town of Baldwin? Do a "Google search" for Baldwin City and everything looks familiar, even down to the Maple Leaf Festival. Not quite so with a search only for Baldwin. The Baldwin Ledger, 10 Jan. 1919, page 8, col. 5 & 6 DEATH OF W. H . SWEET The news of the death of Dr. Wm. H. Sweet, Jan. 5th, at Centralia, Wash.,. comes as a sad message to many in Baldwin. While not known personally to a great number here at the present time, he will be recalled as a former president of Baker University, and one greatly beloved by all who knew him. W. H. Sweet was given the degree of A. B. by Ohio Wesleyan in 1872, and A. M. in 1875. From 1872 - 1877 he was professor of mathematics in Baker University and became her president in 1879 and his administration was continued until 1886, when he was succeeded by Dr. H. A. Goblin. He then served Kansas Wesleyan University as professor of Psychology and Ethics and later as field secretary, after which he held various pastorates in Kansas and was a member of General Conference, 1892 to 1896. He retired in 1915 from active service in the church having served faithfully for nearly a half century. I J Many things might be recalled relating to the presidency of Dr. Sweet and his connection with the town and school in those early days. Centenary Hall was built as the result of his untiring efforts. Science Hall being the only college building on the campus, and too much 21 �cannot be said of his undaunted zeal in the matter of fmancing the school and of inducing young people to attend Baker university. When he became president in 1879 there were 102 students enrolled and when he retired in 1886, the enrollment had reached 426, the increase being largely due to his personal efforts. At that time there were few trees, and fewer improvements. Pres. Sweet, with his own hands, planted many of the trees in and around the campus; was interested in the growth of the . town and built the house now owned by Mrs. J. H. Cundiff, which he occupied while he was president of Baker University. Our institution owes much to this man, to whose life and efforts we pause to pay tribute. SOME mSTORY OF THE MASONIC LODGE OF BALDWIN The Baldwin Ledger, 16 Oct. 1891 FIRE FIRE FIRE On last Monday night at about 11 0' clock Dan Briggs was riding down Main street when he discovered the building owned by the Mason's and occupied by A. Leake & Son with aharness shop to be on fire. He immediately gave the alann and soon the streets were thronged with excited citizens and students. The fire company arrived before the fire had gotten under good headway and by untiring work succeeded in extinguishing the flames before the building had entirely burned down. The building is so badly damaged however that it will be torn down probably to make room for a new one. The cause of the fire is unknown but is supposed to have caught from a match or cigar stub thrown down by someone, the G.A.R.' s having met in the hall above that evening. The insurance on the building was $600 while Mr. Leake only had $400 on his stock, but as most of the goods were saved his loss will be entirely covered. The building adjoining the one burned and occupied by R. W. Bailey with a shoe shop was torn down in order to save the rest of the block. The next day our citizens made up money and gave him to partly compensate the loss he had sustained. FROM THE MA YOR In behalf of the citizens and property owners of Baldwin we desire to extend to the young men of the city and the students of the university our thanks for their activity and energy in extinguishing the fire on last Monday evening. The success in saving the property and stopping the fire was largely due to their bravery and energy and as citizens we feel under grant obligations to them for their kindness. James Murray, Mayor. 22 �NOTES: The wind favored us. Bob Bailey lost his awl. That little engine is the stuff. Several students were out after ten. Prof. Wood was among the hardest workers. Henry Humbert did a good business after the fire. The Masonic goat had his tail scorched,. R. W. Bailey has his shop in the Boyd room next to the book store. Dan Briggs received slight injuries while helping carry out the stock. Bet. Johnson and Davie Todd were first to get out the fire engine. A. Leake & Son will occupy the Pittman & Thompson building. "The whole block will go some of these days" could be heard on every hand. Otsie Leake is a brave fireman and no mistake. He took big chances and did excellent work. The building would have burned in short order but for the way it is built and the hard oak material used in it. The town well is not nearly large enough in case of a big fire. As it was the well was exhausted before the fire was put out. The Masons have not decided where they will build but it will probably be on the same lot or on the Sullivan comer next to Schnebly's. The Daily Journal, 3 December 1879 WESTERN NATIONAL FAIR The association incorporated and ready for work. The articles of incorporation for the great fair to be held at Bismarck Grove were filed with the Secretary of State on Monday. That our readers may have the benefit of the entire organization so far, we publish the document in full. Charter of the Western National Fair Association First-The name of the corporation is the "Western National Fair Association. " Second-It is formed for the purpose of holding annual fairs for the 23 �encouragement of agriculture, horticulture, mechanic, and the arts; the improvement of the breed of domestic animals, and the promotion of the general industrial interests of the country. Third-The places where the business is to be transacted are the city of Lawrence and Bismarck Grove, both in the county of Douglas and State of Kansas. F ourth-The time for which it is to exist is ten years. Fifth-The number of its directors is fifteen, and the directors appointed for the first year are N.A. Adams, of Riley county; J.F. Keeney, of Trego county; Wm. Martindale of Greenwood county; Cyrus Leland, Jr., of Doniphan county; E.N. Morrill, of Brown county; John H. Rice, of Miami county; Geo. A. Crawford, of Bourbon county; L.C. Wasson, of Franklin county; L. Savory, of Lyon county; Levi Wilson, of Leavenworth county; and Gen. Lens, Isaac N. VanHoesen, J.D. Bowersock, and Samuel A. Riggs, of Douglas county, Kansas. Sixth-Its capital stock is $15,900, divided in 300 shares of$50 each. S.A. Riggs L.N.Van Housen H.J. Rushmer George Leis S. Steinberg· C.C. Thacher J. S. Crew H.F. Canniff George Innes A.B. Warren J.D. Bowersock A. Oliver lC. Wills A.C. Dicker H. Kesting T.D. Thacher A. Katzenstein W.J.R. Blackmar J.A. Bliss Geo. Y. Johnson M. Summerfield G.W. Hume W.A. Harris State of Kansas, Douglas County On this 29th day of November, A.D., 1879, before me, a notary public, in and for said county, came H.J. Canniff, H.J. Rushmer, J.S. Crew, George Y. Johnson, I.H. Van Hoesen, George Leis, A.B. Warren, G.W. 24 �Hume,. and S. Steinberg, to me personally known, who subscribed the foregoing instrument, and severally duly acknowledged the execution of the same. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed by name, and affixed my official seal, on the day and year last above written. lA. Bliss, Notary Public I, James Smith, Secretary of State, of the the State of Kansas, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original instrument of writing filed to my office, November 29, 1879. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed y name and affixed my official seal. Done at Topeka the pt day of December, A.D. 1879. James Smith, Secretary of State A meeting of the directors will be called as soon as possible, when officers for the ensuing year will be elected. In speaking of the fair Mr. Gould in his recent visit said: "This is the central point for all the thriving young cities of eastern Kansas, Leavenworth, Atchison, Topeka, -Ottawa and others. It is accessib~e by rail for every section of this western county. Bismarck is the point of advantage, and the idea is a sound one. The fair ought to be more than State, it should be national in character. Kansas City, too, the business and railroad center of this country, would probably lend a hand, as Bismarck is almost within her suburbs." The project starts off with a book, and it is difficult to conceive how anything but success can attend it. If our own people are only united, and all work together, there is little doubt but we shall have plenty of outside help. 25 �OLD FOLKS DAY The Baldwin Ledger, 8 Nov. 1912 The Epworth League Entertains 130 guests - 11 over 80 Years of Age Last Saturday, the Epworth League gave their annual dinner and entertainment to the old people of the community. The number of guests entertained this year was one hundred thirty, besides about thirty of the young people. This was the largest number ever entertained by the Epworth League. This has been an annual event since 1907 when the Fiftieth anniversary of the First Methodist class in Baldwin City was celebrated. The event grows in its interest every year and is a custom which is quite distinct from anything which is practiced in other places. Of the one hundred thirty guests of last Saturday, eleven were over 80 years of age. Mr. Seth Sampson was the oldest, being 87. The others of this class were Dr. Osborn, Mr. Benedict, Mr. Green, Mrs. Lovejoy, Mrs. Eberhart, Mrs. Todd, Mrs. Overton, Mr. Lampman, Mrs. Graham, and Mrs. Tomilinson. The last named celebrated her 80th birthday on this occasion. Mr. W. T. Jones had lived the longest in Baldwin City having come here in 1854. Mrs. Burroughs had lived here fifty-five years and was a member of the first Methodist class in Baldwin City. Sixteen of the company had lived in Baldwin City for more that twenty-five years and eleven were the children of preachers. Dr. S. S. Murphy preached at the eleven o'clock hour. At noon a fine chicken dinner was served in the dining rooms of the church by the Epworth League, The dining room was decorated with autumn leaves and colors. Each of the company wore his name on a paper which was in the shape of an Epworth League badge. At the dinner table, the following persons responded to the toasts proposed by Dr. Kester: Mr. Millikin on "The Happiest Event of My Life After Twenty-one Years of Age;" Seth Sampson on his "Experience at His first Campmeeting;" Mrs. Tomlonson on "The great inventions and improvements which she had observed during her life;" Dr. Osborn on "An old Maid's Paradise. " To the toast, "Then and Now in church affiliations," Mrs. C. P. Ives responded to "then" and Mrs. Dillheimer to "now." Mrs. Lovejoy told of "The happiest experience of my life." These talks were all quite interesting and inspiring. Mrs. Dillheimer, who has but recently come to Baldwin City and enjoyed this occasion for the first time, is the daughter of a Bishop; was the wife of a minister and missionary to Africa, and is the mother of Mrs. Wright of this city whose husband is a brother of the Wrights of aeronautic fame. After rising from the table, there was an old fashioned,class meeting under the leadership of Mr. Lampman. This was very interesting to the old people. 26 �The entertainment this year had been carefully planned by Prof. Ebright and Parker Kitterman, the third vice-president of the League and was the most successful since the observation of the [event ?] has been begun. Below is the poem which was read by Dr. Osborn: With bowing head and trembling knee Once more we come, old friends to greet; To look around the room and see If there is something good to eat. Tho' wither'd hand and frosted head, Tho' falt'ring step and feeble trod, Our hearts are warm, our blood is read Our appetites are very good Since last we met the call has come For some dear loving one to go, And leave a vacant chair at home, With all affections here below. And ere another year shall pass, The final summons from on high May claim one or more of this class Will it be you? Will it be I? Prolong'd has been our span of life, Our work for good or bad is done. We can't recall the bub'ling strife, Nor retrace paths that we have gone 0, that each one might clearly see, In the change that soon must come, The passport to eternity A happier and blissful home. Now this we want to say in truth; The Epworth League, good and clever A noble band of earnest youth ---May it live and thrive forever THE CITY ELECTION The Baldwin Ledger, 5 April 1889 To say that the voters of Baldwin were taken completely by surprise in the result of the election Monday is to put it very mildly. It was an 27 �overwhelming defeat of the masculine power Yorktown fmale. a Waterloo, with a The dissatisfaction expressed at the ticket was manifested early in the morning and a disposition shown by many voters to ignore it entirely and make the fight squarely as between it and the "woman's ticket." This movement gained ground rapidly and by noon it was manifest that the movement was not only becoming very popular but that it would carry everything before it and the broad grin of satisfaction worn all day by the managers of the affair showed how popular the new move had become. The following is a list of the officers'elected: Mayor, Mrs. J. M. Sullivan, members of the council, Mrs. Cornelia Kidder, Mrs. H. S. Stewart, Mrs. W. D. Martin, Mrs. W. A. Hyde and Mrs. Lillian Scott. Police Judge, E. H. Topping. A larger vote was cast than at any former election, the whole number being 220, of which about 100 were ladies. Weare glad to see this manifestation of interest on the part of the ladies in the city government and congratulate them on the success of their ticket and have no doubt but they will give us an able and prosperous administration. Miss Maud Leonard and Miss Julia Colburn were clerks at the election Monday and the prompt manner in which they discharged their duties and the neat and correct poll books attest their proficiency and fitness for the position. Our Old Crank Once More Editor Ledger: It has been a right smart spell since I bothered you, 28 �Mister Editor, and I had about concluded that I wouldn't pester you with any more of my fault fmding, but if you won't feel too hard against an old fellow that does not have a great deal of fun in this world, I would like to take a little of your valuable space this week. I would like to say a few words if you will allow about the city election that took some people's breath away. Now, Mister Editor, I ain't going to express any opinions about women's suffrage. That is a matter of private opinion that every man (or woman) has a perfect right to think as they please about. I might not agree with you on this matter, but then you know I am just an old fashioned crank and nobody cares a straw what I think. But what I wanted to say wa~ this. If a majority of the people want the women to run the city affairs, they ought to do it and I am dead certain there will be just as good a government in the future as we have had in the past. It is perfectly lawful for women to be mayors and', councils if they want to be and the people are willing. No one with good sense would object to a woman singing bass if she could. It seems to me that it is a simple question of capability and in the present case no one has raised any such objections. But gracious alive, how mad some folks are! I heard one man say he was going to sell out and leave, because he wouldn't live in a town that would do such a thing. Well, Mr. Editor, I heard a boy on the street the other day yell. "Let'er go Gallager." I expect that is slang but its plain English. It does seem to me that some of the men in this town who call themselves lords of creation are pretty small lords. It does seem to me that when they talk about "petticoat. / government" they are talking awful silly. Maybe it is because they are used to that kind of government at home that they object to it in city affairs. Anyhow we've got the women and what are we goingto do about it. I believe that some where in the Bible it says "Grin and bear it." I don't know whether that is in the Bible or not but its about what some of our good friends will have to do. So no more at present from ' your friend. Old Crank. 29 �REBECCA VanMETRE CARPENTER The Baldwin Ledger, 20 Feb. 1914 Rebecca VanMatre, daughter of Amosa and Elizabeth VanMatre, was born May 11, 1834, in Green County, Illinois, and died at her home in Baldwin City, Feb. 11, 1914. She was united in marriage to James E. Carpenter, January 14, 1853. To this union were born nine children, five of whom remain to mourn the departure from this life, of a faithful mother; Charles, James and Joh Carpenter, and Mrs. Florence Sprague and Mrs. Ella Beal. The family came to Kansas in the summer of 1854 and have continuously made their home near Baldwin City. Mrs. Carpenter became identified, in early life, with the United Brethren church and for many years held her membership at Black Jack. She was a firm believer in God, His goodness, purity and love, that in living right that religion pure and undefiled is to help some one in need, to make the pathway of life brighter and smoother for less fortunate ones. This principle she put in evidence not only in word but in a long heroic life of noble deeds. Coming to the territory of Kansas in 1854, she endUred the hardships and helped solve the problems of those early days. There were only two buildings in Palmyra at the time and without modem conveniences of travel and communication, every pound of provisions and supply must be obtained from Kansas City. Owing to this fact, Mr. Carpenter later "freighted" by schooner and ox team from that place to the one store then beginning business in Palmyra, Mrs. Carpenter remaining at home with the little ones. The home was located on the farm south of town where Mr. Frank Lobingier now lives. The Santa Fe Trail and an old Indian path were the only public highways, the later crossing the Carpenter homestead. On one of his trips to Kansas City, Mr. Carpenter narrowly escaped the rebel soldiers, being compelled to leave his wagon and team, returning home' on foot. Mr. Carpenter volunteered as a regular soldier in the trying times of the border trouble, and for three long years this noble woman bore the entire responsibilities of a family of small children and that in a war-ridded territory. Mrs. Carpenter was well acquainted with John Brown, he having often visited in her home. In fact, she nursed his wounded son-in-law, applying the simple remedies to an ugly wound. It was a common thing for her to come to the store laboriously carrying a little child and a large bucket of eggs or other produce. In 1877 Mr. Carpenter died, and now, with a family of seven children she must fight life ~s battles alone. By cheer and hard work she has fought and won. With limited means she reared the children, keeping them comfortably dressed and well fed and has given to each the invaluable gift of a good education. This has been accomplished by the invincible resources of her own life and an unfaltering trust in God. It is remarkable that she has thus lived and wrought without incurring debt and without the need of charitable assistance. A family of honorable men and women live to perpetuate her life and memory. Mrs. Carpenter was a doer of the word, as well as a hearer. None knew more perfectly the joy ----(line missing?) -- drouth or pestilence has she gone about in the community gathering food and supplies for suffering families. None knew better the truth of Jesus words, "It is better to give than to receive." She delighted to charm away pain and anxiety by a pleasant neighborly visit and when she was gone we were sure we had been in the presence of one "who walked with God." She lived on the old farm from 1854 till 1902, when she came to her home in Baldwin City 30 �where she died. With all the adversities and strenuous life she lived to be nearly 80 years old. Having done well her part to make the vicinity of Baldwin City what it is we have in her life a heritage invaluable that will not fade away. Ira Beamer conducted the funeral service. A prayer was offered in the home and sermon in the West Baldwin church. Interment in the west side cemetery. I Mother has left us. With a fortitude that has graced none more fair, she took leave of life without a fear. Through weeks of silent suffering she looked calmly into the future and did not falter; with a heroism born of her supreme faith in Jesus, she approached the end, thrilling with her latest breath the note of exultation - as one who knocks at the gates of eternal morning Shrouded in her robes unmaculate, (sic) asleep beneath a wreath of flowers that fain would have kissed her eyelids to awakening, we laid her to rest beneath the pines. "We paused and breathed a prayer above the sod, And left her to her rest in God." The sympathy of a host of friends is extended to the bereaved ones From The Daily Tribune, Lawrence, Thursday, 28 March 1877. DEATH AND FUNERAL OF A GOOD PIONEER LADY The whole community have heard with feelings of sorrow of the d~ath . of Mrs. Elizabeth P. French, who expired on the evening ofMarch ..27th, 1877 of cancer. Mrs. French was the only daughter of Mr. Franklin Haskell, one of the pioneer settlers of 1854, coming to Lawrence, we believe, with the: "Second Party" of New England Immigrants, and the sister of John G and Dudley C. Haskell, the latter our present member of Congress. Miss Haskell, the subject of this sketch, remamed behind the family in New England, and came to Kansas in March, 1857. She was born at Weathersfield, Vermont, on the 23 rd of April, 1836, and was therefore almost forty-one years old. ' The family were among the most respected and useful of the early pioneers. The father was a devoted Free State man, a just and upright citizen and a true Christian, his influence and example doing much to mould the character of the infant settlement at Lawrence. The mother, 31 �whose death preceded that of the daughter but a few months, was truly a pioneer mother to all who needed the good offices of a charitable, intelligent Christian woman. Miss Haskell was married to Mr. Charles D. French, at Springfield, Massachusetts on the 25 th day of February, 1865, where the mother and daughter were visiting relatives during that year. After marriage, they removed to Leavenworth, residing there two years, and then coming to a home on the well known Haskell homestead, adjoining Lawrence. This excellent lady united with the Congregational church in her New England home when a young girl, and has lived the life of a true Christian woman. For several years she belonged to the choir of the Plymouth Congregational Church, the first organized church in , Lawrerice. She was one of the pioneer teachers in the free schools. of Lawrence, taking charge of a school, more as a matter of duty in the days when good teachers were wanted, than from pecuniary motives, and those who received the rudiments of an education in the Old Unitarian church on the hillside will long remember the amiable, kindhearted teacher, whose devotion to her duties laid deep the foundation of usefulness and virtue. Perhaps at that period, there could have been no person selected for such duties who was her superior in every respect, as added to her innate goodness of heart, she had all the elements of a studious character and a finished education, having been well educated in the best institutions ofleaming in New England. In all the positions of neighbor, daughter sister and wife she fulfilled well her part, and goes to rest with the pure in heart, who have the promise of the Everlasting Blessing, reversed, respected, and beloved as only the good daughter, sister, wife and friend can be. Among those who knew her, the tear will come unbidden at the news of the death of one whose life has been so blameless and so useful. The last sad rites were performed at the residence of her bereaved 32 �husband this afternoon, at which Rev. Mr. Spring, her last pastor, and Rev. Dr. Cordley, so long the pastor of her church, gave the last ministrations to the memory of a beloved sister. A large concourse of sympathising friends attended the funeral, the following pall-bearers officiating: Messrs. L. Bullene, H.W. Baker; Albert Allen, G. Grosvenor, O.A. Hanscomb, and S.A. Riggs. All that remains of the good woman were laid in a pleasant lot, beside the venerated father, mother and brother, but a few steps from the door of the pioneer cabin where she and they had so long been known for their kind hospitality in the "times that tried men's souls," to sleep the last sleep of the good and the just. "There shall the yew her sable branches spread, And mournful cypress rear her fringed head; From thence shall thyme and myrtle send perfume, Ans laurel evergroen o'ershade the tomb." The deceased was a long suffering in the insidious disease which resulted in death, being cancer of the breast. Nearly two years ago, she underwent a surgical operation and for a time believed that the cure was permanent. " Mrs. French leaves behind her a husband universally respected, and three little children-a daughter and two sons- one of them an infant, too young to have any appreciation the loss of a mother, to them the whole community gives their sympathy for the irreparable loss. RAIL WAY TRAFFIC IN LAWRENCE, 1877 I [It is interesting and astounding to see how many trains came through Lawrence. If only it were true today.] . 33 �Kansas Pacific Railway, both freight and passenger. Four trains going both east and west. St. Louis, Lawrence & Western. Mail, Freight and Passenger. Three trains both east and west. Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston, Passenger and Freight. Two trains, north and south. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, Express Passenger, Freight and Mail. Three trains, east and west. ' From Kansas Review: KeGS Kansas published by the Kansas Council of Genealogical Societies, Inc. Vol. 38, no.l, August, 2013. FREE DIGITAL GENEALOGY ONLINE MAGAZINE Dick Eastman recently reported in his online newsletter about a new online magazine that subscribers can sign up for and receive a free issue each month. You can then copy pages or download pages you want from each issue. Learn more at: http://www.theindepthgenealogist.com/?page_ id-6086. The isstle currently on there is 74 pages long so there is a lot in it. (March, 2013) MHGS NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE Beginning with the April issue the Newsletter will be available to all members at: http://www .skyways. orglgenweb/mhgs. Check the "Calendar" for' all upcoming classes/programs/ 34 �NEWSPAPERS ONLINE Newspaper Abstracts is a free website where individuals submit articles from countries around the world, but the main focus is on the United States. With a URL., that matches its name, you can fmd this resource at: www.newspaperabstracts.com The home page contains a link to an explanation of how individuals may submit articles. The following articles are from the publication from The Point, Sesquicentennial Point at Clinton Lake. It is a walk through time/stories on the steps. Make a visit to The Point which is below the Clinton Dam on the road to the dog park. From: The Point: Walk through time/Stories of the steps. 1915 The University Women's Club est. 1900 Scholarships for KU women since 1915 In 1915, the University Women's Club at the University of Kansas began an annual scholarship donation project among the mebership to honor meritorious women students. The club was then known as the Ladies of the Faculty, having been formed in May of 1900. It was organized to help women take advantage of the educational, cultural and social heritage ofKU. We have met continuously since 1900 for friendship and to be of service to the University. Since 1915, more than 280 outstanding women have been awarded a 35 \.J �UWC scholarship. We are the oldest scholarship-granting organization at KU. In April 2005, the 90th year recipients shared in the pleasure of knowing our history will be at Sesquicentennial Point in meaningful ways. The history of Lawrence and its university speaks of dedication to worthy goals for town and gown alike. We believe our award recipients have been ambassadors on campus and for Lawrence itself, past arid present. Sponsored by: The University Women's Club. 1921 Lawrence Memorial Hospital Lawrence Memorial Hospital was an idea that grew from a righteous cause. In the early 1900s, as story was told about a doctor who had been called to attend an old African American man who had fallen in a fit on the sidewalk near the Eldridge Hotel. At the time, Lawrence was served by three small private hospitals owned by physicians, but none of them had a charity bed available. The doctor tried to find someone who might know the man, but to no avail, before the man died. There was no publicly owned hospital in Lawrence, where needy poor could be taken for treatment in care. In 1919, the Social Service League bought a frame house at 3rd and Maine Sts., and through a trust agreement gave it to the city for a hospital. An appeal was made for funds to repair and equip the building. About $10,000 was raised. Lawrence Memorial Hospital opened for business January 17, 1921. During the 1920s, the community increasingly depended upon LMH and the facilities became inadequate. Elizabeth Miller Watkins offered to give $200,000 to build a new hospital, and in 1929, a new brick 36 �building with 50 beds opened, becoming the pride of the community. Additions funded by Mrs. Watkins and federal programs expanded the hospital and added capacity over the years. In 2004, Lawrence Memorial Hospital serves Lawrence and surrounding communities, including practices in Eudora, Baldwin City and,Tonganoxie. The hospital was named with a Kansas Excellence Award for Quality in 2003. Today, LMH is a not-for-profit, city-owned hospital, which serves: members of the community, regardless of an individual's ability to pay. LMH invests all excess revenues into services, equipment and facilities to further its mission to improve the health of the community. While buildings and equipment are necessary to the provision of quality medical care, it is the vision and foresight of good people like Mrs. Watkins and others who built the community foundation on which LMH has grown. Their commitment serves today as an inspiration for the future. Sponsored by: Lawrence Memorial Hospital. 1925 Lawrence Flower Club "A shared interest in flowers and gardening drew together a group of people in February of 1925 for the purpose of forming a club which would provide mutual pleasure and instruction, and a vehicle for making Lawrence a city of flowers." Thus begins the History of the, Lawrence Flower Club, 1925-1975, written by Mrs. Olie R. (Vivian) Parsons. Sixty-one people, men and women signed the club charter. The club joined the Kansas Associated Garden Clubs in 1929. 37 �Eighty years later, that same purpose drives the membership of the current Lawrence Flower Club, still composed of men and women. The first yearbook, started in 1927, was four pages long. Yearbooks now list officers, members, programs and speakers. Business is kept short and to-the-point. Meetings are held in a public building, so that the size of the meeting place does not dictate membership numbers. Civic projects have always been high on the list of priorities for the Lawrence Flower Club. In the 1925-1975 history, Mrs. Parsons tells of the Manley Memorial Rock Garden and Pool in Central Park (now, Watson Park), dedicated in May 1934. The pool was later filled in at the request of the city when it became too much of an attraction to: children. Plantings were also done in the parks, at the hospital, at some churches, one of the fire stations, the county convalescent home and . others. In 1938, members made 1,300 bouquets for decorating soldiers' graves. In 1997, a plan to renovate the dysfunctional "Teddy Roosevelt" fountain on the east side of South Park came from the Countryside Garden Club. At a city sponsored planning meeting, the suggestion to move the fountain close to the gazebo in South Park came from a Lawrence Flower Club member. A dedication ceremony on June 20, 2001, saw the fountain, with water flowing, located in the center of the beautiful flower beds. A flyer, written by a Lawrence Flower Club member, gives the history of the fountain and is available through the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department. In April 2001, the will of the late Marvin Selichnow, a Lawrence businessman, included a substantial bequest to the Lawrence Flower Club, honoring his wife, Alberta, a former member. This gift has enabled the club to give $2,000 toward a grant to enlarge the Sensory 38 �Gardens at the Audio Reader site near the University of Kansas campus. Prairie Acres Garden Club and the Lawrence Flower Club collaborated on a grant from the National Garden Clubs, Inc., for this project. And now we are able to sponsor a footstone for the pathway at Sesquicentennial Point. We are grateful to Mr. S~lichnow for his generosity! Our members are proud of the history of the Lawrence Flower Club, one of the oldest garden clubs in Kansas. Other garden clubs in Lawrence are Prairie Acres, Green Thumb, Meadowlark, . Designer's Guild and Countryside. History provided by Lois Harrell and Mary Y. Allen Sponsored by: The Lawrence Flower Club. 1950 Charles and Tensie Oldfather The Oldfathers met at the University of Nebraska and were married in 1942. They came to Lawrence in 1950, where Charley became a professor of law· at the University of Kansas and Tensie raised a family of five boys and two girls. For the next half century, the Oldfathers became significant Lawrence citizens. Although they had a large family, they regularly opened their doors to troubled teens. For more than 20 years, they provided temporary housing for teenagers in emergency situations through the Volunteers in Court program. Tensie volunteered for many things in the community, including 4H and PTA. Through the years, Charley too became well-known in the community, appearing in community theater productions, films and a host of civic activities. The benevolent personalities of Tensie and Charley enriched the lives of many in Lawrence. They both gave generously of their spirits and . . their resources to improve the lives of others and to create lasting 39 �legacies for Lawrence and its citizens. Through their years in Lawrence, they supported the Red Cross, the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, Inc., Head Start, The Villages, the Lawrence Community Theater, the University of Kansas, Haskell Indian Nations University, Kansas Public Radio and many others. When Tensie received a significant inheritance in the 1970s, their philanthropic nature was only increased with quiet humility. As one result, however, Charley was able to quit his job as law professor and take up acting, a natural gift. This also allowed him to become involved in many civic activities during the day, including serving on the school board, chairing the State Advisory Council on Aging, and helping restore Liberty Hall in the 1980s. After Charley died in 1996, Tensie continued the couple's commitment to Lawrence, steadfastly following her belief that sharing one's resources is the best way to both give and to receive. In 2000, Tensie gave $4 million to establish the Douglas County Community Foundation, which, in only five years, grew to assets of over $7 million, returning more that $1 million in grants to community nonprofits that promote education, health care, development, the environment and the arts. The quality of life for the citizens of Lawrence and the Oldfather's charitable legacy helped assure Lawrence's future. Tensie Oldfather died October 2,2007 " Sponsored by: Tensie Oldfather (Ed. Note. There are still opportunities to buy stepping stones at The Point. The cost is the" year you want to commemorate. Contact Clenece Hills at fairplay@sunflower.com) Once again, I want to say this is my last issue. Hopefully someone will 40 �step forward to take over the publication of The Pioneer. It has been in publication for 36 years and it would be a shame for it to lapse. Call me at 785-843-9199 or burchill@ku.edu. My thanks go to Richard Wellman and Don Vaughn, both of whom have furnished me with material over the years. 41 �THE PIONEER Douglas County Genealogical Society, Inc 1329 Kasold G 1 Lawrence, KS 66049 FORWARDING AND RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Douglas County Genealogical Society Subject The topic of the resource Douglas County (Kan.) -- Genealogy Douglas County (Kan.) -- History Description An account of the resource This collection is comprised of the publications of the Douglas County Genealogical Society, including issues of The Pioneer (the quarterly newsletter of the Society) as well as directories, various indexes compiled by members of the Society, and other resources of interest to genealogists and researchers studying the history of Lawrence and Douglas County, Kansas. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Douglas County Genealogical Society (Lawrence, Kan.) Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Lawrence Public Library (Lawrence, Kan.) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1977 - 2013 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource text Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Douglas County (Kan.) Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Pioneer, Vol. 36, Nos. 1-4: January - October 2013 Subject The topic of the resource Douglas County (Kan.) -- Genealogy Douglas County (Kan.) -- History Douglas County Genealogical Society (Lawrence, Kan.) Description An account of the resource The quarterly newsletter of the Douglas County Genealogical Society in Douglas County, Kansas, containing information regarding the organization, activities, and membership of the Society, and articles of interest to those researching family ties to or the history of Douglas County, Kansas. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Douglas County Genealogical Society Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Douglas County Genealogical Society (Lawrence, Kan.) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2013 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright, Douglas County Genealogical Society Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context PIONEER_VOL36_1THRU4_JAN-OCT2013 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Douglas County (Kan.)