The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-26
WOES OF AIONEER.
Benjamin F. Hardin Recalls strenu-
Gus LIS


Troy, Kas.. Nov.6.-Benjamin F.
Harding. of Wathel the Oldest con
tinuouS resident in Doniphan county
or in the state, cabrated his 87th
birthday yesterday. He enjoyed good
health until TWO yrs ago, when he
was stritken with palysis. Since that
time his speech haseen affected. and
he has required coiderable care.
Mr.. Harding was born in Otsego
county, New York, iovember %, 1876
He spent his child,od and grew to
manhood in his nath state. He went
to CORTLAND countyNew York, at H.
and lived there unit he was "a. He
got his education in lie schools of New
York, and was a sacher for three
Years.
In 1914 he went bm New York to
Missouri. and engaged in teaching in
charlton, IiVingstoncounty, until 1886.
In 1916, being Strog free state man,
he came to the thenterritory of Kan
sas, and was appolted secretary to
indian Agent Irwin.
He was allotted service at the
Iowa mission, northeast of the present
town of Highland. dr. Harding con-
tlnued IN the Indian service until 1849-
from 1949 till 1852, le was a teacher
IN the public schools of the city of St.
Joseph, Mo. In April, 1852, he moved
back to Doniphan comfy, Kansas. and
pre-empted the home;tead on which he
has since lived.
In 1858 he built large concrete
house, the largest dwelling in Kansas
at that time. He was Identified with
the living issues in the making of
Kansas free state from the inception
accumulated considerable wealth, and
has lived a retired life for many
years.
He was early recognized as one of
the strong men ana was a leader of
those sturdy pioneers that labored so
hard against such strong odds to keep
slavery out of the state. His tact and
recognized ability caused him to be
CHOSEN first as. a captain of company
K. Ninth Kansas g. NJ, and in 1859 he
was member of the council of terri
tOriaI legisla ture
IN 1896 the LecomItOn government was
at the zenith Of its power and basked in
the sunshine of national approval. Mr.
Harding was summoned by the then
sherlff, Cary B. Whitehead, to serve as
a juror at the March term of court in
Belmont. The sheriff knew Mr. Hard
ing was a legislator. The legislature
was in session at the time he was re-
turned for service before Judge LIE
Compt.
Sheriff Whitehead. anticipating de-
fault on the part of Mr.. Harding as a
result of his necessary attendance on
the legislature at Topeka, arranged to
arrest him there. Mr.. Harding with his
colleagues proceeded to Topeka. The
OoNtOOh w e1o 4di 4IOlIl P1GdSdIL lOT Tic
free state men; the border ruffians from
Missouri, who were determined to make
Kansas a slave state had a brutal ma
jority and carried things with a high
hand
Mr.. Harding was arrested and taken
before Judge LIE Compt by Sheriff
Whitehead on a charge of contempt for
his failure to report as juror. Mr.. Hard
ing's excuse of being absent on duty
without intentional contempt was not
allowed. He was imprisoned at Doni-
phan on the added charge of construc-
tive treason and compelled to furnish
bail on this totally unfounded charge.
In September of that year he was put
on trial and fined SO and costs. Twice
he was tried and each time fined al
LeavenWOrth. But it was impossible tC
keep down the spirit of the founders Of
the great commonwealth of Kansas.
He has been register of deeds of thi:
county for four years. Mr.. Harding is
spending his declining years on the ole
homestead. There, with his family grown
up and prosperous, he husbands life's
taper at the close, a type Of the bes
citizenship.