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 61

1910. Since that time the chapter has become one of El Dorado’s most active patriotic organizations.

Nationally, the organization has won fame for its fine work in preservation of records and relics of the Revolutionary period. The local chapter meets regularly for programs which include courses of study on Revolutionary and current events.

The El Dorado chapter is named for a Revolutionary ancestor of Mrs. J. W. Kirkpatrick. Mrs. Kirkpatrick was the chapter’s first regent and now is Vice President General, National Society, D. A. R., from Kansas.

At the time of its organization, Susannah French Putney Chapter had fifteen charter members. Its enrollment now is forty-two resident members, one associate member and twenty non-resident members.

Regents of the chapter have been Mrs. J. W. Kirkpatrick (two terms); Mrs. Dillion Hamilton, Mrs. Robert H. Hazlett, Mrs. J. C. Robison, Miss Edith Chesney, Mrs. T. J. Ellis, Mrs. F. H. Cron, Mrs. C. M. McCaughan, Mrs. F. M. Byrd, Mrs. W. R. Childs and Mrs. R. C. Woodward, present regent.

AMERICAN RED CROSS IN BUTLER COUNTY

(By Frances Frazier)

Two months, almost to the day, after America had entered the great World War, the Butler County Chapter of the American Red Cross was organized. The date of organization, June 3, 1917, found El Dorado at the zenith of a surging oil boom. Within that year, the population of El Dorado had leaped from 3,000 to 15,000. Streets were congested, hotels, lodges and even homes were filled to capacity.

Into this chaotic beehive of happy people, absorbed in making personal fortunes and the laying of a foundation for a permanent city, came the call of the American Red Cross. Butler County women were in the first ranks of the nation’s volunteers. Mrs. Frank H. Cron was authorized by the director of the Mountain Division, to which Kansas then belonged, to organize the Butler County Chapter.

Under auspices of the El Dorado Federation of Women and the Woman’s Mutual Benefit Club, an entertainment, “American Night,” was given. W. F. McGinnis donated his theater for the presentation. Civil War veterans and their wives were honored guests and also appeared on the program. That evening the sum of $500 was raised – the first money for the American Red Cross in Butler County.

Mrs. Frank H. Cron conferred with Mrs. R. E. Frazier president of the Federation of Women, and selected a committee to assist in founding a chapter. Each woman on the committee was requested to enlist the interest of at least one man. The first meeting of the first executive committee chosen by Mrs. Cron to assist in planning an organization, was held May 24, 1917, in Mrs. Cron’s home. Members of this committee were Mrs. Ray E. Frazier, Mrs. S. R. Clifford, Mrs. Christopher L. Aikman, Miss Flora Leland, Miss Ellina Murdock, Mrs. C. L. King, Mrs. Chester C. Shelden and Mrs. Ethel Thomas Smith.

Sunday, June 3, 1917, was organization and rally day. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Stanley, of Wichita, assisted. At this meeting, Judge Cyrus A. Leland acted as chairman. These men were chosen, unanimously, as the first officers of Butler County Chapter: Frank H. Cron, chairman; Manley L. Arnold, vice chairman; I. V. Horner, secretary; Carl E. Powell, treasurer. A few days later, an executive committee, to serve one year, was formed of the officers named and Mrs. Ray E. Frazier, Mrs. S. R. Clifford, Flora Leland, Ellina Murdock, Mrs. Christopher L. Aikman, Mrs. Ethel Thomas Smith, Mrs. R. C. Loomis, Mrs. Wilber E. Stone and Mrs. F. H. Cron. The National Headquarters announced October 27, 1917 as the date for an election of officers of all chapters. On that date, Mrs. Ray E. Frazier was elected chairman; Manley L. Arnold, vice chairman; Mrs. Wilber E. Stone, secretary and Frank H. Cron, treasurer. Mrs. D. B. Golden was added to the executive committee. Mr. Cron had declined re-election as chairman, owing to pressure of business. Mrs. Frazier served with marked ability and success until June 8, 1918, when Rev. Alfred W. Pannell was elected as second vice chairman and served the remainder of the term. Mr. Cron served as treasurer twelve years.

The Walnut Valley Times, J. B. Adams owner, and Russell H. Fisher, reporter and the El Dorado Republican, Mrs. T. B. Murdock owner and Mary Alice Murdock,

Page 62

reporter, assisted greatly in diffusing enlightening information and fanning the fires of patriotism in the community.

Women canvassed the residential district in the first war drive, while men covered the business district. The drive went over the top with $30,051.09.

While waiting for instructions from headquarters in regard to Red Cross work, the El Dorado Federation of Women bought yarn and made twenty-five sweaters for the Navy League, under supervision of Mrs. Charles W. Ewing, chairman of knitting. Mrs. Ewing, during six months in office gave all of her time to knitting and teaching others to knit. She herself made 140 garments. Mrs. C. D. Wilson was then appointed chairman and served faithfully in that capacity the remaining six months. She was relieved by Mrs. Orville Holford who served until the end of the war.

November 21, the Butler County chapter sent to Captain Irvin A. Otten, Company F, 139th United States Infantry, Camp Doniphan, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, 331 knitted garments, thus outfitting Company F, recruited at El Dorado.

The Conservation Committee, Mrs. F. B. Lawrence, chairman, met the calls for surplus clothing throughout the United States for relief work in France and

(insert pic)

First Executive Board of Butler County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Organized June 3, 1917. Reading from

left to right: Miss Ellina Murdock, Miss Flora Leland, Mrs. Frank H. Cron, Manley L. Arnold, Mrs. Ray E. Frazier,

Mrs. David Benton Golden, Frank H. Cron, Mrs. Wilber E. Stone, Mrs. S. R. Clifford, Mrs. R. C. Loomis and Carl E. Powell.

Other members of the committee, not included in the picture, were Mrs. Christopher L. Aikman, Mrs. Ethel Thomas Smith

and I. V. Horner.

Belgium. In September, the sewing began under chairmanship of Mrs. Samuel R. Clifford, in Carnegie Library basement. This work was carried on by Mrs. Clifford and her workers until the end of the war.

Many women over the county were independently knitting and doing other work before their own localities were organized. Andover, on the line between Butler and Sedgwick counties, worked with Wichita. Augusta, although not authorized to form a branch until November, did much work prior to that time. William Allen White and Henry J. Allen made memorable addresses.

Page 63

In November, 1917, the Surgical Dressings Department was organized under direction of Mrs. Christopher L. Aikman, who served the duratin of the war. Quarters were in the court house. Mrs. Seth Frazier was chosen chairman of the Packing and Shipping Department, for the first six months. Mrs. D. B. Golden became chairman the ensuing six months. Mrs. J. B. Adams was chairman of inspection.

Arch Williams was chairman of the first Christmas War Membership Drive. He was ably assisted by F. A. Pielsticker. C. L. Marvin and others built an oil rig in the center of the intersection of Main Street and Central Avenue, El Dorado, upon which was recorded the daily progress of the drive. On this single drive, 12,118 members were secured. During the war, sundry methods were used to secure money for the Red Cross. There were dances, card parties, and motion picture benefits. Mrs. M. S. Munson donated use of the Belmont Theater for presentation of patriotic plays on Sundays. The Second War Drive was astonishing. The quota was $30,000, but due to the electrical wave of patriotism and to the generosity of the money-making citizenry, $102,937.79 was obtained!

Division headquarters insisted that the chapter should be distinctly a county organization. An El Dorado branch was established. Election was delayed because of an influenza epidemic. Those elected as members of the executive committee for Butler County Chapter were Mrs. Isaac Howard Neiman, of Whitewater, Mrs. C. A. Ogg, Douglass; Mrs. Warren Worthington, Whitewater; Mrs. G.A. Harrington and Mrs. Grace Garvin, Augusta; Mrs. Harrison King, Leon; Mrs. Len Harsh, Cassoday; Mrs. J. C. Robison, Towanda; Mrs. J. D. Harrison, Potwin, Mrs. Frank H. Cron, Mrs. Joseph C. Powell, Miss Margaret Rorabaugh, Mrs. Frank B. Lawrance and Rev. C. E. King, El Dorado; Mrs. A. C. Ramsey, DeGraff.

Officers of the third election in October 1918, of the executive committee of the El Dorado Branch, were: Rev. Alfred W. Pannell, chairman; Rev. L. T. Faulders, first vice chairman; Mrs. S. R. Clifford, second vice chairman; Mrs. R. C. Loomis, secretary; C. E. Thompson, treasurer. Mrs. Loomis served as secretary from 1918 until 1928.

During the influenza epidemic in the fall of 1918, the American Red Cross in El Dorado equipped an Emergency Hospital to care for the ill. Mrs. F. L. Preston, chairman of the Nursing Service, with Mrs. F. E. Dillenbeck and Mrs. Edward Merydith, served on the special influenza committee to organize the emergency hospital.

After Armistice Day, November 11, 1918, most of the committees ceased to function, including the Canteen Committee, composed of Mrs. B. F. Stover, Mrs. E. W. Hawkins and Miss Julia Schumacher; the Hospital Garment Committee, headed by Mrs. B. F. Meeks; the Division of Development which organized all branches under direction of Mrs. F. H. Cron; and the Red Cross Motor Corps whose commander was Mrs. R. C. Loomis.

Junior Red Cross Work, with Mrs. H. I. French as chairman, continued. Fifteen hundred dollars were given to this field. New and greater responsibilities evolved on the home service committee whose capable chairman was Miss Edith Chesney. The work of making loans and grants, keeping records of families of soldiers helped and under chapter jurisdiction, writing letters, making visits and checking the official wounded and dead formed the nucleus of activity for three or four years after the war. Six thousand dollars were appropriated to this committee. On March 1,1919, to conform to orders from headquarters, the home service and influenza committees were combined to form the Emergency Relief Committee. For the ensuing nine years, most of the relief work done in the county was that of emergency relief. Nursing activities played an important role. Mrs. Gertrude Preston, later succeeded by Mrs. F. E. Dillenbeck, was made chairman. The value of a history of the Butler County Chapter of the American Red Cross was recognized. Mrs. F. H. Cron was unanimously chosen historian of the period from June 1917 to May 1919.

Although a few names have been mentioned, it has been impossible to single out, individually, the great army of workers. Each worker did her part. Time, health and money were given to the cause.

The first trained worker, Miss Edna Swingle, came to the El Dorado branch in

Page 64

January 1921. At this time, the nation was sending out a plea for garments, layettes and children’s clothes for refugees abroad. Mrs. C. D. Wilson directed this work in El Dorado. After Miss Swingle’s resignation in December 1921, Miss Morris came as executive secretary for one month, then Miss Fay Elder, of El Dorado was employed, serving three years.

Frank H. Cron was elected treasurer of the Butler County chapter on June 6, 1922, filling the vacancy caused by the death of C. E. Thompson. In January, 1923, Rev. C. E. King became chairman of the Butler County chapter, relieving Rev. Mr. Pannell, who had done outstanding work for five years. Rev. Mr. King was succeeded by Miss Flora Leland. It is to Miss Leland, Mrs. Wilber E. Stone, Mrs. R. C. Loomis, Miss Edith Chesney and Mrs. Charles L. King that credit in large measure must be given for sustaining life in the Butler County chapter during the years 1924-1928.

In the fall of 1928, the Welfare Association, which was founded by Mrs. Alvah Shelden and Rev. Mr. Pannell, and the local Red Cross combined offices and employed a trained social worker, Miss Louise Sultzbak, who served one year. Miss Hazel Teitzel has since been executive secretary. Arch F. Williams was chairman in 1927; Mrs. Wilber E. Stone in 1928; and Giles R. Atherton in 1931-33. Clarence G. Wilke is the present chairman.

In 1929, the national disaster, known as the depression, brought the American Red Cross to the foreground. In 1931, El Dorado branch of the American Red Cross joined other organizations of the city in the Community Chest drive, and each year receives a certain percentage thereof for functional activities. The branches of the American Red Cross over Butler County hold annual Roll Call drives. The receipts go into its own particular fund for relief purposes.

CHAPTER DISTRIBUTES FLOUR

In May 1932, Butler County Chapter of the American Red Cross received its first carload of flour for distribution in the county. During that year nine carloads, or 8100 sacks, were received. In October 1932, a sewing room was established in the basement of the Christian church under the supervision of Mrs. Bertha Brown-Owen, mothers of children in school were taught to cut and sew El Dorado’s portion of the 35,000 yards of cotton material sent by the government to this county. During 1932-1933, approximately 500 blankets, 125 comforts, and 250 dozens of ready made garments were distributed through the American Red Cross by the government to Butler County. In the summer of 1932, under the chairmanship of Dr. Anna Perkins, a canning kitchen was opened. Under supervision of Miss Elsie Fulton, 3,200 quarts of vegetables and meat were canned and one ton of cabbage converted into sauerkraut. Also thirty-five bushels of sweet potatoes were raised in that year.

Miss Alberta Doyle, in 1933, organized the Junior Red Cross among the school children. Miss Mary Lill, Butler County public health nurse, held four classes in home hygiene and care of the sick, and C. H. Jacobs taught three classes in First Aid. Each year, the Butler County chapter sends twenty-five Red Cross Christmas bags to American soldiers and sailors on foreign duty.

By virtue of merit and service, Butler County Chapter of the American Red Cross holds a distinct place and plays a vital part in community life.

A BASKET OF ROSES

Along in 1917 when America was in the thick of the World War, Mrs. Christopher L. Aikman was chairman of surgical dressings for the Red Cross and Mrs. Sam Seigel was among the many patriotic women who met each day at the courthouse to help make the dressings.

Prompted one day by a generous impulse, Mrs. Seigel sent to Mrs. Aikman a dozen gorgeous American Beauty roses in a beautiful basket – and forget all about it. It happened that a Red Cross benefit party wsa planned for the evening that Mrs. Aikman received the gift. To add a decorative touch to the party Mrs. Aikman took her basket of roses. At the party that night, a suggestion was made that the roses be sold to the highest bidder for the Red Cross fund, and J. B. Adams became the auctioneer. “Sides” were chosen and it happened that George A.

Page 65

Ramsey was on one side and his brother, G. LeRoy Ramsey, was on the other. General bidding proceeded briskly up to $500 when the Ramsey brothers soon had the field to themselves. Finally everyone else subsided and left the patriotic contest to the brothers. George Ramsey’s bid of $1,000 took the basket. Then Mr. Ramsey auctioned the roses, one by one, and readily they sold for $5 and $10 each until $75 more were acquired for the Red Cross.

AMERICAN LEGION

Edgar Dale Post, Number 81, of the American Legion, was founded in June 1919. The Post was named for Captain Edgar Dale, of Coffeyville, who commanded Company F, El Dorado’s military unit in the World War. On September 29, 1918, Captain Dale was struck and instantly killed by a shell, while commanding his company in the battle of the Argonne.

The first commander of Edgar Dale Post was C. L. Suffield and the first adjutant was Will R. Feder. Other commanders have been F. J. Leasure, W. N. Calkins, D. G. Rixey, William Baird, R. O. Gill, C. L. Seed, R. O. Daniels, Phil McDonough, H. S. Powers, Wilbur B. Morris, George Peterschmidt, L. P. Marshall, Jacob Dillman, J. E. McHarg, O. G. Jackson and Ralph Ryan.

Among noteworthy accomplishments of the Legion: Contribution of nearly $5,000 to Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital, which money was raised through initiation of the Hundred Club, an idea of R. H. Kilgore; the work of Wilbur B. Morris and his associates in securing aid for disabled veterans; maintenance of an 18-hole golf links and erection of the first unit of a club-house; placing of speakers in the schools during National Education Week; improvement of the Legion golf course; and aid in all community projects. Edgar Dale Post, American Legion, has an enrollment of 225 members.

The original Captain Edgar Dale Roster: Jesse E. Williams, Dr.C. E. Boudreau, Arthur K. Herbert, Hans Nelson, Russell Biggs, Jack Bair, Homer H. Hall, Geo. E. McDonald, T. E. Brinson, Paul J. Doan, John L. McDaniel, Oscar Diehl, James M. Baker, Fenton Caldwell, J. H. Roderick, John B. Sherman, Earl Bishop, Luther Tolle, A. F. Clark, Wilbur Morris, Robert Gunther, Robert E. Frevert, Charles Olinger, A. A. Schultz, D. W> Eckerman, A. G. Hadnult, George W. Wilson, Bernard F. Shinkrison, D. R. Holloman, Cecil W. Small, August C. Ulrich, Herbert M. Elder, Chas. M. Gullikson, Robt. M. McCauley, Guy Holloway, Wallace Harvey, J. M. Hillis, Hobart Kilgore, C. G. Wilke, Joe P. Brady, Carl E. Holt, Robert L. Engle, Leo Horton, Edgar L. Golden, Dan Miller, Herbert H. Stone, H. G. Keller, William A. Neighbors, Carroll Moss, Rev. T. J. O’Sullivan, Nathan B. Thompson, Cyril T. Faulders, Bruce A. Logan, Frank H. Perry, Coe F. Hawthorne, Wm. C. Parnell, Ralph Belles, Clarence P. Shattuck, Chas. Bloir, E. G. Gillen, H. C. Wright, Arthur W. Hall, B. N. Cumberlage, F. W. Hall, William Thompson, Carl Beren, Harry O. McIntosh, Elmer Benefield, Harvey D. Powers, John G. Crego, Donald J. Rayburn, Wiliam Paul Flanagan, G. V. Leighty, William Thompson, Claude Zeigler, J. B. Sharp, W. M. Childs, Sam L. Blankenship, C. L. See, Everett C. Percy, Frank R. Olin, H. T. Freese, Russell Gill, J. C. Clark, H. D. Barnes, R. L. Dillenbeck, J. J. Weathers, J. G. Weathers, Elmer Larsen, Walter S. Dixon, Harry E. Austin, Roy Tully, Louis M. Barnes, J. L. McFadden, E. B. Shearburn, E. Hall, Joe Randall, Chas. W. Graves, Mamie A. Carter, Gerald R. Carter, Ben Hess, Kenneth V. Godding, Clair Bourborne, Lawrence L. Hinnen, Henry M. Farrell, Raymond F. Fite, Rolland V. Hill, Floyd Sanford, Dan Kirkpatrick, J. E. Gumm, Robert S. Weeks, C. A. Rennick, I. K. Lygrisse, F. L. Sullivan, J. E. Estes, Fern C. Jones, J. C. Hall, Charles Holmquest, O. E. Coon, C. C. Graham, Walter F. McGinnis, Jr., Claude G. Shellhorn, Harold P. Webster, Edward D. Kenney Jr., F. W. Maben, J. B. Wheeler, R. Ryan, Sherman Dugan, Harry Short, A. L. Strath.

William E. Robinson, F. A. Shyrer, F. E. Brooks, Dale Downing, F. E. Devlin, F. V. Means, George L. White, James Heekins, J. E. Acton, C. F. Pfieffer, M. B. Goff, Clarence Dull, Lee A. Ow, Ross McDonough, J. S. Walker, James R. Hendric, Wesley Reno Lyons, E. G. Boydstun, Clyde Revo, R. Hartshort, Thomas C. Kington, C. G. Millspaugh, J. W. Kyle, F. A. Stuck, F. E. Smith, Claude Gilliland, Joe J. Smith, Dr. H. M. Lyle, Guy E. Unruh, W. R. McCurdy, R. W. Henry, Ray Bert Feeley, H. B. Bulilington, Arthur C. Olsen, W. A. Osborne, Arthur E. Carrel, John Stratford, Carl H. Burger, H. S. Wise, F. M. Van Denberg, L. M. Walker, J. H. Walker, Frank Oliver, Robt. E. Daniels, Harry J. Cousland, Frank M. Clark, W. E.