Thursday, May 31, 2012

Byron H. Tillotson

push to enlarge.
Byron H. Tillotson, a leading real estate dealer of Olathe, Kan., is a native of Indiana, born in Elkhart, October 28, 1850. He is a son of  Charles and Eliza Ann (Frink) Tillotson, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ohio, born in Sandusky. The father was left an orphan when a child and was reared to manhood by an uncle who resided in Toledo, Ohio. He learned the tinner's trade in early life and became an expert workman. When a young man he went to Elkhart, Ind., where he was married and in 1852 removed with his family to Henry county, Illinois, locating at Kewanee where he conducted a tin shop. His wife died there in 1855, and in 1859 he came to Shawnee, Kan., with his children, and in i860 located at Olathe. They made the trip by rail from Kewanee to Quincy, Ill., and then down the Mississippi river as far as Hannibal, Mo., by steamboat, and from there to St. Joseph by rail, and then came down the Missouri river by boat to Kansas City.

When they reached Kansas City they stopped at the old Gillis House on the levee. Kansas City at that time was a mere boat landing. The father opened a tin shop on the north side of the square in Olathe where the Olathe Hotel now stands, in a two-story frame building which was blown away by a cyclone in 1866. He then erected a stone building on the same corner, the walls of which are still standing and now a part of the Olathe Hotel. Here he conducted a hardware store and tin shop until 1870 when the business district seemed to center on the south side of the square and he moved into a store which stood on the present site of Collard & Norris' drug store. In 1876 he went to Graham county and took a homestead, and shortly after the town of Melbrook was built on his farm. The county seat was located there. He prospered and was the owner of seven buildings, and just as everything seemed to be progressing satisfactorily the town was visited by a cyclone and completely destroyed and blown away.

However, he remained in that county until his death, in 1901, at the age of seventy-three. Byron H. Tillotson has one sister, Alice F., unmarried, who resides in Chicago.  Mr. Tillotson was educated in the public schools of Illinois and Kansas and attended a private school in Olathe, which was conducted by Prof. W. W. Deverell in the old Masonic building on North Cherry Street.  He learned the tinner's trade with his father at odd times and when nineteen years old went to northern Missouri where he taught school and clerked in a store about a year and a half. He then went to Council Bluffs, Iowa, and worked at his trade there for a time, and later worked at Green River, Wyo. In 1871 he returned to Johnson county and engaged in the hardware and tinning business at Gardner. Four years later he removed to Olathe and engaged in the general mercantile business near the Frisco depot. After being thus engaged for a year he built a store building where the Masonic Temple now stands and conducted a hardware store and tinshop there for ten years. In 1887 ne ell gaged in the real estate and general insurance business, to which he has devoted his time since and has met with success.

Mr. Tillotson was married, December 31, 1874, at Gardner, to Miss Margaret C. Enyart, a native of Center Prairie, Bureau county, Illinois, who came to Kansas with her parents in 1866. To Mr. and Mrs. Tillotson have been born eight children, seven of whom are living, as follows: Mabel C, married Will J. Stewart, Russell, Kan.; Charles C, electrical engineer, Butte, Mont.; Clarence B., real estate dealer, Los Angeles, Cal. ; Frank H., photographer, Wilcox, Ariz. ; Margaret C, teacher, Olathe ; Elroy E., student, and Mary L., student. Air. Tillotson has served two terms as justice of the peace. He is a member of the Court of Honor and has been secretary of his lodge fifteen years. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Tippinville Kansas Now in Denison Kansas.

Tippinville was so named from force of circumstances, Welwood Tippin, a petty merchant, some years ago kept a smal store here.  The inhabitant's of the vicinity thus came to call the place Tippinville.  The name is not generally satisfactory to the inhabitants, and an effort is being made to have it changed to Bloomfield, the name of the post office here in North Cedar.

The town has become quite an important center.  It has three neat churches; the Presbyterian, the Christian and the reformed Presbyterian.  There are two General stores one kept by S. J. Sweet, and the other kept by Patterson & Roberts.  There is also a Millinery store kept by Mrs. Bradley, a wagon shop by Joseph Kevan; a shoe shop, by George Warck; harnes shop, by A. J. Parker; two blacksmith shops, by John Dutt and John Chestnut.  A large Cheese factory has just been completed, it is owned by a stock company, and bids fair to do very large and profitable business.  It is the only factory of the kind in the county.  According to the census of 1880, the town had a population of forty-two, since then it has nearly doubled.

Census of 1880.

The 1880, census has the town spelling as Tippinsville.  Although there were about 42, souls in Tippinville, I will only list the head of the families, and the number in the whole family.

Josiah D, Adams, Physician, 2.
Abros Patterson, Farmer, 4.
Irving W. Roberts, Dry Goods & Groceries, 5.
Charles W. Buffon, Druggist, 4.
John M. Chestnut, Blacksmith, 4.
Samuel W. Patterson, Dry Goods & Groceries, 4.
Robert J. C. Dodds, Physician, 5.
John R. Dutt, Blacksmith, 7.
Samuel Linton, Grocery store, 3.
Andrew Parker, Harness maker, 7.
Total  population 45, plus 3, others.

Denison, one of the thriving towns in Jackson county, is located on the Missouri Pacific R. R. in Cedar township, 10 miles southeast of Holton, the county seat. Among the public improvements is a $2,000 electric light plant and a $5,500 school building. There are several well stocked stores, banking facilities, express and telegraph offices, and a postoffice with one rural route. The population in 1910 was 325. Denison is the successor of the old town of Tippinville, founded in 1858 by Welwood Tippin. This was a thrifty little town having a dozen business establishments, including one of the first cheese factories in Kansas. In 1887 when the railroad came through it missed Tippinville, going a mile south. The little town was picked up and moved bodily to the railroad. Most of the buildings moved at that time are still in existence.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

John W. Berryman.

John W. Berryman.

Birth: Sept. 30, 1839, Leavenworth County, Kansas.
Death: Dec. 8, 1934, Lawton,Comanche County, Oklahoma.

Parents: Jerome C. Berryman (1810 - 1906), Sarah Culbertson Cessna Berryman (1808 - 1846)

Wife: Laura A. Matthews.

Burial: Oak Hill Cemetery, Elk City, Montgomery County, Kansas.

Civil War.

John W. Berryman, age 20, Bvt. Lieutenant Company E., Confederat Infantry, Enlisted June 22, 1861, Memphis Tennessee.  Promoted 2nd., Lieutenant Company B., May 16, 1862.  Sent on recruting service to Trans. Mississippi Dept., November, 1862.  Was in the battles of Shiloh and Corinth.  Enlisted in Company E., then to Company B., then to Company D., were he was promoted to Captain?
He was droped from the rolls October 17, 1864, absence from duty without leave.
Note. On his card it states that Sarah J., was his wife.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Samuel Crosby & Mahitable Spaulding

War of 1812, Pension Application.

Samuel Crosby, was a Sergeant in Captain Martin Barber's Company, New York Militia.  Enlisted August 23, 1812, Discharged October 23, 1812.  He alleges that he was taken prisoner at the battle of Queenstow.  His residence for the years of 1851, 1855, was Ogden County New York.  His residennce for the year of 1871, was Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas.  He was married to Mehitable or Maditable Spaulding on December 24, 1812, in Cayuga County New York.

Kansas.

Samuel Crosby.

Birth: Aug. 21, 1792.
Death: Aug. 21, 1875, Douglas County, Kansas.

Wife: Mahitable Spaulding.
Birth: Jan. 21, 1794.
Death: Jan. 21, 1867, Douglas County, Kansas.

Children: Mary H. Crosby Gunn (1831 - 1918)

Burial: Oak Hill Cemetery,Gunn plot, Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas.

Blue Hill, Kansas.

If you have any stories or more information on Blue Hill, or may have had a ancestor living there, I would like to hear about.
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Blue Hill, an inland postoffice of Mitchell county, is located on Salt creek in Hayes township, 16 miles southwest of Beloit, the county seat, and about 12 miles south of Glen Elder, the nearest shipping point.  The population in 1910 was 15.

Post Office open August 5, 1872, ran to January 1, 1921.

Here is a list of some of the men that lived in Hayes Township, and used Blue Hill as their PO., address.  The year is 1884.

Blue Hill PO. Kansas.

Samuel H. Burger, Farmer.
W. F. Burgess, Farmer.
Charles T. Day, Farmer & Stock Raiser.
Cummings Durham, Carpenter.
J. P. Durham, Farmer.
Max Graban, Farmer.
Peter Gratzenstein, Farmer.
O. G. Harris, Farmer.
Peter Kratzenstein, Farmer.
Jesse Potts, Farmer.
William Ruegsegger, School Teacher.
Christian Wyler, Farmer ?

Hayes Township Map.
1884.

This map not  only shows Bule Hill, but the names of the  land owners.

There were other men living in other Townships that used Blue Hill as their postoffice address or may had a business in Blue Hill. 

Blue Hill Township.

S. O. Officer, Farmer.
W. F. Ramdey, Farmer & Sheep Raiser.
Martin Yandes, Farmer.

Custer Township.

J. F. Anderson, Farmer.
James A. Baird, Farmer.
George A. Baird, Farmer.
William Bruce, Farmer.
William McPeak, Farmer.
A. McPeak, Framer.
C. Remus, Farmer.
R. Sherbondy, Farmer.
August Sinka, Farmer.
G. N. Thomas, Farmer & Stock Raiser

Campus Kansas, Gove County.

There is not much on the town of Campus, so if you have a story about Campus or had a ancestor who lived there and you would like to see it on this gage let me know, I would be more than glad to post it.
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Campus, a village of Grinnell township, Gove county, is a station on the Union Pacific R. R. near the northwest corner of the county, about 20 miles from Gove, the county seat. It has a money order postoffice, telephone connections, general stores, a lumber yard, etc., and in 1910 reported a population of 50.  Campus got its name from being a railroad camp at the end of the tracks or end of the railroad line.  The name tended to changed as the railroad moved west.  The town had two general stores, lumberyard, blacksmith shop, farm implement store, church, school, depot, postoffice, elevator, stockyards and five residences.  The town was plated by Cora A. Doering and filed February 16, 1906.  

Post Office opened July 13, 1905 and ran to October 10, 1935, the first postmaster was Louis H. Doering.

Grinnell Township Map.
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/209437/page/9


Directory of Gove County.

Chris Bertseh, Farmer, Came to county 1905.
Jed Friend, Farmer, Came to county 1905.
William Sidles, Farmer P. O. Campus & Grinnell, Came to county 1885.
John Suter, Farmer, Came to county 1886.
P. C. Wies, Farmer, Came to county 1903.



Thursday, May 24, 2012

Delos or Deloss Miller Sheriff.

Delos or Deloss. MILLER was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., in 1837 or 1838, and lived in his native State eighteen years, and traveled in the Western States three years, and located in Kansas in 1857, at Le Roy, Coffey County, and from 1857 to 1861, engaged in the milling business, and in 1861 enlisted in Company G, Fifth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, and served with that regiment three years and a half. Mr. Miller was promoted from a private to the Second Lieutenancy of his company. At the close of the war he returned to Le Roy, and engaged in milling until 1878, and was elected Sheriff of Coffey County, and served four years. During that time he lived in Burlington, and has since been engaged in the milling business in Le Roy, and is also engaged in farming. Mr. Miller was married in 1866, to Miss P. F. Garner, and have two children -- Maude A. and Nora B. Mr. Miller was County Commissioner for four years, and Mayor of Le Roy. Is a member of the Masonic Order, and Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Deloss or Delos Miller was born in 1838, New York, the 1880 census shows he was 42, years old and sheriff of Coffey county Kan.  His wife was Permelia Francis "Frank" Garner, they were married March 25, 1866.  Census show her as being born in New York, age of 1880, census as 29, years.  They had two known children, Maud Miller, born 1866, Kan., in 1880, age was 14, years.  Norah Miller born 1874, Kan., in 1880, age was 6, years.

Civil War.

Sergeant Miller Deloss, residence Leroy, enlisted Oct. 10, 1861 Oct. 10, 1861. Promoted 1st Sergeant. Promoted 2d Lieutenant November 1, 1863. Mustered out April 6, 1865, Leavenworth, Kan.; prisoner of war, captured near Pine Bluff, Ark., March 9, 1864.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Prospect Kansas, Republic County.

From time to time I like looking at old county maps and try to find little known towns.  Prospect Kansas is one of them.  Prospect is on a county map for 1884, its indicated just as a Post office. Prospet may not have been a town at all but one house were you could get supplies and a over night stay.  There were a lot of people from two townships that used Prcspect as their P. O.  There are two books written about Republic County and neither one has anything on the Post office nor the people that may have lived there.

Prospect Post Office opened January 25, 1878 and ran to January 30, 1888, then was moved to Courtland City on January 30, 1888.  G. W. Harris, was noted as Postmaster for Prospect in 1884.

The following are the names from Courtland Township, who used Prospect as their P.O.  Those who would like to know just were Prosoect was and the people that lived around it can take this link.
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/224009/page/16


Courtland Township.   

C. O. Anderson, Farmer.
Aaron Anderson, Farmer.
A. Anderson, Minster.
F. J. Anderson, Farmer.
G. W. Adkinson, Carpenter.
A. W. Adkinson, Farmer.
T. J. Boggs, Framer.
R. Buckver, Framer.
H. J. Bailey, Farmer.
Frank Brandt, Carpenter.
E. Brandt, Farmer.
August Brandt, Farmer.
G. W. Frees, Farmer.
O. P. Frees, Farmer.
I. W. Fuller, Farmer.
G. W. Harris, Farmer & Postmaster.
James Irwin, Farmer.
W. Jordan, Farmer.
L. W. Jones, Farmer.
H. M. Johnson, Farmer.
J. A. Johnson, Farmer.
E. O. Johnson, Farmer.
O. B. Kackley, Farmer.
T. Larson, Farmer.
J. G. Miller, Faemer.
H. L. Miller, Farmer.
M. H. Miller, Farmer.
David Martin, Farmer.
J. F. Martin, Farmer.
J. F. Null, Farmer.
John H. Null, Farmer.
H. Nicholes, Farmer & Plaster.
E. B. Oliver, Farmer.
Henry Page, Farmer.
James Page, Farmer.
J. A. Rhoades, Farmer.
W. J. Reve, Blacksmith & Wagon Shop.
J. M. Stafford, Farmer.
Sol. Stafford, Farmer.
N. Stafford, Farmer.
A. Stafford, Farmer.
Ed. Stafford, Farmer.
Elmer Stafford, Farmer.
David Stahlman, Farmer.
H. Squire, Farmer.
C. Taylor, Farmer.
Ed. Totten, Farmer.
Tim Totten, Farmer.
William J. Totten, Farmer.
L. S. Walker, Farmer.
Fred J. Wilkins, Farmer.
John Walter, Farmer.
James Wilkins, Farmer.
Samuel Walter, Farmer.
C. M. Zickefoose, Teacher & School.

Beaver Township Map.
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/224009/page/21

Beaver Township.

John Berg, Farmer.
L. E. Bronson, Renter.
D. Barricklow, Farmer.
C. Barricklow, Farmer.
Henry Bollen, Stone Mason.
E. Bollen, Farmer.
E. M. Etter, Farmer.
K. Erickson, Farmer & Stock Raiser.
Aug. Freeman, Farmer & Renter.
J. Gardner, Farmer & Stone Mason.
G. Gabrielson, Farmer.
Mark Huselby, Farmer.
H. Hokanson, Renter & Farmer.
L. Hall, Farmer.
A. E. Hall, Farmer.
Frank Hanson, Farmer.
Nils Johnson, Farmer.
C. A. Johnson, Farmer.
A. Johnson, Farmer.
F. A. Johnson, Farmer.
Andrew Johnson, Farmer.
P. G. Johnson, Farmer.
William Lawrence, Farmer & Stock Raiser.
Nels Morson, Farmer.
Magnus Morson, Farmer.
M. C. Norman, Farmer & Renter.
O. Olun, Farmer, Stone Mason & Carpenter.
P. Peterson, Farmer.
J. Rambo, Farmer.
Gustav Ralf, Farmer.
John Ralf, Farmer.
Charles Ralf, Farmer.
John Rouse, Farmer.
John Swan, Farmer.
Peter Swan, Farmer.
S. W. Smith, Farmer.
Clayton Stoufter, Farmer.
D. Somer, Farmer.
H. S. Willis, Farmer.

Authors Note.  I stated at the start that there was no town, just a post office but after looking at all these names and some of the occupations there must have been some kind of town.  There are just to many people going to a house to drop off their mail.

I would like to say something about the maps.  The section map of Republic County, shows Prospect on it, however the township map does not, for some reason.  So here is the link to that part of the section map that shows Prospect, so you will get a better idea were it is on the township map.





Monday, May 21, 2012

Bitter Creek & Boon Kansas.

I found these two towns while I was searching Summer County Kansas.  I was unable to find any information on the towns, it seems no one has any information on them, even Summer county History has noting that I could find.  I was however able to find some names of men who lived near the towns and once again I could very little on them.  I know there will be people looking into these lines, so any little information I can give will be a help to them.

I have posted the links to the towns, these maps will not only show the town but the owners of the land around the town.  These maps will be interesting to those looking for something on these town.  If any one has information on any of the surnames or the towns I would like to hear about them, I will be glad to post the information.
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Bitter Creek was Bittercreek.

Post Office open September 30, 1879, closed April 30, 1892.  Changed name to Bittercreek, opened May 14, 1892, closed September 28, 1894.  Post Master John Dean, 1883.

Charles E. Beach, Farmer and Stock Raiser, from Illinois, came to county in 1875.

J. D. Kunkle, Farmer and Stock Raiser, from New Jersey, came to county 1876.

John Dean, , Farmer and Stock Raiser, Post Master, from Ohio, came to county 1872.

George Metcalf, , Farmer and Stock Raiser, from New York, came to county 1877.

Boon.

Post Office opened January 1, 1879 closed March 4. 1887, moved to Hukle, Kansas.
W. H. Roberts, , Farmer and Stock Raiser, from Ohio, came to county 1872.

E. R. Sadler, , Farmer and Stock Raiser, from Kentucky, came to county 1871.

J. W. Groves, , Farmer and Stock Raiser, from Ohioo, came to county 1870.

R. J. Hukle, , Farmer and Stock Raiser, from Kentucky, came to county 1871.

Summer County Maps, 1883.

Bitter Creek Kansas.
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/224019/page/22

Boon Kansas.
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/224019/page/31

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Killings And Other Crimes Of Labette County Kansas.

On August 6, 1868, Charles Van Alstine killed J. C. Wheeler, near a saloon in Oswego, in which they had been drinking. Van Alstine was tried and convicted of murder, and sent to the penitentiary. This was the first murder trial in the county.

In the latter part of 1868 a half-breed Indian was intoxicated and making a disturbance on the streets of Chetopa. He was arrested by an officer, who asked him where he got his whisky; he told the officer if he would go with him he would show him. He went to a shanty on the outskirts of town, opened a door, and stooping down to his saddle-bags took there from a revolver, saying, "That is where I got my whisky," and fired, the ball striking the officer on the forehead, but glancing instead of penetrating the skull. The Indian was again arrested, and taken before the justice. A some what rough character called Bob Broadus told him he would be killed, and, if he had an opportunity, to run. The Indian soon started off, and was at once fired upon by a number of parties and killed.

In 1870 John D. Coulter was postmaster at Oswego, and also agent of all the express companies that did business at that place. In the latter part of November of that year, without giving notice of his intention so to do, he left town, and was never seen here thereafter.  He proved to be a defaulter to the Government and also the express companies in the sum of several hundred dollars.

Anthony Amend and John Pierce, living in Neosho township, had a difficulty over a child.  Pierce shot and killed Amend, and then attempted to hide in the woods and tall grass.  The grass was set on fire, and to escape, Pierce jumped into the Neosha and swam across. He was caught and taken to Jacksonville, where a vigilance committee hung him.  This hanging took place in Neosho county.
Several parties were arrested as being connected with it, but no one was ever convicted.

On October 3, 1874, on the fair grounds at Oswego, John Bagby stabbed William Hogsett and Charles H. Westfall, both of whom were special police. Hogsett soon died, while Westfall, after a protracted confinement, recovered. Bagby was sent to the penitentiary.

On November 2, 1870, Erastus E. and Liston P. Hopkins killed their brother-in-law, John M. May, by beating and wounding him with poles and clubs. In June, 1871, they were tried for this offense. The State was represented by Judge D. P. Lowe, M. V. Voss, and Jesse C. Harper, together with the county
attorney. The defense was principally conducted by M. V. B. Bennett and J. D. Gamble. The defendants were convicted of murder in the second degree, after a protracted trial. A notable incident of this trial was in reference to the court driving a witness named Chas. H. Butts from the witness stand during the giving of his testimony. It appears by the testimony of Butts that he was a dtective, and had been placed in the jail with the Hopkins brothers under the pretense of being guilty of some kind of a crime, for the real purpose of getting admissions from them to be of use on the trial. On these facts appearing, the presiding judge said that such a person was unworthy of credit, and should not be allowed to give testimony in his court ; he was directed to leave the stand, which he did.

On February 24, 1871, John Clark was killed at Chetopa by Frank Huber. Huber was tried, and convicted of murder in the first degree, and sentenced to be hung on September 1st; on August 31st a respite was granted until September 30th. Huber had been taken to Fort Scott after his trial for more safe confinement until the time of his execution. The last of August he was brought from Fort Scott to Oswego, where a gallows had been erected in front of the old jail, and where on the morrow he was to be hung. After the respite arrived, and before the time of his execution, as then fixed, the Supreme Court granted him a new trial because of a defect in the form of the verdict. Preferring not to undergo the excitement of another trial, Huber succeeded in removing some of the stones and other rubbish that separated him from the outside world, and on the night of November 23, 1871, made his escape from the county jail, since which time he has' never been heard of at this place.  His case was the nearest we have ever been to having a legal execution in this county.

On May 27, 1875, R. B. Myers absconded. It appeared from e:iamination made that for months he had been embezzling from the Adams Express Company, for whom he was agent. A statement was made by the general manager to the effect that as far back as December previous he had been detected in defalcation. In the fall of 1879 he was brought back from the west, where he was found, on requisition, and on examination was bound over to court. In proceedings pending the trial, it was developed that the company was defectively organized, its charter being imperfect; and there being no law punishing embezzlement by an agent of a joint-stock company, Myers was permitted to go at liberty.

On April 1, 1878, while Milton Engler and Samuel Clevinger were going to their homes in Cherokee county from Chetopa in a state of intoxication, they got into a quarrel ; the former stabbed the latter with a knife, from the effects of which he soon died.

On Sunday morning, August 25, 1878 R. H. Clift, who was marshal of Chetopa, was shot and killed near town by John Richmond, a horse thief whom he was attempting to arrest Richmond had passed through town a few days before with a stolen mule in his possession and was now returning to Missouri. Word having come that he was guilty of stealing the mule, parties in town who had seen him pass through informed the marshal of the circumstances, and he immediately started in pursuit. He soon overtijok Richmond and rdered him to  stop, telling him that he was under arrest. Richmond repHed that he would return with him, but at once drew a revolver and shot Clift through the neck; he died that night.

On the Wednesday following the Sunday on which Clift was shot, Richmond, having readied his home in Missouri near the village of White Hall, in Laurence county, was there arrested for stealing the mule at a camp meeting. The next morning, August 29th, he was being taken to Mount Vernon, when Bently came up and informed the officers that Richmond was guilty of ttie murder of Clift. This was the first that the shooting of Clift was known at the home of Richmond. Richmond was taken to Mount Vernon, where he was held until Bently could get a requisition, and as soon as the same could be obtained Bently and United States Deputy Marshal Graham secured his delivery to them, and at once started with him for this county. Instead of taking the train at Carthage to Oswego, they decided to go the route through the Indian Territory, transferring to the M., K. & T. Ry. at Vinita.

They arrived at Chetopa on the midnight train Thursday night, September 5th. Masked men appeared in the train as soon as it stopped at Chetopa, and compelled the officers to take Richmond out; they took him out and preceded to get into a bus. The mob surrounded the bus and train, took Richmond
from the officers, marched him a mile southwest of town, and strung him up to an old bridge, where he was left hanging until the next afternoon. The cold blooded murder of Richmond was without excuse. His crime was a terrible one, but there would have been no difficulty in convicting and punishing him for it.  No one except the participants know who were the criminals engaged in the second murder,and no effort was made to apprehend or punish them.

One of the most brutal murders ever committed took place in Canada township, about the last of October, 1878. Theodore Munsterman and William Hunt some time previous thereto had had difficulty over the entry of a claim. On the day of the murder Hunt and his wife had been to Oswego, and during their absence Munsterman had been seen around the premises. On their way home from Oswego, Hunt overtook Munsterman going in the direction of their home. He got in and rode with them. It was late in the evening when they arrived home. Hunt and Munsterman talked over their previous difficulty, and agreed to bury all differences. Munsterman was making his home with his sister several miles away, and it was suggested that he stay all night with Hunt.

They had but one bed and they made a pallet for him upon the floor in the same room in which they slept. During the night Mrs. Hunt awoke and found Munsterman at their bedside bending over her; she asked him what he wanted ; he said he wanted to kiss her. Later in the night Munsterman got up and shot both Mr. and Mrs. Hunt in the head. Hunt was evidently killed at once.  Probably Mrs. Hunt made some move, and to finish the job Munsterman took a hatchet and broke in her skull. He left them both in bed where they had slept, went out, locked the door, and took Hunt's team and moved off. He was seen the next day with the team, which he said he had borrowed and was going to the Territory for coal.

It turned out that he took the team and hitched it in a ravine, and himself went to Chetopa. That evening one of the neighbor boys went to the house, but could not get in. He heard a groaning inside, and went and told his inother. Several of the neighbors were aroused and came to the house and broke open the door. They found Hunt dead, and Mrs. Hunt unable to speak and nearly dead.  Munsterman was found, and at once arrested on suspicion that he had committed the murder. His account of having the team and of his whereabouts was entirely unsatisfactory, and he was placed in the county jail. By the time of the next term of court, when the case came up on trial, Mrs. Hunt had so far recovered as to be able to talk. She came upon the witness stand and identified Munsterman as the murderer, giving the story of the transaction substantially as here recorded. Munsterman was convicted of murder in the first degree. He died in the penitentiary, November 25, 1888.

On November 3, 1879, an obstruction in the shape of a hand-car, with old irons and other material, was placed on the Frisco Ry. near Big Hill station. A detective was employed to ascertain the guilty parties, and there after Albert C. Tolliver was arrested for the offense. Tolliver made confession and implicated James Henry Barnes, Sr., and his son in the crime. The old man Barnes was not found, but the younger Barnes was tried, and, by what is believed to be the most successfully planned and carried out conspiracy for perjury ever attempted in this court, participated in by a large number of his friends and neighbors, was accquitted.

On December 2, 1879, Ouincy Harris was arrested for operating an illicit distillery on Hackberry Creek, and John and Josiah Johnson for assisting by furnishing corn. Harris was taken in charge by the U. S. marshal.

On July 10, 1880, Daniel Tucker killed a colored man named William Dudley, near Mound Valley. Tucker had been lying around Chetopa for several days, and hired Dudley to take him to Neodesha with his team, on the pretense that he desired to bring back a load of goods. On Sunday, July 11th, parties passing west of Mound Valley saw where some one had encamped the night before, and noticed clots of blood and other evidences of a hard struggle. Physicians were called, and after examination pronounced the bloud and brains found to be those of a human being. That evening some one found the body of a colored man in a ravine some three miles away, and parties immediately started out to find the murderer, They soon found a wagon with a man and woman in it and the team was identified as the one which had encamped the night before where the body was found. . The man was arrested and proved to be Tucker, the murderer of the colored man, William Dudley. He was convicted of murder in the first degree.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Joseph H. O'Neill.

JOSEPH H. O'NEILL, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Howard, was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1840. In 1858, at the age of eighteen, he came to Kansas, locating in Topeka. In 1861, he enlisted in the Second Kansas Infantry six months; he then enlisted in Second Cavalry, serving three years; was scouting on the frontier the most of the time. In 1867, he came to Howard County and took a claim on the Elk River. There were but two other claims in the township at that time. The survey was not made and the treaty with the Indians was not completed. He was forty-five miles from a post office and twenty-three miles from a mill or blacksmith shop. There were a great many Indians, and several times he was obliged to watch his property with a gun and a large dog. He has 200 acres in Section 11 and 120 on Section 14, Township 30, Range 10; 120 acres under the plow and all fenced but forty acres; has sixty acres of timber, plenty of fruit, 150 apple, 300 peach and a variety of small fruits, good house and a fine stone quarry on his place. He has also a good coal mine which eventually will be a big thing, as he is only half a mile from Howard. He has done well since coming here. He was married in 1866, in Topeka, Kansas, to Miss Wendel. They have four children - Annie L., Alvin B., Della and Harvey. He is a member of the E. M. Stanton Post, No. 23, G. A. R.

Civil War Cards.

Kansas Second Infantry, Company A.

Private:  O'Niell Joseph H., residence Topeka, Enlisted May 14, 1861, Mustered in June 20, 1861, Mustered out with regiment Oct. 31, 1861.

Kansas Second Cavalry Company A.

Private: O'Neill Joseph H. Residence Topeka, Enlisted April 29, 1861, Mustered in Aug. 13, 1861 Promoted Corporal, May 26, 1862.

Corporal: O'Neill Joseph H. Promoted Sergeant October 1, 1862.

Sergeant: O'Neill Joseph H. Assigned to new Co. D, March 18, 1865.

New Company D.

Sergeant: O'Neill Joseph H. Mustered out April 30, 1865, Little Rock, Ark

Friday, May 18, 2012

Frederick D. Morse.M

FREDERICK D. MORSE, M. D., physician and surgeon, was born in East Medway, Mass., December 25, 1838. His academical studies were pursued at Monson Academy, Massachusetts. He then entered Amherst College, graduating in 1862 with the degree of A. B. After leaving college, he enlisted, in 1862, in Company B, Forty-second Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and served one year, having enlisted for nine months. He was in the Banks expedition in Louisiana and participated in the battle of Brashear City, where he was captured two weeks later and paroled. He entered upon his professional studies in 1864 at Chicago in the office of Dr. C. M. Fitch, and graduated in Rush Medical College, in 1867. Commenced practice in Chicago, and about eighteen months later, removed to Kansas, settled in Lawrence and immediately began the practice of his profession in partnership with Dr. A. M. Wilder. This continued about five years. Since that time, Dr. Morse has been alone, having at this time a very large practice. He was married in Monson, Mass., October 19, 1869, to Miss Addie H., a daughter of Dr. Alvin Smith. Dr. Morse holds a high position in the medical fraternity of Kansas. He has been Secretary of the State Society a number of years. He is High Priest in Royal Arch Masonry and a member of the Congregational Church. Has been connected with the City School Board several terms.

Civil War Card.

Frederick D. Morse, Enlisted September 3, 1862, Mustered in September 13, 1862, Sergeant, Residence Medway, Age 23, Student.  Mustered out August 20, 1863.  Prisoner of war.  captured at Brashear City, La., June 23, 1863, paroled June 27, 1863.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

William J. Mahan.

WILLIAM J. MAHAN, contractor and builder, was born in Pleasant Hill, McLean Co., Illinois, in 1812. At the breaking-out of the war he enlisted his services in Company K, Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and soon after was instituted in the commissary of the Quartermaster's department with which he was connected till 1864, his term of enlistment; he then re-enlisted and veteraned in the Thirteenth Indiana, Company G, and remained in it till the end of the war, in the comissariat, when he was honorably discharged. After the war, he engaged at his present business in Bloomington, Ill., and followed it there till 1869, when, after spending several years in connection with his present business in Missouri and Texas, he located in Kansas and has been connected with it in the State almost continuously since. In 1877, he was married in Joplin, Mo., to Miss Martha A. Miller, of De Witt, Illinois. They have one little girl living, Eula May. Mr. Mahon is an active member of the K. of P. society. Since coming to the State, he has left important relics of his handicraft principally in Abilene, Kan., and in the mining and smelting institutions of Galena and Empire City.

Civil War Cards.

William J. Mahan, Private, Company K., 8th., Illinois, Infantry, Residence McLean, County Illnois, Age 19, Height 5 feet and 5 and a half inches, Hair Brown, Eyes Hazel, Complexion Light, Nativity Pleasant Hill, McLean, County, Illinois, Joined August 1, 1861, for 3 years. Discharged term of service expired.

William J. Mahan.
Age: 21.
Date Enrolled: 1864/10/01.
Where Enrolled: Indianapolis, Indiana.
Regiment: Indiana 13th., Infantry.
Company: G.
Discharge Date: 1865/09/05.
Notes: Reorg. Promoted to Sgt., February 8, 1865. Substitute.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Jonathan Millikan

Push to enlarge.

Jonathan Millikan, Olathe, Kan. A work of this character, devoted to the lives and deeds of those who led the vanguard of civilization and paved the way for the subsequent developments, not only of Johnson county but of the great West, can find no more fitting subject within the borders of Johnson county than Jonathan Millikan. He is the dean of the community, the grand old man of Johnson county, and his experiences as an early-day plainsman are equal to many whose careers have been sung by the bards and told and retold in history. Mr. Millikan came to Johnson county in 1857 and is the oldest settler of Olathe living in that place today. He is a native of Indiana, born in Monroe county, January 7, 1827, and a son of Jonathan and Sybetha (Lowder) Millikan, natives of North Carolina, of Scotch-Irish ancestry. The father came to Indiana from North Carolina at a very early day and settled in Park county and there chopped a home out of the wilderness, and spent his remaining days in that county where his wife also died. Jonathan Millikan is the only survivor of a family of ten children, eght boys and two girls. He remained with his parents in Indiana until he was twenty-one years old, and in 1848 went from Indiana to Fort Des Moines, Iowa, making the trip with a saddle horse, alone.




This was a distance of over 400 miles, across the plains of Illinois and Iowa which at that time were sparsely settled, and Mr. Millikan encountered no trouble with the exception that houses, or settlers, were so few and far between that he found difficulty in finding places to stay over night, and on some occasions had to sleep on the prairie. After remaining in Iowa about three months, he returned to Idiana on foot, and in a short time walked back to Fort Des Moines. On these long trips through the unsettled and wild country, Mr. Millikan never carried arms of any kind. From Fort Des Moines, he went to Burlington, Iowa, making that trip on foot and after remaining there about six weeks, he crossed the ice on the Mississippi river, which was a hazardous undertaking, at the time, and walked back to Indiana, again, and remained there over winter. His next expedition was a trip to New Orleans, as an employe on a flatboat. This was in the early fifties and after making the New Orleans trip, he returned to his Indiana home and after spending some little time went to Iowa again, but this time he drove a team and wagon.

He went to Warren county where a brother of his resided, and followed teaming for two winters and in the spring of 1857 he and two other men, Messrs. Wood and Grebb, started to Kansas with a team and wagon. On their way here they heard all kinds of rumors about Indians and border war and all the terrible things imaginable about Kansas, but the worse the stories were the more their curiosity was aroused, and they wanted to see Kansas at all hazards, and when Mr. Millikan reached Olathe, in May, 1857, or rather where Olathe now is, there were perhaps twelve or fifteen men here and one woman, a young' lady who came from the East with her brother and who later became the wife of Mr. Millikan. This was Miss Emily L. Whittier, a native of Manchester, N. H., and a daughter of Ebenezer Whittier and Emily L. Nutt, both natives of New Hampshire and of old New England stock. Emily Whittier traced her ancestry back to English royalty and she was a fifth cousin of Queen Victoria, and she was also a second cousin to John G. Whittier, the great American poet.

Her brother, who came to Kansas with Mrs. Millikan before her marriage, now resides at Decatur, Neb. His name is Jackson B. Whittier.  To Mr. and Mrs. Millikan were born four children, as follows : Minnie E., born in Olathe and is now the wife of Isaac Lyons and resides at Olathe; Mardie B. resides with her father; Ella married A. A. Troy, Prairie Grove, Ark., and O. W. resides in Pittsburgh, Pa. The wife and mother passed away July 22, 1914. She was an unusual woman and possessed a great deal of literary ability, but for several years before her death, was not strong physically. She took a great deal of interest in old settlers and old settlers' affairs and wrote considerable of the early times in Kansas. One of her articles along that line appears elsewhere  in this volume. Mr. Millikan built the first frame residence in Olathe in 1857, and this house is now standing and is occupied and has been kept in a very good state of preservation. It does not differ in appearance from the average residence. It is located at 109 West Poplar Street. 
Push to enlarge.

When Mr. Millikan came here the old Santa Fe Trail, or "The Road," as he calls it, was in full operation and the trail passed through his claim, which was located a half mile east of town where he still lives. He relates many interesting incidents concerning travel on the old Santa Fe Trail in the fifties. He has seen hundreds of Mexican ox drivers, frequently with trains of fifty wagons and from ten to twenty yoke of oxen to each wagon, trudging along through the dust of each other's wagons following the trail across the plains. Mr. Millikan says that the cruelties of these Mexican ox drivers to the oxen baffles description. He says the drivers were much inferior to the oxen. He has frequently seen them bareheaded, barefooted, with no clothing except a shirt, and he says "that their hair would be so full of dirt that you could grow cabbage on top of their heads." Since coming to Kansas Mr. Millikan has followed farming and stockraising, and has been uniformly successful, and is one of the well-to-do men of the country.

He retired in 1913, and since that time has rented his land and devoted himself to looking: after his various interests. His Millikan is a Democrat and was the first assessor elected, of Olathe township, receiving his commission from Territorial Governor J. W. Denver, to 1857, and Mr. Millikan still has in his possession the old time-worn and stained commission. He held the office of justice of the peace for twelve years, but is not much of a "court to hear and determine causes." He induces most of the litigants to settle outside of his court and go on about their business, and then they don't bother each other or the court.

He and ex-speaker Joe Canon were brought up together and were friends in their boyhood days, but they hadn't met in years until the spring of 1915 when they met at Kansas City, Mo. Mr. Mjillikan was one of the organizers of the crange, and was the first master of the Olathe lodge, and is perhaps, the oldest Mason in Johnson county. He loves to travel and makes frequent trips to various places throughout the country. He has been to the Pacific coast and in 1906 went to the Sandwich Islands, 2,180 miles from San Francisco. He visited the Maunaloa volcano on the Sandwich Islands. The volcano was not in action and he was inside the crater and made many interesting observations. He tells many interesting instances of his travels. He loves nature and likes to visit remote places that have never been desecrated by man.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Oly F. Johnson.

Oly F. JOHNSON, Sheriff, was born in Norway. Came to America in 1850, and located in Wisconsin. Removed to Minnesota. Enlisted in the Union army, October 4, 1861, in Company K, Forty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; discharged February 14, 1866, when he returned to Freeport, Ill. Came to Jewell County, Kan., in 1870, and took a homestead in Vicksburg Township. Held office of Justice of the Peace in said township, being the first Justice of the Peace elected in the same; also held the office of Trustee for two terms. Was elected Sheriff of Jewell County in 1881, and now holds this office. Is a member of the K. of P. Mr. Johnson took out the first marriage license in Jewell County after its organization; was married in Vicksburg Township on the 17th day of June, 1871, to Miss Elizabeth Zimmer. They have one child - Harry A., born October 12, 1879.

Civil War.

Oly F. Johnson enlisted at Caledonia, Minn., Oct. 4, .1861 In Sept., 1861, Capt. Johnson, in company with about twenty others, left Minnesota and reported to St. Louis, expecting to join the 16th., Mo. There not being enough men to complete 16th. Mo., these men were sent to Springfield, Ill., under Beverly Whitney, of the 15th III. They were assigned to company K, 46th Ill. O. F. Johnson was appointed Sergeant of the Company. Promoted to 2nd Lieut., Oct. 11. 1862, and to Captain, Dec. 28, 1864. He participated in all the battles and marches with the regiment.  On his return from the army he located in Stephenson county, Ill., and was engaged in different pursuits for a number of years. In an early day he, with others of his comrades, went to Kansas and located at Jewell City, Jewell county, where he and wife entered on a homestead. Some time after he was elected SherifT of the county and served acceptably for a term of years. He died at Jewell City about 1886.

Capt. Johnson was of Norwegian nationality and about 25 years old at the time of enlistment. He was brave and courageous, a man of many good qualities, loved and respected by his comrades and had the full confidence of his superior officers.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

WILLIAM B. CATON.

WILLIAM B. CATON, proprietor of the Cowley County Marble Works, was born in Ohio in 1849. Removed with his parents to Missouri in 1858. In 1861, his father enlisted in the army, and the subject of this sketch, who was then but thirteen years old, enlisted in the Missouri State Militia, and in 1862 enlisted as bugler in Company E, in the Merrill Horse, where he served for three years in the regular army. Was in the engagements of his command. Was mustered out in October, 1865. He then learned the marble trade, and has followed that business. He came to Kansas in 1880, located at Winfield and established the Cowley County Marble Works, located on Ninth avenue. Owns the building where he carries on the business. His business has increased about 500 per cent since its establishment. Has the largest business in his line in the county.

Was married, in 1869, to Miss Julia Blankemeister, who has borne him three children, two of whom survive - Harry and Lottie. Mrs. Caton is a daughter of J. P. and L. W. Blankemeister, natives of Germany, of French descent. She was educated in the female college at Boonville, Mo.; graduated in 1868. She has been engaged in teaching for five years, and for ten years has been teacher of music; for two years taught German in the college where she graduated, and for three years in the public schools of Winfield. Mr. Caton is a member of the A. 0. U. W., the Select Knights, and of the Winfield Post of the G. A. R.

Service Card.

William B. Caton, Age 17, Private, Company E., Second Missouri Cavalry, ( Merrill's Horses ), Enlisted October 1, 1862, at Stureon Missouri, Mustered in Same, Mustered out September 19, 1865, Nashville Tennessee.

Note.  To learn more about W. B. Caton, read the book called ( History of Cowley County, Kansas ) by D. A. Millington, Pub. 1901.  This book can be found on line.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Peter A. Becker.

Peter A. BECKER, farmer and stockdealer, Section 18, P. O. Newton, owns eighty acres, all in cultivation, partially enclosed with wire fence, with good two-story frame dwelling, 16X30 with L 16X24, containing seven rooms, with good corrals, stock sheds, corn cribs, and wind-mill and pump and all conveniences for successful stock handling; also has small orchard. Has at this time seventy-eight head of three-year-old steers feeding for market and 100 hogs. Mr. B. was born in the State of New York, December 25, 1842, where he resided until 1861, when he enlisted in Company A, Fourteenth Regiment New York Infantry Volunteers, and served with his command in the army of the Potomac. The first engagement he participated in was while he was on detached service at General Heintzman's headquarters and was at the battle of Williamsport. Subsequently he was with his command at Gaines' Hill, Gaines' Mills, White Park Swamp, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburg, where he was severely wounded, and after recovering was transferred to Company E, Nineteenth regiment, Veteran reserve Corps, and was mustered out October 9, 1864, and was returned to his home, and remained there until 1867, when he came to Kansas and was employed by the Government as a scout until 1869, when he located in Butler county, and in March, 1872, located on his present farm. Was married November 4, 1869 to Miss Cora Chapman, a native of Ohio. they have five children -- John C., Albert E., Frederick A., Lewis V. and Edna V. Mr. B. is a Mason, being a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery, and is at the present time Justice of the Peace for Newton Township.

Service Card.

BECKER, PETER A., Age, 18 years. Enlisted, October 10, 1861, at Utica; mustered in as private, Co. A, same date, to serve three years; transferred to Co. E, Veteran Reserve Corps, date not stated, from which mustered out as corporal, October 12, 1864.

John S. Hanway

I was hoping to find out more about Mr. Hanway, maybe one of you readers can help to fill in the blanks.
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Johns. Hanway, Sergeant, Third Kansas Volunteer Infantry, Company A., Residence Mount Gilead, Anderson County, Kansas.  Enlisted July 24, 1861, Mustered in same. Enlisted as a Private, Promoted to Sergeant, July 24, 1861.  Transferred to Company C., Tenth Kansas Volunteer Infantry, date of consolidation.  Company C., Promoted to First Lieutenant, Company E., Indian Home Guars, also known as the ( Pin Regiment ), July 11, 1862.

John S. Hanway, married Martha H. Mitchel, September 30, 1866, Anderson County, Kansas.
John s.. Hanway died on January 1, 1908, place unknown.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

John S. Hanway & Mount Gilead Kansas.

I was hoping to find out more about Mr. Hanway, maybe one of you readers can help to fill in the blanks.
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Johns. Hanway, Sergeant, Third Kansas Volunteer Infantry, Company A., Residence Mount Gilead, Anderson County, Kansas.  Enlisted July 24, 1861, Mustered in same. Enlisted as a Private, Promoted to Sergeant, July 24, 1861.  Transferred to Company C., Tenth Kansas Volunteer Infantry, date of consolidation.  Company C., Promoted to First Lieutenant, Company E., Indian Home Guars, also known as the ( Pin Regiment ), July 11, 1862.

John S. Hanway, married Martha H. Mitchel, September 30, 1866, Anderson County, Kansas.
John s.. Hanway died on January 1, 1908, place unknown.

I wanted To find out a little about the town he was from.  At first I was unable too then I found the reason way.  Mount Gilead was first called ( Pottowatiomie), it was a half mile west of Greeley.  The town soon started to grow and soon succeeded in getting the postoffice and most of the business removed from Greeley.  But time proved that the new town was not well located for a prosperous city, on account of the great depth to water, so the town was abandoned.  The old town was inclosed in connection with several other adjacent tracts, by General Blunt, and is now one of the finest farms in the county.

Mount Gilead PostOffices.
From Anderson County History.

In the spring of 1857, a postoffice was established at Greeley and named Walker, and was the first postoffice in the county.  Jacob Benjamin was its first postmaster.  In1858, the postoffice was moved to Mount Gilead, one mile west of Greelet, George S. Holt, was its postmaster.

Mount Gilead PostOffices.
From the Kansas Historical Society.

The postoffice was firt in Walker Kansas, open May 14, 1875 to May 20, 1861, name was changed to Mount Gilead it open May 20, 1861 to April 23, 1866, when it was moved to Greeley Kansas.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

William "Bill" Anderson

William Anderson usually referred to as "Bill" Anderson, was one of the most daring, brutal and bloodthirsty of those guerrilla captains who harassed Kansas during the early tears of the civil war.  He was born in Missouri but during his boyhood, and in fact up to the breaking out of the war in 1861, he lived with his father on the old Santa Fe trail at the crossing of Bluff creek.  Shortly after the war began, Bill Anderson and his brother James, Lee Griffin and the rice boys, all living in the same neigborhood, announced their intention of taking sides with the south.  Early in June, 1862, Lee Griffin stol a horse and started for Missouri, but he was over taken and brought before a justice of the peace named Baker at Agnes City, at the crossing of Rock creek in the north western part of Lyon County, where he was bound over for trail in a higher court.

This so incensed Bill Anderson father that he loaded his shot gun and started for Baker's residence to avenge the insult.  But Baaker, who been warned, was on the look-out and fired first, killing Anderson.  The tragic death of his father may have made Bill Anderson worse than he would otherwise have been, for he immediately commenced leading raids into Kansas, along the old Santa Fe trail, going as far into the state as Council Grove.

His three sisters Josephine, Mary and Jennie, returned to Missouri, where they were afterward arrested by order General Ewing, and by the fall of the buildind in which they were imprisoned one was killed.  This added gall and wormwood to Anderson, already embittered disposition, and from that time until his death he was more brutal then before.  It is said That his gang did more killing, at Lawrence than any other portion of Quantrill's command.  After the massacre at Baxter Springs he wanted to attack the fort but Quantrill would not consent.  Anderson was killed while on one of his raids, October 27, 1864, and after his death the scalps of two women were found on the headstall of his bridle.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Philander William Straw.

A while back I was ask to look into Philander William Straw.  They were wanting to know just when and how he was taken prisoner and what prison he was sent too.  I was lucky enough to find out, but was unable to tell them any family information on him.  Maybe one my readers can fill in the blanks?  Even though there's no family information I think you well find his service information interesting.
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Second Kansas Cavalry.

Company E.

Private Straw Philander W. Residence Brownsville, Nb., Enlisted Nov, 30, 1861, Mustered in Nov. 30, 1861. Transferred to Co. G, January 7, 1862.

Company G.

Private: Promoted 1st Sergeant, Jan. 7, 1862.
First Sergeant: Promoted 2d Lieutenant May 23, 1864.
Second Lieutenant, Mustered in May 23, 1864. Assigned to duty as 2d Lieut. in new Co. D, March 18, 1865; prisoner of war, captured near Fort Gibson, C. N., Sept. 16, 1864.

New Company D.

Second Lieutenant: Mustered out June 14, 1865, Leavenworth, Kan.

The following is a report that tells how he and his men were captured. From this report it was hard to tell if he made his escape. I then looked into the company field notes, and found that Philander W. Straw, with 18, others made their escape. There are no reports on just how they made their escape, just that they made it.

HDQRS. COMPANY E, FIFTEENTH KANSAS VOL. CAVALRY,
Osage Catholic Mission, Kans., September 25, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to forward the following details in relation to the late raid:

On Tuesday, 20th instant, 2 a. m., messenger arrived from Cabin Creek, reporting train captured. By 8 o'clock Tuesday stragglers began to arrive, confirming first report. Officers who had arrived earnestly requested me to send subsistence and transportation forward for the relief of the wounded. I dispatched Lieutenant Smith with a detachment and a wagon with rations. During Tuesday p. m. they continued to arrive in large numbers, and were positive that scores on the road would be overtaken and murdered if not assisted. Wednesday morning I placed Lieutenant Brooks, of the Sixth Kansas, in command of all stragglers at this post, and at the earnest solicitation of all officers present started for the scene of disaster with my company, a detachment of the third Wisconsin, and some Osage braves, who had volunteered as scouts and guides, taking two wagons with rations and forage. Scores were met on Wednesday. Wednesday night encamped on the Neosho, six miles above mouth of La Bette. At 2 a. m. Thursday messenger arrived with order to return. By 3.30 a. m.was on the road to Mission. main body with teams arrived in camp at 11 a. m. bringing in over twenty sufferers.

I have succeeded in saving, besides the lives of those early famished, several thousand dollars' worth of Government property. I got five mules yesterday brought in by Osages, whom I promised coffee and sugar for all property brought in. Two men from Companies C and G, Second Kansas, came in yesterday from the Arkansas River. They were taken prisoners at Flat Rock, brought by the rebels within for miles of the battle-field at Cabin Creek, and taken south after the capture of the train and made their escape at the crossing of the Arkansas. They report as follows:

The rebel force was composed of the Seventh, Twenty- ninth, Thirtieth, and Thirty- first Regiments Texas Cavalry, two Creek and one Seminole regiment, and a six- gun battery. They attacked the force at Flat Rock on Friday, having previously murdered the two companies of negroes stationed below.

James M. Carlton, Company C, Second Kansas, one of the escaped prisoners mentioned above, reports Corps. Robert Hampton, Privates James H. Davis, James Ledgewood, Bailey Duval, and Marion Thompson missing and supposed killed; Sergts. John Q. Farmer, G. Gugler, and James M. Nance, Corpl. Andrew W. Davis, Privates Peter Smith, William Stubblefield, Frank Thomas, Ezra Benson, Jacob Milliman, David Beigert, John Van Horn, Thomas Hickey, Amos Taylor, and John M. Taylor prisoners; Private William Pineger wounded and prisoner; all of Company C, Second Kansas. Private Louis Hammer, Company G, Second Kansas, the other escaped prisoner, reports Sergeant McDugal and Private Smith killed; Sergt. John Tuxson and Private A. Frank Corbin wounded and prisoners; First Lieutenant Straw, Second Lieutenant Miller, Sergts. A. Jackson Hanna, and John Bousfield, Corpls. Frank White, Clark, and William T. Ainsworth, Privates Fuller, Riner Yelkin, John Harmon, James Mahoney, Dean; Henry Whiteday, Goodwin, Parker, and Edward B. Test prisoners.

The rebels took over the Arkansas about 150 prisoners, 100 being soldiers, the remainder citizens and teamsters. They left Perryville, Ark., on Tuesday,- instant, with four days' rations. A portion of the force was from Boggy Depot, Ak. They had five negro soldiers prisoners, the remainder they killed, some thirty in number. Of the citizens taken prisoner Mr. Twist, Mr. Martin (hay contractor), are mentioned. The rebels arrived at the Arkansas crossing on Tuesday evening, when they were met by General Cooper with another force to assist them over with the fruits of their expedition and cover their retreat to Perryville. They effected the crossing about 10 o'clock Tuesday night. The above- named escaped prisoners report the rebels highly elated at their success. A teamster from below has just come in, having been without food since last Sunday, a week to- day. He has been lying in the timber mostly, being afraid to venture out.

I remain, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CURTIS JOHNSON, Captain, Commanding Company.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Men Of The Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry Co.G.

Here is a list of men from the Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry Company G. This is not all the names of this company just the ones I found interesting. If you didn't find your name of interest, and they were of this company, drop me a line and I will be glad to look him up.
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 Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry Co.G.

Company G.

1. Albert H. Campbell, Captain, Residence Fort Scott, Mustered in September 8. 1863, Mustered out March 20, 1866; Was a prisoner of war. 

Captain Albert H. Campbell, Fourteenth Kansas Volunteer, while a prisoner in the hands of the enemy at Fort Smith, Ark., was in presence of this person, Quantrill, and heard him say that he never did, and never would, taken any prisoners, and was boasting of the number of captured soldiers he had caused to be shot, stating particulars, &c. These facts should be published to the civilized world, that all may know the character of the people against whom we are contending.

2. James D. Alsup, Sergeant, Residence Delaware, Enlisted July 12, 1863, Mustered in September 8, 1863. Killed in action Ozark, Arkansas, July 15, 1864.

3. Franklin M. Jordon, Corporal, Residence Franklin, Enlisted September 1, 1863, Mustered in September 8, 1863.  Prisoner of war, captured April 14, 1864, Camden Arkansas.  Mustered out Leavenworth, Kansas, August 11, 1865.

4. William J. Addis, Private, Residence Paris, Enlisted July 25, 1863, Mustered in September 8, 1863.  Missing in action April 14, 1864, near Camden, Arkansas, supposed to have been Killed.

5. John W. Cooley, Private, Residence Marion, Enlisted July 19, 1863, Mustered in September 8, 1863.  Died December 1, 1864, Tyler Texas, prisoner of war.

6. Abner J. Endicott, Private, Residence Bourbon, County, Enlisted July 27, 1863, Mustered in September 8, 1863.  Prisoner of war, captured April 13, 1864, near Camden, Arkansas.  Mustered out on det. roll, St. Louis, Mo., March 26, 1867.

7. Hugh T. Kilbourne, Private, Residence Franklin County, Enlisted July 11, 1863, Mustered in September 8, 1863.  Promoted Sergeant, September 8, 1863; mustered out on det., roll Leavenworth, Kansas, August 11, 1865; prisoner of war, captured April 14, 1864, Camden Arkansas.

8. James A. Miller, Private, Residence Delaware, Enlisted July 7, 1863, Mustered in September 8, 1863.  Missing in action July 15, 1864, Ozark, Arkansas.

9. James Phelps, Private, Residence Grasshoper, Enlisted July 25, 1863, Mustered in September 8, 1863.  Died Fort Smith, January 31, 1864.

10. James Rose, Private, Residence Grasshoper, Enlisted July 25, 163, Mustered in September 8, 1863.  Missing in action, April 14, 1864, Camden, Arkansas.

11. Peter J. Stith, Private, Residence Timber Hills, Enlisted August 8, 1863, Mustered in September 8,,1863.  Killed in action, September 26, 1864, Fort Smith, Arkansas.

12. John Whitepigeon, Private, Residence Shawnee, August 1, 1863, Mustered in September 8, 1863.  Missing in action, Caamden, Arkansas, April 14, 1864.

Men Of The Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry Co.A.

Here is a list of men from the Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry Company A.  This is not all the names of this company just the ones I found interesting.  If you didn't find your name of interest, and they were of this company, drop me a line and I will be glad to look him up.
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 Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry Field & Staff.

George W. Huston, Quartermaster, Residence Leavenworth, Mustered in October 17, 1863.  Prisoner of war from June 18, 1864 to May 27, 1865.  Mustered out with regiment June 25, 1865.

Company A.

Note. C. N., Stands for Cherokee Nation.

1. Collin C. Whitman, First Lieutenant, Mustered in May 19, 1863.  Killed by guerrillas, near Waldon, Arkansas, September 19, 1864.

2. Theodore Wade, First Sergeant, Residence Levenworth, Enlisted May 28, 1863, Mustered in June 12, 1863.  Killed in action, Baxter's Springs, C. N., October 6, 1863.

3. George Keith, Com. Sergeant, Residence Levenworth, Enlisted May 9, 1863, Mustered in May 19, 1863. Killed in action, Baxter's Springs, C. N., October 6, 1863.

4. William G. Martin, Corporal, Residence Levenworth, Enlisted June 4, 1863, Mustered in September 26, 1863. Killed in action, Baxter's Springs, C. N., October 6, 1863.

5. John T. Cardwell, Private, Residence Leavenworth, Enlisted May 1, 1863, Mustered in May 19, 1863.  Killed in action, Baxter's Springs, C. N., October 5, 1863.

6. Owen Donnelly, Private, Residence Leavenworth, Enlisted April 10, 1863, Mustered in May 19, 1863.  Killed in action, Baxter's Springs, C. N., October 6, 1863.

7. Thomas Kelly, Private, Residence Leavenworth, Enlisted May 15, 1863, Mustered in May 19, 1863.  Killed in action, Baxter's Springs, C. N., October 6, 1863.

8. Alexander Miller, Private, Residence Leavenworth, Enlisted May 1, 1863, Mustered in May 19, 1863.  Killed in action, Baxter's Springs, C. N., October 6, 1863.

9. Zimri Peirce, Private, Residence Leavenworth, Enlisted May 9, 1863, Mustered in June 12, 1863.  Killed in action, Baxter's Springs, C. N., October 6, 1863.

10. Daniel Sullivan, Private, Residence Leavenworth, Enlisted April 16, 1863, Mustered in May 19, 1863.  Killied in action, Baxter's Springs, C. N., October 6, 1863.

11. Theodore Tracey, Private, Residence Leavenworth, Enlisted May 5, 1863, Mustered in May 19, 1863.  Killed in action, Baxter's Springs, C. N., October 6, 1863.

12. John A. Baker, Private, Enlisted May 30, 1863, Mustered in June 12, 1863.  Killed in action, Baxter's Springs, C. N., October 6, 1863.

13. James M. Dilda, Mustered in July 27, 1864.  Killed while foraging near Fort Smith, September 26, 1864.

14. George W. Crouse, Private, Residence Leavenworth, Enlisted July 31, 1863, Mustered in August 12, 1863.  Died as a prisoner of war, Tyler Texas, date unknown.

15. Jesse Guy, Private, Residence Leavenworth, Enlisted May 2, 1863, Mustered in May 19, 1863.  Killed in action,   Baxter's Springs, C. N., October 6, 1863.

16. Thomas Martin, Private, Residence Leavenworth, Enlisted July 25, 1863, Mustered in August 12, 1863.  Killed in action, Baxter's Springs, C. N., October 6, 1863.

17. Lawrence Roach, Private, Residence Leavenworth, Enlisted August 15, 1863.  Killed in action, Baxter's Springs, C. N., October 6, 1863.

18. Charles Volumby, Private, Residence Leavenworth, Enlisted August 10, 1863, Mustered in August 12, 1863.  Killed in action near Fort Smith, September 26, 1864.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Chronological Records Of Kansas Regiments In The Civil War.

This is a time line on the happenings in Kansas and a few other states at the time of the civil war.  This is about the Kansas regiments movements, through out Kansas and a few other states, like Kansas City, Missouri.
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July 18, 1861, Kansas City, Mo., Home Guards, under Major Van Horn, attacked near Harrisonville by a superior force of rebels, whom they defeated, killing and wounding 20, Union loss 1 killed.

September 14, 1861, A rebel camp near Kansas City, Mo., was broken up; 7 men killed and six taken prisoners.

September 27, 1861, A body of Kansas troops, under Montgomery and Jamison, engaged the advance guard of McCulloch's reble army near Shanghai in Benton County, Mo., and drove them back with loss.

October 12, 1861, Captain P. G. Morton captured a train of 21 wagons, 425 cattle and 35 prisoners, with stores for hostile Cherokees, at Chelsea Kansas.

November 11, 1861, 110 of Colonel Anthonys regiment attacked a rebel camp on the Little Blue river, near Kansas City Mo., when proved too strong for themand after severe fight, Colonel Anthony's men were drawn off in good order, lossing 8 killed and 8 wounded.

November 20, 1861, Colonel Burchard with Lieutenant Gregg and 24 men, attacked a large company of rebels under Captains Hays and Gregg near Kansas City, Mo., and defeated them, killing 5 and wounding 8.  The colonel and Lieutenant, were slightly wounded.

December 13, 1861, Villages of Papinsville and Butler, Bates County, Mo., rebel rendezvous, were burned by Major Williams of the 3rd., Kansas.

January 5, 1862, 5 federal soldiers were killed by rebels in a ambush in Johnson County, Kansas.

January 8, 1862, The First Kansas, regiment on its march from Sedalia to Lexington Mo., was fired upon from ambush, and a Sergeant and two horses killed.

January 14, 1862, The First Kansas, regiment arrived at Lexington Mo., and arrested several prominent rebels.  They also seized a large quantiy of stores designed for the use of General Price.

January 17, 1862, Two companies of the First Kansas Cavalry under Major Halderman, arrested Captain Whitney, Joe Shelby and several other rebel officers and also recovered a number of horses, mules, wagons, etc., taken from Colonel Mulligan's command at Lexington Mo.

July 23, 1862, General Jame H. Lane of Kansas, was authorized by the government to organize an independent brigade in Kansas.

August 24, 1862, Skirmish near Lamar Kansas, Quantrell and Hay's reb., troops attacked Kansas troops under Major Campbell and Captain Grund.  Fed., loss 2 killed and 21 wounded.

September 6, 1862, The town of Platte, Johnson County, Kansas, was sacked by rebel guerrillas, under Quantrell, several of the inhabitants murdered.

October 17, 1862, Quantrell guerrillas entered Shawnee, Kansas, sacked the town, burned 13 houses and killed 4 men.

October 29, 1862, First Kansas ( Colored ), Colonel Seaman defeated reb., guerrillas under Cockcrill, with a loss of 30 killed and wounded.  Union loss 8 killed, 10 wounded.

November 11, 1862, 134 prisoners taken and 16 reb., killed by Colonel Lee's Kansas Cavalry near La Grange, Tennessee.

November 12, 1862, Cavalry engagement near Lamar, Mississippi, detachments of 2nd., Illinois and 27th., Kansas, Major J. J. Mudd, routed a force of rebs., with severe loss.

May 18, 1863, Two companies of the 2nd., Kansas Artillery, Major Ward, defeated by rebels near Sherwood, Mo., and 26 of the soldiers killed, wounded or taken prisoners.

July 20, 1863, The town of Lawrence, Kansas, was sacked by rebs., under Quantrells.  130 citizens murdered and a large portion of the town burned.  Quantrell's band was pursued by Fed., troops, and over 100 of them killed.