The LHS Newsletter Archive
Volume Twenty-nine, Issue Number 2
Originally Published in Lecompton, Kansas : Summer 2003 Digitally Archived August 2006 ..
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VOL. 29, NO.2 LECOMPTON,KANSAS SUMMER, 2003
RADICAL UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH,
This photograph shows the interior during a Revival meeting. Notice that the pulpit is located against the north wall. The present door on the southwest wall can be seen in the background. After the congregation disbanded in the 1920s, the building was restored and is now the Lecompton City Hall and Community Building. The limestone building was constructed in 1906 after the original Radical United Brethren Church burned. The Lecompton Sun, March 16, 1906, reported: RADICAL CHURCH BURNS "About half past eight Sunday morning the Elmore Street church was discovered to be on fIre. Flames were shooting from the roof when fIrst seen, and by the time people got there it w8$doomed. The windows were broken in The Radicals held their meetings in and the organ and seats and most of the a new frame church until the fITeof 1906. furniture was saved. The editor of the Lecompton Sun then "The origin of the fIre is unknown. questioned the need for three local churches. Rev. Adam Richie had built a fIre a short He wrote, "The men have long ago quit time before and had left and gone home. struggling to support the church. The work "The church was built about 15 has been turned over to the women. One years ago costing $3,000. strong church in Lecompton would do more "An insurance of$I,350 was carried good than three weak ones." on the building and $150 on the furniture. On July 27, 1906,the newspaper . "Thecongregationhasdecidedto reported, "The contracts have been let for rebuild and have plans drawn for a stone the new Radical Church. A. Christenson of - building to be heated by a furnace. For the Lawrence gets the stonework, Goo. W. present services will be held in the second Norwood does the carpentry work and E.G.
storyoftheLee Building." . Day the plastering. "Adam Richie is hauling the stone Lecompton Hosts and Samuel Hyatt and Beatty Fleenor are National Assembly doing the quarrying. The stone for the foundation is hauled from Mrs. Harriet When the church burned it also Smith's and the stone for the body of the \ ignited anew a simmering controversy that church will come from the quarry on Dr. had embroiled the church since soon after its Leslie's farm." t
founding in 1841. Then, the original Two weeks later the newspaper ~ constitution drawn up by the National reported that H.W. Sandusky ofSt. Joseph, a United Brethren Church contained an anti- landowner with 15 tenant farmers, secret order society clause. In 1885 there "complimented the Sun very highly for its was agitation that it be removed from the efforts to bring the churches together, and constitution. A new constitution was drafted greatly favors it. His idea is, that as the and presented to the Annual United Brethren United Brethren were first on the field and General Conference in 1889. That national have an adequate plant, that the religious life conference was held in Lecompton at Lane of the community should center around it." University. Bishop Wright, father of famed aviators Wilbur and Orville, presided. Despite a number of conscientious objectors, the new constitution was approved, creating a deep schism. After the members of the general assembly departed, the question of the desirability of operating under the 1841 or t 1889 constitution was an issue each United Brethren congregation faced. In the fall of 1889, a majority of the Lecompton United Brethren congregation decided to accept the A New Stone Church constitution of 1889. That congregation continued to meet in the Lane University That Christmas the United Brethren building. Those who violently opposed the and Radical Brethren held ajoint Christmas new constitution built a church on the lot entertainment, but on Feb. 10, 1907,the north of the old Hotel Rowena (now the city Radical United Brethren Church held its first park) building, which was then being used services in the new stone church. as a dormitory. ~
I THE LIFE AND TIMES OF Even the proper spelling of his ARISTIDE RODRIGUE, exotic, unusual name is in question. LECOMPTON'S FIRST CITY His brother's great granddaughter, FATHER AND FIRST PHYSICIAN Gertrude Rodrigue, now living in Connecticut, refers to him as Aristide Rodrigue (she says it is pronounced A RIS In 1854,Colonel Albert Boone, TI DEE ROAD RIG or RO DREEG). grandson of Daniel Boone, and Dr. Aristide Kansas Territorial Governor Geary, Rodrigue, a prominent Pennsylvania approving Rodrigue's estimates as the contractor to build the Kansas Territorial physician, "started to explore the valley of Kansas, their object being primarily to Capitol building, wrote Aristides Rodriques. locate claims for themselves and In a newspaper advertisement for the sale of incidentally to select an eligible site for the lots in Lecompton in 1855,the physician capital of the Territory," says a history signed his name A. Rodrique. On published in 1940 by Lecompton Rural High government contracts he signed it Aristides. So it's Aristide or Aristides and it's School's history and typing classes. The two, in fact, were U.S. Rodrigue or Rodrique and you can add an government agents charged with "s" to any spelling of the last name, too. determining the location of the capital for And there's an entry in the 1863 Douglas the new Kansas Territory, according to the County Pre-emptions that an A. Rodrick Sept. 15, 1854 issue of the Kansas Weekly owned land that we know A. Rodrigue owned. Herald published in Leavenworth. The two great friends also were responsible for forming the company that Born August 10, 1810 founded Lecompton. But it is the physician, Arnan Theodore Michel Aristide Rodrigue, He was born on August 10, 1810, in who should be remembered as the fIrst city Philadelphia. His father, Jacques Andre father of Lecompton, the fIrst physician, and Rodrigue, was born in 1759 in La Rochelle, the fIrst contractor to work on the Territorial France. "The Rodrigues were, as you may Capitol building and, from all accounts, the know, pro-slavery and Catholic," Gertrude fIrst bon vivant. He was either the second or Rodrigue, his great grand niece, wrote in a third postmaster, depending on which letter to the Lecompton Historical Society historical technicalities you choose. He on Oct. 18, 1985. "This stems from the fact would probably be a much more famous that Andre Jacques Rodrigue had been a historical fIgure but for his untimely death in plantation owner in Santa Domingo with 1857 and, sadly, some shoddy historical many slaves. There was a slave uprising writing starting decades ago. there in the 1790s and his plantation was burned to the ground. He escaped with his Questions of History life only because he had been good to his slaves and they helped him escape." Consequently, he is a man wrapped Dr. Rodrigue's wife, the former Ann r, in a historical shroud of mystery. What we Caroline Bellas of English-Irish-Welsh i know of Dr. Rodrigue isjust enough to pose descent, was born on May 12, 1811. The I all kinds of now unanswerable questions. two married in Philadelphia on February 8, 1835. f. Our skilled researcher, Iona Spencer, cannot determine whether the physician ever practiced medicine in Lecompton, whether Pennsylvania-Trained Physician he commissioned the elegant Rowena Hotel, which number postmaster he was, and on He was a graduate of the University and on. of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Dr. Rodrigue is mentioned twice in the history
t- -~ ofthe Parish of St. Augustine, St. now known as Court House Hill, we rode Augustine, Pa., both times upon the through a delightful summer shower. When occasion of his attending a priest's death in we arrived at this point the sun was some the early 1840s. The history says of the two hours high, the sky blue and cloudless, second priest, "During his last illness, Father the tree foliage clean and sparkling, the (Smith, who, Gertrude Rodrigue writes, was flowers smiling, and the wild birds in actuality Russian Prince Dimitri proclaiming to us glad tidings of great joy. Gallitzin), as memento offered his friend To the right of us the Grasshopper Creek and physician, Dr. Aristide Rodrigue, his and the Delaware and Kaw lands studded choice between the reliquary already with mighty timber, to the north of us the mentioned and a gold watch said to have blue bluffs on the Delaware reservation, to belonged to his father. Rodrigue chose the the east and west the Kansas River in its reliquary, which is yet cherished as a sacred hurried race to join its sister, the Missouri, heirloom by one of his descendants." and almost at our feet nature had molded Historical research tells us little of with both art and skill a natural habitation the Rodrigues' life before coming to for a multitude of God's children. Here Lecompton other than they found time to where we stand will be our courthouse, and have nine children. here and on yon western hill the resident We have two accounts of portion; there, on that elevated plateau, the Rodrigues' first trek to Lecompton. capitol of our state, and in the center for In 1907, Ely Moore, Jr. gave a talk miles south will be our business mart. Look, at an old settlers' meeting in Lecompton. In he said to his associates, with what cunning 1853 and 1854 his father was an Army fingers nature has shaped the drainage, colonel who often used young Moore to which vouchsafes health, and with health, carry dispatches. As a result he knew the prosperity. Here we will rest, our mission founding fathers of Bald Eagle, as ended. May God bless our endeavors." Lecompton was called initially, and many of the Army regulars stationed at nearby Fort Colonel Boone's Story Sackett, including calvaryman J.E.B. Stuart of Civil War fame. The other account comes from the Lecompton Rural High School history Daniel Boone's Grandson published in 1940. It relied greatly on oral histories but does not cite sources. The To Moore's story: narrative of Colonel Boone's and Dr. "On or about the 25thof July, 1854, Rodrigue's selection of the site for the fITst four gentlemen, namely Dr. Aristide Kansas Territory capitol reads: Rodrigue, ofHollidaysburg, Pa.; Col. A.G. "It was early in the morning when Boone, grandson of Daniel Boone, the noted they started and the grass and undergrowth hunter of Kentucky; Samuel J. Jones, and, if was covered with dew. Colonel Boone told my memory does not mislead me, Maj. that by the time that they had gone three or Lyman Evans, until his death a resident of four miles they were wet to the skin. the city, formed themselves into a company, "At length they came to a ridge that the purpose of which was the location of a terminated abruptly at the river. They town in Kansas, to be situated on the south climbed to the summit and sat down under a side of the Kaw River. Here permit me to big oak tree to rest. The longer they rested quote, after more than 50 years have come the less inclination they had to go further. 'I and faded away, Doctor Rodrigue's think we have gone far enough, Colonel,' description to me of his approach and fITst said Rodrigue and Boone replied that he was view of these beautiful hills and valleys: about to say the same thing. As the beauty 'From the time we left the lake, some five of the landscape impressed itself more and miles east of here, until we reached what is more upon them they became enthusiastic and withal prophetic and predicated that in appointed federal judge of the territory. His the grand amphitheater of hills before and advent was awaited with much interest, as below would rise a metropolis, the smoke his goodness and greatness had been and noise of which would command the liberally heralded throughout the territory, admiration of a great state. Railroads would and thus being on the up wave of popularity enter here, the river become an artery of reaped the honor of having this named commerce and a proud commonwealth Lecompton." should acknowledge its supremacy. Pointing down the slope to the west, Dr. History Did Him Wrong Rodrigue indicated a spot where he declared he would make his home. (That was where Dr. Rodrigue's role now gets mired the old 'Bald Eagle' graveyard is, where the in conflicting documents. The Kansas State remains of the Doctor lay for a quarter of a Historical Society's quarterly quotes, The century. More on that later.) Cutler History of Kansas, 1883,page 351: "The Lecompton Town Company was Bald Eagle, Kansas organized at the Pottawatomie Agency, and consisted of Samuel D. Lecompte, president; "Then the question of a name was John A. Haldeman, secretary; Daniel discussed. Rodrigue suggested "Eureka" but Woodson, treasurer; George W. Clark, Boone objected; then he proposed "Hazel Chauncey B. Donaldson and William R. Doll" and Boone laughed a great rip roaring Simmons. In the spring of 1855 the town backwoods laugh and proposed "Poll Moll" company held its meetings in Westport, by way of amendment. "Oh,' said Rodrique, Mo., and on May 14, 1855,the officers 'I know what you want. You want it called reported to the company that D.H. Harting Boonesborough.' 'No I don't,' said Boone, had surveyed the town site, consisting of 'but 1consider that more appropriate than 600 acres and had laid out the principal your sentimental nonsense.' streets and blocks." "Just then a great bird left its nest in Yet there is a major advertisement a big sycamore that stood near the mouth of from Leavenworth's Kansas Herald the little creek at the foot of the slope and newspaper, dated Sept. 15, 1855,which is sailed majestically away over the river. The signed by A. Rodrigue, president ofthe disputants watched its flight for some time Town Co. Its headline: "Public Sale of and then Rodrigue, turning to Boone, said, Town Lots, At Lecompton, Kansas 'Why not call it Bald Eagle?' 'It's a go,' Territory, THE CAPITAL OF KANSAS. said Boone. 'I'll consent to that much On the 23rdof October next." sentiment-we dedicate it Bald Eagle; now let it soar.''' A City Beautifully Situated Back to the account given by Ely Moore, Jr. in 1907. He gives our best The two-column ad describes a city description of how Bald Eagle came to be "beautifully situated on a gradual eminence named Lecompton. "Soon after the on the south bank" and talks of the selection of the town site the parties agricultural lands available and the interested met at Shawnee Mission and abundance of building materials. It talks of formed their organization. Rodrigue roads and bridges, the recent legislative becoming president, Boone vice president session that appointed Lecompton both the and Jones secretary-treasurer. They state capital and county seat and of charters adjourned without deciding upon any being let for colleges, universities and other permanent name for the city until a meeting literary institutions. It concludes, "At a of the stockholder should be held. meeting of the Lecompton Town Co., held "During the winter of 1854.'55 at Westport, Missouri, the following persons Samuel D. Lecompte, of Maryland, was were duly chosen officers for the ensuing year: Dr. A. Rodrique, President; a point on the Kansas River opposite Dl.Woodson, Treasurer; Lecompton. S.1. Jones, Secretary; Trustees: A. Dr. Rodrigue played an important Rodrique, Dl. Woodson, J.C. Thompson, role in the early days of Bleeding Kansas. C.B. Donalson, W.M. Thompson." Reports are scattered and sketchy. For There could be a chance that the example, the Lecompton Union, in an Extra trustees were elected in addition to the edition published on April 28, 1856, says: officers, which could mean that Aristide's "At a meeting of the citizens of son, Andrew J., might be the A. Rodrique, Douglas County, held at Lecompton, April though he was only 19 at the time. 25th,Dr. Aristides Rodrigue, late of The share certificate is dated July Pennsylvania, was called to the Chair, and 10, 1856 and signed by Aristides Rodrique, W. Leamer, late of Pennsylvania, appointed president. The confusion over who was secretary. Lecompton's founding president probably "Col. Anderson briefly explained started with Cutler's well-regarded 19th the objects, that whereas a certain Century Kansas history and it was indignation meeting was held at Lawrence, compounded by the entertaining and at which A.H. Reeder and C. Robinson exceedingly well researched Lecompton made speeches intended for the express history published by the high school in purpose of producing a false impression 1940, which has been quoted in these pages. upon the public mind in regard to the It also says the town company was attempted assassination of Sheriff Jones, organized at the Pottawatomie Agency and therefore consisted of Judge Lecompt, president; John "Resolved that the Chair appoint a Halderman, secretary; Daniel Woodson, committee to prepare a full and correct Treasurer; George Clark; Chauncy B. statement of the facts of the entire Donaldson and William R. Simmons. Mrs. difficulties and lay them before the public. Julia Kerns has the Charter of Lecompton." "Under this resolution, T.M. A footnote adds, "Phillis Martin gave it to Crowder, late of Va., J.M. Alexander, late of State Historical Society and has a copy." Pa., and J.C. Anderson, late of Ky., were The Society cannot now locate it. appointed said Committee, who after a few hours, submitted the following report, which Physician, Shopowner, Contractor was unanimously adopted. The meeting then adjourned. Just as with Dr. Rodrigue and Judge A. Rodrigue,(::h'n." LeCompt or LeCompte, there are different spellings in different documents for various Bloodshed at Fort TitUs persons. We have used the spellings precisely.as they appear in historical And when events produced documents-,which accounts for differences bloodshed at Fort Titus in August, 1856, such as C.B. Donalson and Chauncy or Leverett Wilson Spring wrote in Kansas: Chauncey B. Donaldson. The Prelude to the War for the Union: The picture of Dr. Rodrigue that "Sunday, August 17th,Governor 'Shannon, emerges is of a highly regarded physician, as accompanied by Major Sedgwick and Dr. II Ely Moore, Jr., said, and a businessman with Aristides Rodrigue, postmaster at many and varied interests. He joined with Lecompton, rode to Lawrence in the interest others to open a mercantile store and to of peac~making. Then occurred an become the contractor for the state capitol unwonted spectacle. After negotiations and other buildings. He served as a consuming almost the entire day a treaty of commissioner of the Lecompton Bridge peace was consummated, involving an Company and on the commission to locate exchange of prisoners andether acts and build a territorial road from Atchison to customary only among recognized ~
belligerents standing upon an equal footing; scientific acquirement in his profession. the high contracting parties being on the one Such a man he was that for his loss a hand the federal government in the person of bereaved family may indeed weep, a large of Governor Shannon, and on the other a circle of friends be afflicted, and the whole minority of the sub-committee chosen out of country mourn. the larger committee appointed at the "His disease was gastritis. Tranquil I miscellaneous Topeka convention July 4th- in the integrity of a good conscience, and the Colonel James Blood and William hopes of Christianity, he died as only the Hutchinson, correspondent of 'The New noble and good may die." i York Times.' In this transaction free-state audacity reached the high-water mark of the The New Postmaster Wakarusa war treaty. The United States
stipulatedto returnthe cannoncapturedby - Aristide became postmaster on Sheriff Jones at Lawrence May 21st, to November 1, 1855, succeeding George liberate five or six men arrested for Taylor who had been postmaster of Douglas participation in the attack on Franklin, while before Lecompton where the post office was the minority of the sub-committee agreed to established on September 5, 1855. His release Titus and his men." eldest son, Andrew J., succeeded him in that In the related article on Dr. job. A State Historical Society article Rodrigue's business affairs, please note that written by George Washington Martin said, Dr. Rodrigue had many dealings with "About four o'clock in the afternoon of several governors of Kansas Territory and April 9, 1857, George W. Martin walked appears to have been deeply involved in the into Lecompton, then a proslavery town and most momentous events of those days. the territorial capital of Kansas. He found lodging at the Locknane boarding house, Merry Christmas, 1856 cooled his burning feet and rested his weary limbs, and then before sundown he started We get a glimpse of the Rodrigue out to take in the town. He stopped at the family's home life from a letter written by a postoffice to inquire for any mail that might young man the Rodrigue's invited to have come for the family in the three weeks Christmas dinner, 1856. It starts with a they were on the way, and was surprised to Merry Christmas to "friends at home, "I recognize in the postmaster, Andrew was invited to dine at Doct. Rodrigues this Rodrigue, a former citizen ofHollidaysburg. p.m.- They live in a very grand style having The recognition was mutual. The a nice double block house, well plastered postmaster, a proslavery man, seeing a copy and warm. Mrs. R. plays the guitar sweetly, of Hollidaysburg Standard in Martin's mail, dresses fine every day, the Miss R., about at once began a tirade against Martin's 17, ditto. They are from Penn., a fme family preacher friend, the good Doctor Junkin. and all well educated and formerly used to The memory of that farewell-to-the-old high bred and refined society in Phila." scene, with Doctor Junkin's prayer, rose up There's a good characterization of in the mind of Martin. He was only a boy, Dr. Rodrigue in Lecompton's The Weekly not quite 16 years old, but his manner of Union, dated June 12, 1857: DEATH OF resenting the insult showed that he was able DR. RODRIGUE to take care of himself. His red hair and "Dr. Rodrigue, whose death we are Irish-Scotch temper were not given him in pained to announce, was the flfst settler of vain. The postmaster threatened to throw this place, and his loss to our city and him out, but there is no recorded history that community is irreparable-to his esteemed tells anything of this kind happening. and afflicted family, beyond comprehension. Martin got into the game of history making "To a marked amiability of quite early. This may be said to have been character, he added the highest order of the flfst religious war in Kansas." "r
II If that postmaster were Aristide he had only two more months to live but if it Andrew's Murderer Convicted ,I, were Andrew, he would have been 21 years old then and it would seem strange to refer On July 4, 1861 the Lawrence
II to him as a former citizen of Holidaysburg, Republic newspaper reported that William which he probably left two years earlier at E. Thompson was tried for the murder of the age of 19. Andrew Rodrigue and found guilty of Just who was the Lecompton manslaughter in the third degree. postmaster then is an intriguing question? A few months after Andrew's Andrew didn't become postmaster until June death, Ann Caroline Rodrigue reported to 20, 1857,just nine days after his father, Probate Court as administrator, presenting Aristide died. It may have been that an accounting of his real and personal Andrew was filling in for an ailing father? property, much of which he must have inherited trom his father, Aristide, the Andrew's Murder previous year. She listed an ownership or half ownership in 16 city lots and the SE Andrew then had less than a year to quarter of Sec. 2, township 12, Range 18 in live. There's an interesting account of his Kansas Territory. Additionally, one large death in the April 10, 1858 issue of the double wagon, $100; 3 yoke of oxen, $225; Herald of Freedom, published in Lawrence, one horse, $40; Accounts against Jones Kansas: Evans & Co., $160.55; L. McArthur, $20; John Calhoun, $42; S.l Jones, $39. Total: "An Affair at Lecompton $626.55. She listed Andrew's heirs: Esther "Last Saturday, about 3 o'clock p.m. Aline Rodrigue, Ann Caroline Rodrigue, Andrew Rodrigue, in company with J.J. Clara Virginia Rodrigue, Florence V. Strickler, met James Thompson, keeper of Rodrigue, Hugh Bellas Rodrigue, Michael the Star Saloon, near the land office in A. Rodrigue and his mother, Ann Caroline Lecompton, who asked Rodrigue if he had Bellas Rodrigue. made a certain report in relation to him. Rodrigue replied that he had, and added that A Nun, A Doctor, But No Kansans it was a 'd-n good joke.' Thompson called .wlI Rodrigue a 'd---d liar,' upon which Ann would become a nun, Michael Rodrigue struck Thompson a back-handed a physician. Mrs. Rodrigue, then 46, would blow over the mouth. The latter then coolly leave soon for the East Coast with the still drew a large dirk knife trom his pocket, and living children, none of whom returned to opened it-Strickler perceived his intention live in Lecompton. caught hold of him, but let go his hold when Lecompton Historical Society i I he thought Thompson had abandoned his records report, "Aristide and his son, I object. As soon as Thompson was tree, he Andrew J., were exhumed and shipped back deliberately approached and thrust the blade to rest in the Rodrigue Mausoleum in the
II to the hilt into Rodrigue's left side; then Hazelwood Cemetery, Rahway, New Jersey. hastening to his saloon, took the contents of The reason for the move trom what had been
J, the money drawer and fled. Both are Pro- called Bald Eagle Cemetery at the time of Slavery men, and Rodrigue until very Aristide's and Andrew's death (Aristide had
II recently has been Postmaster of the place. been on the cemetery's founding Free State men who were imprison~ for commission) was that the cemetery was treason two years ago will remember that he moved to make way for the rock crushers in II refused them their letters. Rodrigue died on 1942." Wednesday morning trom the effects ofhis A letter written by Robert R. wound. Thompson is still at large." Stephens, superintendent of Hazelwood
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.f I Cemetery, Rahway, N.J. to Gertrude E. The 2004 Lecompton, Kansas I Rodrigue on July 29, 1971, lists the names Sesquicentennial Celebration I of the Rodrigue family interred in the Rodrigue Mausoleum. They include: The tumultuous days of Bleeding "Aristide Rodrigue, second son of Kansas began on May 30, 1854,when the Jacques Andre and Marie J. Rodrigue, born U.S. Congress created Kansas Territory and in Philadelphia, Pa., August 10, 1810,died determined that those people living in in Lecompton, Kansas, June 11, 1857; Kansas had the right to decide whether the I "Andrew J. Rodrigue, eldest son of soon-to-be state of Kansas would be Aristide and Caroline Rodrigue, born in admitted as a slave state or a ftee state. Pittsburgh, Pa., Dec. 22, 1835, died in That same year, 1854, Lecompton r Lecompton, Kansas, April 7, 1958; was founded. The city became the capital of "Ann Caroline Bellas, wife of Kansas Territory in 1855. Lecompton, in Aristide Rodrigue, born on May 12, 1811, fact, would be at the center of seven years died on April 2, 1888;" of "bleeding" Kansas violence. As Also, five other children or historians have said, it was where "the first grandchildren. shot ofthe Civil War" was fIred. And it was The above mausoleum is located on in our city's historic Constitution Hall that lots 169-170-171 and 172, Section A. These , the "LecomptonConstitution"wasenacted lots were purchased by Caroline Rodrigue. and sent to Congress in 1856. The last known owner was Miss Lillian These important events helped form Gray, #1452 Union St., Brooklyn, N.Y. our nation and our people and they are the The vault is now sealed with no reason we members of the Lecompton future interments. Historical Society work with pride to preserve our heritage; So it is precisely one -- John Peterson year less one day ftom now that Lecompton, Kansas will begin its sesquicentennial VISTORS TO LECOMPTON observance of these nationally significant Recent visitors to Lecompton included Richard events. We have a head start on the rest of Shankman, who is regularly seen on Fox News, the United States as other noteworthy "Civil CNN and MSNBC featuring historical reports. War" events won't reach the ISO-year mark, Also Carl Selinger of New York, who is writing enabling sesquicentennial observance, until a screen play concerning the time period from months and years after Lecompton again can 1857 to 1861. He was looking for historical fIre "the fIrst shot." information about Lecompton. . ThenationalCivilWar LECOMPTON mSTORICAL SOCIETY Sesquicentennial starts here in 2004. Then, The Lecompton Historical Society meetings with each passing day and year, more and are held the second Thursday of each month. We more of the momentous events of the Civil eat at 6:30 p.m. at the Territorial Capital War will become 150years old, enabling Museum. Please bring a covered dish and your more cities and states to stage observances. table service. Coffee and tea is furnished. The BUT IT STARTS HERE--<>nMay dates and programs are as follows: June 12-LoriMiller, from Audio Reader 30, 2004. Join us in planning for July 10-Musical Program Lecompton's sesquicentennial. This is a Aug. 14-AnneHaehl-Story Teller fIrst call to all who might be interested. Sept. II-Greg Sundel-On Dinosaurs If so, join us the second Thursday of Oct. 9-Harold Reihm-on Quantrill's Raid each month at Lane University Museum. Nov. 13-Steve Jansen-Lawrence History No meeting in December as we have Christmas Paul Bahnmaier, President Vespers on the first Sunday, which is Dec. 7th. Lecompton Historical Society Then in January and February, we have no meetings due to the cold weather. LECOMPTON POSTMASTRESSES and POSTMASTERS ~G . ""'~"-~~;:;'-;;"fJ:i';,~;~:_;~,':'. . fiIST~~ti I c::ccd -~'Cil'ftfJ/'£'}. -;.;,ow0Yffilf1 ([;j"O}5" )),;)?J ! fN,i?;Ifi'>to..O'1 KANSAS'''' RRITORY, \W'.f&& ~ i .0> ((>J)"' ~.1J < i , ...:6>.~~ "!
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NAME Address____-- City State Zip PLEASE NOTIFY US OF ANY CHANGE OF ADDRESS It costs the Lecompton Historical Society .92 cents for a change of address and the newsletter returned or .70 cent for a post card to notify us of your change of address, and your newsletter will be thrown away. If you have moved and do not get your newsletter this is why.
-' in the Korean War as a staff sergeant from 1952 to She gathered information from tombstones for 1956 the Douglas County Cemetery book. She was a He married Freda N. Kingsley on Jan. 2, 1954, in member of Adah Chapter No.7 Order of Eastern Fort Worth, Tex. She survives of the home. Star in Lawrence and Baldwin, member of two Other survivors include two sons, David, quilting clubs. Lawrence Genealogical Society, Lecompton and Gary, Lawrence; a daughter, Topeka Genealogical Society, Lecompton
Sherilyn LaDuke, Lecompton; a sister, Dorothy Historical Society, Kansas State Historical Society, I Jean Neil, Manhattan Beach, Calif; and two Clinton Historical Society and Union Cemetery grandchildren. Burial in Maple Grove Cemetery Assn., in Kansas City, Kan. west of Lecompton. She married LaVere Surber on Oct. 28, 1942. They later divorced. She married Donald Clough Shiffer, Louise (Clarke), 89, of Kettering, Oh, on June 21,1952, in Lawrence. He died Nov.,1, died Feb. 10, 2003 at the home of her daughter 1976. I Nancy Shiffer. Louise was born Feb. 23,1913 in Survivors include a sister, Julia Nadine Christie, of Custer, Okla. the daughter of Frank and Minnie Clinton, and several neices and nephews. Burial in I Heise Clarke. Her parents were married in Clinton Cemetery. Lecompton, Dec., 1904. She graduated from Le- compton High School in 1930. Woodman, Betty Jean, 67, Tacoma, Wash. died Louise and her husband Jerry moved to Little Fri. April 25, 2003. Rock, in 1947, then in 1980 moved to Clearwater, She was born Nov. 22, 1935 in Lecompton, Ks,. Fla. where he died in 1986. Lousie then moved in the daughter of Russell and Dora Worley. She had I I 1996 to her daughter's in Ohio. lived in Tacoma since 1974. She was a member of Besides her daughter she is survived by a son, Convent Celebration Church had been a member ~ Danny Shiffer and two grandchildren and one great of the Lecompton Historical Society. grandchild. She married Rolland Woodman on July 9, 1953, I in Topeka. He survives of the home. Clough, Vivian G., 81, Clinton, died Mon. April 28, Other survivors include a daughter, Tracie 2003, in Lawrence. Stubblefield; a son, Keith Woodman, two brothers, She was born Mar. 16, 1922, in Clinton, the Charles Worley and Robert Worley, both of daughter of Thomas Henry and Goldie Vivian Lawrence, Ks.; and a granddaughter. Burial in (Jones) Hout. She graduated from Liberty Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent. Memorial High School in 1940. ********************************************~************************************************
President*PaulBahnmaier Program*BeverlyVanDyke VICePresident* Rich McConnell Merrbership* Georgia SimmonsTrammel Secretary * Vicki RobertsBahnrnaier Genealogy& Historicalresearcher*lonaSpencer Treasurer* BettyLeslie Tours*CharleneWinter \ I BoardMembers* MaxineDark,GeorgeSimmons Funding*MaeHolderman Ke"h Noe,Jason Dexter, DuaneWulfkuhle,Ron Meier JIIustrator*EllenDuncan I Curators * Opal Goodrick, DorothyShaner, Ann Dunnaway AssistantTreasurer *Sherri Neill \ George &ArloeneSimmons, DarlenePaslay K"chen * Helen Hildenbrand&Vicki Leochner MembershipAss'ts.*Duane& DorothyWulfkuhle JohnPeterson-HistoricalWriter Memorials*RuthIce , *********************************************************************************************
I Change Service Requested Non-Prof" Organization I.: Published by U.S. POSTAGE PAID The Lecot11>tonHistorical Society Perm" No.1 Leco"l'ton, Kansas Lecornpton, Kansas I I
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