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AN EARLY HISTORY OF JUNCTION CITY, KANSAS! THE FIRST GENERATION JOHN B. JEFFRIES B. A., Oklahoma State University, 1950 A MASTER'S THESIS submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree MASTER OF ARTS Department of History, Political Science and Philosophy KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Manhattan, Kansas 1963 i-V iu,i 7i j[,j TABLE OF CONTENTS C 2- Chapter Page Table of Contents ii Introduction _-----_----_-__-____ i I. Garden of Eden — — 7 II. The Founding of Junction City _ _ _ _ _ 20 III. Transportation — --- — . _ 39 IV. Communications ------------------- 77 Mail Service 77 Newspapers -------------------- 81 Telegraph __________ — — __ — _ 89 V. Government ---------------______ 90 County ---------------_______ 90 Census ---------------------- 97 U. S. Land Office 100 Politics 102 City 104 Streets and sidewalks -- _______ 107 Licensing of Saloons --------------- 108 Stray Livestock - _____ ___ _. 109 Law and Order _---------_------_ no Fire Protection 117 Finances ___ __ _ 121 City Additions _ 123 Home Guard and Militia --_ 123 U. S. Military Forces 125 ili VI. Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture - _-_ - 129 Commerce ---------------------- 130 Industry ------- — — ----- 142 Agriculture ____ — — 151 VII. Cultural and Social Growth 166 Religious Organizations --------------- 166 Episcopal Church 167 Union Church ------------------- 166 Methodist Church 169 Baptist Church 170 Presbyterian Church ---------------- 170 Catholic Church 172 Cemetery -------- — _________ — _ 172 Fraternal Organizations _-_-------_-_-- 173 Social Organizations — - — -- — -- — 176 Cultural Organizations -___ ig_ Education ---------------------- 182 Conclusion -----------------_____ 192 Bibliography - — 199 Appendix A, Firms advertising in 1860 - -- 211 Appendix B, Firms Advertising in 1870 213 Appendix C, Firms Advertising in 1880 215 INTRODUCTION The history of Junction City, Kansas, is more than merely that of an Army town, although the Junction City-Fort Riley connection has existed from the days of the first settlers. As a frontier town, Junction City knew the colorful days of the Old West. It was even a cow town for one year and had a city marshal who, although not as colorful and well known as "Wild Bill" Hickok, proved more durable and served in that capacity for more than thirty years. There is even evidence that "Wild Bill" helped to clean up Junction City. The relationship between Junction City and Fort Riley is very close and in some cases it is virtually impossible to separate their history. In this respect this thesis deals basically with the history of Junction City, although frequent references to Fort Riley are made when the connection is inseparable. The same statement would apply to Geary (Davis) County history. My thesis as proposed in this study is: Junction City had the natural advantages to becomes Kansas metropolis, but, due to a combination of events and circumstances, it never quite capital- ized on these assets nor did it reach the lofty position early settlers predicted for it. I will attempt to advance this thesis by discussing these advantages in conjunction with the story of Junction City's early history. From the present point of view, we can see that Junction City perhaps has fulfilled much of its early promise, although seventy-five years late. The foresight of some of Junction City's pioneer evangels has become rather evident. Junction City may yet reach and exceed the position predicted a century ago. Albeit tardy and by different means. In making a study of Junction City's early history, I had intended to present a well-rounded, factual history of the first quarter-century. There seemed to be a real need for such a study since this material had never been compiled in a single volume. Rosters of city and county officials had never been prepared. I also found a number of interesting facts and events which had been lost sight of in later years. In adjusting the use of this data to make it consistent with a policy of showing a trend, I have had to eliminate some rather interesting events, examples of human frailities, and anecdotal material, which had little or no bearing on this thesis. I was encouraged in the writing of this thesis by a number of local citizens who assisted me and expressed a desire to read the finished product. If they do not find in this thesis what they expected, I offer my apology. The names applied to towns, rivers, counties, and organiza- tions covered in this thesis will be those used during the period treated in this history. Proper nouns also fall in this classifi- cation. The Smoky Hill, Republican, and Kansas Rivers will be referred to under those designations. During the early explora- tion of this area the Kansas River was often referred to as the Kaw River, and the Smoky Hill River and the Republican River were designated as the Smoky Hill Branch and the Republican Branch of the Kansas River. For the sake of convenience and consistency, these rivers will be referred to by their present designation. In some instances the spelling and style of the period have been preserved, along with the vernacular, to make accounts more vivid and meaningful. In compiling this history, I found varied spellings given to many proper names, where the information was available, in the case of conflict, the spelling indicated in census reports was used. When these reports shed no light on an individual, the spelling used is that appearing most frequently in references. In some cases it has been possible to corroborate spellings with descendants. Initials, so popularly used during this period, were often interchanged, and, in many cases, unusual handwriting, faded ink, and tattered paper made reading rather difficult. The same individual might appear in print with only an initial affixed to his surname, later with a title as a prefix. In most cases it has been possible to clarify these names. In some cases where it seemed impossible to decide on the spelling of a name, both spellings are given in the first mention of that person. In covering this period of history and this type of subject matter, it is sometimes difficult to separate fact from fiction. Interviewing people of advanced age often revealed interesting stories, but more often than not resulted in conflicting informa- tion. Much of what these people reported had been told to them many years ago. Much of the written material had been prepared by writers years after the events and, in retrospect, they were inclined, perhaps, to describe things as they thought they should have been. Apparent errors were found in printed words, many of which had been made in the original work and perpetuated by copy- ing them in future publications. Wide use of newspaper accounts of this period has revealed many typographical errors, with, no doubt, a far greater number unrevealed. In compiling material for this thesis, I have devoted the better part of four summers and have spent literally hundreds of hours perusing documents, newspapers, pamphlets, books, corres- pondence, maps, census reports, journals, and various public records in addition to interviewing descendants of early settlers. By far the most prolific source of materials has been the volumes of the Junction City Union . James Humphrey indicated the value of this newspaper in an address before the Kansas State Historical Society, June 15, 1889, when he stated: "The history of Junction City is recorded in twenty-odd volumes of the Junction City Union , and can not be compressed within the limits of a few pages. No history of the town can be written without making distinguishing note of the Union ." The editor of the Union during most of the period covered in this thesis was George V.'ashington Martin, i-iartin considered himself the spokesman for Junction City and at times he was a lonely "voice crying in the wilderness." In his own words he was "the sole oracle of the town for many years." He had a product to sell; it was not a newspaper, it was Junction City. Martin's enthusiasm for Junction City was soon the cause of many an editorial smile throughout Kansas, however, not even early-day Kansas editors could ignore Martin's sincerity. One of these editors, Daniel W. Wilder, of the Leavenworth Conservative . wrote of Martin in 1864-: "The editor of the Junction City Union believes that when God made things He put one point of the compass where Junction City now stands and gave it a twirl." Yet, with all his enthusiasm, Martin did not hesitate to point out Junction City's weaknesses and foibles. 1 have become so impressed with the editor of the Union that I now consider him to be one of the outstanding men in the history of Kansas. The files and publications of the Kansas State Historical Society have been of immense value. Probably the most valuable as a source of material were the volumes entitled Kansas Historical Collections, which include the early volumes entitled Transactions . Again the hand of George W. Martin is in evidence since he served as secretary of the Kansas State Historical Society for a number of years. Other useful sources were: Bright, Kansas the First Century ; Wilder, The Annals of Kansas ; Pride, The History of Fort Riley . Andreas, History of the State of Kansas contains much useful information about Junction City and Davis County. However, the weight of evidence indicated some inaccurate data in these works, with the exception of Bright. Public documents including: "The Journal of the Davis County Commissioners," "The Report of the County Superintendent," and the "City Commission Minutes" were sources of considerable value and interest. The writer is indebted to the George Smith Public Library, the Kansas State Historical Library, and the assistance rendered by members of the staffs.

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