The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-02


Wise, who was the governor OF Vir-
GINA during the memorable dark
days at iiarper's Ferry, and who, as
one of the last Official acts of his ad-
ministration, ordered the execution of
John Brown at Charleston, December
2, 1859 The name of the county was
changed to Morris in February. 1859,
in honor of Thomas Morris, United
States senator from Ohio in 1888, who
distinguished himself as strong sup
porter of the anti-slayery idea. He
died in 1874.
Morton-Organized in 1886; county
seat, Richfield. By the naming of this
county the friends of Oliver p. NJ Jr-
ton, United States senator from
Indiana. 1S67-'77, established honor
able recognition of an avowed friend
of Kansas.
Nemaha-Organize 1855; county
seat, Seneca. The Indian name given
this county was taken from the Ne
braska river of the same name, a
branch of which runs into Nemaha
county, and interpreted means muddy
water" The county seat was originally
Rock Castle. but changed to Seneca
after the Ohio county of that name.
Neosho-Organized in 1864; county
seat. Erie. Originally a part of Dorm
county, which county was named for
Col. Earl Van Dorm, who had served in
the Confederate army, and was after
wards an officer in the regular army,
and which county was afrerward
changed to Labette. The territory
composing the present Neosho county
was renamed Neosho in 1861, after one
of the rivers that drain southeastern
Kansas. which river was named by the
Usage Indians.
Ness-Organized in 1880; county
seat, Ness City. The first organiza-
ton of this country was in 1873, but
organized in 1880. Corporal Noah v.
Ness, of Company G, 7th Kansas Cav
airy, was honored in the naming of
this county. He died August %, 1864,
at Abbeyville, Miss, from wounds re-
ceived in battle August 10, 1854.
Norton-Organized in 1872; COUNTY
seat, Norton. Named in honor of Orloff
Norton, captain of Company L, 18th
Kansas Cavalry, who was killed by
guerillas at Cane Hill, Ark, October
20, 1865. History records that this
county bore the name of Billings in
1873, but the next legislature re-
stored the countys name to Norton.
A practical joker in the legislature
incorporated in a bill affecting this
county a paragraph changing the
name to Billings, as a joke on the
member from Norton county who was
noted for his vanity and egotism. The
hidden lines of the Joker in the
bill were not discovered until it be
came a law.
Osage-Organized in 1859; county
seat, Lyndon. The larger portion of
this county was in what was origin
ally known as Weller county, created
in 1855, and named for John B. We'll
ler,s member of congress from Ohio
Al 20 nj
also had the honor of serving Calf
fornia as it's governor and senator,
and the United States as minister to
Mexico He was a Democrat, high in
the annals of his party organization
of his time. In 1859, the name # the
county was changed tc Usage, from
the river of that name traversing the
county which was named for the well
known Indian tribe which afterwards
became the richest tribal band of its
race.
Osborne-Organi zed in 1871; county
seat, Osborne. A private soldier. Vim
cent B. Osborne. of Company A, Sec
ond Kansas regiment of cavalry, who
lost his right leg January IT, 1865, on
the steamer Anna Jacobs, at Joys
Ford, on the Arkansas river, was hon
ored in the naming of this county.
His valiant service was further recog-
nized by christening the county seat
IN MS hOnOr.
Ottawa-Organized in 1865; county
seat, Minneapolis. Named for the OF
tawa Indian tribe, by the original act
defining it's boundaries, and applied in
1850.
Pottawatomie-Orga in 1857;
county seat, Westmoreland. To COM
memorate the Indian tribe of that
name, within whose reservation this
county was located, this county was
named. Many of these Indians still
retain their alIotments in this county.
Rush-Organized in 1874; county
seat, La Crosse. Alexander Rush, a
captain of Company H, Second colored
infantry, who was killed in action at
Jenkins Ferry, Ark, April 8, 1864, was
honored in the appellation giveh this
county.
Rawlins-Organized in 1881; county
seat, Atwood In memory of Gen.
John A. Rawlins, a member of General
Grants staff in the Civil war, and
member Of his cabinet as secretary of
war when elected president, this coun-
ty was named. General Rawlins died
September Is, 1869, during the first
year of his administration Of the war
office, to which he was appointed
March II, 1869.
Tilden Holds to HIS Title.
St. Cloud, France, June 2.-William
L. l. -