(submitted by Louise Havens)

TERRIBLE ACCIDENT IN KANSAS

Cincinnati Daily Gazette
April 22, 1873

A House Blown in by a Gale and Seven Inmates Killed

ATCHISON, Ks., 21---A letter to the Daily Champion from Belleville, Republic County, about a hundred and fifty miles west of this city, gives an account of a terrible prairie fire in that vicinity, destroying many houses, stables, cattle, grain, etc.

The same letter records a dreadful accident which occurred on Monday night a week ago, during a terrible storm which passed over that country. The house of Mr. Crane, near Belleville, was burned on Saturday, and his family, a wife and four children, took shelter in the residence of a Mr. Bennett. On Monday night the storm took the roof off Mr. Bennett's house, a stone building, and blew in the gable end, causing it to fall into the cellar, where the inhabitants had taken refuge, and Mrs. Bennett was severely injured. In the morning Mr. Bennett went to procure assistance, and when he returned he found that the floor had fallen in, and his wife and three children, together with Mrs. Crane and two of her children were crushed to death. A boy and girl of Mrs. Crane were still alive, and were carried to a neighbor's but the boy died shortly after reaching there.

The wheat throughout Northern Kansas is in a good condition and promises a large yield.
(submitted by Lori DeWinkler)

RECLUSE SLAYER GIVEN 20 YEARS

Daily Oklahoman
April 9, 1911

Aged Hermit of Kansas Killed Neighbor and Two Children

TOPEKA, KAN., April 8---The supreme court of Kansas affirmed today another district court decision which convicts a man of murder on circumstantial evidence, and sentenced Charles Nordmark, the convicted man, to the penitentiary for twenty years.

Charles Nordmark is an aged hermit who lived in an old dugout in the winter and in a tree house near the Republican river in the summer. He owns a small farm adjoining the farm of Alexander Lindahl in the Republic county. The men have never been friends, as both were very quiet and gruff. In the latter part of 1909 Nordmark accused Lindahl of stealing from him. Later on the officers of the county found goods in Lindahl's home that belonged to Nordmark. Enraged at this, Nordmark said he would some time kill Lindahl.

Lindahl had almost forgotten the threat of Nordmark until the night of March 25, 1910, when a neighbor knocked at Lindahl's door and informed him that Nordmark had just said he was going to kill Lindahl right away. The next afternoon Lindahl and his two children, a boy and a girl, of less than 12, went down to the boat landing on the Republican river, where Lindahl kept a motor boat. He had hardly left the landing with his children in the boat when three shots were fired. The first shot killed Lindahl outright, and the other two killed the children. The boat drifted down stream, where it was found later by neighbors.

Nordmark was arrested.

The jury of twelve men who heard the evidence agreed in less than an hour and fixed the verdict as second degree murder. Motive, means and presence at the place of murder were all against Nordmark. So the old bachelor and hermit must go to prison.
(Submitted by Lori DeWinkler) They are buried at Lutheran Cemetery, Scandia, KS

Kansas Semi Weekly
February 22 1901
page 4

?Jim Mosher,? says the Belleville Telescope, ?has been working like a nailer at grafting this winter.? However, there is no cause for alarm on account of Jim?s industry in this line, as he is a nurseryman. (Submitted by Peggy Thompson)

Kansas Wives Are Champions of Town
Salt Lake Telegram
March 3 1904
page 1

Courtland, Kan., possesses the unique distinction of having the only basketball team in this country composed exclusively of married women. It is interesting to watch the evolution of sports among women, especially in this instance, where the life ot the team was originally intended not to exceed two days, it having been organized solely, as a novelty for the annual jubilee. Mrs. C. A. Kimball, Mrs. O. H. Kinman, Mrs. W. W. Pinkerton, Mrs. W. W. Stewart, Mrs. E. A. Workman, Mrs. J. N. Marty and Mrs. L. Shelton, who make up the team, were so pleased by the benefit they had deriived from the comparatively short period of practice. They voted for a permanent continuation of the organization. Although many games have been played, this team has yet to experience its first defeat. The game was found so interesting and the little ailments to which many of the team were victims so appreciably lessened that the community has had an ofject lesson in the advantages women may derive from the pursuit of a sport in which energy and mental effort are combined. ( transcribed by Sandy DeLauretis)

Kansas Thrift
Topeka Weekly Capital
May 3 1894

John Erickson of Republic county is among the largest land owners and successful farmers of not only that county, but in the state as well. He owns five quarter sections, most of which is in a good state of cultivation. He is one of the largest corn raisers in the state of Kansas. Last year he delivered in Courtland to one buyer 30,000 bushels of corn of his own raising. It took fourteen days to complete the contract. This year he will plant 500 acres to corn, besides he has out several acres in small grainns -Atchison Champion. (transcribed by Sandy DeLauretis)

A party consisting of MR. R. W. VanDyke (our host), J. A. VanDalson, J. V. Bronk, Dr. R. J. Adams, and the narrator (W.P. Weeks), by proposal of Mr. VanDyke, which was heartily seconded by all concerned, started out to engage in a day or two's hunt for prairie chicken, antelope, and all other game worthy our attention. Through the courtesy of our host a team was furnished, also guns and ammunition; and as we were to be gone two days, it was plain to be seen that our hostess, Mrs. V., was also to have a finger in the pie, by the basker of viands which was prepared with a view to sustain the inner man. Every now being in readiness, the horses were headed toward the occident, and on the road we procured a soldier's tent and induced two of Mr. V.'s neighbors, Nat and Will Templeton, to accompany us, as they were excellent shots. In the first two miles our dog became uneasy, indicating game at no great distance. And it was even so, for up flew three prairie chickens- crack! crack! went the guns, but only one bird was captured on account of distance. We advanced west, bearing somewhat to the north, in search of the camping ground at the "lone tree," on Rose creek, which we reached at dusk. But previous to our arrival we missed the Templetons, who had wandered off northward, and for whom we felt some concern. However, we pitched out tent, built the camp-fire and prepared supper. But the whereabouts of the Templeton's was the query. Feeling they had lost their way in the extreme darkness, we concluded to signal them in by torches of dry hay, which we did from the highest bluff in the vicinity, and also the firing of guns, while some indulged in the Indian war-whoop- continuing the firing at intervals for three quarters of an hour. We were at last rewarded by an answering shot from the Templetons, who soon appeared in possession of a fine antelope. They were then served with supper, while they related the story of the chase and capture of their game. By this time the antelpe was dressed and suspended to one of the central branches of the lone tree, the horses cared for, and robes and blankets spread in the tent for a night's rest, when we all retired. But as temperaments differ, the house was divided, for no sooner had we measured out length on the camp floor, than a tricky member exhibited his desire for a lively time. This condition of thing soon became contageousm and merriment was the order till the night was far spent and morpheus claimed his right to reign. The morning broke with heavy clouds, which was anything but pleasant. However, we built a fire, made coffee, and had barely breakfasted, when we were visited by a heavy showe, lasting some three quarters of an hour, after which we concluded to try our luck again. Some of our party headed for Ash creek, at which place they espied a number of elk and wild turkeys. Brunk and VanDalson having gained the creek in advance of their friends, were closely pursuing a deer at which they fired, but withour effect, and not knowing the whereabouts of the party closing in on the elk, spoiled the calculations of the elk hunters; for no sooner had the elk heard the report of the rifle than all game disappeared. There was a drizzling rain during all this manoeuvering, which made it hard to discern objects clearly at a distance, and the hunters returned to camp and packed the eutencils for a bome-stretch, in whick we killed five prairie chickens. This ended our sport, and we made for home somewhat fatiqued, but determined to try our had at somce future time, for the green ones of our party are now better posted in prairie sports, and anticipate a successful time on our next hunt. (transcribed by Sandy DeLauretis)

FARMER'S FOOT CUT OFF
Salina Journal (Salina, Kansas)
August 30, 1962
Neal Eickman, 34, Chester, Neb., was working in a field at his home, near the Kansas - Nebraska line, when his foot slipped and was caught in a mowing machine. A neighbor, Vernon Gerber, rushed Eickman to the Republic County Hospital, Belleville, where his condition is satisfactory. (submitted by Ida Maack Recu)

FLOOD AT SCANDIA
Kansas Semi-Weekly Capital
June 15,1897
page 8

Scandia, Kan., June 11 - The heaviest rain of the season fell here last night, continuing for six hours. The Republic river has risen very much and the valley looks like a lake. Stock was driven from pastures all along the river and much damage was done to corn fields. Numerous hogs were drowned.

SCANDIA AND ITS BUSINESS
Topeka Weekly Cpital
Nov 15 1891
page 2

Scandia, Kans, October 7 - This is a business and home like little city pleasantly situated in the Republican valley at the crossing of the Missouri Pacific and Rock Island routes in the midst of a fine agricultural region. The fertility of the surrounding country is unsurpassed by any in the state, and a drive through the country brings to view many beautiful landscape views with field after field of corn now nearly ready to crib, which will yield often as much as seventy five to eighty bushels per acre. Many of the early settlers of twenty years ago neglected to plant fruit trees at all and few have as large orchards as the productiveness of all kinds of fruit warrant. Stopping at the farm house of William Garber, we learned that he settled on the farm he now owns twenty years ago, when nothing grew upon it but buffalo grass. With him we took a short stroll through his young orchard and found his trees bending and breaking with their loads of as fube aokkes as ibe ciykd wusg ti see, Ib ibe tree was seeb twebtt-six well formed, medium sized apples in a cluster not longer than eighteen inches. On another was remaining several bushels of extra large ones, some of which have been measured and found to be fully fifteen inches in circumference and wieghing above fifteen ounces. I tepd you two or three examples of the finest leaf upon the tree, being assured that the largest had been pulled before my arrival and carried away by reason of their excessive size. Of the business men of the town it can be truthfully said they are of that class which are financially able to take care of the large trade that centers here. Just one year ago the business portion of town was swept by fire, but a visitor here cannot locate the burnt district only by by the well bult and handsome brick buildings which occupy the entire space burned over. Capt. G. L. White, a leading druggist of Northern Kansas, owns three of the new structures and occupies, with his business, what is perhaps the best furnished and tastefully arrange store room in this part of the state and the only on in Republic county with marble floor and heated by furnace, the latter imporvemnet having just been completed. Mr A. L. Whitney, who at the time of the fire, was in the hardware trade with a large stock, lost it all in the flames, bit it does not seem to have troubled him greatly as he has since then rebuilt and bought other property adjoining and is still driving ahead as though no loss had befallen him, though he is not now engaged in mershandising. C. J. Lundquist is doing a thriving business in the retaurant line and from the signs of prosperity about him, it is easy to conclude that he is making money. The Brunswick hotel is still under the successful management of J. W. Kidder who has recently refitted and furnished it. The Farmers' and Mechanics' bank owned largely by R. Morey and his son occupies a two story brick with a basement. This is one of the solid insitutions of the kind and has recently organized under the new banking law though it had done business for years as a private bank. There is also another bank here that is said to be one of the finest, though with its officers I formed little acquaintance - this is the First national, and we are informed, the only national bank in the county.

OFFICAL NOTICE
Allaince Sun
May 28 1891
page 1

All persons owning or keeping dogs within the coporate limits of the City of Cuba, are hereby notified that unless the following tax is paid to N. Dannefer city treasurer, within ten days fro the date hereof, Males $1.00, Females $2.00. I will proceed to kill all dogs on whom said tax is not paid, as required by law, G. S. Carson, City Marshal. Dated at Cuba this 28th day of May, 1891. (transcribed by Sandy DeLauretis)

The Cuba Pilot
June 3 1887
page 4

continued from last week
Dr. D. .M. Carpenter is another of the first settlers of Cuba, the tracks of the Surveyor had scarely got cold after laying out the twon site ere' the Dr. severed a portion of his business house in old Cuba and gave it no rest until the two and a half miles had been traversed, and the gragment set in the rear of the lot where hi is now doing business as a druggist. He crowded his goods into the old shell until it looked like a tramp at a free lunch. Up to, and for a time after occupancy of the stone building, a Mr. Thomas (a young man of good address, and business deportment:) was in some manner connected with the Doctor, as clerk, partner or business manager. Be this as it may, when Mr. Thomas left the establishment, it was understood by outsiders that the Doctors financial standing was not so flush, by some hundreds of dollars as it should have been. He finally turned over his stock to J. J. Lane in exchange for one hundred and sixty acres of land near Cuba. Mr. Lane set up in the building now occupied by Goeller Bros, and finally sold out, (voluntarily or otherwise) and left for the West. The Doctor exchanged his Real Estate for an entirely new stock of oods to which he has added, from time to time, Clocks, Toys and Jewelry, and runs a general time piece, and sewing machine repair shop. He settled in old Cuba some eight years ago as a physician and has a good practice - still holding his own, cometition not with standing. As a druggist he is regarded as a strict prohibirionist, and has proved himself a very important factor in the history of Cuba. Ben Hull is one of our consicuous land marks portly enough for a alderman, an excellent hand to hold down chairs, store boxes, and benches, and under proper circumstances makes an excellent marshal which office he has filled for several months, but his failing hindrs his usefulness. His better half (aside from rotund averdupoise) is supposed (by the hungry) to be the best man of the two. They are old settlers in the country and town, and are well known. J.M. Davidson is well known as an old settler, and the "Village Blacksmith" and was the first man to blow and strike for Cuba and er farming patrons. He is an excellent workman and commands a large trade. O. H Brown is partner with Mr. Davidson, and what they can not do in their line may not be worth the doing, they are both members of the Cuba band. Mr. Brown being the President. Goeller Bro's keep one of the most extensive assortment of Drugstore Goods in the county; - west of the Missouri river; for a retail country establishment. Jon Goeller is youngest in age, but the senior member of the firm, having first opened out in the old town with F. A. Smith (then postmaster.) John bought a lot on the new site and erected the most extensive and well built structure in town. Dr. Boyer became partner and the building was completed with a second story of brick forming a fine hall on the upper floor, the firm being known as Goeler & Boyer, the latter finally selling his interest gave place for John's brother who had spent some time in travels in the west and was not without experience in the Business. (transcribed by Sandy DeLauretis)

The Cuba Pilot
June 10 1887
page 4

continued from last week,
John is a fine scholar well posted on general topics of the age independent in thought, courteous and gentlemanly in deportment, and has been a valuable aquisition to the twon, as city clerk, which office he has held for several months. Both these gentlemen have a wide circle of friends and are deserving of success. J. J. Shimek is one of the young men who have attained prominence as a business man among us. His talent whcih was perfectly natural, was not mater ally aided by his early employment of herding cattle on the boundless prairie, but training of a few months in a business school being well improved was not without its reward, He commenced a course of clerkship in the old town, and went thense to Clyde and spent several months in the employ of Taggart Brothers, and when our town was located he was promptly on hte ground, put up a good building and filled it with a fine swtock of goods, suited to the wants of the market, Mr. Shimek has always been identified with the interests and progress of his town. He was elected on the first by a majority of 47 votes over his competitor, (there being 71 votes poled) as ciybcuknab at the first city election and afterward served one term as city clerk. He is an enterprising, wide-awake citizen, and were it not that he is runing an opostion printing business we should speak a good work for him. Mrs. Kuncle & Miss Etherton Milliner's and Dress makers occupy a very tidy room, well stocked with fashion's dainiet offerings the market afford, and we presume these ladies can and will give their customers fit every time. Mrs. Eila and Miss Padget are also in the Dress making and Millinary business, having purchased the stock and trade formely owned and established by Mrs. T. J. Skinner they have increased their stock and are establishin themselves in a ood trade. They are doing their part toward building up the trad and prosperity of the town. We have but one fear, at that is that the pleasant smiles and winning ways of the junior member of those firms may be the means of atracting manly forms of the sterner sex, who, may think more of the Miliner than of her goods, and finally lead her away from the matching of hats, feathers and ribbons to play queen over domestic duties, but we cant help it. (transcribed by Sandy DeLauretis)

The Cuba Pilot
June 10 1887
page 1

Mrs. Kelly and her daughter, Mrs. Janette Lilly where thrown from their wagon, while returning home from church sevice held at the school house east of Cuba, (district 12). Mrs. Kelly's shoulder and left arm were considerably bruised but not so bad as to prevent her from repeating the trip next day, (Sunday) for morning and afternoon service. (Mrs. Lilly did not escape so well.) In her effort to escape from the wagon, (after her mother, who was driving, had been thrown out, taking the lines with her and the ules had started to run,) she was thrown violently upon the ground bruising her face on the right side, spraining one hand and receiving an ugly cut above the knee. Dr. Loggin dressed the wounds and at last reports the patient was doing well. The mules ran some four miles in the direction of their home, (near which they were found, in the road leisurely returning homeward, having previously passed the premises,) with wagon and harnes intact, except the breaking of a line. It was a close call and being in the night, might have resulted disastriously had it not been moonlight. (transcribed by Sandy DeLauretis)

A young son of John Shemansky, of this city climbed up into the hay loft of his father's barn last Monay with a match and as a result Mr. Shemansky has only part of a barn left. The fire laddies responded quickly to the call and succeeded in saving a small portion of the barn and nearby buildings. Two horses and two cows were taken out but that is all that was saved of the contents. We learn that the barn was insured. (transcribed by Sandy DeLauretis)

Emery Lemmon, in company with his brother and two other young fellows, was out hunting about four miles southeast of town Monday, when a gun in the hands of one of the boys was accidentally discharge, the contents striking young Lemmon in the legs. A painful but not necessarily dangerous flesh wound, about the size of a man's hand and an inch deep was received in his right leg and a number of shot also found lodgment in his left leg. He was brought to town and his wounds cared for, and is now reported as comfortable as could be expected. He is at the home of his half brother, G. W. Curry, in this city. (transcribed by Sandy DeLauretis)