People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1897-08-19
HARMON TOWNSHIP.


l.
but surveyors were COM
mencing their labors west OF the
river about the same time. Mrs. Law
less says she has heard Cook tell about
killing a deer and the surveyors TAX
ing it away from him.
The Lawless family arrived from
Kentucky, early in 1871. All Of them
are here yet and enjoy the distinction
of being the oldest settlers in the
township, John Chestnut arrived from
Kentucky about the same time and
soon married Miss Charlotte LawleSs.
Benz Vandework came in 1871 and
built the first house from Cottonwood
lumber. He was located on the north
line of the township, four miles west
of Belle PLANE. Mr.. Vandework now
lives in Belle PLANE and his son Fred
runs the farm: Fred is the only ma
tive householder in the township. He
was born on the farm in which he
now lives.
Solomon R. Dorsett and David Dor
sett, arrived from Illinois in NOvem.
Der 1871, and are still residents. The
former relates that when he came a
few dugOuts were all the habitatiJns
that could be seen. The country
west of the Minnesota was called
Broad prairie. Besides his own and
his brothers house, he can recall only
the LawlesS families, Hackney, who
came with the DorsettS and one house
where Cicero now stands. Aaron
King and Judge Evans had houses in
Oxford and Avon townships.
W. T. Gardner came in March, 1872
from Missouri. W. A. Burford came
in April, the same year, from West
Virginia, having driven through in
wagons. He located with his family
on his present farm and has lived
there ever since. He has one of the
best improved places in the township.
W. G. HollingSwOrth and EnOCh
Platt, down on the south line of the
township, came in 1872, the former
in June, the latter in November.
Hiram Mendenhall and NJ. NJ. Morris
also came in 1872. Mr.. Morris still
lives on the land which he entered.
EnOch Platt only stayed about six
months when he first came. He left
in June and settled in Labette county,
where he stayed until 1875. Hecaught
the western fever again, and came
back to the Slime place and bought
his present home in section SO giving
Judge Walton SIS and assuming the
payments to the school funds of 50. 0C
per acre. He is now established and
will stay here until he goes to hi.
long home.
Capt. j. H. Morris, came with hi;
wife in 1873, and has lived on hi;
present homestead ever since. In tht
last few days he has sold his farm ant
will seek new home 10 Oklahoma
Capt. Morris is one of the landmark!
in Harmon township and his neigh
bOrS will regret to see him leave
There are three prominent citizens o.
Harmon named Morris, viz: ]. H
Morris, NJ. NJ. Morris. and E. W
Morris, and strangely enough they ar,
! not related-three separate ant
! distinct families,
. Captain Morris relates that whel
he first came fish were very plentiful
in the Minnesota. In "a he caught
! catfish that weighed SO pounds. In
dlanS used to trap beaver continual,
I along the river but they never CAV,
him any trouble.
9 Floyd and D. A. Kelley came 10 tn
fail Of '73 and are still holding tn
fort at the old stand.
, j. H. Maddox, now a resident 0
9 the township, Came to the County il
1873, but lived in Oxford TOWNSHIP
until recent years. G. A. PendletOn
e Geo. Clifford, E. ]. Fauchier, Franz
Wiley, and John Golightly, came il
y 1873. W, II. Calvert came in 1875
S Adam Wagner in 1876 and Geo. W
Friend in 1877.
THE DEAD.
Many Of the early settlers Of Har
!. mon township are scattered to tn
;, four corners Of the earth. Other
have died and lie buried in the va
e riOus cemeteries OF Sumner county
Among those who have passed ava
d residents of the township can re
!. call Mrs. Anna Mendenhall, Reu
I ben Lawless, Alley Lawless, (fathe