Sumner County Kansas History & Genealogy

Amanuensis Monday - Louis Strange Obituary

2011-05-02T19:15:00.000-05:00

02 May 2011

Louis Strange Obituary
The Monitor Press
August 10, 1927; Vol 56, Number 32

Strange - After an extended period of failing health Louis Strange, a well known colored resident of this city and a veteran of the Indian wars, died at 2:30 o'clock Friday afternoon at the home of his adopted son, Russell Berry on East Third Street, aged 84 years.

Deceased was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky and served in the national army in campagns against the Indians following the Civil War.

He is survived by two adopted children, Russell Berry of this city, and Mrs. Jessie Bailey, now of Chicago.

His wife died some twelve years ago. He was a stonemason by trade, but for many years was a trusted employee of the Hunter Milling company until compelled to retire by old age and feeble health.

The funeral, with Rev. W. W. Arnett of the A. M. E. church officiating was held at the Frank Funeral Home at 2:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon with burial in Prairie Lawn cemetery.

Genea-Musings: Have you checked the FamilySearch.org collections recently? You should!

2011-04-22T17:44:00.000-05:00

Genea-Musings: Have you checked the FamilySearch.org collections recently? You should!

Amanuensis Monday - From the December 1920 Conway Springs Star Files

2010-12-21T12:02:00.000-06:00

Reprinted from the December 9th, 2010 Conway Springs Star and Argonia Argosy with permission from Dalice Cline.

Duncan Produce Company has sweet skimmed milk at 20 cents a gallon.

Alice M. Cline and R. H. Cline, Owners, Conway Springs Star.

Henry Varenhorst of Conway Springs, who is a German by birth, today filed his application for his final papers of naturalization as an American Citizen. His Witnesses were F. A. Ruse and A. W. Hammond, both of Argonia. Mr. Varenhorst came to America in 1868 and to Sumner County in 1890. He made application several years ago for his first papers, and thought he was made an American citizen, until when the war broke out, he learned his first papers did not make him a citizen of this country.

Reverend McKibben pastor of the Viola M. E. church spent a few days first of the week with friends here in town. The parsonage folk included.

The meat market will be open from 8 - 10 a.m. and 4:30 to 5 p.m. on Christmas Day.

The choir at the Baptist Church intends to go caroling on Christmas eve. This is to furnish a treat for those who are unable to attend exercises.

Miss Vesta Garst, a teacher in the Mulvane schools, is spending holiday week at her home here.

Mr. and Mrs. R. J.Shetlar and John Holcomb drove through from Johnston, Kansas last week. They drove over frozen roads until they got to Kingman, then the car began breaking through in places and they say it was a truly interesting trip from then on in.

The Home Laundry does washing for 40 cents a lb. When done by pound all bed linens, table cloths and towels are ironed. Phone 95.

The school has purchased new window shades through the building which are certainly a great improvement. The total cost of the shades was over $600.

Sugar is down to 8 or 10 and candy is still $1.50; fat cattle are 8 cents and beefsteak is 40 cents; hogs are 9 cents and bacon is 50 cents.
A beautiful day last Sunday caused enough consumption of that 30 cents gasoline that some of those oil fields that intended to shut down will surely extend operations a while longer.

Amanuensis Monday - From Conway Springs Star & Argonia Argosy Files - June 24, 2010

2010-11-01T22:07:00.000-05:00

The following is excerpted with permission from owner Dalice Cline, from the Conway Springs Star - Argonia Argosy - Thursday, June 24, 2010

From Argosy Files - One Hundred Years Ago, June 1910

Around Town

Grandma Hollowell who had been paying the family of her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Elvira Hollowell and other friends here a visit, returned to her home in Anthony on Saturday.

H. H. Shull went over to Milan Friday on business expecting to return on the Santa Fe evening passenger train, but the train being reported several hours late he got Jas. Pringle to bring him home in his motor car.

John Jackman came over from Douglass on Saturday night to spend the day with home folks, returning Tuesday. Mrs. Jackman and four smaller children accompanied him on his return and will spend some time visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs William Sherman and other friends there.

For Sale:

Fine young driving horse, gentle and well bred. Perfectly safe for ladies to drive. Also have for sale buggy and harness. Will sell all together or separately. For further particulars inquire at the newspaper office.

L. R. Wychoff, living eleven miles south and half a mile west of Argonia, was in the city Friday posting bills for a sale of his personal property which is to be held next Tuesday and remembered us with a call. Mr. Wychoff is making arrangements to move with his family to Colorado in the near future.

Bonds Carried

The school bond election held Tuesday resulted in favor of the proposition to issue $11,000 bonds for the purpose of erecting a new school building by an almost unanimous vote. The total number of votes cast were 108 of which 97 were for the bonds and 10 against. This means that the district will have a school building that will be a credit to the enterprise and intelligence of our people and one of which they will feel proud. Let everybody sing!

Amanuensis Monday - From Conway Springs Star & Argonia Argosy Files - July 1, 2010

2010-10-30T22:14:00.001-05:00

The following is excerpted with permission from owner Dalice Cline, from the Conway Springs Star - Argonia Argosy - Thursday, July 1, 2010
From Argosy Files - Seventy Years Ago, July 1940

Around Town
The death of Eva Pake came Thursday evening of last week, July 4, after an illness of several months. Mrs. Pake was taken to the Hatcher Hospital in Wellington, but remained there only about two weeks when she returned to her home and remained there until her death.

Miss Elaine Handy has been awarded the Miller Hall Scholarship at K. U. which entitles her to a room in Miller Hall which is a girls' dormitory. Mrs. Minnie Stayton, formerly of Wellington, is the house mother.

Miss Eve Anne Heyter, Leo Davis and Audene Haworth, Wichita, and Harold Beck, Whitewater, were dinner guests at the C. E. Haworth home Sunday evening.

Governor Payne Ratner urged Kansas communities last week to do their full share in the Red Cross campaign for aid to alleviate suffering in Europe. Contributions to the war relief fund may be given to George Tracy or R. W. Karnahan.

First Argonia Child Dies.

Francis Argonia Salter, first child to be born in Argonia, died July 7 at the Union Printer's Home in Colorado Springs. Mrs. Susanna Madora Salter, first woman mayor of Argonia, was his mother. He was born in Argonia on February 13, 1883. For more than 40 years he followed his trade as a printer starting his work on the Alva Pioneer in 1898. He became ill in February and spent a month in Carnegie Hospital. From there he went to the printer's home in Colorado Springs. Interment was in the cemetery there. He was survived by one child, Mrs. Walter Harmon, one grandchild and his mother.

Editor's Beatitudes:

Blessed are the merchants who advertise because they believe in it, and their business shall increase many fold.

Blessed are the correspondents who send their well written news items every week. For their efforts are greatly appreciated.

Blessed is the woman who submits a well written account of a party or wedding for she shall see the details of her guests, correctly reported.

Blessed are those who do not expect the editor to know everything but call her when an interesting event occurs to them for they shall have a newsy paper.

Blessed are those who get their copy in early for they shall have a warm place in the editor's heart.

Amanuensis Monday - From Conway Springs Star & Argonia Argosy Files

2010-10-19T03:53:00.001-05:00

The following is excerpted with permission from owner Dalice Cline, from the Conway Springs Star - Argonia Argosy - Thursday, July 22, 2010

Conway Springs Star - One Hundred Years Ago, July 1910

Grand Opening Concert

Conway Springs is building one of the nicest, most up-to-date band shells in this part of the country, Wichita not excepted. It is very similar to the beautiful shell just completed in Winfield except our shell is 2 feet longer. The opening concert will take place Friday evening, July 15, at 8 o'clock.

Hospital at Wellington

All preliminary matters pertaining to the securing of the Christ's hospital for Wellington now have been completed and the proposition is now up to the contractors. Bids are being asked for. This means that the hospital will in all probability be built some time this summer.

Extra force is on stringing the wires for the electric lights.

For Sale - A good rubber tire buggy and a set of good heavy work harness. See W. A. Wrightsman.

The Cattleman's Picnic will be held this year on August 9, 10, 11, 12. They have a fine program which will consist of ball games, horse races, roping contests, band concerts and prizes for the best of most everything that grows.

We are enjoying now for the first time in this town the electric lights which sure makes the streets loom up.

Dr. McIlhenny reports two new girls this week one at the home of John Burchinal last Friday and one at Dodie Adairs this morning.

From Argosy Files - Fifty Years Ago, July 1960

Rewind

Looking back to July 1970 the latest addition to the Salter House Museum is a conversation piece to say the least. It is an old switchboard from the now extinct Danville Rural Telephone office.

Some of the telephone operators were Mrs. Jim Walls, Lulu Starr, Mrs. Charles Earnest, Mrs. Leo Drouhard, Victoria Simpson, Mrs. Walter McAdams, Mrs. Stella Mackey.

The Danville Rural Telephone Company transferred to the dial system in 1961 selling that system to Kan-Okla Telephone Company. This ended 56 years of service to the Danville Community.

Amanuensis Monday - John A. Bishop Obituary (1819 - 1900)

2010-10-04T12:07:00.002-05:00

John A. Bishop Obituary
(born December 25, 1819 - died July 4, 1900)

John A. Bishop died at his home on North Heron/Herson avenue Wednesday morning at 10:50 o’clock after a lingering illness. The funeral was held at the residence at 4 o’clock next afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. C. Ball, pastor of the M. E. church.

John A. Bishop was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, December 25, 1819, and died July 4, 1900. In the home of his birth he spent the years of his childhood, and also the earlier period of his boyhood until he was 15 years old. Then he went to Lee county, IA and engaged in farming.

In the more than forty years of his residence in Iowa, he had a varied occupation. At one time he was in the mercantile business and afterwards was sheriff of his county for three terms.

When the civil war broke out, he was among the first to respond to his country’s call and helped to raise the 1st Iowa regiment, of which he became a lieutenant, and served the full term of his enlistment, three years. After the war he returned to Lee county, and in 1876, he came with his family to the farther west and settled in New Mexico, thence in 1878 to Kansas, and settled in Sumner county, where he had continued to reside.

Thirteen years ago he became a citizen of Wellington. He was an industrious, active, helpful man, generous and always ready to lift up and lend a hand, and many an unfortunate one has felt the touch of his sympathy through his practical ministration to their needs. He was especially fond of children, an affectionate and loving father and friend.

He did not enter into churchly forms but was not indifferent to religious principles, hence he never belonged to any church, but believed in all that makes a Christian life; and in his last days, seemed to trust in Jesus for his salvation and readily yielded himself to be brought in prayer to a throne of grace.

He was married in 1854 to Alice A. Cartwright in Farmington, IA. She died in 1879, leaving him and seven children – two daughters and five sons, to mourn her loss. All of these, except one son, still survive. And three of them, one of whom crossed the continent to bring his presence to cheer the dying hours, were present to follow the broken weary form to its resting place.

Transcriber's Note: The original obituary was located in the Bishop File in the Pioneer Settler Files in the Sumner County History and Genealogy Center.

More information about the Research Center, located in the Memorial Auditorium, 208 N. Washington, Wellington, KS 67152, is available at http://www.ksschgs.com.

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Amanuensis Monday - Henry Arnspiger - 1880 Kansas Agricultural Census

2010-09-07T05:30:00.002-05:00

Arnspiger, Henry – 1880 Kansas Agricultural Census

Page 4
Supervisor’s District 2
Enumeration District 193

Productions of Agriculture in Guelph Township, County of Sumner, State of Kansas
June 3, 1880

Arnspiger, Henry; owner; 75 acres;
4 acres permanent pastures, meadows, orchards, or vineyards;
8 acres woodland or forest;
73 acres unimproved land;
$2000 was listed value of the farm including buildings and fences;
$300 value of farm machinery and implements;
$400 value of livestock;
$450 value of all farm production, sold, on hand, or consumed for 1879;
2 horses on hand June 1, 1880;
2 mules or asses on hand June 1, 1880

A copy of this information will be added to the Arnspiger Pioneer Settler Files at the Sumner County Genealogy and History Center. Click Here to find directions to the center and for hours of operation.

2010 Summer Contest Winners Announced!

2010-08-28T11:59:00.000-05:00

2010 SCHGS Summer Contest Winners Announced!

2010-08-26T23:14:00.001-05:00


L-R: Kris Arbuckle, Caldwell, Adult Division Winner with Elaine Clark


L-R: Jordyn Young, Winner of 12 & Under Division with Elaine Clark

Congratulations! Contest Winners Announced!

On Monday, August 23rd, the Sumner County Historical & Genealogical Society met at Sumner Regional Medical Center and announced the winners for the Sumner County Summer Genealogy Contest.

Remembering Robert Wilson Willet...
Kris Arbuckle, Caldwell, won the adult category. Arbuckle's lively Powerpoint presentation with period music detailed the history (and family history) of major league baseball player Robert Wilson Willet, who is now buried in the Caldwell Cemetery.

Arbuckle, who had tears in her eyes, stated that when she asked cemetery caretakers how many people visited Willet's grave she was told that "only a few" came each year, and that's when Arbuckle decided to enter the contest and make sure that others knew the story about Willet so he "wouldn't be forgotten."

Her Ancestor Sang for Abraham Lincoln...
Eight-year-old Jordyn Savannah Young, Wellington, won in the twelve and under division with her story and research about her Great-great-great Grandmother, Maggie Corson McGinnis, who sang for Abraham Lincoln when she was a young girl growing up in Illinois. Young said that she became interested when her grandmother received a package with pictures and newspaper articles in it chronicling (and verifying) the family legend that Maggie had met, sang for, and spoken to Abe while he was campaigning to become president.

Prize winners presented their winning entries at the Monday, August 23rd SCHGS meeting.

The 2011 Contest begins in January...
The Sumner County Summer Genealogy Contest will begin in January, so start gathering up your family histories! The 2011 Rules and prizes will be announced at a later date.

Amanuensis Monday - John A. Bishop Obituary

2010-08-24T12:27:00.001-05:00

John A. Bishop Obituary
(born December 25, 1819 - died July 4, 1900)

John A. Bishop died at his home on North Heron/Herson avenue Wednesday morning at 10:50 o’clock after a lingering illness. The funeral was held at the residence at 4 o’clock next afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. C. Ball, pastor of the M. E. church.

John A. Bishop was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, December 25, 1819, and died July 4, 1900. In the home of his birth he spent the years of his childhood, and also the earlier period of his boyhood until he was 15 years old. Then he went to Lee county, IA and engaged in farming.

In the more than forty years of his residence in Iowa, he had a varied occupation. At one time he was in the mercantile business and afterwards was sheriff of his county for three terms.

When the civil war broke out, he was among the first to respond to his country’s call and helped to raise the 1st Iowa regiment, of which he became a lieutenant, and served the full term of his enlistment, three years. After the war he returned to Lee county, and in 1876, he came with his family to the farther west and settled in New Mexico, thence in 1878 to Kansas, and settled in Sumner county, where he had continued to reside.

Thirteen years ago he became a citizen of Wellington. He was an industrious, active, helpful man, generous and always ready to lift up and lend a hand, and many an unfortunate one has felt the touch of his sympathy through his practical ministration to their needs. He was especially fond of children, an affectionate and loving father and friend.

He did not enter into churchly forms but was not indifferent to religious principles, hence he never belonged to any church, but believed in all that makes a Christian life; and in his last days, seemed to trust in Jesus for his salvation and readily yielded himself to be brought in prayer to a throne of grace.

He was married in 1854 to Alice A. Cartwright in Farmington, IA. She died in 1879, leaving him and seven children – two daughters and five sons, to mourn her loss. All of these, except one son, still survive. And three of them, one of whom crossed the continent to bring his presence to cheer the dying hours, were present to follow the broken weary form to its resting place.

The above information was transcribed by Sherry Kline from a photocopy of the obituary that was located in the Bishop Family Files located in the Pioneer Settler's Files at the Sumner County History and Genealogy Center. There are many more files of Pioneer and early Sumner County Families located in the SCHGS Center files, and these are available for research on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to Noon, and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.; other days by appointment.
E-mail: schgs@sutv.com or scgs67152@yahoo.com

Mail: Sumner County Historical and Genealogical Center
or SCHGC
P.O. Box 402
Wellington Kansas 67152

Amanuensis Monday - Ninety Years Ago - May 1920 Conway Springs Star Files

2010-07-19T14:59:00.001-05:00

transcribed by Sherry Stocking Kline
19 July 2010

The following is excerpted with permission from owner Dalice Cline, from the Conway Springs Star - Argonia Argosy - Thursday, May 13, 2010

From Star Files
Ninety Years Ago, May 1920...

Teachers have been hired to teach the country schools in these parts next term at salaries ranging all the way from $90 to $150 per month.

CHICKEN DINNER

At Chapman Hotel Sunday with ice cream and other good eats - for 5 cents. Phone us at 61, Friday.

The danger posts are being placed on Spring Avenue in the center at street intersections and they are nicer than the ones seen in the average town. They are steel posts, set into the ground about six feet on a cement base. In the center of a nice top ornament electric light bulbs will be placed and will be protected by red globes. When these markers of "guide posts" are all in place motor car drivers and in fact, drivers of all vehicles will have to "look a little out" for all traffic rules. The work will begin next week.

The ice wagon is now running every morning. Hang up your card early. Phone 255.

These airplanes that are flying around over this country and passing above us every few days - why are they not being used for some useful purpose, carrying freight, express or mail instead of wasting fuel and oil to give a few fellows joy rides?

From Argosy Files
Fifty Years ago, May 1960...

CHURCHES MERGE

Merger Sunday will be held at the Argonia Methodist Church according to the Rev. Paul Irwin, Pastor. Sunday school will begin at 10 a.m. followed by Merger Service at 10:45 a.m. The merger will be between the Argonia and Milan Methodist churches. A special program, music and giving of deeds and property to the merged church will be included in the service.

AROUND TOWN
In the Argonia second grade, Nancy Greenwood brought a tadpole for the class to observe. We are hoping it turns into a frog before school closes.

Amanuensis Monday - Arnspiger Gold Rush Letter - May 7th, 1849

2010-06-02T10:25:00.002-05:00

Letter to Mrs. Mary Arnspiger, Jersey County, Jerseyville, Illinois

From Jno Arnspiger,
Indian Territory
May 7th, 1849

Dear Wife and Children,
I once more avail myself of the opportunity of writing you a few lines informing you that I am well and all of us are well at present hoping the same blessing is extended to you all.

We are about twenty-five miles from St. Joe and within a few miles of the Missionary Station. We travel 8 or 10 miles a day on account of the newness of the grass. Altho the grass is plenty it has not got substance yet to travel fare of a day.

We see plenty of Indians but they are friendly. Their were ten or more with us this evening to sell us mochisons (moccasins).

We have had some very bad roads on account of the increase travel. About the number of teams I shall not pretend to say but it is enough to astonish a world.

You must excuse my clumsy hand write in the commencement as I had no specks.(glasses) I got me a pair of goggles in St. Louis knowing they would be best for this trip on account of the dust. I can see thro them fare or near in day time.

Dr. Knapp came to our tent tonight while I was writing and said he had two pair and gave me a pair to keep till he calls for them which is a great favor. Doctor Knapp has done me a wonderful favor in loaning me 80 od dollars without which I do not know how I could get along and I wish you would patronize his store what you are obliged to buy if they do as well by you as others.

Henry Goodrich has gone back home. We are all in good health and spirits. There are a great many families moving.

Dear Wife and children, I wish to see you all very much but it will be along time first and perhaps never as a great number that started this trip have gone to their long home.

Their was a man came to our tent a few nights before we started and said their was 16 died of the colera on the boat he came upon and in the mill where we got our flour their was a man lying in a rough coffin that came in the evening before. Well he was from Indiana he had a brother with him and he went back home.

There was a goodeal (good deal) of cholera in town. I never wanted to get out of a place so bad in my life. Their was such a crowd waiting at the river we had to ly there two days and two nights before we could get across.

I would like to write a great deal more but our tent is uncomfortably cold tonight and wood is hard to get.

Dear Wife and children, I do not know whether you will hear from me again till I get to California provided it is God's will I should live to get there. If I have a chance to send back a letter I will do so.

The Doctor and myself are the cooks and are exempt from all other duty but night watch. We have day watches also when the cattle are feeding. Tonight is the first night watch but there are so many of us perhaps the same ones won't have to watch more than once in four or five nights.
We have harder time of it so fare than I expected. We got another yoke of oxen in St. Joe and paid 45 dollars for oxen and chain and yoke.

I would like to know how the wheat is coming on and how Henry is getting along planting corn but I have no trouble about that my greatest trouble has been about corn.

Now dear wife and children myself and Andy send our best respects to you all. May God be with us all is my prayer.

(Transcriber Notes: The photocopy that this was transcribed from had cut off the signature line so that it was not readable, and though the signature line was not fully shown in this photocopy, enough is shown to see that he did sign the letter to his family. These photocopied letters were difficult to read in some places, so my apologies for any errors that may have crept in. Sherry Stocking Kline - 10 May 2010)

Wordless Wednesday - Dr. Edward & Mrs. Smith - Oxford, Kansas

2010-05-27T11:59:00.003-05:00

Photographer is George H. Dresser, Winfield, Kansas.

This photograph of Dr. Edward and Mrs. Smith, Oxford, Kansas, is located in the Beals Family Files in the Pioneer Settler files at the Sumner County History and Genealogy Center in Wellington, Kansas.

While only a few of the Family Files contain photographs, the files are rich sources of information and family stories, and in many cases the family trees in them contain generations that reach back to the first immigrant ancestor's homeland.

Wordless Wednesday - Georgie Gustler

2010-05-12T13:30:00.001-05:00

This great photograph of Georgie Gustler was probably taken by his father, who was a professional photographer in the small picturesque Arkansas River town of Oxford, Kansas.

It's certainly not your everyday photograph with all the many things that are hanging on the tree and Georgie with a pair of scissors, so I have to wonder what the symbolism is about the photograph. Was it just a fun photo that Georgie's father set up? Or is it some kind of advertising photograph for his photography business? Any suggestions would be most welcome!

This photograph is located in the Beals' Family Pioneer Settler File at the Sumner County History and Genealogy Center in Wellington, Kansas.

Oxford, Kansas is home of the picturesque Oxford Mill, now on the National Register, photographs here,

More photographs here where the young people of Oxford have gotten involved with the preservation and promotion of the Mill. Recently, two new walking trails were constructed near the mill.

Amanuensis Monday - Part Three - Postscript to April 1849 Gold Rush Letter

2010-05-11T02:04:00.001-05:00

Letter to Mrs. Mary Arnspiger, Jersey County, Jerseyville, Illinois
Postmarked April 28th, 1849, St. Joseph, MO
From Jno Arnspiger, staying at St. Joseph, Missouri

April 27th

P.S. Receipt for preserving butter. Prepare your butter as usual. Work out the milk well. Take the same quantity of salt as usual, the same amount of loaf sugar as salt and half the amount of saltpeter or less as either of salt or sugar, pulverize it all together, put it up in jars kegs or boxes as usual.

I got the receipt from a Verginian on the boat. He says at the end of 9 or 12 months no person can tell it from butter cherned the day before if any odds it is better. He has preserved thousands of pounds in the last 12 years.

I put off closing my letter till today as the mail comes and goes today. Our teams and Abraham and the Doctor have not come yet. We are looking for a boat every hour. Tell Barbara she need not be uneasy about Abraham as their has no boat come since we arrived but one that we passed.

Dear wife and children my encouragement is so great that I would positively not be back for one thousand dollars although there are hundreds that came here to get their outfeit and have drank and gambled and spent their means that can’t go.

You may look for another letter soon. Tell Henry when he goes to Alton again to call at Parkers. I left my old shoes in the corner by the stove and our coffee was all forgot. We had one mess out of it a boat came down about 10:00 11 o’clock and we were all in a hurry and bussled.

Ida Gustler and Son

2010-05-07T11:43:00.004-05:00

While indexing the Pioneer Settler files, we are finding so many historic treasures: Gold Rush Migration letters, stories of Indian Raids and Massacres, and even some photographs.

This photograph Ida Gustler and her son, George, located in the Beals Pioneer Settler Files, made me realize how much info can be shared just on the back of photographs.

Caption on back of photograph:

Ida Gustler & son George. Her husband Louie was the photographer in Oxfrord. She and Sarah Kerr were room mates in Colorado Springs while both spent time there recovering from T. B. illness.
Photographer info:
Iron Spring Pavilion
J. G. Hiestand
Manitou, Colo.

It's wonderful to know that in the future, thanks to the generosity of one family, many descendants will be able to locate family photographs, read tidbits of their ancestor's lives, and also see photographs.

The back of this photograph, or perhaps in a detailed family history, may be the only place that descendants of Ida Gustler can learn that she spent time in Colorado recuperating from tuberculosis, and that her husband was a photographer in Oxford, Kansas.

Amanuensis Monday - Part Two - 1849 Gold Rush Letter from John Arnspiger to His Wife Mary

2010-05-02T13:17:00.004-05:00

Dear wife and children and grandchildren,

I wish to see you very much and we must trust in God that we will see each other one day.

We have the most incouraging news from California that cannot be doubted. Mr. Cutting is here on his way out. Among the thousands that I have saw then is not one that I knew but our neighbors. ? check on

Mr. Trescot and Smith Seward are here they are starting out on the plains with their mule teams carry feed. I could write a great deal about the number and other things but you will get it in the papers perhaps more correct than I can give it.

I saw and conversed with one man this morning from Lexington, KY by the name of Miller that has lived near Nicholson that told me a goodeal (good deal) about our old acquaintances which was a great satisfaction.

Of all the sights that ever I saw in my life of people wagons oxen and some horses they are crossing every day from 30 (to) 40 teams to go out on the plains 6 or 8 miles to graze their teams a week or 10 days.

Before starting we will go over as soon as our teams come and we all get together. I am very anxious to get away from here as quick as possible on account of sickness and expenses.

Flour is $2.00 per hundred (?), bacon for sides $5.00, hams $4.50, corn 50 cts from store, 20 cts (if you go outside the city for) 15 or 20 miles. I will write again before we start.

Now Dear wife and children try and live in peace and may God bless you all.

Dear Son do the best you can on the farm and for the family and if I live to return you shall be rewarded and if I do not I hope that God will give my best wishes to all the dear children and inquiring (?) friends and may

God Almighty bless dear little Luke and Rebecca Ellin.
Your affectionate husband
Jno Arnspiger

Notes: From the letters, it appears that John's son Henry is married and has children of his own, and is caring for his farm and his father's and mother's farm as well. I think perhaps John had some younger children left at home with his wife, Mary, also.

Later on, Henry could be found in the Sumner County, Kansas Census.

Part Three - The Postscript - coming soon.

1849 Gold Rush Letter - John Arnspiger to His Wife Mary - Part One

2010-04-29T02:55:00.002-05:00

The following is the transcription of copies of Part One of a letter from John Arnspiger to Mrs. Mary Arnspiger and their children residing Jersey County, Jerseyville, Illinois. It was postmarked April 28th, 1849, St. Joseph, MO. John was en route to the gold fields in California. These letters are in the ARNSPIGER Pioneer Settler's folder at the Sumner County History & Genealogy Center, Box 402, Wellington, Kansas 67152.

From Jno Arnspiger,
staying at St. Joseph, Missouri
April 26th, 1849

Dear Wife and children,

I am glad to inform you that I am well and have been well since I left home and I hope the same blessing is extended to you all.

I arrived here the day before yesterday and should have wrote before this time but unfortunately myself, Abraham and the doctor got separated on the river.

We started on a large lower trade boat called Bill Creole and got a little above Lexington, MO and she would not go any further on account of low water and then came along an other (or maybe it was otter) boat and took on all passengers she could get. We got some of our frait (freight) on. She would not wait till we got it all on board so Abraham and the doctor were left behind and have not got here yet. Our wagons have not got here yet.

Harry Bishop and Sug (?) Fry got in yesterday with their mule teams. Whitlock Doctor, Bragg Jarbo and Henry Goodrich are here but none of their teams. We are looking for them every day.

I am sorry to inform you that cholera is here and one man died on our boat his name was Simson from Henopin (?) Ill another from near the same place a doctor but not on the same boat they were both for Callaforna. (California). The death of Mr. Simson was very regretted he left a wife and 6 children but in good circumstances. He was taken in the morning and died about midnight. They made a box and buried him the same night.

I was very much alarmed but I have concluded to not be troubled about it. If it is the will of God that I am one of the number that is not to get there I wish to be reconciled to my fate.

(Stay tuned for Part 2 - coming soon!)

SCHGS Meeting, Monday April 26th, "Kansas and the Louisiana Purchase"

2010-04-21T15:40:00.001-05:00

“Kansas and the Louisiana Purchase”

On Monday, April 26th, at the Wellington Steakhouse, at 6:30 p.m., Jim Crisler will present “Kansas and the Louisiana Purchase” to the Sumner County Historical and Genealogical Society and visitors.

How did the French plan to use the Louisiana Territory? How close did Kansas come to being part of the Spanish Empire? What one person, considered a traitor by some, played a pivotal role in the Louisiana Purchase?

“This talk will focus around the maps,” Crisler said, “and the politicians and the people who decided how those maps came out.”

Through Crisler’s eyes, we will see a glimpse of what our nation was like at this early time in its history, how international conflicts pulled the colonists in different directions, and how the colonists and the attitude of the countries to their colonies and the colonists to their countries played a crucial part in the growth of America.

Crisler will touch on how the Native Americans interacted with the first official expedition that came from the United States into the territory that is now Kansas, the Pike Expedition, and will follow the career of one very interesting character who “turns up at a surprising number of important times in our nation’s early history and was considered by some to be one of the biggest traitors in United States history.”

Crisler said there were many national and international events that brought about the Louisiana Purchase and many interesting and surprising characters that played a part in influencing those events, including the treatment of famous founding fathers George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson as English colonists, and he will share how ordinary settlers, as well as traders and traitors, Native Americans and generals, explorers and heroes all interacted and led to the Purchase.

“Whether Kansas would belong to the United States or become part of the Spanish empire, the year 1806 decided the fate of the United States west of the Mississippi, and Kansas’ fate ends up being decided by a notorious traitor,” Crisler said.

There is no charge for the meetings and visitors are always welcome!

Sumner County Historical & Genealogical Society
Meeting, Monday, April 26th at 6:30 p.m., Wellington Steakhouse, Wellington, Kansas
For more Information, contact Sherry Stocking Kline at: sherry@familytreewriter.com