Wabaunsee County
Newspaper Items 1870-1900
From the 1901 "Early History of Wabaunsee County," are snippets from local papers between 1870 and 1900.
1870.
Andreas Thowe celebrated the New Year by shooting a hole
through the palm of his hand while handling a revolver.
The following persons took claims in Rock creek township: John
Hogue, Horace Paul, F. Hecke, M. K. Anderson, Ben Riggs, Wm,
Brewer, Charles Cross, W. G. Long, Creed Clement, W. H. Harrison,
Henry Haas, and H. Slocumb.
The Herald agitates the question of a daily mail for Alma.
Mr. Pauly built a new residence near the mill; the Lutheran parsonage was completed in March, and Father Remele raised $400
towards building a Catholic church.
P. L. Woody 's arrival is reported in the items from "Jaketown,"
March 10th, and the same month Wm. M. Rinehart bought Charlie
McCormick's claim, near Eskridge, for $300.
On March 29th, Mr. Half-day was brought before Squire Lange, in
Alma, and fined ten dollars for beating his mother-in-law, Mrs. Wa-wa-qua.
The Pittsburg colony arrived in Alma May 11th.
Messrs. Moore & Thomson, attorneys, inserted card in Herald.
Mr. Thomson graduated from the Chicago University in 1867. (Judge
Thomson was the "avant courier" of the firm. Renting an office, he
went to Burlingame, and while there concluded to locate there
instead of in Alma. Mr. Moore died in the East before his partner
became settled in the new country).
The Kaw reserve was opened to settlement this year, and Wm.
Exon reports 30 families located in his school district (23).
Newbury was settled by a colony of Ohioans in April. The town
was laid out by Dan. Home, Bartling, Kellam, and Lakin, of Topeka,
and Col. Phillips, of Wabaunsee county. The Santa Fe owned half
interest in the town. In June, there were eleven houses in the town
and two or three families in each house. There were two stores, one
hotel, and a blacksmith shop.
Goldstandt & Cohen, who had run the Winkler hotel one year,
left June 1st for the new town.
The Alma Cemetery was laid out in May.
Sunday, January 16, was the most sudden change ever known in
the country.
200 Arapahoes killed several settlers on Big creek, near Fort Hays,
in February.
John Bisbey's stable burned April 13th.
Allen Phillips' hay and stables burned by prairie fire, Sunday,
April 24th.
The Herald of April 7th said that H. D. Shepard would put in a
large new store at Wilmington, and that Dr. Wilkerson had erected
a new store building, and that Dr. Easter was preparing to build
another. Penfleld & Son, and James Cripps & Co. had opened stores,
and Henry Burns, a blacksmith shop, and that J. and H. McPherson,
builders, had all they could do.
Sunday, June 4th, Abe Johnson, a young man working for I. H.
Isbell was drowned while bathing in the Kaw river at Wabaunsee.
Wilmington township was divided into three precincts in April:
Dragoon, Elm creek and Rock creek.
Postofflces established at Newbury and Grant, J. W. Mossman,
postmaster, Grant, and P. H. Moser, Newbury.
August 18th, Soza � Ne-Ma-Acan advertises for lost note for $100,
November 1st, Seymore's house on Snokomo burned.
Dr. L. P. Weaver, on a trip to Denver writes, October 12th, of
seeing herds of buffalo from the car window and that they were very
tame, one rolling over twice within 15 rods of the train.
1871.
January 11th, Cummings boys killed catamount between mouth
of Hendricks creek and Pok-Tah's.
March 25th, Court House Building association formed; W. T.
Aderhold, chairman, Joseph Treu, secretary, and S. II, Fairfield,
treasurer. Other members of committee: Henry Schmitz, Ed. Krapp,
Robert Fix, Charles Lehmberg, Peter Thoes, L. Pauly, J. P. Gleich,
and A. Schewe. Contract let to build court house: Stone work to
Fred Link for $2,157; carpenter work to Fritz Vollmer at $2,200, and
the plastering to George Bender at $600.
Mr. Hower's house on Kuenzli creek burned first week in May.
May 21st, a son of Mr. L. Wendland, 11 years old, drowned while
in swimming.
June 26lh, the nine year old son of J. F. Willard, near Wabaunsee,
died from the bite of a rattlesnake.
June 24th, George Colgrove and another horse thief shot by
Sheriff Herrick and the sheriff of Dickinson county at a farm house
in Mill creek township while resisting arrest. Slept with Will Her-
rick in same room with his father. Escaped night of July 5th.
August 4th, a German named Speckman, 60 years old, drowned in
Mill creek, four miles above Alma.
September 20th, August Weber's coat pocket caught in tumbling-
rod of threshing machine. Arm, with shoulder blade torn out.
Wound dressed by Dr. Brasche and fully recovered.
October 12th, Thomas Barker, Mission creek, lost 200 tons of hay
by prairie fire.
October 19th, body of man found in Mill creek, near Aderhold
crossing, by L. M. LaDuke. Had been murdered. Pockets turned
inside out. Had T. S. W. on arm; age 35 or 40; sandy complexion.
In October, two men named Anderson were caught in prairie fire
between Manhattan and Zeandale. One was burned to death and the
recovery of the other doubtful.
New school house built in Dist. No. 5; also in No. 11.
November 4th, body of Melancthon Inman found dead on bank of
river, four miles below Wamego. Had died October 11th. Was a
trapper. John Mock held inquest.
Mr. Henry Klein killed deer weighing 160 pounds on Klein farm
on East branch of Mill creek.
Postoffice at Maple Hill established, John Winkler, postmaster.
Office supplied from Newbury.
November 14th, eleven men started from Harveyville on a buffalo
hunt. Saw only a few old Buffalo and barely escaped freezing--necessary to keep constantly on the move.
December 23d, contract let for building the bridge over Kansas
river at Wamego.
December 23d, a young man named Samuel Walker killed by accidental discharge of gun.
December 26th, Smith Kelsey's house at Wabaunsee burned.
1872.
January. Stabbing affray on Snokomo � Keeler and Ferrin � over a
claim.
Smallpox in Berlin settlement (Templin), Alma, and on East
branch of Mill creek. Among those dying of smallpox was N, H.
Whittemore, county attorney. John T. Keagy was appointed by
Judge Morton to fill vacancy.
Tuesday night, January 23d, J. M. Matheny stepped out of west
door of State house, falling 20 feet, breaking left thigh and receiving
serious injuries in head.
New court house occupied last week in March. St. Marys bridge
completed in February and Wamego bridge, in June.
Flock of turkeys ranged in Pauly's timber. Ed. Herrick and Dr.
Wharry brought in one weighing 16 lbs.
In April, while C. O. Kinne was with his father in the timber on
Mulberry creek a black bear rose on his haunches and after a few
growls ambled across the prairie in a northwest direction. Mr. Kinne
says he wasn't hunting for bear that day. Hadn't even a pocket
knife and wasn't hungry for bear, anyway.
A five year old son of Mr. J. H. Smale died of a chill in the school
room, Dist. 30, in March.
March 9th, Alfred Rod, while hunting ducks in Kansas river near
mouth of Mill creek, shot accidentally by companion.
March 26th, Rosa, a little daughter of Martin Muckenthaler, of
Newbury, burned by clothes catching from fire in yard. Lived until
the following day.
April 8th, a 13 year old daughter of Philip Litz drowned in Mill
creek. Found by Ferdinand Schmanke three miles above Alma.
April 14th, whirlwind on Nehring branch hurled cow 20 feet,
striking against stone wall and breaking her neck.
During the prevalence of smallpox P. F. Johnson made arrangements with Drs. Brasche and Wharry to vaccinate all who desired it
free. Dr. Weaver, of Wabaunsee, vaccinated 466 persons during the
scare.
Mrs. Catherine Greemore (nee Bourassa), an historical character
favorably known to every traveler across the reserve by reason of her
many kind acts, died March 17th.
1873.
Robert Shaw operated the first woolen mill in the county� on the
head of Mission creek. Mr. Herb Shaw peddled the product of the
mills through the adjacent territory in a two-horse wagon.
In February, John Schwanke was appointed postmaster at Moltke
(Cobb); Henry Grimm, at Grimm postoffice, and Charles Lehmberg, at
Berlin (Templin).
Lincoln house, in Alma, opened by T. R. McElroy, in September.
Among the many losses from prairie fires this year was the residence of Judge Hall, at Wabaunsee, burned Friday night, November
14th. Loss 84,000, including 60 tons hay, 300 bushels corn, 1,800 lbs.
cheese, and 6 fat hogs. Also, Geo. S. Burt's stables, grain, etc. Mr.
Finn, near Eskridge, lost hay and stables. Kuenzli and Nicely, a
large amount of hay.
1874.
Catholic church erected. No resident priest until 1880. Supplied
by Jesuit fathers from St. Marys. Then Pr. Hundhausen until 1891:
Fr. Ifohe until 1892; Fr. Bollwig until 1895; Fr. Cihal, August, 1895,
until March, 1896; then Fr. Kamp � the present (1901) incumbent.
Sylvester Kraemer, on Rock creek, killed six deer during the
heavy snows in January.
On a trip from Alma to Wamego, in December, a large gray wolf
followed the hack several miles. Quite a number of shots were fired
and his wolfship changed his course.
During December of this year the first fire department in Alma
was organized. John Gibson was mayor.
This is known in Kansas Annals as the "grasshopper year." The
hoppers (or locusts) came in myriads, obscuring the sun. and in a
few short hours transformed a land teeming with plenty into a desert
waste. A truthful story would savor of Munchausonism and the
narrator be set down as unworthy of belief. They devoured every
green thing, even to the leaves of the trees and their excrement falling
into the streams poisoned the fish. Many cattle died from drinking
the water and others were fatally poisoned by eating the remains of
the fodder shocks on which they had alighted and partly devoured,
Melons were eaten to the core and the vines destroyed. A patch of
turnips was but as a luncheon, the insects burrowing into the chambers hollowed out by their mandibles. There had been a dearth of
moisture and hetween drouth and the grasshoppers the settlers were
ground as between the upper and nether millstones. Millions of holes
were bored in the ground, wherein myriads of eggs were deposited,
and when the warm sunshine of spring came, from every egg was
hatched a grasshopper. To destroy the insects many plans were
devised but little was accomplished. They had come as unbidden
guests and the plagued pests had seemingly settled down for another
feast when their wings were unfolded and they departed � as unceremoniously as they had come, and, it is hoped,
to a place where grasshoppers' visits are more welcome than in Kansas.
1875.
The News of January 6th, said: Three more days of pleasant
weather will place the Alma Salt Works in full blast.
School opened in the new stone building, January 18th.
On January 20th, fires were started under 25 huge kettles at the
Salt Works. The owners were: John Winkler, Joseph Treu, Henry
Schmitz, August Meyer, G. Zwanziger, and Frank Rickershauser.
The News says: "The town is happy, the community is happy, that
there is a permanent manufacturing enterprise in our midst that will
be a source of revenue for all time to come." Hundreds of cords of
wood, covering several acres of ground were piled near the works.
Salt was sold at two dollars a barrel.
The News of March 17th, contained this item: "It is reported
that a spring trap went off at a smoke house door on the East branch
of Mill creek one night last week and that a certain man has been
sick in bed ever since." The smoke house belonged to Ed. Krapp, and
the man died.
April 26th, George Boydston had an eye knocked out by boys
throwing stones.
On the night of March 16th, an attempt was made to burn the
bank but was frustrated by Harry Licht. The fire was among a lot of
rubbish and a barrel of coal oil and three kegs of powder were already
in the blaze.
The News of May 19th, says: "Prof. M. Kast sends up a grand
balloon from Winkler's hotel Friday night."
Snokomo P. O. established in June, G. S. Kneeland, postmaster.
Alma made a money order office July 5th, Geo. Fechter, postmaster. First order issued to John T. Keagy.
July 4th, John Spiecker's house struck by lightning. Mr. Spiecker
unconscious for six hours.
August 24th, stranger from Missouri, while herding sheep near
west line of county, killed by tree falling on him, while asleep.
September 23d, Carl Fink thrown from wagon near Wm. Krieg's
place, crossing of Spring creek. Died from injuries following Sunday.
October 17th, F. C. Simon had leg broken in two places while
hitching up young horse to light wagon.
October 20th, Gus Droege reports to News raised 120 bushels corn
to acre by actual measurement, A. Kettermann reports 800 bushels
on six acres.
October, Mrs. Woods, of Rock creek, narrowly escaped death from
bite of tarantula.
December 6th, Mr. Buttenhoff, of Spring creek, killed near Biasing's, on Deep craek, by team running away. Was coming home from
Manhattan with load of lumber.
News, December 8th: "The beavers are building a dam on Mill
creek, near east line of Henry Schmitz' new farm. Their work is a
curiosity. Large cottonwoods are cut and thrown into the stream
with as much precision as though felled by the most expert axemen.
Brush and mud are laid upon the logs and their work is well secured.
They have already raised the water two feet."
Mails in 1875: Left Alma for Pavilion, Wabaunsee, and Wamego,
daily. Left Alma for Newbury, Maple Hill, Plowboy, and Silver
Lake, twice a week. Left Alma for Bismark, Eskridge, Harveyville.
and Burlingame, weekly. Left Alma for Grimm, Templin, Moss
Springs, Munson, and Council Grove, weekly. Left Alma for Rockton,
Grant, Dover, and Topeka, weekly. Left Alma for Cobb, Chalk
Mound, Agnes City, Dow creek, and Americus, weekly. Left Esk-
ridge tor Chalk Mound and Council Grove, weekly. Left Eskrid^' for
French Valley, Waushara, and Emporia, weekly. Left Eskridge for
Harveyville and Burlingame, weekly. Left Eskridge for Bismark and
Alma, weekly.
1876.
February 2d, Ed. Colcher, age 17, killed in front of school house at
Newbury by being thrown from horse, breaking his neck. Horse
scared by two dogs fighting.
June 24th, Miss McGregor, of Mission creek, killed by being
thrown under horses feet while driving a two-horse wagon.
In April, a daughter of Wm. Wiley, of Wabaunsee, died of a
snake bite inflicted in 1872.
W. M. Rinehart started store at Corners in the spring of 1876.
At the October term of court W. A. Fry was convicted of maiming in the fourth degree. Escaped from Sheriff Hoskinson.
December 1st, Mrs. Schroeder, of Farmer township, fell dead
while milking.
1877.
In February, Rocky Ford postoffice established, M. W. Janes,
postmaster.
Friday night, March 2d, type in News office pied. In the fall
campaign controversy through the columns of the only newspaper
were long and bitter � communications from two to six columns in
length were frequent. The Farmer's Savings bank was a bone of
contention, it being urged that a levy of an extra mill had been made
to secure a surplus for the bank.
Tower to Catholic church erected in March. Rev. Frank B.
Smith moved into M. E. parsonage in September.
Bourn's sawmill in Watson's timber, one and one-half miles south-
west of Alma.
Item in the News, March 28th: "As Mr. J. W. Emerson was on
the road to Wamego one day last week, about two miles west of Wabaunsee a large gray wolf suddenly appeared by the side of the wagon
and attacked his large shepherd dog, which was saved only by the
interference of Mr. Emerson. Those having little children should be
careful not to let them wander from the house, alone."
Stone school house at Harveyville built, size 31x43.
J. M. Lingfelter, at April session, was appointed county superintendent to fill vacancy caused by resignation of F. W. Kroenke.
Cheese factory opened at Wabaunsee in May.
Tuesday, July 3d, Marvin, a son of Capt. R. J. Stephenson, was
killed by lightning in Maple Hill township while crossing the prairie
on horseback. His brother, a mile away, was also stunned, and a son
of Mr. Fauerbach was shocked by lightning.
While pulling a gun out of a wagon muzzle foremost Arthur Rand
received gunshot wound in arm. Saturday, November 3d, limb amputated by Drs. Patee and Spillman, of Manhattan.
1878.
January 30th, a large wildcat killed by J. W. Bowman on Pretty
creek.
Mr. Brooks, of Mission creek, erects windmill to grind grain, in
January.
D. P. Matthews, of Maple Hill, died of heart disease while eating
breakfast. Left large family; two daughters taught school.
Lutheran and M. E. churches built. Also, Waushara M. E.
church.
March 9th, Harvey Thomson's residence on Hendrick's creek
burned.
March 31st, Mrs. Bertram Klein, of Halifax, died of heart disease
while sitting in her chair.
Buildings being scarce at the "Corners" W. M. Rinehart rented a
part of the room occupied by his store to Ira Hodgson for a harness
and shoe shop. The two departments were separated by a chalk mark
on the floor.
June 30th, W. W. Cone reported a hog raised by D. C. Keeler, of
Mission creek, weighing 900 pounds, measuring 7 feet 3 inches long;
height, 3 feet 1 inch; breadth, through shoulders, 25 inches: circumference, 7 feet.
While passing under a sycamore tree at the Moon crossing of
Mission creek, on Sunday, June 30th, at 4 p. m., Mr. and Mrs. Allen
Phillips were killed by lightning. The team was uninjured and
stopped in front of Mr. Moon's house, a quarter of a mile west
of the creek. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips were returning to their home
(theGodard ranch) from a visit to his son, L. M. Phillips, of North
Topeka. Some time previous Mr. Phillips had expressed the belief
that he and his wife would die suddenly and at the same time. Mr.
Phillips was one of the first settlers in Newbury township and was
one of the live men who laid out the town of Newbury. Was a leading citizen, and owned one of the best farms in the county, being
extensively engaged in raising wheat.
On February 7th, the following were enrolled in the principal's
department of the Alma school (two teachers were employed): Otto
Zwanziger, Ottilie and Arthur Schmitz, Otto Hess, Willie and Minnie
Pauly, Charles, Jerry, James, Sell, and Ulysses Fields, Emma and
Richard Thoes, Margery, Lizzie, and John McElroy, Geo. Fechter,
Amelia, Robert, Arthur, and Otto Winkler, Frank Lenk, Frank
Jackson, Emil Beutel, George and Willie Huebner, Rosa, Maggie, and
Frank Ressler, Josie, Ida, and Frank Wiedemann, Matilda and Henry
Palenske, and Joseph Hensel.
1879.
No newspaper file could be found for this year.
August 2d, 138,700 bonds voted for M. A. & B. Railroad, to run 30
years from July 1, 1880.
1880.
Eskridge (the new town) platted in April and first house hauled
on the town site by Dr. Trivett and placed on corner where bank now
located. First residence built by Dr. Trivett, for O. T. Lamb.
August 4th, Fred Muehlehbacher found dead in timber. Disappeared the 3d. Grape vine around neck with body supported by pole.
January 5th, attempt made to break into vault in county treasurer's office. Hole drilled through outer door, powder poured in and
exploded. Vault now used by surveyor.
March 16th, Willie Fortner, Zeandale, while out hunting shot by
accidental discharge of companion's gun.
May 23d, M. Gehrts' house burned.
The News of June 30th says of Eskridge: "J. H. Lawler has opened
a hotel, and Mudge, a general store. Three or four dwellings erected
and foundations for others.
July 5th (the 4th coming on Sunday) was a gala day for Alma.
5,000 people and 5 bands. Alma was celebrating the 4th and our first
railroad. Col. Sanford delivered excellent speech concerning the
growth of transportation facilities in the United States.
July 18th, railroad reached Wabaunsee.
Fairfield postoffice established, Hiram Musselman, postmaster.
July 26th, arrangements made to move buildings at the "Corners"
to Eskridge.
August 25th, S. T. Wright making 20 barrels salt per day at Alma
Salt Works.
September 1st, first mail carried on M. A. & B.
September 17th, William Hare, brakeman on M. A. & B., got foot
caught in switch at Alma depot and two wheels ran over leg, necessitating amputation. Accident occurred Friday morning and operation
performed at 5 p. m. Died during operation.
1881.
In 1881, contracts were let to run mail lines from Alma by way of
Newbury, Paxico, Maple Hill, Post creek, and Valencia, to
Topeka. From Alma via Grimm, Templin, Albion, Chester, Damorris,
and Luther, to Council Grove. From Junction City via Briggs and
Elvenia, to Alma. From Waushara via Wilmington, to Burlingame.
From Eskridge via Chalk and Alburtis, to Council Grove. From Eskridge via French Valley, Allen, Ivy, and Dell, to Emporia. From
Bismark (Halifax) via Rockton, Snokomo, Mission creek, Keene, and
Dover, to Topeka.
January 7th, Charlie Vannatta had left leg shattered by acciden-
tal discharge of shotgun. Died Tuesday following.
January 14th, Bennington Ayres, Wabaunsee, commits suicide.
February 14th, Alexander Chambers, teamster for the "Colony"
(Rock creek) found frozen on prairie.
September 1st, Newt Gann killed by lightning while riding a mule
and leading some horses, six miles northwest of Alma.
September 8th, German, named Hestel dropped dead while plowing in field on Kuenzli creek.
September 27th, first big fire in Alma. Krueger building burned
at noon. Supposed cause: Boys and matches. G. G. Cornell lost
library of 1,000 volumes, family souvenirs and valuable manuscript.
Dr. Greene lost library. Fred Meyer and Mrs. Sawallisch lost everything.
October 5th, Matt. Fooks kills George Miller on Spring creek.
November, foundation for Congregational church in Alma put in
for stone building.
Mr. S. T. Wright reports making 25 to 30 bands purest salt, per
day at. Alma Salt Works.
1882.
January 20th, suicide of G. W. Adam -- shotgun.
April 5th, Charles McQuarrie shot Armenia Lapham and himself
at the Lapham farm, Wabaunsee.
April 14th, Mrs. Semena Cann's body found in Farmer township,
200 yards from house, in hazel brush. Last seen about March 6th.
A. Ketterman found pieces of lead as large as peas in sand pump
while drilling well one and one-half miles south of Alma.
March 31st, Francis Downey kicked to death by horse. Thrown
and caught foot in harness.
May 14th, Evangelical church dedicated.
August 17th, Congregational church and cemetery at Maple Hill
dedicated.
1883.
Annie, the two year old daughter of W. E. Richey, fell from south
end of west porch at State house. Fell 20 feet.
April 13th, buildings at Meyer place, used for poor farm, demolished by cyclone.
April 13th, Daniel McGonigle, Kaw, killed by lightning.
April 14th, the five year old son of C. Kobiske died from hydrophobia.
June, Fred Meyer feeding 30,000 silk worms on leaves of the Osage
orange.
October, Copp erected telephone line from store to his house.
Nov. 8th, W. H. Earl's house burned near Eskridge; loss, $2,000,
December 17th, F. L. Raymond's house at Vera damaged $300 by
fire.
1884.
May 6th, a small cyclone demolished house occupied by J. Liston
and family, Maple Hill. Family had just left the house.
52 buildings erected in Alma during the year.
The News of May 21st said that the number of plug hats seen on
the streets was another evidence of Alma's advancement towards
metropolitan importance.
June 13th, corner stone of Catholic church at Newbury laid.
July 23d, Wm. Maike fell 26 feet, receiving severe injuries to spine
while building Newbury church.
October 27th, remains of Charles Koch found by John Bingaman,
half mile north of Hendricks creek crossing. Identified by clothing;
last seen April 18th.
November 1st, Licht & Lingfelter put in telephone from their
land office to court house.
November 9th, Frank McKee, 15 year old son of Henry McKee,
near Eskrldge, killed by accidental discharge of gun.
November 15th, August Kietzmann, Sr., dropped dead in his yard.
November 16th, George D. Godard accidentally killed by gun
being drawn through fence.
1885.
January 25th, M. E. church, at Wabaunsee, dedicated.
March, Rockton postoffice established; Agnes Hill, postmistress.
March 10th, R. B. Spillman appointed judge.
March 28th, A. O. Hogbin's barn and six horses burned.
May 25th, James Sparks died at Star hotel (opposite Mrs. Meyer's)
from overdose of laudanum.
June 22d, Ham Stone's house, Maple Hill, burned by lamp upsetting.
July 18th, fire in rear of F. C. Simon's store -- loss $1,000.
August 17th, stone barn of W. S. Combs, Kaw, burned -- horses and
machinery.
September 12th, John Ewlng, on A. Norlin's place died of kick
from a horse.
October 2d, Geo. Holmes' barn, three horses burned.
November 8th, wildcat killed three miles south of Alma.
November 15th, Arthur Haller killed by accidental discbarge of
gun.
November, postoffice at Elvenia discontinued.
December 13th, Warren's residence, Maple Hill, burned.
Loss $7,000.
1886.
June 26th, young man named Krieger killed by lightning on Pretty
creek. While plowing took shelter in vacant house.
July 17th, Rock Island bonds voted. In four townships 690 for
and 29 against.
August 20th, A. Stech's house, near Paxico, burned.
August 29th, the 14 year old son of B. F. Funkhouser, Mission
creek, drowned while bathing.
August 30th, Arthur Hare, eight years old, drowned while bathing
in Mill creek at Alma.
Pike laid out by W. D. Deans in October. Name changed to
Cable City, and in March, 1887 to Alta Vista.
Paxico laid out and named in December.
1887.
March 25th, Rock Island reaches Alma.
March 26th, Timothy McCarthy killed by James Sleet on Rock
Island grade, near Templin.
May, McFarland laid out and platted.
June 19th, H. J. Pippert's barn, Alma, burned.
August 18th, Mrs. Milton Riggin, near Wilmington, killed by
lightning.
November, Congregational parsonage completed.
December 12th, Brandt hotel opened.
Wamego bridge made free April 12th.
July 31st, August Herman drowned near M. A. & B. bridge.
October 7th, Jack O'Donnell run over and killed by cars at Rock
Island depot.
St. Marys bridge made free October 20th.
November 15th, D. K. Pugh thrown off abutment of Rock Island
bridge, west of Maple Hill. Lived five minutes; fell 22 feet.
November 5th, Frank Rice, brakeman, killed at Paxico.
1888.
January 16th, J. F. Limerick and ten others injured in wreck oa
Rock Island, one mile west of Willard. Two sleepers derailed.
January 19th, ten freight cars fell through Deep creek bridge.
Millard Foster, fireman, killed.
March 4th, Anthony Saddler killed at McFarland in attempting
to board moving freight train.
April 11th, James Woods' child, Rock creek, drowned in spring.
April 13th, Alma postoffice burglarized and safe blown open.
April 21st, 13 year old son of T. C. Austin died from kick of mule.
August 3d, Jersey Small's residence, Maple Hill township, destroyed by lightning; loss $10,000.
August 3d, Watson & Aderhold's store at McFarland demolished
in wind storm.
September 15th, Herman Oehms, 11 years old, badly crippled at
Paxico while attempting to cross the track in front of incoming train.
November 3d, J. E. Torrington, of Topeka, while hunting near
Maple Hill, had nearly all flesh torn from lower part of arm while
pulling loaded gun from wagon.
November 9th, 75 head of cattle killed in M. A. & B. wreck near
Pavilion.
November 19th, H. P. Jesse, a brakemiin, killed while coupling
cars at Maple Hill.
1889.
January 23d, Bank of Wabaunsee county failed with $20,000 liabilities.
February 14th, James Nelson, Mission creek, suicides. Had deeded
his property to his wife. She died, leaving the property to her sisters
in Sweden. A refusal of one of the sisters to marry Nelson was followed by the tragedy near Eskridge.
February 22d, a vein of coal 3 feet 8 inches thick reported at a
depth of 1,680 feet at Alma coal hole.
April 4th, C. L. Hine, while working in a box car at McFarland,
killed by pistol shot fired by Chas. E. Jackson from near Denver house,
150 yards distant.
April 1st, J. H. Lynn's barn and two horses burned in prairie fire
near Paxico.
April 14th, unknown man suicides at Hotel Paxico.
July, Vera postoffice established at "Grafton."
June 24th, Alma State Bank opened for business.
July 18th, Adam Diehl's two year old child drowned in hole of
water at Paxico.
July 28th, seven tribes participate in Indian dances near St. Marys.
September 2d, Robert Walter run over by freight train and killed
at midnight.
October 26th, 14 cars derailed by cow on track on Frank Rickershauser's farm, near Paxico.
October, Conrad Mogge thrown from cart in crossing ditch and
killed.
INovember 2d, corner stone of M. E. church, Alta Vista, laid.
November 3d. E. Worsley's barn and three horses burned, Maple
Hill. Boys shooting pigeons.
December 2d, Billy Moore's house, Alma, burned.
December, panther seen on Hendricks creek. Welfelt boys capture 25 beaver before Christmas. Muskrats, mink, and skunks by the
score.
1890.
January 6th, Stephen Perkins, the village blacksmith at Halifax,
dies suddenly. When found was sitting at stove with half filled pipe
in his hand.
January 3d, John Zellers house, barn, and granary, Paxico, burned.
January 12th, Palenske building and Wetzel property (Conrad
Mueller's) burned. Losses: L. Palenske, $6,500; C. Mueller, $2,500; H.
M. Berry, $1,000; D. W. Johnson, $1,000; M. Kast, $500; Masonic Lodge,
$300; T. Morris, $250; Alma State Bank, $200; Henry Stein, $150.
January 12th, McNemar's store at Fairfield burned. Postoffice
in building.
March 13th, William Crockett and Frank Leggitt killed at coal
shaft.
March 15th, Wm. Holvey knocked from scaffold and killed while
cleaning ice from coal shaft.
March 29th, Jacob S. Crohn knocked off of blind baggage and run
over by train at McFarland. Raked by brake rods. Died in Alma,
April 3d.
German M. E. church on Rock creek erected. Also Lutheran
church and school house, in Alma.
March 12th, big fire at Eskridge; burning all buildings on west
side, between Mudge's and Trusler's. Loss $25,000. E. L. Shumate &
Son, W. H. Mills, J. W. Taylor, and Parmiter & Co., being main losers.
March 23d, a destructive prairie fire passes through Mill creek and
Newbury townships.
March 24th, Warren, Saxton & OiTord's barn, Maple Hill, burned.
Loss $20,000. Ten imported stallions.
March 30th, A. C. Kuenzli's meat market, Paxico, burned.
April 7th, A. Kettermann's barn, corn, hay, and wheat burned.
June 27th. Wm. Baldwin, engineer on Rock Island, knocked from
step and killed by bridge over Mission creek.
July 3d, Fowler Bros, largest barn struck by lightning and burned
in 30 minutes.
October 6th, Squire Cantrill, Harveyville, shipped hog to Kansas
City market that weighed 980 pounds.
July 27th, Henry Michaelis' wheat stacks burned.
August 22d, Charlie Zwanziger's barn burned.
September 8th, ten empty cars wrecked at Dan Morlan place on
M., A. &
B.
October, Thos. Cousins severely cut by corn cutter in runaway.
November 9th, First National Bank (J. F. Limerick, president)
suspended.
December 4th. Pancoast house, Alma, burned.
December 22d, old Alma hotel, bank building and Allen Bros, store
burned.
December 23d, Alliance corn crib, power corn sheller and freight
car burned at Harveyville.
1891.
January 2d, David Crawford fell forty feet off of Santa Fe bridge -- arm broken.
January 5th, Goddard's barn, Vera, burned � spontaneous combustion.
February 17th, Rocky Ford bridge, Maple Hill, completed. McCrumb bridge and Dry Creek bridges completed in March.
Double arch bridge at Dieball crossing completed.
Church at Templin dedicated, September 20th.
March 1st, Dowell killed Wheaton, near Alta Vista, in dispute
over rented farm.
March 17th, the biggest steer on record, the property of L. Pauly,
died; 7 feet high and weighed 2,600 pounds. Hide weighed 300.
April 21st, C. C. Brooks drowned while attempting in cross Mission creek.
School house at McFarland completed in November.
Belvue bridge, cost $8,000, completed December 1st.
15,000 foreign cattle grazed in Wabaunsee county this year.
September, L. Huebner's house, Hendricks creek, burned.
Peter Lang had both legs broken in runaway, caused by load of
lumber slipping forward on team while going down hill.
1892.
John E. Mayes committed suicide in cemetery at Wabaunsee.
March 3d, Dr. Gulp escaped from Alma jail by the aid of keys made
from a piece of broom handle. Run over and killed by cars at Albuquerque, New Mexico, May 4th.
March 30th, Frank Meier's barn, near Halifax, with one cow and
five horses burned.
April 4th, stone school house in Dist. 18 demolished by cyclone.
September 17th, drill for coal at McFarland reached a depth of
1,700 feet.
M. E. church at Bradford dedicated.
October, Liederkranz singing society organized in Alma.
December, Bates Bros, left Vera.
50 quarrymen and stone cutters employed at Fox's quarries, four
miles southwest of Alma.
July 16th, George Eden, baggagemaster, killed in Indiana. While
train was backing piece of coupling pin broke and hit George in head.
1893.
New addition to court house erected.
February 11th, Louis Drebing killed a deer near Halifax.
April 9th, George Berroth's house, midway between Alma and
Wamego, burned.
April 18th, Jesse Cahill shot in breast by Ira Johnson at Junction
City.
January 8th, remains of Wm. Keeler, killed at Falls City, Nebraska, brought to Alma for burial.
January 11th, H. G. Richter killed 27 jack rabbits at Templin.
February 7th, James Carroll injured in wreck on the Big Four,
near Pana, Illinois. 91 passengers injured and baggageman burned in
wreck.
February 13th, Louis Muehlenbacher killed by flying limb while
felling a tree. Rendered speechless by wound in head.
February, four members of Tillman family died with measles --
death resulting from exposure on deck of vessel in New York harbor.
March, Prairie band of Pottawatomies paid at St, Marys. Each
received $95.75.
J. Francis Harris, the long haired man -- not from Borneo, but
from the hills of Michigan, the Black Hills, and other parts of the
world too numerous to mention, discovers Alma.
April 18th, fire at Rosenstengel's, near Newbury.
April 7th, Otto Graf Von Wartensleben died at Wheaton, Texas.
Son-in-law of Charles Hanson; Count; belonged to one of leading
German families. Great traveler and showed with much pride invitations to royal receptions. Had letters of recommendation from
titled personages in old world. Taught home school in Dist. 18.
James Lumsden one of 300 cowboys to start from Chadron, Nebraska, July 3d, for World's fair, Chicago.
October, quite a number of pigs killed by wolves four miles south
of Alma.
October 28th, Conrad Zehner found dead in his office.
Sunday. December 10th, Miss May Withgot, Paxico, injured in
runaway. Died Tuesday.
December 19th, Franz Meier's house near coal shaft burned.
June 30th, Mrs. J. M. Eck struck by lightning.
1894.
January 11th, S. H. Fairfield's office building, McFarland, burned.
February 2d, Henry Biesterfeldt badly injured by overturned
wagon on grade of Belvue bridge. Died October 1, 1897. Constant
sufferer for nearly four years.
January 22d, the divorced wife of Ira Johnson dies from symptons
of poisoning. Died at Charles Wenzel's.
February 10th, John Johnson killed by falling off stone abutment
of Rock Island bridge over Hendricks creek.
March 2d, Jo Davis killed by Hugh Russell at Paxico. Struck in
back of head by rock thrown by Russell.
March 12th, James Enlow's house, Wabaunsee, burned.
March 17th, Peter Muehlenbacher murdered.
April 23d, Ad Thompson's house, Mission creek, burned.
June 13th, Henry, the five year old son of Carl Maike, drowned by
falling headlong into a barrel while attempting to feed the pigs.
July 4th, Charlie Zwanziger's house, near Alma, burned. Before
retiring the smell of burning pine caused search for fire but could not
be located. Mr. John Winkler going home from celebration awakened
the family.
July 9th, Connell's blacksmith shap, Paxico, burned.
August 6th, Oke Anderson, Nehring branch, found dead in stock
well.
August 6th, freight train parted between Volland and Alma,
causing collision at Alma depot. 47 head of cattle killed.
August 7th, Lillian Smith fell from top to bottom of outside
stairway, Kaufman building.
August 8th, Mrs. Matt. Thomson, Alma, while opening shutters
fell from second story window; severely injured.
August 10th, Dr. Trivett, J. Y. Waugh, and John Sudweeks injured in runaway.
August 14th, James Driver's granary, near Vera, burned.
October 14th, M. E. church, Kaw township, dedicated.
1895.
January, vein of red marble found while digging a well on farm of
Rev. O. F. Zeckser, Templin.
Sunday, January 27th, 5 p. m., Commercial House burned -- defective flue.
January 30th, Henry N. Castle and wife lost, with 400 passengers,
on steamer Elbe, between San Francisco and Sandwich Islands.
February 3d, Scheidt building, owned by C. Wertzberger, burned.
March 1st, Chas. Zwanziger's house and barn, near Alma, burned.
March 15th, Stuewe Bros, opened Bank of Alma.
March 24th, Solscheid building, in Alma, burned.
April 5th, Biglin school house (Jt. Dist. 30) demolished by cyclone.
Considerable damage done on Illinois creek.
July 11th, tri-weekly mail service put on between Alma and Eskridge on account of washout on M. A. & B., July 4th. 12 inches rain
fell. 150 men repairing track and building bridges.
September 14th, Dr. Trivett found body of Simon Griffith in his
house, near Bradford. Death had resulted from a self-inflicted gunshot wound about six days before.
September 18th, George Ewing's house, barn, and granary, five
miles northwest of Alma, burned.
John Clifford Smith, Maple Hill, accidentally shot while looking
for some article in a trunk. Died nine hours later.
1896.
January, Joseph Tillman, Newbury, loses four children, measles,
exposed in N. Y. harbor by quarantine officer. [transcriber's note: see 1893 news; different family??]
January 5th, Vet Stratton's residence near Alta Vista, burned
while family were at church.
February 4th, 2 p. m., Richter building, occupied by Louis
Sohroeder, furniture, and restaurant occupied by Enlow, burned.
March 16th, Daniel Shoecraft, of Eskridge, and young grandson,
Byron Shoecraft, of St. Joseph. Mo., drowned at Krapp crossing of
Mill creek. The train being late, Claude Shumate undertook to drive
them to Eskridge. Mr. Shoecraft sank immediately, but the little
boy, after drifting 200 yards, caught an overhanging limb. Claude
secured a rope at Geo. Screiber's ( Lund place ) and threw it three
times, but Byron failed to catch it. With a parting "good bye" the
noble little fellow went down in the turbid waters of Mill creek.
Three hundred searchers came together and at 3 p. m. Sunday the
bodies were found, about ten feet apart, a quarter of a mile below the
crossing. Jim Moore found the body of little Byron and but a moment
later Mr. Shoecraft's body was found by Elmer Meredith. At the time
this was the only crossing between Alma and Eskridge without a
bridge.
March 16th, Win Wehrle, formerly of Halifax, found murdered
on his claim near Alva, Oklahoma.
March 19th, Frank Mitchell murdered
.
March 26th, Fred Steinmeyer, Sr., had both shoulders dislocated
in a runaway.
March 28. Alma purchased her first fire apparatus and 500 feet of
hose from Junction City for $250.
April 14th, opera house (lower floor Odd Fellows building) narrowly
escaped destruction by overturned lamp � flames rose to ceiling.
April 17th, the James Driver building on East Main St., Alma,
burned, 3 a. m.
April 23d, John McWilliams' residence in Kaw township, burned.
April 24th, cloudburst on Spring creek, wall of water 10 feet high.
Geo. Schade lost 24 head of stock and Conrad Mueller 2 head. Herman
Kesitzke compelled to climb a tree where he remained till the flood
subsided.
December 26th, Herman Zeckser, 16 year old son of Aug. Zeckser,
lost three fingers by gun explosion.
May 20th, Jansen's house near Maple Hill, destroyed by a small
cyclone; also the house of John Gilkerson near Valencia. The funnel-shaped cloud. was plainly visible from Maple Hill and Newbury.
May, Charles Hanson narrowly escaped drowning at the Krieg
crossing of Spring creek. Team drowned, but Mr. Hanson caught
on a tree. Henry Reuter waded as far as he could, then with
a long pole succeeded in extricating Mr. Hanson from his perilous
position.
July 9th, James Mullin, aged 21, drowned by bank caving in while
fishing in Rock creek.
July 12th, Johnnie Christensen, the 14 year old son of Mr. and Mrs.
N. H. Christensen, of Alta Yista, thrown from horse, dying two days
later from injuries received.
August, Alta Vista camp Sons of Veterans mustered.
August 23d, Eddie Anderson, Halifax, had heel crushed between
bumpers while attempting to cross between the cars of a cattle train.
November 29th, DeWitt Allendorph, while out hunting with Boy
Hensel was shot by the accidental discharge of his shotgun that he
had leaned against an old unused boiler in Mr. Pauly's timber. A
part of the collar bone and four inches of the arm bone were removed
by a surgical operation. The best of care and a strong constitution
insured an early and complete recovery.
1897.
January 8th, a 14 year old son of Henry Hupe, Kaw township,
starting on a hunt slipped on icy porch, discharging contents of shot-
gun in abdomen. Buried following day.
January 25th, Rock Island depot, Maple Hill, burned.
McMahan property, built for Odd Fellows Hall, and Jouvenal
building burned Saturday night, January 29th.
February 26th, a brakeman whose home was in Belleville, killed
at crossing of M. A. & B. track, near Pavilion. His first trip. Blinded
by steam and walked between cars.
March 3d, Stone's store, Wabaunsee, burglarized.
March 6th, Jacob Bagwell killed by train near Eskridge.
March 13th, Eima, the three year old daughter of F. Stuewe, died
from result of an operation.
March 28th. Satnmie Hull accidentally shot in hand at Eskridge.
April 22d, Henry Miller's house on Paw Paw creek destroyed by
cyclone. Henry's leg- broken in two places: August, his 7 year old son,
killed; Paulina, aged 3, arm broken: Mrs. Miller, bad cut in leg; Bessie
Siminerwell bruised all over, and Paul Schmanke slightly injured.
Path of storm 8 feet wide. Struck hill east of house and disappeared
in clouds.
April 23d, Ed. Krapp's house burned. Mrs. Krapp making soap,
boiled over setting house on fire.
New stone school house in Dist. 45 built.
May 26th, small barn near Lutheran church burned. Small boy
and matches.
May 13th, James Driver's house, Paxico, burned.
June 21st. Commercial house barn burned, at midnight.
July 8th. Mrs. Robert Enlow died as result of operation performed
in Topeka.
August 21st, Mrs. Green, Wabaunsee, seriously burned by exploding lamp.
October 19th, club house, Paxico, fired by incendiary. Building
saved by hard work.
October 28th. Henry Wille fired house and barn and killed himself.
November 11th, Herman Diepenbrock's slaughter house burned.
November 17th, Willie Pries playing with matches set fire to
house. Extinguished by Vena Lang.
December 5th, Scott Willis, Maple Hill, found dead.
1898.
January 3d, Alma National Bank opened for business.
May 4th, John Thomas shot four persons at Maple Hill.
July 16th, the Ahm home, the property of Chris. Anderson, and
lately vacated by him, caught fire while five children were asleep.
Mary, Eva, and Edna, aged 13, 3, and 9, burned to death. Others
badly burned.
Evangelical church, Wells creek, dedicated. Rev. Abele assisted
by Revs. Silbermann, Kallich, Nagel, and Barkmann.
August 9-15th, M. A. & B. track, Alma to Manhattan, torn up.
September 27th, Bradford mill burned.
September 29th, the two year old son of John Haynes, near Keene,
badly mutilated by hogs � having strayed from house and fallen into
pen.
October 5th, Wm. Correll killed at bridge near John Boettcher's
while leaning from cab window.
October 17th and 18th, worst blizzard ever known for the season,
many cattle in pastures dying.
November 19th, five wagon loads of Pottawatomie Indians passed
through Alma on way from Indian Territory to Reserve.
November 30th, John Thoes found dead on north side of Ad.
Lund's barn. Had been dragged four miles. Had left Alma at
8 p. m. the night before. 17 years before, Nick Thoes, a brother,
had been drowned at the crossing 200 yards north of where body was
found, E. Wetzel, with him at the time, swimming ashore. Creek
swollen from melting snows.
December 5th, service from Alma to Manhattan over Rock Island
discontinued.
December, new school house in Dist. 15 completed.
1899.
January 9th, George McCrumb run over and killed one mile east of
McFarland.
January 18th, John Spiecker's house, four miles south of Alma,
burned.
January 22d, LaFayette Ditty, former resident of Alma, drowned
himself and son on "Lucky Baldwin's" ranch, near Los Angeles, Cal.
February 6th, Catholic church, Alma, burned 3:30 a.m. Built in
1874. Richly furnished. Organ, vestments, and decorations, Building 38x60, with tower on west end, 16x16. Loss $10,000.
February 7th, G. Nehring had ankle badly shattered while cutting
tree on Nehring branch.
March 16th, Wm. Freeman, express messenger, burned in wreck
at Volland; 4 cars burned.
March 20th, Guy Lumsden killed on A. M. Jordan's farm, Kuenzli
creek. Team ran away and struck tree, upsetting wagon on pile of
rails, with body underneath.
March, McFarland depot moved from north to south side of track.
June 15th, postoffice at Fairfield discontinued.
October 8th, Waushara M. E. church dedicated. 34x50 and cost
$1,600. Replaced old church built in 1878.
August 30th, James Herron's barn, Plumb township, burned, with
five horses.
October, Miller precinct established.
October 27th, Harry Sparling thrown from horse near Eskridge,
dying next day.
June 16th, son of David Oliver, Maple Hill, killed by horse falling
backwards. Just one year before to a day another son was drowned.
June 28th, Harry Tandy and Calvin Burger murdered at McFarland.
December 19th, new Catholic church dedicated by Rt. Rev.
Bishop Fink. Corner stone laid August 27th.
1900.
January 1st, .John Sudweeks appointed county commissioner to
vacancy caused by death of C. N. Earl.
January 15th, Harvey Roark, aged 15, killed by horse falling on
him while driving cattle on Muehlenbacher branch.
April, Eskridge State Bank organized.
June 20th, Alta Vista Bank opened.
August 10th, W. H. Collier's house, Alma, burned.
October 14th, Mr. Hearn's barn (on Dierker place) burned.
November 19th, barn at Kinne place, occupied by D. U. Millison
burned.
December 2d, Evangelical church, Wells creek, dedicated, 700
present.
December 24th, 17 year old son of Mr. Blair, Maple Hill, killed by
discharge of gun he was trying to pull through hedge, muzzle foremost.
December 28th, George Thierer, Volland, accidentally shot by
discharge of gun his brother was cleaning.
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