NEWSPAPERS: CLAY CENTER TIMES, PRIEST, LAMOREUX AND HENRY FAMILIES - 1887 compiler Sandra Lake Lassen < slassen@infoave.net> Contributed Feb 5, 1997 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: The copyright holder of this material has given USGenWeb Archives exclusive rights of electronic distribution for this file. In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- CLAY CENTER TIMES - 1887 Microfilm C554 from KS State Library Family articles transcribed by Sandra Lake (Newton) Lassen May and June 1996 Compiler's notes are in brackets [ ] PRIEST, LAMOREUX AND HENRY FAMILIES Note: At this time, the Clay Center Times was a once-weekly newspaper, published each Thursday. "Cast of Characters:" "The Misses Priest" are Alice and Ida Priest, sisters of George Edward Priest. "Mrs. Crowell" (also called "Susie Crowell") is Susan Strong Crowell Priest. James A. Henry is the third husband of Caroline Lamoreux and therefore the stepfather of Susan. He is owner of the "Henry House" Hotel. "Mrs. Henry" is Caroline Lamoreux Strong Little Henry (married three times), Susan's mother. "Mother Lamoreux" (also called "Grandma Lamoreux") is Harriet Barnard Lamoreux, widow of William Oliver Lamoreux, mother of Caroline and grandmother of Susan. Mrs. J. F. Holiday is Mary Jane Priest Holiday (also spelled Holliday), sister of George Edward Priest. Mrs. John Strohn (also spelled Strohn or Strohm) is a relative of George Edward Priest's mother, who was Catherine Strohm before she married George Priest. Mrs. John Weedig (Weidig) is Electa Lamoreux Weidig, a sister of Caroline's and therefore Susan's aunt. Mrs. William Slie (Schley) is Ormentia Lamoreux Slie (Schley), a sister of Caroline's. M.V.B. Lamoreux is Martin Van Buren Lamoreux, a brother of Caroline's. 6 January 1887 page 4 New Year's Day in Clay Center How and Where It was Observed The Ladies Who Received, The Gentlemen Who Called, The Even, etc. [long article about various parties in Clay Center] Mrs. H. W. Morgan, assisted by Mrs. Harkness, Mrs. Crowell, Mrs. Baldwin, Mrs. Dammast, Mrs. Dr. Ham, Mrs. Savage, The Misses Priest, Miss Frazier and Miss Smies, extended a royal welcome to every one and made it particularly interesting with beautiful music. An advantage they took which was hardly fair was to stretch a tapeline along side of every gentleman's foot who called, then give a prize to the one the most extended. Harry Shawahn got to the front on this and captured a beautiful glass slipper. He is privately telling around town that he was wearing a pair of his brother's shoes and so came into disrepute unrightfully. 13 January 1887 [legal notice] A. E. Priest, juror, State VS James, paid 50 cents [note: this Priest has not yet been identified] 20 January 1887 - no family entries 27 January 1887 Priest-Crowell A Big Wedding and an Elegant Time For some weeks society has been anticipating the happy event which occurred this (Tuesday) afternoon t 5 p.m. in the Henry House parlors. It was the wedding and subsequent jollification attending the joining together of George E. Priest and Susie Crowell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James henry. Mr. Priest is comparatively a new man in the city, having been here only about a year, but during that short time he has shown himself a thorough-going business man, steady, reliable and industrious, beside being affable and pleasant in society. The lady is known to everybody, so often has her sweet voice been raised i song for the benefit of the public and she numbers her friends by the hundreds. At the time mentioned about eight friends of the contracting parties assemble in the parlors and hall of the henry House and awaited the majestic measures of the Mendelssohn wedding march as played by Mrs. Harkness. The wedding party was preceded by little Miss Santa and Master Frankie Grubs, who gracefully swung open a pair of evergreen doors leading into the parlor and held them back for the party to enter. Messrs. E.L. Johnson and D. A. Valentine, Charles Haines and Curt Morgan acted as ushers and passed in directly in front of the bridal couple, dividing to the right an left to allow them to draw near to Rev. J. K. Miller. Immediately after came Mr. and Mrs. Henry and the two sisters of the groom. A beautiful bower had been built out from the doorway leading from the parlor to the balcony, which was covered with lace and most beautiful flowers and green vines, with a pure white dove almost smothered in white primroses, perched on the top. Under this stood the reverand gentleman and the happy couple as the sweet and solemn words were said which made them man and wife. Congratulations followed, and an adjournment to the dining room, where most an elaborate supper had been prepared. This occupied the uninterrupted attention of the guests for an hour or more, and as we go to press the merriment still proceeds. Of course this will not be complete without a description of the costumes worn - just for the benefit of the ladies. The groom and gentlemen attendants wore the regulation black and looked happy and conventional. The bride's dress was a sea shell pink faille Francaise trimmed with langoudot lace court train edged with crepe leice ruching. She carried a duchess lace handkerchief, hair dressed Mikado, fine stone ornaments at the throat, silver filigree jewelry and white kid slippers. Anyone at all acquainted with the clear brunette complexion of the bride can imagine how beautiful she looked in this lovely costume. Rich Gifts The following is a partial list of the many beautiful and costly gifts received by Mr. and Mrs. Priest last night: Diamond earrings, German linen table set, and china dinner set, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Henry, father and mother of the bride Silver tea set, D. H. Myers and wife, E. D. Moore and wife, Dr. Morgan and wife, George August, J. P. Redmond, S. J. Neal, Otto Smith, C.C. Morgan, C. E. Gifford, S. Langworthy Amber clock and case, Will Valentine, E. L. Lindner, S. I. Davidson, C. B. Flenniken Elegant peacock blue plush toilet set, D. B. Seits and wife Set of E.P. Roe's works, B. P. Shawhan, F. H. Read, E. L. Johnson Hand painted plush banner from H. W. Seits Bronze work basket form E.J. Smythe Silver caster, D. A. Valentine, E. E. Gifford, C. J. Harris Boquet holder from Walter Buchanan Cherry center table, Ida and Alice Priest Berry dish, Mrs. John Strohn and daughter, Decatur, Ill. Bisque statuary, J. F. Holiday and wife, Decatur, Ill. Elegant mirror, Fred Head Fruit dish, Rev. J. K. Miller and wife, J.H. Shawhan and wife, W. H. Baldwin and wife, C. W. Lindner and wife, S. C. Ham and wife Silver cake basket, R. E. Mason and wife Pickle caster, Kate, Ella and Lena, girls at hotel Pair towels, tidy, and set of shams, Mrs. George Trout, Wamego Stand lamp, P.P. Kehoe and wife and Will Peckham Pickle caster, Santa and Frank Grub Celery glass, Mr. and Mrs. A. Buchman Celery dish, Mr. and Mrs. Weedig, aunt of the bride, Milwaukee Berry dish, J. W. Ham and wife, J. w. Lowdermilk and wife, and A.M. Ham Oriental candle, F. P. Harkness and wife and A. A. Godard and wife Party bag, Mr. Higinbotham and wife Napkin rings, F. V. Gay and wife Tidy, Miss Flora McClelland Easy chair, J. M. Grubs and wife, J. M. Frank and wife, M. S. Tousey and wife, J. F. Billings and wife, E. J. Ronhart and wife, J. P. Stewart and wife, J.P. Campbell and wife, Carol Holzgang and wife, Miss Eulah Stewart Hanging lamp, Phil Rothman and wife, Misses Mary and Lizzie Rothman, Mrs. M. C. Bailey, Misses Lou Flenniken and Ads Bishop, Mrs. Jennie Randolph, Misses Allie Peckham and Maud Frazier, Mrs. S. J. Randall, Miss Mina Hosmer. [on front page] Personal: Mr. and Mrs. Priest left today for Kansas City. From there they will probably go to Decatur, Ill. 3 February 1887 Personal: "Mr. Trott" recorded as attending the Priest-Crowell wedding from Wamego, should have been "Mrs. Trout." Not much of a mistake. NOTE: Throughout the 1887 newspapers the following ad continuously appears: Wholesale and Retail FLOUR, FEED, SMOKED AND DRIED MEATS D. LAMOREUX, CORNER OF GRANT AVENUE AND FIFTH STREET, CLAY CENTER, KAN [It has been suggested to the compiler that this "D. Lamoreux" may be Dennison Blish Lamoreux, son of Martin Van Buren Lamoreux, and therefore a nephew of Caroline's but if so, he would only have been 17 in 1887 and the head of his own business; that makes Dennison an unlikely candidate. Also, if this D. Lamoreux is a relative of Caroline and Susan's it is very strange that he is not mentioned about the guests or gift-givers. For the time being, D. Lamoreux cannot be identified.] It appears that some of the other Lamoreux in the area may have been from Canada and not related. 10 February 1887 Personal: Mr. and Mrs. G. E. Priest (Ed and Susie) returned from their wedding tour last evening and are now pleasantly "at home" to all friends. 24 February 1887 The Episcopal Supper [excerpt] The ladies of the Episcopal Church were, from 7 o'clock last night to 1 or 2 o'clock this morning, busy serving oysters and other delicacies to all who called on them, and it is needless to say their callers were many. Mrs. Henry and Mr. E. J. Bonham were detailed to look after the drawing of the oil painting which had been so generously donated to the church by Miss Allie Peckham....they deserve a large return for their labor and have no doubt received it. 10 March 1887 Saturday - Mrs. James Henry started for Milwaukee, Wis. this morning, where she will visit a few weeks with relatives. Her mother will return with her and for the future make her home at Mrs. Henry's. 28 April 1887 Benton and Morgan meat ad: "The fine parcels of meat, including beef, pork and mutton roasts, porter house steaks and fish, they were preparing this morning for the Henry House and Comstock Hotel cannot be equaled. [Note: The Comstock Hotel, boasting three stories, had just opened that week and was the Henry House's prime competition in Clay Center.] 5 May 1887 Dave Lamoureaux, manager of the Chicago Lumber yards at Clyde, and wife, are in the city today. [I cannot yet identify this person.] 19 May 1887 [There was terrible flooding due to heavy rains in and around Clay Center this week, and the dam was threatened,but saved by 5000 sandbags. Parts of the city were under water. The new Comstock Hotel suffered damage on the main floor, but Henry House was mostly spared.] The Henry House The water which ran down Sixth Street in some way found an entrance to the henry House cellar and for a time there was quite a lively commotion around the premises, but it was turned in its mad career before more than two or three feet of aqua pura and pura muda were deposited and everything is sailing along there today as quietly as usual. 26 May 1887 "Decoration Day" edition Mother Lamoreux is still very low. She is perfectly conscious but has lost most all of her strength. Her extreme old age makes it a difficult case for the doctors. She was taken worse suddenly at about two o' clock this morning, but survived the spell. 9 June 1887 Note: This issue estimates Clay Center's population at 7000. Local summary: Mother Lamoreux's condition has changed none in the past few days. She is still very low and small hopes entertained for her recovery. [same day, another page] After several weeks of suffering greater than most people are called upon to endure i this life or pass in death, Grandma Lamoreux was called to her long home at half past ten o'clock yesterday morning. A short sketch of her life, which was exceptionally long and useful, will be of interest to friends of the family and relatives scattered all over the United States. She was born October 22, 1799 in New York state, Oneida county at the little village of West Morland, and was eighty-seven years, seven months and sixteen days old at the time of her death. She was married in 1819 to William Lamoreux and had eleven children; nine of whom are living. Three, Mrs. Henry, of this city, Mrs. Wm. Slie, of Kansas City, and M.V.B. Lamoreux, of Stafford County, this state, were at her bedside during the last sad moments. In 1851 she moved to Mayville, Dodge county, Wisconsin, where she lived until the latter part of last March when she came here to make her home with Mrs. Henry. Friends here did all that loving kindness could suggest, while Mrs. Henry and the entire household hardly slept or rested night or day. After reaching Clay Center, for a time her health, which has been delicate for some years, seemed to improve, but about three weeks ago she was stricken with paralysis from which she could not rally. Funeral services were conducted from the Henry House parlors [on June 9] by Rev. Young, of the Episcopal church, with special song service, after which the remains will be taken to Maville [sic], there to rest quietly and peacefully beside the husband she loved so well. In this connection it is fitting and proper to publish the following resolutions adopted by the Masonic lodge of which Mr. Lamoreux was a member at his death. He was a high Mason and she always had a very high appreciation of the order. [Note: here followed a lengthy resolution, signed by A. R. Delany, R. Saughering, and William R. St. John] 13 July 1887 A special Wednesday edition with photo engravings touting the area's "boom" and business opportunities. The issue contains an engraving of "The Lamoureux Building" with a "Groceries" sign on it. There is also a photo called "Partial Bird's Eye View of Clay Center" with a building labeled "Lamoreux House" (Fifth St. area) There is also a large ad "Ham and Priests - "The Poor Man's Friend" but I'm not yet sure what they are advertising! Our Hotels Many of Them Costly, Cosy & Cosmopolitan The Hotel Bonham, Comstock House, and Henry House are all briefly mentioned. The articles about the two newer hotels are longer, but the Henry House article is the only one that has a small photo engraving. The Henry House is the oldest first class hotel in the city and has long enjoyed the distinction of being one of the best in Northern Kansas. It has an east and south front, the latter being on Court House square, which always assures in summer a cool breeze. It is sixty-nine feet on Court Street and fifty on Sixth street, three stories, brick,nicely furnished throughout, brussel carpets, on the office and dining room and other furniture to correspond. James A. Henry is proprietor and has been for a number of years. 21 July 1887 The editor mentioned the owner of "a three story building" in the special promotional issue the week before owed the newspaper the sum of $17.50 for an engraving that the owner did not think favored his building. The editor was quite put out about it. 28 July 1887 The editor wrote that Duke Harris and John Vincent, "enemies of the Times," had served as witnesses against the Times when Lamoureux, the defendant, owner of the "Lamoureux Building" went to court in the $17.50 lawsuit; the Times conceded that Vincent was an unwilling witness. I am most eager to see how this Lamoureux ties into the family and how he relates to Caroline!! ___________________ Compiler's note: I would be happy to exchange information on the Lamoreux, Priest and Henry families. Sandra Lake Lassen 1499 Lakeside Drive West Jefferson, NC 28694 Internet: (910) 877-1693 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: The copyright holder of this material has given USGenWeb Archives exclusive rights of electronic distribution for this file. In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. -----------------------------------------------------------------------