The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1870-10-20


useful Indian has always been looked upon
a. a sort Of ,uDu aris, even when Indians
we're plenty, it was proper, mo doubt, that
this Indian should lie .c.llel Tonganoxie,
which mcans-as those skilled in Indian
nomenclature have informed us goodness in
the superiative degree. Whether this viii
lage, with equal propric,y, should be 50
named " another question. The old chief
has gone TO his rest, and his hostelry is now
in the possession Of . yale face named
Wright. .m1 .-5a. .,..r ...
The village Of Tonsanoxie is about twenty
two miles by rail from LcaYenworth, and
fourteen miles from Lawrence. Time was,
and not long time either, when this
locality was a little thought Of as a town
site or any ether point in the open
country. But the railroad, was built, sug-
costing TO speculative souls the location Of
dcpots and the establishment Of town sites,
and this place, comparatively remote from
IeavenwOrth and Lawrence, and surrounded
by region soon to be cut up into productive
farms, was settled upon AZ one Of the most
eligible points on the road. The village is
situated ON plain several hundred ages in
extent, around which extends line Of hills
and bluffs. The slopes on the west side arc
covered mainly with growth Of shrubs, and
have all the conditions for siccessful fruit
growing. Through the bottom winds Ton
ganoxie Creek; too small stream to turn a
mill wheel, though it furnishes, in ordinary
seasons, good supply Of stock water, and
profitable employment, now and then, to
enterprising bridge builders. The village
consists of about fifty dwelling houses and a
proportionatc sprinkling Of stores, shops,
&c. 1t il incorporated under the general
statutes Of the State, and numbers about three
hundred inhabitants. Besides LeavenwOrth,
it is the only incorporated place in the
county, and ranks next to the metropolis as
centre of trade and population. Its
growth from the beginning-only four or
five years ago-has been steady and pcrma-
nent, and it is still "going ahead" New
buildings are now constructing, and Others
are in contemplation. A brick-yard has
been opened, good quality Of brick
is produced, and the proprietors are
likely TO find ready market for this
article in the present and prospective i'm
prOvements Of the village and vicinity
Outside the corporate limits, which comprise
six hundred and fifty acres, the land, which
is of superior quality, is nearly all occupied
BY enterprising farmers; and still further
outside, settlements are making so rapidly
that the village will soon i,e the centre Of a
widespread and prosperous community Of
agriculturists. There Is every reason, there
fore, for the belief that it will continue TO
thrive, until ii becomes Il smart town Of per
haps thousand or more inhabitants.
The population, like most other Kansas
places, is composite. 4 number Of the vii
layers and many of the farmers belong to the
denomination Of Friends. They do not in
general adhere to drab colors, broad -rin,-
med hats, and antique-lookins bonnc,s, but
as to industry, fr,sality, anil quiet, lava
hiding dcmcanor, they arc Quakers still.
They have meeting house in the village
where they regularly assemble ON the first
and fourth days Of each week for religious
service. Meetings Of the other religious dc
nominations are held in the school h,sh-c ar
other unoccupied rooms Of the place, as tho
Quaker meeting house is the only one the
village can boast But the Meth,slists are
building new church which will s"on I've
ready for service. The walls are already
up and awaiting the roof. They arc Of
brick, enclosing an area twenty-six by thirty
six feet. The structure, when completed,
will probably cost about twelve hundred dol
lars. The Congregationalists, under the
lead Of Rev. II. +. WoOlcock, resi-
dent clergyman Of the denomination,
are making cOmmcndable effort
10 provide themselves also with house Of
worship. They have secured a pleasant
building site and some funds, and may he
ready to commence building before the OK
piration Of another year. -. -
come now IL speak Of the school house,
though the subject is by no means an invit-
ing ono. For school affairs at Tonganoxie
have for long time been in most vexa-
tiolls muddle, and the worst Of it is the peo-
pie are still in the midst of the m,nldle with
no certainty Of immediate escape. The only
school house Of the past and present is long,
low etiifice Of roughly hewn logs. The mud
has dropped out Of the intestices in several
places, to the great accommodation Of the
juvenile Popping Toms, at the same time
furnishing means Of ventilation not thought
Of by the unambitiOus architect. The floor
is Of rough boards, loosely joined, and a
slatternly ceiling of implanted boards, COM
pletes the enclosure overhead. The seats,
the furniture, everything is in keeping.
The brush Of the painter and the cunning Of
the upholsterer, have done nothing for this
severely unpretending edifce. 1t is, in fact,
jnst such a school house as a community
alive to the requirements of modern civiliza-
ton ought to be ashamed Of Fully aware
of all this, many Of the inhabitants have
been, for . long time, agitating and striving,
and voting for new house; a structure cred
table to the taste, and equal TO the educa-
tional needs Of the community.
In all this they have met with
opposition. Was ever school house
built in this county without opposition?
But a large two-story house, modern in plan
and finish, only think Of it! OF course it
must be vigorously and pcrtenaciously op-
posed. The school house builders at Ton
ganoxie have not, however, agitated to no
purpose. Last Summer, bonds were voted
to the amount of thirty five hundred dollars,
upon the strength Of which the Directors
have contracted for the erection Of brick
house Of two stories. Ground dimensions,
thirty-three by fifty-three feet. The founda-
ton has just been completed, and now
the brick work will be pushed forward with
all practicable energy.
There il another matter concerning which
this community has been at lcggerheals.
With all their perplexities growing ont of
school house building, high taxes, and in
sufficient church accommodations, they are
not agreed upon the policy of Excepting their
spirits Up BY pouring spirits down." In
olher words, there has been strong and
yisilant anti-whiskey sentiment prevalent |
anoag them, and this sentiment has thus far !
kept the whiskey trade pretty efiecsually
under, within the limits Of the corporation. |
Bot whiskey is irrepressible, and is never
and no wheIe without its votaries. There |
are those in Tongznoxie who believe that
little is good for the somach's sake; that the |
local trade would be greatly benefited by |
making some concession to whiskey: that
the village finances would be greatly inn
proved BY accepting tributes from Gambri-
nus. A petition Is now in circulation for a |
nloon, and the number ofpeti,;oners already
Decared II encouraging.
A am not in the directory bnineas /
will not initiate this sketch with detailed
list of the various business houses and trades
mans Of TUuganoxie. 1t may suffice to say
hat the place does not suffer from an wsuf.
iciency efstnres, groceries, blacksmith shops,
Aotels ke. A steam grist mill has been doing
mach and gnnd work since last spring. 1t
Gems to me there is a good opening here for
! humber yard in connection With hardware;t