BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
OF
BARTON COUNTY, KANSAS
BARTON COUNTY SPORTSMEN'S ASSOCIATION
Pages 271 - 272
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
OF
BARTON COUNTY, KANSAS
BARTON COUNTY SPORTSMEN'S ASSOCIATION
Pages 271 - 272
In The early days of Barton County it was a sportsman's paradise, but after the extermination of the buffaloes and antelopes from this part of the state, hunters were compelled to be satisfied with quail, prairie chickens and water fowl. Each year when the ducks and geese and other migratory birds pass over this part of the country in the spring and fall, many of them stop and are found on the marshes, creeks and rivers in large numbers. The people of Barton County are hunters by heredity because of the fact that the first settlers in this section depended a great deal on their prowess with the gun for their food. In 1905 a number of the citizens of the county got together and organized the Barton County Sportsmen's Association, the object being to maintain hunting privileges in different parts of the county. The organization was a success from the beginning and it now controls the hunting privileges on about six sections of land in the Cheyenne Bottoms which is but a short distance northeast of Great Bend. Here the ducks and other water fouls are found in large numbers at certain times of the year and here the members of the organization enjoy what many believe to be the grandest of all sports. The officers of the organization are c. D. Spaugh president; Lester Cox, secretary and treasurer, and these together with E. W. Seward, Ben McMullen, and C. W. Scherzer form the board of directors. The association now has about 125 members.
Prominent among the really old timers of Barton County is John West Pascoe who came here at a time when the county was just in the beginning of its history. He was born in Cornwall, England. October 28, 1833. He came to America May 8, 1856, and landed at Philadelphia. From there he went to Ontanogan County, Michigan, and from there came to the State of Kansas and arrived in Russell County April 19, 1871, and from there came to Barton County in July of the same year. He located on the west line of Great Bend township, the land comprising the northwest quarter of section 18. He went back to Michigan June 2, 1872, where he remained until July 19, 1873. He located in Eureka township and until 1903 was actively engaged in farming. In that year he retired and now lives in Great Bend at 1607 Williams street where he has a neat comfortable home. He was married January 26, 1854 to Miss Grace Dyer. To this union there were born seven children, five of whom are living. Elizabeth and Clara are both dead, and those living are as fellows. Paul is farming in this county and is mentioned in another part of this book; Rebekah is Mrs. William Thomas of Kansas City; Elizabeth Anne is now Mrs. Edward Harper and resides in Great Bend; Martha is now Mrs. William White; and Maria is now Mrs. Samuel White of Great Bend. Mr. Pascoe's first wife died February 28, 1889. September 28, 1889, Mr. Pascoe married Mrs. Anna Watts of Great Bend. They have one adopted child, Ruth Anne who now is nine years of age. Mr. Pascoe is one of the best known residents of Barton County. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. His son Paul and grandsons are also prominent in this order. The elder Mr. Pascoe has been a member of the Blue Lodge and the Chapter, for ..... years.
He had the pleasure of seeing his son Paul and two grandsons initiated into the Royal Arch and the Knights Templar degrees of Masonary at the same time. They also are members of the Consistory at Wichita and are 32nd degree masons. Mr. Pascoe is one of those hardy men who blazed the way that made possible the development of this county to one of which all its residents are justly proud.
Since the above was written John W. Pascoe has passed from this life to his reward in Heaven. The following
is from the Daily Tribune of July 13th, 1912.
John W. Paseoe died this noon at 10 minutes of 1 at his home in this city. He had been suffering from a general
breakdown and the last several months had been very feeble in health. No arrangements have yet been announced regarding
the funeral services but they will undoubtedly be held under the auspices of the Masonic order of which he was
a devoted member. Mr. Pascoe had been a resident of this county for nearly forty years, coming here from Michigan.
He was born in England and grew to manhood in that country. He was a man of absolute honesty and integrity and
enjoyed the respect of everyone who knew him. Further particulars regarding the deceased will be given in a later
issue.
Mr. Pascoe was a zealous Mason and it was his pleasure to see his son and two grandsons join the lodge of which he thought so much. It is act often that such a distinction is enjoyed by any lodge, that of three generations belonging to the same lodge.
The funeral services will be held Monday afternoon, July 15, at 2:30 o'clock at the Methodist church.
He was a man of absolute honesty and integrity, was devoted to his family and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. He was a devout Christian and during most of his life was a consistent member of the Methodist church. He was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity of this city and a member of the Consistory in Wichita.
He leaves to mourn his loss a wife, five children, twenty-three grand-children, two great grand children and a large circle of friends.
Funeral services were held this afternoon from the Methodist church, this city.
There are very few, if any, old timers of Barton County who did not know Richard Taylor, or "Dick," as he was commonly called by those who knew him best. Dick arrived in America shortly after the close of the civil war in 1865, a typical Englishman, whose love for his native land-where he belonged to the farming classes made him believe that outside of England there was very little worth while. Small of stature, but possessed of unlimited physical energy, he at once entered the field of active effort in this country, his first venture being in the brokerage business in Milwaukee, Wis., with an uncle, Richard Peough. He remained there a few years, after which he came to Kansas and located first at Russell in Russell County. This was in 1872 and it was but a short time after his arrival there that he engaged in the lumber business with Mr. Yoxall in Great Bend. In those days lumber was sold by this firm to parties in Barton County, the lumber being freighted in wagons. It might be interesting to know that white pine was about the only lumber obtainable at that time, and with the high freight rates and big expense in handling it sold for about the same price that it brings today. In 1875 Dick engaged in the farming business a short distance northwest of Great Bend where he still resides. His home place is known as Walnut Hill Stock Farm and is one of the most desirable and highly improved farms in the county. Mr. Taylor makes a specialty of raising thoroughbred Hereford cattle; his herd is one of the finest in this part of the country. Mr. Taylor was born in Hereford, England, July 10, 1844, and left there for America when he was 21 years of age. His liking for Hereford cattle is due to the fact that his birthplace Is the home of this famous breed. He was married November 21, 1875, to Miss Rachel Slack and they are the parents of three children as follows: Annie R., Arthur E., and Thomas R. Annie and Thomas are residing at the old home place while Arthur E. is in the real estate, insurance and farm loan business in Great Bend. Arthur was born in Barton County April 17, 1880, and was married January 4, 1905, to Miss Mable Brinkman and they are the parents of two children: Lillian and Elizabeth. When Dick Taylor arrived in Barton County he was accompanied by two brothers, Harry, who died after he had been here about two years and Thomas, who is now engaged in the cattle business in Kiowa County. Mrs. Taylor is a daughter of Rachel Slack, who arrived in Barton County in 1873 from Oswego, New York. Her husband was killed in the civil war. She located on land two miles north of Dartmouth. She was born November 29, 1827, at Leeds, England, and died January 1, 1812. Dick Taylor was the third mayor of Great Bend and also served as the county assessor in the early days. In 1910 Mr. Taylor took a trip back to England and while he had always pointed with pride to England as the leader in everything, he found that the methods that he had learned in the United States were superior to those in use in his native land. In the free and easy days of the first settlements in this county there were numerous tests of physical skill and strength in the way of boxing and wrestling bouts, and in these lines Dick Taylor was frequently pitted against men much larger than himself and always came out of the frays with flying colors much to the surprise of some of his larger opponents. When Mr. Taylor arrived in this country he had only seventeen suits of clothes, but unfortunately the style worn at that time by the best dressed people of England did not fit very well with the dictates of fashion in America. However, as soon as possible Mr. Taylor secured for his wardrobe a number of suits containing the highest class of American style and quality. Mr. Taylor is justly proud of his ancestry and native country but has always been a patriotic and progressive American and a citizen whom any community might desire, especially a community such as Barton County was at the time he took up his residence here. This is true because it is such men as Mr. Taylor who were required to withstand the hardships and make a productive section out of barren prairie land.
Great Bend was designated a postoffice of the fourth class in 1872 the first postmaster being Mr. Fossil. The first building used as a postoffice, a likeness of which is shown herewith is now used as a residence in the northeast part of town. Great Bend was designated a post-office of the second class in 1902 and in 1906 had reached a point where it was possible to make successful application for free delivery in the city. City free delivery was established that year with three carriers, the number having been added to as demand required. The first rural route out of Great Bend was put on September 1, 1904, and in 1912 this number had been increased to six. In 1890 the receipts of the office were $5,666, this being the amount for the year ending June 1, 1890. For the year ending June 1, 1893, the amount of receipts of the office was $5,175, for 1902, $7,484, for 1905 $10,977, for 1909 $17,875 and at the close of the postoffice year June 1, 1912, the preceding twelve months showed a total of $18,102. By an act of congress in 1908 an appropriation was made for a federal building at Great Bend to cost $65,000. It will be completed and ready for occupancy before the first of the year. It is a fine building, built of granite, is fire proof throughout and will be furnished according to the latest ideas and the well known demands of the government for substantial quality and beauty. The present postmaster is Theodore Griffith who has served since August, 1902. He has been an efficient and conscientious official and has discharged the duties of the office in a way that has met universal commendation.
The Great Bend Lodge No. 1127, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks was organized Oct. 1908. Previous to this there were a number of gentlemen of Great Bend belonged to the Hutchinson lodge but in 1308 Great Bend had reached a population of 5,000 and a charter was issued for a lodge. There were fifty charter members and in 1909 the membership had increased to something over 400, when steps were taken which resulted in the building of the beautiful home for members of the order in Great Bend. The home was dedicated March 17, 1910. The exalted rulers of the lodge since it was organized have been R. C. Russell, 1908-09; Dr. R. H. Meade, 1910; William Smythe, 1911 and J. L. Cox, 1912. At the present time the lodge has a membership of 607 and the officers are: J. L. Cox, Exalted Ruler; F. W. Brinkman, Esteemed Leading Knight; Dr. Stinson, Esteemed Loyal Knight; Wells Thompson, Esteemed Lecturing Knight; W. L. Bowersoxx, secretary; E. L. Chapman, treasurer; W. L. Dela-plane, Inside Guard; Justus Sandrock, Outside Guard. The Great Bend Lodge is known in Elkdom as being one of the livest organizations of the order and this is saying a great deal as all Elk bodies are live ones.
Among the few business men of Great Bend who came here in the '80s and went through the good and bad times, and are here today and still in business is Charles A. Hooper. He was born in Adams County, Indiana, September 29, 1860, and came from there to the State of Kansas in 1878. He first located at Atchison where he remained until 1886 when he came to Barton County and opened a drug store on the lot now occupied by the Ideal Bakery. At the end of six months the business had grown to such an extent that more room was needed and the stock was moved to the corner of Lakin and Main street where the Wagaman store is now located. Mr. Hooper remained there a year and moved to his present location, 1507-9 Main street. Before coming to Kansas Mr. Hooper attended the Valparaiso College and Notre Dame College of Indiana where he fitted himself for a pharmacist and is now registered in the State of Kansas. Mr. Hooper was married September 4, 1883, to Miss Margaret Kennedy of Atchison and they are the parents of six children, five of whom are living as follows: Irene, who is now Mrs. J. P. Healy of Oklahoma City; Chas. Warren is attending John Hopkins University of Baltimore, Maryland; Ulanda, Jacob and Muriel are living at home. Mrs. Healey is a talented singer while her sister, Muriel, is a violinist of exceptional ability. Mr. Hooper's business in this city has grown steadily since its inception and his establishment is now recognized as being one of the largest drug, music and book stores in this section of the country. The stores occupy two large rooms with balconies making a total floor space of 105,000 square feet. In the drug department can be found an exceptionally fine line of drugs, chemicals, toilet articles and the soda fountain is one of the best equipped and most sanitary to be found in Central Kansas. In the music department Mr. Hooper carries a line of pianos that compare favorably with the stock found in the largest cities and here one can obtain any kind of a musical instrument as well as sheet music, Victor talking machines and a complete line of records for these instruments. Then Mr. Hooper also makes a specialty of wall paper, books, stationery and he has built his business to its present high standing by correct methods and square dealing policies. When Mr. Hooper located in Great Bend it required men of great fortitude and keen business knowledge to overcome the adverse conditions with which they had to contend. However, Mr. Hooper was equal to the occasion and saw his business grow until it stands today among the leading mercantile establishments of Barton County and the State of Kansas.
The first steps for the organization of the First National Bank were taken on May 9, 1885 when the call was issued by Mr. McBride for a meeting for that purpose.
The first board of directors consisted of Mr. McBride, E. M. Parlin, W. H. Campbell, G. H. Hulme, R. C. Bailey, E. L. Chapman, C. F. Willner, J. H. Hubbard and John Lindas. The charter was issued by H. W. Cannon, then comptroller of the currency, on the 7th day of July, 1885 and it began the transaction of business with E. M. Parlin president and R. C. Bailey as cashier.
Officers of the bank since the date of its organization have been:
Presidents-E. M. Parlin, July 7, 1885 to July 31, 1888; J .W. Rush, July 31, 1888 to October 6, 1892; E. L. Chapman, October 6, 1892 to June 13, 1894; G. H. Hulme, vice-president and acting president,. June 13, 1894 to January 14, 1895; G. L. Chapman, January 14, 1895 to March 20, 1911; R. L. Hamilton, March 20, 1911 to July 1, 1911; Chas. Lobdell, July 1, 1911.
Cashiers-R. C. Bailey, July 7, 1885 to January 10, 1888; S. E. Prentis, January 10, 1888 to July 23, 1891; C. M. Wickwire, July 23, 1888 to November 2, 1891; G. L. Chapman, November 2, 1891 to January 14, 1895; H. J. Klein, January 11, 1898 to January 14, 1902; Ed L. Chapman, January 14, 1902 to June 1, 1912; F. H. Miller, June 1, 1912.
The real history of the bank began with the election of G. L. Chapman as cashier in 1891 and he was from that date to the date of his death, the active manager and guiding genius of the bank, carrying it through the panic of 1893 and the years of depression that followed. The story of the bank has been one of remarkable success-it having notwithstanding the necessary losses incident to the collapse of the boom of 1886 and '87 and the panic of '93, made a net earning during the period of its exist-ence, up to July 1st of the present year of $167,455.98 and with its capital of $100,000 and surplus of $20,000, it is today one of the
strongest financial institutions of the South September 9, 1912, the First National completed a business arrangement which resulted in nearly doubling its deposits and which has made it the strongest bank in the State of Kansas in a town the size of Great Bend and one of the strongest in the country. The deal resulted in the consolidation of the J. V. Brinkman Company Bank with the First National. The Brinkman Bank was the oldest institution of the kind in the western part of the state and its deposits were among the largest of any state bank of Kansas. The consolidation of the banks resulted in a slight change in the directorate of the institution. C. B. Lobdell remained president of the institution, with Chas. V. Brinkman vice-president. Peter Brack of Olmitz was added to the directorate and Frank Brinkman was made assistant cashier. The officers and directors of the bank are as follows: C. E. Lobdell, president; R. R. Hamilton, vice-president; Chas. V. Brinkman, vice-president; Fred Miller, cashier. Directors: C. E. Lobdell, C. V. Brinkman, Peter Brack, Ola B. Chapman, R. L. Hamilton, F. V. Russell, W. Torrey, E. J. Eveleigh. The institution has deposits amounting to nearly one million dollars.
E. L. Chapman was born in Bath England, and came to Great Bend in 1873. Immediately after his arrival he took an active part in all public matters and up until the time of his death which occurred June 13, 1894, he was one of the best known men in the state. He took up a homestead in Buffalo township, in this county. He was elected Probate judge on an independent ticket in 1874 and was also elected to this office two successive terms on the Republican ticket. He was appointed postmaster of Great Bend by President Garfield and served nearly five years. During the Harrison-Cleveland campaign he was nominated for presidential elector from the Seventh District of Kansas at a convention held in Garden City. He later resigned this office to become a candidate for state senator and was elected by a flattering majority. He served but one term in this office, resigning to accept the appointment of receiver of the U. S. land office at Larned. This appointment was made by President Harrison. He organized the First National Bank of Great Bend in 1885 and it is now one of the leading financial institutions of the state.
The following is taken from the Kansas State Directory of 1889:
"E. L. Chapman, of Great Bend, Barton County, representing the Thirty-sixth Senatorial District, has long been identified with the interests of Central Kansas, his name being connected with many of the enterprises having for their object the development of the Arkansas Valley. As editor and publisher of a newspaper he has always advocated all legitimate propositions tending to benefit the people of Barton County, and his paper - The Register - has always been a power for good in Barton County. During the last campaign (1888) Senator Chapman had a hard battle but succeeded in gaining a victory over his opponents. He is a member of Pap Thomas Post, G. A. R. of Great Bend and was among the number whose names appeared on the charter for this organization. He entered the U. S. army in 1861 and was mustered out in 1866, having served as Provost Marshal of the Department of the Cumberland. He was married to Anna Jones at Paducah, Kentucky in 1864, and they are the parents of four children: General L., Laura, Leo and Edward." Mr. Chapman numbered his friends by the score and his death was an occasion for much grief in the community where he had proved himself to be a kind and generous man.
One of the most notable examples of what a harbor of freedom the United States is, and a proof that all men in it are free and equal is Peter Brack of Olmitz, Barton County. He was born in the village of Popotchnaja, Russia, and was one of four children and with the usual prospects offered those residents of the Czar's realm who are not fortunate enough to be classed among the land owners or nobility. In Russia a man may have enough land to be called a farmer but he rents that and as a rule it is a little one to four acre patch of ground on which he raises mighty small crops, considering the amount of work he puts in on it, and he meets the taxes, the rent and cost of repairs as though he owned the land, and no matter how poor the crop might be, the share system only works when the owner of the land gets his share first and the tenant takes what is left Mr. Brack was fired by the stories of riches to be found in America ,but did not imagine that money grew on trees, and could be had for picking it off, but he thought of the injustice of the system which denied him and his brothers-although as intelligent as the other children of the country the right of freedom. The stories of the new world appealed to him, satisfied that if given a chance he could make good, he with his young wife, mother and three brothers and families. Joined a colony starting for America. They arrived in New York October 21, 1876. Peter was then nineteen years old. His first position in Barton County after he arrived here was with L. M. Krause, working on his farm at $8.00 per month. Later he took up farming with three brothers near Olmitz and after a short time he went to Colorado where he worked for the railroad for some time. In 1883 he started a country store on his eight acre farm in this county, with a stock consisting of $800 worth of goods. Looking ahead to the development of his land, he having always lived in a farming country, knew that it was in farming that money was to be made. He was interested in seeing that his people got a good start and was a great help to other families that came to Barton County from his old home in Russia. These people were part of the colony of which the Bracks made up a part, and which is explained more fully in another article in this book. Mr. Brack has always been a leader among his countrymen in this country and those who were helped by him helped him in return when the fruits of their labor on the farms were successful. But if the farm had not paid well, he would never had received anything in return for what he loaned. The farm land made good and his money was returned to him. He invested in lands and saw that they paid. In the '90s when there were years of crop failures the Russian colony knew that it was only a cycle of poor years like they had known in Russia, and they stayed by the lands. As land got cheaper the young merchant saw his chance and began investing with the result that he now owns in Western Kansas nearly 100 quarter sections of land owns stock in several banks, is president of the bank at Olmitz-which became a necessity as the community prospered and gave up his store to retire from active business a few years ago. Two years ago he made a trip to the old country and on his return wrote a most interesting account of his travels. He is a shrewd, thorough business man, well content to live among the neighbors with whom he has shared joys and woes for thirty-five years and yet is a modern American business man. He is a product of the United States and proves the opportunity it has offered to the people of all nations. Blessed with no children of his own, he and his wife have an adopted daughter, now Mrs. Constantine Schneider who with her husband share their palatial home in Olmitz, one of the finest appointed houses in the county.
There are a number of biographies in this book but none that will be read with more interest than the one concerning A. J. Hoisington who was- one of the best known pioneers of the state or at least that section of it now known as Barton County. No one person did more to further the interest of Great Bend and Barton County than did the subject of this sketch and his memory is revered by all who knew him for his kindly deeds and unswerving manhood. Andrew Jackson Hoisington was born near Quincy, Illinois, July 2, 1848. When a boy he removed with his parents to Greene County, Iowa; and later to Madison County, where he grew to manhood on his father's farm. After teaching school several terms he went to Des Moines, Iowa, where he learned the printer's trade in the office of the Des Moines Register. After a few years he returned to Madison County and became part owner of the Winterset Madisonian. He came to the State of Kansas in 1874 and first located at Newton where he taught school a short time after which he came to Great Bend and followed the same occupation. After teaching school northeast of Great for a few weeks, he was asked to take charge of the Great Bend Register which had Just been established. This he did and ultimately purchased the paper and continued as its publisher until 1883. It was during this year that he was appointed receiver of the U. S. land office at Garden City to which place he took his family. He sold the Register to E. L, Chapman. Shortly after entering the land office at Garden City he organized and became president of the Finney County Bank. During the next few years he organized a string of banks throughout Southwestern Kansas, these establishments being located at Santa Fe, Ulysses, Arkalon and Hugoton. In 1890 he sold his interests in Garden City and moved to Kansas City where he organized the Hoisington Loan & Trust Co., and the Hoisington Publishing Co., which he managed for several years. In 1895 he returned to Great Bend where he again got possession of the Register and had for partners in the business his sons, Earl and Roy. He died at Winterset, Iowa, in February, 1896. He was married to Miss Mary Smith of Madison County, Iowa, December 31, 1874, and they were the parents of three children: Morris Earl, Roy Albert and Arthur Frank, all of whom are living. Mrs. Hoisington died in Kansas City November 1, 1890.
Morris Earl Hoisington was born in Great Bend, January 20, 1876. In 1890 he became associated with his father and brother in the publication of the Great Bend Register. In 1895 and '06 he published the Clarion at Claf-lin where he also served as postmaster. He is a linotype operator at Grand Junction, Colorado, employed by the Sentinel of that city. He was married August 28, 1905, to Miss Bessie Henderson of Grand Junction and they are the parents of one son, Robert Morris Hoisington.
Roy A. Hoisington was born in Great Bend, November 21, 1880, and began his newspaper career with the Register in the latter '90s. He purchased the Standard at Leoti, Kansas, in 1901 and continued as owner and publisher until 1911. He was postmaster at Leoti six years. He married Miss Margaret Riley of Leoti and they are the parents of four children.
Frank A. Hoisington was born at Garden City, Kansas, November 27, 1886. He was associated with his brother, Roy, in the publication of the Leoti Standard for several years. He is now foreman of the Daily Sentinel of Grand Junction, Colorado. He was married in 1910 to Miss Peal Greenawalt at Leoti, Kansas, and they are the parents of one son, Carl.
Aaron Henrick Connett was born at Milford, Clermont County, Ohio, December 31, 1848. When he was three years of age his parents moved to Madison, Indiana, where his father died the following year and Aaron was sent to live with relatives on a farm some distance from Madison. He remained there until he was sixteen years of age and attended the district schools a number of years and finished his public school education at the high school in Madison. After his graduation from the Madison schools he took up the trade of carriage making and worked in a factory for four years. In 1867 he, with his mother and brothers came overland to Bedford, Iowa, arriving there October 1, 1867. Here lie followed the farming business until 1874 when he took up the study of medicine in the drug store and office of his brother, M. C. Connett, who had been actively engaged in the practice of medicine in that town for several years. In 1878 he graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, now a department of the Drake University of Iowa, at that time located at Keokuk, Iowa. He also attended the Rush Medical College of Chicago. He practiced in his home town in Iowa until 1884 when he came to Barton County, Kansas, and located at Great Bend and since that time has been one of the best known physicians and surgeons in this part of the state. Dr. Connett was married to Miss Harriett Fordyoe of Bedford, la., March 14, 1878, and there were three children born to this union: Bess, Mary and Helen G.
Mrs. Connett died in April, 1886. In April, 1887 Mr. Connett was married to Miss Lizzie J. Fordyce whom he also survived, she having died in November, 1896. In 1907 Dr. Connett married Elizabeth J. Rcthell of Kansas City and they now occupy a neat residence at 1111 Morton street. Dr. Connett has always taken a great interest in the affairs of the community in which he lives and for four years was a member of the school board and served as city and county physician during the times when the community was suffering from a small pox epidemic. Dr. Connett handled the disease in a most acceptable manner and confined it to a limited area by prompt and efficient action. Dr. Connett stands high in the Masonic fraternity of Kansas. He became a member of the Masons in Iowa before coming to Kansas. He is a member of the local lodge Number 15, A. F. & A. M., and at different times has been "Master of the local lodge, and served in the same capacity in his home town in Iowa. He is also a member of Mt. Nebo Chapter No. 36 R. A. M.; Zabund Council No. 4 R. & S. M.; Wichita Consistory No. 5, 32nd degree, Wichita, Kansas; Isis Temple, A. A. O. N. M. of Salina, Kansas; St. Omer Commandery No. 14, K. T.; is Past Grand High Priest, Grand Chapter R. A. M. of Kansas; Past Grand Master Grand Council R. & S. M. of Kansas, and at present is Grand Treasurer of the Grand Chapter and Grand Council, having held the latter office since 1903.
In February, 1873, T. J. Peters, general manager of the Santa Fe road, wired me to go to the end of the road at the west line of the State of Kansas and survey the town of Sargent. I had an order to Mike Green, the famous track layer, for such assistance as I needed, who, having finished his labors in building the road to that point, was in camp there for the winter with a gang of track layers. There roamed in that country from Dodge City west, a gang of outlaws and horse thieves as daring and as desperate a set of robbers as could be found anywhere. Many of them were young men who had grown wild out of the buffalo hunting trade and wanted to be bad men; others had drifted away from civilized centers, because they were bad and had to leave; others were naturally bad and when they found themselves in a free open country, free from the restraint of law, acted out their natural tendencies. At any rate they were a bad lot.
After leaving Dodge City in a caboose on the rear end of a construction train with Mose Weyman as conductor, at some little station west of Dodge, Cimarron, I think, two of these characters boarded the caboose, who, in the parlance of those days, were called "wolves." Each one of them had a pair of navy 44s strapped on his hips. Mose came around for their fare, which they flatly refused to pay. He went away about his business. After a while, biding his time and opportunity, having said nothing to irritate or arouse them, in passing along near where they sat and observing that they were off their guard, quick and a flash, he grabbed one of the pistols out of the holster and with it cocked in their faces, demanded their fare and got it, and took the rest of the pistols away from them. He was a little fellow, not over five feet, six inches high, but quick as a flash and perfectly fearless.
I reached the town of Sargent in the evening and found that there had already been built in a line a row of houses, tents and improvised places of business some forty or fifty in number, 400 feet north of the track. I found also that the "wolves" in the absence of any organization or establishment of law or official authority were running the town. I found my old friend, Bob Wright, an old pioneer on the Santa Fe trail, and a store in full operation. I took my blankets and transit and went to his store to stay all night We made our beds down on the floor and surrounded them with sacks of shelled corn to afford us protection from stray bullets while we slept, as the so-called "wolves" were in the habit of shooting up the town at night as an evening pastime.
On investigation the next morning, I found I would have to organize a camping outfit and go back down the road to Holidaysburg and carry out a line from the limit of the government survey as there was a sixteen-mile strip east of the state line which had not yet been surveyed, and I must do this in order to find my location.
In the morning I also found my old friends Mose and Jim Gainsford, who had come into that point from somewhere on a hunt Mose was glad to see me and said he wanted my help. It seemed that an old Scotchman by the name of Alexander Gourley had come into this point from a buffalo hunt with a team of horses and wagon and had sold his pelts, got his money and the wolves were trying to get both away from him, and Mose and Jim, both strapping young fellows, good shots, fond of ;adventure and daring, found nothing more suited to their liking than to take up the old man's cause and help to get him out of the clutches of these self same "wolves."
They told me their plan was to get the old man to hitch up his team and drive out on the street ready to go when they knew the wolves would gather around the wagon to stop him. They asked me to get my gun ready to be on the ground as a careless looker on when they were ready to start, and in case of any trouble to govern myself accordingly. I carelessly wandered around to the starting place to where the old Scotchman had driven his team from the rear. The wolves gathered around as they had expected, and Jim Gainsford climbed up on the front seat beside the old man and pulled one of his revolvers out and just laid it across his knee. Mose got up on the rear end of the wagon with his needle gun across his lap cocked and ready for business. When all was ready, without any apparent concern Mose called out to the old man to drive on, he was all ready. Two of the wolves had gotten around in front of the horses, but when they saw the determined mien of these two men they did not interpose any opposition to their going. They knew if they did that somebody would be hurt, and it might be they. There was nothing more said, but I could see as they drove away the look of disappointment and chagrin on the faces of these men who threw a glance at each other and seemed to come to a definite understanding that there was a job they had better not undertake as it was very likely to be more than a day's work. Nothing further occurred during the day of an exciting nature, except the robbing of a hunter who came in with hides and got some money and had taken a little too freely of whiskey when they fleeced him completely in broad day light That night, as far as excitement was concerned, was a repetition of the night before. The "wolves," though, seemed to be on a general carouse and spent most of the time drinking in Chris Gilson's saloon, marching up and down the street yelling and shooting and making night hideous as only wolves can. They were bad men from the head waters of Bitter Creek, and it was their night to howl and they did howl.
Chris Gilson was an intelligent, bright Irishman who had, from Newton west, run a saloon tent to supply the demands of Mike Green's 300 track layers and associate trade. The railroad men said Chris was a good fellow, honorable in his dealings with them, and sold them whiskey for their money, but would never permit any crooked business in his saloon. About a month before this time he had gotten into a controversy down at the old town with one of this same band of "wolves" who was attempting to rob a man in his place and to shoot him dead; consequently the gang had it in for Chris, and on this particular night they had gone to his place and, about "ninth drink time," it began to look very threatening, when Chris slipped out and went over to the railroad car-penter's train and stayed all night in fear of his life. The "wolves" took possession and compelled old Dad, his barkeeper, to mix drinks for them'all night, as wanted, while they made merry and had a good time.
I hired an old Irishman with his mule team, who had been teamster for Chris Gilson, to haul my camp equipage and baggage the next day down to Hollidaysburg. The next morning he hitched up his team and drove it up opposite Gilson's tent so that the tail end of the wagon reached out over the sidewalk or path in front of the buildings. I was helping the old Irishman load the wagon from the rear end when Long Jack and one armed Sam Wright came along. Just as they were turning out to go around the end of the wagon, and where I stood, Chris Gilson popped out of the front of the tent with a double barrel shot gun in his hand, and, directing his attention to them, said, "You ; I'll fix you," and fired one load of buckshot into Sam Wright's heart, and he fell dead within six feet of me. Long Jack started to run towards the railroad train and he gave him the other barrel through his arm. He got to the train, which was starting, and got away with a shattered arm. In but a few moments more Tom McClelland came up half dazed with drink, saying he guessed Chris would not hurt him, but Chris did hurt him, for he had no sooner come within range of the tent than out he came again, and at the first shot shattered his arm; when he started towards the railroad, with Chris after him. He finally stopped, ex-claiming, "Oh, for God's sake, don't," and received the other barrel through his chest, which killed him instantly.
The respectable business men of the town at once came to the front and asserted themselves, a thing they had been afraid to do before. They at once assembled in Bob Wright's store and then began Chris Gilson's trial by a jury of his peers. Bob Wright was elected chairman of the meeting and somebody else secretary, and motion was made and carried to the effect that Chris Gilson be tendered a vote of thanks for the services he had just rendered the town, and the motion carried unanimously. A motion was also made that the rest of the gang of "wolves" be given five minutes in which to quit the town, never to return. The motion carried unanimously. No other notification was necessary. During the next five minutes you could look in almost any direction and see a man going.
Then the hat was passed and thirty-five dollars was contributed and passed into the hands of the committee who were instructed to purchase a new shot gun, the best that could be purchased for the money, and present it to Chris Gilson as a testimonial of the services rendered by him. The meeting adjourned and from that time forth there was not a more orderly town in that country than Sargent The bad blood was all spilled or gone and men of even doubtful conduct found their manners at once.
I became very well acquainted with Chris Gilson after that and found him to be a royal good fellow of manly qualities and good, decent intentions. He had been headquarters teamster during the war, under Phil Sheridan. He was a good musician and entertained me a whole evening singing songs and playing the guitar. He was as tender hearted and as gentle as a woman, but he was driven to desperation by this lawless gang, who were in the wrong. He knew they were in the wrong and he had the nerve to take up his gun and shoot them right. The business men recognized that it was the only thing to do, and they justified him in full for doing it. Long Jack escaped on the train and went back down to Florence, Kansas, where he had grown up among decent people. I saw him years afterward attending John Robinson's circus at Florence. He told me that his experience "broke him of sucking eggs," and I dare say he became a respectable, good citizen.
Mose and Jim Gainsford took the old Scotchman with them down to Great Bend to the old Fort Zarah settlement,
where the old man took up his soldier's homestead and became a permanent settler. He was a sturdy old son of Scotia's
soil, nearly eighty years old, and had served four years and seven months in the army of the Union during the Civil
war. He went on numerous hunting expeditions from that point, and a young German, who had just come to America
and taken out his first papers, taking advantage of his ab-sence from his homestead, jumped his claim and contested
his right to hold it I defended the old man in his suit at the land office and Mose was his principal witness.
The case was fought through the land department to the secretary of the interior, and I secured a decision in the
old man's favor, without hope of reward. and the only compensation. In fact, I did not expect any compensation,
but years afterwards when the old man's failing strength and years compelled him to secure quarters in the Soldier's
Home at Leaven worth, just before departing, came into my office and with tears in his eyes and in the most feeling
words acknowledged the friendly acts I had done for him and his inability to compensate me in money, and, with
a "God bless you, my brave lad," presented me with a pint bottle of whiskey. While I did not drink whiskey
I nevertheless appreciated the spirit that bestowed the gift Just as much as if it had been a bottle of gold dust.
Mose was a staunch character. He had been during the war a soldier in the Union army in Missouri. After the war
he had been with the United States marshal's forces as a deputy marshal in helping to restore civil order. He belonged
to a good family of people, who, through the war, had come into contact with the most thrilling scenes in it. About
'67 he had driven cut from Missouri to Western Colorado and had had gone through many wild experiences, a miner
in California Gulch, a prospector and hunter in Taylor Park, South Park and all over New Mexico, and finally drifted
to old Fort Zarah, where I first became acquainted with him in 1871. He was six feet high, straight as an Indian,
good features, steady steel blue eyes, strong as a giant, a splendid shot, and, while I have seen him in many tight
places, I never saw him exhibit the least excitement or feeling of fear. Under excitement his features looked a
little sterner and his countenance perhaps a little paler. He was a man of splendid impulses of heart, and while
he had come through all phases of excitement incident to frontier life and become familiar with the hardest, yet
when civilization overtook him he naturally settled down and assimilated with it and became one of the most prosperous
citizens in his section of the country.
Jim had gone through much the same experience, was more sensational in temperament but with undaunted courage. He settled down to the marshalship cf a Texas cattle shipping town and was a terror to the lawless element of the cowboy fraternity. In keeping them regulated and submitting them to lawful authority he had to kill a number of them, but he did it in the full performance of his duty. There were but few better shots with a Navey 44 than Jim. He never pulled his gun until the last extremity, but when he did, he rarely missed.
There are very few people in this day and age who do not enjoy a bottle of soda pop as it has gained a place among the summer beverages that nothing else can fill, and the pleasure derived from drinking a bottle of pop is greatly enhanced if you get the product of the Duncan Bottling Works of Great Bend. This is one of the man-ufacturing interest of Great Bend that has been built up on merit. It was established in Hoislngton where it was operated for some time before it was moved to Great Bend in 1909. It was operated by Mr. Duncan until March, 1911, when he sold a half interest to Mr. Winstead who bought the remainder of the business in November of the same year. Mr. Winstead was born in the City of Great Bend in 1881 and is a son of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Winstead, the former having been marshal of the town and pberiff of the county and whose biography will be found in another part of this book. Mr. Winstead was married June 5, 1907, to Miss Carrie Collins of Great Bend and they have one child, a boy, Kenneth, who was born on the 4th of July, 1908. Mr. Winstead has given his personal attention to the management of his business and ships the products to all parts of this and surrounding counties within a radius of 150 miles. The plant has a capacity of 400 cases cf soda water per day and it is found on sale at all drink emporiums that appreciate the best in the beverage line Mr. Winstead makes his own flavoring extracts which is a guarantee of their purity and strength. All mixing and bottling is done under Mr. Winstead's personal supervision and during the busy season the place gives em-ployment to five people which number is in-creased as the demand grows greater. This is one of Great Bend's manufacturing enterprises which has gained its high standing among the people of this part of the state by turning out only the best of goods at all times. Mr. Winstead was one of the first two mail carriers in the City of Great Bend.
Dan A. Banta was born near Union City, Ohio, in the year 1851, and it was in that state that he received his early education. He went to the state of Indiana in 1866, where he remained until 1884 when he came to the state of Kansas. Before leaving Indiana he studied law with the firm of Steele & St. John and in 1879 was admitted to the bar in the town of Marion, Indiana. After his arrival in Kansas Judge Banta took up the practice of law and has made a record in the different courts of the state of which he may well feel proud. Early in 1910 the Republican party wanted a candidate for district judge who had earned a place in the district by his untiring efforts in fighting for right and justice and when Dan A. Bantu's name was suggested the party workers knew that he was just the man they needed for this important place on the ticket That their judgment was correct was proven at the election in the fall of 1910 when Dan Banta was elected judge of the Twentieth judicial district of Kansas by a most flattering majority. Since Judge Banta has been called upon the bench he has been called upon to decide some important cases and the record he has made has been most gratifying to his friends in all political parties. Judge Banta is married and has three boys: Dan Worth, George and Arthur. Dan Worth is a musician of rare ability, George is an expert mechanic while Arthur is engaged in the practice of law in Great Bend. Judge Banta is of that type of man that makes friends and retains them by his universal genial manner, and high sense of right and justice.
Charles L. Gunn was born at La 8allef Illinois, August 24, 1859. He came to Barton County with his parents in 1877 and for some time worked for farmers in the neighborhood of his father's homestead. Later he acquired 160 acres of land and began farming for himself. He is one of five boys of whom Lev! Gunn is the father, his brothers are Frank, William, Lou and Howard, all of whom are mentioned in another part of this book. Charles L. was married in 1882 to Miss Fannie Lee of this county and they are the parents of six children as follows: Walter, Leonard, Grace, Ray, May and Edward. Walter is vice-president of the Barton County Milling Co., Leonard is secretary and treasurer, while their father is president and manager. The remainder of the children are at home and are being educated along modern lines. The Barton County Milling Co., of which Mr. Gunn is the president, was organized in 1903, and since that time its product has added greatly to Great Bend's fame as a milling city. The mill owned by this company was formerly the property of Moses Brothers but seven years ago Mr. Gunn purchased a two-thirds interest and later acquired possession of the one-third. Since Mr. Gunn has had control of the mill he has added to its efficiency by the addition of the latest approved machinery and by using only the best methods in flour making which has made for it a most enviable reputation. Mr. Gunn gives personal supervision to the management of the mill and in addition to the milling business owns a thousand acres of land near Heizer and other farms in different parts of the county. Most of this land is farmed under his direction. The Gunn family is one of the best known cf the early comers and they are familiar with the early history of this section of Kansas.
Many there are who will read this biography with sorrow as it is a brief account of the life of one who during the '80s in Great Bend gained for himself a warm place in the hearts of the people who made up the population of the town and Barton County. Dr. Simeon Jessie Shaw was born in Ohio and came to Barton County in 1884. He was a graduate of the Starling Medical College of Columbus, Ohio, and immediately upon his ar-rival here took up the practice of his profession. It was but a short time until he was known and respected in all parts of Barton and surrounding counties, not only as a careful, painstaking physician but as a citizen whose counsul was eagerly sought and whose friendship was highly prized. He was married to Miss Orlinda G. Lewis of Ohio and they were the parents of cne child, Vida, who is now the wife of Dr. E. E. Morrison of this city. Dr. Shaw died in December, 1901, and never in the history of Great Bend had there been a funeral previous to his where such genuine sor-row was shown by so many people. The funeral was one of the largest that ever was held in this part of the state and was attended not only by local people but by friends of the dead physician from all over Kansas. Dr. Shaw with all of his practice found time to take an interest in public undertakings and served the county as coroner several times. He ran for the office of representative but like all the candidates on his ticket was defeated. In the eighties Dr. Shaw opened a drug store but later sold it and bought land and at the time of his death owned about 720 acres of land in Barton County. He was a member of the Masons, A. O. U. W., Modern Woodmen and in the Masonic fraternity was a member cf the Shriners and belonged to Isis Temple of Salina. He will always be remembered by the old timers of Barton County and all who knew him as a good, conscientious doctor, and a citizen of which any community could be proud.
The professional life of Dr. Shaw in this community is well pictured in the story of Dr. Wm. McClure, by Ian McLaren. He was indeed a doctor of the old school, through rain and sleet, over rough roads and at all hours of the night he drove on his errands of mercy. No thought of financial returns gave him strength for his labors and his cheery smile brought hope and comfort wherever he went. It is not too great a meed of praise to give to his memory that he gave his life to the people of Barton County as fully as a soldier on the field of battle or the pioneer on the western plains.
Among the manufacturing industries of Great Bend the Nuttleman Manufacturing Company occupies a prominent place as its products are shipped all over the country and add to Great Bend's reputation as a place where they do things. The Nuttleman Manufacturing Company's establishment is owned and operated by Fred Nuttleman who gives his personal attention to the management of the plant. Mr. Nuttleman was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, February 7, 1875, and remained there until he was twenty-two years of age when he came to Great Bend and entered the employment of the firm of Miller & Hemker, hardware dealers. At the end of three years Mr. Nuttleman purchased Mr. Miller's interest in the business and the firm name wau changed to Hemker & Nuttleman. Four yearn ago Mr. Nuttleman sold his interest to Mr Hemker and established the Nuttleman Manufacturing Co. The factory is contained in a building two stories high and 50 by 70 feet in dimensions and is located on Williams street between Forest and Lakin in Great Bend. Here are made wheat bins, tanks and culverts and it has become known all over this part of the state that anything bearing the name of the Nuttleman Manufacturing Co., represents all that is best in the line cf goods made of sheet metal. This concern employs seven people and adds in no small way to the pay roll of the city. Everything in the sheet metal line is manufactured and no job is too small or too large for this concern to successfully undertake. Mr. Nuttleman is the active manager cf the plant and all work is done under his supervision. The material used in the work at this plant are the best that can be obtained and the prices charged are consistent with the very best material and workmanship. The business of this establishment has grown each year and is growing bigger all the time as the merit of its products becomes generally known. Mr. Nuttleman was married February 6, 1903, to Miss Rosa Brandt and they occupy a nice residence at 2923 Forest. Mr. Nuttleman has always been identified with the business interests of Great Bend since his arrival here and he has done much to add to Greai Bend's reputation as a manufacturing city.
In business circles in Barton County there is no man who is better known than George H. Hulme who was one of the pioneer merchants of Great Bend. George H. Hulme was born February 4, 1844, at Manchester, England and came to America with his mother in 1849, two years after his father had arrived in this country. The family first located at Fall River, Massachusetts, where they remained two years. They went from there to Magnolia, Illinois, and remained there until 1875, when George came to Barton County, Kansas. He brought with him a $7,000 stock of general merchandise which he placed on sale in a building located on lot 1, block 103, which is the ground now occupied by the First National Bank Building. Later the stock was moved to the opera house block at the corner of Williams and Forest Avenue. This was in 1888 after the completion of the opera house building which was erected by Mr. Hulme and C. F. Wllner. Later the merchandise stock was moved from there to a building on Forest Avenue next to the postoffice where it remained under Mr. Hulme's management until July, 1911, when he sold out the stock to George O. Hunt. The Great Bend Flour Mill which Mr. Hulme still owns was built by W. W. P. Clement in 1876 and at that time had a capacity of 25 barrels per day. In 1886 Mr. Hulme and William Kelley purchased an interest in the mill. This partnership continued until 1898 when Hulme and Kelley bought out Mr. Clement and in 1905 Mr. Hulme bought out Mr. Kelley and became the sole owner of the mill. It now has a capacity of 400 barrels per day. The leading brands of flour made by the Great Bend Mills are "Perfection," for the export trade and "Sunbeam" both of which are noted for their quality. Mr. Hulme was married to Miss Anna M. Bo&ley at Magnolia, Illinois, November 11, 1875, and they are the parents of seven children, five of whom are liv-ing. The children are: Georgia, who is now Mrs. G. W. Green; James H" who aids his father; Raymond, who is engaged in the farm-ing business in Barton County; Charles looks after his father's farming interests; and Vivian, the baby of the family, lives at home. In addition to the above Mr. and Mrs. Hulme are the parents of two children, Clara, who died when six years of age and Vivin who died when he was four years of age. Since making his home in this county Mr. Hulme has always been known as a substantial business man and in addition to his business interests in Great Bend he has accumulated considerable farm land. He owns nineteen quarter sections in Barton County, three quarters in Cowley bounty and six quarters in Stevens County, nearly all of which is being farmed by renters. There are few if any of the old timers of Barton County who have not bought goods of Jdr. Hulme as his store was one of the first general stcres in the City of Great. Mr. Hulme has held public offices on different occasions and has always found time to take an interest in the public affairs of the community in which he lives.
Donald A. Weltmer, Don Weltmer as everybody knows him, was born in Eureka township, Barton County, February 24, 1879. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Christian A. Weltmer, who came to this section of the state in 1878. The family moved to Great Bend in 1886. In 1900 Don and his brother Pete established the firm of Weltmer Brothers and f:r five years they conducted the grocery business now owned by Turner & Son. In 1905 Don bought out the soda water bottling business owned by H. E. Dean. It occupies a building on Kansas Avenue that housed the first electric light plant in the City of Great Bend. The business occupies a building on Kansas Avenue 25 by 65 feet in dimensions and during the busy season employs eight people. In addition to manufacturing all kinds of pop and soft drinks Mr. Weltmer is the exclusive bottler of Cocoa Cola and Jersey Creame in this territory. The works are equipped with the most modern machinery and appliances for bottling in a sanitary manner. Mr. Weltmer was married in 1904 to Miss Lelia A. Giddings who came to this part of the state from Connecticut. They have one bright eyed baby boy two years old. His name is Donald, Jr., and while Donald, Sr., is manager of the bottling works, the junior member cf the firm is sole manager of the household.
September 23 will always be celebrated in some manner by the descendants of Louis P. and Kate A. Frey, because it was on September 23, 1871, that they arrivod on the townsite of Great Bend, and were the first party of emigrants to join those who had located the town. Starting at Liberty, Adams County, Illinois, on August 26, 1871, and accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Paul F. Schneck and three children, and Thompson Frey, the party had covered the distance in three wagons drawn by mules. They, of coourse, had been preceded by the members of the townsite company who had surveyed and plotted the site, and who had been notified of their coming; otherwise this little band would have driven past the ground laid out had it not been that Wm. H. Odell discovered the passing wagons and followed them a distance on horseback and directed their return. The mules driven were the first animals of their kind to join the colony, and Mrs. Frey was the first white woman to set foot within the confines of what is now the corporate limits of a great metropolis. She, of course, was soon joined by Mrs. Schneck, who arrived in the second wagon of the same party; and following was Thompson Frey, driving the rear team. What they found was a waste plain with stakes driven in a portion of it marking the outlines of lots and streets, and two six foot pieces of a scantling that remained after making these pegs. There were no houses or tents to house them, and the nearest lumber, provisions, or postoffice was in either Ellsworth or Russell, a distance of forty or fifty miles. Texas cattle, wild buffalo, and other wild animals had possession of the field, and a few days after their arrival the party were regaled by cowboys who had roped some buffalo and tried to stampede these newcomers by a rush through the townsite. In time such happenings as this, the pilfering of friendly Indians, and the reports of massacres in other parts of the state became common and the women folk less afraid and they screwed up their courage and determined to conquer. A little home was first built on the town-site, and then Mr. Frey entered a homestead of eighty acres, where the widow now resides with her only son, Adam G. Frey and wife They call the place "Freyhurst," and it is three miles northwest of the court house at Great Bend; has a comfortable residence, barn and other buildings, and the soil is very fertile and grows corn, wheat, and four or five cuttings of alfalfa yearly.
Louis P. Frey was born in 1846 in Illinois and died March 7, 1903, and rests in the Great Bend cemetery, sadly missed by all his associates fwho helped to tame this then "farthest west" and make it inhabitable for the present generation.
One of the industrial enterprises of which the people of Great Bend and this part of the state are justly proud is the new, modern plant of the Great Bend Ice, Fuel and Storage Co., located near the Missouri Pacific depot in Great Bend. It is safe to say that but few people of this section realize the magnitude of this establishment or have an understanding as to the amount of money it required, to say nothing of the work and faith in the future of the city that was manifested by the promoters of the enterprise when they resolved to establish in Great Bend an ice cream and ice factory along the lines of the most modern plants in the world. The plant is housed in a thoroughly modern building of sufficient size to allow plenty of room for all the different departments. The plant is owned by home people and is under the management of George L. Seeley, a gentleman who has had years of experience in the manufacture of ice and ice cream and knows the business in all its details.
The plant has been producing a high grade of ice for the past year and at times the demand for the product has been so great that it was necessary to run the plant to capacity which was twenty-five tons per day. Ordinarily the plant produced between twenty and twenty-five tons per day. The plant is equipped with two 100 H. P. high pressure boillers, two 50 H. P. Murray-Corliss engines and two powerful ammonia compressers.
To this equipment there was recently added another big engine which brings the capacity of the plant up to thirty tons of ice per day. The steam after passing through the engines and compressers is conveyed to the rear of the building in pipes where it is condensed and piped to the filters where it passes through two charcoal filled tanks in the shape of distilled water. From there it passes through another tank filled with fine grain sponges and finally it is filtered through a series of closely woven cloths before it reaches the tanks where it is frozen and come forth a cake of absolutely pure ice. There are three hundred and twenty-five of these tanks and after the water contained therein is frozen the result is cakes of ice weighing three hundred pounds each. The water is frozen by ammonia evaporation system. The ammonia is compressed until it has a pressure in the pipes of 150 pounds to the square inch and in this form it is conducted to the brine tanks where it escapes as a gas at a pressure of 15 pounds to the square inch, and by the evaporation thus caused the heat is taken from the tanks to such an extent that the temperature is reduced sufficiently to cause the water to freeze. It is possible to produce ice at a much smaller expense but it is the determination of this company to spare neither work nor expense in producing the best that can be obtained and it can readily be seen after reading the foregoing that some of the features of this plant's product is that it is absolutely pure.
The ice cream department is in charge of Mrs. George L. Seeley who has had years of experience in the manufacture of ice cream and from the time the cream is delivered at the factory until it comes from the freezer it is under her careful supervision. First the cream must be of the very best grade before it can be used at this establishment. Its purity and quality being determined by treating it in a modern tester which shows its purity and worth in butter fat. After having passed the test successfully the milk and cream is placed in a big tank from which it is piped into the pasteurizing machine where it is heated to a temperature of 160 degrees. It is then reduced to a temperature of 40 degrees while passing over a series of coils containing brine which cools the pipes to any point desired. From there it is run back into the cans and is ready for the agitator where the other ingredients and the milk and cream are mixed and allowed to ripen. After the mixtures have been in the agitator a sufficient length of time it is then ready for the freezer from which it comes out the finished product that is known wherever ice cream is eaten in this section of the state as the acme of ice cream perfection. The room in which the ice cream is made is a model of neatness and is thoroughly sanitary in every way and the different pieces of machinery are so arranged that a minimum of work is required in handling the materials and the finished products. The plant has been running over a year now. The machinery that is used in this department is the very latest to be had and the pasteurizing apparatus while not absolutely necessary is another evidence of this company's policy to produce nothing that is not absolutely pure in every way.
This company handles all grades of coal and have bin room for a large quantity which is obtained from the best Colorado mines. The company will buy in large quantities, nothing but the very best, and is equipped for delivery in any size lots to all parts of the city on the shortest possible notice.
George L. Seeley, the manager and a majority stock holder of this company, was born in Scranton, Pa., in 1874. He was married in Topeka, Kansas, in 1902, to Miss Susan A. Deyo and they are the parents of three children: George Lee, Fay Guernsey and Helen Elizabeth, all of whom are living at home. Under Mr. Seeley's management the business of this company has been extended until its products are now shipped to all points within a radius of 100 miles of Great Bend, besides having a large patronage at home. This is due to the fact that this company's out put is composed of the very best of material, mixed and made ready for use by the latest improved methods.
Marion F. Sowards of "Santa Fe Trail Farm," three and one-half miles southwest of Great Bend, was born June 20, 1847, on a farm in Columbia County, Wisconsin. He assisted his father and attended the public schools until September, 1863, and then enlisted as a private in the 4th Wisconsin Light Horse Battery and served in the Army of the Potomac until July, 1865. He was in the battles of the Wilderness; fought in front of Petersburg and on James River, and was in a continuous fight every day for six months. In 1864, at a skirmish at Signal Hill, eight or ten miles out of Richmond, he was wounded in the calf of his leg and taken prisoner and the confederate surgeons wanted to amputate the limb, but at his earnest entreaty he was spared this indignity and recovered. As a prisoner he was taken to Richmond and confined for three or four weeks in Libby and Castle Thunder, and then exchanged. Later he returned to his command and was mustered out at the conclusion of hostilities. He then returned to the farm and remained until October 8, 1869, and was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Rowell, of Columbia County, Wisconsin, a near relatives of Geo. P. Rowell, the head of the Geo. P. Rowell Advertising Agency of Chicago and New York. They have one child: Mrs. Violet Louise Holmes, of Barton County.
Marion F. Sowards and family first came to Barton County in October, 1873, making the journey in a wagon and was six weeks on the road. He remained for a short period, and going farther west into Edwards county, entered a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres five miles southwest of Kinsley. He sold out in 1881 and returned to his old home in Wisconsin by wagon, where he remained one year, and in the fall of 1882 returned to Barton County to remain permanently. His home farm covers three hundred and twenty acres; he owns three small parcels amounting to one hundred and twenty-six acres in the neighborhood; a half section near Dundee, and a quarter section in Buffalo township-making nine hundred and twenty-six acres in all. This is all well improved and under cultivation, and is set in wheat, corn and alfalfa. Stock breeding is a prominent feature of this farm, and there is a herd of eighteen or twenty registered Shorthorns, and some of the better classes of draft horses, mules and hogs. The residence is a two-story white frame, setting well back from the highway, surrounded by forest trees, plants and flowers, and is approached by a driveway through meadows of alfalfa. It is modernly furnished and has acetylene lights, bath and water connections. The barn is 36x48, and there are sheds, granaries, garage and other outbuildings, besides some tenant cottages on the estate.
For a number of years during the early nineties, Central Kansas was visited by drouth, and the farmers began to despair and gave their thought and attention to the question of irrigation. Here in Barton County, and especially at Great Bend a number of large land owners counciled with Mr. P. B. Koen, who had made a success in the construction of irrigation canals in Colorado and Western Kansas, and was a practical irrigation canal builder. It is probable that at first, at least so far as the Barton County men were concerned, they did not have in mind the construction of a great lake, but as the plan developed this became an essential part of the scheme.
Seven miles north of Great Bend lay the Cheyenne Bottoms, an immense area of land which doubtless once formed the bed of a great lake. For its entire length, some twelve or fourteen miles, and varying in width from two and a half to five miles, surrounded on three sides by bluffs of about one hundred feet in heighth, nature seemed to have provided a reservoir such as was needed at that time to supply water to the drouth stricken region in Barton County. Among the local people who were much interested in this plan were J. V. Brinkman, G. N. Moses and others and a company was formed known as the Grand Lake Reservoir Company. This company proceeded to construct an irrigation canal from a point on the Arkansas river as far west as Dundee to the Cheyenne Bottoms. It was the idea of the projectors that the lands in the Bottoms could be secured at a price not to exceed a dollar per acre, taken as a whole, but when the owners realized the immensity of the project values suddenly increased, and thousands of acres that had been always considered worthless were valued at a high figure. Of course trouble had been expected along the line of the canal but this was easily disposed of and was only a small affair compared with the other difficulties which now met the company. To add to this Mr. Koen, with a knowledge of what the success of the enterprise really meant to this county had considerable personal trouble with the owners cf tracts of land and this tended to abstract the success of the operations. It became necessary to have some special legislation, granting the right of condemnation for the reservoir, and this being procured the company proceeded to condemn land and deposited with the county treasurer the amounts allowed by the condemnation commissioners. Meanwhile work had proceeded upon the canal, and at the next flood tide of the Arkansas river a volume of water fifty feet in width, was carried into the reservoir for some three or four days.
To the casual observer it had the appearance, for a portion of the distance of running uphill, but there had been a first class engineer over the line and his skill had solved the problem successfully. It was indeed a great sight, and many of the people interested concluded that a way had now been found for providing moisture during the drouth periods. In the meantime a number of Kansas City parties had been interested in the proposition and Mr. W. J. Hal lack who had been active in enterprises at Detroit, Michigan, and had lately moved to Kansas City, undertook to engineer the financial part of the plan. The company was reorganized under the name of the Lake Koen Navigation, Reservoir and Irrigation Co., and there was added to the irrigation purposes the idea of having the lake of sufficient size to accommodate boats of a considerable size. A further condemnation was made along the line of the canal so that the canal might be widened to one hundred feet. Most of the owners of land in the Bottoms appealed from the award of the commissioners and a flood of litigation as well as water met the projectors of the enterprise. About this time A. E. Stillwell of Kansas City, builder of the Kansas Southern and Orient Railroads became interested and through his efforts the project seemed destined to be entirely successful, but the further use of the canal was delayed, pending the settlement of the litigation. There is no doubt however that the plan was feasible and that an immense lake could have again been made where nature had once provided one. The scheme however proved a failure and the main reason for the failure was one which never entered the minds of its projectors. A change came over the natural conditions and bountiful rains supplied the moisture needed for the crops in the Arkansas Valley, and even those interested in the project awoke to the fact that irrigation was no longer needed. Today the holders of the same lands which were to be covered by the waters of the great lake are interested in the formation of a company to drain a large part of the land which was to have been covered by the waters of this lake. Subsequent events have also shown that the plan would have failed for the reason that the rapid growth of the irrigation systems in eastern Colorado and western Kansas have eliminated from the central portion of Kansas practically all of the flood waters of the Arkansas river.
Those who were closest in touch with this plan from its inception and who still live in Barton County realize that aside from any value for irrigation purposes the construction of this lake would have brought immense benefits to the whole of the surrounding country. At least for the present the lands in the old lake bed still remain uncovered, yet the time may come when this plan so far as the construction of the lake is concerned successful realization.
William R. Bunting, or Bill, as he was better known, had been a prominent figure in the life and history of Barton County since he arrived here in the seventies, until the time of his death. At different times he was engaged in business and in the public life of the county he took a prominent part. It was but a few days before he died that he brought his photograph for a cut to the office of the Tribune, where he was a trusted and faithful employee, and it did not seem possible that we would have to write his obituary for this volume. However this proved to be true and in losing "Bill" all the members of the Tribune force from the proprietors to the carrier boys lost a faithful friend and the community a loyal citizen.
W. R. Bunting was born March 14, 1858, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. At an early day the family moved to Missouri locating in Sedalia and after the death of his father, the mother and children came to Kansas overland in 1876, when the subject of this sketch was 18 years of age. They located on a claim in Stafford county and later Will took a claim himself. On July 4, 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Retta Kinney, who survives him, and of the union six children, Mrs. Ray Brown of this city, Mrs. Lome Sherwood of Linton, Ind., Mrs. Edith Johnson, of Indianapolis, and Torn, Blaine and Vivian of this city survive. The following was written for the Tribune by Elrick C. Cole and it pays Mr. Bunting a deserving Tribute for his public service to the people of Barton County:
"My first intimate acquaintance with Will Bunting was formed in 1888 when he was elected clerk of the court. Prior to that time he had been active in the political affairs of the western part of the county and had proven
himself a tireless worker. After his election, our offices adjoined and the duties of our respective positions brought us into close contact
"No more active, painstaking official has ever served this county and his popularity at the close of his first term, caused not only his nomination, but also his endorsement by the Democratic party. In after years, he served this city, both as councilman and member of the board of education and he also served a short term as sheriff. In every position of public trust he exhibited splendid executive ability and a constant effort to faithfully tp serve the people who had chosen him.
"Honesty and strict integrity marked on every official act. His public service was splendid but he was never able to serve himself. A man of great heart and great capabilities, he lacked a balance wheel. In his going from us as well as in his life with us, I am glad to remember him as my friend."
While the editors of this volume were getting together the material for its pages, we had occasion to write to Geo. W. Crane & Co., publishers, of Topeka, Kansas, to get permission to run the story ot "Old Jim Gibson." We received the following letter from Mr. Crane in regard to the story and he adds a very interesting story of days before Barton County had begun to be settled. The story of Jim Gibson will be found on page 151.
Topeka, Kans., June 24, 1912.
Tribune Publishing Co, Great Bend, Kansas. Dear Mr. Townsley: Responding to yours of the 21st, we say, yes. Use the story of Old Jim Gibson. It would te proper to add "From the Tales of the Trail by permission of Crane & Co."
An incident occurred while I was at Fort Lamed in 1865, which always comes to me as illustrating the trait of the Anglo-Saxon to be cool and collected in times of great danger.
Dr. McNeal, the post surgecn at Fort Larned was, with a dozen soldiers, escorting a train from Fort Zarah. About at the west line of Barton County they were attacked by a band of Indians. The train was corralled and it was agreed that whoever saw an opening should make the race through the Indian lines. The doctor was well mounted; he saw an opening and made the race.
W. Crane
Bullets and arrows blew thick around him but he got through safely. He reached the trail by a circuitous route and immediately saw two couriers who had been killed, stripped and scalped. He hurried on to the Post, and returned with a company of cavalry. No more Indians were seen. They picked up the dead couriers and conveyed them to Fort Lamed in an ambulance. The doctor dressed them for burial and after all was attended to came to the Suttler's store and asked me for a glass of whisky. I handed him a bottle and large goblet He was trembling and very pale. He tcok care of two gobletsful quickly. I asked what was the matter and if he was se-riously hurt. "No, eorge, I am simply scared to death." He soon recovered composure but retained the opinion, that he was scared to death.
"And so it is, at times of extreme danger and when action is necessary, we are cool and nerved to perform the duty. When the trouble is all over and the nerves subside, we are liable to go to pieces."
"This story I am writing, Townsley, is partly to illustrate a trait of character but principally as a reminiscense of the Old Trail in 1865."
"Very truly yours,"
GEO. W. CRANE.
Pleasantdale or Schoenthal, as it is called in German, was the name of a village established by the colony of German emigrants who arrived in Barton County in the 70's and located on the Smoky river in Rush County and near what is now the town of Olmitz in Barton County. The following story of the settlement is given as told by Peter Brack, one of the members of the colony and now a prosperous merchant of Barton County.
About 186 years ago by the provisions of an edict issued by the Czarwitch Katherlne of Russia, thousands of Germans moved from their native land into the domain of the Czarwitch. They were Induced to make the change on account of the fact that Katherine had promised them exemption from military duty, gave them tools with which to till the land and by other provisions made what seemed at that time an excellent opportunity. However, Alexander, the third ruler of Russia after Katherine took away these privileges, destroying the royal edict and the luckless Germans were compelled to serve in the army and other privileges were taken away. By this action on the part of Alexander, the liberty loving people who were affected by the new order of things, at once rebelled and decided that they would again seek freedom and opportunity in another land. Accordingly they emigrated to the United States. A colony was made up in the village of Popotchnaja which included a large number of the members of the Brack family-now well known in this county-and forty-seven other families, making in all a total of 527 people. These hard working, persecuted people left their adopted land September 8, 1876. They were compelled to pay $100 each far passports, when the price should have been not more than $10. They went first to Bremen, the "trip requiring two weeks time and there waited for the boats that were to bring them to the new country. The leaders of the party, after a great deal of effort succeeded in getting the steamship companies interested to the extent that many of them wanted the business and therefore the emigrants were enabled to get a rate of (32 rubles) about $16.00 each for passage, but what the company lost in making this comparatively low rate they made up by charging big prices for everything on the trip over. The emigrants sailed on the ship "SalleM and arrived in New York October 21, 1876. They spent but one day in the big American city changing their Russian money for American bills and coin, and then started for Kansas City.
Long before the emmigrants arrived in this country they had made up their minds to locate near Great Bend, Kansas, having heard good news from friends who were already located. The fare from New York to Kansas City was sixteen dollars. Upon their arrival they were besieged by agents of the Union Pa-cific and Santa Pe railroads. These agents were both German, one by the name of Smith, representing the U. P. and the other being a Mr. Reigleheimer. Each wanted the big party of emigrants on the line of their respective roads. Finally an offer of the Santa Fe of free transportation to Lawrence, Kansas, was accepted. After their arrival there they occupied an old factory building, sleeping on the ground and cooking food as best they could. At Lawrence a meeting was held which resulted in the selection of eight men, known for their ability in judging soil, to go to points on the U. P. and select a location. This party was taken all over Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas, as far west as the Colorado line. The U. P. company paid all the expenses of this trip which required about ten days time after which the party returned to Lawrence. Then the Santa Fe company took the same repre-sentatives out en the same kind of a trip. The eight men on their return reported that the best soil they could find adapted to wheat raising was between Russell, in Russell county, and Pawnee Rock, in Barton County. As all the members of the party wanted to be on a river the colony was divided, half going to Russell on the Smoky river and the other half to Pawnee Rock on the Arkansas river. By the time they had all secured homesteads between these two points they were practically in one community. The members of the colony Who arrived at Pawnee Rock lived in a big emigrant house, formerly used as a saw mill were making trips to Lamed and Hays City where they had business at the land offices. After about three weeks most of the colonists had obtained land, Mrs. Brack, Peter Brack's mother, having bought seven quarters for $7,000. At this time Charles Lindas was running a big store at Pawnee Rock and he got most of the trade from the colony. Many of the emigrants paid the railroad company $5.00 per acre for land which it was afterwards learned could have been purchased for $2.50 direct from the company, the increase in tht price being the profit of the agents. During the first winter after their arrival the members cf the colony held a meeting to decide on building together in a village, as was the custom in the old country.
It was the intention to have a set of officers, schools, etc., as near like the custom in the old country as possible. Therefore a site was selected on section 1-1-17-16, just across the line in Rush county. It was given the name of Schoenthal, which in English means Pleas-antdale, and for a year and a half the little village prospered, but the residents finally learned that to prove up on a homestead it was necessary that the homesteader live on his own quarter, therefore Pleasantdale was abondoned and the settlers took up their residence on their own land. After about four years, the colony by hauling rock to Otis were enabled to build a church, and even after the town of Pleasantlade was abandoned the church was and still is maintained. During the first few years of work done by the colony the returns were poor, crops did not grow as well as could be expected and it was only those who were possessed of oxen who could accomplish much in the way of development work. Those who owned beasts of burden helped their neighbors. The Brack family in the years 1877-78 got fairly good returns, raising about forty bushels of wheat to an acre, for which they received $1.15 per bushel.
During the first ten yeears many of the men members of the colony went away and worked on the railroad grades and in that way kept their families alive. In this way they struggled along until some of them were enabled to prove up on their land, and they then began to barrow money and buy horses and other animals so that they could farm with better results. Many of the settlers thought they had accomplished a great deal when after proving up on their land they were enabled to borrow $800; some of them taking the mortgage money and left thinking they had done well. However, most of them stayed, and a majority of those who went away came back broke and began all over again. There were incidents of people trading their homestead for a cheap shotgun or some such article cf about the same value. There was one man who traded his quarter for an $8 watch and said it didn't cost him much as it only cost him four dollars at that, meaning that he had paid that much to prove up after five years on the land. It was the custom of these people for the bride's parents to take a newly married couple into the groom's home, and as a result of this the Brack brothers' mother had thirty-six in her family at one time. The oldest of the Brack boys was a leader in the community, and after about ten years residence in this country he had saved a little money, sufficient to buy some quarters adjoining his land near Olmitz. Then Mr. Brack began to send back to the old country for friends and relatives and when they arrived here they would be given land with a chance to pay for it on easy terms and since that time the ccmmunity around Olmitz, Albert and in that part of Barton County has grown and prospered but the little village of Pleasantdale has passed away and remains only as a memory with those who made the trip on the Salle in 1875.
The following were the members of the colony from Russia that founded the village of Schoenthal near Olmitz:
Elizabeth Brack and three married sons. Henry W. Brack and wife, Marilies and four children. George Brack and wife, Marick and one child. Peter Brack and wife, Sophia. Phillip Brack, single. Johannas Brack and wife, Justine and two married sons. Phillip Brack and wife, Christine and two children. Heinrich Brack. J. H. Brack and wife, Krethe. J. C Brack, single. Peter J. Brack, single. John Brack, single. Kate Brack, single. Phillip Hergert, wife and son-in-law. Hy Schenerman, wife and several children. Adam Hergert, wife and several children. Philopp Peter Kleweno, wife and son. Henry Kleweno, wife and son-in-law. Henry Rapp, wife and several children. Christian Kleweno, wife and children. Johannes Schenerman, wife and children. George Schenerman, wife and children. Heinrich Schenerman, wife and one child. Conrad Schenerman, wife and children. Adam Schenerman, wife and two children. Karl Goetz and wife. John Weigant, wife and two children.
Phillip Hardman, wife and children. Andrew Lesser, wife and children. David Lesser and wife. Adam Ruhl, wife and one child. Johannes Kleweno, wife and two children. Johannes Stang, wife and one child. Johannes Miller and wife. Conrad Schenerman, wife and one child. Heinrich Schenerman, wife and four children. Conrad Schenerman and wife. Conrad Wilhelm, single. Domminick Burghart, wife and two children.
f the names mentioned in the above list many have left this part of the country and gone to other points. The last mentioned, Domminick Burghart, was the village blacksmith and tinner in Schoenthal for several years. Later he and his wife went back to Austria but the children, Frank and Rachel are bothel married and living in this state. Many of the Schenermans, Klewenos and Millers, Ochs and Schlegels have gone to the western part of the country.
Those who have remained in Barton County are still living are as a rule well fixed and contented. Of course many of them have died during the years since Schoenthal was established, but their children are still here to go on with the work of building a home under more desirable conditions than those which caused them to leave their fatherland for the new world.
back to Index
Page
Copyright © 2008 to Kansas Genealogy Trails' Barton County
host & all Contributors
All rights reserved