1LLU5TRATLD HISTORY 1 868 to 1 880 Illustrated History of Larly Wichita Incidents of Pioneer Days t^temm^^ sS^ Compiled by and Written for The Daughters of the American Revolution . ^^< Copvrighled October 1914 By Lunice Sterling Chapter, (Wictiita, Kansas) Daugtiters of the American Revolution Wichita The caravans paused where the two rwers meet. On the wild bare plain in the sun's white rag. And thus was she born in the desert's heat. That uncouth maiden of yesterday. The red-skinned foe and the buffalo Roamed at will on her prairies free, And her loyal few, to her promise true, Built their homes on her wind-swept lee. ' Copyrighted, all righls reserved. Today, high enthroned over all western lands. In gardens of fruit and ripening fields. With riches o'erflowing from generous hands. She scatters fier bounty her husbandman yields. She stands at her gates and beckoning waits. In the midst of her yellowing grains. And she welcomes you here with a smile of good cheer. All hail to the Queen of the Plains. '-Katherine Jackson. ©CI,A;5H6o88 OCT 19 1914 Introduction MARY DLMING BITTING JNICE STERLING CHAPTER, Daughters of the American Revolution, a National histori- cal organization, has for one of its objects the preservation of historic spots, and the accumu- lation of historic data of pioneer settlement, that the children of today, and genera- tions to come, may be in touch with the interest- ing local history of their forefathers, which they should know. The state organization of the Daughters of the American Revolution marked the Santa Fe trail through Kansas, and the local Eunice Sterling Chapter, which is the strongest in Kan- sas, erected a special marker where the Santa Fe Trail crosses the city park at Lost Springs. They placed a Lincoln memorial tablet on the wall of the lower corridor of the new Wichita High School building, and in the year 1908 in honor of Wich- ita's fortieth birthday, they published a souvenir historic booklet of pioneer days. The history of the past, as related by the early pioneers should be preserved, as they gave to Wichita the best that they had— the best should return to them. Some at this time are cur most active citizens. Others still tread life's path, but with most uncertain feet, and many have crossed the border. But to all of them we are thankful for their labor, courage and zeal that has made our today so glorious, and we shall strive that the coming generations may look back upon our efforts w^th the same grateful reverence that we of the present feel for those whose names and works are set down in this little book. History Jesse Chisholm Little is known of the Little Arkansas river prior to 1860. In Du Pratz's map of Louisiana, pub- lished in 1757, in which the course of the Arkansas river is properly laid down, at the juncture of the two rivers, is marked "A Gold Mine." In 1836 Jesse Chisholm guided a party from Arkansas, in search of this mine or buried treasure, to the mouth of the Little Arkansas. There is a tra- dition that long ago a paity from New Mexico, descending the river in boats, were surrounded by In- dians in the night at this point and after a siege of several days were all killed but one, who escaped after he had buried their gold and silver. Whether tiue or not, this valley has been a gold mine to the industrious agriculturist. In the Fall of 1863 came the affiliated bands com- prising the Wichita Indians. They made their village on the Little River near its junction in the timber — some fifteen hundred of them. They bu'lt cone shaped houses of poles thatched with giass. They flourished on buffalo meat and the fine gardens of corn, beans, squash and melons they raised the next summer. The most influ- ential man among these Indians was Jesse Chisholm, of Cherokee-Scotch descent. He, in his younger days, had bought captive Mexican children from the Comanches and raised them as members of his family. He was the first person to build a house on Chisholm creek. The Treaty of the "Little Arkansas" was held on the east bank of the Little Arkansas river, about six miles above its mouth, in October, 1865. The Indians, several hundred in number, camped along the river, on eithei- side, as did one or two companies of soldiers who were present. The Wichita, Waco, Caddo, Towakony, Kechi and other Indians, some 1500 in num- ber, were living here at the time. General Hainey and Kit Carson were the most noted persons present. In 1866 the United States Government by a treaty held at Medicine Lodge, acquired the land on which Wich- ita stands from the Osage Indians. A Go\'eninKiu Sur\e.\'iiiM" party on the present townsite in 1876 fur ilie purpose of surve.ving tlie eoiintry previous to its opening lor .>ietllement. Following tliis survey tliere drifted into the coun- try some of tlie most vieiou.s and lawless characters to be found in the west, rrohihition pre\ ailed, in fact as well as in name, until ilu- white man came. Larly Wichita By K05 HARRIS "Gather rosebuds while iie mav. Old Time is still a-fl0ing: The fairest rosebud o' todav. Tomorrow mav he duiug " "One generation passeih awau and another one cometh." The common-place acts of today, the tittle-tattle of yesterday and the things passed by the unheeded tomorrow may be hunted up, pre- served and treasured by future generations. The Daughters of the American Revolution, of Wichita, in this spirit, have prepared this booklet to preserve Early Wichita, to en- able those who shall come after, as they walk upon the sidewalks, drive on the paved streets, look upon the splendid buildings cre- ated by the wealth of this generation, and enjoy the pub- lic |)arks, to, in some measure, call up the past and com- prehend the poor beginnings, and early struggles of the pioneers, who founded a town on buffalo grass, rank with sunflowers, far removed from commerce and railways, and as a fruit of their industry, ambition and faith, beheld Wm Greiffenstein a city that provoked the envy of the elder towns of Kan- sas, became the admiration of all beholders and is now the one commercial City of Kansas, whose future will bring a thousand blessings to those who shall be its citi- zens, when "we things that are now" have become as dust of ashes. Some buildings, shown in this booklet, were built at a time when the total taxable value of Sedgwick County was less than the value of the Schweiter Building. The gathering together of the old photographs herein has been a labor of months by the Daughters of the American Revolution, of Wichita, and as years come and go, those who possess them will not only prize them, but will hand them down to their children and grandchildren, as heir-looms. To write the early history of Wichita would mar.e a volume, and therefore, only data is given of things pre- served in an hundred other places to verify which would take days of time and hours of weary labor. The Wichita Town Company was formed at Emporia, Kansas, April 27th, 18(58, and had for its object the land North of Central Avenue and West of Lawrence Avenue to Waco Street. Greiffenstein's Plat of the City of Wichita, was South of Central Avenue, West of Lawrence and North of Wm. Matthewson ^ Douglas Avenue. The Town Plat of the City of Wichita, composed Bi '■ ■^■H T "^ '•^^'- P^^ °^ ^^^ ^^*y West of I Jr ^^Bii i Lawrence Avenue and North of f MV'ML ■« i Douglas Avenue, platted by Mun- Jb ^^ V^B^,! ger and GreifFenstein, by mutual agreement, was filed on the :^5th day of March, 1870, and became the Original Town of the City of Wichita. Greiffenstein's Addition a n d English Addition, South of Douglas Avenue, and Mead's Addition, East of Lawrence Avenue, were thereafter taken into the City and comprise a portion of the City of Wichita. The West Side, under The Wichita Town Company, was taken by Trustees, under the laws of the United States, and there- after was annexed to, and became a part of, the City. When Greiffenstein built the Eagle Block, shown in this' booklet, Douglas Avenue was indistinguishable from the sunflowers and buffalo grass, both North and South of it. There is a legend that Douglas Avenue was to be one hundred feet wide, but by carelessness and a wet rope, it was staked out so as to be one hundred and fourteen feet wide. There is also another legend that when GreifFenstein built the Eagle Block, no one thought anything about the chimneys until the building had reached above the second story. This discovery required the tearing down of a portion of the building and rebuilding the same. The stone in the old Eagle Block was obtained from a quarry about three and one-half miles North of Wichita, and there was not enough stone to complete the building and this, so far as known, was the only stone quarry ever dis- covered in Sedgwick County, Kansas. Among those who inhabited the Townsite in about 1867, were Greiffenstein, J. R. Mead, Eli Waterman, H. W. Vigus and wife, D. S. Munger, Durfee and L^drick. Mrs. Vigus, so far as known, was the first white woman of the Townsite of Wichita. Originally, Greiffenstein had a trading post on the Cowskin, near where old Jamesburg was located in 1865. Shortly afterwards, Jesse Chisholm, who was part Indian, established a ranch about three miles Northwest of the City, between the Big and Little Arkansas Rivers and in 186.5, Dvrfee and Ledrick started their ranch on the banks of the Little River, near the site of the old Woodman homestead on Waco. The location of the town of Wichita became known as Wichita, though not platted until sometime thereafter. In the summer of 1868, the postoffice was first estab- lished, with Milo B. Kellogg as Postmaster. Between what thereafter became Douglas Avenue and First Street, a ferry boat line was established across the Arkansas River. In July, 1870, Wichita was incorporated as a town. On April 3, 1871, the town became a city of the third class. Of the city officers elected at that time, only Dr. Fabrique, one of the Councilmen, and H. E. Vantrees, Police Judge, are yet living. In May, 1870, the first bakery was opened on the site of the present Baltimore Hotel, by E. H. Nugent. J. P. Allen opened the first drug store on Waco Avenue, North of the old Woodman residence, in 1870. In June, 1870, was the first term of the District Court of Sedgwick County, Kansas. This court was held in the second story of a livery stable on the West side of Main Street, near the corner of Third Street. At that time, the resident attorneys of Wichita were Judge H. C. Sluss, Rueben Riggs and P. T. Weeks. In the winter of 1871, the Land Office was removed from Augusta, Kansas, to Wichita. The first newspaper established in the City of Wich- ita was by W. B. Hutchinson and Fred Sowers, called The Vedette, in 1870. Subsequently, The Wichita Eagle was established on April 13, 1872, by Col. M. M. Murdock, and The Wichita Eagle became a daily paper on May 21st, 1884. In October, 1872, Floyd and Sowers founded The Wichita Daily Beacon. This paper was ahead of the town and died in its infancy. History says it was in June, 1871, that Abilene and Wichita became rivals for the Te.\as cattle trade. In 1874, Wichita shippsd, according to data, some- where near seventy thousand head of cattle. In September, 1871, the last large herd of buffalo passed through Sedgwick County from the Northwest and came within ten miles of the City on the West. On March 15, 1872, the Santa Fe Railroad was com- pleted to Wichita. On June 12, 1872, the old toll bridge, shown in the cuts in this booklet, was opened to travel. In February, 1875, Wichita had its first big fire on North Main Street, the loss of which was Twenty Thou- sand Dollars, which was a large amount in that day. In December, 1875, another fiie occurred on North Main Street, the loss of which was Fourteen Thousand Dollars. In 1878, by a quotation in an historical book, the Occidental Hotel, now the Baltimore, was the only three story building in Southwest Kansas. May 28th, 1880, the Frisco Railroad was completed to Wichita. In April, 1871, an ordinance was enacted by the City of Wichita, that all saloons should close at 12 o'clock. Birds tve View 1 878 South Side of Douglas Avenue from Santa Fe Averue Looking \\ est midnight, on Saturday and not oi)en until four o'clock A. M. on Monday morning. This would in- dicate that the dram drinkers at that date were "early risers." Also, ahout the same time, an ordinance was passed that no hay should be stacked on any lot North of English Street, South of Third Street, East of Water Street or West of Lawrence Ave- nue, or any lot fronting on Doug- las Avenue. The Catholic Church in Wichita was organized in November, 1872, by Bishop L. M. Fink of Leavenworth, Kansas. The Baptist Church in Wichita was organized May 26th, 1872. In 1878, there was a school building in the fourth ward, one in the first ward and one in the second ward. The fourth ward building was built in 1870, the first ward building on South Lawrence Avenue, in 1877, and the second ward building on Wichita Street, in 1877. The entire seating capacity of these school houses was four hundred and fifty. The old Douglas Avenue hotel was built in the late fall and early spring of 1872 and stood on the corner of Water Street and Douglas Avenue, on the site of the present Pennsylvania Hotel. The first bank opened in Wichita was by W. C. Woodman & Sons, in 1871, and subsequently became known as The Arkansas Valley Bank, but the first or- ganized bank in the City of Wichita was The Wichita Savings Bank, organized in 1872. In 1877, The Farmers and Merchants Bank was organized by Col. H. W. Lewis. This bank subsequently became what is now known as The Kansas National Bank. The old Empire or Tremont House, shown in these cuts, was erected on the corner of Third and Main Streets. The two story back part was built by William Greiffenstein prior to 1871. Subsequently in 1871 and 1872, the three story front was built by James G. Barnwell, through a contractor by the name of Fred Martsolf. This building was subsequently moved to the corner of Douglas and Emporia Avenues, and thereafter moved on South Emporia Avenue and later was torn down. The pastor of the Baptist Church, in January, 1873, was the Rev. J. C. Post of Fort Scott, Kansas. The first pastor of the Catholic Church, in January, 1873, was the Rev. F. P. Swenberg, formerly of Prairie City, Kansas. Rev. Swenberg was succeeded in 1874, by Rev. J. C. Shurz. The first Catholic Church was dedicated under the title of Saint Aloysius. St. John's Episcopal Church was organized in 1875. The First Christian Church of Wichita was organized in 1880; the First Methodi-st Church in 1872. Of this last named church, the Rev. J. F. Nessley was the first pastor. The German Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1876. The First Baptist Church was organized in 1872. The first Masonic Lodge was organized October 19th, 1871, the first Odd Fellows Lodge in 1872 and the Kights of Pythias on November 25, 1881. The Wichita Turnveiein was organized in 1871. This Society built the fiist theatre in Wichita, which was situ- ated on the corner of First and Market Streets and was called Turner Opera House. The Old Settlers Associa- tion was organized October 27th, 1877. The first Fair Association of Wichita business men was organized in April, 1873, with William Mathewson as president. This association had forty acres of land, near L. W. Clapp's residence, which was lost to them by the foreclosure of a Four Thousand Dollar mortgage and within three years the land sold for Eight Hundred Dollars an acre. The first brass band was organized in 1871. Fred Schattner, who was City Clerk for several years, was the first leader. In 188.3, a letter was written by a then very promi- nent citizen of Wichita, an excerpt from which is as follows: "The child and perhaps the man, now lives in Wichita, who will pass along its streets and listen to the hum of commerce in a city of Twenty Thousand people." The letter provoked a smile when written and it does now, when read. In detailing dry, historical facts, it is more than an art to be truthful, wound no one's feelings and at the same time, be interesting. Wichita in the early days was cosmopolitan; every shade, hue and color of society was here. There was but little distinction among the people and the gatherings in old Eagle Hall and the Turner Opera House, were at- tended by all Wichita. The Old Settlers Ball and Dinner on February 22nd of each year, was quite an event. Neither silks, nor dress suits were much in evidence and during the rage of the spelling schools old Eagle Hall, at the Boston Store corner, was the only room in town in which to house such meetings. The opening of Turner Hall Opera House was one of the greatest society functions that ever happened. When this building was built, Ten Thousand Dollars in bonds were issued, due in five years, and every man who took a Fifty Dollar bond got a free ticket for the first night's b'g show. These early days were the days of the one night stand on the coal-oil circuit, and occasionally, a week stand of Simon & Ken- Main Street From Second Looking Norlln 1869 dall. Simon & Kendall always gave a dance on Saturday night after the week's show and furnished the music and on one occasion, after the play of Othello, in which Des- demona was strangled, she aiose from her death couch, with chalk all over her face, and led the grand march. In 1883, the first street cars weie put on the street, the cost of which road and equipment was Sixteen Thou- sand Dollars and they had three cars, two and one-half miles of track and twelve mules; the line ran West on Douglas Avenue to Ma'n Street, North on Main Street to Murdock Avenue; East on Murdock Avenue to the old Santa Fe Depot. Col. B. H. Campbsll offered a wager of One Hundred Dollars that the thing would bs in the hands of a receiver in six months. Two years after- wards. Col. Campbell bought a half interest and there- after this was sold for One Hundred Thousand Dollars. In 1887, the street car company got an electric fran- chise, and paid out Three Hundred Thousand Dollars. Then came that peculiar mile-stone in our history, called the Boom; that great epoch when paupers became mil- lionaires and subsequently the balloon collapsed and the millionaires became tramps. After this, the Three Hun- dred Thousand Dollar street car plant sold for 10'7c of its cost and fourteen years afterwards, the new company was paying Sixty-five Thousand Dollars annual taxes to the City of Wichita. »!5s*Jb^ j The first House in Wichita. Built in I 868. hy D. >. Mun^er. now Part of the Conklin Home. 90 1 N. Waco Avenue Hunger House Mr. D. S. Hunger in the spring of 1868 chose for the site of his house the high ground on the Little River close by the abandoned village of the Wichita Indians. The logs from which the house was built were cut and hewn on the island now occupied by the City water works, at that time covered by dense timber of Cottonwood, and being unsurveyed government property, was soon stripped of its timber, which was used by the early settlers. There were three rooms downstairs and four rooms above. For lath he used small willows which grew along the river, burned his own lime for the mortar and plaster, and used buffalo hair in the plaster. He made the shingles for the roof and hauled the window sashes, glass and flooring from Emporia. This house now stands on the same lot but has been moved a little west and faced south. The Munger house was purchased by W. C. Woodman, and converted into one of the finest residences of that day. D. S. Munger was likewise postmaster and carried the mail in his hat. He used to empty the mail pouches on a bad and sort 'em over, putting enough in his hat for immediate delivery. He would then place one knee on the prairie and look them over; if he met the owner of one he would often call out to Mollie when his memorv failed or a letter was floating around the house, or paper gone, if "she knew where Dan or Sam Hoover's or Doc. Fabrique's paper was?" Whatever the response he would look knowing, spit out some tobacco, readjust his cud, re-hat the mail, clinch it with his large red handkerchief, and lay plans for the future metropolis. The First Christmas in Wichita 1870 By FRED A. SOWERS It was a most gladsome occasion; the- dirt-roof church over which Reverend Hilton, who was of the Epis- copal persuasion, was the only place of worship so desig- nated, in Wichita; the ladies of the church had decorated it for the occasion, and a Christmas tree gaily decked with small lipfhted candles, and the interim branches of the tree loaded with candies and trinkets and rattlinfr with tinsel, was a feast for the few frontier boys and girls, and a moist-eyed reminder to the grown-up attendants produced similar scenes. Reverend Hilton preached a very appropriate sermon, after which the attendants marched to Morgan Cox's Store-room, where a bountiful repast was spread, con- sisting of buffalo meat prepared in various styles, prairie- chicken, quail-on-toast, venison, and chicken-pie, with cakes, pies, and custards, as viands; everybody mingled and freely exchanged thoughts, were happy and made th day truly Christmas 1 ke. Am somewhat reluctant to tell the modern aesthetics, that the next enjoyable feature of this dear-old-time Christmas day was when the tables and chairs were re- moved and Fred Schattnei's string band furnished music for the dance; then old "DUTCH HENRY" with his martial mien upon him started the dance in broken "Dutch" and stentorian voice, "Now, on mit de dance; let joy be confined, biz tomorrow morning." Wm. Malthewson Cabin Built in 1869 Mathewson Cabin Built by Wm. Mathewson, the original Buffalo Bill, in 1869. After standing for a number of years — a lonely, deserted land mark — it was despoiled by relic hunters, many souvenirs being made of the wood, one of which was a fine violin. An Englishman employed in a planing mill on Wichita street, made souvenir bowls, canes, and salt boxes from the logs, and sent them to the British posses- sions, England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. K: "Mr. J. H. Black has a large number of diamonds on hand. They are not for sale but orna- ment the front of his grocery store. They are all brilliants of the first quality of redness." Beacon Files, May r>L />',V. A Primitive Advertisement. "What I know about groceries tells me to go to the Diamond Front, if I want to get good goods at the right prices." Bitting Corner A one-story building now on the northeast corner of Third and Main Streets was moved in 1878 froin the northwest corner of Douglas Avenue and Market Street, where Bitting Brothers erected a two-story brick busi- ness house, which they occupied as a clothing store, later the first four-story building in Wichita took its place. This was destroyed by fire in 1911, and the present modern office building was erected in 1912. hiuiiii; ly.'ck, lyM wwmr I first Presbylerian Church 1914 ^^^^Hp^^ ■ ■ ^^^^^^^^Bf *^ r^ h M 9 1 BjTjy^^^^^^^B N 1 \r* ^^^^Bif-X kw ^.,, ^.^,>,^.ai flHI C. S. Caldwell. W. B. Mead, Mrs. Catherine D. Russell. Miss Paltie Todd (Mrs. Geo. SlronJI. Mrs. W. B. Mead Presbyterian Church I'.v C. 5. CVLOWELL In October, 1869, W. K. Boggs, a Presbyterian minister, preached his first sermon in a dug out on North Waco Avenue, near where Finlay Ross now resides, and on the 1.3th of March, 1870, a church was organized with thirteen members, none of whom reside here now. In the summer of 1870 the little band hauled green Cottonwood lumber from Emporia and erected a little frame chapel on the corner of Second and Wichita Streets, which they used for two years. Dr. Boggs remained in charge of the work until late in the Autumn of 1871, when he was succeeded by Rev. John P. Harsen, as its first regular pastor. In the fall of 1872 this little chapel was sold to the Catholic Church and moved to the corner of St. ^'rancis and Second Streets, and usdd by them for chapel and school purposes for several years, when it was sold and moved to the sixth block on North Main Street, where it now stands. After selling their church, the Presbyterians rented old Eagle Hall, and services were held there until 1877, when a small brick edifice was completed and occupied at the corner of Lawrence Avenue and First Street. This building was their church home for thirty years. The present home is the fine building on the corner of Lawrence Avenue and Elm Street, costing .$160,000. In the early Seventies this church was noted for the music furnished by its well-trained and excellent choir, under the leadership of Mrs. Catherine D. Russell, soprano, Mrs. W. B. Mead, alto, C. S. Caldwell, tenor, W. B. Mead, bass, Miss Pattie Todd, Miss Mattie Eldridge and Mrs. Chas. Hatton, as organists serving at difl'erent times. Dr. Melrose Brodie is the present pastor for this large and wealthy membership. First School The first school in Wichita was held in the spring- of 1871 in the Presbyterian Church, corner of Wichita and Third Streets, with Miss Jessie Hunter, now Mrs. James H. Black, teacher. The enrollment was 25 pupils. Mis. Black may congratulate herself in having so successfully started public instruct'on in Wichita as to require now two hundred teachers to conduct it properly. A two story school bu'lding was erected in the spring' of 1872 on the present site of the old High School build- ing. There was a short session of school that spring. Professor Snoven and Miss Lizzie Higday were the teachers. In the Fall of that year Mr. John Tucker, afterwards County Treasu'er, was superintendent, and his wife, Mrs. Tucker, Mrs. Helen L. Fees, now a resident of Wichita, and Miss Lizzie Higday, were the assistant teachers. In the spring of 1873 the first School Board was elected. Dr. A. H. Fabr-ique, T. M. Garrison, H. J. Hills, N. AlcClees, M. R. Moser and R. L. West composed the Board. R. L. West was President, W. E. Stanley, later Governor of the State of Kansas, was Secretar'y, and J. P. Harsen was Treasurer. The enrollment of pupils was four hundred and forty-nine. The enrollment of children of school age in the citv at the present time is 12,600. Professor Ward was selected to succeed Mr. John Tucker and was Superintendent for the ensuing two years 1873-74 and 75. His assistants were Mrs. Helen L. Fees, Miss Lizzie Foot, Miss Hattie J. Nichols, and Mrs. M. H. West. The first graduating exei-cises were held in Garfield Hall, corner' of Water and First Streets in 1879. Mem- bers of the class were Miss Clementina Davidson, May Throckmorton, Grace Pope and W. B. Throckmorton. The present High School building was erected in 1911. The First Church Building Erected in Wichita 1870 Lpiscopal Church St. John's Church was organized by Rev. John Hilton, early in 1870. The first services we'e held in the Munger Hotel In that year at numbers -156 and 458 on North Maiket Street, donated by Wm. Greiffenstein, a rude chapel was constructed of cotton-wood logs, split and set in the ground after the fashion of a stockade, and covered with logs and earth. L-ght was admitted through two small apertures cut up high in the mud and secured by wooden shutters, and at night by tallow candles resting on boards nailed to the logs. The seats were rough boards resting on kegs and baxes. The roof waved in the summer with highly colored pi airie flowers and rattled in the winter time with the wind whistl'ng through naked sunflower stalks that grew there. In 1879 a new church was dedicated on the west side of Lawrence Avenue, between First and Second Streets. St. John's Episcopal Church has grown to a large and influential parish and now occupies a fine stone structure, erected in 1877, on the corner of Topeka Avenue and Third Street. Rev. Percy T. Fenn is the popular and efficient pastor. Upper- I 879 Lower— 1914 First M. F. Church. liS72 Methodist Lpiscopal Church In May, 1870, the Rev. W. H. Zellers, a theolopfical student, was appointed pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The first class was orfjanized in a little frame building on Main Street, with eight or ten members, among whom were Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Allen, Judge H. C. Sluss. Mr. C. C. Fees was the first class leader. Services were held for a time up stairs over a livery stable at the corner of Third and Main Streets, and in the winter of 1870 and 1871 in the afternoon, in the small Presbyterian Church building located at the corner of Second and Water Streets. Rev. J. F. Nessly was the first regular pastor appointed to the charge, taking up his work in the Firsl M.L. Church. 1914 spring of 1872. During that summer the first church was built on the ground where the present edifice now stands. May 7, 1884, the building was burned, including the pastor's library and church records. On May LSth, 188.5, the present commodi- ous building was dedicated by Bishop W. X. Ninde. Hon. W. E. Stanley was the first Sunday School Su- perintendent, filling the position for nearly twenty- five years. Rev. T. R. McFadden is pastor at the lirosent time. Baptist Church The Baptist Church has the honor of holding the first religious services in Wichita. The sermon was preached at Durfee's Ranch on the first town site, in 1868, by Rev. Mr. Saxby, a Baptist minister. They did not secure the organization of a working church, however, until some time in the spring of 1872. A Baptist layman, by name Sturgis, organized a Union Sunday School in the summer of 1871, and conducted it successfully until the spring of 1872, when Rev. John C. Post came and took charge of the work, organized a church and became its first pastor. In 1873 they built a small brick church home on the corner of Market and First Streets, which was later enlarged as the congregation grew, finally compelling them to erect the beaut'ful edifice on the corner of Lawrence Avenue and Second Street, costing about .$75,000. The present pastor is Rev. G. W. Cassidy, who has filled the pulpit for fourteen years. These four pioneer pastors, all of them by the name of John, builded greater than they knew, laid foundations b'oad and deep. Others have entered upon their labors, have built and are continuing to build what will be monuments to them and to the faithful few who stood with them in these days of ti'ial and of small beginnings. The growth of the Church industry in Wichita is typical of Kansas. The forty-four years which have passed since the little low structure was erected, have seen many wonderful strides in church building. Within a block from the site of the dirt thatched structure, which did not cost a cent, has recently been completed a magnificent new church building. It is of solid stone; built with a view of beauty, comfort and durability, and it cost thousands of dollars, but represents no more of earnestness and devotion than inspired the erection of the cotton- wood slab structui'e which housed the most unique congregation ever assembled in Wichita. The Wichita Grain Market By Ptirmer Doolitllo Wichita in the seventies and early eighties was said to be the greatest inland wheat market in the world. At that time the Santa Fe road had been extended from Newton here, and this was the wheat market for all the New- Southwest. Most of the wheat mar- keted here at that time was raised in Sedgwick, Butler, Cowley, Sumner, Harper and Kingman counties. The farm- ers delivered their wheat in wagons and many that came a long distance required three days to make the round trip. Many of the farmers brought their frying pans and bed clothes and cooked and slept prairies. Wichita in large "feed stables, camped, on the those early days had several and some were established along the trails leading to this place. Out in the country the same kind of stables were called "Ranches." , The Wichita City Mi built in 1874, was located >ti F"ourtti Avenue and NA-hat wa^ at that time the east end o Douglas Avenue It v/as built by Shellabarger, Imboden and Hargis. and was the largest in Southern Kansas Farmer Dooliltle The feed stable, or ranch, consisted of a large stable made of rough boards in which the farmer or freighter could put his horses and get hay for them for 25c. The best ranches had a box stall in which was a cook stove. On this stove the farmer or freighter could cook his "grub" and sleep wheiever he could find a place to put his bed. A very few of these ranches had in connection, what in these modern times would be called a joint. There was not very much de- mand for "corn juice" among the men who brought the wheat to market or managed the big freight teams. There are a few old settlers still here who can remember the appearance of Douglas avenue in the days of Wichita's big wheat trade. It was not an uncommon thing to see teams lined for n distance of two or three blocks at the different elevators waiting for their turn to weigh and dunp their wheat. The average grain dealer is a red blooded individual who is more of a benefactor to the farmer than a selfish expert business man. Very few of them ever became verv rich. Even in the early days of Wichita when the grain men shipped wheat by the train loads and there seemed to be a golden opportunity to make money, very few of these big operators ever made more than a small amount of money in the business. When James G. Hope was elected mayor of Wichita, the battle cry of his followers was, "Vote for Hope and the cattle trade." He made a pretty good mayor in spite of the fact that his opponents charged that he kept the mayor's of- fice in a saloon. The cattle trade gave Wichita its first boost, and it was followed by the big wheat trade. While Wichita in the early days was the great central grain market of the Southwest, it is to- day the central market for the Kansas hard wheat belt. Millers of southern Kansas, western Okla- homa and Texas look to this city for their extra supply of milling wheat. The reliable market returns furnished to the Wichita Board of Trade by the Orthwein-Matchette Co. are just as re- liable as those furnished on the boards of trade at Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Minneapolis and Winnipeg. Grain dealers and millers rely upon thes reports. The fifty members of the Wichita Board of Trade are all grain dealers or millers. This makes this a millers' market. It is not a speculative market, but all sales are for grain which, after being inspected, is sold on .samples taken from the cars by a state inspector. ^^ r:i. l.^™''."", s --I ^«°o'^.o!MM4? 5^s";:b m G.ou So^oiii t fe,! '~" Lagle Block This plain, two story, soft stone bu'ld'nj;-, at one time was the most multifariously used building, not only in Wichita, but of any in Kansas. From 1873 to 1875, it contained the United States Post Office and a book store; dry-goods, clothing, notions, groceries and queensware; The Wichita Savings bank, school board treasurer, Presbyterian iiastor's study on the ground floor; on the second floor was the Eagle office. County Clerk, Probate Judge, County Treasurer, County Superintendent of Schools, Clerk of the Disti'ict Court, Sheriff's Office and County Jail; also, the District Court Room. This room was fifty by one hundred feet, but was used for public speaking of all kinds, Presbyterian Church, Convention Hall, Masonic Banquet room. Church revivals, theater, dancing hall, spelling schools and also for the general "reception hall,' when some really big, powerful individual vis- ited the city. As the generations pass, Wichita may spread as a banyan tree and shelter countless thousands; may weight the earth with fire-proof tall houses, until the present Wichita, in comparison, will be as the early town, shown in the cuts in this booklet, is compared to the present Wichita; may erect large buildings, devoted to art, litei-ature, science and education, exposition halls or great auditoriums, but, when it is all done, all of it w'U not sat'sfy the public demands any more than old Eagle Hall, nor bring together for amusement or pleasure, or the advancement of the public interest or benevolences and charity, a more prosperous, contented, happy, earnest and ambitious people than those who lived in Wichita when Eagle Hall was the one great building of the City and the "Bee-hive" of the town. Crawford Theatre 1914 Turner Hail Princess Theatre 1914 This building', situated on the corner of First and Market Streets, was built by the German Turnverein of Wichita to keep al've and in memory the Fatherland, perpetuate German customs and bind tog'ether as one body the German Americans of Wichita, to form friend- ships and promote their general good. For many years, it was the great amusement place of Wichita and the great gathering place for large meetings and during its day, actors of National note, as well as great singers appeared upon its stage. Grand balls were given there and local people also played as actors in it. Among the great plays given by local talent was The Union Spy and The American Cousin. The Union Spy was a patriotic play. Judge Walker, one of the soldiers. was to be killed in one scene and be found by his weeping- family, as he lay dead. Amongst the members of this family were Mrs. S. S. King and Mrs. Harry Kramer. John Fisher and Hank Heiserman concluded that it would make a nice variance in the scene, so they got about a pound of limberger cheese and as the dead soldier lay, they put cheese around in his clothing and when his weeping family appeared and knelt down over the dead body, the aroma from the dead body was such that it was apparent that decomposition had set in. (It almost broke up the play on account of the disgust of the ladies at the horrible smell.) It was' voted at the time that the body in place of being killed at the time the weeping family found it, that it must have lain there many days under the hot sun, until it became putrid. Railroads By 0. H. BEXTLKY. Two possessions are necessaiy for a western town: First and foremost it must have the county seat, and second, it must have ample railway facilities. Both of these qualifications were produced by the rustling men who made and l)uilt Wichita. The early fathers of Wichita, seeing the blue stem grass sweeping the saddle horns of the cowboys as they rode the trail in and out of Wichita, realized that they must have a railroad, and would have given half the town to the railway company to get them in. When Wichita was yet a spi-addling village, scattered over the virgin prairie, the building of the Santa Ve. the pioneei- railroad, into Wichita, made it almost in a day the greatest primary wheat market in the woi'ld and later the renowned cattle shipping point. There was great rejoicing among the resident.^ on that memorable occasion in May, 1872, when the first train steamed into the station, carrying forty-four passengers. The Wichita & Southwestern Railway Company was organized in ISVl with J. R. Mead, President; C. F. Gilbert, Vice President; H. C. Sluss, Secretarv, and William Matthewson, Treasurer. Capital, .$.500,000. The contract called for the construction of twenty- eight miles of track from Newton to Wichita. Although it was nearly a year in building, many of the ties were laid upon the prairie sod antl the rails s])iked to them. The oldest Santa Fe time card for Wichita, in e.xistence, was issued in 1882. This showed one passenger and one freight train each way daily. Now the Santa Fe operates sixteen passenger trains and fourteen freight trains into and through Wichita every day. The first shipment of freight out of Wichita was thirteen car loads of cattle. The accom- panying cut shows the north half of the first station. The original depot of the Santa Fe stood just north of Douglas Avenue, opposite the Union Station. First Library Association Home of the First Public L ibrarv The Wichita Library Associa- tion was organized with W. P. Campbell, President; Ben Aldrich, Vice President; Rev. J. P. Harsen, Treasurer; and Fred Schattner, Secretary. Judge Atwood, Dr. Fabrique and M. W. Levy were appointed a committee to draft By-Laws. They were supported by an Auxiliary of ladies with Mrs. Nerius Baldwin, President; Mrs. H. L. Taylor, Vice President; Mrs. Russell, Secretary; Mrs. J. H. Dagner, Treasurer. Miss Delia Baldwin was the first Librarian. The Library was located at 108 East Douglas in parlors of the Baldwin Art (Jallery. The inembership fee was three dollars. Twelve hundred dollars was raised by subscription, to purchase the Baldwin home on North Market street, but for some unknown reason this was not done, and the funds were used for purchasing books and furnishings. Four hundred dollars was expended on the first order of books. They were well read and well cared for. This Association proved to be of public benefit in the way of instigating public meetings in its rooms and enter- prises of a civic nature. It experienced the same diff^icul- ties which other institutions encountered in the early days when funds were limited. Members of the Auxiliary, with the assistance of other ladies, assisted by Mrs. Catherine Russell, gave enteitainments of various kinds for the benefit of the Library. It was moved to the Board of Education rooms in the Eagle Block and from there to the Sedgwick Block where it passed under the care of the Ctirileyie Llbrdrv LJuildlllv; 1 'J I 4 Board of Education. The Secretary of the Board, acting as Librarian, continuing in that capacity until the patron- age of the Library demanded the entire time of such an oft'icial, when one was elected by the Board. Within a short time it will be moved to its permanent quarters in the new Carnegie Library Build- ing. The accompanying group represents a scene in the first library rooms when books were being covered. Miss Anna Pope. Mr. Tense Mas- sev and Miss Delia Baldwin FIRL DLPARTMLNT Many members of the Frontier Fire Company who volunteered to inscribe their names below the simple oath, had theii- all at stake in this frontier city of the plains. In those days to think was to act — and that at once and in the quickest way. The funds to purchase the first truck were raised by popular subscription, and the fire alarm bell was purchased and paid for by members of the com- pany. stock Yards The first Stock Yards were completed June 7th, 1872, — 2500 head or 125 car loads. A 600 foot driveway was corner of Kellogg and Santa Fe. They were the most attached to the yard as also a twelve acre pen to hold convenient of any in the State. Five runways and chutes cattle over night. Music in the Seventies By C. S. CALDWELL The music of the early days of Wichita, like fiontiei- towns generally, was in accord with the prevailing- social conditions. In 1870 and for the following three or four years, the cattle trade was attracted to this point follow- ing the old time cattle trail. Cowboys and fre'ghters were constantly in evidence. The clinking of the spurs on the sidewalk with the wheezey violin in the various; (^ance halls of the city, afforded the only reTef from the hum- drum of a little frontier town. Very soon churches were organized and choirs picked up as best they could. But it was not long until families coming in from the East, brought their p'anos and organs and it was not long un- til music of a better class was heard from the modest cottages along our streets. In the summer of 1872 the first brass band was organized I'nder the leadership of Fred Schattner, many of its mem- bers still liv'ng in the city. .\bout this time Mrs. Catherine Russell, an accomplished mu- sician and teacher, located in the city and began teaching and building up the musical tastes of the people and met with as- sistancp and encouragement from friends who had received some musical culture in the East. Several church choirs were organized about this time and joined in rendering many of the lighter Cantatas and in popular Concerts. Among them we recall: Queen Esther; Doctor of Alcantara; Pinafore; Belshazzar's Feast, by Butterfield, and many others. These entertainments were very popular and did much to elevate the musical taste of the Citv. Lett to Risht— H. A. Bliss. Miss Flora Redfieltl. Wm. Innes. Miss Pallie Todd. Mrs. Catherine Russell Lotus Club The Lotus Club, organized in 1878, was the first club of a social nature to occupy exclusive club quarters. Russell Hall, which was named after Mrs. Catherine Russell, over 151 and 153 North Main Street, was secured by ths members of this club. The club apartment con- sisted of the main hall where the dances were held and a stKge where dramatical and liteiary entei tainments were given by the members. Elegantly furnished parlors, cloak rooms, a billiard hall and a banquet room adjoined the main hall. Prof. Fero taught many men who are now professional and business men of Wichita, with their sweethearts, who are now their wives, the latest dance. Although the music might not compare to the fine orchestras today, yet the dancers in the Lotus Club found nothing more to be desired than the piano music furnished by Miss Mamie Manuel. There was enough talent in the club to rival any of the periodical traveling troupes. Many can recall as stais Miss Anna Lynch, now Mrs. Chas. Smythe, Miss Anna Burr, Mrs. Fred Waller, and Mrs. Harry Kramer. Here Mr. Dave Dale made his initial appearance before the footlights in Wichita in this hall, and proved himself to be familiar with the boards. A few of the attractions were the "Hungry Army ' with Col. H. W. Lewis in the lead as Captain. H. L. Pierce, C. W. Bitting, Geo. Strong and Wm. Innes, members of the chorus. The minstrel troupe with W. S. Corbett as interlocutor and H. L. Pierce and George Berkman as end men; also Mr. Kos Harris' renditions of choice poems. Along with their pleasure seeking, the Lotus Club did not f 01 get those less foitunate. A committee was named for charity work, of which Mr. Chas. Bitting was chairman. Records now in existence show that seventeen families were cared for by the club during one winter. Mrs. Catherine Russell, whose unselfish nature led her to con- tribute her rare musical tahnts so generously for Wich- ita's good, superintended special entertainments to raise funds for the club's chaiity work. W^m. Iiinfs. President; A. W Bitting Vice Piesident, W. T. Woodman, Trtasurer: Chas. H. .Smjth, Financial Secretary; F. W. M'allei-, .Jr.. Kecording; Secretary; David Ross. M. J. Oliver, David Hays, H. L. Pierce. Directors, Mrs. L. 5. Carter Wichita has always felt the right to eulogize the splendid mothers and daugh- ters in her midst. The num- ber is legion, yet all of Wichita's citizens recognize that where England had its grand old man in William E. Gladstone, that Wichita has its grand old woman in Mrs. L. S. Carter, and we do not want anyone to emphasize "old" either, as she is the youngest woman of her age of record. She was born July 11th, 1828, at Enos- burgh, Vennont, and married to Dr. Carter in Nashua, New Hamp.'--hire. She is the mother of two sons, George and Edward, both deceased, and she was a good mother, too. She located in Wichita in 1880 and in 1885 she started in her career of selling books. Her first experience along that line was in Winfield where a minister told her she need not attempt to sell books, as there were twelve book agents there the week before and none of them had been successful. However, she remained until she had sold two hundred and fifty books in Winfield. After this she re- mained permanently in Wichita where she handled various lines of books, but in 1904 she took the agency for Wich- ita of the Ladies Home Journal and Saturday Evening Post, and she now has the largest subscription list of any woman representative of these periodicals in the world. She has been successful in winning some very valuable prizes, among them a $1000 prize offered by Everybody's Magazine for the largest subscription in a limited length of time. She gave this entire amount to the Children's Home of Wichita. She won a prize of $250 from the Wichita Beacon, and this she gave to the Children's Home of Wichita. To Fairmount College, she gave a $16,000 library, and she furnished the rooms in which these books aie kept with steel bookcases and the finest of wood fur- i;iture. She has placed several drinking fountains throughout the city for man and beast, and at the present time she is helping very materially in building up a library for the Young Women's Christian Association. And another one of her "fads" is to build a home for elderly women. All she does along charitable lines is from funds that she herself earns. A friend recently left her some money and she took this amount, and built a parsonage for the Unitarian Church in this city. Mrs. Carter is a Charter member and the oldest member of the Eunice Sterling Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. To attempt mentioning all her good acts would be most hopeless, and our readers will have to accept this short argument in proof of our justification for terming her "Wichita's grand old woman." Mrs. Sam F. Woolard. The First "Fourth" in Wichita By Fred A. The glorious Fourth of 1870, was a most memorable occasion — wild and native, besides genuinely frontier. The town of Wichita consisted of about 100 houses con- structed in as many different shapes and styles, native Cottonwood predominating as to material; the most pre- tentious house was that of Doc. Lewellen, located on the corner of Walnut Street and North Main Street. It was a general store. John Ward, a discharged U. S. soldier, was his son-in-law and clerk. Then scattered from the Lewellen store on down to Pine St. were Cook's boarding- house, Jno. Martin's restaurant, the Bismark Saloon, Aid- rich and Dickey's drug store with the post office in it, then Henry Bolte's furniture store, Morgan Cox's store room, etc., etc., down to Douglas Avenue, then "The Cattle Ti-ail." The interim filled with four or five store rooms, black-smith shop, gun-shop, a harness-shop, saloons, etc. The parade of this memorable Fourth started down close to Douglas, and was composed of a variety of char- acters, Americans, Mexicans, and Indians. The grounds selected were what was afterward called Shuman's Park. It is now the south entrance to the Riverside Park from Central Avenue. Here the enthusiasts had constructed long tables of boards and with board-seats, and white muslin table-cloths, which were loaded with all the best the then hamlet could afford. The "spread," as it was then called, was regal as compared with some of our more modern banquets. Jellies and jams from home pantries, cakes and pies made by the frugal and experienced frontier ladies; but Oh! the meats of that occasion. They linger longest because only a memory remains. They Sowers consisted of wild turkey done to a turn, and plenty of them, killed in the neighborhood, buffalo hunks, buffalo tongues, venison, cooked in the way the frontier ladies, alone, knew how to do it; enough to feed a small army, against which the procession forming on Main Street, preceded by a clarinet and bass-drum, the former played by "Dutch Jake," the latter by George DeMoore, marched with eyes all horizontal under command of D. H. Munger, tt' the picnic grounds, where coffee and cussing wore out the day. A notable feature of the banqueters was that every fellow had a couple of six-shooters strapped around his waist, and many with the addition of a bowie-knife clinging to a scabbard at his side. The speeches con- sisted of a bewildering recital of the manner and inci- dents befalling those who pulled out in all kinds of ve- hicles and all kinds of weather to reach this Mecca of the far west, at that time. So unexpectedly, the first Fourth of July celebration at Wichita, w&s an orderly and well-bshaved conglomera- tion of all classes, mingling in unrestrained native free- dom, free from the arbitrary rules of modern society, and fully up in cheer to any requirement. So the day went by when everybody was full and happy; the drum and clarinet were again brought in position, the procession reformed and "Yankee Doodle" was sent forth frantically amid the popping of revolvers and the mingled song of "Old John Brown's Body," all of which seemed to fully satisfy as well as eke out the first Fourth of July cele- bration held in Wichita. A Sketch of the Seamy Side of Larly Wichita By L. B. JLWLTT The Daughters of The American Revolution having- requested some incidents connected with the early settle- ment of the City of Wichita for publication in this booklet, it was suggested that I write a brief story of the tragedy of that time of which I had knowledge. This is my excuse for writ'ng at ?11 and the reason for the subject, and I shall only tell about one. My knowledge of the dramatic side — some times tragedy — is the result, mainly, of official positions which I held at that time. Perhaps in some instances from the fact that I was an innocent bystander. At the solici- tation of friends I had consented to be a candidate for the office of Justice of the Peace. This is a very ancient office, but still in active use. I was also Police Judge during the last year of my term as Justice of the Peace, having run for that office while holding the first. Iv required a lot of nerve to pull off that kind of a stunt, to hold two elective offices at the same time, but nerve at that time was frequently the only asset a man had. Now it is a great thing to be around at the barning of a town, especially of one which, from its very start, gave promise of making a city, and as I sit here tonight thrumming the keyboard of my old typewriter a film, as if I were down at a Niekelodeum, picturing incidents and characters resulting from the horning of Wichita at- tracted, the latter, by the garish banner which floated from all her outer prec'ncts, passes by and I see Rowdy Joe, Red, Old Rain in the Face, Hun-icane Bill, Curley Mar- shall, Johnny Redden, Mike Meagher, City Marshal; Wyat Earp, police officer, of later day fame as referee in Pacific coast prize fights; The Red Rose of Texas, Butcher Knife Ann, and many lesser lights who played their parts well in the drama of that time, with the first named who were stars of the first magnitude, and whose appear- ance in the police court in the little p'ay entitled "Ten and Cost" was not infrequent. The "First Four Hun- dred" of Wichita gave a "Ball" (smile if you will, "Beau Mode" of North Lawrence, College Hill, Riverside, Coun- try Club). We, of that time, had our fashionable world while yet the sunflower, the lilly of the valley, made its annual appearance from the sod roofs of the sod house, and we waltzed with as much grace as you now tango — I can see but little difference between the two performances. This ball was given in old Eagle hall named after the Wichita Eagle. About twelve o'clock I left the Hall for some refreshments, intending to go to a rest parlor lo- cated at that time where Ed. Vail and Co's jewelry palace is now located. As I went down the main stairway of the hall I heard shooting as if it was at the rear or in the alley north of the refreshment parlors. I paid but little attention to it. It was not infrequent during the nights of that time, and generally was the bluff of some galoot or the parting salute of some cowboy shooting at or towards the stais as he left town on his lonely ride tc the cow camp. As I reached the side walk I saw on the dimly lighted street a man running; towards Tom Jewell's place, located in the vicinity of the building now owned by Mrs. Roland Murdock. Having crossed the Avenue and started North on the East side of Main Street, I met the City Marshal just about where the main entrance is to the Schweiter building. He asked me if I had seen any one crossing Douglas Avenue; I told him that I had. He requested that I go with him, and show him in which direction the man had gone. I did and just as we were turning the corner going east on the north side of the Avenue, about where the barber shop now is in the Schweiter building, in front or nearly so of a drug store owned by a gentle- man by the name of Charles Hill, we ran into a man. As a matter of fact I did not see him, as I was looking and pointing to the south side of the street, until I heard a pistol shot and saw him falling to the walk and heard him say, "Why did you shoot me." The streets seemed to be deserted, but in a few moments, however, men came running over from the ball room. Somehow or other the news had been carried upstairs that a man had been killed downstairs. The victim wes earned into the drug store. Very soon the old mother of the Marshal and his sister arrived, grieving that the son and brother had killed a man. No finer old Irish woman ever lived. She threw her arms around her son and prayed that the ^■irgin Mary, the Holy Mother, would intercede for him. It was a scsne in "The Drama of Building a New Town" that was realistic ard made an impression on some of those present, the coloring of which does not seem to fade. The Marshal sui-rendei'ed himself to an officer of the law, had a preliminary examination before Justice Mitchell, who found that the homicide was "justifiable.'" This man's name was Sill Powell. He had been in the army and was a stage diiver at that time, and early in the evening he had shot at the Marshal and threatened to kill him. The next day or day after, the body was placed in a casket, which was put into a spring wagon. The cortege wss an omnibus loaded with his friends, in- cluding myself, and Sill was laid to rest with others out on the hill, who had died with their boots on. 5ome Kansas Pioneer Stories MRS. MURICL 5HALFFLR FINN To my mind there is no more fascinating story than that of the pioneer when told by himself; for the telling- of such a tale involves all the delightful variations of romance, description, tragedy, pathos and humor. Many such have I heard and 1 wish I might pass them on to you without the loss of charm that repetition necessarily causes. There is an interesting tale told by a charming little lady, Old England born, New England bred, who in the late sixties journied by wagon from Southern Illinois to Kansas. She and her husband with their three year old boy (now a lawyer in Wichita) had gone to Il'inois to visit a sister, only to find them just started for Kansas. Purchasing a covered wagon and mule team they joined them. The trip proved much harder than had been thought possible. By the time they reached Kansas the season was wet, ex- posure unavoidable, the sister's baby sickened and died. No casket was to be purchased, but in the nearest town (which proved to be Eureka) they found lumber with which to fashion one. As they were about to return to their wagons they were delayed by some of the citizens who invited them "to wait and see the hanging"; for they had that day captured a horse-thief and, they explained, it would cost the county so much to take him to the jail — which was quite a distance away — and to pay for his meals till they could arrange a trial that they were just going to string him up and save that expense! After they had traveled a little farther the men set out to find the valley of the Little Arkansas, leaving the women boarding in El Dorado. Our story-teller found herself housed with very nice people and generou.s. But so hard were the times that they were often hungry and really felt it a serious matter if any extras had to be enter- tained. Once when a dog found and ate the newly made butter, which had been placed near a spring, she said she cried like a child. The men faring Westward, came in August, 1869, to a settlement of six or eight log houses, where the men of the community all seemed occupied in constructing another. They obligingly unhitched their mules and spent the day helping haul the logs that formed the first building in Wichita made expressly for a church. Mr. Chas. Schaefer, who was in Kansas in the sixties as Quartermaster for the U. S. arm- tells a story in which it seems as though Providence itself were playing a part. He was camping one night with his wife and a companion in a beautiful place near Sylvan Grove on the Saline river. The spot was called Twin Groves from two strikingly similar oak groves, and had been selected for camping because the situation, beautiful as the eye could wish with its rising ground on one side of the stream and its clear sparkling water, offered peculiar advantages for making camp. Here in the still of the night he was sud- denly awakened to see peering over the wagon at him the eyes of two red devils (as he terms the Indians). Ever on guard against such dangers he had been sleeping with either hand on a pistol. The ready gun.s were quickly lev- eled, the fingers just ready to pull the triggers, when lo! — there was nothing there. Getting out of the wagon he sought in vain for any intruder, or even trace of one. Convincing himself that the apparition must have been merely a dream, he regained his self composure and was soon asleep. Again he was suddenly awakened to find the four eyes peering steadily at him, again the guns were quickly leveled and again just as the fingers would have pulled the triggers — nothing was there. This time much impressed he roused the others, broke camp and proceeded into town before daylight. There in the morning- came reports of an Indian raid. Mr. SchaefTer was put in charge of a band of scout.s to go out and find the maraud- ers. Passing the scene of his hastily abandoned camp he found that during his short absence it had been entirely overrun by Indians as evidenced by the many moccasin prints up from the stream and through the place. In the fall of sixty-nine my Father, William Finn, then scarcely more than a boy, left Rockford, Illinois, foi Kansas. In Kansas City an old army comrade gave him glowing hunter's reports of the Arkansas Valley. He determined to seek it. The trains at that time ran only as far as Burlingame. From there stage took him to Emporia. After some delay and trouble he found an old gentleman with a very ancient team and wagon who lived in El Dorado and was going to drive there as soon as he could load up. He would not let my father ride with him as the horse was not able to take an extra passenger, but he said he might walk along and camp with him. Another young man who wanted to find the way to El Dorado fell in with the same plan. That young man was W. P. Campbell, once judge of our district court. Later on account of h's fierce onslaughts on Wichita joints he brought upon himself the title of Tiger Bill. From El Dorado my father set out on foot and alone to find the Valley of the Arkansas. The distance seemed interminable, and he was getting pretty well discouraged when, coming up on the hill now called Fairmount, the valley suddenly lay before him in all its beauty. It ap- pealed to him as the loveliest sight he had ever seen; brown waving grass as far ag he could see on every side, the only break three broad lines of green where the Little Arkansas and Chisholm flowed into the Big Arkansas; for at that time the only trees were those that grew on the river banks. As he descended into the valley the grass, higher than his head, entirely shut out any view of the country, but he followed the trail till he came to that little settlement of seven or eight log houses which was the nucleus of our present city. The street, on either side of which the log houses stood, was not where the present Main Street is, but about the part of Waco that is north of Central. That first night when my Father went into the Post Off'ice a typical ten cent novel bandit with flowing black moustache, knotted neckerchief, gun carrying belt and general air of desperado, was playing cards just inside the door with three other men, six-shooters on the table by them. This striking looking character was the Portu- guese Cordero, whose name some of you may remember. He was accused of killing a man in front of the saloon. A lawyer named English cleared him and for fee received Cordero's quarter section, which is now included in that part of Wichita known as the English Addition. Just north of the settlement was a dugout where the U. S. Troops were quartered in the winter of sixty-eight, and which some claim was the first building on the present site of Wichita. In this dugout a subsci-iption school was started in the winter of sixty-nine. My father taught this school, sending to Topeka for the books and supplies. There was an average attendance of seventeen, a term of four months. In some cases from lack of means, in others from lack of conscience, books and salary were only paid for in part with the result that spring found the teacher fifty dollars in debt. Then he abandoned teaching to take up the study of surveying and to make in 1870 the first plat of the city of V/ichita. This plat laid the Main street where it is now. but only as far as Douglas Avenue as it was supposed all the city would build north of that. From this start in surveying he began locating settlers all around the country. Even as far west as Great Bend. Often have I heard him tell of locating a young man and his father on two adjoining farms seven or eight miles west of Sedgwick. Weeks after, driving that way, he saw a lonely figure standing on top of a sod house eagerly scan- ning the country, — for there were no trees save those following the river and for miles around the eye could traverse unbroken stretches of waving prairie grass. The lonely figure proved to be the young man he had located before. The father after helping construct the hastily formed sod house had driven back to Paola for the rest of the family. For weeks the boy had waited and watched with never a human voice to break the solitude, and so the family found him watching when they did arrive. It is interesting to note that some thirty or more descend- ants of this family live around these parts, and one of them is a member of Eunice Sterling Chapter D. A. R. (Ive Hall Wilkinson). There is a little lady in Sedgwick, Mrs. Chas. Schaefer, who journeyed into this valley in the spring of sixty-nine, driving from Lawrence here, suffering untold hardships. She located on a farm about six miles north of Wichita. The following summer a committee visited her, entreating her to teach a school in order that they might draw the first public school money for their (SeCK- wick) county. Although she had never had an idea of teaching, she went to Wichita, took an examination given by an authority sent from Topeka for the purpose, secured a certificate and taught a three months school for $20.00 per month; thus receiving the first public school money for Sedgwick county, — and receiving all pay to which she was entitled excepting $10.00. I wonder if any remember hearing of a tragedy that took place in the Main street of your town in the summer of either seventy or seventy-one, when one — Jack Led- ford — was shot by U. S. soldiers. Mr. Schaefer says of him: "He was more sinned against than sinning. His turning bad as told me by Jack Bridges, the U. S. Mar- shal that was with the soldiers that killed Ledford was: 'Captain Kirk, the Quartermaster at Foi't Hays, refused to pay Ledford his wages as Government Scout because General Sheridan wanted Jack and Jack would rather go with Sheridan than remain at Fort Hays. Kirk thought by refusing to pay Ledford he might hold him. Ledford foolishly determined to pay himself and stole two Govern- ment mules, thus becoming an outlaw!' Jack Ledford was a brave man and one to be depended on at all times. He would go through with dispatches when the rest failed. He kept his word to me and called off the 'boys' when they had sworn to kill me. I think it was in 1871 that the Company camped on my ranch on Emma's Creek the day before they found Jack." I will only tell you further a few of the difl'iculties that confronted a New England "school-ma'am"" who came here as a bride: — Houses without plastering, — where any inside finishing was used they were bricked up, for, said the settlers: "Plastering would never stick to the walls here, it blows so.'' And the wind did "blow so" that often articles set on the boards fitted between the beams would blow off. Wads of daddy-long-legs as big as one's fist often rolled out of the rafters. I might go on indefinitely to enumerate the things so difficult for those used to the comforts of the Eastern home, — but the fact remains that though in addition to minor difficulties sand storms filled their homes with dis- comfort, though prairie fires spread destruction, though grass-hoppers ate up all the sustenance, Kansas must have had a charm, for those who came stayed. It might have been to hunt the buffalo on the prairie or to pull 75 pound cat-fish out of the river, — for they did such things in those days. Or it might have been for: "The mist on the far horizon, the infinite tender sky, The ripe rich tint of the corn field, and the wild geese sailing high. And all over upland and lowland the charm of the golden- rod. Which some of us call Autumn, and others call God." A Diary Compiled From the Pioneer Numbers of the Vidette, Beacon and Lagle From 1870 to 1879. The first recorded marriage in Wichita was Elias J. Marsh and Anna B. Peck May 9th, 1870. The first child born in Wichita was Franl^ H., son of Joseph P. Allen, druggist. July 3rd, 1870. August 13th, 1870.— Taken from the first issue of the Vidette. — "Fred A. Sowers, J. C. Burk and Captair: Pain went fishing in the Little Ar- kansas. They took out five hundred pounds of fish, the largest catfish weighing fifty-two pounds." Advertisement — "Tell me not in mournful numbers Life's a sc°ne of grief and tears; He who buys his drugs of Aliens Is sure to live a thousand years.'' "Three thorsand head of cattle over the trail on Friday morning." Eagle, April 12, 1872.— "First edi- tion. — Merchants end business men shou'd be careful not to obstruct the sidewalks with boxes fringed with half H'awn nails, or greasy loose hooped barrels. It is dangerous for pedestrians of whatever sex. and may be the cause of losing a valued cus- tome", or a n»w comer on first start whose trade in a year would build a warehouse." April 19th, 1872.— "It costs ten cents per ni'le to travel by stage in this country." "Emigrants are pouring in from all the states." "A Union Sabbath School has been organized to which all are invited." "West Wichita is growing in busi- ness and activit'es. When the bri:lge is done we will call it 'Over the Rhine' 'shoost for fun.' " "Piftv bushels of corn to the acre was raised on sod last year in this valley." June 14th, 1872.— "The efficiencv of oui' police was exemplified on Wednesday night. Mike Meagher, city marshal, went into a saloon and took a knife from a fellow's g'rdl? that looked like a butcher's clfave'' elongated. There were two together and they had concluded to stand him off, but finally were persuaded not to do so." Mr. H. Hills built the first two story brick building on Main Street, northeast corner. Sent. 19th. 1872— "There will be a meeting of the members of the hook and ladder company at the office of Mait'n, Phillips & Company on Sat- urday evening, September 21sl, at half after seven o'clock, as the ap- paratus is expected here next week. All of the members and as many as would like to join are requested to meet on this occasion." May lOth, 1872.— "An Indian grave- yard was found last Thursday in the upper town, in digging for brick clay. The skeleton, wrapped in a partially decayed buffalo robe, was brought out again upon its familiar heath, the buffalo grass, while the explorers delved for little Indian relics with the following results: Two silver ear lings, one bow and six arrows, one quiver and appurtenance, one brass army plate, two silver medals, one from Andrew Jackson's administra- tions, and one from F'anklin Pierce's as far as could be intelligently read, two partly decayed moccasins and two skulls." "The location of the M. E. parson- age has been changed to the lots ly- ing immediately south of W. B. Mead's new residence." May 17th, 1872.— "The first omni- bus and regular circus-wagon bag- gage tender that ever crushed the prairie blades nr threw mud on our thickly c'owded thoroughfare, passed down ;\lahi stieet this week from the end of the track. All hail to the omnibus, the bajfgage wafron, the drivers of both, and the horses like- wise; all of you hail, if you can, and welcome.'' May 24th, 1872.— "There will be Baptist preachinjj next Sabbath at the school house at eleven o'clock and at the Presbyterian church in the evening: at eight o'clock. All Baptist and all in sympathy with that de- nomination are requested to be pres- ent at the morning: service, as it is proposed to org-anize a Baptist church, at twelve o'clock or imme- diately after preaching." June 7th, 1872.— "On last Sabbath after the close of the morning- serv- ice, there was a Baptist Church or- g;anized with twenty-six members. Measures will be taken soon to erect a house of worship." May 31st, 1872.— "Our i^idewalks are ringing- with the jingling of the spurs of the Texas riders." October 17th, 1872.— "Richard Cog- dell, deputy county clerk, is building a nice residence on the corner of Waco and Third Street." October 24th, 1872.— "The Wichita Daily Beacon is the name of the new daily which made its appearance in our city last week. The Beacon is neat, tidy and spicy, filled with in- teresting locals, judicious editorials, and reliable news. Its proprietors are Messrs. Millison and Souers." October 3rd, 1872.— "The Presby- terian Society has rented the hall in the Eagle Block and will hold services there until further notice." October 31st, 1872.— "Long trains of emigrant wagons pass through our streets daily." November 14th, 1872. — "A delega- tion of Indian Chiefs, returning from Washington by way of Wichita, Chiefs Big Mouth, White Coon, Left Hand, Black Heap O' Bears and Yel- low Horse, arrived in Wichita last Saturday. Our fellow citizen, Wm. Greiffenstein, who has spent years among these sons of the prairie, was honored with a call from the whole delegation. Marching into his resi- dence in single file and solemn proces- sion, they singly and gravely, in turn, gave William a hearty hug and a grunt, and then announced that they had come for a talk. They spent two days in town with their interpreter and Monday morning started for their re.iervation." April 24, 1873.— "J. R. Mead's train arrived this week from Ft. Sill with five thousand dollars' worth of robes." November 21st, 1873. — "One of the most important real estate deals transacted was the purchase made by Morris Kohn of William Greiff'enstein northeast corner of Main and Doug- las Avenue for $2000." April 3, 1873.— "J. R. Mead furnishes the property owners of his addition with shade trees free of charge. All he asks of them is to set them out and take good care of them." January 1st, 1874.— "The Baptist Church was dedicated." "Col. Jenkins has commenced the erection of a ten room house on the corner of Second and Lawrence." February 12th, 1874.— "Wichita boasts the finest soprano singer in the state, Mrs. Catherine Russell." April 29th, 1874.— "At a spelling match by the Presbyterian Society at Eagle Hall. 'Heap o' fun' was had, and Clara Carpenter won a hand- some copy of Will Carlton's 'Farm Ballads,' as best speller." May 29th, 1874.— "The spelling mania has subsided and base ball is now raging. A club was organized Monday night with A. A. Hyde as Captain of the Nine. A handsome uniform has been adopted, funds es- tablished for the purchase of thumb stalls, court plaster and splints. A surgeon will be regularly employed during bowling and clubbing exer- cises, and the affair is in every in- stance to be regarded as a success.'' January 1st, 1874. — Advertisement — "The cry is money, and money I want; and for the next twenty days you can buy any goods in my .store at cost. — J. Oak Davidson. January 8th, 1874. — "There was re- ceived here on Tuesday news of the arrest of Rowdy Joe in Saint Louis." January 16th, 1874. — "Occidental Hotel will be prepared to handle guests Friday." August 24th, 1874.— "There was a called meeting of the Aid Society to be held at the residence of Mrs. Judge Fisher, to provide for the grasshopper sufferers. Signed, Mrs. J. H. Todd." September 24th, 1874.— "We see by the Leavenworth papers that E. H. Durfee, who established the trading- post of Wichita, is dead." October 1st, 1874. — "Large flocks of pelicans have been flying south- ward during the week." October 29, 1874.— "Rowdy Joe is dead." "Mrs. Russell gave a concert for charity which netted $.325.00." May 29th, 1873.— "Seventy-flve thousand head of cattle have already crossed the line of this state. Of these, fifty thousand are concentrated around Wichita." May 20th, 1875. — "Trees are springing up along our thorough- fares and up in front yards as if by magic. Wichita needed no arbor day set apart — the work began with spring. What a beautiful little prai- rie city we will have in a few years." Sept. 25th, 187.3.— "The biggest shipment of Texas cattle ever made in one day in this state was made last Sunday. 120 car loads of 20 head each, 2,400 head, were shipped inside of nine hours. It took 4 engines to pull this live freight. The value not less than .$28,800." October 1st, 1876. — "We are glad to chronicle the organization of a Y. M. C. A. of this city. The society has already nine members. Chas. David- son, President, Leonard Jackson, Sec- retary, Reuben Lawrence, Treasurer. The first meeting was held at the home of the President. Over twenty young men, principally students in our public schools, were in attend- ance." October 19th, 1876.— "Jimmie Black has taken possession of his new brick business room. It looks like business, light, roomy, and a fine open front." January 1, 1874. — ^"Wild turkeys are plentiful at forty cents a pound." January 28th, 1876.— "The starry banners of the noblest republic are being unfurled to the breeze. Con- nell & Basley and Burdean & Carter have run up beautiful flags. An ex- ample to be followed." May, 1876.— "Wichita City, May, 1876 — Number of houses, seven hun- dred and forty-five, families, six hundred and ninety, persons, three thousand three hundred and fifty- seven." Douglas Avenue was named by Mr. N. A. English in honor of his valued friend, Stephen A. Douglas. The present generation may think the pioneer days of Wichita were prosy days — no trains to meet, no picture shows, no theatres, or ball games. Ask an old settler. He will say they were happy days. When there was a party, ball or wedding, old and young went. There were no invitations, no exclusive set, but all went in together for a good time. Eagle. September 11, 1879— "Lloyd B. Farrell got in an immense invoice of pictures last week — among them a lot of real oil iiaintings, which he will sell at surprisingly low figures." September 18. 1879— "An Archery Club has been organized with Mrs. W. E. Stanley, President; W. P. Stein, Secretary; John Tucker, Treasurer. The club will give an exhibition Thurs- day, September 18th, on the fair ground. — W. P. Stein, Secretary." "Miss Flora Pollock has returned from her visit north." ' October 2nd— "The Keystone Cloth- ing House, Bitting Bros., come to the front this week on a double quarter ad. We will venture the assertion that there is not another clothing house in the state of Kansas that has a more complete and larger stock of goods than the Keystone." October 9th. — "Judge Little is build- ing an extra neat barn and stable on his premises." Eagle, September 13, 1879.— "Whit- ney Tucker kept very quiet about it until told that it was a boy, since which time the town is not big enough for the new father." Eagle, December 11, 1879.— "One' of the oldest and most respected of our citizens, D. S. Munger, a man full of years, and fully ripened to the har- vest, has gone from among us. His bent form will be missed upon our busy streets, and no more will his kindly face be seen, etc., etc." December 25th. — "For the first time New Years receptions will be in- augurated in this city. The following will keep open house and welcome all who may honor them with a New Year's call : Miss Pattie Todd will re- ceive at her home on P^ourth Avenue, assisted by Miss Eggleston, Misb Laura Eggleston and Miss Nellie Burr. Miss Libby Israel and Miss Nettie Lewis will receive with the Misses Hill, at Judge Hill's residence from two till eight p. m. Mrs. C. A. Van Ness, Mrs. D. Hays, Mrs. Dr. Russell, Miss Fannie Parker, Miss Minnie Van Ness and Miss Anna Kellogg will re- ceive with Mrs. Kos Harris from one to five p. m., at 119 South Main Street. The Misses Jewett and Miss Bullock will reeceive with Miss Pollock at the residence of Chas. Caldwell on To- peka Avenue. Mrs. S. D. Jackson and Mrs. E. P. Hovey, at their residence on Lewis Street, assisted by Mrs. W. C. Woodman, Mrs. W. S. Woodman, Mrs. Thos. Woodman and Miss Linda Carver. Mrs. J. P. Furlong and Mrs. F. W. Waller, Jr., Emporia Avenue, North End French Villa residence. The Misses West, corner Emporia Avenue and Second Street. Mrs. W. S. Cor- bett at her residence on Topeka Ave- nue, assisted by Mrs. L. C. Wilson and Mrs. Dr. McAdams. Personal Property— Tax Roll of Sedgwick County, Kansas, for 1 870 as to Wicfiita Township, as Shown Personal Property Name. Tax, 3':^^ Allison, J. M. $ 900.00 Alliston, C. C 150.00 Allen, J. P 898.00 Allbaugh, I. B 100.00 Aldric'i & Simmons .325 00 Btiggs, J. M -. 145 00 Bowers, R. M 615 01 Boggs, W. K 615.00 Bolte & Co., H 250 00 Bai'ey, C. A 800.00 Creswell. S. G. 350.00 Clark, George E.. 1480.00 Dunlap. L 20 00 Dunlap, H 770.00 Davidson, John 210 00 Dickey, J. B 150.00 Drew, Mrs. M 350.00 English, N. A 655.00 Elder, I. J 45.00 Everetts, Mrs. L 600 00 Fitzgerald, S. W 740 00 Fisher, L. D. .._ 225 00 Fplkenstein, John 412.00 Finn. W'lliam 75.00 Fulton. F. J 150 00 GUI, G. F 290.00 G'll, William 90.00 Gre-ffenstein, William 3175.00 Giaham, G 220.00 Greenway, A. J (590.00 Garrison, C. M 400 00 Houston, J 50.00 Hoover, S 375.00 Hunter, C. H 298.00 Hoover, D. H 1020.00 Hills, Chas. W 850.00 Houston, W. R. L 499.00 Hubbard, P. C 810.00 Hall, M. K 350.00 -lordan, G. L. Johnston, S. C - 690.00 Johnson & Co., George.. 2000 00 Lewellen, D. 1750.00 Leakin, M. H 250.00 Ledrick, Phil 700.00 Munger. D. S 71.00 Mead, J. R 350 00 Matzel & Hubbard 2550.00 Piatt, S. T 145.00 Peck, E. A J65.00 Peyton, John 200.00 Price, I. E 2000.00 Kamlow, H. C 535 00 Rowton, J. L 6500 Riggs, R - 400.00 Russell, Rymer, H. J 400.00 Snow 470.00 Sul'ivan, C. E. 431.00 Sharp, George 380 00 Smith, Henry 330.00 Sales, M. A 790.00 Sales, A. M 108.00 Slaughter 60.00 Smith, William 2675.00 Scouton, G. P 275.00 Sm'th & Co.. Geo 2500.00 Scblichter, George 1800.00 Taylor, J. R 160 00 Teter, C 50.00 Taybr, W. G 202.00 Vigus, H. W . Van Buren, William 450.00 Walker, W. M. 690 00 Wrght. W. F 663.00 Wa-d, J Walker, I. C 465.00 Waterman, S. N W-terman. E. P 160.00 Widener, C. 380.00 Wiight, M. P 200.00 $45,296.00 The Old Settlers' Club was organized for social pleasure. On this particular occasion they were enjoying their annual club dinner at the home of Mr. Finlay Ross. The ladies wore beautiful gowns of earlier days. Jlr. :>ll(l Mr.s. Geo. Xiilly. Mr. and .Mr.s. C. W. Bitting. .Ml-, and .Mrs. f!. M Whitney. .Ml-. and Mi-s. W, .7. Wriser Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Little. .Mrs H. T. Kramer ilr. and Mrs. O. D. Barnes. Mrs A ley Mr and Mrs. H. C. Sluss. .Mr. a)id Mrs. Kos Harris. Miss Reed. itrs. J. P. Allen. Mr. and Mr.-i. .1. H. Black. Mr and Mrs. Geo. Dickson. Mr. and Mrs. C. V. Ferguson. Mr. and Mrs. .1. L. Dyer Mr. and Mrs. Fred Smyth. Mr. and Mrs. E. B. .lewett. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 016 088 465 4