Richland Township

Richland Township

ber to be found is that along the Marmaton, which runs through -a portion of the south tier of sections. A narrow fringe of small timber borders the Cottonwood branch, the chief tributary of the Marmaton in this township.

In the northern or northwestern portions of the towmship "grease rock'' is found, indicating the presence of coal oil. Bitumen, or asphaltum, has also been discovered. There is some coal in the northern part of the towmship. There is but little stone accessible outside of that which exists in the mounds.

Early Settlements

So far as can nowr be learned, the first bona fide white settler in Richland towmship wras Willis Bush, who came to the north side of section 27 and built a cabin as early as 1845. This cabin stood about a mile north of the Marmaton. Of the antecedents of Willis Bush nothing has been learned; he died long ago, and his descendants removed to California.

The well-knowrn old German, Nicholas Ganther, came next. In 1847 he made a settlement on section 20, a mile or less north¬ west of Enoch postoffice. G anther's claim vras on the east fork of the Charloiv branch, and he was in reality a prairie settler. In a fewr vears he sold out to E. S. Wevand, Sr., and moved dowTn on Dryw'ood, whence he removed to Texas and there died.

In 1847 or 1848 a man named Colcher, a discharged soldier from the regular army, who had been mustered out at Ft. Scott, located on section 27 ; he afterward sold to Hugh and John Dougherty.

Archie Hale and William Miller located on section 28, in the year 1848. Hale was at one time sheriff of the county. In October, 1849, their brother-in-law, Jackson Beard, bought a claim from a half-breed Osage named Barnaby and moved into a cabin which stood 200 yards west of wdiere Hale lived, within half a mile of the Marmaton. Besides this Barnaby, other halfbreed Indians lived in the southern part of the towmship along the Marmaton. Hale was from East Tennessee.

A man named Bates, the contractor who built Ft. Scott and wrho previously had built old Ft. Wayne, down in the Indian Ter¬ ritory, bought a claim from a half-breed named Jo SwTiss, in 1850, and settled on section 32, on the south side of the Mar¬ maton, near what wras then called the Swdss ford, now' known

Several families of Herefords bought half-breed claims and located south of the Marmaton, on sections 33 and 34, as early as 1847 or 1848. Eliakim Cox, better known as "Buck" Cox, came from Tennessee to the same neighborhood in 1849.

Judge E. S. Weyand, Sr., bought Nicholas Ganther's place and removed here in 1851; Jacob Miller settled upon and im¬ proved the well-known McArdle place in 1853, and David Glass¬ cock came to section 16 in 1858.

The nearness of Richland township to the military post at Ft. Scott made it a famous resort in olden times for the officers at that station, who turned it into a hunting field on many an oc¬ casion. From the bluff and gorgeous old major to the trim and natty lance-sergeant, nearly every officer at the post made more or less frequent incursions on deer hunts and wolf chases. "Jack" Beard, down on the Marmaton, kept open house and a pack of hounds. The military men resorted to the one and ob¬ tained the services of the other. The prairies and bottoms w^ere full of game, and after the day's sport wTas over there was a rare season of feasting and merrymaking at Jack Beard's.

Even during the Civil War the Federal officers at Ft. Scott frequently came over hunting, borrowing Jack Beard and his hounds. These chases were uniformly riotous and hilarious rather than successful. Majors, captains and colonels were the leaders, and often Gen. C. W. Blair was a member of the party.

On one occasion, in 1863, General Blair sent a note to Jack Beard to have himself and hounds ready the following morning, when a party of officers and soldiers would be over from the Fort to take a hunt in the Marmaton bottoms. Jack knew that four miles down the stream, in a thick grove of water oaks, Bill Marchbanks and his band of bushwhackers were encamped, and that if a warning were not given the Federals might start up a species of game they had not counted upon. Beard sent his boy through the darkness to give the alarm, and to request that the guerillas would get out of the country and stay out until the hunt was over. And this Captain Marchbanks actually consented to do and did do. The obliging guerilla leader crossed his force to the south side of the Marmaton, and again settled down in another basky thicket, where the Federals could not see him and the hounds could not track him. Here he remained within hear¬ ing of the turmoil of the hunt until it was over, and allowed General Blair and his party to return to Ft. Scott unmolested.

There was plenty of game in the township until after the Civil War, when the country began to settle and the land to be enclosed and improved. The deer and turkeys have long since passed away. A few slinking coyotes yet linger in the slough grass along the bottoms, but practically the occupation of old Jack Beard's dogs is gone.

Upon the first settlement there was much sickness in the township ; in 1853 there were many fatal cases of typhoid fever, in spite of the strongest efforts of the best physicians, and for some years chills and fever were generally prevalent. Latterly, with the cultivation of the country, the township is healthy enough.

Richards, with its pretty homes, handsome white-spired churches, substantial business houses, well-kept lawns and clean streets, is a beautiful little city of some 400 population.

Populated, as it is, with a God-fearing people, thrifty and prosperous, surrounded by a rich agricultural district, far from the ceaseless strife of the over-crowded city, no more ideal place to live could be found.

The town was laid out in 1891, but was not incorporated until 1901. It is situated on a high rolling prairie in Richland township and in the midst of vast acres of fertile prairie lands that reach as far as the eve can see. Its railroad facilities are unexcelled, being located on the Kansas City Southern and the Missouri Pacific, making shipping and travel convenient. The commercial interests are varied and extensive. The schools, the churches and society are matters of local pride. The municipal government is, and always has been, the best. The present of¬ ficials of Richards are: G. W. Hamlett, mayor; J. G. Poyner, G. W. Palmer, Roland Hughes and Dr. W. T. Adams, associate members of the board; J. A. Young, clerk; L. D. Hufiaker, treasurer.

Richards has more good sidewalks than any town of its size in Missouri, being made from both flagstone and concrete. The people take great pride in keeping the walks in the best possible condition.

Richland township either gets its name from Richland county, Ohio, or for its rich farm lands ; probably the latter, as it is con¬ ceded that there is no better land west of the Mississippi. "Wil¬ liam Busch was the first white settler, coming here in 1845. Nicholas Ganther soon followed, but later sold his holdings to the late E. S. Weyand, who was the first permanent settler. Farming, stock and poultry raising and fruit culture are the principal industries. Some coal is found in the township, but not of sufficient thickness to make mining extensive. Richland township has the best dirt roads in the county, and perhaps in the state.

A Town In The Hay

Richland township and this section of southwestern Missouri probably produces more timothy, clover and prairie hay than any other portion of the state. Richards stands among the fore¬ most hay shipping points in the country.

The magnitude of the hay crop in this section can hardly be estimated. An average of 800 cars are shipped from this station each year. This hay is handled, in the most part at least, by three shippers. The bulk of the local hay crop goes South.

Hay means much to Richards. It gives employment to many at harvest time, to say nothing of the money that it puts into the hands of the farmers.

Organization Of Roads In Richland

In 1898 the people of Vernon county adopted a county or¬ ganization, electing officers in March, 1899. The county court refused to give the townships any part of the levy for that year.

The people assembled in mass meeting and authorized the township board to levy 10c on every $100 valua¬ tion. This authority was given by signing an article that they, the signers, would pay that amount on the valuation of their property, so as to get something for the roads. This furnished $200. The county court later on appropriated 4c on every $100 valuation. This added about $110, making a total of $310, which was spent on the roads. The board made no charges for their services for that year.

There are sixty-eight miles of laid-out roads in Richland township. It can be readily seen how little can be accomplished with so small an amount - less than $5 per mile and the poll tax. At that time very little grading had been done. No rock arches had been built. Now the main traveled roads are well graded and there are seventeen stone arches, of which there are one twelve-foot, four eight-foot and also several township bridges. If the supreme court had not decided the 15c road and bridge tax unconstitutional, which decision deprived us of reve¬ nue for the last three years, we would have had every road graded and each branch either bridged or a good stone culvert across the same.

The Rinehart Hotel. "Just like home" is the Rinehart Hotel, which has been conducted by Mrs. M. A. Rinehart, at the corner of Fourth and Wall streets, for the past six years.

In all these years Mrs. Rinehart has endeavored to make this hostelry as near home-like as possible to those who stopped with her. She has succeeded, as anyone will vouch who has been entertained there. The Rinehart Hotel, with its comfortable rooms, well supplied table, good cooking and modern conveni¬ ences, enjoys a large patronage. The house is popular with tran¬ sient guests as well as the home people.

Mrs. Rinehart, the proprietress, is an estimable lady, who knows how to conduct a good hotel and does. She has many friends, not only at home but among the traveling public. This has had its share in making the Rinehart Hotel popular.

The Richards Telephone Exchange

Unsurpassed is the service of the Richards Telephone Ex¬ change, and it is a matter of local pride that it is such. The first telephones were installed here August 17, 1004, when five were placed in commission. , Prior to that time the only tele¬ phone in this vicinity was the toll station of the Bell Telephone Company at the Hotel Richards. Then there were no farmers' lines, but now this is principally a farmers' exchange.

The Public Schools

The school system of Richards is as thorough as any town of twice its size in Missouri. All grades up to and including the tenth are taught here.

The school building is an elegant two-story brick structure, which has recently been remodeled and repaired. The rooms of the building are well lighted and ventilated and the sanitary conditions are first-class. Large play and recreation grounds surround the building.

The secret society world is well represented in Richards. There are three orders, which, with their ladies' auxiliaries, make a total of six. The lodges are all composed of the best people in town. They are substantial and the meetings always interesting and well attended. The Masonic and Order of East¬ ern Star, Odd Fellows and Rebekahs and Modern Woodmen of America and Royal Neighbors are the organizations represented in this city. All of the societies meet in an elegant lodge room in the Wall building.

The Hotel Richards. A home for the traveling public is the Hotel Richards, on South Main street, which is so ably man¬ aged by Mrs. N. C. Comstock.

The late Albert Comstock first opened a hotel in the old Beard building in 1900, but built the present house and occupied it a year later. Three years ago he died and since that time Mrs. Comstock has successfully conducted the business.

Far and wide has the good reputation of this hotel extended. Cleanliness and comfort abide here, which, with good cooking and a bounteous table, brings a nice home patronage as well as many transients to the place. Mrs. Comstock is well liked by all. Her knowledge of what her guests like best has made the Hotel Richards popular.

The Richards "Progress," published weekly by M. S. Brady, is an unusually bright, newsy paper, and from the large amount of advertising matter, shows the liberal patronage of the mer¬ chants, which, in turn, shows that the surrounding country is rich and prosperous. In this vicinity are many breeders and raisers of fine stock who make a specialty of thoroughbred horses, cattle and hogs. Among these may be mentioned the P. H. and J. Richards Company, J. II. Duncan, J. F. Cole, J. R. Young, M. S. Brady, Dr. AY. T. Adams, J. M. Turley and many oiners.

Among the mercantile establishments may be mentioned Donald Koontz, hardware ; The Richards Hay & Grain Co., The Koontz Mercantile Co., J. M. Newland, meat market; Tipton & Co., tanners: Herbert Cox, druggist; Kelley & Co., cash store, and Preston & Warner, milliners.

The Methodist Church. The Methodist Episcopal congrega¬ tion of Richards occupies a handsome church at the corner of Third street and Royce avenue, which is known as the Richards M. E. Church, South.

Only since 1906 has this house of worship been located here. The church was erected in 1880 at Enoch. It was a part of the Nevada circuit of the Neosho district of the southwest Missouri conference. It was called Weyand 's Chapel up to the time the building was removed to its present site. W. C. Montgomery was presiding elder and J. C. Coss pastor. The building com¬ mittee was composed of E. S. Weyand, Sr., Henry White and L. B. White. R. A. Dores and L. L. Alexander built the church. The first board of trustees was made up of E. S. Weyand, Sr., Henry White, R. F. Benedict, L. B. White and W. P. Weyand.

The late Rev. John A. Swift delivered the first sermon in 1881, when the church was dedicated by Rev. R. S. Hunter. W. P. Weyand was superintendent of the first Sunday school or¬ ganized by the congregation.

With many a heartache, January, 1906. saw the passing of the chapel, when the building was moved on its present site and became the home of the Richards M. E. Church, South. E. II. Orear was the pastor in charge, with Messrs. T. E. Dixon, W. P. Weyand, Frank Ilass, J. P. Stuart and the late Samuel Austin as trustees.

tlie Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., of Richards, was formerly a Cumberland organization, organized by the Rev. E. E. Baker, now of El Paso, Texas, at what is now known as the Wall school house, one and one-half miles east of town. The organization took place in 1871, with the following members: Mr. and Mrs. Morris Mann, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Koontz, Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Wall, and Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Baker. Mrs. R. T. Wall and Mrs. A. M. Koontz are still members of the organization.

V orship was conducted in the school house continually up until 1883, when a neat frame building was erected near the present Richland cemetery. In 1891 the building was removed to Richards, refinished, a vestibute and belfry added and re¬ dedicated in July, 1905. During the last year the building has received splendid improvements. The seating capacity has been increased by an additional room, 20x32 feet, and when properly occupied the church will seat an audience of 450.

In 1906, by a unanimous vote, the congregation accepted the union proposition, is now incorporated and a part of the Presby¬ terian Church, U. S. A.