The LHS Newsletter Archive

Volume Twenty-six, Issue Number 1

Originally Published in Lecompton, Kansas : Spring 2000 Digitally Archived August 2006

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VOL. 26, NO.1 SPRING, 2000

JII LITTrE-BL1JEI

BIG BLUEVJESTPORT

I RICE RAID, OCTOBER.. 16(,,1/-.

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~~'-c~ ~:~'A )BIG SPRINGS MILITIA IN BATTLE AT BIG BLUE

BylonaSpencer

State; but all citizens of any religious denominationwhatever who, from scruples of conscience may beaverse to bearing arms. shall be exemptedtherefrom upon such conditions as may beprescribed by law.Section 2. The legislature shall provide for organ-izing equipping and disciplining the militia in suchmanner as it shall deem expedient not in com-patiblewith the laws of the United States.Section 3. Officers of the militia shall be elected orappointed, and commissioned in such manner asmay be provided by law.

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CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF

KANSAS-Adopted at Wyandotte, July29, 1859. Ratified by the People,October 4, 1859. Went into Operation,January 29, 1861.

Article 8. Militia

Section 1. The militia shall be composed of all able-bodied male citizens between the ages of twenty-one and forty-five years, except such as areexempted by the laws of the United States or of this

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Section 4. The Governor shall be commander-in-chief, and shall have power to call out the militiatoexecute the laws, to suppress insurrection, and torepel invasion.

AtthistimeThomas Camey was Govemor

This story is about the Big Springs Militiaand theirinvolvement in the Battle of the Big Blue river andWestport, October 22, 1864. How they gave uptheir lives, being wounded and some takenprisoners. For many Kansans the CivilWar hadbegun in the mid-1850s, before statehood, whenbands of Free-state and proslave rivals skirmishedto determine the status of the territory. Minorbutbloody fights had ravaged the Kansas-Missouriborder throughout the remainder of that decadeuntilKansas was admitted to the Union.

On the 8th of October, 1864, Governor Carneyissued his proclamation calling out the "men ofKansas," and announcing Major-General GeorgeW. Deitzler as commander-in-chief. This officerordered the men to rendezvous at Atchison, underBrigadier-General Byron Sherry; at Olathe, underBrigadier-GeneralM. S Grant; and at Paola underBrigadier-GeneralS. N.Wood.

The response of the "men of Kansas' wasimmediate. Never was appeal for help answered sopromptly: The-whole 11U1l1belof Kclll$CtsIlIilitiawhuappeared for active service exceeded 16,000 men.Afew detachments were leftat difference points forhome defense against bands of bushwhackers.The old men, boys and exempts were armed andorganized for a home guard, and were kept out onduty every day. Two fullcompanies of these weregathered in and around Lawrence and christened"the greybeards" .

In the Second Regiment Kansas State Militiawere the followingcompanies:Company A &B-(Allcitizens of Topeka) CompanyC-(Tecumseh) Company D-(Indianola) CompanyE-(Topeka) Company F (Big Springs) Company G(Auburn) Company H (Williamsport) Company I(Monmouth) and Topeka BatteryArtillery.The followingmen under orders of Maj.. GeneralGeo. W. Deitzler volunteered October 10, 1864 atBig Springs.Capt. James Thompson; 1st. Lt. Dennis Moriarty;2nd. Lt. P. H. Geelan; 1st Sgt. John Banning; 2ndSgt Alfred Roberts; 3rd Sgt. George Duncan; 4thSg1. Oliver D. Spencer; 5th. Sgt. T. H. Clark; 1stCorp. WilliamDuncan; 2nd. Corp. James A. David-son; 3rd. Corp. Jonathan H. Glenn; 4th Corp.Sanford Hilligoss:Privates: Frank Brown; Dennis A. Cardwell; Fred

Cook; James Eagle; George Fix, Henry Fix; LewisGrasmuck; L. L. Howell; J. H. Hall; Thos. Johnston;Theodore Kreipe; D. K. Lawrence; W. A.Lehmkuhl; John A. Lehmkuhl; J. B. Miller; Thos. S.Murry; J. C. Nickum(Niccum) ThomasPrater(Prather); J. W. Roberts; David Rake;Wallace(Wallis) True; W. A. Thompson; HenryDummer.

General Sternng Price Thrsatens Kansas.

Kansas was too far away fromthe center of conflictof the Civil War to become the scene of greatbattles, but it was fromtime to time threatened withinvasions by the regular Confederate army. Duringthe last year of the war, General Price with a largeConfederate force, marched northward throughArkansas into Missouri. When it was reported thathe was moving westward, Kansas issued a call formore soldiers. The response was immediate. Morethan 16,000 men appeared for service. A force ofKansas troops marched into Missouri and metPrice's army in battle at Lexington. As the armiesmoved westward other battles were fought at theLittleBlueand at the Big Blue,and again at KansasCity and Westport, after which Price was forced toretreat southward. He was followed by the Union-army.Hecrus:sedintoKcmsasinLinnCounty,and --skirmishestook place at TradingPost Ford, at theMounds, and at MineCreek. Price was then forcedinto Missouriagain, where he was soon defeated.

During this battle of the Blue, there were 21killed,16 wounded and a large number were takenprisoners and after enduring all the hardships of along march, about 150 miles to the south with theretreating enemy, before they either escaped orwere paroled and have returned, though forseveral it was only to die among friends.

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WALLIS WASHINGTON TRUE

The reason for this story is to tell the story of WallisTrue, who was the grandfather of Harley Spencer ofBig Springs and great grandfather of my husbandVernon Spencer.

Wallis True was born Nov. 27, 1825 in Kentucky,the son of John True. He was married twice. Hemarried Mary Ann Hoback July 16, 1844 in Franklin,Johnson Co. Ind. To this union he had 9 children.The third child of this marriage was Martha JaneTrue, who married William Franklin "Frank" SpencerMary Ann True died June 4, 1859. Wallis thenmarried Golda Emmeline Derreberry and to thisunion 4 children were born. His second childAbraham Lincoln "Link" was born May 4, 1864,Douglas County, Kansas while Wallis was serving inthe Kansas State Militia in Kansas, for the Union.

Wallis True lived south of Bentonville,Arkansasduring the Civil War. There were Confederatearmies all around and invaded his farm and took 7head of cattle,1 pig andwentintohiscornfieldandshucked out 3 wagon loads of corn. At the time hewas not paid for what they took. Then at that timehe was going to be forced into the Confederatearmy, which he proclaimed that he would not fightfor the Confederates, so he loaded up his familyand moved to Shawnee County, Kansas and latermoved to Douglas County.

While living at Big Springs, Douglas-County, heenrolled May 2, 1864 in the Kansas State Militia as aprivate in Company F. 2nd Regiment. On October10, 1864 when Governor Carney called for servicemen to come to the aid of defending Kansasagainst the forces of Gen'l. Price who was movingnorthward toward Kansas. He was under thecommand of Maj.. Gen'l. Deitzler. and was takenprisoner by the Confederate army and after sevendays a prisoner, he was released to return home.

Declaration for Original Invalid Pension

~State of Arkansas County of Benton

On the 24 day of March, A. D. 1879 personallyappeared before me CLERK of the court. WallisTrue, aged 52, of Benton County, Arkansas. WallisTrue who entered service the 6th of May 1864 asPrivate in Company "F" of the 2nd regiment ofKansas Militia Volunteer, commanded by Lieut.Dennis Moriarty and was taken prisoner by Gen'l.Price's forces on the 22nd of Oct. 1864. I am 5feet, 5 1/2 inches; complexion dark, hair black,eyes black. That while a member of theorganization aforesaid, in the service and in the lineof his duty at Big Blue in the state of Missouri, onthe 22nd of Oct, 1864, while a prisoner of war, he

was very much exposed to the weather andsuffered hardships, resulting in dyspepsia andchronic diarrhea. One of the guards struck him onthe forehead, just above the eye with a gun,severely injuring him. He was not treated in theservice.

CIVIL WAR RECORDS

The following information is from his Civil Warrecords when he applied for a pension with a letterwritten to the Mason Valley court house in BentonCounty, Arkansas dated October 21, 1879 andwitnessed by John Black, Clerk of Benton CountyCourt, Arkansas.Sir: I moved to Kansas in the fall of 1862Shawneecounty and in the fall of 1864 I went in the army. Ilived then in Douglas County, Kansas. I lived theretill the spring of 1867, I then moved to my home inBenton county, Ark., where I have lived ever since.My occupation was a Blacksmith at the time of myenlistment and kept a shop until 1874. I becameunable to do any work in the shop of any kind. Mydisability appeared some time in the last days ofOctober, 1864 in state of Missouri, Newton county,when I was a prisoner. I was taken sick there. I wassent home my bowels running off, I got home onthe 10th day of November. Ibelieve I sent for Dr.W. H. Brown of Big Springs, Kansas. I was underhis treatment more or less until the spring of 1867. Ireceived but little benefit the most of the timeunable to do any thing after I moved to my home inBenton County, Ark. I had no doctor to give me anymedicine until in the summer of 1874. I called in Dr.N. U. Smith, he tended on me for some months. Ireceived but little benefit, my bowels running off,more or less all the time. I have had no doctor towait on me since Dr. Smith left this county andmovedto Nashville.Tp.nnl?-!;.c;eein 1876wherehenow lives.

I have never had any attacksof any diseaseof anykind more than chronic diarrhea dyspepsia of thestomach. With pains in my legs, I have done butvery little work since the summer of 1874 and can'tdo a days work yet.

I will say that in year 1867and 1868 I done someBlacksmithing, but since that I have been givingaway in strength ever since.

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From Wallis True

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 21th dayof October, AD 1879.

John Black, Clerk of BentonCounty Court, Arkansas.

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protection and helped me to get to Kansas.Question 17-Who were the leading and bestknown Unionists of your vicinity during the war andare any of them called to testify to your loyalty.Answer: Wm. Mason, Wm. Derreberry, JohnHoback, Wm. Stewart, Isaac Coontield, and B. W.Coonfield, some of these will be called.(These men were called to testify to his loyalty withwritten letters and that he had 7 cattle taken, onepig, which was killed and hauled away and how thearmy came into one of his fields and shucked out 3wagon loads of corn. Some even came to Kansasto serve in the Union army, as they did not want toserve in the Confederate army.)Question 20: Was any of your property taken byConfederate officers or soldiers, or any rebelauthority? Answer: They took some corn andfodder in 1861 or 1862. I was never paid, I neverpresented any account.Question 21: Was any of your property ever

Wallisthen filed a claim for the animals and grain that confiscated by rebel authority, on the ground thatwere taken from his farm in Arkansas. you were an enemy to the rebel cause? Answer: IThere were 80 questions that he had to answer in cannot say. I left some things when I went toorder to file this claim. The following are some Kansas.that I never saw againanswers he gave. Wallis True was compensated $120.00 for theQuestion 1-My name is Wallis True. I am fifty two loss of property. $90 for 7 cows and $30. for 60years old. I live in Benton County, Arkansas, where bushels of corn.I haveresiaedTorlwentyone years,exceptservmg- - After the ciVilWar, he returned to Arkansasthe latterpart of the war. I am a farmer. I was born in to his farm and died Sept. 19, 1907 and is buried inKentucky. I lived five miles south of Bentonville, the Barron Cemetery near Vaughn, Arkansas.and was a blacksmith. I lived there until the fall of

1862 and followed blacksmithing and farming. In Big Springs Militia men killed, wounded &November, 1862 I went to Kansas in Shawnee taken prisoners:county. I went to Kansas to keep from going in theConfederate army.

My sympathieswas on the Union side frombeginning until the end. I never did do anythingagainst the Union causes. I was in the federal armyfor a short time. I had two brothers in the federalarmy in Co. F, 2nd Arkansas Cavalry. They bothentered the army at Pea Ridge, in Benton Co., inthe fall of 1862 and served until the close of the warwhen they were discharged at Springfield, Mo.

I was in Company "P'. 2nd Kansas Militia. Iserved thirty days. I was in the battle near Westport,Mo., where I was taken prisoner and kept for sevendays when I was paroled and went back to Kansasand remained at home the rest of war, this was thelast of October, 1864.

I took the Union side and expressed myself inthat way and voted for the Union delegate to theconvention and I adhered to the Union cause.

In the fall 1862, Gen.James G. Bluntcommand,camped near my house and they gave me

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NO PENSION FOR WALLIS TRUE

September, 1883 a reply from Wm. Dudley,Commissioner of the Department of the InteriorPension Office to Geo. E. Lemon, Attorney forWallis 1 rue.

Sir: In response to your inquiry relative to theabove claim, you are informed that it is inadmissible, it not having been prosecuted to asuccessful issue prior to July 4, 1874. "SeeSection 4693 Revised Statutes.

It is.properto state that the claim CertificateNo.166.499 Minor's of Henry Fix late a Private of Co "F"2nd Kansas Militia was admitted prior to thepassage of the above act.Editors note: (If any others in this Kansas Militiareceived a pension, I do not know.)

FILED CLAIM FOR CATTLE & CORN

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Killed: Private David Rake is buried in the Topekacemetery by a tall Civil War Monument dedicated tothose who were killed in the Battle of Blue by Mr. G.G. Gage who also served in the Battle of the Blue.Private James Eaclte is buried in the East Viewcemetery north of Big Springs.Private Robert Camebell is buried in Zion cemeteryon 45th street west of Watson, Ks.Prisoners: Second Lieut. P. H. Geelan is buried inSt. Peters Catholic cemetery at Big Springs.Serat. Georae Duncan is buried in East Viewcemetery north of Big Springs.Core. Jonathan H. Glenn an early settler ofLecompton was held prisoner at Big Blue Rivernear Newtonia, Mo. He was treated badly while aprisoner and developed Catarrh and Lung Disease,Pneumonia and a rupture while on the march incold weather without shoes and adequate clothing."Hawk" as he was called suffered bad health for the

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remainder of his life. He is buried in Ivy Cemetery inLyon County, Kansas.Private Oliver Soencer who wrote a letter about hislife and the Battle of Big Blue:Oct 22, I met up withold Pop Price on the Blue. If it hadn't of been forthe Kansas Militia going over the line into Missouriand stopping him, Price would of got to Kansas Cityand destroyed it and other towns in Kansas and ourGovernment didn't recognized us for what we did.We have ask them to give us credit by giving apension to the men who saved Kansas of manylives and millions in money. My two older brotherswere in Co. A. 5th Kansas Regiment.Private Georqe Fix is buried in East View cemeterynorth of Big Springs.Private Henry Fix is buried in Stull cemetery at Stull,Kansas.Private Wallis True is buried in Barron cemetery atVaughn, Arkansas.Wounded: John Prater (Prather)

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Company C-Tecumseh

Killed: Privates: Albert Chapman, Elias Roberts.Wounded: John Keiser in armPrisoners: Lieut. Hiram Ward, Privates: John Reed,Osborn Naylor, J. T. Gage, Alfred Quiett, JohnKeiser, Wm. Marx, James B. Taylor, A. G. Miller, G.V. McKee and R. W. Hoback who came to Kansaswith Wallis True to fight in the Union army.

GREENE FAMILV OF LECOMPTON

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The Greene family settled in Osage Countybefore they came to Lecompton in the 1870's.

Henry Martyn Greene fought and was woundedin the Battle of Big Blue, Jackson, Co. Mo. Oct. 22,1864. He served from Osage Co. Ks. as Lieut.Colonel in the 2nd Regiment Kansas State Militia.He wrote his experiences of the Battle of Big Bluefor the Kansas State Historical Society, which wouldmake a great story for our newsletter. He was shot,which struck him on the left side of the cerebellum,inflicting a wound which spared the inner plate ofthe skull but by a hair breath, and so shocked himthat when he reeled, the next shot hit him in theright hip. He fell beside a large walnut log anddragged himself behind it as far as possible forprotection. He soon fell asleep and when heawoke, he was bleeding from his hip wound, so heused his suspenders to stop the bleeding andthen discovered that his pantaloons were taken.He found a dead volunteer and took his pantaloonsand also his coat.

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References:

1. History of Kansas by Noble L. Prentis-18992. History of Kansas and Kansans Vol. II by Wm.

E. Connelley -19183. History of Kansas by A. T. Andreas-18834. They Deserved a Better Fate by Roy Bird5. Civil War Experience by Henry M. Greene-copy

furnished by Kathleen Greene-Portland, Or.

Articles donated or loaned to Museum

A special thanks to the following:1. Books: The United States Presidents andHistory of the song "Home on the Range" by lonaSpencer2. Trigger from old gun found on the Pattersonfarm off Hwy. 24 by Shelby Patterson3. Wrist watch by Gordon & Bessie Kreipe4. Wedding picture of parents, George & VestaBahnmaier taken 1924 and picture of George,Vesta & Beverly by Beverly Bahnmaier VanDyke.5. Two photo pictures of Winter School No. 70 byEllen Duncan.6. Bahnmaier Family History by Duane & DorothyWulfkuhle.7. Bicentennial flag, July 5, 1776-1976 by Bill &Georgia Wingfield.8. Cookbook by Lois Lester.9. 2 tables-I square with rope legs and one 5 1/2by 20 wide by Ralph & Sharon Porter.10. Embroidered quilt of President faces by LethaL. Krumrey.11. Books: 1 music book, 3 old school books & 2novels by Pat Istas.12. Pictureof Mr. & Mrs. James Lane by Tim Rues.13. Six pieces paper money by Phyllis Martin.14. Satin Wedding dress with beads by MaryHorning.15. Wedding dress and 4 pieces under garmentsby Emma Horning16. History of State Kansas 1883; Child's cast ironwood cook stove: Child's trunk, doll & doll cloths.Child's doll buggy with patch work quilt by ZeritaJohnston Paxton & 6 school books.17. Books and papers from the Smith & Parrishfamilies by Betty Mitchell.18. Civil War drinking cup from John McAlexandermemorials.19. Cresolene Lamp used to inhale medicine fromDorothy Baughman Memorials.20. Newspaper clipping of Albert "Bert" McRaeplaying golf at age 98. He graduated in 1919 fromLecompton High School by Connie Winans.

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PIONEER COUPLE HOLD CENTEROF INTEREST TODA Y

Triple Celetration for 66th Wedding Anniversary,Husband's 90th Birthday, Wife's 85th.

SPENCERTO BIG SPRINGS IN 1857

Has Seen It Grow From Trackless Prairieof WavingGrass to Present Improved Community.

Special to The Capital-Big Springs, Kan., Sept. 24,1932--Thi$ community, friends, relatives andneighbors, today will pay honor to Mr. and Mrs.Frank Spencer, the only surviving pioneer couplein Big Springs. The occasion will celebrate theirsixty-sixth wedding anniversary, Mr. Spencer'sninetieth birthday and Mrs. Spencer's eighty-fifthbirthday. A great crowd is expected for the basketdinner at the Spencer home.

Mr. and Mrs. Spencer, who came westward withthe long train of homeseekers, recall vividly whenBig Springs was only a stopping place on the oldOregon Trail. They recall the vast stretches ofprairie extending in all directions. Not a treebetween the Kaw river on the north and theWakarusa on the south. Prairie grass, often as high

-- ~s a horse'sback, elanketed-tflei::OUntry. ever thevast expanse they see in memory the valleys, hutsof native logs from the bluffs along the Kaw,winding trails dotted here and there with coveredwagons, followed often by bands of border ruffiansor tribes of more hostile Indians.

Pot of Gold Still BuriedAccording to Mr. Spencer at one of these

camping spots the long sought "pot of gold" issupposed to be buried. As he recalls the storywhen a band of "prairie schooners' heard rumorsthat Indians had destroyed Topeka, the wagon-master took a pot of gold, the entire wealth of thelittle band, and buried it hurriedly, making a mapshowing the location.

Fifteen years later the wagon master returned,bringing the plot, but owing to the changedcondition thru erosion, culivation, and shrubbery,the map meant nothing. After several weeks hereturned west without the gold. Many Big Springsresidents also have searched in vain.

Points Out Old LandmarksMr. Spencer, with his parents, came to Big

Springs Christmas day, 1857. He is able to pointout the location of noted landmarks when BigSprings flourished. He remembers the first UnitedBrethren church in Kansas, a stone structure built

by Bradley, and recalls the disatisfaction among themembers dividing the congregation into twofactions, Radicals and Liberals, and later theburning of the church one Saturday nightpreceding a religious convention. He remembersthe renowned Pickens hotel with its barroom wherethe temperance crusade in Kansas began, and thenoted Harper house. He can point out thefoundation of the legislative hall where the famousrump legislature held its sessions, and the city parkwith its once valuable mineral springs that attractedmany travelers. He can show traces of the OldCalifornia and Oregon Trails.

Despite his 90 years Mr. Spencer is remarkablyactive, mentally and physically, except for a slightleg stiffness caused from extensive riding in the 9thVolunteer Cavalry during the Civil war, he enjoysthe best of health and is able to help with thechores about his farm home. Mrs. Spencer hasever been his faithful helper thru the hardships ofpioneer life, and altho she suffered a broken hip 18months ago, she is able to assist with the workabout the house. Mrs. Spencer came to Kansas in1861 with her parent Wallis True and 49 otherfamilies, driven from the South as northernsympathizers.

66 years on the Same FarmMrancfMrs. "Spencerwe're=mamed.otryeafS-ago

in a log hut, the foundation of which is seen in thepasture immediately south of the Big SpringsCatholic church. Only two Big Springs residentsrecall the wedding, Mrs. Martha Roberts and IsaacMilliken. The Spencers have lived all these 66years on the farm where they now reside. Theirpresent home, of native stone from their own landand native lumber from the Kansas river bluffs, wasbuilt in 1870.

The Spencer homestead, taken in 1857, is justnorth of Frank Spencer's home, now owned byMr.and Mrs. Eli Shaffer. Mrs. Shaffer is sister ofFrank Spencer, who is a storehouse of knowledgeon local history.

Chairs 100 Years OldFrank Spencer's father was a cabinet maker and

many pieces of furniture in the Spencer home weremade by him. Kitchen chairs with hickory bottomsare remarkable in strength and beauty.Comfortable rocking chairs made 100 years agohave a place in the living room beside the modernradio. Frank Spencer recalls driving the horse thatturned his father's lathe, making a spinning wheetfor Grandpa Kreipe. This spinning wheel is still inuse and was seen at the Kansas Free Fair as Mrs.Martha Roberts spun many balls of yarn.

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Mr. and Mrs. Spencer have seen this spot on theprairie changed into a thriving village with parks,hotels, saloons, a cheese factory, stores and postoffice, and other necessities of a frontier town.Then they saw it dwindle, lose the cheese factoryfor the milk route, the spings to no longer attract thetraveler, rural routes to replace the post office.However they now see the town coming back withmodern necessities, filling stations, garages,tourist's camps, restaurants and general stores.

Mr. and Mrs. Spencer are the parents of 4 livingchildren, John Spencer of the home; HarleySpencer of Big Springs, Mrs. Demma Miller ofValencia, and Mrs. Etta Ewing of lola. They have 15grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.Editors note (The spinning wheel is now on displayat the Territorial Capital Museum in Lecompton. BigSprings in year 2000 has several business thrivingwell.

William Franklin Spencer

William Franklin Spencer was born September 27,1842 in LaRue Co. Kentucky. the son of John andMary Jane Toole Spencer. He also served in theCivil War in the Nineth Regiment KansasVolunteersj-Cavalry New Company A. as did hisbrother John Warren Spencer.

John and Mary Jane Toole Spencer moved fromLaRue County, Ky. with four boys and 3 girls. Withall their belongings in a wagon driven by two fineKentucky horses, traveled to Louisville thenshipped on cars to S1. Louis and from there toLeavenworth, Ks. on the E. M. Riley, a very nicesteam boat landing there on the 8th day ofOctober, 1857 and then reloaded and camped onLittle Stranger. The next day, Oliver Spencercelebrated his 12th birthday.. At Little Stranger,they got a log cabin to live in untill the 15th ofDecember. Loaded up again and landed two milesnorth of Big Springs and located on the NE 1/4 ofTwp. 12 Range 17. After settling north of BigSprings, two boys and one girl were born, making 6boys and 4 girls borned to them.Children are Wm. Franklin, John Warren, OliverDavid, Sarah Elizabeth, Margaret Jane, Sylvesterand Mary Ann all borned in LaRue County,Kentucky. Columbus T., Charles J. and MarthaCatherine were born north of Big Springs.

The farm now had been sold after being in theSpencer family for 142 years. The old stone houseburned in 1993. Understand the family who boughtit wants to renovate the stone house.

MEMBERSHIP REPORTLIFE MEMBERS:

George Davis andDebra (Heath) DavisBarbara (Bartlett)ZinkGary MerrittWalter Confer andDonna (Gowing) ConferMarjorie (Powell) MorrisFrank Spencer andFreda (Wulfkuhle) SpencerMonte Elizabeth (Robbins) FlanneryDana (Rose) Prijatel

MEMORIALS:HarryW. Carr by wife Marian

1933CLASS OFFICERS

President WilmaShafferVice President WillisHortonSecretary-Treasurer MildredGoodrich

CLASS FLOWERAmericanBeautyRose

CLASS MOTTO"Climbtho' the rocksbe rugged."

CLASS ROLLBilly Anderson--Eunice Brass--Mildred Goodrich--Lorene Hildenbrand--WilHs Horton--Alma JaneHume--Norman Laswell

Ruth Montoya--Mae Norwood--Billy Reynolds--Eimer Robison--WilmaShaffer

PROORAMInstrumential Solo--"On Loch Lomond"-m Brown

Mabel BertschingerInvocation Rev. F. W. Bertschinger

Address ClassSalutatorianEuniceBrass

Vocal Solo--"A May Moming"---Frederick WeatherlyMrs.V.J. Cramer

Address GlassValedictorianMildredGoodrich

Commencement Address Prof. H. E. ChandlerPresentation of DiplomasnW. O. McClanahan

President of Board of EducationMixed Quartette-"Nations Song of Hope"--mLowrie

Mrs. C. H. Maust, Miss Edith Leslie,Rev. Davidwood, Mr. Dean Lichlyter

Benediction--m m--Rev. F. W. Bertschinger

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~Ieebing]1{,ansasQCounties

Seriesof talks on the violent conflict over the slavery I

issue in Kansas Territory, 1854 through 1861At Constitution Hall State Historic Site

in Historic Lecompton, KansasFebruary -April 2000

Sundays -2pmFree Admission

BrownCounly

~5'W...Lco8i" u..in ,...

Feb 13 "Anderson County: Brown, Bloodshed, and a Baby Boy" by DorothyLickteig, President, Anderson County Historical Society.

Feb 27 'Wyandotte County: Free State Gateway" by Ed Shutt, Historian,Writer, Educator.

Mar 12 "Arapahoe County: Kansas Tenitory in the Rockies" by Roy Bird,Kansas State Library, Historian, Author.

Mar 26 "Brown County: Silent Stories of Bleeding" by Richard King, historian.

April9 "Linn County: Battleground for Freedom" by ala May Earnest, President,Linn County historical Society.

For more information, contact Constitution Hall State Historic Site at 785 - 887-6520.The Kansas State Historical Society does not discriminate on the basisof disability in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs.

~\~(KANSASST H SoanY

TOMSAWYER

An Operetta in Three Acts-Presented by the Lecompton GradeSchool: Directed by: Dorothy Sanford, assisted by Helen Norwood,Mrs. Sawyer and Mr. Summers.

Readerof poem MaryJane HillAunt Polly Who loves Tom, unknown to him--Geraldine HollowayTom Sawyer--Real American Boy, full of pranks Roger BahnmaierAlfred Temple---New boy, too good for words Bobby SteinmetzJoe Harper-m-One of the terrible pirates Mac NorwoodAmy Lawrence Tom's first ideal MarilynBahnmaierBeckyThatchermAmy'srival Ann MorrisHuck Finn Homelessboy, Tom's friend BillyForeeInjunJoe Savage Half-breed m Buddy WorleyHuff Potter Harmlessloafer EdwardAtheyWidow Douglas Kindest women in townm Cornelia WelcherPard InjunJoe's accomplice HomerLeslieMary Who looks afterTom motherly Jackie Lee HillBen Rogers Who wants to be Captain George QuailJim Coloredchoreboy Jim NorwoodDr. Robinson InjunJoe's victim Jack NorwoodSid Model boy of the village m Bobby CookRev. Walter The Minister --CharlesWorleyJudge Thatcher Visiting potentate---m Billy LeslieSkeletons---mEdith Carr, Betty Joyce Crady, Frances Richardson,

JuneSteinmetz,DorothyChecksfieldSunflowers mAlice Lee Foree, Bernice Shreiner, Carol Lee

Maust, Shirley Summers, Ruth Rothwell,Marlene Andrews,Carol Lee Morris,BillyJean Richards

Old Menm Billy Leslie, Merle Shackelford, Bobby Steinmetz,JerrySchmittandGeorgeQuail

Village Childrenm---Johnny Edwards, Junior Athey, Jack Worley,JuanitaWelcher, PalGarcia, Jack Welcher, TillieEichman,

Betty Rothwell,Jerry Schmitt, Virginia Richars, Paul Eichman,MaxineAndrews,MaryGarcia,LevinaGarcia,FayeCarr,OscarEverett, Frank Welcher, Billy Wingfield, Geneva Glenn, BettyCole and Donald Athey.

Betweem Acts:MusicalReading BettyColeInstrumentalDuet Homerand BillyLeslie

Negro Dialogue--BettyCradyand CharlesWorley

ACT 1ACT 11

Outsidethe housesof Tom Sawyer and AmyScene 1, GraveyardScene 11, A deserted islandScene iii, A cave

Same as act 1ACT111

HSUNNY OF SUNNYSIDE" "THE SCOuTS' TRIP TO FAIRYLAND"

Billie

High School Auditorium

March 10, 1932, 8:00 o'clock

The Tomboy Orphan

Lecompton /(igh School AuditoriumSatu/ria!), December 8

8 p. m.LECOMPTON GRADE SCHOOL

Harriet n '.

Genevieve WeldonLively Orphan

CHARACTERSBOY SCOUTS-

Tom ; Norman LasswellHarry ~~ ~lmer Ilobinson.Tack " ' '. . -' ...,Ilana1d,.~

-D{ck ::_~ , " ':'_--~ Ra.I'1ili-.Htldenbran,d'Other Scouts-Louis Wegner, Hedgman McClanahan, James Clark.

Arthur Moore. ' '

BROWNIES- '

Wesley Crady, Tolbert Dunn, Eugene Harding, Chester Gibbens, Homer:\IcClanahan, Earl Good~ich.

FAIRIES-Wilma Shaffer, Helen ShatIer, Hazel Wingfield, 'Lareta Garcia, IluthMorris, Ruth Narwood, Theopolis Holmes, Esther Michael, MargaretWilliamson, Henrietta Slavens, Rachael Narwood, Mary Francis Kuester.

ELF Dale Foree

FROGS-Denzil Gibbens, Searle Taylor, Joe Garcia, Elmer Goodrich, Junior:Maust.

RAINBOW FAIRIES-Lorene Hildenbrand, Luceal Hildenbrand, Mildred Goodrich, JessieNorwood, May Norwood, Edith Kuester, Edith Slavens.

ECHO ELVES-Donald Mich~el, Harold Roberts, Bobb)' Norwood, John Traxler.Charles Michael.

FIREFLIES-Wina White, ~lizabeth Garcia, Marie James. Betty Jane Traxler.Georgia Mae Kuester, Violet. Mae Dunn, Margaret Jean Gibbens, NormaJane McClanahan, Rachael Wegner.

l<'AIRY KING h Donald BaughmanKI:'-iG'S PAGES Warren Springer, Glen KuesterKING'S COURT-

Luceal Michael, Letha Shaffer, Helen Leslie, Opal Roberts, Agnes Wil-liamson, Arlene Dekat, Pauline Baughman, Mary Nell Lasswell, DorisHolloway, Virgil Shaffer, Meryle Morris, Albert Norwood, Bobby Moore,Lewis Traxler, Leon Garcia, Frankie Garcia, Walter Fidler.

KING'S H~RALD : Fritz McClanahanLOST FAIRY ~ Ivalne McCall

LeliaViolet Mae Dunn

n" n_.:. The Prettiest and Vainest OrphanOpal Laswell

ReddyElmer Goodrich

The Tough Guy

AmosDon Michaels

Leila's Brother

HeckTalbert Dunn

One of Reddy's Gang

Phil n','", .-.".., n... The Fat Boy, On a Diet

Betty

Fritz McClanahan...m n nn" Very Much the Fine Lady

Norma Jane McClanahan

.n' n. '. '''m The Pet of Sunnyside OrphansJune Steinmetz

u n U. -.. A Fiery Little Daughter of ItalyElizabeth Garcia

Pauline

Rosa

Theodora _,n.m"n'" .

~

\ The Quinn Twins

Phyllis MartinLenora

Marie Cottrell

(,

Nan --"m.. .n A Helper at Sunnyside

SunnyRachel Norwood

. 00 The Favorite of all the ChildrenMarie James

"... 'm_"'-"..' uuun,... The New BoyDenzel Gibbens

Paul

Horace '''un ,. The Book WormWesley Crady

HowardGene Sulzen

'_m One of the Gang

Jimmy ....-----Junior Maust

The Crippled Orphan

EileenHelen Leslie

Niece of Mrs. Releigh

Slim 'm..,- '--m_.. Paul's Brother

SCENE IA cIearea spot in the woods used by the Boy Scouts as a camp site.

A group of Scouts go to the \,o.ds to camp out for the night.. .. '.f!(jJ!:N]!nr ," . '

Night at Camp-Represents't'he Boy Scouts' dreams of a visit from theFairy Folk. -,

SCENE IIIDaylight at camp. Scouts awa.ke to find a lost Fairy.

TimBobnN~~;;;~~d "'_nm.m Another of the Gang

AntonioJoe Garcia

''' n. nm- Another of the Gang

Glenn SimmsJane

Lucile Scofield. n mu."..n Another Orphan

Betty Jane TraxlerTime-Summer.Place-Children's Home at Sunnyside.Time of Playing-About two hours.

Act I-A summer morning along toward noon.Act II-Two hours later.

Tight-rope Walker

Violin music by Miss Kathleen Carlos. Accompaniment by Helen Carlos.'Special music furnished b,. ZAPATA'S NOVELTY TROUBADOURS,

l<'ili))ino Orchestl'a, and NARCIScJ ABELLA.Doris

BOLTS NUTSAND

A Farce in Three Acts

by Jay Tobias Tuesday, May 13, 19478 p.m.

Characters

Benita Bolt Rebecca's niece Betty Rothwell

Lutie Spinks---The maid, who winks---Doris Fleming

Rebecca Bolt n ShirleyBrown

Manger of the Bolt Sanitarium for mental Hygiene

Martha Grubb-The Cook, a melancholiac Pauline

. Eower

TwinkStarr mm mm_--m---m--Jack Allen

Benita's fiance, with delusions of grandeur

Dr.HippocratesJay A Psychiatrist BobSims

Henry Goober-The Porter, afraid of funatics--Ernest

Smith

Phineas Plunkett lawyer with a himilitycomplex---\MIliam Thayer

Miss Prunella Pigg--A patient with claustrophobia----

Geneva Glenn

Cadwaller Clippy--A paient, afraid of cats--Bob Cook

Mrs. Gertie Glessop--A patient who, fears

contamination--Frances Robertson

- JackGordon A young interne ~!!2ertThayer

Time - Late Spring

Place - A health resort somewhere in Missouri

Synopsis of Acts

Act 1 - Living room of the Bolt mansion, about

eleven o'clock of a late spring morning.

Act 2 - The same as Act 1 Several hours later.

Act 3 - The same as in the previous acts, a fewmoments later.

Musice between acts---Doris Fleming and JohnBockwith

Presented under the auspices of the SophomoreOass

Sponsorand Director n FredaWhal

Make - up RuthFlanders

M usic m m mJ une Henoch

Tickets V. J. Cramer

"Adam and Eva"A COMEDY IN THREE ACTS

Presented at

LECOMPTON RURAL HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM

Friday Evening, May 20, 1927

CAST OF CHARACTERS

James King, a rich man Wayne Hall

Carinthia, his parlor maid Almeda Kettering

Clinton DeWitt, his son-in-law Frank Smith

Julie DeWitt, his eldest r]aughter Grace Gray

Eva King, his youngest daughter Mabel Bertschinger

Aunt Abby Rocker, his sister-in-Iaw Faye McClanahan

Dr. Jack Delamater, his neighbor Paul Maust

Horace Pilgrim, his uncle Harley Dark

Adam Smith, his business manager Edgar Lancaster

Lord Andrew Gordon, his-would-be""Son~in-laW"--------- ---:..- - Roy Armstrong

SCENES

ACT 1. In Mr. King's home, Long Island.

ACT II. The same and ten days later.

ACT III. The King farm in New Jersey, threemonths later.

OBITUARY

Hupe, Doris H. 79, Perry, died Tuesday, Feb. 8,2000at her home.

She was born Aug. 7, 1920at Columbus, thedaughter of Charles Asa and Lillian Jason RaymerHodson. She taught at Perry School from 1945 to1950.

She married Dale Craig Hupe on March 12, 1948,at Perry. He died March 30, 1980.

Survivors include a son, Dennis Dale Hupe, Perry;a daughter, DeAnn Hupe Seib, Perry; two brothers,Raymer D. Hodson, Kansas City, Mo., and RogerHudson, Perry and four grandchildren.

Burial in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Perry.

OBITUARIES

Tarr, Roy, passed away July 12, 1999 inLancaster General Hospital in Penn. He was bornOct. 23, 1909 in Lecompton, Ks, the son ofThomas and Effie Fidler Tarr. He graduated fromGlenn School and attended Lecompton HighSchool.

He played pro ball with the McCook Generals whowere the '28 and '29 Nebraska State LeagueChampions. He later played semipro ball in NewYork, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. During WlNIIhe played on the U. S. Army traveling team in thePacificarea.

He married Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Schaub in1938. She preceded him in death May 4, 1999.He is survived by a daughter Mary Nentwich ofQuarryville, Pa.; four grandchildren. seven greatgrandchildren, a brother, J. Robert Tarr, Tucker,Ga., and a sister, Marguerite Bowman of Topeka,Ks. Burialwas in the Quarryville Cemetery.

Glenn, Nellie, 90, Topeka, died Sat. Dec. 18,1999. She was born June 19, 1909, in Perry, to J.P. and Molly Worthington. She taught in ruralschools in Jefferson County for seven years. Shelived in Lecompton before she moved to Topeka in1993.

She married Harry "Sam" Glenn in 1935. He diedin 1983. A son, Richard Glenn, died in 1987. Shewas a member of the United Methodist Church andSunshine Club in Lecompton

Survivors include a daughter, JoAnn Zlatnik,Topeka; a brother, Don Scott, Topeka; a sister,Kitty Worthington, Topeka; five grandchildren andeight great-grandchildren. Burial in the MapleGrove cemetery at Lecompton.

Goodrick, Lewis A., 91, Lecompton, diedMonday, Dec. 20, 1999, at his home.

He was born June 28, 1908, in Miami County theson of Richard Rowland Goodrick and RebeccaFrancis Brown.

He married Dorothy Perkins in 1933. They weredivorced. He married Marian Opal Lasswellon Dec.25, 1947. She survives.

Other survivors include a daughter, DorothyLouise Olson, Lawrence; four sons, Robert atOlathe, Stephen at Meriden, Jeff at Lecomptonand Tom at Lawrence; 18 grandchildren, and sixgreat grandchildren.

Burial was at Maple Grove Cemetery inLecompton.

Noe, Margaret V.,87, of Topeka. She diedTuesday, Dec. 21, 1999 at a Topeka nursing home.

She was born July 28, 1912, in Lecompton, thedaughter of Owen and Anna Faubion Baughman.She graduated from Lecompton High School in1930. She lived most her life north of Big: SpringsShe attended the Big Springs United MethodistChurch and was a member of the Rebekahs Lodgein Lecompton.

She married DavidV. Noeon March 28, 1931.inWarrensburg, Mo. He preceded her in death June17, 1993.

Survivors include a daughter, Davene KayMuckenthaler, Kansas City, Mo.; a son, Keith Noe,Lecompton; a sister, Pauline Dionne, Lake Placid,Fla.; a brother, Don Baughman, Redondo Beach,Calif.; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Burial in the East View Cemetery inBig Springs, Ks.

**************************************Please Clip and Mail With YourCheck**************************************

THE LECOMPTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Lecompton, Kansas 66050, is a non-profit corporation for thepreservation of historical sites. We are eager for continued membership and new members.

Dues are $5.00 per year for individual membership and $7.00 for a couple's membership. The duesare from December to December. Life membership is $50 per individual, contributions are tax deductible.Checks should be made payable to the Lecompton Historical Society, and mailed to Georgia Trammel,11 N 2064 Rd, Lecom,pton KS 66050

$5.00 Annual Individual Membership

$7.00 Annual Couple's Membership

Other Contribution

$50.00 Individual Ute or Memorial Membership

$

NAME Address____----------------------------

City State Zip__---_-PLEASE NOTIFY US OF ANY CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Itcosts the Lecompton Historical Society .50 cents for a returned change of address

---~-o -"

Endsley, Rev. Lybran, 80, Holton, diedThursday, Dec. 23, 1999 at Topeka hospital.

The Rev. Endsley served Evangelical UnitedBrethren and United Methodist Churches inMcLouth, Robinson, Lecompton-Big Springs,Axtell-Vermillionand Wathena-Elwood from 1952untilhe retiredin 1984.

HewasbornJan. 15, 1919,in Alton,the son ofNilesC. and Margaret Herd Endsley.He was a member of Evangel United MethodistChurch and also was a cub master in Lecomptonmanyyears ago.

He marriedMarjorieEstel Brock on Nov. 23,1950,in Dayton,Ohio. She survives.

Other survivors include two sons, Irwin A.Endsley, Kansas City, Mo. and Byron L. Endsley,Topeka, and a granddaughter.

Burialin HoltonCemetery.

Mellinkoff, Eunice, 84, Palm Springs, Calif.died Sunday, Dec. 26, 1999 at a hospice carecenter.

She was born Aug. 22, 1915, in Lecompton,Ks., the daughter of James and Rose Roller Brass.

Survivors include a sister, KatherineJohanning, Baldwin, Ks. Burial in California.

Flowers, Elda Gregg Dietrich, 92, KansasCity, Mo. died Monday, Jan. 10,2000.

She was~bornJan. 17, 190Ljn Graham CQ.Kan. ""'

She married Oscar Dietrich, who died in March,1940. She later married George Flowers. He diedin April, 1972. A son, Ardyl Dietrich, died in July,1954.

Survivors include a son, Don Dietrich;a sister,Ethel Wagner, three grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.

Burialin Rochester Cemetery inTopeka.

Glenn, Dale LeRoy, 77, Lecompton, diedThurs., Jan. 13,2000, from an accident on his farmat Lecompton.

He served in the Army in the 363rd Field Artilleryduring World War II.

HewasbornMarch12, 1922, in Lecompton, theson of Clarence L. and Emma Louise GordonGlenn. He graduated from Lecompton HighSchool.

Survivors include a daughter, Sandra E. Glenn,Ottawa; a brother, Earl "Jake" Glenn. in Florida; andfour sisters, Letha Cook, Topeka, Mary French,Lecompton, Hazel Barger in Calif. and GenevaSwanson, Lyndon, Ks.

Burial in Maple Grove Cemetery in Lecompton.

ALUMNI 2000

The Lecompton High School Alumni will be heldJune 17, at the High school gym. The honoringclasses are 1920-1930-1940-1950-1960-1970Perry-Lecompton graduates 1980-1990-2000Even if you didn't graduate, but attended High

school in Lecompton, you are welcome to come. Ifyou have a change in address, please send to the.Lecompton High School Alumni, P. O. Box, 63,Lecompton, Ks. 66050

"HENRY TITUS WEB PAGE""

~

WWW.Rose-hulman.edu/-delacovaltitus.htmLecompton history link. Very nicely done. Theauthor of the web site is history professor, AntonioDeLaCova, who spoke at Constitution Hall in 1998for the "Bleeding Kansas" program series. Antoniois at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in TerreHaute, Indiana.

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Proof reader *Louise Nor'M)()(j

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President* Paul Bahnmaier

Vice President * Rich WcConnell

Secretary * Vicki Roberts

Treasurer * Betty Leslie

Board Menbers * Maxine Dark, George SimmonsKeith Noe, Jason Dexter, Duane Wulfkuhle, Ron Meier

Curators * Marguerite Bowman, Opal Goodrick, Dorothy Shaner

George & Arloone Simmons, Dartene Paslay

Membership Ass'ts. *Duane & Dorothy Wulfkuhle

Program* Beverty VanDyke

Ment>ership * Georgia Simmons Trammel

Genealogy & Historical researcher*lona SpencerTours*Q1arIene Wnter

Funding*Mae HoldermanlIIustrator*Ellen Duncan

Assistant Treasurer *Sherri Neill

Kitchen * Helen Hildenbrand

Memorials* Ruth Ice

Forwarding and Address Q)ange Requested

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~i"I

PlbIished by

The LecorT"pton Historical Socay

LECOMPTON, KANSAS 66050

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. POSTAGE PAIDPerrrit No. 1

LE3COf1lJlon,Kansas/'

Const. Hall Hist.

% Tim Rues

PO Box 198

Lecompton KS

Iii,I11

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66050

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