The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1871-05-26
OLD TayNcs.

The first celebration OF Independence day
here was on the 5th Of July, 1853. the Eth COM
ing on Sunday. Bowers were built under
which to celebrate, and there was a large
crowd present. The people came from every
where. Judge Conway, who il Row a seeGy
Washington lOafer, GRATED. Judge L. D. Ball
ley, then resident, presided, end read a Pc
EN- full OF local application and local hits. F.
II. Bancroft read the declaration a G. Proc
ter, now hourishing fish merchant at St.
Louis, was toast master. There was a wagon
present from Eagle creek, TO which was at
tached seventeen yoke OF oxen, It was orna-
meuted with flags. The bower for the speak
ing was located about where the brick sehoel
house stands, and was ninety feet square
The dining bower WAS erected where the A.
t. & s. +. depot stands, and was twenty-five
feet wide aud one hundred and fifty feet long,
There were two tables the length of this, and
several different tables had to be SET The
celebration ended with grand ball at Aineri-
Gus. There want much room for dancing.
Forest Hill made blow in the spring Of
1858. The proprietors expected to 'cIean
OUT all the other towns IN this part of the
country.
Dick Stevenson, now Of oswego, was the
first treasurer OF this county.
j. z. Swallow was the first Register of
Deeds.
-E. P. Bancroft was elected Secretary of
State under the Leayenworth Constitution.
Ed. Borton opened the first hardware ard
stove store In Emporia IN May 1858.
We believe the first threshing machine was
brought to this county by r. H. Abraham and
VIM. Grimsley.
IN. Demoss started meat market here in
August, 1858.
An effort was made to bridge the Neosho
near this place in 1858. The excitement ran
high. A company was formed, and carried
the enterprise so far as to get some of the iron
work. 1t fell through.
Several sessions Of the United States Court
were held at Americas in early times, the
judge recognizing that as the county seat.
Mary Jane Watson taught the first school
in Emporia. 1t commenced October 18th,
1858.
The first vote on the county seat of this
county was taken in October, 1885, The total
vote was 42S. Americas had 202, and EmpO-
ria 1873; scattering, SO. There were SO votes
cast In Emporia for Americas. The Americas
fellows felt pretty good over this result.
Charley Hassler opened a tailor shop here
in October, 1858. at that time this was not
much Of place for "good clothes"
In the fall Of 1855 the taxable property of
this county was about $4,000.
"A postofice was established at Cotton
wood Falls in the fall of 1888, and Chas. :.
Hills, who had before that worked at the car
penter business here, WAS appointed postmas-
ter. If we remember correctly, Charley used
to come down here occasionally and get the
mail. We are not so sure but that he made a
few trips on foot Mr.. Hills afterwaI DIS serv-
ed with distinction in the army, rising to the
position Of Colonel of a regiment. He now
occupies an honorable and lucrative position
in one of the largest business houses in St.
Louis. There are two trains of cars day to
Cottonwood Falls now, Charles. Come and
see us. The people OF the Falls would give
their old p. NJ. "(wIch is postmastcr1' a
hearty welcome.
Kansas City took much interest in this
part of Kansas in early times. At one time
there was considerable talk of changing the
course of the old Santa Fe road so as TO run
through Emporia. In trying to aid this mat
ter the Kansas City Metropolitan advocated =
change in the road so as to run from Burlin.
game, in the direction of Santa Fe ria Of En-
poria and Fort Rileyl Some folks did not
havea very correct idea of the geography of
the country at that time.
In November, 1853, this paper advocated
the formation of u stock company to build a
Touring mill. 1t ended in talk, and Soden f.
nalIy came aIong and took the Job. We be-
lieye he has never regretted it.
"A lodge of Good Tempiars was organized
here in November, 1858. 1t did very well TIL
the Worthy Chief got drunk.
The Christian church was the first one
built in Emporia.