Class V&% 9 Book T&X\$ TOPEKA Pen and Camera Sketches. Miss Mary E. Jackson, Author of "Spy of Osawatomie" and other works. TOPEKA, KANSAS: GEO. W. CRANE & CO., PRINTERS AND BINDERS. 189O. Copyright, 1890, by Mary E. Jackson. IV.fof iL POST OFFICE. INTRODUCTORY. The idea of preparing this volume for the public was suggested by the many tourists and visitors to our city, met in the Rapid Transit cars as I daily went to Oakland and Potwin Place in the capacity of a music teacher. The various questions asked the pas- sengers and conductors in regard to our city by those visitin°- here who seemed desirous of obtaining so much more information than could be given them in a few moments' ride, inspired the author to prepare a volume which would give strangers some idea of our city's history, its population, and some of its views. In the historical and biographical sketches the truth has been strictly adhered to, and records have been carefully traced for cor- rect dates, etc. The miscellaneous poems and stories are written at random, but are all in some way connected with the early his- tory of our State and city. To Revs. Hayden and Knox, Maj. T. J. Anderson, and Messrs. F. G. Trestrail, N. D. McGinley and Lee Jones, I most sincerely desire to return thanks for their assistance in getting a complete roster of the officers of the various organizations in the city. To the conductors and motorneers of the Rapid Transit Rail- way, are due the most heartfelt thanks of the author for the in- terest they have taken and the encouragement given this work. The photographic views were furnished by Mr. W. F. Farrow, who took great pains in selecting them for this volume. I have endeavored, in placing this book before the public, to give to strangers some knowledge of our " Golden City," and to present something of interest to our own citizens as well. Topeka, Kas., January, 1S90. J - DEDICATED TO MISS ALICE N. BLOOD. CONTENTS. PAGE. Introduction 5 Dedication 6 Con tents 7 The ' ' Sunflower ' ' State 9 Topeka as it Was II Topeka as it Is 17 Topeka Paragraphs 18 Oakland 24 Potwin Place 26 Highland Park 27 Quinton Heights 27 Crossing the Kaw 29 The Bridge Opened 31 The Episcopal Church 32 Address of Bishop Thomas: Eulogy on Bishop Vail 35 Episcopal Endowment 38 College of the Sisters of Bethany 38 Kansas Theological School 41 Christ's Hospital 41 First Methodist Episcopal Church 46 First Congregational Church 50 First Baptist Church 52 First Presbyterian Church 53 Catholic Church 56 North Congregational Church 60 United Presbyterian Church 60 German Methodist Episcopal Church 60 Unity Church 61 Swedenborgian Church 61 English Lutheran Church 62 Society of Spi ritualists 62 Young Women's Christian Association 63 The State House 65 Kansas Historical Society 67 Topeka Free Library 73 State Reform School 76 Public Schools 77 College of the Sisters of Bethany 82 Washburn College 83 Ingleside 90 8 CONTENTS. PAGE. Topeka Orphans' Home 91 Fire Department 92 Rapid Transit Street Railway 94 00 01 02 04 °S 06 09 The Copeland Hotel Hotel Throop Marshall's Military Band The Sunflower Band The Modocs Lincoln Post, No. 1, G. A. R..-. Lincoln Post Flambeau Club Democratic Flambeau Club Republican Flambeau Club Catholic Young Men's Association Diocesan Mutual Insurance Union Catholic Mutual Benefit Association Ancient Order of Hibernians Juvenile Society Dr. F. L. Crane Col. John Ritchie Col. N. S. Goss Hon. John Francis Mayor R. L. Cofran Joseph Bromich F. P. Baker W. H. Butterfield Harry Hayden Rev. John A. Steele James W. Steele Major J. K. Hudson Father O'Reilly: Eulogy by Dean Hayden. Kossuth to Hulseman Myra The Golden City: A Vision Quintillian Castle Famora The Pathfinder The Marais des Cygnes The Prairie Lark Our Neighbor's Boy My Gem The Old Year's Warning The Snow Angel Indianola' s Bride Thou hast Left our Home Desolate The Widow of Wakarusa Mexico's Ex-President Miss Nettie Cobean Ethel Moore THE "SUNFLOWER" STATE. The Kansas-Nebraska act was signed May 30, 1854; it became a law; the Missouri compromise was repealed, and from the great lakes on the north to the Gulf of Mexico, from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean, all eyes were turned to that Territory — a Territory opened for settlers, a Territory of broad, rolling prairies, interspersed with beautiful groves, and rippling streams of clear water flowing through its entire length, the prairies covered with beautiful wild flowers of the most fragrant odors, while the groves, too, had their wild flora, and song birds of gorgeous plumage flitted among the wild jasmine and luxuriant growth of wild roses. These made a Kansas grove as attractive as an Eastern park. The tall, dark green grass, waving before the constant summer breeze, was another charm for the lover of nature. Travelers and adven- turers never tired of the scenery of the Kansas plains. Coronado, in 1 541-2, made entries in his journal, as he passed through this latitude and longitude, of its grandeur; Du Tissennet, the French explorer, in 17 19, did the same; General Pike, in 1806, devoted page after page to descriptions of the vast prairies and varied scenery of the western territory he was passing through. With all these descriptions, Washington Irving comes to the front with his "Tours on the Prairies," in 1832, when he passed down the Kansas border. Why, then, with such favorable notices, should not the eyes of public-spirited men, men of means and enterprise, be turned to the most delightful country for homes, for business of all kinds? What was then "The Garden of the West" has not changed by the thirty-five years of its settlement. Kansas has not only attracted notice of her own nation, but the oldest nations on the earth are saying, "Kansas is one of the most enterprising places on the globe." France, Germany, Scotland, and other coun- tries, send to us for full particulars of the electric railway — the largest in the world — situated in the city of Topeka; Russia sends (9) IO TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. to Kansas for copies of her temperance law ; and some of the South American States, for details as to our free-school system. Elas not the Kansan a right to proclaim aloud? She has a bright record, and still boldly goes forward every year. TOPEKA AS IT WAS. Of the most important events in the settlement of Kansas, were the founding of her cities. Eighteen hundred and fifty-four was the birth year of four of our most thriving cities. Atchison and Leavenworth were founded by Pro-Slavery men; Lawrence and Topeka by the bold and upright Free-State men, who came west to make Kansas their home, and a home it has been of the better class of citizens; the home of free schools, temperance organiza- tions, literary societies, churches, manufactories, banks, but not the home of the saloons. With these principles in view, Lawrence and Topeka were selected by the agents of the New England Emigrant Aid Society. Early in October, 1854, C. K. Holliday left the town of Law- rence, Kansas, which had been founded a few months before, and came up the Kansas river in search of another location suitable for a town, for a large train of emigrants about to start for Kansas from the East. Accompanied by Dr. Charles Robinson, they wended their way along the Kansas river, through tangled brush and high prairie grass, until they came upon the present site of Topeka. Mr. Holliday was well pleased with the country, and there and then decided to locate his town. November 20th, Messrs. Enoch Chase, M. C. Dickey, George Davis and Jacob Chase arrived in Lawrence, and after remaining a few days, they started out to locate farms for themselves, and also select a location for a town. Dr. Robinson informed them of the selection that had been made by himself and C. K. Holliday, and assured them he would assist them by sending emigrants to the place they should select for a town. They arrived on the present site of Topeka, November 29th, and decided to locate, each man selecting a claim of a quarter section of land. There were no Pullman coaches, upholstered reclining chairs, nor smoking cars, in which the traveler can rest as comfortably as at (u) 12 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. home, while he gazes out on the scenery of the country he is pass- ing through. No; the Eastern emigrants could ride on the cars only as far as St. Louis, and then take a little boat, scarcely larger than a hen coop, and slowly wend their way up the muddy Mis- souri river to Kansas City, where they were landed. Then came the difficulty of getting away from that town, which was head- quarters for the Pro-Slavery factions of those days. It was on one of these boats, the "Lenora," that some of our pioneer Topekans arrived on the Kansas border, in 1S54. These were Daniel Home, Fry W. Giles, T. J. Thornton, Timothy Mc- Intire, J. E. Greenwood, George F. Crow, Wm. C. Lenicar, L. G. Cleveland and S. A. Clark. There being no stages nor railway to bring them to Lawrence, they walked through from Kansas City, arriving there December 2d. Messrs. Home, Giles, Cleveland and Clark started out Monday morning, December 4th, to select their claims, and establish themselves as citizens of the new Territory. Taking the advice of Dr. Robinson and Mr. Holliday, they left Lawrence for the new location up the river, accompanied by Mr. Holliday. They arrived that evening at their destination, and found the other four settlers on claims, putting up their cabins. One log house stood near the river, on what is now Kansas avenue and First street. It was not completed, but served as a shelter for those nine men that night. Rolled up in blankets, they laid down on the dirt floor, covered with a natural growth of prairie grass, and slept well. But the next night proved to be one that they will long remember. They were aroused from their drowsy slumber by the startling cry of "Fire!" Yes, sure enough, the fire built in the open fireplace had caught the tall prairie grass, and soon the entire roof was falling in, leaving the walls standing. The men took refuge in a small tent for the remainder of the night, and the next day the work of reconstruction began. Thus, on December 5th, 1S54, was the first fire in Topeka. Early in the morning Mr. Home made a careful examination of the proposed town site, and reported favorably. The nine gentle- men, who had met for the first time the night before, assembled there on the prairie, and choosing C. K. Holliday as chairman of the meeting, proceeded to organize a town company and survey the new town. Why was it so, that there and then those men made a resolve that their town should be the capital of the State, and should rival TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 13 the capital of the United States in heauty and magnificence? What brought such ideas to those few men? Was it the clear sky, and the refreshing breezes blowing over the prairies, with no snow under foot? The articles of agreement were drawn up, by which the town company was to be confined to fifty members. The town site was divided into one hundred shares, each member of the company to receive one share, the remainder to be reserved for future settlers. The first settlers of a few days relinquished their claims and moved further on, adjoining the town. C. K. Holliday was chosen presi- dent of the town association. The names enrolled on the contract were: C. K. Holliday, F. W. Giles, D. H. Home, George Davis, Enoch Chase, J. B. Chase, M. C. Dickey and L. G. Cleveland. Dr. Robinson was a member, but held his citizenship at Lawrence. He returned on Tuesday to Lawrence, and carried orders for the remainder of the party to assemble at the new town, then not named. The limits of the new city were two miles east and west along the banks of the Kansas river, and one and one-half miles north and south upon the prairie. It was surveyed by Mr. Searle, of Lawrence, into lots 75 by 150 feet. This survey included a levee, to be 130 feet wide. Four of the principal avenues each way, crossing transversely, were the same width, and the remainder of the streets 80 to 100 feet wide. A meeting was held on New Year's day, 1855, nearly a month after the town was founded, to select a name. The entire evening was spent in discussing some suitable name, but no satisfactory re- sult was reached. On the evening of January 2d the subject was again brought up, and Mr. F. W. Giles suggested the word To- peka, an Indian word he had heard pronounced. At that time the meaning was not known, but it since proves to be a sentence of the Indian language, "a good place to dig potatoes." Some give the meaning of the word, "wild potatoes." The second house built in Topeka was a sod house, by Messrs. Home and Cleveland, which they occupied during the winter. It was on Topeka avenue and First street. In January, C. K. Holliday and L. G. Cleveland made a visit to Kansas City to bring a saw mill and large steam engine which the New England Emigrant Aid Society had sent. The mill was put up and ready for use in the spring. During the winter about thirty persons were added to the as- 14 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. sociation, among whom were several ladies, Mrs. F. J. Chase being the first. She joined her husband, who had built a log house, with a blacksmith shop in the rear, in which they resided. Many cabins were put up before spring, among them being a board shanty by A. W. Moore, which was used for a boarding house. A post office was established in March, and F. W. Giles ap pointed postmaster. On the 2 1st of March, the first church in Topeka was established bv the Methodists, with Rev. A. Still, presiding elder, J. S. Grif- fing, pastor, F. J. Chase, class leader, and H. H. Wentworth, Sunday school superintendent. The first religious service of that organization was held in a grove on the bank of the Kansas river, but the first sermon preached in Topeka was by Rev. S. Y. Lum, who had been commissioned in August, 1S54, as a Congregational missionary. He preached several times in the new town during the winter of 1S54-5. Early in the spring of 1S55 the emigrants came in rapidly, and all was bright for the new town. Another boarding house -was opened, called the "Pioneer" hotel, built by Minirm and Zim- merman; it was nearly opposite where the Shawnee Mills now stand. In April, J. T. Jones opened a store on Kansas avenue, between Second and Third streets, and J. C. Miller commenced making tinware under a tree near the foot of Kansas avenue. Mr. Miller was the first to build a brick house in the city, which was near the corner of Kansas avenue and Sixth street, now used by Drs. Mul- vane and Munk for their offices. R. L. Mitchell started a cabinet shop on the northwest corner of Sixth and Harrison streets. Mr. Home had a brick yard out of town, and made the first brick for the town. The first sawed lumber was brought in from Lawrence by C. K. Holliday. The first marriage in Topeka was that of S. J. Thomas and Harriet X. Hurd, and the first death, a son of Mr. Scales, which occurred May 30, 1S55. In April, 1S55, the Farnsworth brothers began to erect a large stone building on the west side of Kansas avenue, between Fourth and Fifth streets. It was a substantial two-story building, with a basement. They erected it to put in a large stock of goods, but soon after completion was used by the Legislature, and known as TOPE K A PEN AX D CAMERA SKETCHES. I 5 "Constitution Hall." The next to occupy it was Win. W. Ross, who moved in and started a printing office early in the fall. The first newspaper published in Topeka was the Kansas Free- man, the first number appearing July 4, 1855. It was printed on the open prairie, no office yet being ready. The size of the Kan- sas Free?nan was eight by twelve inches, three columns to a page, and sold at two cents a copy. It was published by E. C. K. Gar- vey. The first picnic and May party in Topeka, was on the 17th of May, 1S55. The settlers all gathered in a grove on the banks of the Kaw on that day, and spent one of the happiest days they had ever enjoyed in the West. During the last week of May, 1S55, the first steamboat of the season, the "Emma Harmon," arrived at the levee, which was where the foot of Quincy street is now. July 4, 1S55, the citizens of Topeka held their first temperance meeting, and there and then declared that temperance should pre- . ail, and the greater number of that little band have lived to see the fruits of the harvest sown in the springtime of their living in Topeka. A monument should be erected to the memory of those noble men. The citizens of Kansas should not forget those heroes. "Here, as up yonder, they must be remembered by what they have done." On the evening of May 14, 1S55, a meeting of the citizens was held at the boarding house of A. YV. Moore, to consult as to the best method for preventing the sale of intoxicating liquors in the new town. Capt. C. X. Grow was chosen chairman, and Dr. Meriam, secretary. Dr. Martin and Capt. Sanford Henry urged the necessity of adopting decisive measures at once to stop the evil there and then, and that a committee to draft resolutions be appointed. Messrs. Dyer, Ritchie and Emerson were appointed, and the following preamble and resolution were reported: "Whereas, We, the citizens of Topeka, believe the sale of ardent spirits as a beverage to be pernicious to the community, an unmitigated evil, producing de- bauchery and disorder on the Sabbath, corrupting the morals and disturbing the peace, injuring the reputation and hindering the prosperity and growth of the place; and "Whereas, The Topeka Association have prohibited the sale of ardent spirits, as «| a right to do, upon lots by them donated, and as proofs are abundant that . ^^izens is violating the arrangement by selling whisky, not only to the ■ to the Indians: therefore, I 6 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. "Resolved, That we, the citizens of Topeka, do hereby pledge ourselves to stand by each other in the enforcement of the above prohibitio- , peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must, and that in broad daylight." It was then voted that a committee, Messrs. Irish, Weymouth and Whitney, be requested to wait upon Mr. J. F. Jones, and in- form him of the action of the meeting, and present b » copy of the above resolutions. Messrs. Stratton, Meriam and Adams were appointed a com- mittee to draft a constitution and by-laws for a temper mce league, and the meeting adjourned to meet in one week. Time went on, and nothing was accomplished by talking to Jones. On July 4th, the citizens met out on the high prairie, and there vowed that the groggery should be closed by force. Marching down to the spot, they made known their business to the proprietor, and demanded his stock. He hesitated, and at last compromised by the citizens paying him a certain sum. rels were rolled out, and the heads burst in. In a few - large bonfire was lighting up the entire town, and mak the most useful fireworks displays ever exhibited in To} ek'a. t The next liquor spilling occurred on July 11,1857. Over $1,50- worth was poured out in the streets. There had been a ten ance union formed by the business men of the town, and '« determined to live up to the measures first adopted by town company. The names signed were: J. W. Farnswori. C. Twichell, E. C. K. Garvey, Walter Oakley, J. Willets, J. Allen, D. M. Thornton, Enoch Chase, L. W. Allen, and Gordon & Bro. The president of the union was H. W. Farnsworth; vice president, A. F. Whitney; secretary and treasurer, J. F. Cum- mings. They held their meetings for several months. Gradually the saloons crowded in, and at the close of i 1 884, one hundred saloons were running in the once ten city. Drunken men swarmed on the streets, and their i went hungry and in need of clothes. To-day, again, not a saloon is to be found. They are all gc A drunken man is now a rare object. A few men are occasion; found, and heavily fined, who peddle whisky and other into by the drink or bottle. These petty criminals are known leggers." A meeting at the Grand Opera House agf. j» ;! » sion of the prohibitory amendment to a vote of the p 10, 18S9, is proof enough that prohibition will sti '1 oj • >& • '"-r they hci.. ■1^ one of our ~ : I whites, but TOPEKA AS IT IS. Wonderful growth and development have been shown by this healthy child of the plains, from the day of its christening, thirty- five years ago, by the nine original town-site owners. To these men is due much of the direct credit of Topeka's popularity even now, for it was they who planned her broad streets and avenues in the original survey, and which, finely paved, are now the pride of the capital city's people, and the envy of some of the largest cities in the land. Handsome parking upon either side of all resi- dence streets adds greatly to her attractive appearance. Unsur- passed as a location for manufacturing, Topeka is nevertheless re- markably clean, and looks bright and new as compared with many less favorably situated cities surrounded by bluffs and hills, which will not permit smoke and smut to be carried away by the winds. The enumeration of inhabitants at the beginning of the present year (1890) places the population at 50,000 souls. That it is an intellectual city, it is but necessary to point to its grand public- school system, its colleges, churches, fine residences and business blocks, and the absence of the source of all crime, the saloon. It is pre-eminently the most temperate city in the world for its size. As a commercial center it is rapidly forging to the front, being headquarters for one of the largest railway systems in the world — the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway also makes Topeka its western headquarters. The Missouri Pacific and Union Pacific go to make up the best possible system of transportation facilities. The milling interests are a prominent feature, and Topeka flour finds the quickest mar- ket in Europe to-day. Among the leading hotels are the Throop, Copeland, National, Fifth Avenue and Chesterfield, while the first-class boarding houses are numerous, some of them surpassing the ordinary hotels in style and the quality of dishes served. -2 (17) I 8 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. For street railways, no city surpasses Topeka. Nearly fifty miles of street railway traverse all parts of the city. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, with its thousands * of miles of main and auxiliary lines, has Topeka for its head- quarters. It is to the exertion and untiring activity of Mr. C. K. Holliday that Topeka is indebted for this world-renowned road. x With the aid of D. L. Lakin, Jacob Safford, and a few other promi- nent citizens of Topeka, and Hon. S. C. Pomeroy, Mr. Holliday brought this road to Topeka, in 1868. The Union Pacific, Mis- souri Pacific and Rock Island systems also give Topeka direct communication with all parts of this continent, and bring tourists every day to see the prosperous city of the West. Where only a few years ago was tall prairie grass, and the Indians hunted and fished on the banks of the river, and built their fires for war dances, now the banks of the Kaw are illuminated by gas and electric lights, the poor Indian has moved on towards the south, leaving the "place to dig potatoes" for the pale face to sow, and reap a richer harvest than they had sown. The succeeding pages of this book will convince the reader of the truth of the assertions made above, and show that for educa- tional, social and business advantages Topeka affords the best to be found in the West. TOPEKA PARAGRAPHS. The city of conventions. North Topeka was first called Eugene. Miss Sarah Harland taught the first school. C. K. Holliday was the first mayor, in 1857. The city was incorporated February 14, 1857. Topeka has the best musical talent in the West. The Sixth avenue viaduct was completed in 1889. In 1885, the Topeka Business College was founded. F. W. Giles was first postmaster and first banker in Topeka. The land Topeka is built on was part of the "Wyandotte float." The value of the manufactured products in 1889 was $3,370,777. Topeka has the lead in the temperance movement of the world. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad shops were opened August 12, 1878. TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 1 9 The value of all public buildings in the city is $4,520,000, in- cluding the State House. In November, 1855, John Speer moved the Kansas Tribune from Lawrence to Topeka. The Shawnee Mills were purchased by Shellabarger & Gris- wold, the present owners, in 1S71. The first real estate office was kept at the Topeka House, by Asaph Allen and Harris Stratton. During the year 1889, the oldest groom obtaining license was 106 years of age, the youngest 19 years. The last steamboat that came up from Kansas City was the "Kansan Valley," on the iSth of April, 1861. The editor of the first newspaper, E. C. K. Garvey, came from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Topeka, June 5, 1855. The first brick block built in Topeka was the "Ritchie Block," southeast corner of Kansas avenue and Sixth street. Eugene (North Topeka) was annexed in 1S67, April 9. It was established as a station on 'the Union Pacific Railroad in 1865. There are now only three of Old John Brown's men living in the city: Thos. Archer, Major Scudder and John Armstrong. When the city was incorporated there were four physicians, one newspaper and two hotels — Topeka House and Garvey House. The first telegraphic communication received in Topeka was on the 15th day of November, 1865, over the lines of the Union Pa- cific Railway. The first sidewalks in the city were built in 1863. They were made of oak lumber, and laid on Kansas avenue, between Fourth and Seventh streets. A charter was granted Christ's Hospital in 1882. President, Rt. Rev. Thomas H. Vail; John R. Mulvane, treasurer; and D. W. Nellis, secretary. The Rock Island system, which has its general headquarters in Topeka, constructed more miles of road during the year 1S8S than any other road in the West. C. K. Holliday and F. W. Giles are the only residents of the city who were of those nine strangers who met December 4, 1855, on the present site of Topeka, and located the town. The Legislature of 1875 made an appropriation of $25,000 to build the insane asylum near Topeka. It was opened four years inter, under the management of Dr. B. D. Eastman. 20 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. The first brick made on the town site was in 1856. The yard was situated between Jackson and Van Buren streets, north of First street, Mr. G. G. Gage being the manufacturer. The first money paid by the city of Topeka was for public work: $500 towards the cost of construction of a wagon road from Topeka to Pike's Peak, during the gold fever excitement in 1S59. The first senator elected from Shawnee county, after the Wyan- dotte convention, was H. W. Farnsworth, and the first representa- tives were W. E. Bowker, H. W. Curtis and John E. Moore. The first grist mill was put in operation in December, 1856, in connection with a saw mill, Abel Merrill, H. W. Farnsworth and S. T. Walkley, proprietors, the site being on Kansas avenue and First street. There are now thirty-one miles of water mains, and 280 double hydrants for fire protection. The original cost of the Holly water system was $500,000. The number of gallons now consumed daily is 1,500,000. The first dramatic representation given in Topeka was on April 2, 1858. The play was "The Drunkard," and was presented at Museum Hall, in Ritchie's Block, at the southeast corner of Kan- sas avenue and Sixth street. The stone building on the corner of Tenth and Jackson streets, now used as a public school building, was built for Washburn Col- lege, then known as Lincoln College. The sum paid for the prop- erty by the city was $15,000. Crawford's Opera House is the successor of the old Costa Opera House, remodeled by L. M. Crawford in 1880, and destroyed by fire December 2d of the same year. The present house was im- mediately built upon the old site. In 1888, the first State convention of Republican clubs met in Topeka, March 28. Ex-Governor Thomas A. Osborn was elected chairman, and Hon. J. G. Slonecker was made president of the league. Over 150 clubs were represented. J. B. Billard, of North Topeka, was one of the brave youths who assisted Old John Brown when in Kansas. Mr. Billard, though just a boy then, often carried Brown and his men across the river in his skiff during the early troubles. The Grand Opera House was erected by a stock company in 1881, and it was opened to the public in September, 1S82. This is the largest and best proportioned theater in the State, having a TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 21 stage of about equal capacity of any in the country, and seating 1,500 persons. It was in June, 18S1, that the first street cars were put on the streets of Topeka. The first line, two miles, extended from Fifth street to the Union Pacific Railroad, and also a branch to the Santa Fe depot. Jesse Shaw was superintendent of the city railway for a number of years. The first instance of a marriage in Topeka being solemnized by a lady was the marriage of Geo. W. Crane and Miss Ella Rain, by Mrs. H. T. Thomas, lecturer to the First Society of Spiritual- ists, on the 15th of June, 1870, at the residence of the bride's pa- rents, Mr. and Mrs. S. Rain. Mr. Crane was then one of the proprietors of the Comwonzvea/t/i, with Col. Prouty. The Kansas State Fair Association was organized in 1870, with a capital of $10,000, most of which was owned by citizens of To- peka and Shawnee county. The first fair or exhibition held was in the fall of 18S1. Hon. T. C. Henry, formerly of Abilene, now of Denver, Colorado, was the first president. The grounds and improvements, lying south of the city limits, are valued at $150,000- The first three-story building in the city was located on the ~ northeast corner of Kansas avenue and Fifth street, and erected by Rev. Walter Oakley for a hotel, known as the Topeka House. It was built during the winter of 1856, and was the most com- modious building in the town at that time. It was destroyed by fire in 1870. Rev. Oakley returned to New York in 1857, an ^ remained eleven years. He is now a resident of this city. Topeka was the southern terminus of the Kansas emigrant route over which John Brown and Jim Lane passed on their way to Iowa. The last train that passed on that road had John Brown and a load of his colored friends. The principal stockholders were Dr. Charles Robinson, Major Abbott and S. N. Wood. The first conveyance that passed over the road was a closed carriage drawn by mules. The northern terminus of this road was Civil Bend, Iowa. The first business done in the office of W. O. Yeager, the first probate judge, was on the 24th day of September, 1S55. Wesley Garrett, a creditor of Preston Huffaker, late of Shawnee county, deceased, appeared before Judge Yeager on that day, asking that letters of administration be granted to him on the estate of said Preston Huffaker. His bond was $400 and his bondsmen were 22 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. Duke Hunter and T. N. Stinson. The bond was approved and letters granted. The public-school system was organized in 1867, with W. H. Butterfield, superintendent, and in 1S69, J. A. Banfield was elected T and held the position until 1871. Prof. A. W. Haines was chosen and held the position for one year, when W. H. Butterfield was again called, and officiated for nine years, up to 1881, when D. C. Tillotson was elected. He remained at the head of the schools until 1886, when Prof. John M. Bloss was elected, and holds the position at this writing. Fry W. Giles was the first banker in Topeka. He estab- lished the first bank in 1864, and commenced business in a modest way. Now, in 1889, the combined capital of Topeka's banks is over $3,500,000. The First National Bank, Kansas National Bank, Central National Bank, Merchants' National Bank, Bank of To- peka, Citizens Bank, United States Savings Bank, Topeka Sav- ings Bank, American Bank, and John D. Knox's Bank, are all sound financial institutions. The founding of Christ's Hospital has a peculiar and sad history of its own. Mrs. Bowman Vail, wife of the late Rt. Rev. Thomas H.Vail, lay for several months at the door of death's chamber, when at length she partially recovered, though she was totally blind. She was thankful for what had been done to save her life, and to God she made an offering — a home for His sick. Her noble and fond husband responded to her wishes, and their gift of ten acres of land is now occupied by the hospital. The first opera house succeeded Union Hall, upon lots 194 and 196 (old numbers) Kansas avenue, upon the site of the famous Gale Block, where the first State Legislature convened, where the first United States Senators were chosen, where State officers were tried in high court of impeachment for high crimes, and many other events of importance happened. There Mr. Lorenzo Costa built the first play house, in 1870, and it was opened to the public on the 12th of January, 187 1. L. M. Crawford bought the property in 1880, and Crawford's Opera House now occupies the site. At the anti-resubmission meeting held in Topeka Dec. 10, 1889, among some of the best speakers were several who had taken steps against prohibition a few years ago, but now see the effects of a good cause, and have boldly taken the stand against its re- TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 23 submission. Of those speakers, one was Rev. Enoch Powell, pas- tor of Unity Church. He said he had voted against and spoken against prohibition in Nebraska, but now believed that prohibition was better than high license. The house was packed, and hun- dreds went away unable to gain admission. The addresses were made by James A. Troutman, T. D. Thacher, A. B. Campbell, Rev. Powell and A. L. Williams. The following is a list of the newspapers and magazines pub- lished in Topeka at the present time: The Capital, The State Journal, The Kansas Democrat, The Kansas Farmer, The Kansas Telegraph, The Kansas Churchman, Sunday Lance, The Kan- sas Newspaper Union, Western School Journal, The Weekly Knight and Soldier, The Sunday Ledger, Our Messenger, The Welcome, The Washburn Argo, The Washburn Reporter, The Night Hawk, Kansas United Presbyterian, The Leader, Topeka Argus, The Kansas Financier, The Printer Girl, What Now, Kansas Siftings, Potwin Tribune, Western Poultry Breeder, Kan- sas Medical Journal, Our State, The Association Reflector, The Season Signal, The Budget, The Kansas News, The Topeka Mail, The Topeka News, The Spirit of Kansas. The first literary society was organized in the winter of 1855-56, and was known as the Kansas Philomathic Institute. The mem- bers met every Saturday evening, and various subjects were dis- cussed, and upon the first Saturday evening of each month lectures were delivered. The officers elected for 1S56 were F. L. Crane, president ; H. P. Waters, secretary ; L. Farnsworth, treasurer ; J. C. Miller, corresponding secretary; James Cowles, librarian; C. K. Holliday, historian; R. L. Mitchell, cabinet keeper; L. G. Cleveland, R. Gustin and W. W. Ross, standing committee. At the first anniversary of the society, which took place at Union Hall, January 3d, 1857, an oration was delivered by L. C. Wil- marth, a poem by L. Farnsworth, and a paper was read by Mr. J. C. Miller. A paper published by the members was called the Communicator, and the ladies contributed a paper named the Snow Wreath. The library contained 700 volumes. In January, 1872, the first number of the Kansas Magazine appeared, issued by a corporation organized at Topeka for this special work, and having the title of the Kansas Magazine Pub- lishing Company. It appeared as a hundred-page monthly, under the editorial management of Capt. Henry King, and in typo- 24 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. graphical execution and general make-up was one of the best magazines in the country. The State at large at once took a pride in the publication, and gave it a support equal to expectations. Its contributors were mainly Kansas men and women, and the contributions were highly creditable in scholarship and style, and peculiary adapted to the taste of the people of the West. The field was not large enough, however, and the magazine's life ter- minated in October, 1873. The magazine served a valuable pur- pose in many ways, but in none more valuable than as a medium for the writers and scholars of the State to become acquainted with each other. OAKLAND. This beautiful and thriving suburb lies northeast of the city of Topeka. The Rapid Transit Electric Railway passes through it, making a terminus at Oakland Park. In 1887, John Norton and J. B. Bartholomew bought some of the large farms which occupied the present site of Oakland, platted them in lots, and named the beautiful addition Oakland, as it was thickly dotted with beautiful young oak trees, which had sprung up and made such a luxuriant growth since the prairie fires were checked by the white settlers. The greater part of one section of land is laid out in town lots, and where only walls of corn, and broad fields of waving wheat and oats were three years ago, we now see thousands of homes — fine residences, too — and still the building goes on, houses going up in every part of the addition. Oakland has one of the best schools in the county, with a daily attendance of 160 scholars, there being at present four departments, under the supervision of as many efficient teachers. It has a post office, two or three real estate offices, and a weekly newspaper, the Oakland Item, has just been issued. The Methodists recently erected a church edifice, and have a large attendance both at church and Sabbath school. Oakland is one of the most delightful localities for a home, away from the noise and smoke of the manufacturing part of the city, and the dust of the thronged streets. It appears like some beautiful picture, as the tourist passes through it on the electric cars. No shanties, and not one poorly-built house has been TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 2$ erected in Oakland. Prosperity seems to reign over the entire place. Temperance flung his banner out at the first opening of the park, and all societies and assemblies are notified by the park committee not to bring intoxicating liquors into their midst. A large tabernacle was built in June, 1SS9, for the Chatauquans, and in the frame buildings in north park are the reading rooms of the Chatauqua. During the seasons for out-door entertainments, Oak- land Park has been the favorite resort. Thousands have assembled almost every Sabbath during the past summer and fall, for recrea- tion and promenade. No pleasanter spot can be found to pass an hour or so in the open air, than in Oakland Park. The first settlers were J. Billard, George Kellam, Sardou, Con- well and W. B. Wade. Mr. W. B. Wade came to Kansas in 1S54, and settled near where Oakland now stands in 1857. Messrs. Bil- lard and Sardou were French, coming direct from France. Mr. Conwell died some years ago on his farm, and Mrs. Conwell en- tered the homestead herself, and lived there many years. She sold it to Chester Thomas, jr., and Messrs. Bartholomew and Norton purchased the farm of Thomas. Mr. W. B. Wade and wife still reside in the western part of the city. Mr. Wade, of the grocery firm of Grice & Wade, is their eldest son. Mr. Billard, of the Central Mill, North Topeka, is a son of J. Billard, one of Oakland's pioneer settlers. Mrs. Conwell and her son reside in Topeka. Mr. and Mrs. Sardou returned to France, leaving their son in Oakland, upon a portion of the old homestead. The school board consists of E. F. Knight, chairman; Scott Kelsey, clerk; and Robert Pugh, treasurer. Mr. Pugh has been the treasurer of that district for twenty-two years. He is one of the oldest settlers, coming after the war closed. Mr. Knight is a pioneer by birth. His parents lived in Michi- gan during the early settlement of that State. His father, Wil- liam Knight, was stolen when a boy by the Pottawatomie Indians on the shores of Lake Michigan, in 1829, and they kept him sev- eral years, when he was bought of them and sent to his home. Sixty years afterward his son, Mr. E. F. Knight, visited the agency of the tribe here on their reservation, and found several of the old warriors who remembered his father, and had played with him on the shores of Lake Michigan sixty years ago. 26 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. POTWIN PLACE Is located northwest of the city, and is one of the handsomest residence suburbs of Topeka. In 1869, twenty years ago, it was a beautiful tract of land, lying there uncultivated. A gentleman from Zanesville, Ohio, purchased it. There were seventy acres in the tract, and real estate dealers said Mr. Charles Potwin had made a bad bargain, when he paid $14,000 for the land ; but, unmindful of any discouraging predictions, he paid the taxes, and not until 1SS2 did the limits of Topeka begin to draw near the place; then it was platted by the owner, and named Potwin Place. It was designed by the proprietor for elegant suburban resi- dences, and the many beautiful homes already constructed attest Mr. Potwin's wisdom and foresight. In both location and topog- raphy it is superbly adapted to the purpose which was in the mind of its founder. The tract was subdivided into eighty lots, 122^ feet front, by 205 feet deep. The blocks have rounded corners, and the broad avenues describe the circle, with a circular park at each intersection. Some two thousand forest trees were planted and taken good care of until the fall of iSS5,when the lots were placed on the market. In that year six homes were built, cost- ing upwards of $5,000. The sale of the lots was restricted to those who would build a house not costing less than $2,000, and to be completed in six months after the sale. Soon the tract was taken up, and some fine, palatial residences were built, more than quadrupling what Mr. Potwin had fixed at the sale. In 1SS7 it was incorporated as a separate city, and the city of Potwin Place now stands alone in all its grandeur and beauty. Since then three additions have been included, constituting 115 acres in the present city of Potwin Place. It has 700 inhabitants, and has sidewalks, attractive parks, etc. A school district was organ- ized, embracing the city of Potwin Place and a large amount of territory adjoining it, and a brick school house built, costing $10,000. Thus, within five years, the city has been built and in- corporated. The Rapid Transit Railroad traverses its winding streets, and a cozy waiting room bas been erected to accommodate the many passengers who live in Potwin Place, but who are with- in easy reach of their various offices and places of business in To- peka. TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 2 7 HIGHLAND PARK. This is a most delightful selection for the location of a suburban residence within the radius of miles, near Topeka. It lies south- east of the city, on a high eminence overlooking the entire city of Topeka and its various additions and other suburbs. It was the farm, or rather the country residence, of Major J. K. Hudson. In 1887 he platted it; the streets were graded, trees planted, and it was put on the market. It was selected for residences of a better class and at a fixed price before the lots were sold. This suburb is a desirable location for those who wish to be out of the noise, bustle and smoke of the city. The East Side Circle Rail- road passes through it, and makes it convenient for those residing there to attend business in the city, being only a few minutes' ride. It has had a steady growth, new buildings being erected continu- ally. QUINTON HEIGHTS. One of the most attractive suburbs of the city of Topeka lies at the southern terminus of the Rapid Transit Railway. The view from the summit of these heights is grand and picturesque. If the tourist or sight seer 'will climb the winding stairs of the large residence standing there (which the writer has named Quintillian Castle), he will be amply repaid for his pains in so doing. The varied scenery of Kansas never presented a finer picture than it does from this point. Looking to the south, the eyes sweep over a vast extent of prai- rie interspersed with dark groves of forest trees skirting the banks of streams, and orchards on large farms. Far to the southeast, almost as far as can be seen with a spyglass, is a long line of blue rising up against the horizon; that is the timber line that marks the course of the Neosho* river, some sixty miles distant. Nearer is a broader belt of timber winding among various- shaped hills and ridges. It marks out the course of the historic river, the "Marais des Cygnes." It was along its muddy banks that Du Tissennet marched through Kansas in 17 19, and gave it the name of Marais des Cygnes, "river of swans." *An Indian word, meaning "beautiful river." 28 TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. To the southwest is the Wakarusa, where fertile valleys are covered with large farms. There the Indians roamed some fity years ago, and named the stream Wakarusa — "river of big weeds." West we see Burnett's mound rising far above the surrounding hills. It was known to the early traders and trappers as Webster Peak, and was a landmark for the early settlers, but when the Pottawatomie Indians were located in Kansas, in 1848, Abram Bur- nett, one of the chiefs, settled at the foot of this mound, and opened up a farm. He resided there with his family until his death, which occurred in 1870. The residents of the surrounding neighborhood named it for the old chief, Burnett's Mound. Beyond the city of Topeka, to the east, some eighteen miles distant, is a high eminence, where Lecompton "sits like a lonely widow," as was said by the Hon. William H. Seward, in i860 — a town that Noble Prentis is pleased to call a "Kansas Has Been." Lecompton was the territorial capital during Pro-Slavery reign, and stands in sight of this beautiful city which the Free-Soilers planted on a firmer foundation. The large tributary of the Kaw north of Topeka is Soldier creek. It derived its name from the great number of U. S. soldiers who camped on its banks some thirty years ago, as they marched from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Riley. There on its banks is the site of another town whose name is all that is left to tell it was once a rival of Topeka. "Indianola" was surveyed and town lots sold in 1855, and the company expected to make it the capital, but a few traditions and love stories is about all the history that is worth recording of Indianola. That cluster of buildings between Soldier creek and the Kaw, a little northwest of Topeka, is the State Reform School for boys. It is under the supervision of Dr. Buck and his wife. West of Potwin Place is a long row of buildings of the State Insane Asy- lum, the main charitable institution of Kansas. Washburn College stands between us and the asylum. Come nearer the Heights. Joining on the west is the Curtis farm. Mr. H. W. Curtis and his family were among the first set- tlers in Shawnee county. Coming from Paris, Illinois, in 1855, they settled east of the city during the early days of the county's history. They came to make Kansas their home, and add one vote more in establishing the rights of the Free-Soil party. Mr. Curtis was a member of the first territorial Legislature. ■u • T _, 5/ TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 29 His farm and Quinton Heights are part of the quarter section pre- empted by Mr. Charles Farnsworth. Mr. Curtis purchased the prairie land in 1872, and made the improvements now to be seen. The large stone house and barn west of " Quintillian Castle," and the large orchard of apple trees south of the mineral well, belong to Mr. Curtis' farm. He sold to A. B. Quinton and R. B. Steele, in 1SS7, and now resides in the city, on Eleventh and Topeka avenue. His sons are among the most influential men in the city. CROSSING THE KAW. We have no history of how Coronado crossed the Kansas river in 1 541-2, as he marched through from the southwest to the north- east, where is now Nemaha county. We learn that he did not find Quivera, but that they crossed many beautiful streams, whose banks were fringed with a luxuriant growth of wild prunes, grapes, and plants like those of Spain. We can only surmise that their bridges were similar to those used by Marquette, and other explorers; their canoes of skin, and rafts of logs, fastened with thongs and bark. It was in 1842 that the first ferry was established on the Kansas river, and that was at the present site of Topeka, a few hundred feet above where the bridge now spans the river. That ferry was established by the Pappan brothers. They were Canadians, had settled with their father in St. Louis, and were engaged in the fur trade. Three of them married the daughters of Louis Gonvil a French trader, their mother being a Kansas Indian. Those girls were half breeds, and, by a treaty with the tribe in 1825, were en- titled to a section of land each on the north bank of the Kansas river, where North Topeka now stands. They came there in 1840, and settled on their reservation, and, in 1842 established the ferry. It was well patronized by wagon trains going to California and New Mexico, and those in the military service of the United States. In 1S44, the great flood completely swept away their ferry, and also the dwellings which stood near the bank of the river. When the water was at a common point, the citizens of Topeka forded on horseback, or in their buggies or wagons, until the sum- mer of 1S58, when Messrs. Jones, Kidney & Co. completed a wooden structure across the Kaw. The officers of the bridge com- pany were Dr. F. L. Crane, president ; F. W. Giles, treasurer, and J. Fin. Hill, secretary. The bridge was opened the 1st of May, 1858. 30 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. ' In June of the same year there were heavy rains throughout the eastern portion of Kansas, and the streams were filled to overflow- ing. By the middle of July the Kansas river was out of its banks, and the bridge floated off, leaving the citizens of Topeka to cross in boats as before. The few weeks it had spanned the river it was of great usefulness and benefit to the city. The large trains of Government supplies, and overland emigrants to California and other western Territories, gave the little city of Topeka an encour- aging prospect; but that undertaking resulting disastrously, not again for seven years was there any talk of a bridge. During the summer of 1865 a pontoon bridge was built by a private company, and on the 18th of October of that year was com- pleted. It occupied the same place as the bridge of 1858, and where the present iron structure is, on Kansas avenue. The cost of the pontoon was about $15,000. It was valuable, and a great accommodation to the citizens, as well as to the throng of emi- grants pouring into Kansas at that time. But lo ! on the 12th of February, 1867, there came another flood; all the streams in Kan- sas were very high; bridges at other cities and towns were carried away, or badly damaged. The pontoon bridge at Topeka was damaged to the amount of $5,000. In 1868, the city council began to talk bridge building. The city was growing, and there was great need of a bridge. On No- vember 20, 1868, the city council directed the mayor to call an election by proclamation, to vote bonds to the amount of $100,000, the proceeds to be used in constructing an iron bridge; but there were several persons who were interested in the old pontoon bridge, who made a proposition to build an iron bridge, those parties being Mr. Joshua Knowles, Dr. D. W. Stormont, and others of the To- peka Pontoon Bridge Company. They began to urge the council to assist them in constructing a first-class bridge, but the council deferred the matter for some time, until Mr. Mortimer Cook ap- peared before them and made a proposition to build a first-class bridge, if the city bridge company would sell him their charter. Mr. Cook made the contract satisfactory all around, and the King Bridge Company began work in February, 1869. The bridge was completed and opened as a toll bridge, in the spring of 1870. There was an immense amount of public travel on that road from the country, and Mr. Cook reaped a rich harvest for what he had expended. TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 31 But making a free bridge was the next question before the citi- zens of Topeka, and also of the country, and, after some months of parleying, the bridge was purchased by the city and county for $100,000, the county paying one half and the city the other, and for twenty years there have passed over that structure thou- sands of vehicles, pedestrians, droves and herds of stock, until the wrought iron superstructure is beginning to creak, and now, in 1S90, the citizens are clamoring for a new bridge, which is badly needed. Of the opening of the bridge, the following sketch from one of the city papers, furnished us by Rev. John D. Knox, will be read again with interest by the citizens of Topeka at that time: THE BRIDGE OPENED. "As the hands of the clock were about to effect a junction at noon, to-day, Mortimer Cook, like G. P. R. James' 'Solitary Horseman,' might have been seen advancing toward the bridge. The toll-gate man, seeing him coming, made a rush for the emigrant wagons that just then reached the end of the bridge, and collected the last tolls ever taken in Topeka. Mr. Cook by this time arrived, and gave a few hasty orders ; the remaining toll tickets were thrown into the river ; Cook informed the group of spectators that the bridge was open, and ©ne man madly rushed for Billard's saloon, crying as he went, in a loud voice, 'Come on, fellers, and take a drink to the free bridge ! ' "Whether by accident or otherwise, there was just then a large number of vehi- cles as well as foot passengers at the bridge. John P. Watson solemnly drove over in a top buggy and drove back with equal solemnity. "The first gentleman from the country who crossed from the north side was Dr. Campdoras, accompanied by Mr. Cole, of the North Topeka Times, and a wagon load beside. "Soon after the formal opening, the sound of music was heard by the denizens of the north side, and 'now came' the Topeka Band, in an express wagon ; then followed a carriage containing Gov. Harvey and the Secretary of State Smallwood, on behalf of the State of Kansas, and with them Judge Morton, who represented the judiciary ; then a carriage containing Dan Home, as a representative of the founders of Topeka ; Craigue, representing the city treasury, the grocery business, and the State of Vermont ; Martin Hanley, as a representative of the city council and the butchers of the city ; also Mr. Lorenza Costa, as a representative of Italy and the Italian opera ; also Theodore Mills, Esq., as a representative of iron bridges. In the next carriage the press, without which free bridges would never exist, was worthily represented by S. S. Prouty, Esq., of the Commonwealth, and F. P. Baker, Esq., of the Record ; in the same carriage appeared Theo. Pringle in behalf of the Odd Fellows. Mr. Geo. W. Crane drove the next carriage, and with him Mrs. Crane, the sole representative of the fairer half of creation, and Rev. J. D. Knox brought up the rear as chaplain of the expedition. "The band played several airs and drove along to the depot. Here — must we 32 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. say it? — most of the 'processionists' got out of their carriages and proceeded to a beer saloon, where they 'plunged into the vortex of dissipation.' " After taking enough internal support to withstand the oppressive heat of the sun, the procession returned to the south side of the river, and thus ended the cere- mony of opening the free bridge. "While on the north side, several of the party fell in with Thomas Jefferson Anderson, and we are inclined to think the celebration will be resumed again to- night, 'enlarged and improved.' " THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. As to the exact date of this organization, we are at present un- able to determine, but from manuscripts left by Rev. C. M. Calla- way, now in the possession of Bishop Thomas, of Bethany Col- lege, we have gathered many substantial facts. This historical doc- ument has never been brought to light, and, through the kindness of Bishop Thomas, we are enabled to give to our readers a more authentic and valuable history of this church than has ever been given before, to our knowledge. The Episcopal Church of Topeka, known as Grace Church, be- lono-ino- to the diocese of Kansas, was organized some time in the spring of 1857, by Rev. C. M. Callaway. He left his home in Virginia, in the autumn of 1856, as a missionary to Kansas. He says in his address to an assembly in the East, on behalf of estab- lishing a church, and also a school in Topeka: "I left Jefferson City, Missouri, January 12, 1857, for Lecompton, the territorial capital of Kansas, Tecumseh and Topeka. I traveled by wagon, and reached Lecompton four days later, after being exposed to many dangers, and enduring many privations." He arrived on Friday at Lecompton, and the territorial Legislature was in session. He visited that immortal body. They extended to the visiting minister a cordial welcome, and invited him to offer up prayer, which he did. Saturday night he preached in their hall, which they had offered for his use. The congregation was large, he says, and a fine and intelligent looking class of people. There were somewhere near eight hundred citizens in Lecompton ; the Meth- odists had a church organized there at that date, January 16, 1857. He held services on the Sabbath, and had a large audience. On Monday, January 19, he set out f™- Tecumseh and Topeka. He passed through Tecumseh, and arrived at Topeka after dark that day. He was gladly received by the citizens of Topeka, and was TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 33 solicited to preach for them that evening', but he was very much fatigued, and made an appointment for the next evening. Tues- day morning, January 20, he was invited and visited the home of Mr. Ganney, some two miles out of town, and, in company with several other friends, took dinner; while there, he performed a marriage ceremony, the parties being Protestant Irish, it being the first marriage he had officiated at in the West. He preached that evening in the "Town Hall," (Constitution Hall,) to an audience of 175 persons. A small melodeon was brought in, and a fine old anthem was sung by some of the best singers he had ever heard. Mrs. Marcia Gordon was one of those sweet singers. Mr. E. C. K. Garvey furnished the organ, and a beautiful large Bible, which is still in Mrs. Garvey's possession. His text was the 47th verse of the 10th chapter of Mark, "Thou Son of David, have mercy on me." The next morning the officials of the town company visited him, and made a proposition that, if he would organize a church, they would donate two lots for a church site, and two for a parsonage, and there and then the thought of establishing a school for girls and young ladies was first framed. Rev. Callaway says that there were over one thousand citizens in Topeka, and not a saloon or grog shop. The people were enterprising and intelli- gent; they had a library of six hundred volumes, a literary organi- zation of a high standard, and were prospering nicely. Before he left, a subscription had been made of one thousand dollars toward the school which had been suggested by the visiting missionary, and before noon, three thousand had been secured, and the town association had made him the offer of one of the city squares, con- sisting of twenty acres, if the Episcopal Church would erect build- ings to the amount of $10,000 for a seminary. With these papers in his possession, he left that day, Wednesday, January 21,1857, for the East, to lay the matter before Eastern friends. When Rev. Callaway returned we are unable to find any au- thentic record, only that Mr. J. W. Farnsworth was elected one of the vestrymen in 1857, for Grace Church, Topeka, and that Rev. Callaway had obtained funds and had the parsonage built. Their first meetings were held in Constitution Hall; then a hall was fitted up in the Ritchie Block for their use, and the Episcopal services were held there until Rev. Callaway had the stone church on the southwest corner of Seventh and Jackson streets completed. The first meeting of delegates to form a diocese for Kansas was — 3 34 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. held at Wyandotte, August nth and 12th, 1859. That convention was called by a notice published in the Daily Ledger, at Leaven- worth, requesting each parish to send delegates. Grace Church, Topeka, was represented by George M. Meade, a relative of Rev. Callaway's, and of Mr. Meade of the Santa Fe Railroad. Bishop Jackson Kemper was present at that assembly; the bishop called attention in his address to the Female Seminary, at Tecumseh. April nth and 12th, i860, the convention met at Topeka, in Grace Church, the lay delegates being C. K. Holliday, C. C. Kellam and H. H. Hawkins. At that convention, Rev. R. S. Nash presided, in the absence of the bishop, and Dr. Dyer was elected bishop of the Kansas diocese, but declined, and Bishop Lee, of Iowa, was chosen. September 12th, i860, he met with the convention at Leavenworth. At that convention, Rev. Callaway said, speak- ing of Topeka: "The parish is in a flourishing condition, a neat and comfortable parsonage has been built, mainly by Eastern friends, and the property owned by the church and seminary is worth about $15,000, held by an incorporation." Rev. Callaway resigned, and Rev. N. O. Preston, of Manhattan, was chosen rector of Grace Church, and supervisor of the Female Seminary, and in 1862 Mrs. C. S. Preston, Miss M. Preston, and Miss Otis were teachers in the seminary. In 1864, the new build- ing on Jackson and Seventh streets was completed, and services held therein. Rev. N. O. Preston resigned March 7, 1864, to as- sume a position in the Agricultural College, at Manhattan. Rev. Preston had been rector of the Ej^iscopal Church there, previous to coming to Topeka, and his many friends gladly welcomed him back. But February 14, 1866, he was summoned by death to leave this busy world, and then his useful work on earth was finished. He was born December 22, 1809, being fifty-seven years of age at his death. There was no rector until 1865, when Rev. John N. Lee, of Cambridge City, Indiana, took charge of the church, August 5, 1865. During Rev. Preston's rectorship the church had been very prosperous, and had assumed an air of refinement. A nice chan- delier had been purchased by the ladies at a cost of $500, which was another of the improvements. Rev. J. N. Lee found the work very hard, officiating as rector and principal of the seminary, and in 1869 he resigned the rectorship. Rev. Charles Stewart was chosen, and remained until March 1, 1871. For the next seven TOPEKA PEN AND CATMERA SKETCHES. 33 months, Rev. D. 0. Kellogg, of the State University, at Lawrence, preached for the church, until Rev. John Bakewell came from Atchison as rector, and remained until 1875, when he was com- pelled to resign on account of poor health. During his ministry the church improved. February 2, 1876, Rev. H. H. Loring was established as rector, and the membership had grown from a few individuals up to hundreds. In 1879, the convention met at Manhattan, and the following delegates from Grace Church were there to present their church to the diocese for a cathedral : A. Beatty, Frank Osborne, J. H. Lee, F. W. Giles and Ambosh Todd. It was accepted by the bishop, and organized as a cathedral June 5, 1S79. Rev. Loring tendered his resignation, and Rev. J. F. Walker was invited to assist Bishop Vail, but he remained only a few months after having been in- stalled as dean of the cathedral chapel, August, 1S79. February 20, 18S0, he died in the Theological School, a man highly esteemed and beloved by all who knew him. Then Richard Ellerby was called as dean, on the 12th day of July, 18S0, and continued in charge until 1SS7, when Rev. Perci- val Mclntyre was chosen canon, and served two years, resigning January, 1890, and Rev. W. B. Guion was chosen to fill his place. Among the first members were Mrs. Knapp, George Anderson, J. W. Farnsworth, George M. Meade, C. C. Kellam, Louis Munger, E. C. K. Garvey and family, C. K. Holliday and family, Mrs. H. L. Gordon and I. E. Perley. Bishop Thomas is the present rector of the church (1S90). The church property is valued at $100,000. For the history and donations made by the many friends of the church and Bethany College, and of the late Bishop Vail's life, we give an extract of Bishop Thomas' address to the diocesan convention, taken from the Sentinel, Salina, Kansas, which is a review of all that has been written, but is interwoven with so much that has been omitted, that we include all : ADDRESS OF BISHOP THOMAS TO THE DIOCESAN CONVENTION. December 11, 1SS9, 7:30 p. m. Brethren of the Clergy and Laity : As I come before you this evening to deliver for the first time my address as the Bishop of Kansas, I am well aware that the thought uppermost in every mind is of him who so recently has been called to Paradise. Let me therefore, before I speak of 36 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. diocesan affairs, pay my personal, tribute to the first Bishop of Kansas. Thomas Hubbard Vail was born in Richmond, Virginia, of New England parents, October 21st, 1812. He was graduated at Washington (now Trinity) College, Hartford, Connecticut, in 1 83 1, and at the General Theological Seminary in 1845. He was consecrated Bishop of Kansas in Trinity Church, Muscatine, Iowa, December 15, 1865. On the 6th day of October, 1889, which was the Lord's own day, early in the morning, after a brief but painful illness, he departed this life, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Bishop Vail, then Mr. Vail, I, when a boy, knew very well at my father's home in Wickford, R. I. He was at that time rector of Christ church, Westerly, and was accustomed to attend with regularity the old convocations of Rhode Island, several of which were held in my native town. At these gatherings he was always a prominent and favorite speaker. His benign face and kindly manner made a deep impression up- on my youthful fancy, so that I followed him with loving interest many years before I was called to assist him in the arduous duties and increasing cares of a western episcopate. In the year 1S50, a little incident occurred which links the life of Bishop Vail very closely to my own. While I was a clerk in my father's store, the bishop, then Mr. Vail, came to Wickford and delivered a lecture upon "Egyptian Hieroglyphics." In this lecture he described so vividly and with such thrilling interest the manner in which the arrow-headed inscriptions of the "Rosetta Stone" were deciphered,, that it gave to my mind a new idea of the world of letters, and implanted in my heart an intense desire to leave the marts of mer- chandise, and seek the cloistered life of a university. Shortly after this I entered the grammar school of Providence, R. I. The new direction thus given to my life brought me in contact, while pursuing my studies at Yale College, with Dr. Lit- tlejohn, of New Haven, under whose pastoral care I decided to study for the holy ministry; and so it appears by a singular provi- dence the first bishop of Kansas, all unwittingly, was the means, under God, of making and providing his own successor. Bishop Vail came to Kansas in the year 1S64, the very year that I left my own Eastern home and went to Minnesota. Owing to a long and similar experience, I can appreciate very keenly the trials and hardships of his pioneer life. He came to a diocese TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 37 which had only 147 communicants and three little parish churches, not one of which was complete. "Four others, commenced just prior to the war, were standing," as he says in his vicennial ad- dress, "without windows or doors; with bare walls and broken and spreading roofs, just ready to fall." He came to a State which had been decimated by the civil war, and which, though larger than all New England, had scarcely 100,000 inhabitants; a State which had forty miles of railroad, where now we have 9,000 miles. So great have been the changes in Kansas, so rapid has been the advance in all the amenities of civilization, that the early journals of the bishop read like the chronicles of a bygone age. "On Friday, January 13, 1865," he says, "I had the pleasure of going up the Kaw or Kansas valley as far as Lawrence, by the Union Pacific R. R., just completed to that city. "On Monday, January 16, I went to Topeka in a private car- riage. " On the morning of Wednesday, at an early hour, I started in a stage on a long ride of fifty-six miles to Leavenworth. "On Tuesday afternoon, the roads being too heavy and the streams too high for driving, we rode upon our Kansas or Indian ponies, which seem to be peculiarly adapted to the needs of this new country, to Wabaunsee. It was," he writes, "a delicious ride, the cool wind which always fans the open prairies blowing in our faces; passing in one place the huge stacks of gathered grain, and in another the broad acres of growing corn, and again winding through great fields of the wild sunflower, or among the white star blossoms of the thick-leaved asclepias, or plunging into the tall prairie grass, which sometimes, like a sea, almost encloses both horse and rider; or by the water courses, following the tortuous bridle path through the deep woods which line the ravines. "In the course of the night one of the severe thunder storms of this latitude occurred, flooding the country and raising the creeks for a few hours, so much that our return, which we accomplished on the next day, was somewhat difficult." And so, in these journals, we may follow the bishop as he cheerily visits the little stations of his vast diocese, halting for the night sometimes on a tentless prairie, with only a blanket for his covering, sometimes on a floorless hut, "which in this summer climate," he bravely adds, "was no hardship;" driven now in an ambulance which some kind quartermaster has furnished, now on a buckboard, but more frequently in the private carriage of his numerous friends. He who now sweeps over our broad prairies in 38 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. a palace car, can hardly realize what tedious modes of conveyance the first Bishop of Kansas had to endure when visiting his widely scattered flock. Bishop Vail was a tireless missionary. In his earlier days he visited from house to house, often driving miles to baptize a babe or confirm a single candidate, or to administer the holy Eucharist to the two or three which could be gathered at some lone farm house. Wherever he went he carried with him not only the loy- alty but the enthusiasm of devoutness. Men, women and children all over his diocese loved him, and looked for his coming with eager expectation, regarding his presence a benediction. EPISCOPAL ENDOWMENT. The first great effort of Bishop Vail, after accepting a call to this feeble diocese, was to secure an endowment for the episcopate. To this end he went East, on the 1st of February, 1865, and spent five months visiting the older and wealthier dioceses and presenting the claims of Kansas. The next year he went East again, and spent four months of hard and unpleasant labor for the same ob- ject. The result of these two persistent efforts v/as a complete and well-deserved success. New York contributed $8,072.93 Pennsylvania " 4>84 I -5 I Massachusetts " 4,608.70 Rhode Island " 2,283.04. Chicago " New Jersey " 368.00 Connecticut " 101.00 Making a total of $21,177.95 Of this amount, $20,000 was set apart as a permanent interest- paying fund for the support of the Episcopate. Subsequently the bishop added to this sum, from his own slender means, $5,000; so that the Episcopate fund of Kansas to-day is due to the wise fore- thought, arduous labor, and great generosity of our first bishop r and amounts to $25,000. THE COLLEGE OF THE SISTERS OF BETHANY. The next great work in which Bishop Vail engaged was the building of the College of the Sisters of Bethany. In the year i860, during the rectorship of the Rev. Charles M. Callaway, the trustees of the Diocesan Female Seminary in Tecumseh were in- TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 39 duced, by the offer of a fine square of twenty acres, and other con- siderations, to remove their institution to the capital of the State. A suitable building, now known as the "Old Seminary," was erected on the grounds, and in connection with the rectory of Grace Church. Of this school the Rev. N. O. Preston was the first prin- cipal. Mr. Preston resigned in March, 1S64, and was succeeded after a long interim by the Rev. John Newton Lee. So soon as the school was reopened under the efficient headship of Dr. Lee, the bishop took in it a warm interest, and gave it generous aid. In the year 1866 he contributed, for repairs and improvements, .... $2,370.00 In 1867, for the same purpose, 1,000.00 In 1868, for Grace rectory, 3,000.00 In 1869, for school apparatus and library, 1,250.00 In 1870, for current expenses, 450.00 In 1871, " " " 250.00 In 1872, " " " 1,239.00 In 1873, " " " 7S2.00 Making a total of $10,341.00 which the bishop contributed of funds obtained from his Eastern friends for the maintainance of the old Female Seminary during the administration of Dr. Lee. But meanwhile a still greater work had been conceived and un- dertaken. The town company of Topeka had given to the old seminary a fine tract of land, twenty acres, corresponding to the capital square, and only three blocks away, on the condition that it should be im- proved for educational purposes. This condition had not been fulfilled. It became necessary therefore, in order to secure it for the church, that there should be no further delay. The grave question was, where could sufficient funds be obtained to build a new seminary, with ample accommoda- tion for a rapidly-increasing school, upon these large and prospect- ively valuable grounds. In this emergency, Bishop Vail wrote a letter to Dr. Dyer, of New York, who at that time was regarded the prince of almoners, setting forth in cogent and graphic lan- guage the great need of his work, and asking for $15,000. This letter was written in the spring of the year 1879. When Dr. Dyer received the letter (so he told me a short time since, at his home in New York) the request seemed preposterous. He laid the letter aside without any expectation that he could return a favorable answer. But the very same day he received a note from Mr. John David Wolfe requesting an early call. As soon, there- 4 000 °° Hospital building, complete, 24,382 00 Furnishing hospital, 1,64500 Total $31,02700 Of this amount the Bishop and Mrs. Vail have given $11,216. Besides the building the Bishop secured the following endow- ments: Child's cot, S3.oooo° Philip Granden Vought, bed, 5> 000 °° Samuel Bowman Vail, bed, 3' 000 °° Bishop Vail, bed, 4,000 00 Mary Belle Davies, bed 3>oo° °° Bethany, bed, 100 00 Fund raised by alphabetical scheme, 661 00 Waking a total of $18,761 00 If we add $1,000, which the bishop has bequeathed in his will, Christ Hospital may be said to have an endowment of nearly, if not quite, $20,000. But lest it may be said that an undue portion of the bishop's work was given to the educational and benevolent institutions of his cathedral city, I have taken pains to collect from his books, which are models of accuracy and explicitness, such facts and fig- ures as will best show the careful oversight and intense interest TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 43 which he took in every parish and mission of his widely-scattered jurisdiction. To Trinity Church, Lawrence, at sundry times and for divers objects, he has given $7,457 25 To the Church of the Covenant, Junction City, 1,815 °° To St. Paul's Church, Manhattan 200 00 To Trinity Church, Atchison, 1,250 00 To St. Andrews, Burlington, gjg 00 To Church of St. Paul, Leavenworth 400 00 To Holy Apostles, Ellsworth, 400 00 To St. Marks, Oskaloosa, 1,378 00 To St. Andrews, Fort Scott, 650 00 To St. Andrews, Emporia, 1,525 00 To St. Thomas, Eureka, 700 00 To St. Marks, Baxter Springs, I 200 00 To Christ Church, Salina, • • . . . 500 00 To Epiphany, Independence 625 00 To St. Johns, South Leavenworth, 650 °° To Emmanuel, Humboldt, ico 00 To Zion's Church, Reedsville, 1,500 00 To St. Johns, Wakefield, 1,15000 To Emmanuel, Monmouth, 705 00 To Grace Church and Cathedral, Topeka, 2 166 00 To Christ Church, Netawaka, coo 00 To St. John's Memorial, Parsons, 2,300 00 To St. Peters, Osage Mission, 150 00 To St. Pauls, Wyandotte, 252 00 To St. Georges, Victoria, coo 00 To St. Pauls, Coffeyville, . . • • 568 00 To St. Johns, Abilene, 1,201 00 To St. Johns, Wichita, •. . 742 50 To Trinity, Irving, 500 00 To Grace, Hutchinson, 212 50 To St. Marys, Galena, 694 00 To St. Matthews, Newton, 875 00 To Church of the Good Shepherd, North Topeka, 1,562 00 To St. Peters, Pittsburg, 250 00 To St. Barnabas, Williamsburg, 350 00 To All Saints, Nickerson 53 1 00 To St. Pauls, Columbus, 25 00 To St. Simon the Cyrenian, Topeka, 2,884 2 ° To St. Pauls, Beloit, 300 00 To Church of Nativity, Lewis, 300 00 To St. Pauls, Clay Center, 300 00 To Trinity, Freeport 25 00 Making a total of $40,260 45 44 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. Bishop Vail contributed this to a considerable extent from his own means, to the parishes and missions of his diocese. In a hasty examination of such a vast number of entries, it is possible that I have made some mistakes. But I think the amounts given are substantially correct. In addition to the above, our deceased bishop raised from his Eastern friends and paid on account of clerical aid and missionary outfit, about $20,000, and on account of the grasshopper invasion $3,873.29. Shortly before his death he received notice from the executors of the Miss Sarah Burr estate that $10,000 had been paid to the American Missionary Society, with instructions that the income received shall be paid to the Bishop of Kansas for the sup- port of one or more missions in the diocese, and that the principal sum shall be paid to the diocese whenever the convention or coun- cil shall procure an act of incorporation. The last gift of any considerable magnitude which Bishop Vail received from the East, was $5,000 from Mr. Alexander Brown, of Philadelphia, for building a tower in connection with Bethany College. The clergy list of 1865 has been increased from 6 to 33; the communicants from 143 to 3,500; the annual confirmations from 45 to 375; the church buildings from 3 to 44; rectories from 2 to 21, and the church property, which was generously valued at $50,000, may now be estimated at $800,000. I give the items as follows: Bethany College, $350,000 00 St. John's School, 60,000 00 Christ's Hospital, 50,000 00 Endowment of same, 20,000 00 Property of Grace Cathedral, 80,000 00 Kansas Theological School 30,000 00 Burr Missionary Endowment 10,000 00 Unimproved church lots, 20,000 00 Value of Churches and Rectories, 300,000 00 Total, $920,000 00 INDEBTEDNESS. Bethany College, $41,000 00 St. John's School, 16,000 00 Grace Cathedral, I5>°°° °° On Churches and Rectories, 33,000 00 105,000 00 $815,000 00 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 45 There are many other amounts of smaller magnitude which the bishop contributed to the general work of the diocese, but enough have been enumerated to show most conclusively that every part of this vast diocese found a place in the large heart of our great and good bishop. As an administrator, Bishop Vail excelled. During the twenty-five years of his Episcopate, despite the rav- ages of the locust and the impoverishment of long-continued droughts, he lifted Kansas from the fiftieth (or lowest but one) to the thirty-sixth place in all those numbers which measure the strength of the diocese. The indebtedness on Bethany College occasioned our bishop the gravest anxiety. It was due to the enormous improvement taxes of the city for sewerage and pavement, to many costly con- veniences and equipments, which our patronage demanded, and to smaller collections on account of the exceeding straitness of the times. The pressure of this debt was so great that our bishop felt compelled, although in feeble and declining health, to seek aid once more from his Eastern friends. In this effort he gave up his life. It has been a matter of exceeding regret that I did not know Bishop Vail more intimately in the early days of his Episcopate, when his hands were stronger and his mind in fullest vigor. But if this privilege was denied me, the greater privilege was mine to know him in the ripeness of his Christian virtues. From the time I came into the diocese he received me as a son, and in all that he did for the future of my work, he showed the constant solicitude of a father. To the church at large, Bishop Vail is best known as an able legislator, a fair, broad-minded churchman, and an indefatigable missionary, but we, the clergy and laity of Kansas, know also his gentler virtues, his courtesy, his kindness, his patience, and his al- most unparalleled spirit of generosity and self sacrifice. Were I to sum up his peculiar graces, I should name the fruits of the Spirit. As given by St. Paul, they were: Joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, against which there is no condemning law. 46 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. FIRST METHODIST CHURCH. The First Methodist Church of Topeka was organized March 31st, 1855. A few ladies and gentlemen of that sect had met and resolved to organize a church. Rev. A. Still was the presiding elder, and Rev. James S. Griffing the pastor. Of those who were the first to enroll their names on the class book, we find but three or four as of those few; perhaps most of their names have been enrolled in a higher class book than the one here on earth. J. Case was appointed class leader, and Mr. M. H. Wentworth Sun- day school superintendent. The first quarterly meeting was held at the house of Osborne Nay lor, at Topeka, November 20, 1S55. Rev. Charles Jordan was secretary, Rev. A. Still, presiding elder, and Rev. James S. Griffing was pastor in charge. (The records of these quarterly conferences are still in the keeping of Rev. J. D. Knox.) Of the business of that conference, the stewards ap- pointed were Gray, Moffit, Roberts, Cook and Whiting. Some of these were living in the city, and others had moved on their claims. On the Sabbath of November 21, a public collection was taken up, and $5.10 was the sum realized. A committee on finance was appointed, consisting of Mr. Johnston, Rev. Charles Jordan and Wm. Jordan. The Sabbath school closed during the fall and winter of 1855-6, there being no suitable house to hold their meetings in. In 1856, G. W. Pipher was pastor. In his report to the third quarterly meeting of Sunday schools, he says: "There was a Sab- bath school organized at Brownsville, near Auburn, in the spring, with the usual officers, and it progressed with the usual good promise and interest, but has declined in consequence of political excitement and party conflict in the Territory. Hundreds of violent men are even now in the Territory from the State of Missouri, and other States, seeking the destruction of both the lives and property, even dwellings, of any who are not willing to submit to the wicked spirit and unholy practice of slavery in Kansas." During Rev. Pipher's pastorate, the Town Association donated to the church three lots on Quincy street, west side, where Odd Fellows' Hall now stands. There were stone fortifications at that time on the lots, which had been built against the invasion of bor- der ruffians. TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 47 Of Rev. Pipher, the Rev. Walter Oakley related the following to the writer: Rev. Oakley resided in Topeka, and Rev. Pipher in the country, near Tecumseh, and on going out to visit Bro. Pi- pher one day during those early times, he found him harrowing in wheat with his rifle on his shoulder. On making inquiries, he learned that the border ruffians had endeavored to break into Rev. Pipher's home, and only by the bravery of himself and wife did they keep them back, and he was carrying his gun to protect his property, his home and his family. Again, at the quarterly meeting at Topeka, October 18, 1856: " There has been no Sabbath school on account of the border war- fare." But there was a steady growth of membership during those early years, and the little church prospered. During 1S57 and 1858, Rev. J. V. Holliday, a brother of C. K. Holliday, one of the founders of the city, was pastor, and among the local preachers were Revs. Oakley, Went worth, Hathaway, H. H. Jones, A. M. Lewis and C. Jordan. In 1S59-60, Ira Blackford was estab- lished as pastor. There was no church edifice up to that time, and then the members began to make arrangements for building. The first cash paid into the treasury for building purposes was by Gov- ernor Walker, in June, 1857. He was visiting Topeka, and had made a speech to the citizens the evening before on the prairie, now Sixth street east. The next morning Rev. Oakley sought his place of lodging, and presented a subscription paper for the benefit of the M. E. Church, which had been prepared for his especial benefit. The Governor signed his name to the paper, and handed Mr. Oakley a twenty-dollar gold piece, which Mr. Oakley handed to the treasurer. At the close of the year i860, the church edifice was begun, and it was sufficiently advanced for the basement to be used to hold meetings for religious worship in. There were some eighty mem- bers at that time, and the services had been held at any place that was convenient, Union Hall, Constitution Hall, and at private houses. In 1861, Rev. Blackford was sent East to solicit for the church, and as the first Kansas Legislature was in session, the ladies ar- ranged festivals, and Bro. E. B. Williams, a trustee and steward, laid the floor. In 1862, a State convention was held in Topeka, and the pastor, on a subscription paper, raised $300 to get win- dows and doors. Every aspirant for office gave from $2 to $25, and that was completed. Rev. John Paulson occupied the pulpit, 48 . TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. and still the chapel was not plastered or furnished. Three hun- dred dollars were to be raised. The Legislature was to meet. The money was borrowed, the church plastered, and rented to the Leg- islature for the House to hold their sessions in, and the seats used by the Representatives through the week were for the congrega- tion on Sundays. Then step by step the First Methodist Church began to prosper. It is now the largest church in the State, with a membership of 1,103. , Among those who contributed were Governor Thomas Carney, Hon. A. P. Wilder, Judge Winans, Judge Thomas Ewing, Father Whitney, Hon. M. F. Conway, Bros. Knowles, Williams and Con- well. In 1863, Rev. Thomas Parker was pastor, and from 1865 to 1867, Rev. John D. Knox was pastor, and during his pastorate the church edifice was greatly improved ; the steeple was finished, a town clock put in, also a fine-toned bell, which was the gift of a friend of his, John F. Paisley, of Pittsburg, Pa. The windows and doors had stained glass put in, and it was the finest church in the city. During the years 1S68, 1S69 and 1870, Rev. T.J. Leak was pastor. During the last years of Rev. Leak's pastorate, the church building was enlarged, and there was an increase of mem- bership. During 1871 and 1S72, the pulpit was filled by Rev. D. P. Mitchell, and Revs. J. J. Thompson and D. J. Holmes presided during 1873-5. Rev. James E. Gilbert was pastor from 1878 to 1880. During his pastorate a parsonage was bought and fitted up, at a cost of $2,500, but some months after this was sold, and one purchased on Sixth avenue, at a cost of $7,000. Lots were purchased on Sixth and Harrison, and in 1881 and 1S82, a church edifice was completed, at a cost of $35,000. The building is 1 16 by seventy feet, exclusive of steps and areas, with an extension of the south end westward, thirty-three by forty feet. The auditorium is sixty-eight by fifty- seven feet, with a gallery around three sides. It is forty-nine feet from floor to ceiling. The main walls are handsomely decorated. The style of the exterior is English gothic, built of stone. The buildino- is heated throughout with steam. There are two towers; the tallest one at the corner of Sixth and Harrison streets, 124 feet hio-h, contains the bell and clock. The bell was broken, and after- ward remodeled, and is now much larger than it was. The parti- tions between the auditorium and Sunday school room are so con- structed as to be opened, and the two rooms thrown into one, 1 FIRST M E. CHURCH. TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 49 when desired. The number of members in 1880 was 357; proba- tioners, 109; Sunday school scholars, 500. During 18S0 to 1884, Rev. O. Cowles, D. D., was pastor. He was an able minister, and well beloved by his people. He was succeeded by Rev. S. McChesney, D. D., a man of energy, and through his exertions the membership was largely increased. In 1S86, Rev. W. G. Waters, D. D., was pastor, and March, 1889, Rev. J. A. Lippincott was placed in charge, and is now pastor of the church. He is a man well qualified to fill the pulpit of the largest church in the State. The organ is the largest in the city, and was purchased at a cost of $5,000. The Sabbath school has an attendance of 900 scholars. The value of the church property is $55,000. Of those pastors who were here some years ago, the Rev. John Paulson is now living at Fort Scott. He has very fee- ble health. Rev. T. J. Leak is at Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, pastor of the Fifth Avenue Church, one of the largest in that State. In closing, we give a short sketch of one of the most faithful of the former pastors of this church : Rev. Daniel Patrick Mitchell was born at, or near, Phillipi, Barbour county, Virginia, now in West Virginia, February 2, 1821. His father died when he was young, and his mother struggled with poverty and hardships, having a large family to rear. His early educational advantages were quite limited. Up to the time he entered the ministry, he did hard work on a farm, which devel- oped and toughened a naturally vigorous constitutional make-up, and gave him unusual mental and physical powers of endurance. His conversion to the faith of Christ was in early life, and was strong and satisfactory. Some of his sermons can scarcely be equaled. We have heard the dashing, sprightly Talmage, the varied and tender Beecher, the prophetic Cummings, the warm and loving Newman Hall, the immortal Bishop Janes, Durbin and McClintoc, Spurgeon with all the richness of the Gospel, Punshon with melting sympathy and beautiful and happy turns in the flights of unsurpassed eloquence, and Bishop Simpson with an unction that surpassed them all; still, Daniel P. Mitchell's sermons on the "Pretended Infallibility of the Pope," "The Kingdom set up by the God of Heaven," "The Conversion of St. Paul," and "The Resurrection of the Dead," were masterpieces of their kind, and delivered with a clearness, 5° TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. fullness, eloquence and power that led many, and ourselves among the number, to say: "I never heard the like before." He took a deep interest in politics, and made many addresses in behalf of the party of his choice. He also did able editorial work on the Kansas State Journal. He was an earnest worker in the temperance cause. He died August 24, 1881; his remains rest in Maple wood cem- etery, Emporia. We will cherish his memory and imitate his virtues, and rejoice in hope of meeting him in the "sweet by and by." FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. In August, 1854, Rev. S. Y. Lum was commissioned to visit Kansas and perform the office of a Congregational missionary. He first visited Lawrence and organized a church; and hearing of the new settlement up the river, at Topeka, he made no delay in seeking it out, and preached several times in Topeka during the winter of 1854-55. The first sermon was preached at the res- idence of Mr. A. C. Ward, which was east of where the Lakin mansion' now stands, north of First street. The first organization was effected October 14, 1855, in the cabin of Mr. James Cowles, where a few settlers had gathered, and it was organized as an anti-slavery church, and those members proved to be the foremost of Topeka's citizens during the dark days of border war. November 2, 1855, the Lord's Supper was celebrated for the first time. The first deacons were H. W. Farns- worth and J. Cowles. Milton C. Dickey, John Ritchie and H. P. Waters were the first trustees. Not until October, 1856, was there a pastor secured. Rev. Lum, Rev. Paul Shepherd, and Rev. Jon- athan Copeland preached occasionally, until Rev. Lewis Bodwell entered upon the pastorate. The Topeka Association donated lots for the site of a church building on the corner of Seventh and Harrison, the present site, and some $365 were subscribed toward erecting an edifice. East- ern friends contributed freely, and in the autumn of 1857 the foundation for a stone structure was laid. During the next year the walls were built, but there came a violent storm, or cyclone, and the entire structure was demolished before the roof was put on. TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 5 1 The masonry was perhaps not of the best quality, as the mem- bers themselves performed the work, including the pastor, who took his turn and performed a hard day's work with cheerfulness. The mass of ruins remained there until early in the spring of 1S60, when work was again resumed. Again Topeka was vis- ited by a severe wind storm, and part of the south wall was lev- eled. But at once the work was resumed, and in the fall of that year the building was completed, at a cost of $7,000, the per- manent pews not being added until 1862. January 3, 1864, the chapel was dedicated. Rev. Bodwell preached the dedicatory ser- mon. Rev. Peter McVicar was then pastor, Rev. Bodwell having resigned in May, i860, owing to poor health. Rev. McVicar re- mained with the church as pastor until 1866, when he resigned, and Rev. Bodwell was again solicited to be pastor, which he ac- cepted. Three years he filled the position, and again was com- pelled to resign, owing to the poor health he had contracted in the early part of his residence in the West. Rev. James G. Merrill was called to be pastor, and labored for one year, when he was called to the superintendency of home missions for Kansas. A call was extended to Rev. Linus Blakesley to become pastor of the church, in September, 1870, and he entered upon the work -and has zealously guarded the interests of his congregation to the present time. During the year of 1870 a fine bell was placed upon the church tower, and ten years later the old church building was torn down and the fine structure which now stands there was erected, at a cost of $35,000, including all the furnishings, with the organ, be- ing the finest church in the city at that time. The charter members, nine in number, John Ritchie, James Cowles, Rev. Paul Shepherd, William E. Bowker, M. C. Dickey, A. H. Barnard, William Scales, H. H. Cowles, and Charles A. Sexton, held their meetings in Constitution Hall and in Museum Hall, and in a brick school house, until their first chapel was com- pleted. The first pastor, Rev. Lewis Bodwell, was of Clifton, New York, being sent by the Home Mission Society, and said in one of his reports to the society: "There is very little to cheer a minister of the Gospel. One of the nine members has gone to Ohio, an- other East, a third just recovering from a severe illness, and a fourth a territorial prisoner at Lecompton." But the little flock 52 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. persevered, and now the membership numbers upwards of 600, with a sister church in North Topeka of 100 members, and one in the southwest part of the city of 150. This church has been the means of the establishment of Wash- burn College. It was through the exertions of John Ritchie and Rev. Peter McVicar, that Topeka can boast of that fine institution of learning. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. The First Baptist Church of Topeka was organized March 1st, 1S57. Its constituent members were Jesse Stone, Joseph Miller, Sarah E. Miller, Christopher Fitzgerald, Charlie A. Bliss, and William Jordan. These few pioneer missionaries met. in the base- ment of J. C. Miller's house, on Sixth avenue, Revs. James Gil- patrick and Edward Seagraves being present. Rev. R. M. Fish, of Auburn, preached for them part of the time, and until C. C. Hutchinson became pastor of the church, June iS, 1S59. He remained with them, being partly supported by the Baptist Missionary Board, until 1861. They completed a hall over Mr. Miller's store in 1S62, which they occupied. The church consisted of about twenty-five members. Mr. Hutchinson was compelled to abandon the field because of the pecuniary ina- bility of the church. Rev. E. Alward received an appointment March 30, 1S62, from the Missionary Board, dividing his time be- tween this church and the one in Burlingame, until 1S65, when his whole labor was devoted to this church. He remained until June 1, 1S66, forty-seven persons having been added to the church dur- ing his pastorate. October 21, 1866, Isaac Sawyer, D. D., accepted a call to the pastorate. He remained until June, 1S6S. During his pastorate the foundation of the present church edifice was laid, and was so far completed that the congregation occupied the basement. Rev. H. B. Fitch became the pastor August 1, 1S69; then E. O. Taylor, of Chicago, took charge of the church April ia, 187 1, and remained two years and ten months. Rev. J. L. Moore, D. D., of Piqua, Ohio, supplied the pulpit part of the time. Mr. Taylor's labors closed the first of February, 1874, and on July 6, 1S74, Rev. C. Monjeau accepted the pastorate. For more than five years he remained pastor, during which time all the debts were TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 53 paid, the edifice was artistically completed and the grounds graded and ornamented. Mr. Monjeau's labors terminated in 1880; and in 1881 Rev. C. C. Foote, from Philadelphia, came to this field of labor. The number of members at that time was 175; the av- erage attendance at Sabbath school, 120. In 1S85, Dr. C. C. Foote was taken sick, and returned to his old home, where he died shortly afterward. Rev. T. R. Peters, of Dubuque, Iowa, was chosen to fill the vacancy left by the death of Dr. Foote. Rev. Peters remained with the church until 1889, when he resigned; and Rev. J. B. Thomas, of Iowa, was called to take charge of the church. The number of members at present is 375; the average number of Sunday school scholars, 250. This building is now too small for the congregations, and is in- convenient. Lots have been purchased on the corner of Eighth and Harrison streets, where a large chapel will be erected in the near future. The First Baptist Church is one of the most substantial and well-organized churches in the city, and has slowly grown for thirty-two years from eight or ten pioneer members to nearly four hundred. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The fourth church organized in Topeka was the Presbyterian. The organization was first brought about by Rev. A. T. Rankin, December 9, 1859. The me eting was held in the house of John Jackson, there being present eight male and nine female members. The ruling elders were J. M. Hamilton and Ephraim Herritt. Of those members, there now remain in the city Mr. and Mrs. William H. Fitzpatrick, and Mrs. James A. Hickey. A session was held February 15, i860, to secure a charter. Rev. A. T. Rankin was of the Highland Presbytery, and preached for the so- ciety for a few months. Rev. John A. Steele, father of James W. Steele, the well- known author, took charge of the matter, and it was through his untiring efforts that an organization was effected February 15, i860, with eighteen members, as follows: J. M. Hamilton, Mrs. M. A. Hamilton, Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Hukill, Charles McDonald and wife, Ephraim Herritt, E. B. Conkill and Mrs. Conkill, W. H. Fitzpatrick and wife, Andrew J. Ritchie, John Pilly and Mrs. 54 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. Pilly, Mr. John Jackson and Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Freeland, Mrs, Deming, and Mr. Douthitt. E. B. Conkill was chosen clerk, and J. M. Hamilton, H. H. Hukill and A. J. Ritchie, trustees. Owing to the drought in Kansas in i860, there was scarcely any record kept of the members, Rev. Steele being absent in the East obtaining aid for the settlers, and not until 1861 can a full record be found of all the meetings and the membership. The first certificate of transfer was given to Mrs. Blake, formerly of North Church, St. Louis, to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, December 23, 1861. Mr. Steele worked arduously with his little flock during those early days. A small edifice was built on Eighth avenue be- tween Kansas avenue and Quincy street, which was then outside of the town. Mr. Steele continued as pastor until his death, which occurred October 12, 1864, at the- age of sixty-two years, leaving an hon- ored name and a cherished memory. From the time of Mr. Steele's death until November 19, 1865, over one year, the church was without a minister. From November 19, 1865, to March 19, 1866, the church was supplied by Rev. S. T. McClure, a licenti- ate, of Vincennes, Ind. April 5, 1866, Rev. John Ekin, D. D., of Miami, Ohio, was called to fill the pulpit, which invitation he ac- cepted, and continued until the pastoral relation was dissolved by the Presbytery then in session in Topeka, November 29, 1868. The same day Rev. Alexander Sterrett (now deceased) acted as mod- erator. Rev. F. S. McCabe began to preach for the church on September 28, 1868, and was installed as pastor January 1, 1869. He labored faithfully and successfully. The number of members increased tenfold, beside the mission churches. he established or organized in the city. During the pastorate of Dr. McCabe, the following Presbyterian churches were organized throughout the county and city; consti- tuted largely of members of the First Church as taking the lead: Bethel Church, eight miles southeast of Topeka, organized Janu- ary 28, 1871; Pleasant Ridge Church, nine miles northwest of the city, organized July 16, 1876; Wakarusa Church, twelve miles south of the city, organized September 15, 1878; Third Presby- terian Church, organized December 12, 1880; Mission Center, six miles west of the city, organized January 16, 1881. Rev. F. S. McCabe resigned April 16, 1882, and during the summer of 1882, until February, 1883, the pulpit was filled by FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 55 different ministers, when at that time Rev. H. W. George, of Ge- neva, 111., was called to the pastorate, and remained with the church until December 23, 1SS6, when he tendered his resignation. The First Church had outgrown the edifice on Eighth avenue, and it was determined to erect a more commodious building. The membership had grown southward and westward; hence a new location was needful and desired by the members. A site was purchased on Harrison street, midway between Eighth and Ninth streets, fronting east, and overlooking the State Capitol grounds. The site was formerly owned by, and was the residence of, Rev. John Ekin, one of the pastors. He left it by will to his wife, and both having passed to the better land, the heirs sold it to the church. One of the most elegant and handsome edifices in the city was erected, the corner stone of which was laid May 5, 1S84, with impressive ceremonies. On April 5, 1SS5, the farewell services were held in the old church, which was crowded both morning and evening to over- flowing to partake of the ceremonies in bidding farewell to the chapel dear to the hearts of those Christian people. The new church was dedicated April 12, 1SS5, with appropriate services. Rev. Geo. P. Hays, D. D., of Denver, Colo., preached the sermon, and the ministers who took part in the exercises were: Rev. F. S. McCabe, D. D., pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church; Rev. J. C. Miller, pastor of the North Topeka Presbyterian Church; Rev. P. S. Clellan, and Rev. H. W. George. On September 27, 1SS7, the congregation, extended a call to Rev. Edward C. Ray, of the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church, of Chicago. He accepted the call, and entered upon his duties as pastor of this church on November 6, 18S7. He was formally installed by the Presbytery December 21, 1SS7. The number of members now is 777. The Sabbath school numbers over four hundred. The present edifice cost $53,000, in- clusive of grounds and building. The new manse was built at a cost of $6,500, in 1888, adjoining the church on the south side. The Westminister Church was organized April 28, 18S9, with 54 members. There are, in the seven churches, 1,187 members. The First Church has just celebrated its thirtieth anniversary, with an able historical sermon preached by the pastor, Rev. E. C. Ray. "And Jesus himself, when he began, was about thirty years of age." Luke 3:23. 56 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. Rev. F. S. McCabe is pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church, and the history of Topeka is not complete without a few words on the great work he has done. In every association, convention, ministerial union, anniversary, dedication, or religious meeting in any of the churches, there is always a part assigned to "Father McCabe," and not only his own church, but all, hold a reverence and love for the beloved pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church. Rev. E. C. Ray, present pastor, was born in Rochester, N. Y., October 12, 1S49. He graduated from Hamilton College at the age of twenty-one. From there he went to the Auburn Theolog- ical Seminary, where he continued his studies, graduating in 1873. His first regular pastorate was the First Presbyterian Church of Vernon Center, N. Y., from 1873 to 1876. From thence he ac- cepted a call from the Third Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth, N. J., where he remained until 1881, when he was called to the First Presbyterian Church of Hyde Park, Chicago, 111., and from there to Topeka. He is one of the youngest ministers who have won a wide rep- utation as a man of learning, and a leader in the ministerial circles of the West. Of him Judge Day says, in his historical sketch of the Presbyterian Church, in 1887 : " In Hyde Park, Rev. E. C. Ray was chairman of the committee on the city evangelization and church extension of the Presbyterian Social Union of Chicago, involving careful study of every district, church and mission of the citv and suburbs. He was also a member for several years of the General Assembly's special committee on systematic beneficence, and was chairman of a similar committee of the Presbytery of Chi- cago and the Synod of Illinois. In addition to those, he was an active member of the Presbyterian committee on home missions. He is an eloquent speaker, and beloved and respected by all who know him." CATHOLIC CHURCH. It was on Father Marquette's maps of 1672, now in the mu- seum in St. Mary's College, Montreal, Canada, that we first find the name of our State inscribed, or the name of the Indian tribe from which the State has derived its name, and among the first churches organized here in Topeka was the Catholic Church, in March, 1862. Rev. J. H. Defouri was in charge. A church edi- : -^ • tiAtttttv «\ lUIUItn . «\ nrtiiim II iiTTim // P , ' ST.*' wlf^BS?^ if ;/ "*i IftlB+r -s ■~mf u TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 57 fice was erected, at a cost of $2,000, near the corner of Eighth and Jackson streets. It was among the first church buildings erected, and is now used for school purposes. Mr. Edward C. K. Garvey presented the church with a fine church bell, which he had brought with him from the East in 1855. And as we hear its tones at noonday (it is now used for the school) we wander back through memory's hall to those early days of Kansas settlements, when there was no sound of the church bell to cheer the weary and watchful settler for many long, long years. Rev. Defouri was assisted by several priests, often from other places, and Father Hayden, who now has charge of the parish, was among the early ministers in Topeka. Rev. Defouri re- mained in charge until 1S76, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. F. Cunningham. In 1S73, the Assumption cemetery was located, four miles west of the city. It comprises five acres of ground, and is taste- fully platted. In 1SS1, the foundation for the new building was commenced, 56 by 115 feet, and in 1S82 it was completed, at a cost of $20,000. The number of communicants at the close of 18S2 was 1,762, with a flourishing parochial school of over two hundred scholars. The location of the church is one of the finest in the city, and the grounds are tastefully ornamented with trees and flowering shrubs. Rev. J. F. Cunningham was succeeded by Rev. James O'Reilly on the tenth of March, 1S82. During the summer of 18S2 the old church was remodeled for school purposes, at an expense of $600. The new church was plastered and handsomely furnished with pews, and on September 10, 1882, it was dedicated. In the following December a steam-heating apparatus was placed in the church, at a cost of $1,400, some necessary alterations in the same later on costing $200 additional. In January, 18S3, stained-glass windows, costing $1,000, were placed in the church. In May of this year seven lots were purchased for a church site in North Topeka; and in June nine lots were bought as a site for a colored church and school, on the corner of Huntoon and Bu- chanan streets. Two of these lots were sold later on, the other seven being held for their original purpose. By the following September a school house for negro Catholic children was com- pleted on this property. This school is in charge of the Sisters of Charity, and, with the exception of a couple of terms, has been 58 TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. taught by Sister Bonaventure, whose life is devoted to this special work, and who is beloved by the colored people who know her. October 13, 1884, a new pipe organ was purchased for the church, and in the following month Father O'Reilly accompanied Rt. Rev. Bishop Fink to Baltimore, as his chaplain at the third Plenary Council. In March, 1885, three statues were purchased, at a cost of $220, $100 of which was received by bequest of Mrs. Tane Murray, who also contributed $550 for a memorial altar (the main altar), which was erected in February, 1886. The tabernacle incloses an iron safe, and the altar table is marble. In September, 1885, Father O'Reilly purchased of Bishop Fink the Leavenworth cathedral bell. In November, 18S6, the new parochial residence, adjoining the new church on the east side, was completed, at an expense of $5,000. It is a two-story brick, with modern improvements, and contains ten rooms, to which is attached the old parochial resi- dence with four rooms. On the second of February, 1887, Rev. F. Henry was appointed by Bishop Fink to organize a parish for the German-speaking people of Topeka. He resided at the Assumption pastoral resi- dence until the following November, and had masses every Sun- day at 7 and 9 o'clock for his congregation in Assumption church. In November of this year he occupied his own church, St. Josephs, on Third street. In July, 1SS7, Father O'Reilly was taken down with typhoid malaria, from which he never rallied. A few days previous to his sickness the news was received from Rome that he had been chosen first bishop of the new see of Wichita, but before the arrival of his formal appointment he died, deeply regretted by the whole community, and was buried July 29, in Mt. Calvary ceme- tery, Topeka. On the 10th of August, 1888, a monument, in the form of a marble Celtic cross, a tribute from his parishoners, was erected over his remains. Very Rev. Dean Hayden succeeded him the following month in the pastorate of the Assumption Church. He was for years the college companion of the deceased prelate. During the administration of Father O'Reilly, the following assistants served under him in the order named: Revs. J. Kelly, B. Vonderlage, M. Duggan, B. Disselkamp, J. Kraus, J. Locuenich, TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 59 F. F. Dooley, B. McKernan, A. Kienhofer, P. Shields and F. Henry. On the new rector assuming charge, he found a debt of $7,000, incurred by the erection of new buildings, with the additional heavy expense of the asphalt paving on Jackson street, and the following summer Eighth avenue was similarly paved. At the Diocesan Synod, in Leavenworth, August 10th and nth, 18S7, the rectors of the Assumption, Topeka, and St. Marys, Wyan- dotte, were made irremovable rectors. In September, 18S7, To- peka was made the seat of the Deanery, over which Very Rev. F. M. Hayden was appointed dean. The Deanery embraces the counties of Shawnee, Jefferson, Jackson, Osage, Wabaunsee and Pottawatomie, containing thirteen priests. Semi-annual confer- ences are to be held according to diocesan statute. The first conference of the Deanery was held at the residence of Very Rev. Dean Hayden, March 6th, 18S8. The solemn consecration of the Assumption Church took place Sunday, April 29, 1888. The consecrating prelate was Rt. Rev. L. M. Fink, D. D. No assistant was assigned Father Hayden until July 21st, when Rev. M. Finn was appointed, who, after one month, was suc- ceeded by Rev. Patrick Shields. He was succeeded in January, 1889, by Rev. Peter Flanagan, who, after a few days illness, died Sunday, February 17, 18S9, at the Assumption pastoral residence, and was buried at Mt. Calvary cemetery, Topeka. No assistant was again assigned to this parish until May 6, 1SS9, when Rev. J. J. Dunning was appointed. The rector, Very Rev. F. M. Hayden, was absent in Europe for his health from May until October, 18S9, traveling in England, Ireland and France, and assumed charge again on his return. In his absence, his place was supplied by Rev. J. B. O'Connell. On his return, Father Hayden's parishioners presented him an ex- cellent horse and carriage. During this year many needed im- provements were made in Mt. Calvary cemetery, west of the city. The choir of this church is under the efficient management of Prof. Louis Heck, jr., so well known in musical circles. On spe- cial festivals he is assisted by Heck's full orchestra. The Sisters of Charity in charge of the schools of the parish at present number six, viz.: Sister Vincentia, superior, and Sisters Mary Austin, Bonaventure, Matilda, Prudentia and Barbara. 6o TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. NORTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. In May, 1866, Rev. Rodney Paine commenced his labors in North Topeka as a missionary; and in July, 1869, this church was organized under Mr. Paine's pastorate, there being eleven mem- bers: Rev. Rodney Paine, Martha Paine, C. R. Paine, J. L. Paine, Deacon E. Ward and Mrs. Ward, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Ward, Catharine Garamier, Elizabeth Van Order and Martha M. Finn. On account of ill health, Mr. Paine resigned the pulpit in 1870, and the Rev. John H. Barrows succeeded him for three months; then the Rev. Walter M. Barrows preached for nine months. It was during his pastorate that the present chapel was finished. In September, 1871, Rev. T. W. Jones was called to the pastorate. His services began the next Sabbath after the church was dedi- cated. The first house of worship was on Kansas avenue and Laurent street. Rev. Jones was succeeded by Rev. H. C. Scotford, in 1876; and one year after Rev. S. P. Dunlap succeeded him. The present site of the church is on the northeast corner of Jackson and Laur- ent streets. The membership is about one hundred. The bell, one of the finest in the city, was from E. W. Baker to the church, and cost, with its fixtures and setting, $655. It weighs 800 pounds, and is a Meneely. The cost of the church edifice was above $4,000. Rev. S. E. Busser is the present pastor. UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. This edifice is located on the corner of Eighth and Topeka avenues. It was built in 1872, under the pastorate of Rev. B. L. Boldridge, and was dedicated the same year. Rev. M. F. Mc- Kirahan is pastor at present. GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. This church is situated on the northeast corner of Fifth and Tyler streets. The edifice was erected in 1882. It was organ- ized in 1870, with ten members; Rev. John P. Miller as pastor. A brick edifice was erected in 1871 on Jackson, between Fifth and Sixth streets, which the society sold, and purchased the present site. TOPE K 'A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 6 I The membership is nearly one hundred, and the Sabbath school about the same. Rev. J. L. Steinburg is pastor, and Mr. W. Ves- per is Sunday school superintendent. UNITY CHURCH. The Unitarian (or Unity) Church was organized in August, 1 87 1, but the articles of association were not adopted until No- vember of that year. A minister was called, and the election of officers took place. H. Bartling, C. Reed, E. S. Robinson, R. H. C. Searle and Mrs. A. P. Wilder were elected trustees. A. P. Wilder was secretary and treasurer. The place of worship was in the Unitarian Hall, on Kansas avenue. The Sunday school, under the supervision of Mrs. Wilder, flourished. By the re- moval of some of the most influential members, the organization was almost dissolved; but in 1883, about the middle of June, a reorganization took place. The members were: Mr. and Mrs. Geo. W. Wood, Dr. O. B. Moss, Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Wilder and their daughter Belle, John A. Dailey, F. M. Hayward, F. H. Foster, Robert Pierce, and Mrs. Anna Brown. They held ser- vices in the hall of the city librar}' for some time, the Rev. Enoch Powell having been engaged as pastor. In 1885 the society pur- chased lots 302, 304, 306, on Topeka avenue, and a handsome edi- fice was erected, at a cost of $8,200, with furnishings. The Rev. Enoch Powell is now State evangelist for the denomination. The church now numbers some sixty-five, with a flourishing Sabbath school. SWEDENBORGIAN— OR CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM. In the summer of 1880, a few of this faith and order met at the residence of Edward Wilder, with Rev. H. C. Dunham as pastor. The trustees were J. F. Goddard, J. F. Scott and Edward Wilder. Services were held at Mr. Wilder's until the summer of 1881, when a neat and attractive chapel was built on the corner of Sixth and Harrison streets, and was dedicated October 9, 18S1. A par- sonage in harmony with the church is built within the same en- closure. The style of architecture is the Queen Anne cottage, and 62 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. is very handsome. In 1885 the Rev. H. C. Dunham left this so- ciety, in answer to a call from Portland, Maine, where he would have a larger field to work in. The farewell sermon was preached in 1886. The Rev. Frank L. Higgins, who had formerly been a Free Will Baptist minister, but had graduated from the theolog- ical school in Boston, took charge of the society. The Rev. G. Reiche is now pastor. The Sunday school has a fine library, and the membership is now about forty. ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH. On the 7th of April, 1867, the Rev. Morris Officer, secretary of the Board of Missions of the English Lutheran Church of Amer- ica, with a few of the same denomination, met and organized the English Lutheran Church. The citizens of Topeka who united in that organization were: A. P. Benson, C." H. Ellison, A. S. Holmburg, Hugo Kullak, George Rumble, J. B. McAfee and John Guthrie. Rev. A. J. Hesson was the first pastor. Services were held in the Germania Hall, on Kansas avenue, until 187 1, when the society purchased lots 163, 165 and 167 on Topeka avenue, and built a frame edifice, at a cost of $4,000, and the Rev. Hesson re- mained as pastor until November, 1871. He resigned, and Rev. B. F. Alleman was chosen pastor, and remained until 1872. For several years the church was without a pastor, depending on the missionaries for most of their preaching, until 1880, when Rev. T. F. Dornblazer became pastor, and built the society up until it is in a flourishing condition. Lots were purchased on Harrison and Fifth streets in 1884, and a handsome brick building was erected in 1885, at a cost of $18,000. The membership is 186, with a full attendance at Sabbath School. SOCIETY OF SPIRITUALISTS. The First Society of Spiritualists was organized in the spring of 1867, Dr. F. L. Crane being one of the most devoted members, and president of the society. It was only occasionally that they had a speaker, until the autumn of 1868, when Mrs. H. T. Thomas, a dis- tinguished spiritualist, was employed. They then held their meet- ings in old Odd Fellows' Hall, 152 Kansas avenue. Dr. F. L. TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 63 Crane donated a house and lot for a parsonage, and the society was incorporated the same year. Mrs. Thomas died in 1872, and T. B. Taylor, A. M., M. D.,who had been a leading member in the Methodist Episcopal Church, took charge of the society, and held regular services on the Sabbath, and when he resigned, weekly meetings were held at the house of Mrs. E. Greer, northeast cor- ner of Sixth and Topeka avenues. They now hold their meet- ings in Music Hall, on Eighth avenue. There are some thirty-five church organizations in the city. Topeka is sometimes called " The City of Churches." There are Baptist, Lutheran and the Bethel Swedish churches. Then there are the German Lutheran, corner of Van Buren and Sec- ond streets, the German Catholic, Christian, Wesleyan Meth- odist, Cumberland Presbyterian, Universalist, Israelite, together with numerous colored churches, throughout the city. Churches have had the patronage of the city of Topeka since its boundary lines were first surveyed with a cheap compass and two ropes answering the purpose of a Gunter's chain. The saloon was left out, and civilization with Christianity planted there, and there for- ever, on the beautiful prairies of Kansas. YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. In the organization of any society or church, there are always some one or two persons who lay the foundation, a few who are active, and see their way through and over the many obstacles that might be in the way of progress. There are those who are not afraid of the vast amount of work to do, or if " There is always a river to cross," find some way of crossing that river. Thus it was with the few ladies who first began this organiza- tion. It was first talked of and suggested by Mrs. Lizzie Reed and Mrs. Henry Bennett. They were sent to Wichita by the auxiliary of the Y. M. C. A., October, 18S7, and, in listening to a report from Miss Lyman, of Washburn College, on the good that was being done by the Y. W. C. A. in other places, determined to organize a Christian Association for young ladies in Topeka. 64 TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. November 19, 1887, at the residence of Mrs. W. F. Parker, an organization was effected, and the following officers were elected: President, Mrs. Henry Bennett; vice president, Mrs. M. H. Case; Miss Jennie Dick, corresponding secretary, and Mrs. Leon Stan- ton, secretary and treasurer. Mrs. Chrisman, Mrs. Parker, Mrs. Hammond, Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Crow and Mrs. Lizzie Reed were chosen board of managers. The first year there were meetings held once a week, but it was impossible to get the girls interested, and the ministers were op- posed to the movement, as it would take their best workers out of the churches, they said. But those good Christian ladies worked and prayed,.and slowly they began to grow. Rooms were rented over Ripley's laundry, and furnished for their use. A subscrip- tion was taken up for defraying the expenses, but not until the winter of 1888 did the organization begin to prosper. Miss Dunn and Miss Sherman, of the State work, had worked faithfully, and many of the best ladies of the various churches in the city came to the front, among them Miss Annie Adams. She went into the work with her whole soul, and to her belongs the greatest praise. March 19, 1889, they rented the pleasant rooms they now occupy at 108 East Sixth avenue. There is a membership of over two hundred, and some two or three conversions every week. The object of this organization is to assist girls and young la- dies spiritually, physically, and mentally. Gospel meetings are held every Sabbath afternoon, and Bible classes through the week; physical culture and bookkeeping on Monday evenings; vocal and instrumental music, and all the common branches, are taught free, the teachers being some of the most competent instructors in the city. Dressmaking and stenography are also included within the course of instruction given in the parlors of the Y. W. C. A. There is also a dining room, where tea, coffee, hot water and su- gar are constantly to be had by those who work or teach in the city and eat cold lunch; they have tea and coffee free. A sugar bowl stands on one corner of the table, and those who wish to drop a nickel in it can do so. During the year 1889, 1,050 took tea and coffee at the rooms. To the poor working girls, those who are ambitious, and wish to improve their leisure moments, there is no better place than these rooms. The president takes charge of the Gospel meetings. TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 65 Miss Delia Ludington is secretary. The board of managers are Mrs. Henry Bennett, Mrs. Hicks, Miss Sue Stephenson, Miss Jen- nie Dick and Mrs. Lizzie Reed. Mrs. W. H. Baker was presi- dent, and was a very active, stirring, and lovable member. The physical culture class is in charge of Miss Frances Storrs. The class is well attended. Young ladies of every employment are now to be found taking an interest in the meetings and spend- ing their leisure hours in those pleasant rooms, reading some good book, or reciting some useful lessons. Miss Annie Adams is now State secretary, but finds time to visit the Topeka Y. W. C. A. Mrs. M. H. Case, Mrs. Bennett, and Mrs. Lizzie Reed are daily workers in the cause. Miss Lyman, of Washburn College, is one whose work in the College adds greatly to work that is being car- ried on throughout the State. THE STATE HOUSE. All are architects of Fate, Working in these walls of Time ; Some with massive deeds and great, Some with ornaments of rhyme. Nothing useless is, or low, Each thing in its place is best, And what seems but idle show, Strengthens and supports the rest. For the structure that we raise Time is with materials filled; Our to-days and yesterdays Are the blocks with which we build. Build to-day then, strong and sure, With a firm and ample base; And ascending and secure Shall to-morrow find its place. Thus alone, can we attain To those turrets, where the eye Sees the world as one vast plain, And one boundless reach of sky. 1 — Longfellow. From the time of the Topeka constitutional convention, when Topeka was selected as the temporary capital, the citizens deter- mined to leave no honorable means untried to secure its perma- — 5 66 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. nency. Time and money were spent in attending conventions, and, as a result, the victory was won. The first Legislature passed a law for submitting the question of a permanent location of the capital to a popular vote, and that a majority of the votes cast at some general election should be necessary for such location. That election was of interest to two cities: Topeka and Law- rence. The election took place November 5, 1861. Topeka received 7,996 votes, and Lawrence, 5,291 votes; other cities, 1,184 — making a total of 14,471 votes polled. During the ses- sions of 1861, 1862, 1863, the House of Representatives met in the building which now forms part of Crawford's Opera House, and the sessions of the Senate were held in the Ritchie Block, on the southeast corner of Kansas and Sixth avenues. In 1863, the State leased a temporary capitol building, on the west side of Kansas avenue between Fourth and Fifth, (lots 131, 133, 135, 137,) which was occupied by the State officers from the time it was completed till 1870. At the session of the Legislature In 1862, the Topeka Association, through its president, C. K. Hol- liday, made donations to the State of twenty acres of ground for the site of the State buildings. The same was accepted, and the deeds were made. In 1866, an appropriation was made to build a State capitol. The foundation was laid, but the stone was found to be useless, so the work was abandoned, and not until 1869 was the east wing ready for the State offices, and it was not completed until 1873. The cost of the wing was, according to State Auditor Bonebrake, about $450,000. In 1879, an appropriation was made for the west wing, and it was completed in 1S85, at a cost of about $305,000. This wing contains, beside the offices of vai'ious State officers, Representative Hall, which is one of the finest in the United States, finished in thirteen different varieties of marble, the product of quarries all over the United States and Italy. The spectators' galleries are at the east and west ends of the hall. Upon the ceil- ing are finely conceived allegorical paintings, representing History, Justice, The First Dawn of Liberty, and Law. The building stone of the west wing is Cottonwood limestone, from Strong City, Chase county. The main building is nearing completion now. The plan is cruciform, the building being composed of a main central building, fronting north and south, and wings front- ing east and west. Its total length from east to west, inclusive of TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 6j steps, will be about 490 feet; and from north to south about 416 feet. The diameter of the central portion through the peristyle or range of columns above the base will be 106 feet, and above the peristyle, eighty-six feet. The body of the building stands on a basement story, eighteen feet above the ground; above this are two stories comprised between the basement and the Roman- Cor- inthian entablatures. When completed, it will be a landmark for many miles. The entire cost will be above three million dollars. The annual tax levied is one-half mill upon all taxable property in the State, dur- ing its construction. The first territorial capital was at Pawnee, Davis county, erected in 1855. The same was moved to Shawnee Mission, in Johnson county, in 1S55. The second territorial Legislature was held at Lecompton, in 1857, and the third at Lecompton, January 4, 1858. The fourth was held at Lawrence, in 1S59. They met at Le- compton, and adjourned to Lawrence. The Free-State Conven- tion met in Topeka, in October, 1S55. Of the "Constitution Hall" in Topeka, William H. Seward said: "I have looked upon the 'Constitution Hall' in Topeka, where the army of the United States, for the first time in the his- tory of our nation, dispersed a lawful and peaceable assembly of citizens of the United States, convened to counsel upon the best means of protecting their lives, their property, and sacred honor." KANSAS HISTORICAL SOCIETY. There is probably no part or adjunct of the State work that will prove to be of so enduring value as the historical department, with its vast piles and countless numbers of documents, and manu- scripts, maps, books, pamphlets, newspaper files and relics, which it would fill volumes to enumerate. Each relic, almost without exception, relates in some way to the history of our State. The visitor in passing through, taking only a passing notice, cannot form an estimate of what treasures are stored away in every nook and crevice of those rooms. There are 11,231 volumes of bound books, most of them being very valuable; also 9,000 bound volumes of newspapers, among them ninety volumes of the New York Tribune, which contain 68 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. in themselves the history of Kansas through the territorial strug- gle, and the history of the civil war; thirty thousand and over of pamphlets; manuscripts, maps of great value, and historical relics without number, including those of John Brown — his cap, Sharp's rifle, his letters to his family and friends, and the medal which Victor Hugo and his associates caused to be stamped in his mem- ory, together with numerous portraits of the old hero; and recently a bust has been added to the various relics in remembrance of him. Books relating to all the early Indian history, missionary work and surveys in Kansas are in this library, together with everything written and published concerning Kansas science. Indian relics without number are found here, among which is a stone metale for rubbing corn into paste in the preparation of tortillas; also a great variety of fancy work in beads and shells. There is a large piece of wood standing in one corner; it is a piece of the scaffold upon which Mrs. Surratt and her associates were hung. This relic brings to mind that dark day of our Nation, when our beloved chief lay cold in death by the hand of assassins and conspirators. There stands in the center of the main room a table, which, if it could speak, would tell many a story of interest of those devoted friends of Kansas who sat around it in days when the fate of Kan- sas depended upon wise councils, as well as upon the acts and endurance of her brave pioneer men and women. The following inscription is written in the bottom of one of the drawers of this table :- "This table was used by the New England Emigrant Aid Company, and stood in its main room from its organization to its dissolution, when I purchased it as a memorial of that useful organization. Around it, at one time or other, sat all the worthies who helped to make a free State; not only Eli Thayer and his New En- gland associates, but Robinson, Branscomb, Pomeroy and others, not excluding even John Brown of Osawatomie. "Presented to the Kansas Historical Society. Amos A. Lawrence." "Boston, January, 1881. Standing in one corner of the principal room is the cannon used by the Pro-Slavery party against the settlers of Kansas, known as the "Old Kickapoo," while far above on the wall is the Abbott howitzer, a Free-State cannon, donated by Maj. James B. Abbott- There are the busts of John Brown, Eli Thayer and Fred P. Stanton. Stanton was Secretary of Kansas Territory in 1857, and acted as Governor from April 19 to May 27, and again from No- TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 69 vember 16 to December 21, of that year. He rendered invalua- ble service to the people of Kansas. The walls of the rooms are covered with pictures of the Kansas ex- Governors and noted men of the State. Photographs of all the members of the Legislature and State officers are found there. There is the group of the "Doy Rescuing Party," a history of itself. Oil paintings and portraits of distinguished citizens, and pictures of places, too num- erous to mention, are found in these crowded rooms. War relics, to enumerate which would fill volumes, swords, tomahawks, spears, flags, guns, pistols, and pieces of wood fancifully wrought, memorials of some historic event or historic place, have found their way among these records of the past. Volumes are being filed away of cuttings from newspapers, containing articles of historic interest and value; writings of Kan- sas poets, and also other scraps of local literature, are thus carefully preserved — not of much value now, perhaps, but in years to come worth more than their weight in gold. The history of the society and of its projectors is as interesting as the archives themselves; it shows how this work was all brought about, and it still grows more rapidly every day. For the purpose of saving the present and past records of the history of the State, the Kansas Historical Society was organized, December 15, 1S75. Its organization is chiefly due to a few news- paper men of Kansas, pioneer editors, who took part in the struggle for liberty. April S, 1875, an editorial convention was held at Manhattan. During the proceedings, Mr. D. W. Wilder intro- duced a resolution on this subject, which was adopted. F. P. Baker, D. R. Anthony, John A. Martin and George A. Crawford were appointed a committee to organize a historical society, and ask the Legislature to make an appropriation of $1,000 annu- ally, to pay for subscriptions, and other necessary outlays. Those men accomplished the aim they had in view, and the society was incorporated, as stated before, December 15, 1S75. At the meeting at Manhattan, they adjourned to meet in Topeka December 13, 1S75, which they did, and effected a permanent organization, the following officers being elected for one year: President, Samuel A. Kingman; vice president, George A. Craw- ford; treasurer, John A. Martin; secretary, Floyd P. Baker; board of directors, Samuel A. Kingman, F. P. Baker, Daniel R. An- thony, John A. Martin, Sol. Miller, D. W. Wilder, Richard B. JO TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. Taylor, Milton W. Reynolds, G. A. Crawford and Salmon S. Prouty. Of that assembly only three have gone to their long resting place: Mr. Taylor, Mr. Prouty and John A. Martin, now known as ex-Governor Martin. Mr. F. P. Baker resigned in February, 1876, and Mr. F. G* Adams was elected in his place, and still holds the position, and it is due to his work that the society is what it is to-day. The sec- retary drew no salary at first, as the society depended on member- ship fees, and during the first fifteen months of its existence, the income from this source did not pay postage and expenses. Mr, Adams began his work in hope and faith, and friends of the object responded. What time he could spare from other duties, he was looking after accessions, which soon began freely to come in. The first books donated to the society were from Judge Samuel A. Kingman. He had in his extensive library many books relat- ing to Kansas; the gift, therefore, was a valuable one. The society had many reverses before it reached its present dwelling place. In the winter of 1877, the Attorney General, Hon. Willard Davis, invited Mr. Adams to share his room, and here for the first time the society began to look like business; and soon the secretary devoted his entire time to the fast-accumulating historical matter,, not yet receiving a cent for all his work, but having full faith in the outcome. During the session of the Legislature of 1S77, $3,000 was appro- priated for the society. From this was purchased the "Webb Collection," leaving over two thousand dollars to aid in the work to be done within the next two years, when the Legislature should convene again. After that, more liberal appropriations were made. In 1883, when the west wing of the Capitol was completed, rooms were given to the society in that wing. The Webb collection of books, manuscripts, newspaper files, etc.,. is considered the most valuable accession acquired at one time. In it are sixteen large scrap books, containing scraps cut from news- papers published from March 24, 1854, to September, 1856, all of which relate to the settling of Kansas, and Kansas affairs. There is another scrap book relating to John Brown. It dates from Oc- tober 21, 1859, to December, i860. This collection was made by Dr. Thomas H. Webb, of Boston, while he was secretary of the New England Emigrant Aid Society, from 1854 to i860. TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 71 Nearly all the newspapers published in the State are filed away and bound, and kept for future reference. There are three clerks employed now, besides Mr. Adams and his daughter, Miss Zu, to do the work that has grown from a book case in fifteen years. Mr. Adams has built up a monument for the State, which, if not now, will some time be appreciated by the mass of the people. He has been one of the most faithful citizens Kansas has had, since he came within its boundaries in 1855. Franklin G. Adams was born in Rodman, Jefferson county, New York, May 13, 1824. He was bred a farmer, and not until he was nineteen years of age did he have educational advantages other than those of the district school. In 1S43, he removed to Cincinnati, where he attended lectures, and entered the law de- partment of the Cincinnati College, graduating in 1S52. For several years he taught in the public schools of Cincinnati. Dur- ing this period, he did much literary work, in large part relative to reformed spelling and shorthand writing. He has been a short- hand writer for nearly thirty years. He married Miss Harriet E. Clark, of Cincinnati, September 29, 1855. Being a republican of the strongest type, he took the first oppor- tunity that afforded to emigrate to Kansas. He came with the Ashland Company, in March, 1S55, and settled in Riley county. He remained with that colony for one year, and then moved to Leavenworth, residing there during the troublesome year of 1S56. The next spring he moved to Atchison, where he resided until 1861. While at Atchison, he was editorial writer and part owner of the Squatter Sovereign, published there. In 1862, he became part owner and editor of the Topeka State Record. Being secretary of the State Agricultural Society, he had charge of the publication of the Kansas Far7ner, during its first year, 1S63. In 1864, he established the Atchison Daily and Weekly Free Press ; was editor and proprietor for four years, when it was consolidated with the Champion, in August, 1S6S. For some time he was editor and proprietor of the Waterville Tele- graph. In 1S73, he compiled and published "The Homestead Guide," giving the history and resources of northwestern Kansas, a book containing 312 pages. He has edited all the publications of the State Historical Society. He was appointed by President Lincoln as register of the United States Land Office at Lecompton, in the spring of 1861. The of- J 2 TOPKKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. fice was soon moved to Topeka, and Mr. Adams held the office here till January, 1864. He was also clerk of the United States District Court of Kansas from October, 1863, till April, 1864. In 1865 he was appointed United States Indian Agent for the Kicka- poos, and held that office until 1869. In 1876 he was appointed secretary of the State Historical Society, which position he still holds. It is not necessary to say that Mr. Adams is a temperance man, and as sedate and quiet as a Quaker of the strictest school. He has been a member of so many conventions and public movements connected with the history of the State that it is impossible to enu- merate them here for want of room. He has belonged to the State since March 1, 1855, and his life has been well woven into its his- tory. He was Probate Judge of Atchison county from April, 1858, to January, i860, from whence arose his title of "Judge." Miss Zu Adams, eldest daughter of Secretary Adams, is a Kan- san by birth. She has been the constant companion of her father for twelve years in the historical rooms. The knowledge she has of the historical department cannot be estimated, for she may be said to have recorded and placed almost all that it contains. She is quiet, unassuming and pleasant. Like her father, her whole thought is in her work. One of the most useful and energetic men found among the busy ones at the State House is Mr. W. W. Cone. Mr. Cone has, for many years, made a study of genealogy, and is especially interested in this branch of literature. Within the past three years he has been of incalculable value to Mr. Adams in tracing out dates and other historical items concerning the early history of our State. Miss Emma G. Perine has charge of the newspaper filing, and is an expert typewriter. Mrs. Esmerelda Lasher records acces- sions. The board of directors for the next year are: J. B. Abbott, De Soto; N. A. Adams, Manhattan; Geo. T. Anthony, Ottawa; F. W. Blackmar, Lawrence; Jas. H. Canfield, Lawrence; Richard Cord- ley, Lawrence; J. H. Downing, Hays City; R. G. Elliott, Law- rence; Henry Elliston, Atchison; Geo. T. Fairchild, Manhattan; Geo. D. Hale, Topeka; Wm. Higgins, Topeka; F. W. Hoch, Marion; Edgar W. Howe, Atchison; J. K. Hudson, Topeka; A. S. Johnson, Topeka; H. B. Kelley, McPherson; L. B. Kellogg, Emporia; C. H. Kimball, Parsons; J. A. Lippincott, Topeka; TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 73 Tim McCarthy, Larned; T. A. McNeal, Medicine Lodge; Peter Mc Vicar, Topeka; Sol. Miller, Troy; M. M. Murdock, Wichita; T. B. Murdock, El Dorado; Noble L. Prentis, Newton; Wm. M. Rice, Fort Scott; Chas. F. Scott, Iola; A. W. Smith, McPherson; A. R. Taylor, Emporia; W. A. Quayle, Baldwin City; D. A. Valentine, Clay Center, and Governor L. U. Humphrey, Inde- pendence. C. K. Holliday, was elected president, and James S. Emery, of Lawrence, vice president. TOPEKA FREE LIBRARY. The first movement toward forming the library association, whose beautiful building now graces Capitol square, was made by a few public-spirited ladies of Topeka, who desired a library system by which more general reading could be made possible. With a view of forming an association of ladies having a common library, with equal rights to the use of books therein, a meeting of those interested was held on November 12, 1S70, when an or- ganization was effected by electing Mrs. N. C. McFarland, presi- dent, Mrs. J. M. Spencer, vice president, Emma J. Steele, secretary, and Mrs. H. King, treasurer. And thus quietly .was set in motion the enterprise that, moving steadily on, gaining strength day by day, finally resulted in giving Topeka a free library, of which she should be proud, being one of the best west of the Mississippi. The "Ladies' Library Association," for such it was called in its early existence, opened in February of the year following its or- ganization, in the store room of Messrs. Myers & Keith, having at that time some two hundred volumes, and being opened for business purposes only on Saturday afternoon for one hour. The last provision was soon changed, however, and the library was opened from three to six o'clock on Saturday afternoons. January 20, 1872, the association reorganized under the State law, filing articles of corporation, with Mrs. E. B. Clarkson, Mrs. N. C. McFarland, Mrs. James M. Spencer, Mrs. Dr. Baker, Mrs. Ellen M. Tweeddale, Mrs. M. E. Lighter, Mrs'. S. D. Macdonald, Mrs. O. T. Welch, Mrs. Dr. Sheldon, Mrs. T. L. King, Miss An- nie W. Ekin, Mrs. Lizzie Huntoon and Mrs. Captain Higgins as a board of directors. At a meeting previous to this, it had been resolved that the interest of the association required the co-opera- 74 TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. tion of all persons, regardless of sex or sect, and thereafter men entered into the society, Dr. Huntoon being the first gentleman to act as presiding officer. In the incorporation, the society was known as the Topeka Library Association, being in a broader sense, and with a larger object than when first organized. Under this name, Mrs. Ellen M. Tweeddale was elected president, Mr. E. Wilder, secretary, Mrs. H. Clarkson, treasurer. The association, under this new government, continued to grow and assume more and more the elements and qualities of a library. Its growth necessitated its removal, in April, 1S72, to rooms over Blake & Halm's hardware store, and the employment of two libra- rians, Miss Alice Griffith and Mr. G. H. Thayer, the latter of whom was succeeded by Miss H. M. Griffith. The library at this time contained 600 volumes. During 1873 and 1874 the library enjoyed a healthful and steady Growth, so that in September, 1874, it was found necessary to again remove, this time to Quick's Hall, on the corner of Seventh street and Kansas avenue. In the same month Miss Griffith re- signed her position of librarian, and Mrs. Cragin was elected to succeed her. In 1S75, the library had grown from the private book case of the few ladies who organized it, until it contained 1,766 volumes, with a weekly patronage of 100 books or more. New volumes were being constantly added, and the shelving was steadily increasing. In this year Mrs. Kittie Kellam was elected librarian, and con- tinued in the position for many years. At the annual meeting in 1S76, the directors resolved to still further increase its sphere of usefulness, and asked assistance from the city. At this meeting a resolution was presented, stating the object of the association to be to make the library free as soon as circumstances would permit. In 1877, E. Wilder was chosen president; John Guthrie, vice president; G. F. Parmelee, secretary; and B. Roberts, treasurer. At this time the library contained 2,897 volumes, which had been carefully selected, presenting one of the purest and best collections of books in any library. In November of this year, circumstances permitted the opening of the library as a free institution, the citi- zens having subscribed funds sufficient to defray the expenses for seven months. During 1S77, the patronage of the library averaged 597 books a TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 75 month, but in the months of November and December under the "free" rules the average reached 2,159 a month. The seven months' trial of the free system was so successful and popular, that before the expiration of that time the city council passed an ordi- nance providing for the payment of the running expenses of the library, the citizens having voted an appropriation of $100 per month for that purpose, in order that the library might remain free. Up to this time the library had existed with but little trouble, and had progressed steadily; however, when it was decided to allow the city to pay the expenses, trouble commenced, and it was voted in July, 1879, to c l° se the library because of the failure of the city to pay its expenses, as agreed by ordinance. This calam- ity was averted by timely contributions from the citizens, who, through Mr. Sam Radges, donated funds sufficient to pay the ex- penses for a few months, or until the council, in August of that year, again agreed to maintain the library, and pay the running expenses, in a sum not to exceed $1,200. This amount was in- creased in August, 1 88 1 to $1,500, and the library continued to be free. In September, 1SS2, the city appropriation for the library was further increased to $1,800 per annum, and this was still fur- ther increased, August, 1SS3 to $2,000. During the later years of its existence, its members determined to build a structure for its exclusive use — a dwelling place for the good and pure in literature and art, that would be a credit to the city and the State. Mr. Wilder, as president of the association, worked most diligently with this end in view, and to him, moie than to any one else, are we obliged for the results. Through the willing exertions and influence of many friends, permission to erect the building on the Capitol grounds was given by the Legislature, and contributions were received from the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and Union Pacific Railroad companies to the amount of $25,000, for erecting a building, each railroad company paying one- half. The donations by the two railroads were largely the result of the broad view and hearty sympathy of General Manager W. B. Strong and President T. Jefferson Coolidge, of the "Atchi- son" company. April 20, 1883, the building was dedicated with appropriate cer- emonies. The entire cost of the building was $44,000. It is con- structed of native limestone, and trimmed with Colorado sandstone and brick, and roofed with red terra cotta tiles. Its dimensions are J 6 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 116 by 55 feet. The interior of the building is a model of neat- ness and convenience, the whole building being finished in ash, and all the plans are of the most approved style. The lower floor is devoted exclusively to the library and reading rooms, while the upper floor is now used as a hall for private and public entertain- ments. It is furnished with a concert grand piano, and the walls are hung with engravings, making one of the prettiest and most convenient halls in the country. In connection with this hall is a model stage, elegantly furnished, with dressing rooms attached. Two handsome parlors, elegantly furnished, complete the tour of the upper floor. The newspapers and magazines are kept in the reading rooms. Of those who donated $500 each to secure the building debt, be- sides forty gentlemen who gave their notes for $500, were Jas. D. Burr, of Topeka, C. C. Wheeler, of Chicago, late general manager of the "Atchison " company, C. W. Potwin, and J. R. Mulvane, of Topeka. The grand piano was a present from Mr. Barney Lantry, of Strong City. Other donations have been received from C. E. Buhre and A. E. Sexton, of Topeka, and Adam Spencer, of Boston. The following-named gentlemen constitute the present board of directors for the Topeka Library building: R. L. Cofran, J. R. Mulvane, John Martin, G. D. Hale, G. F. Parmelee, T. J. Kellam, Dr. R. Alexander, Dr. S. E. Sheldon, Rev. F. S. McCabe, T. D. Thacher, E. Wilder, J. L. Shellabarger, N. F. Hankla. STATE REFORM SCHOOL. One of the most interesting and useful institutions of the State is the Reform School for boys, under the management of Dr. J. F. Buck and his wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Fagan. The school is situated one and one-half miles northwest of North Topeka. The farm lies on both sides of Soldier creek. The land (160 acres) was donated by Shawnee county and the city of Topeka, in 1879, and the Legislature made an appropria- tion of $35,840 in 1S81, for erecting buildings, the site being selected by the board of trustees and the Governor of Kansas, The plans for the first building were selected, and the main build- ing, with an engine house, and some outbuildings, were soon TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. J J erected, and on June 6, 1881, the school was opened, with Mr. E. G. Eckles as superintendent, and Mrs. Eckles as matron. When Mr. Buck came in, there were some thirty boys in attend- ance; since then there have been over 500 enrolled, and there are 174 in the school at present. The buildings at present consist of the main building, two cot- tages, one large chapel, engine house, laundry, greenhouse, bakery, and a hospital almost completed, and two large barns. A very large water tank supplies the buildings through a system of pipes. The grounds are tastefully laid out, and beautiful evergreens are growing nicely, and in the summer a profusion of annuals and hot- house plants make the lawns and yards one of the most attractive places in the State. All boys under the age of sixteen, who have been convicted of some crime or misdemeanor punishable by law, are sent to this school. Incorrigible boys are also sent there by their parents or guardians. The boys have a military organization, and one of the best brass bands in the county, under the supervision of Mr. Allison, a native of England, who has spent twelve years in the United States, ten of which he has devoted to the reform schools in the capacity of a teacher. The Legislature has made appropriations to the amount of $119,863, for buildings alone, and the estimated value of the Re- form School, on June 1, 1889, was, 160 acres of land, at $300 per acre, $48,000; buildings, $85,000; personal property, $19,807, making a total of $152,807. The highest number of pupils in attendance was July 1, 1889, there being 205. PUBLIC SCHOOLS. We are indebted for many facts of the pioneer days of school teaching in the city, to Mrs. M. C. Price and Miss J. T. Cleland. In February, 1856, the Topeka Association discussed the impor- tance of having a public school. On the 20th of that month, Mr. Amos Trott was appointed to make a plan for a school house, also to take up subscriptions for the amount of $200, towards erecting a suitable building, while an assessment of $5 was voted on each of the 100 shares for the same purpose. The trustees of the Asso- 78 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. ciation were directed to set aside two lots for the site of the build- ing. Lots 194 to 204 were selected, on Harrison street, the site of the present Harrison school, but not till 1865 was the Harrison street school building erected. During the years that intervened there were many changes, and the dark days of stormy war had cast their shadow on the brighter prospects of earlier days. In September, 1855, Miss Harland (Mrs. J. F. Cummings), taught a school in a shanty on Madison street. Miss Jennie Allen ( Mrs. I. E. Perley ) and Mrs. Whiting were among the first teach- ers. Miss Allen taught in Constitution Hall till it became neces- sary to vacate for the assembling of the Legislature, under the Topeka constitution, in 1856, and that body, in turn, was made to vacate by General Sumner. During the autumn of 1856, there was no school in session. In the summer of 1857, the Emigrant Aid Company erected a building on Harrison street, fronting on Fifth — the first school house in the town. In 1859 and i860, schools were opened in the Museum Hall, on the southeast corner of Kansas and Sixth ave- nues. In 1862, a revenue was first raised by public taxation, and when the counties were divided into districts by the State law, the city of Topeka was made School District No. 23, of Shawnee county. From the county treasurer's report of 1863 to # i864, it is shown that the sum of $2,340.43 was paid out for school purposes, and in July, 1864, there was a building fund of $1,594.53 in the dis- trict treasury. Not until 1865, did the work of constructing build- ings begin, and two rooms were completed that year on the lots on Harrison, street donated by the Association in 1856. This was the first building erected by the city, the cost being about $8,000. The first colored school was opened in the fall of 1865; the building was a little wooden structure on the north side of Sixth avenue, between Kansas avenue and Quincy street. Miss Maybe was the teacher. Up to 1867, the schools were governed by the county. That year a State law was passed placing them under the supervision of a board of school commissioners. As showing something of the early days of Topeka's schools, we give here the second annual report of the schools, for the year ending July 31, 1869, which was kindly furnished us by Miss Cle- land and Mrs. Price. GRANT AND GARFIELD SCHOOLS. TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. Jg STANDING COMMITTEES. Examining Committee. — Messrs. R. R. Brown, J. B. McAfee, John A. Banfield. Financial Committee. — Messrs. Jewell, Crane, Huntoon. Committee on Text Books. — Messrs. Banfield, Crane, Huntoon. Committee on School Organization and the Engagement of Teachers. — Messrs. Huntoon, Banfield, Crane. Committee on Buildings. — Messrs. Jewell, Huntoon, Ellinwood. You are aware that in the preparation of this report I have labored under the disadvantage of not knowing officially the work of the schools during the year. Upon my election to the office of clerk, on June 8th, the usual blanks for term re- ports were not in stock in the office, and from the substitutes extemporized by the teachers I gather the following statistics in regard to attendance. The statistics in regard to population have been kindly furnished me by A. W. Hayes, Esq.: STATISTICS. Number of children in the city at the time of the enumeration, in Septem- ber, 1868, 945 Number of children in the city now, according to a recent census, .... 1,516 Number of children enrolled in the public schools of the city in the year 1868-9, 935 The average attendance in the schools was as follows: In the grammar school — -two teachers, 45 In the intermediate department — one teacher, 37 In the secondary department — -one teacher, 43 In the second primary department — one teacher, 60 In the first primary department — one teacher, 66 In the Kansas avenue primary department — one teacher, 34 In the Monroe street primary department — one teacher, 31 In the North Topeka, mixed grade — one teacher, 33 In the colored school, mixed grade — one teacher, 28 Total average attendance, 377 The time the schools were kept open was 36 weeks. The number of schools was 5 The number of school buildings owned by the city was 2 The capacity of these two houses is 346 pupils. The number of teachers employed regularly during the past year was IO. Mr. Pond, of the Western Business College, was also employed eleven weeks, as teacher of penmanship. John A. Banfield, Superintendent. July 11, 1867, plans were adopted for building a school house in Eugene (North Topeka), and the first school house erected in that year, at a cost of $1,350. The high school, now on Eighth avenue between Kansas ave- nue and Quincy street, was first organized in 1869-70, Miss Lizzie Town being the principal. In 1872, the city owned and occupied Lincoln school building, Harrison street building, Clay street build- 80 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. ing, the Washburn building, corner of Tenth and Jackson streets, Quincy street building and Thirteenth street building. Since the school system was organized, in 1867, there have been the following superintendents: W. H. Butterfield, 1867 to 1869; J. A. Banfield, 1870, resigned in 1871 ; Miss Lizzie Town, for a few months; A. W. Haines, 1871 to 1872; W. H. Butterfield, 1872 to 1881; D. C. Tillotson, 1881 to 18S6; John M. Bloss, 1889 to 1890. The clerks, from the organization, 1867, are: L. C. Wilmarth, John A. Banfield, E. B. Fowler, R. H. C. Searle, T. H. Church, II. W. Farnsworth. Mr. H. W. Farnsworth has been identified with the educational interests of the city for many years. He is a fine scholar and an active business man. He was one of the founders of the Congre- gational Church, one of the trustees of Washburn College, and one of a company of three who built the first saw mill and grist mill in Topeka. He was postmaster, appointed by President Grant, in 1869, held an appointment by President Lincoln in the Indian agencies, and was sent to Washington in regard to removing the Indians from Kansas to the Indian Territory. He served one term as mayor, and has served as clerk of the city schools for many years. The following is the assignment of teachers for 1889-90, the first one named being the principal in each case: High School. — H. G. Larimer, Richard A. Minckwitz, Marga- ret M. Hill, Kate Harriman. Branner School. — Mary L. Sabin, Nona M. Wood, Alice Rupp, Mary C. West, Mrs. Sue Benton, Kate M. Brown, Lulu M. Mur- ray, Maude H. Chamberlain, Mrs. C. F. Menninger. Buchanan School. — W. D. Donnell, Fred. Roundtree, Sue R. Lovell, Harriet McCoy. Clay School. — Mary A. Woods, Emma Silver, Ella T. McKer- nan, Linda R. Haines, Emma C. Farren, Etta Clark, Ada Fulcher, Maggie Nesbaum. Douglas School.— G. W. Cable, Mrs. D. H. Watkins. Euclid School. — Jasper M. Howard, Belle Bennett, Elnora J. McCay, Madge E. Moore, Ida Hosack. Garfield School. — Elizabeth Mclntire, Lida McF. Patterson, Martha McCoy, Julia E. Smith. Grant School. — W. E. Higgins, Lida S. Hoskinson, Sarah Lef- fingwell, Ida M. Standfield, Mary C. Powell, May Roberts, Anna Ward, Amy C. Weld. TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 8 1 Harrison School. — L. L. H. Austin, H. J. Barber, Lizzie An- derson, Mrs. M. L. Tuckerman, Helen Stauffer, Ruth Nash, J. T. Cleland, Mrs. J. M. Sturgis, Lida McFerran, Mrs. M. C. Price. Jacksofi School. — Mary E. Wilson, Mrs. Anna B. Craven, Madge Patterson, Ella H. Smith. Lane School. — S. G. Watkins, John L. Harrison, Mattie De- Priest, Ella M. Glenn. Langston School. — C. E. Alexander, Narcissa Page. Liberty School. — F. H. Ayres, Dora Kirk, Lillie Lerrigo, Mrs. Helen M. Saunders. Lincoln School. — W. M. Davidson, M. S. Mitchell, Annie Sims, Helena Gause, Alice L. McCoy, Clara Bosworth, Blanche Stew- art, Alice Gallagher, Regina V. Mills, Carrie Holdridge. Loivman Hill School. — John L. Williams, Daisy L. McCamp- bell, Fannie George, Bertha Johnson. Madison School. — W. J. Johnson, C. H. Richardson, Gertrude Green, Sue Stevenson. Monroe School. — C. F. Clinkscale, Carrie Boughton, R. H. Wade, Mrs. M. E. Cable. Parkdale School. — E. C. Samson, Maude E. McKirahan, Mat- tie Williamson, Julia S. Tripp, Mildred Griesen. Polk School. — Etta Montgomery, Jessie F. Mansfield, Alice Patterson, Lizzie J. Davis, Jennie M. Clarkson, Flora A. Bunker. Quincy School. — Bert Fesler, Viola Troutman, Wilhelmina Wherland, Delia Perkins, Allie Brown, Mamie Riley, May Mon- teith, Mrs. Kate E. Smith. Sumner School. — Jennie M. Evans, Mrs. Estella L. Ewing, Annie R. Monteith, Jennie Montgomery. Van Buren School. — Mary L. Gridley, Camilla Campbell. Washington School. — W. J. Anderson, J. M. Wright, Ella Phelps, Adelia L. Waring. At the close of 18S9 there were twenty-three schools, nearly all located in well-constructed and equipped buildings, and employing 120 teachers. The organization was as follows: President of the board of education: R. B. Welch. Members of the board: First ward, E. D. Brazier, J. W. Priddy ; second ward, Jesse Shaw, C. O. Knowles; third ward, J. C. Bur- nett, Mrs. L. M. Garretson; fourth ward, Elias Shull, R. B. Welch; fifth ward, T. A. Beck, Mrs. A. D. Matson. Clerk: H. W. Farnsworth. — 6 82 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. Superintendent: John M. Bloss. There were in daily attendance 4,057 pupils. The city pays its superintendent of schools a salary of $2,500 a year, and liberal salaries to all its teachers; special ability in primary work receives special recognition; so does length of term of service. COLLEGE OF THE SISTERS OF BETHANY. This is a school for young ladies, and one of the institutions Kansas is proud of, and well may the citizens of Topeka point with pride to this institution of learning; in the midst of the busy, populous city, it appears like a refreshing oasis. Its site contain.:; twenty acres of land. The charter for the college was given by the territorial Legislature. One writer says, "This institution must have caught some of the progressive spirit of those early and active days, for it has always kept pace with the growth and devel- opment of the State, and may even be said to be a step in advance of the march of civilization and improvements, not only in Kansas, but in that vast and uncertain region referred to as 'the West.' A school of such extent and excellence would be an ornament and an honor to any of the older States of the Union, and is something to boast of even in Kansas, where we are accustomed to the grand- est achievements in industry, government, education, and all that pertains to the highest type of civilization and citizenship." The charter was first granted for the institution to be located at Tecumseh, but on the 29th day of January, 1861, the next charter was granted under the name of "The Episcopal Female Seminary of Topeka," the very day that Kansas was made a State. Medary was Governor of the Territory at that time; he opposed the bill. September 12, 1S61, the following board of trustees was elected: John W. Farnsworth, F. W. Giles, Joseph E. Ryan, J. W. Bodine and George Fairchild. Bishop Vail was elected president Septem- ber 14, 1864; Governor Shannon had held the position until then. Among its first friends was the Rev. Herman Dyer, D. D., of New York. He received at least $30,000 from different persons with which to begin the erection of buildings and for the necessi- ties of the school. The first building was erected and paid for in 1 87 1. It consists of three sections, the second and third having four stories above the basement, all extending 100 feet front, and 5£ ~: TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 83 74 feet deep. Wolfe Hall comprises the south section, named in honor of David Wolfe, of New York, who presented the money for its erection. The first term of school held in the hall was in 1 87 1. Mr. Wolfe donated $18,000, and his daughter, Miss Cath- erine L. Wolfe, gave $14,000. In 1872, the name was changed to the "College of the Sisters of Bethany." In 1880, Bishop Vail again visited the East in behalf of the col- lege. Its rooms were crowded, and pupils were coming in daily. He received a gift from Miss Holmes, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Her brother had been a generous benefactor during his lifetime, and his sister, Miss Jane Holmes, donated $16,000, which com- pleted Holmes Hall, in 18S1. This building is three stories high, with an attic, and has lai - ge and comfortable rooms for students. In 18S4, Miss Sarah Burr, of New York, gave $10,000, for whom Burr Hall is named. Rev. John N. Lee succeeded Rev. O. N. Preston as rector of the parish, and in I/872 he was elected to the position of president as- sociate, and remained with the seminary until 1S74. There are fine reading rooms connected with the library, where the students can have access to the best literature and reference books found in any college. The library contains some 2,000 vol- umes. The college property, including buildings, furniture and apparatus, is now valued at $400,000. There is no endowment fund, or endowed scholarship. The gross income for the past ten years has been from $20,000 to $30,000. The number of students in attendance during 18S9-90 was 395. To the late Bishop Vail this college is a lasting monument. In connection with the history of the Episcopal Church of Topeka, will be found a sketch of his life. WASHBURN COLLEGE. The grounds and buildings of Washburn College are on an em- inence one and a half miles southwest of the State House. The site includes over one hundred and fifty acres. Street cars run reg- ularly every twenty minutes from railway depots and all parts of the city to the college grounds. The location is one of the most healthful and desirable that could be secured, sufficiently near to 84 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. enjoy the advantages of a city of 60,000 inhabitants, and at the same time favored with the retirement of a suburb. The college is not a sectarian institution. Its object is to give the highest and best culture. It fosters moral and religious influ- ences as the safeguards of youth. In the spring of 1S57, the General Association of Congrega- tional Ministers and Churches of Kansas conceived the idea of founding a Christian college in Kansas. At the organization of the Association at Topeka, April 26, 1857, the following resolu- tion was passed: "That a committee of five be raised to obtain information in regard to the location of a college, under the pat- ronage of this body, and, if they deem it expedient, to secure a lo- cation." The committee appointed were Rev. Lewis Bodwell, now of Clifton Springs, New York; Rev. J. U. Parsons, deceased; Rev. Wm. A. McCollom, of Council Grove; Col. John Ritchie, of Topeka, and the late Henry M. Simpson, of Lawrence. In July, 1858, the committee advertised for bids for the location. Lawrence, Topeka and other points competed. » The committee was to meet on the 15th of August of that year and decide on the location, but owing to the " remonstrances of friends" it was decided to refer the decision to the General As- sociation at its next meeting, at Manhattan, in October. The fol- lowing is the report of the committee to the Association: "The committee appointed at Topeka, April, 1857, to take measures for the location of a Congregational college would report that, after a meeting duly ap- pointed for the hearing of proposals from all interested in the cause, and after a still further delay of nearly two months made by special request, they received no proposal which in liberality and in point of geographical position is more favorable than that made by the citizens of Topeka. The following is the proposal which we recommend for the acceptance of the Association: 'One hundred and sixty acres of land within a mile and a half of Topeka town site; 840 acres in the Ter- ritory as an endowment; and a building equal to forty by fifty feet and two stories high, of stone or brick, to be completed on or before January 1, i860.' "J. Ritchie, Chairman." After "thorough discussion," the Association adopted the propo- sition, and appointed a committee to nominate a board of trustees. The committee consisted of Revs. R. Cordley, R. D. Parker and Lewis Bodwell. During the session this committee reported a ba- sis of organization, which provided, in addition to other stipula- tions, that "the twenty acres on the Topeka town site should not be sold for less than $250 an acre," and that the trustees "proceed TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES, %X at once to offer and pay liberal salaries <<> their professors." In ac- cordance with the report, fourteen trustee! were chosen, viz.: Rev. Elihu Whitenhall, of Nemaha eoiintv, deceased; Rev. G. C. Morse, of Emporia, deceased; Rev. Lewis Bodwell; T. 1). Thacher; Rev. R. Cordleyj Samuel C. Pomeroyj James Taylor, of Leavenworth, deceased; Rev. C. L. Blood, of Manhattan, de- ceased; II. D.Rice; Henry M. Simpson, of Lawrence, deceased; Rev. R. I). Parker; George I. Hilly er, of Valley Palls, deceased ; Major Harrison Hannahs, now of Rome, New York; M. C. Welch, of Wabaunsee-. At the next meeting of the Association, at Lawrence, in May, [859, a special committee <>f live was appointed to ascertain whether the citizens of Topeka had fulfilled the conditions of the agreement in regard to location. The committee reporting in the negative, the location again became an open question. An oppor- tunity was given then and there for new bids. Topeka, Lawrence, Burlingame and Wabaunsee entered into competition. From the report of an eye witness, the hour was one of great enthusiasm and almost tragic interest. The Lawrence Subscription paper was the most formidable document ever presented to a Kansas assem- bly. It began to be unrolled at the door, thence to the desk of the moderator, and back again to the starting point. All other com- petitors, for the moment, were struck dumb with astonishment. The proposition was as follows: Mt. Oread as a site for the col- lege; twenty acres of land adjoining the college grounds; 1,220 acres located in different parts of the Territory; 1^1 lots in Law- rence, Burlington, Delaware, and in other towns; the Amos Law- rence fund of $10,000, and a building to be commenced within six months and to be completed in eighteen months, at a cost of $25,000. The proposition was adopted by a vote of seventeen to three. S. N. Simpson, Esq., now of Wyandotte, was chosen financial agent to solicit funds, and the college was called "The Monu- mental College." Soon after, an editorial appeared in the Boston Journal, endorsing " Monumental College' 1 as destined to become one of the most auspicious institutions in the land. The year following, known as "the year of drouth," resulted in an almost entire failure of crops throughout the Territory. This, together with other reasons, prevented work on the proposed build- ing and the expenditure of $25,000 as contemplated. 86 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. At the next annual meeting of the Association, at Topeka, May, i860, another special committee of five was appointed to in- vestigate the status of the college. As a result of their report, the institution was moved back to Topeka on substantially the original proposition made by the citizens of Topeka. Then it was easy to move the college; a simple resolution could do it. The next mention of the effort to found an institution of learn- ing was at the meeting of the Association, at Leavenworth, in May, 1 86 1. The business committee reported a statement from Major H. W. Farnsworth, of Topeka, president of the board of trustees of "The Topeka Institute," and, on motion of Rev. R. Cordley, it was voted: "That we consider the letter of H. W» Farnsworth in regai'd to this institution of learning fair and just, and we recommend that the trustees secure a charter for the insti- tution, and that the property already acquired be transferred to this incorporated body, and that security be received by said board for the erection of said building." During 1861 and 1862 civil dissensions and war raged. The public attention was absorbed in the problem of national perpetu- ity. Who could venture on such an undertaking when the Nation itself seemed to be in jeopardy ? But even in the midst of civil war, the idea of a Christian college, which had been so long and so fondly cherished, was germinating with the potency of peren- nial life. At the meeting of the General Association, at Burlin- game, May, 1863, it was resolved that steps be at once taken to secure an endowment fund; to appoint a board of nine trustees;, and that the academy should be open to both sexes. The trustees appointed were, as they appear on the roll, Revs. Peter McVicar, R. Cordley, S. D. Storrs, Dr. E. Tefft, Rev. J. D. Liggett, now of Detroit, Michigan, Prof. J. E. Piatt, H. D. Rice,. H. D. Preston, of Burlingame, deceased, and R. M. Wright, of Council Grove. In the latter part of 1864 and in the opening months of 1865 light began to dawn upon the Nation. Sherman was marching tri- umphantly to the sea, while Grant was holding the siege at Rich- mond, thus rendering the victory of the Union army assured. In February, 1865, a few months prior to the close of the civil war, the first legal steps were taken in the founding of the college as a corporate institution. A charter was drawn, and the college became duly incorporated under the laws of the State, on Febru- TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 87 ary 6, 1S65, under the name and style of "Trustees of Lincoln College." Among the features of the charter were provisions that educa- tion should be afforded without distinction of color, and the aim to aid deserving young men to fit for the ministry. The first board of trustees was: Revs. Peter McVicar, S. D. Storrs, J. D. Liggett, Ira H. Smith, R. Cordley, Major H. Han- nahs, Col. John Ritchie, H. D. Rice, Esq., W. E. Bowker, Esq., Maj. H. W. Farns worth #nd W. H. H. Lawrence, Esq. In the spring of 1865, an effort was made to secure subscriptions for the erection of a building and for the purchase of a site. Over $7,000 was subscribed. The most generous subscriptions were those of Col. John Ritchie, of $3,000, and H. D. Rice, Esq., of $1,000. In part pay of his subscription, Col. Ritchie deeded to the college, in fee simple, the 160 acres on which the permanent buildings now stand. The 160 acres were valued then at $2,400. The academy building first erected was located on the corner of Tenth and Jackson streets, and is now used for public school pur- poses. It was commenced in the spring of 1865, and completed in December of the same year, at a cost of about $S,ooo, and was then considered one of the finest edifices in the city. In June, 1866, Rev. H. Q. Butterfield, now president of Olivet College, Michigan, was called to the chair of the Greek and Latin languages and literature. In 1868, the late Dea. Ichabod Wash- burn, of Worcester, Mass., largely through Dr. Butterfield's per- sonal influence, became interested in the college and subsequently donated $25,000 towards an endowment. In view of this generous gift, and for other reasons, the name of the college was changed to Washburn College. In February, 1871, Dr. Peter McVicar was elected president. At that time the great need of the institution seemed to be an enlargement of buildings for the accommodation of students. Ac- cordingly an effort was made in the fall of 1871 to secure $5,000 from the citizens of Topeka for the erection of a boarding house. During the progress of this effort, the desire seemed to develop on the part of some to begin more permanent improvements, and on a larger scale, on the permanent site. The boarding-house project was abandoned. Capt. J. G. Haskell was employed as architect, to draw plans and specifications for the main college building, at an estimated cost of $60,000. An effort of twenty-five days in the 88 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. city resulted in subscriptions to the amount of $25,000, at the rate of $1,000 a day. The city purchased the academy building and site at $15,000. The work of securing additional subscriptions was still further prosecuted. Work commenced June, 1872, and in December of the same year the edifice was enclosed, at a cost of over $40,000. In the fall of 1874, the college moved into its main building on what is now known as "College Hill." The location then seemed a long way out. Some thought it a suicidal move; others thought we were moving out to Wabaunsee county. But to-day shows it to be in the right place. The main building as it now stands cost about $65,000. What rendered it specially difficult to carry through the enterprise was the fact that 1873, 1874, and even 1875, were years of great finan- cial depression throughout the land, and Kansas had to bear the burden of the grasshoppers in addition. As the work of the college developed, the need arose for sepa- rate homes for young women. In 1879, the means were secured in Hartford, Conn., and vicinity, and in Kansas, for the erection of what is now known as "Hartford Cottage," at a cost of about $3,000. Of this amount Mrs. Louisa Nichols, of New Britain, contributed $1,400, and the late Chas. Boswell, of West Hartford, $500. In the winter of 1876, the president called at Whitinsville, Conn., to see the late J. C. Whitin, whose name had been long associated with benevolent objects East and West. Mr. Whitin was absent at the time. In 1882 the president made another visit, but learned from his pastor, Rev. John R. Thurston, that Mr. Whitin was ill. Under the circumstances it was concluded best not to call, and the return train was taken with the feeling that both visits had been in vain. A few months later, however, a letter bearing the imprint "J. C. Whitin" came, enclosing a draft for $10,000. It was sent by the widow and daughter of the deceased, with the statement that, had Mr. Whitin lived a few days longer, he would have sent it by his own hand. It was one of his last requests that the col- lege should share in his beneficence. As the gift was left free to be applied as the trustees thought best, the result was the erection of what is now known as "South Cottage" for young women, and the "Whitin Hall" for young men. In July, 1884, the late Chas. Boswell, of West Hartford, Conn., TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 89 pledged $10,000 towards a library building, provided the trustees of the college secured $5,000 additional for the same object. The proposition was accepted by the trustees, and Haskell & Wood, of Topeka, employed as architects to prepare plans and specifications for the building. It was named the "Boswell Library." It is due to the memory of Mr. Boswell to state that for many years he had been deeply interested in the college. This interest was manifested first by establishing a fund of $10,000, the interest of which was to be applied in aid of deserving young men strug- gling for an education. Subsequently Mr. Boswell donated, as above stated, $500 towards the erection of Hartford Cottage. Still later, he gave the college bell. A few years previous to his decease he established a library fund of $1,000 in memory of his only son, Chas. Miner Boswell, who died while a member of the junior class at Yale College. To this fund he added $9,000 by will. In addition to all this, Mr. Boswell provided by his will that the college shall be made a one-third residuary legatee of his estate. The edifice is none too good to bear the honored name of such a benefactor. In 1885, Miss Mary W. Holbrook, of Holbrook, Mass., became interested in our work, and pledged $5,000 towards the erection of a building for young women, provided a like amount should be added for the same object. Her kind and generous offer was ac- cepted. When it became assured that the additional amount could be secured, Messrs. Hopkins & Holland, of Topeka, were em- ployed as architects, and the present plan adopted. The chapel building, dedicated June 15, 1890, is the latest of the buildings of the college. The cost was over $32,000. Of this amount, $15,000 was the gift of Mr. Wm. A. Slater, of Norwich, Conn. The chapel is a handsome stone structure, of two stories and basement, and contains a beautiful audience room, occupying the second story, seating 700 persons, and which, with platform and aisles, can be made to accommodate 1,000. The other floors con- tain a Y. M. C. A. room, seven fine recitation rooms, and a fire- proof vault for the college records. T. H. Lescher, of Topeka, was the architect. This building furnishes the long-needed spacious audience room. It is finely located on the college campus, and is a handsome and sightly structure. 9