Butler County Genealogy Trails Kansas Susan B. Allen Bio

Butler County’s Eighty Years ~ 1855-1935

by Jessie Perry Stratford

A History of Butler County Biographical Sketches and Portraits with Foreword by Rolla A. Clymer

Page 136

Much of El Dorado’s early history was a battle for supremacy with Augusta. Chelsea, the first rival of El Dorado for the leadership of Butler County, lost out early in the race, but Augusta was a stiffer rival.

Martin Vaught, first register of deeds in Butler County wrote of Chelsea, El Dorado, and the county seat struggles as follows:

My recollection of El Dorado dates back to 1857, when the old town was near Conner’s farm and consisted of a small store, blacksmith shop, saw mill and a few shacks.

I cannot recall all the countyseat elections in their regular order. Neither can I fix dates correctly, but for several years the location of the county seat was an unsolved question and the elections were not held according to the Decalogue. Everybody voted could be induced to go to the polls and no questions asked regarding citizenship. In some cases horses and dogs were voted. I know this was the case at El Dorado, Chelsea and Augusta. I recall one election held at El Dorado when the first 200 names were taken from the city directory in alphabetical order just as they appeared in the directory. One of the clerks, Ottenot, was sent to the penitentiary for six months as all names on both roll books were written by him.

But the great fight came off, I think in 1871, when at a meeting of the county commissioners, the Augusta people presented a petition praying for an election for the removal of the county seat from El Dorado to Augusta. Neil Wilkie, B. T. Rice and myself constituted the board in this contest. Douglass had joined forces with Augusta and Mr. Wilkie was in fully sympathy with the Augustans. During the consideration of the petition, a legal question was raised as to who were legal petitioners. Augusta’s contention was that a signer did not have to be a legal voter, at the time of signing the petition. El Dorado’s attorney demanded that only legal electors be permitted to sign. Augusta was represented by Eugene Aiken and another whose name I cannot recall. H. T. Sumner and others appeared for El Doado. A. L. Redden was county attorney. The board decided to defer action until it could consult him. Augusta kicked and demanded that the question be referred to the attorney-general, which we agreed to do. Right there was where Augusta blundered; they should have withdrawn their petition until the attorney-general’s decision had been made, for the election must be held within fifty days from the time of the presentation, also requiring thirty days notice. I think it was about six weeks before his decision was returned. I was chairman of the board and at once called a meeting. The matter was taken up and an election was called. As we were not lawyers and the Augusta lawyers did not think of that little irregularity this election was held and if either Augusta or Douglass complied with this law I have never heard of it. When we met to canvass the vote we found that Augusta had apparently won by a small majority, but before the vote was canvassed, the board was served with a temporary injunction issued at the instance of El Dorado, by Judge Campbell. Of course that stopped proceedings until the case came up for hearing at which time Sen. P. B. Plumb represented El Dorado. Judge Campbell dissolved the injunction. Plumb had a bond all made and signed and moved an appeal to the supreme court. Augusta demanded that the board at once proceed with the canvass, but as the attorneys informed us that we would be in contempt if we did so, Rice and myself refused and we at once adjourned.

Excitement ran high. Augusta demanded an immediate removal of the county-seat and threats were made of force to remove it. N. A. McKittrick was at the time sheriff with I. N. Phillips under sheriff. One morning as I was getting ready to go to plowing on my farm in Chelsea township, Constable Sam Rodgers rode up, his horse white with foam. He informed me that the sheriff had the night before moved the county arms to Augusta, locked the court house in such a manner that the officers could not get into their offices. I asked him why they did not break in the doors and he said they were afraid to do it and wanted me to come.

Well I went. Everybody was excited and anxious. All kinds of rumors were afloat and it was believed that an attempt at forcible removal would be made that night. With a fifteen foot elm joist, we unlocked a door in a hurry. Gen. A. W. Ellet advised barricading the court house. I did not want to take all the responsibility, so I got a team and went to Benton for Rice, but his wife was ill so he could not come, but assured me he would stand by me in any action, which he did. Under General Ellet’s supervision, we barricaded the court house with native lumber from a saw mill until the General said a regiment could not take it without artillery. Some dozen or so of us stayed up on top of the building all night while others kept watch in the roads leading to town. But the Augustans did not come. Later they came, a great crowd with ox wagons, all prepared to load safes and move the records to Augusta. Men were stationed in the court house and on its top and in Ben King’s store house, all armed and ready for action. While Bob Holt and Joe Bowers and

Page 137

About fifty others were in the hall over Gardner and Gilmore’s store. But a few people were in the streets. All this was at the time of a regular meeting of the county commissioners. In the meantime, Mr. Rice had disappeared; Wilkie was anxious that the vote of the election be canvassed; and Augusta demanded it. I was standing at the courthouse door with Dr. James P. Gordon when Phillips came up with a few followers and asked if I was going to convene the board and count the votes. I said: “No.” Just then some one told me I was wanted at Lambdin’s store. When I stepped in the door, I was caught by each arm and with some pushers behind I was rushed upstairs and locked in with a double-barreled shotgun and a lot of powder and shot. Phillips and T. H. Baker were the leaders and neither of them ever knew how much peril they were in, that they were shadowed by men who, if any trouble had started, would have shot them instantly. Later, in the afternoon, they gathered back of the courthouse where Baker make a speech and all Augustans went back home without the records.

This was the last county seat election. The supreme court handed down a decision upholding El Dorado’s contentions that the election was illegally held. In the early 80’s, Representative J. H. Fullinwider passed a law providing that county seat elections should not be held oftener than once in five years and then only on petition of two-fifths of the legal electors. This practically put an end to the contests.

When B. Frank Gordy and his associates, in March 1868 platted the 140 acres, which now form a part of El Dorado, south of Central Avenue and put the lots on sale at $10 each, a town of modest proportions began to develop. Prior to that time, on what had been the Hildebrand claim of 1857 (north of Central Avenue) there had been erected a few log cabins and a store, which as time progressed attracted other settlers, and in time a town had grown into the semblance of substantiality. As early as 1867, a log house was built in what now is the east part of town and the same summer, E. L. Lower put up a cabin. Henry Martin’s store, which was the third building to be erected on the town site, and Elias Main’s saw mill, along the Walnut River near the present Main Street bridge, constituted the chief business activities except the farming operations nearby.

In 1868, however, El Dorado started on its first advance to greater wealth and influence and people and industries began to flock into the settlement. D. M. Bronson opened a land office. A wagon shop was put up by a Mr. Handley; a blacksmith shop by Mat Strickland and a harness shop by a Mr. Gearhart. Mrs. Long’s millinery store was opened; groceries and general merchandise firms became reasonably numerous. The county had a population of around 3,000 (the 1870 census gives it 3,035) and El Dorado boasted several hundred people. This year also signalized the opening of the first saloon. The institution, after being a source of trouble and humiliation, eventually was closed by the suit of Mrs. Thomas Tool for damages to her husband and the ensuing litigation. To counteract the influence of the saloon element, thus early arrayed against the prohibition forces, the temperance people organized a lodge of the Sons and Daughters of Temperance. This was the first semi-religious organization in the city and ante-dates the founding of any of the churches. It flourished for a time, but finally died out and its records have been lost. The “boom year of 1867” closed upon the town in a flattering state of growth and definitely destined it to become a large central trading point.

During the next twelve years, 1868 to 1880, El Dorado’s reputation and its influence began to spread. The Bronsons, Conners, Martins with the Vaughts and the Donaldsons, at Chelsea already were building the county into prominence, and magnificent reinforcements were coming (in the latest of the 1860’s and the early 1870’s) in the persons of the Gen. Alfred W. Ellet, his son, Ed C. Ellet, N. F. Frazier, Sr., T. B. Murdock, J. H. Betts, Alvah Shelden, Daniel Boyden, Milton Bradley, Jacob DeCou, the Fullinwiders, the Gardners, W. J. Gault and many others. These were men of ability and with the vigor and courage required to transform a semi-civilized plains into a thriving little city. The Walnut Valley Times was founded in 1870; a grain elevator was constructed during this decade at a cost of $10,000; a flour and provision house was in operation; and the community was assuming a decidedly stirring and robust activity. A chronicler of the year 1883 says; “The city now has a population of fully 2,000 and is growing rapidly. Some idea of its gain in the past year may be taken from a statement of the buildings erected during 1882. This list totals $59,100. This sum is distributed among a hundred

Page 138

buildings and offices, but none ran in price above $4,000 and but sixteen reached $1,000. The majority were residences at or near the outskirts of the city.

The municipal history of El Dorado began in 1870 when fifty-one petitioners, headed by D. M. Bronson, asked that the town be incorporated as a village. The Butler County probate court granted the petition and the first trustees were J. C. Lambdin, A. D. Knowlton, T. B. Murdock, T. G. Boswell and C. M. Foulks.

On September 12, 1871, El Dorado was changed from a village to be incorporated as a city of the third class. J. C. Lambdin, chairman of the village trustees, acted as mayor until the election of Henry Falls, the first elected mayor. In July 1885 El Dorado became a city of the second class.

HENRY MARTIN’S STORE – The first store in Butler County and (second story) the office of the first newspaper in Bulter County – The Walnut Valley Times, founded by T. B. Murdock and J. S. Danford. This building stood on the southwest corner of the intersection at Main Street and Central Avenue, across the street west of the present Citizens State Bank.

Page 139

JERRY CONNER’S STORE

TO know only the El Dorado of today makes it hard to realize the earliest El Dorado and the men and women who lived and worked here. On the original town site, south of its present location, Jerry D. Conner, father of Mrs. John C. Hoyt (Kate Conner) and Miss Coskry Conner, had his trading store. The original log building is still preserved on the Clarence King property.

Here Mr. Conner supplied the Indians and a few white settlers with essentials and luxuries of the time. His ledgers for 1859-1864-1865-1866-1867 are a precious relic for his daughters. Their yellowing pages transport the reader to that El Dorado of seventy-five years ago.

It is August 26, 1865 and Shawnee Sam stalks into the trading post. “Sugar, coffee bacon -- $2.00,” Mr. Conner enters the items in his careful script. On November 14, Shawnee Sam purchases a knife and in January buys strychnine and thread, tendering in payment buckskin. There is the picture – the Indian living by trapping; obtaining necessities by barter and exchange. The strychnine was an essential part of every trapper’s outfit.

Turn over the page – here is Shawnee Jack Little John. He buys caps, powder, knife and tobacco; the total sum is $3.50. Shawnee Jack Little John is an honest Indiana; he settles in full with buckskin and labor. Jack Delaware pays his bill by buckskin and furs and settles for the two yards of “ferreting” purchased by his sister. Tu-Te loved ornaments. The account shows ribbons and handkerchiefs. “Square’s woman” indulged in calico until her bill totaled $5 which was paid in buckskin. Someone named Clark was a steady customer. Tobacco is a regularly entered item. He must have been well-to-do. He bought peaches, “goods for his sister,” a shawl, calico and comb which totaled $9.70, even soap, boots ($9.00) “delaine and satanet” ($7.75) shoes, socks and a pocket knife. E. H. Durfee was an early day dandy if his account tells true. February, 1866, four pair of moccasins; March 3, twelve yards of ribbon and a buckskin for a coat as well as thread and beads. Apparently he commissioned Mr. Conner to have not only the coat made but leggings as well, his tailor bill for the outfit amounting to $9.

Spri Buck paid for his necessities with buffalo tongue and buckskin. Bill Gibson bought a “Lite Horse” for $9.35 and later gave Mr. Conner a yoke of steers, value $30. Fox-Shawnee liked the good things of this world – he purchased meat and sugar, bacon, sardines and crackers, a hat, socks and shoes. He paid his bills by hauling goods for Mr. Conner, by mule and by pelts.

Alec Petrie purchased a “weskit” and boots on February 3, 1866. He liked oysters, even if two cans cost him $1.50. He bought peaches, sardines, and purchased a wildcat skin. He paid partly in vouchers and cash, partly by work.

Long Horn paid for his squaw’s ribbons, looking glass and calico, not to mention his tobacco, cards, soda, bacon and hat, with beaver skins and buckskin. And so, by wolfskin, buckskin, buffalo hides, ponies, yokes of oxen, beaver, cutting hay, hauling goods and a little cash, was business carried on. That El Dorado of another day was busy even as El Dorado today is busy. They were most human – those early El Doradoans – some of them with swarthy reddish skins, others the frontiersmen of song and story. They had their vanities; Alec Petrie with his “weskit,” E. H. Durfee with his bucksin coat and leggings.

They helped their friends. Ke-She-Kaw let Kickapoo Ben charge $9 on his bill.

Sometimes tragedy entered the page – John Delaware’s account is tersely marked “Cancelled by death.” He loved blackberries and bought calico for his squaw. One account notes – “To be paid by Beaverstone’s son - a soldier.” This is 1865. And in that son’s account we read he paid by otter skins, while “Beaverstone’s other son” paid his debs by buckskins and coonskins. Ballon’s Ranch was a heavy trader with Mr. Conner in 1865, and from its accounts can be gleaned much of early day prices. Five yearling robes were worth $20, ten dressed calf skins $10 and eight buffalo robes $64. A mule and pony brought $110 and four horses $200, Eight bushels of corn cost $8. Apparently the Indians trapped for this ranch, for Little Bear brought in furs worth $97.20. Dunlap brought in others to the value of $210 and Aleck’s “peltries” fetched $65.

In another account book kept by Mr. Conner is an inventory of “goods in the

Page 140

store of Smith and Conner, El Dorado, Mch. 26, 1895.” What did a store of that period contain? It was many stores in one. Here are some of the items: “1-3 doz. Linen shirts, ¼ doz. Hickory shirts, 1-6 doz. Wool shirts,” silk handkerchiefs of varying dimensions, wool socks and blankets, print material, sheeting, crash, spool, cotton, pen holders and points, hooks and eyes, needles, envelopes, pocket knives, caps, two dozen looking glasses, one gross beads, five pair ladies shoes, hip boots, vests, pants, coats. They kept account of ills to which man – even pioneer man – is subject: Sweet oil, castor oil, pain killer, liniment, vermifuge, strychnine, hive syrup, paragoric, Ayer’s Jayne’s and Cook’s pills, calomel, quinine, blue ointment, saltpeter and copperais could be purchased. Matches, tobacco, soap, both tin and iron tablespoons and teaspoons, and sets of knives and forks are listed. Kegs of powder, nails, hammers, hatchets, wash boards, dippers, water pails, wash bowls, candle moulds, pans, funnels. It was a hardware store as well. Sugar, coffee, flour, corn mean, and bacon were the essential provisions of the grocery department. Buffalo robes, deer skins, four yoke of oxen, one wagon and two chickens were also listed.

STAGE COACHES

The first carriers of passengers for hire were the old Concord coaches, swung on leather springs; passengers inside, baggage strapped onto the rear, driver on top and the mail sack in the boot at his feet. Each coach was drawn by four horses. Two lines of these coaches passed into and through Butler County, commencing in 1870 and continuing in some form or other until 1872, at which time the railroad reached Newton. One of these lines operated between Emporia and Wichita, making the trip – 100 miles – daily. On the route, about ten miles distance, were stage stations for the purpose of changing horses. In this county, these staions were located at Sycamore Spings, Chelsea, El Dorado, Towanda and Payne’s Ranch on Dry Creek. This latter way station was typical of pimitive life and conditions. The establishment consisted of an old plains dugout, which was the house, and another one of similar fashion scooped out of the river bank, which was the barn, but was a hospitable stopping place withal. Hay and corn could be obtained for the horses while mankind was offered a choice of crackers, cheese, tobacco, or a drop of “something-to-take.” The owner of this ranch and host of this hospitality was Capt. David L. Payne, the man who was afterwards largely responsible for opening up of Oklahoma, at the time it was first opened to settlement.

Government supplies were taken from Leavenworth to Fort Sill through this county. A government train consisted of from a half dozen to a dozen wagons, drawn either by about three span of mules or six yoke of cattle – mostly the long-horned Texas cattle. By reason of the large spring and attractive location these government trains made a camping place at Towanda. The last of such trains to pass through Butler County was in the spring of 1871. This train was in charge of William Mathewson – the original Buffalo Bill – transporting supplies from Leavenworth, Kansas, to Fort Sill, Indian Territory. The train consisted of about fifteen government trail wagons – one wagon coupled to another – they were drawn by six yoke of long-horned Texas cattle. On account of high water they were compelled to go into camp on the hill east of Whitewater on the present townsite of Towanda about where the Robisons now reside. The Whitewter at that time was out of its banks and covered the valley almost to a depth of two feet from the bluffs to the west side of the river. They were in camp at the time for a week or ten days. After the water had subsided they doubled teamed across the valley – putting twelve yoke to each wagon – and they made some noise as they went across, Buffalo Bill on his cayuse leading the way. The long horns of the cattle kept time to the popping of the whips of the drivers, who on their ponies were using language somewhat more forcible than elegant. But they crossed.

EARLY HISTORY OF RAILROADS

Nearly three-quarters of a century ago, on March 20, 1860, the first iron rail for a railroad on Kansas soil was laid at Elwood, in Doniphan County opposite St. Joseph, Mo. It was part of the Elwood & Marysville railroad, later the St. Joseph & Western division of the Union Pacific. April 28 of the same year, the “Albany,” an engine that had been used from Boston to the Missouri as railroads had success-