LINCOLN COUNTY, KANSAS
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
She Taught In A Dugout And Boosted A Populist
By Dorethea Smith
At 17 she was a reluctant rough rider on uncharted Kansas plains.
She taught school in a leaky, one-room dugout cut into a hillside near Lincoln, lived with school patrons in
one room dugouts, gave her pay to "papa" to help keep the family going, and campaigned for her father
when he ran for 6th district congressman on the Populist ticket and was elected.
All that was a long time ago. Today, at 90, Mrs. Florence Woody, 301 South 4th, laughs it off.
It was no laughing matter, however, that spring day 73 years ago when she found herself dashing off to a school
she didn't want to teach anyway, one hand clutching her hat against the snorting Kansas wind, the other grabbing
the sideboards of a light wagon. The fact that the team of colts was just half broken and plunged on recklessly
didn't add any to the calm of the girl from the east who suddenly found herself a part of the pioneer west.
"Flora", William Baker had said to his daughter the day before, "I've got you a school".
The girl protested. She wasn't through school herself. She couldn't teach others.
Her words were wasted. Baker was having trouble making a go of life in the raw west and he let it be known his
seven children were going to help. Flora's part was to teach school. She did.
Her first schoolhouse was a dugout a few miles from Lincoln, She had 10 students, "one of them lots bigger
than I was". Their seats were rude chunks of wood and their desks were home-made benches.
There was no seat for the teacher.
In one corner of the dugout was a hole filled with water and inhabited by a "water puppy". the girl
from the east was uneasy. The hole was kept filled with water that drained to it through ditches around the cabin-like
room whenever it rained.
Eventually that roof drove the teacher out of her job. Rains set in and the hole wouldn't hold all the water
that leaked into the dugout. When the students - "scholars", they called them then - and their teacher
found water of wading depth in the dugout one day school was adjourned, indefinitely.
Flora Baker had taught two and a half months. Her pay? A pink calico dress and a pair of shoes.
The rest of what she earned went to "papa". Her salary was supposed to be $10 a month or its equivalent.
It was paid by the school patrons and was apt to be in wheat, corn, vegetables, other produce or meat.
Just as the school patrons paid the teacher, they took turns boarding her and she learned much about the families.
Her first place was with Ephriam Choate, member of a family which for years has been in newspaper business in Lincoln,
and still is.
Mr. Choate had to step outside while the teacher got ready for bed. Then the lights were turned out, his wife
called "Eph", and he returned to the cabin.
From the Choate dugout the new teacher went to a family so poor the father walked several miles into Lincoln
each day for work to help keep his children alive. Even then they were often so hungry they dug wild onions out
of the yard and ate them, Mrs. Woody recalls.
That dugout in a high bank cut near Lincoln launched Flora Baker on a school teaching career and incidentally
into romance.
The very first Sunday in her new school the Choates took her to the Josiah Woody home. Woody home. Woody was
a Baptist minister, had been a Confederate, and was the postmaster. the settlers went for church service in the
Woody home and stayed to eat.
Alfred Webb Woody, son of the postmaster, was sitting along the wall of the room when the Choates arrived with
the new teacher.
"He just sat there pretending to read and pretty soon he got up and went out. I didn't think he had seen
me at all", the little 90 year old Salina woman admits. Discussing it as she sat in her wheel chair and told
some of her early experiences, Mrs. Woody suddenly smiled, cast a down-right coqueltish glance at her visitor,
and came out with a sparking
"He told me later he did see me, though".
From the special permit her father obtained she went on to study a normal school, got a certificate and taught
eight terms of school under varying conditions.
Once she held school in the basement of a home. There were only half windows and the light was never good. One
of her students was a part-Indian who was about half blind. "So I let her go and stand by the window where
she could see to better advantage."
Twice Flora Baker taught in Sylvan Grove, and one erm she taught in Ellsworth county. she taught one term in
a house where the woman used to school room as a kitchen until patrons objected. She admits the practice had been
disquieting to say the least both for students and teacher.
A term of school in those days was sometimes in winter and again in summer so eight terms didn't mean eight
years.
Dan Cupid, who had walked late into the four room Woody home that first Sunday Flora Baker taught school, caught
up with her and Alfred Woody when she was 21. They were married March 11, 1883, and lived together 67 years. Mr.
Woody died last February.
The young Woodys of the 80's moved into their own home, on their own land. Soon it was complete with orchard,
cows, chickens and children. The eastern girl who came to the wild west and taught in a leaky dugout became the
mother of eight.
One of them is Mrs. Charles Shaver, 17 Crestview Drive, Salina. the others are Mrs. Florence Jackson of Manhattan;
Harold of Chicago, Wayland of Tulsa, Oscar of Laramie, Wyo., Alden of Topeka, and Carl of Victor. One is dead.
"Scattered to the four winds." Mrs. Woody remarked. "You know how families do."
She has two sisters and a brother still living. One of them, Mrs. Lena Marsh, visited Mrs. Woody a few months
ago, making the trip from her home in Burbank, Calif., by plane. Now 83, she was the one who generally went with
their father when he was campaigning for congress, because she was the singer of the family.
Mrs. Woody's parents came to Kansas in the spring of 1878 from near Pittsburgh, Pa., drawn by the glowing literature
that flooded the east and told of riches awaiting in the west. Some of that literature was from the Solomon valley
and it was there that the Baker family headed.
The trip west was like a gold rush, Mrs. Woody says. Railroad cars were filled with emigrants, their belongings
tied in bundles that clogged the aisles.
All land at Solomon was taken when the Baker family arrived, so he went on west. He finally settled in Beaver
township, Lincoln county.
Life was good, in spite of the lean circumstances of many of the new settlers. One fo the diversions, Mrs. Woody
recalls, was walking three miles once a week to the postoffice.
Life has been long and she has filled it with many accomplishments but never has done exactly what she would
have liked to do, Mrs. Woody reveals.
She wanted to be a writer. She never has been, except for the innumerable letters she pens daily now that she
can't get around as she has for the past 90 years. (The Salina Journal, January 7, 1951 - Submitted by Lisa Smalley)
THE INDIANS
The Latest Raid - Massacre On The Upper Salina - Horrible Scenes
Spilman Creek, Lincoln County, Kansas, June 3 - Last Sabbath opened quietly on the settlements of the Upper
Salina. Rumors had indeed reached these border settlements of Indian depredations on the Blue and Republican Rivers,
and near Fort Hays, a few days before, but they were not generally believed. Many fields of corn had been planted.
Some wheat and other grain was looking fine. New emigrants were pouring in, and many of the heads of families had
left their women and children to attend business at the Land Office or procure provisions at Salina, 43 miles distant.
It was late in the afternoon when two men named Alverson and Zeigler were driving with a horse team down the valley
of Spillman Creek, some eight miles from its mouth, when they saw a body of armed men, riding by fours in regular
order behind them. At first they thought them soldiers. They were about 50 in number, and as they approached bore
off toward the hills in passing the wagon, keeping half a mile distant until they had got below them on the valley,
when they broke and charged on the two men and the wagon. Then there was a race for life. The Indians wheeled and
circled round the flying wagoners. One of them held the reins and urged the horses to the gallop, while the other
held a rifle ready for any that might approach too near. After several miles race they reached the timber and abandoning
the team, escaped through the brush with their rifles where the Indians did not care to follow them. A short distance
down the creek, a Swede and his wife, in Sunday dress, were walking out. They were surrounded and killed on the
prairie. Their little boy had been a quarter of a mile behind them. He ran back to a dugout or adobe house, and
reported that the Indians were killing his father and mother. Several families clustered into the adobe and closed
the door, and the Indians were unable to effect an entrance. A Swedish silversmith from Chicago, named Peterson,
had gone some distance down the creek and the besieged inmates of the adobe hoped it was in search of help. About
sundown the Indians approached the adobe, and one who could speak English, threw the Swedge's boot against the
door and called out with oaths that the man's body would be found down the road. He was nearly cut in pieces. At
about the same hour in the afternoon, a party of 16 surrounded a settler's house at the mouth of Spilman creek
(on the Salina). An old Swedge and his two sons saw them coming and took refuge with the two families in the house.
He drove off the Indians with a shotgun. About the same hour of the day a similar party evidently part of those
who had chased Alverson an hour earlier, emerged from the hills between Spilman and Bull Foot creeks, chasing two
Germans on horseback. As they reached the valley of the Salina the Germans were overtaken, riddled with arrows
and beaten to death with war clubs. These two men were but recently from Louisburgh, Hanover. One of them was named
Wiebel, and his wife, a beautiful young woman, was carried off and is now in the hands of the Indians.
In full view of the scene of slaughter of the unhappy Germans, were several houses. At one of these was Mrs.
Alberdice, a young married woman, her babe and three other children, respectively three, six and nine years. Another
woman, a Mrs. Kin?? With her baby, was in the house. The husband of the latter was at the Land Office, 75 miles
distant. Alderdice together with the two Messrs Henderson and Mallory were at Salina 43 miles distance getting
provisions. In the home were a couple of Irishmen. These were armed but started for them inside which were down
in the bend. The women implored them to stay, but, terrified at their flight, and without thinking that their greatest
safety was in the house they gathered up their children and fled. Mrs. Alderdice and her baby in her arms, gave
the baby to Mrs. Kinds who placed the baby on her back. Mrs. Alderdice with her baby on Mrs. Kinds, and her little
boy and girl at her side, started with the other. They fled down Salina River. From the Land where the house stood
is the stand of timber was a prairie stretch of three quarters of a mile after they had traveled a great portion
of it, the Indians saw them and persued. What a race for life! As they reached the point of timber the Indians
were close on them. Two children were tired, the woman exhausted "we can go no further" cried the unhappy
Mrs. Alderdice. Unable to bear the double burden, and anxious to save her own babe, Mrs. Kinds put down the other
child and holding her babe to her breast flew ahead and ????? the Salina River and hid in the undergrowth and escaped,
reaching Schemmerhorn's ranch with ……… late that night. Not so Mrs. Alderdice, surrounded by her little children
she saw the Indians approach. Lifting her two youngest under her arms she made a last effort. She was surrounded.
Her three oldest children were shot before her eyes. She with her babe were placed on a horse and as the child's
head was found, bloody, a short distance off, it is feared that it too, was slain but carried off dead on its mother's
bosom. Her oldest a boy of nine years had four balls and an arrow through him, but is still alive and it is hoped
will recover. The other two have been buried.
About the time of the first attack three Indian horsemen had galloped down the Salina valley from Spilman Creek,
below Bull Foot, nine others following after. Of the three first, one appeared to be a chief or leader. He was
gayly dressed. In his head was a plume of feathers. Beside his bow and arrows and a revolver he had a bright steel
headed lance and a shield decked with plates of silver. He was an old man. They surrounded one or two houses, but
when the inmates closed the door and prepared for defense they gathered up any horses they could find and dashed
on.
Near the house of Mr. Hendrickson two miles below Vandershee's two boys of 8 an d9 years, one a son of a Mr.
Strange, and the other of a Mr. Smootz, were on the prairire, a quarter of a mile from Hendrickson's house. The
three Indians rushed on the boys. Strange's son they immediately brained with a war club, a fragment of which lay
beside his body. The other boy, with an arrow through his back deep in his body, fled toward the house. In that
house were only women and children. Another boy of Mr. Strange's about 10 years old, seized a rifle and sailed
out, followed by another child but 6, who bore the powder horn and ball pouch. As the son of Mr. Smootz ran screaming
toward them, the boy raised his rifle on the nearest Indian and they fled back thus permitting the wounded boy
and his rescuers to reach Hendrickson's cabin in safety.
While this was going on, another settler, a Mr. Shaeffer, with his young wife and child, were driving along the
Hendricks field. They had been down the valley some miles that Sunday on a visit. As they crossed the Salina at
a bridge there, Mr. Shaffer had observed a company of cavalry in camp. Hearing the boys scream and seeing the horrid
scene, Shaeffer wheeled his horses and galloped back with the wagon to the military camp scarcely a quarter of
a mile off. It was a full company of the 7th Cavalry, well equipped and mounted. It seems that they were over from
Barker hunting stray horses. Their vigilance could not have been great. Some of the soldiers had seen the parties
of Indians, but did not know what they were. When Mr. Shaeffer gave the alarm, in a short time the troopers got
their horses and moved after the Indians, with all the method so exquisitely military. In about a mile they came
on the three Indians in a ravine, where they were trying to lariat the horses they had captured, some twenty in
number. Instead of charging at once upon them, the officer dismounted his men, sent back his horses, formed in
line of battle, and opened up volley after volley on the three Indians. The old Indians, scared 300 yards off,
shook his shield defiantly at them. He and his two companions saddled fresh horses from those they had captured
during the fusillade, and rode off. The cavalry were then remounted and ordered to follow; but by this time the
Indians, had, of course, moved off. After a two hours hunt the cavalry returned to camp. Net morning with all the
horses they started after the Indians, crossed the divide north-west to Salt Creek and thence as they crossed to
the Solomon River, they came on a party of Indians as they thought too strong to attack, fell back on Salt Creek
and sent to Hays and Harker for assistance.
During all the night between Sabbath and Monday settlers from the upper and remote creeks were coming in. Bale
fires blazed on the high hills, evidently kindled by the Indians to concentrate their force on discovering the
proximity of the troops.
Up to this day eight bodies have been buried, Mrs. Wiebel and Mrs. Alderdice and her babe are in the hands of
the Indians. Most of the settlers have come in to the mouth of this creek and to Elkhorn and not a few fearful
of further difficulty have fled to Salina for safety.
Troops are after the Indians who can easily see and avoid them. These appear to have been Sioux, Cheyenne and
Arapahoe. I learn that they are again tearing up the track at Sheridan. What will the Government do? (New York
Herald-Tribune, June 11, 1869, page 2, transcribed by Peggy Thompson)
IN DARKEST KANSAS (Miss Chamberlain)
It is something of a shock to see that the Kansas secretary of agriculture deems it necessary to start a popular
subscription for the defense of womanhood in that state. Yet the two cases he has in mind justify his interest.
Because a woman was elected mayor of Hunnewell last year the councilmen have deliberately and defiantly obstructed
her attempts to perform the duties of that office and the power of the state is now being invoked to compel them
to recognize the legality of her position even if it is impossible to shame them into a sense of chivalry. This
however, is not so surprising after the incident at Shady Bend, Lincoln County, where a respected young woman school
teacher assisting in a general store during the vacation season was decoyed on the pretext of a drive to a lonely
crossroads and stripped and tarred by several of the "most prominent men" and boys in the community because
the women, jealous or envious, of Shady Bend has gossiped about her and had incited their men folk to drive her
out of town.
Beside this outrage the insulting attitude of the councilmen of Hunnewell to the woman mayor is absolute gallantry.
But what must be thought of a state where such things are possible? Kansas, too: Kansas that has prided itself
upon its progressiveness, its chivalry, its ideals! Of course, the whole state should not be judged by these two
cases, but it is a humiliation none the less. The prosecuting attorney of Lincoln county has already had the young
woman's decoy escort sentenced to a year in jail for his part in the affair, but the "prominent citizens"
are fighting desperately against a like penalty, the punishment for assault and battery in Kansas, and seeking
to escape with fines. It is to secure the very best legal talent to assist the prosecutor in securing jail sentences
for these mockeries of men that Secretary Coburn has appealed for financial aid. Here is hoping he may be successful
and that Shady Bend may be deprived for the statutory term of the presence of every "prominent citizen"
who took part in the shameful affair. It is a pity that nothing can be done to the civil minded and vicious gossips
who instigated it. (Evening Times, September 18, 1911, page 4, transcribed by Peggy Thompson)
BARBER ADMITS HE DECOYED GIRL FOR KANSAS TAR PARTY (Edward Ricord & Miss Chamberlain)
Lincoln Center, Kan. Nov. 15 - An admission of guilt in the "tar party" case came today, Edward Ricord,
a barber, admitted he decoyed Miss Chamberlain a school teacher to the point near Shady Bend, where she was "tarred"
on August 7. He went before Judge Stover and entered a plea of guilty. Sentence was suspended until after the trial
of the other accused men.
Ricord has been in jail for the last three months, awaiting action on an appeal from a justice court sentence
of one year for complicity in the attack on Miss Chamberlain. He was the first man arrested in connection with
the "tar party" case it is alleged he received $5 for his part in the affair.
According to Miss Chamberlain she accompanied Ricord on the night of the attack under the impression that he was
taking her to a dance. Ricord expects leniency as the result of his confession.
Attorneys for both sides in the case spent the greater part of today collecting witnesses and evidence to be
used tomorrow when the application for a change of venue of Everet G. Clark accused of leading the attack on Miss
Chamberlain, comes up for hearing.
Clark contends a prejudice exists against him in this county.
Many witnesses are to be called tomorrow. Among them are several newspaper men. The defense asserts that many
newspaper reports of the affair were highly colored and this tended to prejudice the public against Clark. It is
further charged that Prosecutor McCanless forced Edward Ricord to give a reporter an interview, bringing the prisoner
from the jail late at night for that purpose.
By a recent decision in the Kansas supreme court, it was held that a man who has formed an opinion in a case
from reading newspaper reports is not necessarily disqualified to sit on a jury.
Sentiment in the case is not wholly with Miss Chamberlain Friends of Clark and the eight other defendants have
been active in creating sympathy for the accused men.
Interest in the case centers about Clark, who is wealthy and influential. Clark is quoted as having said he
will spend his entire fortune if necessary to avoid imprisonment. (Daily Oklahoman, November 16, 1911, page 1,
transcribed by Peggy Thompson)
WASHINGTON GETS PROBLEM OF UNMARKED KANSAS GRAVE
WICHITA --- Officials in Washington now are considering what to do about the unmarked grave of a Civil War veteran
in Lincoln County, E. J. Klag said.
The head of the Veterans Administration office in Wichita said his file in the case has been forwarded to VA
in Washington.
The grave is that of Joshua Simmons, a rifleman in Co. 3, 13th Iowa Infantry, who drowned while fording the
rain-swollen Saline River near the county seat of Lincoln in 1878---13 years after his discharge from the Army.
Klag said Art Rose, administrative assistant for the Kansas Veterans Commission, called the unmarked grave to
his attention.
He said Rose was contacted by Bill Headley, coorespondent for the Lincoln Sentinel - Republican, county seat
weekly. A descendant of Simmons' widow, who remarried, had told Headley the story.
Klag said Rose told him bodies of three of Simmons' children are buried beside that of their father, in a small
plot on the Wilton Markley farm. Small headstones marked the graves of the children. Headley has put a temporary
marker at the veteran's grave.
(Hutchinson News ~ June 11, 1958 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)
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