From Gettysburg to Sedgwick: The Adventures of Charles Schaefer

by Kristine Schmucker,Curator

Before settling in south central Kansas in the future town of Sedgwick, Charles Schaefer led an interesting life.  At the age of ten he left home and became a part of the frontier army at Fort Leavenworth and traveled throughout the territory as a scout.  Part one of the series can be read here http://harveycountyvoices.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-successful-plainsman-and-scout.html. Part 2 focuses on the Civil War and his adult life.

Schaefer wrote;

"In 1858 he went to San Antonia and there identified himself with the U.S. army as a scout, serving at Fort Clark, Ringold Barracks, and Brownsville; being at the latter place when the civil war broke out.  Knowing the officers on both sides so well he hesitated for sometime whether to cast his lot with the North or the South.  the question as to the right of a state to secede from the Union was the deciding factor and he enlisted October 16, 1860 in Company E 3rd U.S. Infantry, drawing his first uniform from the Alamo." ("Autobiography" by Charles Schaefer, p. 1-2. Charles Schaefer File, Sedgwick Historical Museum, Sedgwick, Ks) 

Charles Schaefer

Seventeen year old Schaefer spent the first year of the Civil War at Fort Pickens, Florida.  From there he went to the Army of the Potomac where he served the rest of the war, participating in most of the important battles of that region" under the command of General Fitz John Porter.  Schaefer was wounded in the knee at Gettysburg. 

General Fitz John Porter seated

"Dramatic Highlight of the Civil War"

The orders were not to fire, unless fired upon.  According to Schaefer, that order saved the life of General Robert E. Lee and prolonged the war.  Schaefer recounted the story for a newspaper reporter years later.

Standing behind a shock of newly cut wheat in a field near Gettysburg, Pa., a blue-coated man, age 20, leveled his rifle across the shock and took careful aim at the heart of a grey-coated man with stars on his shoulder and gold braid on his black slouch hat.  

"Don't shot!" exclaimed the officer commanding the squad.

"But I must," answered the lad with a 'bead' on the grey-coated man.  "That is General Lee.  He used to be in San Antonio when I enlisted there and so I know him.  Let me kill him.  It will end the war." 

But  the officer in charge of the blue-coated reconnoitering party was obdurate  . . So rather than disobey the order of his superior, Charles Schaefer . . . put up his weapon and Lee passed on without knowing how near he came to death."  (Undated Clipping "Sedgwick Vet Once Had 'bead' on Rob't E. Lee" in the Charles Schaefer File, Sedgwick Historical Museum, Sedgwick, Ks)

This was one of several stories that Schaefer would later tell about his experiences during the Civil War.  Schaefer mustered out in 1865, but reenlisted to serve as Post Quartermaster at Forts Harper and Zarah until 1869.  He was recognized for his service at Gettysburg in 1913, when each veteran was presented with a bronze metal cast from metal of cannons used during the war.

Home to Sedgwick, Kansas

He married Maria Theresa Rivallissa from New Mexico, in approximately 1868 and they decided to establish a more permanent home.

Maria M. Rivalissa Schafer, ca. 1868

In 1869, Charles Shaefer brought his bride to a place he had explored before while traveling with Col. Fauntleroy in the 1850s and again in 1860.  A place he remembered as a place of great beauty - the region near the convergence of the Big and Little Arkansas Rivers in south central Kansas.

Schaefer wrote:

"and as he again came into the valleys of the Little & Big Arkansas rivers, his keen vision and clear memory spotted again the characteristic view that had as first so impressed him.  I have already spoken of the fact that the only break in the broad monotony of prairie grass was the green made by the river trees.  South of the present site of Wichita a few miles was a  very thickly wooded place in the long line of green that marked the river.  This looked perfectly round from a  distance, and could be seen for miles.  El bosque Redondo, the Mexicans called it, and according to their tradition it had been known for years.     ("Autobiography" by Charles Schaefer, Charles Schaefer File, Sedgwick Historical Museum, Sedgwick, Ks) 

 Schaefer settled with his family on a ranch approximately four miles west what would become the City of Sedgwick in 1869.  He operated a supply store and engaged in raising cattle for a few years.  By the early 1870s, the Schaefer family had moved to the town of Sedgwick to open a grain and mercantile business with another early pioneer, William Finn.

Charles Schaefer (lt), William Finn (rt)

Charles and Maria's second child, a daughter named Rosa, was born August 12, 1870 and  was the first white child born in what would become Harvey County.  The Schaefer's had five children; Charles G., Rosa A., Esia J., John F. and Earl.  Maria died April 28, 1885 at the age of 43.  It was noted that "she was an early community worker and was loved by all -- she helped many people."

Five years later, Schaefer married Mary Francis Wilkin of Sedgwick.  According to Schaefer she "proved a most gentle and efficient mother to the bereaved children." She died in 1924 at age 75.

Harvey County State Militia & Public Life

In 1874, Schaefer was again called on to serve his state.  Deputized by Kansas Governor Thomas A Osborne on July 15, 1874, Schaefer was charged with the responsibility to "raise a company of men to stop the Indian depredations that threatened the countryside."

Document addressed to
Capt. Charles Schaefer, Harvey County State Militia
ordering the return of 30 Sharps Carbines.

Gov. Osborne organized the Kansas State Guards in response to Indian raids in western and southern Kansas mostly concentrated near Medicine Lodge, Ks. By the close of 1874, the Harvey County Militia was disbanded.  ("Autobiography" by Charles Schaefer, Charles Schaefer File, Sedgwick Historical Museum, Sedgwick, Ks)

Schaefer continued in public life when he served as Deputy Register of Deeds for Sedgwick County from 1888-1892.  During this time the Schaefers lived in Wichita, Ks.

In 1892 President Cleveland appointed Schaefer Consul to Vera Cruz, Mexico.  He spoke fluent Spanish "and made a good record in diplomatic corps."  He held this position for five years. ("County Loses Its Oldest Pioneer" Charles Schaefer Obituary; Evening Kansan Republican January 8, 1934, p.1)

In 1897, he returned to Sedgwick where he took an active part in civic improvements until his death January 7, 1934 at the age of 92.

Sources:

•  "Autobiography" by Charles Schaefer, Charles Schaefer File, Sedgwick Historical Museum, Sedgwick, Ks
•  "Sedgwick Vet Once Had 'bead' on Rob't E. Lee" undated clipping in the Charles Schaefer File, Sedgwick Historical Museum, Sedgwick, Ks
• "County Loses Its Oldest Pioneer" Charles Schaefer Obituary; Evening Kansan Republican January 8, 1934, p.1
• Report of Adjutant General, p. 47; Combined Kansas Reports (Google eBook) Kansas 0 Reviews Kansas State Printing Plant., 1875, 
• For more information on the 1874 conflicts that led to the formation of the Militias see: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ksbarber/osage_indians_1874.html; http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ksbarber/osborn_j_29sept1927.html;

This blog post is in connection to our current exhibit featuring the Harvey County community of Sedgwick, Kansas.  Thank you to the Sedgwick Historical Museum, Sedgwick, Ks, for providing access to their collections related to the history of Sedgwick.   

Visit our web page at http://hchm.org/ for information available for family history research.

January: Fire, Snow and Ice in Harvey County

by director Debra Hiebert, with research complied

by archival volunteer Thomas Carrell.

January in Harvey County has seen some extreme disasters, both natural and "from man's hand."  From "the most disastrous storm to hit Kansas" (from the Halstead Independent, 1961, referencing the blizzard of 1886) and destructive ice to unfortunate and tragic fires, January has historically offered plenty to keep the newspapers busy.

 As we enjoy another dry, mild winter, let's take a look back a few years to January 4, 2005, when Harvey County, and much of southcentral Kansas, was hit with a severe ice storm. The ice and accompanying wind brought tree branches and even trunks crashing to the ground, taking power lines, houses and other structures with them. Some county residents were without power for over a week as local and out-of-state crews worked to repair lines and replace poles.

Cold weather left the ice in place from Tuesday until the weekend, when temperatures in the '50's did away with it. The results of the storm could be seen throughout 2005, with piles of brush waiting to be hauled away and building repairs completed.

Earlier times in Kansas saw different effects from harsh weather. A 1961 edition of the Halstead Independent shared the story of the Kansas blizzard of January, 1886. According to this account:
"The last day of the year [1885] was beautifully warm and sunny and very quiet. Old Chris Krehbiel watched the flies flitting about the barn as if in midsummer and remarked to the hired man, 'Morgen fliegen sie nicht so.' (My loose translation is "They won't be flying like that tomorrow morning." Please feel free to correct this in our comments section!) He was right. By the morning of January 1 the temperature had dropped to 20 below zero and the wind was blowing the fine snow around so that it was impossible to see. One blizzard followed another all through January . . ." The storm claimed nearly 300 lives (mainly in the counties west of here, where shelter was not as available) and much livestock. Due to the unusually dry summer of 1885 leaving a shortage of feed, and a very mild fall, many farmers and ranchers had left their stock on the open range, so when the storm hit, the cattle drifted and froze or suffocated. What a difference to the current times when a person would have to work hard to be surprised by a storm due to the readily available weather information  The paper tells the tale of one lucky old sow who lived on a farm just west of Halstead. When the storm hit and she disappeared, the farmer assumed she was dead. Six weeks later in mid-February, she "came waddling out from a pile of snow and straw, almost too weak to walk and very thin, but still alive. Fed and sheltered she recovered." The paper also references the winter of 1911-1912, which was worse due to regular temperatures of 20 below and weekly snowfall, leaving the ground covered in snow from January through March, 1912. But "people were more prepared for it" with better shelter for both humans and livestock, and without the harsh windstorms that accompanied the 1886 season.


As destructive as these examples of snow and ice in our January history have been, fire has also figured prominently, particularly in Newton. The "most disastrous fire in the history of Newton" (Evening Kansas-Republican, January 29, 1908) was spotted at 6:45 AM in the hayloft of Thompson's Livery Stable at 112-114 East Sixth. The fire destroyed the livery and Lehman's Hardware, which was adjacent to the livery and faced Main Street.

Charred remains of businesses in 600 North Main, east side of street, including J.B. Thompson Livery, Kansas State Bank, Charles Johnson Drug Store, Wallace & Farrington Harness Store and Lehman Hardware.

Through hard work by Newton firemen, Santa Fe Railroad firemen, and Santa Fe rail workers (who responded to lend manpower as needed), only minimal damage was sustained by the surrounding businesses, mostly due to smoke and water damage to inventory. However, 35 horses died in the stable, with around 14 saved.

Less than a decade later Newton citizens experienced an even more devastating January blaze, this one claiming a life. Less than three hours into the new year of 1915, fire was discovered in the rear (west side) of the Knoepker Opera House, formerly called the Ragsdale Opera House.

The opera house was built in 1885 by T.P. and J.M. Ragsdale, eventually being sold to J.W. Johnson, then to J.H. Kroepker a few years prior to the fire. The building housed several businesses on the third floor, including Murphy Mortgage Company, Keystone Printing (owned by Mel Reynolds) and a shoe repair shop owned by E.M. Sikes. Also in the opera house was the McManus Department Store. T.H. McManus had spent the last few months of 1914 opening the store at this location and building his inventory back up after being completely burned out in August of 1914 at his former location, 508-516 North Main. (This fire burned the entire 500 block of North Main, including the businesses on East Fifth and East Sixth a story for another post!)

Remains of McManus Department Store, 500 block of North Main, displaying the sign stating, "McManus Dept. Store Open For Business-Opera House." The owner had arranged to rent space in the opera house before the end of the day that saw the burning of his business, and immediately set about opening and restocking.

The three-story Trousdale building was directly north of the opera house, and was occupied by a hotel owned by J.E. Hall, who had recently installed new furniture in the rooms. Damage continues throughout the day as walls collapsed onto surrounding objects, such as cars at a neighboring car dealership.

Citizens turned out in full force to see the remains of this downtown landmark, many  not taking the warning of the crushed car very seriously and standing a bit too close to the sagging walls!

The report of the opera house fire in the January 1, 1915 Evening Kansas Republican illustrates one way journalism has changed over the past century, with an interesting account of the origin of the fire:
"Those most familiar with the details of the fire declare that very distinct odors of oil were detected in the vicinity of the stage when the firemen reached the scene, and it is also intimated that some very reliable information is in the hands of the officers, which point to the fire having been of incendiary origin. Future developments will no doubt establish more certain the correctness of such a supposition."

The paper also reported that a man may have died in the fire. This was confirmed the next day when human remains were found by a "small army of volunteers." Willis T. Green was "an old settler of Harvey County and a well-known figure on the streets of Newton." Born in Ohio, this Civil War veteran moved his family to Harvey County in 1872, homesteading in Darlington Township. He served, at one time, as clerk of the district court and also worked as an engineer at the "old city water works." For eight or nine years prior to the opera house fire, he resided on the third floor of the building. Widowed and almost 70 years of age, he served not only as a handyman for the opera house building, but was employed around town doing odd jobs and repair work. Two married daughters and one son lived in Newton, with the newspaper offering the "sympathy of the community . . . in the loss of their father in so terrible a manner."

We welcome a January without, so far, a major blizzard, ice storm or fire destroying substantial downtown buildings. Disasters are interesting history, reminding me of the Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times." Here's hoping for a boring month!

http://hchm.org/

A Tasty Tradition to Welcome the New Year

by Debra Hiebert, HCHM Director

Many cultures have favorite dishes for the holidays, including New Years Day. The many Mennonite immigrants who settled Harvey County in the 1870's and 1880's brought a  traditional recipe used to welcome each new year. New Years Cookies are less like a cookie and more like a fritter or sugar doughnut. The low German name is portzilke, and means "tumbling over," a reference to the way the fritters turn themselves over in the frying oil. Many recipes exist, but all are fairly similar. One recipe is from Augusta (Dirksen) Schroeder, wife of Herman P. Schroeder. The Schroeders lived on Anderson Avenue (between 12th Street and Old 81) and farmed the surrounding fields. Both Augusta and Herman were first-generation Americans, living in Harvey County for most of their lives. Augusta's recipe for New Years Cookies follows the basic format:

New Years Cookies (Augusta)

1 c. raisins or prunes - soak overnight. Next morning boil up with water.

Take 1/2 c. of this juice and soak 1 cake yeast, 1 T. sugar, 1 t. salt.

Add 1 c. milk, 2 eggs and enough flour to make a bubbit dough. (Authors note: Bubbit was a holiday baked bread dressing to accompany roast meat, and contained either dried fruit, such as raisins, or small meat pieces.) After it has raised, stir or fold dough over. In meantime, heat Crisco and fry by spoonfuls in Crisco 'til brown.

The fried "cookies" were then rolled in sugar or drizzled with frosting. Augusta's recipe shows a modern substituion with Crisco, as the fritters were traditionally fried in lard. New Years Cookies are still served in Harvey County at special events, such as Fall Fest at Bethel College in North Newton. And, of course, in many private homes to welcome in a new year.

Does your family have a traditional meal or recipe to celebrate New Years Day? Share with our readers in the comments section. And have a 2013 filled with both traditional favorites and the best of today on your table!

 A Little Holiday Fun and Best Wishes!

Posted by HCHM director Deb Hiebert

All of us at the museum hope you are enjoying visiting with friends . . .



Interior of Newton store with January 1912 calendar on the wall, Christmas bell decoration hanging
 from ceiling fan and a group of men (and one boy) gathered around the stove.



Ladies Reading Circle members



 and family . . .

while looking forward to . . .

with lots of fun parties.

Wishing you and yours . . .

of prosperity, health . . . and lots of merry-making in fun hats!

Thanks for being part of our museum community.

http://hchm.org/

A Successful Plainsman and Scout

by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Curator

The death of Charles Schaefer on January 8, 1934 marked the end of an era in Harvey County, Kansas.  Schaefer was the last of the early traders, soldiers and scouts that first saw the potential of Kansas. In his youth, he traveled the unbroken prairie as a scout and soldier.  He fought in the Civil War and the Indian Wars, and could recall a time when the prairie was home to vast buffalo herds.  In the late 1860s, he was among the first men, along with Wichita founders James R. Mead, William Greifenstein, and William Mathewson,  to settle around the Arkansas River in the area that would become Sedgwick and Harvey counties.  In connection with the upcoming Sedgwick exhibit at HCHM, several blog posts will feature the varied life of Charles Schaefer as well as other interesting people from Sedgwick's history.

His obituary describes Schaefer as"self-educated and self-made, attaining more than ordinary success and prominence,a man of force and leadership."  

Evening Kansan Republican, Jan. 8, 1934
Front page

Charles Schaefer was a man that seemed to have been involved in a little of everything.  He spent his youth "as a successful plainsman and scout," followed by a career in the Army during the Civil War.    After the close of the war, he settled in Sedgwick to raise a family and was a successful businessman and townbuilder.  Some of his remembrances were preserved in a file at the Sedgwick Historical Museum, Sedgwick, Ks. I am grateful to the Board of the Sedgwick Historical Museum and especially to Marcia Nordstrom, board president, for allowing me access to the files on the Schaefer family.

Charles Schaefer

Guardians of the Trails and Frontier

On the crowded St. Louis platform in 1852, few took notice of the young boy as they boarded the steamboat.  Probably none wondered why the boy was not in school or with his parents  For ten year old Charles Schaefer, sneaking away from class and boarding a steamboat that day was the beginning of a grand adventure that would include the president of the United States, famous generals,  rough soldiers and scouts fighting the Indian wars on the frontier.

The oldest of three boys, Schaefer was born in Hamm, Province of Westphalia, Prussia in December 1842 to Richard and Gertrude Eiseleben Schaefer.   His father, Richard, was a soldier and reportedly had suffered some injury at Waterloo. By the late 1840s, the elder Schaefer had fled "his native country on account of the part he took in politics," for the United States leaving his wife and sons behind.  

In 1848, Gertrude made the voyage to the United States with her sons to join her husband.  She died upon their arrival in New York.  Richard, perhaps feeling ill equipped to handle all three of the boys, sent 10 year old Charles to relatives in St. Louis, MO.  Young Charles already had a taste for adventure and was not content to sit quietly in school reading about great battles.  He was ready to go explore!  So, that day in St. Louis, he left school, and boarded a steamboat bound for Fort Leavenworth, KS.

Steamboat on the Missouri River

Later in life Schaefer recalled his experience.

"While playing on board a steamboat that plied between St. Louis and Leavenworth he found himself unintentionally a passenger as the boat had embarked without his knowledge.  Seeking to amuse himself . . . his eye was caught by a flag fluttering high on a hill.  He followed it to find it led to the drill grounds of the soldiers at the fort.  He became so absorbed watching them that he failed to take the boat when it returned.  As night came on, the little boy of 10 years began to feel lonely and afraid.  Colonel Fauntleroy who was at the fort in charge of an overland train to the U.S. troops in New Mexico noticed the lad and took him home with him."  (Charles Schaefer Autobiography #1 Schaefer Scrapbook, Sedgwick Historical Museum, Sedgwick,Ks) 

Fort Leavenworth, established in 1827,  was the first permanent U. S. Army fort established in Kansas.  By 1852 the fort served as a headquarters for commanders and the chief unit in the army's frontier defense system. Schaefer described Fort Leavenworth as he remembered it in 1852.

"[It] never was really a fort. . . with two Block Houses one on corner of the Parade Ground the other diagonally across.  There were squares with holes for cannons in the tower and loopholes for the musket men.   There were 10 or 12 Calvary stables.  Each would hold a troop of Calvary.  The officers quarters were across the parade grounds, the barracks on one side and other buildings on the opposite side." (Charles Schaefer Fort Leavenworth, Schaefer Scrapbook, Sedgwick Historical Museum, Sedgwick,Ks) 

Fort Leavenworth, Courtesy Wichita State University

Col. Thomas T. Fauntleroy, who took the young boy in, was a  commander of the First Regiment of Dragoons during the 1850s and led several campaigns throughout the region.

The Dragoon Regiment was authorized by Congress in March 1833 and was composed of soldiers who could ride to battle and fight either on horse or foot.  Recruits were to be native born, 20 to 35 years old, and over five five five inches tall and "sober at the time of enlisting."  Over time, the Army had to reduce the restrictions to fill recruitment quotas. By the 1850s, recruits were not questioned too closely about their age or citizenship status, allowing young men like Schaefer to join.

Life in the fort was not easy.  Disease was a constant threat to soldiers on the frontier.  Cholera and malaria were more of a threat to the men than the Indians.  Far more soldiers died of disease than from hostile action.

An outbreak of malaria was an annual occurrence at Fort Leavenworth.  In 1843 and 1844 the Missouri River flooded due to heavy rains and the standing water became an ideal breeding ground for disease that the troops took with them to the field.  In 1850 cholera broke out on boats bound for Fort Leavenworth, but the doctors on board did not know what was causing it or how to treat it. Once they arrived at the Fort, the entire fort was infected and the epidemic spread across the prairies with the troop movements. In August 1855 a cholera epidemic at Fort Riley and the ensuing panic nearly annihilated the fort.  Doctors tried to treat the diseases with varying degrees of success.  One surgeon at Fort Gibson prescribed calonel for everything.  His patients died of mercury poisoning.  Sulfate quinine was discovered to treat malaria, but determining an effective dosage took awhile to discover.

In the winter of 1854-55 Fauntleroy campaigned against the Utes living in the Rocky Mountain region and later against the Apache in New Mexico.

"Charles begged so hard to go with the train that Colonel Fauntleroy gave him the privilege of driving Dr. Leatherman's buggy in the long procession over the plains." (Charles Schaefer Autobiography #1 Schaefer Scrapbook, Sedgwick Historical Museum, Sedgwick,Ks) 

Young Schaefer was responsible for driving the doctor's buggy to to Fort Union, New Mexico with the regiment in 1854. Schaefer later recalled the prairie as a "veritable ocean of tall waving brown grass . . . the grass was so tall that its waves were even as the ocean billows.  This great prairie ocean was a sight that deeply impressed all who were here early enough to see it in its unbroken splendor."

He also noted that the 1st U.S. Dragoons on the move stretched out over a mile long, carrying supplies to the U.S. troops in New Mexico, and included recruits for the infantry, and several hundred horses for the cavalry.  Upon the arrival of the troops at Fort Union, New Mexico, "Charles was put in school with the children of the officers and men of the army . . . his education continued here and in the schools of Santa Fe." 

In 1858, Schaefer identified himself as a U.S. Army scout and served at Fort Clark, Ringold Barracks and at Brownsville. Fauntleroy, along with Kit Carson, led several expeditions against the Apaches in 1859-1861.  Schaefer was along on some of these missions.

A future post will describe Shaefer's experiences at Maxwell's Ranch during this expedition.

Sources:  Charles Schaefer Autobiography #1 Schaefer Scrapbook, Sedgwick Historical Museum, Sedgwick,Ks; Charles Schaefer Fort Leavenworth, Schaefer Scrapbook, Sedgwick Historical Museum, Sedgwick,Ks; J. Patrick Hughes, Ph.D., "The Life of the Dragoon Enlisted Men" Kansas Collection Articles, http://www.kancoll.org/articles/dragoons.htm

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A Useful, Busy Life: Miss Challender

by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Curator

The next Harvey County community that will be featured at HCHM is the oldest city in the county - Sedgwick. The exhibit featuring Sedgwick will open January 11, 2013. The next series of blog posts will feature people and events from Sedgwick's history.

Some people are able to extend their influence across city boundaries—Miss Olive May Challender may have been one such woman. Her fourteen year teaching career included two Harvey County towns, Burrton and Sedgwick.  Her involvement in her church extended her influence beyond the county to include the state.

Miss Olive May Challender
Photo courtesy Chris Child
Find A Grave

"A useful, busy life. . ."

Olive May Challender was born in Neponset, Illinois, October 25, 1877 to Josiah S. and Alice Challender.  Two years later a brother, Alton, was born.  The family came to Kansas in 1892 and settled in rural Harvey County near Burrton.

Wheat Harvest, Challeder Farm near Burrton, 1899
A.R. Challender, R.T. Challender and Mr. Billings
HCHM Photo Archives

Olive graduated from Burrton High School and taught for three years before attending the State Normal School in Emporia, Ks. After her graduation in 1900, she returned to Burrton to teach in the Primary School.

Burrton's First Primary Teacher, Olive May Challender
HCHM Photo Archives

The Burrton Graphic  noted that Miss Challender "endeared herself to the children whom she taught by her kinds and loving actions toward them." (Burrton Graphic, February 10, 1911)

Burrton Primary School, April 23, 1903
Olive May Challender & pupils
HCHM Photo Archives

In 1907, she and her mother moved to Sedgwick and Miss Challender began teaching the children of Sedgwick.

Sedgwick School
HCHM Photo Archives

"A noble, christian life" 

Miss Challender was described as a "talented and loveable" person. While living in Burrton, she joined the  Methodist Episcopal Church. When she moved to Sedgwick, she transferred her membership the M.E. Church there.

Methodist Episcopal Church, 1903
Sedgwick, Ks
HCHM Photo Archives

During this time, she served at the state level as County Sunday School Association Superintendent of Primary Work.  Through this work she became known county wide and her "influence extended beyond the circles of her immediate community."  

"The unexpected death . . . caused universal sorrow"

At the age of 33, Miss Challender suddenly died.  The Newton Weekly Kansan Republican reported that she had left school on Thursday complaining of a sore throat, but no other "alarming symptoms."  On Sunday morning, her family was felt some concern "because her lower extremities were cold."  At noon, she tried to get out of bed, but she could not walk.  Her family helped her back to bed, "and death came quickly."  The paper goes on to report that the physicians were puzzled because there were no indications of acute disease.  They finally concluded that her heart was weakened for some reason and simply gave out without warning.

“The unexpected death of Miss Ollie Challender at Sedgwick last Sunday caused universal sorrow . . . She was greatly loved . . . A useful, busy life.” (Sedgwick Pantagraph, undated clipping, HCHM Archives)

Sources: 
Burrton Graphic Feb. 10, 1911; Newton Weekly Kansan Republican 9 February 1911; Sedgwick Pantagraph,February 9, 1911; HCHM Archives - Olive Challender's Memorial Service; Combined Kansas Reports (Google Books) p. 127; The Development of the Sunday School, 1780-1905, (Google Books) p. 518-519; Report by Kansas Department of Public Instructions, 1910 17th Biennial Report, (Google Books) p. 293;Yearbook by Kansas State Teachers College of Emporia, 1904 (Google Books) p. 120 Elementary Courses 

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Four Boys and a Car Named "Minerva"

 I recently ran across this story in the Evening Kansan Republican from 1939 of a trip taken by four young men shortly after high school graduation. A short time later I discovered that we had the photographs taken by one of the travelers in our collection.

Today, we expect certain amenities and a service station with a McDonald's at regular intervals.  In 1939, travel was a little different. Enjoy the story of four young men exploring the great Southwest as reported to the Evening Kansan Republican when they returned to town on June 19.

"Minerva, the 1931 Hudson 8 sedan crawled into Newton Monday night at 10:30 with tremendous effort after her three weeks trek  of 5,463 miles through the wilds of unconquered Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada,California, Arizona, and New Mexico with Pat, Bill, Maurice and Dick."* 

The four young men left Newton at six a.m. on Wednesday, May 24 for a road trip across seven states in their black sedan they affectionately called "Minerva".  The young men took turns driving in two hour shifts. By that evening they "hobbled wearily into Denver", after fighting the wind and dust of Western Kansas all day.    Apparently they had a mishap, because the article noted that the"front right door was slightly dented . . . and a broken starter."  They "judged the beds they slept in that night the best they had ever slept in." The next morning they awoke refreshed and took time to tour the the Municipal Airport in Denver where they saw the Douglass D-C-4, "the largest land plane in the world."

Then, they were on their way for the second day of their adventure. As they drove through the mountains they encountered snow and more car trouble.  

"No less than six inches crowned Minerva in the blizzard and after an altitude of 7,000 ft through Berthould Pass which boasts a climb to 11,334 ft., Minerva's vacuum tank stubbornly refused to operate.  By the time Granby was reached that night, it had become 'old stuff' to stop and siphon gasoline from the tank to keep the vacuum tank in good humor."

Working on Minerva in a blizzard

After leaving Granby, Colorado, they headed toward Salt Lake City.  Along the way, they continued to have trouble with the vacuum tank and they had three flat tires.

Changing a tire.

Once in Salt Lake City, they reported that they did not feel very welcome.

"The town itself seemed to scowling at them with their intrusion, for they were greeted in the private drive of the Capital by the police with puzzled glances at their packed car, and remarks full of wondering at their being around in the middle of the night."

Postcard, ca. 1940

While in Salt Lake City, they were able to see the Mormon Tabernacle, the capital and museum. They also swam in the Great Salt Lake.

Postcard, ca. 1940

From there they traveled to Reno, Nevada, camping out along the way.

Camping out along the way.

Once in Reno they visited several tourist attractions including the courthouse, and  "Harold's Club and the Dog House, nationally famed night spots of the town of divorce." 

Then off to California, where once again their welcome was uncertain.

"After spending their first night in California  comfortably curled up in blankets on the Capital lawn in Sacramento, the boys and Minerva were gallantly helped over the last lap of the trail into Yosemite Park by the state police."

They pitched a tent in the Park and enjoyed the sites noting that they "were over-awed by the wonders of that beautiful spot."   

Postcard, ca. 1940

They tried to walk under the Yosemite Falls, which were known as the highest free falling falls in the world , viewed caves and went swimming.

"Wawona" a tree in Yosemite National Park
Today, it is referred to as the "Fallen Tunnel Tree"

Eventually, they crossed Oakland Bay Bridge into San Francisco and stayed at a Y.M.C.A.. While in the area, they visit several former Newtonians including Col. Dave Randall, head of the marine barracks at Mare Island.

Posing with Minerva

"June 13 brought homesickness for Bill, as he labored feverishly with his friends over two blowouts, two punctures, aches from sleeping on 'little boulders' at Boulder Dam . . . and the presentation of bills for two new innertubes."

Postcard, 1938

Taking a break.

Apparently Bill was feeling better by the time they reached the Grand Canyon.  The twenty-five mile jaunt to the depths of the vast canyon and back again gave them memories and many, many blisters."

Postcard, ca. 1940

From this point Minerva was turned toward Kansas and home.  When asked about their trip, the guys replied that they had fifty cents left and the price of gas in California was "so high it cut their mileage off quite a degree."**** They did not attend church, "because they never knew when Sunday came around." Finally, the reporter asked, 

"'Average driving speed?' Silence answered this one, with a slow confession that 40-45 were the figures for 'publication,' but Minerva could go faster.  . . . they added, 'she's for sale now!'" 

**Note:  Although last names were not given in the article, based on the information with the photographs the four friends were likely Dick Glover, Pat Sauble, Bill Golding and Maurice Claassen all Newton High graduates in 1939.  This might have been a trip to celebrate graduation.

Four friends, 1985
Dick Glover, Pat Sauble, Bill Golding, Maurice Claassen

****Note on gas prices: Ten cents a gallon seems to have been the national average price in 1939.

Sources:
"Odyssey of Four Newton Boys and an Antique Car", Evening Kansan Republican, Wednesday, June 21, 1939, page 3.
HCHM Photograph Archives, Newton High School 100th Anniversary, (Railer 100), 1985 Pat Sauble Collection #2010.209.7-12
HCHM Postcard File - Travel