The 2019 Fall Edition Newsletter of The

Miami County Genealogy & Historical Society Presort STD 12 East Peoria U.S. Postage PAID Paola, KS 66071 Permit #2 Return Service Requested Paola, KS 66071

The 2019 Fall Edition Newsletter of the

E-Mail: [email protected] Web Page www.thinkmiamicountyhistory.com Place address label in this area this in label address Place Price $2.00 Contents Officers and Directors 2017 Officers Gift Corner Pg 3 President- Colleen Ewan 913-731-8150 Vice President- Larry Lybarger 913-294-9769 Letter from the President Pg 4 Secretary- Ann Roark 913-294-3312 Library Pg 4 Treasurer- LuAnne Debrick 913-259-5027 Mini Minutes, Pg 5 Volunteers report Pg 6 Board of Directors New stick-up laws Pg 7 Louisburg - Aggie Dillard 913-406-3243 Marysville Township - Mildred Haley 913-294-4113 Gustavus Colton Pg 8 Member at Large -LuAnne Debrick 913-259-5027 Veterans Day Pg- 9 Miami Township - Nina Gerken 913-594-7036 Politics Now vs.-Politics 1881 Pg 10 Middle Creek Township - Kristin Graue 913-377-4689 Paola fifth grader visit Pg 11 Mound Township - Donna Darner 785-869-3246 Pottery Artifacts photos Pg 12-13 Osage Township - Ann Davis 913-731-7869 Osawatomie City- Wes Cole 913-731-3193 Quilts display photos Pg 14 Osawatomie Township - Ben Maimer 913-755-3504 Moving the Museum Pg 15 Paola City - Ann Roark 913-294-3312 Local history - What is it? Pg 16 Paola Township - Elsie Cordle 913-294-2779 Info search, Photo restoring Pg 17 Richland Township - LeAnne Shields 913-710-1767 Stanton Township - Lloyd Peckman 913-849-3278 Freedom Festival Pg 18 Sugar Creek Township - Ann Benton 913-259-9839 Orphan Train Pg 19 Ten Mile Township - Patsy Bortner 913-244-4587 Lloyd’s Letter Pg 20 -21 Valley Township - Colleen Ewan 913-731-8150 Publications for sale Pg 22 Wea Township - Larry Lybarger 913-294-9769 Heritage Walk Bricks Pg 23 Genealogy Society Coordinator- Betty Bendorf 913-557-2485 Pretty Picture Back Cover Newsletter - Roger Shipman 913-259-9219

Notice To The Membership Financial

The Miami County Historical Museum mem- The Miami County Historical Museum is a Non-Profit Organi- bership dues are $25.00 zation with a tax exempt status allowed by the Internal Revenue Make checks out to: Dept. Gift and donations received by the Societies are deductible Miami County Historical Museum for Income Tax purposes. For additional information or questions 12 East Peoria, regarding Endowments, Trusts, etc., Paola, Kansas 66071-0123 Please contact us at 913-294-4940 A Newsletter of the Miami County Historical Museum & Genealogy Society Fall 2019 Volume 34- No.3 Miami County Historical Museum 12 E. Peoria, Paola, Kansas 66071

Phone: 913-294-4940 E-Mail: [email protected].

Web address; www.thinkmiamicountyhistory.com New https://micomuseum.org Museum Hours: Monday through Friday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Page 2 Visit our gift corner

We have books, out of print museum books on DVD, brochures of local attractions, numerous historical Paola photos suitable for framing, tee-shirts, hats and some free stuff Hours for the Museum Open Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Closed Saturday with the exception of special occasions For appointments call: 816-392-0605 913-294-9769 Timely Tax Information QCD Qualified Charitable Distributions

Donations from an IRA fund to meet your IRA Annual Required Distribution to a Charity.

Any Donation with QCD are 100% untaxed by the IRS. Normal distributions are subject to federal and state income taxes.

Requirements: To Avoid Taxes on Distributions

1. Age 70 1/2 or older 2. Donations made directly by IRA Custodians to 501 charitable group 3. Limit of $100,000 per year per person with IRA 4. Donation made by Dec. 31 of each year given by Custodian

Thus, you can give to our museum up to $100,000 per year per person from your IRA as a distribution and pay no taxes on that gift---normal distributions are taxed as a part of your adjusted gross income. The custodian provides a 1099-R form to report on your income tax return.

Example: Have your custodian of your IRA give to our museum $2,500(any sum up to $100,000) from your IRA. Will be part of your required distribution but would be exempt from normal taxes that year.

A WIN-WIN FOR YOU AND YOUR CHARITY CHOICE

Give to Charity---Pay Less Taxes. QCD—for the Endowment or Regular Museum Donation. Page 3 President’s Letter Dear Friends:

This will be my last letter as President, however, I will still be around. Due to my broken shoulder I haven’t been as active as I would like to be. Larry Lybarger will be our new Pres- ident. He has worked on many projects and will surely make a great President.

Since the last Quarterly, we have a new front sidewalk just in time for winter snows and a new “OPEN” sign. We are extremely proud of our new pottery collection.

Our annual Christmas Party will be Tuesday December 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Colleen Ewan This is open to all members and friends so we hope you will stop by - enjoy the snacks and visit with all of us.

Colleen Ewan, President LIBRARY Library Research Recently I had a surprise visit from Jessica Erickson The following are walk-in researchers to the library and her mother. Way back in 2005-6 Jessica made a recently and surnames or information being re- tour with a Girl Scout group and stated she would like searched. to work here. Needless to say we looked around and found some things she could do, so, she is known as the youngest volunteer we have had. How wonderful Thomas Rogers (information on a race track and horse to see them again. track in Paola)

Also was good to see Louis Reed from Ottawa. It has Joanne Robinson (Information on Orphan Trains . been awhile since he helped set up the system we used to make our index of our County District Court Cousins in the local area Sherman and Kopp) records. These are on line. Mike Barnett (McNelly cemetery and Miami Presbyte- Ellen Welch has done a wonderful job in rearranging rian cemetery). the research books on our shelves. Now we can have fun in finding things in the new places. Tim Collins (general research for a novel) Iris has had a light work load of queries since our e mail has been out of order while we have been work- Rebecca Adams (obits for Rev. Thomas Taylor and ing on a new web page. wife Jane, son Justice and wife Martha Josephine Scott Taylor) Please note our e-mail address in the front of this newsletter. Anna Lee Billam (obits) Betty Bendorf , Librarian Security First Title (obit for Richard William Stull)

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Gordon Geldhof (copy of abstract) Front Desk (1/2 or full day), computer input, arranging displays, moving help, grant writers, interviewers, Noa Taylor (Dagenette, Thomas Hedges) history researchers Theresa Cozzol (Noah Barnes, Taylor, Knepp)

The Museum has reprints of past Newsletters for These researchers came from the states of Kansas, sale at $2.00 an issue. Oregon and Penn. Page 4 JULY QUERIES No meeting in July because of the Miniature Art Show Janet Baker wants pictures of Jingo school children. Jody Stallings is trying to find death information on AUGUST Jan or John Pluta who died 1910 in the state asylum. At an Executive Board meeting in July, the Museum was offered a collection of 35 pre-Columbian art piec- Nancy Honn wants history of American Legion Aux. of es that was a part of a trust. It was decided to accept Paola. the donation. Annie Taylor needs obits for Freddie Nutt and brother Patsy Bortner thanked volunteers who helped on Sat- Carl and court record. urdays during the Art Show. More visitors toured the Jonathan Gray wants any information we have on museum this year and donations increased. Larry submitted an application to the city to replace Thomas Gray 1890-1912. the sidewalk. The city approved the request and will Antoine N. wants a picture of James J, Wills pay 50% of the cost. Ann Benton reported on progress from WW II of the web page. Nina reported that all of the officers will need to be elected this year. Emma Blinkhorn wanted obits for members of the Herman Lammons family. SEPTEMBER Hans George Gloth wants information on Father An- An “OPEN” sign has been purchased and is in use. ton Dornsife Ben Maimer has resigned as a Director and Vince Thorp These Queries have been researched by Iris Kluber. was nominated and accepted to fill this position.

MINI MINUTES Betty Bendorf introduced Ellen Welch at the Directors meeting. Ann Benton reported more about the web The following are highlights of Executive and Director site. Discussion on making a brochure to provide in- meetings, for your information, and a way to let you (a formation on the Pre-Columbian collection. LuAnne is member) in on the workings of the museum. checking about adding a foot alarm at the front desk.

JUNE It was noted that Jack Burcham had passed away. He Ellen Welch is researching for more family members of had been a Director. We were reminded of our policy the Sawyer painter. Regarding repair of the sidewalk, of putting a black wreath on our door when a volun- Larry has received bids and LuAnne motioned to ac- teer had passed on the day of the funeral. cept the bid of 2100.00. The bricks will be removed and replaced with cement. The city may help with the CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AT THE MUSEUM cost. Patsy Bortner suggested creating an advertising bud- The Museum will hold their annual Christmas party on get. She and Aggie Dillard will work on this. Tuesday, December 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

All members and friends are invited. Snacks will be served. Come join us, tour the Museum and visit. Remember back when we kids there would come in the mail a Sears-Roebuck Christmas catalog? There is a site On page 19 there is a story about the Orphan Trains on the Internet that has copies of old Christmas catalogs to Miami County. Go to http://www.wishbookweb.com/the-catalogs/ . We are curios to find any descents of those children that may still reside in the area. The museum would There are over 50 wish books dating from 1937 to 1996. like to get that information to find out what happened to them as they grew up. These files will bring back fond memories of when we were young. Page 5 VOLUNTEER AND VISITOR REPORT JUNE 2019 Thru October 2019 Volunteers - 24 Hours - 1,913 Board Meetings - 3 Average attendance - 12

Volunteers - Janice Barker, Betty Bendorf, Ann Benton, Karen Blumhorst, Jim Bousman, Patsy Bortner, Kaylen Butler, Luanne Debrick, Agnes Dillard, Pat Erickson, Colleen Ewan, Karen Freehan, Nina Gerken, Mildred Haley, Iris Kluber, Larry Lybarger, Lloyd Peckman, Teresa Read, Ann Roark, Mary Ann Selewski, Leanne Shields, Roger Shipman, Vince Thorpe, Ellen Welch.

Visitors - 297

States Represented - 15

Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Utah, Maryland, Ohio, Washington, Colorado, Idaho, Texas, Georgia, Kentucky, Arizona, Tennessee, Arkansas. Kaylen Butler We are saddened with the passing of two of our mu- I’m the new volunteer at the Miami County History seum members Museum. Carol Ayres, age 82, of Paola, Kansas A little bit about me. passed into Jesus’ hands in heaven on May 15, 2019 at Olathe Med- I’m studying to get my history degree with Grand Can- ical Center. She is survived by her yon University. I have been married for 1 year and husband Charles, Jr., of the home; nine months. We have a fur baby who we have had sons Bryan (Kathy) of Bee Branch, for a year now. I’m 25 years old. I’m enjoy history at AR, Brad of Osawatomie, and Bruce its finest. I love traveling and hanging with friends and (Angie) of Osawatomie; family. I’m the shift manager at Dunkin Donuts. I have Carol Ayres two and a half years left until I get my degree. Ralph Jack Burcham age 88 of ARE YOU WORKING ON YOUR GENEALOGY? Louisburg, KS passed away peace- ARE YOU HUNTING FOR ANCESTORS? fully Sunday, September 1, 2019 surrounded by his loved ones in We have people here at the museum that will be glad to the care of Olathe Health Center help you in your search. You can give us a call (913/294- Hospice House in Olathe, KS. Ralph 4940), send us an e-mail (info@thinkmiamicountyhistory. Jack Burcham was born in Ft. Scott, com) or drop by and chat. We are open 10:a.m. to 4:00 Kansas on February 13th, 1931. He p.m. Monday thru Friday. Jack Burcham was the oldest son of Ralph and Ruby Hayes Burcham. CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AT THE MUSEUM The Museum will hold their annual Christmas party on Tuesday, December 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. All members and friends are invited. Snacks will be served. Come join us, tour the Museum and visit. Page 6 New Stick-up Laws. 1927 badly perforated, and might not hold water, but W. A. • Smith, the head of the vast army of assistant attorneys, Nowadays people are surfeited with new laws and in- ruled that the department had better stay by the board spectors of every conceivable variety. The freak legis- created by the tax-eating Solons, Who held sway in the lature of 1927 was noted for the fool things it enact- state house last winter. Every girl who curls another ed into statutes, the extra number of jobs it created girl’s hair is to he cinched for $5 to $15 license, collect- and the extravagant appropriations it made. A bunch able as soon as the board sees fit, or happens to need of these hungry lawmakers, pressed by job hunters, the money; and when the first good woman inspector, happened to think about girls having their hair waved, or representative, of the law reached Paola, she didn’t and, at once the plan was carried out to provide what is show much patience with the maids, but gave them to known as cosmetology license. understand that she knew hair curling from agate to zinc. She didn’t tolerate any “back talk from “the coun- Now, cosmetology is the high flown title given by Kan- try haw eaters,” as she denominated them, and now all sas legislators to maids and matrons who seek to curl these Paola girls, along with all other girls of the county their own hair or anybody else’s hair, and straightway a who don’t contribute a lively fee, are to be haled into board was created to assess the cosmetologists wher- the district court before Judge Roberds, charged with ever and whenever found. It wasn’t a health measure, a variety of things from matching pins to kinking hair because hair curling doesn’t reach down deep enough contrary to law. Charles Meuser is attorney for Mrs.. to endanger the health, ‘but it did afford a chance for Staves, Miss Barricklow and Miss Justice, and the oth- new offices, new inspectors, new inquisitors, new de- er girls are ‘expecting to get attorneys when the can tectives, and all that, as well establish a prolific source comes up for hearing. of litigation, calling for more assistant attorney gener- als. As soon as the law was signed by the governor, a Detectives, assistants, and inspectors will gather from new board was created to furnish places for the polit- Topeka at .the beginning of the June term of court for ical sisters who crowded the lobbies of both houses the purpose of over-slaughing and over-aweing the at Topeka. Fat fees were provided; high licenses fixed, Paola hair dressers so that they will divide up their and progressive politicians of the gentler sex were giv- earnings with the job hunters who are now in charge en roving commissions for both glory and profit: In due of the new cinch. The defendants are even threatened time one of them reached Paola and opened the ball with the criminal law, with jail sentences, and, in the with the trite Saying of old, “Now, let us prey.” And end, transportation to Van Dieman’s Land for life. The she demanded licenses of Mrs. Helen Staves, Miss Ev- representatives of the law and the executives from the elyn Barricklow, Miss Elma Justice, Miss Helen Reiter, state house will fill the hotels and the corridors of the and Mrs. Laura Lloyd. The girls were slow in respond- court house, so that hereafter and forevermore no girl ing with the cash, and at once there was music in the shall curl, another girl’s hair unless duly licensed and air. The new inspectors got in touch with the attorney tagged. B. J. S. general’s office regarding Paola, as they did regarding about every other town and hamlet in this state. Assis- Gleaned from The Western Spirit May 18 1928 tant Attorney General Lindblade ruled that the law was

Page 7 est, in which work he spent all his leisure time. He G. (Gustavus) A. Colton never went to school after he was fourteen, and re- mained upon his father’s farm until he was twenty-six WAS born at Woodstock, Windsor County, Vermont, years old, performing every kind of farm labor. At the October 20, 1828. His grandfather, Rev. Abisha Colton, expiration of that time, he immigrated to Stanton, was a graduate of Yale College, and a Congregational Kansas, where he engaged in various pursuits. In the minister of distinction in New England. His father, Ru- spring of 1860, he purchased the “Southern Kansas fus Colton, was a practical printer, editor of the Wood- Herald,” then published at Osawatomie, and removed stock (Vermont) “Observer,” and an ardent friend it to Paola, conducting it for nearly eight years as a Re- of Andrew Jackson; occupied a leading position, both publican paper, and doing good service in the cause of socially and politically, in Vermont, but in later years the party. In the summer of 1857, he was a delegate removed to Illinois, where he held several important to the Grasshopper Falls free-state convention, which official positions; took some interest in military affairs was called to determine whether the free-state men and commanded an independent artillery company in would take part in the election that year, under the Vermont,-and was a self-made man of large mental territorial laws, and he took decided ground in favor endowments. His mother, a native of New Hampshire, of voting. In November of that year he was elected as- was a lady of good acquirements. Both his parents sistant secretary of the territorial council, at its extra were members of the Congregational church. session, and re-elected at its regular session, in 1858. In the spring of 1858, he was elected and served as a On account of his father’s illness, he was compelled delegate to the territorial constitutional convention. to labor on an Illinois farm to provide for the family At a meeting of the territorial council, in 1859, he was necessities, and, in point of fact, received no school again elected assistant secretary. training. What education he received was acquired by individual effort and almost wholly without assistance. He was a member of the Republican state conven- His love of books and general newspaper reading led tion, at Topeka, to nominate the first state candidates him to the investigation of all subjects of public inter- under the present constitution, and, in the fall of the same year, he was elected a member of the Territorial House and also of the incoming State Legislature. On the assembling of the Territorial House, he was elected speaker. In the spring of 1860, he removed from Stanton to Paola, and was appointed probate judge of Lykins, now Miami, county, which office he resigned in April, 1861, in order to attend the State Legislature. Of the first Legislature of the State of Kansas, he was an active, useful member, and was influential in securing the election of S. C. Pomeroy and James H. Lane to the United States Senate. He was chairman of the judicia- ry committee, and ccupied other prominent positions in the House.

Soon after the inauguration of President Lincoln, he was appointed agent of the confederated band of Peoria, Piankeshaw, Kaskaskia, Wea and Miami Indi- ans, located on the eastern border of Kansas; an office which he administered with marked ability for about eight years—except a period of a few months, when he resigned, to accept a position in the State Senate. He assisted, in 1862, in organizing the militia to pro- tect the Kansas border, and was elected colonel of the Miami county militia, and, in that capacity, acted Gustavus A. Colton during the war, under the orders of the United States military authorities. Page 8 He was with General Lane in his pursuit of Quantrill of Paola. They have three children Phoebe, Gertie and into Missouri, after the Lawrence massacre, and was Rubie. She is a woman of many attractive qualities, engaged in driving General Price from Missouri when and an influential member of the Presbyterian church. he made his celebrated raid, participating in the battle of Westport, and other engagements along the border. Mr. Colton resides in a beautiful suburban villa, over- looking the city of Paola, surrounded by all the com- In 1864, he was elected to the State forts of life. He is still in active business, enjoying an Senate. He has been an active participant in every extensive popularity throughout the State, and exer- public enterprise intended to promote the welfare of cising a large influence in political circles. Paola. He has been in many of the Republican state conventions, has held the position of chairman of the Article copied from page 42 of the Republican central committee of Miami County and BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY has been largely influential in forming the Republican KANSAS VOLUME. state policy. CONTAINING ACCURATELY COMPILED BIOGRAPHICAL He is a Master Mason, and an Odd Fellow of the scar- SKETCHES, INTO let degree. He believes in the general principles WHICH IS WOVEN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE AND of the Christian religion, but is tolerant toward all de- ITS LEADING INTERESTS. nominations. CHICAGO AND KANSAS CITY: LEWIS & CO., PUBLISHERS He was married March 21, 1858, at Stanton, to Miss 1879 Phoebe Beeson, daughter of H. V. Beeson, a merchant by Jim Bousman

Veterans Day On November 11, 1918 at 11:00 AM, the shooting war on the western front in France ended, and soon after, U.S. veterans started their return home. However, the shooting war did not end for the Polar Bears, who fought and died on foreign soil until July 1919.

A year later on November 11th, countries around the world began the celebration of Armistice Day - the day to honor the veterans of the Great War. In 1938 the U.S. established Armistice Day as a legal Federal holiday. After the Korean War the Federal Government renamed Armistice Day as Veterans Day - a day to honor all veterans who served in the Armed Forces of the United States.

While in a hospital in France, Leo H. Weesner wrote his parents a letter dated July 18, 1918 in which he said:

I suppose corn is tasseling out and is green and pretty at home. What I would give to see a field of green corn again. You know I haven’t seen any corn over here. And harvest must be over now, isn’t it? Don’t I wish some of these people over here could see a Kansas wheat field. Over and over again in my mind’s eye I see the old familiar scenes so dear to me. I can see the town each step of the way from the square down to the house that is No. 306 west Kaskaskia street, the one that is home to me, the pretty green lawn, the black chickens in a well built yard – and, by the way, there must be spring fries strutting around there now. I see Uno on the north porch as I used to see him, and on the inside the faces of all of you, and on the table, look at those eats. … I am going to live in the reality of that picture again, just how long I don’t know … .

Leo Weesner returned to the front line, survived the Muse-Argonne Offensive and returned home.

To all Veterans past and present – we at the museum - Salute you!

Page 9 POLITICS NOW vs. POLITICS 1881

Everybody now can see what our political system is like: Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Conservatives and Liberals. Back in 1881, the principles of one candidate are quite interesting. The following is a letter from M.E. Thorp (Buckeye Bill) to the Editor of the Miami Republican concerning him announcing himself for the Of- fice of County Clerk for Miami County.

September 6, 1881

Sir: If it is necessary to canvass the county, collar, button-hole, and coat-tail of every good Republican at his home, on the streets, in the alleys, or elsewhere, to secure said nomination, under such circumstances I expect to be defeated; for I will not resort to that ridiculous way of electioneering. I do not wish to bore the good people of Miami County in that way. If it is expected of a candidate to ride the county over, stay all night and sleep with every prominent Republican voter throughout the different townships; shake hands with and speak to people that on other occasions he would not recognize; bow and scrape; lift his hat, and be extraordinarily polite; use a great deal of taffy and soft soap for the occasion; pledge one’s self to everybody, and ask them to pledge themselves to him, and carry on a general canvass in the “I’ll tickle you, and you tickle me” way, --if these are the necessary requirements to secure the nomination for County Clerk, I am not the man to fill the bill, as I have seen enough of such work during the present campaign to disgust a whole community.

I will simply present myself to the Republicans of Miami County in all candor for their calm, cool, and deliberate consideration, without any of the above mentioned preliminary efforts, or fishing around under cover, through special friends, to pack caucuses for my benefit, as I have no special friends, politically speaking. I consider every good citizen of Miami County as my friend and if I have made any enemies during my pleasant sojourn with the people of Easter Kansas, it is at this time beyond my knowledge.

You all know me by reputation and through a business channel, as I have had occasion to transact several thou- sand dollars worth of business with various people throughout the county, and I believe to the satisfaction of all parties concerned. It is for the delegates of the coming convention to decide if I am worthy of their suffrage. If so, it will be highly appreciated; if not, no one will be hurt or offended. I believe in letting every delegate go into that convention unbiased, untrammeled, and unpledged. I furthermore believe in every candidate going before the convention and taking his chances without resorting to strategy; allowing the delegates free and equal choice. Then, if nominated, all will be right and if defeated, nothing should be wrong.

After that, the successful candidates should buckle on their armor and enter the battle to make a manly fight for the party and ticket they represent. The ball should then be set in motion, and kept rolling until Election Day, at which time they should be able to roll up the full strength of the ticket. No stone should be left unturned. The nominee should then expect and endeavor to carry the ticket, and not allow the ticket to carry him. These are my views, submitted for consideration.

Very respectfully, M. E. Thorp

Better known as “Buckeye Bill”

P.S. He lost!

Page 10 Jolene Pennington’s 5th grade class of 22 students from Sunflower Elementary School of the Paola visited the Museum on Oct. 16th. They were most interested in seeing the Indian Room and adding to their studies of Native American history. They were most attentive and inquisitive.

Artifacts of Aboriginal Peoples of Our American Continents The Miami County History Museum is the recipient of the James G. Bridgens collection of Pre-Columbian artifacts. Dr. & Mrs Bridgens assembled their collection over many years. Upon their death, their collection, thru their trust, has been deposited for ownership and display at our Museum.

These 37 rare pieces of pottery and sculpture represent visual expressions of the indigenous peoples before the Europeans arrived in the 15th Century. All examples are believed to be from 500 to 3,000 years old. Before Columbus arrived in the Western Hemisphere the indigenous peoples numbered in the millions and had de- veloped civilizations comparable with those of the Old World. The Olmec, Mayan, Incan and Aztecs organized into vast cultures that produced many fine examples of art and sculptures that represented their thoughts and expressions on their society and religious beliefs.

These are a few of their works representing their skills and examples of their culture Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Nina Gerken displaying a quilt that represents the “Cattle Brands” of Miami County in the 1860s. The 1761 coverlet

Page 14 Quilts Display History One extra special is one made by Berneda Moore, it displays the 50 states of the Union. Each state is made in There is currently a quilt display at our museum. Many the shape of its’ boundary, with the identification of that depict the history or our community or of those who states animal, bird and flower. The quilt also has the date made the quilts. One on display is a 1761 coverlet that the state was admitted to the Union. Thus it is a grand was made by a Black lady who was probably a slave and display of history with that quilt. named “Aunt Puny”. It is believed to be a “relic” of Pres- ident George Washington. According to the story, this Quilt patterns and materials were always unique to coverlet was on display in a small Pennsylvania commu- those doing the quilting. One on display was made from nity fair that was visited by George Washington. He saw old sports uniforms of youth from the Fontana area. An- the coverlet and handled it and was said to have admired other was made for the Bicentennial with red, white and it very much. From that experience the coverlet was al- blue colors. Crazy quilts were made from extra materials ways held in high regard as a sacred item. It was passed or left over patterns that were then brought together down from many generations and ended up in Paola by into a quilt. Popular patterns were Dresden Plate, Flow- way of S. M. Sellers and donated to the museum by D. O er Gardens, Stars, Squares, and some were crocheted Sellers. Other quilts on display are each unique to those from string. One in the museum was a crocheted using that made them string from a parachute that a veteran has used when he was shot down in WWII. Each quilt displays a story Friendship quilts were often popular and a way for told and revered by those making the quilt or to those the quilters to get together for social interaction. One receiving it. unique quilt is that of a pattern that displayed original branding symbols of early Miami County. This quilt was Our museum holds many of these historical treasures. put together by the Miami County Quilters Guild. It was donated to the museum by Don Everhart, who was a Nina Gerken and Larry Lybarger winner of the quilt when it was raffled and he held the winning ticket. for others, providing a pick up and driving while others MOVING OUR MUSEUM loaded boxes. Hi Everyone! Can you imagine seeing large artifacts and glass cases Have you looked at the front of our buildings? Do you on dollies being rolled down the street. Thank heaven see the silhouettes over the front windows of the mu- we only had 2 half blocks and a street to move from one seum? Some information for our newer members and building to another. We had our grand opening on July a trip back for the rest of us. 24 and 25th, The crowd that came was wonderful.

We closed on these buildings in February 1999 and After much work, in 2005, we were chosen to host a the work commenced on getting the old owners stuff Smithsonian traveling show “Produce For Victory”. That cleared out and start cleaning and setting things up for was also the year we had the silhouettes put up, with us. We have pictures to show the progress. the help of the Heartland Art Guild designing the figures and Doherty Iron cutting the metal. We are proud of our The Library was the first to get moved. Betty Bendorf unique story of our building. The Indian on his pony, the spent MANY full days, some evenings and Sundays put- bison and tepees, then the settlers, schools, churches ting up the shelving and arranging the books and files. and farms, then oil and gas wells, trains, and finally a lake and airport. This tells the story of our county in sil- Have you ever moved a Museum? Oh Boy! I hadn’t ei- houette. ther, but we started. Many volunteers took interest and did “something”. Fred Knoche kept everyone’s where- From one who has washed the windows, mopped abouts known and delivered messages. Others that floors. vacuumed carpets and cleaned rest rooms, etc. couldn’t do heavy work did things like opening doors A look back!! Page 15 Realizing the importance of local history choices in a community in the past is to study the community’s history to learn if what seems like a good idea in the by Grady Atwater present seemed like a good idea multiple times in the past and had disastrous results every time that idea was put into Every community has local history, and all local history is action. Therefore, the study of a community’s history is a important and worthy of being preserved and passed on to vital subject of study. future generations. One of the primary objections to studying a community’s There is a tendency to write off the contributions of a com- history is that there is little interest in studying what seems munity’s founders and the generations that came before like the mundane details of the daily cultural, economic and the present day as unimportant meanderings into a misty social lives of a community’s past citizens due to the pedes- past that has no bearing on the daily lives of a town’s pres- trian nature of their contributions to the community’s life ent and future citizens, but that is a dangerous thing to do. in the past and that their lives have no real impact on the present life of a community’s citizens. As Edmund Burke stated: “Those who don’t remember history are doomed to repeat it.” Nothing could be further from the truth. The local business owners who sacrificed much of their lives to provide goods In addition, it is vital to remember the contributions of a and services in the past built up their communities in the community’s past citizens and honor them, as they built the past and provide positive lessons in entrepreneurship and foundations of the current citizens of a community’s daily grit in their efforts to build up a community in good times lives via much hard work and sacrifice. and bad.

The present citizens of a community are building their cor- Teachers and school administrators of the past educated porate community lives on the foundations of the efforts of multiple generations of students who sometimes stayed in those who came before them. That can provide both posi- their communities and used the knowledge that their teach- tive and negative lessons to prevent a community’s current ers imparted to them to build up their communities. citizens from making the same mistakes that had negative results in the past. Health professionals, first responders, and hardworking employees of the businesses in a community all worked to If a certain action in a community’s history has had repeat- serve the community with a spirit of giving and cooperation ed negative results since the founding of the community, that deserves to be studied. We can learn many lessons, then it behooves the current citizens of any community not both good and bad, from the choices made by a communi- to choose to repeat that choice in the development of the ty’s past citizens. community. Grady Atwater is site administrator of the John Brown Mu- The only way to learn about the negative effects of certain seum and State Historic Site. CAN YOU IDENTIFY THIS ANTIQUE? About 80 years ago, when 1 was 5 years old, my grandfather who raised me had a Western Auto Store on the north side of the square. The store had a balcony where he stored things. He would let me have a playhouse up there and I would sell kool-aid to the farmers on Saturday.

Down the street where the Paola Eatery is now Mrs. Stephens, who had 17 children, had a used furniture store. When you went in she had big sheets of plywood all down the center of the store where she had all kinds of dishes etc. for sale for 5 cents. I would take my kool-aid money and go buy dishes for my playhouse. 1 bought this for a nickel. It is not silver but I have been told it contained oil and was used at fancy din- ner parties to keep warmers going under the fancy serving dishes. Let us know if you know what this was called. Bet it is worth more than a nickel now

Luanne Cutting Debrick Page 16 Interview- Freda Miller at Ursuline and then later from Mrs. Potts who lived not far away. I am a member of Church of Christ here in Osawato- A few years ago we decided on a project of interviewing the older mie. I am not married I helped raise a niece, Pam. generation of Miami County. So the word was put out and plans for Changes in schools? We had big classes, 30 to 35. Now it doing the work was worked out. Following are highlights from the is 10 or 12. Salary- I came to Osawatomie for $925/year on interview of Freda Miller on July 28 2003 by Betty Bendorf. a 9 month basis and now it is $25,000 or $30,000 a year for Freda Mae Miller was born in Osawatomie, Kansas January 17 12 months. 1910. Freda had a sister, Fern Maxine, born on her birthday six I traveled a lot and kept a scrapbook. During the war when years later. Freda’s father was Morris Oscar Miller and mother was trains of troops would go through, we would try to have Olive Loutzenhiser Miller. food there for them and helped them make telephone calls. My dad worked for the railroad and lived in Fontana. My mom I also worked at the powder plant in the dark room. Then I lived in Geneseo and was a teacher. Dad courted her 6 years before went to Pratt Whitney. I sponsored Kayettes in junior high. they got married. Later they moved to Osawatomie. We sent pencils and crayons to kids in war torn countries. I Freda has been a teacher for 5 years in rural schools and 41 years always voted but don’t remember the first President I voted in Osawatomie teaching American History. After I retired I was a for. For hobbies, I knit and did needlepoint and also crochet. substitute for 10 years. I then went to Head Start for 1 day a week For organizations, I am charter member University Women, here in Osawatomie. I taught at Osage Valley, Union Valley and Fair- belong to Harmony Chapter of F.C.E.,and Retired teachers. view country schools when I went to teach. When I went to Fairview In closing the interview Freda had a few remarks on mem- it was for $75.00 a month. When I substituted I made $75.00 a day. ories. Following are some one- liners. “ I had Carol Knoche I first went to school at Beeson and then to Meek school. Then in school. Some of the teachers I taught with were Mr. Seals, high school at Osawatomie. I got my degree and did graduate work Mr. Freeberg, Miss Melsman, Myrtle Wagers, Mr. York and at Laramie, Wyo. I remember my first grade teacher was Mrs Beatty Madge Long. Mike Hadle of Lawrence is relation and drives and Patricia Solander was for sixth, seventh and eighth grades. I us crazy on genealogy but is a special person to me. The first loved history and always wanted to be a teacher. My sister wanted year I taught Dad bought a Model T Ford car. It was hard to to be a nurse. start and at end of school he sold it to pay for my summer For fun we played games, ping pong, rode our bicycles and jumped school. When I taught in Osawatomie, I walked.” rope. We never went to dances. I took piano lessons from a Sister

Photo restoration and video transfer to DVD format services are still being offering at the museum.

Here is a couple of items that have come to the museum to be restored. One was a large 1900 era portrait of a young boy, the customers grandfather. The image had been ripped across the middle and torn up from the bottom. I had to scan the picture in two sections and join the halves in Photoshop. The next step was to repair the torn lines, clean up a few scratches and reprint the image at 11” X 14” size and mount it in a 16” by 20” oval window mat. The customer was well pleased and then ordered 4 dozen wallet sized for Christmas presents

A gentleman brought a civil war discharge document to the museum to see if it could be restored. The document had suffered damage over the years, as the paper had turned brown and had been patched with tape. The writing in red ink had all but faded away and could no longer be read. The only thing that I could do was to scan the document;s front and back at high resolution. The next task was to lighten the digital image and remove the brown tones and try to make the red ink stand out better.

On the back of the discharge was an Oath of Identify. This oath of identity was to prove that the bearer was truly entitled to his pension benefits when he applied for them. It contained his physical description, address and his signature all sworn in front of a notary or officer of the court.

The cool part on this discharge paper were that there was a list of engagements that his unit was involved in. The battle names were in red ink which had faded to almost nothing. I found a Spencerian font that matched the originals and retyped the battle names. I looked up the regiment’s name on the Internet where it listed all the battles and the dates and places when they were fought.

The finished documents were mounted on a 16x20 double matted art board with the Infantry Regiment,s history printed in white ink on the bottom of the window matt. Stop by the museum to inquire about your photo needs or call Roger Shipman at 913 259 9219. Page 17 Freedom Festival 2019

The Freedom Festival was held on September 21-22 in Osawatomie at the John Brown Park. It was a cold and rainy morning as the rein-actors moved up to the skirmisher lines. There were sounds of fire fights throughout the day. The first reenactment was the Battle of Middle creek which was fought on August 25. 1856. It was an amazing site to see the freestate men taking over on the creek bed side. The bushwhackers came up from the south and took over the other side. There was only one Free State person killed in the Battle of Middle Creek, he was Lieutenant Cline who was wounded and subsequently died.

We got to listen to Mary Buster, the great-great-granddaughter of Florella Adair John Browns half- sister. The presentation title was “Living in the shadow of John Brown.” There was a border war scenario on the 21St. At the near end of the day there was the reenactment of the Battle of Osawatomie. There was a special night firing of Civil War Artillery take place at dusk. September 22 was the second day of the reenactment. It was filled with ceremony honoring the POW/MIA’s. It followed the battle between Union Troops Confederate partisans at 1:20pm. There was also a Tomahawk throwing demonstration by the Marais Des Cygnes. Also, there was a church service held by the Osawatomie Ministerial Association. The Osawato- mie Band also performed with the church service with patriotic and civil war era music which sounded great.

Some Info by Grady Atwater from the Miami County Republic More info by Kaylen Butler

Page 18 Presbyterian church, and Methodist Minister Rev. Reuben Harper Sparks. The final committee member was not a member of the clergy, but was the Mayor of Paola, a member of the board of education, and a cashier at People’s Na- tional Bank. The choice of William Crowell was a strategic move on the part of Reverend Daugherty. Being a minister, Orphan Trains to Miami County he knew that it could be difficult to track down a man of the cloth. They were at the beck and call of their parish- ioners and were often gone, visiting the elderly, the sick, By Lori Halfhide the dying. By putting a banker on the committee, he had When the Territory of Kansas was opened for settlement someone who worked in the same place daily, and every- in 1854, it didn’t take long for towns to start springing up one knew how to find him. Crowell wasn’t just any banker. in the eastern portion of the territory, and gradually the Being on the school board and serving as Mayor, he must population spread Westward. The first town in Kansas was have had a wealth of information about the citizens who Leavenworth, built in 1854, next to the Fort. Other towns would be bringing in applications to take these children. quickly followed, most along the Missouri state border There was confusion with the newspaper articles in the and gradually moving west. Paola was platted the follow- beginning of my research. Several of the pre-placement ing year, and businesses soon sprang up on the town site. newspaper articles reported that those who had filled out Paola is now the county seat of Miami County and has a applications to take children needed to be at the depot population of a little more than 5,500 people. The museum when the train arrived at noon on September 10, 1880, at Paola contacted NOTC requesting information on the -Or for the committee would be distributing the children from phan Trains and the children who rode them to their coun- there. The week before the placement, Agent James P. ty, so these articles are the result of that research. Brace (Charles Loring Brace’s brother), contacted the news- Our history of early Orphan Trains to Kansas is very papers to inform them the placement would take place at sketchy with few details. We do know that the first Orphan the Court House immediately after the arrival of the train Train Riders to Kansas arrived in 1859. These three children from Kansas City at 12:30 in the afternoon on the tenth. were brought to St. Joseph, Missouri, and taken across the Brace also told them, “I shall have some very fine little river to Wathena, Kansas. We have no names, only the ones, as young as 4 and up to 15 years old; a very few girls, scant information mentioned. Orphan Train activity ground principally boys; strong, healthy, clean, nice boys.” He also nearly to a halt during the Civil War and Kansas received no reminded those interested that they were expected to fur- children during that time, probably because the state was nish satisfactory recommendations. known as “Bloody Kansas” and there were border wars and The committee was quickly inundated with applications. guerilla activity. The next documented train contained 25 The news of orphan children seeking homes in Miami coun- boys to Manhattan in January of 1867, followed by ten chil- ty spread like wildfire and there was tremendous interest. dren to Lawrence in 1869. The trains really started rolling The Court House was a spacious building and it was filled to Kansas in the 1870’s. Orphan Trains were very much like to capacity the day of the placement. There was a crowd the growing population of the state; as the settlers moved at the station waiting for the train, hoping to get a glimpse westward, building more and more new towns and the rail- of the children before they were whisked into a wagon and roads reached those shiny new towns, the Orphan Trains driven straight to the Court House where another large followed. crowd was waiting. Agent Brace talked to the crowd, telling There are three documented Orphan Trains to Paola. The them of the great works of the Children’s Aid Society, how first two placements were in September and October of 45,000 children had found homes in the west in the twen- 1880 and the third was in November of 1896. We will visit ty-six years they’d been in operation. He told of the chil- Paola and learn about these three placements in that com- dren; some were orphans, some half orphans, some sur- munity. rendered by parents wanting better for their children than Early in July of 1880, Reverend J.G. Daugherty of Ottawa, they could give them in the city. There were forty-five ap- Kansas, who had served on the Ottawa local committee in plicants for the eighteen children. After an hour and a half, January of 1880, arrived in Paola to make arrangements for all eighteen children had found homes. The Western Spirit children to be brought to Miami County. Reverend Daugh- newspaper one week later listed the children’s names, fol- erty selected Rev. Lewis Payson Broad, the forty-year-old lowed by the names of the people who took them in. Congregational minister,r to serve as the chairman of the committee. Others selected were Rev. William Lowther of NEXT TIME: More Orphan Trains to Miami County. the Baptist Church, Reverend John Newton McClung of the Page 19 TO: MIAMI CO. HIST. MUSEUM FROM; LLOYD L. PECKMAN 10/18/19

SUBJECT: MIAMI INDIAN VISITS:

Our museum has had an uptick of Miami Tribal members visiting this summer. On July 26th, Megan Dorey, Archives Manager, brought three Elli Geboe descendants here. They where Twila Coger of Miami, Okla.; Patty Morgan, Diamond, Mo. and Dani Jones , Bentenville, Ark.

I showed them my pictures of the Elli Geboe gravestone. Written on it are the words “Mary Wife of and Brutis Son of Elli Geboe” both died in the 1860’s. They were very interested in the Emberlin box marked found at the home sites of Lewis Geboe Sr. and Jr. These sites are located near 399th and Beavercreek Road, just south of the old Black Ranch. I also showed them the McLachlin “1857 “ book that on page 3 states that David Geboe hauled McLachlin down to Miamiville in 1857 and that it was a place of importance. Also I showed them the report about the La Cygne cemetery located just NE of Big Turtle Hill Indian Trading Post. It list the name of Elisabeth, the second wife of Eli Geboe and their children Hatty and Joseph all having died in 1870 and being buried there.

A couple of weeks later, Twila returned to our Museum with James and Jean Richardville. They were from Ofal- lon, Mo. James is the G. G. Grandson of Thomas F. Richardville. He provided me with his 9 generation pedigree. I reported about T.F. Richardville in the last Summer Quarterly. The B. Sheridan OB is incorrect in that it states that he is the Son of John (Jean) Baptiste Richardville. James pedgree shows him as the G. G. Grandson. Because James and Twila wanted to see the Miamiville sites, they drove me to the Miami Indian sites. That included the Richardville home site which is located one and one half mile south of Block and the Gravestones located at John Grother’s home and sites south to La Cygne.

On August 29th Brooks and Gary Eastburn of Tulsa, Ok. came here. They had been here about 9 years ago. Brooks is a descendant of both the Elli Geboe and John B. Roubideaux families. He was a prominent Indian who lived here and had land in northern Linn County. I called Brooks in 2010 and we discussed the Group Delegate picture and the Richardville file which was located at the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa. They requested to see the Miami sites and Gary drove us down all the way to La Cygne.

Dough Peconage of Ft. Wayne, Indiana and Jonathon Fox from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio; met me at our Museum on May 10, 2019. This meeting was the results of a meeting that Jack York and I had with the Miami Council members a year ago at their Louis- burg, Kansas Pow Wow. It was concerned with cemetery sites. Jack could not accompany us, so I took them to Rockville first sites and Mi- amiville where they photographed the sites. We met with John Grother who gave us per- mission to drive back to the cemetery and wells sites. We nearly got stuck in the wet mud driving out south to `where the village site is located . There we met the owner Ray- mond Rodawald. I am concerned about the ages of all of us and that further investigation Twila Coger Jean and James Richardsville would have to be initiated by the Miami Tribe and might have to include the Kansas Histori- Photo by Lloyd Peckman cal Society. Page 20

TOMORROW IS ANOTHER TOWN The Anatomy of a Circus An autobiography by James R. Patterson A history of the Great Patterson Shows when the circus maintained winter quarters in Paola. Tax included price is $28.00

How to purchase on page 22 Page 21 Miami County Publications--Inventory Clearance Sale

TOMORROW IS ANOTHER TOWN New Publication New Publication The Anatomy of a Circus Tax included price $ 28.00 Tax included price $ 28.00 plus P&H An autobiography by James R. Patterson plus P&H A history of the Great Patterson Shows when the circus maintained winter quarters in Paola

All the following publications will have sales tax, postage & handling added to the listed price

Family Histories and Stories of Miami County, Kansas, 1987 VOL I DVD now available Reduced Now only $20.00

Family Histories and Stories of Miami County, Kansas, 1998 VOL II Hardback Excess Inventory Sale $20.00

All cemetery books are available on a CD that must be read with a computer. The contents are in the PDF format that is search-able with Adobe reader. You can find a grave location in just a second. All CDs are $15.00 each

Cemeteries of Miami County, Vol. I (rural south 2/3 of county)-CD ONLY Beagle, Block, Cashman, Daganett, Debrick, Fontana; Frank, Greenvalley, Herman, Highland, Hodges, Indianapolis, Jingo, Lessenden, Mannen, Miami, County Poor Farm, Mound Creek/Mount Nebo, New Hope, New Lancaster, Rock ville, Settle, Spring Grove, Stanton, Whiteford and Wilson-Raymer

Cemeteries of Miami County, Vol. II (north 1/3 of county) CDONLY Antioch, Ayers, Bucyrus, Old Marysville, Hillsdale (old & new), Louisburg (old & new), Pleasant Valley, Rock Creek, Scott’s Valley, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Wagstaff, Wea, Holy Rosary, (Lane & Shively in Franklin Co.)

Index of Taxpayers of Miami County, 1878 Lists of land owners or residents $3.00

The Story of Paola, 1857-1950 by McLachlin Softback Part 1 and Hardback Part 2 with Index to both parts Sold as a set $19.50 Softback Part 1 $5.00 index only for original book owners $5.00 Barns of Miami County, Kansas 457 old barns in full color 136 pages $20.00

Paola High School 150 years proud1857-2007 $25.00 Cliff Wright’s, World War II For One, $18.00 and Kansas Folklore $21.00

And So It Began by Bettie Garrison Ore Paola 150 Year Timeline The Miami County Historical Society 1965-1980 price $2.00 on DVD $20.00 Lest We Forget (List of Osawatomie Alumni) $5.00

Paola High School Alumni 1888-1988 $5.00 Please make checks to: Lost Years -Miami Indians in Kansas $10.00 Miami County museum 12 East Peoria, Our new e-mail: [email protected] Paola, Kansas 66071-0123 Phone 913-294-4940 Web site www.thinkmiamicountyhistory.com At this time, Oct. 2019, the nuseum has a new web page under construction. Do a search if the above site doesn’t work

Page 22 Mi. Co. History Museum Phone 913-294-4940 12 East Peoria Web site Paola, Kansas 66071 www.thinkmiamicountyhistory.com E-mail [email protected]

Paving the Way to Heritage Walk

A feeling of community spirit and support is growing in Paola . Paola's historic district, the downtown square and the park, is the focal point of Paola. The Heritage Walk is located in the center of the park near the gazebo; it provides a unique opportunity for you to memorialize a relative or a former/current resident of our community with a brick engraved with their name added to the hundreds already placed in the Walk .

The Park was given to the City of Paola by Baptiste Peoria when the town was founded . He specified that the Park must be used as a park forever. Over the years the Gazebo, the fountain, the sidewalks, and landscaping has been added to the park. Children's play equipment and benches were added so that families could enjoy spend- ing time in the park.

Engraved bricks may be placed individually, or may be grouped for family members,school classes, etc . Each brick may have two lines engraved with 14 letters and spaces on each line. Holidays and birthdays are the perfect times to order a brick for that 'hard to suit' person on your list or a way to assure that relative or friend will never be forgotten in Paola.

You may request an application at [email protected] or you may pick up an application at Miami County Historical Museum at 12 East Peoria Street (913) 294-4940 Please mail your completed application(s) along with a check for $40 for each brick requested to Miami County Historical Museum at 12 East Peoria Street Paola, KS 66071.

We will notify you when your application(s) has been received, and the brick(s) will be installed as soon as possi- ble .

Each brick may have 2 lines with 14 letters and spaces.

Brick 1 Brick ______

______

Name ______E-mail ______

Address______

City______State____ Zip ______Phone______

Number of bricks ordered ______@ $40 each Check enclosed $______

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