History: The Ottawa Record 1925; The Early History of Ottawa http://files.usgwarchives.net/ks/franklin/history/1925record4.txt Contributed by: Mary Ann Hetrick June 18, 2002 The Ottawa Record 1925 page 4 Early History of Ottawa by Verna Harbour Every generation is interested in the history of the development of its community. Accordingly, the early history of Ottawa has been secured and published in this magazine for the benefit of thoes who are interested in the growth of this, our "City of Progress." The brief history of Ottawa which follows, was gathered from material found in the old "High School Opinion," which was edited in 1898. Originally, this material was collected by Miss Irma Taber, editor-in-chief of the "Opinion," and Miss Mary Kitteredge, from H. P. Welsh, Sentor H. F. Sheldon, P. P. Elder, Prof. M. L. Ward, Deacon Nugent, W. H. Clark, William Gatch, Adam Dobson, and other residents of Ottawa. The true history of Ottawa begins with the migration of the Ottawa tribe of indians, a trib of Algonquins living near the great lakes, named Ottawas by the French. The original site of Ottawa, a section of land on the south side of the Marads de Cygnes, was first purchased as a site for the university. After a survey of the town had been made, and a town company had been organinzed, an effort was made to secure the location of the county seat of Fanklin county at Ottawa, wish was accomplished in 1864. Far-seeing men who headed the town affairs gave away land as an inducement for people to locate here. The price of business lots on Main Street ranged from $20 to $50, and residence lots from $10 to $15. J. C. Richmond erected the first house on the corner of First and Walnut. Ottawa Smith was the first white child born in the town. As the town grew, postal connections were soon needed. Accordingly, these were obtained and C. F. Evens was made postmaster. About the same time Ottawa gained a postoffice, J. H. Whetstone erected a sawmill, and shortly afterthsi in 1866, Ottawa was incorparated as a city of the second class and Asa Lathrop was elected mayor. In 1868 the first locomotive passed through Ottawa, then later the Sant Fe Shops were moved here and the town grew rapidly. A large hotel building was moved to Ottawa from Minneola and set up at the corner of Main and Second. The Baptist church held meetings in the upstairs for two years and entertainments were held there for several years. In 1866 the question of a bridge came before the minds of some of the most enterprising citizens ofthe town. After some hesitation, for Ottawa was then only two years of age, and the country was thinly settled, a joint stock company was orgainzed with P. P. Elder as presedent. A charter was then secured to build a toll birdge, and $10,000 was finally subscribed. The cables for this suspension bridge were hauled from Kansas City by wagons drawn by two yoke of oxen. The city bought the bridge in 1874 and made it a free bridge, then as it was believed to be unsafe in 1882 it was removed. The present bridge on Main Street, stands on the abutments of the suspension bidge. Durring the year 1873 eight ladies, Mrs. M. L. Ward, Mrs. Ruth Griffin, Mrs. P P. Elder, Mrs H. J. Smith, Mrs. H. H. Ludington, Mrs. Adams, Mrs. Knapp and Mrs. D. M. Brown, put a doller each into a common fund for the purpose of founding a library. Eight books were thus purchased and a small circulating library estabilshed. Interest grew and donations multiplied until a library was established with Miss Julia Walsh as librarian. S. B. Rohrbaugh after some remodeling opened the old skating rink on Hickory between Third and Fourth streets for an opera house in 1891. In 1895 the building burned but was replaced again. After the structure was distoryed by fire a second time it was never replaced. G. S. Holt opened the first dry goods store on the corner of Main and Second streets. A. H. Baldwin engaged in mercantlle business in 1865 and in 1880 A. B. Baldwin was admitted as partner. The former having died, A. B. Baldwin continued the business. Other merchants of this year were L. C. Shere, a dealer in harness and saddles; E. Flora, dealer in hardware; Smith & McCune, dealers in groceries, adn W. D. Walsh, groceries. Bacon Y Co. had a meat market under proprietorship of Nix & Bridges in 1870. Other merchants engaged in business at this time were Swift & Bunting, who delt in dry goods; M. J. Smith, variety store and resturant. IN 1868 J. C. Armstrong set up a business as a jeweler. In this year C.D. Crane came to Ottawa and was engaged in the milling business for two years with H. D. Crane & Co., after which he engaged in the dry goods business. In 1870 Guy & Piersol were in the bakery and grocery business. Later Mr. Guy opened a boot and shoe store. Peter Kaiser was engaged in selling harness, trunks and saddles in 1860, Milo R. Culbertson engaged in the dry goods business with J. E. Elliott, whom he bought out two years later. Wm. Grabendike delt in flour and feed in 1875 and in a few months begain to carry groceries. John Jefferies was engaged in misical merchandies in 1876. In 1881, C. F. Dietrich and T. Z. Wright purchased a stock of tinware from Hawkins and Co. In 1868 W. F. Swift joined H. J. Smith in the hardware business. They continued together for three years, then Mr. Swift engaged in the real estate business, but in 1874, again purchased a hardware store of A. W. Anderson and the next year admmited S. Topping as a partner. W. A. Westover engaged in his business as a shoe merchant in 1879. The banking business was started in 1866 by P. P. Elder and John Walruff, as a private bank. It commenced business in the old building that stood on the lots where People's National Bank now stands. In the fall of 1870 Mr. Elder ogainzed the First National Bank and became its president. The next banks to be established were the People's National Bank under the management of Peter Shiras and J. P. Harris; the Franklin County Savings Bank, a private bank calld the Ottawa State Bank under the driection of C. W. Good and L. C. Stine; and the Bnak of Ottawa with Adam Dobson as president. The Ottawa press has undergone a series of changes. The "Western Home Journal," an excellent paper more literary than political, was purchased in 1868 by Prof. P. Fales and J. Ritta and the name was changed to the "Republican." Later this publication, when in the hands of Godfrey Patterson of New York, was changed in name to "The Journal." After passing through verious hands, "The Journal" was mortgaged and finally did not exist. After this "The Democratic Leader" was founded, but later was removed to Garnett. In 1870 "The Herald" sprang up, but in 1873 changed hands and its name was then changed to the "Ottawa Republican." The "Ottawas Journal," a Republican paper established by W. C. Paul Latter grew into a Democratic paper. The "Ottawa Times," a Populist paper with the Hon. P. P. Elder as the eidotr and publisher, was established in 896. The "Queen City Herald" was run as a Democratic paper and continued to do so after its mangement had been assumed by J. B. Kessler, but its name was soon changed to the "Ottawa Herald." Note: for the above history we are indebeted to Miss Clara Kaiser who suggesed it as an interesting frature for the commencement number for our Recor, and who furnished valuble material which she had preservedfrom an old "High School Opinion," We are also indebeted to Miss Mary Kitteredge, critic editor of the "Opinion," who submitted two copies of that book to be used to aid in the compilation of this book. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the KSGenWeb Archive Project USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. 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