hchm-curator, Author at Harvey County Historical Society

A Curious Object & the Building at 413 N Main

Posted on July 11, 2025 by hchm-curator

by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM

What is it?

In our collection at HCHM is a small oddity. The object is circular with sawtooth edges. Engraved on the object are “Murphy 10 Hotel” and is identified as a key to a room at the hotel. While I cannot quite imagine how the object would function as a key, I think it might be the tag attached to a room key, telling the visitor which room is his or hers.

Murphy’s Hotel, 413 N. Main

Several hotels were located within walking distance of the AT&SF Depot within weeks of the railhead stopping in Newton in July 1871. The Rasure Hotel later known as the Howard House and replaced by the Clark Hotel was very conveniently located at the corner of 4th & Main on the west side. It was perhaps the first hotel in Newton.

In the 400 Block of north Main alone, there were three large hotels. One was constructed in the 400 Block on the west side. The July 13, 1883 issue of the Newton Democrat reported that “Frank Zurcher removed the old buildings from his lot opposite the depot on Main street and will commence the erection of a fine building immediately.” A fine new building soon occupied 413 N. Main. I. Isaacs, former proprietor of the English Kitchen, oversaw the new hotel known as the Enterprise. The editor explained that the hotel and restaurant were built “on the European plan.” He boldly pronounced that the Enterprise was “a first class hotel and a credit to our city.” Oysters “served in every style” were frequently on the menu. The Isaacs family left for St. Louis in the fall of 1885.

Under the management of M. L. Frase. the hotel was renamed the City Hotel and in 1897 was the only hotel in the city to offer $1.00 a day house in the city.

Murphy’s Hotel, 411-415 N. Main, Newton, Ks

The building was purchase by Joseph W. Murphy in approximately 1896. He opened Murphy’s Hotel shortly after. Joseph W. Murphy knew how to run hotels. By 1911, he owned four hotels in neighboring towns and employed fifty-two “skilled assistants.” The rooms were “first class with steam heat, electric lights and hot and cold water.” Murphy’s Hotel and Restaurant 411-415 N. Main. (1902)

According to newspaper reporting, Murphy planned to build a five story, 100 room fireproof hotel to replace the one at 411-413 N Main. It is unknown what happened to those plans.

In 1919, after 23 years in the hotel business, Murphy sold the business to Fred Fuge.

Carrie van Aken: Newton Business Woman

Born in Michigan in 1867, Carrie Douglas Van Aken would grow up to be a “pioneer resident” in Harvey County, Kansas and an active businesswoman.
Shortly after Carrie and Edward van Aken were married in November 1884 in Michigan, they moved to Nickerson, Kansas where Edward was employed by the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad as a telephone operator. Both of their children, Mildred and Lawrence, were born in Kansas.
In 1896, the AT&SF Railroad division headquarters moved back to Newton. As a result, Edward moved his family to Newton. For the next 43 years, until his death in 1931, Edward worked as a telephone operator for the Santa Fe Railroad. The family established a home at 120 East 1st after 1910.
Carrie soon became involved in the thriving restaurant/ hotel business in Newton.

In 1905 Mrs. Carrie Van Aken is listed as bookkeeper at the Murphy Hotel and Cafe located at 411-415 Main, Newton. Joseph W. Murphy was the proprietor. Her daughter, Mildred, also worked for the Murphy Hotel as a clerk in 1902. Eventually, she established her own restaurant business. The 1917 Newton City Directory, Carrie Van Aken is listed as the proprietor of the Auditorium Cafe located at 122 E. 5th, right across from the Santa Fe Depot. During this time, she also served as secretary on the Chamber of Commerce.

More on Carrie Van Aken’s businesses ventures.

Another tragic story associated with the Murphy Hotel is the one of Mary Janke.

The stories on key tag could tell.

The Unexpected Has Happened: Floods of 1904.

Posted on June 3, 2025June 3, 2025 by hchm-curator

by Kristine Schmucker, Archivist/Curator

Previously posted August 8, 2013, No Place Like Newton, Even if it does have a Sand creek”: The 1904 Flood

“Sand Creek, the despised and ridiculed, spread over its banks and overflowed the north end, for once a raging, destruction dealing current.”

“The Flood-gates Were Opened”

Tuesday evening, May 31, 1904, a large crowd was enjoying a street concert in Newton. Everything came to an abrupt end when rain drops began to fall. The crowd and band quickly scattered, but not everyone reached a place of protection “when the heavy fall of rain came and scores were drenched.” The rain continued steadily the next morning, thoroughly saturating the ground. At about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, “the flood-gates were opened and the rain fell in torrents . . . it was a deluge. . . . For awhile, it was impossible to see the buildings on one side of Main street from the other, so heavy and dense was the falling moisture.” The system of sewers and the gutters was completely overwhelmed. The editors of the Evening Kansan-Republican felt confident to report that although Sand Creek was “way out of its banks” and streets were flooded the main “flood effects as usual were worst at the Third and Fifth street corners.”

Headlines from Evening Kansan-Republican, June 2, 1904

1904 Flood Newton
HCHM Photo Archives

The next edition of the Evening Kansan-Republican headlined with the statement that “Newtonians Have Never Thought Such a Flood as Yesterday’s Possible Here.”

“The unexpected has happened and Newton has had its first experience with flood conditions. During the floods that prevailed last spring in the eastern part of the state, Newtonians found satisfaction in the thought that their own town, of all others, was safe . . . being far from any river and apparently as high and dry as a town could be.” (Evening Kansan-Republican, June 3, 1904, p. 1)

Headlines from Evening Kansan-Republican
June 3, 1904

Devastation was everywhere. From four o’clock in the afternoon until after nine o’clock in the evening on June 2, 1904, “Sand creek, the despised and ridiculed, spread over its banks and overflowed the north end, for once a raging destruction-dealing current.” The worst flooding was roughly an area from the Missouri Pacific Railroad tracks south to Main and Broadway and west to Sand Creek.

1904 Flood Newton
Jno. D. Riesen, photographer
HCHM Photo Archives

Bridges were washed away. The Tenth street bridge washed out and floated downstream striking the Ash street bridge. Both were a total loss. Also heavily damaged were the bridges on Main street and Broadway.

Many were unexpectedly trapped as their homes became islands because “it seemed so improbably that the water could possible reach to such a height.” Rescue workers with “hacks and wagons . . . rescue men on horses” all worked to get everyone to safety. In some places the water was so deep that it reached “almost to the horse’s head” and wagons could not be used.

Rescuers faced not only deep water and a swift current, but the hidden danger of “the barbed wire and the fences which they encountered.” One rescuer, Ben Mears, was in the water for an hour and a half. Another rescuer, Harry Howes later admitted that he was nearly overcome while rescuing a frightened child that had fallen out of a rescue boat. Howes swam to the boy and “held the boy above the water” with one hand until help arrived. The rescuer later noted that “he was not conscious of his actions or his words at that time.”

Those between the Missouri Pacific tracks and the Main street bridge were completely cut off. Most sought refuge at the home of Frank Wedel, which was the highest point in the area. At one point the flood water was almost to this point and people were frantic. Eventually the water receded and danger averted.

June 1904 Flood Bethel College
Graymaroon, Bethel College Yearbook, 1917
HCHM Photo Archives

Train service was also delayed, stranding passengers at Emporia and Strong City. Track washed out in several locations including between Peabody and Florence and a bridge was washed out at Cedar Point.

“Everybody has a story to tell:” Stories from the Flood

A good portion of the June 3, and June 4 Newton Evening Kansan Republican related stories of rescue and damage a few of which are included below.

“Such is the irony of fate that while there were many chickens and pigs drowned, one lot of pigs, which had been especially obnoxious to the neighbors were every one saved.”

“At Rev H.R. Voth’s home, No. 1211, the water was four inches above the lower floor. The carpets are ruined.”

“One of the worst sufferers was James J. Norton at No 1222 Main. Mr Norton had just moved into the house, having installed the last load of his goods at noon . . . yesterday. . . .Mr. Norton got the family out. The water rose nearly two feet in the house. Carpets and most of the furniture were ruined. Many pictures, books and other articles were piled on the floor temporarily which made the loss particularly severe.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Harry Trauber stayed in their house until late getting things out of danger and then waded in water waist high to dry land.”

“Mrs. Jackson staid [in her home] until the water oozed through the boards of the first floor as she walked over them. By that time the water around the house was very deep and the work of rescue was dangerous.”

In a June 6, 1904 editorial, S.R. Peters noted that “There is no place like home. No friends like home friends. No scenes like home scenes. No skies like Kansas skies. No place like Newton, even if it does have a Sand creek.”

Note: According to two “old settlers”, A.B. Gilbert and W. J. Puett, there had only been two other times Sand Creek had flooded to this extent – in 1877 and 1871 – based on their observations.

The flood on June 2, 1904 was the first major flood to occur in Newton. The rainfall, measured at 4.10,” came in a short amount of time. Primarily affecting the north end of town, flood waters got up to 12 feet. From 4 – 9 pm, the rescue efforts were underway and there was no loss of life.

“Worst Flooding in It’s History”

Roughly one month later, Harvey County was hit with another deluge. On July 6-7, the Little Arkansas River overflowed causing major flooding in Halstead and Sedgwick.

Halstead experienced perhaps it’s worst flooding to that date with the entire easter part of the town under water. According to reports it rained for 11 pm until 4 am dropping 3 1/4 inches. From the river past the Presbyterian church had depts of two to four feet. In front of the newspaper office, the water was 3 1/2 feet delaying the printing of the paper until the next day. Despite the trials in town, the farmers along the river were affected the most. It was noted that the river rose at the rate of 2 to 2 1/2 inches an hour from eleven o’clock but had decreased to 1/2 an inch by 2 pm. It was expected that the river could rise another 5-6 inches as a result of all of the rain up stream.

1904 Flood Halstead
HCHM Photo Archives

1904 Flood Alta Mill
HCHM Photo Archives

Sedgwick faired a bit better. By July 7, the flood waters had receded. Train service was greatly impacted with many bridges out. The weather system affected an area from Topeka to Wichita with “nearly every river in state flooding.”

Sedgwick Flood Photos July 6, 1904.

Sources

Evening Kansan-Republican, June 1, 1904.
Evening Kansan-Republican, June 2, 1904.
Evening Kansan-Republican, June 3, 1904.
Evening Kansan-Republican, June 6, 1904.
Evening Kansan-Republican, July 7, 1904.
City Directories: 1902-03; 1905.
HCHM Photo Archives

Community Builder: Pat Rickman

Posted on May 22, 2025 by hchm-curator

By Kristine Schmucker, Curator

Mary Ruth Martinsdale Rickman

Photo Courtesy Jullian Wall

Englishwoman, Mary Martinsdale arrived in Newton to answer an advertisement for a mail-order-bride placed by Patrick Rickman of Newton, Kansas. Much to her surprise, her future husband was black. She had answered the ad because “Rickman was a good English name, but now that she was here he was stuck with her.”
(“On Equal Ground” by Judy Burks, Newton Kansan, 125th Anniversary, Section B)

They wasted no time. Mary and Patrick were married March 17, 1911.

Mary was born on a farm near Liverpool, England on October 22, 1872. She had come to the United States at the age of 14 “to work for a family.” Not much else is known of her life prior to coming to Kansas. In the spring of 1911, at the age of 39 she traveled to Newton, Kansas to meet her future husband.

Patrick Rickman was a well-known and respected craftsman in Harvey County. Born in White County, Tennessee on July 31, 1857, Pat came to Harvey County in 1879. Here, he joined his father, Joseph Rickman, and aunt, Mary Rickman Anderson Grant. He learned the trade of brick mason.

In 1882, he married Amanda Burdine and they had four children; Angus and Guy, who died young, and Hazel and Lloyd who lived to adulthood. Pat and Amanda divorced in the fall of 1899.

Patrick Rickman
Photo courtesy Jullian Wall

At the time of his death, Pat Rickman was “one of the best known workmen in this section, as well as one of the most dependable, respected workman. Many a building stands today as a monument to his skill and industry.” (Evening Kansan Republican, 25 August 1926, p. 2.)

His daughter, Hazel, later recalled the times she brought lunch to her father (Pat) while he was working on the foundation of Bethel College Administration building. According to family tradition, Patrick Rickman was the head of the construction company that employed several members of the larger Rickman/Anderson family.This company worked on the foundation of the building for the new Mennonite college.*

After the death of Patrick, his wife Mary, “worked as a private nurse having in her care, until their death, several of Newton’s widely known and highly respected citizens.” In her obituary, Mary was described as “kind and loving, patriotic and charitable.” She was survived by her step-children, Lloyd Rickman and Hazel Rickman Rossiter. Services for Mary were held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newton. The pallbearers were members of her adopted American family, the Rickmans, Andersons, and Rossiters. (Evening Kansan Republican, 12 Aug. 1943, p. 2.)

During the month of February, in honor of Black History Month, we will be featuring related stories from Harvey County. Much of the information on the Rickman/Anderson/Grant family is based on oral traditions preserved by Marguerite Rickman Huffman & June Rossiter Thaw and research by Karen Wall. We are grateful for their willingness to share the stories of this Harvey County family.

For more about the early life of Patrick Rickman http://hchm.org/old-story-murder-main/

*No records have been found that identify who constructed the first half or foundation of the Ad Building. “On Equal Ground” by Judy Burks, Newton Kansan, 125th Anniversary, Section B

Sources:

Harvey County Historical Museum & Archives Marriage Certificate – March 17, 1911
Harvey County Historical Museum & Archives City Directories 1885-1926
Evening Kansan Republican, 25 August 1926, p. 2.
Evening Kansan Republican, 28 August 1926, p. 2.
Evening Kansan Republican, 12 Aug. 1943, p. 2.
“On Equal Ground” by Judy Burks, Newton Kansan, 125th Anniversary, Section B

To view the complete inventory of Marriage Certificates at the Harvey County Historical Museum & Archives, visit http://hchm.org/ and click on the ‘Research Library’ tab.