The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1871-06-02
OLD THINGS.

The first mill In this section was erected
just north OF " here the Normal building stands
by Parham & Phelps. Mr.. Phelps lives in
Michigan, and Is n farmer. MIR. Parham has a
! large drug store in LeayenwOrth-
OF the eighteen members OF The first grand
jury OF this county that we have any record
OF, Robert Best, Oliver Phillips, j. q. Hyde,
James Jackson and Mr. Moon 1--WE do not
know which Noon. are the only ones that
still reside here. Ct. N. y alker, ID. Elliott
and b. Mccormick live in other sections OF
the State. Il. w. Cloud and George Rees went
10 the western territories years ago. Leigh
MeClung lives in Ohio. We know nothing Of
the whereabouts OF the balance. They were
summoned for the December 1859 term OF
the u. s. District court Rush Gilmore Was
the judge. and we think Mr.. MeArther, now
OF Jefferson county, was the clerk. The late
Z. Goddard, OF Americas, was sheriff There
were twenty-four petit jurors for the same
term. or these, VIM. Carney, V. Il. Holmes
Z. +. Bancroft, r. II. Best, Albert Watkins,
John Wayman and David Roth are still resi-
dents. The balance are scattered. Not one
third are left here in the few short intePyen-
ing years.
Joseph RickGbaugh set up here, in the
wagon making business in the faIl OF 1858.
On New Years eve, Dec. 3ist, 1858, the
upper story Of Ferguson g. Harvey's building,
now used an ice cream saloon, was dedieat-
ed as the hall of the Masonic fraternity of this
place. There was 'great flourish Of trump
ets.'' 1t was considered quite large and fine
hall in those days. A dance took place in the
hall. There was large attendance, and the
room allowed to each set was about five feet
square. Judge Bailey, Judge Schuyler. W..
T. Soden, j. 5. Plgman and Mark Patty were
among the long list Of managers. Ed. Borton
was one of the floor managers. There was 4
big supper at the old Emporia house, and that
building and the new hall were crowded.
Halls string band, rs usual, furnished the
music. The whole affair was as big as a
Fourth OF July celebration. The building was
erected by Judge l.. ID. Bailey and Col.
Plumb.
|. Christmas day, 1859, was celebrated by q
game OF ''tOwnball,'' in which ali the male
portion Of the community took part.
The first county tax was collected n this
county in the winter OF 1853.
On the 18th OF December, 1853, regular
specimen Of the Border Ruffian, named Free
man, who then lived in this vicinity, in COM
pany with another fellow Of the same stripe,
attempted to kidnap a colored man named
Charley, who lived with Joel Haworth, about
eight miles west of town on the Cottonwood.
By the bravery and timely assistance of a
couple OF boys and a man named HodgsOn, the
towards were frustrated in their designs.
That's the only attempt at kidnapping we
ever heard of in this section Of the State.
I'm the issue of THE NEWS of January Isl,
1859, boast was made that Emporia sent out
800 letters per week.
In the same issue was an item saying that
seventeen lots had been donated for buildings.
We should like few donations of that kind
now.
I'm that issue a fellow advertised for sew
ing machine. They were scarce, especially
the kind he wanted. Here is his description
of what he desired: ''One about eighteen years
old, with dark complexion, well built, and
easy to manage. Second hand machines not
acceptable" We think he got one that an
swered the description, all except ''eaSy to
manage"
In THE NEWS of January 22d, 1859, was
an item announcing that "Mr. p. Hallberg had
commenced the erection of bakery on Mark
ct street." The little building was soon up.
and S25 was borrowed to stock it. From that
little commencement p. G. Hallberg has cary
ed out reputation one of the best business
men in EmporiS; and handsome fortune.
In the same issue we find the "parting
words OF Col. Il. b. Plumb as editor of the
paper, and the salutatory of the. present sen.
iOr.
up to February, 1850, the south line Of
this county was only half a mile south OF this
town. The legislature of that year changed it
rs TO take in three miles Of the county
south, which included all the settlements
along the Cottonwood.