Newspaper Articles for Logan county, Kansas

MAN FOUND MANGLED BY CARS

Near Chenoa, Ill., the body of a tramp, believed to be William Wolf of Page, Kan., was found mangled by the cars. [The Princeton union.(Princeton, Minn.), April 26, 1894 - KT - Sub by FoFG]

City Wiped Out Storm and Flood Destroy Winona, Kas. Eleven Lives Were Lost Hundreds of People Struggling in the Angry Waters
Rained Poured Like Niagara

In less than an hour every house in the town had succumbed to the rushing torent and fallen to pieces - cries of terror of men, women and children mingled with the howl of the storm and the thunder's roar - neighboring towns also suffered - great need of immediate help for the stricken inhabitants.

Springfield, Mo., July 6. - A storm, awful in its terror and total in its work of destruction, wiped out the town of Winona, on the Current River branch of the Kansas City. Fort Scott and Memphis Railway, in Shannon county, at half past ten o'clock last night.
It is known that eleven lost their lives and eight men are missing. The dead are: Rev. G. W. Duncan, Mrs. G. W. Duncan, Mattie Duncan, Martha, daughter of G. W. Duncan; Mrs. Crawford, Crawford Gert, George, Nevins, Norma Nevins, little daughter of Lloyd Wright, Maggie Cannon, John Morris, Mrs. Nevins.

The bodies of Rev. G. W. Duncan and his wife and daughter, George Nevins, Norma Nevins, and the Wright girl were recovered, but the others have not been found.

A slashing rain, preceded by a fierce wind, set in at 9 o'clock last night. While the wind ceased, the rain increased intensely, until at 10 o'clock it became a warning tumult. At 10:15 four feet of water was on the streets in fifteen minutes, more buildings could no longer stand the strain and began to collapse and disintegrate in the waters.

Vivid flashes of lightning pierced the downpour, which came like the falls of Niagara.

Like Shipwreck on Land

Houses were smashed and in the waters were hundreds of men, women and children, dashed about like corks. Cries of terror and shouts for help from the struggling humanity clinging to pieces of timber made the scene one that baffle intelligent efforts to save the helpless.

The strong current rushing down the ravine or valley carried many to higher land and places of safety. When the torrents had to a degree subsided, the men, who had seen to their families, turned their attention to others and by 3 o'clock in the morning the worst was over. Those who had escaped the sweep of the devastation stood shivering with wet clothing and without an opportunity to dry themselves.

When day dawned there was nothing of their homes in the town. There was no shelter, no food and no clothing. As soon as the telegraphic communication was restored Mayor Evans telegraphed to this city for aid. To-night the inhabitants of Winona are sheltered among farm houses or have gone to neighboring towns. In all thirty buildings were destroyed. The total lost is not less than $80,000.

Recovery of Bodies

Rev. G. W. Duncan, who lost his life, was pastor of the Winona circuit, and was but recently ordained. He was formerly and engineer on the Iron Mountain Railroad. The bodies of Miss Duncan and Mrs. Crawford were found at 4 o'clock this morning. Two others were recovered long after daybreak. Some had floated down Pike Creek and in the direction of Current River. In places the water was twelve feet deep in Winona.

It is now known that Birch Tree, eight miles west of Winona had it worst storm at the same time last night. No lives were lost, however.

A dozen miles east of Winona, northeast and southwest of the town are hills. The railroad follows a valley east and west and a deep ravine goes out northwest toward the river. Along the sides of this ravine or valley were clustered houses occupied by the families of the men who had been employed in the Ozark Lumber Company's sawmill.

When the clouds opened on the hills the water rushed down this ravine, carrying all before it. The railway was on a slight grade, but the track was torn up and residence houses and business buildings were swept along with it into the torrent.
Winona at the last town census had 608 people. Eight miles west of Winona was situated Birch Tree, next in size in the county, with 500 inhabitants.

It has similar timber interest and was a thriving place.

On the morning of July 4 this town suffered from a downpour that was almost equal to a cloudburst. Great preparations had been made for a celebration and a mammoth dinner was spread under the trees.

The storm swept everything away and many had narrow escapes from drowning. Again late in the evening there came another flood that was most disastrous in its results. (Source: The Morning Times, July 7, 1895,pg 1, transcribed by Nancy Overlander)

E. T. SNYDER OF OAKLEY IS BACK FROM ALASKA

E. T. Snyder of Oakley, is back from Alaska. He got a rich lot of experience while there, but that is the net result of his journey, and he says that country is a good one to stay away from now. Snyder says that a large number of the stories of rich strikes made up there are pure fakes gotten by the transportation companies for the purpose of luring other suckers on. Snyder knew a man up there who was dead broke and who wanted to get back to the states. A ship captain offered to give him transportation back on condition that he would sign a statement to the effect that he had cleaned up to $29,000, which he willingly did, and it on the strength of just such statements as that that many men are forsaking a sure thing on a Kansas farm in the hope of getting wealthy in the Klondike country. Some men will strike it rich up there. (Fair Play, May 13, 1898, page 2)

MAJOR DRUMHILLER SHOWS UP WITH BUCKET OF CANDY

Major Drumhiller, one of the old standbys of the Northwest, who helped to put the bark on the trees in that country, knows how to get next to the young folks. The last day of school in Logan he showed up with a thirty pound bucket of candy. (Fair Play, May 13, 1898, page 2)

RUSSELL SPRINGS, KANSAS NEWS - 1918

A surprise party was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Wheeler in honor of Mr. and Mrs. G. T. Taylor and Judge Samuel Casey and family, who will make their future home in Manhattan.

Miss Green and Miss Boswell will ahve their Easter ?, Wednesday evening, which was delayed on account of the rain.

A surprise party will be given in honor of Mr. W. M. Douglas at the home of his daughter, Mrs. N. W. Ward. Mr. Douglas, the great Afro American inventor is a native of the Keystone State and is now celebrating his 101 anniversary.

An Easter program was rendered by the Baptist Sunday school, Sunday afternoon.

Rev. Jones and wife, spent the day with Mrs. S. Finley.

Mr. D. J Wellington will move to the home of Mr. G. E. Taylor after their departure. (Plainsdealer, April 5, 1918, page 3)

The Russell Springs Leader tells of a man who was bragging about his war savings, and while doing so used up ten matches on one cigar. (Kansas City Star, August 20, 1918, page 14)

LOGANSPORT UNION S. S. CONVENTION - 1927

Russell Springs, Kans. Jan. 4 - Convention convened with P. V. S. S. Russell Springs, Kansas, Jan. 2, 1927 Sunday School as usual was well attended.

Prayer by Sister Mary Ross

Devotional exercises were led by Bro F. Finley, entering into a great covenant meeting; followed by a sermon from Rev. Jesse Duck. Text: "How long halt yet between two opinions?" I Kings 18:21.

Collection $14.45

At noon the ladies served a bountiful dinner.

Afternoon service was opened by an excellent Welcome Address by Bro. F. Finley; which was nobly responded to by Bro. Wm. Porter.

Reviewing the S. S. Reports, we noticed a decided improvement in the work of all schools.

There were many beautiful vocal selections, rendered; also some interesting paners were read during the literary hour.

The subject: "How Can We Better Defend The Law and the Gosel?" was discussed; from which we obtained many good thoughts.

Convention adjourned to meet with the Mt. Sinai S. S. of Weskan and Sharon Springs, Kans., at Sharon Springs, April 3, 1927.

Mrs. R. L. Howard, Reporter; Rev. F. Finley, Pres.; J. J. Clark, Cor. Sec.; B. B. Smith, Program Com. (Negro Star, January 21, 1927, page 3)

RUSSELL SPRINGS, KANSAS - Dean Delaney, Reorter - 1933

Union Sunday School Convention was held at Pleasant View Sunday School, Sun., Jan. 1, 1933

S. S. was held at 9:30 led by Ida Wheeler.

Devotional exercise conducted for 15 minutes, scripture was read by Rev. Martin, Rev. Dayle being absent, Rev. W. F. Trenley preached from Matt. 3:1-6.

Program as follows:

1. Duet - by three boys

2. Solo - Miss Ida Wheeler

3. Piano Solo - Lola Epps

4. Solo - Sister Sallie Howard

5. Solo - Bro. W. E. Ross

(Negro Star, January 6,1 933, page 1)

JONES & FRIEND VISIT

Mr. Henry T. Jones of Friend, Kansas and Mr. Mitchell Delaney of Russell Springs, Kansas, were city guests over the weekend. (Negro Star, August 17, 1951, page 1)