Presort STD
U.S. Postage PAID
Miami County Genealogy & Historical Society
P.O. Box 123
Paola, KS 66071
Return Service Requested
Permit #2
The Summer Edition Newsletter of the
E-Mail: [email protected]
Paola, KS 66071
www.thinkmiamicountyhistory.com
a
K
g
n
i
d
e
Ble
t
i
b
i
h
x
E
r
a
W
l
i
v
i
C
/
s
nsa
In this issue
The Miniature Art Show Photos
Museum has a new look!
Price $3.00
Contents
Directors Message
Presidents Message
Accessioning
Program/Researchers
Acquisitions.
Mini-Minutes
Historys Mysteries
Queries
Officers and Directors
Pg 1
Pg 2
Pg 3
Pg 3
Pg 4
Pg 5
Pg 6
Heartland Art Guild
Miniature Art Show Photos
Volunteer Guide story ,
Building Our Historical
Research Department
The Beginning
A story by Jim Bousman
Civil War Jacket story
New show, History of Miami
County, photos
Isabel Rohrer Obit
Marvin Clark Obit
1928 Miami Co.
News Summary
C , D & E Obits Index
Publications for sale
Pg 7, 8, 9,
Pg 10
Pg 11
Pg 12
Bettie Ore
Hannes Poetter
LeAnne Shields
Nina Gerken
Joe Hursey
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Director/Curator.
Township Directors
Fran Burcham
Regina York
Teve Ruttinger
Nina Gerken
Mike Hursey
Darrell Williams
Cindy Haibeck
Ona Neuenschwander
Ben Mamier
Bettie Ore
Elsie Cordle
LeAnne Shields
Lloyd Peckman
Vera Dakin
Steve Olsen
Colleen Ewan
Russell OMeara
Louisburg City
Marysville Township
Member at Large
Miami Township
Middle Creek Township
Mound Township
Osage Township
Osawatomie City
Osawatomie Township
Paola City
Paola Township
Richland Township
Stanton Township
Sugar Creek Township
Ten Mile Township
Valley Township
Wea Township
Pg 13, 14, & 15
Pg15
Pg 16
Pg 17 & 18
Pg 19 & 20
Pg 21
A Quarterly Newsletter of the Miami County Genealogy & Historical Societies
Summer 2011
Volume 26 - No. 2
Miami County Historical Museum “ Swan River”
12 E. Peoria, Paola, Kansas 66071
Phone: 913-294-4940
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web; www.thinkmiamicountyhistory.com
Museum Hours: Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
“Message from the Director”
Due to being recently hired as your director/curator I have been trying to get
around to everyone and meeting them. First, thank you all for your generous
support for your county museum; your contributions and support are what keeps
our doors open and in these difficult economic times when funding is difficult,
but things are getting better each day thanks to all your valuable support. With
all that said, my first message to you may be more lengthy than normal.
Second, we have made a major facelift within the museum since May; if you
come in now it will not look the same. Currently in partnership with the Freedom Frontier Foundation (http://www.freedomsfrontier.org/donations.php) we
have created an in-depth exhibit focusing on Miami County’s history during the
early settlement period, Kansas/Missouri Border Wars, Civil War and finishing with the County’s part in economic development during the Reconstruction
period. This exhibit features over 50 enlarged photos, numerous Civil War era
weapons, a Civil War amputation kit, Civil War era military equipment, local
19th century maps, 1865 wagon and many other artifacts.
A view of our new photo displays and exhibits in the main room
Joe Hursey
Also as a great note, our museum
and its stories have been featured
in the Miami Republic newspaper
nine times now during this last
quarter; almost a story every week
about the museum and our local
history. So if you have access to
the internet, please check out these
great stories about the happenings
of your museum. These stories
and great publicity is all due to
the hard work of our museum
staff. Not only local publicity, but
the museum has received a $2500
marketing grant, which will be
utilized to advertise our museum
in the Kansas City Star newspapers
special Civil War section coming
out July 24th, which will reach
700,000 readers.
We also have started a traveling history program for several of our county senior citizen homes. So far, we have
conducted our traveling history program twice since beginning in early June and it has turned out to be a great
success. This program involves taking what artifacts that we can transport or create miniatures of our displays
and presenting hour long historical presentations at each facility. As stated before, this program has been well
received and will continue as long as demand continues. For more information on this program, you can visit
the following story featured in the Miami Republic newspaper at: http://www.kccommunitynews.com/miamicounty-friday-community-living/28107994/detail.html
As a future goal, we have submitted our application to host a Smithsonian Exhibit, titled “The Way We Worked”.
This exhibit will feature how Americans have worked in the past and we will also be featuring at least two exhibits of our own depicting past work within Miami County. This exhibit is a great opportunity for our museum,
since the last two Smithsonian exhibits that we hosted brought in as many as 6,000 visitors to our museum in six
weeks. I’ll keep you posted on this exhibit.
Joe Hursey
Page 1
President’s Message
When I was growing up I
would hear people say that time
was going fast as light – not
any more! It goes faster than
light can be measured. Didn’t
I write this column a short time
ago? We have had a VERY busy
three months – one of the busiest in memory.
We have redone the main room
at the museum and put in a
great display of Civil War memorabilia – tremendously historic. Miami County has such great history – both state and
involvement in the Civil War. We have pictures of men who
participated in the war and also in the early days of Miami
County. Wayne Johnson and his committee worked very
hard for more than five months gathering much, much data
on Kansas and the War. We strongly urge you to visit and
see this exhibit. We consider it one of the best in this part of
Kansas for the state – it is so good.
Also, in July we will be having another very exciting worthwhile exhibit. We are hosting the Seventh Annual International Miniature Art Show. This draws paintings from
across the United States and several countries overseas. If
you are not familiar with miniature paintings, we invite you
to view them during the month of July. You will be fascinated. This is a project of the Heartland Art Guild every
year and the proceeds go for a High School senior art scholarship.
The Miami County Historical Society now has a Director/
Curator for the museum. Joe Hursey was hired to help us
restructure our exhibits and artifacts and provide historical
consultation and research . He is doing a fantastic job and
will continue to do so. We are very pleased to have him
with us.
Wishing you a pleasant summer, I am –
Bettie G. Ore, President
Financial
The Miami County Historical Museum, Historical & Genealogy Societies are a Non-Profit Organization with a tax
exempt status allowed by the Internal Revenue Dept. Gift
and Donations received by the Societies are Deductible for
Income Tax purposes. Additional information or questions
regarding Endowments, Trusts, etc.,
Please contact us at the following 913-294-4940
Page 2
News Exhibits
April began as a very busy month for the museum with
our setup of our current Bleeding Kansas/Civil War
display. This exhibit in conjunction with the Freedom
Frontier Foundation focuses on the early Kansas settlement, Bleeding Kansas Border War, Civil War and the
Reconstruction periods. The museum has on display
numerous Civil War era weapons, ribbons, awards and
original historical documents, some on loan from local
family members of Civil War veterans. During April,
we closed the museum for exhibit setup, which covers
all three of our buildings.
With all the new changes, we had to move some things
into storage to accommodate the new exhibit, which is
normal for a museum; not everything can be displayed
at the same time. The fishing equipment display, furniture, desks and cabinets as well as various other artifacts
were moved into storage.
Another exhibit featured in building two is our seventh
annual Heartland Art Guild Miniature art show. This
exhibit is on display from 25 June until 31 July. Opening day for this exhibit occurred on the same day as
the “Wine and Art Stroll” event. Both of these events
brought in over 250 visitors to our museum on that day.
Accessions
We have had some accessions including a child’s roll
top desk from the early 1900’s; pictures, records, and
yearbooks from Hillsdale Elementary School since it is
closing and its students are coming to Paola. We also
received a souvenir of the 1903 and 1905 graduations in
Paola, this came from a museum in Oregon.
History programs for the next quarter
A night with William QuantrillMany believe Quantrill left Ohio and came to Missouri, but actually he came to Miami County, Kansas.
Upon arriving in Miami County, he received a license
to teach before turning into the notorious guerilla he is
known as today. This program will be held at the Miami County Museum, 12 E. Peoria St, Paola Ks, 66071.
At 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m, 25 Jul 2011. Cost to attend
discussion is free to Museum members and $2.00 for
non-members.
continued on next page
Cassida, Mattie, Anna, Mary Cassida, Susie
Cassida Miller Hill, Eddie Mae Cassida Mc
Ilweine Procter, E.P. Short, Anna Tipton)
Development and history of the Kansas Military
Regiments during Bleeding Kansas Wars and Civil Don Chronister (obits)
Mary Holloman (Holloman, Stanley)
WarJonelle Lewis (Olaus Johnson, Matthew
Matson)
This program will focus on the development and history
Portia
Brooks
(Pinkerton, Leard, Akers,
of the Kansas Regiments.
Reedy, Latimer)
These researchers came from Kansas, Missouri,
Held at the Miami County Museum, 12 E. Peoria St,
Colorado, Arizona and California
Paola Ks, 66071. At 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 22 Aug
2011. Cost to attend discussion is free to Museum
members and $2.00 for non-members.
from page 2
RECENT ACQUISITIONS
History of Miami County’s Native AmericansMiami County was once known as a “Dumping Ground”
for Native Americans. This program will detail the Indian removal of 1836, their coming intyo Miami COunty
and their final removal from the county with the signing
of the 1867 Treaty.
The museum has received the following items for the
permanent collections during this quarter:
Howard Gillogly (Union School photo)
Ima B. Carpenter (Civil War jacket & family history)
Verla Thomas (Photo of McLauchlin ---)
Held at the Miami County Museum, 12 E. Peoria St,
Donald Salser (wood cutout of “Old Main Osawatomie
Paola Ks, 66071. At 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 26 Sep
Hospital)
2011. Cost to attend discussion is free to Museum
Annette Prentice (Hats)
members and $2.00 for non-members.
Bettie Ore (measles notice)
Museum (Vickers Grade School records)
RESEARCHERS
Mary E Buchman (Ursuline bag)
The following are walk-in researchers to the
Gary Wi---- (Salesmans ---)
Library during this last quarter and surnames, or infor- Carl Buchman (patterns)
mation, being searched for.
Fred Banes Jr (abstract)
Catherine Glover – (copies of photos)
Kim Kerr – (Cline, Boka, Stainbrook,
Buddenhagen)
Wm. E. Trollinger (Buzzards Roost
School #74)
Dean Phillips (Milliman, Daugherty,
Lankard)
Shirley Warden (Block people)
Mike Hadl (Rohrer)
Jane Chandler Holt (Minton, Gay, Dotson,
Hendrix, Ross)
Donna Prothe (obits)
Helen Tagler (Maggie Ohlmeier Rentz, Ernest &
Albert Ohlmeier, Hulda Ohlmeier
Miller)
Colette Miller (obits)
Karen Register (obits)
Shelia Evans (Jess Evans, Clarence E.
Evans)
Jeanette (Rigney/Wise) Meyer (Rigney,
Wise,
Barnes) Stan Whisner (Overbeck)
Janet Schnoor (Rex Kiser Dau) (Savage,
Edward Schlotman, Carrie Moss, Flora
Vaghy)
Karen LaDeux (Thomas Cassida, Anglin Branch
ORAL HISTORY
Contact Betty Bendorf at the Museum to schedule
your interview. Pat Erickson is ready to transcribe
them. LuAnn Debrick is on board to help with interviews.
NOTICE! From the Editors
Do you have your Ancestor Charts or Family Group
Sheets that you would like to have put in the Quarterly??? Please send to us.
Betty & Vera
News Letter Editor
Roger Shipman has consented to take over the duties of publishing the newsletter. Write or E-mail the
museum to comment on this issue or to contribute
any worthwhile ideas for articles in the coming issues.
Roger has the ability to rescue your old photographs!
fix cracks, ripped, faded or water damaged images.
Bring them by the museum for a cost estimate.
Page 3
URSULINE BOOK PROJECT
MINI MINUTES
April
If you haven’t purchased a copy of “Journeys of Ursuline, Academy & College of Paola” why don’t you
place your order today, lest you forget???
Cost $35.00 + $5 shipping
We know that you will enjoy reminiscing the memories of many personal stories, scrapbooks and of
pictures—the grounds, the campus, the defined
architecture of structures, students, neighbors and
friends of Ursuline.
These pictures reflect the
excellent work of our digital
technician, Roger Shipman.
Roger is a local Paolan,
retired from Taylor-Forge
in Paola. His avocation of
photography, graphic arts
and computer skills have
been a definite asset to produce this quality book.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT!
Mildred D. Haley, Committee Chairperson
LIBRARY
Report on the Civil War project by Wayne Johnson. The exhibit will open on May 9th. Handouts
were made to take to Kansas Sampler at Leavenworth, Ks on May 7 & 8.
Discussion on expense of Fog’s car and also of
land by John Browns Lookout.
Joe Hursey was introduced and he gave his history of experiences and education. He has been
volunteering at the museum. It has been discussed with members to find a way to hire him
as Director/Curator.
May
Discussion on using “Quick Books” for our bookkeeping. Motion made and passed . Bernice
Chitwood reported on consigning a quilt of our
choice to the Stauth Museum in Montezuma, Ks.
For a special display.
Discussion on storing our electronic records off
site with Carbonite. Motion made and passed to
follow through and also close the bank box.
Discussion on clearing out the middle room for
the art display.
I would like to thank Jeanette (Rigney) and Kent Meyer for the donation of notebooks of genealogy of the
Wise family and the Rigney family and farm photos.
These will be added to our “Family” shelf. We have
quite a listing of family genealogies.
Rose Ann Findlen sent us a copy of “Borderland Families-Always on the Edge” which the primary focus
is on the history and genealogy of the Heiskell and
Lykins, pioneer families of Miami County.
We have been finding some important treasurers of
information in that back aisle I have talked about. I
am sure we will find more as we finally get to going
through it all.
We are also planning on a renovation for the library.
Betty Bendorf, Librarian
Page 4
Discussion on need for volunteers to give guided
tours . Joe has signed the museum as a member for Freedom Frontier. Discussion on Civil
War exhibits – Mike Gibson is allowing Joe to
copy his gr-great grandfathers diary while a
prisoner of the Confederates. Discussion on the
renter paying for utilities used.
Joe is planning on having a presentation to the
senior citizens on a monthly basis. Motion was
made to redo the membership brochure and
passed.
Suggestion was made to change our meeting time to evening enabling businessmen and
people to come. Motion was made and set for
first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the museum. Passed. Directors will be notified.
History’s Mysteries
This is a new addition to our quarterly as well as our website which features historical mysteries in and around
the county. These articles have so far been researched and written by our local historian, Phil Reaka. Please
read them and give feedback on how you like them. These stories can also be found at the following website:
http://www.thinkmiamicountyhistory.com/Reaka.html
History’s Mysteries Number 1
Baptiste Peoria who is noted as one of the founders of Paola has had much history written about him.
However, while I was helping to put together the new displays at our Miami County history at the MCHS museum, I ran on to two interesting notes about this man.If these are true, then these tidbits become part of his
and our history:
•
Baptiste may have been a black man rather than an Indian?
•
He may have also “owned” a slave woman while living in Miami County?
Get to researching fellow historians! Contact the MCHS in Paola if you discover any history relating to these
mysteries!
Phil Reaka
History’s Mysteries Number 2
The town of Paola was referred to by many names. Depending upon whether you were a Catholic Missionary
(maybe from Italy?) or a Native American Indian, a settler, a surveyor, a Union or Confederate army member,
the U. S. Post Office, or a typesetter for a newspaper/ book, you may have used one of these names (accidentally or on purpose) in reference to the community that we now call Paola.
Here is a list that I have compiled from my research efforts:
Battiesville, Osage River Indian Agency, Baptiste Peoria’s Trading Post, Wea Village,
Bulltown, Peoria Village, Paoli,* and Paola.*
Get to researching fellow historians! Contact the MCHS in Paola if you discover any new names from old
maps, books, family history, etc. relating to these mysteries! You then will be shedding more light on our local
history!!
Phil Reaka
*Note: Paoli and Paola are both Italian names!
History’s Mysteries Number 3
Another mystery during the Civil War is the building of a fort on Tower Street (redoubt as it was referred to by
the military).
The first evidence of such a structure came from a military inspector’s report by the name of Sutton in 1865
and a drawing (see it in the history book that the MCHS published in 2005 on page 36). The black military map
by Col. Drake indicates the location as being on Tower Street in 1864—see the map on display at the museum.
Further research indicates the building of the “fort” took place in late summer of 1864. A
preparation effort to deal with the pending invasion of Kansas by General Sterling
Price, who was in Missouri at that time, was taking place.
The mystery is: where is there a picture of it? Or other records of its existence?
Please contact the MCHS at 913-294-4940 or at [email protected] or [email protected] if you discover anything?
Get to researching! Contact the MCHS in Paola if you discover any new
information relating to these mysteries! You then will be shedding more light on
our local history!!
Phil Reaka
Page 5
Lost Local History Due to Misspelled Name
by Joe Hursey
When I first came to Paola, I was asked to research information on a possible 19th century wine producer, J.J.
Smith. It all started out with an old Miami Republic newspaper article from 1872, which stated that J.J. Smith
produced over 4,000 gallons of wine and hoped to produce 5,000 gallons the following year. The news article
also stated that he lived northwest of Paola…so I had the hints and the hunt was on.
I started with the Miami County Museum which produced a few more hints that a J.J. Smith produced wine,
but nothing really concrete to prove anything of really historic value. I then went through more old newspapers, but still nothing, as well as contacting the Kansas Wine and Grape Growers Association, who explained
to me that wine was not produced in Miami County in the 1870’s. I then turned to a colleague with my problem
and he gave me some ideas where to look. I then checked in an 1878 Miami County Atlas and there I found
the missing key to the puzzle.
The newspaper articles referred to the wine man as J.J. Smith, but after looking at the old Atlas which featured
his farm as a vineyard. The atlas also listed the owners name as not as “J.J.” Smith, but possibly as J.U.
Smith; the second “J” was actually a “U”. Once I found this, I researched for his obituary and all the history fell
from the sky faster that I could catch it.
J.U. Smith or John Ulrich Smith emigrated from
Switzerland when he was a young man and came
to America, first landing in New York then making his way to Ohio, where he met and married
his wife, Martha. While in Ohio, he took to business as his profession. He then made his way to
Kansas and set up in the mercantile business and
later moved on to Ellsworth, Kansas, selling supplies to the railroad. John and Martha eventually
settled in Miami County, establishing his vineyard
northwest of Paola by the time he was about 39,
in 1869. Three years later he produced his first
wine from his farm’s winery. Unfortunately his
dreams as a vintner ended in 1881 with the passing of the Kansas prohibition. His obituary listed
that his only failure in life was when he had to rip
up his vineyard.
“Wine Smith”, aka John U. Smith
Page 6
Known locally as “Wine Smith”, J.U. Smith continued to prosper in other business ventures until he
passed away in 1899. The 1878 Miami County
Atlas lists him as one of the top businesses in
the county, specializing in wine production and
cattle. He and his wife never had any children
to carry on his farm or business, but did raise a
niece who later married and moved to Kansas
City. His obituary stated that he left a large estate
to his wife, left no debt to anyone and continually
donated to local county charities. As a testament to his wealth after his death, his wife Martha
donated $10,000 to have the current stone Paola
Free Library built in memorial to him. The library
that today serves town’s residents has a brass
memorial plate hanging above its fireplace dedicating the library to John Ulrich Smith.
The Museum had over 250 visitors partaking of wine samples while viewing the Heartland Art Guild Miniature
Art Show on display.
Kristin and Stephen Graue of Middle Creek Winery / Graue Vineyards, dispense wine to the many visitors to
the Museum during the “Paola Art and Wine Stroll” Saturday evening June 25 th.
Page 7
Cottage beside the river, by Elizabeth Brow, oil
Americana, by Tekie Ganz, media, acrylic
Tourist Group, by Glenn Leung media, watercolor
Corn Shocks, by Sharon Jenne media, oil
Central Park #11, by Glenn Leung media, watercolor
Sitting Tall, by Sue Wall media, acyrlic on board
Page 8
A videographer from channel 4 taping the art for a local
broadcast in Kansas City
Kelly Franke admiring the
paintings on display.
Jean Shipman was
amazed at how this
tiny art could look
so nice.
Page 9
Volunteer Guide, Takes the Reigns
Although I have been working for the museum for about two months now, I am still attempting to settle
in the local area. Part of this settling in required my family and I to travel to North Carolina a week in June to
pick up some things in storage, including two dogs. Due to my quick departure, I was not able to give a presentation to Vintage Park of Paola senior citizens community as I had scheduled.
Although I could not give the presentation, divine intervention took over and Vintage Parks most famous
resident, Herb Fickel loaded up the Vintage park residents and off to the museum they came. Once here, Herb
Fickel who has become an important fixture within the museum, in his old military way, did not miss a beat and
began giving the tour on his own, to the pleasure of his friends. Patrons like Herb Fickel are what has kept the
spirit of the county museum alive. Sempre Fi, Herb!
Written By Joe Hursey
Herb Fickel escorting a group of friends from Vintage Park around the museum
Building Our Historical Research Department
Within the last few months, we have received numerous documented research materials, which include a
copy of a Civil War diary by Private Gideon Walker Gibson that will be available for public viewing and research
within the next couple of weeks. This is a fascinating piece because of its meticulous day to day accounts by a
Civil War soldier who documented in detail the daily life of a Union soldier. Not only this, but Gideon Walker
also became a prisoner of war and was sent to the infamous Confederate Andersonville Prison Camp, which a
third of all Union soldiers never walked out of alive. Private Walker not only survived Andersonville, but also
continued his written accounts of life in Andersonville Prison up until his release when the prison closed. The
diary now belongs to the great grandson of Private Gibson, Mike Gibson of Paola, who has allowed us to copy
the diary for research and educational purposes.
We also have obtained an unpublished diary written by one of the persons featured in our current exhibit, H.H. Williams. Williams wrote the diary from the periods of 1840’s to 1870’s for the purpose of documenting life of in Kansas during the Border Wars and the Civil War. This diary as well as the Gideon Walker Gibson
diary will fine acquisitions to our museum’s research department, which can be used to increase the depth of our
museum’s collections for future study.
Page 10
The Beginning
by, Jim Bousman
In 1803 the land we call Kansas was part of the Louisiana Purchase. Prior to that time very few non
native peoples lived in the area. Those that did were primarily trappers and a few traders. Most lived with and
married into the Indians tribes. As the years went by, explorers and settlers began to move into and through
the newly purchased land. East of the Appalachian mountains, the population explosion and agribusiness was
creating a demand for more “space” and the eastern Indians were moved still further west. The south needed
more land for cotton and tobacco, which was labor intensive. In New England, Yankee ingenuity was beginning
to develop a strong manufacturing economy. These two different economic societies collided over the issue of
slavery. Slavery became a festering political issue that would have a direct impact on Kansas.
The Missouri Compromise of 1820 (Missouri was admitted as a slave state), Texas and California, the
Wilmot Proviso, the Compromise of 1850, popular sovereignty, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act were all attempts
to address the question of how to keep an equal balance between slave and free states.
Before Kansas became a territory, no settlers were allowed to obtain or settle on land in Indian Territory.
The U.S. Army, tasked with enforcing the laws governing access to the territory, was greatly undermanned and
scattered along the border. Thus it was possible to cross the border and stake a claim without military interference.
Popular (squatter) sovereignty gave the inhabitants of the Kansas-Nebraska Territory the right to vote
whether the territories would be admitted as a slave or a free state. There was never a question that Nebraska
would be a free state: but Kansas was another matter.
By 1854, Missourians (read south) as well as the North realized Kansas would be up for grabs. Missourians began to cross into Kansas Territory and on “June 10, 1854, ten days after the opening of the territory,
a number of Missourians met on the Kansas side, in Salt Creek Valley, three miles from Fort Leavenworth, and
organized the Squatters’ Claim Association.”* In the North the New England Emigrant Aid Company and others
started gearing up to send settlers to Kansas.
With the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the flood gates opened and emigrants began to flow into
Kansas. Thus, the residents of Kansas would be able to decide for themselves whether or not they wanted slavery. The majority of the free-state settlers were “westerners” while the pro-slavery settlers came from Missouri,
Arkansas and the trans-Mississippi south.
In addition to settlers, the New England Emigrant Aid Company sent representatives to establish towns:
one is Osawatomie. (The John and Sarah Everett letters give an excellent account of a settlers life in Osawatomie.) Although there were other towns, Lawrence and Topeka would play a significant
role in the march to statehood.
It has been my observation that an axiom of journalism is “if it bleeds, it leads”. No
wonder Horace Greeley, the editor of the New York Tribune, coined the phrase “Bleeding Kansas”.
* Transactions of the Kansas State Historical Society, 1907- 1908, Centennial Celebration
at Pike’ s Pawnee Village , The First Two Years in Kansas, p.125.
Page 11
Donated Civil War Union Dragoon Jacket
Prior to the opening of our Bleeding Kansas/Civil War exhibit, the Frank Carpenter family donated a 1st Regiment New York Dragoon uniform jacket to our museum. Unlike some Civil War uniforms, this jacket was
something most have never seen before. Although it had remained in pristine condition, it still bore a definite
bullet hole through the right front chest of the jacket, and more than like a second bullet hole through the left
side. Another peculiar fact about the jacket is its unusual small size, but this is the amazing part of the story.
The jacket belonged to Frank Carpenter’s grandfather, Union First Sergeant Daniel Carpenter, who when the
war began, left Kansas and joined the New York regiment. His unit fought in over 46 engagements and although
Daniel Carpenter shot twice, survived the war and returned back to Kansas.
The family not only provided great information on the jacket including the fact that Daniel had been shot once
in battle, but through careful research of our talented research staff and historians, it was revealed Daniel had
been shot in two different battles. Our research further revealed that Sgt. Carpenter rose to the rank of First
Sergeant of his company commanding nearly 100 men. As 1st Sgt, Carpenter maintained a diary type of casualty
count of his men through each engagement, which we now maintain a copy for public research.
But as stated before, Daniel Carpenter was obviously small in stature due to his small uniform. Our last research
revealed that Daniel Carpenter served in 46 engagements, was shot twice and became a leader amongst his men,
he did this as a boy, not a man. First Sergeant Daniel Carpenter lied about his age and joined the Union Army at
the age of fourteen.
Come and see the jacket, the other Civil War items that belonged to Daniel Carpenter, as well as our many other
Civil War artifacts. You can find more on this jacket at the Miami County Republic’s newspaper website: http://
www.kccommunitynews.com/miami-county-friday-community-living/27703698/detail.html
Ima Carpenter presenting a Civi War uniform to director, Joe Hursey for the Bleeding Kansas exhibit.
Page 12
Beautiful gown donated to the museum by
retired Civil War reenactor, Sandy Allison
Paola Rotary members moving display cases
Page 13
The Bleeding Kansas exibit has 50 enlarged photos of the early
settlers in Paola.
The Miller buggy was made in Paola by The Miller Wagon Co.
Union Army reenactor uniform,
on loan from John Freeman
Page 14
Bernard Moore presents the Museum with the 1st. place trophy for
the best antique car in the John
Brown Jamboree parade.
Beautiful gown donated to the museum by
retired Civil War reenactor, Sandy Allison
Moving of the Wagon
Prior to the coming exhibit that focused on early Miami County History which opened on May 9th, the 1865
Miller wagon had to be moved from its display area in the third building to the first building, which was no
easy task. With the help of Junior Ayres and Bernice Chitwood, we dismantled the nearly 150 year old wagon,
carried the main body to the first building and reassembled. By the time we had gotten the wagon done, all
three were covered in sweat and old axle grease. If one spends a little time in the museum, one would quickly
realize that nothing gets done without our dedicated volunteers.
In loving memory of Isabel Rohrer
February 23, 1919~March 31, 2011
Obituary courtesy of Penwell-Gable
Funeral Service: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 2:00 PM
Penwell-Gabel - Paola Chapel
Interment: Paola Cemetery Paola, Kansas
Isabel Rohrer age 92of Paola passed away March 31 at the Life Care Center in
Osawatomie after a long illness.
Memorials to the Miami County Historical and Genealogy Museum.
Isabel was born February 23, 1919 on the Rohrer family farm in Stanton Township, daughter of Frederick E. and Pearle Lane Rohrer.
She attended Mound Valley School District 81. She graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1936 and then attended Ursuline Academy College in
Paola.
Isabel worked in Kansas City for Methodist Publishing House and Jeanerette Portrait Studio. She was later employed at the
Osawatomie State hospital and then the John Brown Museum in Osawatomie.
Isabel was interested in tracing her families’ ancestry. Isabel attended the 100th annual Rohrer family reunion in Goshen,
Indiana in 2006. She did a lot of traveling and visited all 50 states, and Canada nine times, and in 1995 traveled to the rainforest in Peru.
Isabel was an advocate for preservation of native prairie grassland. She had many hobbies including, oil painting, photography, flowers, gardening,sewing and bird watching and enjoyed participating in bird counts.
Isabel is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers Frederick E. Rohrer Jr., and Daryl D. Rohrer and two sisters, Rebecca Rohrer and Helen Barnett and great niece Alyssa Sherman.
She is survived by seven nieces and nephews and their families, cousin Bernice Cuthbertson and sister-in law Marie
Rohrer. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Page 15
Page 16
News events in Miami County during 1928
From the files of the Miami Republican
Page 17
1928 News continued
Outstanding Benefactors For This Quarter
Betty Bendorf
Hannes Poetter
Jim Bousman
Casa Somerset
Bills Pitts
Kathy and Dirk Vandever
Roger Casper
Citizens State Bank
Elliot Insurance
Cynthia Stark
Miami County Medical Center
Isabel Rohrer
Spring Hill Oil
Great Southern Bank
Our Most Valuable Volunteers
Betty OreBetty BendorfVera DakinBernice ChitwoodJim BousmanPhil ReakaRoger ShipmanNina GerkinHannes PoetterLuanne DebrickJunior AyersElsie CordelIris KluberPage 18
Marketing and Promotion
Raised membership by over three times in the last quarter
Management of over 50,000 genealogy records
Management of over 12,000 museum artifacts
Historical Research and Volunteer Worker
Historical Research
Redesign and development of Museum Quarterly
Treasurer
Website/Facebook Management
Volunteer Worker
Facility Management
Volunteer Researcher
Volunteer Researcher
Death dates continued from last issue
Page 19
Continued from page 19
Davis, Evelyn
Davis, Farris Shelton
Davis, Flora Johnson
Davis, Floyd Carl
Davis, Frances (Benson) Davis,
Frances (Torres)
Davis, Frank
Davis, Frank G.
Davis, George E., Jr.
Davis, Glenn Wesley (child)
Davis, Glenna Louise (Hettler)
Davis, Hardin Melvin
Davis, Harold Fredrick Davis,
Helen M. (Ansart)
Davis, Helen Rosemond (Smith)
Davis, Inez J. (Anderson)
Davis, Ira Carter
Davis, Irene Leola (Nutt)
Davis, Iva Maude (Evinger)
Davis Jack
Davis, James L.
Davis, Jerry Lee
Davis, Jess Donald
Davis, Mrs. Jesse
Davis, Joan Adena
Davis, John
Davis, John A.
Davis, John A.
Davis, John E.
Davis, Johnny Joe
Davis, John W.
Davis, John W.
Davis, Joseph Franklin, Jr.
Davis, Joseph R.
Davis, Ken L.
Davis, Kevin Eugene
Davis, Kimberly Sue (child)
Davis, Larry Earl
Davis: Laura Alice (WalIs
Davis, Lauren Rene (infant)
Davis, Lawrence Aidie
Davis, Leila
Davis, Leona Lucille
Davis, Leonard B.
Davis, Leroy Dean (Infant)
Davis, Lola Maude (Coen)
Davis, Lona Mae (Neal)
Davis, Lovina (Baughman)
Davis, Margaret Lorena (Noble)
Davis, Margaret Mattie (Jackson)
Davis, Marian Ruth (Stults)
Davis, Marion B.
Davis, Mary J.
Davis, Mary Jane (Thompson)
Davis, Maude
Davis, Maude (Long)
Davis, Meta Alice (Schneider)
Davis, Nancy (Dugger)
Davis, Nancy A. (Hyther)
Davis, Nancy Carol (Salser)
Davis, Nealy (Wilhoite)
Davis, Noble McKinley
Davis, Paul DeArnot
Davis, Pheba S. (Richardson)
Page 20
Jul 11, 1978
Oct 22, 1972
Sept. 18, 1978
Nov 28, 1996
Feb 9, 1956
Aug 26, 1991
Feb 23, 2002
Apr 5, 1989
Apr 30, 2004
May 18, 1915
Apr 19, 1994
Jul 19, 1947
Sept. 26, 1998
May 15, 1997
Aug 13, 1978
Nov 11, 1979
Apr 16, 1959
Mar 27, 1995
Jun 20, 1987
Jun 12, 1995
Oct 18, 1918
Oct 14, 2002
Dec 30, 1989
???1931
Mar 26, 1974
Jul 13, 1982
Aug 4, 1956
Aug 4, 1956
Nov 21, 1974
Nov 15, 1977
Sept. 29, 1939
Jan 9, 1973
May 19, 1996
Jul 11, 1996
Oct 31, 1994
Oct 11, 1987
Feb 2, 1964
Dec 8, 1991
Apr 17, 1930
Jan 14, 1990
Jun 22, 1949
Oct 3, 1968
Oct 13, 1972
Sept. 20, 1978
Jun 16, 1954
Jan 14, 1979
Jun 10, 1999
Dec 23, 1951
Nov 9, 1944
Jul 22, 1982
Mar 31, 1994
Jun 4, 1983
Nov 26, 1918
Aug 31, 1986
Jun 20, 1987
Jan 17, 1963
Apr 18, 1983
Oct 16, 1941
May 17, 1916’
Aug 8, 2004
May 3, 1973
Nov 25, 195.5
Jun 30, 1984
May 29, 1976
Oct 25,1965
Eads,Charles,
Jun 4,1994
Eads,Sadie Mae(Leaton),
Jun 4,1994 Eagan,Alvie M., Apr 26,1989
Aug 27,1959
Eagan,Anna Belle,
Oct 16,19:’7
Eagan,George Andrew,
Aug 29,1983
Eagan,Lillie Barton,
Jan 28,1966
Eagan,Mark,
Dec 14,1971
Eagan,May,
Eagan,Robert Emmette,Dr., Feb 1,1940
Feb 5,1908
Eaker,Jay A1len,
Apr 1,1999
Eakin,George Eugene,
Apr 18,2004
Eakin,Virginia L.(Brown),
Eakins,Eileen G.(Oberheide) Aug 3n 2006
Feb 28,2000
Eales,Anna,
Jan 2,1996
Ealy,Esther E.(Weikert)
Aug 23,1975
Ealy,William S.,Dr.,
Mar 10,2004
Eames,Harrison Artie,
Mar 29,1947
Earl,Helen Marie (Ward),
Oct 1,1977
Earley,Charies N.,
May 27,1949
Earley, Frank,
Earley,Rose May(Ruddell), Jun 10,1928
Mar 28,1943
Early, Etta,
Nov 27,1942
Early,Frank,
Jun 25,1995
Early,Hilma,
Apr 2,1931
Early,Joseph Landon,
Early,Mary “Olive”(Ruddell) Feb 23,1900
May 1,2004
Earnest, Kenneth Lester,
Dec 27,1956
Earnest,Marian,
Earnest,Mary Inez(Earnest) Mar 13,1993
Dec 30,2004
Earnest,Mayme (Hittle),
Aug 22,1965
Earnest,Thomas F.,
Apr 11,1993
Earnest,Wanda 1.(Marsh)
May 27,1997
Earnest,Wayne,
Jan 5,1980
Earp,Lillian Mae(Mudd),
Jul 24,1966
Earp,William,Harvey,
Dec 8,1918
East,Bernice,
Easter,Bessie Norene(Rouse), Jan 6,1989
Jan 5,1908
Easterling,Mary J.,
Mar 13.1997
Easterline.Robert B..
March 28,1993
Eastland, Allen Morris„
Nov 27,1993
Eastland.Curtis J.,
Mar 19,1988
Eastland,Dorisj.(Austin)
Eastland, Isabe11Mc.(Park) Jan 30.1969
Eastland, Ruby F3.(Dunham) Dec 21,1974
May 26.1905
Eastman,Dollie (Delaney)
Dec22,1906
Eastman,Miranda Jade,
April 23,1989
Easton,Helen E.(Conn)
Nov 27,1956
Easton,Lawrence V.,
Dec 30,1956
Eastwood,Abraham H.
June 9,1957
Eastwood,Albert Monroe,
Oct 13,1965
Eastwood,Andrew Albert,
Eastwood,Andrew Edward, Apr 19,1928
Feb 5,1975
Eastwood,Arthur Leroy,
Eastwood,Bessie C.(Burton) Jan 7,1991
Dec 12,1902
Eastwood,Bobbie Lee,
Eastwood,Caroline M.(Rohring)Feb 22,1957
Eastwood,Charles Richard, Sep 1,1983
Eastwood,Dorothy C.(Troutman)May 7,1996
Eastwood,Edith Pearl(Hay), Mar 16,1994
Jun 25,1997
Eastwood,Emma ,
Oct 26,1942
Eastwood,Eulah(Folkner)
Jul 13,1969
Eastwood,Henry H.,
Apr 7,1936
Eastwood,James Noble,
Dec 10,1904
Eastwood,Judy Kay,
Jun 4.1976
Eastwood.Richard G..
Eastwood, Ruth Joan,
Oct 21,1936
Eastwood,Ruth P.(Baker)
Mar 20,2003
Eaton.Benjarnin Gale,
May 14,1907
Easton,Bilie M.,
Jan 17,1997
Easton,Charles Capes,
Aug 1,1952
Easton,Charles Jr.,
May 18,1922
Easton,Edwardioseph,
Feb 7,1993
Easton,Mary Winifred,
Jan 11,1988
Easton,Pineas Capen,
Apr 17,1920
Easton,Velma F.(IVIIller)
Jun 21,1975
Ebbert,David H.,
Jul 26,1915
Ebbert, Dean,
Apr 22,1998
Ebeck,Anna L.(Cosgrove), Apr 3,2002
Ebeck,Clarence,
Jan 10,1979
Ebeck,Helen M.(Smalley),
Apr 15,2001
Ebeck,Daisy (Hanson)
Oct 17,1960
Ebeck,Naomi P.(Jurgens),
Nov 4,1901
Ebeck,Joseph,
Sep 27,1956
Ebeck,John Joseph,
Aug 5,1992
Ebeck,John R.,
JuI 10,1986
Ebeck,Otto C.,
Sep 3,1967
Ebeck,tiobert Lynn,
Apr 8,1949
Ebeck,Ronald Joe,
Oct 12,2006
Ebert,Emma Roberts,
Apr 18,1881
Ebert,Ernest Theodore,
Apr 14,1881
Ebert,Louis,
Aug 21,1931
Ebert, Rhoda,
Mar 26,1004
Ebert,Rosa Fay R.,
Mar 27,1994
Ebinger,Johnl,
May 4,1966
Eble,Dawn Michelle,
Dec 29,1978
Eble,Fern E.(Hayne),
Mar 31,1981
Eble,Maralyn L.(Merrick)
Jan 24,1997
Eble,Ray W.,
Oct 7,2008
Eby,Grace„
Apr 4,1894
Eby,Hazel(Robinson)
Jan 20,1961
Eby, Josephine(Stuart)
Apr 29,1898
Eby,Minnie D.,
Aug 1900
Eccles,Blanche (Kirby),
Mar 21 1965
Eccles,Eva Eliz.(Knight)
Oct 31,1985
Eccles„Monte H.,
Sep 26,1964
Eccles,Sarah Catherine
May 15,1953
Eckerson,Glenne D.
Jan 29,1974
Eckart,Barbara Ann(Allen) Oct 16,1991
Eckart,girl of JC&Leona,
Jun 4,1946
Eckart,Edward Winfield,
Mar 6,1929
Eckartiodie All,(Infant)
Aug 24,1965
Ecka, t,Lorinda C.(Coonradt) Jun 4,1945
Eckart,John,
Sep 17,1934
Eckart,John Coonradt,
Apr 19,1956
Eckart,Theodore,
Feb 28,1988
Eckart,William B.Jr.
May 2,2000
Eckerson,Glenna(Todd)
Jan 29,1974
Eckland,Paul C.,
Dec 38,1993
Eckles,David Lee,Sr.,
Apr 15,2007
Eckles,Tara Ann,
Aug 3,1982
Ecton,Amy,
May 22,1931
Ecton,Blanche (Moore)
Jan 14,1945
Ecton,Clark Warren,
May 2,1998
Ecton,Ruby (Winkler)
Jan 4,1981
Eddleman,Bernard Dale,
May 16,2005
Edds, Charles
No death date
Edds,lnfant of Charles(
Dec 10,1926
Eddy,Beulah M.(Porter)
Mar 28,1968
Eddy,Elizabeth Diane,
Nov22,1963
Eddy,Leonard,
Sep 25,1957
Miami County Publications—Summer Sale
Journeys of Ursuline Academy & College
New this Year! The history of Ursuline Collage with personal stories, scrapbooks and photos,
Hardback price is $35.00 plus $5.00 P&H
Family Histories and Stories of Miami County, Kansas, 1987 VOL I
CD or DVD now available
Reduced Now only $20.00 plus P&H
Hardback
Family Histories and Stories of Miami County, Kansas, 1998 VOL II
Excess Inventory Sale $10.00 plus P&H
Cemeteries of Miami County, Vol. I (rural south 2/3 of county)
Beagle, Block, Cashman, Daganett, Debrick, Fontana; Frank, Greenvalley, Herman, Highland, Hodges, Indianapolis,
Jingo, Fressenden, Mannen, Miami, County Poor Farm, Mound Creek/Mount Nebo, New Hope, New Lancaster, Rock
ville, Settle, Spring Gtove, Stanton, Whiteford and Wilson-Raymer Hardback (Reprint) $19.50 plus P&H
Cemeteries of Miami County, Vol. II (north 1/3 of county)
Antioch, Ayers, Bucyrus, Old Marysville, Hillsdale (old & new), Louisburg (old & new), Pleasant Valley, Rock Creek,
Scott’s Valley, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Wagstaff, Wea, Holy Rosary, (Lane & Shively in Franklin Co.)
Hardback (Reprint) $19.50 plus P&H
Cemeteries of Miami County, Vol. III
Paola City, Oswatomie City, Holy Trinty, Memorial Gardens and 1990 updates for all cemeteries
Hardback
$25.00 plus P&H
(Glenwild & Sharen in Cass Co.)
Illustrated Historical Atlas of Miami County, 1878, 1901 or 1927
Photocopies of the original Atlas includes many pictures and ownership maps of the county Softback
$15.00 plus P&H
Index of Taxpayers of Miami County, 1878
Lists of land owners or residents $3.00 plus $1.00 for P&H
The Story of Paola, 1857-1950 by McLachlin
Softback Part 1 and Hardback Part 2 with Index to both parts Sold as a set $19.50 plus P&H Softback Part 1 $9.50 Index
only for original book owners $5.00
And So It Began by Bettie Garrison Ore
The Miami County Historical Society 1965-1980 price $5.00 plus P&H
457 old barns in full color 136 pages
Barns of Miami County, Kansas
$39.95 plus P&H
Probate Index of Miami County, Kansas 1858-1941 CD-ROM $15.00 plus P&H
Paola in 2nd. Half of the 20th Century by Ross, $10.00 plus P&H -Great Book! Good Buy!!
Cliff Wright’s , World War II For One, $18.27 plus P&H and Kansas Folklore $21.46 plus P&H
Lest We Forget (List of Oswatomie Alumni) $6.00 plus P&H
WW I Letters Home by Jim Bousman $25.00 plus $5.00 P&H
See The Dragon by Don Arndt, Grandpas Memories of Vietnam $20.00
un
verr line
O
’
s
e
sher ar Tim
i
l
b
Pu 50 Ye
P&H
1
s
u
a
l
l
p
Pao 35.00
$
Paola High School Alumni 1888-1988 $4.00 plus P&H
All of the above prices include sales tax. Please make checks to: Miami Co. Gen / Hist Societies
PO Box 123, Paola, KS 66071-0123
Phone 913-294-4940
e-mail: [email protected]
Web site www.thinkmiamicountyhistory.com
Page 21
The Indian room has been rearranged to serve as a conference/meeting area.
A panel of the Miniature Art display
Member of the Paola Rotary club asssist in the moving
of display cases
A carpenter installing new display panels on the walls
The Museum had over 250 visitors during the Paola Art and Wine Stroll June 25th.