The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1879-12-19
OUR EARLY HISTORY.
Hartford Call.

OUR EARLY HISTORY.
Hartford Call.
EDITORS CALL: Thinking that let
ter on the early history of Hartford
might be interesting to part, at least
of the readers of your paper, and that il
would stir up "reminiscences and memo
ries in the minds of those early pioneers
who axe in your vicinity and took part
in the struggle of by-gone days, and who
were here in the darkest hours of adver.
sity, and now share in the prosperity and
glory of the general advancement in
| Hartford and vicinity, IN all the appli.
ances Of progress and culture, is my ex-
cuse for jotting down few brief and
perhaps inaccurate notes of early times
and almost forgotten scenes.
The first settlement made in the vicin-
| ity was in the year 1855, by James Bran
non, just above the Dudley ford, ON the
land now owned by S. Z. G. Holt He
erected a log cabin and opened up a
claim, but afterwards transferred it to
Dudley, who proved up on it. Indians
were al that time very plenty, their ges-
| eral camping place being on the nor
| side of the river near the old Dudley for
and which still remains their favor I,
| ground when on their hunting excu--
| sions.
A man by the name of Sears proved
| up ON the most of Hartford TOWNSHIP.
He built the first cabin on the land now
owned by w. A. Baysinger. He died
| shortly after and was buried on the
above farm. John Chambers and Matt
Fenimore first took and proved up on
claims now covered by the farms o.
Francis Brogan and b. n. Hunt, on the
north side of the Neosho, about IL
miles from Hartford. This was also in
1853. l. E. McGinnis' family moved on
the RambO place about this time and
laid claim and proved up on what is now
the fine farm at present occupied by \.
Rambo. 4 long contest was had over
this claim between Mr. McGinnis and
other parties, which through the mach
nations of officials NJ the land Office
and well paid attorney, was finally de-
cided against Mr. McGinnis, who then
moved to HARTFORD and occupied the
house which is now the residence of d.
N. Hunt. He was the first physician
in this country and followed this calling
very successfully for many years. He
was one of our earliest pioneers in the
ministry. He moved TO this country
from Indiana, where he had been an
Itenerant minister in the Methodist
church for many years, and being a man
of unbounded energy he found full
All Ills dDlIlllGS IN
the chaotic condition of society which
is always attendant on the settlement of
new countries. He, perhaps, has done
as much as any one man to tone the
morals OF the community and lay the
foundation for very prosperous church,
and we are glad TO know that he is still
among us, though on a bed of af-
Fiction. But his work is appreciated
for his determined stand on the side of
right and the moral grandeur of his |
character.
Allen McGinnis, a son of l. L. Nc |
Ginnis, took the claim which is now the |
WOlgamoth farm, and IN spite of all |
opposition proved upon IT. The old I
Brewer farm was taken by George Aye |
in 90. In the same year Joseph Leabo !
took the claim at the mouth of Eagle |
creek. Near the same time DIR. Haw-
kins took a claim on the Williamson
farm. Shortly after this his SON Leoni-
das was drowned in the Neosho by
breaking through the ice. At this time
also Mr.. Carlysle. took the claim now
owned by his son Jesse. McMahon is
supposed to have been the first settler on
Eagle creek, and took the Griffith farm.
VIM. Tony took the quarter section Just
north of Hartford. The Fenimore
farm was taken by S. J. Mantor, in '5S.
MIR. Bond laid claim to his farm near the
same time, but afterwards, when in the
army, coded part of ii to the collegiate
institute.
The TOWNSHIP was marked out in 81
and surveyed the next year by Judge
Graham, who was one of the early set
tiers on Eagle creek and one of the COM
missioners of Madison county, of which
Hartford was then part and Elmendpro
the county seat. The first house put up
ON the fnurnSifa huiIf Nfl 10, |
by Mr.. Hawks, near the place once &C
cupied by Campbell's store. 1t was af-
used as a store. The post Office
was established here i'll SO, and A. K
Hawks was the first postmaster, and also
the first representative to the legislature
from this section. He helped to elect T
Jim Lane to the United States senate.
He now lives in Massachusetts, The
first mill was built by Jonathan Hur.,
On the old race. He also built the houae
lately occupied by Mr.. Creamer TT
first school taught in this section was 4
4 house on Mr.. Lawrence's place, by
James Lane, son-in-iaw of l. E. McGin-
MS. The first free school in Hartford
was taught by Miss Flora Grove, in
,Ouse that stood near the present school
house, and which was also used for
church purposes, district conference
being once held in it. 1t was AFTERWARDS
Used as a residence, and while so used
vas burned, part of the family having a
narrow escape. The college building
vas built in the years 81 and go. John
of EmpOria, finished it.
The first election was held in Hartford
n the fall of 1861 Churches were held
It an early day and services were held in
private houses. The NJ. Z. church was
Imong the earliest organizations. The
irst marriage was at the house of Mr.
Aye, the happy couple being Miss Lucy
Aye and Mr.. Blanton. As charivaries
we're in order in those days, and as this
vas the first opportunity it was celebrat-
d by general CHATTER of bells and horns,
tut all went off pleasantly and all were
lappy, not excepting the principals in
he affair. Game was plenty in those
lays. Wildcats, deer, turkeys, &c,
canned the river bottoms and prairies.
'rairie wolves were chased over the
ownsite for amusement, and one fine
morning in the spring of '65 large buff
alo made his appearance on the streets,
# Hartford. Although it was a free
Exhibition the sidewalks were not
rowded and the usual collection of
mall boys was lacking in the streets,
BUSINESS was suspended, window
urtains were put down and the citizens
Ook their observations from around cor
ers or from the highest fences. After j
he prairie monarch had passed through
own, chase was made and his career I
ras ended near Strawn, after receiving a
'Ouud or two of lead He weighed,
Then dressed, about one thousand
sounds.
Although the Indians were, as gen.
raj thing peaceable, they would occasi-
nlly indulge in their natural sport of
tealing horses. They once stole Mr.
IcGinnis' horses and he followed them
D the agency and paid $40 to get them
ack. The Indians said they get there !
ccidentally. Hartford had two Indian
cares. 1t was proposed to turn the old
ollege building into fort and fight it
ut on that line. Guns were gathered,
blenders counted, but the Indians did
OF come. The last scare was in '65 and
My lasted three or four hours
Other incidents might be recorded,
'hich it is hoped some one will write
p at some future day. J
OLD SETTLER.