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Sketches of Early History
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Sketches of Early History
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The KSGenWeb Project logo Copyright©1996- by Tom & Carolyn Ward, All Rights
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For the limited use of the KSGenWeb Project. Permission is granted for use
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Transcribed by
J. Richardson, 21-July-2000
Originally published in the Humboldt Union, Humboldt, Allen County, Kansas
28-Mar-1918
Sketches of
Early History - Part 4
In the Settlement of Humboldt and Allen County
By Watson Stewart
(continued from last week.)
-----------
But little was done to rebuild Humboldt during the war. The Government
established a military post here and kept more or less force until the end of
the war.
In 1864 the first brick house was built in Humboldt. It is the "Red Store" on
the corner of Bridge and 8th streets. The lower story was built by Col. W.
Doudna and the second story was put on by the Masonic fraternity.
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The Price Raid.
In the summer of 1864, the militia of the county were formed into a battalion of
six companies, called the Allen County Battalion. Three companies were in the
north part of the county, two at Humboldt, and one in the south part of the
county. C.P. Twiss was the colonel and the writer was major. The three companies
in this part of the county were commanded respectively by Captains J.M. Moore,
G. DeWitt and D.C. Newman.
In the latter part of September Gen. Price, having made his celebrated raid
through Missouri, on his was south was threatening an invasion of Kansas.
General Curtis, being in command of the Department, issued an order for all male
persons over the age of 16 and under 60, in Kansas, to be mustered into the
service for the protection of the state from invasion.
A small force was left here of the 11th Kansas.
All the militia of the Neosho valley were under command of Maj. Gen. J.B. Scott
of LeRoy. The Allen county battalion was ordered to Fort Scott, but in view of
the defenseless condition of Humboldt, the companies of Captains Moore, DeWitt
and Newman were left here under the command of the writer. All able to bear arms
were ordered into camp and where persons failed to come in promptly they were
sent for and brought into camp.
It was sometimes amusing to see some become suddenly sick and unable, in their
minds, to perform military service, but no excuse was taken; all were brought
in, and if claiming to be sice, were turned over to Dr. Scott, who was post
surgeon, for examination; when in most cases the doctore decided that the
exercises and diet incident to the service would prove beneficial to their
health.
The Government had erected a block house, but which was never completed, in the
southwest part of the town and near G.Y. Smith's present residence, and there
was our headquarters.
The company of Captain Newman was placed down on Big Creek to act as scouts in
that direction. Major Haas, in command of the post, was ordered to issue rations
to us. This he did for a while, but finally refused to issue to Captain Newman's
company unless it was brought to Humboldt. In fact he wished to take command of
the militia, while the militia claimed to be under command of its own officer.
The commissary stores were kept in the German church on Bridge street, east of
the public square, with a sergeant in charge. The major of militia, feeling that
he was in the right and knowing that he possessed the might, determined to help
himself. He therefore made a requisition for five days rations for Captain
Newman's company; on the major's refusal to honor it, Captain Newman was
directed to help himself, which he did, taking only the amount needed, and
receipting for it to the sergeant. The major ordered both Captain Newman and
myself under but fortunately he had no power to enforce his order; and so it was
decided that a militia major outranked a major of volunteers.
After the militia were disbanded, the major sent a force of men down to Captain
Newman's home and brought him to Humboldt under arrest. They kept him over night
and let him go. After remaining here in camp some three weeks we were ordered to
Fort Scott with two companies. Captain Newman's company was left here with a few
colored men under Captain E. Gilbert. We left Humboldt about sundown and reached
the Marmaton creek about midnight; there we received orders to go to Fort
Lincoln. That night the rebels burned Marmaton, a few miles down the creek.
In the morning we moved in the direction of Fort Lincoln, but on reaching
Raysville we were ordered to Fort Scott; arived there about 11 o'clock at night.
Colonel Thurston was on General Scott's staff. He met us and led us out
northeast to a position occupied by Colonel Twiss. Soon it began to rain and we
were in a sorry plight to meet the enemy, which were expected at any moment.
An incident occurred that night showing how abject fear will control a good man.
One of our men contended from the start that it would be of no use to take him
along, as he knew he could not fight, etc., but we took him along; he had no
horse, and was taken with others in a wagon. As we were moving out to take our
position a signal gun was fired at the fort, when he jumped from the wagon into
the brush and was seen no more that night. The next evening he returned to
Humboldt, having walked all the way.
The next day Price's army, hard pressed, passed south along the Missouri line
east of Fort Scott. We did not see them but could hear the guns as the battle
waged.
The only feat our men performed worthy of note during that day was what we
called then a grand flank movement of 5 or 6 miles up the Marmaton. The men were
not to blame, and I do not know if officers were to blame. It was reported that
the forces in Fort Scott had concluded to abandon the place and fall back to
Marmaton, some 9 miles. A body of men were seen moving south in the direction of
Fort Scott and were supposed to be Price's men. We were ordered to retreat in
the direction of Marmaton, which we did on the double quick, major general
leading.
The forces seen were friends under Colonel Moonlight. We learned our mistake,
however, before reaching Marmaton, and took the back track for Scott, which we
reached in the night, and found it full of soldiers. General Pleasanton was
there, the rebel general, Marmaduke, and Cabel with six hundred men were
prisoners.
We returned home, were soon mustered out and this was substantially the end of
the war with us.
In 1866 Humboldt began to revive, and some good buildings were put up, among
which were the school house, Catholic church, the brick block on west side of
the square, now used as a hotel -- Monre House -- built by Wakefield, Neal, Long
and others.
In the three following years substantial improvements were made, but the years
of 1870 and 1871 may be called the period of greatest improvement for Humboldt.
During those years were built the Presbyterian and Methodist churches, the stone
block on the east side of the square, Long's Hall, Curdy's and Wakefield's block
on Bridge street, also the Landreth House and the stone mill on Coal creek,
known as "Union Mills," built by Torbert, Dickinson & Co. The iron bridge across
the Neosho was built in 1870 by the Humboldt Bridge Co.
And during this year two railroads were completed to Humboldt.
The Star Grocery on the corner of Bridge and 7th, and Mrs. Fussman's fine
building on the corner of Bridge and 8th streets were built in 1872.
O'brien rebuilt his mill as a saw and grist mill, on the old site in 1866; in
1875 a dam was constructed across the Neosho; and the mill converted into a
water mill, owned and run by O'brien and Lindsay.
(continued next week.)
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