The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1895-10-03

cial distinction Of sufficient caste K
give character to the affair. Tn.
presence of agambler OF sport of tn.
lower order was not tolerated, though
an intrusion was sometimes uavoida
ble. However, these were tie bes
features Of Dodge City society in thu
early days. and many pleasant times
were passed In social intercourse and
dancing.
The dancing proclivity prevailed
for long time, and it yet exists in &
MIDI form, though other forms Of so
ciaty gatherings have superseded the
old time dance.
Church membership did not pre-
clude an indulgence in the dancing Of
20 years or less ago; though many
church members attended dances from
a matter of social courtesy on partic-
ular occasions. The dancing instinct
was SO pronounced that little dance
was had one night in the same hall
after a church social; and many Of
the participants Of the social indulg-
ed in the dance. But the separation
of the church social and the dance
was soon had. At that time dance
after church sociable was not regar-
ded with holy horror, or as infringing
on the proprieties of religious pru-
dence, for the promoters of the church
did not have that scrupulous niceity
about dancing. Some of the best
church attendants and patrons be
lieved more in dancing than praying.
-
The Union church, an unpretend
ing church building, was the first gos
pei dispensatory crested in the city;
and it is standing and in use coca
sionally-a living monument mark
ing an epoch in church life in Dodge.
Its original promoter was a railroad
conductor, pious man, who estab
liehed the first sunday school in the
city. The church building was erec
ted with money contributed mostly BIZ
saloon keepers, gamblers and prosti-
tutes; and these people had some
where hidden in their bosoms the i'm
pressions of early life, the teaching of
home and mother; and were not 10th
in doing some good for those who
might be benefited, and also proven
ted from following a life of vice and
shame.
The Union church was used for
many purposes of meeting. 1t was
the town hall, so to speak, but it was
never desecrated, though it was free
to all-from the humble lyceum to the
profound public orator. It was "the
little church around the corner" and
from it's portals no creed or sect laid
particular claims.
For long time union services were
conducted, as the city could support
only one minister. The Presbyterian
church was built some years later,
the pioneer preacher, the Rev. O. w.
Wright, being a Presbyterian. The
Baptist and Methodist organizations
were soon under way, and religious
was largely increased. Father
patriarchal of the pulpit in
Dodge, conducted Union services for
SeVeT8l years.
Along in the close of the seventies
and some of the eighties, this city
two or three ministers of
the gospel. Church contributions for
support were never ques-
and the general church fund
was filed by whoever was. willing to
give. The saloon man and gambler
contributed freely to church support,
and no questions asked. The Chart
allie feeling possessed the gambler or
SALOON man, and his gifts were in the
spirit of benevolence, for he believed
that everybody should have support,
whether layman or preacher.
But later on, a nicer distinction was