The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-09-13
HISTORY OF NEOSHO GRANGE No
523 P. OF Il.
BY RErrA HuRLBuRT.


airy of the founding of Neosho Grange,
though five years ago to-day Neosho
Grange was undreamed of. 1t was on
the fifth of September, 1873, that the re-
port was circulated through this neigh
borhOOd that an agent of the Patrons of
Husbandry would lecture at the stone
school house that evening. Beyond
slight knowledge gathered from the
newspapers, the Order was unknown to
us. The writer was at a neighborhood
gathering of ladies that day, and well re-
members the surprised query of "What
for ~ that met the remark of some one
that if there was chance she "intended
to join the Grange" Her reply was,
"Well, it is something to benefit the far
mers, and I want to know what it is"
There were many more of the same
mind, that evening, after hearing Dep
uty w. S. Hanna explain the new move
ment, and the next morning the follow
ing named persons met for organization:
Mr.. and Mrs. Hollingsworth, Mr.. and
Mrs. Miller, Mr.. and Mrs. Edwards, Mr..
anu u1IS DOllC, uACSSIS. AdNlu anu a
w. Plumb, J. w and E. Roberts, A. c.
Abraham, J. w. Cooper, r. Howell, d.
w. Rhodes, w. McCreary, A. Hurlburt,
w. T. CoOney, and Misses NJ. and r.
Roberts, L. HOllingsworth and r. Hurl-
burt. Not one of these will soon forget
that long days work. We met at 8
O'Clock in the morning, and when we
went home, at o'clock p. m, Neosho
Grange was duly organized, with full
set of officers, VIM. Hollingsworth being
Master.
Your historian meets with a difficulty
in the outset of her task. The true his
tory of NeOsho Grange can never be told,
partly because it is a secret organization
and the routine of form must occupy
much time; partly because its story
is part of the neighborhOod history.
1t has become part of the neighbOrhOOd
life, and it's affairs, like family affairs,
are not to be told to the chance listener.
The minutes on the Secretary's book give
few hints Of the life and fun that have
pervaded the hundred and thirty
sessions that stretch back, marking the
last five years with milestones of social
enjoyment. Nothing but actual storm
hinders our coming together. Too
busy TO go to Grange" is not fashion
able excuse among us.
We have met and conquered many
prejudices; our patient endeavors have
been crowned with success in a large
degree. At first the titles of the Order
fitted oddly our plain farmer Jack and
farmer Gill; and YVES had scarcely men,
Der who could rise and, decorOusly adj
dressing our familiar Uncle Billy' as
Worthy Master, quietly wait to be rec
ognized before making motion. The
regalia and other insignia were to be
provided, the phrases and ceremonies of
the ritual were to be mastered, and dur
ing the first six months we found enough
to do to occupy one night every week.
In April, 1874, the meetings were changed
to once a fortnight, and so continue to
this day. During the next six months
there was large increase of member
ship not only here but all over the cOun-
ty, and on the 4th of July the Patrons
managed the largest celebration ever
held in this county, Neosho Grange
taking a leading part and attracting
much attention by her fine display
About this time we received several
accessions by the consolidation of Forest
Hill Grange. We next talked ffre-in-
surance, life-insurance, milling, manu-
featuring, elevating, store-keeping, reach
ing out and experimenting in various
ways, feeling sure that we could better
ourselves, but not quite certain in which
direction to work.
January 9th, 1875, Perry Edwards left
the Masters chair, which he had held
during the previous year, for the Treas
urer's desk, and A. w. Plumb took the
vacant place. This was the laid winter -
and we took strong ground against re-
ceiving from the East that which we were
able to supply ourselves with. In Aug
ust of the same year we adopted reso-
luton looking to the better protection OF
birds by law, and had the same largely
published in the newspapers. Our de
mands were loudly seconded from other
parts of the State, and the next Legisla.
ture gave US our present game law.
During the next fall and winter we
held series of very successful fairs
One of these was held at Central school
house, in conjunction with Fremont
Grange, and was open to all corners
The others were held at our regular SEES
sions, and limited to our own member
ship. The most notable one of these
was the one of which bread and butter
and potatoes formed the staple exhibits
EOne of the brothers brought down a
small stove and set it up in the ante
room of the school house. The potatoes
were boiled with their jackets on, and
never were potatoes better cooked, noI
more fun let loose around dish of "per
Ia tiesand salt"
In May, 1876, we began to deal witt
Montgomery Ward & Co., of Chicago
We sent them several orders in the cOursC
of the next twelve months. Since tina
time the decline in prices has enabled IN
TO do as well at home. -
In the summer of 1876 We sent Il
Pitsburg and bought washing machine
Many of the ladies tested it, and at on,
of our sessions they rehearsed their vari
Gus experiences, and the same were writ
ten up and appeared in the Spirit o
Kansas. The machine was sold to tn
highest bidder, fate lately followed b,
a cOrn-sheller in which the brothers ha,
invested.
In the course of the next winter, on
of our pet ideas took successful shape il
the form of the Patrons cooperative
store, In Emporia. in which this Grang
and its members hold large share O
. stock.
During this winter we had many Iii
erary exercises, in the form of speeches
5 discussions, essays, and paper whicl
was for long time a regular and intel
esting feature Of our sessions
: On February 18th, 1877, two member
5 were received by demit. being, with
single exception, the first addition 70
! almost two years. Since that time tweT
+ ty-eight new members have been received