Lyon County, Kansas
Newspaper Tidbits
Kansas now has 518 miles of Railroad in operation. This will be doubled this year. There is not a Western State which offers more inducements to the immigrant than Kansas, and none where capital, properly invested, will yield a better return for ten years to come than Kansas.
Emporia News ~ Editorial column, January 17, 1868
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Jane Proctor, who was captured by the Cheyenne Indians about twenty years ago, while on the road to California, is now stopping at the house of Norval Kelley, a few miles east of this place. She is twenty-four years old, being captured at the age of four. At the late fight between the Cheyennes and Kaws, near Fort Laramie, Jane made her escape, and came down to this region with the Kaws. Of course she has suffered a great deal, but was with the Indians so long that she became accustomed to their modes of living. She has been sold often and has spent her time with various tribes, roaming over the country and leading a terrible life. Her brother, who was older, remains with the Indians, having married among them. Miss Proctor says there were always a number of captives with the Indians, and hence she has preserved a tolerable knowledge of the English language.
Miss Proctor thinks some of her family live in Southern Kansas, somewhere, and would like to have information concerning them. Her father's name is B. B. Proctor. Any information concerning him or any of the family will be thankfully received by her. We are indebted to W. T. Galliher, Esq., for the above particulars.
Emporia News, February 7, 1868
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If the members of the churches in Emporia will fence and prepare their church lots, I will give shade and ornamental trees to plant them. MAX FAWCETT.
We hope the Board of Trustees of the several churches in the village will avail themselves of this munificent offer. Max is one of our most liberal and public spirited men. He has sold large quantities of shade and ornamental trees here, and is devoting himself entirely to the propagation of trees, shrubs, vines, etc., which will be of immense value to this county in the future. He has always furnished gratuitous information to the people regarding his experience in the nursery business, and he is determined that we shall be furnished with all kinds of trees for our public buildings, parks, etc. Nothing will help the appearance of our churches more than to enclose them with nice fences and plant the lots in shade trees.
Emporia News, June 19, 1868.
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STRAYED from the subscriber August 10, 1868, a sorrel horse, about three years old; round face; small white spot in center of forehead; shoes on fore feet. The above reward will be paid to anyone delivering the horse to me in Emporia, or for information of his whereabouts. C. R. SIPES.
Emporia News, August 28, 1868.
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The demise of the Leavenworth Times leaves only one paper in the State older than THE EMPORIA NEWS, and that is Sol Miller's White Cloud Chief. We are glad to state that both the Chief and THE NEWS are healthy.
Emporia News, September 18, 1868.
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Consisting of one table and fixtures necessary in a first-class establishment. Price $1,000. C. R. SIPES, Emporia, Kansas.
Emporia News, September 18, 1868.
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The two Osage Indians who killed the men in Butler County last spring, and who passed through here last week under charge of Deputy Sheriff Thomas, who was taking them to Butler for trial, made their escape at the residence of N. Demoss near Bazaar, on Friday night last. The shackles were taken off from the Indians on their arrival there, and they were permitted to go to rest free from encumbrance. Thomas, who was watching them, went to sleep and they made their escape in the night. It is charged that they were permitted to get away, and from the fact of their shackles being taken off, and there being comparatively no effort to pursue them, it looks as though the charge is not groundless. One rumor is that it was feared the citizens would lynch the Indians on their arrival at El Dorado, in which case the Osages threatened retaliation, and another is that a large sum of money was offered by the Osages for the freedom of these two prisoners. We know nothing of the correctness or falsity of the rumors.
Emporia News, November 6, 1868.
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We are informed that the brother of our townsman, Mr. Newman, of the firm of Newman & Houghton, who arrived here from Maine on Wednesday morning, reports that there was seven feet of snow, on the level, in that State when he left. So badly were the railroads blockaded that he was three days in making fifty miles. Think of that, ye grumblers at the cold weather of Kansas.
Emporia News, March 19, 1869.
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At a meeting of the Emporia 1st Congregational Church June 3, 1869, Rev. M. S. Croswell resigned the pastorate as he was going to San Francisco. H. B. NORTON, Clerk.
Emporia News, June 11, 1869
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Someone mistakenly remarks that the fourth of July occurred in 1776, and that the Declaration was signed on a Sunday. This is not the fact. The Fourth of July, 1776, occurred on Thursday. The Congress began its discussion of the subject on Monday the 1st, on Tuesday the 2nd "resolved that these United colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent States," on the 3rd the form discussed, and on Thursday, the Fourth, the document was signed.
Emporia News, July 9, 1869.
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Large numbers of Texas cattle drovers are passing through town every few days on their return to Texas. These drovers, after disposing of their cattle at Abilene, invariably return by this route to Fort Gibson and then home. Intelligent cattle dealers tell us that as soon as A. T.& S. F. Railroad is completed to this place, it will be nearer and more advantageous for drovers to bring their cattle here to ship them. This road will undoubtedly secure this vast trade as soon as it is built.
Emporia News, July 9, 1869.
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M. G. Mains, who lately visited this place, writes his impressions of the country as follows, in the Indiana Herald.
From Burlington we traveled up the Neosho Valley to Emporia, the county seat of Lyon County. This valley is to Kansas what the Wabash valley is to Indiana leaving out the "hager." It is certainly the most beautiful and productive valley your correspondent ever saw. It is down this lovely valley the Southern Branch Pacific Railway is being rapidly built. By the first of January, next, the cars will be running from Junction City, on the Kansas Pacific Road, through Emporia to Burlington, and the entire line will Emporia News, August 20, 1869.
Emporia News, August 20, 1869.
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Destructive prairie fires swept over different parts of Lyon county during three days of
last week. In the northern part of the county the large apple orchard of Mrs. O. Rideuour, the stables, hay stacks,
sheds, corn cribs, etc. on the ranches of William Robinson, William Houghton, Thomas Lazier and many others were
entirely consumed. Another fire six miles south of Emporia destroyed an immense amount of baled hay belonging to
D. S. Richards, John R. Maddock, J. F. Berthel and others.
(The Kansas Weekly Capital ~ December 10, 1891)
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Interesting History of Early Days in Lyon County
The exhibition of the original patent in the window of the Corner Book store has brought up considerable discussion among those who are interested, and especially among the old settlers of the county, about the early history of the county.
It is said that Chas H. Withington was the first white man to settle in this county. He lived on the old Santa Fe trail, just a short distance south of where the Allen postoffice now is. This was in 1846 and Mr. Withington made his living as a blacksmith for the Sac and Fox Indians, who at that time covered the plains.
The next white man was Oliver Phillips, who settled on 142 creek in 1849. He was elected delegate to the Osawatomie convention and assisted in organizing the Republican party in Kansas.
The settlers began arriving about 1857. They mainly settled down at Columbiaford or in the Fowler settlement. This place was called Columbia at that time.
The Fowler settlement by the way, took its name from old John Fowler, one of the earliest settlers. John Fowler acted as postmaster and the mail for all the people around the county stopped down at Columbia and was there distributed. In the fall of 1857. Mr. Fowler resigned and the mail was then brought on to Emporia.
In August of that year, the town got so important that a weekly hack ran between here and Topeka, and in 1860 tri-weekly between here and Lawrence. The first saw mill was started in Lyon county in 1857. The first public meeting was a Fourth of July celebration in 1857. The A. T. & S. F., was run into Emporia in 1870. The M. K. & T. in ‘69’70. In 1860 the county had 3,500 population. The draught of 1859 lasted until October of 1869.
In 1861, the war started and Lyon county sent out men four different times. They were the Emporia Guards, an artillery company, P. B. Plumb took out 150 men for the Eleventh, and the Lyon county militia company.
In 1860, the county had the grasshopper raid and in 1866, the freshets came. These destroyed thousands of dollars worth of property. In 1870, the population was 6,014. In April of 1867, Emporia had her only seconds.
Now watch the old settlers come in and dispute every fact here, which, by the way, was written by an old settler. Old settlers never agree on anything – Emporia Gazette. (Kansas Semi Weekly Capital ~ January 27, 1899
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Next winter, Emporia will have at least seven new public buildings either finished or under process of construction.
Besides these, there will be no less than eight residences built at a cost of $5,000 apiece. The public buildings
will aggregate a cost of $300,000. The government building will cost $200,000 and, with the exception of one or
two, will be the finest building in the state. The court house will cost $75,000. Next in order of cost is the
Carnegie library, which will cost $35,000. A $12,000 school building is next, and the Normal has falled heir to
a $10,000 gymnasium. In addition to these, there will be a few public buildings of a more modest nature. - Emporia
Gazette.
(Kansas Semi Weekly Capital ~ 16 March 1900)
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Here is one for the Kansas exchanges to beat if they can: Yesterday Uncle Harvey
Fowler, living five miles southeast of town, walked to town, bought a big supply of oysters and walked home. The
oysters were for supper to commemorate his 70th birthday. Uncle Harvey Fowler is hale and hearty and has lived
in Lyon county over forty-five years. - Emporia Gazette
(The Kansas Semi Weekly Capital, March 16, 1900)
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Henrietta Van Cleve Pierce Files for Divorce and Reveals A Rather Interesting Story
Emporia, Kan., November 29 – The divorce suit of Henrietta Pierce just filed with
the clerk of the Lyon County district court reveals a rather interesting story of interrupted conjugal bliss. The
plaintiff was formerly Henrietta Van Cleve. Her first husband was Edward Van Noucker. On December 11, 1891, the
Lyon County district court sentenced him to the Kansas penitentiary for burglary, and a few days later granted
her a divorce. A short time afterward she married her present husband, James B. Pierce, who was in July of 1892
sentenced to the penitentiary of Minnesota for felony. She now seeks a legal separation from him.
(The Kansas Weekly Capital and Farm Journal, December 7, 1893)
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Playhouse Benefits A Second Cause
The playhouse that was raffled off following the Emporia Christmas Parade has again changed hands and this time another local organization benefited from the proceeds.
The playhouse, made by Williams Automotive, Sutherland’s, Countrywide Home Loans, Bill Redeker Construction and Deputy Police Chief Mike Williams, was raffled off for $5 a chance.
The raffle brought in nearly $1,600 for the Peter Pan playground project.
Robin Gunkle of Emporia won the playhouse in the drawing. Gunkle said she decided to donate the house back to the builders to raise additional money. And that’s exactly what happened, Williams said Friday morning.
The house was sold to Jesse Cooper for $1,250.
“I took the check down to the Salvation Army for their Angel Trees,” Williams said.
“The credit goes to Robin and her husband for making that kind of a donation and giving back to the community.”
Captain Hope Burris said Friday afternoon there were about 200 angels that were not picked off of Emporia Angel trees this year. The money will be used to support those angels.
“That is going to help,” Burris said.
Williams said between the raffle and the final sale of the playhouse, the end result of the playhouse was $3,000.
“We’re now going to turn this into an annual event,” he said. “We’re going to build something each year.”
Williams said he is pleased with the way this year’s playhouse turned out.
“It turned out to be a great thing,” he said.
(Emporia Gazette ~ Saturday ~ 22 December 2007 ~ Articles by Brandy Nance)
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OLPE HIGH RANKED AMONG NATION'S BEST
OLPE — Students and staff at Olpe High School have another reason to celebrate — national recognition by U.S.
News & World Report.
U.S. News & World Report awarded 39 Kansas high schools with bronze awards in the first-ever ranking of America’s
Best High Schools. The magazine used “a formula produced in collaboration with School Evaluation Services, a K-12
data research and analysis business run by Standard & Poor’s, which put high schools in 40 states through a
three-step analysis.”
The analysis included progress on state tests, how well disadvantaged students did and if the school provides college-level
course work. More than 18,000 schools across the country were evaluated.
According to the magazine, nationally, 505 schools received gold or silver medals. USD 252’s Olpe High School was
awarded a bronze award. The school is one of 1,068 schools across the country to receive the bronze ranking. Of
the schools ranked bronze, 924 had less than 25 percent poverty enrollment and 16 had no significant poverty enrollment.
Forty-two of the bronze winners are charter schools and 41 are magnet schools.
In Kansas, enrollment numbers of schools ranked ranged from 47 students to 1,594 students.
(Emporia Gazette ~ Wednesday, February 13, 2008)
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Lyon County Bee lasts quite a spell
Nishat Yasmin is victor in 17 rounds
OLPE — “Q-U-O-T-A-T-I-O-N.”
That is the word that made eighth-grader Nishat Yasmin of Emporia Middle School the Lyon County Spelling Bee champ
at the competition Friday morning at Olpe Elementary School.
Nishat hung in for a whopping 17 rounds — more than two hours of spelling. Last year’s spelling bee only went for
12 rounds.
Nishat faced off with fellow Emporia Middle School student Mary Miller, who dropped out on the word “interrogation.”
At that point, Nishat had to spell Miller’s missed word correctly plus one additional word correctly to win the
spelling bee.
Throughout the spelling bee, students who misspelled words left the seating area and returned to the audience.
When only two students remained, the rules changed. If a contestant misspelled a word, the other contestant had
the opportunity to spell it.
The spelling bee kicked off with the national anthem, followed by a practice round. Following the practice round,
the spelling bee began.
The first word of the competition was “flesh.” Two thirds of the way through the first round all 36 spellers representing
12 area schools were still in the game. After that, three spellers dropped out on the words “turkey,” “ache” and
“flea.”
Rounds three and four saw many students retiring from their chairs as a total of 15 words were misspelled in the
two rounds. By the sixth round, nerves were starting to fray and spellers were getting fidgety as they walked up
to the microphone and while waiting for their turn.
Rounds seven, eight and nine only saw a few more spellers retire. There were no misspelled words during rounds
10 and 11. By round 13, however, there were only four participants left. It was down to the final two — Nishat
and Mary by round 16, which was just prior to 11:30 a.m. — more than two hours after the spelling bee started.
Nishat and Mary grimaced when they were informed a break would be taken. They laughed and talked about the event
during the break.
But it was back to business after the break. Both competitors stood next to the microphone to prevent them from
having to run back and forth.
When Mary missed on “interrogation,” it was up to Nishat, who spelled the missed word correctly. Nishat then spelled
the winning word, “quotation,” quickly. She beamed as she was declared the winner and received a high-five from
Mary.
Nishat is the daughter of Mohammad and Shireen Chowdhury. Since Nishat is an eighth-grader, this was her last chance
to compete. She wanted to do it last year, but was sick, she said.
Nishat explained what it was like to win.
“Oh my gosh,” she said right after the competition. “I’m still kinda jittery. I did not expect to come this far.”
Nishat said the hardest word for her was the word “lacquer.”
“I’m sure I’ve lacquered lots of things, but I’ve never seen the word,” she said, laughing.
Bill Warner, principal at Olpe Elementary School and Neosho Rapids Elementary School was Nishat’s principal when
she attended Village Elementary School in Emporia.
“I’m really proud of her,” Warner said, adding that it’s always a nice thing to follow students’ successes. “She
was one of my favorite students when she was at Village. She’s a neat kid.”
Nishat now heads to the regional spelling bee, which will be on March 15 at Washburn Rural High School, 5900 S.W.
61st Street, Topeka.
Friday’s spelling bee was judged by Michelle Barnhart, Becky Clopton and Carolyn Turney. The pronouncer was Deanne
Korsak.
(Emporia Gazette ~ Saturday, 16 Feb 2008)
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