Found in Archives

Photograph of

The Commercial Club
Sabetha, Kansas
1912

Schools

Thanks to local patrons, the Nemaha County Historical Society received the sign from Armstrong School recently.

Armstrong school was located in Home Township.

Also located in the archives was a list of school teachers from 1930-1931.

Early Highway 36

The Nemaha County Historical Society recently received a photo that is believed to be a view of Seneca, Kansas along Highway 36.

Can you place any of these buildings along the highway in Seneca?

Found in the Archives

This week's random search of the archives was for the keyword, Washington, in honor of Washington's birthday. As expected this search turned up several items related to George Washington.

However, it also turned up an interesting tidbit about a Nemaha Countian:

Wm. Butler Slosson and Achsah Louise Lilly Slosson Pioneers from New York State to Albany and Sabetha. Their son, Dr. Edwin Emery Slosson, scientist, author, editor, lecturer, 1st Director of Science Service at Washington D.C. was born at Albany, Kansas, June 7, 1865 and died October 15, 1929. 

A search of Tennal's History of Nemaha County for 'Slosson' turned up quite a few entries. The first entry states that the Slosson family were among the early settlers of Rock Creek Township.

To learn more about Dr. Edwin Slosson, the first Director of Science Service, the online version of the Sabetha Herald was searched. Since his death date was found in the archives, the search was limited to 1929. One of the articles found was a biography of Dr. Edwin Slosson.

Come check out the Nemaha Historical Society Archives and see what tidbit of information you find.

Valentines

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Check out the Nemaha Valley Historical Society Archives

Lincoln Visit to Kansas

Today is Lincoln's birthday. In honor of our past president, I searched the archives to see what could be found. One item found is an article from the Kansas City Star.

Lincoln Visited Kansas On Tour 100 Years Ago

Published in Kansas City Star, February 8, 1959

One hundred years ago Abraham Lincoln came to Kansas at the invitation of Mark W. Delahay. Delahay was the founder of the Territorial Register at Leavenworth, and the Wyandotte Register of present-day Kansas City, Kansas. He had worked as a traveling newspaperman and had met and married Miss Louisiana Hanks, a cousin of some degree to Abraham Lincoln, who bore him some family resemblance, and of whom Lincoln was very fond.

It was December 18, 1859, when Lincoln arrived in St. Joseph, after a trip across Missouri on the Hannibal & St. Joseph railroad, which had just been completed.

The station was in the south part of town and Lincoln was met by Delahay and D. W. Wilder and taken uptown in a hack. Lincoln wished to be shaved, so they took him to a barber shop near the Planters House and wilder went to the news-stand and bought the New York and Chicago papers for him. Later in the day they went to the ferry landing and crossed to Elwood, Kas., and registered at the Great Western hotel, a large, rambling frame building.

That night Lincoln spoke in the hotel dining room.  …

The Kansas State Historical Society article, "The Centennial of Lincoln's Visit to Kansas," provides additional information about his visit.

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Nemaha County Historical Society Archive

Seneca Main Street

Seneca Main Street looking East at South side from 5th Street in 1870

Smith Hotel Chimney on far right side of photograph

Two story brick building on left side of photo was torn down by Edward Taylor to build the 'new' drug store.

The Saloon was operated by Pete Assenmacher. Abijah Wells had his law office over the saloon. City council meetings were held in Wells' law office.

As reported in the 15 Aug 1879 issue of the Seneca Weekly Courier, The Assenmacher saloon was opened in August 1879.

Kings & Assenmacher's saloon was opened on Saturday last, and although the building was not half completed they had a remendous big run of business. Herman Lindemann is bar-tender for them.

#FoundInArchives -- Check out our Archives to see what you can find!

Nemaha County Historical Society

Buried in Snow

As we are invaded by a 'Polar Vortex', we likely will be caught complaining about our cold winter weather.

When looking back thru the history of Nemaha county, our weather may not be any worse than in the past. A search thru the Nemaha County Historical Society archives shows the town of Seneca was buried in snow.

Other pictures showed the 'snow plow' on the front of a train pushing the snow out of the way.

The article, Was a Kansas Blizzard, in the February 29, 1912 issue of The Courier-Democrat describes the aftermath of a snow storm.

Was a Kansas Blizzard

Sunday night's storm was a genuine
Kansas blizzard. But for one thing
it would probably have been the worst
in years. It was not cold although
the wind blew a gale and the drifts
piled high. A large amount of snow,
collecting on the south roof of the
Adams & Hailey Feed Barn, crushed
in the roof beneath the weight. Train
service was knocked clear out along
the Grand Island and an engine and
caboose were derailed near the brick
yards Monday morning. The  North-
western Plug started out bravely
Monday morning but returned at noon,
having been dug out of a drift at
Sourk's Switch by Frank Raper's
crew. The Northwestern switch en-
gine was off the track near Butler's
residence Monday morning.

What's your winter tale? Consider sharing your story and/or pictures with us.